OBJECTIVE: Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) are a group of severe, early-onset epilepsies characterised by refractory seizures, developmental delay, or regression and generally poor prognosis. DEE are now known to have an identifiable molecular genetic basis and are usually examined using a gene panel. However, for many patients, the genetic cause has still not been identified. The aims of this study were to identify causal variants for DEE in patients for whom the previous examination with a gene panel did not determine their genetic diagnosis. It also aims for a detailed description and broadening of the phenotypic spectrum of several rare DEEs. METHODS: In the last five years (2015-2020), 141 patients from all over the Czech Republic were referred to our department for genetic testing in association with their diagnosis of epilepsy. All patients underwent custom-designed gene panel testing prior to enrolment into the study, and their results were inconclusive. We opted for whole exome sequencing (WES) to identify the cause of their disorder. If a causal or potentially causal variant was identified, we performed a detailed clinical evaluation and phenotype-genotype correlation study to better describe the specific rare subtypes. RESULTS: Explanatory causative variants were detected in 20 patients (14%), likely pathogenic variants that explain the epilepsy in 5 patients (3.5%) and likely pathogenic variants that do not fully explain the epilepsy in 11 patients (7.5%), and variants in candidate genes in 4 patients (3%). Variants were mostly de novo 29/40 (72.5%). SIGNIFICANCE: WES enables us to identify the cause of the disease in additional patients, even after gene panel testing. It is very important to perform a WES in DEE patients as soon as possible, since it will spare the patients and their families many years of a diagnostic odyssey. In particular, patients with rare epilepsies might significantly benefit from this approach, and we propose using WES as a new standard in the diagnosis of DEE instead of targeted gene panel testing.

• Klíčová slova
• Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE), Exome sequencing, Gene panel,
• MeSH
• epilepsie generalizovaná * genetika   MeSH
• epilepsie * diagnóza   genetika   MeSH
• fenotyp MeSH
• genetické asociační studie MeSH
• genetické testování MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• sekvenování exomu MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: Inherited peripheral neuropathies (IPN) are the most common inherited neurological condition. It represents a highly heterogeneous group, both clinically and genetically. Targeted disease specific gene panel massively parallel sequencing (MPS) seems to be a useful tool in diagnosis of disorders with high genetic heterogeneity. METHODS: In our study, we have designed, validated and updated our own custom gene panel of all known genes associated with IPN. One hundred and ninety-eight patients have been tested so far. Only patients in whom mutations in more common causes or relevant genes have already been excluded were enrolled. Five consecutive panel designs were prepared according to recent literature search, the last one covering ninety-three genes. Each patient was tested only once. All data were evaluated with at least two different pipelines. RESULTS: In summary, causative mutation has been found in fifty-one patients (26 %). The results were inconclusive in thirty-one (16 %) patients. No variants of likely significance to IPN were found in one hundred and sixteen (58 %) patients. CONCLUSION: MPS gene panel enables testing of all known IPN causes at once with high coverage and at an affordable cost making it truly a method of choice also in IPN. Gene panel testing results in several interesting results and findings.

• Klíčová slova
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth, Inherited peripheral neuropathies, Mutation, Phenotype, Targeted gene panel testing,
• MeSH
• Charcotova-Marieova-Toothova nemoc diagnóza   genetika   MeSH
• cytoplazmatické dyneiny genetika   MeSH
• DNA-helikasy MeSH
• genetické testování metody   MeSH
• genotyp MeSH
• hereditární motorické a senzitivní neuropatie genetika   MeSH
• intracelulární signální peptidy a proteiny genetika   MeSH
• konexiny genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• multifunkční enzymy MeSH
• mutace MeSH
• nemoci periferního nervového systému diagnóza   genetika   MeSH
• protein beta 1 mezerového spoje MeSH
• proteiny buněčného cyklu genetika   MeSH
• RNA-helikasy genetika   MeSH
• věk při počátku nemoci MeSH
• vysoce účinné nukleotidové sekvenování metody   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• cytoplazmatické dyneiny MeSH
• DNA-helikasy MeSH
• DYNC1H1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• intracelulární signální peptidy a proteiny MeSH
• konexiny MeSH
• multifunkční enzymy MeSH
• N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 protein MeSH Prohlížeč
• proteiny buněčného cyklu MeSH
• RNA-helikasy MeSH
• SETX protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč

AIMS: Amyloidosis is caused by deposition of abnormal protein fibrils, leading to damage of organ function. Hereditary amyloidosis represents a monogenic disease caused by germline mutations in 11 amyloidogenic precursor protein genes. One of the important but non-specific symptoms of amyloidosis is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Diagnostics of hereditary amyloidosis is complicated and the real cause can remain overlooked. We aimed to design hereditary amyloidosis gene panel and to introduce new next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach to investigate hereditary amyloidosis in a cohort of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy of unknown significance. METHODS: Design of target enrichment DNA library preparation using Haloplex Custom Kit containing 11 amyloidogenic genes was followed by MiSeq Illumina sequencing and bioinformatics identification of germline variants using tool VarScan in a cohort of 40 patients. RESULTS: We present design of NGS panel for 11 genes (TTR, FGA, APOA1, APOA2, LYZ, GSN, CST3, PRNP, APP, B2M, ITM2B) connected to various forms of amyloidosis. We detected one mutation, which is responsible for hereditary amyloidosis. Some other single nucleotide variants are so far undescribed or rare variants or represent common polymorphisms in European population. CONCLUSIONS: We report one positive case of hereditary amyloidosis in a cohort of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy of unknown significance and set up first panel for NGS in hereditary amyloidosis. This work may facilitate successful implementation of the NGS method by other researchers or clinicians and may improve the diagnostic process after validation.

• Klíčová slova
• DNA, amyloid, haematology, molecular genetics, peripheral blood,
• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• familiární amyloidóza diagnóza   genetika   MeSH
• fenotyp MeSH
• frekvence genu MeSH
• genetická predispozice k nemoci MeSH
• genetické markery MeSH
• hypertrofická kardiomyopatie diagnóza   genetika   MeSH
• jednonukleotidový polymorfismus * MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mutace * MeSH
• mutační analýza DNA metody   MeSH
• pilotní projekty MeSH
• prediktivní hodnota testů MeSH
• reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• stanovení celkové genové exprese metody   MeSH
• transkriptom * MeSH
• výpočetní biologie MeSH
• vysoce účinné nukleotidové sekvenování * MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• genetické markery MeSH

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecological malignancy in developed countries. The present study aimed to determine the frequency of germline pathogenic variants (PV) in patients with EC. In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, germline genetic testing (GGT) was performed in 527 patients with EC using a next generation sequencing panel targeting 226 genes, including 5 Lynch syndrome (LS) and 14 hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) predisposition genes, and 207 candidate predisposition genes. Gene-level risks were calculated using 1,662 population-matched controls (PMCs). Patients were sub-categorized to fulfill GGT criteria for LS, HBOC, both or none. A total of 60 patients (11.4%) carried PV in LS (5.1%) and HBOC (6.6%) predisposition genes, including two carriers of double PV. PV in LS genes conferred a significantly higher EC risk [odds ratio (OR), 22.4; 95% CI, 7.8-64.3; P=1.8×10-17] than the most frequently altered HBOC genes BRCA1 (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.6-9.5; P=0.001), BRCA2 (OR, 7.4; 95% CI, 1.9-28.9; P=0.002) and CHEK2 (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.0-9.9; P=0.04). Furthermore, >6% of patients with EC not fulfilling LS or HBOC GGT indication criteria carried a PV in a clinically relevant gene. Carriers of PV in LS genes had a significantly lower age of EC onset than non-carriers (P=0.01). Another 11.0% of patients carried PV in a candidate gene (the most frequent were FANCA and MUTYH); however, their individual frequencies did not differ from PMCs (except for aggregated frequency of loss-of-function variants in POLE/POLD1; OR, 10.44; 95% CI, 1.1-100.5; P=0.012). The present study demonstrated the importance of GGT in patients with EC. The increased risk of EC of PV carriers in HBOC genes suggests that the diagnosis of EC should be included in the HBOC GGT criteria.

• Klíčová slova
• EC, germline mutations, multigene panel testing, uterine malignancies,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Background The lack of effective biomarkers for the screening and early detection of ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most pressing problems in oncogynecology. Because epigenetic alterations occur early in the cancer development, they provide great potential to serve as such biomarkers. In our study, we investigated a potential of a four-gene methylation panel (including CDH13, HNF1B, PCDH17 and GATA4 genes) for the early detection of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC). Methods For methylation detection we used methylation sensitive high-resolution melting analysis and real-time methylation specific analysis. We also investigated the relation between gene hypermethylation and gene relative expression using the 2-ΔΔCt method. Results The sensitivity of the examined panel reached 88.5%. We were able to detect methylation in 85.7% (12/14) of early stage tumors and in 89.4% (42/47) of late stage tumors. The total efficiency of the panel was 94.4% and negative predictive value reached 90.0%. The specificity and positive predictive value achieved 100% rates. Our results showed lower gene expression in the tumor samples in comparison to control samples. The more pronounced downregulation was measured in the group of samples with detected methylation. Conclusions In our study we designed the four-gene panel for HGSOC detection in ovarian tissue with 100% specificity and sensitivity of 88.5%. The next challenge is translation of the findings to the less invasive source for biomarker examination, such as plasma. Our results indicate that combination of examined genes deserve consideration for further testing in clinical molecular diagnosis of HGSOC.

