Mutation analysis in a family with oculocutaneous albinism manifesting in the same generation of three branches

To elucidate the molecular basis of oculocutaneous albinism with variable expressivity in a family from The Netherlands in which no consanguinity was reported.

Three affected family members were screened for mutations in tyrosinase (TYR) and the pink-eye-dilution gene (P) by using SSCP. The melanocortin receptor gene (MC1R) and amplimers of P showing an aberrant banding pattern in SSCP were analyzed by direct sequencing. All participants underwent ophthalmologic examination including funduscopy, and visually evoked potentials were recorded in two cases.

The pedigree had three branches A, B, and C. We identified three mutations in P (V443I, N476S, C793F) that cause a compound heterozygous situation in cases from branch A (N476S/C793F) and B (V443I/C793F), who showed oculocutaneous albinism. Hair and skin color followed the light Nordic complexion that was also present in other affected and unaffected members of this family. Descendants of branches A and B showed light complexion with iris translucency and peripheral fundus hypopigmentation independent from the genotype identified. A single descendant had red hair, carrying a well known compound MC1R mutation combination for red hair color and a single heterozygous P mutation.

P mutations underlie oculocutaneous albinism in this family. Two known mutations in MC1R caused red hair color in one family member. No modifier effect of MC1R on P mutations could be deduced from the results of this study.