BACKGROUND: Oculocutaneous albinisms (OCAs) are due to various gene mutations that cause a disruption of melanogenesis in the melanocyte. Four different genes associated with human OCA have been reported, however, not all of OCA patients can be classified according to these four genes. We have sought to find a new major locus for Japanese OCA. Recently two genes, RAB38 and RAB7, were reported to play an important role in melanogenesis in the melanocyte, suggesting that these two genes could be good candidates for new OCA loci. OBJECTIVE: To determine the structures of the human RAB38 and RAB7 genes, and examine if the two genes are new major loci for Japanese OCA. METHODS: We screened mutations in these genes of 25 Japanese OCA patients who lacked mutations in the OCA1 and OCA2 genes with SSCP/heteroduplexes method. RESULTS: We determined the both genes, and their genomic organizations to design the primers for SSCP/heteroduplexes method. And then we screened mutations, but no mutation was detected. CONCLUSION: Neither of the genes is a new major locus for Japanese OCA.
BACKGROUND: Oculocutaneous albinisms (OCAs) are due to various gene mutations that cause a disruption of melanogenesis in the melanocyte. Four different genes associated with human OCA have been reported, however, not all of OCA patients can be classified according to these four genes. We have sought to find a new major locus for Japanese OCA. Recently two genes, RAB38 and RAB7, were reported to play an important role in melanogenesis in the melanocyte, suggesting that these two genes could be good candidates for new OCA loci. OBJECTIVE: To determine the structures of the humanRAB38 and RAB7 genes, and examine if the two genes are new major loci for Japanese OCA. METHODS: We screened mutations in these genes of 25 Japanese OCA patients who lacked mutations in the OCA1 and OCA2 genes with SSCP/heteroduplexes method. RESULTS: We determined the both genes, and their genomic organizations to design the primers for SSCP/heteroduplexes method. And then we screened mutations, but no mutation was detected. CONCLUSION: Neither of the genes is a new major locus for Japanese OCA.
Authors: Brian P Brooks; Denise M Larson; Chi-Chao Chan; Sten Kjellstrom; Richard S Smith; Mary A Crawford; Lynn Lamoreux; Marjan Huizing; Richard Hess; Xiaodong Jiao; J Fielding Hejtmancik; Arvydas Maminishkis; Simon W M John; Ronald Bush; William J Pavan Journal: Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci Date: 2007-09 Impact factor: 4.799