Gene Copy Number Variation Research Articles

A comparative genomics approach reveals a local genetic signature of Leishmania tropica in Morocco.

In Morocco, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania (L.) tropica is an important health problem. Despite the high incidence of CL in the country, the genomic heterogeneity of these parasites is still incompletely understood. In this study, we sequenced the genomes of 14 Moroccan isolates of L. tropica collected from confirmed cases of CL to investigate their genomic heterogeneity. Comparative genomics analyses were conducted by applying the recently established Genome Instability Pipeline (GIP), which allowed us to conduct phylogenomic and principal components analyses (PCA), and to assess genomic variations at the levels of the karyotype, gene copy number, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and small insertions/deletions (INDELs) variants. Read-depth analyses revealed a mostly disomic karyotype, with the exception of the stable tetrasomy of chromosome 31. In contrast, we identified important gene copy number variations across all isolates, which affect known virulence genes and thus were probably selected in the field. SNP-based cluster analysis of the 14 isolates revealed a core group of 12 strains that formed a tight cluster and shared 45.1 % (87 751) of SNPs, as well as two strains (M3015, Ltr_16) that clustered separately from each other and the core group, suggesting the circulation of genetically highly diverse strains in Morocco. Phylogenetic analysis, which compared our 14 L. tropica isolates against 40 published genomes of L. tropica from a diverse array of locations, confirmed the genetic difference of our Moroccan isolates from all other isolates examined. In conclusion, our results indicate potential regional variations in SNP profiles that may differentiate Moroccan L. tropica from other L. tropica strains circulating in endemic countries in the Middle East. Our report paves the way for future research with a larger number of strains that will allow correlation of diverse phenotypes (resistance to treatments, virulence) and origins (geography, host species, year of isolation) to defined genomic signals such as gene copy number variations or SNP profiles that may represent interesting biomarker candidates.

LPA Gene Copy Number Variation and APOE Gene Polymorphism in Young Acute Myocardial Infarction

INTRODUCTION: An early onset of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and a strong family history suggest the possibility of its genetic predisposition. Lipoprotein(a) (LPA) and Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genes are known to be involved in lipid metabolism which may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis leading to AMI. This study aims to assess the association between LPA gene copy number variation (CNV) and APOE gene polymorphism in young AMI patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 DNAs were extracted from the buffy coat. APOE genotyping and detection of LPA gene CNV were performed using multiplex PCR technique and digital PCR. After tabulation of the results of the current study, meta-analyses were performed from selected studies among Asian populations using the Comprehensive Meta-analysis version 3 software program. RESULTS: No significant association was found between CNV of the LPA gene and the polymorphism of the APOE gene with Young AMI patients in the current study. However, our meta-analysis confirmed that the E4 allele increased the risk for CAD with the E3/E4 genotype [p=0.000, OR= 1.60 (95% CI: 1.41-1.83) significantly increased risk of CAD and individuals with E3/E3 genotype [p=0.000, OR=0.73 (95% CI: 0.66-0.81) were protective against CAD. The gain of LPA CNV was higher in YAMI [n=5 (25%)] than in control [n=2 (10%)] but they are not significant. CONCLUSION: There is no association between the LPA gene CNV and the presence of APOE polymorphism in young AMI, but our meta-analysis confirmed that the E4 allele increased the risk for CAD.

Pan-cancer analyses reveal genomics and clinical outcome association of the fatty acid oxidation regulators in cancer

BackgroundFatty acid oxidation (FAO) is considered to play a vital part in tumor metabolic reprogramming. But the comprehensive description of FAO dysregulation in tumors has not been unknown. MethodsWe obtained FAO genes, RNA-seq data and clinical information from the Msigdb, TCGA and GTEx databases. We assessed their prognosis value using univariate cox analysis, survival analysis and Kaplan-Meier curve. We determined the function of FAO genes using gene set variation analysis. The correlation analysis was calculated by corrplot R package. Immunotherapy response was assessed through TIDE scores. The protein expression levels of FAO genes were validated using immunohistochemistry (IHC). ResultsThe FAO scores were highest in COAD but lowest in PCPG. FAO scores were significantly associated with the prognosis of some cancers in OS, DSS, DFI and PFI. Besides, gene set variation analysis identified that FAO scores were related to immune-related pathways, and immune infiltration analysis showed FAO scores were positively related to cancer-associated fibroblasts and various immune-related genes. TIDE scores were significantly decreased in ACC, CHOL, ESCA, GBM, LAML, SARC, SKCM and THCA compared with normal samples, while it was significantly increased in BLCA, LUAD, LUSC, PCPG, PRAD and STAD. Besides, most FAO genes were downregulated in pan-cancer compared with normal samples. Moreover, we found copy number variation (CNV) of FAO genes played a positive role in their mRNA expression, while methylation was negative. We determined FAO genes were closely related to some drugs in pan-cancer. ConclusionsFAO score is a novel and promising factor for predicting outcomes.

