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The question of phenotypic convergence across a signalling pathway has important implications for both developmental and evolutionary biology. The ERK-MAPK cascade is known to play a central role in dental development, but the relative roles of its compone

Background: Plexins are large transmembrane receptors for the semaphorin family of signalling proteins. Semaphorin-plexin signalling controls cellular interactions that are critical during development as well as in adult life stages. Nine plexin genes have been identified in humans, but despite the apparent importance of plexins in development, only biallelic PLXND1 and PLXNA1 variants have so far been associated with Mendelian genetic disease., Methods: Eight individuals from six families presented with a recessively inherited variable clinical condition, with core features of amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), with variable intellectual disability. Probands were investigated by exome or genome sequencing. Common variants and those unlikely to affect function were excluded. Variants consistent with autosomal recessive inheritance were prioritised. Variant segregation analysis was performed by Sanger sequencing. RNA expression analysis was conducted in C57Bl6 mice., Results: Rare biallelic pathogenic variants in plexin B2 ( PLXNB2 ), a large transmembrane semaphorin receptor protein, were found to segregate with disease in all six families. The variants identified include missense, nonsense, splicing changes and a multiexon deletion. Plxnb2 expression was detected in differentiating ameloblasts., Conclusion: We identify rare biallelic pathogenic variants in PLXNB2 as a cause of a new autosomal recessive, phenotypically diverse syndrome with AI and SNHL as core features. Intellectual disability, ocular disease, ear developmental abnormalities and lymphoedema were also present in multiple cases. The variable syndromic human phenotype overlaps with that seen in Plxnb2 knockout mice, and, together with the rarity of human PLXNB2 variants, may explain why pathogenic variants in PLXNB2 have not been reported previously., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ.)

Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a heterogeneous group of genetic rare diseases disrupting enamel development (Smith et al., Front Physiol, 2017a, 8, 333). The clinical enamel phenotypes can be described as hypoplastic, hypomineralized or hypomature and serve as a basis, together with the mode of inheritance, to Witkop's classification (Witkop, J Oral Pathol, 1988, 17, 547-553). AI can be described in isolation or associated with others symptoms in syndromes. Its occurrence was estimated to range from 1/700 to 1/14,000. More than 70 genes have currently been identified as causative. Objectives: We analyzed using next-generation sequencing (NGS) a heterogeneous cohort of AI patients in order to determine the molecular etiology of AI and to improve diagnosis and disease management. Methods: Individuals presenting with so called "isolated" or syndromic AI were enrolled and examined at the Reference Centre for Rare Oral and Dental Diseases (O-Rares) using D4/phenodent protocol (www.phenodent.org). Families gave written informed consents for both phenotyping and molecular analysis and diagnosis using a dedicated NGS panel named GenoDENT. This panel explores currently simultaneously 567 genes. The study is registered under NCT01746121 and NCT02397824 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/). Results: GenoDENT obtained a 60% diagnostic rate. We reported genetics results for 221 persons divided between 115 AI index cases and their 106 associated relatives from a total of 111 families. From this index cohort, 73% were diagnosed with non-syndromic amelogenesis imperfecta and 27% with syndromic amelogenesis imperfecta. Each individual was classified according to the AI phenotype. Type I hypoplastic AI represented 61 individuals (53%), Type II hypomature AI affected 31 individuals (27%), Type III hypomineralized AI was diagnosed in 18 individuals (16%) and Type IV hypoplastic-hypomature AI with taurodontism concerned 5 individuals (4%). We validated the genetic diagnosis, with class 4 (likely pathogenic) or class 5 (pathogenic) variants, for 81% of the cohort, and identified candidate variants (variant of uncertain significance or VUS) for 19% of index cases. Among the 151 sequenced variants, 47 are newly reported and classified as class 4 or 5. The most frequently discovered genotypes were associated with MMP20 and FAM83H for isolated AI. FAM20A and LTBP3 genes were the most frequent genes identified for syndromic AI. Patients negative to the panel were resolved with exome sequencing elucidating for example the gene involved ie ACP4 or digenic inheritance. Conclusion: NGS GenoDENT panel is a validated and cost-efficient technique offering new perspectives to understand underlying molecular mechanisms of AI. Discovering variants in genes involved in syndromic AI ( CNNM4, WDR72, FAM20A … ) transformed patient overall care. Unravelling the genetic basis of AI sheds light on Witkop's AI classification., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Bloch-Zupan, Rey, Jimenez-Armijo, Kawczynski, Kharouf, O-Rare consortium, Dure-Molla, Noirrit, Hernandez, Joseph-Beaudin, Lopez, Tardieu, Thivichon-Prince, ERN Cranio Consortium, Dostalova, Macek, International Consortium, Alloussi, Qebibo, Morkmued, Pungchanchaikul, Orellana, Manière, Gérard, Bugueno and Laugel-Haushalter.)

