ABSTRACT
Partial deletions on the long arm of chromosome 13 lead to a number of different phenotypes depending on the size and position of the deleted region. The present study investigated 2 patients with 13q terminal (13qter) deletion syndrome, which manifested as anal atresia with rectoperineal fistula, complex type congenital heart disease, esophageal hiatus hernia with gastroesophageal reflux, facial anomalies and developmental and mental retardation. Array comparative genomic hybridization identified 2 regions of deletion on chromosome 13q31qter; 20.38 Mb in 13q31.3qter and 12.99 Mb in 13q33.1qter in patients 1 and 2, respectively. Comparisons between the results observed in the present study and those obtained from patients in previous studies indicate that the gene encoding ephrin B2 (EFNB2) located in the 13q33.3q34 region, and the gene coding for endothelin receptor type B, in the 13q22.131.3 region, may be suitable candidate genes for the observed urogenital/anorectal anomalies. In addition, the microRNA1792a1 cluster host gene and the glypican 6 gene in the 13q31.3 region, as well as EFNB2 and the collagen type IV a1 chain (COL4A1) and COL4A2 genes in the 13q33.1q34 region may together contribute to cardiovascular disease development. It is therefore possible that these genes may be involved in the pathogenesis of complex type congenital heart disease in patients with 13q deletion syndrome.
Subject(s)
Chromosome Disorders/diagnosis , Chromosome Disorders/genetics , Abnormalities, Multiple/genetics , Chromosome Banding , Chromosome Deletion , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 13/genetics , Comparative Genomic Hybridization , Female , Genetic Association Studies , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , PhenotypeABSTRACT
To investigate possible factors up-regulating the expression of UTROPHIN, potential regulatory elements in the promoter of the human UTROPHIN was predicted by P-match software and verified by EMSA and ChIP. The mechanism of EN1 regulation of the human UTROPHIN expression was evaluated by RNA interference and real-time PCR analyses. Two potential EN1 binding sites in UTROPHIN promoter region were predicted by P-Match software but only the second site was verified to interact directly with EN1 by EMSA and ChIP. The results from RNA interference and real-time PCR showed that the mRNA level of UTROPHIN increased in HeLa cells after EN1 was knockdowned by siRNA. It indicated that EN1 might be a negative regulatory factor for UTROPHIN. Our study suggested that UTROPHIN might be a new target for DMD therapy.
Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation , Homeodomain Proteins/physiology , Utrophin/genetics , Base Sequence , HeLa Cells , Humans , Molecular Sequence Data , RNA Interference , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain ReactionABSTRACT
Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD) is an X-linked lethal recessive disease caused by mutation in the DMD gene. There is no efficient treatment for this serious and disabling disease. We established a combination method to detect carriers and performed prenatal diagnosis. Using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and linkage analysis of short tandem repeats (STR) methods, 26 prenatal diagnosis were performed for pregnancies at risk of having a DMD/BMD baby through amniocentesis. Seven out of 26 male fetuses were affected and the pregnancies were terminated. Four out of 26 female fetuses were found to be carriers. MLPA can be the method of choice for initial screening of DMD/BMD patients for deletions and duplications mutations. When combined with STR-based analysis, it can improve the rate of DMD/BMD prenatal diagnosis.
Subject(s)
DNA Mutational Analysis , Microsatellite Repeats/genetics , Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/diagnosis , Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques , Prenatal Diagnosis/methods , Carrier State , Female , Gene Deletion , Gene Duplication , Genotype , Humans , Infant , Male , Molecular Sequence Data , Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/genetics , Pedigree , Phenotype , Pregnancy , Sequence Deletion , Tandem Repeat Sequences/geneticsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To establish an effective testing system for gene diagnosis, carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). METHODS: Twenty-six patients with SMA were directly tested with PCR-RFLP for exon 7 deletion in the SMN1 gene. Carrier detection was carried out with multi-PCR-DHPLC. Amniotic fluid was taken at the middle stage of gestation from pregnant women who had given birth to affected children. RESULTS: Twenty-five out of 26 patients were diagnosed as having SMN1 gene deletion. Fifty-two of their parents were found to be carriers of exon 7 deletion. Eight of 20 fetuses were diagnosed as having SMN1 gene deletion by PCR-RFLP. CONCLUSION: PCR-RFLP and multi-PCR-DHPLC techniques can provide rapid diagnosis for exon 7 deletion detection and carrier detection. PCR-RFLP may also be adapted for prenatal gene diagnosis of exon 7 deletion in SMN1 gene.
