A loss of function mutation in CLDN25 causing Pelizaeus-Merzbacher-like leukodystrophy.

Claudin-25 (CLDN-25), also known as Claudin containing domain 1, is an uncharacterized claudin family member. It has less conserved amino acid sequences when compared to other claudins. It also has a very broad tissue expression profile and there is currently a lack of functional information from murine knockout models. Here, we report a de novo missense heterozygous variant in CLDN25 (c. 745G>C, p. A249P) found in a patient diagnosed with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher-like leukodystrophy and presenting with symptoms such as delayed motor development, several episodes of tonic absent seizures and generalized dystonia. The variant protein does not localize to the cell-cell borders where it would normally be expected to be expressed. Amino acid position 249 is located 4 amino acids from the C-terminal end of the protein where most claudin family members have a conserved binding motif for the key scaffolding protein ZO-1. However, CLDN-25 does not contain this motif. Here, we show that the C-terminal end of CLDN-25 is required for its junctional localization in a ZO-1 independent manner. The A249P mutant protein as well as a deletion mutant lacking its last 5 C-terminal amino acids also failed to localize to the cell-cell border in vitro. Intriguingly, cellular knockout of CLDN25, in vitro, appeared to increase the integrity of the tight junction between 2 contacting cells, while driving highly unusual increased movement of solutes between cells. We propose that the barrier function of CLDN-25 is akin to a decoy claudin, whereby decreasing its expression in "leaky" epithelial cells and endothelial cells will drive dynamic changes in the adhesion and interaction capacity of cell-cell contact points. While it remains unclear how this de novo CLDN-25 mutant induces leukodystrophy, our findings strongly suggest that this mutation induces haploinsufficiency of CLDN-25. Elucidating the function of this uncharacterized claudin protein will lead to a better understanding of the role of claudin proteins in health and disease.

FOXG1 variants can be associated with milder phenotypes than congenital Rett syndrome with unassisted walking and language development.

Since 2008, FOXG1 haploinsufficiency has been linked to a severe neurodevelopmental phenotype resembling Rett syndrome but with earlier onset. Most patients are unable to sit, walk, or speak. For years, FOXG1 sequencing was only prescribed in such severe cases, limiting insight into the full clinical spectrum associated with this gene. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) now enables unbiased diagnostics. Through the European Reference Network for Rare Malformation Syndromes, Intellectual and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders, we gathered data from patients with heterozygous FOXG1 variants presenting a mild phenotype, defined as able to speak and walk independently. We also reviewed data from three previously reported patients meeting our criteria. We identified five new patients with pathogenic FOXG1 missense variants, primarily in the forkhead domain, showing varying nonspecific intellectual disability and developmental delay. These features are not typical of congenital Rett syndrome and were rarely associated with microcephaly and epilepsy. Our findings are consistent with a previous genotype-phenotype analysis by Mitter et al. suggesting the delineation of five different FOXG1 genotype groups. Milder phenotypes were associated with missense variants in the forkhead domain. This information may facilitate prognostic assessments in children carrying a FOXG1 variant and improve the interpretation of new variants identified with genomic sequencing.

Hypomorphic variants of SEL1L-HRD1 ER-associated degradation are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Recent studies using cell type-specific knockout mouse models have improved our understanding of the pathophysiological relevance of suppressor of lin-12-like-HMG-CoA reductase degradation 1 (SEL1L-HRD1) endoplasmic reticulum-associated (ER-associated) degradation (ERAD); however, its importance in humans remains unclear, as no disease variant has been identified. Here, we report the identification of 3 biallelic missense variants of SEL1L and HRD1 (or SYVN1) in 6 children from 3 independent families presenting with developmental delay, intellectual disability, microcephaly, facial dysmorphisms, hypotonia, and/or ataxia. These SEL1L (p.Gly585Asp, p.Met528Arg) and HRD1 (p.Pro398Leu) variants were hypomorphic and impaired ERAD function at distinct steps of ERAD, including substrate recruitment (SEL1L p.Gly585Asp), SEL1L-HRD1 complex formation (SEL1L p.Met528Arg), and HRD1 activity (HRD1 p.Pro398Leu). Our study not only provides insights into the structure-function relationship of SEL1L-HRD1 ERAD, but also establishes the importance of SEL1L-HRD1 ERAD in humans.

