OBJECTIVE: To characterize specific mutations within the 21-hydroxylase gene (CYP21-B) using ARMS-PCR assay in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and to compare it with that reported in other populations. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Five families, having an index case with CAH diagnosed on the basis of clinical and biochemical findings volunteered to give blood samples for analysis. A strategy, based on ARMS-PCR (Amplified Refractory Mutation System) was employed for the detection of mutations in 21-hydroxylase gene. The products of ARMS-PCR were resolved on agarose gels and the PCR products were visualized over ultra violet illumination. RESULTS: Twenty-six specimens were analyzed for common point mutations in the 21-hydroxlase genes at the nucleotide positions 659, 1004 and 1688. Seven samples belonged to index cases with CAH. Of these 7, the assigned sex was male in 5 and female in 2 cases. However, genotypic sex was 3 males and 4 females. The mean age was 8 months in 5 cases while the median 17-OH Progesterone levels was 273.2 ng/ml. Vomiting, precocious puberty and ambiguous genitalia were the presenting features in 2, 1 and 4 cases respectively. Analysis for mutation at 659, 100 and 1688 was performed on 7 index cases and the family members of 5 index cases. The mutation analysis for the family members of index case 6 and 7 was not performed due to non-availability of their blood specimens. Index case No. 1, 4 and 7 showed homozygosity for splice mutations at nucleotide position 659, intron 2 with a sequence change of A to G, while the index case No. 2 and 6 showed heterozygosity for the same mutation. No mutation was found at 659, 1004 or 1688 in index case No. 3 and 4 at the analyzed nucleotide position. Nineteen family members of Case Nos. 1-5 were also analyzed for the same mutations. (Family No. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 included 3, 2, 7, 4 and 5 members respectively). These included 8 males and 11 females. All were asymptomatic. Both the parents of index case 1 and 4 were heterozygous at 659 while the father of index case No. 2 was heterozygous at 659 and mother was normal. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated the A to G transition at nucleotide 659 causing aberrant splicing, reported for some other populations as the most commonly identified point mutations. All cases were appropriately assigned to paternal or maternal chromosomes.
OBJECTIVE: To characterize specific mutations within the 21-hydroxylase gene (CYP21-B) using ARMS-PCR assay in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and to compare it with that reported in other populations. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Five families, having an index case with CAH diagnosed on the basis of clinical and biochemical findings volunteered to give blood samples for analysis. A strategy, based on ARMS-PCR (Amplified Refractory Mutation System) was employed for the detection of mutations in 21-hydroxylase gene. The products of ARMS-PCR were resolved on agarose gels and the PCR products were visualized over ultra violet illumination. RESULTS: Twenty-six specimens were analyzed for common point mutations in the 21-hydroxlase genes at the nucleotide positions 659, 1004 and 1688. Seven samples belonged to index cases with CAH. Of these 7, the assigned sex was male in 5 and female in 2 cases. However, genotypic sex was 3 males and 4 females. The mean age was 8 months in 5 cases while the median 17-OH Progesterone levels was 273.2 ng/ml. Vomiting, precocious puberty and ambiguous genitalia were the presenting features in 2, 1 and 4 cases respectively. Analysis for mutation at 659, 100 and 1688 was performed on 7 index cases and the family members of 5 index cases. The mutation analysis for the family members of index case 6 and 7 was not performed due to non-availability of their blood specimens. Index case No. 1, 4 and 7 showed homozygosity for splice mutations at nucleotide position 659, intron 2 with a sequence change of A to G, while the index case No. 2 and 6 showed heterozygosity for the same mutation. No mutation was found at 659, 1004 or 1688 in index case No. 3 and 4 at the analyzed nucleotide position. Nineteen family members of Case Nos. 1-5 were also analyzed for the same mutations. (Family No. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 included 3, 2, 7, 4 and 5 members respectively). These included 8 males and 11 females. All were asymptomatic. Both the parents of index case 1 and 4 were heterozygous at 659 while the father of index case No. 2 was heterozygous at 659 and mother was normal. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated the A to G transition at nucleotide 659 causing aberrant splicing, reported for some other populations as the most commonly identified point mutations. All cases were appropriately assigned to paternal or maternal chromosomes.