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Biomedical subjects

E Schwinger

Publications and source records attributed to E Schwinger.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Cytogenetic, FISH and DNA studies in 11 individuals from a family with two siblings with dup(21q) Down syndrome.

A Spanish family has previously been described with two siblings with dup(21q) Down syndrome. The father has a normal karyotype. The mother has a microchromosome. Cytogenetic, fluorescence in situ hybridization and DNA studies have now been carried out on the family. Findings include that the mother has three different chromosome anomalies, viz. (1) a chromosome 22 with an unusual pericentromeric region that contains alphoid DNA from chromosomes 21/13 and chromosome 22, (2) an isochromosome 21p in the frequent cell line and (3) an isochromosome 21q in a rare second cell line. A possible explanation is that the mother developed from a zygote with trisomy 21 and that mitotic error in early development resulted in the formation of two cell lines with karyotypes of 47,XX,+i(21p) and 47,XX,+i(21q), respectively. The unusual chromosome 22 represents a hitherto undescribed chromosome anomaly and one possible explanation is a translocation of the short arms between chromosomes 21/13 and 22 in the ancestry of the family. The relationship between the unusual chromosome 22 and the isochromosome formation in the mother is not known. However, all three chromosome anomalies involve the alphoid DNA of chromosome 21/13, indicating that this is not a chance finding.

Centromere↗

Molecular analysis in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type II suggests that DXS466 maps within the Hunter gene.

Hunter disease is an X-linked mucopolysaccharidosis caused by deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme iduronate-2-sulfatase (IDS). Using the IDS cDNA and DNA probes corresponding to loci flanking the IDS locus, we performed molecular genetic studies in two patients with Hunter syndrome. An interstitial deletion spanning the middle part of the IDS gene was found in the first patient. The second patient carries a gross gene rearrangement that can be detected after HindIII or EcoRI digestion of genomic DNA, and is similar to that found recently in seven unrelated Hunter patients. Our data suggest that the structural aberration observed is a partial intragenic inversion. As the same altered hybridization pattern is also revealed by the recently described anonymous DNA probe II-10, which recognizes a frequent TaqI restriction fragment length polymorphism at the DXS466 locus, we conclude that DXS466 maps within the IDS gene, probably in an intron.

Blotting, Southern↗

Iduronate-2-sulfatase gene mutations in 16 patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter syndrome).

Mutations of the iduronate-2-sulfatase gene were identified in 16 patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter syndrome). Together with another 10 cases reported by us earlier it emerges that about 20% of the patients have deletions of the whole gene or other major structural alterations. One, two or three base pair deletions are found in about 23% of the cases while the remaining about 57% carry point mutations predicting amino acid replacement, premature termination of translation, or aberrant splicing. Molecular analysis of mRNA in splice site mutants showed that these latter defects frequently resulted in use of cryptic splice sites in exons or introns. 62% of the small deletions and point mutations have occurred in 3 of the 9 iduronate-2-sulfatase gene exons. Knowledge of the primary genetic defect allows fast and reliable carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis as well as insight into the relationship between genotype and phenotype.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The effect of 13;14 Robertsonian translocations on germ-cell differentiation in infertile males.

Two infertile men heterozygous for a 13;14 Robertsonian (Rb) translocation were investigated by means of synaptonemal complex studies, testicular histology, and semen analysis. In both individuals interaction between the Rb trivalent and the XY pair was observed. Twenty percent of pachytene cells analyzed in one patient showed XY-trivalent association which correlated with malformed spermatids; the higher rate of XY-trivalent association (approximately 47%) in the second proband corresponded with complete spermatogenic arrest. The data presented indicate a positive correlation between increased frequency of XY trivalent association and the degree of germ-cell impairment.

Adult↗

[Molecular genetic diagnosis of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome is a severe X-linked recessive disorder of the hematopoietic system. The gene locus for Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome was mapped on the proximal short arm of the X chromosome by demonstrating close linkage to the loci DXS255 and TIMP. Carriers for Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome are asymptomatic and, hence, can not be identified clinically. METHODS: For a better estimate of the carrier risk of female family members, an extended molecular genetic analysis has been carried out on two kindreds with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome: We followed the allele segregation at the two marker loci mentioned above known to be closely linked to the disease locus (indirect genotype diagnostics); in addition, we determined the pattern of X-inactivation by analyzing the methylation status of the two X chromosomes. RESULTS: We show that carriers for Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome can reliably be identified by the combination of segregation and X chromosome inactivation studies. Helpful information can be obtained by such studies in sporadic cases, too, or in families, in which--due to the early death--no surviving affected males are available for an DNA study. CONCLUSION: Indirect genotype analysis combined with the study of X-inactivation pattern is a valuable diagnostic tool for genetic counselling of families with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.

Adult↗

Deletion of the Hunter gene and both DXS466 and DXS304 in a patient with mucopolysaccharidosis type II.

