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Z Hochberg

Publications and source records attributed to Z Hochberg.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The hypothyroidism in an inbred kindred with congenital thyroid hormone and glucocorticoid deficiency is due to a mutation producing a truncated thyrotropin receptor.

Growth and function of the thyroid and adrenal glands are maintained and controlled by thyrotropin (TSH) and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), respectively. The action of these trophic hormones requires the presence of functional TSH and ACTH receptors. We describe a large inbred Bedouin kindred in which profound congenital hypothyroidism and hypoadrenocortisolism occurred alone or together in eight family members belonging to four nuclear families. The high serum TSH and ACTH levels in the presence of normal or hypoplastic thyroid glands and low glucocorticoid, but not mineralocorticoid concentrations, are characteristic of resistance to TSH and ACTH. Linkage analysis, using specific polymorphic markers, excluded the involvement of the ACTH receptor but not thyrotropin receptor (TSHR). A novel point mutation was identified in exon 10 of the TSHR that replaces the normal cytosine in nucleotide 2024 with a thymidine. As a result the normal arginine in codon 609 (CGA) is replaced with a stop codon (TGA). This mutation produces a truncated TSHR lacking the third intracellular and extracellular loops, the sixth and seventh transmembrane segments, and the intracytoplasmic tail. The presence of hypothyroidism did not affect the timing, severity, and manner of clinical manifestation of hypoadrenocortisolism.

Adolescent↗

The human growth hormone (GH) receptor and its truncated isoform: sulfhydryl group inactivation in the study of receptor internalization and GH-binding protein generation.

The human GH receptor (hGHR) contains nine intracellular and seven extracellular cysteines, of which six are linked by disulfide bonds and one, at position 241 proximal to the membrane, is free. Recently, an alternatively spliced GHR isoform has been isolated; it encodes a truncated receptor lacking most of the cytoplasmic domain (hGHRtr). In the present study, we have examined the effect of sulfhydryl group(s) inactivation on receptor internalization and GH binding-protein (GHBP) generation from the human (h) and rabbit (rb) full-length GHR, as well as from hGHRtr and a mutant of the free extracellular cysteine (hGHRtr-C241A), expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. In CHO/rbGHR and CHO/hGHR cells, permeable sulfhydryl-reactive agents, like N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and iodacetamide (IA), inhibited GHR internalization and induced an immediate dose-dependent loss of cellular GHR, associated with a concomitant marked increase in released GHBP. In contrast, the membrane impermeable IA derivative A-484 had no effect on either GHBP release or on GHR internalization. NEM exposure of CHO cells, expressing hGHRtr, resulted in a dose-dependent increase in GHBP generation, but only a moderate decrease in cellular hGHRtr. The importance of the only unpaired cysteine in these processes was evaluated in CHO/hGHRtr-C241A cells. hGHRtr-C241A was similar to hGHRtr in its impaired internalization and enhanced GHBP release by NEM. Taken together, these data suggest that intracellular sulfhydryl groups, within membranal endocytic vesicles, that do not belong to the GHR molecule, are involved in receptor internalization and GHBP generation. In addition, the present study demonstrates that despite impaired hGHR internalization/down-regulation, the inducible release of GHBP was not affected, further suggesting that GHR endocytosis is not a prerequisite for GHBP generation.

4-Chloromercuribenzenesulfonate↗

Final height in young women with Turner syndrome after GH therapy: an open controlled study.

GH therapy has been applied to patients with Turner syndrome for over a decade, but small sample size, delayed initiation of therapy into adolescent age and comparison with historical control subjects limit the usefulness of these studies for appraisal of the effect of GH on final adult height. We report 49 young women with Turner syndrome who completed a clinical trial in an open, non-randomized, age-matched controlled study of GH, given as daily s.c. injections at a weekly dose of 8.2 mg/m(2) for 1.9-7.5 years. Final height was defined as the measurement taken 2 years or more after height velocity declined below 2 cm/year and after a bone age of 15 'years'. The gain in height was evaluated in three ways. The mean final height gain, compared with the control group, was 4.4 cm. When corrected for the projected height at inception of therapy, the mean gained height was 5.3 cm above the control group. Shorter girls showed better response to GH then did taller girls. After correcting for parental height, the mean gain was 4.7 cm. The adult height of the GH-treated Turner women was significantly correlated with the target height, whereas no such correlation was obtained for control untreated women. Furthermore, no correlation was observed between height gain and the age or duration of GH therapy, or the age of inception of estrogen replacement therapy. It is concluded that GH therapy augments final height of girls with Turner syndrome by a mean 4.4-5.3 cm, depending on the method of evaluation, and that shorter girls may be preferred candidates for such therapy. GH therapy can be initiated after age 10 years and there is no reason to delay estrogen therapy beyond the age of 12. Indirect evidence suggests that high-dose GH therapy may surmount a pathophysiological resistance in the GH-IGF-I axis.

