Detection of variants in dystroglycanopathy-associated genes through the application of targeted whole-exome sequencing analysis to a large cohort of patients with unexplained limb-girdle muscle weakness

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Katherine Johnson - , Newcastle University (Author)
  • Marta Bertoli - , Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Author)
  • Lauren Phillips - , Newcastle University (Author)
  • Ana Töpf - , Newcastle University (Author)
  • Peter Van den Bergh - , Université catholique de Louvain (Author)
  • John Vissing - , University of Copenhagen (Author)
  • Nanna Witting - , University of Copenhagen (Author)
  • Shahriar Nafissi - , Tehran University of Medical Sciences (Author)
  • Shirin Jamal-Omidi - , Tehran University of Medical Sciences (Author)
  • Anna Łusakowska - , Medical University of Warsaw (Author)
  • Anna Kostera-Pruszczyk - , Medical University of Warsaw (Author)
  • Anna Potulska-Chromik - , Medical University of Warsaw (Author)
  • Nicolas Deconinck - , Ghent University, Queen Fabiola Children's University Hospital (Author)
  • Carina Wallgren-Pettersson - , University of Helsinki (Author)
  • Sonja Strang-Karlsson - , University of Helsinki (Author)
  • Jaume Colomer - , Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona (Author)
  • Kristl G. Claeys - , KU Leuven, RWTH Aachen University (Author)
  • Willem De Ridder - , University of Antwerp (Author)
  • Jonathan Baets - , University of Antwerp (Author)
  • Maja von der Hagen - , Department of Paediatrics, Division of Neuropediatrics (Author)
  • Roberto Fernández-Torrón - , Newcastle University, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Biodonostia, CIBER - Center for Biomedical Research Network, Hospital de Mendaro (Author)
  • Miren Zulaica Ijurco - , Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Biodonostia, CIBER - Center for Biomedical Research Network (Author)
  • Juan Bautista Espinal Valencia - , Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Biodonostia, CIBER - Center for Biomedical Research Network (Author)
  • Andreas Hahn - , Justus Liebig University Giessen (Author)
  • Hacer Durmus - , Istanbul University (Author)
  • Tracey Willis - , The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic and District Hospital NHS Trust (Author)
  • Liwen Xu - , Harvard University, Broad Institute of Harvard University and MIT (Author)
  • Elise Valkanas - , Harvard University, Broad Institute of Harvard University and MIT (Author)
  • Thomas E. Mullen - , Harvard University, Broad Institute of Harvard University and MIT (Author)
  • Monkol Lek - , Harvard University, Broad Institute of Harvard University and MIT (Author)
  • Daniel G. MacArthur - , Harvard University, Broad Institute of Harvard University and MIT (Author)
  • Volker Straub - , Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Author)

Abstract

Background: Dystroglycanopathies are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders that are typically characterised by limb-girdle muscle weakness. Mutations in 18 different genes have been associated with dystroglycanopathies, the encoded proteins of which typically modulate the binding of α-dystroglycan to extracellular matrix ligands by altering its glycosylation. This results in a disruption of the structural integrity of the myocyte, ultimately leading to muscle degeneration. Methods: Deep phenotypic information was gathered using the PhenoTips online software for 1001 patients with unexplained limb-girdle muscle weakness from 43 different centres across 21 European and Middle Eastern countries. Whole-exome sequencing with at least 250ng DNA was completed using an Illumina exome capture and a 38Mb baited target. Genes known to be associated with dystroglycanopathies were analysed for disease-causing variants. Results: Suspected pathogenic variants were detected in DPM3, ISPD, POMT1 and FKTN in one patient each, in POMK in two patients, in GMPPB in three patients, in FKRP in eight patients and in POMT2 in ten patients. This indicated a frequency of 2.7% for the disease group within the cohort of 1001 patients with unexplained limb-girdle muscle weakness. The phenotypes of the 27 patients were highly variable, yet with a fundamental presentation of proximal muscle weakness and elevated serum creatine kinase. Conclusions: Overall, we have identified 27 patients with suspected pathogenic variants in dystroglycanopathy-associated genes. We present evidence for the genetic and phenotypic diversity of the dystroglycanopathies as a disease group, while also highlighting the advantage of incorporating next-generation sequencing into the diagnostic pathway of rare diseases.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number23
JournalSkeletal muscle
Volume8
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 30 Jul 2018
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 30060766

Keywords

Keywords

  • Dystroglycanopathies, Limb-girdle muscle weakness, Whole-exome sequencing