Sex determination in mammals is regulated by the sex-determining region on the Y chromosome (SRY); the presence of SRY activates the male developmental pathway and suppresses the gene network necessary for female gonad development. Mutations in sex determination genes lead to various abnormal sexual phenotypes, including sex reversal syndrome in which the genetic and phenotypic sex do not match. Sex reversal syndrome has been reported in humans, mouse, and several domestic species. In horses, SRY-negative XY sex reversal syndrome has been well described and is caused by deletions on the Y chromosome. However, the molecular causes of the SRY-positive condition in horses and other mammals are not known. This research investigated five horses affected with SRY-positive XY sex reversal syndrome. Sequencing of the coding exon region of the SRY gene in the five cases showed 99-100% alignment with the sequences of normal males. Genotyping of two closely related individuals with 46 normal male controls on an equine SNP50 Beadchip identified two statistically significant SNPs in a ~16 Mb region on the long arm of horse chromosome 3 (ECA3q). The region was analyzed using Gene Ontology (GO) and Gene Relationships Across Implicated Loci (GRAIL) to select functionally relevant candidate genes for sequencing. Further analysis of the entire horse genome was done through array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), which investigated possible structural rearrangements, such as copy number variants (CNVs). Deletions of olfactory receptor genes were detected on multiple chromosomes and confirmed through quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). A homozygous deletion on ECA29 in a region containing genes of the aldo-keto reductase gene family, known to play a role in interconverting sex hormones between active forms and inactive forms, was discovered in two sex reversed animals. The findings were confirmed through qPCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and experiments to define the specific breakpoints of the deletion through PCR have been initiated. This research represents the first systematic search in the horse genome for mutations and CNVs related to sex determination. The findings contribute to better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of sex determination in horses and other mammals, including humans.

No description available.

Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) is a multiple congenital abnormalities intellectual disability syndrome that results from a deletion of chromosome 17p11.2 or mutation of the retinoic acid inducted one gene (RAI1). SMS is characterized by a multitude of phenotypic features including craniofacial defects, short stature, obesity, intellectual disability, self-abusive behavior, sleep disturbance and behavioral abnormalities. Interestingly, although SMS is a clearly defined syndrome with a known molecular change at its foundation, ~40% of all candidate cases sent to the Elsea lab for evaluation do not have a mutation or deletion of RAI1. We hypothesize that at least one other locus must be responsible for this Smith-Magenis-like (SMS-like) phenotype. To address this hypothesis, we first compiled a cohort of 52 subjects who had been referred to the Elsea lab for a clinical diagnosis of SMS. Once these individuals were confirmed to not have an RAI1 mutation or deletion, their phenotypes were compiled and statically analyzed to distinguish whether SMS and SMS-like cohorts are different in the prevalence of the core phenotypes of SMS such as, but not limited to, sleep disturbance, self-abusive behavior and developmental delay. SMS-like and SMS cohorts are not different in prevalence for these core features. Next, all SMS-like subjects were sent for whole genome array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) to identify duplications or deletions of each individual’s genome which contribute to the phenotype observed. We identified 6 pathogenic copy number variants (CNVs) in six individuals which contribute directly to the clinical phenotype, including two del(2)(q37). This study enabled us to draw relationships between SMS and other syndromes that had never been appreciated before and helped to identify pathways in which RAI1 may function. Using the data from our SMS-like study we were able to further characterize two known syndromes; Deletion 2q37 syndrome (brachydactyly mental retardation syndrome) and deletion 2q23 syndrome. With regard to deletion 2q37, syndrome we used genomic data from known and new deletion 2q37 subjects to refine the critical region to one gene: the histone deacetylase 4 gene (HDAC4). Using both clinical and molecular clues, we were able to identify one subject from our SMS-like cohort who has an insertion in HDAC4 which results in a premature stop codon. We conclude from this study that mutation of HDAC4 results in brachydactyly mental retardation syndrome. With regard to deletion 2q23 syndrome there were only five known cases in the published literature to which we were able to add two more. Using as similar approach to our del2q37 study we refined the critical region for this syndrome to one gene, the methyl binding domain 5 gene (MBD5). Using a molecular and clinical approach we were able to conclude that haploinsufficiency of MBD5 results in the core phenotypes seen in del2q23 syndrome including microcephaly, intellectual disabilities, severe speech impairment, and seizures. Using all the data generated from the three previous studies we set out to characterize the molecular function of RAI1. We hypothesize that RAI1 is a transcription factor that regulates gene expression of core genes involved in development, neurological function, and circadian rhythm. Using a ChIP-chip based approach we identified 257 transcripts we believe RAI1 regulates. Following up on these transcripts, using in vitro and in vivo methods, we have been able to conclude that RAI1 is a positive regulator of CLOCK, the master regulator of the central circadian cycle. Taken together, these studies have given us insight into the specific molecular changes that contribute to SMS and SMS-like syndromes. We have unveiled pathways and genes which are important to normal human development and behavior and identified novel functions of RAI1. These studies will provide the foundation for the future discovery of the pathways affected.

