Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Fabry disease is a rare genetic disorder caused by deficient activity of the lysosomal enzyme alpha-galactosidase A (AGAL), resulting in the accumulation of globotriaosylceramides (Gb3) in tissues and organs. This buildup leads to progressive, multi-systemic complications that severely impact quality of life and can be life-threatening. Interpreting the functional consequences of missense variants in the GLA gene remains a significant challenge, especially in rare diseases where experimental evidence is scarce. In this study, we present an integrative computational framework that combines structural, interaction, pathogenicity, and stability data from both in silico tools and experimental sources, enriched through expert curation and structural analysis. Given the clinical relevance of pharmacological chaperones in Fabry disease, we focus in particular on the structural characteristics of variants classified as “amenable” to such treatments. Our multidimensional analysis—using tools such as AlphaMissense, EVE, FoldX, and ChimeraX—identifies key molecular features that distinguish amenable from non-amenable variants. We find that amenable mutations tend to preserve protein stability, while non-amenable ones are associated with structural destabilisation. By comparing AlphaMissense with alternative predictors rooted in evolutionary (EVE) and thermodynamic (FoldX) models, we explore the relative contribution of different biological paradigms to variant classification. Additionally, the investigation of outlier variants—where AlphaMissense predictions diverge from clinical annotations—highlights candidates for further experimental validation. These findings demonstrate how combining structural bioinformatics with machine learning–based predictions can improve missense variant interpretation and support precision medicine in rare genetic disorders.
DOI: 10.3390/ijms26125802
Authors: Bruno Hay Mele, Federica Rossetti, Giuseppina Andreotti, Maria Vittoria Cubellis, Simone Guerriero, Maria Monticelli
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,499
Awards: G1033601615, G369193081
OpenAlex ID: W4411371238