Genetics of Rett Syndrome and Rett-Like Phenotypes: From Gene Discovery to Management and Treatment

A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "Human Genomics and Genetic Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 3004

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Health Sciences Department, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
Interests: neurodevelopmental disorders; intellectual disability; Rett syndrome; epileptic encephalopathies; autism

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Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences "Mario Serio", Università degli Studi di Firenze, Firenze, Italy
Interests: clinical genetics; dysmorphology; neurodevelopment disorders; rare diseases; tuberous sclerosis; Rett syndrome
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

Rett syndrome and Rett-like phenotypes are rare neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by the impaired development of the nervous system in addition to epilepsy with various ages of onset, accompanied by a series of variable—and not yet fully understood—systemic manifestations.

Recent advances in genomic medicine, multi-omics approaches and cellular models have been instrumental in discovering new genes associated with Rett and Rett-like phenotypes as well as in exploring the phenotype and the biological mechanisms underlying these disorders, paving the path to potential treatments. 

This Special Issue in Genes will focus on the genetic basis of Rett syndrome and recently discovered genes causing Rett-like phenotypes, in addition to a better understanding of the associated phenotypes and potential therapeutic targets for these conditions.

We welcome articles in the form of original research, brief reports and literature reviews that focus on the discovery of genetic variants related to Rett syndrome or Rett-like phenotypes, studies on cellular models, studies that apply multi-omics approaches and research on genotype–phenotype correlations as well as management in patients with Rett and Rett-like phenotypes.

Dr. Aglaia Vignoli
Dr. Angela Peron
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Rett syndrome
  • Rett-like phenotypes
  • MECP2
  • CDKL5
  • FOXG1
  • exome sequencing
  • genome sequencing
  • multi-omics approach
  • transcriptomics
  • metabolomics
  • therapeutic target

Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

9 pages, 480 KiB  
Article
Rett-like Phenotypes in HNRNPH2-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder
by Joseph Nicho Gonzalez, Sylvie Goldman, Melissa T. Carter and Jennifer M. Bain
Genes 2023, 14(6), 1154; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14061154 - 26 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2374
Abstract
Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a prevalence of 1:10,000 to 15,000 females worldwide. Classic Rett Syndrome presents in early childhood with a period of developmental regression, loss of purposeful hand skills along with hand stereotypies, gait abnormalities, and loss of [...] Read more.
Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a prevalence of 1:10,000 to 15,000 females worldwide. Classic Rett Syndrome presents in early childhood with a period of developmental regression, loss of purposeful hand skills along with hand stereotypies, gait abnormalities, and loss of acquired speech. Atypical RTT is diagnosed when a child shows some but not all the phenotypes of classic RTT, along with additional supporting criteria. Over 95% of classic RTT cases are attributed to pathogenic variants in Methyl-CpG Binding Protein 2 (MECP2), though additional genes have been implicated in other RTT cases, particularly those with the atypical RTT clinical picture. Other genetic etiologies have emerged with similar clinical characteristics to RTT Syndrome. Our team has characterized HNRNPH2-related neurodevelopmental disorder (HNRNPH2-RNDD) in 33 individuals associated with de novo pathogenic missense variants in the X-linked HNRNPH2 gene, characterized by developmental delay, intellectual disability, seizures, autistic-like features, and motor abnormalities. We sought to further characterize RTT clinical features in this group of individuals by using caregiver report. Twenty-six caregivers completed electronic surveys, with only 3 individuals having previously received an atypical RTT diagnosis, and no individuals with a typical RTT diagnosis. Caregivers reported a high number of behaviors and/or phenotypes consistent with RTT, including the major criteria of the syndrome, such as regression of developmental skills and abnormal gait. Based on the survey results, 12 individuals could meet the diagnostic clinical criteria for atypical RTT Syndrome. In summary, individuals with HNRNPH2-RNDD exhibit clinical characteristics that overlap with those of RTT, and therefore, HNRNPH2-RNDD, should be considered on the differential diagnosis list with this clinical picture. Full article
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