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Biomedical subjects

K H Fischbeck

Publications and source records attributed to K H Fischbeck.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

X linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMTX1): a study of 15 families with 12 highly informative polymorphisms.

X linked dominant Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMTX1) has previously been localised to Xq13-21. Fifteen families were studied using 12 highly informative polymorphisms in the pericentric region of the X chromosome. Phase known recombinations in these families localise the X linked dominant CMT gene to the region distal to DXS106 (Xq11.2-12) and proximal to DXS559 (Xq13.1). These markers flank approximately 2 to 3 Mb of DNA to which GJB1 and CCG1 have already been mapped. A recent report of mutations in the GJB1 gene in subjects with CMTX1 makes this a strong candidate gene.

Cell Cycle↗

Paternal transmission of congenital myotonic dystrophy.

The congenital form of myotonic dystrophy is reported to be almost exclusively, if not exclusively, maternally transmitted. We present a case of congenital myotonic dystrophy which was inherited from a mildly affected father. This family illustrates that the congenital form of myotonic dystrophy can occur without intrauterine or other maternal factors related to the disease. The possibility of paternal transmission of the congenital form of myotonic dystrophy could be considered when counselling myotonic dystrophy patients and their families.

Adolescent↗

Familial autoimmune myasthenia gravis.

We describe a family with parental consanguinity and five of 10 siblings affected by late-onset autoimmune myasthenia gravis. We propose a genetic mechanism as a predisposing factor in this family. Our analysis excludes the major histocompatibility complex, the beta subunit of the acetylcholine receptor, and the T-cell receptor alpha and beta subunits as candidate genes for the disorder in this family.

Aged↗

Connexin mutations in X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMTX) is a form of hereditary neuropathy with demyelination. Recently, this disorder was mapped to chromosome Xq13.1. The gene for the gap junction protein connexin32 is located in the same chromosomal segment, which led to its consideration as a candidate gene for CMTX. With the use of Northern (RNA) blot and immunohistochemistry technique, it was found that connexin32 is normally expressed in myelinated peripheral nerve. Direct sequencing of the connexin32 gene showed seven different mutations in affected persons from eight CMTX families. These findings, a demonstration of inherited defects in a gap junction protein, suggest that connexin32 plays an important role in peripheral nerve.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Linkage localization of X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), also known as hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, is a heterogeneous group of slowly progressive, degenerative disorders of peripheral nerve. X-linked CMT (CMTX) (McKusick 302800), a subdivision of type I, or demyelinating, CMT is an X-linked dominant condition with variable penetrance. Previous linkage analysis using RFLPs demonstrated linkage to markers on the proximal long and short arms of the X chromosome, with the more likely localization on the proximal long arm of the X chromosome. Available variable simple-sequence repeats (VSSRs) broaden the possibilities for linkage analysis. This paper presents new linkage data and recombination analysis derived from work with four VSSR markers--AR, PGKP1, DXS453, and DXYS1X--in addition to analysis using RFLP markers described elsewhere. These studies localize the CMTX gene to the proximal Xq segment between PGKP1 (Xq11.2-12) and DXS72 (Xq21.1), with a combined maximum multipoint lod score of 15.3 at DXS453 (theta = 0).

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease↗

Estimation of the male and female mutation rates in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

We present the results of an international collaborative study aimed at estimating the ratio of male to female mutation rates in Duchenne muscular dystrophy based on the method of C. Müller and T. Grimm. With a sample size of 295, this ratio is found to be very close to 1, thus giving evidence for equal mutation rates in males and females in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Blotting, Southern↗

The peripheral myelin gene PMP-22/GAS-3 is duplicated in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A) is associated with a DNA duplication at chromosome 17p11.2. In view of the point mutation in the gene for peripheral myelin protein pmp-22/gas-3 in Trembler mice, a murine model for CMT1A, we have analysed whether this gene is altered in CMT1A. Here we show that the human homologue of the murine pmp-22 gene is located within the CMT1A DNA duplication, which is a direct repeat and does not interrupt the coding region of PMP-22. Expression of PMP-22 in CMT1A fibroblasts is similar to expression in control fibroblasts. Increased gene dosage or altered PMP-22 expression in the peripheral nervous system are therefore possible mechanisms by which PMP-22 is involved in CMT1A.

Base Sequence↗

Meiotic stability and genotype-phenotype correlation of the trinucleotide repeat in X-linked spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy.

Expansion of the trinucleotide repeat (CAG)n in the first exon of the androgen receptor gene is associated with a rare motor neuron disorder, X-linked spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy. We have found that expanded (CAG)n alleles undergo alteration in length when transmitted from parent to offspring. Of 45 meioses examined, 12 (27%) demonstrated a change in CAG repeat number. Both expansions and contractions were observed, although their magnitude was small. There was a greater rate of instability in male meiosis than in female meiosis. We also found evidence for a correlation between disease severity and CAG repeat length, but other factors seem to contribute to the phenotypic variability in this disorder.

