Mutations of Cx26 gene (GJB2) for prelingual deafness in Taiwan

Mutations in the Cx26 (GJB2) gene have been shown to be responsible for a major part of autosomal recessive non-syndromic inherited prelingual deafness. We have sequenced the coding region of GJB2 gene from 169 Taiwanese patients with prelingual deafness and 100 unrelated normal individuals. In the deaf patients, three mutations were found: two novel mutations, 551G-->A, and 299-300delAT, and one previously described mutation, 235delC. Four previously reported polymorphisms, 79G-->A, 109G-->A, 341A-->G, and 608T-->C, were also found in both deaf patients and normal individuals and one new possible polymorphism, 558G-->A, which was only found in a patient. Interestingly, we did not find the 35delG allele, which is commonly found in the Caucasian population, either in the patients or in normal individuals we examined. Our data also showed 235delC to be the most common type of mutation found in Cx26 mutants (approximately 57%). Therefore, based on our findings, we have developed a simple molecular test for the 235delC mutation and it should be of considerable help to those families to understand the cause of their children having the prelingual deafness.     

一个遗传性非综合征型耳聋家系的突变分析

目的分析一个遗传性非综合征型耳聋家系的突变，并探讨缝隙连接蛋白beta2(gap junction protein beta 2，GJB2)基因235delC突变是否会加重线粒体A1555G突变导致的非综合征型耳聋症状。方法对一个母系遗传性非综合征型耳聋核心家系72个成员取外周血提取DNA，经聚合酶链反应扩增后，利用Alw26Ⅰ限制性内切酶酶切及直接测序验证，对其线粒体DNA突变进行研究；利用ApaⅠ限制性内切酶酶切及直接测序验证，筛查核心家系中GJB2基因235delC突变情况，并对GJB2基因235delC和线粒体A1555G突变的关系进行研究。结果在27名母系成员中均发现具有线粒体A1555G突变，呈母系遗传；具有耳聋表型的为21人(77．8％)，家族外显率高；所筛查的包括配偶在内的72名个体中，仅3例具有GJB2基因235delC杂合子突变，且均出现在母系成员中，但3例的耳聋表型却不同。结论线粒体A1555G突变是本家系耳聋遗传易感性的基础，在该家系中GJB2基因的235delC杂合子突变未加重线粒体A1555G突变导致的非综合征型耳聋。     

耳聋患者及正常人GJB2基因的突变筛查

目的 检测常染色体隐性遗传耳聋患者GJB2基因突变情况,并分析其与临床表型的关系.方法 收集42例耳聋患者的临床资料,对患者进行纯音电测听检查、声阻抗检测、脑干听觉诱发电位检查;应用聚合酶链反应和直接测序法,对患者和9例患者的父母以及105名正常对照进行GJB2基因检测.结果 两例患者具有235delC纯合性突变,其中1例系感音神经性耳聋,另1例系混合性耳聋;1对混合性耳聋的双生子患者同时携带176de116bp杂合性突变.109G→A、79G→A和341A→G的纯合及杂合突变在患者及正常对照中均有出现.结论 235delC纯合性突变为致病突变,该突变可出现在混合性耳聋中;双生子患者的176de116bp杂合性突变考虑为宫内受到外界环境影响所致,或者由其它基因突变所致.109G→A、79G→A和341A→G考虑为是该基因的多态性,其临床意义仍需进一步探索.     

Carrier frequency of GJB2 (connexin-26) mutations causing inherited deafness in the Korean population

