@article {515, title = {Clinical exome sequencing reveals locus heterogeneity and phenotypic variability of cohesinopathies.}, journal = {Genet Med}, volume = {21}, year = {2019}, month = {2019 03}, pages = {663-675}, abstract = {

PURPOSE: Defects in the cohesin pathway are associated with cohesinopathies, notably Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS). We aimed to delineate pathogenic variants~in known and candidate cohesinopathy genes from a clinical exome perspective.

METHODS: We retrospectively studied patients referred for clinical exome sequencing (CES, N = 10,698). Patients with causative variants in novel or recently described cohesinopathy genes were enrolled for phenotypic characterization.

RESULTS: Pathogenic or likely pathogenic single-nucleotide and insertion/deletion variants (SNVs/indels) were identified in established disease genes including NIPBL (N = 5), SMC1A (N = 14), SMC3 (N = 4), RAD21 (N = 2), and HDAC8 (N = 8). The phenotypes in this genetically defined cohort skew towards the mild end of CdLS spectrum as compared with phenotype-driven cohorts. Candidate or recently reported cohesinopathy genes were supported by de novo SNVs/indels in STAG1 (N = 3), STAG2 (N = 5), PDS5A (N = 1), and WAPL (N = 1), and one inherited SNV in PDS5A. We also identified copy-number deletions affecting STAG1 (two de novo, one of unknown inheritance) and STAG2 (one of unknown inheritance). Patients with STAG1 and STAG2 variants presented with overlapping features yet without characteristic facial features of CdLS.

CONCLUSION: CES effectively identified disease-causing alleles at the mild end of the cohensinopathy spectrum and enabled characterization of candidate disease genes.

}, keywords = {Adolescent, Alleles, Antigens, Nuclear, Biological Variation, Population, Carrier Proteins, Cell Cycle Proteins, Child, Child, Preschool, Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone, Cohort Studies, De Lange Syndrome, Exome, Female, Gene Frequency, Genetic Heterogeneity, Humans, INDEL Mutation, Male, Mutation, Nuclear Proteins, Phenotype, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide, Proto-Oncogene Proteins, Retrospective Studies, Whole Exome Sequencing}, issn = {1530-0366}, doi = {10.1038/s41436-018-0085-6}, author = {Yuan, Bo and Neira, Juanita and Pehlivan, Davut and Santiago-Sim, Teresa and Song, Xiaofei and Rosenfeld, Jill and Posey, Jennifer E and Patel, Vipulkumar and Jin, Weihong and Adam, Margaret P and Baple, Emma L and Dean, John and Fong, Chin-To and Hickey, Scott E and Hudgins, Louanne and Leon, Eyby and Madan-Khetarpal, Suneeta and Rawlins, Lettie and Rustad, Cecilie F and Stray-Pedersen, Asbj{\o}rg and Tveten, Kristian and Wenger, Olivia and Diaz, Jullianne and Jenkins, Laura and Martin, Laura and McGuire, Marianne and Pietryga, Marguerite and Ramsdell, Linda and Slattery, Leah and Abid, Farida and Bertuch, Alison A and Grange, Dorothy and Immken, LaDonna and Schaaf, Christian P and Van Esch, Hilde and Bi, Weimin and Cheung, Sau Wai and Breman, Amy M and Smith, Janice L and Shaw, Chad and Crosby, Andrew H and Eng, Christine and Yang, Yaping and Lupski, James R and Xiao, Rui and Liu, Pengfei} } @article {391, title = {Heterozygous variants in ACTL6A, encoding a component of the BAF complex, are associated with intellectual disability.}, journal = {Hum Mutat}, volume = {38}, year = {2017}, month = {2017 10}, pages = {1365-1371}, abstract = {

Pathogenic variants in genes encoding components of the BRG1-associated factor (BAF) chromatin remodeling complex have been associated with intellectual disability syndromes. We identified heterozygous, novel variants in ACTL6A, a gene encoding a component of the BAF complex, in three subjects with varying degrees of intellectual disability. Two subjects have missense variants affecting highly conserved amino acid residues within the actin-like domain. Missense mutations in the homologous region in yeast actin were previously reported to be dominant lethal and were associated with impaired binding of the human ACTL6A to β-actin and BRG1. A third subject has a splicing variant that creates an in-frame deletion. Our findings suggest that the variants identified in our subjects may have a deleterious effect on the function of the protein by disturbing the integrity of the BAF complex. Thus, ACTL6A gene mutation analysis should be considered in patients with intellectual disability, learning disabilities, or developmental language disorder.

