ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect potential mutation in a large Chinese pedigree affected with congenital corneal dystrophy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two patients from the pedigree were subjected to whole exome sequencing to determine the candidate gene. Suspected mutation was verified in 13 additional members by directional Sanger sequencing. Ccorrelation between genotype and phenotype was explored.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A missense mutation, c.1877A>C (p.His626Pro), was detected in exon 14 of the TGFBI gene in 8 patients from the pedigree, but not in five unaffected members and 100 unrelated healthy controls. Respectively, the mutation was predicted as "affecting protein function", "probably damaging" and "disease causing" by SIFT, PolyPhen-2 and MutationTaster.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The c.1877A>C mutation of the TGFBI gene probably underlies the disease in this pedigree.</p>
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the candidate chromosomal region for congenital preauricular fistula (CPF) through analysis of an affected Chinese family.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Conventional linkage analysis using short tandem repeats (STR) markers was performed to investigate three chromosomal regions 8q11.1-q13.3, 1q32-q34.3 and 14q31.1-q31.3.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>None of 16 STRs could attain a LOD score of more than -2.0 (theta=0). Therefore, the three regions were all excluded as the candidate region for the disease.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CPF features high genetic heterogeneity. The family may have a causative gene elsewhere. Whole-genome-based study is needed to identify its genetic etiology.</p>