Dataset Information

A novel ERCC6 splicing variant associated with a mild Cockayne syndrome phenotype.

ABSTRACT: Cockayne syndrome is an autosomal recessive, heterogeneous syndrome with classical features, including short stature, microcephaly, developmental delay, neuropathy, and photosensitivity. New genomic approaches offer improved molecular diagnostic potential.Whole-exome sequencing was employed to study a consanguineous extended family with severe short stature and variable presentations of peripheral neuropathy, lipoatrophy, photosensitivity, webbed neck, and hirsutism.We identified a novel homozygous ERCC6 variant at the donor splice site of intron 9 (c.1992 + 3A>G), which was predicted to only slightly perturb splicing efficiencies. Assessment of primary fibroblast-derived mRNAs, however, revealed a dominant splicing species that utilized an unsuspected putative donor splice site within exon 9, resulting in predicted early protein termination (p.Arg637Serfs*34).We describe a new splicing ERCC6 defect causal of Cockayne syndrome. The application of exome sequence analysis was integral to diagnosis, given the complexity of phenotypic presentation in the affected family members. The novel splicing defect, furthermore, illustrates how a seemingly minor change in the relative strength of a splice site can have significant biological consequences.

SUBMITTER: Swartz JM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4329776 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

A novel ERCC6 splicing variant associated with a mild Cockayne syndrome phenotype.

Swartz Jonathan M JM Akinci Aysehan A Andrew Shayne F SF Siğirci Ahmet A Hirschhorn Joel N JN Rosenfeld Ron G RG Dauber Andrew A Hwa Vivian V

Hormone research in paediatrics 20141101 5

<h4>Background</h4>Cockayne syndrome is an autosomal recessive, heterogeneous syndrome with classical features, including short stature, microcephaly, developmental delay, neuropathy, and photosensitivity. New genomic approaches offer improved molecular diagnostic potential.<h4>Methods</h4>Whole-exome sequencing was employed to study a consanguineous extended family with severe short stature and variable presentations of peripheral neuropathy, lipoatrophy, photosensitivity, webbed neck, and hirs ...[more]

PMID: 25376329

Similar Datasets

Project description:ObjectivesMethylmalonic acidemia (MMA) is a rare inborn genetic disorder that is characterized by increased levels of methylmalonic acid in blood plasma and urine. Isolated methylmalonic acidemia is one of the most common types of MMA and is caused by mutations in the gene encoding methyl-malonyl coenzyme A mutase (MMUT). In this study, we investigated the possible mechanisms underlying the symptoms of isolated MMA in a patient by molecular analysis.MethodsPCR amplification and Sanger sequencing analysis was performed to identify variants in the MMUT gene in the proband and his family. Furthermore, minigene constructs were generated to validate the splicing defects in the MMUT gene variant identified in the proband.ResultsThe 3-year-old patient was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of MMA, including fever, convulsions, and vomiting. He showed metabolic acidosis, high levels of methylmalonic acid in blood and urine, and normal blood homocysteine levels. Genetic analysis demonstrated that the patient was a compound heterozygous carrier of two variants in the MMUT gene: a missense c.278G > A variant that has already been reported in a patient with the severe mut⁰ phenotype; and a novel splice site variant c.2125-2A > G. RT-PCR analysis showed that, while the novel variant clearly alters splicing, a minor amount of a full-length transcript is generated, suggesting that a wild-type protein may be produced although at a lower quantitative level. The patient's condition improved after treatment with vitamin B12. Serious complications were not reported during follow-up at age 5.ConclusionsWe identified a novel splice site variant that partially disrupts normal splicing of the MMUT pre-mRNA. Production of a reduced amount of full-length transcript is responsible for the mild clinical phenotype observed in this patient. Functional studies have proven useful in exploring the genotype-phenotype association and in providing guidance for the genetic diagnosis of MMA.

Dataset Information

A novel ERCC6 splicing variant associated with a mild Cockayne syndrome phenotype.

Publications

A novel ERCC6 splicing variant associated with a mild Cockayne syndrome phenotype.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets