Whole-Exome Sequencing in the molecular diagnosis of individuals with congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract and identification of a new causative gene

PURPOSE: To investigate the utility of whole-exome sequencing (WES) to define a molecular diagnosis in patients clinically diagnosed with congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). METHODS: WES was performed in 62 families with CAKUT. WES data were analyzed for Single Nucleotide Variants (SNVs) in 35 known CAKUT genes, putatively deleterious sequence changes in new candidate genes, and potentially disease-associated copy-number variants (CNVs). RESULTS: In approximately 5% of families, pathogenic SNVs were identified in PAX2, HNF1B, and EYA1. Observed phenotypes in these families expand the current understanding about the role of these genes in CAKUT. Four pathogenic CNVs were also identified using two CNV detection tools. In addition, we found one deleterious de novo SNV in FOXP1 among the 62 families with CAKUT. Database of clinical BMGL laboratory was queried and seven additional unrelated individuals with novel de novo SNVs in FOXP1 were identified. Six of these 8 individuals with FOXP1 SNVs, have syndromic urinary tract defects, implicating this gene in urinary tract development. CONCLUSION: We conclude that WES can be used to identify the molecular etiology (SNVs, CNVs) in a subset of individuals with CAKUT. WES can also help identify novel CAKUT genes.