Whole-exome sequencing (WES) is an excellent method for the
diagnosis of diseases of uncertain or heterogeneous genetic origin.
However, it has limitations for detecting structural variations such as
InDels, which the bioinformatics analyzers must be aware of. This study
aimed at using WES to evaluate the genetic cause of the metabolic crisis
in a 3-day-old neonate admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit
(NICU) and deceased after a few days. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS)
showed a significant increase in propionyl carnitine (C3), proposing
methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) or propionic acidemia (PA). WES
demonstrated a homozygous missense variant in exon 4 of the BTD gene
(NM_000060.4(BTD):c.1330G > C), responsible for partial biotinidase
deficiency. Segregation analysis of the BTD variant revealed the
homozygous status of the asymptomatic mother. Furthermore, observation
of the bam file, around genes responsible for PA or MMA, by Integrative
Genomics Viewer (IGV) software displayed a homozygous large deletion in
the PCCA gene. Comprehensive confirmatory studies identified and
segregated a novel outframe deletion of 217,877 bp length,
"NG_008768.1:g.185211_403087delinsTA", extended from intron 11 to 21 of
the PCCA, inducing a premature termination codon and activation of
nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). Homology modeling of the mutant PCCA
demonstrated eliminating the proteins active site and critical
functional domains. Thereupon, this novel variant is suggested as the
largest deletion in the PCCA gene, causing an acute early-onset PA.
These results could expand the PCCA variants spectrum, and improve the
existing knowledge on the molecular basis of PA, as well as provide new
evidence of pathogenicity of the variant (NM_000060.4(BTD):c.1330G >
C.