Mutations in the GJB2 gene are associated with hereditary hearing loss. Although most studies of GJB2 mutations have dealt with hearing-impaired patients, there are few reports of the frequency of these mutations in the general population. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of GJB2 mutations causing inherited deafness in the general Korean population. Blood samples were obtained from 2,072 newborns with normal hearing. The dried blood samples were subjected to PCR to amplify the entire coding region of the GJB2 gene, which was followed by direct DNA sequencing. A total of 24 different sequence variants were identified in the coding region of GJB2, including eight pathogenic mutations (p.V37I, p.G45E, p.R143 W, c.176_191del16, c.235delC, c.292_298dup7, c.299_300delAT and c.605ins46), four polymorphisms (p.V27I, p.E114G, p.G160S and p.I203T), six unclassified variants (p.G4D, p.S85Y, p.T123 N, p.R127H, p.A171T and p.F191L) and six novel variants (p.W3T, p.I20L, p.K41E, c.147C > T, c.186C > T and c.576A > G). Pathogenic mutations causing inherited deafness were identified in 3% (62/2,072) of the newborns with normal hearing. Of the eight pathogenic mutations found, p.V37I was the most common (1.35%, 28/2,072), followed by c.235delC (1.25%, 26/2,072). These data provide information about carrier frequency for GJB2-based hearing loss and have important implications for genetic diagnostic testing for inherited deafness in the Korean population.     

Prevalent connexin 26 gene (GJB2) mutations in Japanese

The gene responsible for DNFB1 and DFNA3, connexin 26 (GJB2), was recently identified and more than 20 disease causing mutations have been reported so far. This paper presents mutation analysis for GJB2 in Japanese non-syndromic hearing loss patients compatible with recessive inheritance. It was confirmed that GJB2 mutations are an important cause of hearing loss in this population, with three mutations, 235delC, Y136X, and R143W, especially frequent. Of these three mutations, 235delC was most prevalent at 73%. Surprisingly, the 35delG mutation, which is the most common GJB2 mutation in white subjects, was not found in the present study. Our data indicated that specific combinations of GJB2 mutation exist in different populations.     

Double Heterozygosity with Mutations Involving both the GJB2 and GJB6 Genes is a Possible, but very Rare, Cause of Congenital Deafness in the Czech Population

Mutations in the GJB2 gene are the most common cause of prelingual, autosomal recessive, sensorineural hearing loss worldwide. Nevertheless, 10% to 50% of patients with prelingual nonsyndromic deafness only carry one mutation in the GJB2 gene. Recently a large 342 kb deletion named Δ(GJB6‐D13S1830) involving the GJB6 gene was reported in Spanish and French deafness patients, either in a homozygous state or in combination with a monoallelic GJB2 mutation. No data have been reported about the frequency of this mutation in central Europe. Thirteen Czech patients with prelingual nonsyndromic sensorineural deafness carrying only one pathogenic mutation in the GJB2 gene were tested for the presence of the Δ(GJB6‐D13S1830) mutation. One patient with a GJB2 mutation (313del14) also carried the Δ(GJB6‐D13S1830). This is the first reported Czech case, and probably also the first central European case, of prelingual deafness due to mutations involving both the GJB2 and GJB6 genes. In addition, the Δ(GJB6‐D13S1830) was not detected in 600 control chromosomes from Czech individuals with normal hearing. We show that in the Czech Republic the Δ(GJB6‐D13S1830) is not the second most common causal factor in deafness patients heterozygous for a single GJB2 mutation, and that Δ(GJB6‐D13S1830) is very rare in central Europe compared to reports from Spain, France and Israel.     

The prevalence of the 235delC GJB2 mutation in a Chinese deaf population.

PURPOSE: Mutations in the GJB2 gene are the most frequently found mutations in patients with nonsyndromic hearing impairment in populations studied to date. However, the prevalence of mutations varies among different ethnic groups. In most areas of China, genetic testing for nonsyndromic hearing impairment is currently not available because of the lack of information regarding the molecular cause of nonsyndromic hearing impairment. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of a common GJB2 mutation, 235delC, in Chinese deaf children. METHODS: We collected DNA specimens from 3004 patients with nonsyndromic hearing impairment from 26 regions of China; 368 Han Chinese and 98 Uigur controls, and screened for the 235delC mutation. The coding exon of the GJB2 gene was polymerase chain reaction amplified, followed by restriction enzyme digestion with ApaI and analysis by agarose gel. RESULTS: Overall, 488 patients (16.3%) were determined to carry at least one 235delC mutant allele, with 233 (7.8%) homozygotes and 255 (8.5%) heterozygotes. Therefore, within the subpopulations examined, the frequency varies from 0% to 14.7% for 235delC homozygotes and from 1.7% to 16.1% for heterozygotes. On the basis of this survey of the patient cohort as stated, Chinese patients with nonsyndromic hearing impairment appear to have a relatively higher 235delC frequency than that of other Asian populations. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that an easy and fast genetic testing method for this well-known GJB2 gene mutation can be made available for at least 2 million Chinese patients and family members with nonsyndromic hearing impairment. By screening for the common GJB2 235delC mutation, the molecular cause in as high as 15% of patients with nonsyndromic hearing impairment in certain regions of China can be identified. In addition, patients who are negative for the 235delC mutation would be candidates for further mutational analysis of GJB2 or other deafness-related genes.     

