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A Wandall

Publications and source records attributed to A Wandall.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Extensive cytogenetic analysis of a stable dicentric isochromosome 21, idic(21), formed by fusion of the terminal long arms.

The dicentric isochromosome 21 described in this paper was formed by fusion of the terminal parts of the long arms of two chromosomes 21. No interstitial telomeric AGGGTT repeats could be detected at the fusion point, but G-banding, comparative genomic hybridization, and fluorescence in situ hybridization with painting probes for 21qter revealed no loss of other terminal DNA sequences at the fusion point. Thus, only the telomeric repeats seem to have been lost prior to, or as a consequence of, isochromosome formation. Both short arms of the isochromosome were intact with complete NORs, and staining for alpha-satellite DNA showed that the DNA content of the two centromeres was the same. Antibody staining for the centromeric proteins CENP-C and CENP-E and for topoisomerase IIalpha and IIbeta demonstrated that these proteins were localized predominantly or exclusively at the centromere in the primary constriction. A novel functional in situ assay for topoisomerase activity in vivo similarly demonstrated enzyme activity exclusively at the primary constriction centromere.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

A neocentromere on human chromosome 3 without detectable alpha-satellite DNA forms morphologically normal kinetochores.

A neocentromere at 3q26 was observed in a father and his daughter on a chromosome 3 with deleted centromeric region. No alpha-satellite DNA was detectable at the 3q26 neocentromere, but it was weakly positive with anticentromere (CREST) antibodies. Electron microscopy showed that the neocentromere formed microtubule-associated kinetochores with normal morphology and of the same size as the kinetochores of other large chromosomes. The deleted centromere formed a small linear marker chromosome that reacted strongly with anticentromere antibodies, but showed reduced kinetochore size. The 3q26 neokinetochore was stable under adverse growth conditions, which often caused kinetochore loss in the original 3-centromere on the small marker.

Adult↗

Clonal origin of partially inactivated centromeres in a stable dicentric chromosome.

A stable dicentric human chromosome can appear to be both dicentric and monocentric, with either centromere in the primary constriction. Tetraploid cells were examined to determine if the chromosome bred true with respect to the three possible centromere configurations or if it could alternate between them. When a tetraploid cell contained two monocentric copies of the chromosome, the two copies would always have the same centromere in the primary constriction. However, some tetraploids contained one dicentric and one monocentric copy. Thus, centromere usage was fixed for the monocentric chromosomes, but it was not clear if truly dicentric chromosomes existed.

Centromere↗

A stable dicentric chromosome: both centromeres develop kinetochores and attach to the spindle in monocentric and dicentric configuration.

A stable, dicentric human chromosome, which is known from light microscopy to show a 50:50 distribution between monocentric/dicentric appearance, was examined by conventional electron microscopy and after labelling the centromere with anticentromere antibodies from CREST serum. Both centromeres of the chromosome developed kinetochores whether in monocentric or dicentric configuration. The eight monocentrics observed had all developed kinetochores at the centromere outside the constriction; at least six of them also had kinetochores at the centromere in the constriction. The dicentrics from glutaraldehyde fixed cells had spindle microtubules attached to both kinetochore sets irrespective of monocentric/dicentric configuration. The chromosome thus appeared to use both centromeres, either equally or with one serving a chromatid adhesion function while the second was used for transport along the spindle.

Cell Line↗

A Fabry's disease heterozygote with a new mutation: biochemical, ultrastructural, and clinical investigations.

A Fabry heterozygote with early clinical manifestations of this X linked disorder is described. Her symptoms, including febrile attacks, arthralgia, abdominal pain, and neurological signs, were characteristic of Fabry's disease hemizygotes. The neurological findings were compatible with a brain stem infarction. The diagnosis was confirmed by the finding of low activities of alpha-galactosidase A (alpha-galA) in plasma, lymphocytes, and cultured fibroblasts, and by the observation of typical lamellar inclusions in the lysosomes of cultured fibroblasts. Increased levels of ceramide trihexoside were also found by TLC of urine sediment. The family history gave no indication of Fabry's disease in the patient's relatives, and biochemical and ultrastructural investigations of their cells were also normal. Our findings therefore suggest that the defective gene in the heterozygote has resulted from a new mutation.

Adolescent↗

Kinetochore development in two dicentric chromosomes in man. A light and electron microscopic study.

