Genetic Markers of Spina Bifida: Enrichment of Pathogenic Variants and Variants of Uncertain Significance

Introduction: The genetic diversity of the population in India, shaped by its unique history of migrations and varied ethnic landscape, suggests the possibility of genetic profiles distinct from the western populations. Objective: The objective is to investigate the genetic basis of spina bifida in...

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Main Authors: Jyoti Sharma, Mahima Sharma, Sourabh Kumar, Himani Kaushik, Himani Pandey, Devi Lal, Vishesh Jain, Anjan Kumar Dhua, Devendra Kumar Yadav, Sandeep Agarwala, Prabudh Goel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2025-03-01
Series:Journal of Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeons
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Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jiaps.jiaps_193_24
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author Jyoti Sharma
Mahima Sharma
Sourabh Kumar
Himani Kaushik
Himani Pandey
Devi Lal
Vishesh Jain
Anjan Kumar Dhua
Devendra Kumar Yadav
Sandeep Agarwala
Prabudh Goel
author_facet Jyoti Sharma
Mahima Sharma
Sourabh Kumar
Himani Kaushik
Himani Pandey
Devi Lal
Vishesh Jain
Anjan Kumar Dhua
Devendra Kumar Yadav
Sandeep Agarwala
Prabudh Goel
author_sort Jyoti Sharma
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: The genetic diversity of the population in India, shaped by its unique history of migrations and varied ethnic landscape, suggests the possibility of genetic profiles distinct from the western populations. Objective: The objective is to investigate the genetic basis of spina bifida in the Indian cohort through whole-exome sequencing and pathway enrichment. Methods: The variants of uncertain significance (VUS) of spina bifida were identified through whole-exome sequencing in the study cohort (n = 3). The pathogenic, likely pathogenic, and VUS were analyzed for protein–protein interactions and functional associations with genes implicated in spina bifida using tools such as STRING and KEGG pathways, which were validated through a literature review. The study was focused on the Wnt/planar cell polarity signaling pathway, which is crucial for neural tube closure. Results: The study-cohort was collectively represented through 40 common VUS, including eight deleterious SNPs related to genes AP3D1, NLRP9, PCDHGA11, PRSS3, MTSS2, ENDOV, C9, and NSD3. These genes were functionally linked to neural development, immune response, and cellular processes critical for neural tube closure. Notably, interactions were observed between four genes (NLGN2, PKD1, PRSS3, and PLK1) and CTNNB1 (Wnt signaling pathway) crucial for embryonic neural tube formation. Conclusions: This study has identified novel genetic variants and pathways potentially contributing to the etiopathogenesis of spina bifida in the Indian population. Future research with larger cohorts and functional studies is necessary to validate these findings and explore their potential for clinical applications in spina bifida.
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spelling doaj-art-6ccc96383b4f455f9437f6796f7d10352025-08-20T03:03:37ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeons0971-92611998-38912025-03-0130216316910.4103/jiaps.jiaps_193_24Genetic Markers of Spina Bifida: Enrichment of Pathogenic Variants and Variants of Uncertain SignificanceJyoti SharmaMahima SharmaSourabh KumarHimani KaushikHimani PandeyDevi LalVishesh JainAnjan Kumar DhuaDevendra Kumar YadavSandeep AgarwalaPrabudh GoelIntroduction: The genetic diversity of the population in India, shaped by its unique history of migrations and varied ethnic landscape, suggests the possibility of genetic profiles distinct from the western populations. Objective: The objective is to investigate the genetic basis of spina bifida in the Indian cohort through whole-exome sequencing and pathway enrichment. Methods: The variants of uncertain significance (VUS) of spina bifida were identified through whole-exome sequencing in the study cohort (n = 3). The pathogenic, likely pathogenic, and VUS were analyzed for protein–protein interactions and functional associations with genes implicated in spina bifida using tools such as STRING and KEGG pathways, which were validated through a literature review. The study was focused on the Wnt/planar cell polarity signaling pathway, which is crucial for neural tube closure. Results: The study-cohort was collectively represented through 40 common VUS, including eight deleterious SNPs related to genes AP3D1, NLRP9, PCDHGA11, PRSS3, MTSS2, ENDOV, C9, and NSD3. These genes were functionally linked to neural development, immune response, and cellular processes critical for neural tube closure. Notably, interactions were observed between four genes (NLGN2, PKD1, PRSS3, and PLK1) and CTNNB1 (Wnt signaling pathway) crucial for embryonic neural tube formation. Conclusions: This study has identified novel genetic variants and pathways potentially contributing to the etiopathogenesis of spina bifida in the Indian population. Future research with larger cohorts and functional studies is necessary to validate these findings and explore their potential for clinical applications in spina bifida.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jiaps.jiaps_193_24neural tube defectsplanar cell polarityspina bifidavariant of uncertain significancewhole-exome sequencingwnt signaling pathway
spellingShingle Jyoti Sharma
Mahima Sharma
Sourabh Kumar
Himani Kaushik
Himani Pandey
Devi Lal
Vishesh Jain
Anjan Kumar Dhua
Devendra Kumar Yadav
Sandeep Agarwala
Prabudh Goel
Genetic Markers of Spina Bifida: Enrichment of Pathogenic Variants and Variants of Uncertain Significance
Journal of Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeons
neural tube defects
planar cell polarity
spina bifida
variant of uncertain significance
whole-exome sequencing
wnt signaling pathway
title Genetic Markers of Spina Bifida: Enrichment of Pathogenic Variants and Variants of Uncertain Significance
title_full Genetic Markers of Spina Bifida: Enrichment of Pathogenic Variants and Variants of Uncertain Significance
title_fullStr Genetic Markers of Spina Bifida: Enrichment of Pathogenic Variants and Variants of Uncertain Significance
title_full_unstemmed Genetic Markers of Spina Bifida: Enrichment of Pathogenic Variants and Variants of Uncertain Significance
title_short Genetic Markers of Spina Bifida: Enrichment of Pathogenic Variants and Variants of Uncertain Significance
title_sort genetic markers of spina bifida enrichment of pathogenic variants and variants of uncertain significance
topic neural tube defects
planar cell polarity
spina bifida
variant of uncertain significance
whole-exome sequencing
wnt signaling pathway
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jiaps.jiaps_193_24
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