Dissecting clinical findings: platelet defects segregate independently of deafness and cataract in a family affected by an apparent syndromic form of macrothrombocytopenia

We studied a family with a suspected diagnosis of MYH9-related disease, which is one of the most common forms of autosomal dominant macrothrombocytopenias associated with hearing impairment, cataracts and nephritis. No mutation of the MYH9 gene was identified. Moreover, the A156V variant of the GPIbalpha gene, responsible for 30% of macrothrombocytopenias in Italy, was not detected in the family. Therefore, we hypothesized that the clinical symptoms were caused by mutations in different genes. The screening of the candidate genes for deafness and/or cataract allowed us to identify two variants, M34T and S19T, of the GJB2 gene in family members with hearing impairment. Because of the relatively common occurrence of inherited hearing loss and, at least in the Mediterranean area, of platelet macrocytosis, the two traits occurred by chance in the same family and mimicked the MYH9-related disease.     

A novel C202F mutation in the connexin26 gene (GJB2) associated with autosomal dominant isolated hearing loss

Mutations in the GJB2 gene encoding connexin26 (CX26) account for up to 50% of cases of autosomal recessive hearing loss. In contrast, only one GJB2 mutation has been reported to date in an autosomal dominant form of isolated prelingual hearing loss. We report here a novel heterozygous 605G→T mutation in GJB2 in all affected members of a large family with late childhood onset of autosomal dominant isolated hearing loss. The resulting C202F substitution, which lies in the fourth (M4) transmembrane domain of CX26, may impair connexin oligomerisation. Finally, our study suggests that GJB2 should be screened for heterozygous mutations in patients with autosomal dominant isolated hearing impairment, whatever the severity of the disease.


Keywords: C202F mutation; connexin26 gene (GJB2); autosomal dominant hearing loss     

Molecular screening of deafness in Algeria: High genetic heterogeneity involving DFNB1 and the Usher loci,DFNB2/USH1B,DFNB12/USH1D and DFNB23/USH1F

A systematic approach, involving haplotyping and genotyping, to the molecular diagnosis of non-syndromic deafness within 50 families and 9 sporadic cases from Algeria is described.Mutations at the DFNB1 locus (encompassing the GJB2 and GJB6 genes) are responsible for more than half of autosomal recessive prelingual non-syndromic deafness in various populations. A c.35delG mutation can account for up to 85% of GJB2 mutations and two large deletions del(GJB6-D13S1830) and del(GJB6-D13S1854) have also been reported in several population groups.In view of the genetic heterogeneity a strategy was developed which involved direct analysis of DFNB1. In negative familial cases, haplotype analysis was carried out, where possible, to exclude DFNB1 mutations. Following this, haplotype analysis of five Usher syndrome loci, sometimes involved in autosomal non-syndromic hearing loss, was carried out to identify cases in which Usher gene sequencing was indicated. When homozygosity was observed at a locus in a consanguineous family, the corresponding gene was exhaustively sequenced.Pathogenic DFNB1 genotypes were identified in 40% of the cases. Of the 21 cases identified with 2 pathogenic mutations, c.35delG represented 76% of the mutated alleles. The additional mutations were one nonsense, two missense and one splicing mutation. Four additional patients were identified with a single DFNB1 mutation. None carried the large deletions.Three families with non-syndromic deafness carried novel unclassified variants (UVs) in MYO7A (1 family) and CDH23 (2 families) of unknown pathogenic effect.Additionally, molecular diagnosis was carried out on two Usher type I families and pathogenic mutations in MYO7A and PCDH15 were found.     

