A Missense Variant in PLP2 in Holstein Cattle with X-Linked Congenital Mast Cell Tumor

Simple Summary Congenital mast cell tumor is an uncommon disease in both human and veterinary medicine. In cattle, usually, such anomalies are not further investigated at the molecular genetic level, mainly because of a lack of resources and diagnostic tools and the low value and short life expectancy of the affected animals. Here we reported the clinical, pathological and genetic findings of a Holstein calf that had multiple cutaneous and visceral poorly differentiated embryonal mast cell tumors consistent with a form of congenital mast cell tumor. Whole-genome sequencing identified a single X-linked recessive protein-changing variant in the PLP2 gene that was unique to the affected male calf and its dam and absent in a representative control cohort. Given the rarity of the identified variant, its predicted deleterious effect and the known function of proteolipid protein 2, a small transmembrane lipoprotein associated with skin cancer, we proposed a novel candidate gene associated with mast cell tumors. Congenital tumors occur infrequently in cattle. The aim of this study was to detail the clinicopathological phenotype of a Holstein calf with a congenital mast cell tumor and to identify the genetic cause by a whole-genome sequencing (WGS) trio-approach. An 18-day-old male Holstein calf was clinically examed and revealed multifocal, alopecic, thick and wrinkled skin lesions over the entire body. At 6 months of age, the general condition of the calf was characterized by retarded growth, poor nutritional status, and ulceration of the skin lesions. Histopathological examination revealed a primary cutaneous, poorly differentiated embryonal mast cell tumor with metastases in the lymph nodes and liver. Genetic analysis revealed a private X-linked variant in the PLP2 gene (chrX:87216480C > T; c.50C > T), which was present only in the genomes of the case (hemizygous) and his mother (heterozygous). It was absent in the sire as well as in 5365 control genomes. The identified missense variant exchanges the encoded amino acid of PLP2 at position 17 (p.Thr17Ile), which is classified as deleterious and affects a protein that plays a role in tumor growth and metastasis. Therefore, we suggested that the detected PLPL2 variant could be a plausible cause for this congenital condition in the affected calf.