A pan-cetacean MHC amplicon sequencing panel developed and evaluated in combination with genome assemblies.

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a highly polymorphic gene family that is crucial in immunity, and its diversity can be effectively used as a fitness marker for populations. Despite this, MHC remains poorly characterised in non-model species (e.g., cetaceans: whales, dolphins and porpoises) as high gene copy number variation, especially in the fast-evolving class I region, makes analyses of genomic sequences difficult. To date, only small sections of class I and IIa genes have been used to assess functional diversity in cetacean populations. Here, we undertook a systematic characterisation of the MHC class I and IIa regions in available cetacean genomes. We extracted full-length gene sequences to design pan-cetacean primers that amplified the complete exon 2 from MHC class I and IIa genes in one combined sequencing panel. We validated this panel in 19 cetacean species and described 354 alleles for both classes. Furthermore, we identified likely assembly artefacts for many MHC class I assemblies based on the presence of class I genes in the amplicon data compared to missing genes from genomes. Finally, we investigated MHC diversity using the panel in 25 humpback and 30 southern right whales, including four paternity trios for humpback whales. This revealed copy-number variable class I haplotypes in humpback whales, which is likely a common phenomenon across cetaceans. These MHC alleles will form the basis for a cetacean branch of the Immuno-Polymorphism Database (IPD-MHC), a curated resource intended to aid in the systematic compilation of MHC alleles across several species, to support conservation initiatives.

Abstract 3663: Extending and analytical validation of a hematological cancer panel for simultaneous detection of driver mutations, copy number variations and translocations in tissue and blood samples

Abstract Background Hematological cancers represent approximately 9.4% of all new cancer cases in the US, with varying prevalence among different age groups. For instance, Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) is more prevalent in children (less than 15 years), while Multiple Myeloma and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma are commonly identified in older population (65 or older). Each hematological cancer subtype has distinct mutation and expression profiles, necessitating the coverage of various variant types, including point mutations, gene copy number variations (CNVs), and translocations. In this study, we extend the PredicineHEME panel to encompass long-range translocation and CNV detections. Methods The extension of the original PredicineHEME panel involves three key modifications. First, a genome-wide SNP backbone was incorporated to enhance the sensitive detection of both gene and chromosomal-level CNVs and Loss of Heterozygosity (LOH). Second, additional coverage of translocation breakpoint regions was added, considering the panel's application in liquid biopsy samples. Coverage included the most frequently found translocations in major hematological cancers. Third, the driver gene list was supplemented to include genes and mutations treated as active therapeutic targets in clinical studies. Analytical validation was conducted using contrived reference materials, cell lines with known biomarker status, and healthy and clinical samples with known mutations or translocation status. Results The expanded panel underwent balanced testing with healthy normal saliva gDNA samples to ensure even capture of targeted genomic regions. Assay testing followed CLIA/CAP guidelines on analytical validation materials. The Limit of Detection for SNV/INDEL and known translocation breakpoint reached as low as 0.3%. Our assay detected over 90% of covered and reported translocation breakpoints in the validation materials. Chromosome arm level CNVs reported in the validation materials were detected with 100% sensitivity and specificity. Conclusions The expansion of the PredicineHEME panel underwent analytical validation, meeting design expectations. With this extension, the assay can effectively detect driver mutations (SNVs/INDELs), CNVs at gene and chromosomal levels, and targeted large translocations in major hematological cancers. Citation Format: Yong Huang, Tom Zhang, Feng Xie, Jianrong Dong, Xiaohong Wang, Zhixin Zhao, Shujun Luo, Kemin Zhou, Shidong Jia, Pan Du. Extending and analytical validation of a hematological cancer panel for simultaneous detection of driver mutations, copy number variations and translocations in tissue and blood samples [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 3663.