Clinical and genetic features of nonsyndromic autosomal dominant sensorineural hearing loss: KCNQ4 is a gene responsible in Japanese

Sixteen Japanese nonsyndromic autosomal dominant sensorineural hearing loss (ADSNHL) families were investigated clinically as well as genetically. Most families showed postlingual hearing loss. Although the severity of their hearing loss varied, most patients showed mild-moderate sensorineural hearing loss of a progressive nature. Mutation analysis was performed for the MYO7A, KCNQ4, and GJB3 genes, which are known to be responsible for autosomal dominant sensorineural hearing loss. The present study reports that a mutation in KCNQ4, a member of a large family of potassium channel genes, was responsible for ADSNHL in one Japanese family. Received: January 16, 2001 / Accepted: March 15, 2001     

The contribution of GJB2 mutations to slight or mild hearing loss in Australian elementary school children

Background: There is a lack of information on prevalence, cause and consequences of slight/mild bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in children. We report the first systematic genetic analysis of the GJB2 gene in a population‐derived sample of children with slight/mild bilateral SNHL.Methods: Hearing tests were conducted in 6240 Australian elementary school children in Grades 1 and 5. 55 children (0.88%) were found to have a slight/mild sensorineural hearing loss. 48 children with slight/mild sensorineural hearing loss and a matched group of 90 children with normal hearing participated in a genetic study investigating mutations in the GJB2 gene, coding for connexin 26, and the presence of the del(GJB6‐D13S1830) and del(GJB6‐D13S1854) deletions in the GJB6 gene, coding for connexin 30.Results: Four of 48 children with slight/mild sensorineural hearing loss were homozygous for the GJB2 V37I change. The four children with homozygous V37I mutations were all of Asian background and analysis of SNPs in or near the GJB2 gene suggests that the V37I mutation arose from a single mutational event in the Asian population.Discussion: Based on the prevalence of carriers of this change we conclude that V37I can be a causative mutation that is often associated with slight/mild sensorineural hearing loss. No other children in the slight/mild hearing loss group had a hearing loss related to a GJB2 mutation. One child with normal hearing was homozygous for the R127H change and we conclude that this change does not cause hearing loss. Two children of Asian background were carriers of the V37I mutation. Our data indicate that slight/mild sensorineural hearing loss due to the GJB2 V37I mutation is common in people of Asian background.Information on prevalence, cause and consequences of slight or mild bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in children is lacking. Prevalences of 3–5% have been published,^1,2,3 and it has been suggested that slight or mild SNHL may contribute to adverse outcomes with respect to language, academic performance and social interactions.^4,5,6 We have determined the prevalence in Australian elementary school children (grades 1 and 5) to be 0.88%. Analysis of the effect of the slight or mild SNHL in these children did not provide evidence of marked adverse outcomes when children with mild hearing loss were compared with their normally hearing peers.⁷Little is known about the extent to which genetic mutations cause slight or mild SNHL in children. It has been estimated that approximately 60% of cases with moderate, severe and profound prelingual non‐syndromic deafness are genetic, and that 80–85% of these cases are inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern.^8,9 Although changes in >40 genes have been associated with dominant and recessive SNHL, mutations in the GJB2 gene (coding for connexin 26) have been shown to be the most common cause of inherited non‐syndromic deafness (Hereditary Hearing Loss Homepage, and Connexins and Deafness Homepage). Inheritance of GJB2 deafness is nearly always recessive. We have estimated that mutations in the GJB2 gene account for the hearing loss in approximately 10–15% of Australians with moderate, severe and profound prelingual non‐syndromic deafness.¹⁰Unlike more severe forms of hearing loss, slight or mild SNHL is often not detected in children or, if detected, rarely investigated in detail. Most GJB2 mutations that have been reported have therefore been mainly associated with more severe hearing losses,¹¹ and their role in milder losses remains unknown.Universal hearing screening has been introduced in many countries, and as a consequence more children with less severe hearing loss are being identified earlier. In the future, the GJB2 gene will be screened for mutations in many of these children, which will lead to questions of causation and prognosis not just for the probands but also for their carrier siblings. Important unanswered questions are therefore “to what extent do GJB2 mutations contribute to slight/mild SNHL in children?”, “what are the genotype–phenotype correlations?” and “should healthy children identified with slight or mild hearing loss routinely be offered genetic testing?”To deal with these issues, we report the first systematic genetic analysis of a population‐derived sample of 48 children with slight or mild SNHL and 90 normally hearing controls. The children were identified as part of a large study of the prevalence, aetiology and consequences of slight or mild bilateral SNHL in a representative sample of Australian elementary school children.     

