The Effects of Larval Cryopreservation on the Epigenetics of the Pacific Oyster Crassostrea gigas.

High mortalities and highly variable results during the subsequent development of post-thaw larvae have been widely considered as key issues restricting the application of cryopreservation techniques to support genetic improvement programs and hatchery production in farmed marine bivalve species. To date, few studies have been undertaken to investigate the effects of cryodamage at the molecular level in bivalves. This study is the first to evaluate the effect of larval cryopreservation on the epigenetics of the resultant progenies of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. The results show that the level of DNA methylation was significantly (p < 0.05) higher and lower than that of the control when the trochophore larvae were revived and when they developed to D-stage larvae (day 1 post-fertilization), respectively, but the level returned to the control level from day 8 post-fertilization onwards. The expression of the epigenetic regulator genes DNMT3b, MeCP2, JmjCA, KDM2 and OSA changed significantly (p < 0.05) when the trochophore larvae were thawed, and then they reverted to the control levels at the D- and later larval developmental stages. However, the expression of other epigenetic regulator genes, namely, MBD2, DNMT1, CXXC1 and JmjD6, did not change at any post-thaw larval developmental stage. For the newly thawed trochophore larvae, the amount of methylated H3K4Me1 and H3K27Me1 significantly changed, and the expression of all Jumonji orthologs, except that of Jumonji5, significantly (p < 0.05) decreased. These epigenetic results agree with the data collected on larval performances (e.g., survival rate), suggesting that the effect period of the published cryopreservation technique on post-thaw larvae is short in C. gigas.

Host Species and Environment Shape the Gut Microbiota of Cohabiting Marine Bivalves.

Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) and Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) are commercially important marine bivalves that frequently coexist and have overlapping feeding ecologies. Like other invertebrates, their gut microbiota is thought to play an important role in supporting their health and nutrition. Yet, little is known regarding the role of the host and environment in driving these communities. Here, bacterial assemblages were surveyed from seawater and gut aspirates of farmed C. gigas and co-occurring wild M. galloprovincialis in summer and winter using Illumina 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Unlike seawater, which was dominated by Pseudomonadata, bivalve samples largely consisted of Mycoplasmatota (Mollicutes) and accounted for >50% of the total OTU abundance. Despite large numbers of common (core) bacterial taxa, bivalve-specific species (OTUs) were also evident and predominantly associated with Mycoplasmataceae (notably Mycoplasma). An increase in diversity (though with varied taxonomic evenness) was observed in winter for both bivalves and was associated with changes in the abundance of core and bivalve-specific taxa, including several representing host-associated and environmental (free-living or particle-diet associated) organisms. Our findings highlight the contribution of the environment and the host in defining the composition of the gut microbiota in cohabiting, intergeneric bivalve populations.

A new hip-pocket frog from mid-eastern Australia (Anura: Myobatrachidae: Assa).

The hip-pocket frog (Assa darlingtoni), a small terrestrial myobatrachid frog found in mid-eastern Australia, has a highly derived, unusual, reproductive mode involving a unique form of male parental care. Males have subcutaneous pouches that open near the hip, and the developing tadpoles are carried in these pouches to post metamorphosis. It is found on several isolated mountain ranges in closed forest habitats, associated with high rainfall and temperate or sub-tropical climates. We established genetic relationships among specimens sampled across the range using phylogenetic analyses of thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the nuclear genome and mitochondrial ND2 gene nucleotide sequences. These analyses uncovered two lineages that are genetically distinct in both nDNA and mtDNA analyses and that have low levels of divergence in male advertisement calls and are morphologically cryptic. Our data support separate species status for each lineage, based on the molecular genetic data. The first, which we name as a new species, Assa wollumbin sp. nov., is restricted to a single mountain, Wollumbin (= Mount Warning), the eroded cone of an ancient shield volcanothe Tweed Volcano. The second, the nominal species A. darlingtoni, has a wider distribution in five geographically disjunct subpopulations along 430 km of the Great Dividing Range in south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales. The distributions of the two species closely approach within 15 km of each other on the central plug and rim of the caldera of the Tweed Volcano. Assa wollumbin sp. nov. meets the conservation criteria for Critically Endangered [A3(e), B2(a,b)]. When all subpopulations of A. darlingtoni are combined the conservation assessment is Endangered [A3(e), B2(a,b)]. Because of the fragmented nature of the distribution of A. darlingtoni, combined with the genetic evidence of concordant sub-structuring, we also conducted a conservation assessment on the five subpopulations. Two were assessed as Critically Endangered (DAguilar Range and Conondale/Blackall Ranges), and the remainder as Endangered (Dorrigo Plateau, McPherson Ranges, and Gibraltar Ranges/Washpool).