Abstract 2262: Genomic profiling of leukemic cell lines, responders vs. non-responders to Narazaciclib (HX301 or ON123300), a novel kinase inhibitor with activity against CSF1R and FLT3

Abstract Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive myeloid leukemia with global annual mortality ~150,000. While standard of care (SOC) of the 1st -line treatment being mainly induction chemotherapy, available targeted therapies cover rather limited patients carrying specific driver mutations (IDH mutations and FLT3-ITR). We previously reported a novel kinase inhibitor, Narazaciclib with strong anti-CSF1R activity (IC50 0.7nM) as well as anti-FLT3 (IC50 7nM), and also thus anti-AML activity for certain AML experimental models, as shown in vitro and in vivo (AACR Annual Meeeting, 2023). In the present study, we assessed the impact of HX301 on the in vitro proliferations of a panel of leukemic cell lines (n = 54), including a panel of AML cell lines (n = 33), that have been parallelly genomic-profiled by whole-exome sequencing and whole-transcriptome sequencing. We then set out to analyze the proliferation data and the genomic data, in attempt to elucidate genes and pathways that may be associated with the treatment responses. The biomarker analysis has been performed on gene expression, mutation and copy number variation levels, and the data been presented using common methodologies, including principal component analysis, differential expression analysis, correlation analysis, Gene Ontology enrichment analysis, gene set variation analysis, somatic gene mutation analysis, and copy number variation analysis, etc. Some of the observations have been made: 1) differential expression analysis on all leukemic cell lines shows that 254 genes have been positively associated with the responders; while expression of 191 genes are negatively correlated with AUC, i.e. positively associated with response, as revealed by Spearman correlation analysis; 2) Gene Ontology enrichment analysis revealed these response related genes are mostly involved in myeloid leukocyte activation and defense response; 3) all FLT3-ITD AML lines are responders, presumably due to the FLT3i activity of HX301; 4) CSF1R expression levels seem not correlated to drug responses; 5) pathway analysis on non FLT3-ITD AML lines reveals that STAT5 activation downstream of FLT3 signaling, IL7 pathway and NFKB pathway are significantly associated with better response. Finally, we are also attempted to use statistics learning to reveal genes, as a potential predictive biomarker, that may be correlated to drug response. Citation Format: Jia Xue, Tao Yang, Hang Ke, Sheng Guos, Henry Qixiang Li. Genomic profiling of leukemic cell lines, responders vs. non-responders to Narazaciclib (HX301 or ON123300), a novel kinase inhibitor with activity against CSF1R and FLT3 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 2262.

Abstract 130: Multi-omic analysis of desmoplastic small sound cell tumors reveal distinct epithelial and neuroendocrine lineages

Abstract Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare and aggressive sarcoma subtype that is usually uncurable. All malignant cells harbor a pathognomonic EWSR1::WT1 fusion protein (FP), but FP-targeted agents are nonexistent, and less than 20% of patients survive beyond five years. Lacking the availability of FP-targeted drugs, we seek to understand how the FP regulates tumor cells to promote the characteristic multilineage phenotypes of epithelial and neuroendocrine (NE) cell fates to discover a therapeutic opportunity. Herein, we share the results of gene expression and chromatin accessibility analyses to explore fundamental mechanisms explaining epithelial and NE biology in DSRCT. We profiled 85,640 nuclei from fresh-frozen tissue of nine DSRCT patients post-chemotherapy using single-nucleus RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq) and ATAC-sequencing (snATAC-seq). A subset of DSRCT patients with low or negative expression of AR expressed partial NE reprogramming, akin to NE prostate cancer (NEPC), exhibiting NE markers (SYP, ENO2, CHG, FOXA2, ASCL1, and SOX2). Another patient subset expressed epithelial markers (MUC1, MUC6, KRT18, KRT23, CDH1). One specimen appeared to exhibit both markers - implying a hybrid or a poorly differentiated phenotype. This suggests that DSRCT could be classified into three subtypes: 1) Epithelial/AR-positive, 2) NE-positive, and 3) hybrid AR/NE. We used CytoTRACE to predict differentiation states. As expected, normal cells (i.e., fibroblasts and immune cells) were the most differentiated. Neoplastic cells, identified by EWSR1::WT1 gene targets and copy number variations, had lower differentiation scores, indicative of a less differentiated phenotype. The NE subtype had the lowest differentiation score indicative of open chromatin and greater plastic capacity, previously implicated in NEPC. SnATAC-seq revealed that the WT1 motif was enriched in malignant cells. Epithelial/AR-positive subtypes were enriched in DNA-response elements for nuclear receptors (ARE, GRE, and PGR) and the forkhead box family of transcription factors (FOXA1, a known pioneer factor for AR). The NE subtype lacked the ARE, GRE, and PGR motifs but was enriched with FOXA1 and neural-specific motifs, including NEUROD1, ATOH1, OLIG2, and NANOG.We show significant heterogeneity in DSRCT phenotypes, where we observe both epithelial and NE lineages. Initially, we detected the Epithelial/AR-positive and NE-positive lineages by gene expression, but the snATAC-seq data also supports this. Although the emergence of the NE subtype in prostate cancer is generally in response to therapy, how it emerges in DSRCT is yet unknown. The CytoTRACE analysis suggests that NE dedifferentiated from the more differentiated Epithelial/AR-positive subtype, but this remains an active area of investigation. Finally, we are working to understand the Epithelial/AR and NE in DSRCT dimorphic states. Citation Format: Danh Truong, Emre Arslan, Veena Kochat, Sandhya Krishnan, Clement Agyemang, Margarita Divenko, Davis Ingram, Rossana Lascano, Akshay Basi, Javier Gomez, Hannah Beird, Chia-Chin Wu, Jared Burks, P Andrew Futreal, Alexander Lazar, Ravin Ratan, Najat Daw, Andrea Hayes, Kunal Rai, Joseph Ludwig. Multi-omic analysis of desmoplastic small sound cell tumors reveal distinct epithelial and neuroendocrine lineages [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 130.