Autosomal dominant optic atrophy associated with hearing impairment and impaired glucose regulation caused by a missense mutation in the WFS1 gene

Autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA) is genetically heterogeneous, with OPA1 on 3q28 being the most prevalently mutated gene. Additional loci are OPA3, OPA4, and OPA5, located at 19q13.2, 18q12.2, and 22q12.1–q13.1, respectively. Mutations in the WFS1 gene, at 4p16.3, are associated with either optic atrophy (OA) as part of the autosomal recessive Wolfram syndrome or with autosomal dominant progressive low frequency sensorineural hearing loss (LFSNHL) without any ophthalmological abnormalities. Linkage and sequence mutation analyses of the ADOA candidate genes OPA1, OPA3, OPA4, and OPA5, including the genes WFS1, GJB2, and GJB6 associated with recessive inherited OA or dominant LFSNHL, were performed. We identified one novel WFS1 missense mutation E864K, c.2590G→A in exon 8 that co‐segregates with ADOA combined with hearing impairment and impaired glucose regulation. This is the first example of autosomal dominant optic atrophy and hearing loss associated with a WFS1 mutation, supporting the notion that mutations in WFS1 as well as in OPA1 may lead to ADOA combined with impaired hearing.     

Connexin 26 gene (GJB2) mutation modulates the severity of hearing loss associated with the 1555A→G mitochondrial mutation

We report a high prevalence of GJB2 heterozygous mutations in patients bearing the 1555A→G mitochondrial mutation, and describe a family in which potential interaction between GJB2 and a mitochondrial gene appears to be the cause of hearing impairment. Patients who are heterozygotes for the GJB2 mutant allele show hearing loss more severe than that seen in sibs lacking a mutant GJB2 allele, suggesting that heterozygous GJB2 mutations may synergistically cause hearing loss when in the presence of a 1555A→G mutation. The present findings indicate that GJB2 mutations may sometimes be an aggravating factor, in addition to aminoglycoside antibiotics, in the phenotypic expression of the non‐syndromic hearing loss associated with the 1555A→G mitochondrial mutation. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Autosomal Dominant Hearing Loss resulting from p.R75Q Mutation in the GJB2 Gene: Nonsyndromic presentation in a South Indian Family

Mutations in the GJB2 gene encoding the gap junction protein Connexin 26 have been associated with autosomal recessive as well as dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss. Owing to the involvement of connexins in skin homeostasis, GJB2 mutations have also been associated with syndromic forms of hearing loss showing various skin manifestations. We report an assortatively mating hearing impaired family of south Indian origin with three affected members spread over two generations, having p.R75Q mutation in the GJB2 gene in the heterozygous condition. The inheritance pattern was autosomal dominant with mother and son being affected. Dermatological and histopathologic examinations showed absence of palmoplantar keratoderma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report from India on p.R75Q mutation in the GJB2 gene with nonsyndromic hearing loss.     

Identification of OSBPL2 as a novel candidate gene for progressive nonsyndromic hearing loss by whole-exome sequencing