A perda auditiva é o defeito mais comum ao nascimento e cerca de 70 milhões de pessoas no mundo apresentam algum grau de perda auditiva. Além da alta incidência, as implicações da perda auditiva na linguagem, na cognição e no desenvolvimento emocional e social reforçam sua importância. No entanto, em grande parte dos pacientes, a causa da deficiência auditiva não é esclarecida. Nós usamos hibridação comparativa do genoma baseada em arrays (Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization aCGH) para investigar alterações no número de cópias de segmentos de DNA (Copy Number Variation CNV) em 31 indivíduos que apresentavam deficiência auditiva e sinais clínicos adicionais, mas que não puderam ser classificados em síndrome conhecida. A escolha de indivíduos sindrômicos se baseou no pressuposto de que, em média, apresentam alterações genômicas maiores e, portanto, mais provavelmente detectáveis com o uso de aCGH de 1 Mb, que era a plataforma disponível no início do projeto. CNVs não descrita em bancos de dados de indivíduos normais foram identificadas em oito pacientes, quatro delas ocorreram de novo enquanto as outras quatro foram herdadas de um genitor fenotipicamente normal. As alterações de novo definem segmentos cromossômicos que provavelmente contém genes relacionados à deficiência auditiva e sensíveis a dose, especificamente: 1q23.3-q25.2, 2q22q23, 6p25.3 e 11q13.2-q13.4. As alterações raras identificadas tanto nos pacientes quanto em um genitor normal poderiam ser um evento ao acaso, sem papel na deficiência auditiva; no entanto, a possibilidade de que essas alterações possam funcionar como fatores de predisposição não podem ser descartadas. Se considerarmos apenas as CNVs de novo como causativas dos fenótipos investigados, detectamos quatro pacientes portadores entre os 31 investigados (13%). Se considerarmos também as CNVs herdadas como possivelmente causativas, a taxa de desequilíbrios cromossômicos associados à surdez será de 26%. Esses resultados são provavelmente uma substimativa e esses números seriam possivelmente maiores com o uso de uma das plataformas de alta resolução disponíveis atualmente. Esses resultados, embora limitados, indicam que investigação por aCGH em pacientes com surdez sindrômica idiopática está entre os testes mais eficientes para detectar etiologia dos fenótipos, devendo ser incorporado à rotina no diagnóstico e aconselhamento genético. / Hearing loss is the most common congenital deficiency and about 70 million people worldwide present some degree of hearing impairment. In addition to its high incidence, hearing loss impacts language, cognition and social and emotional development. However, in a large proportion of patients, the cause of the hearing deficiency cannot be elucidated. We screened copy number changes by 1 Mb-array Comparative Genomic Hybridization (aCGH) in 31 individuals with syndromic hearing impairment whose clinical features were untypical for known disorders. The choice of evaluating syndromic rather than non-syndromic individuals was based on the assumption that they are more likely to carry larger genomic alterations which could be more easily detected by the comparatively low resolution 1 Mb aCCG, which was the available platform when this project started. Copy number changes (CNV) not documented in the database of normal individuals were detected in eight patients, four de novo imbalances and four inherited from a normal parent. The de novo alterations define candidate chromosome segments likely to harbor dosage sensitive genes related to hearing impairment, namely 1q23.3-q25.2, 2q22q23, 6p25.3 and 11q13.2- q13.4. The rare imbalances also present in normal parents might be casually associated with hearing impairment, but also have a possible role as a predisposition factor. When only the de novo CNVs were considered causative for the disease phenotypes, our study revealed relevant copy number changes in 4 patients (13%). If we also count the rare CNVs that had been inherited as possibly causative, the frequency of chromosome imbalances associated with syndromic deafness in our sample becomes 26%. These figures are probably underestimates and will probably become larger when high resolution oligoarray platforms are applied. These results indicate that aCGH is an efficient tool for defining the etiology of syndromic deafness and its use in routine diagnosis of hearing impairment and for genetic counseling is highly recommended.