Abstract 5157: Development and evaluation of a high-throughput method for rapid detection of surface antigen expression in fixed cells

Abstract Cell surface proteins are increasingly considered in the development of novel anticancer agents, as demonstrated by recent clinical successes in the field of immuno-oncology and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). These conjugates specifically target antigens present on the surface of tumor cells, enabling the delivery of cytotoxic agents to specific tumor sites. During the preclinical development of such compounds, for example, when they are tested on a wide panel of cell lines, it is essential to have a rapid and reliable method for monitoring target expression and distribution. Complementing our 160 Cell line panel ProLiFiler™, we report here the development of a novel method named oncoFLOW-Profiler™ which includes steps of cell fixation, micronic storage, staining, and measurement by flow cytometry. This method is applied in a 96-well format, enabling screening of all cell lines in parallel and analysis of the expression of different targets in just one day. In this proof-of-concept study, we investigated the level of ERBB2 expression across the ProLiFiler panel of 160-cell lines in order to validate this methodology. We first compared the impact of fixation methods and sample storage on knowingly positive and negative control cell lines over a period of several months. ERBB2 measurements from the oncoFLOW-Profiler™ will be analyzed and validated by comparison with various OMICs datasets from the Cancer DataMiner platform (4HF Biotec), including RNA expression, mutational status, and protein expression levels. To determine the expression cutoff of ERBB2 amplified models, results will be analyzed according to gene copy number variation. Finally, the flow cytometry data generated will be investigated for use as a predictor of response to clinically approved ADCs targeting ERBB2: Kadcyla and Enhertu. Here we present a method that we have demonstrated is feasible for investigating cell surface receptor/antigens during preclinical phase of drug development. Our method has enabled us to successfully assess ERBB2 in biological samples and to identify models sensitive to ADCs targeting ERBB2. We will also discuss the results of ongoing experiments analyzing the applicability of this screen to intracellular targets and carbohydrate-based surface antigens, which cannot be analyzed either by transcriptomics or proteomics. Citation Format: Kaja Holtorf, Anne-Lise Peille, Daniel Feger, Vincent Vuaroqueaux, Jan Erik Ehlert, Nadine Obier. Development and evaluation of a high-throughput method for rapid detection of surface antigen expression in fixed cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 5157.

Abstract 257: Plasticity of preneoplastic cells drives esophageal squamous cell cancer initiation

