Ten families with fragile X syndrome: linkage relationships with four DNA probes from distal Xq.

We present clinical, cytogenetic, and linkage data of four DNA probes from the terminal long arm of the X chromosome in ten new families with fragile X syndrome. A prior/posterior method of multipoint linkage analysis is employed to combine these results with published data to refine the linkage map of terminal Xq. Ten possible probe/disease orderings were tested. The order with the greatest posterior probability (0.78) of the five loci is 52a-F9-fragile X gene-DX13-St14, although the order with reversal of the positions of 52a and F9 has a posterior probability 0.15. The mean estimates of the distances between the probes and the fragile X gene are 38 cM and 33 cM for the proximal probes 52a and F9, and 8 cM and 12 cM for the distal probes DX13 and St14. Although the current method of choice in the prenatal diagnosis and carrier detection of the fragile X syndrome remains detailed cytogenetic analysis, consideration is given to the potential role of these DNA probes, both singly and in pairs.

Comparison of cytologic and genetic distances between long arm subtelomeric markers of human autosome 14 suggests uneven distribution of crossing-over.

The analysis of two rodent X human somatic cell hybrids, carrying different inborn translocations of the human chromosome 14 long arm, has permitted us to narrow down the localization of the structural locus for alpha-1-antitrypsin (PI) to band 14q32.1, proximally to the highly polymorphic DNA locus D14S1 which has been localized by previous studies between 14q32.1 and 14q32.2. These data, evaluated in conjunction with other published information, suggest that the D14S1 locus is cytologically equidistant from both the PI locus and the complex locus for the immunoglobulin heavy chains (IGH) but, genetically, it appears much closer to the latter since the recombination frequency reported between the IGH complex and PI is six times greater than that between the IGH complex and D14S1 (lod score peaks respectively at 26% and 4% with narrow fiducial limits). The present report adds further strength to the frequently proposed hypothesis of a nonlinear relationship between cytologic and genetic distances of human genes. The possibility that this phenomenon may be a feature of frequent occurrence throughout the entire human genome is discussed.

Chromosomal damage induced in human lymphocytes by low doses of D-T neutrons.

Unstable chromosome aberrations induced by in vitro irradiation with zero plus seven low doses of 14.8 MeV D-T neutrons in the range 3.55-244 mGy have been analysed in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. In order to obtain the required large numbers of scored cells for such low doses, fourteen laboratories participated in the experiment. The dose responses for dicentrics, excess acentrics and total aberrations, fitted well to the Y = alpha D model. The alpha coefficient of yield for dicentrics, 1.60 +/- 0.07 X 10(-2) Gy-1, compares well with the values obtained in previous studies with D-T neutrons at somewhat higher doses. Results from a previous collaborative study using 250 kVp X-rays over a comparable dose range indicated the possible existence of a threshold below 50 mGy. In the present study there is no clear evidence for neutrons for such a threshold. However, the data were insufficient to permit the rejection of a possible threshold below approximately 10 mGy.

Molecular analysis of chromosome 11 deletions in aniridia-Wilms tumor syndrome.

We describe five individuals who have constitutional deletions of the short arm of one chromosome 11, including all or part of the band p13. All of these individuals suffer from aniridia; two have had a Wilms tumor removed. We have established lymphoblastoid cell lines from these and in three cases constructed somatic cell hybrids containing the deleted chromosome 11. Analysis of DNA from the cell lines and hybrids with a cloned cDNA probe has shown that the catalase gene is deleted in four of five patients. The catalase locus must be proximal to the Wilms and aniridia-related loci. We have not detected a deletion of the beta-globin or calcitonin genes in any of these individuals; we conclude these genes are likely to be outside the region 11p12-11p15.4. In addition, we have used monoclonal antibodies in fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis to measure expression in the hybrids of two cell surface markers encoded by genes that map to the short arm of chromosome 11. The genes for both of these are deleted in two individuals but are present in the individual with the smallest deletion.

Forty four probands with an additional "marker" chromosome.

