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Accreditations

The College of American Pathologists (CAP's) Laboratory Accreditation Program accredits the entire spectrum of laboratory test disciplines with the most scientifically rigorous customized checklist requirements.

The CAP's peer-based inspector model provides a unique balance of regulatory and educational coaching supported by the most respected worldwide pathology organization.

The Laboratory Accreditation Program inspects a variety of laboratory settings from complex university medical centers to physician office laboratories, and covers a complete array of disciplines and testing procedures.

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Mayo Clinic Laboratories

Test Code SOD1Z SOD1 Gene, Full Gene Analysis, Varies

Ordering Guidance

The recommended first tier test for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is C9ORF / C9orf72 Hexanucleotide Repeat, Molecular Analysis, Varies.

Targeted testing (also called site-specific or known variants testing) is available for variants identified in the SOD1 gene. See FMTT / Familial Variant, Targeted Testing, Varies. To obtain more information about this testing option, call 800-533-1710.

Testing for the SOD1 gene as part of a customized panel is available. For more information see CGPH / Custom Gene Panel, Hereditary, Next-Generation Sequencing, Varies.

Shipping Instructions

Specimen preferred to arrive within 96 hours of collection.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation: A previous bone marrow transplant from an allogenic donor will interfere with testing. For instructions for testing patients who have received a bone marrow transplant, call 800-533-1710.

Specimen Type: Whole blood

Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA) or yellow top (ACD)

Acceptable: Any anticoagulant

Specimen Volume: 3 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Invert several times to mix blood.

2. Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.

Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred)/Refrigerated

Additional Information: To ensure minimum volume and concentration of DNA is met, the preferred volume of blood must be submitted. Testing may be canceled if DNA requirements are inadequate.

Forms

1. New York Clients-Informed consent is required. Document on the request form or electronic order that a copy is on file. The following documents are available:

-Informed Consent for Genetic Testing (T576)

-Informed Consent for Genetic Testing (Spanish) (T826)

2. Molecular Genetics: Neurology Patient Information

3. If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Neurology Specialty Testing Client Test Request (T732) with the specimen.

Secondary ID

617740

Useful For

Establishing a molecular diagnosis for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Identifying variants within SOD1 known to be associated with ALS, allowing for predictive testing of at-risk family members

Genetics Test Information

This test utilizes next-generation sequencing to detect single nucleotide and copy number variants in one gene associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: SOD1. For more information see Method Description.

Identification of a disease-causing variant may assist with diagnosis, prognosis, clinical management, recurrence risk assessment, familial screening, and genetic counseling for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Special Instructions

Method Name

Sequence Capture and Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing followed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Sanger Sequencing

Reporting Name

SOD1 Gene, Full Gene Analysis

Specimen Type

Varies

Specimen Minimum Volume

1 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type	Temperature	Time	Special Container
Varies	Varies

Reject Due To

All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.

Clinical Information

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a motor neuron disease with progressive loss of upper and lower motor neurons. ALS typically presents with progressive muscle wasting, hyperreflexia, and spasticity. Death from respiratory failure usually occurs within 3 to 5 years of disease onset.

The SOD1 gene is the second most commonly known cause of familial ALS (fALS) and is reported to occur in around 12% of fALS cases. Variants in SOD1 are believed to cause ALS through a toxic gain-of-function caused by aggregation of misfolded SOD1 protein. Although most cases of SOD1-related fALS are inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, rare cases with autosomal recessive inheritance have been reported.

Reference Values

An interpretive report will be provided.

Interpretation

All detected variants are evaluated according to American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics recommendations.(1) Variants are classified based on known, predicted, or possible pathogenicity and reported with interpretive comments detailing their potential or known significance.

Cautions

Clinical Correlations:

Test results should be interpreted in the context of clinical findings, family history, and other laboratory data. Misinterpretation of results may occur if the information provided is inaccurate or incomplete.

If testing was performed because of a clinically significant family history, it is often useful to first test an affected family member. Detection of a reportable variant in an affected family member would allow for more informative testing of at-risk individuals.

To discuss the availability of additional testing options or for assistance in the interpretation of these results, contact the Mayo Clinic Laboratories genetic counselors at 800-533-1710.

