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Context HNF4A–maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY1) is a relatively rare subtype of monogenic diabetes caused by loss of function of the HNF4A gene, which encodes the transcription factor HNF4α. HNF4α is known to form heterodimers, and the various combinations of isoforms that make up these heterodimers have been reported to result in a diversity of targeted genes. However, the function of individual HNF4α variant isoforms and the heterodimers comprising both wild-type (WT) and variant HNF4α have not yet been assessed. Objective In this study, we analyzed the functional consequence of the HNF4A D248Y variant in vitro. Methods We investigated the case of a 12-year-old Japanese girl who developed diabetes at age 11 years. Genetic sequencing detected a novel heterozygous missense HNF4A variant (c.742G > T, p.Asp248Tyr; referred as "D248Y") in the patient and her relatives who presented with diabetes. Results Although the WT HNF4α isoforms (HNF4α2, HNF4α3, HNF4α8, HNF4α9) enhanced the INS gene promoter activity in HepG2 cells, the promoter activity of D248Y was consistently low across all isoforms. The presence of D248Y in homodimers and heterodimers, comprising either HNF4α8 or HNF4α3 or a combination of both isoforms, also reduced the INS promoter activity in Panc-1 cells. Conclusion We report the clinical course of a patient with HNF4A-MODY and the functional analysis of novel HNF4A variants, with a focus on the isoforms and heterodimers they form. Our results serve to improve the understanding of the dominant-negative effects of pathogenic HNF4A variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. Maturity- onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a group of monogenic diseases with an autosomal dominant inheritance. This is a rarely diagnosed disease, occurring in 1 of 10 thousand adults and in 1 of 23 thousand children. Brief description. We present a case report of a patient with a monogenic diabetes HNF4A-MODY, severe hypertriglyceridemia, progressive premature coronary artery disease and a HNF4A gene pathogenic variant (ENST00000316099.8:c.1145dup).Discussion. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of triple hypoglycemic therapy, including empagliflozin for the treatment of monogenic diabetes. Despite the fact that the patient with diabetes reached the target glycated hemoglobin level, the combination of the disease with other cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, obesity, smoking, male sex) led to the progression of coronary and peripheral atherosclerosis. Considering the data of genetic testing, returning to sulfonylurea therapy should be considered. It is important for patient to follow a strict lipid-lowering diet and taking combination lipid-lowering therapy (rosuvastatin, fenofibrate and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) in order to achieve the target level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol

Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) is a form of monogenic diabetes caused by mutations in single genes, affecting adolescents or young adults. MODY is frequently misdiagnosed as type 1 diabetes (T1). Though several studies from India have reported on the genetic aspects of MODY, the clinical profile, complications and treatments given have not been reported so far, nor compared with T1D and type 2 diabetes (T2D). To determine the prevalence, clinical features, and complications of common forms of genetically proven MODY seen at a tertiary diabetes centre in South India and compare them with matched individuals with T1D and T2D. Five hundred and thirty individuals identified as 'possible MODY' based on clinical criteria, underwent genetic testing for MODY. Diagnosis of MODY was confirmed based on pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants found using Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD) and American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) criteria. The clinical profile of MODY was compared with individuals with type 1 (T1D) and type 2 (T2D) diabetes, matched for duration of diabetes. Retinopathy was diagnosed by retinal photography; nephropathy by urinary albumin excretion > 30 µg/mg of creatinine and neuropathy by vibration perception threshold > 20 v on biothesiometry. Fifty-eight patients were confirmed to have MODY (10.9%). HNF1A -MODY (n = 25) was the most common subtype followed by HNF4A -MODY (n = 11), ABCC8 -MODY (n = 11), GCK -MODY (n = 6) and HNF1B -MODY (n = 5). For comparison of clinical profile, only the three 'actionable' subtypes - defined as those who may respond to sulphonylureas, namely, HNF1A, HNF4A and ABCC8 -MODY, were included. Age at onset of diabetes was lower among HNF4A -MODY and HNF1A -MODY than ABCC8 -MODY, T1D and T2D. Prevalence of retinopathy and nephropathy was higher among the three MODY subtypes taken together (n = 47) as compared to T1D (n = 86) and T2D (n = 86). This is one of the first reports of MODY subtypes from India based on ACMG and gnomAD criteria. The high prevalence of retinopathy and nephropathy in MODY points to the need for earlier diagnosis and better control of diabetes in individuals with MODY. • Prevalence, clinical features of common MODY forms from south India are presented. • MODY cases were confirmed by ACMG and gnomAD criteria. • The pick-up rate for MODY was 10.9% among clinically suspected MODY. • HNF1A -MODY is the most common subtype of MODY followed by HNF4α MODY. • The prevalence of retinopathy & nephropathy was higher among MODY than T1D and T2D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocyte