Details of a Researcher - Hasegawa, Tomonobu

Papers - Hasegawa, Tomonobu

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DHX37 Variant Is One of the Common Genetic Causes in Japanese Patients with Testicular Regression Syndrome/Partial Gonadal Dysgenesis without Müllerian Derivatives

Shimura K., Ichihashi Y., Nakano S., Sato T., Hamajima T., Numasawa K., Narumi S., Hasegawa T., Ishii T.

Hormone Research in Paediatrics 98 ( 2 ) 206 - 213 2025.04

ISSN 16632818

Introduction: The testicular regression syndrome (TRS) is a form of differences of sex development (DSD) in which the testes differentiate and function during early embryonic development, but subsequently regress. The clinical phenotype of TRS often overlaps with that of partial gonadal dysgenesis (PGD). Previous studies have demonstrated a causal association between TRS/ PGD and heterozygous missense variants of DHX37. Methods: We enrolled 11 Japanese 46,XY individuals (from 10 families) with TRS/PGD who exhibited undetected or hypoplastic testes, Müllerian duct regression, and low serum testosterone or anti- Müllerian hormone levels. The subjects underwent targeted sequencing of 36 known causative genes for DSD, PCR-based Sanger sequencing of DHX37, or whole-exome sequencing. Results: Previously described pathogenic variants or novel nonsense variants (SRY, NR5A1, and DMRT1) were observed in four out of 10 families. Additionally, we identified two heterozygous rare variants of DHX37 in four families: a previously reported pathogenic variant (c.923G>A, p.Arg308Gln) in three and a novel likely pathogenic variant (c.1882A>C, p.Thr628Pro) in one. The external genitalia of patients with the DHX37 variants varied from female-type to male-type without micropenis. Eighty percent of Japanese patients with TRS/PGD had monogenic disorders including DHX37 variant being the most commonly identified (40%). The external or internal genital phenotype of TRS/PGD overlaps between DHX37 variant carriers and others. Conclusions: DHX37 variant is one of the common genetic causes in Japanese patients with TRS/PGD without Müllerian derivatives. Genetic test is helpful in detecting DHX37- related TRS/PGD because of the phenotypic diversity of the external genitalia in this disorder.

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Reference Values of Arm Span and Arm Span to Height Ratio of Japanese Population in Childhood and Adolescence: Comparison With Dutch and Turkish Population

Hirano Y., Inokuchi M., Narumi S., Hasegawa T.

American Journal of Human Biology 37 ( 4 ) 2025.04

ISSN 10420533

Objectives: To establish age-specific reference values for the arm span and arm span/height ratio of the Japanese population in children and adolescence and elucidate their characteristics compared with those of other populations. Study Design: We analyzed data from a national survey on the body sizes of Japanese people conducted between 1992 and 1994 by the Research Institute of Human Engineering for Quality Life. This study was an observational cross-sectional study, including 6089 boys and 4970 girls aged between 5.5 and 18.5 years. We constructed the reference values and delineated the reference curves for the arm span and arm span/height ratio of the Japanese population in childhood and adolescence using the LMS method. The references were compared with those of the Dutch and Turkish populations using the reference curve of 0 standard deviation. Results: The arm span of the Japanese population increased throughout childhood, with a particularly large increase at the age of puberty. The arm span/height ratio also increased slowly throughout childhood. The Japanese population had a smaller arm span/height ratio than the Dutch and Turkish populations of all ages in childhood and adolescence. Moreover, the arm span/height ratio of the Japanese population reached a constant value at an earlier age than in the Dutch and Turkish populations. Conclusions: We constructed the first reference values for the arm span of Japanese children and adolescents. The Japanese population has shorter arm lengths in relation to their height, and their arm span/height ratio reaches a constant value at an earlier age, compared with the Dutch and Turkish populations.

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Sex education to an adolescent male with Down syndrome in a single-mother family in Japan

Saito A., Sato T., Shima H., Yamagishi H., Narumi S., Ishii T., Hasegawa T.

