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Genetics in Dermatology

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Inheritance Patterns - Mendel's Skin Show

PatternRisk (Aff. Parent)Risk (Carrier Parents)Notes
AD50%-Vertical; M=F. E.g., NF1. 📌 "Dominant Dads & Moms pass to 50%".
AR-25%Horizontal; M=F. Consanguinity ↑. E.g., Albinism. 25% risk.
XLD50% (mother); 100% daughters (father)-No male-to-male. Aff. father $\rightarrow$ all daughters. E.g., IP.
XLR-50% sons (carrier mother)Males >> F. No male-to-male. E.g., Fabry.
Mito100% (mother)-Maternal. All offspring of aff. mother. E.g., Kearns-Sayre.
  • Mosaicism: $\geq 2$ cell lines/individual.
  • Penetrance: % carriers show phenotype. (e.g., Incomplete)
  • Expressivity: Variable phenotype, same genotype.
  • Anticipation: Earlier onset / ↑ severity in generations.
  • Pleiotropy: 1 gene, many effects.

⭐ AD: New mutations common; affected usually heterozygous. """

Keratin & Adhesion Defects - Faulty Scaffolding

  • Ichthyoses (Cornification Disorders):

    • Vulgaris: FLG (filaggrin); fine scales, hyperlinear palms.
    • X-linked: STS (steroid sulfatase); dark scales, "dirty neck".
    • Lamellar: TGM1 (transglutaminase-1); collodion baby, ectropion.
    • Epidermolytic Hyperkeratosis (EHK/Bullous CIE): KRT1/KRT10; birth blisters, then hyperkeratosis.
  • Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) (Blistering Disorders): 📌 EB Layers Mnemonic: Simple Epidermis, Junctional Lamina Lucida, Dystrophic Dermis.

    EB TypeProtein (Gene)LevelInheritanceFeature
    SimplexKeratin 5/14 (KRT5/14)IntraepidermalADNon-scarring blisters
    JunctionalLaminin-332 (LAMA3/B3/C2)Lamina LucidaARSevere, high mortality
    DystrophicCollagen VII (COL7A1)Sublamina DensaAD/ARScarring, milia, mitten deformity
    KindlerKindlin-1 (FERMT1)Multiple levelsARBlisters, poikiloderma, photosensitivity

    Skin layers and protein locations in Epidermolysis Bullosa

    ⭐ In Dystrophic EB, recurrent blistering and scarring can lead to pseudosyndactyly (mitten deformity) and an ↑ risk of squamous cell carcinoma.

Neurocutaneous & Pigmentary Syndromes - Brain-Skin Signals

SyndromeGene(s)Key SkinKey Systemic/Eye
Neurofibromatosis 1NF16 Café-au-lait, Axillary freckling, Neurofibromas (≥2 or 1 plexiform)2 Lisch nodules, Optic glioma
Neurofibromatosis 2NF2Cutaneous schwannomasBilateral vestibular schwannomas (diagnostic), Meningiomas
Tuberous SclerosisTSC1/TSC23 Ash-leaf spots, Angiofibromas, Shagreen patchCortical dysplasias, SEGA, Renal AML
  • Pigmentary Disorders:
    • Oculocutaneous Albinism (OCA): TYR (OCA1). ↓Melanin, nystagmus.
    • Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome: OCA + bleeding, lung fibrosis.
    • Chediak-Higashi Syndrome: OCA + immunodeficiency, giant granules.
    • Piebaldism: KIT gene. White forelock, stable depigmented patches.
    • Waardenburg Syndrome: PAX3, MITF. White forelock, dystopia canthorum, deafness.

⭐ Bilateral vestibular schwannomas are diagnostic of Neurofibromatosis Type 2.

Genetic Testing & Counseling - Future Derm Maps

  • Indications: Suspected genodermatosis, positive family history, pre-conception/prenatal queries.
  • Testing Methods:
    • Karyotyping, FISH, Chromosomal Microarray (CMA).
    • Sanger sequencing (targeted genes).
    • NGS: Whole Exome (WES) / Whole Genome (WGS) for diagnostic odysseys.
  • Genetic Counseling:
    • Core: Non-directiveness, risk assessment, psychosocial support.
    • Includes prenatal diagnosis options (e.g., CVS, amniocentesis).

⭐ Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) is a high-yield NGS technique for identifying causative mutations in undiagnosed genodermatoses.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Autosomal Dominant (AD): Common in NF1, Tuberous Sclerosis, Darier disease. Remember variable expressivity.
  • Autosomal Recessive (AR): Key for Xeroderma Pigmentosum, Albinism, most Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) types.
  • X-linked Recessive: Includes Anhidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.
  • X-linked Dominant: Incontinentia Pigmenti is a classic example.
  • FLG (Filaggrin) gene: Mutations cause Ichthyosis Vulgaris and predispose to Atopic Dermatitis.
  • KRT (Keratin) genes: Mutations lead to Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex.
  • Mosaicism explains some sporadic genodermatoses and varied presentations.

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