In this study, we report a unique dominantly inherited disorganized supernumerary cusp and single root phenotype presented by 11 affected individuals belonging to 5 north-eastern Thai families. Using whole exome sequencing (WES) we identified a common single missense mutation that segregates with the phenotype in exon 6 of CACNA1S (Ca v 1.1) (NM_000069.2: c.[865A > G];[=] p.[Ile289Val];[=]), the Calcium Channel, Voltage-Dependent, L Type, Alpha-1s Subunit, OMIM ∗ 114208), affecting a highly conserved amino-acid isoleucine residue within the pore forming subdomain of CACNA1S protein. This is a strong genetic evidence that a voltage-dependent calcium ion channel is likely to play a role in influencing tooth morphogenesis and patterning.

Abnormalities of enamel matrix proteins deposition, mineralization, or degradation during tooth development are responsible for a spectrum of either genetic diseases termed Amelogenesis imperfecta or acquired enamel defects. To assess if environmental/nutritional factors can exacerbate enamel defects, we investigated the role of the active form of vitamin A, retinoic acid (RA). Robust expression of RA-degrading enzymes Cyp26b1 and Cyp26c1 in developing murine teeth suggested RA excess would reduce tooth hard tissue mineralization, adversely affecting enamel. We employed a protocol where RA was supplied to pregnant mice as a food supplement, at a concentration estimated to result in moderate elevations in serum RA levels. This supplementation led to severe enamel defects in adult mice born from pregnant dams, with most severe alterations observed for treatments from embryonic day (E)12.5 to E16.5. We identified the enamel matrix proteins enamelin ( Enam ), ameloblastin ( Ambn ), and odontogenic ameloblast-associated protein ( Odam ) as target genes affected by excess RA, exhibiting mRNA reductions of over 20-fold in lower incisors at E16.5. RA treatments also affected bone formation, reducing mineralization. Accordingly, craniofacial ossification was drastically reduced after 2 days of treatment (E14.5). Massive RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on E14.5 and E16.5 lower incisors. Reductions in Runx2 (a key transcriptional regulator of bone and enamel differentiation) and its targets were observed at E14.5 in RA-exposed embryos. RNA-seq analysis further indicated that bone growth factors, extracellular matrix, and calcium homeostasis were perturbed. Genes mutated in human AI ( ENAM, AMBN, AMELX, AMTN, KLK4 ) were reduced in expression at E16.5. Our observations support a model in which elevated RA signaling at fetal stages affects dental cell lineages. Thereafter enamel protein production is impaired, leading to permanent enamel alterations.

Background: Orodental diseases include several clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorders that can present in isolation or as part of a genetic syndrome. Due to the vast number of genes implicated in these disorders, establishing a molecular diagnosis can be challenging. We aimed to develop a targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) assay to diagnose mutations and potentially identify novel genes mutated in this group of disorders., Methods: We designed an NGS gene panel that targets 585 known and candidate genes in orodental disease. We screened a cohort of 101 unrelated patients without a molecular diagnosis referred to the Reference Centre for Oro-Dental Manifestations of Rare Diseases, Strasbourg, France, for a variety of orodental disorders including isolated and syndromic amelogenesis imperfecta (AI), isolated and syndromic selective tooth agenesis (STHAG), isolated and syndromic dentinogenesis imperfecta, isolated dentin dysplasia, otodental dysplasia and primary failure of tooth eruption., Results: We discovered 21 novel pathogenic variants and identified the causative mutation in 39 unrelated patients in known genes (overall diagnostic rate: 39%). Among the largest subcohorts of patients with isolated AI (50 unrelated patients) and isolated STHAG (21 unrelated patients), we had a definitive diagnosis in 14 (27%) and 15 cases (71%), respectively. Surprisingly, COL17A1 mutations accounted for the majority of autosomal-dominant AI cases., Conclusions: We have developed a novel targeted NGS assay for the efficient molecular diagnosis of a wide variety of orodental diseases. Furthermore, our panel will contribute to better understanding the contribution of these genes to orodental disease., Trial Registration Numbers: NCT01746121 and NCT02397824., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/)

The question of phenotypic convergence across a signalling pathway has important implications for both developmental and evolutionary biology. The ERK-MAPK cascade is known to play a central role in dental development, but the relative roles of its components remain unknown. Here we investigate the diversity of dental phenotypes in Spry2(-/-), Spry4(-/-), and Rsk2(-/Y) mice, including the incidence of extra teeth, which were lost in the mouse lineage 45 million years ago (Ma). In addition, Sprouty-specific anomalies mimic a phenotype that is absent in extant mice but present in mouse ancestors prior to 9 Ma. Although the mutant lines studied display convergent phenotypes, each gene has a specific role in tooth number determination and crown patterning. The similarities found between teeth in fossils and mutants highlight the pivotal role of the ERK-MAPK cascade during the evolution of the dentition in rodents.

