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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Sanjay Gupta, Louise Wilson, Professor Timothy Cheetham
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Copyright © 2021 Massachusetts Medical Society.BACKGROUND GNASencodes the Gαs (stimulatory G-protein alpha subunit) protein, which mediates G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling. GNAS mutations cause developmental delay, short stature, and skeletal abnormalities in a syndrome called Albright’s hereditary osteodystrophy. Because of imprinting, mutations on the maternal allele also cause obesity and hormone resistance (pseudohypoparathyroidism). METHODS We performed exome sequencing and targeted resequencing in 2548 children who presented with severe obesity, and we unexpectedly identified 22 GNAS mutation carriers. We investigated whether the effect of GNAS mutations on melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) signaling explains the obesity and whether the variable clinical spectrum in patients might be explained by the results of molecular assays. RESULTS Almost all GNAS mutations impaired MC4R signaling. A total of 6 of 11 patients who were 12 to 18 years of age had reduced growth. In these patients, mutations disrupted growth hormone–releasing hormone receptor signaling, but growth was unaffected in carriers of mutations that did not affect this signaling pathway (mean standard-deviation score for height, −0.90 vs. 0.75, respectively; P=0.02). Only 1 of 10 patients who reached final height before or during the study had short stature. GNAS mutations that impaired thyrotropin receptor signaling were associated with developmental delay and with higher thyrotropin levels (mean [±SD], 8.4±4.7 mIU per liter) than those in 340 severely obese children who did not have GNAS mutations (3.9±2.6 mIU per liter; P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS Because pathogenic mutations may manifest with obesity alone, screening of children with severe obesity for GNAS deficiency may allow early diagnosis, improving clinical outcomes, and melanocortin agonists may aid in weight loss. GNAS mutations that are identified by means of unbiased genetic testing differentially affect GPCR signaling pathways that contribute to clinical heterogeneity. Monogenic diseases are clinically more variable than their classic descriptions suggest. (Funded by Wellcome and others.)
Author(s): de Oliveira EM, Keogh JM, Talbot F, Henning E, Ahmed R, Perdikari A, Bounds R, Wasiluk N, Ayinampudi V, Barroso I, Mokrosinski J, Jyothish D, Lim S, Gupta S, Kershaw M, Matei C, Partha P, Randell T, McAulay A, Wilson LC, Cheetham T, Crowne EC, Clayton P, Farooqi IS
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine
Year: 2021
Volume: 385
Issue: 17
Pages: 1581-1592
Online publication date: 21/10/2021
Acceptance date: 02/04/2018
ISSN (print): 0028-4793
ISSN (electronic): 1533-4406
Publisher: Massachussetts Medical Society
URL: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2103329
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2103329
PubMed id: 34614324
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