Mitochondrial DNA structure of an isolated Tunisian Berber population and its relationship with Mediterranean populations.

International audienceBACKGROUND Douiret is an isolated Berber population from South-Eastern Tunisia. The strong geographic and cultural isolation characterising this population might have contributed to remarkable endogamy and consanguinity, which were practiced for several centuries. AIM The objective of this study is to evaluate the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genetic structure of Douiret and to compare it to other Mediterranean populations with a special focus on major haplogroup T. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples of 58 unrelated individuals collected from the different patrilineal lineages of the population. The hypervariable region 1 of the mtDNA was amplified and sequenced. For comparative analyses, additional HVS1 sequences (n = 4857) were compiled from previous studies. RESULTS The maternal background of the studied sample from Douiret was mainly of Eurasian origin (74%) followed by Sub-Saharan (17%) and North African (3%) lineages. Douiret harbours the highest frequency of haplogroup T in the Mediterranean region, assigned to the unique subclade T1a (38%). Phylogenetic analysis showed an outlier position of Douiret at the Mediterranean level. CONCLUSIONS The genetic structure of Douiret highlights the presence of founders, most likely of Near/Middle Eastern origin, who conquered this area during the Middle/Late Upper Palaeolithic and Neolithic dispersals

A Founder Large Deletion Mutation in Xeroderma Pigmentosum-Variant Form in Tunisia: Implication for Molecular Diagnosis and Therapy

Xeroderma pigmentosum Variant (XP-V) form is characterized by a late onset of skin symptoms. Our aim is the clinical and genetic investigations of XP-V Tunisian patients in order to develop a simple tool for early diagnosis. We investigated 16 suspected XP patients belonging to ten consanguineous families. Analysis of the POLH gene was performed by linkage analysis, long range PCR, and sequencing. Genetic analysis showed linkage to the POLH gene with a founder haplotype in all affected patients. Long range PCR of exon 9 to exon 11 showed a 3926 bp deletion compared to control individuals. Sequence analysis demonstrates that this deletion has occurred between two Alu-Sq2 repetitive sequences in the same orientation, respectively, in introns 9 and 10. We suggest that this mutation POLH NG_009252.1: g.36847_40771del3925 is caused by an equal crossover event that occurred between two homologous chromosomes at meiosis. These results allowed us to develop a simple test based on a simple PCR in order to screen suspected XP-V patients. In Tunisia, the prevalence of XP-V group seems to be underestimated and clinical diagnosis is usually later. Cascade screening of this founder mutation by PCR in regions with high frequency of XP provides a rapid and cost-effective tool for early diagnosis of XP-V in Tunisia and North Africa

Facteurs pronostiques de l’atteinte rénale au cours du Purpura Rhumatoïde de l’adulte au Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire de Tunis / Pronostic factors of Henoch Schönlein nephritis in Tunis university hospital: Pronostic factors of Henoch Schönlein nephritis in Tunis university hospital

Context and objective. IgA vasculitis is a leukocytoclastic vasculitis with IgA deposits characterized by the association of cutaneous, articular and digestive involvements. Renal involvement worsens the pronostic of the disease. The main objective of this work was to identify the risk factors of end-stage renal failure in Tunisian adults with IgA vasculitis. Methods. From 1975 to 2017, patients with IgA vasculitis and nephritis were studied retrospectively. All the patients benefited from a renal biopsy classified histologically according to Pillebout. Results. Thirty-four adult patients (mean age at nephritis onset: 39 ± 17.6y) mainly men, were included. Risk factors for progression to end stage renal disease were: edema (p=0.002), oligoanuria (p=0.003), initial renal impairment (p=0.001), anemia (p=0.010), hyperuricemia (p=0.015), class IV (p=0.018), crescents (p=0.018) and interstitial fibrosis (p=0.017). Conclusion. The outcome of renal involvement during IgA vasculitis is relatively poor. Renal involvement conditions the long-term prognosis of the disease. The identification of clinical, biological and histological risk factors of end stage renal failure would improve its management. Contexte et objectif. Le purpura rhumatoïde est une vascularite leucocytoclasique à dépôts d’IgA caractérisée par l’association de signes cutanés, articulaires et digestifs. L’atteinte rénale fait la gravité de la maladie. Le principal objectif de ce travail était d’identifier les facteurs prédictifs de la maladie rénale chronique stade 5 chez des patients ayant un Purpura Rhumatoïde avec atteinte rénale. Méthodes. Nous avons étudié de façon rétrospective les observations de patients ayant présenté un purpura rhumatoïde avec atteinte rénale colligés de 1975 à 2017. Les lésions histologiques ont été classées selon la classification de Pillebout. Résultats. Nous avons colligé 34 patients adultes atteints de Purpura Rhumatoïde avec atteinte rénale. L’âge moyen des patients était de 39 ± 17,6 ans avec une prédominance masculine. Les facteurs prédictifs de la Maladie Rénale Chronique stade 5 étaient : les œdèmes (p=0,002), l’oligoanurie (p=0,003), l’insuffisance rénale initiale (p=0,001), l’anémie (p=0,010), l’hyperuricémie (p=0,015), la classe histologique IV (p=0,018), les croissants (p=0,009) et la fibrose interstitielle (p=0,017). Conclusion. L’atteinte rénale au cours du Purpura Rhumatoïde conditionne le pronostic à long terme. Sa recherche doit être systématique afin de prévenir ou de ralentir l’évolution vers la maladie rénale chronique stade 5

