Mugdha Joshi

SPEG interacts with myotubularin, and its deficiency causes centronuclear myopathy with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Centronuclear myopathies (CNMs) are characterized by muscle weakness and increased numbers of central nuclei within myofibers. X-linked myotubular myopathy, the most common severe form of CNM, is caused by mutations in MTM1, encoding myotubularin (MTM1), a lipid phosphatase. To increase our understanding of MTM1 function, we conducted a yeast two-hybrid screen to identify MTM1-interacting proteins. Striated muscle preferentially expressed protein kinase (SPEG), the product of SPEG complex locus (SPEG), was identified as an MTM1-interacting protein, confirmed by immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence studies. SPEG knockout has been previously associated with severe dilated cardiomyopathy in a mouse model. Using whole-exome sequencing, we identified three unrelated CNM-affected probands, including two with documented dilated cardiomyopathy, carrying homozygous or compound-heterozygous SPEG mutations. SPEG was markedly reduced or absent in two individuals whose muscle was available for immunofluorescence and immunoblot studies. Examination of muscle samples from Speg-knockout mice revealed an increased frequency of central nuclei, as seen in human subjects. SPEG localizes in a double line, flanking desmin over the Z lines, and is apparently in alignment with the terminal cisternae of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Examination of human and murine MTM1-deficient muscles revealed similar abnormalities in staining patterns for both desmin and SPEG. Our results suggest that mutations in SPEG, encoding SPEG, cause a CNM phenotype as a result of its interaction with MTM1. SPEG is present in cardiac muscle, where it plays a critical role; therefore, individuals with SPEG mutations additionally present with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Normal myofibrillar development followed by progressive sarcomeric disruption with actin accumulations in a mouse Cfl2 knockout demonstrates requirement of cofilin-2 for muscle maintenance

Cofilin-2, a small actin-binding protein and member of the AC protein family that includes cofilin-1 and destrin, is predominantly expressed at sarcomeres in skeletal and cardiac muscles. The role of cofilin-2 in muscle development and function is unclear. In humans, recessive cofilin-2 mutations have been associated with nemaline myopathy with minicores. To investigate the functional role of cofilin-2 in vivo, we generated constitutive and muscle-specific cofilin-2-deficient mice using a cre-loxP strategy. Cofilin-2-deficient mice were similar to their wild-type (WT) littermates at birth, but died by day 8. They were significantly smaller, severely weak and had very little milk in their stomachs. The sarcomeric structure was intact at birth, but by Day 7, skeletal muscles showed severe sarcomeric disruptions starting at the Z-line, along with filamentous actin accumulations consistent with a lack of actin depolymerization activity. Cofilin-2-deficient muscles contained elevated numbers of slow fibers and exhibited upregulation of slow fiber-specific genes. Increased amounts of other sarcomeric proteins including α-actinin-2, α-sarcomeric actin and tropomyosin were also present. While destrin was not expressed in either WT or cofilin-2-deficient muscles, cofilin-1 was similarly expressed in developing myofibers of both genotypes. There was no evidence for compensatory changes in expression of either family member in cofilin-2-deficient tissues. The onset of pathology and weakness in cofilin-2-deficient muscles correlated with normal developmental loss of cofilin-1 expression within myofibers, suggesting that cofilin-1 serves as an early developmental sarcomeric isoform. Overall, cofilin-2, although not critical for muscle development, is essential for muscle maintenance.

Whole genome sequencing identifies SCN2A mutation in monozygotic twins with Ohtahara syndrome and unique neuropathologic findings

