@article {541, title = {Discordance in the Dependence on Kisspeptin Signaling in Mini Puberty vs Adolescent Puberty: Human Genetic Evidence.}, journal = {J Clin Endocrinol Metab}, volume = {103}, year = {2018}, month = {2018 04 01}, pages = {1273-1276}, abstract = {

Context: Hypothalamic kisspeptin signaling plays a critical role in the initiation and maintenance of reproductive function. Biallelic mutations in the coding sequence of KISS1R (GPR54) have been identified in patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, but it is unknown whether biallelic variants can also be associated with related reproductive disorders.

Case Description: A missense homozygous variant (c.890G>T p.R297L) in KISS1R was identified in a child who presented with microphallus and bilateral cryptorchidism. This variant has been reported to reduce, but not abolish, postreceptor signaling in vitro. Biochemical evaluation during the neonatal period revealed low testosterone levels. By 11 years and 8 months, the boy began demonstrating increases in testicular volume. By 17 years and 3 months, his testicular volume was 20 mL; his penile length was 7.3 cm; and he had adult levels of circulating gonadotropins and testosterone.

Conclusion: This case report associates biallelic loss-of-function mutations in KISS1R with normal timing of adolescent puberty. Because these coding sequence variants occurred in a patient with microphallus and cryptorchidism, they demonstrate different levels of dependence of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal cascade on kisspeptin signaling at distinct times in the reproductive life span. The suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal cascade during early life but not adolescence suggests that the mini puberty of infancy depends more on kisspeptin-induced, gonadotropin-releasing hormone-induced luteinizing hormone secretion than does adolescent puberty.

}, keywords = {Cryptorchidism, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Infant, Kisspeptins, Luteinizing Hormone, Male, Mutation, Missense, Penis, Receptors, Kisspeptin-1, Sexual Maturation, Signal Transduction, Testosterone}, issn = {1945-7197}, doi = {10.1210/jc.2017-02636}, author = {Shahab, Muhammad and Lippincott, Margaret and Chan, Yee-Ming and Davies, Addie and Merino, Paulina M and Plummer, Lacey and Mericq, Veronica and Seminara, Stephanie} } @article {237, title = {Mutations in COL27A1 cause Steel syndrome and suggest a founder mutation effect in the Puerto Rican population.}, journal = {Eur J Hum Genet}, volume = {23}, year = {2015}, month = {2015 Mar}, pages = {342-6}, abstract = {

Osteochondrodysplasias represent a large group of developmental structural disorders that can be caused by mutations in a variety of genes responsible for chondrocyte development, differentiation, mineralization and early ossification. The application of whole-exome sequencing to disorders apparently segregating as Mendelian traits has proven to be an effective approach to disease gene identification for conditions with unknown molecular etiology. We identified a homozygous missense variant p.(Gly697Arg) in COL27A1, in a family with Steel syndrome and no consanguinity. Interestingly, the identified variant seems to have arisen as a founder mutation in the Puerto Rican population.

}, keywords = {Amino Acid Sequence, Child, Preschool, Comparative Genomic Hybridization, Exome, Female, Fibrillar Collagens, Follow-Up Studies, Founder Effect, Genotype, Hispanic Americans, Humans, Infant, Male, Molecular Sequence Data, Mutation, Osteochondrodysplasias, Pedigree, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide, Prostaglandins F, Puerto Rico, Sequence Alignment}, issn = {1476-5438}, doi = {10.1038/ejhg.2014.107}, author = {Gonzaga-Jauregui, Claudia and Gamble, Candace N and Yuan, Bo and Penney, Samantha and Jhangiani, Shalini and Muzny, Donna M and Gibbs, Richard A and Lupski, James R and Hecht, Jacqueline T} } @article {216, title = {New mutations in the RAB28 gene in 2 Spanish families with cone-rod dystrophy.}, journal = {JAMA Ophthalmol}, volume = {133}, year = {2015}, month = {2015 Feb}, pages = {133-9}, abstract = {

IMPORTANCE: The families evaluated in this study represent the second report of cone-rod dystrophy (CRD) cases caused by mutations in RAB28, a recently discovered gene associated with CRD.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the disease-causing gene in 2 families of Spanish descent presenting with CRD who do not have ABCA4 mutations.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Molecular genetics and observational case studies of 2 families, each with 1 affected proband with CRD and 3 or 5 unaffected family members. The affected individual from each family received a complete ophthalmic examination including assessment of refractive errors and best-corrected visual acuity, biomicroscopy, color fundus photography, electroretinography analysis, and visual-evoked potential analysis. After complete sequencing of the ABCA4 gene with negative results, the screening for disease-causing mutations was performed by whole-exome sequencing. Possible disease-associated variants were determined by filtering based on minor allele frequency, predicted pathogenicity, and segregation analysis in all family members.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The appearance of the macula was evaluated by clinical examination, fundus photography, and fundus autofluorescence imaging, and visual function was assessed by electroretinography. Disease-causing mutations were assessed by sequence analyses.

