先天性甲状腺功能减退症伴发育不全患儿FOXE1基因突变的初步研究（英文）

目的:研究先天性甲状腺功能减退症(CH)伴甲状腺发育不全患儿转录因子2(FOXE1)的基因突变。方法:选取90例CH伴甲状腺发育不全患儿及90例正常儿童作为对照,提取外周静脉血基因组DNA,采用PCR扩增与直接测序技术,对FOXE1基因外显子进行突变筛查。结果:分别在1例先天性甲状腺功能减退症伴甲状腺发育不全患者外显子测序中发现一杂合错义变体c.A3401G(p.K1134R),在1例患者中发现1个已知的单核苷酸多态性(single nucleotide polymorphisms,SNP)位点(rs755282859,c.483GC),在正常对照组中未发现以上变化。结论:在先天性甲状腺功能减退症(CH)伴甲状腺发育不全患儿中发现新的关于FOXE1杂合错义变体。     

先天性甲减患儿的甲状腺过氧化物酶基因突变研究

目的:研究甲状腺过氧化物酶基因(TPO)在中国先天性甲状腺功能减退症(CH)患儿中的突变及其家系遗传规律。方法:收集140例CH患儿及部分家系,提取外周血DNA,采用靶向测序的方法检测患者TPO基因的突变情况,设计引物扩增TPO基因的各个外显子区以及外显子内含子的交界区,用二代测序技术检测TPO基因的突变且进行一代测序验证,同时对其中两例携带有TPO基因复合杂合突变的患儿的父母进行一代测序验证。结果:140名先天性甲减患儿中,13例病人携带12个不同的TPO基因突变位点(R189Q、C269S、W428R、A430E、A433P、A489T、V748M、C756fs、E799D、G860R、P883S、Q913fs),其中有一个位点为热点突变(6个病人携带C756fs),三个突变为新发现的位点(C269S、A430E、E799D)。结论:TPO基因在中国先天性甲减患儿中的突变率较高,遗传模式为常染色体隐性遗传。     

进行性骨化性纤维增殖不良症临床及基因突变分析

目的:研究一例具有超经典型临床特征的FOP患者,并对其ACVR1/ALK2基因进行分析。方法:根据患者的大踇趾畸形和进行性异位骨化等表现进行临床诊断,确诊为FOP。经患者及家属同意,采集患者、父母外周血,提取DNA,通过PCR扩增并直接测序测定ACVR1基因全部外显子序列,以此来确定突变位点。结果:患者具有超经典型FOP的临床表现:先天性大踇趾畸形,先天性双手拇指、食指远端关节僵直和进行性异位骨化,父母无FOP的相关临床表现。基因测序分析示该患者在ACVR1第七外显子发现存在c.1067G>A(p.G356D)杂合错义突变,而其父母无此杂合突变。结论:该患者在ACVR1的c.1067G>A(p.G356D)发生杂合错义突变,这有助于我们更好地理解认识中国FOP患者的临床表现和发病机制。     

进行性骨化性纤维増殖不良症临床及基因突变分析

目的：研究一例具有超经典型临床特征的FOP患者,并对其ACVR1/ALK2基因进行分析。方法：根据患者的大踇趾畸形和进行性异位骨化等表现进行临床诊断,确诊为FOP。经患者及家属同意,采集患者、父母外周血,提取DNA,通过PCR扩增并直接测序测定ACVR1基因全部外显子序列,以此来确定突变位点。结果：患者具有超经典型FOP的临床表现：先天性大踇趾畸形,先天性双手拇指、食指远端关节僵直和进行性异位骨化,父母无FOP的相关临床表现。基因测序分析示该患者在ACVR1第七外显子发现存在c.1067G〉A（p.G356D）杂合错义突变,而其父母无此杂合突变。结论：该患者在ACVR1的c.1067G〉A（p.G356D）发生杂合错义突变,这有助于我们更好地理解认识中国FOP患者的临床表现和发病机制。     

男性性腺功能减退症的致病基因分析

[目的]通过全外显子组测序(WES)技术筛选男性性腺功能减退症的致病基因,并对基因突变位点进行生物信息学分析。[方法]收集5例男性性腺功能减退症患者临床及遗传学检测资料。采用WES技术筛选相关致病基因,并通过PCR扩增、Sanger测序以及生物信息学分析等验证突变位点。[结果]先证者1为PROKR2基因c.533G>C(p.W178S)纯合突变,家系验证结果发现其父母均为PROKR2基因c.533G>C(p.W178S)杂合突变携带者,符合常染色体隐性遗传。先证者2为ZFPM2基因c.1498C>G(p.Q500E)杂合突变,生物信息学分析发现,该突变位点编码的氨基酸在不同物种中高度保守,并在人类外显子数据库、参考人群千人基因组1000G、SNP数据库及人群基因组突变频率数据库中未发现该突变位点,该突变经SIFT、Polyphen2和Mutation Taster软件预测结果均为有害。[结论]PROKR2基因c.533G>C(p.W178S)和ZFPM2基因c.1498C>G(p.Q500E)突变可能是男性性腺功能减退症的致病原因。     

