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Wonkam A, Lebeko K, Mowla S, Noubiap JJ, Chong M, Pare G. Whole exome sequencing reveals a biallelic frameshift mutation in GRXCR2 in hearing impairment in Cameroon. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2021; 9:e1609. [PMID: 33528103 PMCID: PMC8104159 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hearing impairment (HI) genes are poorly studied in African populations. METHODS We used whole exome sequencing (WES) to investigate pathogenic and likely pathogenic (PLP) variants in 10 individuals with HI, from four multiplex families from Cameroon, two of which were previously unresolved with a targeted gene enrichment (TGE) panel of 116 genes. In silico protein modelling, western blotting and live imaging of transfected HEK293 cells were performed to study protein structure and functions. RESULTS All PLP variants previously identified with TGE were replicated. In one previously unresolved family, we found a homozygous frameshift PLP variant in GRXCR2 (OMIM: 615762), NM_001080516.1(GRXCR2):c.251delC p.(Ile85SerfsTer33), in two affected siblings; and additionally, in 1/80 unrelated individuals affected with non-syndromic hearing impairment (NSHI). The GRXCR2-c.251delC variant introduced a premature stop codon, leading to truncation and loss of a zinc-finger domain. Fluorescence confocal microscopy tracked the wild-type GRXCR2 protein to the cellular membrane, unlike the mutated GRXCR2 protein. CONCLUSION This study confirms GRXCR2 as a HI-associated gene. GRXCR2 should be included to the currently available TGE panels for HI diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambroise Wonkam
- Department of Medicine, Division of Human Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kamogelo Lebeko
- Department of Medicine, Division of Human Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Shaheen Mowla
- Department of Pathology, Division of Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jean Jacques Noubiap
- Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI, University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Mike Chong
- Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Guillaume Pare
- Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Adadey SM, Wonkam-Tingang E, Twumasi Aboagye E, Nayo-Gyan DW, Boatemaa Ansong M, Quaye O, Awandare GA, Wonkam A. Connexin Genes Variants Associated with Non-Syndromic Hearing Impairment: A Systematic Review of the Global Burden. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:life10110258. [PMID: 33126609 PMCID: PMC7693846 DOI: 10.3390/life10110258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in connexins are the most common causes of hearing impairment (HI) in many populations. Our aim was to review the global burden of pathogenic and likely pathogenic (PLP) variants in connexin genes associated with HI. We conducted a systematic review of the literature based on targeted inclusion/exclusion criteria of publications from 1997 to 2020. The databases used were PubMed, Scopus, Africa-Wide Information, and Web of Science. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO, the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, with the registration number “CRD42020169697”. The data extracted were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 25 (IBM, Armonk, New York, United States). A total of 571 independent studies were retrieved and considered for data extraction with the majority of studies (47.8% (n = 289)) done in Asia. Targeted sequencing was found to be the most common technique used in investigating connexin gene mutations. We identified seven connexin genes that were associated with HI, and GJB2 (520/571 publications) was the most studied among the seven. Excluding PLP in GJB2, GJB6, and GJA1 the other connexin gene variants (thus GJB3, GJB4, GJC3, and GJC1 variants) had conflicting association with HI. Biallelic GJB2 PLP variants were the most common and widespread variants associated with non-syndromic hearing impairment (NSHI) in different global populations but absent in most African populations. The most common GJB2 alleles found to be predominant in specific populations include; p.Gly12ValfsTer2 in Europeans, North Africans, Brazilians, and Americans; p.V37I and p.L79Cfs in Asians; p.W24X in Indians; p.L56Rfs in Americans; and the founder mutation p.R143W in Africans from Ghana, or with putative Ghanaian ancestry. The present review suggests that only GJB2 and GJB3 are recognized and validated HI genes. The findings call for an extensive investigation of the other connexin genes in many populations to elucidate their contributions to HI, in order to improve gene-disease pair curations, globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Mawuli Adadey
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 54, Legon GA184, Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana; (S.M.A.); (O.Q.); (G.A.A.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 54, Legon Accra GA184, Greater Accra Region, Ghana; (E.T.A.); (M.B.A.)
- Division of Human Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa;
| | - Edmond Wonkam-Tingang
- Division of Human Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa;
| | - Elvis Twumasi Aboagye
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 54, Legon Accra GA184, Greater Accra Region, Ghana; (E.T.A.); (M.B.A.)
