Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is the name given to a heterogeneous group of conditions characterized by inherited developmental enamel defects. AI enamel is abnormally thin, soft, fragile, pitted ...and/or badly discolored, with poor function and aesthetics, causing patients problems such as early tooth loss, severe embarrassment, eating difficulties, and pain. It was first described separately from diseases of dentine nearly 80 years ago, but the underlying genetic and mechanistic basis of the condition is only now coming to light. Mutations in the gene
, encoding an extracellular matrix protein secreted by ameloblasts during enamel formation, were first identified as a cause of AI in 1991. Since then, mutations in at least eighteen genes have been shown to cause AI presenting in isolation of other health problems, with many more implicated in syndromic AI. Some of the encoded proteins have well documented roles in amelogenesis, acting as enamel matrix proteins or the proteases that degrade them, cell adhesion molecules or regulators of calcium homeostasis. However, for others, function is less clear and further research is needed to understand the pathways and processes essential for the development of healthy enamel. Here, we review the genes and mutations underlying AI presenting in isolation of other health problems, the proteins they encode and knowledge of their roles in amelogenesis, combining evidence from human phenotypes, inheritance patterns, mouse models, and
studies. An LOVD resource (http://dna2.leeds.ac.uk/LOVD/) containing all published gene mutations for AI presenting in isolation of other health problems is described. We use this resource to identify trends in the genes and mutations reported to cause AI in the 270 families for which molecular diagnoses have been reported by 23rd May 2017. Finally we discuss the potential value of the translation of AI genetics to clinical care with improved patient pathways and speculate on the possibility of novel treatments and prevention strategies for AI.
Keratoconus (KC) is a progressive, early onset, and often bilateral eye condition, in which the cornea gradually weakens and bulges out, and in advanced cases may eventually become cone-shaped. The ...available evidence suggests that it is a multifactorial disease with environmental and genetic contributions. Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of 24 zinc-dependent proteases with the ability to degrade collagen and other extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, which are important components of the cornea. During the past two decades a growing body of literature has accumulated suggesting a link between MMPs and keratoconus. This article aims to summarize the current knowledge on the role of MMPs in the pathogenesis of KC. MMP-driven ECM remodelling is thought to be a necessary step for cornea healing, but a fine balance in the expression of MMPs is essential in maintaining the integrity and transparency of the cornea and for its correct healing, and an imbalance in this tightly regulated process may, in the long term, result in the progressive weakening of the cornea. There is extensive evidence that MMPs are upregulated in the corneal tissue and tears of KC patients, implicating dysregulated proteolysis in KC, with an increase in the level of some MMPs, particularly MMP-1 and MMP-9, confirmed in multiple independent studies. There is also evidence for a causative link between inflammation, which could result from the mechanical trauma due to contact lens wearing or/and eye rubbing, and the increased MMPs production observed in KC. However, the precise role of each MMP in the cornea is still unclear and the mechanisms causing their upregulation are mostly undiscovered. Further studies are required to verify the functional role of specific MMPs in KC development and assess the genetic association between common MMPs variants and risk of KC. As MMPs inhibitors are in development, this information could potentially drive the discovery of new treatments for KC.
•Keratoconus (KC) is a corneal disease with environmental and genetic causes.•Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) contribute to corneal integrity and healing.•Increased levels of some MMPs, particularly MMP-1 and MMP-9, are found in KC.•Dysregulation of MMPs may contribute to corneal weakening in KC.•Further studies in this area may drive the discovery of new treatments for KC.
Amelogenesis is the process of dental enamel formation, leading to the deposition of the hardest tissue in the human body. This process requires the intricate regulation of ion transport and ...controlled changes to the pH of the developing enamel matrix. The means by which the enamel organ regulates pH during amelogenesis is largely unknown. We identified rare homozygous variants in GPR68 in three families with amelogenesis imperfecta, a genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous group of inherited conditions associated with abnormal enamel formation. Each of these homozygous variants (a large in-frame deletion, a frameshift deletion, and a missense variant) were predicted to result in loss of function. GPR68 encodes a proton-sensing G-protein-coupled receptor with sensitivity in the pH range that occurs in the developing enamel matrix during amelogenesis. Immunohistochemistry of rat mandibles confirmed localization of GPR68 in the enamel organ at all stages of amelogenesis. Our data identify a role for GPR68 as a proton sensor that is required for proper enamel formation.