Abstract Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) accounts for over 80% of esophageal cancer, with a poor prognosis mainly due to a lack of early-stage symptoms. Early detection of ESCC is challenging due to its origin in the basal cell layer and invasion into the lamina propria upon becoming neoplastic. Thus, understanding the transition mechanism from preneoplasia to neoplasia is crucial for early-stage detection of ESCC before dissemination. To dissect the mechanisms of ESCC preneoplasia and neoplasia, we utilized both spatial and temporal datasets of ESCC in conjunction with a genetically engineered organoid model. For spatial datasets, we conducted comparative analyses of single-cell transcriptomes from healthy esophageal tissues, normal tissue adjacent to cancer (NAC), and paired ESCC tumors to identify distinguishable preneoplastic cells. Notably, unlike normal or ESCC, NAC harbors a distinct preneoplastic cell cluster characterized by the exclusive expression of the CELF2 (CUGBP Elav-Like Family Member 2) gene, high gene copy number variations, cell hyperproliferation, and apoptosis, reminiscent of a 'crisis state'. Consistently, we detected a significant presence of CELF2 positive (+) cells at the stage of inflammation, a very early lesion preceding neoplasia in a temporal model of ESCC development. Copy number variations were also already abundant from the inflammation stage, as we observed in the NAC dataset. Interestingly, both spatial and temporal preneoplastic cells showed decreased scores of TP53 and CDKN2A signaling pathways, of which mutations are observed in 68% of ESCC patients. To recapitulate this phenotype, we employed genetically engineered esophageal organoids and found that the loss of Trp53 and Cdkn2a (PC) generated preneoplastic CELF2+ cells. Intriguingly, these preneoplastic CELF2+ cells exhibited remarkable cellular plasticity in two ways. Firstly, CELF2+ cells of PC display increased stemness mediated by SOX2-driven reprogramming with disrupted normal esophageal cell lineage. Second, CELF2+ cells of PC undergo epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity to generate fibroblast-like cells, releasing cytokines involved in immune remodeling. Consequently, preneoplastic CELF2+ cells developed significant tumors compared to CELF2-negative cells in transplantation assays. Our study identified preneoplastic CELF2+ cells driven by TP53 and CDKN2A loss as pivotal drivers in ESCC initiation via cell-autonomous (cellular reprogramming) as well as non-cell autonomous (immune niche remodeling) processes, proposing CELF2+ cells and their molecular signatures as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for early-stage ESCC. Citation Format: Kyung Pil Ko, Jie Zhang, Sohee Jun, Jae-Il Park. Plasticity of preneoplastic cells drives esophageal squamous cell cancer initiation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 257.

Abstract 1752: Comprehensive genomic profiling of advanced breast cancer subtypes: Insights from liquid biopsy analysis and implications for personalized therapies

Abstract Background: Breast cancer stands as the most prevalent malignancy affecting women’s health. The disease consists of three subtypes, including hormone receptor (HR) positive, HER2-positive, and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In recent years, the advent of targeted therapies such as PI3K inhibitors has significantly improved the prognosis of breast cancer patients. However, the detection of relevant molecular markers, such as PIK3CA mutations, relies on tissue samples, which imposes limitations on the clinical application of these therapies. Consequently, this study presents a comprehensive analysis of genomic profiling that compares breast cancer patients across distinct pathological classifications, utilizing a liquid biopsy approach. Methods: In this retrospective study, 214 patients with advanced breast cancer were recruited. Plasma samples collected prior to first line treatment were analyzed using PredicineCARE, a targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) liquid biopsy assay, to detect somatic alterations in ctDNA of blood, including single nucleotide variations (SNVs), gene fusions, and copy number variations (CNVs). Results: Based on the IHC classifications of tumor tissue, this cohort comprised 119 HR-positive, 61 HER2-positive, and 34 TNBC patients. The assay identified a total of 1456 mutations and 2357 gene copy number variants in plasma samples. Among these, the most frequently mutated genes and those with copy number variations (top 5) in HR-positive patients were TP53 (40%), PIK3CA (39%), ATM (22%), ERBB2 (19%), and FGFR1 (19%). In HER2-positive patients, they were TP53 (39%), PIK3CA (31%), ERBB2 (30%), NTRK1 (20%), and RAD50 (20%). For TNBC patients, the top genes were TP53 (59%), ERBB2 (44%), PIK3CA (35%), NTRK1 (35%), and BRCA2 (26%). Regarding the PIK3CA gene, the most prevalent mutation site was H1047, occurring in 12.61% of HR-positive patients, 14.75% of HER2-positive patients, and 11.76% of TNBC patients. Similarly, both E542 (4.20% in HR-positive, 3.28% in HER2-positive, and 2.94% in TNBC patients) and E545 (3.36% in HR-positive, 3.28% in HER2-positive, and 2.94% in TNBC patients) showed equivalent prevalence across the three classifications. These findings suggest the potential efficacy of PI3K inhibitors in various pathological types of breast cancer. Conclusions: This study offers insights into the genomic landscape of advanced breast cancer subtypes through liquid biopsy. The observed prevalence of PIK3CA mutations supports the potential efficacy of PI3K inhibitors across these diverse types of breast cancer, laying the groundwork for personalized therapeutic strategies and biomarker identification for prognosis and targeted therapies. Citation Format: Xiaoran Liu, Yaxin Liu, Cancan Jia, Yue Zhang, Feng Xie, Haoran Tang, Shidong Jia, Huiping Li. Comprehensive genomic profiling of advanced breast cancer subtypes: Insights from liquid biopsy analysis and implications for personalized therapies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1752.

