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  • Functional analysis of two novel TBX5 variants present in individuals with Holt-Oram syndrome with different clinical manifestations
    Publication . Varela, Debora; Varela, Tatiana; Conceição, Natércia; Ferreira, Angela; Marques, Nuno; Silva, Ana Paula; Azevedo, Pedro; Pereira, Salome; Camacho, Ana; de Jesus, Ilidio; Cancela, M. Leonor
    Holt-Oram syndrome (HOS) is a rare disorder characterized by cardiac and upper-limb defects. Pathogenic variants in TBX5-a gene encoding a transcription factor important for heart and skeletal development-are the only known cause of HOS. Here, we present the identification and functional analysis of two novel TBX5 pathogenic variants found in two individuals with HOS presenting distinct phenotypes. The individual with the c.905delA variant has a severe cardiac phenotype but mild skeletal defects, unlike the individual with the c.246_249delGATG variant who has no cardiac problems but severe upper limbs malformations, including phocomelia. Both frameshift variants, c.246_249delGATG and c.905delA, generate mRNAs harbouring premature stop codons which, if not degraded by nonsense mediated decay, will lead to the production of shorter TBX5 proteins, p.Gln302Argfs*92 and p.Met83Phefs*6, respectively. Immunocytochemistry results suggest that both mutated proteins are produced and furthermore, like the wild-type protein, p.Gln302Argfs*92 mutant appears to be mainly localized in the nucleus, in contrast with p.Met83Phefs*6 mutant that displays a higher level of cytoplasmic localization. In addition, luciferase activity analysis revealed that none of the TBX5 mutants are capable of transactivating the NPPA promoter. In conclusion, our results provide evidence that both pathogenic variants cause a severe TBX5 loss-of-function, dramatically reducing its biological activity. The absence of cardiac problems in the individual with the p.Met83Phefs*6 variant supports the existence of other mechanisms/genes underlying the pathogenesis of HOS and/or the existence of an age-related delay in the development of a more serious cardiac phenotype. Further studies are required to understand the differential effects observed in the phenotypes of both individuals.
  • Congenital left ventricular apical aneurysm presenting as ventricular tachycardia
    Publication . Amado, José; Marques, Nuno; Candeias, Rui; Gago, Paula; de Jesus, Ilidio
    The authors present the case of a 34-year-old male patient seen in our department due to palpitations. On the electrocardiogram monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) was documented, treated successfully with amiodarone. The subsequent study revealed a normal echocardiogram and an apical aneurysm of the left ventricle on magnetic resonance imaging, confirmed by computed tomography coronary angiography that also excluded coronary disease.He underwent an electrophysiological study to determine the origin of the VT and to perform catheter ablation using electroanatomical mapping. VT was induced and radiofrequency applications were performed in the left ventricular aneurysm area. VT was no longer inducible, with acute success. Despite this it was decided to implant a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Eight months after the ablation the patient was admitted again due to VT, treated by the ICD. (C) 2016 Sociedade Portuguese de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.
  • p.G360R is a pathogenic GLA gene mutation responsible for a classic phenotype of Fabry disease
    Publication . Carvalho Silva, Daniela; Marques, Nuno; Azevedo, Olga; Miltenberger-Miltenyi, Gabriel; Bento, Dina; Guedes, Joao; Azevedo, Pedro; Bispo, Joao; Mota, Teresa; Fernandes, Raquel; Nzwalo, Hipólito; Cabrita, Ana; Ramos, André; de Jesus, Ilidio
    The authors report the case of a classic phenotype of Fabry disease in a 60-year-old male patient presenting with left ventricular hypertrophy and stroke. Genetic analysis revealed 2 GLA-gene variants, i.e., p.R356Q and p.G360R. This clinical case highlights that the finding of 2 or more GLA gene variants in a Fabry patient should lead to a careful evaluation in order to determine their exact role in the condition. This case also provides the first clinical evidence that the p.G360R mutation is pathogenic and responsible for a classic phenotype of Fabry disease. The clinical improvement following the initiation of enzyme replacement therapy reinforces the importance of Fabry disease awareness and diagnosis in patients exhibiting red flags, such as left ventricular hypertrophy and stroke.