Deoxythymidylate Kinase, DTYMK, Is a Novel Gene for Mitochondrial DNA
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Clinica Chimica Acta 496 (2019) 93–99 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Clinica Chimica Acta journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/cca Deoxythymidylate kinase, DTYMK, is a novel gene for mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome T ⁎ Ching-wan Lama,c, , Wai-Lan Yeungb, Tsz-ki Linga, Ka-chung Wonga, Chun-yiu Lawa a Department of Pathology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China b Department of Paediatrics, Hong Kong Children Hospital, Hong Kong, China c Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Keywords: Background: Mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome is a group of heterogeneous diseases with non-specific DTYMK presentation. The common feature is the quantitative depletion of mitochondrial DNA without qualitative de- Clinical whole-exome sequencing fects. Diagnosis of these diseases poses a challenge and whole exome sequencing is often needed for their di- Mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome agnoses. Salvage pathway Case: Two siblings of a quartet family, presenting with hypotonia, microcephaly and severe intellectual dis- ability, have been diagnosed to harbor two heterozygous variants in trans in the DTYMK gene of the thymidine biosynthesis pathway. Mitochondrial DNA depletion has been demonstrated in silico in the more severe sibling. Conclusions: We suggest the consideration of incorporating DTYMK as one of the associated genes of mi- tochondrial DNA depletion syndrome (MDDS). DTYMK may be the missing link in the mitochondrial nucleotide salvage pathway but further characterization and additional evidence would be needed. 1. Introduction converge onto genes regulating several common pathways: mtDNA synthesis/transcription (POLG, POLG2, TWNK, TFAM, RNASEH1, Mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome (MDDS) has been described MGME1 and DNA2), mitochondrial/cytosol nucleotide maintenance as the quantitative defects in the spectrum of mitochondrial DNA (ABAT, AGK, DGUOK, MPV17, RRM2B, SLC25A4, SUCLA2, SUCLG1, maintenance disorders [1]. This causes a significant drop in mi- TK2 and TYMP) and mitochondrial dynamics (OPA1, MFN2 and tochondrial DNA in affected tissues, which is thought to account for the FBXL4). Readers are referred to various reviews on this topic for further pathophysiology of MDDS [2], as most components of the respiratory details [1,9]. chain are mitochondrial-encoded (except complex II, which is entirely With the advent of technology, many undiagnosed diseases enjoy encoded by nuclear DNA). the benefits with whole-exome sequencing (WES) [10,11]. Here we An array of presentation has been described [3–5]: muscle weak- describe the clinical application of WES to two Chinese siblings where a ness, hepatic failure, renal tubulopathy during neonatal/infantile novel gene potentially causing MDDS was identified: DTYMK. Further period to progressive encephalomyopathy, deafness, external ophthal- studies in their parents confirmed the two variants were in trans in both moplegia for those presenting during childhood/adolescence. siblings. We have also attempted to demonstrate mitochondrial DNA Diagnosis is challenging as the disease does not show any specific (mtDNA) depletion in silico using data from whole genome sequencing structural or biochemical abnormalities [6]. Presence of lactic acidemia (WGS). and CSF lactate peak on MRI spectroscopy may suggest disorder of DTYMK is a nuclear-encoded deoxythymidylate kinase, catalyzing mitochondrial origin. In some patients, all of the investigations can be the phosphorylation of deoxy-TMP to deoxy-TDP. This enzyme is ubi- normal [7]. Diagnosis by mtDNA/nDNA ratio of 30% or enzymatic quitously expressed in all tissues and is the last unique enzyme in the assay of respiratory chains in tissue biopsy [4,8] can be invasive and pathway leading to dTTP production [12]. This has also been char- labor-intensive. As a consequence, many cases remain undiagnosed or acterized as an essential gene in multiple studies and in the database of misdiagnosed. Online Gene Essentiality [13–15 ]; Stable supply of deoxyribonucleoside A number of genes have been associated with this heterogeneous triphosphate is essential for DNA synthesis. A number of genes re- condition over the years. Despite the array of genes involved, they sponsible for mitochondrial nucleotide maintenance have already been ⁎ Corresponding author at: Department of Pathology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. E-mail address: [email protected] (C.-w. Lam). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cca.2019.06.028 Received 18 March 2019; Received in revised form 28 June 2019; Accepted 30 June 2019 Available online 02 July 2019 0009-8981/ © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. C.