Identification of a rare copy number polymorphic gain at 3q12.2 with candidate genes for familial endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a complex disease that affects 10-15% of women of reproductive age. Familial studies show that relatives of affected patients have a higher risk of developing the disease, implicating a genetic role for this disorder. Little is known about the impact of germline genomic copy number variant (CNV) polymorphisms on the heredity of the disease. In this study, we describe a rare CNV identified in two sisters with familial endometriosis, which contain genes that may increase the susceptibility and progression of this disease. We investigated the presence of CNVs from the endometrium and blood of the sisters with endometriosis and normal endometrium of five women as controls without the disease using array-CGH through the Agilent 2x400K platform. We excluded common CNVs that were present in the database of genomic variation. We identified, in both sisters, a rare CNV gain affecting 113kb at band 3q12.2 involving two candidate genes: ADGRG7 and TFG. The CNV gain was validated by qPCR. ADGRG7 is located at 3q12.2 and encodes a G protein-coupled receptor influencing the NF-kappaβ pathway. TFG participates in chromosomal translocations associated with hematologic tumor and soft tissue sarcomas, and is also involved in the NF-kappa B pathway. The CNV gain in this family provides a new candidate genetic marker for future familial endometriosis studies. Additional longitudinal studies of affected families must confirm any associations between this rare CNV gain and genes involved in the NF-kappaβ pathway in predisposition to endometriosis.

De novo copy number variations in candidate genomic regions in patients of severe autism spectrum disorder in Vietnam.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder with a prevalence of around 1% children worldwide and characterized by patient behaviour (communication, social interaction, and personal development). Data on the efficacy of diagnostic tests using copy number variations (CNVs) in candidate genes in ASD is currently around 10% but it is overrepresented by patients of Caucasian background. We report here that the diagnostic success of de novo candidate CNVs in Vietnamese ASD patients is around 6%. We recruited one hundred trios (both parents and a child) where the child was clinically diagnosed with ASD while the parents were not affected. We performed genetic screening to exclude RETT syndrome and Fragile X syndrome and performed genome-wide DNA microarray (aCGH) on all probands and their parents to analyse for de novo CNVs. We detected 1708 non-redundant CNVs in 100 patients and 118 (7%) of them were de novo. Using the filter for known CNVs from the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) database, we identified six CNVs (one gain and five loss CNVs) in six patients (3 males and 3 females). Notably, 3 of our patients had a deletion involving the SHANK3 gene-which is the highest compared to previous reports. This is the first report of candidate CNVs in ASD patients from Vietnam and provides the framework for building a CNV based test as the first tier screening for clinical management.

The utility of exome sequencing in diagnosing pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders in a highly consanguineous population.

Exome sequencing (ES) has been utilized in diagnosing children with neurodevelopmental manifestations, this study aimed to investigate the utility of ES in children within a highly consanguineous population that presented with neurodevelopmental complaints. A retrospective chart review was performed for 405 children with neurodevelopmental complaints who have had ES and were evaluated in multiple centers in the United Arab Emirates over a four-year period. Within the cohort of 405 children, consanguinity was reported in 35% (144/405). The primary clinical presentations were developmental delay/cognitive impairment, distinctive facial features, hypotonia, seizures, and weakness. The diagnostic yield was 57% (231/405). Novel variants were identified in 54% (125/231) of positive cases. Within the positive cases, specific treatment was available in 6% (13/231) and copy number variants (CNV) were reported in 3% (8/231) of cases. In eight children, variants in genes that have not yet been linked to human disease that could potentially be the cause of the observed phenotype "candidate genes" were identified. ES was utilized effectively within this cohort with a high diagnostic yield and through the identification of novel gene variants, CNVs, candidate genes and secondary findings as well as the alteration of the treatment plan in cases where treatment was available.

Conditional generative adversarial network driven radiomic prediction of mutation status based on magnetic resonance imaging of breast cancer

