HOGA1 gene pathogenic variants in primary hyperoxaluria type III: Spectrum of pathogenic sequence variants, and phenotypic association

Primary hyperoxalurias (PH) are a group of rare heterogeneous disorders characterized by deficiencies in glyoxylate metabolism. To date, three genes have been identified to cause three types of PH (I, II, and III). The HOGA1 gene caused type III in around 10% of the PH cases. Disease-associated pathogenic variants have been reported from several populations and a comprehensive spectrum of these mutations and genotype-phenotype correlation has never been presented. In this study, we describe new cases of the HOGA1 gene pathogenic variants identified in our population. We report the first case of ESKD with successful kidney transplantation with 5 years of follow-up. Furthermore, a comprehensive overview of PH type III associated HOGA1 gene variants was carried out. Compiling the data from the literature, we reviewed 57 distinct HOGA1 gene pathogenic variants in 175 patients worldwide. The majority of reported variants are missense variants that predicted a loss of function mechanism as the underlying pathology. There has been evidence of the presence of founder mutations in several populations like Europeans, Ashkenazi Jews, Arab, and Chinese populations. No significant genotype-phenotype correlation was identified concerning the ages of onset of the disease and biochemical and metabolic parameters. Nephrocalcinosis was rare in patients with disease-associated variants. Most of the patients were presented with urolithiasis early in life; only five cases reported disease progression after the second decade of life. The establishment of impairment of renal function in 8% of all the reported cases makes this type a relatively severe form of primary hyperoxaluria, not a benign etiology as suggested previously.

Automated summary

This study describes new cases of HOGA1 gene pathogenic variants and provides a comprehensive overview of PH type III associated variants. The majority of reported variants are missense variants that predict a loss of function mechanism. Founder mutations have been identified in various populations, but there is no significant genotype-phenotype correlation. Nephrocalcinosis is rare in patients with disease-associated variants, and most patients experience urolithiasis in early life.