The importance of on-site genetic counseling for prospective assisted reproductive technology patients.

PURPOSE: To assess the value of having an onsite genetic counseling service integrated into an assisted reproductive technology (ART) center. METHODS: Since January 2021, we have offered genetic counseling at our ART center for couples whose medical history suggests risk of transmission of a genetic disorder. The percentage of couples referred for genetic counseling, the distribution of couples according to reasons for consultation, the mode of transmission in cases of Mendelian disorders, and the frequency of mutations for those with identified genetic disorders were determined. RESULTS: In an 18-month period, 150 of 1340 couples (11.2%) enrolled for ART treatment were referred to the genetic counseling unit. Two-thirds (99/150, 66.0%) were referred for a known genetic risk, a family history of a genetic disorder or chromosomal abnormality, a serious condition of unknown cause, or consanguinity. The remaining couples had a putative genetic risk (diminished ovarian reserve, high incidence of oocyte immaturity, recurrent abortion, or severe male infertility). Of the 99 with known genetic risk, 62 (62.7%), were approved for ART treatment, 23 (23.2%) were recommended prenatal or preimplantation testing, and 14 (14.1%) were referred for further testing before undergoing ART. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reveal great value in having an on-site genetic counseling unit for referral of ART patients. Such a unit makes the ART process smoother and safer for couples, and it lightens the burden of ART staff by removing responsibilities for which they are neither trained, nor should they have to assume.

A recurrent homozygous LMNA missense variant p.Thr528Met causes atypical progeroid syndrome characterized by mandibuloacral dysostosis, severe muscular dystrophy, and skeletal deformities.

Atypical progeroid syndromes (APS) are premature aging syndromes caused by pathogenic LMNA missense variants, associated with unaltered expression levels of lamins A and C, without accumulation of wild-type or deleted prelamin A isoforms, as observed in Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) or HGPS-like syndromes. A specific LMNA missense variant, (p.Thr528Met), was previously identified in a compound heterozygous state in patients affected by APS and severe familial partial lipodystrophy, whereas heterozygosity was recently identified in patients affected by Type 2 familial partial lipodystrophy. Here, we report four unrelated boys harboring homozygosity for the p.Thr528Met, variant who presented with strikingly homogeneous APS clinical features, including osteolysis of mandibles, distal clavicles and phalanges, congenital muscular dystrophy with elevated creatine kinase levels, and major skeletal deformities. Immunofluorescence analyses of patient-derived primary fibroblasts showed a high percentage of dysmorphic nuclei with nuclear blebs and typical honeycomb patterns devoid of lamin B1. Interestingly, in some protrusions emerin or LAP2α formed aberrant aggregates, suggesting pathophysiology-associated clues. These four cases further confirm that a specific LMNA variant can lead to the development of strikingly homogeneous clinical phenotypes, in these particular cases a premature aging phenotype with major musculoskeletal involvement linked to the homozygous p.Thr528Met variant.

A non-coding variant in the Kozak sequence of RARS2 strongly decreases protein levels and causes pontocerebellar hypoplasia.