BackgroundBreast Cancer (BC) is a highly heterogeneous and complex disease. Personalized treatment options require the integration of multi-omic data and consideration of phenotypic variability. Radiogenomics aims to merge medical images with genomic measurements but encounter challenges due to unpaired data consisting of imaging, genomic, or clinical outcome data. In this study, we propose the utilization of a well-trained conditional generative adversarial network (cGAN) to address the unpaired data issue in radiogenomic analysis of BC. The generated images will then be used to predict the mutations status of key driver genes and BC subtypes.MethodsWe integrated the paired MRI and multi-omic (mRNA gene expression, DNA methylation, and copy number variation) profiles of 61 BC patients from The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). To facilitate this integration, we employed a Bayesian Tensor Factorization approach to factorize the multi-omic data into 17 latent features. Subsequently, a cGAN model was trained based on the matched side-view patient MRIs and their corresponding latent features to predict MRIs for BC patients who lack MRIs. Model performance was evaluated by calculating the distance between real and generated images using the Fréchet Inception Distance (FID) metric. BC subtype and mutation status of driver genes were obtained from the cBioPortal platform, where 3 genes were selected based on the number of mutated patients. A convolutional neural network (CNN) was constructed and trained using the generated MRIs for mutation status prediction. Receiver operating characteristic area under curve (ROC-AUC) and precision-recall area under curve (PR-AUC) were used to evaluate the performance of the CNN models for mutation status prediction. Precision, recall and F1 score were used to evaluate the performance of the CNN model in subtype classification.ResultsThe FID of the images from the well-trained cGAN model based on the test set is 1.31. The CNN for TP53, PIK3CA, and CDH1 mutation prediction yielded ROC-AUC values 0.9508, 0.7515, and 0.8136 and PR-AUC are 0.9009, 0.7184, and 0.5007, respectively for the three genes. Multi-class subtype prediction achieved precision, recall and F1 scores of 0.8444, 0.8435 and 0.8336 respectively. The source code and related data implemented the algorithms can be found in the project GitHub at https://github.com/mattthuang/BC_RadiogenomicGAN.ConclusionOur study establishes cGAN as a viable tool for generating synthetic BC MRIs for mutation status prediction and subtype classification to better characterize the heterogeneity of BC in patients. The synthetic images also have the potential to significantly augment existing MRI data and circumvent issues surrounding data sharing and patient privacy for future BC machine learning studies.

Chromosome-scale reference genome of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck) provides insights into glucosinolate biosynthesis.

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck) is an important vegetable crop, as it is rich in health-beneficial glucosinolates (GSLs). However, the genetic basis of the GSL diversity in Brassicaceae remains unclear. Here we report a chromosome-level genome assembly of broccoli generated using PacBio HiFi reads and Hi-C technology. The final genome assembly is 613.79Mb in size, with a contig N50 of 14.70Mb. The GSL profile and content analysis of different B. oleracea varieties, combined with a phylogenetic tree analysis, sequence alignment, and the construction of a 3D model of the methylthioalkylmalate synthase 1 (MAM1) protein, revealed that the gene copy number and amino acid sequence variation both contributed to the diversity of GSL biosynthesis in B. oleracea. The overexpression of BoMAM1 (BolI0108790) in broccoli resulted in high accumulation and a high ratio of C4-GSLs, demonstrating that BoMAM1 is the key enzyme in C4-GSL biosynthesis. These results provide valuable insights for future genetic studies and nutritive component applications of Brassica crops.

Heteromorphic ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes sharing gene content with mammalian XX/XY are conserved in Madagascan chameleons of the genus Furcifer

Chameleons are well-known lizards with unique morphology and physiology, but their sex determination has remained poorly studied. Madagascan chameleons of the genus Furcifer have cytogenetically distinct Z and W sex chromosomes and occasionally Z1Z1Z2Z2/Z1Z2W multiple neo-sex chromosomes. To identify the gene content of their sex chromosomes, we microdissected and sequenced the sex chromosomes of F. oustaleti (ZZ/ZW) and F. pardalis (Z1Z1Z2Z2/Z1Z2W). In addition, we sequenced the genomes of a male and a female of F. lateralis (ZZ/ZW) and F. pardalis and performed a comparative coverage analysis between the sexes. Despite the notable heteromorphy and distinctiveness in heterochromatin content, the Z and W sex chromosomes share approximately 90% of their gene content. This finding demonstrates poor correlation of the degree of differentiation of sex chromosomes at the cytogenetic and gene level. The test of homology based on the comparison of gene copy number variation revealed that female heterogamety with differentiated sex chromosomes remained stable in the genus Furcifer for at least 20 million years. These chameleons co-opted for the role of sex chromosomes the same genomic region as viviparous mammals, lacertids and geckos of the genus Paroedura, which makes these groups excellent model for studies of convergent and divergent evolution of sex chromosomes.

The Identification of Goat KCNJ15 Gene Copy Number Variation and Its Association with Growth Traits.

