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Large-scale whole-genome sequencing reveals the landscape and health implications of de novo mutations

delete2026-08-07
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OA
AI
N
Na Qin
J
Juncheng Dai
Y
Yue Jiang
Y
Yuan Xie
H
Hong Lv
J
Jun Zhou
X
Xiao Wang
Y
Yangqian Jiang
J
Jiangbo Du
Y
Yingjia Chen
X
Xianfeng Xu
L
Lingmin Hu
C
Congcong Chen
Z
Ziye Xu
J
Jiawen Zhu
Y
Yuhan Liu
Y
Yu Wang
C
Ci Song
Y
Yayun Gu
T
Tao Jiang
B
Bo Xu
X
Xiumei Han
Y
Yuan Lin
Q
Qingxia Meng
X
Xiufeng Ling
H
Hongxia Ma
G
Guangfu Jin
C
Cheng Wang *
沈洪兵 (Hongbing Shen) *
Z
Zhibin Hu *
DOI:10.1038/s41591-026-04585-2delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
De novo mutations (DNMs) are an important source of congenital diseases. With delayed parenthood and assisted reproductive technology (ART) use increasing, it is essential to elucidate how these reproductive factors influence DNMs and whether resulting mutations influence offspring health. Here we performed whole-genome sequencing of 24,030 individuals from 7,851 parent−offspring families, identifying 390,924 de novo single-nucleotide variants (dnSNVs). Paternal and maternal aging exhibited distinct mutational patterns, with maternal DNM accumulation accelerating at advanced ages. Increased paternal dnSNVs partially accounted for the association between advanced parental age and shorter gestational duration. Moreover, ART showed age-independent, procedure-specific effects: intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and ovarian stimulation were associated with increased paternal and maternal dnSNVs, respectively, and ICSI-associated paternal dnSNVs also partially accounted for the association between ICSI and shorter gestational duration. In vitro embryo manipulation was associated with increased early post-zygotic mosaic mutations, particularly C > A substitutions linked to delayed neurocognitive development at 1 year. Collectively, these findings advance understanding of the determinants and consequences of de novo mutagenesis. This whole-genome sequencing study based on 7,851 parent−offspring families shows that parental age and assisted reproductive technologies influence the number and types of de novo mutations, highlighting potential health impacts and the need to optimize reproductive practices.

Journal

Nature Medicine cover
Nature Medicine
IF:
50
Papers:
1.4W
Citations:
13.4W

Organization

N
nanjing medical university
Scholars:
6.9K
Papers: 1.8K
Citations: 2
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