- Division of Human Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa;
| | - Daniel Wonder Nayo-Gyan
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biochemistry, C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 24, Navrongo 00000, Upper East Region, Ghana;
| | - Maame Boatemaa Ansong
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 54, Legon Accra GA184, Greater Accra Region, Ghana; (E.T.A.); (M.B.A.)
| | - Osbourne Quaye
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 54, Legon GA184, Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana; (S.M.A.); (O.Q.); (G.A.A.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 54, Legon Accra GA184, Greater Accra Region, Ghana; (E.T.A.); (M.B.A.)
| | - Gordon A. Awandare
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 54, Legon GA184, Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana; (S.M.A.); (O.Q.); (G.A.A.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 54, Legon Accra GA184, Greater Accra Region, Ghana; (E.T.A.); (M.B.A.)
| | - Ambroise Wonkam
- Division of Human Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +27-21-4066307
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Wonkam A, Manyisa N, Bope CD, Dandara C, Chimusa ER. Whole exome sequencing reveals pathogenic variants in MYO3A, MYO15A and COL9A3 and differential frequencies in ancestral alleles in hearing impairment genes among individuals from Cameroon. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 29:3729-3743. [PMID: 33078831 PMCID: PMC7861016 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
There is scarcity of known gene variants of hearing impairment (HI) in African populations. This knowledge deficit is ultimately affecting the development of genetic diagnoses. We used whole exome sequencing to investigate gene variants, pathways of interactive genes and the fractions of ancestral overderived alleles for 159 HI genes among 18 Cameroonian patients with non-syndromic HI (NSHI) and 129 ethnically matched controls. Pathogenic and likely pathogenic (PLP) variants were found in MYO3A, MYO15A and COL9A3, with a resolution rate of 50% (9/18 patients). The study identified significant genetic differentiation in novel population-specific gene variants at FOXD4L2, DHRS2L6, RPL3L and VTN between HI patients and controls. These gene variants are found in functional/co-expressed interactive networks with other known HI-associated genes and in the same pathways with VTN being a hub protein, that is, focal adhesion pathway and regulation of the actin cytoskeleton (P-values <0.05). The results suggest that these novel population-specific gene variants are possible modifiers of the HI phenotypes. We found a high proportion of ancestral allele versus derived at low HI patients-specific minor allele frequency in the range of 0.0–0.1. The results showed a relatively low pickup rate of PLP variants in known genes in this group of Cameroonian patients with NSHI. In addition, findings may signal an evolutionary enrichment of some variants of HI genes in patients, as the result of polygenic adaptation, and suggest the possibility of multigenic influence on the phenotype of congenital HI, which deserves further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambroise Wonkam
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Noluthando Manyisa
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Christian D Bope
- Department of Mathematics and Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Collet Dandara
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Emile R Chimusa
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
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Abstract
The incidence of hearing impairment (HI) is higher in low- and middle-income countries when compared to high-income countries. There is therefore a necessity to estimate the burden of this condition in developing world. The aim of our study was to use a systematic approach to provide summarized data on the prevalence, etiologies, clinical patterns and genetics of HI in Cameroon. We searched PubMed, Scopus, African Journals Online, AFROLIB and African Index Medicus to identify relevant studies on HI in Cameroon, published from inception to 31 October, 2019, with no language restrictions. Reference lists of included studies were also scrutinized, and data were summarized narratively. This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42019142788. We screened 333 records, of which 17 studies were finally included in the review. The prevalence of HI in Cameroon ranges from 0.9% to 3.6% in population-based studies and increases with age. Environmental factors contribute to 52.6% to 62.2% of HI cases, with meningitis, impacted wax and age-related disorder being the most common ones. Hereditary HI comprises 0.8% to 14.8% of all cases. In 32.6% to 37% of HI cases, the origin remains unknown. Non-syndromic hearing impairment (NSHI) is the most frequent clinical entity and accounts for 86.1% to 92.5% of cases of HI of genetic origin. Waardenburg and Usher syndromes account for 50% to 57.14% and 8.9% to 42.9% of genetic syndromic cases, respectively. No pathogenic mutation was described in GJB6 gene, and the prevalence of pathogenic mutations in GJB2 gene ranged from 0% to 0.5%. The prevalence of pathogenic mutations in other known NSHI genes was <10% in Cameroonian probands. Environmental factors are the leading etiology of HI in Cameroon, and mutations in most important HI genes are infrequent in Cameroon. Whole genome sequencing therefore appears as the most effective way to identify variants associated with HI in Cameroon and sub-Saharan Africa in general.