(1) Background: Copy number variation (CNV) is a critical component of genome structural variation and has garnered significant attention. High-throughput screening of the KCNJ15 gene has revealed a correlation between the CNV region and the growth traits of goats. We aimed to identify the CNV of the KCNJ15 gene in five goat breeds and analyze its association with growth characteristics. (2) Methods: We utilized 706 goats from five breeds: Guizhou black goat (GZB), Guizhou white goat (GZW), Bohuai goat (BH), Huai goat (HH), and Taihang goat (TH). To evaluate the number of copies of the KCNJ15 gene using qPCR, we analyzed the correlation between the CNV and growth characteristics and then used a universal linear model. The findings revealed variations in the distribution of different copy number types among the different goat breeds. (3) Results: Association analysis revealed a positive influence of the CNV in the KCNJ15 gene on goat growth. In GZB, individuals with duplication types exhibited superior performance in terms of cannon bone circumference (p < 0.05). In HH, individuals with duplication types exhibited superior performance in terms of body slanting length (p < 0.05). Conversely, normal TH demonstrated better body height and body weight (p < 0.05), while in GZW, when CN = 3, it performed better than other types in terms of body weight and chest circumference (p < 0.05). However, in BH, it had no significant effect on growth traits. (4) Conclusions: We confirmed that the CNV in the KCNJ15 gene significantly influences the growth characteristics of four distinct goat breeds. The correlation between KCNJ15 gene CNVs and goat growth traits offers valuable insights to breeders, enabling them to employ precise and efficient breeding methods that enhance livestock welfare, productivity, and overall economic benefits in the industry.

B-cell ALL with SOX11 gene amplification associates with a worse outcome

ABSTRACT Copy number variation (CNV) of certain genes in pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) impacts gene expression levels. Here, we aimed to investigate the potential prognostic utility of CNVs in pediatric B-ALL and T-ALL. Using genomics files representing cases from the TARGET-ALL-P2 dataset, genes commonly involved in ALL development were analyzed for CNVs. Case IDs representing increased copy numbers for SOX11, PDGFRB, and MDK represented a worse overall survival probability specifically for B-ALL (logrank p=0.021, p=0.0052, p=0.019, respectively). These data support the continued investigation of using CNVs for clinical prognostic biomarkers for pediatric B-ALL

The C250T Mutation of TERTp Might Grant a Better Prognosis to Glioblastoma by Exerting Less Biological Effect on Telomeres and Chromosomes Than the C228T Mutation.

TERTp mutations were assessed in a retrospective cohort of 258 uniformly treated glioblastoma patients. RNA-sequencing and whole exome sequencing results were available in a subset of patients. Overall, there were no differences in outcomes between patients with mutated TERTp-wt or TERTp. However, we found significant differences according to the type of TERTp mutation. Progression-free survival (mPFS) was 9.1 months for those with the C250T mutation and 7 months for those with either the C228T mutation or TERTp-wt (p = 0.016). Overall survival (mOS) was 21.9 and 15 months, respectively (p = 0.026). This differential effect was more pronounced in patients with MGMTp methylation (mPFS: p = 0.008; mOS: p = 0.021). Multivariate analysis identified the C250T mutation as an independent prognostic factor for longer mOS (HR 0.69; p = 0.044). We found no differences according to TERTp mutation status in molecular alterations common in glioblastoma, nor in copy number variants in genes related to alternative lengthening of telomeres. Nevertheless, in the gene enrichment analysis adjusted for MGMTp methylation status, some Reactome gene sets were differentially enriched, suggesting that the C250T mutation may exert a lesser effect on telomeres or chromosomes. In our series, patients exhibiting the C250T mutation had a more favorable prognosis compared to those with either TERPp-wt or TERTp C228T mutations. Additionally, our findings suggest a reduced involvement of the C250T mutation in the underlying biological mechanisms related to telomeres.

Association analysis of the sorting nexin 29 (SNX29) gene copy number variations with growth traits in Diannan small-ear (DSE) pigs

SNX29 is a potential functional gene associated with meat production traits. Previous studies have shown that SNX29 copy number variation (CNV) could be implicated with phenotype in goats. However, in Diannan small-ear (DSE) pigs, the genetic impact of SNX29 CNV on growth traits remains unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the associations between SNX29 CNVs (CNV10810 and CNV10811) and growth traits in 415 DSE pigs. The results revealed that the CNV10810 mutation was significantly associated with backfat thickness in DSE pigs at 12 and 15 months old (P < 0.05), while the CNV10811 mutation had significant effects on various growth traits at 6 and 12 months old, particularly for body weight, body height, back height and backfat thickness (P < 0.05 or P < 0.001). In conclusion, our results confirm that SNX29 CNV plays a role in regulating growth and development in pigs, thus suggesting its potential application for pig breeding programmes.