Novel sequence variations in LAMA2 andSGCG genes modulating cis-acting regulatory elements and RNA secondary structure.

In this study, we detected new sequence variations in LAMA2 and SGCG genes in 5 ethnic populations, and analysed their effect on enhancer composition and mRNA structure. PCR amplification and DNA sequencing were performed and followed by bioinformatics analyses using ESEfinder as well as MFOLD software. We found 3 novel sequence variations in the LAMA2 (c.3174+22_23insAT and c.6085 +12delA) and SGCG (c. (*) 102A/C) genes. These variations were present in 210 tested healthy controls from Tunisian, Moroccan, Algerian, Lebanese and French populations suggesting that they represent novel polymorphisms within LAMA2 and SGCG genes sequences. ESEfinder showed that the c. (*) 102A/C substitution created a new exon splicing enhancer in the 3'UTR of SGCG genes, whereas the c.6085 +12delA deletion was situated in the base pairing region between LAMA2 mRNA and the U1snRNA spliceosomal components. The RNA structure analyses showed that both variations modulated RNA secondary structure. Our results are suggestive of correlations between mRNA folding and the recruitment of spliceosomal components mediating splicing, including SR proteins. The contribution of common sequence variations to mRNA structural and functional diversity will contribute to a better study of gene expression.

Novel sequence variations in LAMA2 and SGCG genes modulating cis-acting regulatory elements and RNA secondary structure

In this study, we detected new sequence variations in LAMA2 and SGCG genes in 5 ethnic populations, and analysed their effect on enhancer composition and mRNA structure. PCR amplification and DNA sequencing were performed and followed by bioinformatics analyses using ESEfinder as well as MFOLD software. We found 3 novel sequence variations in the LAMA2 (c.3174+22_23insAT and c.6085 +12delA) and SGCG (c.*102A/C) genes. These variations were present in 210 tested healthy controls from Tunisian, Moroccan, Algerian, Lebanese and French populations suggesting that they represent novel polymorphisms within LAMA2 and SGCG genes sequences. ESEfinder showed that the c.*102A/C substitution created a new exon splicing enhancer in the 3'UTR of SGCG genes, whereas the c.6085 +12delA deletion was situated in the base pairing region between LAMA2 mRNA and the U1snRNA spliceosomal components. The RNA structure analyses showed that both variations modulated RNA secondary structure. Our results are suggestive of correlations between mRNA folding and the recruitment of spliceosomal components mediating splicing, including SR proteins. The contribution of common sequence variations to mRNA structural and functional diversity will contribute to a better study of gene expression.

Mutation in gap and tight junctions in patients with non-syndromic hearing loss.

Biallelic mutations in the GJB2, GJB3, GJB6 and CLDN14 genes have been implicated in autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing impairment (ARNSHI). Moreover, a large number of GJB2 heterozygous patients was reported. The phenotype was in partly justified by the occurrence of two deletions including GJB6. We analysed GJB2, GJB6, GJB3 and CLDN14 in 102 Tunisian patients with ARNSHI. The deletions del(GJB6-D13S1830) and del(GJB6-D13S1854) were also screened. The c.35delG in GJB2 was the most frequent mutation (21.57%). It was detected at heterozygous state in 2 patients. The del(GJB6-D13S1830) was identified in one case at heterozygous state. No other mutation in studied gap junction genes was detected in heterozygous patients. Several polymorphisms were identified in GJB3, GJB6 and CLDN14. Our study confirms the importance of GJB2 screening in ARNSHI and suggests that in consanguineous populations, a single DFNB1 mutant allele in individuals with HI is likely due to a coincidental carrier state.

Screening of the DFNB3 locus: identification of three novel mutations of MYO15A associated with hearing loss and further suggestion for two distinctive genes on this locus.

Recessive mutations of MYO15A are associated with nonsyndromic hearing loss (HL) in humans (DFNB3) and in the shaker-2 mouse. Human MYO15A has 66 exons and encodes unconventional myosin XVA. Analysis of 77 Tunisian consanguineous families segregating recessive deafness revealed evidence of linkage to microsatellite markers for DFNB3 in four families. In two families, sequencing of MYO15A led to the identification of two novel homozygous mutations: a nonsense (c.4998C>A (p.C1666X) in exon 17 and a splice site mutation in intron 54 (c.9229 + 1G>A). A novel mutation of unknown significance, c.7395 + 3G>C, was identified in the third family, and no mutation was found in the fourth family. In conclusion, we discovered three novel mutations of MYO15A, and our data suggest the possibility that there are two distinct genes at the DFNB3 locus.

Re-assigning the DFNB33 locus to chromosome 10p11.23-q21.1.

Homozygosity mapping is a powerful resource for mapping and identifying loci and genes responsible for autosomal recessive disorders. Nevertheless, it could result in the identification of several homozygous regions unrelated to the disease locus or non-informative regions. Previously, a genome-wide screen in a large consanguineous Jordanian family allowed us to assign the DFNB33 locus to chromosome 9q34.3. Sequencing of 23 candidate genes showed 11 SNPs in a heterozygous state in affected individuals. These results ruled out the candidate region on chromosome 9. Using additional markers, we were able to restrict the disease locus to an approximately 14 cM region at chromosome 10, located between markers D10S193 and D10S1784. A maximum LOD score of 3.99 was obtained with two markers, D10S199 and D10S220. The screening of two candidate genes, CX40.1 and FXYD4, failed to reveal any disease-causing mutations.

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.