In a study of 530 individuals with non-syndromic, sensorineural hearing loss, we identified 18 mutations at connexin 26 (Cx26), four of which are novel (À23G4T, I33T, 377_383dupTCCGCAT, W172R) and the remaining 14 (ivs1 þ 1G4A, M1V, 35delG, W24X, I35S, V37I, R75W, W77X, 312del14, E120del, Q124X, Y136X, R143W, R184P) being mutations previously described. To gain insight into functional consequences of these mutations, cellular localization of the mutant proteins and their ability to permit lucifer yellow transfer between cells was studied in seven of them (W24X, I33T, I35S, R75W, E120del, W172R and R184P). I35S and R184P showed impaired trafficking of the protein to the plasma membrane. I33T, R75W, E120del and W172R showed predominantly membrane localization but did not form functional gap junction channels. Surprisingly, W24X, a protein-truncating mutation, apparently permits formation of a full-length protein, perhaps due to a stop codon read-through mechanism. These results provide further evidence that Cx26 mutations affect gap junction activity by mis-regulation at multiple levels.

Mutations in the autosomal genes TMPRSS3, TMC1, USHIC, CDH23 and TMIE are known to cause hereditary hearing loss. To study the contribution of these genes to autosomal recessive, non-syndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL) in India, we examined 374 families with the disorder to identify potential mutations. We found four mutations in TMPRSS3, eight in TMC1, ten in USHIC, eight in CDH23 and three in TMIE. Of the 33 potentially pathogenic variants identified in these genes, 23 were new and the remaining have been previously reported. Collectively, mutations in these five genes contribute to about one-tenth of ARNSHL among the families examined. New mutations detected in this study extend the allelic heterogeneity of the genes and provide several additional variants for structure-function correlation studies. These findings have implications for early DNA-based detection of deafness and genetic counseling of affected families in the Indian subcontinent.

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Autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss (ADNSHL) accounts for about one-fifth of hereditary hearing loss in humans. In the present study, we have analyzed a three-generation family with 14 of its members manifesting ADNSHL, using a genome-wide linkage mapping approach. We found a novel locus DFNA59 between the D11S929 and D11S480 markers in the chromosome location 11p14.2-q12.3. The highest two-point lod score of 5.72 at recombination fraction = 0 was obtained for D11S4152, D11S4154, D11S1301, D11S905 and D11S1344. The critical genomic region comprising about 37 megabases of DNA is proposed to carry a gene for ADNSHL in the family. About 50 cochlear-expressed genes mapping to the region are strong candidates which we propose to examine to identify the gene responsible for the hearing impairment.

Background & objectives: A high incidence of hearing impairment is reported from the village of Dhadkai in the State of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Prevalence of endogamy in this community suggested a common genetic basis for the disorder. A genetic study was undertaken to ascertain the basis for the high incidence of hearing impairment in this region. Methods: In a two-step approach to identify the causative mutation/s, a whole-genome-based linkage analysis of an extended family of 45 members was carried out, which included 23 affected and 22 unaffected members. Mutational analysis for the candidate deafness genes helped reveal causative mutations in the family. In addition, seven deafness-causing genes, Cx26, SLC26A4, CLDN14, TMPRSS3, TMC1, TMIE and USH1C, were analyzed in smaller families with hearing impairment. Results: In the 45-member extended family, the critical chromosomal region mapped to 2p24-p22. The c.2122C>T (p.R708X) mutation in OTOF in 2p24-p22was identified as being the causal change. Linkage to 2p24-p22 locus was not observed in a particular branch of this extended family. Analysis of seven known deafness-causing genes in this branch revealed a mutation, c.254T>A (p.V85D), in CLDN14. Among seven small families unrelated to the 45-member extended family, hearing loss was attributable to p.R708X in OTOF in three families and to p.V85D in CLDN14 in one family; a new mutation c.1668T>A (p.Y556X) SLC26A4 was identified in two families and the causative change could not be identified in one family. Interpretation & conclusions: This study suggested considerable genetic heterogeneity in the causation of hearing loss in Dhadkai. Recessive mutations were observed in at least three genes causing hearing loss: OTOF (p.R708X), SLC26A4 (p.Y556X) and CLDN14 (p.V85D). Mutation p.R708X appeared to be the major cause of hearing impairment in Dhadkai.