Whole exome sequencing identifies a novel DFNA9 mutation,C162Y

We report the genetic analysis of a Chinese family with autosomal dominant non‐syndromic progressive sensorineural hearing loss. Taking advantage of next‐generation high‐throughput DNA sequencing technology, we combined whole exome capture sequencing with Sanger direct sequencing. A novel missense mutation in the coagulation factor C homolog (COCH) gene was identified in a consanguineous Chinese family. This missense mutation in the seventh exon (c.889G>A; p.C162Y) of COCH is most probably a disease‐causing mutation and it segregates with the disease. The mutation is not found in the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) database, the yhSNP database, the 1000 genomes SNP database or in matching normal controls. It is the first reported autosomal dominant nonsyndromic sensorineural deafness 9 (DFNA9) mutation outside the limulus factor C, cochlin and late gestation lung protein and von Willebrand factor 2 domain, i.e. the first reported DFNA9 mutation in the intervening domain of cochlin, encoded by the COCH gene. In the future, we will focus on functional studies of this mutation.     

一个先天性肌营养不良症家系的POMT1基因突变鉴定与产前诊断CSCD

目的确定1个先天性肌营养不良症（congenital muscular dystrophy, CMD）家系的POMT1致病基因突变,并对该家系中孕11周的胎儿进行产前诊断。方法收集1例CMD患者及其表型正常父母的外周血标本,抽取母亲孕11周胎儿的绒毛标本。采用PCR扩增POMT1基因的第19和第20外显子,对PCR产物进行双向测序检测基因突变,明确致病突变来源后,进一步对胎儿进行产前诊断。结果先证者POMT1基因第19外显子检测到C．1939G〉A（P．Ala647Thr）杂合错义突变,来自其母亲;第20外显子检测到C．2141delG（P．Trp714Ter）杂合框移突变,导致蛋白质翻译的提前终止,该突变来自其父亲。产前诊断结果显示胎儿携带POMT1基因第19外显子c．1939G〉A杂合错义突变,推测其为与母亲相同POMn基因致病突变携带者的可能性大。结论POMT1基因第19外显子C．1939G〉A错义突变和第20外显子C．2141delG移码突变的复合杂合突变可能是该CMD家系的致病原因,符合常染色体隐性遗传的规律,通过基因产前诊断可以有效阻止致病突变的传递。     

A novel KCNQ4 one-base deletion in a large pedigree with hearing loss: implication for the genotype–phenotype correlation

Autosomal-dominant, nonsyndromic hearing impairment is clinically and genetically heterogeneous. We encountered a large Japanese pedigree in which nonsyndromic hearing loss was inherited in an autosomal-dominant fashion. A genome-wide linkage study indicated linkage to the DFNA2 locus on chromosome 1p34. Mutational analysis of KCNQ4 encoding a potassium channel revealed a novel one-base deletion in exon 1, c.211delC, which generated a profoundly truncated protein without transmembrane domains (p.Q71fsX138). Previously, six missense mutations and one 13-base deletion, c.211_223del, had been reported in KCNQ4. Patients with the KCNQ4 missense mutations had younger-onset and more profound hearing loss than patients with the 211_223del mutation. In our current study, 12 individuals with the c.211delC mutation manifested late-onset and pure high-frequency hearing loss. Our results support the genotype–phenotype correlation that the KCNQ4 deletions are associated with later-onset and milder hearing impairment than the missense mutations. The phenotypic difference may be caused by the difference in pathogenic mechanisms: haploinsufficiency in deletions and dominant-negative effect in missense mutations.     

Mutations of P4HA2 encoding prolyl 4-hydroxylase 2 are associated with nonsyndromic high myopia

PurposeHigh myopia is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide, with high heritability. However, only a few causative genes have been identified, and the pathogenesis is still unclear. Our aim was to identify a novel causative gene in a family with autosomal-dominant, nonsyndromic high myopia.MethodsWhole-genome linkage and whole-exome sequencing were conducted on the family. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting were applied to test the functional consequence of the candidate mutation. Sanger sequencing was performed to screen for the candidate gene in other families or sporadic cases.ResultsA heterozygous missense mutation, c.871G>A (p.Glu291Lys), within P4HA2 was cosegregating with the phenotype in the family. The segregating mutation caused premature degradation of unstable messenger RNA. Subsequent screening for P4HA2 in 186 cases identified an additional four mutations in 5 cases, including the frameshift mutation c.1349_1350delGT (p.Arg451Glyfs*8), the nonsense mutation c.1327A>G (p.Lys443*), and two deleterious missense mutations, c.419A>G (p.Gln140Arg) and c.448A>G (p.Ile150Val). The missense mutation c.419A>G (p.Gln140Arg) was recurrently identified in a sporadic case and was segregating in a three-generation family.ConclusionP4HA2 was identified as a novel causative gene for nonsyndromic high myopia. This study also indicated that the disruption of posttranslational modifications of collagen is an important factor in the pathogenesis of high myopia.Genet Med 17 4, 300–306.     