A Síndrome de Rubinstein-Taybi (RTSs) é uma doença rara de herança autossômica dominante, caracterizada por dismorfismos craniofaciais, polegares e háluces alargados, deficiência intelectual e de crescimento. RTSs tem sido associada com mutações no gene CREBBP (CBP) e mutações menos frequentes no gene EP300 que foram descritas em oito indivíduos. CBP e p300 possuem alta homologia e são extremamente importantes em várias vias de sinalização, principalmente como coativadores de transcrição e na acetilação das histonas. Nosso estudo baseou-se na análise de alterações moleculares por sequenciamento direto do CBP, FISH e array-CGH em 20 pacientes com RTSs. Dos 20 pacientes avaliados por sequenciamento direto foram identificadas oito alterações moleculares, dentre estas, seis são alterações moleculares novas as quais não foram descritas na literatura, são elas: i) duas deleções (p.M747fs STOP830 e p.G1011fs STOP1021) ii) duas alterações do tipo nonsense (p.Arg1341X, p.Arg1498X) iii) três do tipo missense (p.Arg1907Trp, p.Leu604Pro e p.His1291Arg). Também identificamos um polimorfismo de único nucleotídeo (SNP) (rs115594471/ c.5874CT). Dois pacientes apresentaram deleção do gene CBP em um dos alelos, identificado pelo método array-CGH. Outro, apresentou uma translocação aparentemente equilibrada t(2;16), cuja análise subsequente com FISH revelou uma quebra na região do CBP. Neste trabalho, a taxa de detecção de alteração molecular no CBP por sequenciamento direto foi de 40% (08/20). Porém, a taxa de detecção das alterações moleculares no CBP foi de 55% (11/20), considerando a combinação das diferentes técnicas utilizadas (FISH, sequenciamento direto e array-CGH). Não houve correlação genótipo-fenótipo, exceto por uma maior frequência da presença de epicanto nos pacientes com alteração no CBP. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho servem como o diagnóstico molecular para os pacientes com RTSs atendidos no Ambulatório do Laboratório de investigação Médica 001 (ALIM 001) do Instituto da Criança - FMUSP, contribuindo para uma melhor orientação médica, como também para realização do aconselhamento genético às famílias / Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RTSs) is a rare autosomal dominant disease characterized by craniofacial dysmorphisms, broad thumbs and toes, mental and growth deficiency. RTS has been associated with CREBBP (CBP) gene mutations and less frequently with mutations in EP300 gene, which have been reported in eight individuals. CBP and p300 have high homology and are extremely important in many signaling pathways especially as transcriptional coactivators and histone acetylation. Our study was based on the alteration analysis by direct sequencing of the CBP, by FISH and array-CGH in 20 RTSs patients. We identified eight molecular alterations in 20 RTSs patients evaluated by direct sequencing: i) two deletions (p.M747fs STOP830 and p.G1011fs STOP1021) ii) two nonsense alterations (p.Arg1341X and p.Arg1498X) iii) Three missense alteration (p.Arg1907Trp, p.Leu604Pro and p.His1291Arg). Single-nucleotide polymorphism were also identified (rs115594471 / c.5874CT), and six of these are new molecular alterations, not described in literature. Two RTSs patients studied had CBP gene deletion in one allele, identified by array-CGH method. Other patient, presented with apparent balanced translocation t(2;16) in which the subsequent analysis using FISH, showed a break in region of CBP. In this work, the rate of detection of molecular alteration in CBP by direct sequencing in RTSs patient was 40.0% (08/20). However, the rate of detection of molecular alteration in CBP was 55.0% (11/20), considering the combination of different techniques (FISH, direct sequencing and array-CGH. No significant correlation could be established in this study between the different types of mutations and genotype-phenotype of RTSs patients, except a higher frequency of the presence of epicanthus in the RTS patients with alteration in the CBP. The results of this study serve as a molecular diagnosis for RTSs patients treated at the Ambulatory of the Medical Investigation Laboratory 001 (ALIM 001) of the Instituto da Criança - FMUSP, and this contributes to better clinical management, such as making an appropriate genetic counseling for families

