Dataset Information

A computational model for classification of BRCA2 variants using mouse embryonic stem cell-based functional assays.

ABSTRACT: Sequencing-based genetic tests to identify individuals at increased risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancers have resulted in the identification of more than 40,000 sequence variants of BRCA1 and BRCA2. A majority of these variants are considered to be variants of uncertain significance (VUS) because their impact on disease risk remains unknown, largely due to lack of sufficient familial linkage and epidemiological data. Several assays have been developed to examine the effect of VUS on protein function, which can be used to assess their impact on cancer susceptibility. In this study, we report the functional characterization of 88 BRCA2 variants, including several previously uncharacterized variants, using a well-established mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC)-based assay. We have examined their ability to rescue the lethality of Brca2 null mESC as well as sensitivity to six DNA damaging agents including ionizing radiation and a PARP inhibitor. We have also examined the impact of BRCA2 variants on splicing. In addition, we have developed a computational model to determine the probability of impact on function of the variants that can be used for risk assessment. In contrast to the previous VarCall models that are based on a single functional assay, we have developed a new platform to analyze the data from multiple functional assays separately and in combination. We have validated our VarCall models using 12 known pathogenic and 10 neutral variants and demonstrated their usefulness in determining the pathogenicity of BRCA2 variants that are listed as VUS or as variants with conflicting functional interpretation.

SUBMITTER: Biswas K

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7722754 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A computational model for classification of BRCA2 variants using mouse embryonic stem cell-based functional assays.

Biswas Kajal K Lipton Gary B GB Stauffer Stacey S Sullivan Teresa T Cleveland Linda L Southon Eileen E Reid Susan S Magidson Valentin V Iversen Edwin S ES Sharan Shyam K SK

NPJ genomic medicine 20201208 1

Sequencing-based genetic tests to identify individuals at increased risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancers have resulted in the identification of more than 40,000 sequence variants of BRCA1 and BRCA2. A majority of these variants are considered to be variants of uncertain significance (VUS) because their impact on disease risk remains unknown, largely due to lack of sufficient familial linkage and epidemiological data. Several assays have been developed to examine the effect of VUS on pro ...[more]

PMID: 33293522

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Project description:Germline BRCA2 loss-of function (LOF) variants identified by clinical genetic testing predispose to breast, ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancer. However, variants of uncertain significance (VUS) (n>5000) limit the clinical use of testing results. Thus, there is an urgent need for functional characterization and clinical classification of all BRCA2 variants. Here we report on comprehensive saturation genome editing-based functional characterization of 99% of all possible single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in the BRCA2 DNA Binding Domain hotspot for pathogenic missense variants that is encoded by exons 15 to 26. The assay was based on deep sequence analysis of HAP1 haploid cells endogenously targeted using a CRISPR/cas9 knockin approach. A total of 6959 SNVs were characterized for effects on cell survival. The assay was validated relative to nonsense and synonymous variants, ClinVar pathogenic/likely pathogenic and benign/likely benign variants and homology directed repair cell based DNA repair assay results, all of which showed >94% sensitivity and specificity. Variants were assigned posterior probabilities of pathogenicity using a VarCall two component Bayesian mixture model and were further grouped according to ACMG strength of evidence under the PS3/BS3 rule resulting in Benign Strong (n=5430), Benign Moderate (n=190), Benign Supporting (n=61), VUS (122), Pathogenic Strong (n=1021), Pathogenic Moderate (n=88), and Pathogenic Supporting (n=47). Breast cancer case-control association studies showed that pooled SNVs encoding functionally pathogenic missense variants were associated with increased risks of breast (odds ratio (OR)3.81, 95%CI: 2.88-5.07) and ovarian cancer (OR 5.93, 95%CI: 4.12-8.52). The functional data were also combined with other sources of information in the ClinGen BRCA1/2 VCEP ACMG/AMP-classification model. A total of 785 SNVs, including 261 missense SNVs, were classified as pathogenic or likely pathogenic, while 5566 SNVs, including 3786 missense SNVs, were classified as benign or likely benign. These classified variants can now be used for risk assessment and clinical care of variant carriers.

Dataset Information

A computational model for classification of BRCA2 variants using mouse embryonic stem cell-based functional assays.

Publications

A computational model for classification of BRCA2 variants using mouse embryonic stem cell-based functional assays.

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