WNT10B mutations associated with isolated dental anomalies

Isolated hypodontia is the most common human malformation. It is caused by heterozygous variants in various genes, with heterozygous WNT10A variants being the most common cause. WNT10A and WNT10B are paralogs that likely evolved from a common ancestral gene after its duplication. Recently, an association of WNT10B variants with oligodontia (severe tooth agenesis) has been reported. We performed mutational analysis in our cohort of 256 unrelated Thai families with various kinds of isolated dental anomalies. In 7 families afflicted with dental anomalies we detected 4 heterozygous missense variants in WNT10B. We performed whole exome sequencing in the patients who had WNT10B mutations and found no mutations in other known hypodontia‐associated genes, including WNT10A, MSX1, PAX9, EDA, AXIN2, EDAR, EDARADD, LPR6, TFAP2B, LPR6, NEMO, KRT17, and GREM2. Our findings indicate that the variants c.475G>C [p.(Ala159Pro)], found in 4 families, and c.1052G>A [p.(Arg351His)], found in 1 family, are most probably causative. They also show that WNT10B variants are associated not only with oligodontia and isolated tooth agenesis, but also with microdontia, short tooth roots, dental pulp stones, and taurodontism.     

Identification of OSBPL2 as a novel candidate gene for progressive nonsyndromic hearing loss by whole-exome sequencing

PurposeVarious forms of hearing loss have genetic causes, but many of the responsible genes have not yet been identified. Here, we describe a large seven-generation Chinese family with autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss that has been excluded as being caused by known deafness gene mutations associated with autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss with the aim of identifying a novel causative gene involved in deafness.MethodsWhole-exome sequencing was conducted in three affected family members, and cosegregation analysis was performed on other members of the family.ResultsWhole-exome sequencing and subsequent segregation analysis identified a heterozygous frameshift mutation (c.153_154delCT, p.Gln53Argfs*100) in the oxysterol binding protein-like 2 (OSBPL2) gene in 25 affected family members. The deletion mutation is predicted to lead to premature truncation of the OSBPL2 protein. Modeling and structure-based analysis support the theory that this gene deletion is functionally deleterious. Our finding was further confirmed by the detection of another missense mutation, a c.583C>A transversion (p.Leu195Met) in exon 7 of OSBPL2, in an additional sporadic case of deafness.ConclusionBased on this study, OSBPL2 was identified as an excellent novel candidate gene for autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss; this study is the first to implicate OSBPL2 mutations in autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss.     

MSX1 mutations contribute to nonsyndromic cleft lip in a Thai population

Previous studies observed that MSX1 mutations could contribute to nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) in some populations. Of the proposed pathogenic mutations, the P147Q variant was predominant in Vietnamese and present in Filipino populations. We investigated whether MSX1 mutations also contribute to nonsyndromic CL/P in the Thai population. Specifically, we performed mutation analysis covering all the coding regions of the MSX1 gene for 100 Thai patients with nonsyndromic CL/P. A total of eight variant sites were identified. Six were in coding regions, including four nonsynonymous changes, 101C > G (A34G), 440C > A (P147Q), 799G > T (G267C), and 832C > T (P278S). The G267C and P278S variants were predicted to be “probably damaging” by PolyPhen, changed themselves as potential exonic splicing enhancers for serine/arginine-rich proteins, and were not present in 162 control individuals of Thai ethnic background. Unlike all of the previously reported potential missense mutations in MSX1, these two novel potential mutations were found in exon 2 on the C-terminal side of the homeodomain protein. Moreover, in contrast to previous reports, we found the P147Q variant in 8 out of 100 Thai controls and an association between the variant and CL/P in our population could not be detected, suggesting that it is not pathogenic. Our data support that MSX1 mutations are found in 2% of cases of CL/P and should be considered for genetic counseling implications, but suggest that the P147Q variant is not pathogenic.     

