A novel splice mutation of HERG in a Chinese family with long QT syndrome

Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a genetically heterogeneous disease in which six ion-channel genes have been identified. The phenotype-genotype relationships of the HERG (human ether-a-go-go-related gene) mutations are not fully understood. The objective of this study is to identify the underlying genetic basis of a Chinese family with LQTS and to characterize the clinical manifestations properties of the mutation. Single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analyses were conducted on DNA fragments amplified by polymerase chain reaction from five LQT-related genes. Aberrant conformers were analyzed by DNA sequencing. A novel splice mutation in C-terminus of HERG was identified in this Chinese LQTS family,leading to the deletion of 11-bp at the acceptor splice site of Exon9 [Exon9 IVS del (-12→-2)]. The mutation might affect,through deficient splicing, the putative cyclic nucleotide binding domain (CNBD) of the HERG K+ channel. This mutation resulted in a mildly affected phenotype. Only the proband had a history of syncopes, while the other three individuals with long QT interval had no symptoms. Two other mutation carriers displayed normal phenotype. No sudden death occurred in the family. The 4 affected individuals and the two silent mutation carriers were all heterozygous for the mutation. It is the first splice mutation of HERG reported in Chinese LQTS families. Clinical data suggest that the CNBD mutation may be less malignant than mutations occurring in the pore region and be partially dominant over wild-type function.

A novel splice site mutation of CRYBA3/A 1 gene associated with congenital cataract in a Chinese family

AIM： To identify the disease-causing mutation responsible for the presence of congenital cataract in a Chinese family. METHODS： The study recruited a four-generation Chinese pedigree affected by autosomal dominant congenital cataract （ADCC）. Family history and the history of cataract extraction were recorded. Blood samples were collected from individuals for DNA extraction. Direct sequencing of congenital cataract-associated genes was performed. Single-strand conformational polymorphism and bioinformatic analysis were conducted to further study the mutation. RESULTS： Direct sequencing revealed a novel splice site mutation of c.30-2 A〉G in the CRYBA3/A1 gene. The mutation co-segregated within all affected individuals in the family and was not found in unaffected members or 100 unrelated normal controls. These results were further confirmed by single-strand conformational polymorphism and bioinformatic analysis using the Human Splicing Finder and MaxEnt online software and Annovar computer software. CONCLUSION： c,30-2 A〉G mutation of CRYBA3/A1 gene is a novel mutation and broadens the genetic spectrum of ADCC, KEYWORDS： splice site mutation; congenital cataract; CRYBA3/A1 gene

A novel pathogenic splicing mutation of RPGR in a Chinese family with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa verified by minigene splicing assay

AIM:To report a novel splicing mutation in the RPGR gene(encoding retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator)in a three-generation Chinese family with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa(XLRP).METHODS:Comprehensive ophthalmic examinations including best corrected visual acuity,fundus photography,vision field,and pattern-visual evoked potential were performed to identify the disease phenotype of a six-yearold boy from the family(proband).Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of five available members of the pedigree.Whole-exome sequencing(WES),Sanger sequencing,and pSPL3-based exon trapping were used to investigate the aberrant splicing of RPGR.Human Splice Finder v3.1 and NNSPLICE v0.9 were used for in silico prediction of splice site variants.RESULTS:The proband was diagnosed as having retinitis pigmentosa(RP).He had severe symptoms with early onset.A novel splicing mutation,c.619+1G>C in RPGR was identified in the proband by WES and in four family members by Sanger sequencing.Minigene splicing assays verified that c.619+1G>C in RPGR would result in the formation of a damaging alternative transcript in which the last 91 bp of exon 6 were skipped,leading to the subsequent deletion of 623 correct amino acids(c.529_619del p.Val177Glnfs*16).CONCLUSION:We identify a novel splice donor site mutation causing aberrant splicing of RPGR.Our findings add to the catalog of pathological mutations of RPGR and further emphasize the functional importance of RPGR in RP pathogenesis and its complex clinical phenotypes.

