Identification of novel compound heterozygous variants in SLC19A2 and the genotype-phenotype associations in thiamine-responsive megaloblastic anemia

Clin Chim Acta. 2021 May:516:157-168. doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2021.01.025. Epub 2021 Feb 9.

Abstract

Background and aims: Thiamine-responsive megaloblastic anemia (TRMA), caused by SLC19A2 loss-of-function variants, is characterized by the triad of megaloblastic anemia, progressive sensorineural deafness, and non-type 1 diabetes mellitus. Here, we present the case of a Chinese infant with two novel variants segregating in compound heterozygous form in SLC19A2 and reviewed genotype-phenotype associations (GPAs) in patients with TRMA.

Materials and methods: Whole-exome sequencing was performed to establish a genetic diagnosis. The clinical manifestations and genetic variants were collected by performing a literature review. The bioinformatics software SIFT, PolyPhen2, and Mutation Taster was applied to predict variant effects and analyze GPAs.

Results: Two novel variants segregating in compound heterozygous form in SLC19A2 (NM_006996.2: exon2:c.336_363del:p.W112fs; exon2:c.358G>T:p.G120X) was identified. Thiamine supplementation corrected anemia and diabetes mellitus but did not improve the hearing defect. In the literature, 183 patients with TRMA with 74 variants in SLC19A2 have been reported, with high incidence in the Middle East, South Asia, and the northern Mediterranean. Patients with biallelic premature termination codon variants presented with more severe phenotypes, and truncating sites on extracellular domains was a protective factor for the hemoglobin level at diagnosis.

Conclusion: Two novel compound heterozygous variants (NM_006996.2: exon2:c.336_363del:p.W112fs; exon2:c.358G>T:p.G120X) were identified, and GPAs in TRMA indicated the predictability of clinical manifestations.

Keywords: Genotype-phenotype association; Neonatal diabetes; SLC19A2; Thiamine-responsive megaloblastic anemia syndrome.

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Megaloblastic* / drug therapy
  • Anemia, Megaloblastic* / genetics
  • Asia
  • Diabetes Mellitus* / genetics
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural* / diagnosis
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Thiamine / therapeutic use
  • Thiamine Deficiency*

Substances

  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • SLC19A2 protein, human
  • Thiamine