Case report: A novel biallelic FTO variant causing multisystem anomalies with severe epilepsy, widening the spectrum of FTO syndrome

Abstract

The fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) codes for a DNA/RNA demethylase. Pathological variants in this gene are rare, with only three reports in the literature, all with mutations in the catalytic domain. We report the first biallelic human variant in fat mass and obesity-associated gene (c.287G>C, p.Arg96Pro/R96P) outside the catalytic site, causing numerous abnormalities across multiple organ systems, affecting respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological function. Biochemical assays of cells with the patient's variant were performed to further quantify the effect of the variant on function. Loss-of-function resulting from the patient's R96P missense variant was demonstrated with in vitro biochemical characterization of demethylase activity, resulting in a 90% reduction in function of the fat mass and obesity-associated protein compared to wild-type. Our findings demonstrate a novel fat mass and obesity-associated gene non-catalytic site variant with a unique patient phenotype of bilateral multifocal epilepsy and multisystem congenital anomalies.

Keywords: DNA/RNA demethylase; FTO; FTO congenital malformation syndrome; brain malformation; fat mass and obesity-associated gene; intractable epilepsy.