Mutation in WNT10A is associated with an autosomal recessive ectodermal dysplasia: the odonto-onycho-dermal dysplasia

Odonto-onycho-dermal dysplasia is a rare autosomal recessive syndrome in which the presenting phenotype is dry hair, severe hypodontia, smooth tongue with marked reduction of fungiform and filiform papillae, onychodysplasia, keratoderma and hyperhidrosis of palms and soles, and hyperkeratosis of the skin. We studied three consanguineous Lebanese Muslim Shiite families that included six individuals affected with odonto-onycho-dermal dysplasia. Using a homozygosity-mapping strategy, we assigned the disease locus to an ~9-cM region at chromosome 2q35-q36.2, located between markers rs16853834 and D2S353, with a maximum multipoint LOD score of 5.7. Screening of candidate genes in this region led us to identify the same c.697G-->T (p.Glu233X) homozygous nonsense mutation in exon 3 of the WNT10A gene in all patients. At the protein level, the mutation is predicted to result in a premature truncated protein of 232 aa instead of 417 aa. This is the first report to our knowledge of a human phenotype resulting from a mutation in WNT10A, and it is the first demonstration of an ectodermal dysplasia caused by an altered WNT signaling pathway, expanding the list of WNT-related diseases.     

一个中国遗传性血色病家系致病基因的突变分析

遗传性血色病(Hereditary hemochromatosis,HHC)是一种罕见的常染色体隐性遗传病。本课题组招募了一个HHC的近亲婚配家系,包括一名患HHC的先证者以及同一代的4名不患HHC的成员。通过对该HHC先证者进行全外显子组测序,在目前已知的与遗传性血色病相关的5个基因(HAMP、HJV、TFR2、FPN和HFE)中,发现在铁调素调节蛋白(Hemojuvelin,HJV)的编码基因HJV上存在两个纯合突变(c.G18C和c.GC962_963AA)。其中,前者能够引起HJV蛋白发生p.Q6H的改变,但该突变的危害性较小,可能与血色病的发病无关;后者能够引起HJV蛋白发生p.C321X的改变,从而翻译出缺失糖基磷脂肌醇锚定结构域的截短型HJV蛋白。除了HJV基因上的纯合突变外,该先证者还携带了其他12个纯合突变,但这些突变的危害性均不强且其所在基因的功能与铁代谢无关。本实验室内部测序数据显示,在一般中国人群中不存在p.C321X突变,提示HJV基因上的p.C321X纯合突变可能是该HHC患者的致病性突变。与此相一致的是,4名不患HHC的家系成员中该位点为野生型纯合子或杂合子,均非p.C321X纯合子。文章首次报道了HJV p.C321X纯合突变可导致HHC,该结果将有助于遗传性血色病的基因诊断和产前咨询。     

Three Novel Homozygous Point Mutations and a New Polymorphism in the COL17A1 Gene: Relation to Biological and Clinical Phenotypes of Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa

Junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) is a clinically and biologically heterogeneous genodermatosis, characterized by trauma-induced blistering and healing without scarring but sometimes with skin atrophy. We investigated three unrelated patients with different JEB phenotypes. Patients 1 and 2 had generalized atrophic benign epidermolysis bullosa (GABEB), with features including skin atrophy and alopecia. Patient 3 had the localisata variant of JEB, with predominantly acral blistering and normal hair. All patients carried novel homozygous point mutations (Q1016X, R1226X, and R1303Q) in the COL17A1 gene encoding collagen XVII, a hemidesmosomal transmembrane component; and, therefore, not only GABEB but also the localisata JEB can be a collagen XVII disorder. The nonsense mutations led to drastically reduced collagen XVII mRNA and protein levels. In contrast, the missense mutation allowed expression of abnormal collagen XVII, and epidermal extracts from that patient contained polypeptides of normal size, as well as larger aggregates. The homozygous nonsense mutations in the COL17A1 gene were consistent with the absence of the collagen from the skin and with the GABEB phenotype, whereas homozygosity for the missense mutation resulted in expression of aberrant collagen XVII and, clinically, in localisata JEB.     

Genetic homogeneity in Sjögren-Larsson syndrome: linkage to chromosome 17p in families of different non-Swedish ethnic origins.

