Cosegregation of C-insertion at position 961 with the A1555G mutation of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene in a large Chinese family with maternally inherited hearing loss

Mutations in the mitochondrial DNA have been shown to be one of the most important causes of sensorineural hearing loss. Here, we report the characterization of a large Chinese family (507 members in six generations) with maternally inherited non-syndromic hearing loss. Members of this family showed variable severity and age-of-onset of hearing impairment. In particular, the average age at onset of hearing loss in this family changed from 49 years (generation III) to 3 years (generation VI). Sequence analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome in this pedigree revealed the presence of a homoplasmic A1555G mutation in the 12S rRNA gene and other nucleotide changes. Of these changes, a C insertion at position 961 in the 12S rRNA gene is of special interest as mutations at this position have been found to be associated with aminoglycoside induced deafness in several genetically unrelated families. These data imply that the C insertion at position 961 in the 12S rRNA gene, acting as a secondary factor, could play a role in the phenotypic expression of the deafness associated A1555G mutation.     

A novel locus for autosomal dominant non-syndromic deafness (DFNA41) maps to chromosome 12q24-qter

We have studied 36 subjects in a large multigenerational Chinese family that is segregating for an autosomal dominant adult onset form of progressive non-syndromic hearing loss. All affected subjects had bilateral sensorineural hearing loss involving all frequencies with some significant gender differences in initial presentation. After excluding linkage to known loci for non-syndromic deafness, we used the Center for Inherited Disease Research (CIDR) to test for 351 polymorphic markers distributed at approximately 10 cM intervals throughout the genome. Analysis of the resulting data provided evidence that the locus designated DFNA41 maps to a 15 cM region on chromosome 12q24.32-qter, proximal to the marker D12S1609. A maximum two point lod score of 6.56 at theta=0.0 was obtained for D12S343. This gene is distal to DFNA25, a previously identified locus for dominant adult onset hearing loss that maps to 12q21-24. Positional/functional candidate genes in this region include frizzled 10, epimorphin, RAN, and ZFOC1.     

W44C mutation in the connexin 26 gene associated with dominant non-syndromic deafness

Although more than 50% of recessive non-syndromic deafness is attributed to mutations in the connexin 26 (Cx26) gene, only a few reported families have shown dominant transmission of the trait. The W44C mutation was originally reported in two families from the same geographic region of France, which exhibited dominant non-syndromic hearing loss. In this report, we describe a third family with early-onset severe-to-profound non-syndromic hearing loss segregating with the W44C mutation. Our observation places W44C among recurrent mutations in the Cx26 gene and emphasizes the importance of screening for this as well as other Cx26 mutations in autosomal dominant families.     

Linkage and association studies in a Malaysian family with autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss

Hearing loss is a common sensory deficit in humans. The hearing loss may be conductive, sensorineural, or mixed, syndromic or nonsyndromic, prelingual or postlingual. Due to the complexity of the hearing mechanism, it is not surprising that several hundred genes might be involved in causing hereditary hearing loss. There are at least 82 chromosomal loci that have been identified so far which are associated with the most common type of deafness--non-syndromic deafness. However, there are still many more which remained to be discovered. Here, we report the mapping of a locus for autosomal recessive, non-syndromic deafness in a family in Malaysia. The investigated family (AC) consists of three generations--parents who are deceased, nine affected and seven unaffected children and grandchildren. The deafness was deduced to be inherited in an autosomal recessive manner with 70% penetrance. Recombination frequencies were assumed to be equal for both males and females. Using two-point lod score analysis (MLINK), a maximum lod score of 2.48 at 0% recombinant (Z = 2.48, theta = 0%) was obtained for the interval D14S63-D14S74. The haplotype analysis defined a 14.38 centiMorgan critical region around marker D14S258 on chromosome 14q23.2-q24.3. There are 16 candidate genes identified with positive expression in human cochlear and each has great potential of being the deaf gene responsible in causing non-syndromic hereditary hearing loss in this particular family. Hopefully, by understanding the role of genetics in deafness, early interventional strategies can be undertaken to improve the life of the deaf community.     

