Ebtissal Khouj

Dr. Ebtissal Khouj

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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23 August 2023 in British Journal of Haematology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
EKEbtissal Khouj
Ebtissal Khouj
DMDana Marafi
Dana Marafi
BABayan Aljamal
Bayan Aljamal
AHAnwar Hajiya
Anwar Hajiya
REReem M. Elshafie
Reem M. Elshafie
FAFowzan S. Alkuraya
Fowzan S. Alkuraya

23 August 2025 in Genes
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MAMohamed Al-Hamed
Mohamed Al-Hamed
SMSateesh Maddirevula
Sateesh Maddirevula
NMNabil Moghrabi
Nabil Moghrabi
MAMohammed A. Aldahmesh
Mohammed A. Aldahmesh
Abdullah Hamed AlfalahAbdullah Hamed Alfalah
Abdullah Hamed Alfalah
AAAhmed Alfares
Ahmed Alfares
Background: Chromosomal aneuploidy, characterized by an abnormal number of chromosomes, represents a significant cause of genetic disorders. While karyotyping and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) are established diagnostic approaches, they are limited by cost and extended turnaround times. Advances in exome sequencing (ES) bioinformatics enable detection of chromosomal aneuploidy alongside single-nucleotide variant analysis. This study explores the utility of clinical ES for the detection of aneuploidies. Method: We analyzed exome sequencing data (2023–2024) from samples positive for Trisomy 21 (n = 27), Trisomy 18 (n = 4), Turner syndrome (n = 3), and Klinefelter syndrome (n = 2) from our clinical ES cohort (n = 10,000). Results: The results obtained were concordant with copy number variants (CNVs) identified by clinical testing. Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings suggest that exome sequencing offers a rapid and viable approach for the detection of chromosomal aneuploidy, potentially reducing turnaround time and associated costs.

20 January 2026 in Clinical Genetics
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Abdullah Hamed AlfalahAbdullah Hamed Alfalah
Abdullah Hamed Alfalah
MEMohamed Y. Elsaid
Mohamed Y. Elsaid
AAAhmed Alrajjal
Ahmed Alrajjal
DADaniah Albokhari
Daniah Albokhari
EKEbtissal Khouj
Ebtissal Khouj
SMSateesh Maddirevula
Sateesh Maddirevula

17 June 2026 in Clinical Genetics
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
AAAbdullah Aldalaan
Abdullah Aldalaan
SNSeba Nadeef
Seba Nadeef
EKEbtissal Khouj
Ebtissal Khouj
FAFayez Alahmadi
Fayez Alahmadi
BABayan Aljamal
Bayan Aljamal
FAFowzan S. Alkuraya
Fowzan S. Alkuraya

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MAMazhor Aldosary
Mazhor Aldosary
HAHanan AlQudairy
Hanan AlQudairy
NANourah Alshalan
Nourah Alshalan
MAMohammad A. Al-Muhaizea
Mohammad A. Al-Muhaizea
EAEman Alobeid
Eman Alobeid
NKNamik Kaya
Namik Kaya
SLC25A4, solute carrier family 25 member 4, gene is a member of the mitochondrial carrier subfamily within the solute carrier protein family. Pathogenic variants in SLC25A4 are associated with a spectrum of mitochondrial disorders that exhibit variable inheritance patterns and clinical manifestations. Specifically, dominantly inherited variants are typically associated with progressive external ophthalmoplegia with mitochondrial DNA deletions, recessively inherited variants are linked to myopathy and cardiomyopathy, and de novo variants can result in early-onset fatal disease presentations. In this study, we aimed to identify and characterize the disease-causing mutation(s) in a nine-year-old female patient from a consanguineous Saudi family. The patient was asymptomatic until the age of 3 years, when she presented with cardiomyopathy and myopathy. Comprehensive genetic analysis inclusive of whole exome sequencing and segregation analysis using Sanger sequencing identified an SLC25A4 variant (NM_001151.4: exon 2: c.112-1G>C) as the most likely cause of the disease. To assess transcript-level effects, we performed RT-PCR on RNA extracted from the patient’s cultured lymphoblast cell lines (LCLs) and fibroblast cell lines (FCLs). RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that the variant causes aberrant splicing, resulting in a 6 bp in-frame deletion (p.Gln37_Val38del) in the ANT1 protein. Quantitative RT-PCR demonstrated reduced SLC25A4 transcript levels in both FCLs and LCLs. Quantitative PCR analysis of mitochondrial DNA demonstrated a trend toward increased mtDNA copy number in patient-derived FCLs compared with controls, suggesting a possible compensatory response to mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, Seahorse assays revealed marked reductions in both oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) in patient-derived FCLs compared with controls. These findings expand the molecular and functional spectrum of SLC25A4-associated disease and may inform clinical practice, including genetic interventions such as preimplantation genetic diagnosis, premarital genetic screening, targeted genetic counseling, and cascade testing of at-risk family members.