Adolescent↗

Spontaneous pulsatility and pharmacokinetics of growth hormone in liver cirrhotic patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Liver cirrhosis is characterized by high serum growth hormone levels and low serum insulin-like growth factor I and growth hormone-binding protein levels. The present study was designed to characterize the serum profile of growth hormone and growth hormone pharmacokinetics in postnecrotic liver cirrhosis, correlating it with liver function and nutritional states. METHODS: Fifteen patients were grouped by the Child-Pugh score (group 1, score of 5 to 8; group 2, score of 9 to 12). Five healthy subjects served as controls. Nutritional status was assessed by the creatinine-height index. Baseline growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor, and growth hormone binding protein were measured, and growth hormone pharmacokinetics was followed for 48 h after administration of subcutaneous recombinant human growth hormone (0.06 mg/kg). RESULTS: Trough serum growth hormone (microg/l) was higher in both patient groups (5.3+/-3.6) than in controls (1.0+/-0.3; p<0.01). More pulses were recorded in cirrhotic patients, and mean pulse amplitude (microg/l) was higher in cirrhotic patients than in controls (p<0.01). After subcutaneous recombinant human growth hormone injection, maximal growth hormone was higher in cirrhotic patients and the area under the curve over 24 h was greater (626+/-120) than in controls (330+/-54; p<0.01). Single regression analysis showed a weak correlation of both the Child-Pugh score and the creatinine-height index with the pharmacokinetic parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Due to decreased growth hormone clearance, patients with liver cirrhosis have increased trough and peak serum growth hormone levels, as well as lower serum growth hormone binding protein and insulin-like growth factor. Recombinant human growth hormone pharmacokinetics are typical of a high hepatic extraction substance administered to patients with liver disease and portal hypertension, and this may be relevant to the further use of growth hormone therapy.

Adult↗

Prognostic value of generation of growth hormone-stimulated insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and its binding protein-3 in patients with compensated and decompensated liver cirrhosis.

Our aim was to study the prognostic value of growth hormone (GH) -stimulated insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) generation in patients with compensated [group 1 (N = 8) with a Child-Pugh (CP) score of 5-8] and decompensated postnecrotic liver cirrhosis [group 2 (N = 7) with a CP score of 9-12]. Serum levels of IGF-I, GH-binding protein (GHBP), and IGFBP-3 were measured before and 24 hr after a single subcutaneous injection of recombinant human GH (rhGH, 0.14 units/kg). Patients (mean age 56 years) were followed prospectively for three years. Six patients (40%) died during the follow-up period, of whom half had a CP score <9. Mean serum IGF-I levels 24 hr after rhGH injection (group 1 vs group 2, 17.4 +/- 6.8 vs 7.4 +/- 0.7 nmol/liter) predicted survival with 93% accuracy. Levels <10 nmol/liter portended a poor prognosis, with 15% survival at one year, whereas levels >10 nmol/liter had a 100% survival rate at one and two years, respectively. Baseline IGF-I (9.98 +/- 2.0 vs 6.38 +/- 0.8 nmol/liter), GHBP (9.2 +/- 3 vs 5.7 +/- 0.8%/50 microl), and IGFBP-3 serum levels at baseline (1.7 +/- 0.3 vs 0.86 +/- 0.2 mg/liter) and at 24 hr (2.04 +/- 0.38 vs 0.99 +/- 0.3 mg/liter) did not add to the predictive value of stimulated IGF-I levels at 24 hr and were less accurate in predicting the outcome in comparison to CP score (80%). We conclude that stimulated IGF-1 <10 nmol/liter may be a true predictor of a negative prognosis in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Adult↗

Amelioration of polyuria in nephrogenic diabetes insipidus due to aquaporin-2 deficiency.

