Analysis of R-loop forming regions identifies RNU2-2 and RNU5B-1 as neurodevelopmental disorder genes.

Jackson, A.; Thaker, N.; Blakes, A.; Rice, G.; Griffiths-Jones, S.; Balasubramanian, M.; Campbell, J.; Shannon, N.; Choi, J.; Hong, J.; Hunt, D.; de Burca, A.; Kim, SY.; Kim, T.; Lee, S.; Redman, M.; Rius, R.; Simons, C.; Tan, TY.; Ellingford, J.; O'Keefe, RT.; Chae, JH.; Banka, S.

Analysis of R-loop forming regions identifies RNU2-2 and RNU5B-1 as neurodevelopmental disorder genes.

All Authors

Jackson, A.

Thaker, N.

Blakes, A.

Rice, G.

Griffiths-Jones, S.

Balasubramanian, M.

Campbell, J.

Shannon, N.

Choi, J.

Hong, J.

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LTHT Author

Campbell, Jennifer
Redman, Melody

LTHT Department

Pathology
Clinical Genetics
Yorkshire Regional Genetics Service

Publication Date

2025

Item Type

Journal Article

Abstract

R-loops are DNA-RNA hybrid structures that may promote mutagenesis. However, their contribution to human Mendelian disorders is unexplored. Here we show excess de novo variants in genomic regions that form R-loops (henceforth, 'R-loop regions') and demonstrate enrichment of R-loop region variants (RRVs) in ribozyme, snoRNA and snRNA genes, specifically in rare disease cohorts. Using this insight, we report neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) caused by rare variants in two major spliceosomal RNA encoding genes, RNU2-2 and RNU5B-1. These, along with the recently described RNU4-2-related ReNU syndrome, provide a genetic explanation for a substantial proportion of individuals with NDDs.