A novel HEXB mutation and its structural effects in juvenile Sandhoff disease.

Mutations in HEXB, encoding the beta-subunit common to hexosaminidases A and B, cause the neurodegenerative condition, Sandhoff disease. A homozygous missense HEXB mutation (p. D459A) was discovered in six patients with a rare juvenile variant: we show that this disrupts a salt bridge between aspartate D459 and arginine 505 at the subunit interface; R505 mutations are reported in late-onset Sandhoff disease. Identification of D459A contributes to diagnosis and molecular understanding of attenuated Sandhoff disease variants.

The hairless gene of the mouse: relationship of phenotypic effects with expression profile and genotype.

Various mutations of the hairless (hr) gene of mice result in hair loss and other integument defects. To examine the role of the hr gene in mouse development, the expression profile of hr has been determined by in situ hybridisation and correlated to the nature of genetic changes and morphological abnormalities in different mutant animals. Four variant alleles have been characterised at the molecular level. hr/hr mice produce reduced, but significant, levels of hr mRNA whereas other alleles contain mutations which would be expected to preclude the synthesis of functional product, demonstrating a correlation between allelic variation at the hr locus and phenotypic severity. hr expression was shown to be widespread and temporally regulated. It was identified in novel tissues such as cartilage, developing tooth, inner ear, retina, and colon as well as in skin and brain. Analysis of mice homozygous for the rhino allele of hairless revealed that, although no morphological defects were detectable in many tissues normally expressing hr, previously undescribed abnormalities were present in several tissues including inner ear, retina, and colon. These findings indicate that the hairless gene product plays a wider role in development than previously suspected. Dev Dyn 1999;216:113-126.

Structure and expression of the hairless gene of mice.

The hairless mutation of mice was caused by insertion of a murine leukemia virus. Starting with sequences flanking the provirus, a series of overlapping clones surrounding the viral integration site were obtained. By using a combination of sequencing, PCR, and exon-trapping techniques, the hairless gene was identified. It encodes a predicted protein of 1182 amino acids, including a potential zinc-finger domain. The expression patterns of the gene closely reflect the phenotype of animals carrying the hairless mutation.

Linkage analysis in adenomatous polyposis coli: the use of four closely linked DNA probes in 20 UK families.

Linkage analysis was carried out on 20 unselected UK families segregating for adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) using four closely linked DNA probes. Significant lod scores were obtained between APC and three markers: pi 227 (D5S37) theta = 0.16; C11p11 (D5S71) theta = 0.10; and YN5.48 (D5S81) theta = 0.00. The fourth, ECB27 (D5S98), gave low lod scores. The APC gene showed linkage with at least one of the probes used in all families, which is in agreement with previous publications. Combined lod scores are now sufficiently high to allow the use of these probes in presymptomatic diagnosis. Despite the fact that 61% of persons at risk were informative for at least one DNA marker, only 15% were informative with flanking probes. One prenatal diagnosis was performed where the initial request had been for sterilisation.

The UK Northern region genetic register for familial adenomatous polyposis coli: use of age of onset, congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium, and DNA markers in risk calculations.

A polyposis register has been established in the Northern Region of England. A total of 48 families with 71 living affected subjects has been identified during the first three years of operation, a prevalence of 2.29 x 10(-5). Indirect ophthalmoscopy identifies the majority of gene carriers by showing multiple areas of congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE). The absence of this sign in families limits its value where a relative with CHRPE has not been identified. Combining eye examination with data on age of onset and linked DNA markers is highly effective in carrier exclusion; 38% of 528 first, second, and third degree relatives had their carrier risk reduced to less than 1 in 1000. Even with such assurance many subjects will request continued bowel screening at a reduced frequency. Little interest has been shown in prenatal diagnosis. The principal value of a genetic register with domiciliary nurse visiting is the reduction in early mortality among unrecognised gene carriers.