High prevalence of the IVS 1 + 1 G to A/GJB2 mutation among Czech hearing impaired patients with monoallelic mutation in the coding region of GJB2

Biallelic pathogenic GJB2 gene mutations cause pre-lingual genetic hearing loss in up to 50% of individuals with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss worldwide. Sequencing of the entire GJB2 gene-coding region in Czech patients with pre-lingual bilateral hearing loss revealed that 10.3% of Czech patients carry only one monoallelic pathogenic mutation in the coding region of the GJB2 gene, which is significantly more than the population frequency of 3.4%. The 309-kb GJB6 deletion, frequent in Spain and France, is very rare in the Czech population. In order to evaluate the impact of the IVS1 + 1 G to A splice site mutation in the non-coding part of the GJB2 gene among Czech patients, we tested all available patients with pre-lingual hearing loss with only one monoallelic mutation in the coding part of GJB2. By sequencing of the exon 1 region of the GJB2 gene and HphI restriction analysis in 20 Czech patients we identified nine patients carrying IVS1 + 1 G to A. Testing for this mutation explained deafness in 45% of Czech GJB2 monoallelic patients. This mutation represents now 4% of GJB2 pathogenic mutations in Czech patients and is the third most common GJB2 mutation found in our cohort of 242 unrelated Czech patients with prelingual hearing loss. A similar frequency may also be expected in other Central European or Slavic populations.     

遗传性非综合征型耳聋患者GJB2基因编码序列分析

目的 对6个遗传性非综合征型耳聋家系成员的GJB2基因编码序列进行分析,寻找耳聋患者的致病基因突变,探讨GJB2基因突变致病的遗传模式.方法 提取患者及家系成员的外周血基因组DNA,扩增GJB2基因的编码序列,然后对扩增产物进行DNA测序,对出现重叠峰形的扩增产物进行TA克隆后再测序,确定基因突变是否存在于同一拷贝.结果 6个遗传性非综合征型耳聋家系中,4个家系是GJB2基因突变所致.患者的GJB2基因突变包括235delC、299-300delAT、79G→A+341A→G和109G→A.非致聋突变79G→A与341A→G组合具有致聋效应,109G→A和235delC的杂合突变可能也有致聋效应.结论 GJB2基因突变致聋具有明显异质性,非致聋突变并非完全不致聋,环境因素或其它基因可能参与GJB2基因突变所致耳聋.     

Strong linkage disequilibrium for the frequent GJB2 35delG mutation in the Greek population

Approximately one in 1,000 children is affected by severe or profound hearing loss at birth or during early childhood (prelingual deafness). Up to 40% of congenital, autosomal recessive, severe to profound hearing impairment cases result from mutations in a single gene, GJB2, that encodes the connexin 26 protein. One specific mutation in this gene, 35delG, accounts for the majority of GJB2 mutations detected in Caucasian populations. Some previous studies have assumed that the high frequency of the 35delG mutation reflects the presence of a mutational hot spot, while other studies support the theory of a common founder. Greece is among the countries with the highest carrier frequency of the 35delG mutation (3.5%), and a recent study raised the hypothesis of the origin of this mutation in ancient Greece. We genotyped 60 Greek deafness patients homozygous for the 35delG mutation for six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and two microsatellite markers inside or flanking the GJB2 gene. The allele distribution in the patients was compared to 60 Greek normal hearing controls. A strong linkage disequilibrium was found between the 35delG mutation and markers inside or flanking the GJB2 gene. Furthermore, we found a common haplotype with a previous study, suggesting a common founder for the 35delG mutation.     

