The Utility of Genomic Variant Databases in Genetic Counseling

Organizations such as the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) and the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) are in agreement that public genomic data sharing will benefit patient care. Despite these recommendations, not all clinical laboratories share their variant data onto public databases. As the amount of genetic material being analyzed for patient care continues to increase, more variants of unknown significance (VUS) are reported as well. Genetic counselors need to properly interpret VUS results in order to aid patients in making educated health decisions. For this paper, genetic counselors were asked about genomic data sharing and how they handle VUS results for patients. While almost all genetic counselors agree that there is a need for genomic data sharing, only some took laboratories’ data sharing practices into account when deciding where to order testing. Genetic counselors do not have a standard way of processing VUS results; there is little consistency to how often genetic counselors look up variants in public databases or which databases they use

Histone H3.3 beyond cancer: Germline mutations in Histone 3 Family 3A and 3B cause a previously unidentified neurodegenerative disorder in 46 patients

Although somatic mutations in Histone 3.3 (H3.3) are well-studied drivers of oncogenesis, the role of germline mutations remains unreported. We analyze 46 patients bearing de novo germline mutations in histone 3 family 3A (H3F3A) or H3F3B with progressive neurologic dysfunction and congenital anomalies without malignancies. Molecular modeling of all 37 variants demonstrated clear disruptions in interactions with DNA, other histones, and histone chaperone proteins. Patient histone posttranslational modifications (PTMs) analysis revealed notably aberrant local PTM patterns distinct from the somatic lysine mutations that cause global PTM dysregulation. RNA sequencing on patient cells demonstrated up-regulated gene expression related to mitosis and cell division, and cellular assays confirmed an increased proliferative capacity. A zebrafish model showed craniofacial anomalies and a defect in Foxd3-derived glia. These data suggest that the mechanism of germline mutations are distinct from cancer-associated somatic histone mutations but may converge on control of cell proliferation

Magnetic Resonance Imaging characteristics in case of TOR1AIP1 muscular dystrophy

Mutations in the torsinA-interacting protein 1 (TOR1AIP1) gene result in a severe muscular dystrophy with minimal literature in the pediatric population. We review a case of TOR1AIP1 gene mutation in a 16-year-old Caucasian female with a long history of muscle weakness. Extensive clinical workup was performed and MRI at time of initial presentation demonstrated no significant muscular atrophy with heterogenous STIR hyperintensity of the lower extremity muscles. MRI findings seven years later included extensive atrophy of the lower extremities, with severe progression, including the gluteal muscles, iliopsoas, rectus femoris, and obturator internus. There was also significant atrophy of the rectus abdominis and internal and external oblique muscles, and iliacus muscles. The MRI findings showed more proximal involvement of lower extremities and no atrophy of the tibialis anterior, making TOR1AIP1 the more likely genetic cause. Muscle biopsy findings supported TOR1AIP1 limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. Though rare, TOR1AIP1 gene mutation occurs in pediatric patients and MRI can aid in diagnosis and help differentiate from other types of muscular dystrophy. Genetic and pathology workup is also crucial to accurate diagnosis and possible treatment of these patients

Magnetic Resonance Imaging characteristics in case of TOR1AIP1 muscular dystrophy.

Mutations in the torsinA-interacting protein 1 (TOR1AIP1) gene result in a severe muscular dystrophy with minimal literature in the pediatric population. We review a case of TOR1AIP1 gene mutation in a 16-year-old Caucasian female with a long history of muscle weakness. Extensive clinical workup was performed and MRI at time of initial presentation demonstrated no significant muscular atrophy with heterogenous STIR hyperintensity of the lower extremity muscles. MRI findings seven years later included extensive atrophy of the lower extremities, with severe progression, including the gluteal muscles, iliopsoas, rectus femoris, and obturator internus. There was also significant atrophy of the rectus abdominis and internal and external oblique muscles, and iliacus muscles. The MRI findings showed more proximal involvement of lower extremities and no atrophy of the tibialis anterior, making TOR1AIP1 the more likely genetic cause. Muscle biopsy findings supported TOR1AIP1 limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. Though rare, TOR1AIP1 gene mutation occurs in pediatric patients and MRI can aid in diagnosis and help differentiate from other types of muscular dystrophy. Genetic and pathology workup is also crucial to accurate diagnosis and possible treatment of these patients

Understanding Adult Participant and Parent Empowerment Prior to Evaluation in the Undiagnosed Diseases Network.

The burden of living with an undiagnosed condition is high and includes physical and emotional suffering, frustrations, and uncertainty. For patients and families experiencing these stressors, higher levels of empowerment may be associated with better outcomes. Thus, it is important to understand the experiences of patients with undiagnosed conditions and their families affected by undiagnosed conditions in order to identify strategies for fostering empowerment. In this study, we used the Genetic Counseling Outcome Scale (GCOS-24) to assess levels of empowerment and support group participation in 35 adult participants and 67 parents of child participants in the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) prior to their UDN in-person evaluation. Our results revealed significantly lower empowerment scores on the GCOS-24 in adult participants compared to parents of child participants [t(100) = - 3.01, p = 0.003, average difference = - 11.12, 95% CI (- 3.78, - 18.46)] and no significant association between support group participation and empowerment scores. The majority of participants (84.3%, 86/102) are not currently participating in any support groups, and participation rates were not significantly different for adult participants and parents of child participants (11.4 vs. 19.7%, respectively, FE p = 0.40). Open-ended responses provided additional insight into support group participation, the challenges of living with undiagnosed conditions, and positive coping strategies. Future research will evaluate the extent to which empowerment scores change as participation in the UDN unfolds

Missed diagnoses: Clinically relevant lessons learned through medical mysteries solved by the Undiagnosed Diseases Network

