Researchers Identify Gene for a Primary Form of Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Why some infants die suddenly is no longer a mystery
July 19, 2004
Scientists at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Phoenix, Arizona, and the Clinic for Special Children, Strasburg, Pennsylvania, have found the genetic basis for one form of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The researchers have named the newly described form as sudden infant death with dysgenesis of testes, or SIDDT. The finding, released this week on-line by the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences could provide new insight into the inexplicable, sudden deaths of some 3,000 infants a year in the US.
SIDS has long been a catchall term for infants that die unexpectedly of unknown causes before their first birthday. By discovering a gene linked to some of these deaths, a team of researchers led by Dr. Dietrich Stephan, director of neurogenomics at TGen, and the paper's senior author, has begun to expose the distinct genetic causes behind these deaths.
"This is one of the first genetic sub-classifications of SIDS," Stephan said. "And it's going to be helpful in offering parents answers for sudden infant deaths, recognizing predisposition early, and hopefully saving a number of these babies."
The researchers first identified patients with SIDDT in a small Old Order Amish community in central Pennsylvania. Over two generations, nine families from this community had lost twenty-one infants to this sudden death syndrome. This familial clustering suggested a genetic basis for the syndrome. All infants with SIDDT died before 12 months of age of abrupt cardiac and respiratory arrest. While many of these infants underwent testing at major medical centers, no abnormalities were found. Males with SIDDT may also have underdeveloped testes. Females appear to be normal and have normal female hormones in blood and urine. Despite these differences, male and female infants with SIDDT died suddenly at the same age.
The researchers analyzed the DNA from four of these infants, along with their parents, siblings, and extended family members. Using Affymetrix (Nasdaq: AFFX) SNP arrays - which examine 11,555 single letter, or nucleotide, variations in the genome known as single nucleotide polymorphisms - the researchers narrowed the location of the disorder to a region on chromosome 6. By correlating the genes known to reside in the region with their clinical understanding of the syndrome, the researchers believed a gene called TSPYL, which is expressed both in the brainstem and in testes, might be responsible for the sudden deaths in these infants. DNA sequencing of this gene in all four patients revealed a severe alteration. All affected infants were found to have two abnormal copies of the TSPYL gene and all parents were carriers of the alteration. Although several other genes are known to be associated with SIDS, this is the first gene identified which causes a primary form of SIDS.
"This study provides new insight into how the nervous system is regulated and highlights the benefits of close collaborations between researchers, physicians, and the patients they care for," said Dr. Erik G. Puffenberger, Laboratory Director at the Clinic for Special Children, the paper's first author.
The discovery also demonstrates the rapidly increasing speed of modern medical research. The mapping and identification of the gene was performed in less than two months from start to finish.
According to the physicians at the Clinic for Special Children, SIDDT is a new disease that has never been described before. The alteration in TSPYL can affect the neurological system and cause sudden death, and in males can also affect the reproductive system. According to Stephan, the relationship of TSPYL mutations or polymorphisms to SIDS in the general population will be studied next. Future work will examine the effects of this gene on the normal control of breathing and heart rate in otherwise normal, premature infants. The gene may be used as a diagnostic marker and to develop treatments.
"This collaboration between the Clinic for Special Children, Translational Genome Research Institute (TGEN), and Affymetrix is an important example of how modern genetic knowledge can, and should be, used to help solve medical problems," said Dr. D. Holmes Morton, Director of the Clinic for Special Children.
About TGen
TGen is a not-for-profit research institute whose primary mission
is to make and translate genomic discoveries into advances in human
health. Translational genomics research is a relatively new field
employing innovative advances arising from the Human Genome Project
to apply to the development of diagnostics, prognostics and
therapies for cancer, neurological disorders, diabetes and other
complex diseases.
About The Clinic for Special Children
The Clinic for Special Children is a non-profit diagnostic and
pediatric medical service for children with genetic disorders in
Lancaster County, PA. The clinic was established to provide
comprehensive medical care and affordable diagnostic and laboratory
services for children with chronic, complex health problems due to
inherited disorders. The mission of the clinic also includes
improving newborn screening and follow-up services, developing more
effective diagnostic methods, advancing clinical research, and
acting as an educational resource for those who seek to provide
care for children who suffer from rare, inherited diseases.
About Affymetrix
Affymetrix is a pioneer in creating breakthrough tools that are
driving the genomic revolution. By applying the principles of
semiconductor technology to the life sciences, Affymetrix develops
and commercializes systems that enable scientists to improve
quality of life. The Company's customers include pharmaceutical,
biotechnology, agrichemical, diagnostics and consumer products
companies as well as academic, government and other non-profit
research institutes. Affymetrix offers an expanding portfolio of
integrated products and services, including its integrated GeneChip
brand platform, to address growing markets focused on understanding
the relationship between genes and human health. Additional
information on Affymetrix can be found at www.affymetrix.com.
Contact:
Galen P. Perry
TGen
602.343.8423
[email protected]
Wes Conard
Affymetrix, Inc.
408.731.5791
