Mitochondrial DNA structure of an isolated Tunisian Berber population and its relationship with Mediterranean populations.

BACKGROUND: Douiret is an isolated Berber population from South-Eastern Tunisia. The strong geographic and cultural isolation characterising this population might have contributed to remarkable endogamy and consanguinity, which were practiced for several centuries. AIM: The objective of this study is to evaluate the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genetic structure of Douiret and to compare it to other Mediterranean populations with a special focus on major haplogroup T. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples of 58 unrelated individuals collected from the different patrilineal lineages of the population. The hypervariable region 1 of the mtDNA was amplified and sequenced. For comparative analyses, additional HVS1 sequences (n = 4857) were compiled from previous studies. RESULTS: The maternal background of the studied sample from Douiret was mainly of Eurasian origin (74%) followed by Sub-Saharan (17%) and North African (3%) lineages. Douiret harbours the highest frequency of haplogroup T in the Mediterranean region, assigned to the unique subclade T1a (38%). Phylogenetic analysis showed an outlier position of Douiret at the Mediterranean level. CONCLUSIONS: The genetic structure of Douiret highlights the presence of founders, most likely of Near/Middle Eastern origin, who conquered this area during the Middle/Late Upper Palaeolithic and Neolithic dispersals.

Association of rs9939609 Polymorphism with Metabolic Parameters and FTO Risk Haplotype Among Tunisian Metabolic Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Variants in the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene are associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aims to assess the association of the rs9939609 variant and haplotypes in FTO gene with metabolic syndrome (MetS) components in a Tunisian population sample. METHODS: A total of 685 Tunisian subjects were genotyped for the rs9939609T>A using TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. Two variants rs1421085T>C and rs8057044A>G already genotyped in a previous study were used to test haplotype association of the FTO gene. RESULTS: Genotype distribution of the variant rs9939609 was different between MetS and controls (P = 0.017). Individuals carrying TA genotypes had a significantly increased risk independently of body mass index or age (P = 0.009). The variant rs9939609 was also associated with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (P = 0.002). Among the eight haplotypes in the population, the haplotype GCA was significantly associated with a higher risk of developing the MetS, higher systolic blood pressure, and higher levels of fasting glucose and triglycerides (TGs) in the total sample and females, separately. Separate analysis by gender revealed a protective haplotype TGT among women (P = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: FTO haplotypes have a strong influence on blood pressures and TG and IFG levels. These findings provide evidence that FTO gene may play a critical role in leading to MetS in Tunisian population.

Association of genetic variants in the FTO gene with metabolic syndrome: A case-control study in the Tunisian population.

AIMS: Variants in the fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) are associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. However, the association of FTO variants in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region with MetS is largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of FTO gene with MetS and its components in Tunisian population. METHODS: Two variants in the FTO gene were genotyped: rs1421085 T>C and rs8057044 A>G in cases and controls from Tunisian population. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were assessed. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). RESULTS: The FTO rs1421085 variant conferred an increased risk to MetS (OR=1.61, 95% CI=1.14-2.26, P=0.024) that was abolished when adjusted for fasting plasma glucose (FPG), suggesting that the association may be due to variation in FPG levels. Indeed, this variant was associated to FPG (OR = 1.7, 95% CI=1.23-2.44, P=0.002) independently from BMI or age. The second polymorphism rs8057044 was associated with high blood pressure levels (OR=1.45, 95% CI=1.06-1.99, P=0.019). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study highlighting the association between FTO gene variants and MetS in Tunisian population. These findings provide evidence that FTO gene may play a critical role in leading to MetS in Tunisian population.

Study of the T16189C variant and mitochondrial lineages in Tunisian and overall Mediterranean region.

The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variant T16189C has been investigated in several metabolic diseases. In this study, we aimed to estimate the frequency of the T16189C variant in Tunisian and other Mediterranean populations and to evaluate the impact of this variant on the phylogeny of Mediterranean populations. Blood sample of 240 unrelated Tunisian subjects were recruited from several Tunisian localities. The hypervariable region 1 of the mtDNA were amplified and sequenced. Additional sequences (N = 4921) from Mediterranean populations were compiled from previous studies. The average frequency of T16189C variant in Tunisia (29%) is similar to that observed in North African and Near Eastern populations. Our findings showed positive correlation of the T16189C variant with Sub-Saharan and North African lineages, while a negative correlation was found with the Eurasian haplogroups, reaching its maximum with the Eurasian haplogroup H. The principal component analyses showed a high internal heterogeneity between Tunisian localities. At the Mediterranean scale, Tunisians are closer to North African (Algerian and Moroccan) and Near Eastern populations (Syrians and Palestinians) than to Europeans.

