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We report two brothers with glycerol kinase deficiency (GKD). The older brother had serious clinical symptoms, mental and growth retardation, abnormal skeleton, spontaneous fractures and premature loss of abnormal teeth. He and his mother had low serum phosphate levels. He had elevated serum and urine glycerol levels and GKD was found in cultured fibroblasts. Prenatal diagnosis was performed in the second pregnancy. Glycerol kinase activity was considered normal in a chorionic villus sample of the foetus. After birth, it was found that the boy had elevated serum and urine glycerol levels. Enzymatic analysis in cultured fibroblasts revealed that this boy also had GKD, in spite of having no expression of the disease. Chromosomal analyses in the parents and both boys were normal. Major rearrangements or deletions were not detected in molecular studies of DNA from the two brothers. The hybridisation pattern was normal and no allelic loss was observed.

Mutations of the human androgen receptor gene may disturb sexual development in males, and are inherited as an X-linked recessive trait. The vast majority of the mutations are familial. We have identified a large kindred with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) without detectable androgen-binding in genital skin fibroblasts. A single nucleotide substitution (C-to-T transition) was identified, resulting in an Arg855 to Cys in the androgen binding domain. To date, four independent CAIS families have been reported with this specific mutation that coincides with the propensity of cytosines at CpG dinucleotides to methylate. An allele-specific oligo-nucleotide assay was developed that allowed for the rapid and specific identification of this mutation hot-spot in individuals with androgen receptor insensitivity syndromes.

We have recently refined the localization of the myotubular myopathy (MTM1) gene to a 430-kb region between DXS304 and DXS1345 in proximal Xq28. We report two new polymorphic microsatellite markers, DXS8377 and DXS7423, that were physically mapped within the critical interval. A recombination event in a family segregating for MTM1 placed the disease gene telomeric to the trinucleotide polymorphism DXS8377. Together with the recent mapping of two microdeletions associated with MTM1, the recombination refines the critical region to 280 kb. A second recombination event was observed distal to the tetranucleotide repeat DXS7423. This recombination has occurred in the off-spring of a female with a more than 67% probability of being a carrier and very likely restricts the MTM1 gene to a 130-kb region. This physical refinement is significant for positional cloning of the disease gene. The highly polymorphic markers and the precise localization of the MTM1 gene will facilitate genetic diagnosis of the disorder.

We have recently described a female patient with myotubular myopathy (MTM1) and an interstitial deletion at Xq28. Characterisation of the deletion allowed us to position the MTM1 gene to a 600 kb region between DXS304 and DXS497. In order to further restrict the region we screened for deletions in a set of 38 patients. We found two overlapping deletions in boys that in addition to MTM1 showed an unexpected abnormal genital development. As the latter phenotype is not found in the other non-deleted MTM1 patients, our observations are best explained by a contiguous gene syndrome. The deletions define a 430 kb region that contains the MTM1 gene and most likely a gene implicated in male sexual development. A high resolution physical map of this region is presented.

Noonan syndrome, multiple lentigines syndrome (LEOPARD syndrome), Watson syndrome and neurofibromatosis type 1 share certain clinical manifestations. We present a linkage analysis using microsatellite markers located in the neurofibromatosis type 1 region at 17q11 in a family with Noonan syndrome and cafe-au-lait spots and in another family with multiple lentigines syndrome. No linkage of the disease to the neurofibromatosis type 1 locus was found in the families investigated. On the basis of our results, we suggest that neither familial multiple lentigines syndrome nor Noonan syndrome is caused by a defect in the neurofibromatosis type 1 gene.