nuclear factor-4 alpha (HNF-4A) regulates genes with roles in glucose metabolism and β-cell development. Although pathogenic HNF4A variants are commonly associated with maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY1; HNF4A-MODY), rare phenotypes also include hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia, renal Fanconi syndrome and liver disease. While the association of rare functionally damaging HNF1A variants with HNF1A-MODY and type 2 diabetes is well established owing to robust functional assays, the impact of HNF4A variants on HNF-4A transactivation in tissues including the liver and kidney is less known, due to lack of similar assays. Our aim was to investigate the functional effects of seven HNF4A variants, located in the HNF-4A DNA binding domain and associated with different clinical phenotypes, by various functional assays and cell lines (transactivation, DNA binding, protein expression, nuclear localization) and in silico protein structure analyses. Variants R85W, S87N and R89W demonstrated reduced DNA binding to the consensus HNF-4A binding elements in the HNF1A promoter (35, 13 and 9%, respectively) and the G6PC promoter (R85W ~10%). While reduced transactivation on the G6PC promoter in HepG2 cells was shown for S87N (33%), R89W (65%) and R136W (35%), increased transactivation by R85W and R85Q was confirmed using several combinations of target promoters and cell lines. R89W showed reduced nuclear levels. In silico analyses supported variant induced structural impact. Our study indicates that cell line specific functional investigations are important to better understand HNF4A-MODY genotype-phenotype correlations, as our data supports ACMG/AMP interpretations of loss-of-function variants and propose assay-specific HNF4A control variants for future functional investigations., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press.)

Aim: Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) and glycogen storage disease (glycogenosis) are both causing hypoglycemia during infancy, but with different additional clinical features and therapeutic approach. We aimed to identify a genetic cause in a child with an ambiguous phenotype.Methods and Results: We present a child with hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia, physiological 3-OH butyrate, increased triglyceride serum levels, increased level of glycogen in erythrocytes, increased liver transaminases, and increased echogenicity on liver ultrasonography. As both parents of the proband were referred as healthy, we raised a clinical suspicion on glycogenosis with recessive inheritance. However, whole exome sequencing revealed no mutation in genes causing glycogenosis, but a novel heterozygous variant LRG_483t1: c.427-1G>A in the HNF4A gene was identified. Aberrant splicing resulting in in-frame deletion c.429_476del, p.(T144_I159del) was confirmed by sequencing of HNF4A transcripts reverse-transcribed from whole blood RNA. The same variant was found in five of eight tested family relatives (one of them already had diabetes, two had prediabetes). With regard to the results of DNA analysis, we added diazoxide to the therapy. Consequently, the frequency and severity of hypoglycemia in the proband decreased. We have also recommended sulfonylurea treatment after diabetes onset in adult mutation carriers.Conclusions: We have identified a novel HNF4A gene mutation in our patient with CHI and glycogenosis-like phenotype. The proband and her family members benefited from the genetic testing by WES method and consequently personalized therapy. Nevertheless, the HNF4A gene testing may be considered in selected CHI cases with glycogenosis-like phenotype prior WES analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: HNF4A is an established cause of maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY). Congenital hyperinsulinism can also be associated with mutations in the HNF4A gene. A dual phenotype is observed in HNF4A-MODY with hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia in the neonatal period progressing to diabetes in adulthood. The nature and timing of the transition remain poorly defined. We performed an observational study to establish changes in glycaemia and insulin secretion over a 6-year period. We investigated glycaemic variability and hypoglycaemia in HNF4A-MODY using a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS). Methods: An OGTT with measurement of glucose, insulin and C-peptide was performed in HNF4A participants with diabetes mellitus (DM) ( n = 14), HNF4A-IGT ( n = 7) and age- and BMI-matched MODY negative family members ( n = 10). Serial assessment was performed in the HNF4A-IGT cohort. In a subset of HNF4A-MODY mutation carriers ( n = 10), CGMS was applied over a 72-h period. Results: There was no deterioration in glycaemic control in the HNF4A-IGT cohort. The fasting glucose-to-insulin ratio was significantly lower in the HNF4A-IGT cohort when compared to the normal control group (0.13 vs. 0.24, p = 0.03). CGMS profiling demonstrated prolonged periods of hypoglycaemia in the HNF4A-IGT group when compared to the HNF4A-DM group (432 vs. 138 min p = 0.04). Conclusions: In a young adult HNF4A-IGT cohort, we demonstrate preserved glucose, insulin and C-peptide secretory responses to oral glucose. Utilising CGMS, prolonged periods of hypoglycaemia are evident despite a median age of 21 years. We propose a prolonged hyperinsulinaemic phase into adulthood is responsible for the notable hypoglycaemic episodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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