HMGCS1 variants cause rigid spine syndrome amenable to mevalonic acid treatment in an animal model
Authors: Dofash Lein N H , Miles Lee B , Saito Yoshihiko , Rivas Eloy , Calcinotto Vanessa , Oveissi Sara , Serrano Rita J , Templin Rachel , Ramm Georg , Rodger Alison , Haywood Joel , Ingley Evan , Clayton Joshua S , Taylor Rhonda L , Folland Chiara L , Groth David , Hock Daniella H , Stroud David A , Gorokhova Svetlana , Donkervoort Sandra , Bönnemann Carsten G , Sud Malika , VanNoy Grace E , Mangilog Brian E , Pais Lynn , O’Donnell-Luria Anne , Madruga-Garrido Marcos , Scala Marcello , Fiorillo Chiara , Baratto Serena , Traverso Monica , Malfatti Edoardo , Bruno Claudio , Zara Federico , Paradas Carmen , Ogata Katsuhisa , Nishino Ichizo , Laing Nigel G , Bryson-Richardson Robert J , Cabrera-Serrano Macarena , Ravenscroft Gianina 
Published: November 2024

Rigid spine syndrome is a rare childhood-onset myopathy characterized by slowly progressive or non-progressive scoliosis, neck and spine contractures, hypotonia and respiratory insufficiency. Biallelic variants in SELENON account for most cases of rigid spine syndrome, however, the underlying genetic cause in some patients remains unexplained. We used exome and genome sequencing to investigate the genetic basis of rigid spine syndrome in patients without a genetic diagnosis.

In five patients from four unrelated families, we identified biallelic variants in HMGCS1 (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A synthase). These included six missense variants and one frameshift variant distributed throughout HMGCS1. All patients presented with spinal rigidity primarily affecting the cervical and dorso-lumbar regions, scoliosis and respiratory insufficiency. Creatine kinase levels were variably elevated. The clinical course worsened with intercurrent disease or certain drugs in some patients; one patient died from respiratory failure following infection. Muscle biopsies revealed irregularities in oxidative enzyme staining with occasional internal nuclei and rimmed vacuoles.

HMGCS1 encodes a critical enzyme of the mevalonate pathway and has not yet been associated with disease. Notably, biallelic hypomorphic variants in downstream enzymes including HMGCR and GGPS1 are associated with muscular dystrophy resembling our cohort’s presentation. Analyses of recombinant human HMGCS1 protein and four variants (p.S447P, p.Q29L, p.M70T, p.C268S) showed that all mutants maintained their dimerization state. Three of the four mutants exhibited reduced thermal stability, and two mutants showed subtle changes in enzymatic activity compared to the wildtype.

Hmgcs1 mutant zebrafish displayed severe early defects, including immobility at 2 days and death by Day 3 post-fertilisation and were rescued by HMGCS1 mRNA. We demonstrate that the four variants tested (S447P, Q29L, M70T and C268S) have reduced function compared to wild-type HMGCS1 in zebrafish rescue assays. Additionally, we demonstrate the potential for mevalonic acid supplementation to reduce phenotypic severity in mutant zebrafish. Overall, our analyses suggest that these missense variants in HMGCS1 act through a hypomorphic mechanism.

Here, we report an additional component of the mevalonate pathway associated with disease and suggest biallelic variants in HMGCS1 should be considered in patients presenting with an unresolved rigid spine myopathy phenotype. Additionally, we highlight mevalonoic acid supplementation as a potential treatment for patients with HMGCS1-related disease.