De Novo Variant in GBX1 Gene Associated With Developmental Delay and Focal Epilepsy

ABSTRACT Background The gastrulation brain homeobox (Gbx) family, including GBX1 and GBX2, is crucial for hindbrain development and contributes to the morphogenesis of the midbrain–hindbrain boundary (MHB). While the role of the GBX1 gene in the development of the human nervous system remains to be...

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Main Authors: Bingbing Zhang, Xiaohua Li, Xiao Qian, Jihong Tang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-06-01
Series:Molecular Genetics & Genomic Medicine
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/mgg3.70114
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author Bingbing Zhang
Xiaohua Li
Xiao Qian
Jihong Tang
author_facet Bingbing Zhang
Xiaohua Li
Xiao Qian
Jihong Tang
author_sort Bingbing Zhang
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Background The gastrulation brain homeobox (Gbx) family, including GBX1 and GBX2, is crucial for hindbrain development and contributes to the morphogenesis of the midbrain–hindbrain boundary (MHB). While the role of the GBX1 gene in the development of the human nervous system remains to be elucidated, its variant in humans has not previously been reported to be associated with disease. Methods The patient presenting with sleep panic attacks underwent comprehensive clinical assessments, including electroencephalograph (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and genetic testing through whole exome sequencing (WES). Zebrafish models were generated through gbx1 gene crispants to investigate the functional impact of identified genetic variants. Results The patient in our study was diagnosed with focal epilepsy through long‐range EEG. WES revealed a de novo GBX1 gene variant [NM_001098834.3: c.910C>T (p.Gln304*)]. In zebrafish larvae with gbx1 gene disruption, significant abnormalities were observed in the morphology of the interocular area. Furthermore, these larvae exhibited an increased susceptibility to neurophysiological abnormalities associated with epileptiform activity. Conclusion Our study is the first to identify an association between the GBX1 gene variant and focal epilepsy. The zebrafish models confirmed the presence of related phenotypes in the gbx1‐Cas9. These findings underscore the significance of the GBX1 gene in neurological function.
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spelling doaj-art-190be0d17ee947df80f886a1f22df14c2025-08-20T03:23:56ZengWileyMolecular Genetics & Genomic Medicine2324-92692025-06-01136n/an/a10.1002/mgg3.70114De Novo Variant in GBX1 Gene Associated With Developmental Delay and Focal EpilepsyBingbing Zhang0Xiaohua Li1Xiao Qian2Jihong Tang3Children's Hospital of Soochow University Jiangsu Province ChinaThe First People's Hospital of Lianyungang Jiangsu Province ChinaCipher Gene LLC Beijing ChinaChildren's Hospital of Soochow University Jiangsu Province ChinaABSTRACT Background The gastrulation brain homeobox (Gbx) family, including GBX1 and GBX2, is crucial for hindbrain development and contributes to the morphogenesis of the midbrain–hindbrain boundary (MHB). While the role of the GBX1 gene in the development of the human nervous system remains to be elucidated, its variant in humans has not previously been reported to be associated with disease. Methods The patient presenting with sleep panic attacks underwent comprehensive clinical assessments, including electroencephalograph (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and genetic testing through whole exome sequencing (WES). Zebrafish models were generated through gbx1 gene crispants to investigate the functional impact of identified genetic variants. Results The patient in our study was diagnosed with focal epilepsy through long‐range EEG. WES revealed a de novo GBX1 gene variant [NM_001098834.3: c.910C>T (p.Gln304*)]. In zebrafish larvae with gbx1 gene disruption, significant abnormalities were observed in the morphology of the interocular area. Furthermore, these larvae exhibited an increased susceptibility to neurophysiological abnormalities associated with epileptiform activity. Conclusion Our study is the first to identify an association between the GBX1 gene variant and focal epilepsy. The zebrafish models confirmed the presence of related phenotypes in the gbx1‐Cas9. These findings underscore the significance of the GBX1 gene in neurological function.https://doi.org/10.1002/mgg3.70114developmental delayfocal epilepsyGBX1whole exome sequencing
spellingShingle Bingbing Zhang
Xiaohua Li
Xiao Qian
Jihong Tang
De Novo Variant in GBX1 Gene Associated With Developmental Delay and Focal Epilepsy
Molecular Genetics & Genomic Medicine
developmental delay
focal epilepsy
GBX1
whole exome sequencing
title De Novo Variant in GBX1 Gene Associated With Developmental Delay and Focal Epilepsy
title_full De Novo Variant in GBX1 Gene Associated With Developmental Delay and Focal Epilepsy
title_fullStr De Novo Variant in GBX1 Gene Associated With Developmental Delay and Focal Epilepsy
title_full_unstemmed De Novo Variant in GBX1 Gene Associated With Developmental Delay and Focal Epilepsy
title_short De Novo Variant in GBX1 Gene Associated With Developmental Delay and Focal Epilepsy
title_sort de novo variant in gbx1 gene associated with developmental delay and focal epilepsy
topic developmental delay
focal epilepsy
GBX1
whole exome sequencing
url https://doi.org/10.1002/mgg3.70114
work_keys_str_mv AT bingbingzhang denovovariantingbx1geneassociatedwithdevelopmentaldelayandfocalepilepsy
AT xiaohuali denovovariantingbx1geneassociatedwithdevelopmentaldelayandfocalepilepsy
AT xiaoqian denovovariantingbx1geneassociatedwithdevelopmentaldelayandfocalepilepsy
AT jihongtang denovovariantingbx1geneassociatedwithdevelopmentaldelayandfocalepilepsy