Technical Limitations:

Next-generation sequencing may not detect all types of genomic variants. In rare cases, false-negative or false-positive results may occur. The depth of coverage may be variable for some target regions; assay performance below the minimum acceptable criteria or for failed regions will be noted. Given these limitations, negative results do not rule out the diagnosis of a genetic disorder. If a specific clinical disorder is suspected, evaluation by alternative methods can be considered.

There may be regions of genes that cannot be effectively evaluated by sequencing or deletion and duplication analysis as a result of technical limitations of the assay, including regions of homology, high guanine-cytosine (GC) content, and repetitive sequences. Confirmation of select reportable variants will be performed by alternate methodologies based on internal laboratory criteria.

This test is validated to detect 95% of deletions up to 75 base pairs (bp) and insertions up to 47 bp. Deletions-insertions (delins) of 40 or more bp, including mobile element insertions, may be less reliably detected than smaller delins.

Deletion/Duplication Analysis:

This analysis targets single and multi-exon deletions/duplications; however, in some instances single exon resolution cannot be achieved due to isolated reduction in sequence coverage or inherent genomic complexity. Balanced structural rearrangements (such as translocations and inversions) may not be detected.

This test is not designed to detect low levels of mosaicism or to differentiate between somatic and germline variants. If there is a possibility that any detected variant is somatic, additional testing may be necessary to clarify the significance of results.

For detailed information regarding gene specific performance and technical limitations, see Method Description or contact a laboratory genetic counselor.

If the patient has had an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant or a recent blood transfusion, results may be inaccurate due to the presence of donor DNA. Call Mayo Clinic Laboratories for instructions for testing patients who have received a bone marrow transplant.

Reclassification of Variants:

Currently, it is not standard practice for the laboratory to systematically review previously classified variants on a regular basis. The laboratory encourages healthcare providers to contact the laboratory at any time to learn how the classification of a particular variant may have changed over time. Due to broadening genetic knowledge, it is possible that the laboratory may discover new information of relevance to the patient. Should that occur, the laboratory may issue an amended report.

Variant Evaluation:

Evaluation and categorization of variants are performed using published American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and the Association for Molecular Pathology recommendations as a guideline.(1) Other gene-specific guidelines may also be considered. Variants are classified based on known, predicted, or possible pathogenicity and reported with interpretive comments detailing their potential or known significance. Variants classified as benign or likely benign are not reported.Â

Multiple in silico evaluation tools may be used to assist in the interpretation of these results. The accuracy of predictions made by in silico evaluation tools is highly dependent upon the data available for a given gene, and periodic updates to these tools may cause predictions to change over time. Results from in silico evaluation tools should be interpreted with caution and professional clinical judgment.

Rarely, incidental or secondary findings may implicate another predisposition or presence of active disease. These findings will be carefully reviewed to determine whether they will be reported.

Clinical Reference

1. Richards S, Aziz N, Bale S, et al. Standards and guidelines for the interpretation of sequence variants: a joint consensus recommendation of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and the Association for Molecular Pathology. Genet Med. 2015;17(5):405-424

2. Roggenbuck J, Quick A, Kolb SJ. Genetic testing and genetic counseling for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: an update for clinicians. Genet Med. 2017;19(3):267-274

Method Description

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and/or Sanger sequencing are performed to test for the presence of variants in coding regions and intron/exon boundaries of SOD1, as well as some other regions that have known disease-causing variants. The human genome reference GRCh37/hg19 build was used for sequence read alignment. At least 99% of the bases are covered at a read depth over 30X. Sensitivity is estimated at above 99% for single nucleotide variants, above 94% for deletions-insertions (delins) less than 40 base pairs (bp), above 95% for deletions up to 75 bp and insertions up to 47 bp. NGS and/or a polymerase chain reaction-based quantitative method is performed to test for the presence of deletions and duplications in SOD1.

There may be regions of SOD1 that cannot be effectively evaluated by sequencing or deletion and duplication analysis as a result of technical limitations of the assay, including regions of homology, high guanine-cytosine (GC) content, and repetitive sequences.(Unpublished Mayo method)

The reference transcript for SOD1 gene is NM_000454.4. Reference transcript numbers may be updated due to transcript re-versioning. Always refer to the final patient report for gene transcript information referenced at the time of testing.

Confirmation of select reportable variants may be performed by alternate methodologies based on internal laboratory criteria.

Day(s) Performed