SMAD4错义突变与先天性心脏病易感性的相关性研究

SMAD4在心脏发育过程中发挥重要作用,已有研究显示,Smad4 缺陷小鼠心脏功能异常.为了进一步探究SMAD4基因错义突变与先天性心脏病(congenital heart disease,CHD)发生的相关性,本研究选取了来自中国山东汉族的417例CHD患者样本和213例健康对照样本,并靶向SMAD4的编码区进行深度测序.我们在SMAD4的编码区检测到两个错义突变c.685C＞A(p.L229M)和c.740G＞A(p.G247E),并经Sanger测序验证两者均为杂合突变,SMAD4L229M和SMAD4G247E在不同物种间的保守性都很高.蛋白免疫印迹实验显示,两种突变型对SMAD4的蛋白表达量没有明显影响,双荧光素酶报告基因实验结果表明,与野生型SMAD4相比较,SMAD4L229M和SMAD4G247E对 TGF-β信号通路的激活作用均有所减弱.我们的研究表明,SMAD4的病例特有的错义突变可能通过减弱TGF-β信号通路的活性从而导致先天性心脏病的发生.     

妊娠合并甲状腺功能减退症26例妊娠结局分析

目的：对妊娠合并甲状腺功能减退症进行分析,探讨其对母儿的影响,及孕期筛查甲状腺功能有无意义。方法：对我院26例妊娠合并甲减的临床资料进行回顾性统计分析。结果：26例妊娠合并甲减病例中有1例早产（孕33周）,其余25例患者维持至足月妊娠,其中剖宫产17例（65.38%）,合并妊娠期高血压疾病5例（19.23%）,妊娠期糖尿病3例（11.53%）,羊水胎粪污染3例（11.54%）,新生儿无先天性甲减。经过治疗后甲状腺功能减退孕妇的剖宫产率,糖尿病发生率、高血压疾病发生率、羊水粪染的发生率较对照组增加;但两组妊娠结局差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论：妊娠合并甲状腺功能减退症孕妇多种妊娠并发症的发病率高于正常孕妇,应加强对妊娠甲减的早期筛查及治疗,可有效降低不良妊娠结局,减少先天性甲低的出生。     

秦皇岛地区新生儿先天性甲状腺功能低下症的筛查及诊断分析

目的:分析秦皇岛地区新生儿先天性甲状腺功能低下症(congenital hypothyroidism,CH)患儿的筛查和诊断结果,为进一步提高新生儿筛查的管理及提高新生儿生命健康质量提供依据和参考。方法:回顾性分析秦皇岛地区2011年1月至2017年1月共184308例新生儿的CH筛查资料和诊断结果。统计确诊CH患儿的基本情况、体检情况、筛查检验情况、确诊检验情况及治疗随访情况。结果:共筛查184308例新生儿,其中92例为确诊CH患儿,发病率1/2003(0.499‰)。新生儿CH临床非特异性表现复杂多样,多表现为病理性黄疸,占72.8%,经治疗后黄疸消退时间17~48天;其次为前囟大、后囟未闭,占58.7%;少哭、喑哑次之,占51.1%;其他临床表现为消化道症状(腹胀、肠鸣减弱、便秘、脐疝)、特殊面容、粘液水肿等。CH患儿筛查检验促甲状腺激素(Thyroid Stimulating Hormone),TSH重度升高者占52.2%,中度升高者为26.1%,轻度升高者为21.7%。CH患儿绝大部分表现为TSH升高和甲状腺激素(thyroxine,T4)降低。经口服左旋甲状腺素钠片治疗2周后,患儿症状改善,并根据三碘甲状腺氨酸(Triiodothyronine,T3)、T4、TSH检测结果调整剂量,恢复后每三个月复查一次。36~48个月随访,患儿身高、体重基本达到正常参照标准。结论:秦皇岛地区新生儿CH发病率较全国水平(1/3120)稍高,需加强CH患儿非特异性临床表现的健康教育工作,通过新生儿CH筛查做到早发现、早诊断、早治疗,提高新生儿的生命健康。     