Sjögren-Larsson syndrome (SLS) is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder that is characterized by congenital ichthyosis, mental retardation, and spastic diplegia or tetraplegia. Three United States families, three Egyptian families, and one Israeli Arab family were investigated for linkage of the SLS gene to a region of chromosome 17. Pairwise and multipoint linkage analysis with nine markers mapped the SLS gene to the same region of the genome as that reported in Swedish SLS pedigrees. Examination of recombinants by haplotype analysis showed that the gene lies in the region containing the markers D17S953, D17S805, D17S689, and D17S842. D17S805 is pericentromeric on 17p. Patients in two consanguineous Egyptian families were homozygous at the nine marker loci tested, and another patient from a third family was homozygous for eight of the nine, suggesting that within each of these families the region of chromosome 17 carrying the SLS gene is identical by descent. Linkage of the SLS gene to chromosome 17p in families of Arabic, mixed European, Native American, and Swedish descent provides evidence for a single SLS locus and should prove useful for diagnosis and carrier detection in worldwide cases.     

Phenotypic heterogeneity of sitosterolemia

Sitosterolemia is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of lipoprotein metabolism characterized by xanthomas and increased plasma concentrations of plant sterols, such as sitosterol. Causative mutations occur in either the ABCG5 or ABCG8 gene, each of which encodes a sterol half-transporter expressed in the intestine. We report five Canadian subjects with nonsense mutations in these half-transporters: four related Caucasian subjects were homozygous for the ABCG8 S107X mutation, and one unrelated Japanese-Canadian subject was homozygous for a complex insertion/deletion (I/D) mutation in ABCG5 exon 3. A female subject with each mutation was symptomatic with coronary atherosclerosis: a 5-year-old ABCG8 S107X homozygote and a 75-year-old ABCG5 exon 3 I/D homozygote; these represent the extreme ends of the spectrum of vascular involvement in sitosterolemia. The largest reductions in plasma concentrations of sitosterol and LDL-cholesterol were seen with ezetimibe or bile acid sequestrant treatment, and less dramatic reductions were seen with statin drug treatment. These findings extend the range of clinical phenotypes in sitosterolemia caused by nonsense mutations in either ABCG5 or ABCG8.     

Disruption of POF1B binding to nonmuscle actin filaments is associated with premature ovarian failure

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is characterized by elevated gonadotropins and amenorrhea in women aged <40 years. In a Lebanese family with five sisters who received the diagnosis of POF, we established linkage to the long arm of the X chromosome (between Xq21.1 and Xq21.3.3), using whole-genome SNP typing and homozygosity-by-descent mapping. By sequencing one candidate gene within that region, POF1B, we identified a point mutation localized in exon 10. This substitution of a nucleotide (G-->A), at position 1123, results in an arginine-->glutamine mutation of the protein sequence at position 329 (mutation R329Q). All the affected family members were homozygous for the mutation, whereas the unaffected members were heterozygous. Because POF1B shares high homology with the tail portion of the human myosin, we assessed the ability of both wild-type and mutant POF1B proteins to bind nonmuscle actin filaments in vitro. We found that the capacity of the mutant protein to bind nonmuscle actin filaments was diminished fourfold compared with the wild type, suggesting a function of POF1B in germ-cell division. Our study suggests that a homozygous point mutation in POF1B influences the pathogenesis of POF by altering POF1B binding to nonmuscle actin filaments.     

Genetic Basis of Glycogen Storage Disease Type 1a: Prevalent Mutations at the Glucose-6-Phosphatase Locus

Diagnosis of glycogen storage disease (GSD) type 1a currently is established by demonstrating the lack of glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) activity in the patient's biopsied liver specimen. Recent cloning of the G6Pase gene and identification of mutations within the gene that causes GSD type 1a allow for the development of a DNA-based diagnostic method. Using SSCP analysis and DNA sequencing, we characterized the G6Pase gene of 70 unrelated patients with enzymatically confirmed diagnosis of GSD type 1a and detected mutations in all except 17 alleles (88%). Sixteen mutations were uncovered that were shown by expression to abolish or greatly reduce G6Pase activity and that therefore are responsible for the GSD type 1a disorder. R83C and Q347X are the most prevalent mutations found in Caucasians, 130X and R83C are most prevalent in Hispanics, and R83H is most prevalent in Chinese. The Q347X mutation has thus far been identified only in Caucasian patients, and the 130X mutation has been identified only in Hispanic patients. Our results demonstrate that the DNA-based analysis can accurately, rapidly, and noninvasively detect the majority of mutations in GSD type 1a. This DNA-based diagnosis now permits prenatal diagnosis among at-risk patients and serves as a database in screening and counseling patients clinically suspected of having this disease.     

