A heritable form of SMARCE1-related meningiomas with important implications for follow-up and family screening.

Childhood meningiomas are rare. Recently, a new hereditary tumor predisposition syndrome has been discovered, resulting in an increased risk for spinal and intracranial clear cell meningiomas (CCMs) in young patients. Heterozygous loss-of-function germline mutations in the SMARCE1 gene are causative, giving rise to an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. We report on an extended family with a pediatric CCM patient and an adult CCM patient and several asymptomatic relatives carrying a germline SMARCE1 mutation, and discuss difficulties in genetic counseling for this heritable condition. Because of the few reported cases so far, the lifetime risk of developing meningiomas for SMARCE1 mutation carriers is unclear and the complete tumor spectrum is unknown. There is no surveillance guideline for asymptomatic carriers nor a long-term follow-up recommendation for SMARCE1-related CCM patients as yet. Until more information is available about the penetrance and tumor spectrum of the condition, we propose the following screening advice for asymptomatic SMARCE1 mutation carriers: neurological examination and MRI of the brain and spine, yearly from diagnosis until the age of 18 and once every 3 years thereafter, or in between if there are clinical symptoms. This advice can also be used for long-term patient follow-up. More data is needed to optimize this proposed screening advice.

The uptake and outcome of prenatal and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis for Huntington's disease in the Netherlands (1998-2008).

We aimed to study reproductive behaviour of couples opting for prenatal diagnosis (PND) and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for Huntington's disease (HD). In the Netherlands, exclusion PND is available for persons at 50% risk, whereas exclusion PGD is not allowed. All 162 couples who underwent PND or PGD for HD between 1998 and 2008 and referrals for exclusion PGD to Belgium were included. Couples' reproductive information was collected until December 2010; 132 couples (81.5%) underwent PND in 262 pregnancies, 54 (33.3%) started PGD, and 25 used both. Sixteen percent of PND couples used exclusion PND and 6% used exclusion PGD. The outcomes were 76.5% of PND couples delivered ≥1 unaffected child(ren) after PND, and 44.4% of PGD couples delivered ≥1 PGD child(ren) (mean 2.5 cycles/couple). Couples opting for PGD secondarily (after a previous pregnancy) had more frequently terminated a pregnancy for HD (87.0%) compared with couples secondarily opting for PND (55.2%; p = 0.015). At-risk or HD expansion carrier males were underrepresented in the group of couples primarily opting for PGD (25%) and overrepresented in the secondary PGD group (64%). We conclude that couples reconsider their choices in every subsequent pregnancy based on their previous experience, personal beliefs and the gender of the at-risk partner.

Prenatal testing for Huntington's disease in the Netherlands from 1998 to 2008.

This study aims to give an overview of the number of prenatal tests for Huntington's disease (HD), test results, and pregnancy outcomes in the Netherlands between 1998 and 2008 and to compare them with available data from the period 1987 to 1997. A total of 126 couples underwent prenatal diagnosis (PND) on 216 foetuses: 185 (86%) direct tests and 31 (14%) exclusion tests. In 9% of direct tests the risk for the foetus was 25%. Four at-risk parents (4%) carried intermediate alleles. Ninety-one foetuses had CAG expansions ≥36% or 50% risk haplotypes: 75 (82%) were terminated for HD, 12 (13%) were carried to term; four pregnancies were miscarried, terminated for other reasons or lost to follow-up. Unaffected pregnancies (122 foetuses) resulted in the birth of 112 children. The estimated uptake of PND was 22% of CAG expansion carriers (≥36 repeats) at reproductive age. PND was used by two new subgroups: carriers of intermediate alleles and 50% at-risk persons opting for a direct prenatal test of the foetus. A significant number of HD expansion or 50% risk pregnancies were continued. Speculations were made on causative factors contributing to these continuations. Further research on these couples' motives is needed.