Two dicentric human chromosomes were investigated with light and electron microscopic techniques. One chromosome, with a translocation tdic(5;13)(p12;p12), behaved as a dicentric in about half the cells: it had two primary constrictions; C- and Cd-banding showed two centromeres; and the CREST antikinetochore antibody reacted with the two centromeres with equal affinity. Electron microscopic analysis of sectioned metaphases showed that the dicentric could develop kinetochores at both centromeres simultaneously. The other dicentric chromosome, tdic(21;21)(q22;q22), occasionally showed two primary constrictions, but both C- and Cd-banding distinguished between an active and an inactive centromere, and the CREST antibody reacted only weakly with the inactive centromere. Electron microscopy showed kinetochore development at only one centromere.

Cell Line↗

Fabry's disease.

Fifteen hemizygotes and 30 heterozygotes have been diagnosed since our investigations of Fabry's disease were started 10 years ago. They belong mainly to three Danish families. Genetic counseling and prenatal diagnoses have been performed, and in vitro studies of cultured fibroblasts and endothelial cells have been made with special reference to enzyme therapy.

Fabry Disease↗

Enzyme replacement in Fabry endothelial cells and fibroblasts: uptake experiments and electron microscopical studies.

Endothelial cells are of particular interest for therapeutic strategies in Fabry's disease, because the accumulation of glycosphingolipids in the vascular endothelium as a result of alpha-galactosidase A (alpha-galA) deficiency is responsible for the major clinical manifestations of the disease. Electron microscopical observations of cultured endothelial cells obtained from the umbilical vein of a hemizygous Fabry fetus showed that the glycosphingolipids are deposited as lamellar material in the lysosomes, as has been found previously for cultured fibroblasts and many different tissues. Mannose 6-phosphate (man 6-P)-receptor mediated and Concanavalin A (ConA)-mediated uptake of purified alpha-galA was attempted in the endothelial cells as well as in cultured fibroblasts from the same fetus. Our results on high-uptake alpha-galA indicate that the endothelial cells do not internalize alpha-galA via the man 6-P receptor. Immunofluorescence studies after addition of the receptor antibody to the cells support the theory that they have no or very few man 6-P receptors on the surface. Morphological studies did not show lysosomal changes which could suggest that the enzyme is taken up into the endothelial cells; however, we found reproducible modifications of the lysosomes in Fabry fibroblasts after incubation with high-uptake alpha-galA. Cell-associated alpha-galA activity was found in both cell types, when the enzyme was added to cells preincubated with ConA; but the lectin treatment by itself induced considerable ultrastructural changes in the cytoplasm, which obscured a possible effect by the enzyme.

Biological Transport↗

Transition from somatic to meiotic pairing and progressional changes of the synaptonemal complex in spermatocytes of Aedes aegypti.

Aedes aegypti spermatocytes were reconstructed from electron micrographs. The species has tight somatic pairing of the chromosomes, and there are therefore no classical leptotene and zygotene stages, but rather a gradual transition from somatic pairing to meiotic pairing (= pachytene). The term "prepachytene" has been used for the transitory stage. The first visible sign of impending meiosis was a reorganization of the chromatin, which resulted in the formation of spaces (synaptic spaces) in the chromatin, about the width of the synaptonemal complexes (SCs). Diffuse material, possibly precursor material for the SC, was present in the spaces. Later short pieces of complex were formed throughout the nucleus. Late prepachytene, pachytene, and diplotene complexes were reconstructed. Each chromosome occupied a separate region of the nucleus. The complexes became progressively shorter from prepachytene (maximum complement length 289 micron) to diplotene (175 micron). The thickness of the SCs increased from prepachytene to pachytene and probably decreased again during diplotene. At the beginning of diplotene the lateral elements (LEs) separated, and the single LEs became two to three times thicker than the LEs of the SC. The centromeres were at all stages attached to the nuclear membrane, whereas the telomeres were free in the nucleoplasm during pachytene and diplotene. A heterochromatic marker was present on chromosome 1 near the sex determining locus, and a diffuse marker on chromosome 3 near the nucleolus organizer region. After breakdown of the complexes, polycomplexes were present in the nucleus.

Aedes↗

Electron microscopic observations on cultured fibroblasts from Fabry heterozygotes and hemizygotes.

The ultrastructure of cultured fibroblasts from 2 hemizygotes with Fabry's disease ad 8 heterozygotes was compared with that of normal cells. Lysosomal inclusions consisting of tightly packed, concentric lamellae were seen in all fibroblast lines carrying the Fabry gene, whether hemizygous or heterozygous, but not in normal fibroblasts. Most heterozygous, but not in normal fibroblasts. Most heterozygous fibroblasts have fewer lysosomal inclusions than the hemizygous cells. The morphology of the inclusions is similar to that seen in biopsy material. Among the heterozygotes no correlation was found between enzyme levels and fibroblast inclusions.

Cells, Cultured↗