Two novel mutations (L32P) and (G85N) among five different missense mutations in six Danish families with Fabry's disease.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is the most common form of inherited motor and sensory neuropathy. X-linked CMT (CMTX1) has been localized to the pericentric region of the X chromosome. Recently, mutations have been defined in the connexin 32 gene that cosegregate with the CMTX1 phenotype in several families. The present paper presents the results of an international consortium to fine map the gene for CMTX1 to a small segment of Xq12-13. The linkage data, together with the molecular genetic studies, support the hypothesis that connexin32 is the genetic defect in CMTX1.

delta F508 is the most frequent cystic fibrosis (CF) mutation and accounts for approximately 70% of CF chromosomes worldwide. Three highly polymorphic microsatellite markers have been used to study the origin and evolution of delta F508 chromosomes in Europe. Haplotype data demonstrate that delta F508 occurred more than 52,000 years ago, in a population genetically distinct from any present European group, and spread throughout Europe in chronologically distinct expansions, which are responsible for the different frequencies of delta F508 in Europe.

A twin pregnancy following in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer coincidentally at risk for the X-linked recessive Duchenne muscular dystrophy is described. First-trimester prenatal diagnosis by transabdominal chorionic villus samplings on the dichorionic placentae and molecular linkage analysis could exclude the disorder in both fetuses. Genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis were particularly complex due to the twin pregnancy, the need for linkage analysis, and confined placental mosaicism 45,X/46XX in one of the fetuses. All parties should be aware that additional invasive diagnostic procedures in the second trimester might be required. It is proposed that, in similar situations, only one, arguably two, fertilized egg be transferred at a time to facilitate prenatal diagnosis and decision making for these rare couples. This problem, however, may be increasingly overcome by preimplantation diagnosis.

We analyzed the FRAXAC2 and DXS548 microsatellites in normal and fragile X chromosomes from Sweden and the Czech Republic in order to investigate a possible founder effect for chromosomes carrying a fragile X mutation. We report a much stronger linkage disequilibrium between the marker haplotypes and the disease in Swedish fragile X chromosomes than in Czech and most other previously studied Caucasian populations. Two haplotypes accounted for 64% of Swedish fragile X chromosomes and for only 14% of normal chromosomes. Neither of these two haplotypes was found in Czech chromosomes, but the most common Swedish fragile X haplotype is the same as that reported to be predominant in Finnish fragile X patients. Linkage disequilibrium was observed in the Czech fragile X chromosomes but the haplotypes were more diverse and similar to those observed in other Caucasian populations. The most prevalent Swedish fragile X haplotype was traced back from affected males to common ancestors in the early 18th century. This indicates an apparently silent segregation of fragile X alleles through up to nine generations. The geographical distribution of the two major at-risk haplotypes in Sweden suggests that they were present among early settlers in different parts of the country.

European Journal of Human Genetics advance online publication, 19 January 2011; doi:10.1038/ejhg.2010.2471. DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS1.1 Name of the disease (synonyms)Diamond Blackfan anemia, DBA1, 3–10 (DBA2 not confirmed), AaseSmith syndrome, congenital hypoplastic anemia, Blackfan Diamondanemia and inherited erythroblastopenia.1.2 OMIM# of the disease105650, 610629, 612527, 612528, 612561,612562, 612563, 613308 and613309.1.3 Name of the analysed genes or DNA/chromosome segmentsRPS19, RPS24, RPS17, RPL35A, RPL5, RPL11, RPS7, RPS10 andRPS26.1.4 OMIM# of the gene(s)603474, 602412, 180472, 180468, 603634, 604175, 603658, 603632 and603701.1.5 Mutational spectrumIn patients for whom there is a known mutation (50–60%), DiamondBlackfan anemia results from a ribosomal protein haploinsufficiency.

A family with an X-linked mental retardation syndrome involving seven children in two generations is reported. The syndrome includes microcephaly, severe mental retardation, optic atrophy with severely impaired vision or blindness, a severe hearing defect, spasticity, epileptic seizures, restricted movement of the large joints, and death in infancy or early childhood. We conclude that this is a distinct, previously unrecognized X-linked mental retardation syndrome.

