Phenotype of Usher syndrome type II assosiated with compound missense mutations of c.721 C>T and c.1969 C>T in MYO7A in a Chinese Usher syndrome family

Novel compound heterozygous MYO7A mutations in Moroccan families with autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss

The MYO7A gene encodes a protein belonging to the unconventional myosin super family. Mutations within MYO7A can lead to either non syndromic hearing loss or to the Usher syndrome type 1B (USH1B). Here, we report the results of genetic analyses performed on Moroccan families with autosomal recessive non syndromic hearing loss that identified two families with compound heterozygous MYO7A mutations. Five mutations (c.6025delG, c.6229T>A, c.3500T>A, c.5617C>T and c.4487C>A) were identified in these families, the latter presenting two differently affected branches. Multiple bioinformatics programs and molecular modelling predicted the pathogenic effect of these mutations. In conclusion, the absence of vestibular and retinal symptom in the affected patients suggests that these families have the isolated non-syndromic hearing loss DFNB2 (nonsyndromic autosomal recessive hearing loss) presentation, instead of USH1B.

Genetic screening revealed usher syndrome in a paediatric Chinese patient

Introduction

Usher syndrome is the most common cause of hereditary deaf-blindness. Three clinical subtypes have been classified. Usher syndrome type I is the most severe subtype characterized by congenital severe-to-profound hearing loss, retinitis pigmentosa and vestibular dysfunction.

Methods

One family was analyzed and the analysis included the combination of a custom capture/next-generation sequencing panel of 180 known deafness gene, Sanger sequencing and bioinformatics approaches.

Results

Compound heterozygous mutations in the MYO7A gene: a known missense mutation c.494C>T (p.Thr165Met) and a novel missense mutation c.6113G>A (p.Gly2038Glu) were identified in a proband. This Chinese hearing-impaired child was misdiagnosed as non-syndromic hearing loss which was later changed to the diagnosis of Usher syndrome type I after comprehensive audiometric, vestibular and ophthalmological examinations at 9 years old.

Conclusions

Due to the features of genetic heterogeneity and variation in clinical manifestation, molecular diagnosis and ophthalmological examinations by skilled ophthalmologists with knowledge of Usher syndrome should be suggested as a routine assessment which may improve the accuracy and reliability of etiological diagnosis for hearing loss.