}, keywords = {Actins, Adolescent, Child, Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly, Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone, DNA Helicases, DNA-Binding Proteins, Exome, Face, Female, Hand Deformities, Congenital, Heterozygote, Humans, Intellectual Disability, Male, Micrognathism, Multiprotein Complexes, Mutation, Missense, Nuclear Proteins, Protein Binding, Transcription Factors}, issn = {1098-1004}, doi = {10.1002/humu.23282}, author = {Marom, Ronit and Jain, Mahim and Burrage, Lindsay C and Song, I-Wen and Graham, Brett H and Brown, Chester W and Stevens, Servi J C and Stegmann, Alexander P A and Gunter, Andrew T and Kaplan, Julie D and Gavrilova, Ralitza H and Shinawi, Marwan and Rosenfeld, Jill A and Bae, Yangjin and Tran, Alyssa A and Chen, Yuqing and Lu, James T and Gibbs, Richard A and Eng, Christine and Yang, Yaping and Rousseau, Justine and de Vries, Bert B A and Campeau, Philippe M and Lee, Brendan} } @article {425, title = {Whole exome sequencing in 342 congenital cardiac left sided lesion cases reveals extensive genetic heterogeneity and complex inheritance patterns.}, journal = {Genome Med}, volume = {9}, year = {2017}, month = {2017 10 31}, pages = {95}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: Left-sided lesions (LSLs) account for an important fraction of severe congenital cardiovascular malformations (CVMs). The genetic contributions to LSLs are complex, and the mutations that cause these malformations span several diverse biological signaling pathways: TGFB, NOTCH, SHH, and more. Here, we use whole exome sequence data generated in 342 LSL cases to identify likely damaging variants in putative candidate CVM genes.

METHODS: Using a series of bioinformatics filters, we focused on genes harboring population-rare, putative loss-of-function (LOF), and predicted damaging variants in 1760 CVM candidate genes constructed a priori from the literature and model organism databases. Gene variants that were not observed in a comparably sequenced control dataset of 5492 samples without severe CVM were then subjected to targeted validation in cases and parents. Whole exome sequencing data from 4593 individuals referred for clinical sequencing were used to bolster evidence for the role of candidate genes in CVMs and LSLs.

RESULTS: Our analyses revealed 28 candidate variants in 27 genes, including 17 genes not previously associated with a human CVM disorder, and revealed diverse patterns of inheritance among LOF carriers, including 9 confirmed de novo variants in both novel and newly described human CVM candidate genes (ACVR1, JARID2, NR2F2, PLRG1, SMURF1) as well as established syndromic CVM genes (KMT2D, NF1, TBX20, ZEB2). We also identified two genes (DNAH5, OFD1) with evidence of recessive and hemizygous inheritance patterns, respectively. Within our clinical cohort, we also observed heterozygous LOF variants in JARID2 and SMAD1 in individuals with cardiac phenotypes, and collectively, carriers of LOF variants in our candidate genes had a four times higher odds of having CVM (odds ratio = 4.0, 95\% confidence interval 2.5-6.5).

CONCLUSIONS: Our analytical strategy highlights the utility of bioinformatic resources, including human disease records and model organism phenotyping, in novel gene discovery for rare human disease. The results underscore the extensive genetic heterogeneity underlying non-syndromic LSLs, and posit potential novel candidate genes and complex modes of inheritance in this important group of birth defects.

