Molecular genetic analysis of autosomal dominant late-onset cataract in a Chinese Family

Congenital cataract is a highly heterogeneous disorder at both the genetic and the clinical-phenotypic levels.A unique cataract was observed in a 4-generation Chinese family,which was characterized by autosomal dominant inheritance and late-onset.Mutations in the 13 known genes (CRYAA,CRYAB,CRYBB1,CRYBB2,CRYGC,CRYBA1/A3,CRYGD,Connexin50,Connexin46,intrinsic membrane protein LIM2,cytoskeletal protein BFSP2,the major intrinsic protein-MIP and the heat shock factor HSF4) have previously been demonstrated to be the frequent reason for isolated congenital cataracts,but the exact molecular basis and underlying mechanisms of congenital cataract still remain unclear.This study was designed to find whether these 13 genes developed any mutation in the family members and to identify the disease-causing gene.Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct DNA sequence analysis were carried out to detect the 13 genes.The results showed that no mutation causing amino acid alternations was found in these potential candidate genes among all patients in the family,and only several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified.A transitional mutation in the fourth intron of CRYBB2 and some silent mutations in the first exon of BFSP2 and CRYGD were found in the cataract family,but further study showed that these mutations could also be found in normal controls.It was concluded that some unidentified genes may underlie the occurrence of late-onset cataract in this family.A genome-wide screening will be carried out in the next study.     

Autosomal dominant coralliform cataract related to a missense mutation of the γD-crystallin gene

Background Congenital cataract is a sight-threatening disease that affects about 1 -6 cases per 10 000 live births and causes 10% -30% of all blindness in children. About 25% of all cases are due to genetic defects. We identified autosomal dominant congenital coralliform cataracts-related genetic defect in a four-generation Chinese family.Methods Complete ophthalmological examinations were performed prior to lens extraction. Lens samples were then studied by electron microscopy. Genomic DNA from family members were examined using whole-genomic linkage analysis, with two-point logarithm of odds (LOD) scores calculated using the Linkage program package (version 5. 1 ). Mutation analysis of candidate genes was performed by direct sequencing. Finally, a three-dimensional protein model was predicted using Swiss-Model (version 2.0).Results Eleven of the 23 examined individuals had congenital cataracts. Ultrastructure studies revealed crystal deposits in the lens, and granules extensively dispersed in transformed lens fiber cells. The maximum two-point LOD score, 3. 5 at θ = 0. 1, was obtained for the marker D2S,325.Mutation analysis of the γ-crystallin (CRYG) gene cluster identified a mutation (P23T) in exon 2 of γD-crystallin (CRYGD). Protein structure modeling demonstrated that the P23T mutation caused a subtle change on the surface of the γD protein.Conclusions The results suggest that the coralliform cataract phenotype is due to a mutated CRYGD gene, and that this sequence change is identical to one reported by Santhiya to be related to another distinct clinical condition, lamellar cataract. This study provides evidence that this same genetic defect may be associated with a different phenotype. This is the first report identifying the genetic defect associated with an autosomal dominant congenital coralliform cataract.     

Gene mapping of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa in a Chinese family

Background The autosomal dominant form of retinitis pigmentosa （ADRP） can be caused by mutations in 14 genes and further loci remains to be identified. This study was intended to identify mutations in a Chinese pedigree with ADRP.
Methods A large Chinese family with retinitis pigmentosa was collected. The genetic analysis of the family suggested an autosomal dominant pattern. Microsatellite （STR） markers tightly linked to genes known to be responsible for ADRP were selected for linkage analysis. Exons along with adjacent splice junctions of PRPF31 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and screened by direct sequencing.
Results The caused gene of ADRP was mapped to 19q13.4 between markers D19S572 and D19S877, with a maximum LOD score of 3.01 at marker D19S418 （recombination fraction=0）.
Conclusion The affected gene linked to the 19q13.4 in a Chinese family with ADRP, which is different from other mutations at the same loci in other Chinese families.     