Further evidence for a third deafness gene within the DFNA2 locus

DFNA2 is a complex locus. Two hearing loss genes have been identified at this site: GJB3, the gene that encodes the gap junction protein connexin 31, and KCNQ4, a voltage-gated potassium channel gene. A third gene has previously been postulated to explain the hearing loss in an Indonesian family linked to the region but devoid of mutation in either known gene (Van Hauwe et al. [1999: Nat Genet 21:263]). We have identified a large five-generation family with nonsyndromic, autosomal dominant progressive high-frequency hearing loss. The hearing impairment maps to 1p34, the site of the DFNA2 locus. Two-point linkage analysis of microsatellite markers spanning the locus resulted in a lod score of 6.6 at D1S391 at theta = 0. We have investigated both identified deafness genes in affected and unaffected family members and have not found any disease-causing mutations, suggesting that another hearing impairment gene resides at the DFNA2 locus.     

六代相传显性遗传耳聋大家系: 一个可能的新基因座？

收集一个六代遗传性耳垄大不,进行了病史、体检、纯音听力测试的综合分析明确了该家系疾病的特征,在此基础上应用文献报道的常染色体显性遗传耳聋相关基因座的多态性标记进行等位基因共享分析,结果表明该家系的致病基因与已报道基因座不相关,连锁分析结果进行一步确定这是一个未报道道的新的基因座。     

Mutations in the KCNQ4 gene are responsible for autosomal dominant deafness in four DFNA2 families.

We have previously found linkage to chromosome 1p34 in five large families with autosomal dominant non-syndromic hearing impairment (DFNA2). In all five families, the connexin31 gene ( GJB3 ), located at 1p34 and responsible for non-syndromic autosomal dominant hearing loss in two small Chinese families, has been excluded as the responsible gene. Recently, a fourth member of the KCNQ branch of the K+channel family, KCNQ4, has been cloned. KCNQ4 was mapped to chromosome 1p34 and a single mutation was found in three patients from a small French family with non-syndromic autosomal dominant hearing loss. In this study, we have analysed the KCNQ4 gene for mutations in our five DFNA2 families. Missense mutations altering conserved amino acids were found in three families and an inactivating deletion was present in a fourth family. No KCNQ4 mutation could be found in a single DFNA2 family of Indonesian origin. These results indicate that at least two and possibly three genes responsible for hearing impairment are located close together on chromosome 1p34 and suggest that KCNQ4 mutations may be a relatively frequent cause of autosomal dominant hearing loss.     

A new locus (DFNA47) for autosomal dominant non-syndromic inherited hearing loss maps to 9p21-22 in a large Italian family

Hearing loss is the most common sensory disorder in humans, and genetic factors are a major cause. Approximately 15-20% of genetic cases exhibit an autosomal dominant pattern of transmission. So far, 41 autosomal dominant loci have been mapped and 17 genes have been identified. Here we report the mapping of a novel locus for autosomal dominant non-syndromic hearing loss, DFNA47, to chromosome 9p21-22 in a large multigenerational Italian family with progressive hearing impairment. Most affected individuals noticed hearing impairment after their teens with subsequent gradual progression to a moderate-severe loss. There were no obvious vestibular dysfunction and other associated abnormalities. A maximum lod score of 3.14 was obtained with marker D9S157 (at theta=0) after a genome wide search. The study of additional markers allowed us to confirm this region with positive lod scores of 3.58 (at theta=0 from D9S285) and of 3.67 (at theta=0 from D9S162). Recombinants define a region of approximately 9 cM flanked by markers D9S268 and D9S942. Multipoint linkage analysis showed a Lod score of 4.26. Few known genes map to the region, and those possibly related by function to hearing are being screened for disease-causing mutations.     

Linkage of congenital, recessive deafness (DFNB4) to chromosome 7q31 and evidence for genetic heterogeneity in the Middle Eastern Druze population

Clinically significant hearing loss affects 1 in 1000 infantsand it is estimated that at least 50% of these cases are dueto a genetic cause. Some forms of inherited deafness are syndromicand affected individuals have a specific pattern of additionalfeatures while in other families the deafness is non-syndromicand there is no other recognizable phenotype. Analysis of severallarge families with syndromic and non-syndromic forms of deafnesshave been used in genetic linkage analysis to identify genesor gene locations that cause deafness. Here, we describe a largeMiddle-Eastern Druze family with recessive non-syndromic deafnessand demonstrate linkage between deafness in this family andhuman chromosome 7q31 with a lod score exceeding 5. 5. Thisis the first evidence for a gene at this location that causesdeafness. In addition, we found that deafness in three otherDruze pedigrees, one related to the linked family, is not linkedto this chromosomal location. This suggests that there are multiplenonallelic mutations for deafness in this genetic isolate.     

