Exome Sequence Analysis to Characterize Undiagnosed Family Segregating Motor Impairment and Dystonia

Ahmad M Almatrafi1,2, Abdulfatah M Alayoubi3, Majed Alluqmani4

  • 1Department of Biology, College of Science, Taibah University, Medina 42353, Saudi Arabia.

PubMed

Insights

Hypermanganesemia with dystonia 1 (HMNDYT1), a rare genetic disorder, was diagnosed in a Saudi family using whole exome sequencing. A novel SLC30A10 gene variant was identified, expanding the known mutation spectrum.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Hypermanganesemia with dystonia 1 (HMNDYT1) is a rare genetic disorder.
  • Characterized by elevated blood manganese, polycythemia, motor neurodegeneration, and hepatic dysfunction.
  • Can progress to cirrhosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Diagnose a rare genetic disorder in a consanguineous Saudi family.
  • Identify the causative genetic variant.
  • Expand the mutation spectrum of the SLC30A10 gene.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical and radiographic evaluations.
  • Whole exome sequencing (WES) for diagnosis.
  • Sanger sequencing for validation and segregation analysis.
  • Bioinformatics tools for variant pathogenicity prediction.

Main Results:

  • A recurrent homozygous missense variant (c.266T>C; p.L89P) in the SLC30A10 gene was identified.
  • Sanger sequencing confirmed variant segregation within the family.
  • Bioinformatics predicted the variant as potentially pathogenic and highly conserved.

Conclusions:

  • Whole exome sequencing is crucial for diagnosing undiagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders.
  • This study expands the mutation spectrum of SLC30A10 in diverse populations.
  • Identified a novel variant contributing to HMNDYT1 phenotype.