Comparative yield of molecular diagnostic algorithms for autism spectrum disorder diagnosis in India: evidence supporting whole exome sequencing as first tier test

Abstract Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects 1 in 100 children globally with a rapidly increasing prevalence. To the best of our knowledge, no data exists on the genetic architecture of ASD in India. This study aimed to identify the genetic architecture of ASD in India and to assess the use of whole exome sequencing (WES) as a first-tier test instead of chromosomal microarray (CMA) for genetic diagnosis. Methods Between 2020 and 2022, 101 patient-parent trios of Indian origin diagnosed with ASD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th edition, were recruited. All probands underwent a sequential genetic testing pathway consisting of karyotyping, Fragile-X testing (in male probands only), CMA and WES. Candidate variant validation and parental segregation analysis was performed using orthogonal methods. Results Of 101 trios, no probands were identified with a gross chromosomal anomaly or Fragile-X. Three (2.9%) and 30 (29.7%) trios received a confirmed genetic diagnosis from CMA and WES, respectively. Amongst diagnosis from WES, SNVs were detected in 27 cases (90%) and CNVs in 3 cases (10%), including the 3 CNVs detected from CMA. Segregation analysis showed 66.6% (n = 3 for CNVs and n = 17 for SNVs) and 16.6% (n = 5) of the cases had de novo and recessive variants respectively, which is in concordance with the distribution of variant types and mode of inheritance observed in ASD patients of non-Hispanic white/ European ethnicity. MECP2 gene was the most recurrently mutated gene (n = 6; 20%) in the present cohort. Majority of the affected genes identified in the study cohort are involved in synaptic formation, transcription and its regulation, ubiquitination and chromatin remodeling. Conclusions Our study suggests de novo variants as a major cause of ASD in the Indian population, with Rett syndrome as the most commonly detected disorder. Furthermore, we provide evidence of a significant difference in the diagnostic yield between CMA (3%) and WES (30%) which supports the implementation of WES as a first-tier test for genetic diagnosis of ASD in India

Development of selective DprE1 inhibitors: Design, synthesis, crystal structure and antitubercular activity of benzothiazolylpyrimidine-5-carboxamides

NoDecaprenylphosphoryl-b-d-ribose 20-epimerase (DprE1) is a potential drug target for development of antitubercular agents. Structure based drug discovery approach yielded twenty novel derivatives of benzothiazolylpyrimidine-5-carboxamides (7a–t) which were synthesised by three component one pot reaction involving benzothiazolyl oxobutanamide, thiourea and substituted aromatic benzaldehydes. These derivatives were evaluated for antitubercular activity to determine MIC and compound 7a, 7e, 7f and 7o were found to be potentially active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Rv). Log P of these compounds was found to be between 2.0 and 3.0 making them suitable for oral dosing. DprE1 selectivity and pharmacokinetic studies were carried out for these compounds of which 7a and 7o were found to be highly selective and bioavailability was found to be above 52% by oral dose. Crystal structure of 7a was studied and molecular packing was determined, it exhibited a triclinic crystal lattice arrangement having hydrogen bonded dimeric arrangement. Drug receptor interactions were studied which exhibited docking in the active site of receptor with hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions, vdW interactions with amino acid residues such as Cys387, Asn385, Lys418, Tyr314, Gln334 and Lys367 respectively. 3D QSAR analysis was carried out by kNN-MFA method to determine and develop theoretical model, best suitable model was found to be based on Simulated Annealing k-Neariest Neighbour Molecular Field Analysis (SA kNN-MFA). The model provided with hydrophobic descriptors in positive side indicating the need of bulky groups, steric and electronegative descriptors in negative coordinates hints with contribution by the electronegative substitutions as favourable and desirable moieties for enhancing the activity. The q2, q2_se and Pred_r2se were found to be 0.5000, 0.6404 and 1.0094 respectively. A pharmacophore model was generated which suggested for necessity of aromatic, aliphatic carbon centre and hydrogen bond donor for development of newer DprE1 selective inhibitors.Council of Scientific and Industrial Researc