Allelic instability in the mitosis model and the inheritance of psoriasis.
BACKGROUND
Allelic instability in mitosis has been proposed as a model for dominantly inherited diseases.


OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to analyze our own and published data on the inheritance of psoriasis according to the predictions of the allelic instability-in-mitosis model.


METHODS
Frequency of psoriasis in father, mother, and siblings was extracted or calculated from data in the literature. Our case records were reviewed and supplemented by telephone or personal interviews when records were incomplete. Inheritance rates from each sex of parent were compared. Correlation between ages at onset in affected siblings was determined.


RESULTS
From our own data and the literature summary, the preponderance of inheritance from the father over the mother is statistically significant. A direct correlation exists between ages at onset in affected siblings. Age at onset in parent and child is also positively correlated. Average age at onset in parents is greater than in offspring.


CONCLUSIONS
Both data from literature and our own data are in agreement with the predictions of the allelic instability in mitosis model. This provides evidence that an unstable gene may contribute to the genetics of psoriasis.
Theeuwes
M
M
Psoriasis Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA 94301.
Morhenn
V
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000483:Alleles; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008938:Mitosis; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D011379:Prognosis; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D012008:Recurrence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology
D004247:DNA