Publications by authors named "Emma Hobson"

Pathogenic variants in multiple genes on the X chromosome have been implicated in syndromic and non-syndromic intellectual disability disorders. ZFX on Xp22.11 encodes a transcription factor that has been linked to diverse processes including oncogenesis and development, but germline variants have not been characterized in association with disease.

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Cyclin D2 (CCND2) stabilization underpins a range of macrocephaly-associated disorders through mutation of CCND2 or activating mutations in upstream genes encoding PI3K-AKT pathway components. Here, we describe three individuals with overlapping macrocephaly-associated phenotypes who carry the same recurrent de novo c.179G>A (p.

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Pathogenic variants in ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling proteins are a recurrent cause of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). The NURF complex consists of BPTF and either the SNF2H () or SNF2L () ISWI-chromatin remodeling enzyme. Pathogenic variants in and were previously implicated in NDDs.

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The developmental disorder Burn-McKeown Syndrome (BMKS) is characterised by choanal atresia and specific craniofacial features. BMKS is caused by biallelic variants in the pre-messenger RNA splicing factor TXNL4A. Most patients have a loss-of-function variant in trans with a 34-base pair (bp) deletion (type 1 Δ34) in the promoter region.

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White-Sutton syndrome (WHSUS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by heterozygous loss-of-function variants in POGZ. Through the Deciphering Developmental Disorders study and clinical testing, we identified 12 individuals from 10 families with pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in POGZ (eight de novo and two inherited). Most individuals had delayed development and/or intellectual disability.

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Smith-Kingsmore Syndrome (SKS) is a rare genetic syndrome associated with megalencephaly, a variable intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, and MTOR gain of function variants. Only 30 patients with MTOR missense variants are published, including 14 (47%) with the MTOR c.5395G>A p.

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Pathogenic variants in TPM2 have been associated with a variable clinical spectrum, including congenital myopathies and distal arthrogryposis, all but one with dominant inheritance. We report the second case of recessively inherited TPM2-related Escobar variant of multiple pterygium syndrome and congenital myopathy in a patient from a consanguineous family. Ultra-structural examination of the biopsy revealed few cores/mini-cores and sparse nemaline rods.

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Purpose: This study aims to provide a comprehensive description of the phenotypic and genotypic spectrum of SNAP25 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (SNAP25-DEE) by reviewing newly identified and previously reported individuals.

Methods: Individuals harboring heterozygous missense or loss-of-function variants in SNAP25 were assembled through collaboration with international colleagues, matchmaking platforms, and literature review. For each individual, detailed phenotyping, classification, and structural modeling of the identified variant were performed.

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Background: The gene encodes a 527 kDa E3 ubiquitin protein ligase that has key roles in cell cycle regulation, spindle formation during mitosis, mitochondrial functions and DNA damage responses. It has essential roles during embryonic development, particularly for neuronal and muscular functions. To date, missense mutations in have been associated with an autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental disorder with some phenotypical similarities to Angelman syndrome, and a homozygous deletion spanning and causing a more severe neurodevelopmental phenotype.

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Background: With increased access to genetic testing, variants of uncertain significance (VUS) where pathogenicity is uncertain are being increasingly identified. More than 85% Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) patients have pathogenic variants in COL1A1/A2. However, when a VUS is identified, there are no pathways in place for determining significance.

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Primrose syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant condition caused by heterozygous missense variants within ZBTB20. Through an exome sequencing approach (as part of the Deciphering Developmental Disorders [DDD] study) we have identified five unrelated individuals with previously unreported, de novo ZBTB20 pathogenic missense variants. All five missense variants targeted the C2H2 zinc finger domains.

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GPC3 and GPC4 are the only two genes in which mutations are known to cause Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome type 1 (SGBS1). The majority of SGBS1 patients have point mutations or deletions in GPC3. Only one SGBS1 family has been reported with duplication of both GPC3 and GPC4.

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Introduction: Recent evidence has emerged linking mutations in to syndromic congenital heart disease. We present here genetic and phenotypic data pertaining to 16 individuals with mutations.

Methods: Patients were investigated by exome sequencing, having presented with developmental delay and additional features suggestive of a syndromic cause.

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Structural mosaic abnormalities are large post-zygotic mutations present in a subset of cells and have been implicated in developmental disorders and cancer. Such mutations have been conventionally assessed in clinical diagnostics using cytogenetic or microarray testing. Modern disease studies rely heavily on exome sequencing, yet an adequate method for the detection of structural mosaicism using targeted sequencing data is lacking.

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Article Synopsis
  • Cells have developed various mechanisms to ensure smooth DNA replication and fix issues when replication stalls, and the study introduces DONSON as a new factor that helps protect the DNA replication process.
  • Researchers discovered biallelic mutations in the DONSON gene in 29 individuals with microcephalic dwarfism, indicating a link between these mutations and the disease.
  • DONSON is essential for maintaining stability at replication forks; its absence leads to DNA damage and increased chromosomal instability, highlighting its critical role in healthy DNA replication and genome stability.
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Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is an inherited bone fragility disorder most commonly associated with autosomal dominant mutations in the type I collagen genes. Autosomal recessive mutations in a number of genes have also been described, including the BMP1 gene that encodes the mammalian Tolloid (mTLD) and its shorter isoform bone morphogenic protein-1 (BMP1). To date, less than 20 individuals with OI have been identified with BMP1 mutations, with skeletal phenotypes ranging from mild to severe and progressively deforming.

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Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RTS) is an autosomal dominant neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by growth deficiency, broad thumbs and great toes, intellectual disability and characteristic craniofacial appearance. Mutations in CREBBP account for around 55% of cases, with a further 8% attributed to the paralogous gene EP300. Comparatively few reports exist describing the phenotype of Rubinstein-Taybi because of EP300 mutations.

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Mutations in more than a hundred genes have been reported to cause X-linked recessive intellectual disability (ID) mainly in males. In contrast, the number of identified X-linked genes in which de novo mutations specifically cause ID in females is limited. Here, we report 17 females with de novo loss-of-function mutations in USP9X, encoding a highly conserved deubiquitinating enzyme.

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Discovery of most autosomal recessive disease-associated genes has involved analysis of large, often consanguineous multiplex families or small cohorts of unrelated individuals with a well-defined clinical condition. Discovery of new dominant causes of rare, genetically heterogeneous developmental disorders has been revolutionized by exome analysis of large cohorts of phenotypically diverse parent-offspring trios. Here we analyzed 4,125 families with diverse, rare and genetically heterogeneous developmental disorders and identified four new autosomal recessive disorders.

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Shprintzen-Goldberg syndrome (SGS) is a rare, systemic connective tissue disorder characterized by craniofacial, skeletal, and cardiovascular manifestations that show a significant overlap with the features observed in the Marfan (MFS) and Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS). A distinguishing observation in SGS patients is the presence of intellectual disability, although not all patients in this series present this finding. Recently, SGS was shown to be due to mutations in the SKI gene, encoding the oncoprotein SKI, a repressor of TGFβ activity.

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We report on a family in which four males over three generations are affected with X-linked recessive developmental delay, learning difficulties, severe behavioral difficulties and mild dysmorphic features. Plasma sterol analysis in three of the four affected males demonstrated increased concentrations of 8-dehydrocholesterol (8-DHC) and cholest-8(9)-enol. All four affected males had a novel hemizygous missense mutation, p.

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