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Wonkam Tingang E, Noubiap JJ, F. Fokouo JV, Oluwole OG, Nguefack S, Chimusa ER, Wonkam A. Hearing Impairment Overview in Africa: the Case of Cameroon. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11020233. [PMID: 32098311 PMCID: PMC7073999 DOI: 10.3390/genes11020233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of hearing impairment (HI) is higher in low- and middle-income countries when compared to high-income countries. There is therefore a necessity to estimate the burden of this condition in developing world. The aim of our study was to use a systematic approach to provide summarized data on the prevalence, etiologies, clinical patterns and genetics of HI in Cameroon. We searched PubMed, Scopus, African Journals Online, AFROLIB and African Index Medicus to identify relevant studies on HI in Cameroon, published from inception to 31 October, 2019, with no language restrictions. Reference lists of included studies were also scrutinized, and data were summarized narratively. This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42019142788. We screened 333 records, of which 17 studies were finally included in the review. The prevalence of HI in Cameroon ranges from 0.9% to 3.6% in population-based studies and increases with age. Environmental factors contribute to 52.6% to 62.2% of HI cases, with meningitis, impacted wax and age-related disorder being the most common ones. Hereditary HI comprises 0.8% to 14.8% of all cases. In 32.6% to 37% of HI cases, the origin remains unknown. Non-syndromic hearing impairment (NSHI) is the most frequent clinical entity and accounts for 86.1% to 92.5% of cases of HI of genetic origin. Waardenburg and Usher syndromes account for 50% to 57.14% and 8.9% to 42.9% of genetic syndromic cases, respectively. No pathogenic mutation was described in GJB6 gene, and the prevalence of pathogenic mutations in GJB2 gene ranged from 0% to 0.5%. The prevalence of pathogenic mutations in other known NSHI genes was <10% in Cameroonian probands. Environmental factors are the leading etiology of HI in Cameroon, and mutations in most important HI genes are infrequent in Cameroon. Whole genome sequencing therefore appears as the most effective way to identify variants associated with HI in Cameroon and sub-Saharan Africa in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edmond Wonkam Tingang
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (E.W.T.); (O.G.O.); (E.R.C.)
| | - Jean Jacques Noubiap
- Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide 5000, Australia;
| | | | - Oluwafemi Gabriel Oluwole
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (E.W.T.); (O.G.O.); (E.R.C.)
| | - Séraphin Nguefack
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé 1364, Cameroon;
- Paediatrics unit, Gynaeco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital, Yaoundé 4362, Cameroon
| | - Emile R. Chimusa
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (E.W.T.); (O.G.O.); (E.R.C.)
| | - Ambroise Wonkam
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (E.W.T.); (O.G.O.); (E.R.C.)
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +27-21-4066-307
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GJB2 and GJB6 Mutations in Hereditary Recessive Non-Syndromic Hearing Impairment in Cameroon. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10110844. [PMID: 31731535 PMCID: PMC6895965 DOI: 10.3390/genes10110844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate GJB2 (connexin 26) and GJB6 (connexin 30) mutations associated with familial non-syndromic childhood hearing impairment (HI) in Cameroon. We selected only families segregating HI, with at least two affected individuals and with strong evidence of non-environmental causes. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood, and the entire coding region of GJB2 was interrogated using Sanger sequencing. Multiplex PCR and Sanger sequencing were used to analyze the prevalence of the GJB6-D3S1830 deletion. A total of 93 patients, belonging to 41 families, were included in the analysis. Hearing impairment was sensorineural in 51 out of 54 (94.4%) patients. Pedigree analysis suggested autosomal recessive inheritance in 85.4% (35/41) of families. Hearing impairment was inherited in an autosomal dominant and mitochondrial mode in 12.2% (5/41) and 2.4% (1/41) of families, respectively. Most HI participants were non-syndromic (92.5%; 86/93). Four patients from two families presented with type 2 Waardenburg syndrome, and three cases of type 2 Usher syndrome were identified in one family. No GJB2 mutations were found in any of the 29 families with non-syndromic HI. Additionally, the GJB6-D3S1830 deletion was not identified in any of the HI patients. This study confirms that mutations in the GJB2 gene and the del(GJB6-D13S1830) mutation do not contribute to familial HI in Cameroon.