Family specific genetic predisposition to breast cancer: results from Tunisian whole exome sequenced breast cancer cases

Abstract Background A family history of breast cancer has long been thought to indicate the presence of inherited genetic events that predispose to this disease. In North Africa, many specific epidemio-genetic characteristics have been observed in breast cancer families when compared to Western populations. Despite these specificities, the majority of breast cancer genetics studies performed in North Africa remain restricted to the investigation of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Thus, comprehensive data at a whole exome or whole genome level from local patients are lacking. Methods A whole exome sequencing (WES) of seven breast cancer Tunisian families have been performed using a family-based approach. We focused our analysis on BC-TN-F001 family that included two affected members that have been sequenced using WES. Relevant variants identified in BC-TN-F001 have been confirmed using Sanger sequencing. Then, we conducted an integrative analysis by combining our results with those from other WES studies in order to figure out the genetic transmission model of the newly identified genes. Biological network construction and protein–protein interactions analyses have been performed to decipher the molecular mechanisms likely accounting for the role of these genes in breast cancer risk. Results Sequencing, filtering strategies, and validation analysis have been achieved. For BC-TN-F001, no deleterious mutations have been identified on known breast cancer genes. However, 373 heterozygous, exonic and rare variants have been identified on other candidate genes. After applying several filters, 12 relevant high-risk variants have been selected. Our results showed that these variants seem to be inherited in a family specific model. This hypothesis has been confirmed following a thorough analysis of the reported WES studies. Enriched biological process and protein–protein interaction networks resulted in the identification of four novel breast cancer candidate genes namely MMS19, DNAH3, POLK and KATB6. Conclusions In this first WES application on Tunisian breast cancer patients, we highlighted the impact of next generation sequencing technologies in the identification of novel breast cancer candidate genes which may bring new insights into the biological mechanisms of breast carcinogenesis. Our findings showed that the breast cancer predisposition in non-BRCA families may be ethnic and/or family specific

Whole Exome Sequencing allows the identification of two novel groups of Xeroderma pigmentosum in Tunisia, XP-D and XP-E: Impact on molecular diagnosis

International audienceBACKGROUND: Skin cancers (SC) are complex diseases that develop from complex combinations of genetic and environmental risk factors. One of the most severe and rare genetic diseases predisposing to SC is the Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) syndrome.OBJECTIVES: First, to identify the genetic etiology of XP and to better classify affected patients. Second, to provide early molecular diagnosis for pre-symptomatic patient and finally to offer genetic counseling for related individuals.METHODS: Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) and Run Of Homozygosity (ROH) were performed for two patients belonging to two different multiplex consanguineous families. The identified mutations were confirmed by Sanger sequencing and researched in ten Tunisian families including a total of 25 affected individuals previously suspected as having XP group V (XP-V) form. All patients had mild dermatological manifestations, absence of neurological abnormalities and late onset of skin tumors.RESULTS: Screening for functional variations showed the presence of the ERCC2 p.Arg683Gln in XP14KA-2 patient and a novel mutation, DDB2 p. (Lys381Argfs*2), in XP51-MAH-1 patient. Sanger sequencing and familial segregation showed that the ERCC2 mutation is present at a homozygous state in 10 affected patients belonging to 3 families. The second mutation in DDB2, is present at a homozygous state in 5 affected cases belonging to the same family. These two mutations are absent in the remaining 10 affected patients. The ERCC2 c.2048G > A mutation is present in a medium ROH region (class B) suggesting that it mostly arises from ancient relatedness within individuals. However, the c.1138delG DDB2 mutation is present in a large ROH region (class C) suggesting that it arises from recent relatedness.CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study that identifies XP-D and XP-E complementation groups in Tunisia. These two groups are very rare and under-diagnosed in the world and were not reported in North Africa

Family specific genetic predisposition to breast cancer: results from Tunisian whole exome sequenced breast cancer cases.

