The DDX39B gene belongs to the DExD/H-box family of ATP-dependent RNA helicases, playing a vital role in mRNA processing. DDX39B is a component of the TRanscription-EXport (TREX) protein complex, whose pathogenic variants have been recently associated with neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.

Previous studies have identified a homozygous CDK9 variant in five different families (four Arabic and one Japanese) with CHARGE syndrome, suggesting that CDK9 could be a causative gene in autosomal recessive CHARGE-like syndrome. Researchers from the University of Kuwait and affiliated organizations thus aimed to further investigate this disease-gene association.

It is well known that mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene are causative of cystic fibrosis, a lethal autosomal recessive Mendelian disorder. Several studies have also pointed to an association between CFTR mutations and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a form of anovulatory infertility characterized by hyperandrogenemia, irregular menses and polycystic ovarian morphology. Apart from experiencing reproductive-related symptoms, women with PCOS face an increased risk of obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

The largest genetic analysis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) carried out to date has identified almost 100 new risk variants linked to the disorder. The study also highlighted a possible therapeutic target for this pathology that, at the moment, has no treatment. AAA affects 4% of people over 65 years of age in the U.S. and causes 41,000 deaths per year. The incidence is three to four times higher in men than in women.

Researchers from Coave Therapeutics SA presented a novel conjugated AAV (coAAV)-GBA1 candidate for the treatment of patients suffering from PD related to GBA1 mutations.

Approximately 2% to 6% of familiar dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) cases are caused by inherited mutations in the RBM20 gene, which encodes the RNA binding motif 20 (RBM20), a splicing factor that regulates the splicing of several targets involved in the regulation of sarcomeric structure and calcium handling in the myocardium.

Investigators from Biomarin Pharmaceutical Inc. have presented the first preclinical data for BMN-293, a novel adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene transfer vector carrying the MYBPC3 gene. MYBPC3 mutations can cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a heart medical condition characterized by an abnormally thick myocardium, which makes it more difficult for the heart to pump blood.

Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) is caused by mutations in the LDL receptor gene, resulting in unusually high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) in serum. Researchers from Epigenic Therapeutics Co. Ltd. presented the discovery of an epigenetic modulation therapeutic, EPI-001, for HeFH.