Audioprofiling identifies TECTA and GJB2-related deafness segregating in a single extended pedigree

An audioprofile displays phenotypic data from several audiograms on a single graph that share a common genotype. In this report, we describe the application of audioprofiling to a large family in which a genome-wide screen failed to identify a deafness locus. Analysis of audiograms by audioprofiling suggested that two persons with hearing impairment had a different deafness genotype. On this basis, we reassigned affectation status and identified a p.Cys1837Arg autosomal dominant mutation in alpha-tectorin segregating in all family members except two persons, who segregated autosomal recessive deafness caused by p.Val37Ile and p.Leu90Pro mutations in Connexin 26. One nuclear family in the extended pedigree segregates both dominant and recessive non-syndromic hearing loss.     

Novel missense mutations in MYO7A underlying postlingual high- or low-frequency non-syndromic hearing impairment in two large families from China

The myosin VIIA (MYO7A) gene encodes a protein classified as an unconventional myosin. Mutations within MYO7A can lead to both syndromic and non-syndromic hearing impairment in humans. Among different mutations reported in MYO7A, only five led to non-syndromic sensorineural deafness autosomal dominant type 11 (DFNA11). Here, we present the clinical, genetic and molecular characteristics of two large Chinese DFNA11 families with either high- or low-frequency hearing loss. Affected individuals of family DX-J033 have a sloping audiogram at young ages with high frequency are most affected. With increasing age, all test frequencies are affected. Affected members of family HB-S037 present with an ascending audiogram affecting low frequencies at young ages, and then all frequencies are involved with increasing age. Genome-wide linkage analysis mapped the disease loci within the DFNA11 interval in both families. DNA sequencing of MYO7A revealed two novel nucleotide variations, c.652G > A (p.D218N) and c.2011G > A (p.G671S), in the two families. It is for the first time that the mutations identified in MYO7A in the present study are being implicated in DFNA11 in a Chinese population. For the first time, we tested electrocochleography (ECochG) in a DFNA11 family with low-frequency hearing loss. We speculate that the low-frequency sensorineural hearing loss in this DFNA11 family was not associated with endolymphatic hydrops.     

Autosomal recessive non-syndromic deafness locus (DFNB8) maps on chromosome 21q22 in a large consanguineous kindred from Pakistan

Autosomal recessive childhood-onset non-syndromic deafness is one of the most frequent forms of inherited hearing impairment. Recently five different chromosomal regions, 7q31, 11q13.5, 13q12, 14q and the pericentromeric region of chromosome 17, have been shown to harbour disease loci for this type of neurosensory deafness. We have studied a large family from Pakistan, containing several consanguineous marriages and segregating for a recessive non-syndromic childhood-onset deafness. Linkage analysis mapped the disease locus (DFNB8) on the distal long arm of chromosome 21, most likely between D21S212 and D21S1225 with the highest lod score of 7.31 at theta = 0.00 for D21S1575 on 21q22.3.      

Characterisation and genetic mapping of a new X linked deafness syndrome

BACKGROUND—Hereditary forms of hearing loss are classified as syndromic, when deafness is associated with other clinical features, or non-syndromic, when deafness occurs without other clinical features. Many types of syndromic deafness have been described, some of which have been mapped to specific chromosomal regions.
METHODS—Here we describe a family with progressive sensorineural hearing loss, cognitive impairment, facial dysmorphism, and variable other features, transmitted by apparent X linked recessive inheritance. Haplotype analysis of PCR products spanning the X chromosome and direct sequencing of candidate genes were used to begin characterising the molecular basis of features transmitted in this family. Comparison to known syndromes involving deafness, mental retardation, facial dysmorphism, and other clinical features was performed by review of published reports and personal discussions.
RESULTS—Genetic mapping places the candidate locus for this syndrome within a 48 cM region on Xq1-21. Candidate genes including COL4A5, DIAPH, and POU3F4 were excluded by clinical and molecular analyses.
CONCLUSIONS—The constellation of clinical findings in this family (deafness, cognitive impairment, facial dysmorphism, variable renal and genitourinary abnormalities, and late onset pancytopenia), along with a shared haplotype on Xq1-21, suggests that this represents a new form of syndromic deafness. We discuss our findings in comparison to several other syndromic and non-syndromic deafness loci that have been mapped to the X chromosome.


