[Analysis of TMC1 gene variants and prenatal diagnosis in four Chinese families affected with deafness].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the genetic basis of four Chinese families affected with deafness.

METHODS

All probands were subjected to next generation sequencing (NGS). Suspected variant were verified by Sanger sequencing among the family members. Prenatal diagnosis was provided for three couples through Sanger sequencing.

RESULTS

All probands were found to carry pathogenic variants of the TMC1 gene, which included c.100C>T (p.R34X) and c.642+4A>C in family 1, c.582G>A (p.W194X) and c.589G>A (p.G197R) in family 2, c.1396_1398delAAC and c.1571T>C (p.F524S) in family 3, and homozygosity of c.2050G>C (p.D684H) in family 4. All parents were heterozygous carriers of the variants. The c.642+4A>C and c.1571T>C (p.F524S) were unreported previously. Prenatal diagnosis revealed that none of the fetuses were affected. Follow-up confirmed that all newborns had normal hearing.

CONCLUSION

Variant of the TMC1 gene probably underlay the deafness in the four families. Above findings have enhanced our understanding of the function of the TMC1 gene and enriched its variant spectrum. The results also facilitated genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for the families.