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1From the Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India; the 2Shri Ganapati Nethralaya, Jalna, Maharashtra, India; the 3Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia; the 4Department of Cataract and IOL Implantation, Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India.
| Abstract |
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METHODS. PCR-based genotyping was performed on the X-chromosome, by using fluorescent microsatellite markers (10-cM intervals). Parametric linkage analysis was performed by using two disease models, assuming either recessive or dominant X-linked transmission by the MLINK/ILINK and FASTLINK (version 4.1P) programs (http:www.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk/; provided in the public domain by the Human Genome Mapping Project Resources Centre, Cambridge, UK). The NHS gene at the linked region was screened for mutation.
RESULTS. By fine mapping, the disease gene was localized to Xp22.13. Multipoint analysis placed the peak LOD of 4.46 at DSX987. The NHS gene mapped to this region. Mutational screening in all the affected males and carrier females (heterozygous form) revealed a truncating mutation 115C
T in exon 1, resulting in conversion of glutamine to stop codon (Q39X), but was not observed in unaffected individuals and control subjects.
CONCLUSIONS. A family with X-linked Nance-Horan syndrome had severe ocular, but mild to moderate nonocular, features. The clinical phenotype of the truncating mutation (Q39X) in the NHS gene suggests allelic heterogeneity at the NHS locus or the presence of modifier genes. X-linked families with cataract should be carefully examined for both ocular and nonocular features, to exclude Nance-Horan syndrome. RT-PCR analysis did not suggest nonsense-mediated mRNA decay as the possible mechanism for clinical heterogeneity.
There has been particular interest regarding X-linked cataract, since it is one of the features of X-linked syndromes such as Nance-Horan syndrome.5 To date, there have been few gene-mapping studies on X-linked Nance-Horan syndrome.6 7 The syndrome, also referred to as the cataractdental syndrome, is characterized in males by ocular manifestations of congenital cataract, microcornea, early-onset nystagmus, and nonocular manifestations of anteverted pinnae, short fourth metacarpal bones (brachymetacarpalia), and multiple dental anomalies. The dental abnormalities include maxillary and mandibular diastema of both central and lateral incisors, notched or serrated incisal edges, and screwdriver-shaped teeth due to narrow gingival and incisal margins. Characteristic dysmorphic features include a long, narrow face and prominent nose and nasal bridge.6 Mental impairment is also a clinical component of Nance-Horan syndrome.8 Lewis et al.6 studied five affected families, and they reported that 100% of the affected males had severe congenital cataract, microcornea, nystagmus, and dental abnormalities; 95% had short lateral metacarpals; and 76% had anteverted pinnae. Of the carrier females, 100% had posterior Y-sutural cataracts, small corneas, and dental anomalies; 95% had short lateral metacarpals; and 19% had anteverted pinnae.
Investigators used linkage studies to localize the gene to the Xp22 region.6 A study of 13 independent multiplex families affected with classic Nance-Horan syndrome localized the gene responsible to the Xp22.13 region.9 Studies on the extended Australian family, in which Horan and Bilson first identified Nance-Horan syndrome, confirmed localization of the disease gene to a 1.3-Mb interval at Xp22.13.10 Gene-mapping studies of Nance-Horan syndrome, X-linked cataract with microcornea, and X-linked nuclear cataract (with a few males having cardiac defects) and the present study map the disease loci to Xp22.31-p22.13. The NHS gene was localized to this region, and mutations were identified within the coding region of the gene.10
In this report, we describe a four-generation family with multiple affected individuals who were reported to have developmental lens opacities transmitted in a manner consistent with an X-linked recessive mode of inheritance (Fig. 1) . All eight affected males had severe congenital cataract and microcornea, which was noted on the first visit. While performing linkage analyses, we realized the proximity of the disease locus to the recently identified NHS gene, which has been identified recently. Afterward, we recalled and re-examined the family and noted that the clinical severity of other features of Nance-Horan syndrome was either mild or varied highly in some of the members; hence, the NHS gene was screened for identifying mutation.