Information is presented which has been obtained from an exhaustive examination of 44 probands with a supernumerary marker chromosome (mar) and their families. The data include the derivation of the mar, frequency in various populations, inheritance and possible effect on fertility, congenital abnormality, and mental ability. The practical problems in assessing the risk of abnormality in a foetus discovered during prenatal diagnosis to be carrying a mar, are discussed.

Karyotyping and identification of human chromosome polymorphisms by single fluorochrome flow cytometry.

Frequency distributions of fluorescence intensity of ethidium bromide stained human chromosomes from nine phenotypically normal males are cross correlated and autocorrelated following repeated flow cytometric measurements. It is shown that each individual donor produces a fluorescence profile which is both visually and numerically different from those of other individuals in the set. The wide variety of chromosome heteromorphisms which occur to varying degrees for chromosomes 1, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 and Y give rise to the uniqueness of a given fluorescence profile. Estimates of chromosome heteromorphisms for each individual in the set were made and then compared with parallel results obtained from inspection of Q-banded and C-banded conventional metaphase preparations. Fluorescence profiles identifiable with each individual were also obtained for Hoechst 33258 stained chromosomes.

X-Y translocation. A case report.

A translocation of genetic material involving the long arm of the X chromosome and the heterochromatic portion of the Y chromosome is reported in a young woman. The phenotypic effect of this translocation and loss of almost half of the long arm of the X chromosome is described.

Effect of low-dose acute X-irradiation on the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations in human peripheral lymphocytes in vitro.

In a coordinated research programme sponsored by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations induced in peripheral blood lymphocytes (in vitro) by 250 kV X-rays at low doses (0.4, 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 and 30 rad) were determined. Blood from 2 donors was used to conduct one master experiment at these dose levels. The culture time used was 48 h and all samples including the controls were processed according to a standard protocol. The coded slides were scored by investigators from 10 participating laboratories. The main results are the following: (1) the frequencies of all types of chromosome aberrations at 0.4 rad are significantly lower than the control values; (2) there is no increase in the frequencies of dicentrics up to 2 rad and in those of terminal deletions up to 5 rad; (3) the mean frequencies of all aberrations considered together are not significantly different from one another at 1, 2 and 3 rad (P = 0.05); and (4) over the entire dose range the dose-effect relationship is clearly non-linear. A fit of these data to a linear quadratic model (E(D) = c + alpha D + beta D2) showed that the observed total aberration frequencies at doses 1, 2, 3 and 5 rad are below the curve defined by the model. The deviations can be explained by an altered kinetics of aberration production at very low doses probably due to DNA repair mechanisms operating these cells.

Chromosome changes in Alzheimer's presenile dementia.

Lymphocyte chromosomes were examined in 36 patients with Alzheimer's presenile dementia, 36 healthy, age and sex matched controls, and 36 sex matched, non-demented, elderly controls, approximately 20 years older than the Alzheimer patients. Increased chromosome aneuploidy was found in females with Alzheimer's disease but not in male subjects. Chromosome abnormalities observed in female patients were similar to those observed in elderly controls, though in this latter group there was an increase in the frequency of cells that had lost an X chromosome. In the female Alzheimer patients and the elderly controls, there was an increase in the frequency of autosomal aneuploid cells but no single chromosome was preferentially affected. Because the chromosome abnormalities found in Alzheimer's disease are similar in nature but not as extensive as those observed in senescence in the absence of dementia, it is argued that chromosome aneuploidy is more likely to be related to processes concerned with ageing rather than being specifically linked to the dementia of Alzheimer's disease.

Evaluation of radiation-induced chromosomal aberrations in human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro: result of an IAEA-coordinated programme.

