Ectopic GRHL2 Expression Due to Non-coding Mutations Promotes Cell State Transition and Causes Posterior Polymorphous Corneal Dystrophy 4

In a large family of Czech origin, we mapped a locus for an autosomal-dominant corneal endothelial dystrophy, posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy 4 (PPCD4), to 8q22.3 –q24.12. Whole-genome sequencing identified a unique variant (c.20+544G>T) in this locus, within an intronic regulatory region of GRHL2. Targeted sequencing identified the same variant in three additional previously unsolved PPCD-affected families, including a de novo occurrence that suggests this is a recurrent mutation. Two further unique variants were identified in intron 1 of GRHL2 (c.20+257delT and c.20+133delA) in unrelated PPCD-affected families.

Source: The American Journal of Human Genetics - March 1, 2018 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Petra Liskova, Lubica Dudakova, Cerys J. Evans, Karla E. Rojas Lopez, Nikolas Pontikos, Dimitra Athanasiou, Hodan Jama, Josef Sach, Pavlina Skalicka, Viktor Stranecky, Stanislav Kmoch, Caroline Thaung, Martin Filipec, Michael E. Cheetham, Alice E. Davidso Tags: Article Source Type: research