Ariadna Ramírez-Mallafré

Mrs. Ariadna Ramírez-Mallafré


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

7Years (2020-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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ARAna Roche-Martínez
Ana Roche-Martínez
ARAriadna Ramírez-Mallafré
Ariadna Ramírez-Mallafré
LJLorena Joga
Lorena Joga
CMCamen Manso-Bazus
Camen Manso-Bazus
MRMarta Rubio-Roy
Marta Rubio-Roy
NBNeus Baena
Neus Baena
Fragile X syndrome (FXS, OMIM#300624) is the most common inherited cause of X-linked intellectual disability and behavior difficulties. In 99% of cases, it is caused by the pathological expansion (>200 repeats, full mutation -FM) of the CGG trinucleotide located at the 5′ UTR of the FMR1 (Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1) gene, leading to the lack of production of the FMRP. Clinical manifestations are well known in boys but are sometimes overlooked in girls, who may remain underdiagnosed. Premutation (PM) populations (55–200 repeats) may present other medical issues, such as FXPOI or FXTAS. Mosaic conditions, such as a combination of PM and FM lines in the same patient, may lead to milder phenotypes. With the improvement of genetic testing, information regarding the exact number of CGG triplet repeats and methylation status could help explain milder phenotypes in patients who may produce some FMRP. Chromosome X preferential inactivation (XCI) in FXS women can also play a role in clinical severity. We present four non-related families who were followed up in our FXS clinic. Some of their members showed FM on Southern blot, but had milder symptoms than expected. To rule out size mosaicism, a RT-PCR was performed, giving a different and more consistent molecular diagnosis. When mosaicism was not present, methylation status was performed, excluding full methylation. For females, XCI showed preferential inactivation in one case. Revisiting old molecular diagnoses should be considered in clinical practice, especially for patients with a milder phenotype than expected from their molecular reports. This personalized follow up may change their former diagnosis, prognosis, and expectations.

16 July 2020 in bioRxiv
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CACinthia Aguilera
Cinthia Aguilera
EGElisabeth Gabau
Elisabeth Gabau
ARAriadna Ramírez-Mallafré
Ariadna Ramírez-Mallafré
CBCarme Brun-Gasca
Carme Brun-Gasca
JDJana Dominguez-Carral
Jana Dominguez-Carral
ARAnna Ruiz
Anna Ruiz
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a neurogenetic disorder characterized by severe developmental delay with absence of speech, happy disposition, frequent laughter, hyperactivity, stereotypies, ataxia and seizures with specific EEG abnormalities. There is a 10-15% of patients with an AS phenotype whose genetic cause remains unknown (Angelman-like syndrome, AS-like). Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed on a cohort of 14 patients with clinical features of AS and no molecular diagnosis. As a result, we identified 10 de novo and 1 X-linked pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in 10 neurodevelopmental genes ( SYNGAP1, VAMP2, TBL1XR1, ASXL3, SATB2, SMARCE1, SPTAN1, KCNQ3, SLC6A1 and LAS1L ) and one deleterious de novo variant in a candidate gene ( HSF2 ). Our results highlight the wide genetic heterogeneity in AS-like patients and expands the differential diagnosis. New AS-like genes do not interact directly with UBE3A gene product but are involved in synapsis and neuron system development.