Notes on Genetics
Dr Brown - about hearing loss in Stickler syndrome. His response
was news to me.......... "In fact most of the COL2A1 linked families
actually don't have the hearing loss. Maybe when we link the other
causative gene, this will give us more clues." I know that researchers
are working on "classifying" the different manifestations to each
mutation. But, I did not know about the hearing. I guess this is a
good reason to have the DNA screening.
Dr Wilkin - said that, in the case of DNA screenings (the "test" for
Stickler syndrome) the rule is “Lack of evidence does not mean the
evidence of lacking", which means that even when the test comes
back negative; Stickler syndrome cannot be ruled out. He said that
80% of the tests come back that way, without a definite finding.
Dr David Manchester- Geneticist
He talked about "What Genes Do" - Altered DNA results in altered
proteins. DNA is like a VERY long sentence and a mutation is like
one misspelled letter. The problem, in finding that mutation, is that the
sentence is in a foreign language and so the misplaced letter is only
obvious by visually comparing the sentence to a "normal sentence".
Leigh Elston - genetic counselor student: passed out a chart of her
findings about Stickler syndrome. Explained that "stop Codon" (a
term used as part of the definition of Stickler syndrome) is like
someone fixing a recipe and does not put in one ingredient. Everyone
has 5 -6 genetic disorders. If the first person is diagnosed, the rest of
a family is easier to diagnose. The average cost for genetic testing is
Dr Russell – Geneticist: she feels genetic studies should be a patient
/parent decision. She was impressed with our survey, saying that all
previous studies had been on a selected population and our survey
was from so varied a population that it is very critical information.
Genotype is the person’s genetic makeup and phenotype is how that
affects the individual. A geneticist should look at other genetic issues
(in addition to Stickler syndrome). 1/3 of us have other genetic
issues. He or she should separate genetic/nongenetic issues. They
should interpret and assess risks and discuss the nature of the
condition(s). They should discuss options, including tests that may
be available. A geneticist should write a summary letter (to the doctor
and the patient) documenting the session and outlining a care plan. A
genetic counselor should be NON DIRECTIVE, only informational.
She gave reasons for not having genetic counseling: 1.Strong
feelings; 2. Guilt feelings; 3.Difficult reproductive decisions; 4.
Genetic implications for other family members; 5. Insurance and
privacy issues; 6. Precise phenotypes CANNOT be predicted.
She showed the following chart:
Mutation 2A 11 11A2
Myopia x x
Early x x
Sensor neural x x x
Conductive x x
Early joint x x x
(The mutation 11A2 is known as OSMED, but used to be referred to
as Sticklers Type III)
Dr Francomano - Affects / Features
§Mid-face underdevelopment around eyes … sometimes a scooped
§Underdeveloped cheek bones
§Flat facial profile
§Cleft palate [25%] (ranges from bifid uvula or high palate to full cleft
§Frequent eye exams required, particularly for children!
§Vitreous degeneration (can manifest as floaters)
§Retinal holes, tears and detachments
§Myopia (seen in almost 100% SS patients)
§Cataracts/Glaucoma (later in life)
§Progressive sensory-neural hearing loss (typically follows a
progression of high frequency to low frequency loss)
§Growing ends of long bones
§Early onset of degenerative arthritis
§Scoliosis (lateral), kyphosis (fore-aft) [less common]
§Pectus excavatum or carinatum (The breastbone’s development is
very sensitive to any deviations in the development of the ribs / spine)
§Chronic musculoskeletal pain
§Osteoporosis (low bone density)
§Reduced upper to lower body height ratio (height reduced due to
spinal involvement, not the long bone overgrowth seen in Marfan
§Increased arm span to height ratio
§Hands / Fingers are relatively long and thin
§Knees – can sometimes bend backwards or “knock-kneed”
Mitral Valve Prolapse only 4% in known SS patients, general
population is 2% occurrence
Autosomal dominant: 50% chance child unaffected if one parent has
SS, 25% if both parents have SS; doesn’t skip generations
(unaffected children don’t “pass it on”)
Likely a result of “natural” genetic mutation, not environmental
factors. (Premature stop codes on the collagen protein.)
Lifespan is not affected because one has Stickler syndrome
Stickler mutations will affect only one of those two, thus only half the
number of collagen protein chains will be made, therefore the body
makes half the amount of collagen it would make otherwise
§In the future, gene therapy may make it possible to alter the
expression of the unaffected gene. (Chemicals that bind to promoter
to turn “on” the unaffected gene, thus getting an increase in the
body’s collagen production) This may be possible in 12 yrs.
o18 types of collagen have been identified
§Type I primarily in bones and skin
§Type II primarily in cartilage and vitreous
§Type III primarily in blood vessels
There is a popular belief that glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate
decrease osteoarthritis symptoms. National Institute of
Complimentary and Alternative Medicine to do a large sample study
to quantify this. If that is positive, then a study of affects in SS
population will be worthwhile.
oMajor research areas:
§Identify unknown genes
§Relationship of genotype to phenotype
§Identity of modifying genes
§Determine frequency of specific complications
§Treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain
Anne Slavotinek - Stickler syndrome affects all ethnicities, males
and females equally, and 1 in 7500 persons. It involves collagen, and
affects connective tissue. Hearing loss can be conductive and often
involves excessive ear infections. Type I Sticklers involves more
membranes appearance in the eyes and mild hearing loss. Type II
has more severe hearing loss and is sometimes mistaken as
Marshal’s syndrome. Type III has no eye involvement and is called
OSMED, mistaken for Weissenbach-Zwemiller.