A combination of autozygosity mapping and exome sequencing identified a null mutation in SLC24A4 in a family with hypomineralized amelogenesis imperfect a (AI), a condition in which tooth enamel ...formation fails. SLC24A4 encodes a calcium transporter upregulated in ameloblasts during the maturation stage of amelogenesis. Screening of further AI families identified a missense mutation in the ion-binding site of SLC24A4 expected to severely diminish or abolish the ion transport function of the protein. Furthermore, examination of previously generated Slc24a4 null mice identified a severe defect in tooth enamel that reflects impaired amelogenesis. These findings support a key role for SLC24A4 in calcium transport during enamel formation.
The L74P STIM1 change within the EF-hand domain precedes the first Ca2+-binding aspartate residue by 2 amino acids (see Fig E2) and therefore might be expected to distort the Ca2+-binding region of ...the protein. ...we compared the response of mutant YFP-STIM1 (L74P) with the depletion of Ca2+ stores after thapsigargin or cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) treatment with that of wild-type YFP-STIM1 and the previously published EF-hand mutant7 YFP-STIM1 (D76A, see Fig E3 in this article's Online Repository at www.jacionline.org). Feature Recessive homozygous mutations Dominant mutations Reference Picard et al, 2009E8 Byun et al, 2010E9 Fuchs et al, 2012E10 Wang et al 2014E11 Schaballie et al, 2015E12 This study Bohm et al, 2013E13 Morin et al, 2014E14 Individual (AR) or diagnosis (AD) Pr1, Pr2, and Pr3low * Pr4dagger Pr5 and Pr6 Pr7 Pr8 and Pr9 V2 and V3 Tubular aggregate myopathydouble dagger Stormorken syndromedouble dagger Predicted protein effect of mutation No protein No protein p.429 R>C p. 146A>V p.165P>Q p.74 L>P All missense in the EF-hand p.304 R>W Age at last examination (y) 1, 5, 6, and 9 2 1.7 and 6 6 8 and 21 11 and 21 Various Various Immune deficiency Life-threatening infections Life-threatening infections Life-threatening infections History of frequent throat infections: no immunologic evaluation performed Life-threatening infections No persistent severe infection NR NR Other immune dysregulation AIHAITP AIHA AIHAITP NR Colitis, psoriasis V3 transient ITP NR NR Skeletal muscle Developmental skeletal myopathy with hypotonia, profound NR Developmental skeletal myopathy with hypotonia, mild NR Developmental skeletal myopathy, profound No abnormalities Clinical myopathy except with 1 mutation Increased CK typical Clinical myopathyIncreased CK Mydriasis Yes NR Yes NR No No NC Yes Sweat glands NC NR Anhidrosis NR Anhidrosis Hypohidrosis NC NC Dental enamel Abnormal NR Abnormal Abnormal Abnormal Abnormal NC NC Died Pr1 died 9 y (during HSCT)Pr2 died 1.5 y (encephalitis) Pr4 died 2 y (Kaposi sarcoma) Pr6 died 1.7 y (sepsis) NR NA NA NA NA Alive Pr3 alive at 6 y (HSCT at 1.3 y) NA Pr5 alive (HSCT) Pr7 lost to follow-up at 5 y Pr8 and Pr9 alive V2 and V3 alive All alive All alive Table E3 Summary of key clinical findings associated with individual reported recessive STIM1 mutations and summarized key clinical findings associated with dominant STIM1 mutations AIHA, Autoimmune hemolytic anemia; AD, autosomal dominant; AR, autosomal recessive; CK, creatine kinase; HSCT, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; ITP, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura; NA, not applicable; NC, no comment made; NR, comment made but feature not recognized.
Short-read next-generation sequencing has revolutionized our ability to identify variants underlying inherited diseases; however, it does not allow the phasing of variants to clarify their diagnostic ...interpretation. The advent of widespread, increasingly accurate long-read sequencing has opened up new applications not currently available through short-read next-generation sequencing. One such use is the ability to phase variants to clarify their diagnostic interpretation and to investigate the increasingly prevalent role of cis-acting variants in the pathogenesis of the inherited disease, so-called complex alleles. Complex alleles are becoming an increasingly prevalent part of the study of genes associated with inherited diseases, for example, in ABCA4-related diseases. We sought to establish a cost-effective method to phase contiguous segments of the 130-kb ABCA4 locus by long-read sequencing of overlapping amplification products. Using the comprehensively characterized CEPH sample, NA12878, we verified the accuracy and robustness of our assay. However, in-field assessment of its utility using clinical test cases was hampered by the paucity and distribution of identified variants and by PCR chimerism, particularly where the number of PCR cycles was high. Despite this, we were able to construct robust phase blocks of up to 94.9 kb, representing 73% of the ABCA4 locus. We conclude that, although haplotype analysis of variants located within discrete amplification products was robust and informative, the stitching together of larger phase blocks using overlapping single-molecule reads remained practically challenging.
Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) is an inherited blinding disorder of the retinal vascular system. Although mutations in three genes (LRP5, FZD4, and NDP) are known to cause FEVR, these ...account for only a fraction of FEVR cases. The proteins encoded by these FEVR genes form part of a signaling complex that activates the Norrin-β-catenin signaling pathway. Recently, through a large-scale reverse genetic screen in mice, Junge and colleagues identified an additional member of this signaling complex, Tspan12. Here, we report that mutations in TSPAN12 also cause autosomal-dominant FEVR. We describe seven mutations identified in a cohort of 70 FEVR patients in whom we had already excluded the known FEVR genes. This study provides further evidence for the importance of the Norrin-β-catenin signaling pathway in the development of the retinal vasculature and also indicates that more FEVR genes remain to be identified.
Mutations in pre-mRNA processing factors (PRPFs) cause autosomal-dominant retinitis pigmentosa (RP), but it is unclear why mutations in ubiquitously expressed genes cause non-syndromic retinal ...disease. Here, we generate transcriptome profiles from RP11 (PRPF31-mutated) patient-derived retinal organoids and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), as well as Prpf31
mouse tissues, which revealed that disrupted alternative splicing occurred for specific splicing programmes. Mis-splicing of genes encoding pre-mRNA splicing proteins was limited to patient-specific retinal cells and Prpf31
mouse retinae and RPE. Mis-splicing of genes implicated in ciliogenesis and cellular adhesion was associated with severe RPE defects that include disrupted apical - basal polarity, reduced trans-epithelial resistance and phagocytic capacity, and decreased cilia length and incidence. Disrupted cilia morphology also occurred in patient-derived photoreceptors, associated with progressive degeneration and cellular stress. In situ gene editing of a pathogenic mutation rescued protein expression and key cellular phenotypes in RPE and photoreceptors, providing proof of concept for future therapeutic strategies.
Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) is an autosomal-recessive condition characterized by high intraocular pressure (IOP), usually within the first year of life, which potentially could lead to optic ...nerve damage, globe enlargement, and permanent loss of vision. To date, PCG has been linked to three loci: 2p21 (GLC3A), for which the responsible gene is CYP1B1, and 1p36 (GLC3B) and 14q24 (GLC3C), for which the genes remain to be identified. Here we report that null mutations in LTBP2 cause PCG in four consanguineous families from Pakistan and in patients of Gypsy ethnicity. LTBP2 maps to chromosome 14q24.3 but is around 1.3 Mb proximal to the documented GLC3C locus. Therefore, it remains to be determined whether LTBP2 is the GLC3C gene or whether a second adjacent gene is also implicated in PCG. LTBP2 is the largest member of the latent transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta binding protein family, which are extracellular matrix proteins with multidomain structure. It has homology to fibrillins and may have roles in cell adhesion and as a structural component of microfibrils. We confirmed localization of LTBP2 in the anterior segment of the eye, at the ciliary body, and particularly the ciliary process. These findings reveal that LTBP2 is essential for normal development of the anterior chamber of the eye, where it may have a structural role in maintaining ciliary muscle tone.
Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) is a blinding retinal disease that presents within the first year after birth. Using exome sequencing, we identified mutations in the nicotinamide adenine ...dinucleotide (NAD) synthase gene NMNAT1 encoding nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 1 in eight families with LCA, including the family in which LCA was originally linked to the LCA9 locus. Notably, all individuals with NMNAT1 mutations also have macular colobomas, which are severe degenerative entities of the central retina (fovea) devoid of tissue and photoreceptors. Functional assays of the proteins encoded by the mutant alleles identified in our study showed that the mutations reduce the enzymatic activity of NMNAT1 in NAD biosynthesis and affect protein folding. Of note, recent characterization of the slow Wallerian degeneration (Wld(s)) mouse model, in which prolonged axonal survival after injury is observed, identified NMNAT1 as a neuroprotective protein when ectopically expressed. Our findings identify a new disease mechanism underlying LCA and provide the first link between endogenous NMNAT1 dysfunction and a human nervous system disorder.
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Dostopno za:
DOBA, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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