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Objectives: Insulin like growth factor-1(IGF-1), is a modulator of immunity and inflammation, it promotes the anabolic role of growth hormone (GH) on bone and skeletal tissue. Genetic polymorphism in IGF-1 gene is reported to affect the transcriptional efficiency affecting its serum level. In this study we aim: 1) To study the presence of 192bp polymorphism of IGF-1 gene in patients of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 2) To study the association of 192 bp polymorphism of IGF-1 gene with serum IGF-1 levels and disease severity in patients of RA. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at University of Health Sciences (UHS), Lahore. Diagnosed RA cases who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria were recruited from Fatima Memorial Hospital (FMH) and Behbud Rheumatology Clinics, Lahore during 2018-2019. Serum IGF-1 levels were determined by ELISA in blood samples of 200 RA patients and 200 healthy individuals. DNA was extracted and genetic polymorphism was determined. Results: The serum IGF-1 level in RA group was significantly lower compared to healthy group. Our study shows presence of 192bp allele of IGF-1in 77% of the studied population. Carriers of 192bp allele of IGF-1 had a significantly higher serum level of IGF-1 as compared to non-carriers in the RA patients. Rheumatoid factor (RF) positive patients had a higher number of 192bp carriers in comparison to RF negative patients. Significant difference was also seen in severity of disease between carrier and non-carriers of 192bp allele with the disease being more severe in male carriers. Conclusions: There is an association of IGF-1gene polymorphism with variation in serum IGF-1 levels and severity of RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) causes blindness in early age. It has an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance, hence is more prevalent in populations with frequent consanguineous marriages that occur in the Pakistani population. Mutations in the CYP1B1 gene are commonly associated with PCG. The aim of the present study was to identify genetic mutations in the CYP1B1 gene in PCG cases belonging to 38 Pakistani families. DNA was extracted using blood samples collected from all enrolled patients, their available unaffected family members and controls. Direct sequencing of the CYP1B1 gene revealed a novel 3' splice acceptor site causative variant segregating in an autosomal recessive manner in a large consanguineous family with four PCG‐affected individuals. The novel variant was not detected in 93 ethnically matched controls. Furthermore, four already reported mutations, including p.G61E, p.R355X, p.R368H, and p.R390H were also detected in patients belonging to nine different families. All identified causative variants were evaluated by computational programs, that is, SIFT, PolyPhen‐2, and MutationTaster. Pathogenicity of the novel splice site variant identified in this study was analyzed by Human Splicing Finder and MaxEntScan. Ten out of 38 families with PCG had the disease due to CYP1B1 mutations, suggesting CYP1B1 was contributing to PCG in these Pakistani patients. Identification of this novel 3' splice acceptor site variant in intron 2 is the first report for the CYP1B1 gene contributing to genetic heterogeneity of disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to characterize the five missense mutations in CYP1B1 gene identified in Pakistani families affected with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) using various bioinformatics and protein modeling tools.Methods: We previously reported four novel missense mutations in CYP1B1 gene segregating in consanguineous Pakistani families. These mutations were identified by direct sequencing of all coding exons, the exon-intron boundaries and the 5′ untranslated region of CYP1B1 using genomic DNA from affected and unaffected family members. In order to understand the effect of CYP1B1 mutations on protein structure and function, we used bioinformatics tools to investigate five mutations including four novels (W434R, D374E, L487P and L177R) and one known (E229K) mutation previously reported by our group in four Pakistani PCG-affected families.Results: In silico analysis of the missense mutations using the computational algorithms SNAP, I-Mutant 2.0 IUPred, PrDOS and PASTA predicted pathogenic effects on stability and function of protein.Conclusion: In silico analysis of identified mutations confirmed their molecular pathogenicity. Similar analysis will be helpful in understanding of the biological role of CYP1B1 and the effect of mutations on the regulatory and enzymatic functions of CYP1B1 that result in PCG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the genetic basis of Marinesco-Sjogren syndrome (MSS) in consanguineous Pakistani families., Methods: Two consanguineous Pakistani families with congenital cataract and muscular dystrophy were enrolled for this study. Detailed ophthalmic and systemic examination including slit lamp microscopy, electromyogram and computed tomography scans were performed to characterize the syndrome. Blood samples were collected from affected and unaffected individuals and a genome wide scan consisting of 382 polymorphic microsatellite markers was performed. Coding exons, exon-intron boundaries, 5' UTR, and 3' UTR of the candidate gene SIL1 residing in the linkage interval was sequenced bi-directionally., Results: Clinical examination of the affected members of families 60067 and 60078 revealed features of MSS. The linked interval at chromosome 5q31 harbors SIL1. Sequencing of SIL1 in family 60067 revealed a homozygous substitution; c1240C>T, leading to a premature substitution; p.Q414X. Similarly, sequencing of SIL1 in family 60078 identified a homozygous change; c.274C>T, leading to a non conservative substitution; p.R92W., Conclusion: In conclusion, our data report two novel missense mutations in two consanguineous Pakistani families affected with MSS.

Purpose: To identify the disease locus for autosomal recessive congenital cataracts in two consanguineous Pakistani families., Methods: Two Pakistani families were ascertained, ophthalmologic examination including slit lamp biomicroscopy was performed on all members, blood samples were collected and DNA was extracted. A genome-wide scan was performed using 382 polymorphic microsatellite markers on genomic DNA from affected and unaffected family members. Two-point logarithm of odds (LOD) scores were calculated using the LINKAGE program package., Results: All the affected individuals of family PKCC009 show bilateral membranous cataract, whereas the affected individuals of family PKCC039 show bilateral posterior sub-capsular cataract. Other ocular abnormalities include corneal opacities, microcornea and nystagmus in the affected individuals of PKCC009. Maximum two point LOD scores were obtained with D1S186 (4.14 at theta = 0), D1S432 (4.01 at theta = 0), D1S2892 (4.11 at theta = 0), and D1S2797 (4.07 at theta = 0) for family PKCC009 and with D1S496 (4.73 at theta = 0), D1S2892 (4.34 at theta = 0), D1S3721 (4.83 at theta = 0), and D1S2797 (4.32 at theta = 0) for family PKCC039. The common linked region, 20.76 cM (20.80 Mb), is flanked by markers D1S2729 and D1S2890 and co-segregates with the disease in both families, placing the disease locus on chromosome 1p34.3-p32.2., Conclusions: Linkage analysis of autosomal recessive cataracts in two consanguineous Pakistani families localizes a novel locus for autosomal recessive congenital cataract on chromosome 1p.