Exome Sequencing

Exome Sequencing, Familial Control 2006340

Method: Massively Parallel Sequencing

  • Exome Sequencing,Trio is the preferred test to diagnose an individual with an unknown Mendelian condition.
  • Order control test on patient’s parents and up to two additional relatives who are affected with the same condition as the patient. It is performed at no additional cost and increases the detection rate.

Exome Control, Targeted Sequencing 3001114

Method: Massively Parallel Sequencing

  • For individuals with a suspected but undiagnosed genetic condition
  • Recommended only when obtaining samples from both biological parents is not possible
  • Order control test on patient’s parents and up to two additional relatives who are affected with the same condition as the patient. It is performed at no additional cost and increases the detection rate.

Additional Methodology

  • Short tandem repeats (STRs) used to confirm familial relationships
  • Liquid RNA- or DNA-based probes capture exons and intron/exon junctions of known protein-coding RefSeq genes
  • Human reference sequence (Hg19) used for variant identification
  • Variants confirmed by Sanger sequencing as needed
  • Additional testing, such as X-chromosome inactivation, may be performed to aid variant interpretation.
Related Test
  • Order on proband when original exome analysis was unable to identify a cause for the patient’s condition.
    • First reanalysis performed at no charge; additional charges apply for subsequent reanalysis requests.
  • New clinical report will be issued using current variant calling pipeline, variant classification, genotype/phenotype knowledge, and updated clinical phenotype.

An exome is comprised of approximately 19,000 genes of known and unknown function. This test entails analysis of exome sequencing data from a patient with a suspected genetic disorder to identify the causative variant(s). Submission of control samples from the patient’s parents and up to two additional family members believed to be affected with the same condition is encouraged to aid in result interpretation.

Test Overview

Parental specimens are necessary to identify de novo variants and the chromosomal phase of variants and to optimally interpret patient results.

  • The exome accounts for 1-2% of the human genome but harbors approximately 85% of pathogenic variants.
  • The function of only approximately 4,500 genes is currently known.
  • Exome sequencing may or may not
    • Determine etiology of patient’s medical condition
    • Predict prognosis or severity
    • Guide medical management

Information Required for Testing

Test Description

Clinical Sensitivity

Unpublished internal data

  • Approximately 20% when only the proband sample is sequenced and one or both parental samples are unavailable
  • Approximately 35% when only performing targeted sequencing of parental samples based on variants identified by sequencing the proband’s exome
  • Approximately 45% when the proband and both parents undergo exome sequencing

Reporting

  • Tens of thousands of genetic variants are identified.
    • Variants may be pathogenic, benign, or of unknown clinical significance.
    • American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) recommends reporting secondary findings in genes not associated with the patient’s clinical phenotype. (See table below.)
  • Only the following variants are reported:
    • Those predicted to be related to the patient’s phenotype
    • De novo and rare compound heterozygous variants in genes of unknown function, if a causative variant is not identified that explains the patient’s medical condition
    • Pathogenic variants in genes recommended by ACMG, or other medically actionable incidental variants in non-ACMG genes if elected on the consent form
  • Single disease-causing variants in autosomal recessive ACMG genes are not reported.
  • Family members undergoing exome sequencing who complete a consent form requesting ACMG variants will receive a separate report describing pathogenic secondary findings.

Interpretation/Storage/Reanalysis/Data Sharing

  • Accurate representation of biological relationships between family members is imperative for correct test interpretation.
  • Test interpretation is based on information available at the time of testing and may change in the future.
  • Exome sequencing data will be stored for a minimum of 5 years in compliance with ARUP’s data retention policy, but many samples are discarded after testing is complete.
  • Samples may be stored indefinitely for test validation or education purposes after personal identifiers are removed. All New York samples are discarded 60 days following test completion. Patients may request disposal of their sample by calling ARUP Laboratories at 800-242-2787, ext. 3301.
  • The first request for data reanalysis is available at no cost; subsequent reanalysis requests will be associated with charges.
  • Deidentified information about genetic variants and clinical findings may be published in international databases unless declined on consent form.
  • Patients may also contact ARUP Laboratories at 800-242-2787, ext. 3301, and request that their test result not be shared with public databases.
  • Patients have the opportunity to participate in patient registries and research. For more information, see www.aruplab.com/genetics/resources.
  • Raw exome sequencing data may be requested by the ordering healthcare provider and hospital that submitted the test to ARUP.

Limitations

  • A negative result does not exclude a genetic cause for the patient’s disorder.
  • Diagnostic errors can occur due to rare sequence variations.
  • Result interpretation may be impacted if this individual has had an allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
  • The human exome is not able to be completely analyzed as some genes have not been identified, whereas others, due to technical limitations, cannot be either sequenced or interpreted.
  • The following will not be evaluated:
    • Variants outside the coding regions and intron-exon boundaries
    • Large deletions/duplications
    • Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
  • The following may not be detected:
    • Deletions/duplications/insertions of any size by massively parallel sequencing
    • Some variants due to the presence of pseudogenes, repetitive, or homologous regions
    • Low-level somatic variants
    • Chromosomal phase of identified variants
    • Pathogenic ACMG variants that cannot be detected by routine exome analysis

Analytic Sensitivity

The analytic sensitivity of this test is approximately 98% for single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and greater than 93% for insertions/duplications/deletions from 1-10 base pairs in size. Deletions/duplication greater than 10 base pairs may be detected, but the analytic sensitivity may be reduced.

ACMG Recommends Reporting Secondary Findings for These Genes 
Conditions Associated Genes
Tumors/cancer syndromes

Familial adenomatous polyposis

APC

Familial medullary thyroid cancer

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2

RET

Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer

BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2

Hereditary paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma

MAX, SDHAF2, SDHB, SDHC, SDHD, TMEM127

Juvenile polyposis

BMPR1A, SMAD4

Li-Fraumeni syndrome

TP53

Lynch syndrome

MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1

MEN1

MUTYH-associated polyposis

MUTYH

Neurofibromatosis type 2

NF2

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome

STK11

PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome

PTEN

Retinoblastoma

RB1

Tuberous sclerosis complex

TSC1, TSC2

Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome

VHL

WT1-related Wilms tumor

WT1

Cardiovascular conditions/syndromes

Arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy

DSC2, DSGS, DSP, PKP2, TMEM43

Brugada syndrome

Romano-Ward long QT syndrome types 1, 2, and 3

KCNH2, KCNQ1, SCN5A

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia

CASQ2, RYR2, TRDN

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, vascular type

COL3A1

Familial hypercholesterolemia

APOB, LDLR, PCSK9

Familial thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections

ACTA2, MYH11SMAD3

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy

ACTC1BAG3, DES, FLNC, GLA, LMNA, MYBPC3, MYH7, MYL2, MYL3, PRKAG2, RBM20, TNNC1, TNNI3, TNNT2, TPM1, TTN

Loeys-Dietz

TGFBR1, TGFBR2

Marfan syndrome

FBN1

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia ACVRL1, ENG
Metabolic conditions Maturity-onset diabetes of the young HNF1A
Pompe disease GAA
Biotinidase deficiency BTD
Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency OTC
Wilson disease ATP7B
Other conditions

Malignant hyperthermia susceptibility

CACNA1S, RYR1

Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis TTR

Hereditary hemochromatosis

HFE

RPE65-related retinopathy

RPE65