Clinical features of patients with GJB2 (connexin 26) mutations: severity of hearing loss is correlated with genotypes and protein expression patterns

Mutations in the GJB2 (connexin 26, Cx26) gene are the major cause of nonsyndromic hearing impairment in many populations. Genetic testing offers opportunities to determine the cause of deafness and predict the course of hearing, enabling the prognostication of language development. In the current study, we compared severity of hearing impairment in 60 patients associated with biallelic GJB2 mutations and assessed the correlation of genotypes and phenotypes. Within a spectrum of GJB2 mutations found in the Japanese population, the phenotype of the most prevalent mutation, 235delC, was found to show more severe hearing impairment than that of V37I, which is the second most frequent mutation. The results of the present study, taken together with phenotypes caused by other types of mutations, support the general rule that phenotypes caused by the truncating GJB2 mutations are more severe than those caused by missense mutations. The present in vitro study further confirmed that differences in phenotypes could be explained by the protein expression pattern.     

Frequencies of gap- and tight-junction mutations in Turkish families with autosomal-recessive non-syndromic hearing loss

Mutations in genes encoding gap- and tight-junction proteins have been shown to cause distinct forms of hearing loss. We have now determined the GJB2[connexin 26 (Cx26)] mutation spectrum in 60 index patients from mostly large Turkish families with autosomal-recessive inherited non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss (NSSHL). GJB2 mutations were found in 31.7% of the families, and the GJB2-35delG mutation accounted for 73.6% of all GJB2 mutations. The carrier frequency of GJB2-35delG in the normal Turkish population was found to be 1.17% (five in 429). In addition to the described W24X, 233delC, 120delE and R127H mutations, we also identified a novel mutation, Q80R, in the GJB2 gene. Interestingly, the Q80R allele was inherited on the same haplotype as V27I and E114G polymorphisms. As little is known about the mutation frequencies of most other recently identified gap- and tight-junction genes as a cause for hearing loss, we further screened our patients for mutations in GJB3 (Cx31), GJA1 (Cx43), DeltaGJB6-D13S1830 (Cx30) and the gene encoding the tight-junction protein, claudin 14 (CLDN14). Several novel polymorphisms, but no disease-associated mutations, were identified in the CLND14 and GJA1 genes, and we were unable to detect the DeltaGJB6-D13S1830 deletion. A novel putative mutation, P223T, was found in the GJB3 gene in heterozygous form in a family with two affected children. Our data shows that the frequency of GJB2 mutations in Turkish patients with autosomal-recessive NSSHL and the carrier rate of the GJB2-35delG mutation in the Turkish population, is much lower than described for other Mediterranean countries. Furthermore, mutations in other gap- and tight-junction proteins are not a frequent cause of hearing loss in Turkey.     

Evaluation of Cx26/GJB2 in German hearing impaired persons: mutation spectrum and detection of disequilibrium between M34T (c.101T>C) and -493del10

Mutations in the connexin 26 gene (GJB2) are responsible for the major part of nonsyndromic autosomal recessive or apparently sporadic prelingual deafness in Caucasians (DFNB1). We screened 228 German hearing-impaired persons for mutations in the GJB2 gene by sequence analysis. Homozygous or compound heterozygous GJB2 mutations were detected in 38/228 (16.7%) of hearing impaired persons. The most frequently occurring mutation was the c.35delG mutation, which was found in 71.1% of the mutated alleles. The next frequent mutation detected in the group of hearing impaired persons was the c.101T>C mutation (9/76 alleles; 11.8%). One new mutation, c.567delA, was observed. We further studied the presence of a 10bp deletion in the 5' UTR of the GJB2 gene (c.-493del10) which was assumed to occur together with the c.101T>C mutation. Ten out of thirteen patients (76.9%) were found to be carriers of both the c.101T>C mutation and the 10bp variant and in 7/14 alleles a linkage disequilibrium between c.101T>C and the 10bp deletion was proven. In 4/14 alleles the linkage was ruled out and for the remaining 3 cases the phase determination was not possible. Seventy one controls were screened for the prevalence of Cx26 mutations and for the c.-493del10 variant. Heterozygosity frequency in the control group was for c.35delG 4.2%, for c.101T>C 1.4% and for c.-493del10 it was 5.6%.     

