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New neurodevelopmental syndrome and NKAP gene

NKAP gene is a key regulator of brain, neuroskeletal development

Date:
October 3, 2019
Source:
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Summary:
Researchers have identified a gene mutation that causes developmental delay, intellectual disability, behavioral abnormalities and musculoskeletal problems in children. The newly diagnosed condition, called NKAP-related syndrome, arises from mutations in the NKAP gene, which plays a key role in human development.
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Researchers have identified a gene mutation that causes developmental delay, intellectual disability, behavioral abnormalities and musculoskeletal problems in children. The newly diagnosed condition, calledNKAP-related syndrome, arises from mutations in theNKAPgene, which plays a key role in human development.

"This gene mutation disrupts transcription, the process in which DNA information is converted into RNA," said study leader Kosuke Izumi, MD, PhD, a clinical geneticist and genetics researcher at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "As my lab continues to explore the function ofNKAPin our bodies, we aim to discover clues for future treatments."

Izumi and co-authors from eight nations published their report ofNKAP-related syndrome today in theAmerican Journal of Human Genetics.

The scientists performed exome sequencing on 10 individuals, all children and young adults, with developmental delay, intellectual disability, behavioral problems such as ADHD and aggressive behavior, and tall stature, scoliosis and joint conditions. The subjects' tall stature and musculoskeletal problems are "Marfanoid": similar to traits found in the long-known genetic disorder Marfan syndrome.

The exome sequencing pinpointed mutations in theNKAPgene on the X chromosome. Consistent with an X-linked recessive condition,NKAPmutations caused symptoms only in males. Further analysis showed that transcription disruption patterns were similar in the patients -- a higher proportion of genes were downregulated than upregulated, that is, the mutation "dialed down" the gene's effects on RNA and proteins. Experiments with zebrafish models revealed similar effects from an analogous mutated gene.

"The function ofNKAPin our bodies has been poorly understood," said Izumi. "We discovered novel functions in brain and musculoskeletal development. Furthermore, we have started a patient registry to collect clinical information on patients with this rare diagnosis. Identifying more patients may help to reveal the full spectrum of medical issues seen inNKAP-related syndrome."

In addition to providing a definitive diagnosis to a subset of patients with developmental delay and intellectual disability found to harbor this mutation, biological insights may eventually translate into clinical benefits. "As we further investigate biological mechanisms in this syndrome, our goal is to identify molecular pathways to target for future treatments for patients," added Izumi.

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Materials provided byChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia.注意:内容可能被编辑风格d length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Sarah K. Fiordaliso, Aiko Iwata-Otsubo, Alyssa L. Ritter, Mathieu Quesnel-Vallières, Katsunori Fujiki, Eriko Nishi, Miroslava Hancarova, Noriko Miyake, Jenny E.V. Morton, Sangmoon Lee, Karl Hackmann, Masashige Bando, Koji Masuda, Ryuichiro Nakato, Michiko Arakawa, Elizabeth Bhoj, Dong Li, Hakon Hakonarson, Ryojun Takeda, Margaret Harr, Beth Keena, Elaine H. Zackai, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Seiji Mizuno, Jung Min Ko, Alica Valachova, Darina Prchalova, Marketa Vlckova, Tommaso Pippucci, Christoph Seiler, Murim Choi, Naomichi Matsumoto, Nataliya Di Donato, Yoseph Barash, Zdenek Sedlacek, Katsuhiko Shirahige, Kosuke Izumi.Missense Mutations in NKAP Cause a Disorder of Transcriptional Regulation Characterized by Marfanoid Habitus and Cognitive Impairment.The American Journal of Human Genetics, 2019; DOI:10.1016/j.ajhg.2019.09.009

Cite This Page:

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "New neurodevelopmental syndrome and NKAP gene: NKAP gene is a key regulator of brain, neuroskeletal development." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 3 October 2019. /releases/2019/10/191003141537.htm>.
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. (2019, October 3). New neurodevelopmental syndrome and NKAP gene: NKAP gene is a key regulator of brain, neuroskeletal development.ScienceDaily. Retrieved September 6, 2023 from www.koonmotors.com/releases/2019/10/191003141537.htm
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "New neurodevelopmental syndrome and NKAP gene: NKAP gene is a key regulator of brain, neuroskeletal development." ScienceDaily. www.koonmotors.com/releases/2019/10/191003141537.htm (accessed September 6, 2023).

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