-w. Lam, et al. Clinica Chimica Acta 496 (2019) 93–99 (A) (B) I Het. c.287_320del Het. c.295G>A 12 II Lactate Het. c.287_320del Het. c.287_320del Het. c.295G>A Het. c.295G>A (C) Het. c.287_320del Het. c.295G>A (caption on next page) 94 C.-w. Lam, et al. Clinica Chimica Acta 496 (2019) 93–99 Fig. 1. WES results of the family and imaging findings of the two siblings. (A) Pedigree of the quartet family. (B) Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy of the siblings. Upper panel shows coronal plane with T1 imaging of the more severe younger sibling (top left) and the older sibling (top right). More profound cerebral atrophy noted in the more severe younger sibling with doublet lactate peak detected at around 1.3 ppm (bottom). (C) Compound heterozygous of NM_012145.3:c.287_320del; p.Asp96Valfs*8 and NM_012145.3:c.295G > A;p.Ala99Thr in the younger sibling. Note the two mutations are mutually exclusive and this figure alone already supports the fact that these mutations are in trans. associated with MDDS [3]. To our understanding, these siblings could 3. Materials and methods represent the first family with MDDS due to DTYMK mutations. 3.1. Whole exome sequencing (WES) 2. Cases Blood samples were collected from the siblings and the parents. Informed consent had been obtained from the family. Methods for DNA We described 2 brothers, aged 1 and 6 years, with microcephaly, extraction and WES analysis had been previously described [10,11]. hypotonia and severe intellectual disability and they shared several Target enrichment was performed using SureSelect Target Enrichment biochemical abnormalities including raised serum lactate, pyruvate and System Human All Exon V4 target kit (Agilent Technologies). Sequen- alanine (Fig. 1A). cing reaction was performed on Illumina HiSeq 2000 sequencer with The younger brother was 12 months old, who was a full term baby 100 bp paired-end. Analysis of sequencing data was done with Var- born by cesarean section for breech presentation with birth weight of iantStudio (Version 2.2.1, Illumina) and in-house established bioinfor- 2.455 kg (around 50th percentile). The baby was noted to have con- matics pipeline. genital microcephaly (40.7 cm at 6-month-old, slightly below 3rd per- centile), hypotonia with global delay at 6 months old. He suffered from 3.2. In silico analysis of mitochondrial DNA depletion status epilepticus associated with febrile illness at nearly 7 months old and subsequently had developmental regression, hypertonia, cortical Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed with Illumina blindness and dysphagia. CT brain performed on the same day of status whole genome sequencing kit analyzed on NextSeq 500. Data analysis epilepticus showed no focal lesion or edema, while MRI brain done was performed with VariantStudio (Version 2.2.1, Illumina) and in- 1 week later revealed bilateral symmetric restricted diffusion at caudate house established bioinformatics pipeline, establishing the median read heads, basal ganglia, thalami, corona radiate, cerebellar dentate nuclei depth in WGS. Mitochondrial genome was analyzed with mtDNA and crus cerebri. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) screened for infection and Variant Processor and mtDNA Variant Analyzer from Illumina anti-NMDA receptor anti body were negative. Repeat MRI brain at BaseSpace. mtDNA:nDNA ratio was calculated by dividing mtDNA 10 month old showed marked cerebral atrophy with bilateral subdural average read depth with median read depth obtained from WGS. haemorrhagic effusion, and lactate peak in the MR spectroscopy – (Fig. 1B). Serum lactate (1.7 to 4.5 mmol/L; Ref: 0.7 2.1) and alanine 4. Results level (541 to 584 umol/L; Ref: 143–439) were raised while the CSF lactate was normal. Other metabolic screen including blood glucose, 4.1. Identification of compound heterozygous mutations in the two siblings ammonia, carnitine, homocysteine, biotinidase, creatine metabolism and urine for organic acid, amino acids and reducing substance were Two mutations were identified in the DTYMK gene from the sib- normal. Muscle biopsy was not available for investigation. His target lings. The first one is a frameshift mutation genetic panel for epilepsy was unremarkable. At the time of writing at NM_012145.3:c.287_320del; p.Asp96Valfs*8 and the second one is a the age of 25 months old, patient had epilepsy on multiple anti-con- missense mutation NM_012145.3:c.295G > A;p.Ala99Thr (Fig. 1C). vulsants, mixed spastic quadriplegia with dystonic cerebral palsy, un- The siblings share the same mutations in DTYMK gene (Supplementary descended testes, laryngomalacia, oromotor dysphagia requiring gas- Fig. 1). The first mutation was inherited from the mother and the trostomy feeding, sensorineural hearing loss and cortical blindness. second mutation was inherited from the father (Supplementary Fig. 1). His 6-year-old elder brother also had mild congenital