Linkage analysis of five Chinese families with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy using microsatellite genetic markers

Objective To explore the linkage relationship between specific genetic markers and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) in Chinese pedigrees. Methods The microsatellite genetic markers D2S152, D14S252, and D10S1664 were studied for their linkages to ARVC in five Chinese ARVC pedigrees and a normal population of 121 Chinese individuals. Genomic DNA of the pedigrees and normal population was amplified using PCR techniques. Denaturing polyacrylamide sequencing gel (4%) electrophoresis was used to detect microsatellite repeat polymorphisms. Gels were silver-stained. A classical linkage analysis program was used assuming models of autosomal dominance and recession. Results The logarithm of the odds (LOD) scores of D2S152 with ARVC in LW, WD, DS, LC and TY pedigrees were 2.174, －0.589, －∞, － （indicating that linkage is not supported in this mode）, and －∞ respectively in autosomal dominant model （recombination fraction=0.000 respectively）and were －∞, －∞, －∞, －∞, and 0.182 respectively in the autosomal recessive model. The LOD scores of D14S252 with ARVC in LW, WD, DS, LC and TY pedigrees were －, －, －∞, －, and 0 respectively in autosomal dominant model, and were －∞, －0.812, －∞, －∞, and 0.087 respectively in autosomal recessive model. The LOD scores of D2S152 with ARVC in LW, WD, DS, LC and TY pedigrees were －, －0.539, －, and 0.602 respectively in autosomal dominant model and were －, －∞, －∞, －∞, and －∞ respectively in autosomal recessive model. Conclusions The LOD score for D2S152 in the LW pedigree was 2.174, indicating that the chance of linkage is about 150∶1. This suggests that there is a possible ARVC-related gene near this marker. There were no clear linkage relationships between ARVC and D10S1664 and D14S252 in this family, and no linkages between ARVC and any of the three genetic markers in the other four families. These results also suggest that there is genetic heterogeneity in LW and in the other pedigrees.     

R25G mutation in exon 1 of LMNA gene is associated with dilated cardiomyopathy and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 1B

Background Mutations of the LMNA gene encoding lamin A and C are associated with dilated cardiomyopathy （DCM）, conduction system defects and skeletal muscle dystrophy. Here we report a family with a mutation of the LMNA gene to identify the relationship between genotype and phenotype. Methods All 30 members of the family underwent clinical and genetic evaluation. A mutation analysis of the LMNA gene was performed. All of the 12 exons of LMNA gene were extended with polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and the PCR products were screened for gene mutation by direct sequencing. Results Ten members of the family had limb-girdle muscular dystrophy （LGMD） and 6 are still alive. Two patients suffered from DCM. Cardiac arrhythmias included atrioventricular block and atrial fibrillation; sudden death occurred in 2 patients. The pattern of inheritance was autosomal dominant. Mutation c.73C〉G （R25G） in exon 1 encoding the globular domains was confirmed in all of the affected members, resulting in the conversion of arginine （Arg） to glycine （Gly）. Conclusions The mutation R25G in exon 1 of LMNA gene we reported here in a Chinese family had a phenotype of malignant arrhythmia and mild LGMD, suggesting that patients with familial DCM, conduction system defects and skeletal muscle dystrophy should be screened by genetic testing for the LMNA gene.     

