Lecture 6 :Genetic diseases –categories, inheritance patterns & impact Flashcards
Name a purely genetic disease?
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
What are characteristics of genetic diseases?
Rare
Genetics simple
Unifactorial
High recurrence rate
What are characteristics of environmental diseases?
Common
Genetics complex
Multifactorial
Low recurrence rate
What are the three points on the genes vs environment triangle?
100% environmental
Polygenic
Single gene
For a given disorder, the balance of genetic and environmental factors can be represented by a point somewhere within this triangle.
Where would Achondroplasia land in the triangle?
Achondroplasia – single gene with predominant effect on stature
Where would a stroke land in the triangle?
Stroke – multifactorial with environment and polygenic factors – for some there may be single gene influence (Cadasil)
What does the acronym CADACIL stand for?
cerebral
autosomal
dominant
arteriopathy with
subcortical
infarcts and
leukoencephalopathy (Cadasil
Define single gene:
a mutation in a single gene = Mendelian inheritance – AD, AR, XL e.g. achondroplasia, cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy
7000 known
Mitochondrial: a mutation in mitochondrial DNA
Define Somatic mutations:
postzygotic mutation(s) occurring in a somatic cell, giving rise to a defined population of mutant cells that result in disease e.g. genetic mosaicism, breast cancer
Define Chromosomal mutations:
an imbalance or rearrangement in chromosome number or structure e.g. aneuploidy, deletion, translocation
Define multifactorial/ Complex mutations:
multiple genes (genetic predisposition) interact with environmental factors to determine risk e.g. type 2 diabetes, ischaemic heart disease.
What are the single gene modes of inheritance?
Autosomal Dominant
Autosomal Recessive
X-linked
Mitochondrial
Properties of DNA:
46 chromosomes (in diploid cells)
23 pairs
1000s of genes on each chromosome
2 copies of every gene (apart from X & Y)
Gametes contain 23 chromosomes with 1 copy of each gene
What key is used when discussing inheritance patterns?
A = “healthy”, “normal” gene/chromosome
a = gene/chromosome with disease mutation
We all have 2 copies of each gene (except X and Y genes in males)
AA = person with 2 “normal” genes
Aa = person with 1 “normal” gene copy + 1 gene copy with the disease mutation
Define autosomal dominance inheritance?
A single mutated gene (heterozygous state) is sufficient to cause the disease
Autosomal dominance what is the ratio between male and female?
Males and females equally affected
What is the chance of autosomal dominance inheritance of disease?
Offspring of affected person has a 50% (1 in 2) chance of inheriting the disease-causing mutation
The disease gets passed from one generation to the next
Affected individuals are heterozygous for the mutation (one copy of mutation / one normal gene)
Chance that offspring affected 2/4 = 1/2 = 50%
Chance that offspring unaffected 2/4 = 1/2 = 50%
What are some example of autosomal dominant inheritance diseases?
Marfan Syndrome
Huntington disease
Myotonic dystrophy
Chromosome deletions and duplications
Chromosome deletion e.g. 22q11 deletion - (DiGeorge) syndrome
What is Penetrance?
The frequency with which a specific genotype results in a phenotype, usually given as a percentage.
Can penetrance alter with age?
Yes - May alter with age, e.g. a Huntington’s disease mutation may be 100% penetrant at 80 years, but at 50 years only 50% penetrant
What is incomplete penetrance?
not all family members who inherit the mutation develop the disorder – e.g. BRCA1 mutations confer a 80% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer
What is expressivity?
Variation in phenotypic severity - the extent to which a heritable trait is manifested by an individual.
What are some examples of expressivity?
Marfan Syndrome: aortic dilatation, lens dislocation, stretch marks
BRCA1 mutation: +/- ovarian cancer, breast cancer
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. There may also be an increase in the severity of symptoms.