OBJECTIVE: We have recently reported a large cluster of patients with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) due to an autosomal recessive aquaporin-2 (AQP-2) early-stop codon. This paper describes the clinical manifestations and evaluation of therapeutic approaches to this new entity. PATIENTS AND DESIGN: Nine patients with an AQP-2 mutation were studied. Urine osmolality was measured in five patients before and at 3 x 30 min intervals after desmopressin given in increasing doses of 5-100 micrograms. Urinary prostaglandins PGE2 and 6-keto PGF1 alpha, were extracted from 24-h urine samples and estimated by radioimmunoassays. Eight NDI patients were given a combination of a low-sodium diet and hydrochlorothiazide. Four to 11 weeks later, ibuprofen was added, and the patients were retested within the following 4-9 weeks. RESULTS: Urine osmolality remained unchanged after supra-pharmacological doses of desmopressin, at 60-70 mOsm/kg. Urinary PGE2 in control subjects was 0.74 +/- 0.1 microgram/g creatinine (mean +/- SD) compared to 5.0 +/- 2.6 micrograms/g creatinine in AQP-2 deficient patients (P < 0.05). Urinary 6-keto PGF1 alpha, was 0.20 +/- 0.03 microgram/g creatinine in controls and 0.75 +/- 0.31 microgram/g creatinine in AQP-2 deficiency (P < 0.05). Urinary volumes decreased by a mean 31% on a low-salt diet and hydrochlorothiazide, and by a mean of 38% on the combination therapy. Plasma osmolality decreased by a mean 15 mOsm/kg on the low-salt diet and hydrochlorothiazide, and by 22 mOsm/kg on the combination therapy. Urinary osmolality increased from a mean 80 mOsm/kg to 96 mOsm/kg on the low-salt diet and hydrochlorothiazide, and to 146 mOsm/kg on the combination therapy. CONCLUSION: AQP-2 deficiency in these patients with an early-stop codon is associated with complete unresponsiveness of the collecting duct to vasopressin, implying an indispensable role for AQP-2 in vasopressin antidiuresis. Urinary PGE2 and 6-keto PGF1 alpha are elevated, the former being extremely high, apparently due to the extreme vasopressin unresponsiveness. Combination therapy with a combination of a low-salt diet, thiazide and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug is partially effective.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Water and sodium retention during short-term administration of growth hormone to short normal children.

GH treatment of adult patients with GH deficiency (GHD) or healthy volunteers results in weight gain and fluid and sodium retention. In the present study we have challenged normal short children with dehydration and water load, and evaluated their water and sodium clearance, plasma renin activity (PRA) and aldosterone over 4 weeks of GH administration. Eleven prepubertal short normal children, aged 4-9 years, were the subjects of this study. Recombinant GH was administered daily at a dose of 2.5 units/m2. Dehydration and water load experiments were conducted before GH (day 0) and on days 3, 7 or 28 of GH. An initial 15-hour fast ended with a 3-hour urine collection. A tap-water load of 800 ml/m2 was given orally. Urinary volumes were followed hourly for 3 h, as were urinary and serum creatinine, Na, K, aldosterone, plasma osmolality and PRA. Before GH therapy the subjects excreted within 2 h a mean 42% and within 3 h a mean 65% of the load. After 3 days of GH therapy the same children retained water significantly and excreted only 22 (p < 0.02) and 45% (p < 0.05) of the load volume, respectively. Calculating the free water clearance revealed no effect of GH therapy, whereas the fractional excretion of sodium and potassium decreased significantly by day 3 of GH administration, along with an increase in PRA and serum aldosterone. All these changes normalized by days 7 and 28 of GH therapy. It is concluded that short-term administration of GH to short normal children results in a transitory mild retention of sodium and a secondary water retention, and suggests that the primary event leading to sodium retention during the early phase of GH therapy of short normal children is an inappropriate increase in PRA.

Aldosterone↗

Bone maturation in girls with Turner's syndrome.

