Prenatal diagnosis of Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy by polymorphism analysis

Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by a combination of primary muscular dystrophy of early infantile onset and brain malformation (lissencephaly type II). The identification of the FCMD gene locus at 9q31 opened the theoretical possibility of prenatal diagnosis. The authors conducted prenatal diagnosis in two unrelated FCMD families by analysis using nine microsatellite CA-repeat polymorphic markers flanking the FCMD locus, and calculated phenotype probabilities in fetuses with a computer program, LINKAGE. The fetus in family 1 showed a 99% probability of being healthy either as a normal homozygote or a heterozygote carrier and was born without signs of FCMD. In family 2, the fetus was diagnosed to have FCMD with at least 86% probability. The parents of this family decided to terminate the pregnancy and an abortus showed brain malformations characteristic of an FCMD fetus. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Prenatal diagnosis of Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy in eight Japanese families by haplotype analysis using new markers closest to the gene

We conducted prenatal diagnosis by haplotype analysis, using newly developed microsatellite markers, in eight Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD) families. In addition to six new families, two previously reported families were re-examined by haplotype analysis including detection of an ancestral founder haplotype (138–183–301) for 3 microsatellite markers closest to the FCMD gene, designated D9S2105–D9S2107–D9S172, the distances of which from the FCMD gene are presumed to be ∼140, ∼20, and ∼280 kb, respectively. Five fetuses from five families were diagnosed as nonaffected, and were subsequently confirmed to be healthy. Three fetuses of the other three families were diagnosed as having a high probability of being affected by FCMD. In the prenatal diagnosis conducted for these eight families, the ancestral founder allele was observed in 13 of 16 (81%) FCMD-bearing chromosomes. Detection of the ancestral haplotype facilitated achieving accurate prenatal diagnosis of FCMD. The brains of all three fetuses prenatally diagnosed as FCMD-affected showed the initial stage of cortical dysplasia, strong evidence of FCMD. Am. J. Med. Genet. 77:310–316, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

A rapid diagnostic method for a retrotransposal insertional mutation into the FCMD gene in Japanese patients with Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy

Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD) is characterized by congenital muscular dystrophy in combination with central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities. Differential diagnosis of FCMD from Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies (DMD/BMD) or other types of congenital muscular dystrophy is occasionally difficult, because of their phenotypic similarity. The gene (FCMD) responsible for FCMD at 9q31 was isolated in 1998. In Japan, most FCMD-bearing chromosomes (87%) have a 3-kb retrotransposal insertion into the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of the gene that could be derived from a single ancestral founder. Nine non-founder mutations have been identified in Japanese FCMD patients. Severe phenotype was significantly more frequent in patients who were compound heterozygotes for a point mutation and the founder mutation, than in homozygotes for the founder mutation. We developed a PCR-based diagnostic method for a rapid detection of the retrotransposal insertion mutation. Using this system, we screened 18 FCMD patients, and found 16 homozygotes and two heterozygotes for the insertion. We also evaluated the carrier frequency in the normal Japanese population. Six of 676 persons were recognized as a heterozygous carrier. Furthermore, we found three homozygotes for the FCMD founder mutation among 97 patients who had been said to have probable DMD/BMD without any DMD mutations. On the other hand, there were no FCMD homozygotes but four heterozygous carriers among 335 patients with DMD mutations. The diagnostic method we developed will provide a rapid and reliable diagnosis of FCMD, which can bring important information in genetic counseling, such as the accurate mode of inheritance, recurrence risk and a life expectancy.     