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Linkage Analysis
Two-point and multipoint LOD scores were calculated using the MLINK/ILINK programs and FASTLINK package (ver. 4.1P; http:www.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk/; provided in the public domain by the Human Genome Mapping Project Resources Centre, Cambridge, UK).11 12 13 Analysis assumed an X-linked recessive transmission with complete penetrance, a co-dominant mode of inheritance with 99% penetrance, and a gene frequency of 0.0001. The disorder also appears to be inherited in a co-dominant fashion, with heterozygous females manifesting the disease but having less severe clinical features than maleshence, the need for analyses by both types of linkage models. Equal marker allele frequencies were used, with the segregating allele frequency for each marker varying from 0.125 to 0.25, depending on the number of alleles present within the pedigree. Multipoint analysis was performed, using the Marshfield sex-averaged, intermarker map distances of 1.91, 0.54, 0.54, 0.0, and 4.33 cM between the six fine-mapping markers DXS7104, DXS987, DXS1195, DXS999, DXS7163, and DXS1226, respectively. The correct orientation of DXS999 and DXS7163 was obtained using the Ensemble Genome Browser (ensembl: http://www.ensembl.org).14
Mutational Screening
We screened the family for mutations in the NHS gene, by PCR amplification and direct DNA sequencing (Prism 310 Genetic analyzer; ABI) for the affected males and carrier females and computer analysis (Sequence software, ver. 1.11; ABI). NHS gene screening was also performed in a few control subjects from within the family (Fig. 1 ; individuals 6, 10, 15, 17, 19, 23, 26, 29, 34, and 37). Nineteen sets of primers, which include intronic and overlapping exonic regions, were used for amplification of all nine exons (all primer sequences were provided by Jamie E. Craig, Menzies Center for Population Health Research, University of Tasmania, Australia). The amplified products were electrophoresed in 2% agarose gel for verification and followed by sequencing.
RT-PCR Analysis
To investigate the possibility that this exon-1 mutation might lead to nonsense-mediated decay, RNA was isolated from the lymphocytes separated from 10-mL heparinized blood samples of three affected males, one unaffected male within the family, and one unrelated unaffected male, by using an extraction reagent (TRI; Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO), according to the recommendations of the manufacturer, and dissolved in diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC)treated water. DNase-treated RNA, cloned Moloney murine leukemia virus (MMLV) reverse transcriptase (USB, Cleveland, OH), and random hexamers (Amersham Biosciences, Piscataway, NJ) were used to generate a cDNA pool by reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A no-RT control was also run. PCR primers for the ABL housekeeping gene were used as the internal control, and the primers were designed to check genomic DNA contamination (forward 5'-GGCCAGTAGCATCTGACTTTG-3' and reverse 5'-ATGGTACCAGGAGTGTTTCTCC-3'). These primers span an intron and amplify a product of 859 bp from contaminating DNA and 296 bp from the expected cDNA. For the amplification of the ABL gene fragment PCR was performed at 94°C for 10 minutes followed by 35 cycles of 94°C for 1 minute 15 seconds, 60°C for 1 minute 30 seconds, and 72°C for 2 minutes followed by a final extension of 72°C for 10 minutes. For the amplification of the NHS gene, two pairs of exonic primers10 were used: one for major isoform A (62 bases downstream of the mutation site in exon 1, forward 5'-GCCGTCCCTGCACCTTCA-3' and reverse 5'-GTTGCTGACCGCGCATAG-3') and the other for both isoforms A and B (region in exon 6, forward 5'-TCCCCGGGAAGGTAATAGAG-3' and reverse 5'-TGAGGGGCTGTGTTTAGTGA-3'). PCR amplification for the minor isoform B was performed using 50 ng of cDNA at 94°C for 10 minutes followed by 35 cycles of 94°C for 1 minute, 56°C for 1 minute, 72°C for 2 minutes, and a final extension of 72°C for 10 minutes. For the major isoform A, PCR was performed with a touchdown protocol with 2 M betaine in the reaction mixture, because the region is GC rich. Touchdown annealing temperatures started at 64°C and ended at 59°C (
T of 0.5°C per cycle) for 11 cycles, followed by 25 cycles at 59°C. No-template PCR controls were included in all PCR runs and were always negative. All the amplified products were run on 2% agarose gel with ethidium bromide.
| Results |
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Linkage Analysis
Linkage to 16 markers spanning the entire X chromosome was excluded. Initial positive LOD scores were obtained for markers DXS987 and DXS1226 (Table 2) . After fine mapping with additional markers (DXS7104, DXS1195, DXS999, DXS7163), linkage and haplotype analyses revealed that the disease locus is centromeric to DXS987 and telomeric to DXS7163. Linkage analysis using DXS1195 which maps between the above two markers is an intragenic marker of the NHS gene10 that provided an LOD score of 2.11 at
= 0 (Table 2) for the recessive and 2.69 for the dominant models. The two-point LOD scores for DXS999 and DXS7163 were both >3 (3.57 and 3.27, respectively), assuming dominant inheritance, and provided significant evidence of linkage; however, no critical recombinants were observed among DXS987, DXS1195, DXS999, and DXS7163 (Fig. 1) for either transmission model. The multipoint analysis, using the Marshfield genetic map and the dominant disease model, revealed a significant peak LOD of 4.46 at DXS987, although the entire 1-cM region between DXS987 and DXS999 maintained an LOD greater than 4.4 in the dominant model and 2.68 when the recessive model was used. These data are consistent with the pedigree segregation analysis shown in Figure 1 , which shows that all affected male individuals and female carriers, respectively, shared the disease haplotype 3-4-4-2 for DXS987, DXS1195, DXS7163, and DXS999. According to Ensemble,14 this region encompasses a
4-Mb region of the X chromosome, which spans the Xp22.22 and Xp22.13 junction.
