Publication Date
12-1-2024
Journal
Journal of Genetics and Genomics
DOI
10.1016/j.jgg.2024.09.016
PMID
39368701
PMCID
PMC11624490
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
12-5-2024
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Published Open-Access
yes
Keywords
Animals, Zebrafish, Williams Syndrome, Disease Models, Animal, Humans, Replication Protein C, Zebrafish Proteins, Phenotype, CRISPR-Cas Systems, Gene Knockout Techniques, Male, RFC2, RFC5, Zebrafish, Knockout, CRISPR-Cas9
Abstract
Williams syndrome (WS) is a rare multisystemic disorder caused by recurrent microdeletions on 7q11.23, characterized by intellectual disability, distinctive craniofacial and dental features, and cardiovascular problems. Previous studies have explored the roles of individual genes within these microdeletions in contributing to WS phenotypes. Here, we report five patients with WS with 1.4 Mb-1.5 Mb microdeletions that include RFC2, as well as one patient with a 167-kb microdeletion involving RFC2 and six patients with intragenic variants within RFC2. To investigate the potential involvement of RFC2 in WS pathogenicity, we generate a rfc2 knockout (KO) zebrafish using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. Additionally, we generate a KO zebrafish of its paralog gene, rfc5, to better understand the functions of these RFC genes in development and disease. Both rfc2 and rfc5 KO zebrafish exhibit similar phenotypes reminiscent of WS, including small head and brain, jaw and dental defects, and vascular problems. RNA-seq analysis reveals that genes associated with neural cell survival and differentiation are specifically affected in rfc2 KO zebrafish. In addition, heterozygous rfc2 KO adult zebrafish demonstrate an anxiety-like behavior with increased social cohesion. These results suggest that RFC2 may contribute to the pathogenicity of WS, as evidenced by the zebrafish model.
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