Two mutations in LDLR gene were found in two Chinese families with familial hypercholesterolemia

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) (OMIM 143890) is an autosomal dominantly inherited disease mainly caused by mutations of the gene encoding the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and Apolipoprotein (Apo) B. First the common mutation R3500Q in ApoB gene was determined using PCR/RFLP method. Then the LDLR gene was screened for mutations using Touch-down PCR, SSCP and sequencing techniques. Furthermore, the secondary structure of the LDLR protein was predicted with ANTHEPROT5.0. The R3500Q mutation was absent in these two families. A heterozygous p.W483X mutation of LDLR gene was identified in family A which caused a premature stop codon, while a homozygous mutation p.A627T was found in family B. The predicted secondary structures of the mutant LDLR were altered. We identified two known mutations (p.W483X, p.A627T) of the LDLR gene in two Chinese FH families respectively.     

Localization of a gene for familial patella aplasia-hypoplasia (PTLAH) to chromosome 17q21-22.

Patella aplasia-hypoplasia (PTLAH) is a rare genetic defect characterized by congenital absence or marked reduction of the patella. PTLAH can occur either as an isolated defect or in association with other malformations, and it characteristically occurs in the nail-patella syndrome and in some chromosome imbalances. We report the first evidence of linkage for isolated PTLAH in an extended Venezuelan family. After exclusion of the candidate chromosome regions where disorders associated with PTLAH have been mapped, a genomewide scan was performed that supported mapping of the disease locus within a region of 12 cM on chromosome 17q22. Two marker loci (D17S787 and D17S1604) typed from this region gave maximum LOD scores >3. Accordingly, multipoint analysis gave a maximum LOD score of 3.39, with a most likely location for the disease gene between D17S787 and D17S1604. Sequencing of the noggin gene, a candidate mapping between these markers, failed to reveal any mutation in affected subjects.     

Loss-of-function mutations in filaggrin gene associate with psoriasis vulgaris in Chinese population

Loss-of-function mutations in filaggrin gene (FLG; OMIM #135940) have been reported to cause the semi-dominant keratinizing disorders such as ichthyosis vulgaris (IV; OMIM #146700) and atopic dermatitis (AD; OMIM #605803). Recent linkage analysis and immunohistochemical studies suggest the possible contribution of FLG to psoriatic susceptibility. However, no susceptibility variant in FLG gene associated with psoriasis (OMIM #177900) has been identified. In this study, we identified a non-sense mutation of FLG (p.K4022X) in a Chinese psoriasis/IV coexisting family. The homozygous p.K4022X mutation was detected in a psoriasis patient, whereas the heterozygous p.K4022X mutation was identified in two IV patients and four apparently normal family members. We also genotyped p.K4022X variant in 441 sporadic Chinese psoriasis patients and found homozygous mutation in two patients, while no homozygous variant was found in 500 control individuals. After sequencing the entire coding region of FLG gene in 441 psoriasis patients, we identified another five mutations (p.R826X, p.W2583X, c.7945delA, c.3321delA and p.Q2417X). Although all six FLG mutations as a whole was not significantly associated with psoriasis (P = 0.105), mutation p.K4022X was significantly associated with psoriasis (P < 0.05). Our data thus indicates an association of FLG with psoriasis in Chinese population.     

Autosomal Dominant Postaxial Polydactyly, Nail Dystrophy, and Dental Abnormalities Map to Chromosome 4p16, in the Region Containing the Ellis–van Creveld Syndrome Locus

We have studied a four-generation family with features of Weyers acrofacial dysostosis, in which the proband has a more severe phenotype, resembling Ellis-van Creveld syndrome. Weyers acrofacial dysostosis is an autosomal dominant condition with dental anomalies, nail dystrophy, postaxial polydactyly, and mild short stature. Ellis-van Creveld syndrome is a similar condition, with autosomal recessive inheritance and the additional features of disproportionate dwarfism, thoracic dysplasia, and congenital heart disease. Linkage and haplotype analysis determined that the disease locus in this pedigree resides on chromosome 4p16, distal to the genetic marker D4S3007 and within a 17-cM region flanking the genetic locus D4S2366. This region includes the Ellis-van Creveld syndrome locus, which previously was reported to map within a 3-cM region between genetic markers D4S2957 and D4S827. Either the genes for the condition in our family and for Ellis-van Creveld syndrome are near one another or these two conditions are allelic with mutations in the same gene. These data also raise the possibility that Weyers acrofacial dysostosis is the heterozygous expression of a mutation that, in homozygous form, causes the autosomal recessive disorder Ellis-van Creveld syndrome.     