Screen p53 mutations in hepatocellular carcinoma by FASAY:A novel splicing mutation

Objective： To establish a routine procedure for the detection of p53 mutations in hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） surgical resections using the FASAY （functional analysis of separated alleles of p53 on yeast） procedure. Methods： p53 status was analyzed by FASAY and cDNA sequencing in 50 cases of HCC. After the extraction of RNA from the frozen tumor and corresponding normal tissues, reverse transcription RT-PCR was carried out using these samples. The assay can detect mutations of p53 mRNA between codons 67 and 347 by the DNA-binding activity of the protein and reveal them as red colonies. Results： Of the 50 specimens, 29 （58%） were positive （mutan0 by FASAY. Sequencing analysis confirmed that all 29 FASAY positive tumors harbored mutations, and that no mutations were detectable in any FASAY negative tumors. In 29 p53 mutations, 22 mutations were point missense mutation, 5 were deletions and 2 were splicing mutations. A novel splice mutation on splice donor of intron 6 was reported, which could produce two different mRNAs, respectively using the nearest upstream and downstream recessive splice donor sites. Conclusion： FASAY is a sensitive method for detecting the various types of p53 mutations in HCC, suggesting that the yeast functional assay for the detection of p53 mutations may be essential for elucidating their clinical significance.

Comprehensive genetic diagnosis of patients with Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy(DMD/BMD) and pathogenicity analysis of splice site variants in the DMD gene

Duchenne muscular dystrophy(DMD)and Becker muscular dystrophy(BMD)are caused by mutations in the DMD gene.The aim of this study is to identify pathogenic DMD variants in probands and reduce the risk of recurrence of the disease in affected families.Variations in 100 unrelated DMD/BMD patients were detected by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification(MLPA)and next-generation sequencing(NGS).Pathogenic variants in DMD were successfully identified in all cases,and 11 of them were novel.The most common mutations were intragenic deletions(69%),with two hotspots located in the 5'end(exons 2–19)and the central of the DMD gene(exons 45–55),while point mutations were observed in 22%patients.Further,c.1149+1G>A and c.1150?2A>G were confirmed by hybrid minigene splicing assay(HMSA).This two splice site mutations would lead to two aberrant DMD isoforms which give rise to severely truncated protein.Therefore,the clinical use of MLPA,NGS,and HMSA is an effective strategy to identify variants.Importantly,eight embryos were terminated pregnancies according to prenatal diagnosis and a healthy boy was successfully delivered by preimplantation genetic diagnosis(PGD).Early and accurate genetic diagnosis is essential for prenatal diagnosis/PGD to reduce the risk of recurrence of DMD in affected families.

Novel mutation c.1210-3C>G in cis with a poly-T tract of 5T affects CFTR mRNA splicing in a Chinese patient with cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis(CF)is a rare autosomal recessive disease with only one pathogenic gene cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator(CFTR).To identify the potential pathogenic mutations in a Chinese patient with CF,we conducted Sanger sequencing on the genomic DNA of the patient and his parents and detected all 27 coding exons of CFTR and their flanking intronic regions.The patient is a compound heterozygote of c.2909G>A,p.Gly970Asp in exon 18 and c.1210-3C>G in cis with a poly-T of 5T(T5)sequence,3 bp upstream in intron 9.The splicing effect of c.1210-3C>G was verified via minigene assay in vitro,indicating that wild-type plasmid containing c.1210-3C together with T7 sequence produced a normal transcript and partial exon 10-skipping-transcript,whereas mutant plasmid containing c.1210-3G in cis with T5 sequence caused almost all mRNA to skip exon 10.Overall,c.1210-3C>G,the newly identified pathogenic mutation in our patient,in combination with T5 sequence in cis,affects the CFTR gene splicing and produces nearly no normal transcript in vitro.Moreover,this patient carries a p.Gly970Asp mutation,thus confirming the high-frequency of this mutation in Chinese patients with CF.

A novel PNPLA2 mutation causing total loss of RNA and protein expression in two NLSDM siblings with early onset but slowly progressive severe myopathy

Neutral lipid storage disease with myopathy(NLSDM)is a rare autosomal recessive disorder,due to an enzymatic error of lipid metabolism.Patients present always with skeletal muscle myopathy and variable cardiac and hepatic involvement.NLSDM is caused by mutations in the PNPLA2 gene,which encodes the adipose triglyceride lipase(ATGL).Here we report the molecular characterization and clinical findings of two NLSDM siblings carrying the novel c.187t1G>C homozygous PNPLA2 mutation,localized in the splice site of intron 2.Molecular analyses revealed that neither aberrant PNPLA2 mRNA isoforms,nor ATGL mutated protein were detectable in patient’s cells.Clinically,both patients presented early onset muscle weakness,in particular of proximal upper limb muscles.In almost 15 years,muscle damage affected also distal upper limbs.This is a NLSDM family,displaying a severe PNPLA2 mutation in two siblings with clinical presentation characterized by an early onset,but a slowly evolution of severe myopathy.