}, keywords = {Female, Genetic Heterogeneity, Heart Defects, Congenital, Humans, Inheritance Patterns, Male, Whole Exome Sequencing}, issn = {1756-994X}, doi = {10.1186/s13073-017-0482-5}, author = {Li, Alexander H and Hanchard, Neil A and Furthner, Dieter and Fernbach, Susan and Azamian, Mahshid and Nicosia, Annarita and Rosenfeld, Jill and Muzny, Donna and D{\textquoteright}Alessandro, Lisa C A and Morris, Shaine and Jhangiani, Shalini and Parekh, Dhaval R and Franklin, Wayne J and Lewin, Mark and Towbin, Jeffrey A and Penny, Daniel J and Fraser, Charles D and Martin, James F and Eng, Christine and Lupski, James R and Gibbs, Richard A and Boerwinkle, Eric and Belmont, John W} } @article {19, title = {Whole-exome sequencing in the molecular diagnosis of individuals with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract and identification of a new causative gene.}, journal = {Genet Med}, volume = {19}, year = {2017}, month = {2017 Apr}, pages = {412-420}, abstract = {

PURPOSE: To investigate the utility of whole-exome sequencing (WES) to define a molecular diagnosis for patients clinically diagnosed with congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT).

METHODS: WES was performed in 62 families with CAKUT. WES data were analyzed for single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) in 35 known CAKUT genes, putatively deleterious sequence changes in new candidate genes, and potentially disease-associated copy-number variants (CNVs).

RESULTS: In approximately 5\% of families, pathogenic SNVs were identified in PAX2, HNF1B, and EYA1. Observed phenotypes in these families expand the current understanding about the role of these genes in CAKUT. Four pathogenic CNVs were also identified using two CNV detection tools. In addition, we found one deleterious de novo SNV in FOXP1 among the 62 families with CAKUT. The clinical database of the Baylor Miraca Genetics laboratory was queried and seven additional unrelated individuals with novel de novo SNVs in FOXP1 were identified. Six of these eight individuals with FOXP1 SNVs have syndromic urinary tract defects, implicating this gene in urinary tract development.

CONCLUSION: We conclude that WES can be used to identify molecular etiology (SNVs, CNVs) in a subset of individuals with CAKUT. WES can also help identify novel CAKUT genes.Genet Med 19 4, 412-420.

}, keywords = {Adolescent, Child, Child, Preschool, DNA Copy Number Variations, Exome Sequencing, Female, Forkhead Transcription Factors, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1-beta, Humans, Infant, Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins, Male, Nuclear Proteins, PAX2 Transcription Factor, Pedigree, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide, Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases, Repressor Proteins, Urogenital Abnormalities, Vesico-Ureteral Reflux, Young Adult}, issn = {1530-0366}, doi = {10.1038/gim.2016.131}, author = {Bekheirnia, Mir Reza and Bekheirnia, Nasim and Bainbridge, Matthew N and Gu, Shen and Coban Akdemir, Zeynep Hande and Gambin, Tomek and Janzen, Nicolette K and Jhangiani, Shalini N and Muzny, Donna M and Michael, Mini and Brewer, Eileen D and Elenberg, Ewa and Kale, Arundhati S and Riley, Alyssa A and Swartz, Sarah J and Scott, Daryl A and Yang, Yaping and Srivaths, Poyyapakkam R and Wenderfer, Scott E and Bodurtha, Joann and Applegate, Carolyn D and Velinov, Milen and Myers, Angela and Borovik, Lior and Craigen, William J and Hanchard, Neil A and Rosenfeld, Jill A and Lewis, Richard Alan and Gonzales, Edmond T and Gibbs, Richard A and Belmont, John W and Roth, David R and Eng, Christine and Braun, Michael C and Lupski, James R and Lamb, Dolores J} } @article {97, title = {POGZ truncating alleles cause syndromic intellectual disability.}, journal = {Genome Med}, volume = {8}, year = {2016}, month = {2016 Jan 06}, pages = {3}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: Large-scale cohort-based whole exome sequencing of individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) has identified numerous novel candidate disease genes; however, detailed phenotypic information is often lacking in such studies. De novo mutations in pogo transposable element with zinc finger domain (POGZ) have been identified in six independent and diverse cohorts of individuals with NDDs ranging from autism spectrum disorder to developmental delay.

METHODS: Whole exome sequencing was performed on five unrelated individuals. Sanger sequencing was used to validate variants and segregate mutations with the phenotype in available family members.

