Audioprofile-directed screening identifies novel mutations in KCNQ4 causing hearing loss at the DFNA2 locus

作者:Hildebrand Michael S*; Tack Dylan; McMordie Sarah J; DeLuca Adam; Hur In Ae; Nishimura Carla; Huygen Patrick; Casavant Thomas L; Smith Richard J H
来源:Genetics in Medicine, 2008, 10(11): 297-304.
DOI:10.1097/GIM.0b013e318187e106

摘要

Purpose: Gene identification in small families segregating autosomal dominant sensorineural hearing loss presents a significant challenge. To address this challenge, we have developed a machine learning-based software tool, AudioGene v2.0, to prioritize candidate genes for mutation screening based on audioprofiling. Methods: We analyzed audiometric data from a cohort of American families with high-frequency autosomal dominant sensorineural hearing loss. Those families predicted to have a DFNA2 audioprofile by AudioGene v2.0 were screened for mutations in the KCNQ4 gene. Results: Two novel missense mutations and a stop mutation were detected in three American families predicted to have DFNA2-related deafness for a positive predictive value of 6.3%. The false negative rate was 0%. The missense mutations were located in the channel pore region and the stop mutation was in transmembrane domain S5. The latter is the first DFNA2-causing stop mutation reported in KCNQ4. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the N-terminal end of the P-loop is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the KCNQ4 channel pore and AudioGene audioprofile analysis can effectively prioritize genes for mutation screening in small families segregating high-frequency autosomal dominant sensorineural hearing loss. AudioGene software will be made freely available to clinicians and researchers once it has been fully validated. Genet Med 2008:10(11):797-804.

  • 出版日期2008-11
  • 单位上海生物信息技术研究中心