Background Progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) is a member of a progesterone-binding complex implicated in female reproduction. We aimed i) to determine the natural expression of PGRMC1 in peripheral nucleated blood cells throughout the menstrual cycle and ii) to investigate any association between PGRMC1 levels in leukocytes and conditions characterized by reduced fertility. Methods We analyzed PGRMC1 expression in peripheral leukocytes from 15 healthy cycling women over four weeks. Additionally, we determined PGRMC1 levels in samples from patients with premature ovarian failure (POF) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as well as in healthy postmenopausal women and male controls. The levels of PGRMC1 protein in nucleated peripheral blood cells were quantified by Western blot analysis. Results PGRMC1 levels did not vary significantly throughout the menstrual cycle. We observed a significant down-regulation of PGRMC1 in postmenopausal women and in patients with premature ovarian failure (POF) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) when compared to early follicular phase of healthy women. Conclusion This study suggests that reduced levels of PGRMC1 in peripheral leukocytes are associated with perturbed ovulatory function.

Hunter syndrome is an X-linked mucopoly-saccharidosis 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. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

A single base substitution in exon 10 of the glucocerebrosidase gene was detected in families affected by Gaucher disease (GD) type III. This mutation, which results in the substitution of proline for leucine in position 444 of glucocerebrosidase, has been shown to result in type III GD in a Swedish population. Three fetuses at risk for GD type III were diagnosed as homozygous for the mutation and the pregnancies were terminated. In a fourth pregnancy, one parent was excluded as being a carrier and the risk of having a child affected by GD was ignored. Direct analysis of common mutations causal to GD is now available and improves prenatal diagnosis in families where the molecular defect has been characterized.

Linkage analysis was performed in three Swedish families segregating for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP), using five polymorphic DNA markers assigned to Xp. Individual recombination events were analyzed and two- and five-point linkage analysis was undertaken. In one family, a XLRP locus was mapped to the same position as OTC corresponding to RP3. In two families, a disease locus linked to OTC was excluded. In one family, recombination events indicate a locus for XLRP outside the interval (DXS84-OTC-DXS255-DXS14), most likely on the centromeric side of DXS14.

Diagnosis of the carrier status of the fragile X [fra(X)] syndrome was made in 2 unrelated women who did not express the fragile site. Both were related to several individuals with a typical fra(X) phenotype and the marker X chromosome. A restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) approach was used with probes that flank the fra(X) locus (FRAXA). The loci used for risk calculations of the fra(X) genotype were DXS98 and DXS105 on the centromeric side and a recently characterized locus, DXS304, on the telomeric side. Coincidence correction for the distances between marker loci and FRAXA was made according to the Kosambi function. The DNA marker test gave the risk for one female to be a carrier of 99.7-99.9%. In another family a female was excluded from being a carrier with a probability of greater than 99.7%. The DNA marker U6.2, defining the locus DXS304, has increased the reliability of DNA based diagnosis of carrier status for females-at-risk. It is concluded that DNA analysis can serve as a valuable complement to chromosome analysis in families informative for the more closely linked flanking markers.

We have localized the gene encoding a cerebellar degeneration related (CDR) protein to a region proximal to the fragile site close to DXS98 and DXS105. This gene is polymorphic with the enzyme RsaI and therefore also provides a new genetic marker in this region. We have refined the localization of the locus DXS304 distal to the breakpoint in a patient suffering from Hunter disease. This confirms the localization of DXS304 distal to the fragile site previously suggested by linkage studies and localizes the fragile X mutation to a relatively small region between the Hunter breakpoint and the breakpoint in another hybrid B17.

Diagnosis of carriers of the fragile-X mental retardation gene is hampered by the paucity of tightly linked DNA markers. Recently, 2 new DNA markers RN1 (DXS369) and U6.2 (DXS304) have become available. Both markers are tightly linked to the fragile-X locus, but their location relative to the fragile site was not known with certainty. We have tested these new markers in a multipoint linkage analysis of 26 fragile-X families typed for DXS105 as a proximal marker and DXS52 as a distal marker. Our results establish the order DXS105-DXS369-fra(X)-DXS304-DXS52, which is in agreement with physical mapping results.