Revision of the Litoria watjulumensis (Anura: Pelodryadidae) group from the Australian monsoonal tropics, including the resurrection of L. spaldingi.

We show that the Wotjulum frog, Litoria watjulumensis (Copland, 1957), comprises two deeply divergent mitochondrial DNA lineages that are also reciprocally monophyletic for a nuclear gene locus and have discrete distributions. The taxa are differentiated in multivariate analysis of shape but show no appreciable differences in colour and pattern. The two taxa differ substantially in the degree of female biased sexual size dimorphism, with the western taxon showing considerably more pronounced dimorphism. We subsequently resurrect Litoria (Hyla) spaldingi (Hosmer, 1964) for populations from east of the Daly River system in the Northern Territory through to western Queensland and restrict L. watjulumensis to populations from the Kimberley region of north-western Australia and the Victoria River system of the western Northern Territory. The complex advertisement call of L. spaldingi is described for the first time.

Antibiotic-induced alterations and repopulation dynamics of yellowtail kingfish microbiota.

BACKGROUND: The use of antibiotics in aquaculture is a common infection treatment and is increasing in some sectors and jurisdictions. While antibiotic treatment can negatively shift gut bacterial communities, recovery and examination of these communities in fish of commercial importance is not well documented. Examining the impacts of antibiotics on farmed fish microbiota is fundamental for improving our understanding and management of healthy farmed fish. This work assessed yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) skin and gut bacterial communities after an oral antibiotic combination therapy in poor performing fish that displayed signs of enteritis over an 18-day period. In an attempt to promote improved bacterial re-establishment after antibiotic treatment, faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was also administered via gavage or in the surrounding seawater, and its affect was evaluated over 15 days post-delivery. RESULTS: Antibiotic treatment greatly perturbed the global gut bacterial communities of poor-performing fish - an effect that lasted for up to 18 days post treatment. This perturbation was marked by a significant decrease in species diversity and evenness, as well as a concomitant increase in particular taxa like an uncultured Mycoplasmataceae sp., which persisted and dominated antibiotic-treated fish for the entire 18-day period. The skin-associated bacterial communities were also perturbed by the antibiotic treatment, notably within the first 3 days; however, this was unlike the gut, as skin microbiota appeared to shift towards a more 'normal' (though disparate) state after 5 days post antibiotic treatment. FMT was only able to modulate the impacts of antibiotics in some individuals for a short time period, as the magnitude of change varied substantially between individuals. Some fish maintained certain transplanted gut taxa (i.e. present in the FMT inoculum; namely various Aliivibrio related ASVs) at Day 2 post FMT, although these were lost by Day 8 post FMT. CONCLUSION: As we observed notable, prolonged perturbations induced by antibiotics on the gut bacterial assemblages, further work is required to better understand the processes/dynamics of their re-establishment following antibiotic exposure. In this regard, procedures like FMT represent a novel approach for promoting improved microbial recovery, although their efficacy and the factors that support their success requires further investigation.

Using in situ hybridization to expand the daily egg production method to new fish species.

The capacity to reliably identify fish eggs is critical in the application of the daily egg production method (DEPM) to estimate biomass of commercially important species. This application has largely been confined to species that have easily identifiable eggs. Various molecular strategies have been used to extend the DEPM to a broader range of species, with recent approaches like in situ hybridization (ISH) that preserves the integrity of whole eggs, embryos or larvae recommended as a suitable alternative over destructive procedures like PCR. Here, we designed and validated an ISH approach for the identification of whole eggs and larvae from Snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) from environmental samples using the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene as a target for specific horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated oligonucleotide probes. This colorimetric assay allowed the highly specific detection of positive hybridization signals from intact C. auratus larvae and eggs from mixed-species samples comprising closely related taxa. Furthermore, evaluation of whole eggs across a range of developmental stages revealed the sensitivity of the approach for discerning early stages, thereby guiding staging and the identification of otherwise indistinguishable eggs from environmental samples. This approach represents a major advance from current molecular-based strategies as it is nondestructive and allows for the simultaneous identification and staging of fish eggs (and larvae). The resultant 100% egg identification certainty we have achieved allows the DEPM to be applied to a wider array of fish species and is particularly applicable to species in areas where morphologically similar eggs are being spawned at the same time.