The mechanism of growth retardation in Turner's syndrome has not been resolved. It is often referred to as a bone dysplasia, although endocrine derangement has not been ruled out. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the maturation of individual bones of the hand and wrist in girls with Turner's syndrome and thereby obtain information which may aid in elaborating the possible mechanism of the growth retardation in girls with Turner's syndrome. Hand and wrist films of 24 girls with Turner's syndrome, 11 normal girls with short stature and 23 normal controls were evaluated, using the references of Greulich and Pyle. Each bone or epiphysis was given an individual 'age'. During childhood the Turner patients showed the greatest delay in bone age of the phalangeal bones while the least delayed were the radius and ulna (long bones) and metacarpals. The carpal bones showed intermediate retardation. This pattern and extent of maturational retardation was clearly different from that of the short stature normal group, who showed uniform retardation of all bones. During adolescence, the phalangeal bones were further retarded and the carpal bones showed a moderate retardation. The unique profile of bone maturation in Turner's syndrome suggests an insult to chondroplasia, which may be related to estrogen deficiency or to an as yet undetermined endocrine or paracrine derangement.

Adolescent↗

GH dependence and GH withdrawal syndrome in GH treatment of short normal children: evidence from growth and cardiac output.

The child's age is a significant determinant of the outcome of GH therapy; prepubertal children respond better on both short term and long term growth, whereas adolescents tend to accelerate their bone maturation more than growth. The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of an interrupted GH therapy protocol of young, short normal children. GH was given for a period of 3 years, or until they reached the 25th percentile, then discontinued at a young age (not more than 9 years), and then the children's growth followed until final height. Yet, after discontinuation of GH therapy, growth came close to a complete stand-still. The present report focuses on describing the period beyond GH withdrawal and its impact on growth and cardiac performance. Twenty-two children received daily s.c. injections of 0.9 mg/m2 hGH and 12 children were the control, untreated group. Growth and echocardiography were followed during therapy and 2 years thereafter. During GH treatment growth velocity accelerated markedly over the first year; it slowed down over the second and third years, and decelerated after GH withdrawal to a velocity that was significantly lower than pretreatment values. Growth rate remained low for the next year, and recovered to pretreatment velocity by the fourth semiannual measurement. To evaluate the role of the GH-IGF-I axis during the growth deceleration, serum IGF-I, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), and an arginine stimulation test were performed at 1, 3 or 6 months after GH withdrawal, and compared with pretreatment response. GH response was 70% of pretreatment values by 1 month and recovered completely by 3 months post treatment. Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were normal throughout. End-systolic and end-diastolic left ventricular dimensions as well as cardiac output did not change during the 2 year course of GH therapy, but fell significantly during the initial 6 months of GH withdrawal. Thus, daily injections of GH to prepubertal short normal children is associated with development of drug dependence, followed during the abstinence period by deceleration of growth and reduction of cardiac output to levels that are lower than pretreatment values. After GH therapy for 30-36 months the withdrawal syndrome persists for 18 months, and is not induced by alterations of serum levels of GH or IGF-I.

Body Height↗

Ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting syndrome and hypothalamo-pituitary insufficiency.

We report on 2 brothers with ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting (EEC) syndrome and hypothalamo-pituitary insufficiency. Both had hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. One brother had partial TSH and prolactin deficiency, and the other had mild primary hypothyroidism, due most probably to irradiation therapy which he had undergone a few years earlier because of Hodgkin disease. The association of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with EEC was reported once previously. Hypothalamopituitary dysfunction could be considered as yet another manifestation of EEC syndrome. This report reconfirms that EEC syndrome is a pleiotropic trait with reduced penetrance. Alternatively, we may be dealing with a (new) autosomal or X-linked recessive condition.

Adolescent↗

Growth hormone-stimulated insulin-like growth factor (IGF) I and IGF-binding protein-3 in liver cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the liver's potential to generate insulin-like growth factor (IGF) I and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), following stimulation by human recombinant growth hormone, as a possible marker for liver functional reserve in patients with liver cirrhosis. METHODS: In a pilot study, 15 patients (mean age 56 years) with postnecrotic liver cirrhosis were divided into two groups according to disease severity (Child-Pugh score): Group 1 (n=8) with scores of 5-8 and Group 2 (n=7) with scores of 9-12. Five age-matched healthy subjects served as controls. Human recombinant growth hormone (0.06 mg/kg) was administered subcutaneously on 2 consecutive days. Serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were measured before and up to 48 h after human recombinant growth hormone injection. Nutritional status was assessed by the creatinine-height index and was compared to lymphocyte count, body mass index, and muscle arm circumference. RESULTS: Baseline IGF-I levels were significantly lower in patients with cirrhosis than in controls, while no differences were noted between the two patient groups. IGF-I levels increased significantly after rhGH administration to the healthy controls, to a lower degree in Group 1, while no change occurred in Group 2. IGF-I levels at 24 h and beyond correlated significantly with the nutritional status, the Child-Pugh score, and the basal levels of GH-binding protein and IGFBP-3. IGFBP-3 serum levels did not change after rhGH stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: IGF-I generation after GH stimulation may provide a new dimension in the assessment of liver function and nutritional status in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Adult↗

