TY - JOUR UR - https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.8106 DO - 10.7717/peerj.8106 TI - Evaluation of performance of leading algorithms for variant pathogenicity predictions and designing a combinatory predictor method: application to Rett syndrome variants AU - Ganakammal,Satishkumar Ranganathan AU - Alexov,Emil A2 - Jun,Goo DA - 2019/11/27 PY - 2019 KW - Pathogenic mutations classification KW - Disease-causing mutations KW - Machine learning KW - Rett syndrome KW - DNA variants KW - Variant pathogenicity predictors AB - Background Genomics diagnostic tests are done for a wide spectrum of complex genetics conditions such as autism and cancer. The growth of technology has not only aided in successfully decoding the genetic variants that causes or trigger these disorders. However, interpretation of these variants is not a trivial task even at a level of distinguish pathogenic vs benign variants. Methods We used the clinically significant variants from ClinVar database to evaluate the performance of 14 most popular in-silico predictors using supervised learning methods. We implemented a feature selection and random forest classification algorithm to identify the best combination of predictors to evaluate the pathogenicity of a variant. Finally, we have also utilized this combination of predictors to reclassify the variants of unknown significance in MeCP2 gene that are associated with the Rett syndrome. Results The results from analysis shows an optimized selection of prediction algorithm and developed a combinatory predictor method. Our combinatory approach of using both best performing independent and ensemble predictors reduces any algorithm biases in variant characterization. The reclassification of variants (such as VUS) in MECP2 gene associated with RETT syndrome suggest that the combinatory in-silico predictor approach had a higher success rate in categorizing their pathogenicity. VL - 7 SP - e8106 T2 - PeerJ JO - PeerJ J2 - PeerJ SN - 2167-8359 ER -