The Inner Workings of the Outer Surface: Skin and Gill Microbiota as Indicators of Changing Gut Health in Yellowtail Kingfish.

The mucosal surfaces and associated microbiota of fish are an important primary barrier and provide the first line of defense against potential pathogens. An understanding of the skin and gill microbial assemblages and the factors which drive their composition may provide useful insights into the broad dynamics of fish host-microbial relationships, and may reveal underlying changes in health status. This is particularly pertinent to cultivated systems whereby various stressors may led to conditions (like enteritis) which impinge on productivity. As an economically important species, we assessed whether the outer-surface bacterial communities reflect a change in gut health status of cultivated Yellowtail Kingfish (Seriola lalandi). Active bacterial assemblages were surveyed from RNA extracts from swabs of the skin and gills by constructing Illumina 16S rRNA gene amplicon libraries. Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were predominant in both the skin and gills, with enrichment of key ß-proteobacteria in the gills (Nitrosomonadales and Ferrovales). Fish exhibiting early stage chronic lymphocytic enteritis comprised markedly different global bacterial assemblages compared to those deemed healthy and exhibiting late stages of the disease. This corresponded to an overall loss of diversity and enrichment of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, particularly in the gills. In contrast, bacterial assemblages of fish with late stage enteritis were generally similar to those of healthy individuals, though with some distinct taxa. In conclusion, gut health status is an important factor which defines the skin and gill bacterial assemblages of fish and likely reflects changes in immune states and barrier systems during the early onset of conditions like enteritis. This study represents the first to investigate the microbiota of the outer mucosal surfaces of fish in response to underlying chronic gut enteritis, revealing potential biomarkers for assessing fish health in commercial aquaculture systems.

Revision of the water-holding frogs, Cyclorana platycephala (Anura: Hylidae), from arid Australia, including a description of a new species.

The water-holding frog, Cyclorana platycephala, occurs in the Australian arid and semi-arid zones but not in the central Australian deserts. Recent inspection of morphological variation in adults and larvae suggests that the taxon comprises three regional populations: eastern, northern and western that may each represent separate species. To assess the systematic status of these populations, we documented phylogenetic relationships using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers, divergence in adult and larval morphology and male advertisement call. Our molecular genetic data demonstrates that the western population of C. platycephala is not the sister taxon of eastern and northern representatives of this nominate species, as the latter two are more closely related to another morphologically distinct species, C. verrucosa. Discriminant Function Analysis of 14 morphological traits in adults and 15 in larvae showed a high degree of morphological differentiation of western versus eastern/northern C. platycephala. Calls of eastern and western populations differed in duration, pulse rate, frequency and especially in amplitude modulation pattern across the call duration. We describe the western population as a new species, whose range is contained entirely within Western Australia. In addition, we redescribe Cyclorana platycephala, quantify morphological and genetic differences between the eastern and northern populations, and conclude that these data support recognition of a single species, Cyclorana platycephala, for populations found in New South Wales, the Barkly Tablelands and south-eastern Northern Territory, Queensland and South Australia.

First comparative insight into the architecture of COI mitochondrial minicircle molecules of dicyemids reveals marked inter-species variation.

Dicyemids, poorly known parasites of benthic cephalopods, are one of the few phyla in which mitochondrial (mt) genome architecture departs from the typical ~16 kb circular metazoan genome. In addition to a putative circular genome, a series of mt minicircles that each comprises the mt encoded units (I-III) of the cytochrome c oxidase complex have been reported. Whether the structure of the mt minicircles is a consistent feature among dicyemid species is unknown. Here we analyse the complete cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) minicircle molecule, containing the COI gene and an associated non-coding region (NCR), for ten dicyemid species, allowing for first time comparisons between species of minicircle architecture, NCR function and inferences of minicircle replication. Divergence in COI nucleotide sequences between dicyemid species was high (average net divergence = 31.6%) while within species diversity was lower (average net divergence = 0.2%). The NCR and putative 5' section of the COI gene were highly divergent between dicyemid species (average net nucleotide divergence of putative 5' COI section = 61.1%). No tRNA genes were found in the NCR, although palindrome sequences with the potential to form stem-loop structures were identified in some species, which may play a role in transcription or other biological processes.

Blue scalp discoloration in infants caused by exogenous source.

