Featured Publications
A Founder Mutation as a Cause of Cerebral Cavernous Malformation in Hispanic Americans
Günel M, Awad I, Finberg K, Anson J, Steinberg G, Batjer H, Kopitnik T, Morrison L, Giannotta S, Nelson-Williams C, Lifton R. A Founder Mutation as a Cause of Cerebral Cavernous Malformation in Hispanic Americans. New England Journal Of Medicine 1996, 334: 946-951. PMID: 8596595, DOI: 10.1056/nejm199604113341503.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCavernous malformationsCerebral cavernous malformationsSporadic casesFamilial diseaseSame mutationSporadic cavernous malformationsDevelopment of symptomsHispanic AmericansCerebral hemorrhageVascular diseaseAsymptomatic carriersHigh prevalenceClinical casesMalformationsDiseaseFounder mutationPatientsAge dependenceAffected membersKindredsMarkersMexican descentEthnic groupsMutationsSame alleleThe quest to unravel the complex genomics of intracranial aneurysms
Barak T, Günel M. The quest to unravel the complex genomics of intracranial aneurysms. Nature Cardiovascular Research 2022, 1: 281-282. PMID: 39196131, DOI: 10.1038/s44161-022-00051-7.Commentaries, Editorials and LettersWhole-exome sequencing identifies recessive WDR62 mutations in severe brain malformations
Bilgüvar K, Öztürk A, Louvi A, Kwan KY, Choi M, Tatlı B, Yalnızoğlu D, Tüysüz B, Çağlayan A, Gökben S, Kaymakçalan H, Barak T, Bakırcıoğlu M, Yasuno K, Ho W, Sanders S, Zhu Y, Yılmaz S, Dinçer A, Johnson MH, Bronen RA, Koçer N, Per H, Mane S, Pamir MN, Yalçınkaya C, Kumandaş S, Topçu M, Özmen M, Šestan N, Lifton RP, State MW, Günel M. Whole-exome sequencing identifies recessive WDR62 mutations in severe brain malformations. Nature 2010, 467: 207-210. PMID: 20729831, PMCID: PMC3129007, DOI: 10.1038/nature09327.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAbnormal cortical developmentWD repeat domain 62 (WDR62) geneSevere brain malformationsWhole-exome sequencingBrain abnormalitiesBrain malformationsCortical developmentMolecular pathogenesisCerebellar hypoplasiaWDR62 mutationsEmbryonic neurogenesisDiagnostic classificationMicrocephaly genesSmall family sizeGenetic heterogeneityWide spectrumRecessive mutationsPachygyriaPathogenesisHypoplasiaNeocortexNeurogenesisAbnormalitiesMalformationsMutationsGenomic Analysis of Non-NF2 Meningiomas Reveals Mutations in TRAF7, KLF4, AKT1, and SMO
Clark VE, Erson-Omay EZ, Serin A, Yin J, Cotney J, Özduman K, Avşar T, Li J, Murray PB, Henegariu O, Yilmaz S, Günel JM, Carrión-Grant G, Yılmaz B, Grady C, Tanrıkulu B, Bakırcıoğlu M, Kaymakçalan H, Caglayan AO, Sencar L, Ceyhun E, Atik AF, Bayri Y, Bai H, Kolb LE, Hebert RM, Omay SB, Mishra-Gorur K, Choi M, Overton JD, Holland EC, Mane S, State MW, Bilgüvar K, Baehring JM, Gutin PH, Piepmeier JM, Vortmeyer A, Brennan CW, Pamir MN, Kılıç T, Lifton RP, Noonan JP, Yasuno K, Günel M. Genomic Analysis of Non-NF2 Meningiomas Reveals Mutations in TRAF7, KLF4, AKT1, and SMO. Science 2013, 339: 1077-1080. PMID: 23348505, PMCID: PMC4808587, DOI: 10.1126/science.1233009.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedAged, 80 and overBrain NeoplasmsChromosomes, Human, Pair 22DNA Mutational AnalysisFemaleGenes, Neurofibromatosis 2Genomic InstabilityGenomicsHumansKruppel-Like Factor 4Kruppel-Like Transcription FactorsMaleMeningeal NeoplasmsMeningiomaMiddle AgedMutationNeoplasm GradingProto-Oncogene Proteins c-aktReceptors, G-Protein-CoupledSmoothened ReceptorTumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Peptides and ProteinsIntegrated genomic analyses of de novo pathways underlying atypical meningiomas
