A model-integrated multipoint Bayesian analysis of hypertension in the Framingham Heart Study data finds little evidence of linkage

This Genetic Analysis Workshop 13 contribution presents a linkage analysis of hypertension in the Framingham data based on the posterior probability of linkage, or PPL. We dichotomized the phenotype, coding individuals who had been treated for hypertension at any time, as well as those with repeated high blood pressure measurements, as affected. Here we use a new variation on the multipoint PPL that incorporates integration over the genetic model. PPLs were computed for chromosomes 1 through 5, 11, 14, and 17 and remained below the 2% assumed prior probability of linkage for 73% of the locations examined. The maximum PPL of 4.5% was obtained on chromosome 1 at 178 cM. Although this is more than twice the assumed prior probability of linkage, it is well below a level at which we would recommend committing substantial additional resources to molecular follow-up. While the PPL analysis of this data remains inconclusive, Bayesian methodology gives us a clear mechanism for using the information gained here in further studies

Posterior probability of linkage analysis of autism dataset identifies linkage to chromosome 16

To apply phenotypic and statistical methods designed to account for heterogeneity to linkage analyses of the autism Collaborative Linkage Study of Autism (CLSA) affected sibling pair families

Effects of Updating Linkage Evidence across Subsets of Data: Reanalysis of the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange Data Set

Results of autism linkage studies have been difficult to interpret across research groups, prompting the use of ever-increasing sample sizes to increase power. However, increasing sample size by pooling disparate collections for a single analysis may, in fact, not increase power in the face of genetic heterogeneity. Here, we applied the posterior probability of linkage (PPL), a method designed specifically to analyze multiple heterogeneous data sets, to the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange collection of families by analyzing six clinically defined subsets of the data and updating the PPL sequentially over the subsets. Our results indicate a substantial probability of linkage to chromosome 1, which had been previously overlooked; our findings also provide a further characterization of the possible parent-of-origin effects at the 17q11 locus that were previously described in this sample. This analysis illustrates that the way in which heterogeneity is addressed in linkage analysis can dramatically affect the overall conclusions of a linkage study

Mutation Screening of Candidate Genes in Patients with Nonsyndromic Sagittal Craniosynostosis

International audienceBackground-Craniosynostosis is a condition that includes the premature fusion of one or multiple cranial sutures. Among various craniosynostosis forms, midline sagittal nonsyndromic craniosynostosis (sNSC) is the most prevalent. Although different gene mutations have been identified in some craniosynostosis syndromes, the etiology of sNSC remains largely unknown.Methods: To screen for candidate genes for sagittal nonsyndromic craniosynostosis, the authors sequenced DNA of 93 sagittal nonsyndromic craniosynostosis patients from a population-based study conducted in Iowa and New York states. FGFR1-3 mutational hotspots and the entire TWIST1, RAB23, and BMP2 coding regions were screened because of their known roles in human nonsyndromic or syndromic sagittal craniosynostosis, expression patterns, and/or animal model studies.Results: The authors identified two rare variants in their cohort. A FGFR1 insertion c.730_731insG, which led to a premature stop codon, was predicted to abolish the entire immunoglobulin-like III domain, including the ligand-binding region. A c.439C>G variant was observed in TWIST1 at its highly conserved loop domain in another patient. The patient’s mother harbored the same variant and was reported with jaw abnormalities. These two variants were not detected in 116 alleles from unaffected controls or seen in the several databases; however, TWIST1 variant was found in a low frequency of 0.000831 percent in Exome Aggregation Consortium database.Conclusions: The low mutation detection rate indicates that these genes account for only a small proportion of sagittal nonsyndromic craniosynostosis patients. The authors’ results add to the perception that sagittal nonsyndromic craniosynostosis is a complex developmental defect with considerable genetic heterogeneity

Evaluation of the chromosome 2q37.3 gene CENTG2 as an autism susceptibility gene.