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Adadey SM, Manyisa N, Mnika K, de Kock C, Nembaware V, Quaye O, Amedofu GK, Awandare GA, Wonkam A. GJB2 and GJB6 Mutations in Non-Syndromic Childhood Hearing Impairment in Ghana. Front Genet 2019; 10:841. [PMID: 31620164 PMCID: PMC6759689 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Our study aimed to investigate GJB2 (connexin 26) and GJB6 (connexin 30) mutations associated with non-syndromic childhood hearing impairment (HI) as well as the environmental causes of HI in Ghana. Medical reports of 1,104 students attending schools for the deaf were analyzed. Families segregating HI, as well as isolated cases of HI of putative genetic origin were recruited. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood followed by Sanger sequencing of the entire coding region of GJB2. Multiplex PCR and Sanger sequencing were used to analyze the prevalence of GJB6-D3S1830 deletion. Ninety-seven families segregating HI were identified, with 235 affected individuals; and a total of 166 isolated cases of putative genetic causes, were sampled from 11 schools for the deaf in Ghana. The environmental factors, particularly meningitis, remain a major cause of HI impairment in Ghana. The male/female ratio was 1.49. Only 59.6% of the patients had their first comprehensive HI test between 6 to 11 years of age. Nearly all the participants had sensorineural HI (99.5%; n = 639). The majority had pre-lingual HI (68.3%, n = 754), of which 92.8% were congenital. Pedigree analysis suggested autosomal recessive inheritance in 96.9% of the familial cases. GJB2-R143W mutation, previously reported as founder a mutation in Ghana accounted for 25.9% (21/81) in the homozygous state in familial cases, and in 7.9% (11/140) of non-familial non-syndromic congenital HI cases, of putative genetic origin. In a control population without HI, we found a prevalent of GJB2-R143W carriers of 1.4% (2/145), in the heterozygous state. No GJB6-D3S1830 deletion was identified in any of the HI patients. GJB2-R143W mutation accounted for over a quarter of familial non-syndromic HI in Ghana and should be investigated in clinical practice. The large connexin 30 gene deletion (GJB6-D3S1830 deletion) does not account for of congenital non-syndromic HI in Ghana. There is a need to employ next generation sequencing approaches and functional genomics studies to identify the other genes involved in most families and isolated cases of HI in Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel M. Adadey
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Noluthando Manyisa
- Division of Human Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences—University of Cape Town, Cape Town , South Africa
| | - Khuthala Mnika
- Division of Human Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences—University of Cape Town, Cape Town , South Africa
| | - Carmen de Kock
- Division of Human Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences—University of Cape Town, Cape Town , South Africa
| | - Victoria Nembaware
- Division of Human Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences—University of Cape Town, Cape Town , South Africa
| | - Osbourne Quaye
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Geoffrey K. Amedofu
- Department of Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Gordon A. Awandare
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Ambroise Wonkam
- Division of Human Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences—University of Cape Town, Cape Town , South Africa
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Raymond M, Walker E, Dave I, Dedhia K. Genetic testing for congenital non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2019; 124:68-75. [PMID: 31163360 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.05.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Approximately 60% of congenital pediatric hearing loss is of genetic etiology. To evaluate non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss (NSSNHL), guidelines emphasize the use of comprehensive genetic testing (CGT) with next generation sequencing (NGS), yet these tests have limited accessibility, and potential CGT results may not be well understood. Thus, our objective was to analyze genetic testing practices and results for pediatric patients with NSSNHL. METHODS This was a retrospective chart review of pediatric patients (<18 years) diagnosed with NSSNHL from 2014 to 2017 at a tertiary pediatric hospital. Demographics, clinical data, CGT results, genetic testing practices and referral patterns were recorded and descriptively analyzed. Logistic regression models identified patient characteristics associated with pathogenic variants (PV) and variants of unknown significance (VOUS). RESULTS 430 patients with congenital NSSNHL were included in the study. Genetic testing was ordered for 28% (n = 122) and resulted for 16% (n = 68). Most of the ordered tests (89%, n = 109) were the CGT panel. A majority (62%, n = 97) of the time in which genetic testing was not ordered, a referral for genetics consultation was placed. Amongst those with CGT results, a definitive genetic etiology was identified in 25% (n = 13), with less than half due to variants of GJB2/6. At least one PV was identified for 33% (n = 18), while at least one VOUS for 93% (n = 51). There were no significant differences in PV presence or number of VOUS across any characteristic except race. When compared to Caucasians, African Americans had significantly higher rates of VOUS with a rate ratio and 95% CI of 1.61 [1.11-2.34], p = 0.01, and Asians trended towards higher rates (1.96 [0.95-4.05], p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS CGT is of high utility in the identification of relevant genetic variants and definitive genetic etiologies for pediatric patients with NSSNHL. Though guidelines recommend the early use of CGT, there are many barriers to appropriate testing and counseling, leading to low rates of CGT use at this single institution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mallory Raymond
- Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, USA
| | - Elizabeth Walker
- Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, USA
| | - Ishaan Dave
- Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, USA
| | - Kavita Dedhia
- Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, USA.