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T in exon 1 was detected, resulting in conversion of glutamine to a stop codon (Q39X; Fig. 3 ; GenBank accession number AY633488; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Genbank; provided in the public domain by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, Bethesda, MD). This mutation was detected in all the affected males and in carrier females (heterozygous form) and was not detected in individuals 6, 10, 15, 17, 19, 23, 26, 29, 34, and 37 (Fig. 1) confirming the sequence change as a disease-causing, cosegregating mutation.
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| Discussion |
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In the present study, mutational screening of the NHS gene revealed a novel truncating mutation, 115C
T, in exon 1, which resulted in the conversion of glutamine to a stop codon (Q39X) in all the affected males and carrier females (heterozygous form). This mutation was not observed in unaffected individuals and related control subjects. RT-PCR demonstrated no evidence of nonsense-mediated decay in response to this mutation (Fig. 4) ; thus, it is predicted to result in the loss of a functional protein for major isoform A but not to alter minor isoform B, which begins in exon 4. However Burdon et al.10 identified a truncating mutation in exon 1 (Arg134fs) in a family with features typical of Nance-Horan syndrome. Further analysis involving multiple NHS mutations is needed to explain why a truncated mutation at position 39 of a 1630-amino-acid sequence results in a mild to moderate nonocular phenotypic expression. This fact could support the role of modifier genes in nonocular tissues.
In our first contact with the affected family, individuals presented with cataract, microcornea, and retinal detachment; however, our initial investigations did not detect the presence of subtle nonocular features. Nonetheless on finding linkage to Xp22.13 we suspected that this could be Nance-Horan syndrome and therefore recalled the family for complete re-examination. Among the pedigree members re-examined thoroughly for both ocular and systemic features of Nance-Horan syndrome, none had brachymetacarpalia or mental retardation. However, a few of the affected males (Fig. 1 , individuals 7 and 16) and carrier females (Fig. 1 , individuals 13, 28, and 45) had neither dental anomalies nor anteverted pinnae. In contrast, only individual 52 had anteverted pinnae (Fig. 2B) . A few pedigree members were not available for the re-examination of nonocular features; however all the observations collectively suggest the presence of Nance-Horan syndrome, with most of the affected pedigree members having profound ocular features but few having mild to moderate nonocular complications. This suggests that allelic heterogeneity within the NHS gene could manifest as severe cataract and microcornea but mild nonocular Nance-Horan syndrome features, perhaps indicating a role for modifier genes in nonocular tissues. We also believe that the occurrence of blue dot lens changes in some individuals (Fig. 1 , individuals 6 and 29) in this pedigree represents an independent change and does not reflect the effect of the NHS gene, which is responsible for the Nance-Horan syndrome in the other members.
The data presented herein provide a strong case for a thorough physical examination of all the family members before a diagnosis of nonsyndromic familial cataract is made. We emphasize that all X-linked families with cataract should be carefully examined for further ocular and nonocular features, to exclude Nance-Horan syndrome, because nonocular features may be present in a subtle manner. In addition, we suggest that the NHS gene should be screened for mutations or the region between DXS987 and DXS7163 should be excluded before proceeding with further gene mapping.
This work adequately provides evidence of a genotypephenotype correlation, such that the Q39X mutation appears to manifest as a distinct expression of Nance-Horan features. It is interesting to note that, in case of diseases such as X-linked Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS)15 missense mutations in exons 1 to 3 (the PH domain) of the WAS gene inhibit less-important functions of the protein and result in a mild phenotype, whereas mutations affecting exon 4 or beyond and the 3' portion of the WAS gene interfere with the crucial function of the protein and thus cause classic WAS.15 Because the NHS protein has not been characterized, further research into the structural and functional characteristics of the protein and its expression in ocular and nonocular tissues is needed to support this suggestion. Burdon et al.10 also suggest the genetic heterogeneity of the syndrome, as they had a family without any mutation but with the classic features of Nance-Horan syndrome. Further research into Nance-Horan syndrome9 is needed to understand the possible correlation of molecular findings with the clinical phenotype.
| Acknowledgements |
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| Footnotes |
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Submitted for publication April 28, 2004; revised July 5 and August 17, 2004; accepted August 25, 2004.
Disclosure: V.L. Ramprasad, None; A. Thool, None; S. Murugan, None; D. Nancarrow, None; P. Vyas, None; S.K. Rao, None; A. Vidhya, None; K. Ravishankar, None; G. Kumaramanickavel, None
The publication costs of this article were defrayed in part by page charge payment. This article must therefore be marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 U.S.C.
1734 solely to indicate this fact.
Corresponding author: Govindasamy Kumaramanickavel, Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Sankara Nethralaya, 18 College Road, Chennai 600006, India; gkumarmvel{at}rediffmail.com.
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