Keloids in Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome: a clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RSTS) is a multiple congenital anomalies-intellectual disability syndrome. One of the complications is keloid formation. Keloids are proliferative fibrous growths resulting from excessive tissue response to skin trauma. OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical characteristics of keloids in individuals with RSTS reported in the literature and in a cohort of personally evaluated individuals with RSTS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a literature search for descriptions of RSTS individuals with keloids. All known individuals with RSTS in the Netherlands filled out three dedicated questionnaires. All individuals with (possible) keloids were personally evaluated. A further series of individuals with RSTS from the U.K. was personally evaluated. RESULTS: Reliable data were available for 62 of the 83 Dutch individuals with RSTS and showed 15 individuals with RSTS (24%) to have keloids. The 15 Dutch and 12 U.K. individuals with RSTS with keloids demonstrated that most patients have multiple keloids (n > 1: 82%; n > 5: 30%). Mean age of onset is 11·9 years. The majority of keloids are located on the shoulders and chest. The mean length × width of the largest keloid was 7·1 × 2·8 cm, and the mean thickness was 0·7 cm. All affected individuals complained of itching. Generally, treatment results were disappointing. CONCLUSIONS: Keloids occur in 24% of individuals with RSTS, either spontaneously or after a minor trauma, usually starting in early puberty. Management schedules have disappointing results. RSTS is a Mendelian disorder with a known molecular basis, and offers excellent opportunities to study the pathogenesis of keloids in general and to search for possible treatments.

Large normal-range TBP and ATXN7 CAG repeat lengths are associated with increased lifetime risk of depression.

Depression is one of the most prevalent and debilitating psychiatric disorders worldwide. Recently, we showed that both relatively short and relatively long cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) repeats in the huntingtin gene (HTT) are associated with an increased risk of lifetime depression. However, to what extent the variations in CAG repeat length in the other eight polyglutamine disease-associated genes (PDAGs) are associated with depression is still unknown. We determined the CAG repeat sizes of ATXN1, ATXN2, ATXN3, CACNA1A, ATXN7, TBP, ATN1 and AR in two well-characterized Dutch cohorts-the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety and the Netherlands Study of Depression in Older Persons-including 2165 depressed and 1058 non-depressed individuals-aged 18-93 years. The association between PDAG CAG repeat size and the risk for depression was assessed via binary logistic regression. We found that the odds ratio (OR) for lifetime depression was significantly higher for individuals with >10, compared with subjects with ≤10, CAG repeats in both ATXN7 alleles (OR=1.90, confidence interval (CI) 1.26-2.85). For TBP we found a similar association: A CAG repeat length exceeding the median in both alleles was associated with an increased risk for lifetime depression (OR=1.33, CI 1.00-1.76). In conclusion, we observed that carriers of either ATXN7 or TBP alleles with relatively large CAG repeat sizes in both alleles had a substantially increased risk of lifetime depression. Our findings provide critical evidence for the notion that repeat polymorphisms can act as complex genetic modifiers of depression.

Genetic analysis of psychiatric disorders in humans.

Psychiatric disorders place a large burden not only on affected individuals and their families but also on societies and health services. Current treatment is only effective in a proportion of the patients, so considerable effort has been put into the development of new medications. The susceptibility to all major psychiatric disorders is, at least in part, genetic. Knowledge of the genes that underlie this susceptibility may lead to the identification of new drug targets and the development of more effective treatments. Therefore, numerous genetic studies in search for the genes involved in psychiatric disorders have been performed. Although results of both linkage and association studies have been inconsistent, several promising gene regions and candidate genes have been identified recently. In this article, we will review the strategies that proved to be successful in detecting genes for psychiatric disorders and we will provide some recommendations to increase the probability of detecting susceptibility genes in genetic studies of different designs.

Association between the CHRM2 gene and intelligence in a sample of 304 Dutch families.

The CHRM2 gene is thought to be involved in neuronal excitability, synaptic plasticity and feedback regulation of acetylcholine release and has previously been implicated in higher cognitive processing. In a sample of 667 individuals from 304 families, we genotyped three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CHRM2 gene on 7q31-35. From all individuals, standardized intelligence measures were available. Using a test of within-family association, which controls for the possible effects of population stratification, a highly significant association was found between the CHRM2 gene and intelligence. The strongest association was between rs324650 and performance IQ (PIQ), where the T allele was associated with an increase of 4.6 PIQ points. In parallel with a large family-based association, we observed an attenuated - although still significant - population-based association, illustrating that population stratification may decrease our chances of detecting allele-trait associations. Such a mechanism has been predicted earlier, and this article is one of the first to empirically show that family-based association methods are not only needed to guard against false positives, but are also invaluable in guarding against false negatives.

The SNAP-25 gene is associated with cognitive ability: evidence from a family-based study in two independent Dutch cohorts.

The synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) gene plays an integral role in synaptic transmission, and is differentially expressed in the mammalian brain in the neocortex, hippocampus, anterior thalamic nuclei, substantia nigra and cerebellar granular cells. Recent studies have suggested a possible involvement of SNAP-25 in learning and memory, both of which are key components of human intelligence. In addition, the SNAP-25 gene lies in a linkage area implicated previously in human intelligence. In two independent family-based Dutch samples of 391 (mean age 12.4 years) and 276 (mean age 37.3 years) subjects, respectively, we genotyped 12 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the SNAP-25 gene on 20p12-20p11.2. From all individuals, standardized intelligence measures were available. Using a family-based association test, a strong association was found between three SNPs in the SNAP-25 gene and intelligence, two of which showed association in both independent samples. The strongest, replicated association was found between SNP rs363050 and performance IQ (PIQ), where the A allele was associated with an increase of 2.84 PIQ points (P=0.0002). Variance in this SNP accounts for 3.4% of the phenotypic variance in PIQ.

The tissue transglutaminase gene is not a primary factor predisposing to celiac disease.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether the tissue transglutaminase (tTG) gene is a causal factor in the pathogenesis of celiac disease (CD). METHODS: A total of 147 Dutch families with at least one patient with biopsy-proven CD were available for this study. In all patients, CD was diagnosed according to the revised European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition criteria. A microsatellite marker in a noncoding region of the tTG gene was investigated for both linkage and association. Linkage was tested by determining the amount of allele sharing between affected brothers and sisters (affected sibling [sib] pair analysis). Association was determined by comparing transmission of certain tTG alleles from parents to CD patients to the nontransmitted alleles by the transmission/disequilibrium test. RESULTS: Linkage analysis did not show cosegregation of the tTG gene with celiac disease in our families, and there was no association between certain tTG alleles and celiac disease. Furthermore, the tTG gene could be excluded as a CD susceptibility gene. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the tTG gene can be excluded as a major primary genetic factor in CD pathogenesis.

Methanomicrococcus blatticola gen. nov., sp. nov., a methanol- and methylamine-reducing methanogen from the hindgut of the cockroach Periplaneta americana.

A small irregular coccoid methanogenic bacterium (PAT) was isolated from the hindgut of the cockroach Periplaneta americana. Fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy of the hindgut of P. americana suggest that the organism occurs abundantly in the microbiota attached to the hindgut wall. The strain produces methane by the reduction of methanol and methylated amines with molecular hydrogen. Acetate, coenzyme M, yeast extract, tryptic soy broth and vitamins are required for growth. The cells lack a rigid cell wall and lyse immediately in buffers of low ionic strength. Maximum rate of growth (specific growth rate, 0.22 h(-1)) occurs in a rich medium at 39 degrees C, at a pH range of 7.2-7.7 and at a salt concentration below 100 mM NaCl. Sequence analysis of the small-subunit rDNA indicates that strain PAT is related to the family Methanosarcinaceae but does not belong to any previously described genus. Therefore, it is proposed that strain PAT be classified in a new genus, related to the Methanosarcinaceae, as Methanomicrococcus blatticola (type strain PAT = DSM 13328T).

A double missense mutation in the ATM gene of a Dutch family with ataxia telangiectasia.

Ataxia telangiectasia (AT) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by cerebellar ataxia, telangiectasia, immunodeficiency, elevated alpha-fetoprotein levels, chromosomal instability, predisposition to cancer, and radiation sensitivity. We report the identification of a new, double missense mutation in the ataxia telangiectasia gene (ATM) of a Dutch family. This homozygous mutation consists of two consecutive base substitutions in exon 55: a T-->G transversion at position 7875 of the ATM cDNA and a G-->C transversion at position 7876. These transversions were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction/primer-induced restriction analysis with CelII. The double base substitution results in an amino acid change of an aspartic acid to a glutamic acid at codon 2625 and of an alanine to a proline at codon 2626 of the ATM protein. Both amino acids are conserved between the ATM protein and its functional homolog, the Atm gene product in the mouse. Furthermore, the Chou-Fasman and Robson predictions both demonstrate a change in the secondary structure of the ATM protein carrying the D2625E/A2626P mutation. These findings suggest that the double base substitution in the ATM gene is a disease-causing mutation.

IL12B and IRF1 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to celiac disease.