A Síndrome de Rubinstein-Taybi (RTSs) é uma doença rara de herança autossômica dominante, caracterizada por dismorfismos craniofaciais, polegares e háluces alargados, deficiência intelectual e de crescimento. RTSs tem sido associada com mutações no gene CREBBP (CBP) e mutações menos frequentes no gene EP300 que foram descritas em oito indivíduos. CBP e p300 possuem alta homologia e são extremamente importantes em várias vias de sinalização, principalmente como coativadores de transcrição e na acetilação das histonas. Nosso estudo baseou-se na análise de alterações moleculares por sequenciamento direto do CBP, FISH e array-CGH em 20 pacientes com RTSs. Dos 20 pacientes avaliados por sequenciamento direto foram identificadas oito alterações moleculares, dentre estas, seis são alterações moleculares novas as quais não foram descritas na literatura, são elas: i) duas deleções (p.M747fs STOP830 e p.G1011fs STOP1021) ii) duas alterações do tipo nonsense (p.Arg1341X, p.Arg1498X) iii) três do tipo missense (p.Arg1907Trp, p.Leu604Pro e p.His1291Arg). Também identificamos um polimorfismo de único nucleotídeo (SNP) (rs115594471/ c.5874CT). Dois pacientes apresentaram deleção do gene CBP em um dos alelos, identificado pelo método array-CGH. Outro, apresentou uma translocação aparentemente equilibrada t(2;16), cuja análise subsequente com FISH revelou uma quebra na região do CBP. Neste trabalho, a taxa de detecção de alteração molecular no CBP por sequenciamento direto foi de 40% (08/20). Porém, a taxa de detecção das alterações moleculares no CBP foi de 55% (11/20), considerando a combinação das diferentes técnicas utilizadas (FISH, sequenciamento direto e array-CGH). Não houve correlação genótipo-fenótipo, exceto por uma maior frequência da presença de epicanto nos pacientes com alteração no CBP. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho servem como o diagnóstico molecular para os pacientes com RTSs atendidos no Ambulatório do Laboratório de investigação Médica 001 (ALIM 001) do Instituto da Criança - FMUSP, contribuindo para uma melhor orientação médica, como também para realização do aconselhamento genético às famílias / Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RTSs) is a rare autosomal dominant disease characterized by craniofacial dysmorphisms, broad thumbs and toes, mental and growth deficiency. RTS has been associated with CREBBP (CBP) gene mutations and less frequently with mutations in EP300 gene, which have been reported in eight individuals. CBP and p300 have high homology and are extremely important in many signaling pathways especially as transcriptional coactivators and histone acetylation. Our study was based on the alteration analysis by direct sequencing of the CBP, by FISH and array-CGH in 20 RTSs patients. We identified eight molecular alterations in 20 RTSs patients evaluated by direct sequencing: i) two deletions (p.M747fs STOP830 and p.G1011fs STOP1021) ii) two nonsense alterations (p.Arg1341X and p.Arg1498X) iii) Three missense alteration (p.Arg1907Trp, p.Leu604Pro and p.His1291Arg). Single-nucleotide polymorphism were also identified (rs115594471 / c.5874CT), and six of these are new molecular alterations, not described in literature. Two RTSs patients studied had CBP gene deletion in one allele, identified by array-CGH method. Other patient, presented with apparent balanced translocation t(2;16) in which the subsequent analysis using FISH, showed a break in region of CBP. In this work, the rate of detection of molecular alteration in CBP by direct sequencing in RTSs patient was 40.0% (08/20). However, the rate of detection of molecular alteration in CBP was 55.0% (11/20), considering the combination of different techniques (FISH, direct sequencing and array-CGH. No significant correlation could be established in this study between the different types of mutations and genotype-phenotype of RTSs patients, except a higher frequency of the presence of epicanthus in the RTS patients with alteration in the CBP. The results of this study serve as a molecular diagnosis for RTSs patients treated at the Ambulatory of the Medical Investigation Laboratory 001 (ALIM 001) of the Instituto da Criança - FMUSP, and this contributes to better clinical management, such as making an appropriate genetic counseling for families

