Biallelic loss-of-function variants of GFRA1 cause lethal bilateral renal agenesis

Eur J Med Genet. 2022 Jan;65(1):104376. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2021.104376. Epub 2021 Nov 1.

Abstract

Bilateral renal agenesis belongs to a group of perinatal lethal renal diseases. To date, pathogenic variants in three genes (ITGA8, GREB1L, and FGF20) have been shown to cause renal agenesis in humans. Recently GFRA1 has been linked to a phenotype consistent with a nonsyndromic form of bilateral renal agenesis. GFRA1 encodes a member of the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor receptor family of proteins. The receptor on the Wolffian duct regulates ureteric bud outgrowth in developing a functional renal system. We report on four additional affected neonates from a consanguineous family who presented with a similar lethal phenotype whereby whole exome sequencing identified a homozygous deleterious sequence variant in GFRA1 (NM_005264.8:c.628G > T:p.[Gly210Ter]). The current study represents a second confirmation report on the causal association of GFRA1 pathogenic variants with lethal nonsyndromic bilateral renal agenesis in humans.

Keywords: Exome; GFRA1; Renal agenesis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Congenital Abnormalities / genetics*
  • Exome Sequencing
  • Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Receptors / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Kidney / abnormalities*
  • Kidney Diseases / congenital*
  • Kidney Diseases / genetics
  • Loss of Function Mutation
  • Male

Substances

  • GFRA1 protein, human
  • Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Receptors

Supplementary concepts

  • Hereditary renal agenesis