Bi-allelic variants in the mitochondrial arginyl-transfer RNA synthetase (RARS2) gene have been involved in early-onset encephalopathies classified as pontocerebellar hypoplasia (PCH) type 6 and in epileptic encephalopathy. A variant (NM_020320.3:c.-2A > G) in the promoter and 5'UTR of the RARS2 gene has been previously identified in a family with PCH. Only a mild impact of this variant on the mRNA level has been detected. As RARS2 is non-dosage-sensitive, this observation is not conclusive in regard of the pathogenicity of the variant.We report and describe here a new patient with the same variant in the RARS2 gene, at the homozygous state. This patient presents with a clinical phenotype consistent with PCH6 although in the absence of lactic acidosis. In agreement with the previous study, we measured RARS2 mRNA levels in patient's fibroblasts and detected a partially preserved gene expression compared to control. Importantly, this variant is located in the Kozak sequence that controls translation initiation. Therefore, we investigated the impact on protein translation using a bioinformatic approach and western blotting. We show here that this variant, additionally to its effect on the transcription, also disrupts the consensus Kozak sequence, and has a major impact on RARS2 protein translation. Through the identification of this additional case and the characterization of the molecular consequences, we clarified the involvement of this Kozak variant in PCH and on protein synthesis. This work also points to the current limitation in the pathogenicity prediction of variants located in the translation initiation region.

Clinical and radiological description of 120 pediatric stroke-like episodes.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stroke-like episodes (SLEs) are defined as acute onset of neurological symptoms mimicking a stroke and radiological lesions non-congruent to vascular territory. We aimed to analyze the acute clinical and radiological features of SLEs to determine their pathophysiology. METHODS: We performed a monocenter retrospective analysis of 120 SLEs in 60 children over a 20-year period. Inclusion criteria were compatible clinical symptoms and stroke-like lesions on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; performed for all 120 events) with focal hyperintensity on diffusion-weighted imaging in a non-vascular territory. RESULTS: Three groups were identified: children with mitochondrial diseases (n = 22) involving mitochondrial DNA mutations (55%) or nuclear DNA mutations (45%); those with other metabolic diseases or epilepsy disorders (n = 22); and those in whom no etiology was found despite extensive investigations (n = 16). Age at first SLE was younger in the group with metabolic or epilepsy disorders (18 months vs. 128 months; p < 0.0001) and an infectious trigger was more frequent (69% vs. 20%; p = 0.0001). Seizures occurred in 75% of episodes, revealing 50% episodes of SLEs and mainly leading to status epilepticus (90%). Of the 120 MRI scans confirming the diagnosis, 28 were performed within a short and strict 48-h period and were further analyzed to better understand the underlying mechanisms. The scans showed primary cortical hyperintensity (n = 28/28) with decreased apparent diffusion coefficient in 52% of cases. Systematic hyperperfusion was found on spin labeling sequences when available (n = 18/18). CONCLUSION: Clinical and radiological results support the existence of a vicious circle based on two main mechanisms: energy deficit and neuronal hyperexcitability at the origin of SLE.

A shared pattern of altered gene expression in human embryos affected by mitochondrial diseases.

STUDY QUESTION: Does mitochondrial deficiency affect human embryonic preimplantation development? SUMMARY ANSWER: The presence of a pathogenic mitochondrial variant triggers changes in the gene expression of preimplantation human embryos, compromising their development, cell differentiation, and survival. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Quantitative and qualitative anomalies of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) are reportedly associated with impaired human embryonic development, but the underlying mechanisms remain unexplained. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Taking advantage of the preimplantation genetic testing for mitochondrial disorders in at-risk couples, we have compared gene expression of 9 human embryos carrying pathogenic variants in either mtDNA genes or nuclear genes encoding mitochondrial protein to 33 age-matched control embryos. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Single-embryo transcriptomic analysis was performed on whole human blastocyst embryos donated to research. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Specific pathogenic mitochondrial variants downregulate gene expression in preimplantation human embryos [566 genes in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS)-deficient embryos], impacting transcriptional regulators, differentiation factors, and nuclear genes encoding mitochondrial proteins. These changes in gene expression primarily alter OXPHOS and cell survival pathways. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The number of OXPHOS-deficient embryos available for the study was limited owing to the rarity of this material. However, the molecular signature shared by all these embryos supports the relevance of the findings. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: While identification of reliable markers of normal embryonic development is urgently needed in ART, our study prompts us to consider under-expression of the targeted genes reported here, as predictive biomarkers of mitochondrial dysfunction during preimplantation development. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This work was supported by the 'Association Française contre les Myopathies (AFM-Téléthon)' and the 'La Fondation Maladies Rares'. No competing interests to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.

