A novel missense mutation in the SLC26A4 gene causes nonsyndromic hearing loss and enlarged vestibular aqueduct. (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: He, Xiaoguang; Peng, Qi; Li, Siping; Zhu, Pengyuan; Wu, Chunqiu; Rao, Chunbao; Chang, Jiang; Xie, Mingyu; Zhong, Baimao; Lu, Xiaomei
• Is Part Of: International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology. Volume 95(2017:Apr.)
• Page Start: 104
• Page End: 108
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• Subjects: Hearing loss -- Enlarged vestibular aqueduct -- SLC26A4 -- Novel mutation; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Oto-rhino-laryngologie -- Périodiques; Pédiatrie -- Périodiques; 618.9209751
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2017.02.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-5876

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: We aimed to investigate the genetic causes of hearing loss in a Chinese proband with nonsyndromic hearing loss and enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome. Methods: We conducted clinical and genetic evaluations in a deaf proband and his normal-hearing parents. Multiplex PCR technology combined with Ion Torrent™ next-generation sequencing technology was used to detect the pathogenic mutations. As a control, a group of 1500 previously studied healthy newborns from the same ethnic background were subjected to deafness gene screening using the same method as in our previous study. Results: The proband harbored two mutations in the SLC26A4 gene in the form of compound heterozygosity. He was found to be heterozygous for a novel mutation named c.1742 G > T (p.Arg581Met) in exon 13 and for the known mutation c.589 G > A (p.Gly197Arg). These variants were carried in the heterozygous state by the parents and therefore co-segregated with the genetic disease. The c.1742 G > T (p.Arg581Met) mutation was absent in 1500 healthy newborns. Protein alignment indicated high evolutionary conservation of the p.R581 residue, and this mutation was predicted by PolyPhen-2 and other online tools to be damaging. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the novel mutation c.1742 G > T (p.Arg581Met) in compound heterozygosity with c.589 G > A in the SLC26A4 gene is the main cause of deafness in a family clinically diagnosed with enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA). Our study will provide a basic foundation for further investigations to elucidate the SLC26A4 -related mechanisms of hearing loss.