Background and aims: SLC26A4 gene mutations are the second currently identifiable genetic cause of autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss after GJB2 mutations. Because of the extensive size of the SLC26A4 gene and the variety of mutations, indirect diagnosis using linkage analysis has been suggested. Therefore, in this investigation three potential short tandem repeat (STR) markers related to this region including D7S2420, D7S496, and D7S2459 were selected for further analysis.
Methods: The characteristics and haplotype frequency of the markers were examined for the first time in five ethnic groups of the Iranian population including Fars, Azari, Turkmen, Gilaki, and Arab using the polymerase chain reaction followed by fluorescent capillary electrophoresis. RESULTS were analyzed by GeneMarker HID Human STR Identity, GenePop, Microsatellite tools, PowerMarker 3.25, and Arlequin 3.5 software.
Results: Analysis of the allelic frequency revealed the presence of 11, 10, and 8 alleles for D7S2420, D7S496, and D7S2459 markers, respectively, in the Iranian population. The detailed analysis of each ethnic group was reported. Calculated polymorphism information content values were above 0.7 in the Iranian population. Pairwise linkage disequilibrium (LD) revealed a significant LD in pairing markers of D7S2420-D7S496 and in D7S496-D7S2459. Estimation of the haplotype frequency showed the presence of 20, 13, 15, 15, and 20 informative haplotypes in Fars, Azari, Turkmen, Gilaki, and Arabian ethnics, respectively.
Conclusion: Together, the investigated markers could be suggested as powerful tools for linkage analysis of SLC26A4 gene mutations in the Iranian population.