SHROOM3 is a novel candidate for heterotaxy identified by whole exome sequencing

SNP genotyping identified absence-of-heterozygosity regions in the heterotaxy proband on chromosomes 1, 4, 7, 13, 15, 18, consistent with parental consanguinity. Subsequently, whole-exome sequencing of the proband identified 26,065 coding variants, including 18 non-synonymous homozygous changes not present in dbSNP132 or 1000 Genomes. Of these 18, only 4 - one each in CXCL2, SHROOM3, CTSO, RXFP1 - were mapped to the absence-of-heterozygosity regions, each of which was flanked by more than 50 homozygous SNPs, confirming recessive segregation of mutant alleles. Sanger sequencing confirmed the SHROOM3 homozygous missense mutation and it was predicted as pathogenic by four bioinformatic tools. SHROOM3 has been identified as a central regulator of morphogenetic cell shape changes necessary for organogenesis and can physically bind ROCK2, a rho kinase protein required for left-right patterning. Screening 96 sporadic heterotaxy patients identified four additional patients with rare variants in SHROOM3.Using whole exome sequencing, we identify a recessive missense mutation in SHROOM3 associated with heterotaxy syndrome and identify rare variants in subsequent screening of a heterotaxy cohort, suggesting SHROOM3 as a novel target for the control of left-right patterning. This study reveals the value of SNP genotyping coupled with high-throughput sequencing for identification of high yield candidates for rare disorders with genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity.Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common major birth defect, affecting an estimated 1 in 130 live births [1]. However, the underlying genetic causes are not identified in the vast majority of cases [2,3]. Of these, approximately 25% are syndromic while approximately 75% are isolated. Heterotaxy is a severe form of CHD, a multiple congenital anomaly syndrome resulting from abnormalities of the proper specification of left-right (LR) asymmetry during embryonic development, and can lead to malformation of any orga