A nonsense mutation in CEP55 defines a new locus for a Meckel-like syndrome, an autosomal recessive lethal fetal ciliopathy

Clin Genet. 2017 Nov;92(5):510-516. doi: 10.1111/cge.13012. Epub 2017 May 3.

Abstract

Mutations in genes involved in the cilium-centrosome complex are called ciliopathies. Meckel-Gruber syndrome (MKS) is a ciliopathic lethal autosomal recessive syndrome characterized by genetically and clinically heterogeneous manifestations, including renal cystic dysplasia, occipital encephalocele and polydactyly. Several genes have previously been associated with MKS and MKS-like phenotypes, but there are still genes remaining to be discovered. We have used whole-exome sequencing (WES) to uncover the genetics of a suspected autosomal recessive Meckel syndrome phenotype in a family with 2 affected fetuses. RNA studies and histopathological analysis was performed for further delineation. WES lead to identification of a homozygous nonsense mutation c.256C>T (p.Arg86*) in CEP55 (centrosomal protein of 55 kDa) in the affected fetus. The variant has previously been identified in carriers in low frequencies, and segregated in the family. CEP55 is an important centrosomal protein required for the mid-body formation at cytokinesis. Our results expand the list of centrosomal proteins implicated in human ciliopathies and provide evidence for an essential role of CEP55 during embryogenesis and development of disease.

Keywords: CEP55; Meckel-like; ciliopathy; cytokinesis; whole-exome sequencing.

MeSH terms

  • Abnormalities, Multiple / diagnostic imaging
  • Abnormalities, Multiple / genetics*
  • Alleles
  • Base Pairing / genetics
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics*
  • Ciliopathies / genetics*
  • Ciliopathies / pathology
  • Codon, Nonsense / genetics*
  • DNA / blood
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Dandy-Walker Syndrome / diagnostic imaging
  • Dandy-Walker Syndrome / genetics*
  • Exons / genetics
  • Female
  • Fetus / abnormalities*
  • Genes, Recessive*
  • Genetic Loci*
  • Haplotypes / genetics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Pancreatic Cyst / diagnostic imaging
  • Pancreatic Cyst / genetics*
  • Pedigree
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Cep55 protein, human
  • Codon, Nonsense
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • DNA

Supplementary concepts

  • Renal hepatic pancreatic dysplasia Dandy Walker cyst