Introducing a novel TRAPPC10 gene variant as a potential cause of developmental delay and intellectual disability in an Iranian family

Abstract

Background: TRAPP complexes are crucial components for intracellular transport and cellular organization. Their role in vesicle trafficking, particularly through their involvement in the secretory pathway, make them more important in neurodevelopmental mechanisms. This study aims to identify a novel genetic variant, associated with developmental delay and intellectual disability by analyzing a consanguineous Iranian family.

Materials and methods: Here, we performed whole-exome sequencing on an Iranian family, originating from a small population. The patient presented with severe developmental delay, microcephaly, and behavioral abnormalities. Through our analysis, we discovered a new biallelic variant on a previously introduced gene: TRAPPC10 (NM_003274.5): c.3222 C > A; p.(Cys1074Ter) that is a potential cause for these specific clinical characteristics.

Results: Previous functional analysis suggest that the mutation causes premature termination of protein translation, likely leading to nonsense-mediated decay because of biallelic loss of functional TRAPPC10 protein which leads to severe developmental delay, microcephaly, and behavioral abnormalities such as aggression and autistic traits.

Conclusion: The aim of this research is to discover a novel variant in the TRAPPC10 gene that is responsible for a particular neurodevelopmental condition, dominantly characterized by developmental delay, intellectual disability, and microcephaly. These findings advance the comprehension of TRAPP-related diseases and emphasize the need for further exploration into the impact of TRAPPC10 on the development of the nervous system.

Keywords: Developmental delay; Intellectual disability; Microcephaly; TRAPP II complex; TRAPPC10.