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Krause A, Seymour H, Ramsay M. Common and Founder Mutations for Monogenic Traits in Sub-Saharan African Populations. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 2018; 19:149-175. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genom-083117-021256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
This review highlights molecular genetic studies of monogenic traits where common pathogenic mutations occur in black families from sub-Saharan Africa. Examples of founder mutations have been identified for oculocutaneous albinism, cystic fibrosis, Fanconi anemia, and Gaucher disease. Although there are few studies from Africa, some of the mutations traverse populations across the continent, and they are almost all different from the common mutations observed in non-African populations. Myotonic dystrophy is curiously absent among Africans, and nonsyndromic deafness does not arise from mutations in GJB2 and GJB7. Locus heterogeneity is present for Huntington disease, with two common triplet expansion loci in Africa, HTT and JPH3. These findings have important clinical consequences for diagnosis, treatment, and genetic counseling in affected families. We currently have just a glimpse of the molecular etiology of monogenic diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, a proverbial “ears of the hippo” situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Krause
- Division of Human Genetics, National Health Laboratory Service, and Division of Human Genetics, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Heather Seymour
- Division of Human Genetics, National Health Laboratory Service, and Division of Human Genetics, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Michèle Ramsay
- Division of Human Genetics, National Health Laboratory Service, and Division of Human Genetics, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Adadey SM, Awandare G, Amedofu GK, Wonkam A. Public Health Burden of Hearing Impairment and the Promise of Genomics and Environmental Research: A Case Study in Ghana, Africa. OMICS-A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2018; 21:638-646. [PMID: 29140768 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2017.0145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Hearing impairment (HI) is one of the most disabling conditions of major global health burden that contributes adversely to the social and economic development of a country, if not managed properly. A proper assessment of the nationwide burden and etiology of HI is instrumental in the prevention, treatment, and management of the condition. This article sought to perform an expert review of HI in Ghana to determine the present knowledge of its burden and possible causes of the condition. A literature search was conducted in PubMed using the following keywords: "hearing loss" OR "hearing impairment" OR "deafness" AND "Ghana." The literature was scanned until July 20, 2017, with specific inclusion of targeted landmark and background articles on HI. From the search, 18 of out 5869 articles were selected and considered for the review. The results of the search indicated that there were no extensive studies to determine the national burden of HI in Ghana. However, the few studies assessed suggested that the disease is either acquired or inherited. The burden of acquired HI was higher in adults than children, women than men, and people working in a noisy environment. Regarding the genetic cause, specific founder mutations in GJB2 gene (R143W, L79P, V178A, R184Q, A197S, I203K, and L214P) was the only identified genetic cause of HI in Ghana, but the other HI genes were not investigated. There has been some modest effort to study HI in Ghana, but comprehensive studies on the genetic and environmental etiologies (using the "multi-OMICS" approaches), classification, and burden of HI on Ghana are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Mawuli Adadey
- 1 West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana , Accra, Ghana
| | - Gordon Awandare
- 1 West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana , Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Ambroise Wonkam
- 3 Division of Human Genetics, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town , Cape Town, South Africa
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11