The CLDN5 gene at the blood-brain barrier in health and disease.

The CLDN5 gene encodes claudin-5 (CLDN-5) that is expressed in endothelial cells and forms tight junctions which limit the passive diffusions of ions and solutes. The blood-brain barrier (BBB), composed of brain microvascular endothelial cells and associated pericytes and end-feet of astrocytes, is a physical and biological barrier to maintain the brain microenvironment. The expression of CLDN-5 is tightly regulated in the BBB by other junctional proteins in endothelial cells and by supports from pericytes and astrocytes. The most recent literature clearly shows a compromised BBB with a decline in CLDN-5 expression increasing the risks of developing neuropsychiatric disorders, epilepsy, brain calcification and dementia. The purpose of this review is to summarize the known diseases associated with CLDN-5 expression and function. In the first part of this review, we highlight the recent understanding of how other junctional proteins as well as pericytes and astrocytes maintain CLDN-5 expression in brain endothelial cells. We detail some drugs that can enhance these supports and are being developed or currently in use to treat diseases associated with CLDN-5 decline. We then summarise mutagenesis-based studies which have facilitated a better understanding of the physiological role of the CLDN-5 protein at the BBB and have demonstrated the functional consequences of a recently identified pathogenic CLDN-5 missense mutation from patients with alternating hemiplegia of childhood. This mutation is the first gain-of-function mutation identified in the CLDN gene family with all others representing loss-of-function mutations resulting in mis-localization of CLDN protein and/or attenuated barrier function. Finally, we summarize recent reports about the dosage-dependent effect of CLDN-5 expression on the development of neurological diseases in mice and discuss what cellular supports for CLDN-5 regulation are compromised in the BBB in human diseases.

Novel ELAC2 Mutations in Individuals Presenting with Variably Severe Neurological Disease in the Presence or Absence of Cardiomyopathy.

Transcription of mitochondrial DNA generates long polycistronic precursors whose nucleolytic cleavage yields the individual mtDNA-encoded transcripts. In most cases, this cleavage occurs at the 5'- and 3'-ends of tRNA sequences by the concerted action of RNAseP and RNaseZ/ELAC2 endonucleases, respectively. Variants in the ELAC2 gene have been predominantly linked to severe to mild cardiomyopathy that, in its milder forms, is accompanied by variably severe neurological presentations. Here, we report five patients from three unrelated families. Four of the patients presented mild to moderate cardiomyopathy and one died at 1 year of age, one patient had no evidence of cardiomyopathy. The patients had variable neurological presentations that included intellectual disability, ataxia, refractory epilepsy, neuropathy and deafness. All patients carried previously unreported missense and nonsense variants. Enzymatic analyses showed multiple OXPHOS deficiencies in biopsies from two patients, whereas immunoblot analyses revealed a decreased abundance of ELAC2 in fibroblasts from three patients. Northern blot analysis revealed an accumulation of unprocessed mt-tRNAVal-precursor consistent with the role of ELAC2 in transcript processing. Our study expands the genetic spectrum of ELAC2-linked disease and suggests that cardiomyopathy is not an invariably present clinical hallmark of this pathology.