先天性甲状腺功能减退症致病基因的研究进展

先天性甲状腺功能减退症(congenital hypothyroidism,CH)是由于甲状腺发育不良或甲状腺激素合成障碍所造成的一种疾病。现已证实有多个基因的遗传变异可导致甲状腺发育不良或甲状腺激素合成障碍。这一结果提示,甲状腺发育不良和甲状腺激素合成障碍与遗传密切相关。该文简单阐述了近年来有关甲状腺激素合成障碍相关基因的研究状况,并对该领域发展做了展望。     

系统性红斑狼疮合并甲状腺功能减退症50例临床分析

目的:分析系统性红斑狼疮合并甲状腺功能减退症50例临床症状和治疗效果.方法:选取2010年6月至2012年6月间于我院接受诊断和治疗的系统性红斑狼疮合并甲状腺功能减退症患者50例作为观察组,同时选取同期入院的单纯系统性红斑狼疮患者50例作为对照组,分析两组临床症状的差异.观察组患者分别给予系统性红斑狼疮合并甲状腺功能减退症联合治疗和甲状腺功能减退症单独治疗,观察比较治疗前后甲状腺功能差异.结果:观察组患者关节病变发病率为64.00％明显高于对照组的22.00％(P＜0.05):观察组患者雷诺现象的发病率为36.00％明显高于对照组的6％(P＜0.05).联合治疗患者治疗后促甲状腺素水平明显低于单独治疗(P＜0.05),联合治疗患者治疗后游离甲状腺素和游离甲状腺三碘原氨酸水平均明显高于单独治疗(p＜0.05).结论:系统性红斑狼疮合并甲状腺功能减退症患者的关节病变和雷诺现象发病率明显较高,联合治疗后甲状腺功能减退症恢复较佳.     

Novel and recurrent LDLR gene mutations in Pakistani hypercholesterolemia patients

The majority of patients with the autosomal dominant disorder familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) carry novel mutations in the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) that is involved in cholesterol regulation. In different populations the spectrum of mutations identified is quite different and to date there have been only a few reports of the spectrum of mutations in FH patients from Pakistan. In order to identify the causative LDLR variants the gene was sequenced in a Pakistani FH family, while high resolution melting analysis followed by sequencing was performed in a panel of 27 unrelated sporadic hypercholesterolemia patients. In the family a novel missense variant (c.1916T > G, p.(V639G)) in exon 13 of LDLR was identified in the proband. The segregation of the identified nucleotide change in the family and carrier status screening in a group of 100 healthy subjects was done using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. All affected members of the FH family carried the variant and none of the non-affected members nor any of the healthy subjects. In one of the sporadic cases, two sequence changes were detected in exon 9, one of these was a recurrent missense variant (c.1211C > T; p.T404I), while the other was a novel substitution mutation (c.1214 A > C; N405T). In order to define the allelic status of this double heterozygous individual, PCR amplified fragments were cloned and sequenced, which identified that both changes occurred on the same allele. In silico tools (PolyPhen and SIFT) were used to predict the effect of the variants on the protein structure, which predicted both of these variants to have deleterious effect. These findings support the view that there will be a novel spectrum of mutations causing FH in patients with hypercholesterolaemia from Pakistan.     

A novel missense mutation (S18N) in the 5′ non-HMG box region of the SRY gene in a patient with partial gonadal dysgenesis and his normal male relatives

Mutations in the sex-determining region of the Y chromosome (the SRY gene) have been reported in low frequency in patients with 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis. We investigated 21 Brazilian 46,XY sex-reversed patients, who presented either complete or partial gonadal dysgenesis or embryonic testicular regression syndrome. Using Southern blotting, polymerase chain reaction, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and direct sequencing, we analyzed deletions and point mutations in the SRY gene. We found a missense mutation at codon 18 upstream of the 5′ border of the HMG box of the SRY gene in one patient with partial gonadal dysgenesis. This variant sequence was also found in DNA obtained from blood and sperm cells of his father and in blood cells of his normal brother. The S18N mutation was not found in 50 normal males, ruling out the possibility of a common polymorphism. We identified a novel familial missense mutation (S18N) in the 5’ non-HMG box of the SRY gene in 1 of 21 patients with 46,XY sex reversal. Received: 6 May 1997 / Accepted: 2 October 1997     

Novel variant Pro143Ala in <Emphasis Type="Italic">HTRA2</Emphasis> contributes to Parkinson’s disease by inducing hyperphosphorylation of HTRA2 protein in mitochondria

