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Biomedical subjects

E Magenis

Publications and source records attributed to E Magenis.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Transient myeloproliferative disorder of the Down type in the normal newborn.

Two infants with congenital nonlymphoblastic leukemia were discovered to have mosaicism for trisomy 21. Both infants achieved durable spontaneous remissions. Trisomy was apparently restricted to the leukemic clone and could be detected in neither phytohemagglutinin-stimulated peripheral blood cells or bone marrow in either patient nor in myeloid progenitor cells from the second patient after resolution of the transient myeloproliferative disorder. We conclude that spontaneous remission of congenital leukemia is not confined to infants with partial or complete systemic trisomy 21 but can occur in genetically normal newborns whose leukemic cells contain a third chromosome 21.

Down Syndrome

Down syndrome: toward a molecular definition of the phenotype.

Down syndrome (DS) is a major cause of mental retardation and heart disease. Although it is usually caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 21, a subset of the diagnostic features may be caused by the presence of only band q22. Molecular and cytogenetic analysis of a family with 4 DS members has significantly narrowed the chromosomal region responsible for the DS phenotype: congenital heart disease, facial features, and possibly dermatoglyphics. Using high-resolution chromosome banding and in situ hybridization, we found the DS phenotype in the family is caused by a duplication of chromosome 21 material including a region of distal band q22.1 below the limit of cytogenetic resolution, in addition to bands q22.2-q22.3. By quantitative Southern blot analyses of DS members of the family, all random DNA sequences and expressed genes mapping in band q22.1 and proximal are found not to be duplicated. These include cDNA probes for the genes for superoxide dismutase (SOD1) mapping in 21q22.1 and for the amyloid precursor protein (APP) mapping in 21q21.05; D21S46 in 21q11.2-21.05; and D21S47 and SF57 in 21q22.1-q22.3. With one exception, DNA sequences mapping in band q22.3 are duplicated (D21S39, D21SD42, and D21S43). This analysis has now been extended to show that D21S17, previously mapped to band 21q22.3, is not duplicated. In conclusion, the genes SOD1 and APP have been excluded from a necessary role in generating the classical DS features, and the proximal border of the chromosomal region causing DS has been defined.

Base Sequence

Molecular definition of a region of chromosome 21 that causes features of the Down syndrome phenotype.

Down syndrome (DS) is a major cause of mental retardation and heart disease. Although it is usually caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 21, a subset of the diagnostic features may be caused by the presence of only band 21q22. We now present evidence that significantly narrows the chromosomal region responsible for several of the phenotypic features of DS. We report a molecular and cytogenetic analysis of a three-generation family containing four individuals with clinical DS as manifested by the characteristic facial appearance, endocardial cushion defect, mental retardation, and probably dermatoglyphic changes. Autoradiograms of quantitative Southern blots of DNAs from two affected sisters, their carrier father, and a normal control were analyzed after hybridization with two to six unique DNA sequences regionally mapped on chromosome 21. These include cDNA probes for the genes for CuZn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) mapping in 21q22.1 and for the amyloid precursor protein (APP) mapping in 21q11.2-21.05, in addition to six probes for single-copy sequences: D21S46 in 21q11.2-21.05, D21S47 and SF57 in 21q22.1-22.3, and D21S39, D21S42, and D21S43 in 21q22.3. All sequences located in 21q22.3 were present in three copies in the affected individuals, whereas those located proximal to this region were present in only two copies. In the carrier father, all DNA sequences were present in only two copies. Cytogenetic analysis of affected individuals employing R and G banding of prometaphase preparations combined with in situ hybridization revealed a translocation of the region from very distal 21q22.1 to 21qter to chromosome 4q. Except for a possible phenotypic contribution from the deletion of chromosome band 4q35, these data provide a molecular definition of the minimal region of chromosome 21 which, when duplicated, generates the facial features, heart defect, a component of the mental retardation, and probably several of the dermatoglyphic changes of DS. This region may include parts of bands 21q22.2 and 21q22.3, but it must exclude the genes S0D1 and APP and most of band 21q22.1, specifically the region defined by S0D1, SF57 and D21S47.

Adult

The Marden-Walker syndrome.

The characteristic facies, joint contractures, muscular hypotonia, and growth and developmental delay of the Marden-Walker syndrome were present in a 19-month-old boy. Extensive evaluation of the neuromuscular system failed to identify a specific abnormality. Electromyography was normal with low amplitude. Light and electron microscopy of a skeletal muscle biopsy was normal. Histochemical study of this biopsy material was also normal. The pathogenesis of the syndrome is discussed.

Contracture

Pregnancy and the Turner syndrome.

A 21-year-old white female with short stature, cubitus valgus, multiple cutaneous nevi, and no other major features of the Turner syndrome is described. She had normal secondary sex development and menses. She recently completed a normal pregnancy with delivery of a normal male infant. Postpartum endocrine studies were normal. All cells examined from blood, skin, uterus, and both ovaries had a 45,X karyotype. She is the sixth reported monosomy X patient to achieve pregnancy. A literature review indicates increased fetal wastage (22 of 46 pregnancies) and increased chromosomal errors in the offspring (8 of 26 liveborn infants) of patients with a 45,X cell line. Three cases of trisomy 21 occurred in these infants. Amniocentesis and prenatal diagnostic studies are indicated for women with a 45,X chromosome constitution. The pathogenesis of the Turner syndrome is considered in relation to these findings.

Adult

Partial trisomy 22: a recognizable syndrome.

A patient identified as being a partial trisomy 22 mosaic is presented. The presence of a translocation t(4;22) (pter;q12) is noted in the mother, sister and maternal aunt. Comparison is made with nine other reported cases of partial trisomy 22 confirmed by parental translocation. These suggest a definite syndrome, including mental retardation, congenital heart disease, skeletal anomalies, anti-mongoloid slant of the palpebral fissures, preauricular skin tags and low-set ears.

Abnormalities, Multiple