Differential impact of consanguineous marriages on autosomal recessive diseases in Tunisia.

OBJECTIVES: Consanguinity is common in Tunisia. However, little information exists on its impact on recessive disorders. In this study, we evaluate the impact of consanguineous marriages on the occurrence of some specific autosomal recessive disorders and consider how other factors, such as population substructure and mutation frequency, may be of equal importance in disease prevalence. METHODS: Consanguinity profiles were retrospectively studied among 425 Tunisian patients suffering from autosomal recessive xeroderma pigmentosum, dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, nonsyndromic retinitis pigmentosa, Gaucher disease, Fanconi anemia, glycogenosis type I, and ichthyosis, and compared to those of a healthy control sample. RESULTS: Consanguinity was observed in 341 cases (64.94%). Consanguinity rates per disease were 75.63, 63.64, 60.64, 61.29, 57.89, 73.33, and 51.28%, respectively. First-cousin marriages were the most common form of consanguinity (48.94%) with the percentages of 55.46, 45.46, 47.87, 48.39, 45.61, 56.66, and 35.90%, respectively. A very high level of geographic endogamy was also observed (93.92%), with the values by disease ranging between 75.86 and 96.64%. We observed an overall excess risk associated to consanguinity of nearly sevenfold which was proportional to the number of affected siblings and the frequency of disease allele in the family. Consanguinity was significantly associated with the first five cited diseases (odds ratio = 24.41, 15.17, 7.5, 5.53, and 5.07, respectively). However, no meaningful effects were reported among the remaining diseases. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals a variation in the excess risk linked to consanguinity according to the type of disorder, suggesting the potential of cryptic population substructure to contribute to disease incidence in populations with complex social structure like Tunisia. It also emphasizes the role of other health and demographic aspects such as mutation frequency and reproductive replacement in diseases etiology.

Estimation of Recent and Ancient Inbreeding in a Small Endogamous Tunisian Community Through Genomic Runs of Homozygosity.

Runs of homozygosity (ROHs) are extended genomic regions of homozygous genotypes that record populations' mating patterns in the past. We performed microarray genotyping on 15 individuals from a small isolated Tunisian community. We estimated the individual and population genome-wide level of homozygosity from data on ROH above 0.5 Mb in length. We found a high average number of ROH per individual (48.2). The smallest ROH category (0.5-1.49 Mb) represents 0.93% of the whole genome, while medium-size (1.5-4.99 Mb) and long-size ROH (≥5 Mb) cover 1.18% and 0.95%, respectively. We found that genealogical individual inbreeding coefficients (Fped ) based on three- to four-generation pedigrees are not reliable indicators of the current proportion of genome-wide homozygosity inferred from ROH (FROH ) either for 0.5 or 1.5 Mb ROH length thresholds, while identity-by-descent sharing is a function of shared coancestry. This study emphasizes the effect of reproductive isolation and a prolonged practice of consanguinity that limits the genetic heterogeneity. It also provides evidence of both recent and ancient parental relatedness contribution to the current level of genome-wide homozygosity in the studied population. These findings may be useful for evaluation of long-term effects of inbreeding on human health and for future applications of ROHs in identifying recessive susceptibility genes.

Phylogeny and genetic structure of Tunisians and their position within Mediterranean populations.

Tunisia is located at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa. This position might lead to numerous waves of migrations, contributing to the current genetic landscape of Tunisians. In this study, we analyzed 815 mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences from Tunisia in order to characterize the mitochondrial DNA genetic structure of this region, to construct the processes for its composition and to compare it to other Mediterranean populations. To that end, additional 4206 mtDNA sequences were compiled from previous studies performed in African (1237), Near Eastern (231) and European (2738) populations. Both phylogenetic and statistical analyses were performed. This study confirmed the mosaic genetic structure of the Tunisian population with the predominance of the Eurasian lineages, followed by the Sub-Saharan and North African lineages. Among Tunisians, the highest haplogroup and haplotype diversity were observed in particular in the Capital Tunis. No significant differentiation was observed between both geographical (Northern versus Southern Tunisia) and different ethnic groups in Tunisia. Our results highlight the presence of outliers and most frequent unique sequences in Tunisia (10.2%) compared to 45 Mediterranean populations. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the majority of Tunisian localities were closer to North Africans and Near Eastern populations than to Europeans. The exception was found for Berbers from Jerba which are clustered with Sardinians and Valencians.