Pediatrics International 67 ( 1 ) 2025.01

ISSN 13288067

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ACVRL1 and MTHFR double variants in an adolescent with paradoxical cerebral embolism

Sato T., Ichihashi Y., Tsuruta H., Chu P.S., Akiyama T., Hishida T., Hasegawa T.

Pediatrics International 67 ( 1 ) 2025.01

ISSN 13288067

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Recovery from Atrophic Autoimmune Thyroiditis in a Child: Thyroid Stimulation-Blocking Antibody as a Prognostic Marker

Kusano C., Hori N., Hasegawa T., Narumi S.

Hormone Research in Paediatrics 2025

ISSN 16632818

Introduction: Atrophic autoimmune thyroiditis (AAT) is a form of autoimmune hypothyroidism characterized by the absence of a goiter. Thyroid stimulation-blocking antibody (TSBAb) has been detected in a subset of pediatric AAT cases. Although the disappearance of TSBAb has been related with the recovery of thyroid function in adult AAT cases, similar outcomes have not been documented in pediatric cases. Case Presentation: A 2-year-old Japanese boy presented for evaluation of stunted growth from1 year 10 months of age. Tests for congenital hypothyroidism were negative on newborn screening, and he had no significant medical history. However, he showed symptoms of hypothyroidism (inactiveness, hair loss, dry skin), and primary hypothyroidism was confirmed by blood test (serum TSH level, 818 mU/L; serum free T4 level, <0.40 ng/ dL). The patient exhibited a unique antibody profile: positive for TSH receptor antibody (TRAb) and TSBAb and negative for anti-thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) and antiperoxidase antibody (TPOAb). He was treated with levothyroxine, after which his growth was normalized. During the 8-year follow-up, the patient's TSBAb levels decreased, allowing for the discontinuation of levothyroxine therapy. Conclusion: We reported the case of a 2-year-old boy diagnosed with AAT who presented with a characteristic antibody profile, negative for TgAb and TPOAb, but positive for TRAb and TSBAb. During 8 years of follow-up, TSBAb seroconversion to negative was observed, leading to treatment discontinuation at age 10 years. This case suggests that monitoring of TSBAb after a diagnosis of AAT may be used to determine treatment discontinuation even in children.

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Familial Non-Autoimmune Hyperthyroidism Caused by an Extracellular Domain Variant (p.Leu267Phe) of the TSH Receptor

Shimura K., Ichihashi Y., Abe K., Ishii T., Hasegawa T., Narumi S.

Hormone Research in Paediatrics 2025

ISSN 16632818

Introduction: Non-autoimmune hyperthyroidism (NAH) is a rare genetic disorder caused by germline-activating variants in the TSH receptor (TSHR) gene. While most NAH-related TSHR variants are located in the seven-transmembrane domain (7TMD), three variants (p.Leu267Phe, p.Ser281Asn, and p.Asn406Ser) have been identified in the extracellular domain (ECD), with p.Leu267Phe previously not showing constitutively active in vitro. Methods: We searched for TSHR variants in a Japanese family with NAH using PCR-based direct sequencing. We created three ECD variants (p.Leu267Phe, p.Ser281Asn, and p.Asn406Ser) and a series of variants in which Leu267 was mutated to 18 amino acids other than Leu and Phe. Based on the cryo-electron microscopic structures, we evaluated the structure-function relationship of TSHR. We compared their cAMP-producing capacities to WT-TSHR in the luciferase activity assay using HEK293 cells. Western blot and fluorescence immunostaining were performed using HA-tagged TSHR vectors to compare Leu267Phe-TSHR with WT-TSHR. Results: A heterozygous TSHR variant (p.Leu267Phe) was identified. Comparison of the cryo-electron microscopy structures of the activated and inactivated TSHRs revealed a significant change in the ECD structure around Leu267. The ligand-independent cAMP-producing capacities compared to WT-TSHR were 238 ± 20% (mean ± SEM) for Leu267Phe. Of all 19 possible variants created through systematic mutagenesis, only Leu267Phe-TSHR and Leu267Tyr-TSHR exhibited significantly higher ligand-independent cAMP-producing capacities. Immunoblotting and fluorescence immunostaining showed that the Leu267Phe variant did not affect protein expression levels and intracellular localization of TSHR. Discussion/Conclusion: Leu267Phe-TSHR causes NAH. Substituting Leu267 to aromatic amino acids may shift the equilibrium of the TSHR state toward activation.