A blue patch on the vertex scalp of an infant has a broad differential diagnosis, including vascular malformations, melanocytic lesions, trauma, and exogenous or endogenous pigmentation. We present two cases of infants who developed blue patches on the scalp. Extensive examination including MRI and biopsy was recommended for one of the patients to further characterize the lesion and its possible medical implications. In both, the blue discoloration had been due to repetitive contact with the sticker on a tub of baby wipes that had rubbed off onto the scalp. We present these infants to highlight this exogenous and benign cause of blue pigmentation and help practitioners avoid unnecessary examination.

Parasites as biological tags to assess host population structure: Guidelines, recent genetic advances and comments on a holistic approach.

We review the use of parasites as biological tags of marine fishes and cephalopods in host population structure studies. The majority of the work published has focused on marine fish and either single parasite species or more recently, whole parasite assemblages, as biological tags. There is representation of host organisms and parasites from a diverse range of taxonomic groups, although focus has primarily been on host species of commercial importance. In contrast, few studies have used parasites as tags to assess cephalopod population structure, even though records of parasites infecting cephalopods are well-documented. Squid species are the only cephalopod hosts for which parasites as biological tags have been applied, with anisakid nematode larvae and metacestodes being the parasite taxa most frequently used. Following a brief insight into the importance of accurate parasite identification, the population studies that have used parasites as biological tags for marine fishes and cephalopods are reviewed, including comments on the dicyemid mesozoans. The advancement of molecular genetic techniques is discussed in regards to the new ways parasite genetic data can be incorporated into population structure studies, alongside host population genetic analyses, followed by an update on the guidelines for selecting a parasite species as a reliable tag candidate. As multiple techniques and methods can be used to assess the population structure of marine organisms (e.g. artificial tags, phenotypic characters, biometrics, life history, genetics, otolith microchemistry and parasitological data), we conclude by commenting on a holistic approach to allow for a deeper insight into population structuring.

Dicyemid fauna composition and infection patterns in relation to cephalopod host biology and ecology.

Ten Southern Hemisphere cephalopod species from six families collected from six localities in western, southern and eastern Australia were examined for dicyemid parasites. A total of 11 dicyemid species were recorded, with three cephalopod species uninfected, four infected by one dicyemid species and three infected by multiple dicyemid species. Dicyemid species prevalence ranged from 24-100%, with observed infection patterns explored due to host size, host life history properties, host geographical collection locality and inter-parasite species competition for attachment sites, space and nutrients. Left and right renal appendages were treated as separate entities and four different patterns of infection by asexual and sexual dicyemid stages were observed. The detection within a single host individual of asexual dicyemid stages in one renal appendage and sexual dicyemid stages in the other renal appendage supported the notion that developmental cues mediating stage transition are parasite-controlled, and also occurs independently and in isolation within each renal appendage. Our study exploring dicyemid parasite fauna composition in relation to cephalopod host biology and ecology therefore represents a thorough, broad-scale taxonomic analysis that allows for a greater understanding of dicyemid infection patterns.

Using the giant Australian cuttlefish (Sepia apama) mass breeding aggregation to explore the life cycle of dicyemid parasites.

Dicyemid mesozoan parasites, microscopic organisms found with high intensities in the renal appendages of benthic cephalopods, have a complex, partially unknown life cycle. It is uncertain at which host life cycle stage (i.e. eggs, juvenile, adult) new infection by the dispersive infusoriform embryo occurs. As adult cephalopods have a short lifespan and die shortly after reproducing only once, and juveniles are fast-moving, we hypothesize that the eggs are the life cycle stage where new infection occurs. Eggs are abundant and sessile, allowing a huge number of new individuals to be infected with low energy costs, and they also provide dicyemids with the maximum amount of time for survival compared with infection of juvenile and adult stages. In our study we collected giant Australian cuttlefish (Sepia apama) eggs at different stages of development and filtered seawater samples from the S. apama mass breeding aggregation area in South Australia, Australia, and tested these samples for the presence of dicyemid DNA. We did not recover dicyemid parasite cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) nucleotide sequences from any of the samples, suggesting eggs are not the stage where new infection occurs. To resolve this unknown in the dicyemid life cycle, we believe experimental infection is needed.

First descriptions of dicyemid mesozoans (Dicyemida: Dicyemidae) from Australian octopus (Octopodidae) and cuttlefish (Sepiidae), including a new record of Dicyemennea in Australian waters.

