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Projekt Druckansicht

Identifizierung und funktionelle Charakterisierung von neuen Krankheitsgenen in einem Kollektiv von ungelösten Fällen mit neuromuskulären Erkrankungen

Fachliche Zuordnung Molekulare und zelluläre Neurologie und Neuropathologie
Humangenetik
Förderung Förderung von 2019 bis 2022
Projektkennung Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 417989143
 
Erstellungsjahr 2023

Zusammenfassung der Projektergebnisse

5q-associated spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is one of the most common neuromuscular disorders (NMD) and the leading hereditary cause of infant mortality. SMA without deletions or point mutations in SMN1 (non-5q SMA) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders and is difficult to distinguish from 5q-SMA. The disease-causing gene has been identified in approximately 45% of patients with non-5q SMA/lower motor neuron disease. Here we wanted to apply the ultimate sequencing strategies and perform trio/quattro genome sequencing (GS) and/or RNAseq along with advanced bioinformatic tools to identify the causative gene for unresolved cases where previous genetic analyses (NMD gene panel or WES) have failed. In addition, we will functionally analyse novel candidate genes for which there is strong genetic evidence of disease association. Key Results: We performed genome sequencing in 81 samples (trios/quattro in unresolved families with NMD) and 165 RNA-Seq analyses. We established 16 lymphoblastoid cell lines from blood and 25 fibroblast cell lines from skin biopsies of unresolved NMD cases and family members. We have performed extensive functional studies in two disease-causing genes, GBF1 and CAPRIN1, and in a third disease candidate gene, we have already generated mice carrying the pathogenic variants and are about to establish human inducible pluripotent stem cells using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technologies. These studies are still ongoing. We identified a novel mechanism using multi-omics approaches to understand the mechanism causing upregulation of Plastin3, which is a potent protective modifier for SMA but also a biomarker for cancer and osteoarthritis. This was a comprehensive and medically high-relevant project. Every new gene is deepening our knowledge on neuronal pathways/circuits and opens up new therapeutic possibilities for rare but complex and age-related neuropathies as well.

Projektbezogene Publikationen (Auswahl)

 
 

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