An Activating Variant in CTNNB1 is Associated with a Sclerosing Bone Dysplasia and Adrenocortical Neoplasia

Abstract

Context: The WNT/β-catenin pathway is central to the pathogenesis of various human diseases including those affecting bone development and tumor progression.

Objective: To evaluate the role of a gain-of-function variant in CTNNB1 in a child with a sclerosing bone dysplasia and an adrenocortical adenoma.

Design: Whole exome sequencing with corroborative biochemical analyses.

Patients: We recruited a child with a sclerosing bone dysplasia and an adrenocortical adenoma together with her unaffected parents.

Intervention: Whole exome sequencing and performance of immunoblotting and luciferase-based assays to assess the cellular consequences of a de novo variant in CTNNB1.

Main outcome measure(s)/result: A de novo variant in CTNNB1 (c.131C>T; p.[Pro44Leu]) was identified in a patient with a sclerosing bone dysplasia and an adrenocortical adenoma. A luciferase-based transcriptional assay of WNT signaling activity verified that the activity of β-catenin was increased in the cells transfected with a CTNNB1p.Pro44Leu construct (P = 4.00 × 10-5). The β-catenin p.Pro44Leu variant was also associated with a decrease in phosphorylation at Ser45 and Ser33/Ser37/Thr41 in comparison to a wild-type (WT) CTNNB1 construct (P = 2.16 × 10-3, P = 9.34 × 10-8 respectively).

Conclusion: Increased β-catenin activity associated with a de novo gain-of-function CTNNB1 variant is associated with osteosclerotic phenotype and adrenocortical neoplasia.

Keywords: CTNNB1; adrenocortical adenoma; osteosclerosis.