Three new species of dicyemid mesozoans are described for the first time from Australian octopus and cuttlefish species. Dicyemennea floscephalum sp. n. is described from Octopus berrima Stranks et Norman (southern keeled octopus) collected from Spencer Gulf and Gulf St. Vincent, South Australia, Australia and represents the first description of a species of Dicyemennea Whitman, 1883 from Australian waters. Dicyema papuceum sp. n. and D. furuyi sp. n. are described from Sepia papuensis Hoyle (Papuan cuttlefish) collected from Shark Bay, Western Australia, Australia. Dicyemennea floscephalum sp. n. is a medium to large species that reaches approximately 4.9 mm in length. The vermiform stages are characterised by having 23-28 peripheral cells, and a disc-shaped, flower-like calotte in larger individuals. An anterior abortive axial cell is absent in vermiform embryos and verruciform cells were not observed in nematogens and rhombogens. Infusoriform embryos comprise 37 cells; one nucleus is present in each urn cell. Dicyema papuceum sp. n. is a small species that reaches approximately 1.1 mm in length. The vermiform stages are characterised by having 30-33 peripheral cells and a relatively small, cap-shaped calotte. An anterior abortive axial cell is absent in vermiform embryos and verruciform cells were occasionally observed in nematogens. Infusoriform embryos comprise 37 cells; two nuclei are present in each urn cell. Dicyema furuyi sp. n. is a large species that reaches approximately 5.3 mm in length. The vermiform stages are characterised by having 22-24 peripheral cells and an elongate calotte. An anterior abortive axial cell is absent in vermiform embryos and verruciform cells were not observed in nematogens and rhombogens. Infusoriform embryos comprise 37 cells; one nucleus is present in each urn cell. Three secondary nematogens were also observed in the right renal appendages of two host individuals, confirming the occurrence of this form.

Five new species of dicyemid mesozoans (Dicyemida: Dicyemidae) from two Australian cuttlefish species, with comments on dicyemid fauna composition.

Five new species of dicyemid mesozoans in two genera are described from two Australian cuttlefish species, Sepia apama Gray (giant Australian cuttlefish) and S. novaehollandiae Hoyle (nova cuttlefish): Dicyema coffinense n. sp. from S. apama collected from Coffin Bay, South Australia (SA), Australia; D. koinonum n. sp. from S. apama and S. novaehollandiae collected from Gulf St Vincent (GSV) and Spencer Gulf (SG), SA, Australia; D. multimegalum n. sp. from S. apama collected from Cronulla and North Bondi, New South Wales, Australia; D. vincentense n. sp. from S. novaehollandiae collected from GSV, SA, Australia; and Dicyemennea spencerense n. sp. from S. novaehollandiae and S. apama collected from SG, SA, Australia. Totals of 51 S. apama and 27 S. novaehollandiae individuals were examined, of which all except for four S. apama were infected by at least one dicyemid species. Dicyemid parasites were also observed in host individuals that were held in tanks for 2-3 months prior to examination, including nematogen-exclusive infections, leading to questions about persistence of dicyemids after host death and the mechanism responsible for the switch between a nematogen phase and a rhombogen phase. Variations in host size, calotte shape and collection locality are explored as predictors of differences in observed composition of the parasite fauna. In particular, dicyemid parasite fauna varied with host collection locality. As these parasites are highly host-species specific, their use as biological tags to assess cephalopod population structure using a combined morphological and molecular approach is discussed. This study increases the number of dicyemid species described from Australian cephalopods from five to ten, and from 117 to 122 species described worldwide.

Assessing genotype-phenotype correlation in Costello syndrome using a severity score.

PURPOSE: Costello syndrome, a rare genetic disorder with multisystemic involvement, is caused by germline HRAS mutations. Because several different missense mutations have been reported, a severity scoring system was developed to assess a possible genotype-phenotype correlation. METHODS: Records of 78 individuals with Costello syndrome were scored in early childhood, childhood, and young adulthood by a reviewer blinded to the individuals' specific mutations. These scores were based on certain medically relevant feeding, neurologic, orthopedic, endocrine, cardiac, malignancy, and mortality manifestations. Individuals' severity scores were then grouped by the particular HRAS mutation. The mixed-model approach for repeated-measures analysis of variance with unstructured within-subject correlation, pairwise comparisons, and contrast were used to determine whether the severity scores differed by mutation. RESULTS: Although the sample size was small, individuals with the p.G12A or p.G12C HRAS change were more severely affected than those with other HRAS mutations. Regardless of the mutation, severity did not increase significantly over time. CONCLUSION: Despite its limitations, including the small number of individuals with rare mutations and possibly incomplete medical records, this work providing the first quantitative assessment of phenotypic severity in a Costello syndrome cohort supports a medically relevant genotype-phenotype correlation.