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Imaging findings of thyroid diseases in children

Tsujioka Y., Yamada Y., Hasegawa T., Hashimoto M., Jinzaki M.

Clinical Pediatric Endocrinology 34 ( 2 ) 89 - 104 2025

ISSN 09185739

We review the imaging findings in pediatric thyroid diseases that necessitate prompt diagnosis and timely medical intervention. Congenital hypothyroidism particularly represents a critical pediatric emergency. Ultrasonography stands as the primary modality for accurately assessing thyroid morphology and identifying thyroid dysgenesis.123I-scintigraphy mirrors iodine metabolism and thyroid hormone synthesis, and the concurrent application of perchlorate (perchloride discharge test) elucidates the pathogenesis of thyroid dyshormonogenesis. Nonetheless, radioiodine scintigraphy has seen limited utilization due to the intricacies of pre-test preparation.99mTc-pertechnetate scintigraphy demonstrates high sensitivity in delineating thyroid tissues with minimal radiation exposure, facilitating the diagnosis of thyroid dysgenesis. Additionally, we have included brief insights on the imaging characteristics of central hypothyroidism, thyroiditis, and thyroid masses.

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A Case of Penttinen Syndrome With Radiographic Acroosteolysis From Age 3 Years

Shimura K., Toki M., Tsujioka Y., Nishimura G., Ishii T., Hasegawa T.

American Journal of Medical Genetics, Part A 2025

ISSN 15524825

Premature aging syndrome, Penttinen type (Penttinen syndrome) is a progeroid syndrome with facial alterations (thin hair and progressive recession of the maxillozygomatic bones with pseudoprognathism), skin abnormalities (scleroderma with epidermal and dermal atrophy, lipoatrophy, chronic ulcers, and keloid-like hypertrophic lesions), corneal changes (vascularization and opacity), cerebral vascular anomalies, and acroosteolysis. This syndrome is caused by heterozygous, gain-of-function pathogenic variants in the PDGFRB gene. Only 10 affected individuals have been reported to date, and thus the phenotypic spectrum of the disorder, particularly in early childhood, remains elusive. We reported here the clinical course of an affected male from early childhood to young adulthood. Thin limbs and short fingers attracted medical attention at age 3 years, at which time he had already developed maxillary hypoplasia, keloids, and acroosteolysis, all of which progressively worsened with age. Joint contractures and scoliosis became apparent during adolescence. Progressive maxillary recession and scleroderma remarkably altered his facial gestalt over time, including the development of exophthalmos, small auricles, short philtrum, and small mouth. Sanger sequencing identified a recurrent, de novo pathogenic variant in the PDGFRB gene (c.1994T > C, p.Val665Ala). This report on the clinical course through childhood provides additional insight into the natural history of Penttinen syndrome.

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Znrf3 exon 2 deletion mice do not recapitulate congenital adrenal hypoplasia

Uchida N., Ishii T., Amano N., Takada S., Kobayashi K., Murakami T., Narumi S., Hasegawa T.

