De novo heterozygous variants in KIF5B cause kyphomelic dysplasia

• Published in: Clinical genetics 2022-07, Vol.102 (1), p.3-11
• Main Authors: Itai, Toshiyuki, Wang, Zheng, Nishimura, Gen, Ohashi, Hirofumi, Guo, Long, Wakano, Yasuhiro, Sugiura, Takahiro, Hayakawa, Hiromi, Okada, Mayumi, Saisu, Takashi, Kitta, Ayana, Doi, Hiroshi, Kurosawa, Kenji, Hotta, Yoshihiro, Hosono, Katsuhiro, Sato, Miho, Shimizu, Kenji, Takikawa, Kazuharu, Watanabe, Seiji, Ikeda, Naho, Suzuki, Mitsuyoshi, Fujita, Atsushi, Uchiyama, Yuri, Tsuchida, Naomi, Miyatake, Satoko, Miyake, Noriko, Matsumoto, Naomichi, Ikegawa, Shiro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abnormalities, Multiple - genetics; Atrophy; Bone Diseases, Developmental - genetics; de novo variant; Dwarfism - diagnosis; Dwarfism - genetics; Dysplasia; Etiology; Humans; Infant, Newborn; KIF5B; KIF5B protein; Kinesin; kyphomelic dysplasia; Neonates; Optic atrophy; Osteochondrodysplasias - diagnosis; Osteochondrodysplasias - genetics; Osteoporosis; Pathogenicity; skeletal dysplasia
• ISSN: 0009-9163; 1399-0004
• DOI: 10.1111/cge.14133

Kyphomelic dysplasia is a heterogeneous group of skeletal dysplasias characterized by severe bowing of the limbs associated with other variable findings, such as narrow thorax and abnormal facies. We searched for the genetic etiology of this disorder. Four individuals diagnosed with kyphomelic dysplasia were enrolled. We performed whole‐exome sequencing and evaluated the pathogenicity of the identified variants. All individuals had de novo heterozygous variants in KIF5B encoding kinesin‐1 heavy chain: two with c.272A>G:p.(Lys91Arg), one with c.584C>A:p.(Thr195Lys), and the other with c.701G>T:p.(Gly234Val). All variants involved conserved amino acids in or close to the ATPase activity‐related motifs in the catalytic motor domain of the KIF5B protein. All individuals had sharp angulation of the femora and humeri, distinctive facial features, and neonatal respiratory distress. Short stature was observed in three individuals. Three developed postnatal osteoporosis with subsequent fractures, two showed brachycephaly, and two were diagnosed with optic atrophy. Our findings suggest that heterozygous KIF5B deleterious variants cause a specific form of kyphomelic dysplasia. Furthermore, alterations in kinesins cause various symptoms known as kinesinopathies, and our findings also extend the phenotypic spectrum of kinesinopathies. Genetic and radiographic features of KIF5B‐kyphomelic dysplasia. KIF5B variants occured de novo and are located in or close to the highly conserved ATPase activity‐related motifs in the catalytic motor domain. Radiographic features include brachycephaly, narrow chest, iliac flaring, platyspondyly, bowing and bone spur in limb bones, normal metacarpal bones, and osteoporosis with age.