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R L Nussbaum

Publications and source records attributed to R L Nussbaum.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Genetic and physical mapping of Xq24-q26 markers flanking the Lowe oculocerebrorenal syndrome.

The Lowe oculocerebrorenal syndrome (OCRL) is characterized by congenital cataract, mental retardation, and renal tubular dysfunction. We are using the approaches of linkage analysis, mapping with somatic cell hybrids, and long-range restriction mapping to determine the order of Xq24-q26 markers with respect to each other and to the OCRL locus. DXS42 and DXS100 are proximal to the translocation breakpoint in a female patient with OCRL and a de novo translocation t(X;3)(q25;q27). DXS10, DXS86, HPRT, and DXS177 are distal to the breakpoint. These flanking markers show tight linkage to the disease locus in 11 families segregating for OCRL. Results from field inversion gel analysis show that DXS86 and DXS10 share a 460-kb BssHII fragment. Multipoint analysis to determine the position of HPRT with respect to (DXS10,DXS86) suggests that HPRT is proximal to (DXS10,DXS86). We propose the following order for markers in Xq24-q26: Xcen-(DXS42,DXS37,DXS100)-OCRL-DXS53 -HPRT-[(DXS10,DXS86),DXS177]-Xqter. The identification of additional tightly linked flanking markers extends the number of markers available for use in genetic counseling and begins to define the physical map of the region containing the gene for OCRL.

Blotting, Southern↗

Partial deletions of a sequence family ("DXS278") and its physical linkage to steroid sulfatase as detected by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

pCRI-S232 (DXS278) is a 7-kb genomic sequence that hybridizes to multiple polymorphic X-linked restriction fragments on standard Southern analysis. Physical mapping of pCRI-S232 by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) suggests that a sequence in S232 is repeated in multiple X-chromosomal regions in normal individuals. Steroid sulfatase (STS) and DXS237 each hybridize to two of six X-linked SfiI fragments detected by S232. Two independent familial STS deletions, one of which is associated with a phenotype of ichthyosis plus ocular albinism (XI/OA1) and the other with nystagmus plus Rud syndrome, lack some but not all of the normal S232 PFGE fragments. We isolated a DNA fragment, E25B1.8, from a cosmid that contains S232. E25B1.8 detects a subset of the S232 polymorphic fragments on standard Southern blots plus new constant fragments; some, but not all, of the E25B1.8-hybridizing fragments are deleted in the XI/OA1 and Rud syndrome/nystagmus males. The simpler, but highly informative, polymorphism detected by E25B1.8 (DXS452) also eliminates an "intralocus" recombination seen with S232. We conclude that (1) males with STS deletions and complex phenotypes are partially deleted for DXS278, (2) DXS237 and part of DXS278 lie within 800 kb of STS, and (3) a repeat sequence within or around pCRI-S232 is probably located in multiple X-chromosomal locations spanning at least 2-3 Mb.

Arylsulfatases↗

DXS165 detects a translocation breakpoint in a woman with choroideremia and a de novo X; 13 translocation.

The search for the gene for choroideremia (MIM 30310), a rare retinal dystrophy, has been of great interest due to the existence of several choroideremia patients with well-defined structural chromosome aberrations, thus providing the basis for a reverse genetics approach to the isolation of this disease gene. This report details our molecular studies of a woman with choroideremia and a de novo X; 13 translocation. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis using a contour-clamped homogeneous electric field apparatus has allowed detection of the translocation breakpoint with the anonymous DNA marker p1bD5 (DXS165) and the mapping of this probe to within 120 kb of the breakpoint. In addition, we have used this probe to isolate a clone (pCH4) from a 100-kb jumping library which has crossed a rare-cutting restriction site (XhoI) between DXS165 and the choroideremia gene and detects the translocation breakpoint using this enzyme. Although DXS165 lies within 120 kb of the breakpoint and Cremers et al. (1987, Clin. Genet. 32: 421-423; 1989, PNAS 86: 7510-7514) have detected deletions of DXS165 in 3 of 30 choroideremia probands, we have detected no deletions of this marker or of pCH4 in 42 unrelated probands with this retinal disease.

Animals↗

Heterogeneity of clinical severity and molecular lesions in Aicardi syndrome.