Inherited dental malformations constitute a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders. Here, we report on four families, three of them consanguineous, with an identical phenotype, characterized by significant short stature with brachyolmia and hypoplastic amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) with almost absent enamel. This phenotype was first described in 1996 by Verloes et al. as an autosomal recessive form of brachyolmia associated with AI. Whole-exome sequencing resulted in the identification of recessive hypomorphic mutations including deletion, nonsense and splice mutations, in the LTBP3 gene, which is involved in the TGF-beta signaling pathway. We further investigated gene expression during mouse development and tooth formation. Differentiated ameloblasts synthesizing enamel matrix proteins and odontoblasts expressed the gene. Study of an available knockout mouse model showed that the mutant mice displayed very thin to absent enamel in both incisors and molars, hereby recapitulating the AI phenotype in the human disorder., (© The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press.)

Kohlschütter-Tönz Syndrome (KTZS) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the ROGDI gene. This syndrome is characterized by epilepsy, psychomotor regression and amelogenesis imperfecta. In this paper, we report a case of a 13-year-old Malian girl presenting with this rare disease. By genetic analysis, we identified a novel ROGDI homozygous mutation NM_024589.1: c.117+1G>T [Chr16 (GRCh37): g.4852382C>A] which confirmed the diagnosis of Kohlschütter-Tönz syndrome. The mutation abolishes the usual splice donor site of intron 2 which leads to the deletion of exon 2 and in-frame assembly of exon 3. Exon 2 encodes a highly conserved leucine-rich region that is essential for ROGDI protein function. Hence, this deletion may affect the function of the ROGDI protein.

Background: The RSK2 gene is responsible for Coffin-Lowry syndrome, an X-linked dominant genetic disorder causing mental retardation, skeletal growth delays, with craniofacial and digital abnormalities typically associated with this syndrome. Craniofacial and dental anomalies encountered in this rare disease have been poorly characterized., Methodology/principal Findings: We examined, using X-Ray microtomographic analysis, the variable craniofacial dysmorphism and dental anomalies present in Rsk2 knockout mice, a model of Coffin-Lowry syndrome, as well as in triple Rsk1,2,3 knockout mutants. We report Rsk mutation produces surpernumerary teeth midline/mesial to the first molar. This highly penetrant phenotype recapitulates more ancestral tooth structures lost with evolution. Most likely this leads to a reduction of the maxillary diastema. Abnormalities of molar shape were generally restricted to the mesial part of both upper and lower first molars (M1). Expression analysis of the four Rsk genes (Rsk1, 2, 3 and 4) was performed at various stages of odontogenesis in wild-type (WT) mice. Rsk2 is expressed in the mesenchymal, neural crest-derived compartment, correlating with proliferative areas of the developing teeth. This is consistent with RSK2 functioning in cell cycle control and growth regulation, functions potentially responsible for severe dental phenotypes. To uncover molecular pathways involved in the etiology of these defects, we performed a comparative transcriptomic (DNA microarray) analysis of mandibular wild-type versus Rsk2-/Y molars. We further demonstrated a misregulation of several critical genes, using a Rsk2 shRNA knock-down strategy in molar tooth germs cultured in vitro., Conclusions: This study reveals RSK2 regulates craniofacial development including tooth development and patterning via novel transcriptional targets.

Background: One of the key questions in developmental biology is how, from a relatively small number of conserved signaling pathways, is it possible to generate organs displaying a wide range of shapes, tissue organization, and function. The dentition and its distinct specific tooth types represent a valuable system to address the issues of differential molecular signatures. To identify such signatures, we performed a comparative transcriptomic analysis of developing murine lower incisors, mandibular molars and maxillary molars at the developmental cap stage (E14.5)., Results: 231 genes were identified as being differentially expressed between mandibular incisors and molars, with a fold change higher than 2 and a false discovery rate lower than 0.1, whereas only 96 genes were discovered as being differentially expressed between mandibular and maxillary molars. Numerous genes belonging to specific signaling pathways (the Hedgehog, Notch, Wnt, FGF, TGFβ/BMP, and retinoic acid pathways), and/or to the homeobox gene superfamily, were also uncovered when a less stringent fold change threshold was used. Differential expressions for 10 out of 12 (mandibular incisors versus molars) and 9 out of 10 selected genes were confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR). A bioinformatics tool (Ingenuity Pathway Analysis) used to analyze biological functions and pathways on the group of incisor versus molar differentially expressed genes revealed that 143 genes belonged to 9 networks with intermolecular connections. Networks with the highest significance scores were centered on the TNF/NFκB complex and the ERK1/2 kinases. Two networks ERK1/2 kinases and tretinoin were involved in differential molar morphogenesis., Conclusion: These data allowed us to build several regulatory networks that may distinguish incisor versus molar identity, and may be useful for further investigations of these tooth-specific ontogenetic programs. These programs may be dysregulated in transgenic animal models and related human diseases leading to dental anomalies.