     

A novel missense mutation in ACTG1 causes dominant deafness in a Norwegian DFNA20/26 family, but ACTG1 mutations are not frequent among families with hereditary hearing impairment

The gamma-actin gene (ACTG1) encodes a major cytoskeletal protein of the sensory hair cells of the cochlea. Recently, mutations in ACTG1 were found to cause autosomal dominant, progressive, sensorineural hearing impairment linked to the DFNA20/26 locus on chromosome 17q25.3 in four American families and in one Dutch family. We report here the linkage of autosomal dominant, progressive, sensorineural hearing impairment in a large Norwegian family to the DFNA20/26 locus. Sequencing of ACTG1 identified a novel missense mutation (c.1109T>C; p.V370A) segregating with the hearing loss. Functional analysis in yeast showed that the p.V370A mutation restricts cell growth at elevated temperature or under hyperosmolar stress. Molecular modelling suggested that the p.V370A mutation modestly alters a site for protein-protein interaction in gamma-actin and thereby modestly alters gamma-actin-based cytoskeletal structures. Nineteen Norwegian and Danish families with autosomal, dominant hearing impairment were analyzed for mutations in ACTG1 by sequencing, but no disease-associated mutations were identified. Finally, a long-term follow-up of the hearing loss progression associated with the p.V370A mutation in ACTG1 is provided. The present study expands our understanding of the genotype-phenotype relationship of this deafness gene and provides a sensitive and simple functional assay for missense mutations in this gene, which may assist future molecular diagnosis of autosomal-dominant hearing impairment. Finally, the present results do not indicate that mutations in ACTG1 are a frequent cause of autosomal-dominant postlingual sensorineural hearing impairment in Norway nor Denmark.     

Further evidence for linkage of low-mid frequency hearing impairment to the candidate region on chromosome 4p16.3

We have investigated a three-generation family with an autosomal dominant low-mid frequency hearing loss. Audiograms show consistently a hearing threshold of 50+/-20 db hearing loss (HL) between 250 Hz and 1-2 kHz. Normal hearing level was reached between 3 and 6 kHz in all examined children. Adult patients show an additional hearing impairment (HI) in the mid and higher frequencies that seems to differ from presbyacusis. The HI is always bilateral and symmetrical. Genes causing non-syndromic autosomal-dominant deafness with HI in the low and mid frequencies were previously mapped to chromosome 4p16.3 (DFNA6, DFNA14) and chromosome 5q31 (DFNA1). After exclusion of linkage to DFNA1 on chromosome 5, we mapped the candidate gene region to the DFNA14 and DFNA6 loci, between the genetic markers D4S432 and D4S431, located on chromosome 4. This is a further family in which evident linkage of low-mid frequency HI to the candidate region on chromosome 4p16.3 has been found.     

Mapping of DFNB12, a gene for a non-syndromal autosomal recessive deafness, to chromosome 10q21-22

We report here, the localization of a new recessive non-syndromal deafness gene (DFNB12) to 10q21-22 by linkage analysis, of a Sunni family. Affected individuals suffer from congenital profound sensorineural hearing loss. A maximum LOD score of 6.40 (theta = 0.00) was obtained with locus D10S535. Analysis of patients carrying recombinations mapped the gene distal to D10S529 and proximal to D10S532, delineating an interval between 11 and 15 cM. Three deaf mouse mutants Jackson circler (jc), Waltzer (v) and Ames waltzer (av) have been localized to the homologous murine region on chromosome 10. Each of these mouse mutants is a candidate mouse model for the DFNB12- associated hearing impairment.      

