Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Waheed Awotoye

Publications and source records attributed to Waheed Awotoye.

3 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2026

Genetic and epigenetic contributors to cleft laterality: evidence from monozygotic mirror twins and replication cohorts.

Nonsyndromic cleft lip (nsCL) exhibits a non-random laterality pattern, with left-sided clefts occurring twice as frequently as right-sided clefts. The molecular mechanisms underlying this laterality bias remain poorly understood. We performed whole-genome sequencing and methylation profiling on a family comprising monozygotic twins with mirror-image nsCL, their affected mother, and unaffected father and brother. We conducted three independent replications via publicly available whole genome data; genome-wide methylation analysis in 38 individuals with unilateral cleft; and validation of methylation results in the top 3 candidate genes in 385 unrelated individuals with unilateral nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (nsCL/P) (DNA from blood or saliva). We identified a variant in FGF20 (p.Ile79Val) shared by the twins and their mother. We observed laterality and severity-associated methylation differences in three main genes. ARID5B showed higher methylation in left clefts (saliva, P&#x2009;=&#x2009;.001; blood, P&#x2009;=&#x2009;.032). ZFP57 demonstrated a strong cleft-extent effect, with cleft lip and palate (CLP) showing markedly higher methylation than cleft lip only (CL) (LCLP vs. RCL padj&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.0004; LCLP vs. LCL padj&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.019). HOOK2 displayed a cross-tissue cleft-extent effect in the opposite direction-CLP subtypes were hypomethylated relative to CL-only subtypes in blood (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;.0001) and saliva (P&#x2009;=&#x2009;.0008). This study provides evidence that DNA methylation patterns play a role in both the laterality and severity of cleft lip. ARID5B provides a consistent laterality signal across tissues, while ZFP57 and HOOK2 track palatal involvement independently of side. Together, these findings suggest that epigenetic variation acts downstream of genetic predisposition to shape cleft phenotypes.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Genetic and Epigenetic Contributors to Cleft Laterality: Evidence from Monozygotic Mirror Twins and Replication Cohorts.

Nonsyndromic cleft lip (nsCL) exhibits a non-random laterality pattern, with left-sided clefts occurring approximately twice as frequently as right-sided clefts. The molecular mechanisms underlying this laterality bias remain poorly understood. We performed whole-genome sequencing and methylation profiling on a family comprising monozygotic twins with mirror-image nsCL, their affected mother, and unaffected father and brother. We conducted three independent replications via (1) publicly available whole genome data; (2) genome-wide methylation analysis in 38 individuals with unilateral cleft; and (3) validation of methylation results in the top 3 candidate genes in 385 unrelated individuals with unilateral clefts (DNA from blood or saliva). We identified a variant in FGF20 (p.Ile79Val) shared by the twins and their mother. We observed laterality and severity-associated methylation differences in three main genes. ARID5B showed higher methylation in left clefts (saliva, p=0.001; blood, p=0.032). ZFP57 demonstrated a strong cleft-extent effect, with cleft lip and palate (CLP) showing markedly higher methylation than cleft lip only (CL) (LCLP vs. RCL padj=0.0004; LCLP vs. LCL padj = 0.019). HOOK2 displayed a cross-tissue cleft-extent effect in the opposite direction - CLP subtypes were hypomethylated relative to CL-only subtypes in blood (p<0.0001) and saliva p=0.0008). This study provides evidence that DNA methylation patterns plays a role in both the laterality and severity of cleft lip. ARID5B provides a consistent laterality signal across tissues, while ZFP57 and HOOK2 track palatal involvement independently of side. Together, these findings suggest that epigenetic variation acts downstream of genetic predisposition to shape cleft phenotypes.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2025

Novel Protein-Altering Variants in Cleft Genes Transmitted in Families With NSCL&#xb1;P.

BACKGROUND: Pathogenic protein-altering variants play a role in the etiology of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without palate (nsCL&#xb1;P), one of the most common craniofacial anomalies. However, the genetic basis of many cases remains unclear, complicating risk prediction for affected families. PURPOSE: This study utilized whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of 150 case-families with nsCL&#xb1;P from sub-Saharan Africa to identify pathogenic risk variants. STUDY DESIGN, SETTING, SAMPLE: This study utilized whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of 150 case-families with nsCL&#xb1;P from sub-Saharan Africa to identify risk variants. PREDICTOR/EXPOSURE/INDEPENDENT VARIABLE: Genetic variants. MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLES: Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without palate (nsCL&#xb1;P). ANALYSES: Genomes were sequenced at a mean &#xd7;30 coverage, and variants were prioritized using CADD (&#x2265;20), REVEL (&#x2265;0.5), and ACMG/AMP clinical significance criteria. RESULTS: We identified pathogenic protein-altering variants in CHD7 (p.Arg1345His), LRP2 (p.Asp3245Asn), RYR1 (p.Arg2163Leu, p.Pro2903Thr), SHH (p.Met114Val), and WNT3 (p.Ser112Pro) highlighting the role of hedgehog signaling pathway (FDR=5.32e-12) in nsCL&#xb1;P. These variants were inherited from unaffected parents suggesting an incomplete penetrance of the variant effect. Although mouse data showed that knockout of these genes produces cleft phenotypes, in vivo studies will help us better understand how the consequences of these variants differ from benign mutations. The presence of these protein-altering variants in unaffected parents-incomplete penetrance, provides additional evidence supporting the trait complexity. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This study identified rare, pathogenic protein-altering variants in genes involved in key developmental pathways in African families affected by nsCL&#xb1;P. These findings highlight the critical role of the hedgehog signaling pathway and related networks in the etiology of nsCL&#xb1;P. These findings underscore the importance of whole-genome sequencing in genetically diverse populations to uncover novel risk variants. These findings enhance our understanding of the genetic etiology of nsCL&#xb1;P, particularly in under-represented African populations and support the multifactorial inheritance and the involvement of developmental pathways, such as hedgehog signaling in the etiology of clefting.

Humans↗