Variants in exons 5 and 6 of ACTB cause syndromic thrombocytopenia

Nat Commun. 2018 Oct 12;9(1):4250. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-06713-0.

Abstract

Germline mutations in the ubiquitously expressed ACTB, which encodes β-cytoplasmic actin (CYA), are almost exclusively associated with Baraitser-Winter Cerebrofrontofacial syndrome (BWCFF). Here, we report six patients with previously undescribed heterozygous variants clustered in the 3'-coding region of ACTB. Patients present with clinical features distinct from BWCFF, including mild developmental disability, microcephaly, and thrombocytopenia with platelet anisotropy. Using patient-derived fibroblasts, we demonstrate cohort specific changes to β-CYA filament populations, which include the enhanced recruitment of thrombocytopenia-associated actin binding proteins (ABPs). These perturbed interactions are supported by in silico modeling and are validated in disease-relevant thrombocytes. Co-examination of actin and microtubule cytoskeleton constituents in patient-derived megakaryocytes and thrombocytes indicates that these β-CYA mutations inhibit the final stages of platelet maturation by compromising microtubule organization. Our results define an ACTB-associated clinical syndrome with a distinct genotype-phenotype correlation and delineate molecular mechanisms underlying thrombocytopenia in this patient cohort.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / genetics*
  • Actins / metabolism
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Exons / genetics*
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Germ-Line Mutation / genetics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Megakaryocytes / metabolism
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Phenotype
  • Thrombocytopenia / genetics*
  • Thrombocytopenia / metabolism

Substances

  • ACTG1 protein, human
  • Actins