All patients with Aicardi syndrome are female or have a 47,XXY karyotype. This finding, along with a report of an Aicardi syndrome patient with an Xp22/autosome translocation, led to the hypothesis that Aicardi syndrome might be caused by an X-linked dominant, male-lethal mutation on the short arm of the X chromosome. To study this hypothesis, we investigated X chromosome inactivation patterns in peripheral lymphocytes from seven patients. We used two methods: methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme analysis and segregation of the active X chromosome in somatic cell hybrids. We found that three of seven cytogenetically normal girls with Aicardi syndrome had profoundly skewed X-inactivation in their lymphocytes, supporting the concept that Aicardi syndrome is X linked. Three of the five girls with the greatest degree of psychomotor retardation and the poorest seizure control had skewed X-inactivation. In contrast, the two highest-functioning children had random X-inactivation. We screened DNA using eight polymorphic probes from the Xp22 region but were unable to identify a deletion in any of the seven patients. Nonrandom X-inactivation in lymphocytes and possibly other tissues in some, but not all, patients with Aicardi syndrome may reflect heterogeneity of their molecular lesions.

Agenesis of Corpus Callosum↗

Mapping X-linked ophthalmic diseases. IV. Provisional assignment of the locus for X-linked congenital cataracts and microcornea (the Nance-Horan syndrome) to Xp22.2-p22.3.

The Nance-Horan syndrome (NHS) is an infrequent X-linked disorder typified by dense congenital central cataracts, microcornea, anteverted and simplex pinnae, brachymetacarpalia, and numerous dental anomalies. The regional location of the genetic mutation causing NHS is unknown. The authors applied the modern molecular techniques of analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms to five multigenerational kindreds in which NHS segregated. Provisional linkage is established to two DNA markers--DXS143 at Xp22.3-p22.2 and DXS43 at Xp22.2. Regional localization of NHS will provide potential antenatal diagnosis in families at risk for the disease and will enhance understanding of the multifaceted genetic defects.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Linkage studies and deletion screening in choroideremia.

Fourteen families with choroideremia (TCD) have been examined for linkage to nine genetic markers located on the proximal long arm of the X chromosome. Linkage to three markers (DXYS1, DXS72, DXS3) located in Xq21 was found with a four point lod score of 8.25. No evidence of submicroscopic deletions was observed using DXS233 and DXS232, both thought to lie within about 1 Mb of the TCD gene.

Choroideremia↗

Linkage analysis of a large Latin-American family with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa and metallic sheen in the heterozygote carrier.

An extended linkage analysis was performed on the large Latin-American kindred with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) and metallic sheen in the heterozygous carrier studied and reported previously by R.L. Nussbaum et al. (1985, Hum. Genet. 70:45-50) and on a smaller family with the same XLRP variant. In these kindreds the XLRP locus shows close linkage with Xp21 marker loci OTC and DXS206. The results of this linkage analysis agree with the observations made by Nussbaum et al. (1985) that an XLRP locus is distal to DXS7.

Crossing Over, Genetic↗

Physical fine mapping of the choroideremia locus using Xq21 deletions associated with complex syndromes.

Characterization of several male-viable deletions and duplications with 20 random DNA probes has enabled us to subdivide the Xq21 region into seven discernible intervals. Almost all of the deletions spanning part of Xq21 are associated with choroideremia and mental retardation, with deafness being another common feature. The gene locus for choroideremia was assigned to interval 3 spanning the loci DXS95, DXS165, and DXS233. Genes for X-linked deafness and mental retardation were tentatively assigned to interval 2. Deletions of intervals 4 through 7 were not associated with any clinical abnormality. We have constructed a preliminary long-range restriction map of intervals 2 and 3 using field-inversion gel electrophoresis. The DXS232, DXS121, and DXS233 loci are located on the same SfiI fragment, whereas the DXS165 and DXS95 loci could not be linked to this cluster using SfiI and SalI.

Chromosome Deletion↗

An arginine to glutamine mutation in residue 109 of human ornithine transcarbamylase completely abolishes enzymatic activity in Cos1 cells.

Ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) is an important enzyme in the detoxification of ammonia to urea, and its deficiency is the most common inborn error of ureagenesis in humans. Among 24 cases of OTC deficiency previously examined, three unrelated individuals all showed loss of a Taq I site in the OTC gene corresponding to codon 109, suggesting that this Taq I site may be prone to mutation. Two of these patients demonstrated the same C----T transition (in antisense strand) converting Arg109 to Gln. Although these studies implied a strong association between the missense mutation and OTC-deficient phenotype, a causal relationship could not be firmly established. We have investigated this relationship by reconstructing the mutation in vitro. A full-length human OTC cDNA was cloned into an SV40-based expression vector and has been reproducibly expressed at high levels in the cell line Cos1. By site-directed mutagenesis of this wild type sequence, we constructed a missense mutation which contains the C----T transition. Electroporation and transient assay in Cos1 indicated that the specific activity of mutant OTC was 100-fold lower than that of wild type. This result confirms that the Taq I alteration leading to the Gln missense is responsible for the OTC deficiency affecting the above patients.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Choroideremia and deafness with stapes fixation: a contiguous gene deletion syndrome in Xq21.

