A dynamic database of microarray-characterized cell lines with various cytogenetic and genomic backgrounds

The Human Genetic Cell Repository sponsored by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) contains more than 11,000 cell lines and DNA samples collected from numerous individuals. All of these cell lines and DNA samples are categorized into several collections representing a variety of disease states, chromosomal abnormalities, heritable diseases, distinct human populations, and apparently healthy individuals. Many of these cell lines have previously been studied with detailed conventional cytogenetic analyses, including G-banded karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization. This work was conducted by investigators at submitting institutions and scientists at Coriell Institute for Medical Research, where the NIGMS Repository is hosted. Recently, approximately 900 cell lines, mostly chosen from the Chromosomal Aberrations and Heritable Diseases collections, have been further characterized in detail at the Coriell Institute using the Affymetrix Genome-Wide Human SNP Array 6.0 to detect copy number variations and copy number neutral loss of heterozygosity. A database containing detailed cytogenetic and genomic information for these cell lines has been constructed and is freely available through several sources, such as the NIGMS Repository website and the University of California at Santa Cruz Genome Browser. As additional cell lines are analyzed and subsequently added into it, the database will be maintained dynamically

Pharmacogenetic allele nomenclature: International workgroup recommendations for test result reporting

This manuscript provides nomenclature recommendations developed by an international workgroup to increase transparency and standardization of pharmacogenetic (PGx) result reporting. Presently, sequence variants identified by PGx tests are described using different nomenclature systems. In addition, PGx analysis may detect different sets of variants for each gene, which can affect interpretation of results. This practice has caused confusion and may thereby impede the adoption of clinical PGx testing. Standardization is critical to move PGx forward

Allelic decomposition and exact genotyping of highly polymorphic and structurally variant genes

High-throughput sequencing provides the means to determine the allelic decomposition for any gene of interest - the number of copies and the exact sequence content of each copy of a gene. Although many clinically and functionally important genes are highly polymorphic and have undergone structural alterations, no high-throughput sequencing data analysis tool has yet been designed to effectively solve the full allelic decomposition problem. Here we introduce a combinatorial optimization framework that successfully resolves this challenging problem, including for genes with structural alterations. We provide an associated computational tool Aldy that performs allelic decomposition of highly polymorphic, multi-copy genes through using whole or targeted genome sequencing data. For a large diverse sequencing data set, Aldy identifies multiple rare and novel alleles for several important pharmacogenes, significantly improving upon the accuracy and utility of current genotyping assays. As more data sets become available, we expect Aldy to become an essential component of genotyping toolkits

Characterization of 137 Genomic DNA Reference Materials for 28 Pharmacogenetic Genes: A GeT-RM Collaborative Project

Pharmacogenetic testing is increasingly available from clinical laboratories. However, only a limited number of quality control and other reference materials are currently available to support clinical testing. To address this need, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-based Genetic Testing Reference Material Coordination Program, in collaboration with members of the pharmacogenetic testing community and the Coriell Cell Repositories, has characterized 137 genomic DNA samples for 28 genes commonly genotyped by pharmacogenetic testing assays (CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, CYP3A4, CYP3A5, CYP4F2, DPYD, GSTM1, GSTP1, GSTT1, NAT1, NAT2, SLC15A2, SLC22A2, SLCO1B1, SLCO2B1, TPMT, UGT1A1, UGT2B7, UGT2B15, UGT2B17, and VKORC1). One hundred thirty-seven Coriell cell lines were selected based on ethnic diversity and partial genotype characterization from earlier testing. DNA samples were coded and distributed to volunteer testing laboratories for targeted genotyping using a number of commercially available and laboratory developed tests. Through consensus verification, we confirmed the presence of at least 108 variant pharmacogenetic alleles. These samples are also being characterized by other pharmacogenetic assays, including next-generation sequencing, which will be reported separately. Genotyping results were consistent among laboratories, with most differences in allele assignments attributed to assay design and variability in reported allele nomenclature, particularly for CYP2D6, UGT1A1, and VKORC1. These publicly available samples will help ensure the accuracy of pharmacogenetic testing

Quality Assurance for Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy Genetic Testing: Development of a Genomic DNA Reference Material Panel

Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies (DMD/BMD) are allelic X-linked recessive disorders that affect approximately 1 in 3500 and 1 in 20,000 male individuals, respectively. Approximately 65% of patients with DMD have deletions, 7% to 10% have duplications, and 25% to 30% have point mutations in one or more of the 79 exons of the dystrophin gene. Most clinical genetics laboratories test for deletions, and some use technologies that can detect smaller mutations and duplications. Reference and quality control materials for DMD/BMD diagnostic and carrier genetic testing are not commercially available. To help address this need, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention–based Genetic Testing Reference Material Coordination Program, in collaboration with members of the genetic testing and the DMD/BMD patient communities and the Coriell Cell Repositories, have characterized new and existing cell lines to create a comprehensive DMD/BMD reference material panel. Samples from 31 Coriell DMD cell lines from male probands and female carriers were analyzed using the Affymetrix SNP Array 6.0 and Multiplex Ligation-Dependent Probe Amplification (MRC-Holland BV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands), a multiplex PCR assay, and DNA sequence analysis. Identified were 16 cell lines with deletions, 9 with duplications, and 4 with point mutations distributed throughout the dystrophin gene. There were no discordant results within assay limitations. These samples are publicly available from Coriell Institute for Medical Research (Camden, NJ) and can be used for quality assurance, proficiency testing, test development, and research, and should help improve the accuracy of DMD testing

Development of Genomic DNA Reference Materials for Genetic Testing of Disorders Common in People of Ashkenazi Jewish Descent

Many recessive genetic disorders are found at a higher incidence in people of Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ) descent than in the general population. The American College of Medical Genetics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have recommended that individuals of AJ descent undergo carrier screening for Tay Sachs disease, Canavan disease, familial dysautonomia, mucolipidosis IV, Niemann-Pick disease type A, Fanconi anemia type C, Bloom syndrome, and Gaucher disease. Although these recommendations have led to increased test volumes and number of laboratories offering AJ screening, well-characterized genomic reference materials are not publicly available. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-based Genetic Testing Reference Materials Coordination Program, in collaboration with members of the genetic testing community and Coriell Cell Repositories, have developed a panel of characterized genomic reference materials for AJ genetic testing. DNA from 31 cell lines, representing many of the common alleles for Tay Sachs disease, Canavan disease, familial dysautonomia, mucolipidosis IV, Niemann-Pick disease type A, Fanconi anemia type C, Bloom syndrome, Gaucher disease, and glycogen storage disease, was prepared by the Repository and tested in six clinical laboratories using three different PCR-based assay platforms. A total of 33 disease alleles was assayed and 25 different alleles were identified. These characterized materials are publicly available from Coriell and may be used for quality control, proficiency testing, test development, and research