Harmancı AS, Youngblood MW, Clark VE, Coşkun S, Henegariu O, Duran D, Erson-Omay EZ, Kaulen LD, Lee TI, Abraham BJ, Simon M, Krischek B, Timmer M, Goldbrunner R, Omay SB, Baranoski J, Baran B, Carrión-Grant G, Bai H, Mishra-Gorur K, Schramm J, Moliterno J, Vortmeyer AO, Bilgüvar K, Yasuno K, Young RA, Günel M. Integrated genomic analyses of de novo pathways underlying atypical meningiomas. Nature Communications 2017, 8: 14433. PMID: 28195122, PMCID: PMC5316884, DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14433.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsBinding SitesBrain NeoplasmsCell Transformation, NeoplasticChromosomal InstabilityCluster AnalysisDNA MethylationE2F2 Transcription FactorEnhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 ProteinEpigenomicsExomeForkhead Box Protein M1Gene Expression ProfilingGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticGene Regulatory NetworksGene SilencingGenes, Neurofibromatosis 2GenomeGenomicsGenotyping TechniquesHuman Embryonic Stem CellsHumansJumonji Domain-Containing Histone DemethylasesMeningeal NeoplasmsMeningiomaMolecular Probe TechniquesMutationPhenotypePolycomb Repressive Complex 2Promoter Regions, GeneticRNA, MessengerSequence AnalysisSignal TransductionSMARCB1 ProteinTranscriptomeConceptsPolycomb repressive complex 2Human embryonic stem cellsRepressive complex 2Integrated genomic analysisEmbryonic stem cellsDe novo pathwayH3K27me3 signalsTranscriptional networksPRC2 complexEpigenomic analysisCellular statesCatalytic subunitGenomic analysisGenomic instabilityHypermethylated phenotypeGenomic landscapeNovo pathwayDisplay lossStem cellsPotential therapeutic targetExhibit upregulationPromoter mutationsTherapeutic targetMutationsComplexes 2PPIL4 is essential for brain angiogenesis and implicated in intracranial aneurysms in humans
Barak T, Ristori E, Ercan-Sencicek AG, Miyagishima DF, Nelson-Williams C, Dong W, Jin SC, Prendergast A, Armero W, Henegariu O, Erson-Omay EZ, Harmancı AS, Guy M, Gültekin B, Kilic D, Rai DK, Goc N, Aguilera SM, Gülez B, Altinok S, Ozcan K, Yarman Y, Coskun S, Sempou E, Deniz E, Hintzen J, Cox A, Fomchenko E, Jung SW, Ozturk AK, Louvi A, Bilgüvar K, Connolly ES, Khokha MK, Kahle KT, Yasuno K, Lifton RP, Mishra-Gorur K, Nicoli S, Günel M. PPIL4 is essential for brain angiogenesis and implicated in intracranial aneurysms in humans. Nature Medicine 2021, 27: 2165-2175. PMID: 34887573, PMCID: PMC8768030, DOI: 10.1038/s41591-021-01572-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenome-wide association studiesPeptidyl-prolyl cis-transPathogenesis of IAContribution of variantsCommon genetic variantsVertebrate modelDeleterious mutationsWnt activatorAssociation studiesWhole-exome sequencingSignificant enrichmentGenetic variantsWntAngiogenesis regulatorsMutationsGene mutationsBrain angiogenesisIntracranial aneurysm ruptureJMJD6AngiogenesisCerebrovascular morphologyCerebrovascular integrityIntracerebral hemorrhageAneurysm ruptureVariants
2020
Chapter 6 Molecular genetics of meningiomas
