The crucial role of titin in fetal development: recurrent miscarriages and bone, heart and muscle anomalies characterise the severe end of titinopathies spectrum

TTN gene encodes for titin, the largest protein in the human body, with a crucial role in the development and functioning of the sarcomere. Here, we collected clinical and molecular data from a cohort of early-onset recessive titinopathy cases, and we proved that biallelic titin pathogenic variants cause recognizable fetal and developmental defects. Also, we […]

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PSMD3 gene mutations cause pathological myopia

Pathological myopia (PM) is one of the major causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. However, its exact genetic and pathogenic mechanism remains unclear. This study identifies a novel gene, PSMD3 (proteasome 26S Subunit, Non-ATPase3), with a missense mutation in a PM family. Mutation of PSMD3 decreases the mRNA and protein expression, causing apoptosis of human retinal […]

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Genetic and metabolic investigations for neurodevelopmental disorders: position statement of the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists (CCMG)

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) such as global developmental delay, intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder are collectively the most common chronic medical conditions encountered in pediatric primary care. Given their clinical and etiological heterogeneity, the cause of NDDs can be challenging to diagnose. Guideline recommendations for appropriate metabolic and genomic investigations are inconsistent and has resulted […]

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Frontotemporal dementia presentation in patients with heterozygous p.H157Y variant of TREM2

This study examined three separate Latin American families with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and found that they all had the same genetic variation (p.H157Y) in the TREM2 gene. Compared to both sporadic FTD cases and healthy controls, the three patients displayed early behavioral changes, worse cognitive impairments, and more severe brain atrophy, particularly in areas where […]

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Pseudocoloboma-like maculopathy with biallelic RDH12 missense mutations

RDH12 is an enzyme for recycling visual pigment in the photoreceptor cells. Mutations in RDH12 are known for causing severe childhood-onset visual impairment or diffuse retinal degeneration. This article described a new phenotype, an autosomal recessive pseudocoloboma-like maculopathy, resulting from RDH12 mutations. Although RDH12 is primarily expressed in the photoreceptor cells, relatively normal to subnormal photoreceptor functions are observed […]

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Biallelic frameshift variants in PHLDB1 cause mild type Osteogenesis Imperfecta with regressive spondylometaphyseal changes

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a group of disorders, mostly autosomal dominant, inherited characterized by susceptibility to fractures, resulting from a type 1 collagen defect. Although many autosomal recessive genes have been shown to cause OI in recent years, there are still patients whose molecular defect is still unknown. In this study, we described recurrent fractures, […]

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Genetic diagnosis of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy through mRNA analysis: new splicing events

Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD), caused by mutations in the DMD gene, are characterized by the presence of progressive muscle weakness. DMD is the most severe form of the disease, leading to significant disability, and is the most common neuromuscular disorder in childhood. For these patients, it is essential to obtain a precise genetic […]

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Recurring germline mosaicism in a family due to reversion of an inherited derivative chromosome 8 from an 8;21 translocation with interstitial telomeric sequences

Mosaicism (a mixture of normal cells and cells with an abnormal chromosome) is rarely seen in multiple family members. We studied a family spanning three generations that had an abnormal chromosome 8 with a small piece of chromosome 21 attached to its end (der(8)). Multiple family members also had cells with normal chromosomes resulting in […]

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