Journal of Molecular Endocrinology 73 ( 4 ) 2024.11

ISSN 09525041

Wnt/β-catenin signaling is essential for adrenocortical development. Zinc and ring finger 3 (ZNRF3), an E3 ubiquitin ligase that attenuates Wnt/β-catenin signaling, is negatively regulated by R-spondin via an extracellular domain that is partially encoded by exon 2 of ZNRF3. We recently identified ZNRF3 exon 2 deletions in three individuals with congenital adrenal hypoplasia. ZNRF3 exon 2 deletion impairs R-spondin binding, thereby attenuating β-catenin expression and eventually leading to the development of congenital adrenal hypoplasia. To elucidate the influence of ZNRF3/Znrf3 exon 2 deletion on adrenocortical development, we generated homozygous Znrf3 exon 2 deletion (Znrf3Δ2/Δ2) mice. Whereas the adrenal glands of Znrf3Δ2/Δ2 mice did not show gross morphological changes at birth, moderate hyperplasia of the zona fasciculata (ZF), dispersed medulla arrangement, and a radially spreading zone with macrophage infiltration between the ZF and medulla were observed at 6 weeks of age. 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, a marker of the adrenal X-zone, was hardly detected by immunostaining, and gene expression was significantly downregulated. The number of activated β-catenin-positive cells decreased in the zona glomerulosa, consistent with the results of in situ hybridization for Axin2, a Wnt/β-catenin target gene. Plasma ACTH and serum corticosterone levels in Znrf3Δ2/Δ2 mice did not differ significantly from those in wild-type mice. These results show a species-specific difference in the effects of ZNRF3/Znrf3 exon 2 deletions in humans and mice; Znrf3Δ2/Δ2 mice do not develop congenital adrenal hypoplasia but instead exhibit moderate ZF hyperplasia, dispersed medulla arrangement, X-zone dysplasia, and macrophage infiltration occurred in the inner cortex.

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Establishment of Star-edited Y1 cells as a novel in vitro functional assay for STAR

Sato T., Narumi S., Sakuma T., Shimura K., Ichihashi Y., Yamamoto T., Ishii T., Hasegawa T.

Journal of Molecular Endocrinology 73 ( 4 ) 2024.11

ISSN 09525041

Genetic variants involving steroidogenic acute regulatory protein cause lipoid congenital adrenal hyperplasia, which is characterized by impaired steroidogenesis in the adrenal glands and gonads. Functional assessment of variant STAR proteins is necessary for an accurate genetic diagnosis. Ideally, steroidogenic cells should be used to assess the functionality of STAR proteins, but the presence of endogenous STARs in steroidogenic cells precludes such a method. Here, we generated Star-edited cells from steroidogenic Y1 mouse adrenocortical tumor cells by genome editing. Star-edited Y1 cells exhibited very low but measurable cAMP-dependent pregnenolone production. Furthermore, stimulation of the cAMP pathway for 2 weeks resulted in the formation of lipid droplets in the cytoplasm of Star-edited Y1 cells, which resembled the histology of the adrenal glands of patients with lipoid congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The steroidogenic defect of Star-edited Y1 cells can be restored by transient overexpression of mouse Star. We found that human STAR can also restore defective steroidogenesis in Star-edited Y1 cells, and we were able to construct a novel in vitro system to evaluate human STAR variants. Collectively, we established Star-edited Y1 cells that retain the steroidogenic pathway downstream of the Star protein. Star-edited Y1 cells recapitulate the functional and morphological changes of lipoid congenital adrenal hyperplasia and can be used to evaluate the functionality of human STAR variants.

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A Pitfall of Adrenal Hypoplasia Congenita

Abe J., Tsubaki J., Shimura K., Hasegawa T.

Clinical Pediatrics 63 ( 9 ) 1318 - 1320 2024.10

ISSN 00099228

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Genotype–Phenotype Correlations in 30 Japanese Patients With Congenital Hypothyroidism Attributable to TG Defects

Tanase-Nakao K., Iwahashi-Odano M., Sugisawa C., Abe K., Muroya K., Yamamoto Y., Kawada Y., Mushimoto Y., Ohkubo K., Kinjo S., Shimura K., Aoyama K., Mizuno H., Hotsubo T., Takahashi C., Isojima T., Kina Y., Takakuwa S., Hamada J., Sawaki M., Shigehara K., Sugimoto S., Etani Y., Narumi-Wakayama H., Mine Y., Hasegawa T., Hishinuma A., Narumi S.

Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 109 ( 9 ) 2358 - 2365 2024.09

ISSN 0021972X

Context: Thyroglobulin (Tg), encoded by TG, is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis. TG defects result in congenital hypothyroidism (CH). Most reported patients were born before the introduction of newborn screening (NBS). Objective: We aimed to clarify the phenotypic features of patients with TG defects diagnosed and treated since the neonatal period. Methods: We screened 1061 patients with CH for 13 CH-related genes and identified 30 patients with TG defects. One patient was diagnosed due to hypothyroidism-related symptoms and the rest were diagnosed via NBS. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their genotypes, and clinical characteristics were compared. We evaluated the functionality of the 7 missense variants using HEK293 cells. Results: Twenty-seven rare TG variants were detected, including 15 nonsense, 3 frameshift, 2 splice-site, and 7 missense variants. Patients were divided into 2 groups: 13 patients with biallelic truncating variants and 17 patients with monoallelic/biallelic missense variants. Patients with missense variants were more likely to develop thyroid enlargement with thyrotropin stimulation than patients with biallelic truncating variants. Patients with biallelic truncating variants invariably required full hormone replacement, whereas patients with missense variants required variable doses of levothyroxine. Loss of function of the 7 missense variants was confirmed in vitro. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the largest investigation on the clinical presentation of TG defects diagnosed in the neonatal period. Patients with missense variants showed relatively mild hypothyroidism with compensative goiter. Patients with only truncating variants showed minimal or no compensative goiter and required full hormone replacement.

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Incidence and Risk Factors for Adrenal Crisis in Pediatric-onset Adrenal Insufficiency: A Prospective Study

Hosokawa M., Ichihashi Y., Sato Y., Shibata N., Nagasaki K., Ikegawa K., Hasegawa Y., Hamajima T., Nagamatsu F., Suzuki S., Numakura C., Amano N., Sasaki G., Nagahara K., Soneda S., Ariyasu D., Maeda M., Kamasaki H., Aso K., Hasegawa T., Ishii T.

Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 109 ( 8 ) e1602 - e1607 2024.08

ISSN 0021972X

Context: Adrenal crisis (AC) is a life-threatening complication that occurs during follow-up of patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI). No prospective study has thoroughly investigated AC in children with primary and secondary AI. Objective: This work aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors for AC in patients with pediatric-onset AI. Methods: This multicenter, prospective cohort study conducted in Japan enrolled patients diagnosed with AI at age ≤15 years. The incidence of AC was calculated as events per person-year (PY), and risk factors for AC were assessed using Poisson regression multivariable analysis. Results: The study population comprised 349 patients (164 male, 185 female) with a total follow-up of 961 PY. The median age at enrollment was 14.3 years (interquartile range [IQR] 8.5-21.2 years), and the median follow-up was 2.8 years (IQR 2.2-3.3 years). Of these patients, 213 (61%) had primary AI and 136 (39%) had secondary AI. Forty-one AC events occurred in 31 patients during the study period. The calculated incidence of AC was 4.27 per 100 PY (95% CI, 3.15-5.75). Poisson regression analysis identified younger age at enrollment (relative risk [RR] 0.93; 95% CI, 0.89-0.97) and increased number of infections (RR 1.17; 95% CI, 1.07-1.27) as significant risk factors. Female sex (RR 0.99; 95% CI, 0.53-1.86), primary AI (RR 0.65; 95% CI, 0.30-1.41), or equivalent dosage of hydrocortisone per square meter of body area (RR 1.02; 95% CI, 0.96-1.08) was not a significant risk factor. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of patients with pediatric-onset AI experience AC. Younger age and an increased number of infections are independent risk factors for developing AC in these patients.

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Uchida N., Ishii T., Nishimura G., Sato T., Kuratsuji G., Nagasaki K., Hosokawa Y., Adachi E., Takasawa K., Kashimada K., Tsujioka Y., Hasegawa T.

American Journal of Medical Genetics, Part A 194 ( 6 ) 2024.06

ISSN 15524825

Biallelic pathogenic variants in RMRP, the gene encoding the RNA component of RNase mitochondrial RNA processing enzyme complex, have been reported in individuals with cartilage hair hypoplasia (CHH). CHH is prevalent in Finnish and Amish populations due to a founder pathogenic variant, n.71A > G. Based on the manifestations in the Finnish and Amish individuals, the hallmarks of CHH are prenatal-onset growth failure, metaphyseal dysplasia, hair hypoplasia, immunodeficiency, and other extraskeletal manifestations. Herein, we report six Japanese individuals with CHH from four families. All probands presented with moderate short stature with mild metaphyseal dysplasia or brachydactyly. One of them had hair hypoplasia and the other immunodeficiency. By contrast, the affected siblings of two families showed only mild short stature. We also reviewed all previously reported 13 Japanese individuals. No n.71A > G allele was detected. The proportions of Japanese versus Finnish individuals were 0% versus 70% for birth length < −2.0 SD, 84% versus 100% for metaphyseal dysplasia and 26% versus 88% for hair hypoplasia. Milder manifestations in the Japanese individuals may be related to the difference of genotypes. The mildest form of CHH phenotypes is mild short stature without overt skeletal alteration or extraskeletal manifestation and can be termed “RMRP-related short stature”.