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Caroça C, de Matos TM, Ribeiro D, Lourenço V, Martins T, Campelo P, Fialho G, Silva SN, Paço J, Caria H. Genetic Basis of Nonsyndromic Sensorineural Hearing Loss in the Sub-Saharan African Island Population of São Tomé and Príncipe: The Role of the DFNB1 Locus? OMICS-A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2018; 20:449-55. [PMID: 27501294 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2016.0067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Hearing loss (HL) is a common condition with both genetic and environmental causes, and it greatly impacts global health. The prevalence of HL is reportedly higher in developing countries such as the Sub-Saharan African island of São Tomé and Príncipe, where the deaf community is estimated to be less than 1% of the population. We investigated the role of the DFNB1 locus (GJB2 and GJB6 genes) in the etiology of nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss (NSSHL) in São Tomé and Príncipe. A sample of 316 individuals, comprising 136 NSSHL patients (92 bilateral, 44 unilateral) and 180 controls, underwent a clinical and audiological examination. Sequencing of the GJB2 coding region and testing for the (GJB6-D13S1830) and del(GJB6-D13S1854) GJB6 deletions were performed. A total of 311 out of 316 individuals were successfully analyzed regarding the GJB2 and GJB6 genetic variations, respectively. The frequency of the GJB2 coding mutations in patients and controls was low. Some of those coding mutations are the most commonly found in Eurasian and Mediterranean populations and have also been identified in Portugal. None of the GJB6 deletions was present. The presence of certain coding variants in São Tomé and Príncipe suggests a non-Sub-Saharan genetic influx and supports the previously reported genetic influx from European (mainly Portuguese) ancestors. In summary, DFNB1 locus does not appear to be a major contributor to NSSHL in São Tomé and Príncipe. However, the presence of both pathogenic and likely pathogenic mutations in GJB2 suggests that GJB2-related NSSHL might still occur in this population, warranting further research on GJB2 testing in NSSHL cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Caroça
- 1 Otolaryngology Department, Nova Medical School/Faculty of Medical Sciences , Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal .,2 Hospital CUF Infante Santo , Otolaryngology Department, Hospital CUF Infante Santo, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tiago Morim de Matos
- 3 Deafness Research Group, Biomedicine and Translational Research, BioISI, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon , Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Diogo Ribeiro
- 2 Hospital CUF Infante Santo , Otolaryngology Department, Hospital CUF Infante Santo, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Vera Lourenço
- 2 Hospital CUF Infante Santo , Otolaryngology Department, Hospital CUF Infante Santo, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tânia Martins
- 2 Hospital CUF Infante Santo , Otolaryngology Department, Hospital CUF Infante Santo, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Paula Campelo
- 2 Hospital CUF Infante Santo , Otolaryngology Department, Hospital CUF Infante Santo, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Graça Fialho
- 3 Deafness Research Group, Biomedicine and Translational Research, BioISI, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon , Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Nunes Silva
- 4 Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health (ToxOmics), NOVA Medical School , Faculty of Medical Sciences, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - João Paço
- 1 Otolaryngology Department, Nova Medical School/Faculty of Medical Sciences , Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal .,2 Hospital CUF Infante Santo , Otolaryngology Department, Hospital CUF Infante Santo, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Helena Caria
- 3 Deafness Research Group, Biomedicine and Translational Research, BioISI, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon , Lisbon, Portugal .,5 School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of Setubal , Setubal, Portugal
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Rudman JR, Kabahuma RI, Bressler SE, Feng Y, Blanton SH, Yan D, Liu XZ. The genetic basis of deafness in populations of African descent. J Genet Genomics 2017; 44:285-294. [PMID: 28642064 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2017.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Hearing loss is the most common sensorineural disorder worldwide and is associated with more than 1000 mutations in more than 90 genes. While mutations in genes such as GJB2 (gap-junction protein β 2) and GJB6 (gap-junction protein β 6) are highly prevalent in Caucasian, Asian, and Middle Eastern populations, they are rare in both native African populations and those of African descent. The objective of this paper is to review the current knowledge regarding the epidemiology and genetics of hearing loss in African populations with a focus on native sub-Saharan African populations. Environmental etiologies related to poor access to healthcare and perinatal care account for the majority of cases. Syndromic etiologies including Waardenburg, Pendred and Usher syndromes are uncommon causes of hearing loss in these populations. Of the non-syndromic causes, common mutations in GJB2 and GJB6 are rarely implicated in populations of African descent. Recent use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has identified several candidate deafness genes in African populations from Nigeria and South Africa that are unique when compared to common causative mutations worldwide. Researchers also recently described a dominant mutation in MYO3a in an African American family with non-syndromic hearing loss. The use of NGS and specialized panels will aid in identifying rare and novel mutations in a more cost- and time-effective manner. The identification of common hearing loss mutations in indigenous African populations will pave the way for translation into genetic deafness research in populations of African descent worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason R Rudman