RESULTS: Ophthalmologic findings included markedly reduced visual acuity, bull{\textquoteright}s eye maculopathy, foveal hyperpigmentation, peripapillary atrophy, dyschromatopsia, extinguished photopic responses, and reduced scotopic responses observed on electroretinography consistent with the CRD phenotype often associated with ABCA4 mutations. Although no ABCA4 mutations were detected in either patient, whole-exome sequencing analysis identified 2 new homozygous mutations in the recently described RAB28 gene, the c.172 + 1G>C splice site variant in IVS2 and the missense c.T651G:p.C217W substitution. Both variants were determined as deleterious by predictive programs and were segregated with the disease in both families. Sequencing of 107 additional patients of Spanish descent with CRD did not reveal other cases with RAB28 mutations.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Deleterious mutations in RAB28 result in a classic CRD phenotype and are an infrequent cause of CRD in the Spanish population.

}, keywords = {Adolescent, Adult, Child, Diagnosis, Differential, DNA Mutational Analysis, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Hispanic Americans, Humans, Male, Microscopy, Acoustic, Mutation, Pedigree, Phenotype, rab GTP-Binding Proteins, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Retrospective Studies, Young Adult}, issn = {2168-6173}, doi = {10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2014.4266}, author = {Riveiro-{\'A}lvarez, Rosa and Xie, Yajing Angela and L{\'o}pez-Mart{\'\i}nez, Miguel-{\'A}ngel and Gambin, Tomasz and P{\'e}rez-Carro, Raquel and {\'A}vila-Fern{\'a}ndez, Almudena and L{\'o}pez-Molina, Mar{\'\i}a-Isabel and Zernant, Jana and Jhangiani, Shalini and Muzny, Donna and Yuan, Bo and Boerwinkle, Eric and Gibbs, Richard and Lupski, James R and Ayuso, Carmen and Allikmets, Rando} } @article {120, title = {Nonrecurrent 17p11.2p12 Rearrangement Events that Result in Two Concomitant Genomic Disorders: The PMP22-RAI1 Contiguous Gene Duplication Syndrome.}, journal = {Am J Hum Genet}, volume = {97}, year = {2015}, month = {2015 Nov 05}, pages = {691-707}, abstract = {

The genomic duplication associated with Potocki-Lupski syndrome (PTLS) maps in close proximity to the duplication associated with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A). PTLS is characterized by hypotonia, failure to thrive, reduced body weight, intellectual disability, and autistic features. CMT1A is a common autosomal dominant distal symmetric peripheral polyneuropathy. The key dosage-sensitive genes RAI1 and PMP22 are respectively associated with PTLS and CMT1A. Recurrent duplications accounting for the majority of subjects with these conditions are mediated by nonallelic homologous recombination between distinct low-copy repeat (LCR) substrates. The LCRs flanking a contiguous genomic interval encompassing both RAI1 and PMP22 do not share extensive homology; thus, duplications encompassing both loci are rare and potentially generated by a different mutational mechanism. We characterized genomic rearrangements that simultaneously duplicate PMP22 and RAI1, including nine potential complex genomic rearrangements, in 23 subjects by high-resolution array comparative genomic hybridization and breakpoint junction sequencing. Insertions and microhomologies were found at the breakpoint junctions, suggesting potential replicative mechanisms for rearrangement formation. At the breakpoint junctions of these nonrecurrent rearrangements, enrichment of repetitive DNA sequences was observed, indicating that they might predispose to genomic instability and rearrangement. Clinical evaluation revealed blended PTLS and CMT1A phenotypes with a potential earlier onset of neuropathy. Moreover, additional clinical findings might be observed due to the extra duplicated material included in the rearrangements. Our genomic analysis suggests replicative mechanisms as a predominant mechanism underlying PMP22-RAI1 contiguous gene duplications and provides further evidence supporting the role of complex genomic architecture in genomic instability.

