Standardized practices for RNA diagnostics using clinically accessible specimens reclassifies 75% of putative splicing variants

Adam M. Bournazos, Lisa G. Riley, Shobhana Bommireddipalli, Lesley Ades, Lauren S. Akesson, Mohammad Al-Shinnag, Stephen I. Alexander, Alison D. Archibald, Shanti Balasubramaniam, Yemina Berman, Victoria Beshay, Kirsten Boggs, Jasmina Bojadzieva, Natasha J. Brown, Samantha J. Bryen, Michael F. Buckley, Belinda Chong, Mark R. Davis, Ruebena Dawes, Martin DelatyckiLiz Donaldson, Lilian Downie, Caitlin Edwards, Matthew Edwards, Amanda Engel, Lisa J. Ewans, Fathimath Faiz, Andrew Fennell, Michael Field, Mary-Louise Freckmann, Lyndon Gallacher, Russell Gear, Himanshu Goel, Shuxiang Goh, Linda Goodwin, Bernadette Hanna, James Harraway, Megan Higgins, Gladys Ho, Bruce K. Hopper, Ari E. Horton, Matthew F. Hunter, Aamira J. Huq, Sarah Josephi-Taylor, Himanshu Joshi, Edwin Kirk, Emma Krzesinski, Kishore R. Kumar, Frances Lemckert, Richard J. Leventer, et al

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

52 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose: Genetic variants causing aberrant premessenger RNA splicing are increasingly being recognized as causal variants in genetic disorders. In this study, we devise standardized practices for polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based RNA diagnostics using clinically accessible specimens (blood, fibroblasts, urothelia, biopsy). Methods: A total of 74 families with diverse monogenic conditions (31% prenatal-congenital onset, 47% early childhood, and 22% teenage-adult onset) were triaged into PCR-based RNA testing, with comparative RNA sequencing for 19 cases. Results: Informative RNA assay data were obtained for 96% of cases, enabling variant reclassification for 75% variants that can be used for genetic counseling (71%), to inform clinical care (32%) and prenatal counseling (41%). Variant-associated mis-splicing was highly reproducible for 28 cases with samples from ≥2 affected individuals or heterozygotes and 10 cases with ≥2 biospecimens. PCR amplicons encompassing another segregated heterozygous variant was vital for clinical interpretation of 22 of 79 variants to phase RNA splicing events and discern complete from partial mis-splicing. Conclusion: RNA diagnostics enabled provision of a genetic diagnosis for 64% of recruited cases. PCR-based RNA diagnostics has capacity to analyze 81.3% of clinically significant genes, with long amplicons providing an advantage over RNA sequencing to phase RNA splicing events. The Australasian Consortium for RNA Diagnostics (SpliceACORD) provide clinically-endorsed, standardized protocols and recommendations for interpreting RNA assay data.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)130-145
Number of pages16
JournalGenetics in Medicine
Volume24
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

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