Youngblood MW, Günel M. Chapter 6 Molecular genetics of meningiomas. Handbook Of Clinical Neurology 2020, 169: 101-119. PMID: 32553282, DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-804280-9.00006-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMolecular mechanismsNext-generation sequencing techniquesComprehensive genomic studiesRecent genomic findingsGenomic studiesPotential molecular therapyMolecular geneticsSequencing techniquesGenomic pathwayOncogenic pathwaysNumber eventsGenomic findingsDriver mutationsMutationsBasic science investigatorsPathwayMolecular therapyImportant insightsEmbryological originCommon brain tumorMolecular subgroupsGeneticsTumorigenesisMechanismProgression
2018
Mutations in Chromatin Modifier and Ephrin Signaling Genes in Vein of Galen Malformation
Duran D, Zeng X, Jin SC, Choi J, Nelson-Williams C, Yatsula B, Gaillard J, Furey CG, Lu Q, Timberlake AT, Dong W, Sorscher MA, Loring E, Klein J, Allocco A, Hunt A, Conine S, Karimy JK, Youngblood MW, Zhang J, DiLuna ML, Matouk CC, Mane S, Tikhonova IR, Castaldi C, López-Giráldez F, Knight J, Haider S, Soban M, Alper SL, Komiyama M, Ducruet AF, Zabramski JM, Dardik A, Walcott BP, Stapleton CJ, Aagaard-Kienitz B, Rodesch G, Jackson E, Smith ER, Orbach DB, Berenstein A, Bilguvar K, Vikkula M, Gunel M, Lifton RP, Kahle KT. Mutations in Chromatin Modifier and Ephrin Signaling Genes in Vein of Galen Malformation. Neuron 2018, 101: 429-443.e4. PMID: 30578106, PMCID: PMC10292091, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.11.041.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsChromatin modifiersVascular developmentSpecification of arteriesDeep venous systemNormal vascular developmentParent-offspring triosSignaling GenesGalen malformationDamaging mutationsGenesMutationsEssential roleArterio-venous malformationsCutaneous vascular abnormalitiesNovo mutationsExome sequencingDisease biologyIncomplete penetranceVariable expressivityVascular abnormalitiesVenous systemMutation carriersArterial bloodMutation burdenClinical implications
2016
Digenic mutations of human OCRL paralogs in Dent’s disease type 2 associated with Chiari I malformation
Duran D, Jin SC, DeSpenza T, Nelson-Williams C, Cogal AG, Abrash EW, Harris PC, Lieske JC, Shimshak SJ, Mane S, Bilguvar K, DiLuna ML, Günel M, Lifton RP, Kahle KT. Digenic mutations of human OCRL paralogs in Dent’s disease type 2 associated with Chiari I malformation. Human Genome Variation 2016, 3: 16042. PMID: 28018608, PMCID: PMC5143364, DOI: 10.1038/hgv.2016.42.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDigenic mutationsPH domainPrimary ciliaDamaging missense mutationsGenetic supportINPP5BSilico analysisMutation impactOCRL1Amino acidsMissense mutationsParalogsBp deletionMutationsCiliogenesisExon 3Novel associationsAbove-average IQVariable presencePhosphatidylinositolPolyPhen2MetaSVMSequencingDeletionCiliaBiallelic Mutations in TMTC3, Encoding a Transmembrane and TPR-Containing Protein, Lead to Cobblestone Lissencephaly
