Comparison of Genomic and Epigenomic Expression in Monozygotic Twins Discordant for Rett Syndrome

PLoS One. 2013 Jun 21;8(6):e66729. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066729. Print 2013.

Abstract

Monozygotic (identical) twins have been widely used in genetic studies to determine the relative contributions of heredity and the environment in human diseases. Discordance in disease manifestation between affected monozygotic twins has been attributed to either environmental factors or different patterns of X chromosome inactivation (XCI). However, recent studies have identified genetic and epigenetic differences between monozygotic twins, thereby challenging the accepted experimental model for distinguishing the effects of nature and nurture. Here, we report the genomic and epigenomic sequences in skin fibroblasts of a discordant monozygotic twin pair with Rett syndrome, an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by autistic features, epileptic seizures, gait ataxia and stereotypical hand movements. The twins shared the same de novo mutation in exon 4 of the MECP2 gene (G269AfsX288), which was paternal in origin and occurred during spermatogenesis. The XCI patterns in the twins did not differ in lymphocytes, skin fibroblasts, and hair cells (which originate from ectoderm as does neuronal tissue). No reproducible differences were detected between the twins in single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertion-deletion polymorphisms (indels), or copy number variations. Differences in DNA methylation between the twins were detected in fibroblasts in the upstream regions of genes involved in brain function and skeletal tissues such as Mohawk Homeobox (MKX), Brain-type Creatine Kinase (CKB), and FYN Tyrosine Kinase Protooncogene (FYN). The level of methylation in these upstream regions was inversely correlated with the level of gene expression. Thus, differences in DNA methylation patterns likely underlie the discordance in Rett phenotypes between the twins.

Publication types

  • Twin Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chromosomes, Human, X / genetics
  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA / isolation & purification
  • DNA / metabolism
  • DNA Copy Number Variations
  • DNA Methylation
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Exons
  • Genome, Human / genetics*
  • Genomics
  • Genotype
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • Humans
  • INDEL Mutation
  • Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 / genetics
  • Phenotype
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Rett Syndrome / genetics*
  • Rett Syndrome / pathology
  • Twins, Monozygotic / genetics*

Substances

  • MECP2 protein, human
  • Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2
  • DNA

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (K.M. and T.K.), the Grant-in-Aid for Exploratory Research (A.T. and T.K.), and the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas “Genome Science” (A.T. and T.K.) from the Ministry of Education, Culture Sports, Science and Technology, Japan, and the Grant from the Kawano foundation for medical research, Japan (T.K.). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.