Intellectual disability - microarray and sequencing
Gene: UFSP2
The rating of this gene has been updated following NHS Genomic Medicine Service approval.Created: 14 Mar 2022, 2:22 p.m. | Last Modified: 14 Mar 2022, 2:22 p.m.
Panel Version: 3.1519
The Q2_21_expert_review tag has been added to consider the evidence for the founder variant rs142500730, which appears to the be causal for pediatric neurodevelopmental anomalies and epilepsy feautres in over seven Asian families form different locations.Created: 26 May 2021, 10:15 a.m. | Last Modified: 29 Jun 2021, 3:31 p.m.
Panel Version: 3.1149
Comment on list classification: A founder variant (rs142500730) reported in four South Asian families (haplotype analysis available for two of the families proves relatedness). Functional studies suggest that although mRNA expression seems to be unaffected, protein stability maybe responsible for the reduced protein detected by immunoblotting in patients fibroblasts (PMID 33473208).
Homozygous rs142500730 has also been reported in individuals (Asian and white) in the Genoimcs England 100K study, with epilepsy and intellectual disabilities.Created: 25 May 2021, 2:52 p.m. | Last Modified: 27 May 2021, 8:51 a.m.
Panel Version: 3.1100
Comment on phenotypes: No OMIM reference for the pediatric neurodevelopmental anomalies and epilepsy feautres. Monoallelic variants have previously been associated with skeletal dysplasias (PMIDs 28892125;26428751;32755715), but there does not appear to be any phenotypic overlap between these and the phenotype seen for the biallelic rs142500730.Created: 25 May 2021, 10:53 a.m. | Last Modified: 25 May 2021, 10:53 a.m.
Panel Version: 3.1093
Ni et al (2021 - PMID: 33473208) describe the phenotype of 8 children (belonging to 4 families - 2 of which consanguineous) homozygous for a UFSP2 missense variant [NM_018359.5:c.344T>A; p.(Val115Glu)].
Members of a broader consanguineous pedigree from Pakistan with 3 affected children with epilepsy and DD and ID underwent exome sequencing. All affected individuals were homozygous for the specific SNV with their parents (2 parent pairs, in both cases first cousins) being heterozygous. An unaffected sib was homozygous for the wt allele. Through genematching platforms 3 additional families with similarly affected individuals and homozygosity for the same variant were recruited. These additional families were from Pakistan (1/3) and Afganistan (2/3).
Based on ROH analysis from the broader first pedigree and an additional family the authors concluded on a single shared region of homozygosity on chr 4q. Lack of ES data did not allow verification of whether 2/4 families shared the same haplotype with the other 2.
The authors calculated the probability of the genotype-phenotype cosegragation occurring by chance (0.009) and this was lower than the recommended criterion (0.06) for strong evidence of pathogenicity.
Shared features included abnormal tone in most (hypotonia 6/8, limb hypertonia 1/8), seizures (8/8 - onset 2d - 7m), severe DD with speech delay/absent speech (8/8), ID (8/8), strabismus (6/8).
UFSP2 encodes UFM1-specific protease 2 involved in UFmylation, a post-translational protein modification. As summarized by the authors the cysteine protease encoded by this gene (as is also the case for UFSP1) cleaves UFM1 in the initial step of UFMylation. Apart from producing mature UFM1, the 2 proteases have also the ability to release UFM1 from UFMylated proteins, in the process of de-UFMylation. [several refs. provided]
UFMylation is important in brain development with mutations in genes encoding other components of the pathway reported in other NDD disorders (incl. UFM1, UBA5, UFC1).
Additional studies were carried to provide evidence for pathogenicity of this variant.
Skin biopsies from 3 individuals were carried out to establish fibroblast cultures. Immunoblotting revealed reduced UFSP2 levels relative to controls. mRNA levels measured by qRT-PCR revealed no differences compared to controls altogether suggesting normal mRNA but reduced protein stability.
The authors demonstrated increased levels of UFM1-conjugated proteins (incl. DDRGK1, or TRIP4). Ectopic expression of wt UFSP2 normalized the levels of UFMylated proteins in the fibroblasts which was not the case for the V115E variant. Further the variant was difficult to detect by immunoblotting consistent with an effect on protein destabilization.
Although disruption of UFMylation induces ER stress, this was not shown to occur in patient fibroblast lines, when assessed for ER stress markers.
Evaluation of data from the GTEx project, concerning UFSP2 as well as well as DDRGK1 or TRIP4 - an UFMylation target - revealed relevant expression in multiple regions of the human brain.
Overall the authors provide evidence for defective de-UFMylation in patient fibroblasts (presence of increased UFMylation marks). The authors stress out that the effect of the variant in UFMylation in brain is unknown, as UFSP1 or other enzymes might compensate in the presence of hypomorphic UFSP2 mutants.
**Monoallelic** (correction to previous review) UFSP2 variants have previously been reported in 2 skeletal dysplasias [# 142669. BEUKES HIP DYSPLASIA; BHD and # 617974. SPONDYLOEPIMETAPHYSEAL DYSPLASIA, DI ROCCO TYPE; SEMDDR]. These disorders are not characterized by neurological dysfunction or epilepsy. The authors underscore the fact that variants identified in these disorders (Y290H, D526A, H428R) localize within the C-terminal catalytic (peptidase) domain [aa 278 – 461] while the variant here identified lies in the N-terminal substrate binding domain affecting protein stability/abundance.
In OMIM, only the 2 aforementioned disorders are currently associated with biallelic UFSP2 mutations. There is no associated phenotype in G2P. SysID includes UFSP2 among the primary ID genes.
You may consider inclusion in the current panel with amber/green rating.
Sources: LiteratureCreated: 23 May 2021, 6:28 p.m. | Last Modified: 25 May 2021, 6:27 p.m.
Panel Version: 3.1094
Mode of inheritance
BIALLELIC, autosomal or pseudoautosomal
Phenotypes
Abnormal muscle tone; Seizures; Global developmental delay; Delayed speech and language development; Intellectual disability; Strabismus
Publications
Tag Q2_21_rating was removed from gene: UFSP2. Tag Q2_21_expert_review was removed from gene: UFSP2.
Source Expert Review Green was added to UFSP2. Rating Changed from Amber List (moderate evidence) to Green List (high evidence)
Tag Q2_21_expert_review tag was added to gene: UFSP2.
Tag Q2_21_rating tag was added to gene: UFSP2.
Gene: ufsp2 has been classified as Amber List (Moderate Evidence).
Phenotypes for gene: UFSP2 were changed from Abnormal muscle tone; Seizures; Global developmental delay; Delayed speech and language development; Intellectual disability; Strabismus to Abnormal muscle tone; Seizures; Global developmental delay; Delayed speech and language development; Intellectual disability; Strabismus
Tag founder-effect tag was added to gene: UFSP2.
gene: UFSP2 was added gene: UFSP2 was added to Intellectual disability. Sources: Literature Mode of inheritance for gene: UFSP2 was set to BIALLELIC, autosomal or pseudoautosomal Publications for gene: UFSP2 were set to 33473208 Phenotypes for gene: UFSP2 were set to Abnormal muscle tone; Seizures; Global developmental delay; Delayed speech and language development; Intellectual disability; Strabismus Penetrance for gene: UFSP2 were set to Complete