A perda auditiva é o defeito mais comum ao nascimento e cerca de 70 milhões de pessoas no mundo apresentam algum grau de perda auditiva. Além da alta incidência, as implicações da perda auditiva na linguagem, na cognição e no desenvolvimento emocional e social reforçam sua importância. No entanto, em grande parte dos pacientes, a causa da deficiência auditiva não é esclarecida. Nós usamos hibridação comparativa do genoma baseada em arrays (Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization aCGH) para investigar alterações no número de cópias de segmentos de DNA (Copy Number Variation CNV) em 31 indivíduos que apresentavam deficiência auditiva e sinais clínicos adicionais, mas que não puderam ser classificados em síndrome conhecida. A escolha de indivíduos sindrômicos se baseou no pressuposto de que, em média, apresentam alterações genômicas maiores e, portanto, mais provavelmente detectáveis com o uso de aCGH de 1 Mb, que era a plataforma disponível no início do projeto. CNVs não descrita em bancos de dados de indivíduos normais foram identificadas em oito pacientes, quatro delas ocorreram de novo enquanto as outras quatro foram herdadas de um genitor fenotipicamente normal. As alterações de novo definem segmentos cromossômicos que provavelmente contém genes relacionados à deficiência auditiva e sensíveis a dose, especificamente: 1q23.3-q25.2, 2q22q23, 6p25.3 e 11q13.2-q13.4. As alterações raras identificadas tanto nos pacientes quanto em um genitor normal poderiam ser um evento ao acaso, sem papel na deficiência auditiva; no entanto, a possibilidade de que essas alterações possam funcionar como fatores de predisposição não podem ser descartadas. Se considerarmos apenas as CNVs de novo como causativas dos fenótipos investigados, detectamos quatro pacientes portadores entre os 31 investigados (13%). Se considerarmos também as CNVs herdadas como possivelmente causativas, a taxa de desequilíbrios cromossômicos associados à surdez será de 26%. Esses resultados são provavelmente uma substimativa e esses números seriam possivelmente maiores com o uso de uma das plataformas de alta resolução disponíveis atualmente. Esses resultados, embora limitados, indicam que investigação por aCGH em pacientes com surdez sindrômica idiopática está entre os testes mais eficientes para detectar etiologia dos fenótipos, devendo ser incorporado à rotina no diagnóstico e aconselhamento genético. / Hearing loss is the most common congenital deficiency and about 70 million people worldwide present some degree of hearing impairment. In addition to its high incidence, hearing loss impacts language, cognition and social and emotional development. However, in a large proportion of patients, the cause of the hearing deficiency cannot be elucidated. We screened copy number changes by 1 Mb-array Comparative Genomic Hybridization (aCGH) in 31 individuals with syndromic hearing impairment whose clinical features were untypical for known disorders. The choice of evaluating syndromic rather than non-syndromic individuals was based on the assumption that they are more likely to carry larger genomic alterations which could be more easily detected by the comparatively low resolution 1 Mb aCCG, which was the available platform when this project started. Copy number changes (CNV) not documented in the database of normal individuals were detected in eight patients, four de novo imbalances and four inherited from a normal parent. The de novo alterations define candidate chromosome segments likely to harbor dosage sensitive genes related to hearing impairment, namely 1q23.3-q25.2, 2q22q23, 6p25.3 and 11q13.2- q13.4. The rare imbalances also present in normal parents might be casually associated with hearing impairment, but also have a possible role as a predisposition factor. When only the de novo CNVs were considered causative for the disease phenotypes, our study revealed relevant copy number changes in 4 patients (13%). If we also count the rare CNVs that had been inherited as possibly causative, the frequency of chromosome imbalances associated with syndromic deafness in our sample becomes 26%. These figures are probably underestimates and will probably become larger when high resolution oligoarray platforms are applied. These results indicate that aCGH is an efficient tool for defining the etiology of syndromic deafness and its use in routine diagnosis of hearing impairment and for genetic counseling is highly recommended.