应用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态技术快速检测中国耳聋人群基因突变热点

目的 通过筛查耳聋基因热点突变:GJB2基因的235delC、SLC26A4基因的IVS7-2A>G和线粒体12S rRNA(12S)基因1555 A>G达到快速诊断耳聋患者.方法 多重PCR扩增包括GJB2、SLC26A4及12S基因的3个片段,限制性片段长度多态分析是否存在相应位点的突变.结果 200例耳聋患者中,共检测出235delC纯合突变18例,杂合突变18例;IVS7-2A>G纯合突变2例,杂合突变13例;1555 A>G突变8例.检测结果均与测序结果相符合.3个热点突变基因的致病单体的检出率为21.7%,基因诊断率为14%.结论 应用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态技术检测耳聋患者的热点突变是一种快速、简便、高效、经济的耳聋致病基因筛查的方法.     

Newborn genetic screening for hearing impairment: a population-based longitudinal study

PurposeThe feasibility of genetic screening for deafness-causing mutations in newborns has been reported in several studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term results in those who screened positive for deafness mutations; these results are crucial to determine the cost-effectiveness to justify population-wide genetic screening.MethodsWe performed simultaneous hearing screening and genetic screening targeting four common deafness mutations (p.V37I and c.235delC of GJB2, c.919-2A>G of SLC26A4, and the mitochondrial m.1555A>G) in 5173 newborns at a tertiary hospital between 2009 and 2015. Serial audiometric results up to 6 years old were then analyzed in children with conclusive genotypes.ResultsNewborn genetic screening identified 82 (1.6%) babies with conclusive genotypes, comprising 62 (1.2%) with GJB2 p.V37I/p.V37I, 16 (0.3%) with GJB2 p.V37I/c.235delC, and 4 (0.1%) with m.1555A>G. Of these, 46 (56.1%) passed hearing screening at birth. Long-term follow-up demonstrated progressive hearing loss in children with the GJB2 p.V37I/p.V37I and p.V37I/c.235delC genotypes; this hearing loss deteriorated by approximately 1 decibel hearing level (dBHL) per year.ConclusionsWe delineated the longitudinal auditory features of the highly prevalent GJB2 p.V37I mutation on a general population basis and confirmed the utility of newborn genetic screening in identifying infants with late-onset or progressive hearing impairment undetectable by newborn hearing screening.     

Connexin26 gene ( GJB2): prevalence of mutations in the Chinese population

The connexin26 gene ( GJB2) has been shown to be responsible for DFNB1 and DFNA3 (Autosomal Recessive Hereditary Nonsyndromic Deafness Locus 1 and Autosomal Dominant Hereditary Nonsyndromic Deafness Locus 3). Two hundred ten independently ascertained Chinese probands with nonsyndromic hearing loss (NSHL) were evaluated for mutations in GJB2, including 43 probands from families with more than one sib with NSHL, likely indicating dominant inheritance, and sporadic cases of NSHL, compatible with recessive inheritance. Of the 210 probands, 43 (20%) were homozygous or heterozygous for mutations in GJB2. Four different mutations were identified: 35delG, 109G-A, 235delC, and 299-300delAT. It was confirmed that GJB2 mutations are an important cause of hearing loss in this population. Of these four mutations, 235delC was the most prevalent at 93%; yet the 35delG mutation, which is the most common GJB2 mutation in Caucasian subjects (Europeans and Americans), was found in low frequency in the present study. It appears from our limited data and reports from other East Asians that 235delC is the most prevalent GJB2 mutation in these populations. GJB2 mutations are consistent with ethnic predilections.     

