SpadaHC: a database to improve the classification of variants in hereditary cancer genes in the Spanish population.

Accurate classification of genetic variants is crucial for clinical decision-making in hereditary cancer. In Spain, genetic diagnostic laboratories have traditionally approached this task independently due to the lack of a dedicated resource. Here we present SpadaHC, a web-based database for sharing variants in hereditary cancer genes in the Spanish population.

From the reward network to whole-brain metrics: structural connectivity in adolescents and young adults according to body mass index and genetic risk of obesity.

Background: Obesity is a multifactorial condition. Genetic variants, such as the fat mass and obesity related gene (FTO) polymorphism, may increase the vulnerability of developing obesity by disrupting dopamine signaling within the reward network. Yet, the association of obesity, genetic risk of obesity, and structural connectivity of the reward network in adolescents and young adults remains unexplored.

Mutant PRPF8 Causes Widespread Splicing Changes in Spliceosome Components in Retinitis Pigmentosa Patient iPSC-Derived RPE Cells.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a rare, progressive disease that affects photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells with blindness as a final outcome. Despite high medical and social impact, there is currently no therapeutic options to slow down the progression of or cure the disease. The development of effective therapies was largely hindered by high genetic heterogeneity, inaccessible disease tissue, and unfaithful model organisms.

Effect of the catechol-O-methyltransferase Val Met polymorphism on theory of mind in obesity.

Obesity is often accompanied with psychosocial adjustment problems, such as difficulties in social interactions and social withdrawal. A key aspect of social cognition is theory of mind, which allows inferring mental states, feelings, motivations, and beliefs of others and to use this information to predict their future behaviour. Theory of mind is highly dependent on prefrontal dopaminergic neurotransmission, which is regulated by catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) activity.

Generation of a human iPSC line from a patient with retinitis pigmentosa caused by mutation in PRPF8 gene.

The human iPSC cell line, RP2-FiPS4F1 (RCPFi001-A), derived from dermal fibroblasts from the patient with retinitis pigmentosa caused by the mutation of the gene PRPF8, was generated by non-integrative reprogramming technology using OCT3/4, SOX2, CMYC and KLF4 reprogramming factors.

New COL6A6 variant detected by whole-exome sequencing is linked to break points in intron 4 and 3'-UTR, deleting exon 5 of RHO, and causing adRP.

Purpose: This study aimed to test a newly devised cost-effective multiplex PCR assay for the molecular diagnosis of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP), as well as the use of whole-exome sequencing (WES) to detect disease-causing mutations in adRP.

Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes of index patients with adRP and their affected and unaffected family members. We used a newly devised multiplex PCR assay capable of amplifying the genetic loci of RHO, PRPH2, RP1, PRPF3, PRPF8, PRPF31, IMPDH1, NRL, CRX, KLHL7, and NR2E3 to molecularly diagnose 18 index patients with adRP.

The interaction effect between BDNF val66met polymorphism and obesity on executive functions and frontal structure.

The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide. Previous research has shown a relationship between obesity and both executive functioning alterations and frontal cortex volume reductions. The Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor val66met polymorphism, involved in eating behavior, has also been associated with executive functions and prefrontal cortex volume, but to date it has not been studied in relation to obesity.

Survey of familial glaucoma shows a high incidence of cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily B, polypeptide 1 (CYP1B1) mutations in non-consanguineous congenital forms in a Spanish population.

Purpose: To identify myocilin (MYOC) and cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily B, polypeptide 1 (CYP1B1) mutations in a Spanish population with different clinical forms of familial glaucoma or ocular hypertension (OHT).

Methods: Index patients from 226 families participated in this study. Patients were diagnosed with familial glaucoma or OHT by complete ophthalmologic examination.

High-resolution melting analysis of the common c.1905+1G>A mutation causing dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency and lethal 5-fluorouracil toxicity.

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency is a pharmacogenetic syndrome associated with life-threatening toxicity following exposure to the fluoropyrimidine drugs 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and capecitabine (CAP), widely used for the treatment of colorectal cancer and other solid tumors. The most prominent loss-of-function allele of the DPYD gene is the splice-site mutation c.1905+1G>A.

Dopamine genes (DRD2/ANKK1-TaqA1 and DRD4-7R) and executive function: their interaction with obesity.