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Functional variants in a TTTG microsatellite on 15q26.1 cause familial nonautoimmune thyroid abnormalities

Narumi S., Nagasaki K., Kiriya M., Uehara E., Akiba K., Tanase-Nakao K., Shimura K., Abe K., Sugisawa C., Ishii T., Miyako K., Hasegawa Y., Maruo Y., Muroya K., Watanabe N., Nishihara E., Ito Y., Kogai T., Kameyama K., Nakabayashi K., Hata K., Fukami M., Shima H., Kikuchi A., Takayama J., Tamiya G., Hasegawa T.

Nature Genetics 56 ( 5 ) 869 - 876 2024.05

ISSN 10614036

Insufficient thyroid hormone production in newborns is referred to as congenital hypothyroidism. Multinodular goiter (MNG), characterized by an enlarged thyroid gland with multiple nodules, is usually seen in adults and is recognized as a separate disorder from congenital hypothyroidism. Here we performed a linkage analysis of a family with both nongoitrous congenital hypothyroidism and MNG and identified a signal at 15q26.1. Follow-up analyses with whole-genome sequencing and genetic screening in congenital hypothyroidism and MNG cohorts showed that changes in a noncoding TTTG microsatellite on 15q26.1 were frequently observed in congenital hypothyroidism (137 in 989) and MNG (3 in 33) compared with controls (3 in 38,722). Characterization of the noncoding variants with epigenomic data and in vitro experiments suggested that the microsatellite is located in a thyroid-specific transcriptional repressor, and its activity is disrupted by the variants. Collectively, we presented genetic evidence linking nongoitrous congenital hypothyroidism and MNG, providing unique insights into thyroid abnormalities.

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Letter to the Editor regarding “Serum steroid metabolite profiling by LC-MS/MS in two phenotypic male patients with HSD17B3 deficiency: Implications for hormonal diagnosis”

Sato T., Nakano S., Honda M., Narumi S., Ishii T., Hasegawa T.

Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 239 2024.05

ISSN 09600760

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A MinION-based Long-Read Sequencing Application With One-Step PCR for the Genetic Diagnosis of 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency

Adachi E., Nakagawa R., Tsuji-Hosokawa A., Gau M., Kirino S., Yogi A., Nakatani H., Takasawa K., Yamaguchi T., Kosho T., Murakami M., Tajima T., Hasegawa T., Yamada T., Morio T., Ohara O., Kashimada K.

Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 109 ( 3 ) 750 - 760 2024.03

ISSN 0021972X

Context: Recently developed long-read sequencing (LRS) technology has been considered an option for CYP21A2 analysis. However, the clinical use of LRS for CYP21A2 analysis is limited. Objective: This study’s objective is to develop an efficient and low-cost LRS system for CYP21A2 screening. Methods: A DNA fragment library was prepared in a single polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that covers the entire CYP21A2 gene and all known junctions caused by TNXB gene structural rearrangements, yielding a single 8-kb product of CYP21A2 or CYP21A1P/CYP21A2 chimera. After barcoding, the PCR products were sequenced on a MinION-based platform with Flongle Flow Cell R9.4.1 and R10.4.1. Results: The reference genotypes of 55 patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD) were established using the conventional method with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and nested PCR. LRS using Flongle Flow Cell R9.4.1 yielded consistent results. Additionally, the recently updated LRS “duplex” analysis with Flongle flow cell R10.4.1 was tested to reveal an advantage of accurately sequencing a variant located on the homopolymer region. By introducing a barcode system, the cost was reduced to be comparable to that of conventional analysis. A novel single-nucleotide variation was discovered at the acceptor site of intron 7, c.940-1G > C. We also identified a subtype of the classical chimeric junction CH2, “CH2a,” in the region from the latter part of intron 5 to exon 6. Conclusion: We successfully established a novel low-cost and highly accurate LRS system for 21OHD genetic analysis. Our study provides insight into the feasibility of LRS for diagnosing 21OHD and other genetic diseases caused by structural rearrangements.