Novel mutations causing biotinidase deficiency in individuals identified by the newborn screening program in Minas Gerais,Brazil

Biotinidase deficiency is an autosomal recessive inherited metabolic disorder caused by mutations in the BTD gene. Clinical manifestations can be treated and effectively prevented with pharmacological doses of biotin. Nine novel mutations in BTD are reported in 14 children diagnosed by the newborn screening program in Minas Gerais, Brazil, from June 2013 to December 2017. Serum BTD enzyme activity was determined for all cases and some parents. Two of the mutations are deletions and seven missense mutations located in the exonic region of the BTD gene, mostly in exon 4. Two newborns were profoundly biotinidase‐deficient (one homozygous p.A534V [c.1601C > T] and another, double heterozygous for a novel mutation p.R211S [c.631C > A] co‐inherited with an already described mutation p.T532 M [c.1595C > T]). Two mutations were associated with a partial deficiency of biotinidase (p.F361 V [c.1081 T > G] in two homozygous children, and p.S311 T [c.932G > C] in a compound heterozygous child who co‐inherited a known severe mutation p.Y438X [c.1314 T > A]). The remaining five mutations were found in compound heterozygous children. Hence, a definitive conclusion about the degree of biotinidase deficiency is not possible yet. These results emphasize the importance of sequencing the BTD gene as an important tool to gain a better understanding of the correlation between biochemical phenotype and genotype.     

A novel missense mutation in MSX1 underlies autosomal recessive oligodontia with associated dental anomalies in Pakistani families

Tooth agenesis constitutes the most common anomaly of dental development in humans. In the majority of familial cases of hypodontia alone or in association with other anomalies, the mode of inheritance is autosomal dominant. In the present study, we have identified two distantly related consanguineous Pakistani kindreds with an autosomal recessive form of oligodontia with associated dental anomalies. Locus in this case has been mapped on chromosome 4p16.1–p16.3. The maximum two-point LOD score of 2.85 (θ=0.0) was obtained at markers D4S2925 and D4S2285. A maximum multipoint LOD score exceeding 4 was obtained at the same markers. Recombination events observed in affected individuals localized the disease locus between markers D4S412 and D4S2935, spanning a 9.24-cM region on chromosome 4p16.1–p16.3. Sequence analysis of candidate gene MSX1 revealed a novel recessive missense mutation resulting in substitution of alanine to threonine amino acid (p. A219T), located in the MSX1 homeodomain, which is important for DNA binding and protein–protein interaction. The mutation, p. A219T, is the first recessive mutation identified in MSX1.     

一个肌-眼-脑病家系的临床表型和POMGNT1基因突变分析

目的 分析并确立1个肌-眼-脑病( muscle-eye-brain disease,MEB)家系的临床表型及POMGNT1基因突变的类型.方法 收集肌-眼-脑病患儿及父母的临床资料,提取患儿及其父母外周血基因组DNA,用聚合酶链反应(polymerase chain reaction,PCR)扩增POMGNT1基因的外显子,以琼脂糖凝胶电泳鉴定PCR产物,PCR产物纯化后DNA直接测序,确定基因突变的类型,分析基因型和表型的关系.结果 该患儿诊断为松软儿,生后起病,智力运动发育落后,肌病面容,肌酶中度升高,头颅MRI提示前头部多小脑回,后头部无脑回畸形,脑白质异常信号,脑干、小脑发育不良及小脑囊肿,临床诊断为先天性肌营养不良伴眼脑病变.基因检测显示患儿POMGNT1基因第22外显子5′端前第1个碱基发生了改变(c.1896-1 G＞C),推测该突变可能导致剪切错误;而在第16外显子也发生了c.1319T＞G,p.L440R错义突变.其父母分别为此位点杂合突变.结论 通过分子遗传学分析发现该患儿为POMGNT1基因的复合杂合突变,其突变基因分别来自父母,符合肌-眼-脑病常染色体隐性遗传的规律,可确诊为肌-眼-脑病.     

