A F Wright

Studies of genetic linkage between adult polycystic kidney disease and three markers on chromosome 16.

Adult polycystic kidney disease (APKD) is a common genetic disorder that is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Recent reports show that, in some families, the APKD gene shows close genetic linkage to two chromosome 16 specific genetic markers. We have been conducting a genetic linkage study using 29 polymorphic isoenzyme and antigenic markers in 184 members of 12 APKD families. We present here the results of linkage analysis using three of these markers which have also been reported to be located on chromosome 16: phosphoglycolate phosphatase (PGP), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), and haptoglobin (HP). The results show that APKD is closely linked to the PGP locus on the short arm of chromosome 16 (16p13----p12), which is consistent with the previously reported linkage both to PGP and to the alpha globin locus. The genetic distance between PGP and APKD shows a maximum likelihood value of the recombination fraction at zero with a lod score of 5 X 5. There is no evidence of linkage between APKD and either GPT or HP. The PGP polymorphism potentially provides a useful predictive test to complement the use of alpha globin probes in genetic counselling. These tests should provide an efficient means of primary screening of family members at risk, as well as introducing the possibility of prenatal diagnosis.

A genetic linkage study of a kindred with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa

A large kindred with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) was investigated clinically and by means of genetic linkage with a view to developing methods of carrier detection and early diagnosis. A restriction fragment length polymorphism, identified by recombinant DNA probe L1.28, showed close genetic linkage to XLRP in this kindred and is a potentially useful marker for the purposes of genetic counselling.

Retinitis pigmentosa families showing apparent X linked inheritance but unlinked to the RP2 or RP3 loci.

Three families with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) are described in which the disorder shows apparent X linked inheritance but does not show linkage to the RP2 and RP3 regions of the short arm of the X chromosome. The families are also inconsistent with a localisation of the disease gene between DXS164 and DXS28. In one case, reassessment of the family in the light of these results suggested that the family may have an autosomal dominant form of RP. The remaining two families are consistent with X linkage and suggest the possibility of a new X linked RP (XLRP) locus. These families highlight the difficulties in determining the mode of inheritance on the basis of pedigree structure and clinical data alone. Molecular genetics plays an important role in confirming the mode of inheritance and in detecting potential misclassifications, particularly in a group of disorders as heterogeneous as RP. They emphasise that caution is required in genetic counselling of RP families, particularly in the absence of any molecular genetic analysis.

Multipoint mapping of adult onset polycystic kidney disease (PKD1) on chromosome 16.

Analysis of genetic linkage data in 33 adult onset polycystic kidney (ADPKD) families was carried out using probes for the D16S85, D16S84, and D16S94 loci. The data set of 33 families shows no evidence of genetic heterogeneity since one unlinked family was previously excluded. Two point linkage analysis showed maximum likelihood values of the recombination fraction of 0.07 for ADPKD and D16S85 (lod score 18.78), 0.02 for ADPKD and D16S84 (lod score 7.55), and 0.00 for ADPKD and D16S94 (lod score 6.73). Multipoint analysis showed a maximum likelihood order of tel-D16S85-0.06-D16S84-0.02-(PKD1, D16S94)-cen with a multipoint lod score of 32.16. Analysis of rare recombinants lying close to PKD1 gave results consistent with this order.

A GENETIC-LINKAGE STUDY OF CHOROIDEREMIA

One hundred and twenty-two members of 15 choroideremia families have been used in a genetic linkage study of choroideremia (TCD) using four DNA probes situated on the X chromosome. Linkage was analysed using DNA probes DXS14 (p58-1), DXYS1 (pDP 34), DXS178 (p212) and DXS177 (lambda 2.7). Statistically significant linkage was demonstrated with DXYS1 (theta = 0.00, lod 4.95), in agreement with the findings of Nussbaum et al. (1985). Evidence consistent with loose linkage to TCD was also found with DXS14 (theta = 0.31, lod 0.23), DXS178 (theta = 0.18, lod 1.41) and DXS177 (theta = 0.27, lod 0.20). The results suggest that TCD is located in the region Xq13-q21. Probe DXYS1 is likely to prove useful in the prenatal diagnosis of this condition.

Linkage studies and deletion screening in choroideremia.

Fourteen families with choroideremia (TCD) have been examined for linkage to nine genetic markers located on the proximal long arm of the X chromosome. Linkage to three markers (DXYS1, DXS72, DXS3) located in Xq21 was found with a four point lod score of 8.25. No evidence of submicroscopic deletions was observed using DXS233 and DXS232, both thought to lie within about 1 Mb of the TCD gene.

Linkage of internal minisatellite loci on chromosome 1 and exclusion of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa proximal to rhesus.

We report the exclusion of a locus for autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa proximal to the rhesus locus in a single large pedigree. In addition, a previously unreported linkage is described between two chromosome 1 markers, which confirms that a highly variable minisatellite locus is placed internally on chromosome 1.

Haplotype analysis in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Haplotype analysis was performed in 35 autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) families typed with 13 markers close to the PKD1 locus. The identification of recombinants close to the PKD1 gene on chromosome 16p indicates that PKD1 lies between CMM65 distally and 26-6 proximally. In addition, three unlinked (PKD2) families and two families with potential new mutation were identified.