Cystinosis via the CTNS Gene, 57-kb Deletion

Cystinosis is a condition characterized by the accumulation of the amino acid cystine within the lysosomes of cells. Excess cystine in cells results in crystal formation which is damaging to many organs and tissues. In particular, the kidneys and eyes of individuals with cystinosis are especially vulnerable. Children with cystinosis are normal at birth, but develop signs of renal tubular Fanconi syndrome between 6-12 months of age (Nesterova and Gahl 2014; Gahl and Thoene 2014). Symptoms include failure to thrive, vomiting, acidosis, polyuria, excessive thirst, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances and hypophosphatemic rickets (Gahl and Thoene 2014). If left untreated, the major clinical manifestation is renal failure at around 9 to 10 years of age (Nesterova and Gahl 2014). Corneal cystine crystals can cause photophobia which is always present by two years of age. An intermediate form of cystinosis can also occur, but typically onset is not until adolescence, and symptoms are not as severe. Ocular cystinosis (non-nephropathic) presents with photophobia, but cystine crystals are present in the bone marrow and conjunctiva as well as cornea. Diagnosis is typically made on a routine eye exam with a slit lamp.

Cystine depletion therapy with cysteamine bitartrate can reduce 90% of cysteine content in cells. With early, diligent treatment, end stage renal disease can be delayed or even prevented (Nesterova and Gahl 2014). Supplementation with phosphate, vitamin D, and good nutrition will reduce growth deficiencies and prevent hypophosphatemic rickets (Nesterova and Gahl 2014). Prior to the use of renal transplant and cystine depletion therapy, the nephropathic patient lifespan was no longer than ten years. With these therapies, affected individuals can survive into forties and fifties.

Cystinosis is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by pathogenic variants in the CTNS gene located on chromosome 17p13.2. CTNS encodes the cystinosin protein (327 amino acids) which transports cystine out of the lysosome into the cytoplasm. It contains seven transmembrane domains and two lysosomal targeting motifs.

CTNS is the only gene which is associated with cystinosis. The incidence of infantile nephropathic cystinosis is approximately 1 per 100,000 to 200,000 live births (Levtchenko et al. 2014). The French region of Brittany has a higher incidence of 1 per 26,000. The most common mutation is a 57 kb deletion which includes exons 1-9 and part of exon 10 (Levtchenko et al. 2014) (Touchman et al. 2000). In people of Northern European ancestry, approximately 50% of patients with nephropathic cystinosis are homozygous for the 57 kb deletion (Nesterova and Gahl 2014). Other pathogenic variants include missense, nonsense, splice site variants, insertions, and deletions (Human Gene Mutation Database). The missense variants are typically present in the transmembrane region of the cystinosin protein.

About 50% of cystinosis patients of Northern European descent are found to be homozygous for this deletion (Nesterova and Gahl 2014).

This test involves amplification of patient DNA with several sets of specific PCR primers that flank the common CTNS 57-kb deletion. In a patient with the deletion, two separate primer sets amplify across the deletion resulting in 485 bp and 601 bp products. Other control primers are used to detect the normal allele. Sanger sequencing of the deletion products will also be done to confirm breakpoint positions. This test permits the identification of patients with normal genotypes, patients who are homozygous for the deletion, and heterozygous carriers. PreventionGenetics also offers a sequencing test for the CTNS gene (Test #1561).