Movement disorders in valine métabolism diseases caused by HIBCH and ECHS1 deficiencies.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: HIBCH and ECHS1 genes encode two enzymes implicated in the critical steps of valine catabolism, 3-hydroxyisobutyryl-coenzyme A (CoA) hydrolase (HIBCH) and short-chainenoyl-CoA hydratase (ECHS1), respectively. HIBCH deficiency (HIBCHD) and ECHS1 deficiency (ECHS1D) generate rare metabolic dysfunctions, often revealed by neurological symptoms. The aim of this study was to describe movement disorders spectrum in patients with pathogenic variants in ECHS1 and HIBC. METHODS: We reviewed a series of 18 patients (HIBCHD: 5; ECHS1D: 13) as well as 105 patients from the literature. We analysed the detailed phenotype of HIBCHD (38 patients) and ECHS1D (85 patients), focusing on MDs. RESULTS: The two diseases have a very similar neurological phenotype, with an early onset before 10 years of age for three clinical presentations: neonatal onset, Leigh-like syndrome (progressive onset or acute neurological decompensation), and isolated paroxysmal dyskinesia. Permanent or paroxysmal MDs were recorded in 61% of HIBCHD patients and 72% of ECHS1D patients. Patients had a variable combination of either isolated or combined MD, and dystonia was the main MD. These continuous MDs included dystonia, chorea, parkinsonism, athetosis, myoclonus, tremors, and abnormal eye movements. Patients with paroxysmal dyskinesia (HIBCHD: 4; ECHS1D: 9) usually had pure paroxysmal dystonia with normal clinical examination and no major impairment in psychomotor development. No correlation could be identified between clinical pattern (especially MD) and genetic pathogenic variants. CONCLUSIONS: Movement disorders, including abnormal ocular movements, are a hallmark of HIBCHD and ECHS1D. MDs are not uniform; dystonia is the most frequent, and various types of MD are combined in single patient.

Recurrent de novo mutations in CLDN5 induce an anion-selective blood-brain barrier and alternating hemiplegia.

Claudin-5 is the most enriched tight junction protein at the blood-brain barrier. Perturbations in its levels of expression have been observed across numerous neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions; however, pathogenic variants in the coding sequence of the gene have never been reported previously. Here, we report the identification of a novel de novo mutation (c.178G>A) in the CLDN5 gene in two unrelated cases of alternating hemiplegia with microcephaly. This mutation (G60R) lies within the first extracellular loop of claudin-5 and based on protein modelling and sequence alignment, we predicted it would modify claudin-5 to become an anion-selective junctional component as opposed to a purely barrier-forming protein. Generation of stably transfected cell lines expressing wild-type or G60R claudin-5 showed that the tight junctions could still form in the presence of the G60R mutation but that the barrier against small molecules was clearly attenuated and displayed higher Cl- ion permeability and lower Na+ permeability. While this study strongly suggests that CLDN5 associated alternating hemiplegia is a channelopathy, it is also the first study to identify the conversion of the blood-brain barrier to an anion-selective channel mediated by a dominant acting variant in CLDN5.

Phenotypic spectrum and genomics of undiagnosed arthrogryposis multiplex congenita.

BACKGROUND: Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) is characterised by congenital joint contractures in two or more body areas. AMC exhibits wide phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity. Our goals were to improve the genetic diagnosis rates of AMC, to evaluate the added value of whole exome sequencing (WES) compared with targeted exome sequencing (TES) and to identify new genes in 315 unrelated undiagnosed AMC families. METHODS: Several genomic approaches were used including genetic mapping of disease loci in multiplex or consanguineous families, TES then WES. Sanger sequencing was performed to identify or validate variants. RESULTS: We achieved disease gene identification in 52.7% of AMC index patients including nine recently identified genes (CNTNAP1, MAGEL2, ADGRG6, ADCY6, GLDN, LGI4, LMOD3, UNC50 and SCN1A). Moreover, we identified pathogenic variants in ASXL3 and STAC3 expanding the phenotypes associated with these genes. The most frequent cause of AMC was a primary involvement of skeletal muscle (40%) followed by brain (22%). The most frequent mode of inheritance is autosomal recessive (66.3% of patients). In sporadic patients born to non-consanguineous parents (n=60), de novo dominant autosomal or X linked variants were observed in 30 of them (50%). CONCLUSION: New genes recently identified in AMC represent 21% of causing genes in our cohort. A high proportion of de novo variants were observed indicating that this mechanism plays a prominent part in this developmental disease. Our data showed the added value of WES when compared with TES due to the larger clinical spectrum of some disease genes than initially described and the identification of novel genes.