Abstract Background Resources within the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN), such as genome sequencing (GS) and model organisms aid in diagnosis and identification of new disease genes, but are currently difficult to access by clinical providers. While these resources do contribute to diagnoses in many cases, they are not always necessary to reach diagnostic resolution. The UDN experience has been that participants can also receive diagnoses through the thoughtful and customized application of approaches and resources that are readily available in clinical settings. Methods The UDN Genetic Counseling and Testing Working Group collected case vignettes that illustrated how clinically available methods resulted in diagnoses. The case vignettes were classified into three themes; phenotypic considerations, selection of genetic testing, and evaluating exome/GS variants and data. Results We present 12 participants that illustrate how clinical practices such as phenotype‐driven genomic investigations, consideration of variable expressivity, selecting the relevant tissue of interest for testing, utilizing updated testing platforms, and recognition of alternate transcript nomenclature resulted in diagnoses. Conclusion These examples demonstrate that when a diagnosis is elusive, an iterative patient‐specific approach utilizing assessment options available to clinical providers may solve a portion of cases. However, this does require increased provider time commitment, a particular challenge in the current practice of genomics

Understanding Adult Participant and Parent Empowerment Prior to Evaluation in the Undiagnosed Diseases Network

The burden of living with an undiagnosed condition is high and includes physical and emotional suffering, frustrations, and uncertainty. For patients and families experiencing these stressors, higher levels of empowerment may be associated with better outcomes. Thus, it is important to understand the experiences of patients with undiagnosed conditions and their families affected by undiagnosed conditions in order to identify strategies for fostering empowerment. In this study, we used the Genetic Counseling Outcome Scale (GCOS-24) to assess levels of empowerment and support group participation in 35 adult participants and 67 parents of child participants in the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) prior to their UDN in-person evaluation. Our results revealed significantly lower empowerment scores on the GCOS-24 in adult participants compared to parents of child participants [t(100) = - 3.01, p = 0.003, average difference = - 11.12, 95% CI (- 3.78, - 18.46)] and no significant association between support group participation and empowerment scores. The majority of participants (84.3%, 86/102) are not currently participating in any support groups, and participation rates were not significantly different for adult participants and parents of child participants (11.4 vs. 19.7%, respectively, FE p = 0.40). Open-ended responses provided additional insight into support group participation, the challenges of living with undiagnosed conditions, and positive coping strategies. Future research will evaluate the extent to which empowerment scores change as participation in the UDN unfolds

GABRA1-Related Disorders:From Genetic to Functional Pathways

Objective: Variants in GABRA1 have been associated with a broad epilepsy spectrum, ranging from genetic generalized epilepsies to developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. However, our understanding of what determines the phenotype severity and best treatment options remains inadequate. We therefore aimed to analyze the electroclinical features and the functional effects of GABRA1 variants to establish genotype–phenotype correlations. Methods: Genetic and electroclinical data of 27 individuals (22 unrelated and 2 families) harboring 20 different GABRA1 variants were collected and accompanied by functional analysis of 19 variants. Results:Individuals in this cohort could be assigned into different clinical subgroups based on the functional effect of their variant and its structural position within the GABRA1 subunit. A homogenous phenotype with mild cognitive impairment and infantile onset epilepsy (focal seizures, fever sensitivity, and electroencephalographic posterior epileptiform discharges) was described for variants in the extracellular domain and the small transmembrane loops. These variants displayed loss-of-function (LoF) effects, and the patients generally had a favorable outcome. A more severe phenotype was associated with variants in the pore-forming transmembrane helices. These variants displayed either gain-of-function (GoF) or LoF effects. GoF variants were associated with severe early onset neurodevelopmental disorders, including early infantile developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. Interpretation: Our data expand the genetic and phenotypic spectrum of GABRA1 epilepsies and permit delineation of specific subphenotypes for LoF and GoF variants, through the heterogeneity of phenotypes and variants. Generally, variants in the transmembrane helices cause more severe phenotypes, in particular GoF variants. These findings establish the basis for a better understanding of the pathomechanism and a precision medicine approach in GABRA1-related disorders. Further studies in larger populations are needed to provide a conclusive genotype–phenotype correlation. ANN NEUROL 2023.</p

An autosomal dominant neurological disorder caused by de novo variants in FAR1 resulting in uncontrolled synthesis of ether lipids.

PURPOSE: In this study we investigate the disease etiology in 12 patients with de novo variants in FAR1 all resulting in an amino acid change at position 480 (p.Arg480Cys/His/Leu). METHODS: Following next-generation sequencing and clinical phenotyping, functional characterization was performed in patients' fibroblasts using FAR1 enzyme analysis, FAR1 immunoblotting/immunofluorescence, and lipidomics. RESULTS: All patients had spastic paraparesis and bilateral congenital/juvenile cataracts, in most combined with speech and gross motor developmental delay and truncal hypotonia. FAR1 deficiency caused by biallelic variants results in defective ether lipid synthesis and plasmalogen deficiency. In contrast, patients' fibroblasts with the de novo FAR1 variants showed elevated plasmalogen levels. Further functional studies in fibroblasts showed that these variants cause a disruption of the plasmalogen-dependent feedback regulation of FAR1 protein levels leading to uncontrolled ether lipid production. CONCLUSION: Heterozygous de novo variants affecting the Arg480 residue of FAR1 lead to an autosomal dominant disorder with a different disease mechanism than that of recessive FAR1 deficiency and a diametrically opposed biochemical phenotype. Our findings show that for patients with spastic paraparesis and bilateral cataracts, FAR1 should be considered as a candidate gene and added to gene panels for hereditary spastic paraplegia, cerebral palsy, and juvenile cataracts.status: Published onlin