Catherine Irven

Osteoarthritis-Susceptibility Locus on Chromosome 11q, Detected by Linkage

We present a two-stage genomewide scan for osteoarthritis-susceptibility loci, using 481 families that each contain at least one affected sibling pair. The first stage, with 272 microsatellite markers and 297 families, involved a sparse map covering 23 chromosomes at intervals of approximately 15 cM. Sixteen markers that showed evidence of linkage at nominal P</=.05 were then taken through to the second stage, with an additional 184 families. This second stage confirmed evidence of linkage for markers on chromosome 11q. Additional markers from this region were then typed to create a denser map. We obtained a maximum single-point LOD score, at D11S901, of 2.40 (P=.0004) and a maximum multipoint-LOD score of 3.15, between markers D11S1358 and D11S35. A subset of 196 of the 481 families, comprising affected female sibling pairs, generated a corrected LOD score of 2.54 (P=.0003) for marker D11S901, with evidence for linkage extending 12 cM proximal to this marker. When we stratified for affected male sibling pairs there was no evidence of linkage to chromosome 11. Our data suggest that a female-specific susceptibility gene for idiopathic osteoarthritis is located on chromosome 11q.

European Y-chromosomal lineages in Polynesians: a contrast to the population structure revealed by mtDNA

We have used Y-chromosomal polymorphisms to trace paternal lineages in Polynesians by use of samples previously typed for mtDNA variants. A genealogical approach utilizing hierarchical analysis of eight rare-event biallelic polymorphisms, seven microsatellite loci, and internal structural analysis of the hypervariable minisatellite, MSY1, has been used to define three major paternal-lineage clusters in Polynesians. Two of these clusters, both defined by novel MSY1 modular structures and representing 55% of the Polynesians studied, are also found in coastal Papua New Guinea. Reduced Polynesian diversity, relative to that in Melanesians, is illustrated by the presence of several examples of identical MSY1 codes and microsatellite haplotypes within these lineage clusters in Polynesians. The complete lack of Y chromosomes having the M4 base substitution in Polynesians, despite their prevalence (64%) in Melanesians, may also be a result of the multiple bottleneck events during the colonization of this region of the world. The origin of the M4 mutation has been dated by use of two independent methods based on microsatellite-haplotype and minisatellite-code diversity. Because of the wide confidence limits on the mutation rates of these loci, the M4 mutation cannot be conclusively dated relative to the colonization of Polynesia, 3,000 years ago. The other major lineage cluster found in Polynesians, defined by a base substitution at the 92R7 locus, represents 27% of the Polynesians studied and, most probably, originates in Europe. This is the first Y-chromosomal evidence of major European admixture with indigenous Polynesian populations and contrasts sharply with the picture given by mtDNA evidence.

Stratification Analysis of an Osteoarthritis Genome Screen—Suggestive Linkage to Chromosomes 4, 6, and 16

