0000000000519217
AUTHOR
Antonino Saporoso
Mutation spectrum of NF1 gene in Italian patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 using Ion Torrent PGM™ platform
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is caused by mutations of the NF1 gene and is one of the most common human autosomal dominant disorders. The patient shows different signs on the skin and other organs from early childhood. The best known are six or more café au lait spots, axillary or inguinal freckling, increased risk of developing benign nerve sheath tumours and plexiform neurofibromas. Mutation detection is complex, due to the large gene size, the large variety of mutations and the presence of pseudogenes. Using Ion Torrent PGM⢠Platform, 73 mutations were identified in 79 NF1 Italian patients, 51% of which turned out to be novel mutations. Pathogenic status of each variant was classifi…
Diagnostic Targeted Resequencing in 349 Patients with Drug-Resistant Pediatric Epilepsies Identifies Causative Mutations in 30 Different Genes
Targeted resequencing gene panels are used in the diagnostic setting to identify gene defects in epilepsy. We performed targeted resequencing using a 30-genes panel and a 95-genes panel in 349 patients with drug-resistant epilepsies beginning in the first years of life. We identified 71 pathogenic variants, 42 of which novel, in 30 genes, corresponding to 20.3% of the probands. In 66% of mutation positive patients seizures onset occurred before age 6 months. The 95-genes panel allowed a genetic diagnosis in 22 (6.3%) patients that would have otherwise been missed using the 30-gene panel. About 50% of mutations were identified in genes coding for sodium and potassium channel components. SCN2…