I Design, Optimization and Validation of a Diagnostic Panel Comprised Of
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Design, optimization and validation of a diagnostic panel comprised of ABCA4 pathogenic variants causing Stargardt disease in the Newfoundland and Labrador population by © Hoda Rajabi A Thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in the partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Medicine (Human Genetics) Faculty of Medicine, Discipline of Genetics Memorial University of Newfoundland October 2016 St. John’s Newfoundland and Labrador I ABSTRACT The objective of this translational research project was to develop, optimize and validate a diagnostic panel of the 20 pathogenic variants in the ABCA4 gene previously identified to cause Stargardt disease in the population of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). Two different laboratory developed test (LDT) panels (1x20- plex & 2x20-plex) were designed and genotyping was performed on the Sequenom MassARRAY 4 system using genomic DNA from both Stargardt patients and population controls. A set of minimum criteria was established to accurately determine genotyping calls; 1x20-plex LDT panel was selected based on quality metrics. Assessment of the validation cohort including 78 previously tested genomic DNA samples, blind to the investigator, resulted in establishing analytical sensitivity (100%), specificity (100%), accuracy (100%), and reproducibility (100%). A total of 1039 control samples were assessed using the 1x20-plex LDT panel and the minor allele frequencies of 0% - 0.76% for NL, and 0% - 0.60% for non-NL samples were determined. II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, I would like to thank my lovely family, especially my husband. I spent much time and energy pursuing my goals that took me away from my family. Without my husband’s support, encouragement and patients, I would not have been able to finish this challenging project. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to my supervisor Dr. Darren O’Rielly. He consistently guided me in the right direction and consulted regarding the best solutions. The door to Darren’s office was always open whenever I ran into a trouble or had a question about my research or writing. I would like to thank my co-supervisor Dr. Jane Green and my supervisory committee members Drs. Terry-Lynn Young and Proton Rahman for their warmest support and constructive advice. It was a great honour to work with these respected and well-known Faculty members in the area of human genetics. I would like to thank all my friends and staff in the Drs. Young, Rahman and O’Reilly laboratories. They were always there to train, help and guide me whenever needed. Finally, I would like to acknowledge the funding agencies and all participants who donated samples to finish this project. III IV TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................... II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..............................................................................................III LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................ VIII LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................... X ABBREVIATIONS ......................................................................................................... XI 1.0 – INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 1 1.1 – Eye, Stargardt disease and Genetics ..................................................................... 1 1.1.1 – Structure of the Retina .................................................................................... 1 1.1.2 – The visual cycle............................................................................................... 3 1.1.3 – Retinal degeneration disorders ........................................................................ 5 1.1.4 – Stargardt disease ............................................................................................ 7 1.1.5 – STGD1 ............................................................................................................ 8 1.1.6 – Fundus Flavimaculatus ................................................................................... 8 1.1.7 – The ABCA4 gene and ABC transporters ......................................................... 9 1.1.8 – Variants in ABCA4 and genotype-phenotype correlations ..............................10 1.1.9 – Clinical examinations and diagnostic tools .....................................................12 1.1.10 – STGD1 pathogenic variants .........................................................................15 1.1.11 – Phenotypic variations in STGD1 ...................................................................15 1.1.12 – Animal models and potential therapy ............................................................16 1.2 – Newfoundland and Labrador population and Stargardt disease ............................19 1.2.1 – History of Newfoundland and Labrador ..........................................................19 1.2.2 – Genetic drift, founder effect and the NL population .........................................19 1.2.3 – Hereditary eye diseases in NL ........................................................................20 1.3 – Molecular detection of STGD1 ..............................................................................21 1.3.1 – Sequencing technology ..................................................................................21 1.3.2 – Genotyping using microarray technology........................................................22 1.3.3 – Previous studies on Stargardt in NL ...............................................................24 1.3.4 – Genotyping using Sequenom MassARRAY technology ..................................26 1.4 – Knowledge translation ..........................................................................................27 1.5 – analytic validity, clinical validity, and clinical utility .................................................28 V 2.0 – MATERIALS & METHODS ...................................................................................30 2.1 – Study cohort and ethics ........................................................................................30 2.2 – In-silico design of multiplex panel .........................................................................32 2.2.1 – In-silico design of 20 pathogenic variants causing Stargardt disease .............34 2.3 – Primer mixtures and adjustments..........................................................................36 2.4 – Sequenom MassArray and iPLEX chemistry ........................................................37 2.4.1 – Preparation of samples ..................................................................................38 2.4.2 – DNA amplification ...........................................................................................38 2.4.3 – Neutralize unincorporated dNTPs (SAP reaction) ...........................................39 2.4.4 – iPLEX extension reaction ...............................................................................40 2.4.5 – Condition the iPLEX reaction products ...........................................................41 2.4.6 – Dispense onto SpectroCHIP arrays and defining assays and plates ..............41 2.5 – Assessment and selection of best performing LDT panel......................................43 2.6 – Confirmation of genotypes by Sanger sequencing ................................................44 2.6.1 – Designing PCR primers ..................................................................................44 2.6.2 – Preparing the DNA samples at the required concentration .............................45 2.6.3 – PCR procedure, examining the amplification on the gel electrophoresis, and purifying the products using Sephacryl .......................................................................45 2.6.4 – Cycle sequencing, ethanol precipitation and sample setup on the ABI 3130 or 3730 XL DNA Analyser ..............................................................................................47 2.6.5 – Analyzing Sanger sequencing data ................................................................48 2.7 – Optimization of the 1x20-plex LDT panel ..............................................................48 2.7.1 – Adjustments to eliminate automated genotype calls in NTC wells ..................48 2.7.2 – Adjustments to increase allele height .............................................................50 2.7.2.1 – Nanodispenser adjustments ....................................................................50 2.7.2.2 – Adjustment of PCR/extension primer pool based on optimization cohort .51 2.7.2.3 – Allele frequency determination .................................................................52 2.7.2.4 – Final optimization of the 1x20-plex LDT panel .........................................52 2.7.3 – Final calling algorithm parameters ..................................................................53 2.8 – Analytical validation ..............................................................................................53 2.9 – Clinical validity of the 1x20-plex LDT panel ...........................................................54 2.10 – Statistical analysis ..............................................................................................54 VI 3.0 – RESULTS .............................................................................................................56