Diagnostic capabilities of nanopore long-read sequencing in muscular dystrophy

Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2022 Aug;9(8):1302-1309. doi: 10.1002/acn3.51612. Epub 2022 Jun 23.

Abstract

Many individuals with muscular dystrophies remain genetically undiagnosed despite clinical diagnostic testing, including exome sequencing. Some may harbor previously undetected structural variants (SVs) or cryptic splice sites. We enrolled 10 unrelated families: nine had muscular dystrophy but lacked complete genetic diagnoses and one had an asymptomatic DMD duplication. Nanopore genomic long-read sequencing identified previously undetected pathogenic variants in four individuals: an SV in DMD, an SV in LAMA2, and two single nucleotide variants in DMD that alter splicing. The DMD duplication in the asymptomatic individual was in tandem. Nanopore sequencing may help streamline genetic diagnostic approaches for muscular dystrophy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Exome Sequencing
  • Humans
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne* / diagnosis
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne* / genetics
  • Nanopore Sequencing*
  • Nanopores*