Hunter syndrome is an X-linked mucopolysaccharidosis due to deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme iduronate-2-sulfatase (IDS). A cDNA clone containing the entire coding region of the human IDS gene, mapped in Xq28, has been used as molecular probe to study a patient with Hunter syndrome. A submicroscopic deletion has been detected that spans the IDS gene as well as DXS466 and DXS304, 2 loci mapped probably not more than 900 kb from the IDS locus. A detailed clinical description of the patient is provided and his phenotype is compared to that of other patients with IDS deletion described recently. By following the segregation of a restriction fragment length polymorphism at the IDS locus in the patient's family, our data suggest that the deletion occurred in the germ cells of the patient's grandfather.

Blotting, Southern↗

Uniparental isodisomy due to duplication of chromosome 21 occurring in somatic cells monosomic for chromosome 21.

Uniparental disomy has been recently recognized as an important phenomenon in non-Mendelian inheritance of human genetic disorders. Several mechanisms for uniparental disomy, i.e., the presence of two homologous chromosomes derived from one parent, have been proposed. We studied two independent cases of abnormalities of chromosome 21 in which there were abnormal karyotypes at birth but blood cells with normal karyotype predominated later in life, and the cells with abnormalities disappeared. Uniparental isodisomy was observed in the normal cells in these individuals. The uniparental disomy in these families was the result of duplication of a chromosome in mitosis after the loss of the homologous abnormal chromosome. The duplication can be seen as mechanism for cell survival and is called here "compensatory" isodisomy, which provided a selective advantage for the cell population with the normal number of chromosomes 21.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Evidence for nonallelic genetic heterogeneity in autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa.

Recent evidence suggesting the involvement of mutant rhodopsin proteins in the pathogenesis of autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa has prompted us to investigate whether this form of the disease shows non-allelic genetic heterogeneity, as has previously been shown to be the case in autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. The availability of a unique inbred Dutch pedigree has enabled us to address this question. We have used an intragenic polymorphism to exclude the possibility that a mutation in the rhodopsin gene is responsible for the disease in this patient population. These data provide evidence for the involvement of at least two loci in autosomal recessively inherited retinitis pigmentosa.

Base Sequence↗

Mutation analysis of the iduronate-2-sulfatase gene in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter syndrome).

Iduronate-2-sulfatase (IDS) cDNA from fibroblasts of nine patients with Hunter syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis type II) was screened for mutations using single strand conformation polymorphism analysis. Direct sequencing revealed a number of different mutations including missense or nonsense point mutations, deletions of one, two, or 60 base pairs, and a 22 base pair-insertion. Mutations of these types probably account for most IDS gene defects as only about 20% of Hunter patients have a complete deletion or gross structural alteration of their IDS gene. Thus the broad clinical variability amongst the Hunter patients may be due to the extensive genetic heterogeneity seen. The relationship between genotype and clinical phenotype is analysed in 12 Hunter patients.

Adolescent↗

Setleis (bitemporal 'forceps marks') syndrome in a German family: evidence for autosomal dominant inheritance.

The Setleis syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by predominantly facial findings, including bitemporal skin changes resembling forceps marks. Autosomal recessive inheritance of this distinct condition has been proposed. We report on a typically affected German boy whose father shows a much milder expression, thus suggesting autosomal dominant inheritance.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

[Atypical cat eye syndrome. Fluorescence in situ hybridization of metaphase chromosomes].

In 1983, a chromosome analysis was carried out in a newborn preterm infant with minor anomalies (preauricular skin tag, maldescensus testis). All analysed metaphases showed a small extra chromosome, which was symmetric, dicentric and bi-satellited. In spite of in depth analysis, its origin remained obscure. Recent re-evaluation using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) led to the diagnosis of a dicentric chromosome 22. The FISH technique is an important new tool in chromosome diagnostics. The phenotype of this infant only vaguely resembles the cat eye syndrome. The syndrome should be diagnosed clinically and not only based on the results of chromosome analysis.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Expression of the fragile-X in the "premutated"/"non-imprinted" state.

Data about the expression of the fragile site at Xq27.3 from 74 daughters of normal transmitting males (NTMs) were collected from 7 different genetic centers. The majority (85.1%) of these obligate female carriers did not show any cytogenetic expression of fra-X. The remaining 14.9% of these females had frequencies below 3%. In cases with a frequency below 3% of fra-X, a "premutated"/"non imprinted" state of a female carrier should be considered. The results of this collaborative study are in accordance with data from DNA studies taking the premutation model into account.

Female↗

The autosomal dominant familial exudative vitreoretinopathy locus maps on 11q and is closely linked to D11S533.

Autosomal dominant familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (adFEVR) is a hereditary disorder characterized by the incomplete vascularization of the peripheral retina. The primary biochemical defect in adFEVR is unknown. The adFEVR locus has tentatively been assigned to 11q by linkage studies. We report the results of an extended multipoint linkage analysis of two families with adFEVR by using five markers (INT2, D11S533, D11S527, D11S35, and CD3D) from 11q13-q23. Pairwise linkage data obtained in the two families were rather similar and hence have not provided evidence for genetic heterogeneity. The highest complied two-point lod score (3.67, at a recombination fraction of .07) was obtained for the disease locus versus D11S533. Multipoint analyses showed that the adFEVR locus maps most likely, with a maximum location score of over 20, between D11S533/D11S527 and D11S35, at recombination rates of .147 and .104, respectively. Close linkage without recombination (maximum lod score 11.26) has been found between D11S533 and D11S527.

Chromosome Mapping↗