title: MC1R mutations modify the classic phenotype of oculocutaneous albinism type 2 (OCA2).
abstract: The heterogeneous group of disorders known as oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) shares cutaneous and ocular hypopigmentation associated with common developmental abnormalities of the eye. Mutations of at least 11 loci produce this phenotype. The majority of affected individuals develop some cutaneous melanin; this is predominantly seen as yellow/blond hair, whereas fewer have brown hair. The OCA phenotype is dependent on the constitutional pigmentation background of the family, with more OCA pigmentation found in families with darker constitutional pigmentation, which indicates that other genes may modify the OCA phenotype. Sequence variation in the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene is associated with red hair in the normal population, but red hair is unusual in OCA. We identified eight probands with OCA who had red hair at birth. Mutations in the P gene were responsible for classic phenotype of oculocutaneous albinism type 2 (OCA2) in all eight, and mutations in the MC1R gene were responsible for the red (rather than yellow/blond) hair in the six of eight who continued to have red hair after birth. This is the first demonstration of a gene modifying the OCA phenotype in humans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA. kingx002@umn.edu
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Rebecca K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Willaert
authors.forename: Ramona M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Jacy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pietsch
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Savage
authors.forename: Marcia J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Brott
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Fryer
authors.forename: C Gail
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Summers
authors.forename: William S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Oetting
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016115:Albinism, Oculocutaneous; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006200:Hair Color / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation; D010375:Pedigree; D010641:Phenotype; D018043:Receptors, Corticotropin / Q000235:genetics*; D044101:Receptors, Melanocortin
chemical_list: D018043:Receptors, Corticotropin; D044101:Receptors, Melanocortin