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Biomedical subjects

G Sekhon

Publications and source records attributed to G Sekhon.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Delineation of two distinct 6p deletion syndromes.

Deletions of the short arm of chromosome 6 are relatively rare, the main features being developmental delay, craniofacial malformations, hypotonia, and defects of the heart and kidney, with hydrocephalus and eye abnormalities occurring in some instances. We present the molecular cytogenetic investigation of six cases with 6p deletions and two cases with unbalanced translocations resulting in monosomy of the distal part of 6p. The breakpoints of the deletions have been determined accurately by using 55 well-mapped probes and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The cases can be grouped into two distinct categories: interstitial deletions within the 6p22-p24 segment and terminal deletions within the 6p24-pter segment. Characteristics correlating with specific regions are: short neck, clinodactyly or syndactyly, brain, heart and kidney defects with deletions within 6p23-p24; and corneal opacities/iris coloboma/Rieger anomaly, hypertelorism and deafness with deletions of 6p25. The two cases with unbalanced translocations presented with a Larsen-like syndrome including some characteristics of the 6p deletion syndrome, which can be explained by the deletion of 6p25. Such investigation of cytogenetic abnormalities of 6p using FISH techniques and a defined set of probes will allow a direct comparison of reported cases and enable more accurate diagnosis as well as prognosis in patients with 6p deletions.

Adult↗

Del(10)(q22.3q24.1) associated with juvenile polyposis.

Juvenile polyps are the most frequent gastrointestinal polyps with a malignant potential for which the genetic basis is unknown. Juvenile polyps, with a normal epithelium but hypertrophic lamina propria, are histologically quite distinct from adenomatous polyps which have dysplastic changes in epithelial nuclei. Furthermore, the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene on Chr 5, mutated somatically in adenomatous polyps and mutated in the germline of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis, is not linked to hereditary juvenile polyposis. We provide the first report indicating that a tumor suppressor gene associated with juvenile polyposis may be located at 10q22.3q24.1. Cytogenetic studies of a patient with juvenile polyposis and multiple congenital abnormalities of the head, extremities, and abdomen revealed a de novo interstitial deletion of Chr 10 as the only defect, del(10)(10q22.3q24.1).

Abdomen↗

Waisman syndrome, a human X-linked recessive basal ganglia disorder with mental retardation: localization to Xq27.3-qter.

Linkage of the gene responsible for an X-linked early onset parkinsonism disorder with mental retardation (McKusick 311510) to DNA probes that detect restriction fragment length polymorphisms is described. The disease gene is linked to the F8C gene, and to DNA probes detecting polymorphic loci DXS52, DXS15, DXS134, and DXS374 with maximum lod scores at theta = 0 of 5.08, 5.19, 5.00, 5.03, and 4.46, respectively. Multipoint linkage analysis gives a maximum multipoint lod score of 6.75 at the F8C gene. This places the disease gene in chromosomal region Xq27.3-qter.

Basal Ganglia Diseases↗

Prenatal detection of 46,XY,rec(5),dup q, inv(5)(p13q33) using DNA analysis, flow cytometry, and in situ hybridization to supplement classical cytogenetic analysis.

Distinguishing between balanced and unbalanced chromosome complements segregating from parental rearrangements may be difficult using only classical cytogenetic techniques if banding morphology is similar under both expectations. In these situations, supplementing cytogenetic analysis with molecular genetic techniques and flow cytometry may provide increased diagnostic accuracy. To illustrate this, we present a case in which similar band pattern morphology would be expected for both the balanced carrier (heterozygote) and the recombinant dup q chromosome complements segregating from a mother with a balanced inversion [46,XX,inv(5)(p13q33)]. The parents came to Northwestern for consultation after receiving conflicting interpretations of their first amniotic fluid cultures. An ultrasound examination was said to be normal. They inquired whether there were ways to increase their confidence that the complement was unbalanced. Their reluctance to terminate the pregnancy was due to a 6-year history of infertility. After extensive counselling, the couple elected repeat amniocentesis. Further cytogenetic analysis of repeat amniotic fluid cultures by G-banding and R-banding, molecular genetic analysis with highly polymorphic DNA probes, and quantitative flow cytometry were performed. Results agreed that an unbalanced fetal complement was present. Southern blot analysis with a 5p marker definitively demonstrated a lack of maternal 5p material in the fetus, and in situ hybridization showed a 5q marker at either end of the recombinant chromosome. Flow cytometry was consistent with this interpretation. Because of the advanced gestational age, the parents elected to terminate based on cytogenic results of the second amniocentesis, rather than to wait another 1-2 weeks for results of other methods.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Derepression of HPRT locus on inactive X chromosome of human lymphoblastoid cell line.

Human XX lymphoblastoid cells with a deletion in the HPRT locus on the active X were exposed to HPRT clone pHPT32. HPRT+ isolates GPT3 and GPT5 lacked pHPT32 DNA, suggesting that their HPRT+ phenotype resulted from expression of a cellular gene. GPT3 mutated to thioguanine resistance at least 100 times more frequently than cells in which the expressed HPRT locus was on the active X. Most GPT3-derived HPRT- had lost one entire X chromosome, indicating that the HPRT+ phenotype of GPT3 resulted from derepression of the HPRT locus on its inactive X. Virtually unchanged G6PD and PGK activities and the presence of a late-replicating X in GPT3 suggest that derepression of the inactive X was not general. Eleven of the GPT3-derived mutants had a tiny centric remnant that may result from a frequently operative mechanism of X chromosome loss. The detection of partial or complete loss of an X by direct selection presents unusual opportunities for genotoxicity detection with human cells.

Cell Line↗

Chromosomal aberrations in human neuroblastomas.

Six human neuroblastomas were analyzed by Giemsa and fluorescence banding techniques to identify chromosomal aberrations. Two neuroblastomas were primary tumors from untreated children, and four were well lines established from human neuroblastomas. Five of the six tumors studied were diploid or near diploid; one was near tetraploid. A 1p- was found in three of the neuroblastomas examined. The 1p-was present in both primary tumors, and in one it was the only abnormality detected. This deletion was also found in the cells of an established line, in addition to other abnormalities. Giant markers of different origins were found in the four cell lines, and no double-minute chromosomes were found in the primaries or the cell lines studied. Thus, a 1p-deletion was the most consistent abnormality found in the six human neuroblastomas examined in this study. We attempt to correlate this finding with Knudson's hypothesis on the origin of childhood cancer. Additional studies of primary tumors should clarify whether this specific chromosomal abnormality is related to the the acquisition of malignant behavior in human neuroblastomas.

Cell Line↗

Partial trisomy 5 with a carrier parent t(5p-;9p+).

The significance of partial trisomies of the B group is as yet unknown. An infant with multiple congenital anomalies was found to have a partial trisomy 5p+ syndrome. The father of this patient demonstrated a 5/9 translocation carrier state. A discussion of the relationship of the partial 5p+ syndrome to the Cri du chat syndrome is noted. Partial trisomy 5 would not appear, as yet, to represent a clearly definable syndrome.

Adult↗