THOC2 mutations

Inspired by a patient

Kumar R, Gardner A, Homan CC, Douglas E, Mefford H, Wieczorek D, Lüdecke HJ, Stark Z, Sadedin S; Broad CMG, Nowak CB, Douglas J, Parsons G, Mark P, Loidi L, Herman GE, Mihalic Mosher T, Gillespie MK, Brady L, Tarnopolsky M, Madrigal I, Eiris J, Domènech Salgado L, Rabionet R, Strom TM, Ishihara N, Inagaki H, Kurahashi H, Dudding-Byth T, Palmer EE, Field M, Gecz J. Severe neurocognitive and growth disorders due to variation in THOC2, an essential component of nuclear mRNA export machinery. Hum Mutat. 2018 Aug;39(8):1126-1138.

Abstract

Highly conserved TREX-mediated mRNA export is emerging as a key pathway in neuronal development and differentiation. TREX subunit variants cause neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) by interfering with mRNA export from the cell nucleus to the cytoplasm. Previously we implicated four missense variants in the X-linked THOC2 gene in intellectual disability (ID). We now report an additional six affected individuals from five unrelated families with two de novo and three maternally inherited pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in THOC2 extending the genotypic and phenotypic spectrum. These comprise three rare missense THOC2 variants that affect evolutionarily conserved amino acid residues and reduce protein stability and two with canonical splice-site THOC2 variants that result in C-terminally truncated THOC2 proteins. We present detailed clinical assessment and functional studies on a de novo variant in a female with an epileptic encephalopathy and discuss an additional four families with rare variants in THOC2 with supportive evidence for pathogenicity. Severe neurocognitive features, including movement and seizure disorders, were observed in this cohort. Taken together our data show that even subtle alterations to the canonical molecular pathways such as mRNA export, otherwise essential for cellular life, can be compatible with life, but lead to NDDs in humans.

Kumar R, Corbett MA, van Bon BW, Woenig JA, Weir L, Douglas E, Friend KL, Gardner A, Shaw M, Jolly LA, Tan C, Hunter MF, Hackett A, Field M, Palmer EE, Leffler M, Rogers C, Boyle J, Bienek M, Jensen C, Van Buggenhout G, Van Esch H, Hoffmann K, Raynaud M, Zhao H, Reed R, Hu H, Haas SA, Haan E, Kalscheuer VM, Gecz J. THOC2 Mutations Implicate mRNA-Export Pathway in X-Linked Intellectual Disability. Am J Hum Genet. 2015 Aug 6;97(2):302-10.

Abstract

Export of mRNA from the cell nucleus to the cytoplasm is essential for protein synthesis, a process vital to all living eukaryotic cells. mRNA export is highly conserved and ubiquitous. Mutations affecting mRNA and mRNA processing or export factors, which cause aberrant retention of mRNAs in the nucleus, are thus emerging as contributors to an important class of human genetic disorders. Here, we report that variants in THOC2, which encodes a subunit of the highly conserved TREX mRNA-export complex, cause syndromic intellectual disability (ID). Affected individuals presented with variable degrees of ID and commonly observed features included speech delay, elevated BMI, short stature, seizure disorders, gait disturbance, and tremors. X chromosome exome sequencing revealed four missense variants in THOC2 in four families, including family MRX12, first ascertained in 1971. We show that two variants lead to decreased stability of THOC2 and its TREX-complex partners in cells derived from the affected individuals. Protein structural modeling showed that the altered amino acids are located in the RNA-binding domains of two complex THOC2 structures, potentially representing two different intermediate RNA-binding states of THOC2 during RNA transport. Our results show that disturbance of the canonical molecular pathway of mRNA export is compatible with life but results in altered neuronal development with other comorbidities.

Di Gregorio E, Bianchi FT, Schiavi A, Chiotto AM, Rolando M, Verdun di Cantogno L, Grosso E, Cavalieri S, Calcia A, Lacerenza D, Zuffardi O, Retta SF, Stevanin G, Marelli C, Durr A, Forlani S, Chelly J, Montarolo F, Tempia F, Beggs HE, Reed R, Squadrone S, Abete MC, Brussino A, Ventura N, Di Cunto F, Brusco A.  A de novo X;8 translocation creates a PTK2-THOC2 gene fusion with THOC2 expression knockdown in a patient with psychomotor retardation and congenital cerebellar

hypoplasia. J Med Genet. 2013 Aug;50(8):543-51.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM:

We identified a balanced de novo translocation involving chromosomes Xq25 and 8q24 in an eight year-old girl with a non-progressive form of congenital ataxia, cognitive impairment and cerebellar hypoplasia.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

Breakpoint definition showed that the promoter of the Protein Tyrosine Kinase 2 (PTK2, also known as Focal Adhesion Kinase, FAK) gene on chromosome 8q24.3 is translocated 2 kb upstream of the THO complex subunit 2 (THOC2) gene on chromosome Xq25. PTK2 is a well-known non-receptor tyrosine kinase whereas THOC2 encodes a component of the evolutionarily conserved multiprotein THO complex, involved in mRNA export from nucleus. The translocation generated a sterile fusion transcript under the control of the PTK2 promoter, affecting expression of both PTK2 and THOC2 genes. PTK2 is involved in cell adhesion and, in neurons, plays a role in axonal guidance, and neurite growth and attraction. However, PTK2 haploinsufficiency alone is unlikely to be associated with human disease. Therefore, we studied the role of THOC2 in the CNS using three models: 1) THOC2 ortholog knockout in C.elegans which produced functional defects in specific sensory neurons; 2) Thoc2 knockdown in primary rat hippocampal neurons which increased neurite extension; 3) Thoc2 knockdown in neuronal stem cells (LC1) which increased their in vitro growth rate without modifying apoptosis levels.

CONCLUSION:

We suggest that THOC2 can play specific roles in neuronal cells and, possibly in combination with PTK2 reduction, may affect normal neural network formation, leading to cognitive impairment and cerebellar congenital hypoplasia.