Sheetal Kumar, Sohail Ahmed, Pietro Incardona, Nicole Cesarato, Yue Zhang, Monica Ines Natale, Muhammad Javed Khan, Laura Valinotto, Kifayat Ullah, Wasim Ahmad, Ines Irurzun, Peter M Krawitz, Bo Liang, Regina C Betz
{"title":"Recurrent MBTPS2 variant c.970+5G>A in IFAP syndrome: a mutational hotspot.","authors":"Sheetal Kumar, Sohail Ahmed, Pietro Incardona, Nicole Cesarato, Yue Zhang, Monica Ines Natale, Muhammad Javed Khan, Laura Valinotto, Kifayat Ullah, Wasim Ahmad, Ines Irurzun, Peter M Krawitz, Bo Liang, Regina C Betz","doi":"10.1038/s41439-026-00346-2","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41439-026-00346-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ichthyosis follicularis, alopecia and photophobia (IFAP) syndrome type I is a rare, X-linked disorder resulting from pathogenic variants in MBTPS2. Here we report a Pakistani IFAP pedigree of three affected individuals harboring the recurrent MBTPS2 splice-site variant c.970+5G>A that was reported previously in Chinese and Argentinian families. Haplotype analyses across these three families excluded a founder effect, establishing c.970+5G>A as a recurrent mutational hotspot. In addition, phenotypic severity varied across the families, suggesting additional modifiers.</p>","PeriodicalId":36861,"journal":{"name":"Human Genome Variation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13087023/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147677393","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"ChatTogoVar: a TogoVar-based retrieval-augmented generation system for precise genomic variant interpretation.","authors":"Nobutaka Mitsuhashi, Toyofumi Fujiwara, Atsuko Yamaguchi","doi":"10.1038/s41439-026-00344-4","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41439-026-00344-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Large language models (LLMs) have recently been adopted to assist in the interpretation of human genomic variants. However, general-purpose LLMs can produce incorrect outputs (commonly termed 'hallucinations'), particularly on specialized queries, raising concerns about their reliability for variant interpretation. Here, to mitigate this risk, we developed ChatTogoVar, a retrieval-augmented generation system that queries TogoVar, a variant database that integrates information, such as allele frequency and clinical significance, and incorporates the retrieved results into prompts. We constructed a benchmark of 150 questions sampled from a predefined pool of 1500 template-variant combinations (50 templates × 30 variants). For large-scale assessment, we used the full 1500-question pool for automated LLM-based scoring. ChatTogoVar achieved the highest score for 135/150 questions, outperforming both a general-purpose LLM and an existing specialized system. Furthermore, automatic evaluation of all 1500 questions by an LLM confirmed the same trend. These results suggest that integrating a reliable variant database with an LLM can improve the accuracy of variant interpretation and that ChatTogoVar may serve as a practical tool to support genomic medicine and personalized healthcare.</p>","PeriodicalId":36861,"journal":{"name":"Human Genome Variation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13194818/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147646811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Clinical features of syndromic microphthalmia in two novel RARB variants.","authors":"Yoshito Koyanagi, Hazuki Morikawa-Anzai, Tomoyo Yoshida, Makiko Tominaga, Yuichi Abe, Rika Kosaki, Keiko Matsubara, Maki Fukami, Sachiko Nishina","doi":"10.1038/s41439-026-00345-3","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41439-026-00345-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Here we describe unrelated Japanese patients with distinct novel heterozygous retinoic acid receptor beta (RARB) gene variants underlying syndromic microphthalmia-12: case 1 with a frameshift variant, c.1205_1206del, had bilateral microphthalmia, corneal opacity, anterior segment dysgenesis, widespread multiorgan anomalies, hypotonia and cognitive impairment; case 2 with a missense variant, c.844G>T had Peters anomaly, extreme microphthalmia, spasticity, profound psychomotor delay and refractory epilepsy. These findings highlight the need for RARB testing.</p>","PeriodicalId":36861,"journal":{"name":"Human Genome Variation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13184296/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147628698","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"MSX1 variant causes nonsyndromic tooth agenesis in a Japanese patient.","authors":"Yasuto Sano, Michiyo Ando, Reiko Tokuyama-Toda, Akiko Ota, Junichiro Machida, Kazuhito Satomura, Mitsuo Goto, Yoshihito Tokita","doi":"10.1038/s41439-026-00343-5","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41439-026-00343-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>MSX1 variants are associated with autosomal dominant craniofacial developmental anomalies, including congenital tooth agenesis. Here, whole-exome sequencing in a Japanese patient with congenital tooth agenesis identified a novel de novo heterozygous frameshift variant in MSX1 (NM_002448.3:c.299delC). The variant is predicted to generate a truncated protein, p.