Two families with nonsyndromic low-frequency hearing loss harbor novel mutations in Wolfram syndrome gene 1

Although hereditary hearing loss is highly heterogeneous, only a few loci have been implicated with low-frequency hearing loss. Mutations in one single gene, Wolfram syndrome 1 (WFS1), have been reported to account for most familial cases with this type of hearing impairment. This study was conducted to determine the cause of nonsyndromic low-frequency hereditary hearing impairment in two large families. Two large families from Switzerland and United States with low-frequency hearing loss were identified. Genomewide linkage analysis was performed followed by mutation screening in the candidate gene WFS1 with direct DNA sequencing and restriction fragment analysis. Both families were linked to DFNA6/14/38 with lod scores>3. Two novel heterozygous missense mutations in WFS1 were identified: c.2311G>C leading to p.D771H in the Swiss family and c.2576G>C leading to p.R859P in the US family. The sequence alteration was absent in 100 control chromosomes. Nonsyndromic low-frequency hereditary hearing impairment seems to be predominantly a monogenic disorder due to WFS1. We confirm that most mutations in WFS1 associated with isolated low-frequency hearing loss are clustered in the C-terminal protein domain coded by exon 8.     

Novel compound heterozygous mutation of MLYCD in a Chinese patient with malonic aciduria

A 3-year-old Chinese boy presented with prominent clinical features of malonic aciduria, including developmental delay, short stature, brain abnormalities and massive excretion of malonic acid and methylmalonic acid. Molecular characterization by DNA sequencing analysis and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification of the MLYCD gene revealed a heterozygous mutation (c.920T>G, p.Leu307Arg) in the patient and his father and a heterozygous deletion comprising exon 1 in the patient and his mother. The missense mutation (c.920T>G) was not found in 100 healthy controls and has not been reported previously. Our findings expand the number of reported cases and add a novel entry to the repertoire of MLYCD mutations.     

中国人黏多糖贮积症ⅣA型家系GALNS基因新突变的鉴定

目的 研究黏多糖贮积症ⅣA型(mucopolysaccharidosis type ⅣA,MPS ⅣA)患者发病的分子遗传学机制,揭示其基因型与表现型的相互关系,为产前基因诊断等创造必要的前提条件.方法 采用尿糖胺聚糖(glycosaminoglycans,GAGs)定性检测法对疑似MPS ⅣA型的先证者进行初诊,然后采用PCR及扩增产物直接测序法对先证者及其家庭成员进行突变检测.在检出GALNS基因c.1567T＞G新突变后,先后建立XspⅠ酶切鉴定法和扩增阻碍突变系统(amplification refractory mutation system,ARMS)快速特异鉴定法,对随机采集的110名正常对照与先证者及其家庭成员的GALNS基因第14外显子进行序列分析,同时采用生物信息学方法对蛋白质二级、三级结构进行预测,以及直接测定患儿GALNS酶活性的方法,对该新突变进行致病性鉴定.结果 先证者尿检呈弱阳性GAGs(±),其GALNS基因第14外显子内存在杂合的c.1567T＞G终止密码突变,第4外显子存在杂合的c.374C＞T错义突变,为两种突变的复合杂合子.其妹突变类型与先证者完全相同,其母仅在第14外显子存在杂合的终止密码突变,为该病的携带者,其父仅在第4外显子存在杂合的错义突变,也为杂合子;第14外显子的PCR产物经XspⅠ酶切后,正常对照组切出28 bp、120 bp、399 bp 3条带,而患者和携带者的母亲均切出28 bp、120 bp、148 bp和399 bp 4条带;用ARMS特异引物扩增后,正常对照组均扩增阴性,而患者及携带者均扩增阳性;蛋白质二级、三级结构预测结果显示:c.1567T＞G变异导致终止密码(TAG)突变为谷氨酸(GAG),使多肽链延长了92个氨基酸残基,导致蛋白质二、三级结构发生明显改变,而正常对照无此变化.酶活性测定的结果显示:患者的GALNS酶活性仅为8.3 nmol/17 h/mg pr,明显低于正常值(正常参考值为41.9～92.1 nmol/17h/mg pr).结论 c.1567T＞G变异是一种新的致病性突变,是引起该家系患儿发病的根本原因.