Linkage data for familial incontinentia pigmenti (IP2) and nine X chromosomal markers are reported. Previously found linkage between IP2 and the DXS52 locus is confirmed with the maximum lod score of 6.19 at a recombination fraction of 0.03. Linkage is also established with loci DXS134, DXS15 and DXS33. Multipoint analysis allows us to localize the IP2 locus outside a block of seven linked markers of the Xq28 region.

Diamond Blackfan anemia (DBA) is characterized by reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis of erythroid progenitors. Approximately 25% of patients are heterozygous for mutations in the gene encoding ribosomal protein S19 (RPS19). The molecular mechanisms behind DBA remain unclear and RPS19 was recently shown to interact with PIM1 kinase. To elucidate the phenotypic and cellular effects of this interaction we generated mice strains with the genotypes Rps19 +/− Pim1 +/+; Rps19 +/+ Pim1 −/− and Rps19 +/− Pim1 −/−. We analyzed the mice for peripheral blood and bone marrow parameters as well as apoptotic markers in primary bone marrow cells. The double mutant mice (Rps19 +/− Pim1 −/−) show normal growth and life span with increased white and red blood cell counts when compared to wild type, Rps19 heterozygous, and Pim1 null mice, respectively. Analysis of proteins in bone marrow cells shows that the combination of Rps19 insufficiency and Pim1 deficiency is associated with increased levels of Stat5 as well as the anti-apoptotic markers Mcl-1, Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL. The pro-apoptotic markers Bak, Caspase-3 and p21 show decreased levels whereas p53 remains unchanged. These findings suggest a co-operative effect of Rps19 insufficiency and Pim1 deficiency on cell proliferation in murine hematopoiesis.

Diamond Blackfan Anemia (DBA) is a rare congenic anemia characterized by reduced erythrocyte precursors. Mutations in the ribosomal protein S19 (RPS19) gene are found in about 20% of patients, although it is unclear how this relates to the pathophysiology of the disease. Two transcripts have been reported for human RPS19 in the NCBI database (BC000023 and BC018616), which only differ in the length of the 5′UTR. Both transcripts predict translation to the same protein product and we therefore speculate that the extended 5′UTR may be of importance. While the short (569bp) transcript is well studied, the long (873bp) transcript has not been investigated. We determined the size and tissue distribution as a basic characterization of the long RPS19 transcript. Furthermore, we examined proteins interacting with the different RPS19 transcript variants. Two methods were used determine the size of long RPS19 transcript. Ribonuclease protection assays and 5′-RACE indicate a transcript length consistent with the reported sequence with a 5′UTR of 372bp. Interestingly the 5′UTR predicted in the long transcript contains sequence for a previously reported promoter, suggesting a second novel promoter. Tissue distribution was determined using reverse transcriptase PCR on isolated RNA from a panel of tissues including heart, bone marrow, fetal liver, liver, brain, fetal brain, muscle, kidney, uterus, adrenal gland, lungs, placenta, prostate testes, ovary, thymus, colon, lymphocytes and from K562 and HeLa cell lines. Analysis indicated a ubiquitously expression of the long RPS19 transcript. In order to investigate interactions between the RPS19 transcripts and regulatory proteins, a UV cross-linking assay was performed using in vitro transcribed RNA representing both short and long transcripts. A protein of 55 kDa from nuclear fractions prepared from the erythroid cell lines K562, UT-7 and Cos-1 cells was found to bind to the long RPS19 transcript but not to the short RPS19 transcript. Our results provide evidence for an additional long, RPS19 transcript containing an extended 5′UTR that is ubiquitously transcribed and indicates the existence of a second promoter for RPS19. We further show that a nuclear protein, present in two different erythroid cell lines, interacts with the long RPS19 transcript indicating a function for the extended 5′UTR. This data suggests additional regulatory pathways involving RPS19 mRNA which may be of relevance to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind DBA.

Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) is a congenital red cell aplasia in which 25% of the patients have a mutation in the ribosomal protein S19 (RPS19) gene. It is unknown how the ribosomal protein deficiency leads to anemia. We previously developed three lentiviral vectors expressing siRNA against RPS19 and one scramble control vector. All vectors also express GFP. We have previously shown that transduction of CD34+ bone marrow (BM) cells with the siRNA vectors reduced RPS19 mRNA levels, resulting in formation of fewer erythroid colonies. In the present study, we have demonstrated downregulation of RPS19 protein in siRNA treated cells. RPS19 protein levels decreased over time and were reduced to 40-60% of normal in cells transduced with all three siRNA vectors 5 days after transduction. We asked which stage of erythroid development is most affected by RPS19 deficiency. After 7 days in liquid culture supporting erythroid differentiation Glycophorin A (GlyA) and CD71 expression was examined by FACS. RPS19-silenced as well as DBA patient CD34+ cells exhibited a block in erythroid differentiation seen as an increased fraction of GlyAneg CD71low cells while the fractions of CD71high GlyAintermediate and GlyAhigh cells decreased. We cultured untransduced CD34+ cells in liquid culture for 7 days and isolated CD71high GlyA intermediate cells that are highly enriched in CFU-E and do not contain BFU-E. These cells were transduced with RPS19 siRNA vectors. Further erythroid maturation from CFU-E (CD71high GlyAintermediate) to more mature erythroid cells (GlyAhigh) was not affected by RPS19 silencing suggesting that the main block in erythroid development occurs prior to the CFU-E formation. The failure of erythroid differentiation correlated with the decrease in RPS19 protein levels. Transduction with a lentivirus expressing an siRNA-resistant RPS19 transcript rescued both the erythroid progenitor proliferation and differentiation, showing that the DBA-like phenotype is specific to the RPS19 deficiency. Finally we cultured the cells in liquid medium supporting both erythroid and myeloid differentiation. Proliferation decreased while the ratio of mature myeloid to erythroid cells increased 3 fold in cells transduced with the 2 most efficient siRNA-vectors, meaning that erythroid development is more sensitive to low RPS19 levels than myeloid development. When RPS19 is downregulated to intermediate levels, erythroid differentiation and proliferation of erythroid progenitors is severely reduced. More severe reduction of RPS19 impairs proliferation of myeloid progenitors as well, leading to a reduced output of myeloid progeny. Although our data cannot rule out hypothetical extraribosomal mechanisms we suggest that the major clinical findings in RPS19 deficient DBA can be explained by insufficient protein translation. This study shows for the first time that RPS19 protein downregulation decreases the proliferative capacity of hematopoietic progenitors leading to an early defect in erythroid development.

Increases in the number of allelic malformation syndromes (due to mutations in a single gene) have led to their classification according to their pathogenesis rather than their clinical specific phenotype. TP63 mutations have been identified in several such syndromes characterised by autosomal dominant transmission and various combinations of ectodermal dysplasia, limb malformations, and orofacial clefting. The TP63 gene is a TP53 homologue,1–8 part of a family composed of only three members. The third member (TP73) is more similar to TP63 than to TP53 in both structure and function.9–13 Like p53, p63 has a transactivating (TA), a DNA binding (DB), and a polymerisation domain; it exerts p53-like activities in various contexts, such as binding canonical p53 sites, transactivating p53 target genes, and inducing apoptosis.1,2 Unlike TP53, which expresses one major transcript, TP63 contains four separate transcription initiation sites that direct expression of two fundamentally different isotypes that retain (TA products) or lack (ΔN products) the TA domain.14 Alternative splicing generates additional complexity at the C terminus. ΔN isoforms lack TA activity and may also suppress the TA isoforms, either by simple competition for the DNA target sites or by acting as dominant negatives through oligomerisation. By contrast to p53, the C terminus in p63 is longer and contains a SAM domain and a TID (transactivation inhibitory domain). SAM domains are involved in protein-protein interactions and probably have regulatory functions in p63,15–17 since its TA-α isoform shows a lower TA activity than the γ form, which lacks the SAM but retains the TA domain. The TID has been mapped within the α tail downstream to the SAM domain.14 The differences at the C terminus identify three transcripts which have different properties and functions: α, β, and γ isoforms. The α isoforms have …