Base Sequence↗

A yeast artificial chromosome contig spanning the Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A duplication region.

A contiguous set of 43 overlapping yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) clones has been developed for the Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A) duplication region of chromosome 17p11.2. The contig spans approximately 2.0 Mb and can be represented in a minimum of five overlapping YACs. The YAC clones were isolated from two total human genomic YAC libraries and from YAC libraries made from rodent-human hybrid cell lines. YAC clones were isolated from the libraries by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Localization to chromosome 17p11.2 was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Overlap between the YAC clones was detected by inter-Alu PCR amplification of the YACs and by cross hybridization of the YACs with YAC insert ends obtained by Vectorette PCR. This YAC contig is a useful resource for analyzing and mapping all the genes contained within the CMT1A duplication.

Base Sequence↗

X-linked spinomuscular atrophy: a kindred with associated abnormal androgen receptor binding.

We studied androgen receptor function in cultured scrotal skin fibroblasts from eight subjects with X-linked spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) (Kennedy's syndrome) from four families. The neuromuscular and endocrine features were similar in all patients. High-affinity dihydrotestosterone binding (Bmax) was decreased in three patients from one family (average, 11.1 fmol/mg) similar to values in subjects with androgen resistance syndromes. Bmax was normal in five SBMA patients from three other families (average, 26.0 fmol/mg). This finding provides direct evidence for abnormal androgen receptor function in some patients with SBMA. There was some correlation between severity of neuromuscular and endocrine dysfunction, providing further evidence that the two types of manifestations are related.

Adult↗

Potential pitfalls in using DNA probes to counsel Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy families.

Although the accuracy in prenatal diagnosis and carrier detection with DNA probes in families with Duchenne and Becker's muscular dystrophies is very high, various factors limit the accuracy of these probes in many families. We report four potential pitfalls, ie, intragenic recombination, genetic heterogeneity, germline mosaicism, and an evolving genetic defect encountered in a population of Duchenne and Becker families, and describe a strategy to incorporate these factors into genetic counseling.

Chromosome Deletion↗

Oculodentodigital dysplasia syndrome associated with abnormal cerebral white matter.

Oculodentodigital dysplasia (ODDD) syndrome is an uncommon inherited disorder with eye and facial abnormalities, syndactyly, and defects in tooth enamel. Some of the previously reported patients with ODDD syndrome also manifested spastic quadriparesis. We describe a patient with sporadic ODDD syndrome referred for evaluation of progressive spastic paraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain demonstrated abnormal white matter, which suggests an explanation for the observed spastic paraparesis.

Adult↗

Androgen receptor gene mutations in X-linked spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy.

X-linked spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (Kennedy's disease) is an adult-onset form of motorneuron disease which may be associated with signs of androgen insensitivity. We have now investigated whether the androgen receptor gene on the proximal long arm of the X chromosome is a candidate gene for this disease. In patient samples we found androgen receptor gene mutations with increased size of a polymorphic tandem CAG repeat in the coding region. These amplified repeats were absolutely associated with the disease, being present in 35 unrelated patients and none of 75 controls. They segregated with the disease in 15 families, with no recombination in 61 meioses (the maximum log likelihood ratio (lod score) is 13.2 at a recombination rate of 0). The association is unlikely to be due to linkage disequilibrium, because 11 different disease alleles were observed. We conclude that enlargement of the CAG repeat in the androgen receptor gene is probably the cause of this disorder.

Base Sequence↗

Segmental spinal muscular atrophy and dermatological findings in a patient with chromosome 18q deletion.

We have evaluated a young woman with segmental spinal muscular atrophy, who has a deletion of a portion of the long arm of chromosome 18. She also has vitiligo and lichen sclerosis et atrophicus. She has neither the facial dysmorphism nor the mental deficit usually associated with the 18q- syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging scan of her brain demonstrates high signal intensity consistent with abnormal myelination. Southern blot analysis of her DNA demonstrates that the deletion includes the gene for human myelin basic protein. Neither spinal muscular atrophy nor this patient's skin manifestations have been previously reported in association with 18q-.

Adult↗

Autosomal recessive Duchenne-like muscular dystrophy: molecular and histochemical results.

An autosomal recessive disorder which mimics Duchenne muscular dystrophy has long been suspected as a cause of muscular dystrophy in karyotypically normal girls and in both boys and girls with consanguineous parents. Analysis of dystrophin now allows confirmation of the existence of this disorder. We report the results of this analysis in a brother and sister who have the typical clinical features of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but no demonstrable abnormality in dystrophin or its gene.

Blotting, Southern↗