Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing Identified Novel Compound Heterozygous Variants in the CDH23 Gene Causing Usher Syndrome Type ID in a Chinese Patient

• Published in: Frontiers in genetics 2020-04, Vol.11, p.422-422
• Main Authors: Zhang, Lianmei, Cheng, Jingliang, Zhou, Qi, Khan, Md Asaduzzaman, Fu, Jiewen, Duan, Chengxia, Sun, Suan, Lv, Hongbin, Fu, Junjiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CDH23 gene; Genetics; genotype/phenotype correlation; missense mutation; targeted next-generation sequencing; Usher syndrome type ID
• ISSN: 1664-8021; 1664-8021
• DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00422

Usher syndrome includes a group of genetically and clinically heterogeneous autosomal recessive diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and sensorineural hearing loss. Usher syndrome type I (USHI) is characterized by profound hearing impairment beginning at birth, vestibular dysfunction, and unintelligible speech in addition to RP. The relationships between the Usher syndrome causing genes and the resultant phenotypes of Usher syndrome have not yet been fully elucidated. In the present study, we recruited a Chinese family with Usher syndrome and conducted paneled next-generation sequencing, Sanger sequencing, segregation analysis, and expression profile analysis. The functional effects of the identified cadherin-related 23 (CDH23) pathogenic variants were analyzed. The M101 pedigree consisted of a proband and seven family members, and the proband was a 39-year-old Chinese male who claimed that he first began to experience night blindness 11 years ago. We revealed novel, missense compound heterozygous variants c. 2572G > A (p.V858I) and c. 2891G > A (p.R964Q) in the gene, which co-segregated with the disease phenotype causing Usher syndrome type ID (USH1D) in this Chinese pedigree. mRNA was highly expressed in the retina, and this protein was highly conserved as revealed by the comparison of CDH23 with those from nine other species. This is the first study to identify the novel, missense compound heterozygous variants c. 2572G > A (p.V858I) and c.2891G > A (p.R964Q) of , which might cause USH1D in the studied Chinese family, thereby extending mutation spectra. Identifying pathogenic variants should help in the detailed phenotypic characterization of USH1D.