The results of an IAEA coordinated programme on radiation induced chromosomal aberrations in human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro are presented. In a master experiment, a whole blood sample from one donor was irradiated with 200 R of X-rays. Different fixation times from 46 to 82 h were used. The progression of cells into mitosis was monitored by BrdUrd incorporation. 14 investigators took part in the scoring of chromosomal aberrations. The main conclusions of this study are: (1) The mean frequencies of aberrations changed with fixation time. (2) The number of cells scored as aberrant by different laboratories was very similar, but there was variability in the number of aberrations scored per aberrant cell. (3) The differences in the frequencies of aberrations between laboratories were minimal when the scoring was restricted to the first major peak of mitotic activity and sufficient cells were scored. It is concluded that using controlled experimentals conditions, human peripheral blood lymphocytes can effectively be used as a reliable biological dosimeter for absorbed radiation dose.

The effect of variant chromosomes on reproductive fitness in man.

Reproductive fitness of carriers of heterochromatic variants of the human karyotype was found to be normal. The method was based on a comparison between known carriers and known non-carriers from the same pedigree in respect of live births, generation time and survival of offspring to reproductive age. A subset of the data had been included in an earlier study in which reproductive fitness of carriers was found to be significantly reduced. Our analysis suggests that the result may have been fortuitous, since it was not supported by the additional data. There was no evidence of heterogeneity between carriers of different types of variant or of different sex. There were indications of increased fetal losses to carriers, but the number of spontaneous abortions was insufficient to produce a detectable effect on gross reproductive fitness.

Chromosome aneuploidy in Alzheimer's disease.

Lymphocyte chromosomes were examined in 20 women with Alzheimer's pre-senile dementia, 42 non-demented women of similar age and 31 women 15-20 years older than the Alzheimer patients and who were not demented, living independently in the community. Increased chromosome aneuploidy was found in Alzheimer's disease compared to age-matched controls, and this aneuploidy was of a similar nature and degree as that observed in controls 15-20 years older than the Alzheimer patients, though in this latter group there was an increased loss of chromosomes. No single chromosome was preferentially affected in Alzheimer's disease. Because similar chromosome aneuploidy was found in females with Alzheimer's disease and in senescence in the absence of dementia, the 'premature ageing' hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease was preferred rather than the hypothesis that chromosome aneuploidy and dementia arise on the basis of the same biochemical defect.

Family studies on nucleoside phosphorylase and the short arm of chromosome 14.

A family with two nucleoside phosphorylase-deficient patients has been scored for the segregation of NP0 and the variable region 14p. The mose likely 14p:NP recombination fraction is 0.15 in males and 0.30 in females. There is no family data to assign the Pi:Gm linkage group to chromosome 14, but as immunoglobulin heavy chain has been assigned to this chromosome by somatic cell methods the most likely gene order is 14p:NP:Pi:Gm with Pi in 14q2 and Gm in 14(q23 leads to q32), but the order 14p:NP:Gm:Pi with Pi in 14(q24 leads to qter) and Gm in 14(q22 leads to q24) is not excluded. The available linkage data between biochemical markers on acrocentric chromosomes and their short arm markers suggest that there may be more recombination towards the ends of human chromosomes whether or not those ends carry centromeres.

Inheritance of a ring 14 chromosome.

A family is described in which the mother, her two live offspring, and a therapeutically aborted fetus each had a ring 14 chromosomes. The two children were mentally retarded and the mother's intelligence was at the lower end of the normal range. In addition, the mother had two spontaneous abortions, one of which was shown to be chromosomally normal.

Phenotypically normal individuals with an inversion (X) (p22q13) and the recombinant (X), dup q.

Two families are described in which there is an inv(X) (p22q13) which has been transmitted for three generations. In one family (K482), no recombinants have been recovered and the inversion can be traced to a female born in 1839. In the second family (K491), a recombinant (X), dup q, has been recovered in a normal fertile woman. In both families the inverted X appears to be carrying the Xg allele. Despite extensive family studies no common ancestor has been found for the two families. The pattern of DNA synthesis has been studied in those individuals who are karyotypically 46,X,inv(X) (p22q13) and 46,X,rec(X)dup 1, inv(X) (p22q13); the selection of the abnormal as the late synthesizing X chromosome is random in the former and total in the latter. In some cells the two long arms of the recombinant X chromosome showed asynchrony of DNA replication.