Mutation analysis of PAX6 gene in a large Chinese family with aniridia

Background Mutations in PAX6 gene have been shown to be the genetic cause of aniridia, which is a severe panocular eye disease characterised by iris hypoplasia. However, there is no study to do genetic analysis of aniridia, although there are several case reports in China. Here, we describe a mutation analysis of PAX6 in a large Chinese family with aniridia.Methods Genomic DNA from venous blood samples was prepared. Haplotype analysis was performed with two genetic markers (D11S904 and D11S935 ). Fourteen exons of the PAX6 gene were amplified from genomic DNA. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products of each exon were analysed by single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP). The PCR products having an abnormal pattern were sequenced to confirm the mutation.Results Significant evidence for allele sharing in affected patients was detected suggesting that PAX6 mutation links to aniridia in this family. An extra band corresponding to exon 9 in PAX6 was found by single strand conformational polymorphism analysis in all the aniridia patients in this family, but not detected in the unaffected members. A mutation of C to T was detected by sequencing at the nucleotide 1080 that converts the Arg codon (CGA) to the termination codon (TGA).Conclusions Aniridia is caused by a nonsense mutation of PAX6 gene in the large Chinese kindred. Genetic test is important to prevent the transmission of aniridia to their offsprings in the kindred by prenatal diagnosis.     

A novel candidate locus on chromosome 11p14.1-p11.2 for autosomal dominant hereditary spastic paraplegia

Background Hereditary spastic paraplegia （HSP） is a group of inherited neurodegenerative disorders with the shared characteristics of slowly progressive spasticity and weakness of the lower limbs. Thirteen loci for autosomal dominant HSP have been mapped. Methods A Chinese family with HSP was found in the Shandong province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China and genomic DNA of all 19 family members was isolated. After exclusion of known autosomal dominant loci, a genome wide scan and linkage analysis were performed. Results The known autosomal dominant loci of SPG3A, SPG4, SPG6, SPG8, SPG9, SPG10, SPG12, SPG13, SPG17, SPG19, SPG29, SPG31 and SPG33 were excluded by linkage analysis. The results of a genome wide scan demonstrated candidate linkage to a locus on chromosome 11 p14.1-p11.2, over an 18.88 cM interval between markers D11 S1324 and D11 S1933. A maximal, two point LOD score of 2.36 for marker D11S935 at a recombination fraction （e） of 0 and a multipoint LOD score of 2.36 for markers D11S1776, D11S1751, D11S1392, D11S4203, D11S935, D11S4083, and D11S4148 at θ=0, suggest linkage to this locus. Conclusion The HSP neuropathy in this family may represent a novel genetic entity, which will facilitate discovery of this causative gene.     

GJB2 (Cx26) gene mutations in Chinese patients with congenital sensorineural deafness and a report of one novel mutation

Background Mutations in GJB2 gene are a major cause of autosomal recessive congenital hearing loss and the cause in some rare cases of the autosomal dominant form. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency and the features of GJB2 mutations in the Chinese patients with congenital sensorineural deafness.Methods Using PCR amplifying the entire coding region of GJB2 gene and direct DNA sequencing to analyze mutations in this gene among unrelated 69 cases with autosomal recessive congenital nonsyndromic deafness and 27 cases of dominant congenital deafness and 35 sporadic cases. We also detected mutations in GJB2 in 100 control subjects with normal hearing.Results 17. 4% (12/69) of the probands in the autosomal recessive, 7. 4% (2/27) of dominant families and 5.7% ( 2/35 ) of the sporadic congenital deafness patients had deafness-causing mutations in GJB2, respectively. Nine types of the mutations in GJB2 were detected in the recessive and sporadic group. They consisted of five types of polymorphism, and four types of deafness-causing mutation with homozygous 35delG in 1 sporadic (1/35), and 235delC frameshift mutation in 1 sporadic (homozygotes) and 10 recessive patients (2 heterozygotes and 8 homozygotes), and homozygous 442G→A missense mutation and homozygous 465T→A nonsense mutation in 1 different recessive proband, respectively. The 465T→A that related to recessive deafness was a novel mutation found by this study. The homozygous (10/69, 14. 5%) and the heterozygous (2/69,2.9%) GJB2 mutation in the recessive patients (12/69, 17.4%) and the homozygotes in the sporadic patient (2/35, 5. 7%) all had congenital severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss.511G→A missense mutation and 299 -300delAT frameshift mutation were found in two autosomal dominant congenital deafness families (2/27, 7.4%). The total mutation frequency of GJB2 was 12.2% (16/131) in the Chinese patients with congenital sensorineural deafness and 235delC was the most common deafness-causing mutation. Six types of mutation-5 types of polymorphism and 1 type of heterozygous deletion (235delC) mutation were found in the 100 control subjects. The carry rate of the most frequent type of mutation 235delC was 0. 5% in the controls(1/200 alleles). 109G→A was the most frequent (15/100, 15%) and 79G→A was the second common (8/100, 8%) polymorphism in this population.Conclusions The general mutation rate of GJB2 is 12.2% (16/131) and the 235delC is the most common type of deafness-causing mutation in Chinese patients with congenital hearing loss. 465T→A nonsense mutation that is associated to autosomal recessive deafness is a novel mutation found by this screening. 511G→A and 299-300delAT mutations contribute to autosomal dominant hearing loss. The study further supports the view that the common types of mutation in GJB2 according to different ethnic background and that the mutation prevalence in the East Asian deafness population is lower than that in the white population.     