Mutations in SCN2A gene cause a variety of epilepsy syndromes. We report a novel SCN2A‐associated epilepsy phenotype in monozygotic twins with tonic seizures soon after birth and a suppression‐burst electroencephalography (EEG) pattern. We reviewed the medical records, EEG tracings, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and neuropathologic findings, and performed whole genome sequencing (WGS) on Twin Bs DNA and Sanger sequencing (SS) on candidate gene mutations. Extensive neurometabolic evaluation and early neuroimaging studies were normal. Twin A died of an iatrogenic cause at 2 weeks of life. His neuropathologic examination was remarkable for dentate‐olivary dysplasia and granule cell dispersion of the dentate gyrus. Twin B became seizure free at 8 months and was off antiepileptic drugs by 2 years. His brain MRI, normal at 2 months, revealed evolving brainstem and basal ganglia abnormalities at 8 and 15 months that resolved by 20 months. At 2.5 years, Twin B demonstrated significant developmental delay. Twin Bs WGS revealed a heterozygous variant c.788C>T predicted to cause p.Ala263Val change in SCN2A and confirmed to be de novo in both twins by SS. In conclusion, we have identified a de novo SCN2A mutation as the etiology for Ohtahara syndrome in monozygotic twins associated with a unique dentate‐olivary dysplasia in the deceased twin.

A compound heterozygous mutation in GPD1 causes hepatomegaly, steatohepatitis, and hypertriglyceridemia.

The constellation of clinico-pathological and laboratory findings including massive hepatomegaly, steatosis, and marked hypertriglyceridemia in infancy is extremely rare. We describe a child who is presented with the above findings, and despite extensive diagnostic testing no cause could be identified. Whole exome sequencing was performed on the patient and parents’ DNA. Mutations in GPD1 encoding glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase that catalyzes the reversible redox reaction of dihydroxyacetone phosphate and NADH to glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) and NAD+ were identified. The proband inherited a GPD1 deletion from the father determined using copy number analysis and a missense change p.(R229Q) from the mother. GPD1 protein was absent in the patient’s liver biopsy on western blot. Low normal activity of carnitine palmitoyl transferases, CPT1 and CPT2, was present in the patient’s skin fibroblasts, without mutations in genes encoding for these proteins. This is the first report of compound heterozygous mutations in GPD1 associated with a lack of GPD1 protein and reduction in CPT1 and CPT2 activity.

Rare complete loss of function provides insight into a pleiotropic genome-wide association study locus

To the editor: Recent genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of hematological traits have consistently found strong associations between the HBS1L - MYB intergenic region on 6q23 and a number of clinically significant hematologic traits, including fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels, red blood cell

Development of Soft Tissue Sarcomas in Ribosomal Proteins L5 and S24 Heterozygous Mice

Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) is an inherited bone marrow failure syndrome associated with ribosomal protein (RP) gene mutations. Recent studies have also demonstrated an increased risk of cancer predisposition among DBA patients. In this study, we report the formation of soft tissue sarcoma in the Rpl5 and Rps24 heterozygous mice. Our observation suggests that even though one wild-type allele of the Rpl5 or Rps24 gene prevents anemia in these mice, it still predisposes them to cancer development.

Mutations in the substrate binding glycine-rich loop of the mitochondrial processing peptidase-α protein (PMPCA) cause a severe mitochondrial disease

We describe a large Lebanese family with two affected members, a young female proband and her male cousin, who had multisystem involvement including profound global developmental delay, severe hypotonia and weakness, respiratory insufficiency, blindness, and lactic acidemia—findings consistent with an underlying mitochondrial disorder. Whole-exome sequencing was performed on DNA from the proband and both parents. The proband and her cousin carried compound heterozygous mutations in the PMPCA gene that encodes for α-mitochondrial processing peptidase (α-MPP), a protein likely involved in the processing of mitochondrial proteins. The variants were located close to and postulated to affect the substrate binding glycine-rich loop of the α-MPP protein. Functional assays including immunofluorescence and western blot analysis on patients fibroblasts revealed that these variants reduced α-MPP levels and impaired frataxin production and processing. We further determined that those defects could be rescued through the expression of exogenous wild-type PMPCA cDNA. Our findings link defective α-MPP protein to a severe mitochondrial disease.

