Research Article
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Published Online: 1 June 2017

A Nonsense ALMS1 Mutation Underlies Alström Syndrome in an Extended Mennonite Kindred Settled in North Mexico

Publication: Genetic Testing and Molecular Biomarkers
Volume 21, Issue Number 6

Abstract

Aim: Alström syndrome (AS) is a rare autosomal recessive multisystem disease caused by biallelic mutations in ALMS1, a gene encoding a widely expressed centrosomal/basal body protein. Although more than 200 pathogenic mutations in ALMS1 have been identified to date in AS patients from various ethnic populations, there are very few reports of ALMS1 founder mutations in isolated populations. Our aim was to describe the molecular characterization of a cohort of AS patients from an extended inbred Mennonite kindred settled in Mexico.
Methods: Genetic study included polymerase chain reaction amplification and direct nucleotide sequencing of the entire ALMS1 gene in DNA from seven related AS patients.
Results: A homozygous single-nucleotide c.10480C>T substitution in exon 16, predicting a p.Q3494* nonsense mutation, was identified in all affected subjects.
Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a high prevalence of AS in Mennonites, a population group maintaining high levels of consanguineous marriage in their communities. Our findings provide an example of genetic isolation and consanguinity causing a high prevalence of AS and offer the opportunity for early clinical interventions and for genetic counseling of at-risk couples in this community.

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cover image Genetic Testing and Molecular Biomarkers
Genetic Testing and Molecular Biomarkers
Volume 21Issue Number 6June 2017
Pages: 397 - 401
PubMed: 28402684

History

Published in print: June 2017
Published online: 1 June 2017
Published ahead of print: 12 April 2017

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Marisa Cruz-Aguilar
Genetics Department-Research Unit, Institute of Ophthalmology, “Conde de Valenciana,” Mexico City, Mexico.
Carlos Galaviz-Hernández
Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CIIDIR-Durango, Mexico.
José Hiebert-Froese
Clinica Medica Sur del Carmen, Durango, Mexico.
Martha Sosa-Macías
Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CIIDIR-Durango, Mexico.
Juan Carlos Zenteno
Genetics Department-Research Unit, Institute of Ophthalmology, “Conde de Valenciana,” Mexico City, Mexico.
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico.

Notes

Address correspondence to:Juan Carlos Zenteno, MD, PhDGenetics Department-Research UnitInstitute of Ophthalmology“Conde de Valenciana”Chimalpopoca 14, Col. ObreraMexico City CP 06800Mexico
E-mail: [email protected]

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No competing financial interests exist.

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