(Pro100Argfs*60), that lacks the C-terminal region of MSX1 and is expected to result in loss of function. The patient presented with congenital tooth agenesis, including canine agenesis. Taken together with the genetic findings, this case supports the involvement of MSX1 in congenital tooth agenesis and broadens the reported phenotypic presentation of MSX1-related tooth agenesis. This report adds to the spectrum of disease-associated MSX1 variants and supports the utility of genomic testing for molecular diagnosis in rare dental developmental anomalies.</p>","PeriodicalId":36861,"journal":{"name":"Human Genome Variation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13179374/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147610126","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Heterozygous frameshift KMT2A variant in a patient with Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome.","authors":"Sawako Hirai, Hiroshi Mitsubuchi, Shirou Matsumoto","doi":"10.1038/s41439-026-00338-2","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41439-026-00338-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Here we report a case of a Japanese girl with Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome carrying a novel heterozygous frameshift variant of KMT2A (NM_001197104.2:c.10123del, p.Thr3375ProfsTer7). Her clinical features included severe pre- and postnatal growth failure, global developmental delay, hypertrichosis and complete agenesis of the corpus callosum. The identified variant truncates the protein, abolishes the C-terminal SET domain required for histone methyltransferase activity, and is predicted to trigger nonsense-mediated mRNA decay, resulting in KMT2A haploinsufficiency-the primary pathogenic mechanism of Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome. This report documents a previously unreported loss-of-function variant in KMT2A with detailed molecular interpretation and phenotypic characterization, contributing to refinement of the mutational spectrum associated with Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome.</p>","PeriodicalId":36861,"journal":{"name":"Human Genome Variation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13000237/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147475806","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Non-pterygium Escobar syndrome from compound-heterozygous CHRNG variants: genotype-phenotype insights.","authors":"Jun Kido, Hiroe Ueno, Yohei Misumi, Keishin Sugawara, Suzuran Saito, Eriko Koshimizu, Naomichi Matsumoto, Mitsuharu Ueda, Kimitoshi Nakamura","doi":"10.1038/s41439-026-00340-8","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41439-026-00340-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Escobar syndrome is a rare congenital disorder characterized by contractures, pterygia and craniofacial anomalies. Here we report a school-age girl harboring compound-heterozygous CHRNG variants, NM_005199.5:c.[2T>C];[428C>G] p.[(Met1?)];[(Pro143Arg)]. She presented with neonatal asphyxia, congenital limb contractures and low-frequency hearing loss but without pterygia, maintaining normal cognition. This case underscores the phenotypic variability of CHRNG-related disease and alerts clinicians to recognize milder presentations that lack pterygia and to consider targeted genetic testin.</p>","PeriodicalId":36861,"journal":{"name":"Human Genome Variation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13000176/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147459797","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"ZMYND11 p.Arg600Trp variant associated with a distinctive neurodevelopmental phenotype.","authors":"Hidetaka Yoshimatsu, Jun Kido, Takaaki Sawada, Keishin Sugawara, Yohei Misumi, Yukina Hayashi, Atsushi Fujita, Naomichi Matsumoto, Mitsuharu Ueda, Kimitoshi Nakamura","doi":"10.1038/s41439-026-00339-1","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41439-026-00339-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Zinc finger MYND-type containing 11 (ZMYND11)-related neurodevelopmental disorder is an autosomal dominant condition caused by pathogenic variants in ZMYND11. Most previously reported patients harbor loss-of-function (LoF) variants, whereas missense variants are rare and their clinical and mechanistic characteristics remain insufficiently defined. Here we report a patient with a heterozygous ZMYND11 c.1798C>T, p.