}, keywords = {Abnormalities, Multiple, Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, Child, Child, Preschool, Chromosome Disorders, Chromosome Duplication, Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17, Comparative Genomic Hybridization, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Gene Duplication, Gene Rearrangement, Genome, Human, Genomics, Humans, Infant, Male, Models, Genetic, Myelin Proteins, Phenotype, Prognosis, Recombination, Genetic, Transcription Factors}, issn = {1537-6605}, doi = {10.1016/j.ajhg.2015.10.003}, author = {Yuan, Bo and Harel, Tamar and Gu, Shen and Liu, Pengfei and Burglen, Lydie and Chantot-Bastaraud, Sandra and Gelowani, Violet and Beck, Christine R and Carvalho, Claudia M B and Cheung, Sau Wai and Coe, Andrew and Malan, Val{\'e}rie and Munnich, Arnold and Magoulas, Pilar L and Potocki, Lorraine and Lupski, James R} } @article {244, title = {Cytogenomic delineation and clinical follow-up of two siblings with an 8.5 Mb 6q24.2-q25.2 deletion inherited from a paternal insertion.}, journal = {Am J Med Genet A}, volume = {164A}, year = {2014}, month = {2014 Sep}, pages = {2378-84}, abstract = {

The chromosomal segment 6q24-q25 comprises a contiguous gene microdeletion syndrome characterized by intrauterine growth retardation, growth delay, intellectual disability, cardiac anomalies, and a dysmorphic facial phenotype. We describe here a 10-year follow-up with detailed clinical, neuropsychological, and cytomolecular data of two siblings, male and female, who presented with developmental delay, microcephaly, short stature, characteristic facial dysmorphisms, multiple organ anomalies, and intellectual disability. Microarray analysis showed an 8.5 Mb 6q24.2-q25.2 interstitial deletion. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analyses confirmed the deletions and identified an insertion of 6q into 8q13 in their father, resulting in a high recurrence risk. This is the first report in sibs with distinct neuropsychological involvement, one of them with stenosis of the descending branch of the aorta.

}, keywords = {Adolescent, Base Pairing, Child, Child, Preschool, Chromosome Deletion, Chromosomes, Human, Pair 6, Cytogenetic Analysis, Fathers, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Inheritance Patterns, Male, Mutagenesis, Insertional, Siblings}, issn = {1552-4833}, doi = {10.1002/ajmg.a.36631}, author = {Meloni, Vera Ayres and Guilherme, Roberta Santos and Oliveira, Mariana Moyses and Migliavacca, Michele and Takeno, Sylvia Satomi and Sobreira, Nara Lygia Macena and de Fatima Faria Soares, Maria and de Mello, Claudia Berlim and Melaragno, Maria Isabel} } @article {280, title = {Effect of catechol-o-methyltransferase-gene (COMT) variants on experimental and acute postoperative pain in 1,000 women undergoing surgery for breast cancer.}, journal = {Anesthesiology}, volume = {119}, year = {2013}, month = {2013 Dec}, pages = {1422-33}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND: Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) metabolizes catecholamines in different tissues. Polymorphisms in COMT gene can attenuate COMT activity and increase sensitivity to pain. Human studies exploring the effect of COMT polymorphisms on pain sensitivity have mostly included small, heterogeneous samples and have ignored several important single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). This study examines the effect of COMT polymorphisms on experimental and postoperative pain phenotypes in a large ethnically homogeneous female patient cohort.

METHODS: Intensity of cold (+2-4{\textdegree}C) and heat (+48{\textdegree}C) pain and tolerance to cold pain were assessed in 1,000 patients scheduled for breast cancer surgery. Acute postoperative pain and oxycodone requirements were recorded. Twenty-two COMT SNPs were genotyped and their association with six pain phenotypes analyzed with linear regression.

RESULTS: There was no association between any of the tested pain phenotypes and SNP rs4680. The strongest association signals were seen between rs165774 and heat pain intensity as well as rs887200 and cold pain intensity. In both cases, minor allele carriers reported less pain. Neither of these results remained significant after strict multiple testing corrections. When analyzed further, the effect of rs887200 was, however, shown to be significant and consistent throughout the cold pressure test. No evidence of association between the SNPs and postoperative oxycodone consumption was found.

CONCLUSIONS: SNPs rs887200 and rs165774 located in the untranslated regions of the gene had the strongest effects on pain sensitivity. Their effect on pain is described here for the first time. These results should be confirmed in further studies and the potential functional mechanisms of the variants studied.

}, keywords = {Acute Pain, Adult, Aged, Analgesics, Opioid, Anesthesia, Breast Neoplasms, Catechol O-Methyltransferase, Cold Temperature, Databases, Genetic, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Genetic Variation, Genome-Wide Association Study, Genotype, Haplotypes, Hot Temperature, Humans, Middle Aged, Oxycodone, Pain Measurement, Pain, Postoperative, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide}, issn = {1528-1175}, doi = {10.1097/ALN.0000000000000013}, author = {Kambur, Oleg and Kaunisto, Mari A and Tikkanen, Emmi and Leal, Suzanne M and Ripatti, Samuli and Kalso, Eija A} }