Jerber J, Zaki MS, Al-Aama JY, Rosti RO, Ben-Omran T, Dikoglu E, Silhavy JL, Caglar C, Musaev D, Albrecht B, Campbell KP, Willer T, Almuriekhi M, Çağlayan A, Vajsar J, Bilgüvar K, Ogur G, Jamra R, Günel M, Gleeson JG. Biallelic Mutations in TMTC3, Encoding a Transmembrane and TPR-Containing Protein, Lead to Cobblestone Lissencephaly. American Journal Of Human Genetics 2016, 99: 1181-1189. PMID: 27773428, PMCID: PMC5097947, DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2016.09.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCongenital muscular dystrophyCobblestone lissencephalyOvermigration of neuronsBiallelic mutationsMuscular dystrophyTMTC3Affected individualsWalker-Warburg syndromeMembrane componentsSevere brain malformationsBasement membrane componentsFukuyama congenital muscular dystrophyMuscle creatine phosphokinaseEye defectsMutationsGenesRecessive formGenetic disordersGlial cellsMinimal eyeMuscle involvementCortical dysplasiaBrain malformationsEye anomaliesCreatine phosphokinaseBiallelic Mutations in Citron Kinase Link Mitotic Cytokinesis to Human Primary Microcephaly
Li H, Bielas SL, Zaki MS, Ismail S, Farfara D, Um K, Rosti RO, Scott EC, Tu S, C. NC, Gabriel S, Erson-Omay EZ, Ercan-Sencicek AG, Yasuno K, Çağlayan AO, Kaymakçalan H, Ekici B, Bilguvar K, Gunel M, Gleeson JG. Biallelic Mutations in Citron Kinase Link Mitotic Cytokinesis to Human Primary Microcephaly. American Journal Of Human Genetics 2016, 99: 501-510. PMID: 27453578, PMCID: PMC4974110, DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2016.07.004.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInduced pluripotent stem cellsPrimary microcephalyHuman primary microcephalyAutosomal recessive primary microcephalyNon-progressive intellectual disabilityAmino acid residuesPluripotent stem cellsMitotic cytokinesisCellular functionsGenome editingCell divisionKinase domainAbnormal cytokinesisCRISPR/Homozygous missense mutationCytokinesisKinase activityMultipolar spindlesNeural progenitorsAcid residuesFunction mutationsMissense mutationsStem cellsMultiple rolesMutationsChapter 40 Genomic Landscape of Brain Tumors
Clark V, Youngblood M, Bai H, Günel J, Günel M. Chapter 40 Genomic Landscape of Brain Tumors. 2016, 653-663. DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-800105-9.00040-8.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2015
Inactivating mutations in MFSD2A, required for omega-3 fatty acid transport in brain, cause a lethal microcephaly syndrome
Guemez-Gamboa A, Nguyen LN, Yang H, Zaki MS, Kara M, Ben-Omran T, Akizu N, Rosti RO, Rosti B, Scott E, Schroth J, Copeland B, Vaux KK, Cazenave-Gassiot A, Quek DQ, Wong BH, Tan BC, Wenk MR, Gunel M, Gabriel S, Chi NC, Silver DL, Gleeson JG. Inactivating mutations in MFSD2A, required for omega-3 fatty acid transport in brain, cause a lethal microcephaly syndrome. Nature Genetics 2015, 47: 809-813. PMID: 26005868, PMCID: PMC4547531, DOI: 10.1038/ng.3311.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentAnimalsBiological TransportBlood-Brain BarrierBrainCase-Control StudiesChildChild, PreschoolConsanguinityFatty Acids, Omega-3FemaleGenes, LethalGenetic Association StudiesHEK293 CellsHumansInfantMaleMice, KnockoutMicrocephalyMutation, MissenseSymportersSyndromeTumor Suppressor ProteinsZebrafishA congenital disorder of deglycosylation: Biochemical characterization of N-glycanase 1 deficiency in patient fibroblasts