Prenatal diagnosis and detection of carriers with DNA probes in Duchenne's muscular dystrophy

We performed genetic analyses for the prenatal diagnosis of Duchenne's muscular dystrophy and detection of the carrier state in five families with seven pregnancies at risk for the disease. As genetic markers for the disorder, we used DNA-sequence polymorphisms detected with 12 different DNA probes derived from the vicinity of the Duchenne's muscular dystrophy locus or from within the gene, on the X chromosome. One male fetus of a proved carrier mother was predicted to be unaffected, and this was confirmed after birth. Another male fetus was predicted to be unaffected (probability, 95 percent or greater), although a crossover event had been identified in a region of the X chromosome thought to be distal to the Duchenne gene. Unfortunately, an elevated serum creatine kinase level after birth indicated that the infant had inherited the Duchenne mutation. Three male fetuses predicted to be affected with 66 percent or 95 percent probabilities were aborted, and the presence of the DNA-marker alleles was confirmed in fetal tissues. In one family, in which the maternal grandparents were unavailable, the initial genetic interpretation had to be revised after a second male fetus was analyzed with intragenic probes. Our experience suggests that despite the large number of intragenic and flanking DNA polymorphisms available, uncertainties often remain in the prenatal diagnosis of Duchenne's muscular dystrophy. Pitfalls are presented by the large size of the region in which Duchenne's mutations can occur. Crossover events in this region, which result in an exchange of DNA between two X chromosomes, can render DNA-marker studies inaccurate. Also, an autosomal recessive mutation can produce the same clinical picture.     

Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD) and oc-dystroglycanopathy

ABSTRACT  Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD), Walker-Warburg syndrome (WWS), and muscle-eye-brain (MEB) disease are clinically similar autosomal recessive disorders characterized by congenital muscular dystrophy, lissencephaly, and eye anomalies. Through positional cloning, we identified the gene for FCMD and MEB, which encodes the fukutin protein and the protein 0-linked mannose pi, 2-N-acetylglucosaminy ltransferase (POMGnTl), respectively. Recent studies have revealed that posttranslational modification of oc-dystro-glycan is associated with these congenital muscular dystrophies with brain malformations. In this review Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD), other CMDs with brain malformations, and their relation with a-dystroglycan are discussed.     

The application of linkage analysis to genetic counselling in families with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy.

A total of 278 families of probands with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy has been ascertained and offered genetic counselling. Linkage studies have been performed in these families using polymorphic DNA markers identifying loci linked to Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy. The clinical features of the probands are discussed: there was marked intrafamilial resemblance in the severity of the disease. We estimate that a complete study of potential carriers in these families would require analysis of samples from approximately 1400 subjects. The results of linkage studies tended to move women's carrier risk estimates (based on CK and pedigree data) towards the extremes of the risk categories, providing a more definitive risk estimate for 81% of the women who were previously in the middle range of carrier risk probabilities. About 70% of the families had only one affected member. Linkage analysis altered carrier risk estimates in 95% of sisters and aunts of index cases, but only affected estimates of the mother's carrier risks in about 11% of isolated cases. Even where linkage studies were not helpful in elucidating carrier risks, information could usually be obtained for use in prenatal diagnosis if required. We have assessed the attitudes to pregnancy and prenatal diagnosis of women at risk of being carriers of Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy and report 17 pregnancies in these women.     

Gene-deletion and carrier detections, and prenatal diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy by analysis of the dystrophin gene amplified by polymerase chain reaction.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnosis was carried out in 62 patients (57 probands) with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD or BMD) and 226 members in 57 families. The PCR studies were also performed for carrier detection in 57 mothers and 58 sisters, and prenatal diagnosis of 4 fetuses at risk of DMD. The PCR with 7 sets of primers, which amplify 7 different exon-sequences of the dystrophin gene, detected gene deletion of at least one exon in 49% of the probands. The PCR with the other 4 primer sets, which amplify 3 intragenic loci, and subsequent endonuclease digestion detected in 84% of the mothers a heterozygous pattern in at least one such locus/segment. Using the same primer sets, carrier detection was successful in 5 sisters of familial DMD cases, while recombination between the ERT87 and the 3' end intragenic loci was observed in 11% of family members studied. Prenatal diagnosis was made in all the 4 fetuses; two males were affected, one male fetus non-affected, and the remaining one female fetus a carrier. Thus, the PCR study and the primers used in the present study are useful and convincing for rapid diagnosis of DMD and/or BMD.     

