Early onset or syndromic epilepsy
Gene: VARSAdded new-gene-name tag, new approved HGNC gene symbol for VARS is VARS1Created: 6 Sep 2019, 2:21 p.m. | Last Modified: 6 Sep 2019, 2:21 p.m.
Panel Version: 1.263
Review and rating collated by Tracy Lester (Oxford Medical Genetics Laboratories Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2019_02_06) on behalf of Wessex and West Midlands GLH for GMS Neurology specialist test group, for Clinical Indication R59 'Early onset or syndromic epilepsy'. Review contributors: John Taylor and Helen Lord. Suggested gene rating: Green.Created: 6 Aug 2019, 8:38 p.m. | Last Modified: 6 Aug 2019, 8:38 p.m.
Panel Version: 1.189
AR neurodevelopmental disorder with microcephaly, seizures and cortical atrophy. 6 variants on HGMD, 5 missense, 1 splicing. 3 cases on OMIM.Created: 6 Aug 2019, 8:31 p.m. | Last Modified: 6 Aug 2019, 8:31 p.m.
Panel Version: 1.188
Mode of inheritance
BIALLELIC, autosomal or pseudoautosomal
Phenotypes
Neurodevelopmental disorder with microcephaly seizures and cortical atrophy, 617802
Publications
Comment when marking as ready: Associated with phenotype in OMIM and not in Gen2Phen. Seizures identified in sufficient unrelated cases for VARS to be rated green on the Genetic Epilepsy syndromes panel.Created: 7 Nov 2018, 2:17 p.m.
PMID: 26539891 is the first report on individuals with biallelic pathogenic variants in VARS. 3 individuals from 2 consanguineous families are briefly reported. The phenotype was similar in all 3, consisting of severe developmental delay, microcephaly, seizures and cortical atrophy. Subjects from the first family were homozygous for a missense variant in the tRNA synthetase catalytic domain [p.(L885F)]. The patient from the second family was homozygous for a missense SNV affecting the anticodon-binding domain [p.(R1058Q)].
PMID: 29691655 reports on a further patient born to non-consanguineous parents, with 2 in-trans pathogenic variants in VARS. The phenotype consisted of progressive microcephaly (OFC at birth -2SD, at the age of 2 months -4SD), global developmental delay, seizures and progressive cerebral and cerebellar atrophy. An affected brother presented with more severe phenotype (OFC -6SD at birth and -8SD at 2 months of age), seizures, hearing loss but was deceased and unavailable for genetic testing. cDNA studies demonstrated absence of the reference allele for the missense mutation downstream the splice variant (in line with a reduced or absent mRNA allele harboring the splice variant). Similarly, mRNA expression studies demonstrated 50-60% reduction in the transcripts (due to NMD of the allele with the splice SNV). Western blot showed severe reduction in protein levels (more pronounced compared to what would be expected by mRNA expression) presumably secondary to decreased protein stability due to the missense variant. Severe defects in aminoacylation were further confirmatory of a pathogenic role of these variants. The missense variant was affecting the anticodon-binding domain, important for aminoacylation.
PMID: 30275004 reports on 2 siblings with developmental delay, intellectual disability, severe speech impairment and microcephaly, similar to what has been described for the disorder. Clinical findings were somewhat different from previous studies in that microcephaly was acquired, while seizures and cortical atrophy were not part of the phenotype. Both sibs were compound heterozygous for 2 missense variants, though only one of these mutations affected the anticodon binding domain and the other was in the N-terminal region of the protein. Previous metabolic studies and extensive genetic testing (karyotype, CMA, MECP2, FMR1) was normal.
Epilepsy was a feature in 4 of the 6 individuals for whom genetic testing was possible (or 5/7 in total).
VARS belongs to the family of amino acyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs). Mutations in several cytoplasmic ARSs are associated with severe neurological manifestations including seizures, intellectual disability associated with microcephaly.
VARS is included in gene panels for intellectual disability (but not for epilepsy) offered by different diagnostic labs.
As a result this gene can be considered for inclusion in the ID and epilepsy panel as green (or amber).
Sources: Expert Review, LiteratureCreated: 17 Oct 2018, 12:19 p.m.
Mode of inheritance
BIALLELIC, autosomal or pseudoautosomal
Phenotypes
# 617802. NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER WITH MICROCEPHALY, SEIZURES, AND CORTICAL ATROPHY; NDMSCA
Publications
Tag new-gene-name tag was added to gene: VARS.
Source Wessex and West Midlands GLH was added to VARS.
Source NHS GMS was added to VARS.
Konstantinos Varvagiannis: PMID: 26539891 is the first re
Gene: vars has been classified as Green List (High Evidence).
Phenotypes for gene: VARS were changed from # 617802. NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER WITH MICROCEPHALY, SEIZURES, AND CORTICAL ATROPHY; NDMSCA to Neurodevelopmental disorder with microcephaly, seizures, and cortical atrophy 617802
Gene: vars has been classified as Green List (High Evidence).
gene: VARS was added gene: VARS was added to Genetic Epilepsy Syndromes. Sources: Expert Review,Literature Mode of inheritance for gene: VARS was set to BIALLELIC, autosomal or pseudoautosomal Publications for gene: VARS were set to 26539891; 29691655; 30275004 Phenotypes for gene: VARS were set to # 617802. NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER WITH MICROCEPHALY, SEIZURES, AND CORTICAL ATROPHY; NDMSCA Penetrance for gene: VARS were set to Complete Review for gene: VARS was set to GREEN