Mutations in the gene encoding the mitochondrial protein high temperature requirement A2 (HTRA2) are inconsistently associated with a risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD). We assessed the presence of HTRA2 mutations among patients with PD and performed functional assay of identified mutations or variants. Among the total 1,373 subjects, the entire HTRA2 coding region was sequenced in 113 early-onset PD (EOPD), 20 familial PD patients and 150 control subjects. An additional 390 sporadic late-onset PD patients and 700 controls were subsequently screened to validate possible mutations found in the first set. We identified two novel heterozygous variants, c.427C > G (Pro143Ala) and c.906 +3 G > A, in 2 (1.5%) EOPD patients. The missense variant, Pro143Ala, was also observed in one late-onset PD patient but was absent in total 850 control subjects (relative risk 2.3, 95% CI 1.5–2.8, P = 0.04). Expressing Pro143Ala variant of HTRA2 in primary dopaminergic neurons causes neurite degeneration. Following exposure to rotenone, the ultra-structural mitochondrial abnormality, the percentage of mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in cells carrying the HTRA2 Pro143Ala variant was significantly higher than wild-type cells. Mechanistically, protein level of phosphorylated HTRA2 was increased in cells carrying the Pro143Ala variant, suggesting Pro143Ala variant promotes HTRA2 phosphorylation with resultant mitochondrial dysfunction. Our results support a biologically relevant role of HTRA2 in PD susceptibility in Taiwanese. Further large-scale association studies are warranted to confirm the role of HTRA2 Pro143Ala variant in the risk of PD.     

Proxy Molecular Diagnosis from Whole-Exome Sequencing Reveals Papillon-Lefevre Syndrome Caused by a Missense Mutation in CTSC

Papillon-Lefevre syndrome (PLS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterised by severe early onset periodontitis and palmoplantar hyperkeratosis. A previously reported missense mutation in the CTSC gene (NM_001814.4:c.899G>A:p.(G300D)) was identified in a homozygous state in two siblings diagnosed with PLS in a consanguineous family of Arabic ancestry. The variant was initially identified in a heterozygous state in a PLS unaffected sibling whose whole exome had been sequenced as part of a previous Primary ciliary dyskinesia study. Using this information, a proxy molecular diagnosis was made on the PLS affected siblings after consent was given to study this second disorder found to be segregating within the family. The prevalence of the mutation was then assayed in the local population using a representative sample of 256 unrelated individuals. The variant was absent in all subjects indicating that the variant is rare in Saudi Arabia. This family study illustrates how whole-exome sequencing can generate findings and inferences beyond its primary goal.     

Whole-exome sequencing identified compound heterozygous variants in MMKS in a Chinese pedigree with Bardet-Biedl syndrome

Bardet-Biedl syndrome(BBS) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by retinal dystrophy, polydactyly, obesity,developmental delay, and renal defects. At least 21 candidate BBS-associated genes(BBS1-19, NPHP1, and IFT172) have previously been identified, and all of them play important roles in ciliary function. Here, we collected a BBS pedigree with four members and performed whole-exome sequencing on the proband. The variants were analyzed and evaluated to confirm their pathogenicity. We found compound heterozygous variants(c.1192CT, p.Q398* and c.1175CT, p.T392M) in MKKS in both the siblings, and these were likely to be pathogenic variants. We also found a missense variant(c.2029GC, p.E677Q) in NPHP1 and a missense variant(c.2470CT, p.R824C) in BBS9 in the proband only, which are variants of uncertain significance. The compound heterozygous variants were probably responsible for the BBS phenotype in this Chinese pedigree and the missense mutations in NPHP1 and BBS9 might contribute to the mutation load.     

Variants in GATA4 are a rare cause of familial and sporadic congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is characterized by incomplete formation of the diaphragm occurring as either an isolated defect or in association with other anomalies. Genetic factors including aneuploidies and copy number variants are important in the pathogenesis of many cases of CDH, but few single genes have been definitively implicated in human CDH. In this study, we used whole exome sequencing (WES) to identify a paternally inherited novel missense GATA4 variant (c.754C>T; p.R252W) in a familial case of CDH with incomplete penetrance. Phenotypic characterization of the family included magnetic resonance imaging of the chest and abdomen demonstrating asymptomatic defects in the diaphragm in the two “unaffected” missense variant carriers. Screening 96 additional CDH patients identified a de novo heterozygous GATA4 variant (c.848G>A; p.R283H) in a non-isolated CDH patient. In summary, GATA4 is implicated in both familial and sporadic CDH, and our data suggests that WES may be a powerful tool to discover rare variants for CDH.     