Targeted disruption of the c-src gene leads to a severe form of osteopetrosis in mice [2]. As the c-src gene is expressed in all tissues and cells tested, we have analyzed fibroblasts from three individuals with malignant, congenital osteopetrosis for the expression of c-src at the protein level. No differences could be detected in c-src protein and c-src kinase activity levels between fibroblasts from healthy controls and affected individuals. Thus, impairment of c-src function as an etiological factor in human osteopetrosis appears unlikely in the individuals investigated.

A study of individuals possibly affected with the fragile X syndrome in a large Swedish family in the 18th to 20th centuries

Four patients affected with autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia, deafness, and narcolepsy underwent brain CT and MRI. Radiologic findings were supratentorial atrophy (more pronounced than infratentorial atrophy), pronounced dilatation of the third ventricle, low T2 signal intensity in the basal ganglia, loss of cerebral cortex-white matter differentiation, and periventricular high-signal rims. 2-[18F]Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose PET was done with one patient, without specific findings. Genetic analyses excluded SCA-1, SCA-2, SCA-3, SCA-6, SCA-7, DRPLA, and huntingtin gene mutations.

DIAMOND-BLACKFAN ANEMIA: GENETIC HOMOGENEITY FOR A GENE ON CHROMOSOME 19q13 RESTRICTED TO 1.8 Mb 28

The fragile X syndrome, which is the most common cause of inherited mental retardation, poses important diagnostic problems for genetic counseling. The development of diagnostic strategies based on DNA analysis has been impaired by the lack of polymorphic markers very close to the disease locus. Here we report that the polymorphic probe U6.2 (locus DXS304) is much closer to the fragile X locus than all the previously reported markers. A recombination fraction of 0.02 between DXS304 and the fragile X locus was estimated by multipoint linkage analysis (confidence interval 0.002 to 0.05). Our data suggest that DXS304 is distal to the fragile X locus. This marker thus represents a major improvement for carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis in fragile X families.

Ichthyosis prematurity syndrome (IPS) is an autosomal-recessive disorder characterized by premature birth and neonatal asphyxia, followed by a lifelong nonscaly ichthyosis with atopic manifestations. Here we show that the gene encoding the fatty acid transport protein 4 (FATP4) is mutated in individuals with IPS. Fibroblasts derived from a patient with IPS show reduced activity of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA)-CoA synthetase and a specific reduction in the incorporation of VLCFA into cellular lipids. The human phenotype is consistent with Fatp4 deficiency in mice that is characterized by a severe skin phenotype, a defective permeability barrier function, and perturbed VLCFA metabolism. Our results further emphasize the importance of fatty acid metabolism for normal epidermal barrier function illustrated by deficiency of a member in the FATP family of proteins.

SummaryWe investigated a Swedish family with nonsyndromic progressive bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Thirteen candidate loci for autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss were tested for linkage in this family. We found significant LOD scores (>3) for markers at candidate locus DFNA12 (11q22-q24) and suggestive LOD scores (>2) for markers at locus DFNA2 (1p32). Our results for markers on chromosome 11 narrowed down the candidate region for the DFNA12 locus. A detailed analysis of the phenotypes and haplotypes shared by the affected individuals supported the notion that two genes segregated together with hearing impairment in the family. Severely affected family members had haplotypes linked to the disease allele on both chromosomes 1 and 11, whereas individuals with milder hearing loss had haplotypes linked to the disease allele on either chromosome 1 or chromosome 11. These observations suggest an additive effect of two genes, each gene resulting in a mild and sometimes undiagnosed phenotype, but both together resulting in a more severe phenotype.

