The SOX1:c.1036A > G:p.M346V variant act as an pathogenic gene in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract

Background

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) pathogenesis is multi-factorial, involving synergistic interactions among genetic susceptibility, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, and environmental exposures. Notably, specific multi-generational families exhibit NPC incidence substantially exceeding both sporadic cases and general genetic susceptibility cohorts, demonstrating Mendelian inheritance patterns. This supports the hypothesis that high penetrance pathogenic variants dominate disease initiation and progression in familial NPC.

Objective

This study aims to identify such causal genes through systematic investigation of affected kindreds.

Methods

Through multi-generational pedigree analysis of a familial NPC, we identified putative pathogenic genes via integrated various data and the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) variant interpretation. Subsequent targeted sequencing of NPC tissues enabled comprehensive profiling of candidate gene architecture, elucidating genotype-phenotype correlations in NPC oncogenesis.

Results

The SOX1:c.1036A > G:p.M346V germline variant was classified as a “likely pathogenic” gene. A total of 161 SOX1 mutation sites were detected in NPC tissues, SOX1 variant sites escalates stepwise from sporadic NPC (5.67 ± 3.44) to family history NPC (12.28 ± 6.93, p < 0.05 vs sporadic) and peaks in high variant allele frequency (VAF ≥ 20 %) lesions (17.16 ± 5.83, p < 0.05 vs sporadic). SOX1 high VAF mutations are enriched in family history NPC (27.8 %, 5/18) versus sporadic NPC (8.3 %, 1/12), and recurrent somatic mutations in SOX1 demonstrate driver-like features.

Conclusion

The SOX1:c.1036A > G:p.M346V variant represents a likely pathogenic driver in NPC, potentially exhibiting synergistic interactions with EBV-mediated oncogenesis. Concurrently, Somatic mutations at other SOX1 sites demonstrate significant familial aggregation in NPC, implicating a tumor suppressor gene dosage-dependency model in tumorigenesis.