PurposeVarious forms of hearing loss have genetic causes, but many of the responsible genes have not yet been identified. Here, we describe a large seven-generation Chinese family with autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss that has been excluded as being caused by known deafness gene mutations associated with autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss with the aim of identifying a novel causative gene involved in deafness.MethodsWhole-exome sequencing was conducted in three affected family members, and cosegregation analysis was performed on other members of the family.ResultsWhole-exome sequencing and subsequent segregation analysis identified a heterozygous frameshift mutation (c.153_154delCT, p.Gln53Argfs*100) in the oxysterol binding protein-like 2 (OSBPL2) gene in 25 affected family members. The deletion mutation is predicted to lead to premature truncation of the OSBPL2 protein. Modeling and structure-based analysis support the theory that this gene deletion is functionally deleterious. Our finding was further confirmed by the detection of another missense mutation, a c.583C>A transversion (p.Leu195Met) in exon 7 of OSBPL2, in an additional sporadic case of deafness.ConclusionBased on this study, OSBPL2 was identified as an excellent novel candidate gene for autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss; this study is the first to implicate OSBPL2 mutations in autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss.     

Identification of the first duplication in MYH9-related disease: A hot spot for unequal crossing-over within exon 24 of the MYH9 gene

MYH9-related disease (MYH9RD) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in MYH9, the gene encoding the heavy chain of non-muscle myosin IIA. All patients present with congenital macrothrombocytopenia and inclusion bodies in neutrophils. Some of them can also develop sensorineural deafness, presenile cataracts, and/or progressive nephritis leading to end-stage renal failure. The spectrum of mutations so far identified is peculiar, consisting of mostly missense mutations. Others are nonsense and frameshift mutations, all localized in the COOH terminus of the protein, or in-frame deletions. We report a family with three affected members carrying a novel mutation, the first duplication (p.E1066_A1072dup), of MYH9. The mutation was localized within exon 24, where the presence of a 16 nucleotide repeat was likely to be responsible for unequal crossing-over. Of note, a deletion of the same amino acids 1066_1072 was also identified in another MHY9RD family. Since two of the four patients with the duplication or the deletion in exon 24 were affected with bilateral neonatal cataracts, we speculate that these mutations might correlate with the ocular defect, which is reported only in 16% of MYH9RD patients.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Complete Mitochondrial Genome Analysis and Clinical Documentation of a Five‐Generational Indian Family with Mitochondrial 1555A>G Mutation and Postlingual Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is the most common sensory disorder and is genetically heterogeneous. Apart from nuclear gene mutations, a number of inherited mitochondrial mutations have also been implicated. The m.1555A>G mutation in the mitochondrial MT‐RNR1 gene is reported as the most common mutation causing nonsyndromic hearing loss in various ethnic populations. We report here for the first time the clinical, genetic and molecular characterisation of a single large five‐generational Tamil‐speaking South Indian family with maternally inherited nonsyndromic postlingual hearing loss. Molecular analysis led to identification of m.1555A>G in 28 maternal relatives with variable degree of phenotypic expression. The penetrance of hearing loss among the maternal relatives in this family was 55%. Sequence analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome in 36 members of this pedigree identified 25 known variants and one novel variant co‐transmitted along with m.1555A>G mutation. The mtDNA haplotype analysis revealed that the maternal relatives carry the R*T₂ haplotype similar to Europeans and South Asians. Sequencing of the coding exon of GJB2 nuclear gene did not show any pathogenic mutations. The results suggest that other nuclear or environmental modifying factors could have played a role in the differential expression of mutation m.1555A>G in postlingual hearing loss in this family.     

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.     

Identification of novel microsatellite markers flanking GJB2 gene in order to use in preimplantation genetic diagnosis of hearing loss: A comparison of whole-genome amplification and semi-nested PCR

