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Intellectual disability - microarray and sequencing v3.1564 BUB1 Konstantinos Varvagiannis gene: BUB1 was added
gene: BUB1 was added to Intellectual disability. Sources: Literature
Mode of inheritance for gene: BUB1 was set to BIALLELIC, autosomal or pseudoautosomal
Publications for gene: BUB1 were set to 35044816
Phenotypes for gene: BUB1 were set to Congenital microcephaly; Global developmental delay; Intellectual disability; Abnormal heart morphology; Growth delay
Penetrance for gene: BUB1 were set to Complete
Review for gene: BUB1 was set to AMBER
Added comment: A recent study provides evidence that this gene (biallelic variants) is relevant for inclusion in the DD/ID panel likely with amber / green rating (2 unrelated individuals with similar phenotype, 3 variants, role of this gene, extensive variant studies and demonstrated effects on cohesion and chromosome segregation, similarities with other disorders caused by mutations in mitosis-associated genes at the clinical and cellular level || number of affected subjects/families, different protein levels/kinase activity likely underlying few differences observed, role of monoallelic variants unclear).

This gene could probably be included in other panels e.g. for microcephaly (not added).

There is no BUB1-related phenotype in OMIM, G2P, SysID, PanelApp Australia.

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Carvalhal, Bader et al (2022 - PMID: 35044816) describe the phenotype of 2 unrelated individuals with biallelic BUB1 pathogenic variants and provide evidence for the underlying mechanism for this condition.

Common features comprised congenital microcephaly (2/2 | -2,8 and -2.9 SDs respectively / -7 and -4,9 SDs on last evaluation), DD/ID (2/2 - in one case with formal evaluation mild), some degree of growth retardation (2/2) and cardiovascular findings (2/2 - small ASD type II). Other findings limited to one subject included Pierre-Robin sequence, Axenfeld-Rieger anomaly, choanal stenosis, hypospadias, tracheal stenosis, etc.

Initial genetic testing was normal (incl. CMA in both, metabolic testing and individual genes incl. PITX2, GREM1, FOXD3, FOXC1 for one proband).

Exome sequencing revealed homozygosity for a start-lost variant (NM_004336.4:c.2T>G / p.?) in the first subject (P1). The variant lied within a 14-Mb region of homozygosity (no reported consanguinity). The second individual (P2) was compound htz for a splice-site and a frameshift variant (c.2625+1G>A and c.2197dupG) with Sanger sequencing used for confirmation and segregation studies.

BUB1 encodes BUB1 Mitotic checkpoint serine/threonine kinase (/Budding uninhibited by benzimidazoles 1, s. cerevisiae, homolog of) a multifunctional component of the segregation machinery contributing to multiple mitotic processes. The protein has a kinetochore localization domain, multiple binding motifs and a C-terminal kinase domain (aa 784-1085) this structure allowing both kinase dependent/independent activities.

cDNA sequencing revealed that the splice variant leads to skipping of ex21 and in-frame deletion of 54 residues in the kinase domain (c.2625+1G>A / p.Val822_Leu875del).

Both individuals exhibited normal BUB1 mRNA levels (fibroblasts in both, tracheal tissue in one) but severely reduced protein levels (fibroblasts). A shorter protein product corresponding to the in-frame deletion variant was also detected.

The authors performed additional experiments to confirm small amounts of full-length protein produced by the start-lost variant. This was shown in SV40-transformed fibroblasts from the corresponding individual (treatment with a proteasome inhibitor resulted also in higher levels). Upon generation RPE1 cells using CRISPR for the start-lost variant, again, small amounts of full length protein were detected, which was not the case for complete knockout HAP1 cells. No shorter versions could be detected in the patient cells or RPE1 cells, arguing against utilization of an alternative start codon. (Use of non-AUG start codons discussed based on literature).

In line with small amounts of full-length protein the authors provided evidence for residual kinase activity for the start-loss variant (through proxy of phosphorylation of its substrate and use of a BUB1 kinase inhibitor). Cells from the individual with the frameshift variant and the splice variant had no residual kinase activity.

The authors provide evidence for mitotic defects in cells from both individuals with prolonged mitosis duration and chromosome segregation defects. Some patient-specific findings were thought to be related with BUB1 protein levels (affecting BUB1-mediated kinetochore recruitment of BUBR1, important for chromosome alignment) and others due to residual kinase activity [->phosphorylation of H2A at Threonine 120-> affecting centromeric recruitment of Aurora B, SGO1 (role in protection of centromeric cohesion), TOP2A (a protein preventing DNA breakage during sister chromatid separation), these correlated with high anaphase bridges (in P2), aneuploidy observed in lymphoblasts and primary fibroblasts from P2 but not P2's lymphocytes or lymphocytes from P1) and defective sister chromatid cohesion defects (in primary fibroblasts from P2, milder effect for P1).