Genetic characterization and protein stability analysis of a Chinese family with Von Hippel-Lindau disease

Background Von HippeI-Lindau disease （VHL）,a heritable autosomal dominant disease characterized by neoplasia in multiple organ systems,has rarely been reported in Asia.We genetically investigated a unique Chinese family with VHL disease and performed an analysis of the VHL protein stability.Methods Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid （DNA） extracted from peripheral blood was amplified by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） to three exons of the VHL gene in 9 members of the Chinese family with VHL disease.PCR products were directly sequenced.We estimated the effects of VHL gene mutation on the stability of pVHL,which is indicated by the free energy difference between the wild-type and the mutant protein （△△G）.Results The Chinese family was classified as VHL type 1.Three family members,including two patients and a carrier,had a T to G heterozygotic missense mutation at nucleotide 515 of the VHL gene exon 1.This missense mutation resulted in the transition from leucine to arginine in amino acid 101 of the VHL protein.There was low stability of the VHL protein （the △△G was 12.71 kcal/mol） caused by this missense mutation.Conclusions We first reported a family with this VHL gene mutation in Asia.This missense mutation is predicted to significantly reduce the stability of the VHL protein and contribute to the development of the renal cell carcinoma （RCC） phenotype displayed by this family.The genetic characterization and protein stability analysis of families with VHL disease are important for early diagnosis and prevention of the disease being passed on to their offspring.     

常染色体显性先天性白内障大家系致病基因定位的初步研究

目的:报道1个涉及5代17例患者的常染色体显性先天性白内障(ADCC)大家系,并进行致病基因的定位. 方法:对家系中8例患者进行眼科检查后明确临床表型,并提取所有血样的基因组DNA.首先对已报道的中国ADCC家系致病位点(9个基因的16个突变位点)进行DNA测序,然后根据已报道的17个ADCC候选基因和13个染色体区域,选取27个微卫星分子标记,应用LINKAGE软件进行连锁分析. 结果:8例患者均为先天性核性白内障.直接DNA测序未发现有已报道的中国家系基因突变.所选取的27个微卫星分子标记与该家系致病基因均不连锁. 结论:该ADCC家系致病基因不在已报道的17个ADCC候选基因和13个染色体区域,该家系中可能存在一个新的ADCC致病基因.     

一常染色体显性遗传寻常型鱼鳞病家系致病基因的定位

目的 研究一常染色体显性遗传寻常型鱼鳞病家系的致病基因。方法 采用基因组扫描方法,利用1号染色体上的微卫星标记对该家系进行连锁分析,然后对候选基因FLG的部分编码区及外显子与内含子交界处进行突变检测。结果 在D1S2696得到最大两点连锁LOD值3．46（0=0）,单体型分析将疾病基因定位在D1S2726-D1S305之间约15cM范围内;在FLG基因的外显子非重复序列及部分重复序列未发现与疾病相关的突变。结论 该寻常型鱼鳞病家系的致病基因位于D1S2696附近,其致病基因可能是除FLG以外的其他基因。     