Founder SVA retrotransposal insertion in Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy and its origin in Japanese and Northeast Asian populations

Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD), one of the most common autosomal recessive disorders in Japan, is characterized by congenital muscular dystrophy associated with brain malformation due to a defect in neuronal migration. Previously, we identified the gene responsible for FCMD, which encodes the fukutin protein. Most FCMD-bearing chromosomes (87%) are derived from a single ancestral founder, who lived 2,000-2,500 years ago and whose mutation consisted of a 3-kb retrotransposal insertion in the 3' non-coding region of the fukutin gene. Here we show, through detailed sequence analysis, that the founder insertion is derived from the SINE-VNTR-Alu (SVA) retroposon. To enable rapid detection of this insertion, we have developed a PCR-based diagnostic method that uses three primers simultaneously. We used this method to investigate the distribution and origin of the founder insertion, screening a total of 4,718 control DNA samples from Japanese and other Northeast Asian populations. Fifteen founder chromosomes were detected among 2,814 Japanese individuals. Heterozygous carriers were found in various regions throughout Japan, with an averaged ratio of 1 in 188. In Korean populations, we detected one carrier in 935 individuals. However, we were unable to detect any heterozygous alleles in 203 Mongolians and 766 Mainland Chinese populations. These data largely rule out the possibility that a single ancestor bearing an insertion-chromosome immigrated to Japan from Korea or Mainland China and appear to confirm that FCMD carriers are rare outside of Japan.     

DMD基因内微卫星标记对女性携带者的诊断意义

目的对1临床诊断为Duchenne肌营养不良家系中两名女性个体进行连锁分析,以确定她们是否为Duchenne肌营养不良致病基因携带者。方法抽取家系成员外周血并提取基因组DNA,选取3个DMD基因内微卫星标记作引物进行PCR扩增,扩增产物经ABI PRISM377测序仪电泳后进行连锁分析。结果在我们所研究的Duchenne肌营养不良家系中,一女性个体为Duchenne肌营养不良致病基因携带者,而另一女性个体为正常基因型。结论基因内标记可以排除染色体交换,运用DMD基因内微卫星标记可以成功诊断Duchenne肌营养不良家系中女性个体是否为致病基因携带者。     

Haplotype-phenotype correlation in Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy

In typical Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD), peak motor function is usually only unassisted sitting or sliding on the buttocks, though a few patients are able to walk at some point. However, a few patients have a severe phenotype and never acquire head control. In addition, it is clinically difficult to differentiate this severe FCMD from Walker-Warburg syndrome (WWS) or from muscle-eye-brain disease (MEBD). In order to establish a genotype-phenotype correlation, we performed haplotype analysis using microsatellite markers closest to the FCMD gene (FCMD) in 56 Japanese FCMD families, including 35 families whose children were diagnosed as FCMD with the typical phenotype, 12 families with a mild phenotype, and 9 families with a severe phenotype. Of the 12 propositi with the mild phenotype, 8 could walk and the other 4 could stand with support; 10 cases were homozygous for the ancestral founder (A-F) haplotype whereas the other 2 were heterozygous for the haplotype. In the 9 severe cases, who had never acquired head control or the ability to sit without support, 3 had progressive hydrocephalus, 2 required a shunt operation, and 7 had ophthalmological abnormalities. Haplotype analysis showed that 8 of the 9 cases of the severe phenotype are heterozygous for the A-F haplotype, and the other one homozygous for the haplotype. We confirmed that at least one chromosome in each of the 56 FCMD patients has the A-F haplotype. The rate of heterozygosity for the A-F haplotypes was significantly higher in severe cases than in typical or mild cases (P < 0.005). Severe FCMD patients appeared to be compound heterozygotes for the founder mutation and another mutation. Thus, the present study yielded molecular genetic evidence of a broad clinical spectrum in FCMD.     

