Genetics Flashcards
What are monogenic (mendelian) disorders?
ii. what are its patterns of inheritance?
they are caused by defects in a single gene
mainly studied by looking at a single family
ii. Autosomal dominance, Autosomal recessive, X linked dominant, X linked recessive, Y linked and mitochondrial
What are polygenic disorders?
Disorders caused by defects in multiple genes
Usually a combination of genetic and environmental influences
What does a circle mean in a family tree?
female
what does a square mean in a family tree?
male
what does a black shape mean in a family tree?
the person is affected with the trait
what does a shape with a dot mean in a family tree?
the person is a carrier ( autosomal or X-linked inheritance) but are not affected
what does a double line mean in a family tree?
consanguinity - means they are related in some way and have reproduced with each other
where do men inherit there x chromosome from?
their mother
What type of genetic abnormalities (mutations) lead to monogenic disorders?
ii. which of these abnormalities cause loss of function in proteins?
Single nucleotide variants (SNVs) result in several type of protein coding change:
- Missense amino acids change - substitution of one amino acid for another
- Nonsense amino acid change - generation of a stop codon
- Splice site alteration- defect in splicing can cause aberrant protein or premature truncation
small insertions and deletions (indels):
- In-frame indels - results in gains or losses of amino acids, amino acid substitutions or generation of premature stop codons or defects in splicing
- Out- of frame indels - typically result in frameshift changes that frequently result in premature truncation of the encoded protein
ii. Loss of function (LOF) mutations typically result from nonsense, frameshift or canonical splice site mutations
What Genetic tests can be used for monogenic disorders?
1.single gene testing (Sanger):
Suitable for diagnosis of disorders with low genetic heterogeneity e.g. MEN28 and RET mutations)
suitable for predictive testing in relatives at risk of specific mutation
- Disease targeting gene panels (NGS):
appropriate for disorders with high genetic heterogeneity
- Whole-exome sequencing/ whole genome sequencing (NGS):
suitable for disorders with unknown genetic aetiology e.g. severe undiagnosed phenotypes
4.Genetic tests for disorders due to chromosomal abnormalities or copy number variations (CNVs)
Karyotype: suitable when abnormal complement of chromosomes suspected e.g. turner/ Klinefelter syndrome
aCGH: suitable when copy number variants/ chromosomal abnormality suspected e.g. turner, Klinefelter syndrome, developmental delay
FISH - suitable when predetermined chromosomal abnormality suspected e.g. 22q deletion syndrome
What endocrine tumours are caused by Multiple endocrine type 1 (MEN1)
- Pancreatic NETs e.g. insulinoma, Gastrinoma
- Parathyroid adenomas- causes primary hyperparathyroidism in all patients (95%)
- Pituitary adenomas e.g. prolactinoma and somatotropinoma
- adrenocortical tumours e.g. conn’s adenoma
What non endocrine features are caused by MEN1 syndrome?
Lipomas
collagenomas
angiofibromas
Meningiomas
what type of autosomal disorder is MEN1 syndrome?
ii. which gene is affected?
Autosomal dominant
ii. MEN1 gene located in chromosome 11
what is the leading cause of death for people with MEN1 disorder?
50% of people carrying this inheritance disorder will die due to it
malignant pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour
thymic carcinoids
what are the indications for getting germline MEN1 genetic testing?
ii. who else should be tested
iii. when should testing occur?
- clinical : Two or more MEN1- associated tumours or a diagnosis of familial MEN 1
- Suspicious for MEN 1 i.e. multiple parathyroid adenomas <40 years old, recurrent hyperparathyroidism or gastrinoma
- atypical MEN1 - development of tow or non classical MEN1 associated tumours e.g. parathyroid and adrenal tumour
ii. asymptomatic first- degree relative
iii. As soon as possible
What pathways is the MEN1 gene involved ?
- DNA damage - double strand break repair
- involved in chromatin remodelling
- Regulation of key cell signalling e.g. mTOR pathway
