Application of a custom NGS gene panel revealed a high diagnostic utility for molecular testing of hereditary ataxias

Hereditary ataxias (HA) are a rare group of heterogeneous disorders. Here, we present the results of molecular testing of a group of ataxia patients using a custom-designed next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel. Due to the genetic and clinical overlapping of hereditary ataxias and spastic paraplegias (HSP), the panel encompasses together HA and HSP genes. The NGS libraries, comprising coding sequences for 152 genes, were performed using KAPA HyperPlus and HyperCap Target Enrichment Kit, sequenced on the MiSeq instrument. The results were analyzed using the BaseSpace Variant Interpreter and Integrative Genomics Viewer. All pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants were confirmed using Sanger sequencing. A total of 29 patients with hereditary ataxias were enrolled in the NGS testing, and 16 patients had a confirmed molecular diagnosis with diagnostic accuracy rate of 55.2%. Pathogenic or likely pathogenic mutations were identified in 10 different genes: POLG (PEOA1, n = 3; SCAE, n = 2), CACNA1A (EA2, n = 2), SACS (ARSACS, n = 2), SLC33A1 (SPG42, n = 2), STUB1 (SCA48, n = 1), SPTBN2 (SCA5, n = 1), TGM6 (SCA35, n = 1), SETX (AOA2, n = 1), ANO10 (SCAR10, n = 1), and SPAST (SPG4, n = 1). We demonstrated that an approach based on the targeted use of the NGS panel can be highly effective and a useful tool in the molecular diagnosis of ataxia patients. Furthermore, we highlight the fact that a sequencing panel targeting both ataxias and HSP genes increases the diagnostic success level.