Obesity is a multifactorial disease caused by the interaction between genotype and environment, and it is considered to be a type of addictive alteration. The A1 allele of the DRD2/ANKK1-TaqIA gene has been associated with addictive disorders, with obesity and with the performance in executive functions. The 7 repeat allele of the DRD4 gene has likewise been associated with the performance in executive functions, as well as with addictive behaviors and impulsivity.

Cellular expression and siRNA-mediated interference of rhodopsin cis-acting splicing mutants associated with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa.

Purpose: To investigate the cellular expression of cis-acting splicing mutations in the rhodopsin gene (RHO) that lead to autosomal dominant or recessive retinitis pigmentosa (adRP/arRP) and the role of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) in its pathogenic mechanism. To design a potential therapeutic RNAi-based suppression strategy for cis-acting adRP splicing mutants.

Methods: Cells were transfected with genomic constructs encoding the human wild-type (WT) and c.

Transcriptional expression of cis-acting and trans-acting splicing mutations cause autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa.

Two types of mutations may lead to deficient pre-mRNA splicing: cis-acting mutations that inactivate a constitutive or alternative splice site within the pre-mRNA, and trans-acting mutations that affect the function of a basal factor of the splicing machinery. Autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) is caused by mutations in at least 12 genes, with mutations in rhodopsin being the most prevalent. Two cis-acting mutations, g.

High prevalence of mutations in peripherin/RDS in autosomal dominant macular dystrophies in a Spanish population.

Purpose: Mutations in the peripherin/retinal degeneration slow (RDS) gene are a known cause of various types of central retinal dystrophies. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of mutations in the peripherin/RDS gene in Spanish patients with different types of autosomal dominant macular dystrophy.

Methods: Ophthalmic and electrophysiological examination was performed in patients from 61 unrelated autosomal dominant macular dystrophy (adMD) Spanish families.

Novel LMX1B mutation in familial nail-patella syndrome with variable expression of open angle glaucoma.

Purpose: To describe the genetic and clinical findings in a large Spanish pedigree with nail-patella syndrome (NPS) and to investigate the expressivity of open angle glaucoma (OAG) in the family members.

Methods: All individuals underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination, including optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the optic disc and peripapillary region and ultrasound pachymetry. Screening for mutations in the LMX1B gene was performed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and direct genomic sequencing analysis.

Three novel and the common Arg677Ter RP1 protein truncating mutations causing autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa in a Spanish population.

Background: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of retinal degeneration disorders affecting the photoreceptor cells, is one of the leading causes of genetic blindness. Mutations in the photoreceptor-specific gene RP1 account for 3-10% of cases of autosomal dominant RP (adRP). Most of these mutations are clustered in a 500 bp region of exon 4 of RP1.

Sequence variations in the retinal fascin FSCN2 gene in a Spanish population with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa or macular degeneration.

Purpose: Only one mutation in the retinal fascin gene (FSCN2) has so far been associated with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) and macular dystrophy (adMD), in a Japanese population. Our study was designed to identify mutations in the FSCN2 gene among Spanish persons with adRP or adMD.

Methods: Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and direct genomic sequencing were used to evaluate the complete coding region and flanking intronic sequences of the FSCN2 gene for mutations in 150 unrelated adRP and 15 adMD index patients, and in 50 sporadic cases of retinitis pigmentosa, together with 50 controls.

Novel c-KIT germline mutation in a family with gastrointestinal stromal tumors and cutaneous hyperpigmentation.

Mutations in the c-KIT gene have been identified in many sporadic and familial cases of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). We report a familial case of GIST with cutaneous hyperpigmentation associated with a novel germline mutation in the c-KIT gene. Screening for mutations in exon 11 of the c-KIT gene in genomic DNA from tumors and peripheral blood of the members of a family with GISTs was undertaken by direct genomic sequencing.

Mutations in the pre-mRNA splicing-factor genes PRPF3, PRPF8, and PRPF31 in Spanish families with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa.

Purpose: Mutations in the systemically expressed pre-mRNA splicing-factor genes PRPF3, PRPF8, and PRPF31 have recently been associated with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP). This study was intended to identify mutations in PRPF3, PRPF8, and PRPF31 in 150 Spanish families affected by adRP, to measure the contribution of mutations in these genes to adRP in that population, and to correlate RP phenotype expression with mutations in pre-mRNA splicing-factor genes.

Methods: Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and direct genomic sequencing were used to evaluate the complete coding region and flanking intronic sequences of the PRPF31 gene, exon 42 of PRPF8, and exon 11 of PRPF3 for mutations in 150 unrelated index patients with adRP.