Axenfeld-Rieger anomaly: a novel mutation in the forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) gene in a 4-generation family.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize DNA mutations in a pedigree of Axenfeld-Rieger anomaly (ARA) (Online Mendelian Inheritance of Man 601631), a clinically and genetically heterogeneous, autosomal dominantly inherited disorder associated with anterior chamber abnormalities and glaucoma.


METHODS
Observational case-control and DNA linkage and screening studies.


METHODS
Affected (10 cases) and unaffected (5 controls) members of a family with ARA.


METHODS
Clinical characteristics of ARA were documented by history or physical examination of symptomatic individuals. With their informed consent, a blood sample was collected from each of 10 affected and 5 unaffected family members. DNA was tested for linkage to the IRID1 locus at chromosome 6p25, a known locus for ARA/Rieger syndrome. A candidate gene previously mapped at this locus, FOXC1, was screened for mutations in cases and controls. Main Outcome Measure Linkage of the ARA phenotype at the 6p25 locus and mutation detected in FOXC1.


RESULTS
Direct sequencing of FOXC1 detected a new mutation, T272C, that segregated with the ARA phenotype in this family and was not detected in DNA from family members without ARA. This mutation, a T-->C transition, is predicted to result in a change of isoleucine to threonine (Ile9lThr) in a highly conserved location within the first helix of the forkhead domain.


CONCLUSIONS
Characterization of the FOXC1 mutation in family members with ARA furthers our understanding of the molecular origin of developmental glaucoma and other anterior segment disorders.
Service d'Ophtalmologie, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.
Bruno
B
Mortemousque
Patrizia
P
Amati-Bonneau
François
F
Couture
Rodolphe
R
Graffan
Stéphane
S
Dubois
Joseph
J
Colin
Dominique
D
Bonneau
Jean
J
Morissette
Didier
D
Lacombe
Vincent
V
Raymond
D000328:Adult; D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000002:abnormalities*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005124:Eye Abnormalities / Q000235:genetics*; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D008875:Middle Aged; D020125:Mutation, Missense; D010375:Pedigree; D010641:Phenotype; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C112743:FOXC1 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D014157:Transcription Factors