MYT1L-associated neurodevelopmental disorder: description of 40 new cases and literature review of clinical and molecular aspects.

Pathogenic variants of the myelin transcription factor-1 like (MYT1L) gene include heterozygous missense, truncating variants and 2p25.3 microdeletions and cause a syndromic neurodevelopmental disorder (OMIM#616,521). Despite enrichment in de novo mutations in several developmental disorders and autism studies, the data on clinical characteristics and genotype-phenotype correlations are scarce, with only 22 patients with single nucleotide pathogenic variants reported. We aimed to further characterize this disorder at both the clinical and molecular levels by gathering a large series of patients with MYT1L-associated neurodevelopmental disorder. We collected genetic information on 40 unreported patients with likely pathogenic/pathogenic MYT1L variants and performed a comprehensive review of published data (total = 62 patients). We confirm that the main phenotypic features of the MYT1L-related disorder are developmental delay with language delay (95%), intellectual disability (ID, 70%), overweight or obesity (58%), behavioral disorders (98%) and epilepsy (23%). We highlight novel clinical characteristics, such as learning disabilities without ID (30%) and feeding difficulties during infancy (18%). We further describe the varied dysmorphic features (67%) and present the changes in weight over time of 27 patients. We show that patients harboring highly clustered missense variants in the 2-3-ZNF domains are not clinically distinguishable from patients with truncating variants. We provide an updated overview of clinical and genetic data of the MYT1L-associated neurodevelopmental disorder, hence improving diagnosis and clinical management of these patients.

Heterogeneity of PNPT1 neuroimaging: mitochondriopathy, interferonopathy or both?

BACKGROUND: Biallelic variants in PNPT1 cause a mitochondrial disease of variable severity. PNPT1 (polynucleotide phosphorylase) is a mitochondrial protein involved in RNA processing where it has a dual role in the import of small RNAs into mitochondria and in preventing the formation and release of mitochondrial double-stranded RNA into the cytoplasm. This, in turn, prevents the activation of type I interferon response. Detailed neuroimaging findings in PNPT1-related disease are lacking with only a few patients reported with basal ganglia lesions (Leigh syndrome) or non-specific signs. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: To document neuroimaging data in six patients with PNPT1 highlighting novel findings. RESULTS: Two patients exhibited striatal lesions compatible with Leigh syndrome; one patient exhibited leukoencephalopathy and one patient had a normal brain MRI. Interestingly, two unrelated patients exhibited cystic leukoencephalopathy resembling RNASET2-deficient patients, patients with Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS) or congenital CMV infection. CONCLUSION: We suggest that similar to RNASET2, PNPT1 be searched for in the setting of cystic leukoencephalopathy. These findings are in line with activation of type I interferon response observed in AGS, PNPT1 and RNASET2 deficiencies, suggesting a common pathophysiological pathway and linking mitochondrial diseases, interferonopathies and immune dysregulations.

External Validation of BMT-i Computerized Test Battery for Diagnosis of Learning Disabilities.