Celiac disease (CD) is a common gastro-intestinal disorder resulting from permanent intolerance to wheat gliadins and related proteins in rye and barley. In addition to the strong genetic association with HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8, a genetic region on chromosomes 5 (CELIAC2) has been identified that harbours a susceptibility gene for CD. The gene(s) responsible for this association, however, remains to be identified. In the present study we evaluated polymorphisms in the genes encoding interleukin-12 p40 (IL12B) and interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1). Both genes are located in the celiac2 region, and have key roles in inducing interferon (IFN)-gamma secreting T helper 1 (Th1) cells, one of the immunological hallmarks of CD. The frequencies of a TaqI gene polymorphism in the 3' UTR of IL12B and a HinfI gene polymorphism in the 3' UTR of IRF1 were studied in 258 Dutch CD patients and 237 ethnically matched healthy controls. The transmission of the polymorphic variants from parents to affected child was determined in 123 families with at least one affected child. The frequencies of the IL12B TaqI gene polymorphism and the IRF1 HinfI gene polymorphism did not differ significantly between patients and controls. In addition, in the family study, no deviation from the expected transmission from parents to affected child of any of the polymorphic variants was found. The IL12B TaqI and the IRF1 HinfI gene polymorphisms do not appear to be involved in susceptibility to CD. Further studies on the factors that drive the Th1 immunopathology in CD are required.

Polymorphisms in the genes encoding interferon-gamma and interferon-gamma receptors in multiple sclerosis.

Genome screens suggest that several genes, each contributing to a small extent, are involved in multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptibility. Simultaneous analysis of related genes may improve the power to detect such small effects. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), mediating its effects through the IFN-gamma receptor, is a pleiotropic, pro-inflammatory cytokine for which a detrimental effect on the course of MS has been reported. The role of IFN-gamma receptor 1 (IFNGR1) and IFN-gamma receptor 2 (IFNGR2) gene polymorphisms has not been studied in MS, and, for the IFNG gene polymorphism there is only one previous study, which incorporates clinical, but not imaging, data. The aim of this study was to investigate whether polymorphisms in the IFNG and IFNGR1 and IFNGR2 genes are associated with susceptibility to MS, or disease characteristics, as defined by clinical and imaging criteria. Genotypes for IFNG, IFNGR1 and IFNGR2 were determined in 509 patients with MS and in 193 healthy controls. Patient files were reviewed for disease course, age at onset of disease, and rate of progression. Serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were available for 107 patients. No significant differences in the distribution of IFNG, IFNGR1 and IFNGR2 genotype and allele frequencies were found between patients and controls. A progressive, as opposed to a relapsing, onset was significantly more frequent in carriers of the IFNGR2 allele Arg64 (P = 0.028). Moreover, IFNGR2 allele Arg64 carriers had a lower black hole ratio than non-carriers (P = 0.016). No other associations with clinical parameters, such as age at onset or rate of progression, or with imaging parameters, were observed. The IFNG intron 1 gene polymorphism studied is unlikely to play a major role in MS susceptibility or disease course. The IFNGR1 and IFNGR2 gene polymorphisms studied do not exert an important influence on MS susceptibility, but allele IFNGR2*Arg64 may be associated with a progressive disease onset.

Defining the contribution of the HLA region to cis DQ2-positive coeliac disease patients.

The major genetic susceptibility to coeliac disease is contributed by the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region. The primary association is with the HLA-DQ2 molecule, encoded by the DQA1*05 and DQB1*02 alleles, which is expressed by over 90% of patients. The aim of our study was to perform an extensive scan of the entire HLA region to determine whether there is evidence for the presence of additional HLA susceptibility genes for coeliac disease in the Dutch population, acting independently of DQ2. In all, 16 microsatellite markers and the DQA1 and DQB1 genes were genotyped in simplex cis DQ2-positive coeliac disease families and cis DQ2-positive control families. Allele frequencies of markers on phase-known DQ2-positive haplotypes transmitted to patients were compared to a combined group of DQ2-positive nontransmitted and control haplotypes, thereby controlling for the DQ2 contribution. No significant differences at any of the marker loci were detected, suggesting that DQ2 is the major HLA risk factor for coeliac disease. Individuals homozygous for DQ2 or heterozygous for DQA1*05-DQB1*02/DQA1*0201-DQB1*02 were found to be at five-fold increased risk for development of coeliac disease (P<10(-8)). This risk seems to be conferred by the presence of a second DQB1*02 allele next to one DQA1*05-DQB1*02 haplotype, independently of the second DQA1 allele.