Two new species of dicyemid (Dicyemida: Dicyemidae) from two Australian cephalopod species: Sepioteuthis australis (Mollusca: Cephalopoda: Loliginidae) and Sepioloidea lineolata (Mollusca: Cephalopoda: Sepiadariidae).

Two new species of dicyemid parasites from Dicyema are described from 2 species of Australian cephalopods, i.e., Dicyema calamaroceum n. sp. from Sepioteuthis australis Quoy and Gaimard, 1832 (southern calamary) collected from Spencer Gulf (SG) and Gulf St Vincent (GSV), South Australia (SA), Australia, and Dicyema pyjamaceum n. sp. from Sepioloidea lineolata Quoy and Gaimard, 1832 (striped pyjama squid), collected from SG, SA, Australia. Dicyema calamaroceum is a medium sized species that reaches approximately 2,400 µm in length. The vermiform stages are characterized by having 31-34 peripheral cells, a conical calotte, and an axial cell that extends to the propolar cells. An anterior abortive axial cell is absent in vermiform embryos, and verruciform cells were not observed in nematogens and rhombogens. Infusoriform embryos consist of 39 cells; 2 nuclei are present in each urn cell, and the refringent bodies are solid. Dicyema pyjamaceum is smaller than D. calamaroceum, with a body length that reaches approximately 1,950 µm. The vermiform stages are characterized by having 20-23 peripheral cells, a cap-shaped calotte that forms a cephalic swelling together with the parapolar cells, and an axial cell that extends to the propolar cells. An anterior abortive axial cell is absent in vermiform embryos. Verruciform cells and granules in propolar cells were observed in nematogens and rhombogens. Infusoriform embryos consist of 37 cells; 2 nuclei are present in each urn cell, and the refringent bodies are solid. This represents the first description of dicyemid parasites from Australia.

Redescriptions of two species of microcotylid monogeneans from three arripid hosts in southern Australian waters.

Microcotyle arripis Sandars, 1945 is redescribed from Arripis georgianus from four localities: Spencer Gulf, Gulf St. Vincent, off Kangaroo Island and Coffin Bay, South Australia, Australia. Kahawaia truttae (Dillon & Hargis, 1965) Lebedev, 1969 is reported from A. trutta off Bermagui, New South Wales and is redescribed from a new host, A. truttaceus, from four localities in South Australian waters: Spencer Gulf, Gulf St. Vincent, off Kangaroo Island and Coffin Bay. Phylogenetic analysis of the partial 28S ribosomal RNA gene (28S rRNA) nucleotide sequences for both microcotylid species and comparison with other available sequence data for microcotylid species across four genera contributes to our understanding of relationships in this monogenean family.

Costello syndrome associated with novel germline HRAS mutations: an attenuated phenotype?

Costello syndrome is a rare congenital disorder typically characterized by severe failure-to-thrive, cardiac abnormalities including tachyarrhythmia and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, distinctive facial features, a predisposition to papillomata and malignant tumors, neurologic abnormalities, developmental delay, and mental retardation. Its underlying cause is de novo germline mutations in the oncogene HRAS. Almost all Costello syndrome mutations affect one of the glycine residues in position 12 or 13 of the protein product. More than 80% of patients with Costello syndrome share the same underlying mutation, resulting in a G12S amino acid change. We report on two patients with novel HRAS mutations affecting amino acids 58 (T58I) and 146 (A146V), respectively. Despite facial features that appear less coarse than those typically seen in Costello patients, both patients show many of the physical and developmental problems characteristic for Costello syndrome. These novel HRAS mutations may be less common than the frequently reported G12S change, or patients with these changes may be undiagnosed due to their less coarse facial features. In addition to the findings previously known to occur in Costello syndrome, one of our patients had hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. This led us to review the medical histories on a cohort of proven HRAS mutation positive Costello syndrome patients, and we found a statistically significantly (P < 0.001) increased frequency of pyloric stenosis in Costello syndrome (5/58) compared to the general population frequency of 2-3/1,000. Thus we add hypertrophic pyloric stenosis to the abnormalities seen with increased frequency in Costello syndrome.