Deep Intronic ETFDH Variants Represent a Recurrent Pathogenic Event in Multiple Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency

Abstract

Multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD) is a rare inborn error of metabolism affecting fatty acid and amino acid oxidation with an incidence of 1 in 200,000 live births. MADD has three clinical phenotypes: severe neonatal-onset with or without congenital anomalies, and a milder late-onset form. Clinical diagnosis is supported by urinary organic acid and blood acylcarnitine analysis using tandem mass spectrometry in newborn screening programs. MADD is an autosomal recessive trait caused by biallelic mutations in the ETFA, ETFB, and ETFDH genes encoding the alpha and beta subunits of the electron transfer flavoprotein (ETF) and ETF-coenzyme Q oxidoreductase enzymes. Despite significant advancements in sequencing techniques, many patients remain undiagnosed, impacting their access to clinical care and genetic counseling. In this report, we achieved a definitive molecular diagnosis in a newborn by combining whole-genome sequencing (WGS) with RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Whole-exome sequencing and next-generation gene panels fail to detect variants, possibly affecting splicing, in deep intronic regions. Here, we report a unique deep intronic mutation in intron 1 of the ETFDH gene, c.35-959A>G, in a patient with early-onset lethal MADD, resulting in pseudo-exon inclusion. The identified variant is the third mutation reported in this region, highlighting ETFDH intron 1 vulnerability. It cannot be excluded that these intronic sequence features may be more common in other genes than is currently believed. This study highlights the importance of incorporating RNA analysis into genome-wide testing to reveal the functional consequences of intronic mutations.