Background: Learning disabilities (LDs) are a major public health issue, affecting cognitive functions and academic performance for 8% of children. If LDs are not detected early and addressed through appropriate interventions, they have a heavy impact on these children in the social, educational, and professional spheres, at great cost to society. The BMT-i (Batterie Modulable de Tests informatisée, or "computerized Adaptable Test Battery") enables fast, easy, reliable assessments for each cognitive domain. It has previously been validated in children ages 4-13 who had no prior complaints. The present study demonstrates the sensitivity of the BMT-i, relative to reference test batteries, for 191 children with cognitive difficulties. Materials and Methods: These 191 subjects were included in the study by the 14 pediatricians treating them for complaints in five cognitive domains: written language [60 (cases)]; mathematical cognition (40); oral language (60); handwriting, drawing, and visuospatial construction (45); and attention and executive functioning (45). In accordance with a predefined protocol, the children were administered BMT-i tests first, by their pediatricians, and reference tests later, by specialists to whom the BMT-i test results were not disclosed. Comparison of BMT-i and reference test results made it possible to evaluate sensitivity and agreement between tests. Results: For each of the five domains, the BMT-i was very sensitive (0.91-1), and normal BMT-i results were highly predictive of normal results for specialized reference tests [negative likelihood ratio (LR-): 0-0.16]. There was close agreement between BMT-i and reference tests in all domains except attention and executive functioning, for which only moderate agreement was observed. Conclusion: The BMT-i offers rapid, reliable, simple computerized assessments whose sensitivity and agreement with reference test batteries make it a suitable first-line instrument for LD screening in children 4-13 years old.

Variants in the MIPEP gene presenting with complex neurological phenotype without cardiomyopathy, impair OXPHOS protein maturation and lead to a reduced OXPHOS abundance in patient cells.

Most mitochondrial proteins are synthesized in the cytosol and targeted to mitochondria via N-terminal mitochondrial targeting signals (MTS) that are proteolytically removed upon import. Sometimes, MTS removal is followed by a cleavage of an octapeptide by the mitochondrial intermediate peptidase (MIP), encoded by the MIPEP gene. Previously, MIPEP variants were linked to four cases of multisystemic disorder presenting with cardiomyopathy, developmental delay, hypotonia and infantile lethality. We report here a patient carrying compound heterozygous MIPEP variants-one was not previously linked to mitochondrial disease-who did not have cardiomyopathy and who is alive at the age of 20 years. This patient had developmental delay, global hypotonia, mild optic neuropathy and mild ataxia. Functional characterization of patient fibroblasts and HEK293FT cells carrying MIPEP hypomorphic alleles demonstrated that deficient MIP activity was linked to impaired post-import processing of subunits from four of the five OXPHOS complexes and decreased abundance and activity of some of these complexes in human cells possibly underlying the development of mitochondrial disease. Thus, our work expands the genetic and clinical spectrum of MIPEP-linked disease and establishes MIP as an important regulator of OXPHOS biogenesis and function in human cells.

The Computerized Adaptable Test Battery (BMT-i) for Rapid Assessment of Children's Academic Skills and Cognitive Functions: A Validation Study.

Background: Learning disabilities in children are a major public health concern worldwide, having a prevalence of 8%. They are associated with lost social, educational, and ultimately, professional opportunities for individuals. These disabilities are also very costly to governments and raise the issue of the appropriate means of screening. Unfortunately, validated tools for preliminary appraisal of learning and cognitive function in struggling children are presently restricted to specific age ranges and cognitive domains. This study sought to validate a first-line battery for assessment of academic skills and cognitive functions. Materials and Methods: The computerized Adaptable Test Battery, or BMT-i, includes a panel of tests for the first-line assessment of children's academic skills and cognitive functions. The tests reflect expected abilities for the age group in question, exploring academic skills (written language and mathematical cognition) and cognitive domains (verbal, non-verbal, and attentional/executive functions). The authors relied on the results of these tests for a sample of 1,074 Francophone children representative of the mainland French school-age population (522 boys and 552 girls, ages 4-13, from 39 classes at 7 public and 5 private schools). Thirteen speech-language pathologists and neuropsychologists individually administered the tests. Results: The psychometric characteristics of the empirical data obtained showed acceptable to good test homogeneity, internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: > 0.70), test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients: ~0.80), and consistency with reference test batteries (r: 0.44-0.96). Conclusion: The BMT-i was validated in a large sample of children in mainstream French schools, paving the way for its use in first-line screening of learning disabilities among children with complaints, whether their learning difficulties have been flagged by their parents or by their teachers.