(Arg600Trp) variant identified through the Initiative on Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases program. Detailed clinical evaluation, developmental assessment and whole-exome sequencing were performed. In addition, a systematic review of previously published ZMYND11 cases was conducted to compare genotype-phenotype correlations between missense and LoF variants. The present patient showed global developmental delay, hypotonia, distinctive craniofacial features, microcephaly, short stature, cryptorchidism and right-sided inguinal hernia. Comparison with two previously reported individuals carrying the same c.1798C>T variant demonstrated consistent shared features, including microcephaly, broad nasal alae, short stature, cryptorchidism and nipple anomalies, findings that are not typically emphasized in LoF-associated cases. Aggregate analysis of reported 13 missense variants suggested higher frequencies of strabismus, hypotonia and severe intellectual disability compared with LoF variants, supporting the hypothesis that missense variants including c.1798C>T may define a partially distinct clinical subgroup. These findings expand the phenotypic spectrum associated with ZMYND11 missense variants and suggest variant-specific clinical patterns, particularly for c.1798C>T, which may reflect a mechanism different from simple haploinsufficiency.</p>","PeriodicalId":36861,"journal":{"name":"Human Genome Variation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13000240/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147445158","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Novel nonsense variant of KIF11 in a patient with MCLMR.","authors":"Yuko Ozaki, Kyoko Yokoi, Yasuhisa Nakamura, Masanori Fujimoto, Risako Ishioka, Kozue Kasukabe, Takenori Kato, Shinji Saitoh","doi":"10.1038/s41439-026-00341-7","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41439-026-00341-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Microcephaly with or without chorioretinopathy, lymphedema or mental retardation is a rare KIF11-related disorder. Here we report the case of a patient with microcephaly, lymphedema, nystagmus and familial exudative vitreoretinopathy carrying a novel de novo KIF11 nonsense variant (NM_004523.4:p.Glu123Ter), which is considered pathogenic. This case expands the phenotypic range of KIF11 pathogenic variants and highlights the importance of early ophthalmological evaluation, genetic counseling and family assessment.</p>","PeriodicalId":36861,"journal":{"name":"Human Genome Variation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12982743/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147345294","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Population frequencies of thiopurine-related pharmacogenes in healthy individuals from Kosovo.","authors":"Flaka Pasha, Dunja Urbančič, Gordana Gosheva, Bukurije Zhubi, Safete Maliqi Qormemeti, Shaip Krasniqi, Irena Mlinarič-Raščan","doi":"10.1038/s41439-026-00337-3","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41439-026-00337-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Personalized thiopurine therapy is among the most established examples of pharmacogenomics translated into clinical practice. Variants in TPMT (rs1800462, rs1800460, rs1142345) and NUDT15 (rs116855232) are recognized clinical predictors of thiopurine efficacy and toxicity. Additional variants in genes such as PACSIN2 (rs2413739), ITPA (rs1127354) and MTHFR (rs1801133 and rs1801131), also contribute to variability in drug response. Here we characterize the frequency of the pharmacogenetic variants involved in thiopurine metabolism in a healthy population of Kosovo. We genotyped 299 healthy blood donors for polymorphisms. Among TPMT variant alleles, TPMT*3A was observed at a frequency of 2.0%, and the TPMT*3C at 0.1%. Notably, the MTHFR 677T variant (rs1801133) was significantly more frequent in the Kosovo population (49.8%) compared with the global and European frequencies. The minor allele frequency of MTHFR rs1801131 was 27.4%. Minor allele frequencies for PACSIN2 rs2413739 and ITPA rs1127354 variants were 48.8% and 4.0%, respectively. Sequencing of NUDT15 revealed six variants, with rs116855232 present at frequency of 0.8%. These findings provide important insights into the pharmacogenomic profile of the Kosovo population and support the implementation of pre-emptive genotyping to improve the safety and efficacy of thiopurine therapy in the region.</p>","PeriodicalId":36861,"journal":{"name":"Human Genome Variation","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12949057/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147318263","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}