两个常染色体显性遗传先天性白内障家系突变热点筛查

[目的]对2个常染色体显性遗传先天性白内障中国家系进行基因突变热点筛查,以了解这两个家系的先天性白内障是否与文献报道的17个突变热点相关.[方法]对两个家系共20名成员(包括患者11人,非患者9人)抽取外周血提取基因组DNA,针对截至2003年1月为止国外文献报道的与常染色体显性遗传先天性白内障发病相关的10个基因上的17个突变热点,包括CRYAA(ARG116CYS),CRYAB(del450A),CRYBA1(EX3-4 DEL),CRYBB2(GLN155TER),CRYGC(THR5PRO,5-BP DUP at NT226),CRYGD(ARG14-CYS,PRO23THR,ARG58HIS,ARG36SER),GJA3(ASN63SER,PRO187LEU),GJA8(GLU48LYS,PRO88SER),BFSP2(ARG287TRP)及MIP(GLU134GLY,THR138ARG),设计引物使PCR扩增片段涵盖上述热点,对扩增产物进行序列分析,检测这11名患者在突变热点上是否有相应的序列改变.[结果]20名被检者的10个基因片段序列与GenBank发表序列相同,在17个突变热点均未发现相应基因突变.[结论]初步排除这个家系的先天性白内障与17个突变热点相关.     

一个先天性甲状腺功能亢进症家系的排除性定位分析

目的 对一个常染色体显性遗传的先天性甲状腺功能亢进症家系,进行与已知致病基因TSHR和THRB的连锁分析以确定此家系致病基因是否为这2个已知基因.方法 选择3个与TSHR和THRB紧密连锁的微卫星标记物D14S74、D3S2338和D3S1266,进行微卫星标记的基因连锁分析,采用Genemapper 3.5软件分析数据. 结果 3个微卫星标记物的LOD值均小于1,显示该家系致病基因与这3个位点均不连锁,提示该家系可能存在新致病基因. 结论 常染色体显性遗传类型的先天性甲状腺功能亢进症可能有新致病基因.     

Familial Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is linked to the locion chromosome 7q3

Objective Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) is considered to be an autosomal dominanthereditary disease, but the gene is not identified. The objective of this study was to localize the genetic loci of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Methods Linkage analysis between the disease of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and 3 STR (short tandem repeats) markers on 7q3 (D7S505, D7S688, and D7S483) was tested in 3 kindreds of the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (101 numbers in total) by genotyping. Results Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome was linked to the loci above. The maximum two-point Lod score detected at D7S505 was 6. 4 at a recombination fraction (θ) of 0. 1; the Lod score of D7S688, D7S483 was 5. 3 vs 2. 5. Conclusion The gene of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is located at 7q3.     

GJA8基因错义突变致先天性白内障一家系遗传分析

  目的  通过使用外显子测序定位分析一先天性白内障家系中GJA8基因致病错义突变。  方法  对2020年6月在昆明医科大学第二附属医院就诊的一个先天性白内障家系全体成员进行详细的临床眼科检查及全身查体。采集先证者及6个亲属外周血并提取基因组DNA,应用全外显子测序筛查可疑致病基因,使用生物信息工具对可疑基因突变进行致病性分析,并对家系全部成员进行Sanger测序验证候选致病突变。  结果  外显子测序及生物信息学分析显示GJA8基因存在一个错义突变c.593G > A,p.R198Q,导致其第198位氨基酸残基由谷氨酰胺取代了原有的脯氨酸。氨基酸保守性分析显示该突变影响的氨基酸在物种间高度保守。在家系全部受检者中进行的Sanger测序结果表明该突变与疾病表型共分离,可以认定该突变是该突变为该家系的致病性突变,系谱分析显示该突变所致先天性白内障呈现常染色体显性遗传。  结论  位于GJA8基因的错义突变c.593G > A,p.R198Q是导致该家系出现先天性白内障的遗传病因,遗传方式为常染色体显性遗传。