Overall the authors provide evidence for overlapping clinical and cellular phenotype for this condition with primary microcephalies (MCPH - mutations in genes for mitotic regulators incl. kinetochore proteins or regulators of chromosome organization), mosaic variegated aneuploidy (biallelic variants in genes for kinetochore proteins, with random aneuploidies occurring in >5% cells of different tissues) and cohesinopathies (mostly Roberts or Warsaw breakage syndromes - characterized by cohesion loss and/or spontaneous railroad chromosomes).

Mouse model: Hmz disruption in mice is lethal shortly after E3.5 (cited PMID: 19772675), while a hypomorphic mutant mouse (lacking exons 2-3, expressing <5% of wt protein levels) is viable but exhibits increased tumorigenesis with aging and aneuploidy (cited PMID: 19117986). Mutant mice that lack kinase activity though with preserved Bub1 protein abundance, did not display increased susceptibility, despite substantial segregation errors and aneuploidies (cited PMID: 23209306).

The authors note that monoallelic germline BUB1 variants have been described in small number of individuals with CRC, exhibiting reduced expression levels and variegated aneuploidy in multiple tissues (cited PMID: 23747338) although the role of BUB1 is debated (cited PMIDs: 27713038, 29448935).

Based on the discussion, complete loss of BUB1 activity is presumed to be embryonically lethal based on the mouse study (PMID: 19772675) and reduced BUB1 expression associated with spontaneous miscarriages (cited PMID: 20643875, to my understanding in this study mRNA levels remained relatively constant despite reduced Bub1 protein levels, mRNA RT-PCR followed by sequencing revealed only 2 synonymous BUB1 variants).
Sources: Literature
Intellectual disability - microarray and sequencing v3.1519 FARSA Ivone Leong Tag Q4_21_rating was removed from gene: FARSA.
Intellectual disability - microarray and sequencing v3.1519 FARSA Sarah Leigh commented on gene: FARSA
Intellectual disability - microarray and sequencing v3.1519 FARSA Ivone Leong Source Expert Review Green was added to FARSA.
Rating Changed from Amber List (moderate evidence) to Green List (high evidence)
Intellectual disability - microarray and sequencing v3.1428 FARSA Ivone Leong Tag Q4_21_rating tag was added to gene: FARSA.
Intellectual disability - microarray and sequencing v3.1428 FARSA Ivone Leong Classified gene: FARSA as Amber List (moderate evidence)
Intellectual disability - microarray and sequencing v3.1428 FARSA Ivone Leong Gene: farsa has been classified as Amber List (Moderate Evidence).
Intellectual disability - microarray and sequencing v3.1070 FARSA Ivone Leong gene: FARSA was added
gene: FARSA was added to Intellectual disability. Sources: Literature,Expert Review Red
Mode of inheritance for gene: FARSA was set to BIALLELIC, autosomal or pseudoautosomal
Publications for gene: FARSA were set to 31355908
Phenotypes for gene: FARSA were set to ?Rajab interstitial lung disease with brain calcifications 2, OMIM:619013
Intellectual disability - microarray and sequencing v3.3 NOG Zornitza Stark reviewed gene: NOG: Rating: RED; Mode of pathogenicity: None; Publications: ; Phenotypes: Brachydactyly, type B2, MIM# 611377, Multiple synostoses syndrome 1, MIM# 186500, Stapes ankylosis with broad thumbs and toes, MIM# 184460, Symphalangism, proximal, 1A, MIM# 185800, Tarsal-carpal coalition syndrome, MIM# 186570; Mode of inheritance: None
Intellectual disability - microarray and sequencing v2.965 DEGS1 Rebecca Foulger commented on gene: DEGS1: PMID:30620338: Karsai et al., 2019 identified a homozygous p.Ala280Val variant in DEGS1 in a Turkish patient of consanguineous parents. Both parents and healthy siblings were heterozygous carriers of the variant. Leading symptoms were early-onset developmental delay, movement disorder, progressive spasticity, and epilepsy.
Intellectual disability - microarray and sequencing v2.953 DEGS1 Konstantinos Varvagiannis gene: DEGS1 was added
gene: DEGS1 was added to Intellectual disability. Sources: Literature
Mode of inheritance for gene: DEGS1 was set to BIALLELIC, autosomal or pseudoautosomal
Publications for gene: DEGS1 were set to 30620337; 30620338; 31186544
Phenotypes for gene: DEGS1 were set to Leukodystrophy hypomyelinating 18, MIM 618404)
Penetrance for gene: DEGS1 were set to Complete
Review for gene: DEGS1 was set to GREEN
Added comment: Several individuals with biallelic pathogenic DEGS1 variants have been reported to date, in the following studies :
[1] Pant et al. 2019 (PMID: 30620337) : 19 patients from 13 unrelated families
[2] Karsai et al. 2019 (PMID: 30620338) : 1 individual
[3] Dolgin et al. 2019 (PMID: 31186544) : 4 individuals belonging to a large consanguineous kindred