吕梁地区遗传性耳聋GJB2基因和mtDNA1555位点的突变筛查

目的通过对吕梁地区96例耳聋患者的GJB2基因和mtDNA1555位点突变筛查,了解该地区的基因突变情况及热点突变位点。方法采用聚合酶链式反应（PCR）扩增96例标本的GJB2基因和mtDNA1555位点所在区段,产物酶切、测序分析。结果96例标本共计检出10个GJB2基因突变位点,与编码连接蛋白的非综合征耳聋突变数据库（http：／／davinci．crg．es／deafness／index．php？seccion=mut_db＆db=nonsynd）比对,8个位点已见报道,其中包括4个多肽位点c．79G〉A、C．341A〉G、c．608T〉C、C．457G〉A和4个致病位点C．235delC、e．109G〉A、c．176-C．191dell6和C．299-c．300delAT,其中,c．235delC是主要突变方式,携带率为6．25％（12／192）;2个位点（c．IVS1—35G〉T和c．88A〉G）属首次报道。酶切发现1例患者携带mt．1555纯合突变,后经测序发现还携带有mt．1438A〉G突变位点。结论吕梁地区耳聋患者以GJB2C．235delC为主要致病位点,本次研究结果为吕梁地区的耳聋预防奠定了基础,同时为今后临床医师诊断、治疗及遗传咨询提供了参考。     

听力筛查联合遗传性耳聋基因检测在新生儿筛查中的应用

目的 探讨听力筛查联合遗传性耳聋基因检测在新生儿筛查中的应用。方法 选取2018年12月~2019年7月我院接受产检的产妇509例,对所有产妇进行遗传性耳聋基因检测,并在产妇完成分娩后48 h对新生儿作常规听力筛查,确诊新生儿是否存在听力障碍。结果 509例产妇经遗传性耳聋基因检测显示阳性16例,阳性率3.14%;听力筛查不通过同时伴有耳聋基因突变新生儿共5例,听力学诊断结合随访确诊3例新生儿存在听力障碍,包含1例GJB2 299-300delAT突变,1例GJB2 235delC突变、1例SLC26A4 919-2A＞G突变。结论 在新生儿常规听力筛查的同时提供遗传性耳聋基因检测,能够有效弥补听力筛查的不足,可用作听力筛查工作的有效补充,有助于筛查出迟发型及潜在性耳聋患儿,提升听力障碍的检出率。     

Large deletion of the GJB6 gene in deaf patients heterozygous for the GJB2 gene mutation: genotypic and phenotypic analysis

Recent investigations identified a large deletion of the GJB6 gene in trans to a mutation of GJB2 in deaf patients. We looked for GJB2 mutations and GJB6 deletions in 255 French patients presenting with a phenotype compatible with DFNB1. 32% of the patients had biallelic GJB2 mutations and 6% were a heterozygous for a GJB2 mutation and a GJB6 deletion. Biallelic GJB2 mutations and combined GJB2/GJB6 anomalies were more frequent in profoundly deaf children. Based on these results, we are now assessing GJB6 deletion status in cases of prelingual hearing loss.     

一个同时携带线粒体DNA A1555G突变和GJB2235delC单杂合突变家系的基因型与听力表型

目的 调查一个同时携带线粒体DNA A1555G突变和GJB2 235delC突变的非综合征型耳聋家系,分析其基因型和听力表型的关系.方法 对家系成员进行临床听力测试,收集家系中8名成员的外周静脉血样本,从白细胞中提取DNA,聚合酶链反应扩增GJB2基因和线粒体DNA(mitochondric DNA,mtDNA)目的 片段,对扩增片段直接测序进行GJB2基因、mtDNA 12S rRNA及tRNASer(UCN)基因突变分析.结果 此家系先证者存在mtDNA A1555G突变和GJB2 235delC杂合突变,听力表型为极重度感音神经性耳聋.其他母系成员携带mtDNA A1555G突变,未发现tRNASer(UCN)基因突变,家系中其他母系成员听力表型为双侧对称高频下降或听力正常.结论 GJB2 235delC单杂合突变可能参与了mtDNA A1555G的听力损害.