Bei Sha Tang

TGM6 identified as a novel causative gene of spinocerebellar ataxias using exome sequencing

Autosomal-dominant spinocerebellar ataxias constitute a large, heterogeneous group of progressive neurodegenerative diseases with multiple types. To date, classical genetic studies have revealed 31 distinct genetic forms of spinocerebellar ataxias and identified 19 causative genes. Traditional positional cloning strategies, however, have limitations for finding causative genes of rare Mendelian disorders. Here, we used a combined strategy of exome sequencing and linkage analysis to identify a novel spinocerebellar ataxia causative gene, TGM6. We sequenced the whole exome of four patients in a Chinese four-generation spinocerebellar ataxia family and identified a missense mutation, c.1550T-G transition (L517W), in exon 10 of TGM6. This change is at a highly conserved position, is predicted to have a functional impact, and completely cosegregated with the phenotype. The exome results were validated using linkage analysis. The mutation we identified using exome sequencing was located in the same region (20p13-12.2) as that identified by linkage analysis, which cross-validated TGM6 as the causative spinocerebellar ataxia gene in this family. We also showed that the causative gene could be mapped by a combined method of linkage analysis and sequencing of one sample from the family. We further confirmed our finding by identifying another missense mutation c.980A-G transition (D327G) in exon seven of TGM6 in an additional spinocerebellar ataxia family, which also cosegregated with the phenotype. Both mutations were absent in 500 normal unaffected individuals of matched geographical ancestry. The finding of TGM6 as a novel causative gene of spinocerebellar ataxia illustrates whole-exome sequencing of affected individuals from one family as an effective and cost efficient method for mapping genes of rare Mendelian disorders and the use of linkage analysis and exome sequencing for further improving efficiency.

A new locus for autosomal dominant Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2 (CMT2L) maps to chromosome 12q24

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is one of the most common inherited neurological disorders with a prevalence estimated at 1/2500. The axonal form of this disorder is referred to as Charcot-Marie-Tooth typexa02 disease (CMT2). Recently, a large Chinese family with CMT2 was found in the Hunan and Hubei provinces of China. The known loci for CMT1A, CMT2D, CMT1B (the same locus is also responsible for CMT2I and CMT2J), CMT2A, CMT2E, and CMT2F were excluded in this family by linkage analysis. A genome-wide screening was then carried out, and the results revealed linkage of CMT2 to a locus at chromosome 12q24. Haplotype construction and analyses localized this novel locus to a 6.8-cM interval between microsatellite markers D12S366 and D12S1611. The maximal two-point LOD score of 6.35 and multipoint LOD score of 8.08 for marker D12S76 at a recombination fraction (θ) of 0 strongly supported linkage to this locus. Thus, CMT2 neuropathy in this family represents a novel genetic entity that we have designated as CMT2L.

Novel compound heterozygous mutations in the PANK2 gene in a chinese patient with atypical pantothenate kinase- associated neurodegeneration

We investigated the presence of mutations in the pantothenate kinase (PANK2) gene in a 27‐year‐old male Chinese patient with atypical pantothenate kinase‐associated neurodegeneration (PKAN), formerly Hallervorden‐Spatz syndrome. Automated DNA sequence analyses revealed compound heterozygous mutations in the exon 3 and 5. This patient had a 10‐year history of PKAN characterized by a slight tremor of the right hand when writing at onset and a slow progressive rigidity of the neck and the right arm and resting tremor in upper extremities. Dysarthria, dysphagia, and dystonic‐athetoid movements of the face and right fingers were marked. Magnetic resonance showed the typical “eye‐of‐the‐tiger” sign.

Using next-generation sequencing as a genetic diagnostic tool in rare autosomal recessive neurologic Mendelian disorders

Next-generation sequencing was used to investigate 9 rare Chinese pedigrees with rare autosomal recessive neurologic Mendelian disorders. Five probands with ataxia-telangectasia and 1 proband with chorea-acanthocytosis were analyzed by targeted gene sequencing. Whole-exome sequencing was used to investigate 3 affected individuals with Joubert syndrome, nemaline myopathy, or spastic ataxia Charlevoix-Saguenay type. A list of known and novel candidate variants was identified for each causative gene. All variants were genetically verified by Sanger sequencing or quantitative polymerase chain reaction with the strategy of disease segregation in related pedigrees and healthy controls. The advantages of using next-generation sequencing to diagnose rare autosomal recessive neurologic Mendelian disorders characterized by genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity are demonstrated. A genetic diagnostic strategy combining the use of targeted gene sequencing and whole-exome sequencing with the aid of next-generation sequencing platforms has shown great promise for improving the diagnosis of neurologic Mendelian disorders.

[Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome].

Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome(FXTAS) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by FMR1 gene permutation(PM). The main clinical manifestations are intention tremor and/or ataxia, and the pathogenesis was related to RNA toxicity. In this paper, the research progress of clinical manifestatios, pathological characteristics, epidemiology and molecular mechanisms will be reviewed.