He P, Grotzke JE, Ng BG, Gunel M, Jafar-Nejad H, Cresswell P, Enns GM, Freeze HH. A congenital disorder of deglycosylation: Biochemical characterization of N-glycanase 1 deficiency in patient fibroblasts. Glycobiology 2015, 25: 836-844. PMID: 25900930, PMCID: PMC4487302, DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwv024.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsBacterial ProteinsDevelopmental DisabilitiesEnzyme AssaysExonsEye Diseases, HereditaryFibroblastsGene ExpressionGenes, ReporterHepatic InsufficiencyHumansLacrimal Apparatus DiseasesLuminescent ProteinsMutationPeptide-N4-(N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminyl) Asparagine AmidasePeripheral Nervous System DiseasesPrimary Cell CultureSeizuresConceptsAbnormal liver functionPatient fibroblastsPeripheral neuropathyLiver functionPatient-derived fibroblastsDevelopmental delayCongenital disorderN-glycanase 1 (NGLY1) deficiencyVenus fluorescencePronounced reductionFibroblastsN-glycanase 1Enzymatic activityMutationsNGLY1NeuropathyPatientsSeizuresAlacrimaActivityBiallelic mutations in SNX14 cause a syndromic form of cerebellar atrophy and lysosome-autophagosome dysfunction
Akizu N, Cantagrel V, Zaki MS, Al-Gazali L, Wang X, Rosti RO, Dikoglu E, Gelot AB, Rosti B, Vaux KK, Scott EM, Silhavy JL, Schroth J, Copeland B, Schaffer AE, Gordts PL, Esko JD, Buschman MD, Field SJ, Napolitano G, Abdel-Salam GM, Ozgul RK, Sagıroglu M, Azam M, Ismail S, Aglan M, Selim L, Mahmoud IG, Abdel-Hadi S, Badawy AE, Sadek AA, Mojahedi F, Kayserili H, Masri A, Bastaki L, Temtamy S, Müller U, Desguerre I, Casanova JL, Dursun A, Gunel M, Gabriel SB, de Lonlay P, Gleeson JG. Biallelic mutations in SNX14 cause a syndromic form of cerebellar atrophy and lysosome-autophagosome dysfunction. Nature Genetics 2015, 47: 528-534. PMID: 25848753, PMCID: PMC4414867, DOI: 10.1038/ng.3256.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2014
A congenital disorder of deglycosylation: biochemical characterization of N‐glycanase 1 deficiency in patient fibroblasts (607.3)
He P, Ng B, Cresswell P, Grotzke J, Gunel M, Jafar‐Nejad H, Kodali V, Kaufman R, Freeze H. A congenital disorder of deglycosylation: biochemical characterization of N‐glycanase 1 deficiency in patient fibroblasts (607.3). The FASEB Journal 2014, 28 DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.607.3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchN-glycanase 1 (NGLY1) deficiencyN-glycanase 1Patient fibroblastsMisfolded glycoproteinsER stressPatient-derived fibroblastsFree oligosaccharidesSignal transductionProteasomal degradationBiochemical characterizationNGLY1Enzymatic activitySubstrate accumulationExome sequencingPhysiological conditionsDeglycosylationFibroblastsAbnormal liver functionGlycoproteinMutationsCongenital disorderPeripheral neuropathyLiver functionAltered size distributionTransduction
2013
Mutations in CSPP1 Lead to Classical Joubert Syndrome
Akizu N, Silhavy JL, Rosti RO, Scott E, Fenstermaker AG, Schroth J, Zaki MS, Sanchez H, Gupta N, Kabra M, Kara M, Ben-Omran T, Rosti B, Guemez-Gamboa A, Spencer E, Pan R, Cai N, Abdellateef M, Gabriel S, Halbritter J, Hildebrandt F, van Bokhoven H, Gunel M, Gleeson JG. Mutations in CSPP1 Lead to Classical Joubert Syndrome. American Journal Of Human Genetics 2013, 94: 80-86. PMID: 24360807, PMCID: PMC3882909, DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2013.11.015.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsJoubert syndromeDistinctive mid-hindbrain malformationMid-hindbrain malformationPrimary cilia dysfunctionPrimary ciliaKidney diseaseLarge cohortVariable involvementRelated disordersHuman neurogenesisNeural tissueProtein levelsAffected individualsSyndromeCilia dysfunctionCohortNeural-specific functionsCausative mutationsMutationsNull mutationCSPP1IndividualsCiliaDysfunctionJSRD