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Single-Exon Deletions of ZNRF3 Exon 2 Cause Congenital Adrenal Hypoplasia

Amano N., Narumi S., Aizu K., Miyazawa M., Okamura K., Ohashi H., Katsumata N., Ishii T., Hasegawa T.

Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 109 ( 3 ) 641 - 648 2024.03

ISSN 0021972X

Context: Primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) is a life-threatening condition characterized by the inability of the adrenal cortex to produce sufficient steroid hormones. E3 ubiquitin protein ligase zinc and ring finger 3 (ZNRF3) is a negative regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. R-spondin 1 (RSPO1) enhances Wnt/β-catenin signaling via binding and removal of ZNRF3 from the cell surface. Objective: This work aimed to explore a novel genetic form of PAI. Methods: We analyzed 9 patients with childhood-onset PAI of biochemically and genetically unknown etiology using array comparative genomic hybridization. To examine the functionality of the identified single-exon deletions of ZNRF3 exon 2, we performed three-dimensional (3D) structure modeling and in vitro functional studies. Results: We identified various-sized single-exon deletions encompassing ZNRF3 exon 2 in 3 patients who showed neonatal-onset adrenal hypoplasia with glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid deficiencies. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed that the 3 distinct single-exon deletions were commonly transcribed into a 126-nucleotide deleted mRNA and translated into 42-amino acid deleted protein (ΔEx2-ZNRF3). Based on 3D structure modeling, we predicted that interaction between ZNRF3 and RSPO1 would be disturbed in ΔEx2-ZNRF3, suggesting loss of RSPO1-dependent activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Cell-based functional assays with the TCF-LEF reporter showed that RSPO1-dependent activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling was attenuated in cells expressing ΔEx2-ZNRF3 as compared with those expressing wild-type ZNRF3. Conclusion: We provided genetic evidence linking deletions encompassing ZNRF3 exon 2 and congenital adrenal hypoplasia, which might be related to constitutive inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling by ΔEx2-ZNRF3.

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Development of sexual dimorphism of skeletal muscles through the adrenal cortex, caused by androgen-induced global gene suppression

Takahashi F., Baba T., Christianto A., Yanai S., Lee-Okada H.C., Ishiwata K., Nakabayashi K., Hata K., Ishii T., Hasegawa T., Yokomizo T., Choi M.H., Morohashi K.i.

Cell Reports 43 ( 2 ) 2024.02

The zona fasciculata (zF) in the adrenal cortex contributes to multiple physiological actions through glucocorticoid synthesis. The size, proliferation, and glucocorticoid synthesis characteristics are all female biased, and sexual dimorphism is established by androgen. In this study, transcriptomes were obtained to unveil the sex differentiation mechanism. Interestingly, both the amount of mRNA and the expressions of nearly all genes were higher in females. The expression of Nr5a1, which is essential for steroidogenic cell differentiation, was also female biased. Whole-genome studies demonstrated that NR5A1 regulates nearly all gene expression directly or indirectly. This suggests that androgen-induced global gene suppression is potentially mediated by NR5A1. Using Nr5a1 heterozygous mice, whose adrenal cortex is smaller than the wild type, we demonstrated that the size of skeletal muscles is possibly regulated by glucocorticoid synthesized by zF. Taken together, considering the ubiquitous presence of glucocorticoid receptors, our findings provide a pathway for sex differentiation through glucocorticoid synthesis.

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Usefulness of a mobile airwayscope with a monitor in examination of the external genitalia of a 483 g female neonate

Hiraizumi T., Sato T., Kobayashi H., Arimitsu T., Narumi S., Ishii T., Hasegawa T.

Pediatrics International 66 ( 1 ) 2024.01

ISSN 13288067

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