May 2005
Volume 46, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2005
Mitochondrial DNA Haplotype Analysis as a Tool for Reconstruction of Large Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Pedigrees
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • L. Mendieta
    Ophthalmology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • S.R. Salomao
    Ophthalmology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • A. Torroni
    Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
  • C. Rengo
    Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
  • A.A. Sadun
    Ophthalmology, Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA
  • V. Carelli
    Neurological Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  L. Mendieta, None; S.R. Salomao, None; A. Torroni, None; C. Rengo, None; A.A. Sadun, None; V. Carelli, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support  IFOND
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2005, Vol.46, 662. doi:
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      L. Mendieta, S.R. Salomao, A. Torroni, C. Rengo, A.A. Sadun, V. Carelli; Mitochondrial DNA Haplotype Analysis as a Tool for Reconstruction of Large Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Pedigrees . Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2005;46(13):662.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a maternally inherited form of central visual loss affecting young males and related to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) point mutations. Our purpose was to reconnect a recently reported large Brazilian family (SOA–BR) of Italian maternal ancestry with the pedigree branch still living in Italy. Methods: We used a combination of restriction fragment length polymorphisms analysis and direct sequence of the control region to define high–resolution mtDNA haplotypes in the SOA–BR family and 89 unrelated index cases with LHON consecutively diagnosed in Italy. LHON diagnosis was defined by the presence of an established mtDNA pathogenic mutation. Results: We identified identical haplotypes in the SOA–BR family and two Italian families strongly suggesting a common founder. Re–investigation of these maternal lineages allowed us to reconnect the SOA–BR family (330 members – 7 generations) with their Italian relatives (35 members – 6 generations). In the SOA–BR pedigree two heteroplasmic polymorphisms in the D–loop region reached, over the generations, both fixation or reversion to the original sequence. Conclusions: We have applied, as a tool, high–resolution mtDNA haplotype analysis to reconnect apparently unrelated LHON pedigrees into single large maternal lineages descending from the same founder. Reconstruction of large pedigrees is useful for studies aimed to study penetrance, segregation of heteroplasmic nucleotide changes, to locate nuclear modifier genes in LHON and also to separate epigenetic influences that would be different in the two branches of the pedigree.

Keywords: neuro-ophthalmology: optic nerve • genetics • mitochondria 
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