• Klíčová slova
• DNA methylation, biomarker, high-grade serous ovarian cancer,
• MeSH
• časná detekce nádoru MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• metylace DNA * MeSH
• nádorové biomarkery krev   MeSH
• nádory vaječníků krev   diagnóza   genetika   MeSH
• senzitivita a specificita MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• nádorové biomarkery MeSH

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health issue in the USA. Identification of monogenic causes of CKD, which are present in ∼10% of adult cases, can impact prognosis and patient management. Broad gene panels can provide unbiased testing approaches, which are advantageous in phenotypically heterogeneous diseases. However, the use and yield of broad genetic panels by nephrologists in clinical practice is not yet well characterized. METHODS: Renal genetic testing, ordered exclusively for clinical purposes, predominantly by general and transplant nephrologists within the USA, was performed on 1,007 consecutive unique patient samples. Testing was performed using a commercially available next-generation sequencing-based 382 gene kidney disease panel. Pathogenic (P) and likely pathogenic (LP) variants were reported. Positive findings included a monoallelic P/LP variant in an autosomal dominant or X-linked gene and biallelic P/LP variants in autosomal recessive genes. RESULTS: Positive genetic findings were identified in 21.1% (212/1,007) of cases. A total of 220 positive results were identified across 48 genes. Positive results occurred most frequently in the PKD1 (34.1%), COL4A5 (10.9%), PKD2 (10.0%), COL4A4 (6.4%), COL4A3 (5.9%), and TTR (4.1%) genes. Variants identified in the remaining 42 genes comprised 28.6% of the total positive findings, including single positive results in 26 genes. Positive results in >1 gene were identified in 7.5% (16/212) of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Use of broad panel genetic testing by clinical nephrologists had a high success rate, similar to results obtained by academic centers specializing in genetics.

• Klíčová slova
• Chronic kidney disease, Genetic testing, Nephrology, Next-generation sequencing,
• MeSH
• chronická renální insuficience * diagnóza   genetika   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• genetické testování MeSH
• ledviny * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mutace MeSH
• vysoce účinné nukleotidové sekvenování MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Post transcriptional modifications of RNA are powerful mechanisms by which eukaryotes expand their genetic diversity. For instance, researchers estimate that most transcripts in humans undergo alternative splicing and alternative polyadenylation. These splicing events produce distinct RNA molecules, which in turn yield distinct protein isoforms and/or influence RNA stability, translation, nuclear export, and RNA/protein cellular localization. Due to their pervasiveness and impact, we hypothesized that alternative splicing and alternative polyadenylation in brain can contribute to a predisposition for voluntary alcohol consumption. Using the HXB/BXH recombinant inbred rat panel (a subset of the Hybrid Rat Diversity Panel), we generated over one terabyte of brain RNA sequencing data (total RNA) and identified novel splice variants (via StringTie) and alternative polyadenylation sites (via aptardi) to determine the transcriptional landscape in the brains of these animals. After establishing an analysis pipeline to ascertain high quality transcripts, we quantitated transcripts and integrated genotype data to identify candidate transcript coexpression networks and individual candidate transcripts associated with predisposition to voluntary alcohol consumption in the two-bottle choice paradigm. For genes that were previously associated with this trait (e.g., Lrap, Ift81, and P2rx4) (Saba et al., Febs. J., 282, 3556-3578, Saba et al., Genes. Brain. Behav., 20, e12698), we were able to distinguish between transcript variants to provide further information about the specific isoforms related to the trait. We also identified additional candidate transcripts associated with the trait of voluntary alcohol consumption (i.e., isoforms of Mapkapk5, Aldh1a7, and Map3k7). Consistent with our previous work, our results indicate that transcripts and networks related to inflammation and the immune system in brain can be linked to voluntary alcohol consumption. Overall, we have established a pipeline for including the quantitation of alternative splicing and alternative polyadenylation variants in the transcriptome in the analysis of the relationship between the transcriptome and complex traits.