Expanding the Phenotype Associated With the NEFL Mutation: Neuromuscular Disease in a Family With Overlapping Myopathic and Neurogenic Findings

IMPORTANCE Newer sequencing technologies in combination with traditional gene mapping techniques, such as linkage analysis, can help identify the genetic basis of disease for patients with rare disorders of uncertain etiology. This approach may expand the phenotypic spectrum of disease associated with those genetic mutations. OBJECTIVE To elucidate the molecular cause of a neuromuscular disease among a family in which 4 members, a mother and her 3 sons, were affected. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Two of 4 affected members manifested nemaline myopathy, a common subtype of congenital myopathy, while the other 2 had a nonspecific myopathy. Single-nucleotide polymorphism-based linkage analysis was performed on DNA samples from the 4 affected family members, and whole-genome sequencing was performed in the proband. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence, and Western blot analysis were performed on muscle biopsy specimens. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Whole-genome sequencing and linkage analysis identified a variant in a gene that explains the phenotype. RESULTS We identified a novel neurofilament light polypeptide (NEFL) nonsense mutation in all affected members. NEFL mutations have been previously linked to Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease in humans. This led us to reevaluate the diagnosis, and we recognized that several of the findings, especially those related to the muscle biopsy specimens and electromyography, were consistent with a neurogenic disease. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE NEFL mutations are known to cause Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease in humans and motor neuron disease in mice. We report the identification of an NEFL mutation in a family clinically manifesting congenital myopathy. We also describe potential overlap between myopathic and neurogenic findings in this family. These findings expand the phenotypic spectrum of diseases associated with NEFL mutations. This study is an example of the power of genomic approaches to identify potentially pathogenic mutations in unsuspected genes responsible for heterogeneous neuromuscular diseases.

Skeletal Muscle MicroRNA and Messenger RNA Profiling in Cofilin-2 Deficient Mice Reveals Cell Cycle Dysregulation Hindering Muscle Regeneration

Congenital myopathies are rare skeletal muscle diseases presenting in early age with hypotonia and weakness often linked to a genetic defect. Mutations in the gene for cofilin-2 (CFL2) have been identified in several families as a cause of congenital myopathy with nemaline bodies and cores. Here we explore the global messenger and microRNA expression patterns in quadriceps muscle samples from cofillin-2-null mice and compare them with sibling-matched wild-type mice to determine the molecular pathways and mechanisms involved. Cell cycle processes are markedly dysregulated, with altered expression of genes involved in mitotic spindle formation, and evidence of loss of cell cycle checkpoint regulation. Importantly, alterations in cell cycle, apoptosis and proliferation pathways are present in both mRNA and miRNA expression patterns. Specifically, p21 transcript levels were increased, and the expression of p21 targets, such as cyclin D and cyclin E, was decreased. We therefore hypothesize that deficiency of cofilin-2 is associated with interruption of the cell cycle at several checkpoints, hindering muscle regeneration. Identification of these pathways is an important step towards developing appropriate therapies against various congenital myopathies.

P.9.5 A novel NEFL gene mutation is identified in a family diagnosed with Nemaline Myopathy

We describe a family of four members (a mother and her three sons) diagnosed with a skeletal muscle disease with biopsy findings consistent with nemaline myopathy (NM) in two, one with non-specific myopathy and one with neurogenic atrophy and myopathic features. Interestingly, some of the clinico-pathological findings were consistent with involvement of the peripheral nerves. Sanger sequencing did not identify a pathogenic mutation in genes associated with NM. Given the atypical presentation not attributable to a known NM gene, linkage analysis was performed on DNA samples from the four affected members along with whole genome sequencing (WGS) on mother’s DNA (proband). On bioinformatic analysis, she was identified to carry a heterozygous mutation c.1261C>T in the NEFL gene predicted to cause premature termination of the transcript and a truncated neurofilament light polypeptide protein (p.R421X). This mutation was not present in dbSNP Build 137 or Exome variant server, Washington University, and it was confirmed to be present in all the four affected members of the family by Sanger sequencing. Further, Autosomal dominant mutations in NEFL are associated with Charcot–Marie–Tooth (CMT) disease, subtypes CMT2E/CMT1F. Most of the pathogenic NEFL mutations are missense changes postulated to cause dominant negative effects. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed on cDNA, extracted from muscle samples from an affected family member and an age-matched control, and the mutant transcript was found to be stable. We hypothesize that the mutant transcript does not undergo nonsense-mediated decay, thereby encoding a truncated protein that interferes with the function of the wild type NEFL protein. Further work is underway to understand the molecular basis of the disease. This finding further expands the spectrum of NEFL mutation-associated phenotypes to NM.