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Rosemary I Kabahuma
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
| | - Sara E Bressler
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Yong Feng
- Department of Otolaryngology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Susan H Blanton
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Denise Yan
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Xue-Zhong Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Department of Otolaryngology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
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13
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Amundsen VV, Wie OB, Myhrum M, Bunne M. The impact of ethnicity on cochlear implantation in Norwegian children. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2017; 93:30-36. [PMID: 28109494 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Revised: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore the impact of parental ethnicity on cochlear implantation in children in Norway with regard to incidence rates of cochlear implants (CIs), comorbidies, age at onset of profound deafness (AOD), age at first implantation, uni- or bilateral CI, and speech recognition. METHOD This retrospective cohort study included all children (N = 278) aged <18 years in Norway who received their first CI during the years 2004-2010. RESULTS 86 children (30.9%) in our study sample had parents of non-Nordic ethnicity, of whom 46 were born in Nordic countries with two non-Nordic parents. Compared with the background population, children with non-Nordic parents were 1.9 times more likely to have received CI than Nordic children (i.e., born in Nordic countries with Nordic parents). When looking at AOD, uni-vs. bilateral CIs, and comorbidities, no significant differences were found between Nordic children and children with a non-Nordic ethnicity. Among children with AOD <1 year (n = 153), those born in non-Nordic countries with two non-Nordic parents (n = 6) and adopted non-Nordic children (n = 6) received their first CI on average 14.9 and 21.1 months later than Nordic children (n = 104), respectively (p = 0.006 and 0.005). Among children with AOD <1 year, those born in Nordic countries with two non-Nordic parents (n = 31) received their CI at an older age than Nordic children, but this difference was not significant after adjusting for calendar year of implantation and excluding comorbidity as a potential cause of delayed implantation. The mean age at implantation for children with AOD <1 year dropped 2.3 months/year over the study period. The mean monosyllable speech recognition score was 84.7% for Nordic children and 76.3% for children born in Norway with two non-Nordic parents (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS The incidence of CI was significantly higher in children with a non-Nordic vs. a Nordic ethnicity, reflecting a higher incidence of profound deafness. Children born in Norway have equal access to CIs regardless of their ethnicity, but despite being born and receiving care in Norway, prelingually deaf children with non-Nordic parents are at risk of receiving CI later than Nordic children. Moreover, prelingually deaf children who arrive in Norway at an older age may be at risk for a worse prognosis after receiving a CI due to lack of auditory stimulation in early childhood, which is critical for language development and late implantation; this is a serious issue with regard to deafness among refugees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria Vedeler Amundsen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1078 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Ona Bø Wie
- Department of Special Needs Education, Faculty of Education, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1140 Blindern, N-0318 Oslo, Norway; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, P.O. Box 4950, N-0424 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Marte Myhrum
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1078 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, P.O. Box 4950, N-0424 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Marie Bunne
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, P.O. Box 4950, N-0424 Oslo, Norway.