Molecular heterogeneity in fetal forms of type II lissencephaly

Type II lissencephaly (type II LIS) is a group of autosomal recessive congenital muscular dystrophies (CMD) associated with defects in alpha-DG O-glycosylation, which comprises Walker-Warburg syndrome, Fukuyama cerebral and muscular dystrophy, or muscle-eye-brain disease. The most severe forms of these diseases often have a fetal presentation and lead to a pregnancy termination. We report here the first molecular study on fetal type II LIS in a series of 47 fetuses from 41 unrelated families. Sequencing of the different genes known to be involved in alpha-DG O-glycosylation allowed the molecular diagnosis in 22 families: involvement of POMT1 was demonstrated in 32% of cases, whereas POMGNT1 and POMT2 were incriminated in 15% and in 7% of cases, respectively. We found 30 different mutations in these three genes, 25 were described herein for the first time, 15 in POMT1, and five in POMT2 and POMGNT1. Despite sequencing of FKRP, FCMD, and LARGE, no definitive molecular diagnosis could be made for the other half of our cases. Preliminary results concerning genotype-phenotype correlations show that the choice of the first gene sequenced should depend on the clinical severity of the type II LIS; POMT1 and POMT2 for severest clinical picture and POMGNT1 for milder disease. The other genes, FKRP, FCMD, and LARGE, seem not to be implicated in the fetal form of CMD.     

Gene-deletion and carrier detections,and prenatal diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy by analysis of the dystrophin gene amplified by polymerase chain reaction

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnosis was carried out in 62 patients (57 probands) with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD or BMD) and 226 members in 57 families. The PCR studies were also performed for carrier detection in 57 mothers and 58 sisters, and prenatal diagnosis of 4 fetuses at risk of DMD. The PCR with 7 sets of primers, which amplify 7 different exon-sequences of the dystrophin gene, detected gene deletion of at least one exon in 49% of the probands. The PCR with the other 4 primer sets, which amplify 3 intragenic loci, and subsequent endonuclease digestion detected in 84% of the mothers a heterozygous pattern in at least one such locus/segment. Using the same primer sets, carrier detection was successful in 5 sisters of familial DMD cases, while recombination between the ERT87 and the 3 end intragenic loci was observed in 11% of family members studied. Prenatal diagnosis was made in all the 4 fetuses; two males were affected, one male fetus non-affected, and the remaining one female fetus a carrier. Thus, the PCR study and the primers used in the present study are useful and convincing for rapid diagnosis of DMD and/or BMD.     

Molecular-genetic study of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies: deletion analyses of 45 Japanese patients and segregation analyses in their families with RFLPs based on the data from normal Japanese females

This study consisted of 1) molecular deletion analyses in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) using the entire cDNA for the DMD gene as hybridization probes, 2) RFLP analyses in a large number of Japanese normal women using 11 DMD-linked cloned DNAs as probes, and 3) segregation analyses with these RFLP data in 17 DMD families in which prenatal or carrier diagnosis was required. The deletion study showed that 18 (43%) of 42 male DMD patients had a deletion within the DMD gene, while no detectable deletion was found in 3 BMD patients. These deletions were preferentially observed at the 5' end of the DMD gene, while no deletion was found in the 3' portion of the gene. Of a total of 15 RFLPs detected with the 11 probes, one was a new RFLP (probe/enzyme: P20/MspI). In 6 RFLPs, the allele frequencies in the Japanese were statistically different from those in the Caucasian. Based on the RFLP data combined with the result of the deletion study, an estimated diagnostic rate for prenatal diagnosis and/or carrier detection in the Japanese DMD families was 63%. The real diagnostic rate obtained from the prenatal and carrier diagnoses, which were practically performed in 17 families, corresponded to the estimation. A protocol useful for the diagnosis in Japanese DMD families is presented.     

