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Recently the TMPRSS3 gene, which encodes a transmembrane serine protease, was found to be responsible for two non-syndromic recessive deafness loci located on human chromosome 21q22.3, DFNB8 and DFNB10. We found evidence for linkage to the DFNB8/10 locus in two unrelated consanguineous Tunisian families segregating congenital autosomal recessive sensorineural deafness. The audiometric tests showed a loss of hearing greater than 70 dB, in all affected individuals of both families. Mutation screening of TMPRSS3 revealed two novel missense mutations, W251C and P404L, altering highly conserved amino acids of the serine protease domain. Both mutations were not found in 200 control Tunisian chromosomes. The detection of naturally-occurring TMPRSS3 missense mutations in deafness families identifies functionally important amino acids. Comparative protein modeling of the TMPRSS3 protease domain predicted that W251C might lead to a structural rearrangement affecting the active site H257 and that P404L might alter the geometry of the active site loop and therefore affect the serine protease activity.

A 42-year-old woman had morning glory syndrome of the fundus of the right eye. The finding was related to chronic simple glaucoma and without pulsation of the staphyloma. The clinical symptoms and echographic pattern during the endocular hypertensive phase with normal intraocular pressure was studied after appropriate medication. This associated disease is attributed to the presence of a congenital malformation of the anterior chamber angle.

Purpose: We studied an Italian family affected by the autosomal dominant form of microcephaly and Chorioretinal degeneration that was characterized by various degrees of clinical expression. Methods: An ophthalmologic examination, including visual acuity, visual field testing, an electroretinogram, and fundus photography, and a neurologic examination, including neurodevelopmental status and neuroimaging studies, were performed for all subjects. Skeletal radiography, chromosome studies, and serologie investigations were also performed. Results: In this family, only two of the six affected members had an association of microcephaly, myopia, and chorioretinal degeneration. The other family members showed microcephaly, slight mental retardation, and short stature, but not chorioretinopathy. Conclusions: The significant finding in members from this dominant pedigree of microcephaly was the association of short stature and high myopia, heretofore seen only in families with recessive microcephaly. These findings could be useful for genetic counseling in the apparently isolated forms of microcephaly with chorioretinopathy. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2002;39:288292.