Abstract：

Objective To study the molecular genetic mechanism of mucopolysaccharidosis type ⅣA(MPS ⅣA), and reveal the relationship between the genotype and phenotype, and provide a basis for prenatal gene diagnosis in the future. Methods A preliminary diagnosis was made by qualitative detection of urinary glycosaminoglycans of the suspected MPS ⅣA proband. Then, mutation detection was performed on the proband and her family members with PCR and direct sequencing of the PCR products. After a novel c.1567T＞G mutation was detected,XspⅠrestriction enzyme digestion and amplification refractory mutation system(ARMS) fast specific identification were established to analyze the sequences of exon 14 in GALNS gene, including 110 randomly selected healthy controls, the proband and other pedigree members. At the same time, bioinformatic approaches for protein secondary, tertiary structure prediction were applied to identify the novel pathologic mutation. Results The proband's urine GAGs test was a weak positive(±),and a c.1567T＞G heterozygous termination codon mutation in exon 14 and a c.374C＞T heterozygous missense mutation in exon 4 were found. The proband was compound heterozygous of the two mutations, so was her younger sister. Her mother was a carrier with only a c.1567T＞G heterozygous mutation in exon 14. Her father had a heterozygous mutation of c.374C>T in exon 4. After XspⅠrestriction enzyme digestion, healthy controls had three bands including 28 bp, 120 bp and 399 bp, while the proband and her mother had four bands consisting of 28 bp, 120 bp,148 bp and 399 bp. For amplification by ARMS specific primers, it was negative for the controls,while it was positive for the proband and the carrier. The results of protein secondary and tertiary structure prediction showed that the c.1567T＞G mutation located in the stop codon, resulted in stop codon (TAG) changing to glutamic acid (GAG), with the peptide chain extending 92 amino acid residues, and secondary and tertiary protein structure change, which were not found in the controls. The result of enzyme assay showed that the activity of GALNS enzyme in the affected child was 8.3 nmol/17h/mg pr, which was obviously lower than the normal value (the normal range is 41.9-92.1 nmol/17h/mg pr). Conclusion These results illustrate that the c.1567 T＞G is a novel pathologic mutation, which is the main cause of the disease in this family.     

Two novel mutations in NOTCH3 gene causes cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcritical infarct and leucoencephalopathy in two Chinese families

Objective: To investigate the genetic pathogenic causes of cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcritical infarct and leucoencephalopathy (CADASIL) in two Chinese families, to provide the molecular basis for genetic counseling and antenatal diagnosis. Methods: The genetic mutation of gene NOTCH3 of propositus and family members was analyzed in these two CADASIL families by polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing technology directly. At the same time, the NOTCH3 gene mutation point of 100 healthy collators was detected, to explicit the pathogenic mutation by function prediction with Polyphen-2 and SIFT. Results: Both propositus of the two families and patients with symptom were all accorded with the clinical features of CADASIL. It was shown by DNA sequencing that the 19^th exon [c. 3043 T > A (p.Cys1015Ser)] in gene NOTCH3 of propositus, 2 patients (II3, III7), and a presymptomatic patient (IV1) in Family I all had heterozygosity missense mutation; and the 3^rd exon [c.316T > G, p. (Cys106Gly)] in gene NOTCH3 of the propositus, a patient (IV3) and two presymptomatic patients (IV5, 6) in Family II all had heterozygosity missense mutation; and no mutations were detected in the 100 healthy collators. It was indicated by analyzing the function prediction that the mutation of [c. 3043 T > A (p.Cys1015Ser)] and [c.316T > G, p. (Cys106Gly)] may both influence encoding protein in NOTCH3. By analysis of the conservatism of mutation point in each species, these two basic groups were highly conserved. Conclusion: The heterozygosity missense mutation of 19^th exon [c. 3043 T > A (p.Cys1015Ser)] and the 3^rd exon [c.316T > G, p. (Cys106Gly)] in NOTCH3 gene are the new pathogenic mutations of CADASIL, and enriches the mutation spectrum of NOTCH3 gene.     

山西耳聋四家系分子病因学分析

目的应用分子生物学方法对耳聋四家系14例标本就耳聋热点突变基因进行筛查,分析四家系的耳聋病因。方法结合临床症状运用基因芯片、酶切和测序的方法对四家系耳聋的致病原因进行分析。结果芯片检测和测序显示:家系1患者IVA7-2A>G杂合突变来自母亲,c.C1229T突变来自父亲;家系2患者c.G79A(p.V27I)和c.A341G(p.R114G)来自母亲,GJB2 c.T70A(p.W24R)为体细胞突变;家系3患者c.G79A(p.V27I)和c.A341G(p.R114G)双杂合突变均来自父亲;家系4患者GJB2 235delC纯合缺失来自父母双方,c.G79A(p.V27I)和c.G232A(p.A78Y)杂合突变均来自母亲。结论本研究通过分子生物学的手段从基因的角度阐述了四家系的病因,为患者以后的优生优育及完善耳聋基因突变数据库奠定了基础。     