To the Editor: We have previously carried out a two-stage genomewide linkage screen for osteoarthritis (MIM 165720) susceptibility loci, using an affected-sibling-pair approach (Chapman et al. 1999). In stage 1 of this screen, we tested 272 microsatellite markers in 297 families, each of which contained at least one pair of siblings who had undergone hip-, knee-, or hip and knee–replacement surgery for primary osteoarthritis. Loci that demonstrated evidence for linkage at nominal P=.05 were then taken through to stage 2, in which they were tested against a further 184 families. Sixteen markers within nine genomic regions from stage 1 had evidence of linkage, at P=.05. When the data for stages 1 and 2 were combined, the P value decreased for 3 of the 16 loci (D2S202, D11S907, and D11S903) and was constant for a 4th (D11S901). We subsequently concentrated our analysis on the chromosome regions to which these markers map. To test these linkages further, we genotyped additional markers and obtained maximum multipoint LOD scores (MLSs) of 1.2 for chromosome 2 and 3.1 for chromosome 11. Because there is evidence, from epidemiological, twin, and segregation studies, that the genetic contribution to osteoarthritis differs between the sexes and between different joint groups (Lindberg 1986; Cooper et al. 1994; Kaprio et al. 1996; Chitnavis et al. 1997; Felson et al. 1998), we stratified our chromosomes 2 and 11 linkage data according to sex and site of osteoarthritis (hip or knee). This stratification indicated that the suggestion of linkage to chromosome 2 was principally accounted for by affected sibling pairs with hip osteoarthritis (MLS 2.2), whereas the suggestion of linkage to chromosome 11 was restricted to affected female pairs (MLS 2.8). Because this analysis highlighted substantial differences between the strata tested, we have now reanalyzed stage 1 of our genome screen, for the remaining 20 autosomes, to determine whether any regions harbor susceptibility loci that are obscured in the unstratified data set. We stratified our stage 1 data into the same six strata tested in our analysis of chromosomes 2 and 11: affected females only (132 families), affected males only (60 families), hips only (194 families), knees only (34 families), female hip (85 families), and male hip (44 families). (A more detailed breakdown of these families can be found in the study by Chapman et al. [1999].) We did not stratify for female knee or male knee, because the number of families was too small (16 and 4, respectively) to allow reliable inference of linkage. Multipoint linkage analysis was performed on the stratified data by means of the ASPEX program. Ten of the 20 autosomes have one or more multipoint peaks with uncorrected MLS⩾1.0 for one or more of the six strata tested (table 1). The highest MLS is 3.9, for chromosome 4q in the female-hip strata, followed by 2.9, for chromosome 6 in the hip-only strata, and 2.1, for chromosome 16 in the female-hip strata. When we adjust MLS values to correct for the seven models tested (one unstratified analysis and six stratified analyses), by deducting from the original values (Kidd and Ott 1984), chromosome 4 has an MLS value of 3.1, chromosome 6 has an MLS value of 2.1, and chromosome 16 has an MLS value of 1.3. The uncorrected multipoint plots of these three chromosomes are shown in figure 1. Figure 1 Multipoint analysis. A, Chromosome 4, female hip (n=85 families) and female only (n=132 families). B, Chromosome 6, hip only (n=194 families). C, Chromosome 16, female hip (n=85 families) and female only (n=132 families). Table 1 Stratified MLSs The suggestion of linkage on chromosome 4 is centered on 4q12–4q21.2 and is restricted to female pairs with hip disease. Roby et al. (1999) have recently reported linkage of chromosome 4q to severe early-onset hip osteoarthritis in a large pedigree of Dutch origin. This locus maps to the telomeric end of 4q (4q35), placing it >50 cM distal to the linkage that we have observed. It is therefore unlikely that the two linkages have detected the same locus. More than 50 cM of chromosome 6 has an uncorrected MLS⩾2.0 in the hip-only stratum, between markers D6S257 and D6S262. This region of chromosome 6 contains a strong candidate gene for osteoarthritis, COL9A1 (6q12–6q13). This gene maps within the 11-cM interval between D6S257 and D6S286 and encodes the α1 chain of type IX collagen. This collagen is a quantitatively minor cartilage collagen that decorates the type II collagen fibril and that interacts with extrafibrillar macromolecules (Ayad et al. 1994). Two transgenic mouse models have demonstrated that mutations in the equivalent mouse gene can result in an osteoarthritis phenotype. In the first model, a truncated form of the gene resulted in mice with a mild osteochondrodysplasia phenotype and secondary osteoarthritis (Nakata et al. 1993). In the second model, a knockout mouse had no congenital abnormality but developed a severe osteoarthritis that was comparable, in timing and pathology, to human primary osteoarthritis (Fassler et al. 1994). A more detailed analysis of this second model revealed that the synthesis of the α1 polypeptide chain was necessary for type IX collagen assembly (Hagg et al. 1997). Chromosome 16 does not contain any known genes that can be considered as strong candidates for osteoarthritis susceptibility. As more genes are mapped, candidate loci on this chromosome may become apparent. Overall, the stratification of our genome screen has revealed additional chromosomal regions that may harbor susceptibility loci for osteoarthritis. Stratification increases the level of genetic homogeneity and can therefore assist in the mapping of loci for complex traits. Our analysis highlights the potential utility of this approach for osteoarthritis.

Exclusion of the cartilage link protein and the cartilage matrix protein genes as the mutant loci in several heritable chondrodysplasias

The chondrodysplasias are characterised by the abnormal development of articulating joints and bone. Mutations in the COL2A1 and COL10A1 genes, which encode the cartilage collagens type II and type X, have been identified in a variety of inherited chondrodysplasias. However, both genes have also been excluded as the mutant loci in several chondrodysplasia pedigrees, indicating the existence of at least one other chondrodysplasia locus. We report the exclusion of the genes encoding two cartilage-specific proteins, the cartilage link protein and the cartilage matrix protein, in several chondrodysplasia pedigrees in which COL2A1 had previously been excluded as the mutant locus.The chondrodysplasias are characterised by the abnormal development of articulating joints and bone. Mutations in the COL2A1 and COL10A1 genes, which encode the cartilage collagens type II and type X, have been identified in a variety of inherited chondrodysplasias. However, both genes have also been excluded as the mutant loci in several chondrodysplasia pedigrees, indicating the existence of at least one other chondrodysplasia locus. We report the exclusion of the genes encoding two cartilage-specific proteins, the cartilage link protein and the cartilage matrix protein, in several chondrodysplasia pedigrees in which COL2A1 had previously been excluded as the mutant locus.

Mutation screening by a combination of biotin-SSCP and direct sequencing.

We have developed a mutation detection strategy that combines single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of one strand of a double-stranded amplification product with direct sequencing of the other. Using this strategy, which we find economical of both time and resources, we have identified a G to A transition, which substitutes a serine for glycine residue at position 862 in the major helix of the α1 chain of Type I collagen. We use this mutation, which causes a lethal form of osteogenesis imperfecta, to illustrate the technique.