International audienceBACKGROUND:A family history of breast cancer has long been thought to indicate the presence of inherited genetic events that predispose to this disease. In North Africa, many specific epidemio-genetic characteristics have been observed in breast cancer families when compared to Western populations. Despite these specificities, the majority of breast cancer genetics studies performed in North Africa remain restricted to the investigation of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Thus, comprehensive data at a whole exome or whole genome level from local patients are lacking.METHODS:A whole exome sequencing (WES) of seven breast cancer Tunisian families have been performed using a family-based approach. We focused our analysis on BC-TN-F001 family that included two affected members that have been sequenced using WES. Relevant variants identified in BC-TN-F001 have been confirmed using Sanger sequencing. Then, we conducted an integrative analysis by combining our results with those from other WES studies in order to figure out the genetic transmission model of the newly identified genes. Biological network construction and protein-protein interactions analyses have been performed to decipher the molecular mechanisms likely accounting for the role of these genes in breast cancer risk.RESULTS:Sequencing, filtering strategies, and validation analysis have been achieved. For BC-TN-F001, no deleterious mutations have been identified on known breast cancer genes. However, 373 heterozygous, exonic and rare variants have been identified on other candidate genes. After applying several filters, 12 relevant high-risk variants have been selected. Our results showed that these variants seem to be inherited in a family specific model. This hypothesis has been confirmed following a thorough analysis of the reported WES studies. Enriched biological process and protein-protein interaction networks resulted in the identification of four novel breast cancer candidate genes namely MMS19, DNAH3, POLK and KATB6.CONCLUSIONS:In this first WES application on Tunisian breast cancer patients, we highlighted the impact of next generation sequencing technologies in the identification of novel breast cancer candidate genes which may bring new insights into the biological mechanisms of breast carcinogenesis. Our findings showed that the breast cancer predisposition in non-BRCA families may be ethnic and/or family specific

Genetic characterization of suspected MODY patients in Tunisia by targeted next-generation sequencing

International audienceAIMS: Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) is a monogenic form of diabetes with autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. The diagnosis of MODY and its subtypes is based on genetic testing. Our aim was investigating MODY by means of next-generation sequencing in the Tunisian population.METHODS: We performed a targeted sequencing of 27 genes known to cause monogenic diabetes in 11 phenotypically suspected Tunisian patients. We retained genetic variants passing filters of frequency in public databases as well as their probable effects on protein structures and functions evaluated by bioinformatics prediction tools.RESULTS: Five heterozygous variants were found in four patients. They include two mutations in HNF1A and GCK that are the causative genes of the two most prevalent MODY subtypes described in the literature. Other possible mutations, including novel frameshift and splice-site variants were identified in ABCC8 gene.CONCLUSIONS: Our study is the first to investigate the clinical application of targeted next-generation sequencing for the diagnosis of MODY in Africa. The combination of this approach with a filtering/prioritization strategy made a step towards the identification of MODY mutations in the Tunisian population

Association of rs9939609 Polymorphism with Metabolic Parameters and FTO Risk Haplotype Among Tunisian Metabolic Syndrome

International audienceBackground: Variants in the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene are associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.Aim of the study: This study aims to assess the association of the rs9939609 variant and haplotypes in FTO gene with metabolic syndrome (MetS) components in a Tunisian population sample.Methods: A total of 685 Tunisian subjects were genotyped for the rs9939609T>A using TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. Two variants rs1421085T>C and rs8057044A>G already genotyped in a previous study were used to test haplotype association of the FTO gene.Results: Genotype distribution of the variant rs9939609 was different between MetS and controls (P = 0.017). Individuals carrying TA genotypes had a significantly increased risk independently of body mass index or age (P = 0.009). The variant rs9939609 was also associated with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (P = 0.002). Among the eight haplotypes in the population, the haplotype GCA was significantly associated with a higher risk of developing the MetS, higher systolic blood pressure, and higher levels of fasting glucose and triglycerides (TGs) in the total sample and females, separately. Separate analysis by gender revealed a protective haplotype TGT among women (P = 0.023).Conclusions:FTO haplotypes have a strong influence on blood pressures and TG and IFG levels. These findings provide evidence that FTO gene may play a critical role in leading to MetS in Tunisian population