Chromosome 21 scan in Down syndrome reveals DSCAM as a predisposing locus in Hirschsprung disease

PLoS One. 2013 May 6;8(5):e62519. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062519. Print 2013.

Abstract

Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) genetics is a paradigm for the study and understanding of multigenic disorders. Association between Down syndrome and HSCR suggests that genetic factors that predispose to HSCR map to chromosome 21. To identify these additional factors, we performed a dose-dependent association study on chromosome 21 in Down syndrome patients with HSCR. Assessing 10,895 SNPs in 26 Caucasian cases and their parents led to identify two associated SNPs (rs2837770 and rs8134673) at chromosome-wide level. Those SNPs, which were located in intron 3 of the DSCAM gene within a 19 kb-linkage disequilibrium block region were in complete association and are consistent with DSCAM expression during enteric nervous system development. We replicated the association of HSCR with this region in an independent sample of 220 non-syndromic HSCR Caucasian patients and their parents. At last, we provide the functional rationale to the involvement of DSCAM by network analysis and assessment of SOX10 regulation. Our results reveal the involvement of DSCAM as a HSCR susceptibility locus, both in Down syndrome and HSCR isolated cases. This study further ascertains the chromosome-scan dose-dependent methodology used herein as a mean to map the genetic bases of other sub-phenotypes both in Down syndrome and other aneuploidies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Binding Sites
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics*
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21*
  • Connexins / genetics
  • Down Syndrome / genetics*
  • Gap Junction beta-1 Protein
  • Gene Regulatory Networks
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Genetic Loci
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Hirschsprung Disease / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Protein Binding

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Connexins
  • DSCAM protein, human