(NOTES Cont) Genes come in pairs, with one normal and one
mutated. WE only pass on one gene, the normal gene 50% of the
time and the Stickler gene 50% of the time. IF a child is affected,
parents should be evaluated. If a child is affected, brothers and
sisters should be evaluated. When genes are copied, mistakes can
happen. Those mistakes can be “caused” in some cases, but not in
Stickler syndrome. COL2A1 is the affected gene in 75% of Stickler
cases. It is a premature stop codon, which means that not enough
protein is developed.
2004-Chicago - Not Available
Dr Charles Williams - Stickler syndrome is a collagen disorder, in
the extra cellular matrix. Collagen is the glue to hold cells together.
He showed "normal" and abnormal collagen. DNA has a genetic
code GAGTATCCT. There 16 types of collagen and 28 genes make
different types of collagen, which make bones, eyes, etc. COL2A1 is
the most common Stickler syndrome mutation, and had ocular
findings. With any autosomal dominant mutation, there is a 50%
chance of passing on the mutation. >From the NIA study, he has a
theory that males may be more symptomatic. 15 years ago, only
clinical diagnosis was available and now genetic confirmation is
possible. Genotype is genetic typing and Phenotype is physical
typing. The abnormality does not let the glue in the gene work.
Each genetic test costs about $1500 and there are 3 possible tests at
Dr Nazli McDonnell - 1 in 10,000 individuals in North America has
Stickler syndrome. It is autonomic (equally divided between sexes),
dominant (if a person does not symptoms, they cannot pass it on)
and affects connective tissue.
Stickler syndrome may affect eyes, hearing, joints. COL2A1,
COL11A1 and COL11A2 are gene codes for collagen in the eyes,
joints and bones. Mutations of the three known genes only account
for 50% of cases, other mutations are unknown.
PRS-1990 study said 10% of persons with Pierre Robin Sequence
have Stickler Syndrome. Dr Stickler says 40%.
Dr Brad Shaffer Geneticist: Any syndrome is a group of findings, in
more than one organ system, with a common cause. He related a
connective tissue disorder to concrete work: rebar =connective
tissue and concrete = skin and bones. The rebar quality affects the
quality of the concrete.
Persons with Stickler syndrome have:
Marfanoid habitus: long flat-ended bones, long arms and legs, less
Decreased mid-face projection
Depresses nasal bridge
Sensorial and/or conductive hearing loss
Unique pattern of acquired mixed hearing loss in early adolescence
He had a group of 60 patients and 40% of them have Von
Willebrandts Disease (a bleeding disorder) and suggests that we are
tested before surgery. (This is not recognized as a symptom of
He feels that we need a baseline ophthalmology exam and a baseline
audiogram, a directive history to elicit complaints, checked for mitral
valve prolapse, and regular ophthalmology exams. He says that we
should not push through the pain,” but stop and find the cause.
He referred us to www.genetests.org
Kristal Platt, Genetics Counselor: Led us through an exercise to
figure out what “Stickler syndrome means to us.” Then, she shared
the “Top Ten” list of things to remember about Sticker syndrome:
#10: In 2006, three genes are known to cause Stickler syndrome.
#9 All family members with Stickler syndrome have the same gene
#8 Stickler syndrome is an autosomal dominant condition: Boys and
girls are equally likely to have Stickler syndrome and 50% will pass
#7 People interpret risks differently
#6 Individuals within and outside of a family may have different
symptoms (variable expressions)
#5 Separate coincidence from cause and effect.
#4 Stickler syndrome does not make you immune to other illnesses
#3 We all carry an estimated 20 to 100 non-working genes.
#2 We cannot choose the genes we receive from our parents, nor
can we control the genes we give to our children
#1 Life is about attitude: “Life is not about how fast you can run or
how high you can climb, but how well you can bounce.” – unknown
2007-Rochester Mayo Clinic
Dr. Nazli McDonnell - NIA Study -Gave a NIH history, for the study
started by Claire Francomano, which moved to the NIA. Stickler
syndrome is autosomal dominant mutation found in 1 in 10,000
persons (Hermann, 1975). It is under diagnosed, and often not
recognized unless the person had Pierre Robin Syndrome (PRS).
Work needs to be done to increase awareness of pediatricians.
Stickler syndrome involves eyes, hearing, bones and joints, and
COL2A1, COL11Al and COL11A2 are the gene codes of collagen in
eyes, joints and bones. 50% have COL2A1 and 40% have an un-
located gene. High myopia, vitreous degeneration, retinal
detachments and tears, premature cataracts, glaucoma, cleft palate
and/or bifed uvula are all diagnostic indicators of Stickler syndrome.
Facial indicators are flattened facial profile, small chin, broadened
nasal bridge. High frequency hearing loss is another indictor.
10% of patients with isolated cleft palate and 12% of persons with
PRS have undiagnosed Stickler syndrome. (Kronwith et al, 1990 and
Sheffield et al, 1987). The actual incidence is higher.
70% of the body is collagen. Type II collagen is abundant in the
vitreous, spinal column, cartilage and inner ear.
Dr. Noralane M. Lindor-Genetics Counselor - Clinical diagnosis is
not molecular diagnosis. She illustrated that bricks in a wall are the
cells and the mortar is connective tissue. Collagen is secreted by
cells with instructions coming from within the cells. Clinical diagnosis
does not depend on molecular information. Collagen is in the eye and
in joint cartilage.
There is not CAUSE for Stickler syndrome, not the age of the
parents, not chemical, really not caused. Before getting molecular
diagnosis, decide if is medically helpful, decide psychologically if you
really want/need to know, ask if insurance will pay, decide if laws
about pre-existing conditions are helpful to you.