Loss-of-Function Variants in PPP1R12A: From Isolated Sex Reversal to Holoprosencephaly Spectrum and Urogenital Malformations

Joel J. Hughes, Ebba Alkhunaizi, Paul Kruszka, Louise C. Pyle, Dorothy K. Grange, Seth I. Berger, Katelyn K. Payne, Diane Masser-Frye, Tommy Hu, Michelle R. Christie, Nancy J. Clegg, Joshua L. Everson, Ariel F. Martinez, Laurence E. Walsh, Emma Bedoukian, Marilyn C. Jones, Catharine Jean Harris, Korbinian M. Riedhammer, Daniela Choukair, Patricia Y. FechnerMeilan M. Rutter, Sophia B. Hufnagel, Maian Roifman, Gad B. Kletter, Emmanuele Delot, Eric Vilain, Robert J. Lipinski, Chad M. Vezina, Maximilian Muenke, David Chitayat

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

In two independent ongoing next-generation sequencing projects for individuals with holoprosencephaly and individuals with disorders of sex development, and through international research collaboration, we identified twelve individuals with de novo loss-of-function (LoF) variants in protein phosphatase 1, regulatory subunit 12a (PPP1R12A), an important developmental gene involved in cell migration, adhesion, and morphogenesis. This gene has not been previously reported in association with human disease, and it has intolerance to LoF as illustrated by a very low observed-to-expected ratio of LoF variants in gnomAD. Of the twelve individuals, midline brain malformations were found in five, urogenital anomalies in nine, and a combination of both phenotypes in two. Other congenital anomalies identified included omphalocele, jejunal, and ileal atresia with aberrant mesenteric blood supply, and syndactyly. Six individuals had stop gain variants, five had a deletion or duplication resulting in a frameshift, and one had a canonical splice acceptor site loss. Murine and human in situ hybridization and immunostaining revealed PPP1R12A expression in the prosencephalic neural folds and protein localization in the lower urinary tract at critical periods for forebrain division and urogenital development. Based on these clinical and molecular findings, we propose the association of PPP1R12A pathogenic variants with a congenital malformations syndrome affecting the embryogenesis of the brain and genitourinary systems and including disorders of sex development.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)121-128
Number of pages8
JournalAmerican journal of human genetics
Volume106
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2 2020

Keywords

  • MYPT1
  • PPP1R12A
  • disorders of sex development
  • embryogenesis
  • encephalocele
  • facial dysmorphism
  • forebrain
  • holoprosencephaly
  • hypospadias
  • omphalocele

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