Genome sequencing identifies a large non-coding region deletion of SNX10 causing autosomal recessive osteopetrosis

Autosomal recessive osteopetrosis (ARO) is a rare genetic disorder caused by impaired osteoclast activity. In this study, we describe a 4-year-old boy with increased bone density due to osteopetrosis, autosomal recessive 8. Using genome sequencing, we identified a large deletion in the 5′-untranslated region (UTR) of SNX10 (sorting nexin 10), where the regulatory region of this gene is located. This large deletion resulted in the absence of the SNX10 transcript and led to abnormal osteoclast activity. SNX10 is one of the nine genes known to cause ARO, shown to interact with V-ATPase (vacuolar type H(+)-ATPase), as it plays an important role in bone resorption. Our study highlights the importance of regulatory regions in the 5′-UTR of SNX10 for its expression while also demonstrating the importance of genome sequencing for detecting large deletion of the regulatory region of SNX10.