Hearing loss is the most prevalent sensorineural disorder which can be caused by genetic factors in more than half of the cases. GJB2 mutations with the frequency of 18.7% are the most common cause of autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL) in the Iranian population. The aim of the current study was to genotype 100 healthy individuals for eight microsatellite markers flanking the GJB2 gene, and to study markers on ten blastomeres using semi-nested PCR and Whole-genome amplification (WGA). All microsatellite markers within 1 Mb flanking the GJB2 gene were identified. From the identified markers, four with potentially high heterozygosity values were selected. The heterozygosity indices of four newly discovered markers and four previously reported markers were calculated. The markers and the GJB2 gene were also validated on single lymphocytes and blastomeres. Totally, 77 alleles were observed in eight loci. D13S046 showed the highest polymorphism and D13S141 showed the lowest. The observed heterozygosities of all markers, except D13S141, were higher than 50%. All single cells were genotyped successfully by the two techniques. Our findings indicate a high degree of polymorphism of the selected markers. Due to the high rate of successful amplification of markers in all ten blastomeres and the low level of allelic drop out (ADO), a combination of these eight microsatellite markers in conjunction with direct mutation detection is suggested for performing preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of hearing loss due to GJB2 mutations.     

Prevalence of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">GJB2</Emphasis> IVS1+1G >A mutation in Chinese hearing loss patients with monoallelic pathogenic mutation in the coding region of <Emphasis Type="Italic">GJB2</Emphasis>

Background  

Mutations in the GJB2 gene are the most common cause of nonsyndromic recessive hearing loss in China. In about 6% of Chinese patients with severe to profound sensorineural hearing impairment, only monoallelic GJB2 mutations known to be either recessive or of unclear pathogenicity have been identified. This paper reports the prevalence of the GJB2 IVS1+1G>A mutation in a population of Chinese hearing loss patients with monoallelic pathogenic mutation in the coding region of GJB2.     

Connexin-26–associated deafness: Phenotypic variability and progression of hearing loss

PurposeTo evaluate genotype-phenotype correlation over time for a cohort of children with connexin-26 (GJB2)–associated autosomal recessive hearing loss.MethodsFifty-two children were identified from a database of individuals with homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in GJB2 and subjected to chart review of their otolaryngologic and serial audiometric evaluations. Genotype-phenotype correlations were identified among the members of this group by appropriate statistical analyses.ResultsHearing loss was most severe in individuals with two truncating mutations in GJB2 and mildest in those with two nontruncating mutations. Progressive hearing loss was seen directly by serial audiometry in 24% of all subjects, and suggested in a total of 28% when those with normal newborn hearing screens and subsequent hearing loss were included. Progression was particularly common among carriers of the p.V37I allele either in homozygosity or in compound heterozygosity with a truncating allele; these children are primarily of Asian descent and demonstrate mild, slowly progressive hearing loss.ConclusionsPhenotype in GJB2-associated hearing loss is correlated with genotype, with truncating mutations giving rise to more severe hearing loss. Progression of hearing loss is not uncommon, especially in association with the p.V37I allele. These results suggest that close audiometric follow-up is warranted for patients with GJB2-associated recessive hearing loss.     

Exome Sequencing Identifies a Novel Nonsense Mutation of MYO6 as the Cause of Deafness in a Brazilian Family

We investigated 313 unrelated subjects who presented with hearing loss to identify the novel genetic causes of this condition in Brazil. Causative GJB2/GJB6 mutations were found in 12.7% of the patients. Among the familial cases (100/313), four were selected for exome sequencing. In one case, two novel heterozygous variants were found and were predicted to be pathogenic based on bioinformatics tools, that is, p.Ser906* (MYO6) and p.Arg42Cys (GJB3). We confirmed that this nonsense MYO6 mutation segregated with deafness in this family. Only the proband and her unaffected mother exhibited the GJB3 mutation, which is in the same amino acid of a known Erythrokeratodermia variabilis mutation. None of the patients exhibited this skin disease, but the proband exhibited a more severe hearing loss. Hence, the GJB3 mutation was considered to be a variant of uncertain significance. In conclusion, we described a novel nonsense MYO6 mutation that was responsible for the hearing loss in a Brazilian family. This mutation resides in the neck domain of myosin‐VI after the motor domain. Thus, our data give further support for genotype‐phenotype correlations, which state that when the motor domain of the protein is functioning, the hearing loss is milder and has a later onset. The three remaining families without mutations in the known genes suggest that there are still deafness genes to be revealed.