Mutation analysis of NR5A1 encoding steroidogenic factor 1 in 77 patients with 46, XY disorders of sex development (DSD) including hypospadias

Background

Mutations of the NR5A1 gene encoding steroidogenic factor-1 have been reported in association with a wide spectrum of 46,XY DSD (Disorder of Sex Development) phenotypes including severe forms of hypospadias.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We evaluated the frequency of NR5A1 gene mutations in a large series of patients presenting with 46,XY DSD and hypospadias. Based on their clinical presentation 77 patients were classified either as complete or partial gonadal dysgenesis (uterus seen at genitography and/or surgery, n = 11), ambiguous external genitalia without uterus (n = 33) or hypospadias (n = 33). We identified heterozygous NR5A1 mutations in 4 cases of ambiguous external genitalia without uterus (12.1%; p.Trp279Arg, pArg39Pro, c.390delG, c140_141insCACG) and a de novo missense mutation in one case with distal hypospadias (3%; p.Arg313Cys). Mutant proteins showed reduced transactivation activity and mutants p.Arg39Pro and p.Arg313Cys did not synergize with the GATA4 cofactor to stimulate reporter gene activity, although they retained their ability to physically interact with the GATA4 protein.

Conclusions/Significance

Mutations in NR5A1 were observed in 5/77 (6.5%) cases of 46,XY DSD including hypospadias. Excluding the cases of 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis the incidence of NR5A1 mutations was 5/66 (7.6%). An individual with isolated distal hypopadias carried a de novo heterozygous missense mutation, thus extending the range of phenotypes associated with NR5A1 mutations and suggesting that this group of patients should be screened for NR5A1 mutations.     

The influence of the acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase-1 gene (-77G-->A) polymorphisms on plasma lipid and apolipoprotein levels in normolipidemic and hyperlipidemic subjects

BACKGROUND: Acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) plays important roles in cellular cholesterol homeostasis. Two isoforms of ACAT have been reported (ACAT-1 and ACAT-2). ACAT inhibitors cannot only prevent atherosclerosis formation, but may also induce its regression in animals. In humans, an ACAT inhibitor was shown to have a lipid-lowering effect. The present study was carried out to clarify the relationship between ACAT-1 gene variants and hyperlipidemia. METHODS AND RESULTS: To identify genetic variants, we screened 30 subjects with hyperlipidemia by direct sequencing. As a result, a missense variant (R526G) and a variant in the 5' untranslated region (-77G-->A) were identified. The genotype frequencies of each variant were determined in 178 unrelated normolipidemic and 441 unrelated hyperlipidemic subjects. The alleles frequencies of the R526G variant in normolipidemic and hyperlipidemic subjects were 0.676 and 0.633, respectively. The alleles frequencies of the -77G-->A variant in normolipidemic and hyperlipidemic subjects were 0.503 and 0.515, respectively. Differences in allele frequencies between normolipidemic and hyperlipidemic subjects were not significant in both variants. R526G variant did not affect plasma concentrations of lipids or apolipoproteins in subjects studied. However, among hyperlipidemic subjects, plasma concentrations of HDL-C and apoA-I in subjects with -77G-->A variant were significantly higher than those in subjects without variant. CONCLUSION: Two variants in ACAT-1 gene were identified in subjects with hyperlipidemia. -77G-->A variant affects plasma HDL concentrations only in hyperlipidemic subjects. These data suggest that the intracellular FC concentration might modulate plasma HDL concentrations.     

Identification of compound heterozygous DNAH11 variants in a Han-Chinese family with primary ciliary dyskinesia

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a group of genetically and clinically heterogeneous disorders with motile cilia dysfunction. It is clinically characterized by oto-sino-pulmonary diseases and subfertility, and half of the patients have situs inversus (Kartagener syndrome). To identify the genetic cause in a Han-Chinese pedigree, whole-exome sequencing was conducted in the 37-year-old proband, and then, Sanger sequencing was performed on available family members. Minigene splicing assay was applied to verify the impact of the splice-site variant. Compound heterozygous variants including a splice-site variant (c.1974-1G>C, rs1359107415) and a missense variant (c.7787G>A, p.(Arg2596Gln), rs780492669), in the dynein axonemal heavy chain 11 gene (DNAH11) were identified and confirmed as the disease-associated variants of this lineage. The minigene expression in vitro revealed that the c.1974-1G>C variant could cause skipping over exon 12, predicted to result in a truncated protein. This discovery may enlarge the DNAH11 variant spectrum of PCD, promote accurate genetic counselling and contribute to PCD diagnosis.