RESULTS: We identified heterozygous truncating mutations in POGZ in five unrelated individuals, which were confirmed to be de novo or not present in available parental samples. Careful review of the phenotypes revealed shared features that included developmental delay, intellectual disability, hypotonia, behavioral abnormalities, and similar facial characteristics. Variable features included short stature, microcephaly, strabismus and hearing loss.

CONCLUSIONS: While POGZ has been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders in large cohort studies, our data suggest that loss of function variants in POGZ lead to an identifiable syndrome of NDD with specific phenotypic traits. This study exemplifies the era of human reverse clinical genomics ushered in by large disease-directed cohort studies; first defining a new syndrome molecularly and, only subsequently, phenotypically.

}, keywords = {Adolescent, Adult, Alleles, Child, Preschool, Exome, Female, Heterozygote, Humans, Infant, Intellectual Disability, Male, Mutation, Sequence Analysis, DNA, Transposases}, issn = {1756-994X}, doi = {10.1186/s13073-015-0253-0}, author = {White, Janson and Beck, Christine R and Harel, Tamar and Posey, Jennifer E and Jhangiani, Shalini N and Tang, Sha and Farwell, Kelly D and Powis, Z{\"o}e and Mendelsohn, Nancy J and Baker, Janice A and Pollack, Lynda and Mason, Kati J and Wierenga, Klaas J and Arrington, Daniel K and Hall, Melissa and Psychogios, Apostolos and Fairbrother, Laura and Walkiewicz, Magdalena and Person, Richard E and Niu, Zhiyv and Zhang, Jing and Rosenfeld, Jill A and Muzny, Donna M and Eng, Christine and Beaudet, Arthur L and Lupski, James R and Boerwinkle, Eric and Gibbs, Richard A and Yang, Yaping and Xia, Fan and Sutton, V Reid} } @article {298, title = {Exome sequencing resolves apparent incidental findings and reveals further complexity of SH3TC2 variant alleles causing Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy.}, journal = {Genome Med}, volume = {5}, year = {2013}, month = {2013}, pages = {57}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: The debate regarding the relative merits of whole genome sequencing (WGS) versus exome sequencing (ES) centers around comparative cost, average depth of coverage for each interrogated base, and their relative efficiency in the identification of medically actionable variants from the myriad of variants identified by each approach. Nevertheless, few genomes have been subjected to both WGS and ES, using multiple next generation sequencing platforms. In addition, no personal genome has been so extensively analyzed using DNA derived from peripheral blood as opposed to DNA from transformed cell lines that may either accumulate mutations during propagation or clonally expand mosaic variants during cell transformation and propagation.

METHODS: We investigated a genome that was studied previously by SOLiD chemistry using both ES and WGS, and now perform six independent ES assays (Illumina GAII (x2), Illumina HiSeq (x2), Life Technologies{\textquoteright} Personal Genome Machine (PGM) and Proton), and one additional WGS (Illumina HiSeq).

RESULTS: We compared the variants identified by the different methods and provide insights into the differences among variants identified between ES runs in the same technology platform and among different sequencing technologies. We resolved the true genotypes of medically actionable variants identified in the proband through orthogonal experimental approaches. Furthermore, ES identified an additional SH3TC2 variant (p.M1?) that likely contributes to the phenotype in the proband.

CONCLUSIONS: ES identified additional medically actionable variant calls and helped resolve ambiguous single nucleotide variants (SNV) documenting the power of increased depth of coverage of the captured targeted regions. Comparative analyses of WGS and ES reveal that pseudogenes and segmental duplications may explain some instances of apparent disease mutations in unaffected individuals.

}, issn = {1756-994X}, doi = {10.1186/gm461}, author = {Lupski, James R and Gonzaga-Jauregui, Claudia and Yang, Yaping and Bainbridge, Matthew N and Jhangiani, Shalini and Buhay, Christian J and Kovar, Christie L and Wang, Min and Hawes, Alicia C and Reid, Jeffrey G and Eng, Christine and Muzny, Donna M and Gibbs, Richard A} }