Evidence for a novel glaucoma locus at chromosome 3p21-22

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world. It is a clinically variable group of diseases with the majority of cases presenting as the late onset adult type. Several chromosomal loci have been implicated in disease aetiology, but causal mutations have only been identified in a small proportion of glaucoma. We have previously described a large six-generation Tasmanian family with POAG exhibiting genetic heterogeneity. In this family, approximately one third of affected individuals presented with a glutamine-368-STOP (Q368STOP) mutation in the myocilin gene. We now use a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method to identify a second disease region in this family on the short arm of chromosome 3. This disease locus was initially mapped to the marker D3S1298 and a subsequent minimum disease region of 9 cM between markers D3S1298 and D3S1289 was identified through additional mapping. The region did not overlap with any previously described locus for POAG. Using a multiplicative relative risk model, we identified a positive association between this region and the Q368STOP mutation of myocilin on chromosome 1 in affected individuals. These findings provide evidence of a new autosomal dominant glaucoma locus on the short arm of chromosome 3.     

Prenatal Genotyping of Four Common Oculocutaneous Albinism Genes in 51 Chinese Families

Oculocutaneous albinism(OCA)is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by hypopigmentation in eyes,hair and skin,accompanied with vision loss.Currently,six genes have been identified as causative genes for non-syndromic OCA(OCA-1w4,6,7),and ten genes for syndromic OCA(HPS-1e9,CHS-1).Genetic counseling of 51 Chinese OCA families(39 OCA-1 with mutations in the TYR gene,6 OCA-2 with mutations in the OCA2 gene,4 OCA-4 with mutations in the SLC45A2 gene,1 HPS-1(Hermanskye Pudlak syndrome-1)with mutation in the HPS1 gene,and 1 mixed OCA-1 and OCA-4)led us to perform the prenatal genetic testing of OCA using amniotic fluid cells through the implementation of our optimized strategy.In our cohort,eleven previously unidentified alleles(PUAs)(5 in TYR,2 in OCA2,and 4 in SLC45A2)were found.Three missense PUAs(p.C112R,p.H363R and p.G379V of TYR)and one in-frame deletional PUA(p.S222del of SLC24A5)led to fetuses with OCA when co-inherited with other disease causative alleles.Three PUAs(p.P152H and p.W272X of TYR,p.A486T of SLC24A5)identified in the OCA probands did not co-transmit with known pathological alleles and thus gave rise to unaffected fetuses.Four PUAs(p.Q83X and p.A658T of TYR,p.G161R and p.G366R of SLC24A5)did not transmit to the unaffected fetuses.In addition,the in vitro transfection assays showed that the p.S192Y variant of TYR produced less pigment compared to the wild-type allele.A fetus with a digenic carrier of OCA-1 and OCA-4 was unaffected.In combination with functional assays,the family inheritance pattern is useful for the evaluation of pathogenicity of PUAs and genetic counseling of OCA.     

一个非综合征性耳聋家系致病基因的研究

非综合征性耳聋(nonsyndromic hearing impairment, NSHI)是一种十分常见的人类神经系统疾病, 约有1/1000的新生儿患有语前聋。GJB2基因编码间隙连接蛋白Cx26, 是最常见的NSHI致病基因, 大约50%的常染色体隐性遗传NSHI是由GJB2基因突变引起的。在本研究中, 收集了江苏省一个复杂的非综合征性耳聋家系, 并对其进行了分子遗传学研究。对所有已知常染色体隐性遗传的NSHI致病基因, 选用其侧翼的微卫星标记进行连锁分析, 发现该家系的致病基因与D13S175连锁。对GJB2基因进行整个编码区域的测序, 发现235碱基处发生了碱基C的纯合缺失, 这一突变可能是该家系中绝大多数患者致病的遗传基础。     

Dominant hereditary inclusion-body myopathy gene (IBM3) maps to chromosome region 17p13.1

