Is the early-onset torsion dystonia (EOTD) linked to TOR1A gene as frequent as expected in France?

Early onset torsion dystonia are rare movement disorders. Molecular defect is known for only a subgroup, consisting of a unique and recurrent mutation in the TOR1A gene. We undertook a nationwide census of French TOR1A-mutation carriers and the assessment of clinical associated signs. Overall, 53 index cases and 104 relatives were studied and haplotypes linked to the mutation constructed. The previously reported Ashkenazi-Jewish haplotype was found in 11 families with the remainder carrying distinct haplotypes suggesting independent mutation events. This study demonstrates the scarcity of this disease in France with estimated disease frequency of 0.13:100,000 and mutation frequency of 0.17:100,000.

Somatic instability of the CTG repeat in mice transgenic for the myotonic dystrophy region is age dependent but not correlated to the relative intertissue transcription levels and proliferative capacities.

A (CTG)nexpansion in the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of the DM protein kinase gene ( DMPK ) is responsible for causing myotonic dystrophy (DM). Major instability, with very large expansions between generations and high levels of somatic mosaicism, is observed in patients. There is a good correlation between repeat size (at least in leucocytes), clinical severity and age of onset. The trinucleotide repeat instability mechanisms involved in DM and other human genetic diseases are unknown. We studied somatic instability by measuring the CTG repeat length at several ages in various tissues of transgenic mice carrying a (CTG)55expansion surrounded by 45 kb of the human DM region, using small-pool PCR. These mice have been shown to reproduce the intergenerational and somatic instability of the 55 CTG repeat suggesting that surrounding sequences and the chromatin environment are involved in instability mechanisms. As observed in some of the tissues of DM patients, there is a tendency for repeat length and somatic mosaicism to increase with the age of the mouse. Furthermore, we observed no correlation between the somatic mutation rate and tissue proliferation capacity. The somatic mutation rates in different tissues were also not correlated to the relative inter-tissue difference in transcriptional levels of the three genes (DMAHP , DMPK and 59) surrounding the repeat.

[Prevention of renal carcinoma: the nutri-genetic approach]. / Prévention du carcinoma rénal: l'approche nutrigénétique.

The development of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has been associated with both genetic and environmental factors, with somatic and germline mutations in the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor gene and with tobacco smoking, obesity, long term exposure to some nutrients, pollutants, and industrial solvents such as trichloroethylene. Intra and interfamilial variability of expression of germline mutations in the VHL gene and variable susceptibility to carcinogens in the sporadic forms strongly suggest the involvement of conditional modifier genes. In order to identify sub groups of individuals at increased risk because of susceptibility genotypes, we have collected a series of 460 patients who developed an RCC and 79 families with the von Hippel Lindau disease. To collect clinical and mutational data for correlation analysis we have developed a unique tool the Universal Mutation Database. Comparison of the spectrum of germline and somatic mutations in the VHL gene showed that: 1) in sporadic RCC mutations lead more often to truncated proteins (83%), while the remaining mutations (17%), include 3/4 of transversions and 1/4 of transitions. This high proportion of transversions supports the involvement of carcinogens the impact of which is conditioned by the genetic variability of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes; 2) whereas in familial cases missense mutations are more common; this difference allowed us to define a prognostic factor for the occurrence of RCC in a VHL context. In order to look for genotypes conferring a higher risk we genotyped the RCC patients for 8 different genes (50 genotypes). A significant relationship was observed for several combinations of alleles including CYP1A1 ("variant"), NAT2 and NAT1 (slow) and GSTM1 (null allele). Associations between specific mutational profiles and at risk genotypes at different tumoral stages should allow us to: 1) define more precisely the nature of specific patterns of mutations in relation with the deficiency or overexpression of such or such enzymes in presence of particular carcinogens; 2) demonstrate that certain combinations of genotypes confer a particular risk to develop a specific type of tumor in VHL patients. Thus tracking of potentially carcinogenic substances, through their footprints and through identification of conditionally detrimental genotypes of genes participating in their detoxification should permit a better prevention through an appropriate nutrition adapted to each individual.