Michael B. Petersen

A genetic linkage map of 27 markers on human chromosome 21

We have constructed a genetic linkage map of the long arm of human chromosome 21 comprising 27 DNA markers. This map is an updated version of that reported earlier by group (1989, Genomics 4: 579-591), which contained 17 DNA markers. The current markers consist of 10 genes and 17 anonymous sequences. Traditional methods (restriction fragment length polymorphisms) were used to map 25 of these markers, whereas 2 markers were studied by polymerase chain reaction amplification of (GT)n dinucleotide repeats. Linkage analysis was performed on 40 CEPH families using the computer program packages LINKAGE, CRI-MAP, and MAPMAKER. Recombination rates were significantly different between the sexes, with the male map being 132 cM and the female map being 161 cM, assuming Kosambi interference and a variable ratio of sex difference in recombination. Approximately one-half of the crossovers in either sex occur distally, in terminal band 21q22.3, which also contains 16 of the markers studied. The average distance between adjacent markers was 6 cM.

Uniparental isodisomy due to duplication of chromosome 21 occuring in somatic cells monosomic for chromosome 21

Uniparental disomy has been recently recognized as an important phenomenon in non-Mendelian inheritance of human genetic disorders. Several mechanisms for uniparental disomy, i.e., the presence of two homologous chromosomes derived from one parent, have been proposed. We studied two independent cases of abnormalities of chromosome 21 in which there were abnormal karyotypes at birth but blood cells with normal karyotype predominated later in life, and the cells with abnormalities disappeared. Uniparental isodisomy was observed in the normal cells in these individuals. The uniparental disomy in these families was the result of duplication of a chromosome in mitosis after the loss of the homologous abnormal chromosome. The duplication can be seen as mechanism for cell survival and is called here compensatory isodisomy, which provided a selective advantage for the cell population with the normal number of chromosomes 21.

Linkage analysis of the human HMG14 gene on chromosome 21 using a GT dinucleotide repeat as polymorphic marker

A (GT)n repeat in intron 4 of the functional human HMG14 gene on chromosome 21 was used as polymorphic marker to map this gene relative to the genetic linkage map of human chromosome 21. Variation in the length of the (GT)n repeat was detected by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels of DNA amplified by the polymerase chain reaction using primers flanking the repeat. The observed heterozygosity of this polymorphism in 40 CEPH families was 58% with six different alleles. Linkage analysis localized the HMG14 gene close to the ETS2 gene and locus D21S3 in chromosomal band 21q22.3.

Molecular and clinical correlation study of Williams‐Beuren syndrome: No evidence of molecular factors in the deletion region or imprinting affecting clinical outcome

Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) results from a deletion of 7q11.23 in 90-95% of all clinically typical cases. Clinical manifestation can be variable and therefore, deletion size, inherited elastin (ELN) and LIM kinase 1 (LIMK1) alleles, gender, and parental origin of deletion have been investigated for associations with clinical outcome. In an analysis of 85 confirmed deletion cases, no statistically significant associations were found after Bonferronis correction for multiple pairwise comparisons. Furthermore, the present data do not support presence of imprinted genes in the WBS common deletion despite a nonsignificant excess of maternal over paternal deletions. Maternal deletion cases were more likely to have a large head circumference in the present data. Also, pairwise comparisons between individual WBS clinical features have been conducted and revealed significant associations between (1) low birth weight and poor postnatal weight gain (<10th percentile at the time of examination) and (2) transient infantile hypercalcemia and a stellate iris pattern. The latter association could indicate a common underlying etiology.

Report of the Fourth International Workshop on Human Chromosome 21

This report summarizes progress toward completing the mapping of human chromosome 21, as presented and discussed at the Fourth International Workshop on Human Chromosome 21. The overall goal of the workshop was to use both previous and new data to construct the genetic linkage map, the pulsed-field macrorestriction map, the YAC, cosmid, and P1 maps, and the gene and clinical disorders maps. Because of the large amount of mapping data now available on chromosome 21, a special effort was made to integrate all mapping information.

Linkage mapping of highly informative DNA polymorphisms within the human interferon-α receptor gene on chromosome 21

Two polymorphic loci within the interferon-alpha receptor (IFNAR) gene on human chromosome 21 have been identified and mapped by linkage analysis in 40 CEPH families. These markers are (1) a multiallelic RFLP with an observed heterozygosity of 0.72 and (2) a variable (AT3)n short sequence repeat at the poly(A) tail of an Alu sequence (AluVpA) with an observed heterozygosity of 0.83. This locus is close to D21S58 (theta = 0.02, zeta = 36.76) and D21S17 (theta = 0.02, Zeta = 21.76) with chromosomal band 21q22.1. Multipoint linkage analysis suggests the most likely locus order to be 21cen-D21S58-IFNAR-D21S17-21qter. Given its high heterozygosity, the IFNAR gene can be used as an index marker on human chromosome 21.

A 48,XXY,+21 Down syndrome patient with additional paternal X and maternal 21.

SummaryThe origin of meiotic nondisjunction of the extra chromosomes X and 21 was studied in a patient with the karyotype 48,XXY,+21 using DNA polymorphisms. The extra chromosome X was the result of paternal first meiotic nondisjunction of X and Y. The extra chromosome 21 was derived from the mother. The meiotic error in the mother most probably occurred in meiosis II. Thus, this is a combination caused by the chance occurrence of two independent events.

Linkage mapping of the highly informative DNA marker D21S156 to human chromosome 21 using a polymorphic GT dinucleotide repeat

A (GT)n repeat within the anonymous DNA sequence D21S156 was shown to be highly polymorphic in DNA from members of the 40 CEPH families. At least 12 alleles of this locus were recognized by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels of DNA amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers flanking the (GT)n repeat. The polymorphism information content was 0.82. PCR amplification of DNA from somatic cell hybrid lines mapped D21S156 to human chromosome 21 and linkage analysis localized this marker close to the loci ETS2, D21S3, and HMG14 on chromosomal band 21q22.3. This polymorphism is highly informative and can serve as an anchor locus for human chromosome 21.

Linkage mapping of D21S171 to the distal long arm of human chromosome 21 using a polymorphic (AC)n dinucleotide repeat.

SummaryAn (AC)n repeat within the anonymous DNA sequence D21S171 was shown to be highly polymorphic in members of the 40 Centre dEtude du Polymorphisme Humain (CEPH) families. Ten different alleles at this marker locus were detected by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels of DNA amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers flanking the (AC)n repeat. The observed heterozygosity was 66%. PCR amplification of DNA from somatic cell hybrids mapped D21S171 to human chromosome 21, and linkage analysis localized this marker close to the loci CD18, PFKL, D21S113 and D21S112 in chromosomal band 21q22.3. In CEPH family 12 a de novo allele has been observed in a maternally derived chromosome.