We recently described an autosomal dominant inclusion-body myopathy characterized by congenital joint contractures, external ophthalmoplegia, and predominantly proximal muscle weakness. A whole-genome scan, performed with 161 polymorphic markers and with DNA from 40 members of one family, indicated strong linkage for markers on chromosome 17p. After analyses with additional markers in the region and with DNA from eight additional family members, a maximum LOD score (Zmax) was detected for marker D17S1303 (Zmax=7.38; recombination fraction (theta)=0). Haplotype analyses showed that the locus (Genome Database locus name: IBM3) is flanked distally by marker D17S945 and proximally by marker D17S969. The positions of cytogenetically localized flanking markers suggest that the location of the IBM3 gene is in chromosome region 17p13.1. Radiation hybrid mapping showed that IBM3 is located in a 2-Mb chromosomal region and that the myosin heavy-chain (MHC) gene cluster, consisting of at least six genes, co-localizes to the same region. This localization raises the possibility that one of the MHC genes clustered in this region may be involved in this disorder.     

Mutations in the pterin-4α-carbinolamine dehydratase (PCBD) gene cause a benign form of hyperphenylalaninemia

Four patients with primapterinuria, postulated to be due to pterin-4α-carbinolamine dehydratase (PCD) deficiency, were diagnosed by biochemical and DNA analysis. All four patients presented in the neonatal period with hyperphenylalaninemia, and elevated neopterin and decreased biopterin levels in the urine. These symptoms are common to 6-pyruvoyltetrahydropterin synthase deficiency and thus there is a danger of misdiagnosis. In addition, all four patients had elevated urinary excretion of primapterin (7-biopterin), the only persistent biochemical abnormality. Analysis of fibroblast DNA from the patients identified the following mutations in the PCBD gene: one patient homozygous for the missense mutation E96K and one homozygous for the nonsense mutation Q97X, both in exon 4; one compound heterozygote with the mutations E96K and Q97X; and one patient with two different homozygous mutations: E26X in exon 2 and R87Q in exon 4. In two families, the parents were investigated and found to be obligate heterozygotes for particular mutations. One sibling was found to be unaffected. These results further substantiate the idea that primapterinuria is associated with mutations in the PCBD gene. Received: 4 March 1998 / Accepted: 17 April 1998     

Cellular localization of 17 natural mutant variants of ALADIN protein in triple A syndrome - shedding light on an unexpected splice mutation.

The triple A syndrome is a complex and multisystemic autosomal recessive disease with the 3 main symptoms of adrenal insufficiency, alacrima, and achalasia accompanied by neurological impairment. Mutations in the AAAS gene on chromosome 12q13 are responsible for the disorder. AAAS encodes a protein named ALADIN, which belongs to the family of WD-repeat-containing proteins and has been shown to localize to nuclear pore complexes. The function of the protein is not clear. It is supposed that ALADIN plays an important role in RNA and (or) protein trafficking between the nucleus and cytoplasm. With transfection experiments, we analyzed the cellular localization of the wild-type and 17 natural mutant variants (9 missense, 5 nonsense, 3 frameshift mutations) of ALADIN. We show that most mutations cause mislocalization of the mutant ALADIN proteins in the cytoplasm. In contrast, some variants with mutations located at the N-terminus (Q15K, L25P) and 3 artificial C-terminus mutations (Q490X, R493X, and V497X) remain at the nuclear pore. Using a patient cell line, we show that the mutation 43C>A in exon 1 does not cause a missense mutation Q15K but, rather, results in aberrant splicing.     

Isolation of Two Novel WNT Genes, WNT14 and WNT15, One of Which (WNT15) Is Closely Linked to WNT3 on Human Chromosome 17q21

TheWntgene family consists of at least 15 structurally related genes that encode secreted extracellular signaling factors. Wnt proteins function in a range of critical developmental processes in both vertebrates and invertebrates and are implicated in regulation of cell growth and differentiation in certain adult mammalian tissues, including the mammary gland. We have isolated a number of WNT sequences from human genomic DNA, two of which, designated WNT14 and WNT15, represent novel members of theWntgene family. We also isolated WNT sequences from human mammary cDNA and present evidence that WNT13 is expressed in human breast tissue, in addition to those previously described. WNT14 and WNT15 appear to have originated from an ancestral branch of theWntgene family that also includes theWnt9sequences found in jawless and cartilaginous fishes. AWnt14cDNA was also isolated from chicken and a partialWnt15sequence from mouse. We show that human WNT14 maps to chromosome 1 and that WNT15 maps distal to BRCA1 on chromosome 17q21, where it lies within 125 kb of another WNT family member, WNT3.