MINPP1 prevents intracellular accumulation of the chelator inositol hexakisphosphate and is mutated in Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia
Nat Commun. 2020 Nov 30;11(1):6087. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-19919-y. ABSTRACT Inositol polyphosphates are vital metabolic and secondary messengers, involved in diverse cellular functions. Therefore, tight regulation of inositol polyphosphate metabolism is essential for proper cell physiology. Here, we describe an early-onset neurodegenerative syndrome caused by loss-of-function mutations in the multiple inositol-polyphosphate phosphatase 1 gene (MINPP1). Patients are […]
Mutations in Spliceosomal Genes PPIL1 and PRP17 Cause Neurodegenerative Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia with Microcephaly
Neuron. 2021 Jan 20;109(2):241-256.e9. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.10.035. Epub 2020 Nov 20. ABSTRACT Autosomal-recessive cerebellar hypoplasia and ataxia constitute a group of heterogeneous brain disorders caused by disruption of several fundamental cellular processes. Here, we identified 10 families showing a neurodegenerative condition involving pontocerebellar hypoplasia with microcephaly (PCHM). Patients harbored biallelic mutations in genes encoding the spliceosome […]
Biallelic variants in HPDL, encoding 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase-like protein, lead to an infantile neurodegenerative condition
Genet Med. 2021 Mar;23(3):524-533. doi: 10.1038/s41436-020-01010-y. Epub 2020 Nov 14. ABSTRACT PURPOSE: Dioxygenases are oxidoreductase enzymes with roles in metabolic pathways necessary for aerobic life. 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase-like protein (HPDL), encoded by HPDL, is an orphan paralogue of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPD), an iron-dependent dioxygenase involved in tyrosine catabolism. The function and association of HPDL with human […]
Editorial overview: Neurodevelopment Diseases and Neurogenetics pivot towards mechanisms and therapies
Curr Opin Genet Dev. 2020 Dec;65:iii-vii. doi: 10.1016/j.gde.2020.09.001. Epub 2020 Nov 8. NO ABSTRACT PMID:33176916 | DOI:10.1016/j.gde.2020.09.001
At the intersection of precision medicine and population health: an implementation-effectiveness study of family health history based systematic risk assessment in primary care
BMC Health Serv Res. 2020 Nov 7;20(1):1015. doi: 10.1186/s12913-020-05868-1. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Risk assessment is a precision medicine technique that can be used to enhance population health when applied to prevention. Several barriers limit the uptake of risk assessment in health care systems; and little is known about the potential impact that adoption of systematic risk […]
A Prospective Study of Parental Perceptions of Rapid Whole-Genome and -Exome Sequencing among Seriously Ill Infants
Am J Hum Genet. 2020 Nov 5;107(5):953-962. doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2020.10.004. ABSTRACT Rapid diagnostic genomic sequencing recently became feasible for infants in intensive care units (ICUs). However, research regarding parents’ perceived utility, adequacy of consent, and potential harms and benefits is lacking. Herein we report results of parental surveys of these domains from the second Newborn Sequencing […]
An RCT of Rapid Genomic Sequencing among Seriously Ill Infants Results in High Clinical Utility, Changes in Management, and Low Perceived Harm
Am J Hum Genet. 2020 Nov 5;107(5):942-952. doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2020.10.003. ABSTRACT The second Newborn Sequencing in Genomic Medicine and Public Health (NSIGHT2) study was a randomized, controlled trial of rapid whole-genome sequencing (rWGS) or rapid whole-exome sequencing (rWES) in infants with diseases of unknown etiology in intensive care units (ICUs). Gravely ill infants were not randomized […]
Measurement of genetic diseases as a cause of mortality in infants receiving whole genome sequencing
NPJ Genom Med. 2020 Nov 2;5:49. doi: 10.1038/s41525-020-00155-8. eCollection 2020. ABSTRACT Understanding causes of infant mortality shapes public health policy and prioritizes diseases for investments in surveillance, intervention and medical research. Rapid genomic sequencing has created a novel opportunity to decrease infant mortality associated with treatable genetic diseases. Herein, we sought to measure the contribution […]
KMT2B-related disorders: expansion of the phenotypic spectrum and long-term efficacy of deep brain stimulation
Brain. 2020 Dec 5;143(11):3242-3261. doi: 10.1093/brain/awaa304. ABSTRACT Heterozygous mutations in KMT2B are associated with an early-onset, progressive and often complex dystonia (DYT28). Key characteristics of typical disease include focal motor features at disease presentation, evolving through a caudocranial pattern into generalized dystonia, with prominent oromandibular, laryngeal and cervical involvement. Although KMT2B-related disease is emerging as […]
Novel Protein Biomarkers of Monoamine Metabolism Defects Correlate with Disease Severity
Mov Disord. 2021 Mar;36(3):690-703. doi: 10.1002/mds.28362. Epub 2020 Nov 5. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Genetic defects of monoamine neurotransmitters are rare neurological diseases amenable to treatment with variable response. They are major causes of early parkinsonism and other spectrum of movement disorders including dopa-responsive dystonia. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to conduct proteomic studies in […]