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Lebeko K, Manyisa N, Chimusa ER, Mulder N, Dandara C, Wonkam A. A Genomic and Protein-Protein Interaction Analyses of Nonsyndromic Hearing Impairment in Cameroon Using Targeted Genomic Enrichment and Massively Parallel Sequencing. OMICS-A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2017; 21:90-99. [PMID: 28075205 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2016.0171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Hearing impairment (HI) is one of the leading causes of disability in the world, impacting the social, economic, and psychological well-being of the affected individual. This is particularly true in sub-Saharan Africa, which carries one of the highest burdens of this condition. Despite this, there are limited data on the most prevalent genes or mutations that cause HI among sub-Saharan Africans. Next-generation technologies, such as targeted genomic enrichment and massively parallel sequencing, offer new promise in this context. This study reports, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, on the prevalence of novel mutations identified through a platform of 116 HI genes (OtoSCOPE®), among 82 African probands with HI. Only variants OTOF NM_194248.2:c.766-2A>G and MYO7A NM_000260.3:c.1996C>T, p.Arg666Stop were found in 3 (3.7%) and 5 (6.1%) patients, respectively. In addition and uniquely, the analysis of protein-protein interactions (PPI), through interrogation of gene subnetworks, using a custom script and two databases (Enrichr and PANTHER), and an algorithm in the igraph package of R, identified the enrichment of sensory perception and mechanical stimulus biological processes, and the most significant molecular functions of these variants pertained to binding or structural activity. Furthermore, 10 genes (MYO7A, MYO6, KCTD3, NUMA1, MYH9, KCNQ1, UBC, DIAPH1, PSMC2, and RDX) were identified as significant hubs within the subnetworks. Results reveal that the novel variants identified among familial cases of HI in Cameroon are not common, and PPI analysis has highlighted the role of 10 genes, potentially important in understanding HI genomics among Africans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamogelo Lebeko
- 1 Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences - University of Cape Town , Cap Town, South Africa
| | - Noluthando Manyisa
- 1 Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences - University of Cape Town , Cap Town, South Africa
| | - Emile R Chimusa
- 1 Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences - University of Cape Town , Cap Town, South Africa
| | - Nicola Mulder
- 2 Division of Computational Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences - University of Cape Town , Cap Town, South Africa
| | - Collet Dandara
- 1 Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences - University of Cape Town , Cap Town, South Africa
| | - Ambroise Wonkam
- 1 Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences - University of Cape Town , Cap Town, South Africa .,3 Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences - University of Cape Town , Cap Town, South Africa
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Etiology and associated GJB2 mutations in Mauritanian children with non-syndromic hearing loss. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2016; 273:3693-3698. [PMID: 27067584 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-016-4036-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Origins of all hearing impairment forms may be divided into genetic mutations and acquired influence. Both carry damage to the inner ear structure resulting in a mild to profound dysfunction of the auditory system. The purpose of this study was to assess the different etiologies of deafness in two reference centers for hearing-impaired children in Nouakchott/Mauritania. Data on gender, age, consanguinity, etiology and family history of deafness were gathered by interviewing the custodians of 139 children with hearing loss. DNA of pupils with hereditary non-syndromic deafness was then screened for GJB2 mutations by sequencing methods. Postnatal hearing loss was found in 36 (25.8 %) out of the 139 children surveyed. The main etiologies of this group were infections caused by meningitis (12.9 %) and measles (2.8 %). Unknown and ototoxic origins accounted for, respectively, 5.7 and 3.5 %. In 103 (74.1 %) children, deafness was identified near after the time of birth and, therefore, presumed as congenital. 56.8 % of deaf children had consanguineous parents. Two GJB2 mutations, c.del35G with an allele frequency of 4.7 % and R32C (3.7 %) were detected. Infections such as meningitis and measles were the most prevalent causes of postnatal deafness. In cases of congenital hearing impairment, two GJB2 allele variants, i.e., del35G and R32C (3.7 %) were detected. Extended genetic testing is recommended for a more comprehensive determination of congenital causes.
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Tsukada K, Nishio SY, Hattori M, Usami SI. Ethnic-specific spectrum of GJB2 and SLC26A4 mutations: their origin and a literature review. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2015; 124 Suppl 1:61S-76S. [PMID: 25999548 DOI: 10.1177/0003489415575060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The mutation spectrum of the GJB2 and SLC26A4 genes, the 2 most common genes causing deafness, are known to be ethnic specific. In this study, the spectrum of the reported GJB2 and SLC26A4 mutations in different populations are reviewed and considered from a human migration perspective. METHODS Fifty-two and 17 articles on GJB2 and SLC26A4 mutations, respectively, were reviewed through the PubMed database from April 1996 to September 2014. The 4 most prevalent mutations were selected and compared. A cluster analysis was subsequently performed for these selected mutations. RESULTS The present review of frequent mutations shows the ethnic-specific GJB2 and SLC26A4 gene mutation spectrum. A cluster analysis of the GJB2 and SLC26A4 genes revealed similarities between ethnic populations. CONCLUSION The mutation spectrum reviewed in this study clearly indicated that the frequent mutations in the GJB2 and SLC26A4 genes are consistent with the founder mutation hypothesis. A comparison with the Y-chromosome phylogenetic tree indicated that these mutations may have occurred during human migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keita Tsukada
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Shin-Ya Nishio
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan Department of Hearing Implant Sciences, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Hattori
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Usami
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan Department of Hearing Implant Sciences, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
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