Report of new variants in PPIL1 underlying type 14 pontocerebellar hypoplasia and their associated phenotypic manifestations in two fetuses

Mutations in the PPIL1 gene have been linked to type 14 pontocerebellar hypoplasia (PCH14); however, prenatal clinical characteristics of PCH14 caused by mutations in the PPIL1 gene have not been reported. This study reports the first prenatal case of PCH14 diagnosed by whole-exome sequencing (WES). Two fetuses with severe microcephaly and cerebral dysplasia, along with their parents, underwent WES. The effects of the discovered PPIL1 variants on PPIL1 protein function were investigated using bioinformatics tools. WES revealed two compound heterozygous missense mutations in PPIL1, c.376C > G (p.His126Asp) and c.392G > T (p.Arg131Leu), inherited from the mother and father, respectively. The co-segregation of PPIL1 mutations in this family was confirmed using Sanger sequencing, identifying two PCH14-affected fetuses. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that these mutations could disrupt the formation of hydrogen bonds, altering the structural stability of the PPIL1 protein. This study is the first to define the clinical characteristics of PCH14 during pregnancy and reports a novel heterozygous missense variant, expanding the PCH14-related mutational spectrum of PPIL1.     

Tarsal‐carpal coalition syndrome: Report of a novel missense mutation in NOG gene and phenotypic delineation

We report a family of Indian origin presenting with Tarsal‐carpal coalition syndrome (TCC), which is a rare genetic disorder of skeletal abnormalities, inherited in autosomal dominant manner. In this family, three individuals (mother and two children) were found to be similarly affected with slight intrafamilial individual variability in the phenotype. Sanger sequencing revealed a novel heterozygous missense mutation in NOG gene (NM_005450.4:c.611G>A) in all the affected individuals of the family. Until now only six mutations have been reported in different families affected with TCC syndrome worldwide. This report further delineates the phenotypic spectrum of this rare disorder with the addition of a new variant to the mutation spectrum.     

Whole exome sequencing identifies SCD5 as a novel causative gene for autosomal dominant nonsyndromic deafness

We report a genetic assessment of autosomal dominant, nonsyndromic, progressive sensorineural hearing loss in a Chinese family, combining whole-exome sequencing and genome-wide linkage analysis. A novel missense mutation, c.626G > C, in the SCD5 gene was identified in this family. The heterozygous missense mutation could segregate hearing loss cases among family members, and was predicted to be deleterious by Polyphen-2, LRT and Mutation Taster. SCD5 is an endoplasmic reticulum enzyme, catalyzing the formation of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) from saturated fatty acids (SFAs). It plays a crucial role in regulating lipid metabolism. The SCD5 protein is expressed in inner and outer hair cells of the organ of Corti, the stria vascularis, cells of the lateral cochlear wall behind the spiral prominence, and more strongly in spiral ganglion cells of guinea pig and human fetal cochleas. SCD5 protein was also expressed in the brain, consistent with the hearing loss feature: the patients had a poor speech discrimination score at young age and mild hearing loss as evaluated by pure tone audiometry. In summary, we identified SCD5 as a novel gene responsible for autosomal dominant nonsyndromic deafness.     

Mutations in genes encoding polycomb repressive complex 2 subunits cause Weaver syndrome

Weaver syndrome (WS) is a rare congenital overgrowth disorder caused by heterozygous mutations in EZH2 (enhancer of zeste homolog 2) or EED (embryonic ectoderm development). EZH2 and EED are core components of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), which possesses histone methyltransferase activity and catalyzes trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 27. Here, we analyzed eight probands with clinically suspected WS by whole‐exome sequencing and identified three mutations: a 25.4‐kb deletion partially involving EZH2 and CUL1 (individual 1), a missense mutation (c.707G>C, p.Arg236Thr) in EED (individual 2), and a missense mutation (c.1829A>T, p.Glu610Val) in SUZ12 (suppressor of zeste 12 homolog) (individual 3) inherited from her father (individual 4) with a mosaic mutation. SUZ12 is another component of PRC2 and germline mutations in SUZ12 have not been previously reported in humans. In vitro functional analyses demonstrated that the identified EED and SUZ12 missense mutations cause decreased trimethylation of lysine 27 of histone H3. These data indicate that loss‐of‐function mutations of PRC2 components are an important cause of WS.