Molecular studies in families with limb defects

Author(s)

Renata Soares Thiele de Aguiar

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Biociências (IBIOC/SB)
• Defense date: 2011-04-25

Examining board members

Regina Celia Mingroni Netto; Lygia da Veiga Pereira Carramaschi; Fernando Kok

• Advisor: Regina Celia Mingroni Netto

Abstract

Here we report our genetic and molecular studies performed on three different families affected by three different syndromes with limb defects. Ectrodactyly or SHFM (Split Hand/Foot Malformation) is a congenital limb malformation characterized by median cleft of hands or feet (absence of the central rays). Tibial Hemimelia is a malformation characterized by tibial hypoplasia, aplasia or agenesis without fibular involvement. Ectrodactyly associated with tibial hemimelia is a rare autosomal dominant condition. In a previous publication of our team, we reported the mapping of a novel locus (SHFLD3 OMIM #612576) for ectrodactyly associated with tibial hemimelia (Lezirovitz e col. 2008. Am J Hum Genet 123:625-31) to chromosome region 17q13.1-17p13.3 in a large family with nine affected individuals. Six genes in the candidate region were sequenced, but no pathogenic mutation was found. In a collaborative study with another Center, a 114 Kb duplication, detected in all affected individuals, was found in this same region. Duplication breakpoints were identified after long range PCR and sequencing. Our results indicated indicating that this is the causative mutation in the family. Fibular agenesis/hypoplasia is a fibular developmental defect, occurring either as an isolated defect or associated with other clinical signs, such as hand ectrodactyly, ulnar and femoral defects. Mapping studies with microsatellite markers were performed on a family with some affected individuals presenting fibular agenesis or fibular hypoplasia associated with ectrodactyly, a novel defect that segregates with a possible autosomal dominant mode of inheritance (Santos e col. 2008. Am J Med Genet A. 146A:3126-31). Linkage with markers mapped to some well known chromosome regions related with limb malformations was excluded. Some candidates genes possibly related to limb malformations were selected from the literature for sequencing (SHH, ZRS, WNT7a, WNT10b, GREM1). Since no mutation was found, we proceeded to genomic scanning with Affymetrix GeneChip Human Mapping 50k Array. Linkage with markers from four chromosomes (5, 6, 10 and 11) could not be completely excluded. Microsatellite markers were used to confirm linkage to regions presenting the higher lod scores and markers on chromosomes 6 and 10 did not confirm linkage. Analyses with markers on chromosomes 5 and 11 (in which there are no good candidate genes reported in the literature) were inconclusive and linkage could not be completely ruled out. There are three affected individuals in the third family here reported, each one of them presenting with a different set of distal limb defects (such as syndactyly, polysyndactyly, camptodactyly, or nail malformation); the defect is transmitted with an autosomal dominant mode and complete penetrance. Linkage studies with microsatellite markers close to well-known limb malformation related regions were performed. Linkage with region 17p13.1-17p.13.3 could not be ruled out since some of the lod scores were positive and suggestive. Some candidates genes have been selected for sequencing (SHH, ZRS, WNT7a, WNT10b, GREM1). Since no mutation was found, genomic scanning was performed with the Afflymetrix GeneChip Human Mapping 50k Array. SNP analysis of chromosomes 19, 20 and 21 allowed us to rule out linkage completely. However, linkage could not be excluded for some regions on other chromosomes, since their lod scores were close to the maximum possible score estimated for this small-sized family. The most interesting regions are located in chromosome 17, in which the gene YWHAE, which seemed to be a good candidate, was sequenced, but no mutation was found. (AU)