ZSWIM7 Is Associated With Human Female Meiosis and Familial Primary Ovarian Insufficiency.

Sinéad M Mcglacken-Byrne,Nadjeda Moreno,Polona Le Quesne Stabej,Berta Crespo,John C Achermann,Dan Kelberman,Ignacio Del Valle,Chela James,Louise Ocaka,Gerard S Conway,Chiara Bacchelli,Mehul T Dattani,Andrey Gagunashvili,Hywel J Williams

doi:10.1210/clinem/dgab597

Abstract

BackgroundPrimary ovarian insufficiency (POI) affects 1% of women and is associated with significant medical consequences. A genetic cause for POI can be found in up to 30% of women, elucidating key roles for these genes in human ovary development.ObjectiveWe aimed to identify the genetic mechanism underlying early-onset POI in 2 sisters from a consanguineous pedigree.MethodsGenome sequencing and variant filtering using an autosomal recessive model was performed in the 2 affected sisters and their unaffected family members. Quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR) and RNA sequencing were used to study the expression of key genes at critical stages of human fetal gonad development (Carnegie Stage 22/23, 9 weeks post conception (wpc), 11 wpc, 15/16 wpc, 19/20 wpc) and in adult tissue.ResultsOnly 1 homozygous variant cosegregating with the POI phenotype was found: a single nucleotide substitution in zinc finger SWIM-type containing 7 (ZSWIM7), NM_001042697.2: c.173C > G; resulting in predicted loss-of-function p.(Ser58*). qRT-PCR demonstrated higher expression of ZSWIM7 in the 15/16 wpc ovary compared with testis, corresponding to peak meiosis in the fetal ovary. RNA sequencing of fetal gonad samples showed that ZSWIM7 has a similar temporal expression profile in the developing ovary to other homologous recombination genes.Main conclusionsDisruption of ZSWIM7 is associated with POI in humans. ZSWIM7 is likely to be important for human homologous recombination; these findings expand the range of genes associated with POI in women.

Highlights

Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is an important and relatively common condition, affecting 1% of women and causing significant medical, psychosocial, and economic sequelae 1
RNA sequencing of fetal gonad samples showed that ZSWIM7 has a similar temporal expression profile in the developing ovary to other te homologous recombination genes. p Main conclusions cce Disruption of ZSWIM7 is associated with POI in humans
M Oogenesis is critical for normal germ cell development and is dependent on meiosis, which encompasses a series of critically regulated processes that result in a diploid germ cell d undergoing one round of DNA replication followed by two cell divisions to produce a haploid ovum capable of being fertilized

Summary

Introduction

Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is an important and relatively common condition, affecting 1% of women and causing significant medical, psychosocial, and economic sequelae 1. It arises when a primary defect within the ovary results in ovary dysfunction and disruption of the resting follicle pool [2,3]. This has provided a u genetic diagnosis for a proportion of affected women ( 5-30%) and allows targeted genetic counselling of patients and family members [5,12]. A genetic cause for POI can be found in up to 30% of women, elucidating key roles for these genes in human ovary development

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Results

Conclusion