Genetic analysis using long-read sequencing to overcome the difficulties in VWF gene

Background: Genetic defects in von Willebrand factor (VWF) can lead to von Willebrand disease (VWD). Identifying causative or modifier variants of VWF is crucial for the diagnosis, classification, and clinical management of VWF disorders. However, owing to the length (178 kb) and complexity of VWF a...

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Main Authors: Sheng Ye, Yuka Eura, Masanori Matsumoto, Koichi Kokame
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-05-01
Series:Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2475037925002122
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author Sheng Ye
Yuka Eura
Masanori Matsumoto
Koichi Kokame
author_facet Sheng Ye
Yuka Eura
Masanori Matsumoto
Koichi Kokame
author_sort Sheng Ye
collection DOAJ
description Background: Genetic defects in von Willebrand factor (VWF) can lead to von Willebrand disease (VWD). Identifying causative or modifier variants of VWF is crucial for the diagnosis, classification, and clinical management of VWF disorders. However, owing to the length (178 kb) and complexity of VWF and the presence of the pseudogene VWFP1, Sanger sequencing or short-read next-generation sequencing is often challenging. Objectives: This study aimed to establish a long-read sequencing method using Oxford nanopore technology (ONT) to overcome difficulties associated with VWF gene analysis. Methods: Genetic analyses were established using genomic DNA from a healthy donor and validated using 3 VWF disorder patient samples. Long-range (∼15 kb) polymerase chain reaction was optimized to obtain 21 amplicons covering the entire VWF gene, avoiding unwanted amplification due to repetitive sequences and VWFP1. ONT nanopore sequencing data were analyzed using software programs, including Clair3, Longshot, and Sniffles. The identified candidate variants were verified by several approaches such as Sanger sequencing and haplotyping. Results: The entire VWF gene was successfully read using ONT nanopore sequencing, with >200 variants called in each patient sample. A rare missense variant, p.(Gln2442His) and a rare 2599 bp deletion were identified in patients 2 and 3, respectively. However, the deletion was confirmed as long-range polymerase chain reaction artifacts, which warrant attention when using this method. Conclusion: This study presents an optimal solution using ONT nanopore sequencing to identify variants in VWF, which may improve the diagnosis of VWF disorders.
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spelling doaj-art-d5de030e8f43402db5ee8bb557a623a62025-08-20T03:04:46ZengElsevierResearch and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis2475-03792025-05-019410288810.1016/j.rpth.2025.102888Genetic analysis using long-read sequencing to overcome the difficulties in VWF geneSheng Ye0Yuka Eura1Masanori Matsumoto2Koichi Kokame3Department of Molecular Pathogenesis, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Department of Cardiovascular System Research, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, JapanDepartment of Molecular Pathogenesis, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka, JapanDepartment of Blood Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, JapanDepartment of Molecular Pathogenesis, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka, Japan; Department of Cardiovascular System Research, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan; Correspondence Koichi Kokame, Department of Molecular Pathogenesis, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1 Kishibe–Shimmachi, Suita, Osaka 564-8565, Japan.Background: Genetic defects in von Willebrand factor (VWF) can lead to von Willebrand disease (VWD). Identifying causative or modifier variants of VWF is crucial for the diagnosis, classification, and clinical management of VWF disorders. However, owing to the length (178 kb) and complexity of VWF and the presence of the pseudogene VWFP1, Sanger sequencing or short-read next-generation sequencing is often challenging. Objectives: This study aimed to establish a long-read sequencing method using Oxford nanopore technology (ONT) to overcome difficulties associated with VWF gene analysis. Methods: Genetic analyses were established using genomic DNA from a healthy donor and validated using 3 VWF disorder patient samples. Long-range (∼15 kb) polymerase chain reaction was optimized to obtain 21 amplicons covering the entire VWF gene, avoiding unwanted amplification due to repetitive sequences and VWFP1. ONT nanopore sequencing data were analyzed using software programs, including Clair3, Longshot, and Sniffles. The identified candidate variants were verified by several approaches such as Sanger sequencing and haplotyping. Results: The entire VWF gene was successfully read using ONT nanopore sequencing, with >200 variants called in each patient sample. A rare missense variant, p.(Gln2442His) and a rare 2599 bp deletion were identified in patients 2 and 3, respectively. However, the deletion was confirmed as long-range polymerase chain reaction artifacts, which warrant attention when using this method. Conclusion: This study presents an optimal solution using ONT nanopore sequencing to identify variants in VWF, which may improve the diagnosis of VWF disorders.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2475037925002122von Willebrand factorvon Willebrand diseasenanopore sequencingpolymerase chain reaction
spellingShingle Sheng Ye
Yuka Eura
Masanori Matsumoto
Koichi Kokame
Genetic analysis using long-read sequencing to overcome the difficulties in VWF gene
Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis
von Willebrand factor
von Willebrand disease
nanopore sequencing
polymerase chain reaction
title Genetic analysis using long-read sequencing to overcome the difficulties in VWF gene
title_full Genetic analysis using long-read sequencing to overcome the difficulties in VWF gene
title_fullStr Genetic analysis using long-read sequencing to overcome the difficulties in VWF gene
title_full_unstemmed Genetic analysis using long-read sequencing to overcome the difficulties in VWF gene
title_short Genetic analysis using long-read sequencing to overcome the difficulties in VWF gene
title_sort genetic analysis using long read sequencing to overcome the difficulties in vwf gene
topic von Willebrand factor
von Willebrand disease
nanopore sequencing
polymerase chain reaction
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2475037925002122
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AT koichikokame geneticanalysisusinglongreadsequencingtoovercomethedifficultiesinvwfgene