2012
Missense mutation in the ATPase, aminophospholipid transporter protein ATP8A2 is associated with cerebellar atrophy and quadrupedal locomotion
Emre Onat O, Gulsuner S, Bilguvar K, Nazli Basak A, Topaloglu H, Tan M, Tan U, Gunel M, Ozcelik T. Missense mutation in the ATPase, aminophospholipid transporter protein ATP8A2 is associated with cerebellar atrophy and quadrupedal locomotion. European Journal Of Human Genetics 2012, 21: 281-285. PMID: 22892528, PMCID: PMC3573203, DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2012.170.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsC-terminal transmembrane regionATPase domainNext-generation sequencingTransmembrane regionHomozygous regionsHomozygosity mappingAffected individualsATP8A2Novel missense variantChromosome 13q12Missense mutationsATP8A2 geneSegregation analysisConsanguineous familyMissense variantsUnrelated individualsMutationsMental retardationQuadrupedal locomotionGenesDysequilibrium syndromeSequencingTranslocationATPaseNovo
2011
Homozygosity mapping and targeted genomic sequencing reveal the gene responsible for cerebellar hypoplasia and quadrupedal locomotion in a consanguineous kindred
Gulsuner S, Tekinay AB, Doerschner K, Boyaci H, Bilguvar K, Unal H, Ors A, Onat OE, Atalar E, Basak AN, Topaloglu H, Kansu T, Tan M, Tan U, Gunel M, Ozcelik T. Homozygosity mapping and targeted genomic sequencing reveal the gene responsible for cerebellar hypoplasia and quadrupedal locomotion in a consanguineous kindred. Genome Research 2011, 21: 1995-2003. PMID: 21885617, PMCID: PMC3227090, DOI: 10.1101/gr.126110.111.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBeta-propeller domainPrivate missense mutationsLarge consanguineous familyThird geneBEACH domainTransmembrane proteinHomozygous regionsHomozygosity mappingGenomic sequencingWDR81Chromosome 17p13.1Missense mutationsQuadrupedal locomotionConsanguineous familyTargeted sequencingGenesSequencingRare phenotypeMorphological abnormalitiesBiological basisMutationsAffected individualsCell layerParticular atrophyFamily
2010
L-Histidine Decarboxylase and Tourette's Syndrome
Ercan-Sencicek AG, Stillman AA, Ghosh AK, Bilguvar K, O'Roak BJ, Mason CE, Abbott T, Gupta A, King RA, Pauls DL, Tischfield JA, Heiman GA, Singer HS, Gilbert DL, Hoekstra PJ, Morgan TM, Loring E, Yasuno K, Fernandez T, Sanders S, Louvi A, Cho JH, Mane S, Colangelo CM, Biederer T, Lifton RP, Gunel M, State MW. L-Histidine Decarboxylase and Tourette's Syndrome. New England Journal Of Medicine 2010, 362: 1901-1908. PMID: 20445167, PMCID: PMC2894694, DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa0907006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRare functional mutationsL-histidine decarboxylaseRate-limiting enzymeHDC geneTwo-generation pedigreeFunctional mutationsStrong genetic contributionHistamine biosynthesisAnalysis of linkageGenetic contributionModel systemRisk allelesDevelopmental neuropsychiatric disordersDecarboxylaseBiosynthesisGenesTourette syndromeMutationsAllelesEnzymeInheritanceNeuropsychiatric disordersPedigree