Genetics Flashcards
Penetrance
(non-mendelian inheritance)
definition: % of people with the genotype exhibiting phenotype
incomplete penetrance: condition not detected in an individual with causative genotype
Achondroplasia

defect: single gene mutation in FGFR3
- AD, sporadic in 80%
genetic testing: single gene sequencing FGFR3
pathophysiology: normal FGFR3 has a negative regulatory effect on bone growth. mutation produces a constitutively active gene
incidence: 1/25,000
clinical:
- facies: macrocephaly, frontal bossing, flat midface/nasal bridge
- physical: short, rhizomelic limb shortening, trident hand, kyphosis, varus/valgus defomities, narrow spinal canal, OSA, middle ear disease
Albright hereditary osteodystrophy
(Pseudohypoparathyroidism)
genetic: AD
pathogenesis: Gs alpha subunit deficiency
clinical: pseudohypothyroidism, short stature, short 4/5th metacarpal, round face, MR

Alagille syndrome
defect: AD single gene mutation in JAG-1 gene Ch20p12
- 10% deletion, 50% point mutation
clinical:
- facies: triangle face, deep set eyes, prominent jaw
- physical: butterfly vertebrae 87%, posterior embrotoxon of eye (88%)
- cardiac: PPS (85%)
- GI: intrahepatic bile dysgenesis, chronic cholestasis (91%), deficiency fat soluble vitamins
- renal: structural abnormality/function 40%
investigations:
- serum: increased bilirubin/aminotransferases
- liver biopsy: reduced number bile ducts

Angelmans syndrome
incidence: 1/45,000
defect: 11q11-13 gene for UBE3A expressing ubiquitin ligase
- deletion maternal sequence (paternal copy imprinted)
genetic test: methylation testing 15q11.2-q13
clinical:
- physical: 20-80% hypopigmented skin/eyes, swallowing issues, prominent mandible, wide mouth, drooling, smooth palms
- cognitive: severe ID, DD, sleep disturbance, seizures, jerky movements, flapping, laughter/smiling, happy demeanour
investigations:
- EEG: high amplitude delta activity with intermittent spike and slow-wave discharges

Anticipation
definition: early onset, more severe or accelerated disease in successive generations
associations: triplet repeat disorders eg. MD, Huntington’s
pseudo-anticipation: caused by ascertainment bias
Apert syndrome
genetics: sporadic
clinical: coronal synostosis, maxillary hypoplasia, high palate, strabismus, syndacyly (mitted hands/feet)
- 66% hydrocephalus and intellectual disability
*Like Crouzon but abnormal hands

Autosomal dominant
- most gain of function
- most new mutations
- less severe
- variable expressivity/penetrance
- can skip generations
Autosomal Dominant
- Achondroplasia
- Alagille
- CHARGE
- Cornelia de Lange
- Ehler Danlos
- Marfan
- Myotonic Dystrophy
- NF1
- Noonan
- Stickler
- Tuberous sclerosis complex
Autosomal recessive
- usually lose of function
- associated consanguinity
- common to skip generations
- more severe
- less variability in families
Autosomal Recessive
- Smith-Lemli-Opitz
- Ataxia telangiectasia
- Mucopolysaccharidoses
Bardet-Biedel syndrome
genetics: autosomal dominant
mechanism: unclear
clinical: obesity, retinitis pigmentosa, polydactyly, hypogonadism, and renal failure
Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome
incidence: 1:13,700
defect: range of defects with abnormal imprinting 11p15 causing overactive IGF-2 gene causing an overgrowth disorder
- 85% sporadic, 15% inherited, associated IVF
genetic test: methylation studies 11p
symptoms:
- facies: macroglossia, macrosomia, ear pits/creases
- physical: hemihypertrophy, abdo wall defects (omphalocoele/hernia), visceromegally, naevus flammeus
- endocrine: hypoglycaemia (hyperinsulinaemia)
- renal abnormalities
associated cancers: Wilm’s tumour (5-10%), hepatoblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, NB
- abdominal US every 3 months until 8 years
- AFP every 3 months until 4 years

Brachio-oto renal syndrome
genetics: rare AR
clinical: hypoplastic/absent kidneys, ear and neck abnormalities
CHARGE syndrome
incidence: 1/10,000
genetics:
- mutations CHD7 chromosome 8 (60%)
- association: non random anomalies that occur together more often than you would expect by change
clinical:
C- coloboma, CNS anomalies
H- heart defects
A- atresia of the choanae
R- retardation growth/development
G- GU defects
E- ear anomalies/deafness
Choroideraemia
incidence: rare
genetics: mutation in CHM gene X chromosome, males only
pathophysiology: degeneration of the choroid and retina
clinical: night blindness then progressive loss of vision
Chromosome 11 disorders
Ataxia telangiectasia
- ATM gene
- AR
- clinical: B/T cell defects, low Ig, ataxia, oculocutaneous telangiectasia, MR, FTT, DM, secondary cancers, raised AFP/CEA
Beckwith-Wiedemann
- 11p15: abnormal methylation, uniparental disomy
- sporadic
- clinical: macrosomia, macroglossia, exomphalos, organomegally, hyperinsulinaemia, MR, ear creases/puts, hemihypertrophy, Wilm’s
Chromosome 12 disorders
Noonan’s syndrome
- PTPN 11 (protein tyrosine phosphatase)
- AD
- clinical: PS, septal defects, HCM, webbed/short neck, pectus excavatum, wide nipples, cubitus valgus, short, ptosis, low ears, small genitals, coag defects, MR
Chromosome 13 disorders
Retinoblastoma
- RB1 gene, hereditary or somatic
- AR 90% penetrance
- clinical: retinoblastoma, 25% of cases bilateral (always hereditary), also increased risk osteogenic sarcoma
Chromosome 15 disorders
Prader Willi
- 15q deletion: 70% paternal deletion, 25% UPD maternal
- clinical: severe hypotonia, obesity, short, small hands/feet, hypogonadism, MR
Angelmann’s
- 15q deletion: most maternal deletion (lower UPD)
- clinical: hypotonia, fair hair, midface hypoplasia, seizures, prognathism, ataxic movement, laughter, MR
Chromosome 17 disorders
Neurofibromatosis 1
- neurofibromin protein (tumour suppressor)
- 1/2 sporadic, AD
- clinical: skin/eyes neurofibromas, bone, brain tumours, RAS, macrocephally
Charcot Marie Tooth
- 17q11.2 gene producing myelin protein P22
- AD
- clinical: motor, sensory, autonomic neuropathy
Chromosome 19 disorders
myotonic dystrophy
- CTG repeat
- AD with anticipation
- clinical: weakness, heart conduction defects, DM, cataracts, testicular failure, MR
Chromosome 20 disorders
Alagille syndrome
- JAG1 gene: microdeletion 20p12
- AD
- clinical: peripheral PA stenosis, liver disease, decreased intrahepatic intralobular bile ducts, high cholesterol, butterfly vertebrae, short, FTT, high voice, deep eyes, broad forehead, hypertelorism, pointed chin
Chromosome 22 disorders
Di George
- 22q11.2 delection
- 95% sporadic, AD
- clinical: CATCH





