Ethnically diverse causes of Walker-Warburg syndrome (WWS): FCMD mutations are a more common cause of WWS outside of the Middle East

Walker-Warburg syndrome (WWS) is a genetically heterogeneous autosomal recessive disease characterized by congenital muscular dystrophy, cobblestone lissencephaly, and ocular malformations. Mutations in six genes involved in the glycosylation of á-dystroglycan (POMT1, POMT2, POMGNT1, FCMD, FKRP and LARGE) have been identified in WWS patients, but account for only a portion of WWS cases. To better understand the genetics of WWS and establish the frequency and distribution of mutations across WWS genes, we genotyped all known loci in a cohort of 43 WWS patients of varying geographical and ethnic origin. Surprisingly, we reached a molecular diagnosis for 40% of our patients and found mutations in POMT1, POMT2, FCMD and FKRP, many of which were novel alleles, but no mutations in POMGNT1 or LARGE. Notably, the FCMD gene was a more common cause of WWS than previously expected in the European/American subset of our cohort, including all Ashkenazi Jewish cases, who carried the same founder mutation.     

应用多重PCR和MLPA技术检测DMD患者和携带者的基因突变及产前诊断

目的 应用多重PCR和多重连接依赖探针扩增(multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification,MLPA)技术检测Duchenne/Becker肌营养不良症(Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy,DMD/BMD)患者、携带者并应用于产前诊断.方法 首先采用多重PCR对临床诊断为DMD/BMD的患者检测DMD基因的26个外显子,未查到缺失突变者和可能的携带者采用MLPA检测全部79个外显子是否有缺失或重复突变.对产前诊断病例,用PCR法检测缺失突变,用MLPA法检测重复突变.结果 多重PCR对22例患者的DMD基因的26个外显子检测.13例有缺失突变.未查到常见缺失突变的9例患者经MLPA检测DMD基因的全部79个外显子,3例为重复突变、1例为单个第18外显子缺失、其他5例未查到缺失和重复突变.16例携带者中,3例有家族史,其中2例检出突变;13例为检测到突变的散发病例患儿的母亲,有8例检测到突变.产前诊断9个胎儿(其中双胎1例),2例胎儿有突变,引产后核实无误;7例胎儿未检测到突变,现均已分娩.结论 多重PCR可检出92.86%的缺失突变并可用于缺失突变的产前诊断,因其简便、可靠、价廉可作为临床上DMD/BMD基因诊断的初选.MLPA可用于多重PCR未检测到缺失突变的患者及携带者的检查.     

应用多重PCR和MLPA技术检测DMD患者和携带者的基因突变及产前诊断

目的 应用多重PCR和多重连接依赖探针扩增(multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification,MLPA)技术检测Duchenne/Becker肌营养不良症(Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy,DMD/BMD)患者、携带者并应用于产前诊断.方法 首先采用多重PCR对临床诊断为DMD/BMD的患者检测DMD基因的26个外显子,未查到缺失突变者和可能的携带者采用MLPA检测全部79个外显子是否有缺失或重复突变.对产前诊断病例,用PCR法检测缺失突变,用MLPA法检测重复突变.结果 多重PCR对22例患者的DMD基因的26个外显子检测.13例有缺失突变.未查到常见缺失突变的9例患者经MLPA检测DMD基因的全部79个外显子,3例为重复突变、1例为单个第18外显子缺失、其他5例未查到缺失和重复突变.16例携带者中,3例有家族史,其中2例检出突变;13例为检测到突变的散发病例患儿的母亲,有8例检测到突变.产前诊断9个胎儿(其中双胎1例),2例胎儿有突变,引产后核实无误;7例胎儿未检测到突变,现均已分娩.结论 多重PCR可检出92.86%的缺失突变并可用于缺失突变的产前诊断,因其简便、可靠、价廉可作为临床上DMD/BMD基因诊断的初选.MLPA可用于多重PCR未检测到缺失突变的患者及携带者的检查.     