Association study of mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms with type 2 diabetes in Tunisian population.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation may play an important role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2Ds). In this study, we aimed to explore whether mtDNA variants contribute to the susceptibility to T2Ds in a Tunisian population. The hypervariable region 1 (HVS1) of the mtDNA of 64 T2Ds patients and 77 healthy controls was amplified and sequenced. Statistical analysis was performed using the STATA program. Analysis of the total screened variants (N = 88) from the HVS1 region showed no significant difference in the distribution of all polymorphisms between T2Ds and controls, except for the variant G16390A which was more frequent in T2Ds (15.9%) than in controls (5.4%) (p = 0.04). The association of G16390A was not detected after multivariate regression analysis. Similarly, analysis of the distribution of mitochondrial haplogroups within our dataset showed 18 distinct major haplogroups with no significant difference between T2Ds and controls. Except, the weakly association found for the G16390A variant, our results showed that none of the tested polymorphisms from the HVS1 region have a major role in T2Ds pathogenesis in the studied Tunisian population even when taking into account the population stratification.

Contribution of CDKAL1 rs7756992 and IGF2BP2 rs4402960 polymorphisms in type 2 diabetes, diabetic complications, obesity risk and hypertension in the Tunisian population.

BACKGROUND: The insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) and the cyclin-dependent kinase 5 regulatory subunit-associated protein 1-like 1 (CDKAL1) identified through genome-wide association (GWA) studies have been shown to be associated with Type 2 diabetes in various ethnic groups. In this study, we investigated the association of the rs7756992 of CDKAL1 and the rs4402960 of IGF2BP2 with Type 2 diabetes, diabetic complications (nephropathy, retinopathy and cardiovascular disease), obesity and hypertension in a Tunisian population. METHODS: A case-control association study including 200 Type 2 diabetes Tunisian patients (World Health Organization criteria) and 208 controls (age ≥40; fasting plasma glucose <6.1 mmol/L; without first degree family history of diabetes) has been performed. Other parameters such as diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, cardiovascular disease, overweight/obesity and hypertension have been also collected. Genotyping was performed using TaqMan technology. RESULTS: A significant association between the rs4402960 and Type 2 diabetes (OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.34-2.58, P < 10(-4) ) has been found. Overweight/obese subjects bearing the T-allele have an increased risk to develop Type 2 diabetes (OR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.40-3.03, P < 10(-4) ). Furthermore, the rs7756992 was found to be associated with the reduced risk of diabetic nephropathy in patients with diabetes (OR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.27-0.73, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study confirms that the rs4402960 of IGF2BP2 gene is a strong candidate for Type 2 diabetes susceptibility and overweight/obesity risk in the Tunisian population. Interestingly, our data suggest that the rs7756992 of CDKAL1 gene have a protective effect against diabetic nephropathy.

Evidence for association of the E23K variant of KCNJ11 gene with type 2 diabetes in Tunisian population: population-based study and meta-analysis.

AIMS: Genetic association studies have reported the E23K variant of KCNJ11 gene to be associated with Type 2 diabetes. In Arab populations, only four studies have investigated the role of this variant. We aimed to replicate and validate the association between the E23K variant and Type 2 diabetes in Tunisian and Arab populations. METHODS: We have performed a case-control association study including 250 Tunisian patients with Type 2 diabetes and 267 controls. Allelic association has also been evaluated by 2 meta-analyses including all population-based studies among Tunisians and Arabs (2 and 5 populations, resp.). RESULTS: A significant association between the E23K variant and Type 2 diabetes was found (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.14-2.27, and P = 0.007). Furthermore, our meta-analysis has confirmed the significant role of the E23K variant in susceptibility of Type 2 diabetes in Tunisian and Arab populations (OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.15-1.46, and P < 10(-3) and OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.13-1.56, and P = 0.001, resp.). CONCLUSION: Both case-control and meta-analyses results revealed the significant association between the E23K variant of KCNJ11 and Type 2 diabetes among Tunisians and Arabs.

Association analysis of IGF2BP2, KCNJ11, and CDKAL1 polymorphisms with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a Moroccan population: a case-control study and meta-analysis.

Associations with type 2 diabetes mellitus have been identified for variants CDKAL1 rs7756992, KCNJ11 rs5219, and IGF2BP2 rs4402960 in different populations. In a case-control study of 250 unrelated Moroccan diabetic patients and 250 healthy controls, we used TaqMan allelic discrimination assays to genotype the three SNPs and meta-analysis to investigate the association between the polymorphisms and diabetes in Arab populations. The results showed a significant diabetes association only with the variant rs4402960 of the IGF2BP2 gene under additive 2 (GG vs. TT; p = 0.009) and recessive (TT vs. GG+GT; p = 0.003) models. Meta-analysis indicated significant association between the IGF2BP2 rs4402960 and CDKAL1 rs7756992 polymorphisms and increased risk of diabetes in Arab populations. According to our results, the case-control study and meta-analysis revealed a significant association between the IGF2BP2 rs4402960 variant and type 2 diabetes in Moroccan and Arab populations.

