Detailed Assessment of Rare and Common TERT Variation in a Family with a Telomere Biology Disorder.
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| Abstract | Telomere biology disorders (TBDs) are caused by rare pathogenic variants in telomere maintenance genes and often present with variable penetrance of multi-organ system manifestations. We evaluated a family with 14 individuals heterozygous for TERT c.2591T>C (p.L864P) and 13 non-carriers. TRAP assays showed that p.L864P causes a complete loss of telomerase activity. Carriers had shorter lymphocyte telomeres than non-carriers. Carriers presented different TBD manifestations, but had similar telomere length (TL) distributions, suggesting variable penetrance and possible genetic anticipation. Somatic TERT promoter mutations were detected in four carriers aged >50 years (variant allele fractions <4% in three and 18-19% in one). Exome sequencing did not identify other variants of interest. Although not statistically significant, polygenic scores derived from common TL-associated genetic variation were lower in c.2591T>C carriers with more TBD clinical manifestations. Alleles associated with alternative TERT splicing, VNTR6-1-Long and rs10069690-T, co-segregated with c.2591T>C. This haplotype was associated with a reduction in TL z-score (β=-1.81, p<0.0001). Another haplotype, c.2591T, VNTR6-1-Long, and rs10069690-T, demonstrated an independent reduction of TL z-score (β=-0.84, p=0.0111). The TBD manifestations in this family may relate to common TL-associated genetic variation and alternative TERT splicing, emphasizing the importance of investigations into TBD manifestations within and between TBD families. |
| Year of Publication | 2025
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| Journal | HGG advances
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| Pages | 100536
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| Date Published | 10/2025
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| ISSN | 2666-2477
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| DOI | 10.1016/j.xhgg.2025.100536
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| PubMed ID | 41139959
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