Mapping of locus for autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa on chromosome 6q23.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a genetically heterogeneous group of retinal degenerative disorders resulting in severe visual loss and blindness that have remained incurable till date. We report the mapping of the disease locus in a 3-generation family of Indian origin with autosomal dominant RP (ADRP). Diagnosis of RP and recruitment was made after a complete clinical evaluation of all members. Manifestations of the disease included night blindness with blurred central vision in some cases, loss of peripheral vision, and diffuse degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium. Linkage analysis using microsatellite markers was carried out on 34 members (14 affected). After testing for linkage to known retinal dystrophy loci as well as a subsequent genome-wide analysis, we detected linkage to markers on chromosome 6q23: D6S262 at 130 cM, D6S457 (130 cM) and D6S1656 (131 cM) gave significant 2-point LOD scores of 3.0-3.8. Multipoint LOD scores of ≥3.0 were obtained for markers between 121 and 130 cM. Haplotype analysis with several markers in the same region on chromosome 6 shows a disease-cosegregating region of about 25 Mb between 109 and 135 Mb. There are no known RP genes in this interval, which contains >100 genes. This study provides evidence for a novel ADRP locus on chromosome 6q23.

Genetic analysis of Indian families with autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa by homozygosity screening.

PURPOSE: To identify the disease-causing genes in families with autosomal recessive RP (ARRP). METHODS: Families were screened for homozygosity at candidate gene loci followed by screening of the selected gene for pathogenic mutations if homozygosity was present at a given locus. A total of 34 families were included, of which 24 were consanguineous. Twenty-three genes were selected for screening. The presence of homozygosity was assessed by genotyping flanking microsatellite markers at each locus in affected individuals. Mutations were detected by sequencing of coding regions of genes. Sequence changes were tested for presence in 100 or more unrelated normal control subjects and for cosegregation in family members. RESULTS: Homozygosity was detected at one or more loci in affected individuals of 10 of 34 families. Homozygous disease cosegregating sequence changes (two frame-shift, two missense, and one nonsense; four novel) were found in the TULP1, RLBP1, ABCA4, RPE65, and RP1 genes in 5 of 10 families. These changes were absent in 100 normal control subjects. In addition, several polymorphisms and novel variants were found. All the putative pathogenic changes were associated with severe forms of RP with onset in childhood. Associated macular degeneration was found in three families with mutations in TULP1, ABCA4, and RP1 genes. CONCLUSIONS: Novel mutations were found in different ARRP genes. Mutations were detected in approximately 15% (5/34) of ARRP families tested, suggesting involvement of other genes in the remaining families.

Global patterns in human mitochondrial DNA and Y-chromosome variation caused by spatial instability of the local cultural processes.

Because of the widespread phenomenon of patrilocality, it is hypothesized that Y-chromosome variants tend to be more localized geographically than those of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Empirical evidence confirmatory to this hypothesis was subsequently provided among certain patrilocal and matrilocal groups of Thailand, which conforms to the isolation by distance mode of gene diffusion. However, we expect intuitively that the patterns of genetic variability may not be consistent with the above hypothesis among populations with different social norms governing the institution of marriage, particularly among those that adhere to strict endogamy rules. We test the universality of this hypothesis by analyzing Y-chromosome and mtDNA data in three different sets of Indian populations that follow endogamy rules to varying degrees. Our analysis of the Indian patrilocal and the matrilocal groups is not confirmatory to the sex-specific variation observed among the tribes of Thailand. Our results indicate spatial instability of the impact of different cultural processes on the genetic variability, resulting in the lack of universality of the hypothesized pattern of greater Y-chromosome variation when compared to that of mtDNA among the patrilocal populations.

Homozygous null mutations in the ABCA4 gene in two families with autosomal recessive retinal dystrophy.

PURPOSE: To identify the genes causing autosomal recessive retinal dystrophy in Indian families and to characterize the associated phenotypes. DESIGN: Experimental and observational. METHODS: Families with autosomal recessive nonsyndromic retinal dystrophies were recruited. Complete ophthalmic evaluation, including visual acuity, visual fields, fundus examinations, and electroretinography, was performed on all members. Genotyping of 14 families for two or more microsatellite markers flanking each of 21 different genes causing retinal dystrophy was done by standard methods to screen for the presence of homozygosity by descent. Mutational screening of the ABCA4 gene was carried out on 18 members (five affected) of two families by amplification and direct automated sequencing of exons and flanking sequences. Sequence alterations identified were tested for cosegregation with disease in the families and for presence in 100 unrelated normal controls. RESULTS: Two of 14 families showed homozygosity shared by affected individuals for markers flanking the ABCA4 locus. A homozygous nonsense mutation in the ABCA4 gene of Arg2030Stop was found in one family and a homozygous single base deletion leading to frameshift at Arg409 was found in the second family. Both of these mutations were found to cosegregate with disease. Five affected individuals from the two families had early-onset visual loss, diminished rod and cone electroretinographic responses, and widespread atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium. CONCLUSION: Homozygous null mutations in ABCA4 produced a severe widespread retinal degeneration that showed marked central retinal involvement.