Mutational founder effect in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa families from Southern Tunisia.

Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) is a group of heritable bullous skin disorders caused by mutations in the COL7A1 gene. One of the most severe forms of DEB is the severe generalized [recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB-SG)] subtype, which is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. This subtype is most often due to COL7A1 mutations resulting in a premature termination codon on both alleles. We report here, the molecular investigation of 15 patients belonging to 14 nuclear families from the city of Sfax in Southern Tunisia, with clinical features of RDEB-SG complicated by squamous cell carcinoma in 3 patients. We identified two novel mutations, p.Val769LeufsX1 and p.Ala2297SerfsX91, in addition to one previously reported mutation (p.Arg2063Trp). The p.Val769LeufsX1 mutation was shared by 11 families and haplotype analysis indicated that it is a founder mutation. The p.Ala2297SerfsX91 mutation was a private mutation found in only one family. Together with the previously described recurrent mutations in Tunisia, screening for the founder p.Val769LeufsX1 mutation should provide a rapid molecular diagnosis tool for mutation screening in RDEB patients from Southern Tunisia and possibly from other Mediterranean populations sharing the same genetic background.

E23K variant in KCNJ11 gene is associated with susceptibility to type 2 diabetes in the Mauritanian population.

AIMS: Many genetic association studies reported the contribution of KCNJ11 gene to type 2 diabetes susceptibility in different populations. We aimed to evaluate the association between E23K variant of KCNJ11 and type 2 diabetes in the Mauritanian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a case-control association study including 135 type 2 diabetes Mauritanian patients and 135 controls. Genotyping for the E23K variant was performed using a TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. RESULTS: We found significant association between KCNJ11 E23K variant and type 2 diabetes (Global model, OR=2.08, 95% CI=1.09-3.97, p=0.026). In the Moor ethnic group, E23K was also associated with type 2 diabetes in the general model (OR=2.08, 95% CI=1.09-3.97, p=0.026) and under the dominant model (OR=2.49, 95% CI=1.12-5.55, p=0.026). In the Mauritanians of African descent, KK genotype was not found. Besides, E23K variant was not associated with type 2 diabetes (OR=0.69, 95% CI=0.04-11.32, p=0.793). CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed the risk of type 2 diabetes conferred by KCNJ11 E23K gene variant in the Mauritanian population.

Molecular and biochemical characterization of a novel intronic single point mutation in a Tunisian family with glycogen storage disease type III.

Genetic deficiency of the glycogen debranching enzyme causes glycogen storage disease type III, an autosomal recessive inherited disorder. The gene encoding this enzyme is designated as AGL gene. The disease is characterized by fasting hypoglycemia, hepatomegaly, growth retardation, progressive myopathy and cardiomyopathy. In the present study, we present clinical features and molecular characterization of two consanguineous Tunisian siblings suffering from Glycogen storage disease type III. The full coding exons of the AGL gene and their corresponding exon-intron boundaries were amplified for the patients and their parents. Gene sequencing identified a novel single point mutation at the conserved polypyrimidine tract of intron 21 in a homozygous state (IVS21-8A>G). This variant cosegregated with the disease and was absent in 102 control chromosomes. In silico analysis using online resources showed a decreased score of the acceptor splice site of intron 21. RT-PCR analysis of the AGL splicing pattern revealed a 7 bp sequence insertion between exon 21 and exon 22 due to the creation of a new 3' splice site. The predicted mutant enzyme was truncated by the loss of 637 carboxyl-terminal amino acids as a result of premature termination. This novel mutation is the first mutation identified in the region of Bizerte and the tenth AGL mutation identified in Tunisia. Screening for this mutation can improve the genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis of GSD III.

Type 2 diabetes in Mauritania: prevalence of the undiagnosed diabetes, influence of family history and maternal effect.

AIM: We estimated the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes, analyzed the influence of family history on the occurrence of T2D and evaluated its aggregation pattern in the Mauritanian population. METHODS: The prevalence of unknown diabetes was obtained using data compiled from 1278 Mauritanian adults applying a questionnaire and fasting serum glucose tests. Detailed family history of diabetes and clinical characteristics were gathered from 421 T2D patients. RESULTS: The prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes was 4.7 ± 1.2% in the studied population (3.1% in men and 6.4% in women). 27% of T2D patients reported at least one relative with diabetes. Association between family history and diabetes was higher among first degree compared to second degree relatives (p=0.003). We observed more probands with an affected mother than those who have a father with diabetes (p = 0.002), suggesting a preferential maternal effect which did not extend to second degree relatives. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that the prevalence of diabetes in the Mauritanian population could be higher than currently thought. Family history screening may be used in the management of this condition in Mauritania.