Deafness heterogeneity in a Druze isolate from the Middle East: novel OTOF and PDS mutations, low prevalence of GJB2 35delG mutation and indication for a new DFNB locus

About 60% of congenital hearing impairment cases in developed countries are due to genetic defects. Data on the molecular basis of hereditary hearing reflects vast genetic heterogeneity. There are >400 disorders in which hearing impairment is one of the characteristic traits of a syndrome. Linkage studies have identified more than 40 human chromosomal loci associated with non-syndromic hearing loss. So far, 16 of these 40 non-syndromic hearing impairment genes have been identified. We have studied the molecular basis of hearing impairment in four Druze families from the same village in Northern Galilee. The Druze are a small, isolated population in the Middle East practising endogamous marriage. Thus it was expected that a single mutation would account for hearing impairments in all these families. Our results show that at least four different genes are involved. Hearing impairment was caused in one family by a novel mutation in the recently identified OTOF (the DFNB9 gene), by a novel Pendred syndrome mutation (Thr193Ile) in another family, and by a GJB2 mutation (35delG also known as 30delG) in the third family. In the fourth family linkage was excluded from all known hearing impairments loci (recessive and dominant) as well as from markers covering chromosomes 11-22, pointing therefore to the existence of another non-syndromic recessive hearing loss (NSRD) locus on chromosomes 1-10.     

两个非综合征型耳聋家系中线粒体DNA 12S rRNA基因A827G突变

目的探讨线粒体DNA（mitochondrial DNA，mtDNA）12S rRNA基因与中国人非综合征型遗传性耳聋的关系。方法对两个母系遗传性的非综合征型耳聋家系中20名成员及32例散发耳聋患者外周血DNA进行12S rRNA、tRNA^ser（UCN）以及GJB2基因PCR扩增，产物通过限制性片段多态性分析及基因测序，进行突变检测和分析。结果所有研究对象的基因区域均扩增成功。12S rRNA全序列测定发现两家系中所有受检的母系成员（包括12例耳聋患者）均存在nt827A→G转换，并表现为同质性突变。而非母系成员该位点序列正常。32例散发耳聋中有1例A827G突变阳性。未检测到GJB2基因、tRN^ser（UCN） A7445G及12S rRNA A1555G突变。结论再次验证了mtDNA 12S rRNA基因突变在母系遗传性非综合征型耳聋发病中的重要性。首次发现mt DNA 12S rRNA nt827A→G转换是导致两个中国家系耳聋遗传易感性的分子基础。     

DFNB31, a recessive form of sensorineural hearing loss, maps to chromosome 9q32-34

We report the identification of a novel locus responsible for an autosomal recessive form of hearing loss (DFNB) segregating in a Palestinian consanguineous family from Jordan. The affected individuals suffer from profound prelingual sensorineural hearing impairment. A genetic linkage with polymorphic markers surrounding D9S1776 was detected, thereby identifying a novel deafness locus, DFNB31. This locus could be assigned to a 9q32-34 region of 15 cM between markers D9S289 and D9S1881. The whirler (wi) mouse mutant, characterised by deafness and circling behaviour, maps to the corresponding region on the murine chromosome 4, thus suggesting that DFNB31 and whirler may result from orthologous gene defects.     

A gene for autosomal dominant hearing impairment (DFNA14) maps to a region on chromosome 4p16.3 that does not overlap the DFNA6 locus

Non-syndromic hearing impairment is one of the most heterogeneous hereditary conditions, with more than 40 reported gene localisations. We have identified a large Dutch family with autosomal dominant non-syndromic sensorineural hearing impairment. In most patients, the onset of hearing impairment is in the first or second decade of life, with a slow decline in the following decades, which stops short of profound deafness. The hearing loss is bilateral, symmetrical, and only affects low and mid frequencies up to 2000 Hz. In view of the phenotypic similarities of this family with an American family that has been linked to chromosome 4p16.3 (DFNA6), we investigated linkage to the DFNA6 region. Lod score calculations confirmed linkage to this region with two point lod scores above 6. However, as haplotype analysis indicated that the genetic defect in this family is located in a 5.6 cM candidate region that does not overlap the DFNA6 region, the new locus has been named DFNA14.