Ribosomal protein S19 (RPS19) is mutated in patients with Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA). We hypothesized that decreased levels of RPS19 lead to a coordinated down-regulation of other ribosomal (r-)proteins at the subunit level. We show that small interfering RNA (siRNA) knock-down of RPS19 results in a relative decrease of small subunit (SSU) r-proteins (S20, S21 and S24) when compared to large subunit (LSU) r-proteins (L3, L9, L30 and L38). This correlates with a relative decrease in 18S rRNA with respect to 28S rRNA. The r-protein mRNA levels remain relatively unchanged indicating a post transcriptional regulation of r-proteins at the level of subunit formation.

• Diagnosis of X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (RS) was made in two nonrelated Swedish individuals with restriction fragment length polymorphisms, using probes that flank the RS locus. The X chromosome of a 1-year-old male infant, at risk, displayed the same haplotype as an affected brother for restriction fragment length polymorphisms, representing five linked markers, which extended between the DXS164 and the DXS85 loci and encompassed the RS locus. The diagnosis was confirmed by a clinical examination and an electroretinogram. The X chromosomes of a pregnant woman, an offspring of a carrier female, showed a different haplotype to that of her affected brother, at three linked loci that flanked the RS gene. She was excluded as a carrier with a high probability; hence, the fetus was unlikely to inherit an abnormal gene for this X-linked trait. In informed families a DNA-based diagnosis can serve as a valuable complement to an electroretinogram and a clinical examination in the diagnosis of RS, since these carrier females cannot currently be identified by other means.

A MspI polymorphism was detected in the β-glucocerebrosidase gene in 10 Swedish families affected by type III Gaucher's disease. The sizes of the polymorphic fragments were 1.70 and 1.75 kb and the disease was found to segregate with the 1.70-kb fragment in 32 meioses. Only the 1.75-kb fragment was detected in families with no history of Gaucher's disease. The results indicate that the mutation causing type III Gaucher's disease has occurred once within the Swedish population. The polymorphism is useful for carrier detection since biochemical tests sometimes give inconclusive results.

Four families with juvenile retionoschisis (RS) have been studied by linkage analysis utilizing eleven polymorphic X-chromosomal markers. The results suggest a close linkage between DXS43, DXS41, and DXS208 and the RS locus at Xp22. The RS locus is distal to the OTC locus, DXS84, and the DMD locus but proximal to DXS85. No recombination events were observed between the RS locus and DXS43 and DXS41. The maximum likelihood estimate of the recombination fraction (theta) was thus zero and the peak lod scores (z) were 4.98 (DXS43) and 4.09 (DXS41). The linkage data suggest that the gene order on Xp is DXS85-(DXS43, RS, DXS41)-DMD-DXS84-OTC.

We have analyzed one patient with a syndrome of glycerol kinase deficiency (GKD), adrenal hypoplasia (AH), mental retardation (MR) and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH). Although a cytogenetic analysis of the patient failed to reveal any detectable chromosomal abnormality, Southern blot analysis, using DNA probes from the Xp21-Xp22 region, revealed a molecular deletion localized between the DXS41 and the DXS268 loci. Our results together with those of others (van Ommen et al. 1986, 1987, Francke et al. 1987, Yates et al. 1987, Chelly et al. 1988) suggest that the GK gene is located between the DXS68 and DXS268 loci. In addition, we propose a locus for HH in Xp, distal to the genes for GK and AH.

A new cloned DNA probe (U6.2), which recognizes polymorphisms near the locus for the fragile-X syndrome, was isolated. No recombinations were observed between the probe and the disease locus, although recombinations were observed with several other probes known to be located close to the fragile site. The locus defined by the probe, DXS304, cosegregated with the fragile-X phenotype in 29 informative meioses (zeta = 4.97, tau = 0.00). The degree of polymorphism at this locus and its proximity to the fragile-X locus makes it useful for carrier diagnosis and as a new starting point for attempts to clone the gene responsible for the disease.

Autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of inherited disorders of keratinisation, with an estimated incidence of one per 200 000 newborns.1 In Scandinavia, the prevalence is closer to one in 50 000.2,3 By electron microscopy, ARCI can be classified into four subgroups—ichthyosis congenita I–IV—and one so far undefined group. Six loci have been associated with ARCI: on chromosomes 2q34 (LI2 (MIM 601277)), 3p21 (NCIE2 (MIM 604780)), 14q11.2 (LI1 (MIM 242300) and NCIE1 (MIM 242100)), 17p13.1 (LI5 (MIM 606545)), 19p12–q12 (LI3 (MIM 190195)), and 19p13.1–p13.2 (NNCI (MIM 604781)).4–9 Genes that correspond to four of these have been identified: the transglutaminase 1 gene ( TGM1 (MIM 190195)) on chromosome 14q11, the comparative gene identification 58 ( CGI-58 (MIM 604780)) on chromosome 3p21, two genes from the lipoxygenase (LOX) family—lipoxygenase-3 ( ALOX3 ) and 12(R)-lipoxygenase ( ALOX12B (MIM 603741))—on chromosome 17p13.1, and, most recently, the adenosine triphosphate binding cassette 12A ( ABCA12A (MIM 607800)) on chromosome 2q34.10–14 The transglutaminase 1 protein takes part in the formation of the lipid envelope on the surface of epidermal keratinocytes. Cells with a disrupted TGM1 gene have a defective epidermal barrier function. TGM1 is altered in one third of patients with ichthyosis congenita type I and all patients with ichthyosis congenita type II.2,12,15,16 Mutations in the CGI-58 gene on chromosome 3p21 cause Chanarin-Dorfman disease (CDS (MIM 275630)). The protein CGI-58 belongs to a large family of proteins characterised by an α/β hydrolase fold and contains three sequence motifs found in the esterase, lipase, and thioesterase subfamily. Affected patients have raised levels of triacylglycerol, and CGI-58 has been postulated to be involved in recycling of triacylglycerol derived monoacylglycerol or diacylglycerol to specific phospholipids or in the catabolism of long chain fatty acids.11 Mutations in either of …

Diamond-Blackfan anaemia (DBA) is a constitutional erythroblastopenia characterized by absent or decreased erythroid precursors. The disease, previously mapped to human chromosome 19q13, is frequently associated with a variety of malformations. To identify the gene involved in DBA, we cloned the chromosome 19q13 breakpoint in a patient with a reciprocal X;19 chromosome translocation. The breakpoint occurred in the gene encoding ribosomal protein S19. Furthermore, we identified mutations in RPS19 in 10 of 40 unrelated DBA patients, including nonsense, frameshift, splice site and missense mutations, as well as two intragenic deletions. These mutations are associated with clinical features that suggest a function for RPS19 in erythropoiesis and embryogenesis.

Background Ichthyosis Prematurity Syndrome (IPS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by premature birth, non-scaly ichthyosis and atopic manifestations. The disease was recently shown to be caused by mutations in the gene encoding the fatty acid transport protein 4 (FATP4) and a specific reduction in the incorporation of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA) into cellular lipids. Findings We screened probands from five families segregating IPS for mutations in the FATP4 gene. Four probands were compound heterozygous for four different mutations of which three are novel. Four patients were heterozygous and one patient homozygous for the previously reported non-sense mutation p.C168X (c.504c > a). All patients had clinical characteristics of IPS and a similar clinical course. Conclusions Missense mutations and non-sense mutations in FATP4 are associated with similar clinical features suggesting that missense mutations have a severe impact on FATP4 function. The results broaden the mutational spectrum in FATP4 associated with IPS for molecular diagnosis of and further functional analysis of FATP4.