应用多重PCR和MLPA技术检测DMD患者和携带者的基因突变及产前诊断

目的 应用多重PCR和多重连接依赖探针扩增(multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification,MLPA)技术检测Duchenne/Becker肌营养不良症(Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy,DMD/BMD)患者、携带者并应用于产前诊断.方法 首先采用多重PCR对临床诊断为DMD/BMD的患者检测DMD基因的26个外显子,未查到缺失突变者和可能的携带者采用MLPA检测全部79个外显子是否有缺失或重复突变.对产前诊断病例,用PCR法检测缺失突变,用MLPA法检测重复突变.结果 多重PCR对22例患者的DMD基因的26个外显子检测.13例有缺失突变.未查到常见缺失突变的9例患者经MLPA检测DMD基因的全部79个外显子,3例为重复突变、1例为单个第18外显子缺失、其他5例未查到缺失和重复突变.16例携带者中,3例有家族史,其中2例检出突变;13例为检测到突变的散发病例患儿的母亲,有8例检测到突变.产前诊断9个胎儿(其中双胎1例),2例胎儿有突变,引产后核实无误;7例胎儿未检测到突变,现均已分娩.结论 多重PCR可检出92.86%的缺失突变并可用于缺失突变的产前诊断,因其简便、可靠、价廉可作为临床上DMD/BMD基因诊断的初选.MLPA可用于多重PCR未检测到缺失突变的患者及携带者的检查.     

应用多重PCR和MLPA技术检测DMD患者和携带者的基因突变及产前诊断

目的 应用多重PCR和多重连接依赖探针扩增(multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification,MLPA)技术检测Duchenne/Becker肌营养不良症(Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy,DMD/BMD)患者、携带者并应用于产前诊断.方法 首先采用多重PCR对临床诊断为DMD/BMD的患者检测DMD基因的26个外显子,未查到缺失突变者和可能的携带者采用MLPA检测全部79个外显子是否有缺失或重复突变.对产前诊断病例,用PCR法检测缺失突变,用MLPA法检测重复突变.结果 多重PCR对22例患者的DMD基因的26个外显子检测.13例有缺失突变.未查到常见缺失突变的9例患者经MLPA检测DMD基因的全部79个外显子,3例为重复突变、1例为单个第18外显子缺失、其他5例未查到缺失和重复突变.16例携带者中,3例有家族史,其中2例检出突变;13例为检测到突变的散发病例患儿的母亲,有8例检测到突变.产前诊断9个胎儿(其中双胎1例),2例胎儿有突变,引产后核实无误;7例胎儿未检测到突变,现均已分娩.结论 多重PCR可检出92.86%的缺失突变并可用于缺失突变的产前诊断,因其简便、可靠、价廉可作为临床上DMD/BMD基因诊断的初选.MLPA可用于多重PCR未检测到缺失突变的患者及携带者的检查.     

应用多重PCR和MLPA技术检测DMD患者和携带者的基因突变及产前诊断

目的 应用多重PCR和多重连接依赖探针扩增(multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification,MLPA)技术检测Duchenne/Becker肌营养不良症(Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy,DMD/BMD)患者、携带者并应用于产前诊断.方法 首先采用多重PCR对临床诊断为DMD/BMD的患者检测DMD基因的26个外显子,未查到缺失突变者和可能的携带者采用MLPA检测全部79个外显子是否有缺失或重复突变.对产前诊断病例,用PCR法检测缺失突变,用MLPA法检测重复突变.结果 多重PCR对22例患者的DMD基因的26个外显子检测.13例有缺失突变.未查到常见缺失突变的9例患者经MLPA检测DMD基因的全部79个外显子,3例为重复突变、1例为单个第18外显子缺失、其他5例未查到缺失和重复突变.16例携带者中,3例有家族史,其中2例检出突变;13例为检测到突变的散发病例患儿的母亲,有8例检测到突变.产前诊断9个胎儿(其中双胎1例),2例胎儿有突变,引产后核实无误;7例胎儿未检测到突变,现均已分娩.结论 多重PCR可检出92.86%的缺失突变并可用于缺失突变的产前诊断,因其简便、可靠、价廉可作为临床上DMD/BMD基因诊断的初选.MLPA可用于多重PCR未检测到缺失突变的患者及携带者的检查.