Nucleotide substitutions at the p.Gly117 and p.Thr180 mutational hot-spots of SKI alter molecular dynamics and may affect cell cycle

AbstractHeterozygous deleterious variants inSKI cause Shprintzen –Goldberg Syndrome, which is mainly characterized by craniofacial features, neurodevelopmental disorder and thoracic aorta dilatations/aneurysms. The encoded protein is a member of the transforming growth factor beta signaling. Paucity of reported studies exploring the SGS molecular pathogenesis h ampers disease recognition and clinical interpretation of private variants. Here, the unpublished c.349G>A, p.[Gly117Ser] and the recurrent c.539C>T, p.[Thr180Met]SKI variants were studied combining in silico and in vitro approach. 3D comparative modeling and calculation of the interaction energy predicted that both variants alter the SKI tertiary protein structure and its interactions. Computational data were functionally corroborated by the demonstration of an increase of MAPK phosphorylation levels and alteration of cell cycle in cells expressing the mutant SKI. Our findings confirmed the effects ofSKI variants on MAPK and opened the path to study the role of perturbations of the cell cycle in SGS.

Source: Journal of Human Genetics - September 12, 2023 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research