Heterozygous germline mutations in SAMD9 and SAMD9L have recently been described as a new class of MDS predisposing lesions and are present in approximately 10-20% of pediatric MDS cases. We and others have shown in published reports that MDS-associated germline mutations in SAMD9/9L increase the antiproliferative activity of the encoded protein and lead to hypocellular bone marrow with decreased myeloid cell numbers. In addition, we have shown that the development of a myeloid disease is associated with partial or full loss of chromosome 7 that results from the non-random loss of the pathologic mutation. Interestingly, somatic revertant mutations including in cis single nucleotide changes and conversion of the mutant allele to the wild-type through uniparental disomy occur in some cases which leads to hematopoietic recovery. Remarkably, some patients with monosomy 7, leading to a presumptive diagnosis of MDS, also achieve hematopoietic recovery through spontaneous disappearance of the monosomy 7 clone. These data lead to the hypothesis that gain-of- function (GoF) SAMD9/9L proteins are cytotoxic and cause strong selective pressure for cells lacking the mutant allele. The molecular mechanisms through which SAMD9/9L GoF mutations inhibit myelopoiesis, and the spectrum of secondary mutations leading to either MDS, MDS/AML (e.g. SETBP1), or spontaneous recovery is unknown. The proposed studies will investigate these questions through two specific aims: 1.) to determine the molecular and functional impact of mutant SAMD9 and SAMD9L expression during myeloid differentiation using and iPSC model system of pediatric MDS, and 2.) to determine the clonal architecture of cells expressing mutant SAMD9 and SAMD9L using serial patient samples and single cell genomics. A Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (K08) will provide the candidate with the amount of protected time needed to achieve his career goal of independence as a physician scientist and focus on improving the clinical outcomes of pediatric MDS patients through understanding the mechanisms of their disease pathogenesis. A strong career development plan including an experienced and successful faculty advisory committee, clear plans for progress assessments, and attendance at numerous courses, lectures, and workshops to increase proficiency in technical and management skills will accompany these research goals to ensure success as an independent physician scientist. This award will be completed at St. Jude Children?s Research Hospital (St. Jude), one of the world?s leading academic institutions focused on the research and treatment of pediatric catastrophic diseases, making it an exemplary location for an early career physician scientist to develop his career. In addition to the strong institutional support, St. Jude offers unmatched research support with facilities including the Genome Sequencing Facility at the Hartwell Center, a Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting Shared Resource, and the Center for Advanced Genome Engineering (CAGE).
The association between pediatric myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and monosomy 7 and germline gain of function (GoF) SAMD9/SAMD9L mutations has been made recently, but the molecular and functional consequences of these mutations in hematopoietic cells are not well understood. Furthermore, in many cases additional somatic revertant genetic changes occur that result in hematopoietic recovery. The proposed studies will use an iPSC model system and primary patient samples to characterize the molecular and functional consequences of GoF SAMD9/9L mutations and to describe the resultant clonal architecture and evolution.
