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Intellectual disability - microarray and sequencing v3.1534 ZBTB7A Konstantinos Varvagiannis gene: ZBTB7A was added
gene: ZBTB7A was added to Intellectual disability. Sources: Literature,Other
Mode of inheritance for gene: ZBTB7A was set to MONOALLELIC, autosomal or pseudoautosomal, imprinted status unknown
Publications for gene: ZBTB7A were set to 31645653; 34515416
Phenotypes for gene: ZBTB7A were set to Global developmental delay; Intellectual disability; Macrocephaly; Abnormality of the lymphatic system; Sleep apnea; Increased body weight; Autism; Persistence of hemoglobin F; Abnormal leukocyte count; Recurrent infections; Umbilical hernia
Penetrance for gene: ZBTB7A were set to unknown
Review for gene: ZBTB7A was set to AMBER
Added comment: Monoallelic pathogenic ZBTB7A variants cause Macrocephaly, neurodevelopmental delay, lymphoid hyperplasia, and persistent fetal hemoglobin (#619769).
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Ohishi et al (2020 - PMID: 31645653) described the phenotype of a 6y5m-old male harboring a heterozygous, de novo ZBTB7A missense variant. Features included macrocephaly, mild intellectual disability (tIQ 65) and sleep apnea. Available hemoglobin levels (in the 1st month) supported high Hb and HbF levels. Other features included PDA and an umbilical hernia.

Initial investigations incl. karyotype and CMA were normal.

The ZBTB7A variant (NM_015898.3:c.1152C>G / p.Cys384Tyr) was identified following trio WES with a list of additional findings (in suppl.) not explaining the phenotype. This SNV, confirmed by Sanger sequencing, was absent from public db with several in silico predictions in favor of a deleterious effect.

ZBTB7A on 19p encodes zinc finger- and BTB domain-containing protein 7 (or Pokemon).

The authors performed a review of 19p13.3 microdeletion cases supporting a minimum region of overlap spanning PIAS4, ZBTB7A and MAP2K2 and common features of DD and ID, macrocephaly with prominent forehead, sleep apnea. The authors argue that loss of ZBTB7A explains part of - but probably not all - features of 19p13.3 microdeletions.

ZBTB7A is known to repress expression of HBG1 and HBG2 (γ-globin), with the few available HbF patient measurements in line with this role.

Based on the structure of the protein, Cys384 (along with 3 other residues) forms a coordinate bond with the Zn+2 ion, this bond predicted to be disrupted by Tyr. Further they favor a dominant negative effect given that ZBTB7A protein is known to form dimer via interaction at the BTB domain [hetero (variant+wt) and homodimers (variant+variant) having compromised function]. To support this notion, 3 previously reported somatic variants within the zinc-finger domain have been shown to exert a dominant-negative effect (PMID cited: 26455326).
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In a collaborative study, von der Lippe et al (2022 - PMID: 34515416) identified 12 additional individuals (from 10 families) harboring monoallelic ZBTB7A missense/pLoF variants most commonly as de novo events.

The authors describe a consistent phenotype with motor (9/11) and speech delay (9/12), cognitive impairment/ID (12/12 - commonly mild, ranged from specific learning difficulties to severe ID), macrocephaly (>90%le in 11/12, >97% in 7/12), lymphoid hypertrophy of pharyngeal tissue/adenoid overgrowth (12/12), sleep apnea (9/12). Autistic features were observed in 7/12. Other phenotypes included frequent upper airway infections (10/11), weight above 97th percentile (7/11). HbF levels were elevated in 4/5 individuals with available measurements (range: 2.2% to 11.2% - ref. for subjects above 6m of age : <2% ). Other hematological issues were observed in few individuals (abn. monocyte/neutrophil counts in 3-4). Cardiovascular issues were reported in 4 (2 fam). 3 subjects had umbilical hernia. There was no common dysmorphic feature.

Various initial investigations were normal or did not appear to explain the NDD phenotype and incl. standard karyotype, CMA, targeted testing for genes/disorders previously considered (PTEN, FMR1, NSD1, BWS and PWS methylation studies, CFTR, etc). One male had a maternally inherited chrX dup not thought to explain his complex phenotype, while another had a concurrent diagnosis of thalassemia.

Individuals were investigated with singleton (or trio) WES. Of note some individuals were DDD study participants.

8 had de novo ZBTB7A variants, incl. one who harbored 2 de novo missense SNVs several residues apart. 2 sibs had inherited a fs variant from their affected parent. For the latter as well as for another subject parental samples were unavailable.

There were no other variants of interest upon exome analysis.

5 different missense, 2 nonsense and 3 fs variants were identified with pLoF all predicted to lead to NMD.

All variants were absent from gnomAD (pLI of 0.96, LOEUF 0.33 and missense Z-score of 4.04) which lists one individual with htz LoF, likely not an artifact.

Given this individual (and the familial case) the authors discuss on the mild phenotype and/or eventual reduced penetrance or underdiagnosis of the disorder.

There was no difference in severity between those with missense/truncating variants.

ZBTB7A transcription factor (or pokemon or lymphoma/leukemia-related factor) is widely expressed. It is involved in several activities being among others required to block Notch signaling which in turn drives T-cell at the expense of B-cell development. Notch pathway activation has been demonstrated in Zbtba7 ko mouse models. Finally, the authors discuss the role of notch signaling in thymus and the nervous system, as well as that ZBTB7A up/down-regulation known to repress/increase respectively HbF expression (several refs in text).
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MGI (1335091) for Zbtb7a : "Mice homozygous for a knock-out allele die around E16.5 due to anemia and exhibit a cell autonomous defect in early B cell development". (Phenotypes from nervous system not commented on).
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Apart from OMIM (#619769), ZBTB7A is included in the DD panel of G2P (ZBTB7A-associated developmental disorder / monoallelic_autosomal / absent gene product / confidence limited) as well as among the primary ID genes in SysID. In PanelApp Australia the gene is incl. with green rating in the ID and Macrocephaly gene panels.
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Consider inclusion with amber or green rating (several individuals/families/variants, highly consistent phenotype, overlap with 19p microdeletions || variant effect not studied, animal models supporting contribution of the gene to the phenotype though no data on associated NDD ones).

Please also consider inclusion in other relevant panels (macrocephaly, lymphatic disorders, ASD, etc).
Sources: Literature, Other
Intellectual disability - microarray and sequencing v2.468 MAP2K2 Louise Daugherty Source Victorian Clinical Genetics Services was added to MAP2K2.
Intellectual disability - microarray and sequencing MAP2K2 BRIDGE consortium edited their review of MAP2K2
Intellectual disability - microarray and sequencing MAP2K2 BRIDGE consortium edited their review of MAP2K2
Intellectual disability - microarray and sequencing MAP2K2 BRIDGE consortium reviewed MAP2K2