BACKGROUNDVon Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome is an autosomal dominant familial cancer syndrome predisposing the affected individuals to multiple tumours in various organs. The genetic basis of VHL in Southern Chinese is largely unknown. In this study, we characterized the mutation spectrum of VHL in nine unrelated Southern Chinese families.

METHODSNine probands with clinical features of VHL, two symptomatic and eight asymptomatic family members were included in this study. Prenatal diagnosis was performed twice for one proband. Two probands had only isolated bilateral phaeochromocytoma. The VHL gene was screened for mutations by polymerase chain reaction, direct sequencing and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA).

RESULTSThe nine probands and the two symptomatic family members carried heterozygous germline mutations. Eight different VHL mutations were identified in the nine probands. One splicing mutation, NM_000551.2: c.463+1G > T, was novel. The other seven VHL mutations, c.233A > G [p.Asn78Ser], c.239G > T [p.Ser80Ile], c.319C > G [p.Arg107Gly], c.481C > T [p.Arg161X], c.482G > A [p.Arg161Gln], c.499C > T [p.Arg167Trp] and an exon 2 deletion, had been previously reported. Three asymptomatic family members were positive for the mutation and the other five tested negative. In prenatal diagnosis, the fetuses were positive for the mutation.

CONCLUSIONSGenetic analysis could accurately confirm VHL syndrome in patients with isolated tumours such as sporadic phaeochromocytoma or epididymal papillary cystadenoma. Mutation detection in asymptomatic family members allows regular tumour surveillance and early intervention to improve their prognosis. DNA-based diagnosis can have an important impact on clinical management for VHL families.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein ; genetics ; von Hippel-Lindau Disease ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo identify genes expressed in the fetal heart that are potentially important for myocardial development and cardiomyocyte proliferation.

METHODSmRNAs from fetal (29 weeks) and adult cardiomyocytes were use for suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH). Both forward (fetal as tester) and reverse (adult as driver) subtractions were performed. Clones confirmed by dot-blot analysis to be differentially expressed were sequenced and analyzed.

RESULTSDifferential expressions were detected for 39 out of 96 (41%) clones on forward subtraction and 24 out of 80 (30%) clones on reverse. For fetal dominating genes, 28 clones matched to 10 known genes (COL1A2, COL3A1, endomucin, HBG1, HBG2, PCBP2, LOC51144, TGFBI, vinculin and PND), 9 clones to 5 cDNAs of unknown functions (accession AK021715, AF085867, AB040948, AB051460 and AB051512) and 2 clones had homology to hEST sequences. For the reverse subtraction, all clones showed homology to mitochondrial transcripts.

CONCLUSIONSWe successfully applied SSH to detect those genes differentially expressed in fetal cardiac myocytes, some of which have not been shown relative to myocardial development.

Aged ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen ; Collagen Type I ; Collagen Type III ; genetics ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; Gene Expression ; physiology ; Heart ; embryology ; growth & development ; Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoproteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; genetics ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; Transcription Factors ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; Vinculin ; genetics

BACKGROUNDData of classical inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) of amino acids, organic acids and fatty acid oxidation are largely lacking in Hong Kong, where mass spectrometry-based expanded newborn screening for IEM has not been initiated. The current study aimed to evaluate the approximate incidence, spectrum and other characteristics of classical IEM in Hong Kong, which would be important in developing an expanded newborn screening program for the local area.

METHODSThe laboratory records of plasma amino acids, plasma acylcarnitines and urine organic acids analyses from year 2005 to 2009 inclusive in three regional chemical pathology laboratories providing biochemical and genetic diagnostic services for IEM were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTSAmong the cohort, 43 patients were diagnosed of IEM, including 30 cases (69%) of amino acidemias (predominantly citrin deficiency, hyperphenylalaninemia due to 6-pyruvoyl-tetrahydropterin synthase deficiency and tyrosinemia type I), 5 cases (12%) of organic acidemias (predominantly holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency) and 8 cases (19%) of fatty acid oxidation defects (predominantly carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase deficiency). The incidence of classical IEM in Hong Kong was roughly estimated to be at least 1 case per 4122 lives births, or 0.243 cases per 1000 live births. This incidence is similar to those reported worldwide, including the mainland of China. The estimated incidence of hyperphenylalaninemia was 1 in 29 542 live births.

CONCLUSIONSOur data indicate that it is indisputable for the introduction of expanded newborn screening program in Hong Kong. Since Hong Kong is a metropolitan city, a comprehensive expanded newborn screening program and referral system should be available to serve the neonates born in the area.

Acids ; urine ; Amino Acids ; blood ; Carnitine ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; Hong Kong ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Metabolism, Inborn Errors ; blood ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; urine ; Neonatal Screening ; methods ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Adult ; Autoantibodies ; immunology ; Common Variable Immunodeficiency ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; immunology ; Penicillium ; pathogenicity