(2) Categories and impact of genetic disease Flashcards
What are the 3 points of the triangle representing aetiology of disease?
100% environmental
Single gene
Polygenic
For any condition, the balance of genetic and environmental factors can be represented by a point somewhere within the triangle
What type of condition is achondroplasia?
Single gene but different heights
What type of condition is stroke?
Multifactorial with environment and polygenic factors - for some there may be single gene influence (Cadasil)
On a scale from 100% genetic to 100% environmental, what are the characteristics of diseases nearer the 100% genetic end?
- rare
- simple genetics
- unifactorial
- high recurrence rate
On a scale from 100% genetic to 100% environmental, what are the characteristics of diseases nearer the 100% environmental end?
- common
- complex genetics
- multifactorial
- low recurrence rate
Give an example of a 100% genetic disease
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (single gene - mutation in dystrophin gene)
Give an example of a 100% environmental disease
Scurvy
tuberculosis also near this end of the scale
Is osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) more genetic or environmental?
In the middle but nearer the 100% genetic end of the scale
Bone fragility caused by genes, expression different on environment
Give 5 classifications of genetic disorders
- multifactorial/complex
- single gene
- chromosomal
- mitochondrial
- somatic mutations
What are multifactorial/complex genetic disorders?
The interaction of multiple genes (genetic predisposition) in combination with environmental factors eg. type II diabetes, ischaemic heart disease
What is a single gene genetic disorder?
A mutation in a single gene = Mendelian inheritance - AD, AR, XL eg. cyctic fibrosis
What is a chromosomal genetic disorder?
An imbalance or rearrangement in chromosome structure eg. aneuploidy, deletion, translocation
What is a mitochondrial genetic disorder?
A mutation in mitochondrial DNA
What is a somatic mutation genetic disorder?
Mutation(s) within a gene(s) in a defined population of cells that results in disease eg. breast cancer
Not born with the mutation, mutation not found in the blood but found in the tumour
What are the 4 single gene modes of inheritance?
- autosomal dominant
- autosomal recessive
- X-linked
- mitochondrial
What are the characteristics of autosomal dominant (AD) inheritance?
- a trait or disease runs from one generation to the next
- males and females equally affected
- offspring of affected person has a 50% chance of inheriting the mutation
What is the chance of the offspring of an affected parent inheriting an AD disorder?
50% (1 in 2)
Autosomal dominant disordes are usually related to what?
- structural proteins
- receptors
- transcription factors
Give some examples of autosomal dominant disorders that are caused by gene mutations
- myotonic dystrophy
- marfan syndrome
- huntington disease
Give an example of an autosomal dominant disorder that is cause by chromosomal deletion or duplication
22q11 deletion syndrome
Are affected individuals of AD disorders homozygous or heterozygous?
They are heterozygous for the mutation (one copy of mutation/one normal gene)
What does ‘penetrance’ mean?
The frequency with which a specific genotype is expressed by those individuals that possess the mutation, usually given as a percentage.
What is incomplete penetrance?
Not all relatives who inherit the mutation develop the disorder
Give an example of a mutation that has incomplete penetrance
BRCA1 mutations - 80% life time chance of developing breast cancer
Penetrance may alter with which factor?
Age - eg. Huntington disease by 80 years has 100% penetrance
What is ‘expressivity’?
Variation in expression - the extent to which a heritable trait is manifested by an individual
Give 2 examples of genetic diseases that vary in expressivity
- Marfan syndrome = 100% penetrance but some have aortic dilatation, lens dislocation, stretch marks etc, others do not
- BRCA1 mutation = some may have ovarian cancer, some may have breast cancer, some both and some not at all (as it is not 100% penetrant)
What is ‘anticipation’?
The symptoms of a genetic disorder become apparent at an earlier age as it is passed from one generation to the next. In most cases, there is an increased in the severity of the symptoms too
Give 2 examples of genetic disorders that show anticipation
- myotonic dystrophy
- huntington’s disease
What is a new dominant/ de novo mutation?
A new mutation that has occurred during gametogenesis or in early embryonic development
Are the parents of those with new dominant/ de novo mutations affected?
No
The parents are not affected and the mutation is not detected in their blood cells. The child is the first to be affected in the family but can pass the mutation on to their own children