The study of contiguous gene deletion syndromes by using reverse genetic techniques provides a powerful tool for precisely defining the map location of the genes involved. We have made use of individuals with overlapping deletions producing choroideremia as part of a complex phenotype, to define the boundaries on the X chromosome for this gene, as well as for X-linked mixed deafness with perilymphatic gusher (DFN3). Two patients with deletions and choroideremia are affected by an X-linked mixed conductive/sensorineural deafness; one patient, XL-62, was confirmed at surgery to have DFN3, while the other patient, XL-45, is suspected clinically to have the same disorder. A third choroideremia deletion patient, MBU, has normal hearing. Patient XL-62 has a cytogenetically detectable deletion that was measured to be 7.7% of the X chromosome by dual laser flow cytometry; the other patient, XL-45, has a cytogenetically undetectable deletion that measures only 3.3% of the X chromosome. We have produced a physical map of the X-chromosome region containing choroideremia and DFN3 by using routine Southern blotting, chromosome walking and jumping techniques, and long-range restriction mapping to generate and link anonymous DNA sequences in this region. DXS232 and DXS233 are located within 450 kb of each other on the same SfiI and MluI fragments and share partial SalI fragments of 750 and greater than 1,000 kb but are separated by at least one SalI site. In addition, DXS232, which lies outside the MBU deletion, detects the proximal breakpoint of this deletion. We have isolated two new anonymous DNA sequences by chromosome jumping from DXS233; one of these detects a new SfiI fragment distal to DXS233 in the direction of the choroideremia gene, while the other jump clone is proximal to DXS233 and detects a new polymorphism. These data refine the map around the loci for choroideremia and for mixed deafness with stapes fixation and will provide points from which to isolate candidate gene sequences for these disorders.

Adolescent↗

New polymorphisms at the DXS98 locus and confirmation of its location proximal to FRAXA by in situ hybridization.

The locus DXS98, detected with the 1.5-kb anonymous probe p4D-8, was recently shown to be closely linked and proximal to the locus for the fragile X syndrome, with theta = .05 at lod = 3.406, by utilizing a limited number of meioses informative for a two-allele MspI RFLP. Because DXS98 may be the closest available marker to the fragile X locus (FRAXA), we sought to increase its utility for linkage studies by extending its PIC and confirming its localization to Xq27, proximal to FRAXA. We have isolated 15 kb of genomic DNA (lambda 4D8-3) from the DXS98 locus by using p4D-8 to screen a genomic phage library containing partial Sau3A-digested human DNA. Three additional RFLPs for the enzymes BglII and XmnI were found by using the entire lambda 4D8-3 as probe. Combined heterozygosity for the four RFLPs in 25 unrelated females was 48%, as compared with only 28% when the MspI RFLP alone was used. In situ hybridization of unique sequences from lambda 4D8-3 was performed on metaphase chromosomes of lymphocytes and lymphoblasts from patients with the fragile X syndrome. Grains on the X chromosome were significantly clustered at band Xq27. Following fragile site induction, all nine grains in the q27-28 region were proximal to the fragile site. Confirmation of the location of DXS98 proximal to FRAXA and the new RFLPs at this locus make DXS98 more useful for linkage analysis and physical mapping in the region of the fragile X mutation.

Alleles↗

X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency: localization within the region Xq13.1-q21.1 by linkage and deletion analysis.

X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) (McKusick 30040; IMD4) is a disease of unknown pathogenesis characterized by severe and persistent infections from early in life that are due to absence of both cellular and humoral immune function. Although the disease has been provisionally mapped to proximal Xq, high lethality and lack of a carrier test have limited the number of scorable meioses. We performed linkage analysis in six new kindreds with X-linked SCID, using a random pattern of T-cell X inactivation to rule out the carrier state in at-risk women. Our linkage results, combined with analysis of Xq interstitial deletions, confirmed the regional assignment of X-linked SCID, narrowed the boundaries within which this locus lies to Xq13.1-q21.1, and established the locus order DXS159-(PGK1, SCID)-DXS72-DXS3, defining flanking markers for prenatal diagnosis and carrier testing.

Female↗