Through exome sequencing we identified six individuals with biallelic loss-of-function mutations in TRIP13. All six developed Wilms tumor. Constitutional mosaic aneuploidies, microcephaly,

Aneuploidy is the leading cause of miscarriage and congenital birth defects, and a hallmark of cancer. Despite this strong association with human disease, the genetic causes of aneuploidy remain largely unknown. Through exome sequencing of patients with constitutional mosaic aneuploidy, we identified biallelic truncating mutations in CENATAC (CCDC84). We show that CENATAC is a novel component of the minor (U12-dependent) spliceosome that promotes splicing of a specific, rare minor intron subtype. This subtype is characterized by AT-AN splice sites and relatively high basal levels of intron retention. CENATAC depletion or expression of disease mutants resulted in excessive retention of AT-AN minor introns in~100 genes enriched for nucleocytoplasmic transport and cell cycle regulators, and caused chromosome segregation errors. Our findings reveal selectivity in minor intron splicing and suggest a link between minor spliceosome defects and constitutional aneuploidy in humans.

The cell cycle culminates in mitosis with the purpose of dividing the cell's DNA content equally over two daughter cells. Error-free segregation relies on correct connections between chromosomes and spindle microtubules. Kinetochores are complex multi-protein assemblies that mediate these connections and are the platforms for attachment-error-correction and spindle assembly checkpoint signaling. Proper kinetochore function is therefore key in preventing aneuploidization. Mutations in genes encoding kinetochore proteins are associated with several severe developmental disorders associated with microcephaly, and kinetochore defects contribute to chromosomal instability in certain cancers. This chapter gives an overview of the processes necessary for faithful chromosome segregation and how kinetochore malfunction causes various human pathologies.

Aneuploidy is the leading cause of miscarriage and congenital birth defects, and a hallmark of cancer. Despite this strong association with human disease, the genetic causes of aneuploidy remain largely unknown. Through exome sequencing of patients with constitutional mosaic aneuploidy, we identified biallelic truncating mutations in CENATAC (CCDC84). We show that CENATAC is a novel component of the minor (U12-dependent) spliceosome that promotes splicing of a specific, rare minor intron subtype. This subtype is characterized by AT-AN splice sites and relatively high basal levels of intron retention. CENATAC depletion or expression of disease mutants resulted in excessive retention of AT-AN minor introns in ~100 genes enriched for nucleocytoplasmic transport and cell cycle regulators, and caused chromosome segregation errors. Our findings reveal selectivity in minor intron splicing with a specific impact on the chromosome segregation process, and show how defects herein can cause constitutional aneuploidy.