• Klíčová slova
• HXB/BXH recombinant inbred panel, RNA-seq—RNA sequencing, alternative polyadenylation, alternative splicing, isoform, transcriptome, voluntary alcohol consumption, weighted gene co expression network analysis,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: Tumor mutational burden (TMB) is an emerging genomic biomarker in cancer that has been associated with improved response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in adult cancers. It was described that variability in TMB assessment is introduced by different laboratory techniques and various settings of bioinformatic pipelines. In pediatric oncology, no study has been published describing this variability so far. METHODS: In our study, we performed whole exome sequencing (WES, both germline and somatic) and calculated TMB in 106 patients with high-risk/recurrent pediatric solid tumors of 28 distinct cancer types. Subsequently, we used WES data for TMB calculation using an in silico approach simulating two The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved/authorized comprehensive genomic panels for cancer. RESULTS: We describe a strong correlation between WES-based and panel-based TMBs; however, we show that this high correlation is significantly affected by inclusion of only a few hypermutated cases. In the series of nine cases, we determined TMB in two sequentially collected tumor tissue specimens and observed an increase in TMB along with tumor progression. Furthermore, we evaluated the extent to which potential ICI indication could be affected by variability in techniques and bioinformatic pipelines used for TMB assessment. We confirmed that this technological variability could significantly affect ICI indication in pediatric cancer patients; however, this significance decreases with the increasing cut-off values. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time in pediatric oncology, we assessed the reliability of TMB estimation across multiple pediatric cancer types using real-life WES and in silico analysis of two major targeted gene panels and confirmed a significant technological variability to be introduced by different laboratory techniques and various settings of bioinformatic pipelines.

• Klíčová slova
• TMB, gene panel sequencing, immune checkpoint inhibitors, pediatric tumors, tumor mutational burden, whole-exome sequencing,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The aim of the study was to introduce a convenient method for identification of differences among individual animals in genes supposed to influence meat performance in pigs. The set of seven candidate genes (IGF2, FOS, MC4R, DGAT1, MYF4, MYF, and MC3R) was used. To determine the genotypes, multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and minisequencing using SNaPshot system (Applied Biosystems; Forster City, CA, USA) were applied. The efficiency of this gene panel for routine testing in pigs was verified in the Black Pied Prestice pig breed by the statistical general linear model. The results showed that both the method and the gene panel are convenient for meat quality testing and offer reproducible results.

• MeSH
• DNA chemie   genetika   MeSH
• jednonukleotidový polymorfismus * MeSH
• maso normy   MeSH
• polymerázová řetězová reakce veterinární   MeSH
• prasata genetika   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• DNA MeSH

BACKGROUND: DNA methylation is one of major factors in cancer progression. We observed multiple genes involved in cancer-related signaling and focused on patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and evaluated methylation in relation to various clinical parameters. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty genes were examined in 121 NSCLC patients using the methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MS-MLPA) method. Correlations to gender, smoking status, tumor subtype, disease stage and EGFR/KRAS mutation status were performed by chi-square test. RESULTS: 90% of tumors exhibited methylation of at least one gene. Most frequently methylated were cadherin-13 (CDH13), Ras associated domain-containing protein (RASSF1A), Wilms' tumor protein (WT1), adenomatous polyposis coli protein (APC), paired box protein Pax-5 (PAX5), estrogen receptor (ESR1), an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase p15 (CDKN2B), paired box protein Pax-6 (PAX6), transcription factor GATA-5 (GATA5) and cell adhesion molecule 4 (IGSF4). Overall methylation (any gene) was increased in adenocarcinomas (p=0.0329), unrelated to gender or disease stage. Several genes exhibited variable methylation with gender (CDH13, p<0.001; GATA5, p=0.02; PAX6, p=0.01 and ESR1, p=0.03), smoking (CDH13, p=0.002), or epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status [Von Hippel-Lindau disease tumor supresor (VHL), p=0.001; CDKN2B, p=0.02; CDH13, p=0.02; APC, p=0.04 and ESR1, p=0.04]. CONCLUSION: Differences in gene methylation associated with gender, smoking and EGFR mutation suggest potential for prediction in relation to management of tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy.

• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• epigeneze genetická MeSH
• erbB receptory genetika   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• metylace DNA * MeSH
• mutace MeSH
• mutační analýza DNA MeSH
• nádory plic genetika   MeSH
• nemalobuněčný karcinom plic genetika   MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• erbB receptory MeSH