Decreased sensitivity to insulin-like growth factor I in Turner's syndrome: a study of monocytes and T lymphocytes.

Turner's syndrome is characterized, amongst other things, by growth retardation with high serum levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I) in relation to growth, by a tendency to autoimmune disease and by insulin resistance with hyperlipidaemia. Assuming a role for IGF-I subresponsiveness in the last two features, the present study was designed to evaluate in patients with Turner's syndrome their monocyte/macrophage response to growth hormone (GH) and to IGF-I with respect to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) degradation and to the monocyte-dependent lymphocyte proliferation. Nineteen patients with Turner's syndrome and puberty-matched control subjects were studied. Monocytes were isolated from the blood of the patients and the control group, and cultured to develop into macrophages. The cells were then incubated with 125I-labelled LDL (25 micrograms of protein mL-1) in the absence or presence of 50 ng mL-1 IGF-I or GH, and cellular lipoprotein degradation was determined. GH and IGF-I effects on T-cell proliferation were measured in autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction Monocytes/macrophages degradation of LDL was lower in Turner's syndrome patients than in control subjects (P < 0.05). IGF-I stimulated LDL degradation by 42 +/- 8% in the control subjects and by only 16 +/- 7% in Turner's syndrome patients (P < 0.05). Control lymphocyte proliferation in AMLR was significantly augmented by 50-100 ng mL-1 GH or IGF-I. Lymphocytes derived from peripheral blood of Turner's syndrome patients remained almost unaffected by either GH or IGF-I. Measurement of IL-2 secretion by purified blastoid T lymphocytes-I. revealed a significant augmentation by 100 ng mL-1 GH and by 50-100 ng mL-1 IGF-I in control subjects, and almost no response in Turner's0 ng syndrome. Turner's syndrome is associated with decreased sensitivity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to GH and to IGF-I, as is evident by the reduction in LDL degradation, monocyte-stimulated T-lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 secretion by blastoid T cells.

Adolescent↗

A membrane-fixed, truncated isoform of the human growth hormone receptor.

Previously, we reported the identification of a new human GH receptor (hGHR) messenger RNA species that encodes a smaller hGHR isoform, termed hGHRtr. Its messenger RNA is expressed in several human tissues and predicts a severely truncated GHR protein that lacks 97.5% of the intracellular domain. Because these two hGHR isoforms, which display similar binding affinity, are coexpressed in several tissues, they may reside side by side and, therefore, interrelate. To further characterize the biological properties of hGHRtr in comparison with hGHR, we generated Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines stably expressing each of these hGHR isoforms. Cross-linking of [125I]hGH to CHO/hGHRtr cells revealed a majored specific complex with apparent Mr of approximately 100 kDa, which would indicate the hGHRtr to be in molecular mass form of about 80 kDa. When compared with CHO/hGHR, CHO/hGHRtr cells secreted higher amounts of soluble GH-binding protein (GHBP). In contrast to CHO/hGHR cells, CHO/hGHRtr cells did not exhibit any GH-induced receptor down-regulation, and internalization was markedly reduced. Analysis of the constitutive turnover of cellular hGHR and soluble GHBP showed that incubation of CHO/hGHR cells with cycloheximide caused parallel disappearance of hGHR and GHBP. This contrasted with the stability of GHRtr, which showed no decline after cycloheximide treatment for up to 4 h, suggesting that the bulk GHRtr and GHBP may be derived from preformed proteins. Thus, in contrast to hGHR, hGHRtr is fixed at the cell membrane; it undergoes minimal internalization, no down-regulation by hGH, no constitutive turnover for as long as 4 h, but increased capacity to generate a soluble GHBP. Because hGHRtr failed to undergo ligand-induced internalization, the source of the continuous, undisturbed GHBP released into the medium may be from an intracellular storage pool. The relative abundance of these two hGHR isoforms, through regulation of splicing, could be of critical importance in modulating the biological effects of GH.

