WBR0385

Jump to navigation Jump to search
 
Author [[PageAuthor::Rim Halaby, M.D. [1], Alison Leibowitz [2] (Reviewed by Alison Leibowitz)]]
Exam Type ExamType::USMLE Step 1
Main Category MainCategory::Genetics
Sub Category SubCategory::Renal
Prompt [[Prompt::A 12-year-old male is brought by his mother to the physician’s office for red-colored urine. Upon further questioning, the mother explains that her son is deaf and has eye problems. The physician suspects a collagen disease. Genetic studies reveal a mutation of COL4A5 and confirm the diagnosis with mutation encoding α chains. Which of the following is most likely the mode of inheritance of the patient’s condition?]]
Answer A AnswerA::X-linked dominant
Answer A Explanation AnswerAExp::Alport Syndrome (AS) can be transmitted in an X-linked pattern, with a mutation of COL4A5.
Answer B AnswerB::Autosomal recessive
Answer B Explanation AnswerBExp::Mutations of COL4A3 and COL4A4 that lead to AS are transmitted in an autosomal recessive pattern.
Answer C AnswerC::Autosomal dominant
Answer C Explanation AnswerCExp::AS is rarely transmitted in an autosomal dominant pattern.
Answer D AnswerD::Mitochondrial
Answer D Explanation AnswerDExp::AS is not transmitted in a mitochondrial pattern. Examples of diseases transmitted in a mitochondrial pattern are MELAS and MERRF.
Answer E AnswerE::Polygenic
Answer E Explanation AnswerEExp::AS is not considered polygenic. Common polygenic diseases include schizophrenia and alopecia.
Right Answer RightAnswer::A
Explanation [[Explanation::Alport Syndrome (AS) is an inherited disorder of type IV collagen with abnormal glomerular basement membranes, hematuric nephropathy, and sensorineural deafness. AS is genetically heterogeneous and is associated with several genetic mutations, such as COL4A3, COL4A4, and COL4A5.

COL4A3 and COL4A4, encoding α3 and α4 respectively, are located on chromosome 2. AS resulting from mutations in COL4A3 and COL4A4 originates from an autosomal recessive inheritance. COL4A5, encoding α5, is a gene on the X chromosome.
Educational Objective: Alport Syndrome (AS) can be transmitted either in an X-linked pattern, with a mutation of COL4A5, or in an autosomal recessive pattern, with a mutation of COL4A3 or COL4A4.
References: Haas M. Alport syndrome and thin glomerular basement membrane nephropathy. A practical approach to diagnosis. Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. 2009;133(2):224-232]]

Approved Approved::Yes
Keyword
Linked Question Linked::
Order in Linked Questions LinkedOrder::