Autism is a highly heritable neurodevelopmental syndrome with a complex genetic etiology for which no disease genes have yet been definitively identified. We ascertained three subjects with autism spectrum disorders and chromosome 2q37.3 terminal deletions, and refined the deletion breakpoint regions using polymorphism mapping and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probes. We then genotyped polymorphic markers downstream from the breakpoint region in a sample of autism affected sibling pair families. Both the chromosomal breakpoints and linkage analyses focused our attention on the gene centaurin gamma-2 (CENTG2), an attractive candidate gene based also on its function and pattern of expression. We therefore assessed CENTG2 for its involvement in autism by (1) screening its exons for variants in 199 autistic and 160 non-autistic individuals, and (2) genotyping and assessing intra-genic polymorphisms for linkage and linkage disequilibrium (LD). The exon screen revealed a Ser --> Gly substitution in one proband, an Arg --> Gly substitution in another, and a number of additional variants unique to the autism families. No unique variants were found in the control subjects. The genotyping produced strong evidence for linkage from two intronic polymorphisms, with a maximum two-point HLOD value of 3.96 and a posterior probability of linkage (PPL) of 51%. These results were contradicted, however, by substantially weaker evidence for linkage from multi-point analyses and by no evidence of LD. We conclude, therefore, that 2q37.3 continues to be a region of interest for autism susceptibility, and that CENTG2 is an intriguing candidate gene that merits further scrutiny for its role in autism

Cancer Risk in Children and Adolescents with Birth Defects: A Population-Based Cohort Study

<div><p>Objective</p><p>Birth defects are an increasing health priority worldwide, and the subject of a major 2010 World Health Assembly Resolution. Excess cancer risk may be an added burden in this vulnerable group of children, but studies to date have provided inconsistent findings. This study assessed the risk for cancer in children and young adolescents with major birth defects.</p><p>Methods and Findings</p><p>This retrospective, statewide, population-based, cohort study was conducted in three US states (Utah, Arizona, Iowa). A cohort of 44,151 children and young adolescents (0 through 14 years of age) with selected major, non-chromosomal birth defects or chromosomal anomalies was compared to a reference cohort of 147,940 children without birth defects randomly sampled from each state’s births and frequency matched by year of birth. The primary outcome was rate of cancer prior to age 15 years, by type of cancer and type of birth defect. The incidence of cancer was increased 2.9-fold (95% CI, 2.3 to 3.7) in children with birth defects (123 cases of cancer) compared to the reference cohort; the incidence rates were 33.8 and 11.7 per 100,000 person-years, respectively. However, the excess risk varied markedly by type of birth defect. Increased risks were seen in children with microcephaly, cleft palate, and selected eye, cardiac, and renal defects. Cancer risk was not increased with many common birth defects, including hypospadias, cleft lip with or without cleft palate, or hydrocephalus.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Children with some structural, non-chromosomal birth defects, but not others, have a moderately increased risk for childhood cancer. Information on such selective risk can promote more effective clinical evaluation, counseling, and research.</p></div

Risk for specific types of cancer in children with Down syndrome (trisomy 21), UTAZIA study.

<p>UTAZIA: Utah, Arizona, Iowa.</p>*<p>Rates are per 100,000 Person Years.</p>†<p><i>P</i> < 0.05;</p>‡<p><i>P</i> < 0.01;</p>§<p><i>P</i> < 0.001 for incidence rate ratios vs. reference cohort.</p

Risk for cancer by type of chromosomal anomaly and major birth defect, UTAZIA study.

<p>UTAZIA: Utah, Arizona, Iowa.</p>*<p>Rates are per 100,000 Person Years.</p>†<p><i>P</i> < 0.05 for incidence rate ratios (vs. reference cohort).</p><p>NOS, not otherwise specified; NEC, not elsewhere classified; TE fistula, tracheosophageal fistula.</p

Cohorts, follow-up time, and surveillance programs, UTAZIA study.

<p>UTAZIA: Utah, Arizona, Iowa.</p>*<p>Follow-up was from birth up to but excluding the 15^th birthday.</p>†<p>NPCR, National Program of Cancer Registries; SEER, Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results program.</p

Risk for specific types of cancer in children with structural birth defects, UTAZIA study. Chromosomal conditions were excluded.

<p>UTAZIA: Utah, Arizona, Iowa.</p>*<p>Rates are per 100,000 Person Years.</p>†<p><i>P</i> < 0.05;</p>‡<p><i>P</i> < 0.01;</p>§<p><i>P</i> < 0.001 for incidence rate ratios vs. reference cohort.</p