Animals↗

Autosomal recessive nephrogenic diabetes insipidus caused by an aquaporin-2 mutation.

Vasopressin V2 receptors, expressed from an x-chromosomal gene, are involved in antidiuresis, but also in release of coagulation factor VIII and von Willebrand factor (vWF). The present study describes autosomal recessive nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) in a large cluster of patients in Israel's Lower-Galilee. Evidence for an intact V2 receptor was concluded by their normal increase in factor VIII and vWF after desmopressin infusion. Thus, in these patients a defect in the pathway beyond the V2 receptor was suspected. The recent cloning of the human Aquaporin-2 gene enabled us to test this gene as a candidate for such a postreceptor defect. Direct sequencing of the Aquaporin-2 gene revealed a G298T substitution causing a Gly100Stop nonsense mutation in the third transmembrane region. Because this putative disease-causing mutation was identified in index patients of different families, we suggest that all patients are descendants of a common ancestor. Thus, this new entity is characterized by an autosomal recessive NDI. The differential response of clotting factors and urine osmolality to desmopressin may provide a simple tool for clinical diagnosis of a V2-postreceptor defect. The early stop-codon of Aquaporin-2 results in complete resistance to vasopressin antidiuretic effect.

Aquaporin 2↗

The relationship of growth rate, plasma growth hormone (GH) concentration, and GH-binding protein.

Growth hormone (GH)-binding protein (GHBP) and GH secretion are potential mediators of linear growth in children. To study the relationship between these variables, we measured GHBP activity, peak stimulated GH (PKGH), and 24-hour integrated GH concentration (ICGH) in 76 children referred for evaluation of growth. Linear growth was expressed as an age- and sex-specific growth rate standard deviation score (GRSD), which was calculated from sequential height measurements in the 6-month period immediately before GH testing. Using multiple regression models, we found that the relationship between GHBP and growth (GRSD) depended on height (height standard deviation [HGTSD] expressed as an age- and sex-specific z score) controlling for ICGH or PKGH. In further analysis of this relationship, we divided the subjects by HGTSD in subsequent analyses. In 19 children of normal stature (HGTSD > -2), GRSD increased with GH concentration (measured both as PKGH and ICGH: P <.013,R2 = .56) but decreased with higher levels of GHBP (P < .005,R2 = .62). In contrast, for 57 subjects with severe short stature (HGTSD < or = -2), GRSD could not be predicted from GHBP, GH secretion, HGTSD, or interaction involving these variables. These data suggest the hypothesis that under normal conditions, GHBP and GH level may be important predictors of growth rate in children.

Adolescent↗

Pendred syndrome (goitre and sensorineural hearing loss) maps to chromosome 7 in the region containing the nonsyndromic deafness gene DFNB4.

Inherited causes account for about 50% of individuals presenting with childhood (prelingual) hearing loss, of which 70% are due to mutation in numerous single genes which impair auditory function alone (non-syndromic). The remainder are associated with other developmental anomalies termed syndromic deafness. Genes responsible for syndromic forms of hearing loss include the COL4A5 gene in Alport syndrome and the PAX3 and MITF genes in Waardenburg syndrome. Pendred syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder associated with developmental abnormalities of the cochlea, sensorineural hearing loss and diffuse thyroid enlargement (goitre). Pendred syndrome is the most common syndromal form of deafness, yet the primary defect remains unknown. We have established a panel of 12 families with two or more affected individuals and used them to search for the location of the Pendred gene by linkage analysis. We excluded localization to four previously mapped nonsyndromic deafness loci but obtained conclusive evidence for linkage of the Pendred syndrome gene to microsatellite markers on chromosome 7q31 (D7S495 Zmax 7.32, Qmax = 0). This region contains a gene, DFNBL, for autosomal recessive non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss. Multipoint analysis indicates that DFNB4 and Pendred syndrome co-localize to the same 5.5 centiMorgan (cM) interval flanked by D7S501 and D7S523. These data raise the possibility that Pendred syndrome is either allelic with DFNB4 or may represent an inherited contiguous gene disorder, not clinically manifest in the heterozygote.

Chromosome Mapping↗