As summarized in the first article and OMIM, affected individuals may have very poor psychomotor development, dystonia, spasticity, seizures with hypomyelinating leukodystrophy upon brain imaging and/or progressive atrophy of corpus callosum, thalami and cerebellum. Although a severe form overall was reported for many individuals in the first study, variable severity (eg. mild to severe ID) was reported among individuals belonging to the same kindred in the report by Dolgin et al.

DEGS1 encodes Δ4-dehydroceramide desaturase which catalyzes conversion of dihydroceramide (DhCer) to ceramide (Cer) in the de novo ceramide biosynthetic pathway. Ceramide is the central unit of all sphingolipids, which are components of cellular membranes and play key roles in several processes incl. cell differentiation, neuronal signaling and myelin sheath formation.

Sphingolipid balance is important for the CNS as demonstrated in the case of lysosomal disorders (eg. Gaucher, Niemann Pick, Farber) one enzymatic step away from DEGS1.

Variants of all types (missense, stopgain, frameshift) have been reported with the majority/almost all located in the fatty acid desaturase (FAD) domain.

Extensive studies have been carried out and demonstrated:
- impaired DEGS1 activity in patients' fibroblasts and muscle suggested by increased DhCer/Cer ratio and compatible broader biochemical effects (higher levels of dihydrosphingosine, dihydrosphingomyelins, etc. and lower levels of sphingosine, monohexosylceramides, etc).
- increased ROS production in patient fibroblasts (similar to a Drosophila model of excess DhCer),
- high expression of the gene in child and adult CNS tissues from control individuals (evaluated by RT-qPCR in Ref. 1). A previous study has suggested that DEGS1 expression is upregulated during the 4-9th week of human embryogenesis (PMID cited: 20430792) which may suggest an important role for neural system development.
- decreased expression for some variants either evaluated at the mRNA (RT-qPCR) / protein level (by Western Blot)
- In zebrafish loss of Degs1 resulted in increased DhCer/Cer ratio, locomotor disability and impaired myelination similar to the patients' phenotype. Fingolimod, a sphingosine analog inhibiting Cer synthase (one step prior to DEGS1 in the de novo ceramide biosynthesis pathway, and converting sphingosine to ceramide in the salvage pathway) reduced the DhCer/Cer imbalance, ameliorated the locomotor phenotype and increased the number of myelinating oligodendrocytes in zebrafish, while it reduced the ROS levels in patient fibroblasts.

Previous animal models:
Apart from the zebrafish model (Pant et al.), higher DhCer/Cer ratios have been shown in homozygous Degs1 -/- mice similar to what is also observed in D. melanogaster. As summarized in MGI (and the previous studies as well) "mice homozygous for a knock-out allele exhibit premature death, decreased to absent ceramide levels, decreased body weight, scaly skin, sparse hair, tremors, hematological and blood chemistry abnormalities, decreased bone mineral content and density and decreased liver function." (PMIDs cited: 17339025, 28507162).
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The respective OMIM entry is Leukodystrophy, hypomyelinating, 18 (#618404). DEGS1 is not associated with any phenotype in G2P.
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As a result, DEGS1 can be considered for inclusion in the ID and epilepsy panels probably as green (relevant phenotype, sufficient number of individuals, supportive expression and biochemical studies, animal models, etc).
Sources: Literature
Intellectual disability - microarray and sequencing ARSA BRIDGE consortium edited their review of ARSA
Intellectual disability - microarray and sequencing ARSA BRIDGE consortium edited their review of ARSA
Intellectual disability - microarray and sequencing ARSA BRIDGE consortium reviewed ARSA