Median nodule of the upper lip: An autosomal dominant trait

We describe a total of 18 individuals, in 3 families, with a median nodule of the upper lip. In family 1, the proposita, an 8-month-old infant girl, was otherwise phenotypically normal except for a median nodule of the upper lip. The proposita's elder brother and mother, both phenotypically normal, also had the similar nodule of the upper lip. On the mother's side, the proposita's greatgrandmother, great-grandaunt, grandfather, greataunt, two aunts, and one female cousin all had a median nodule of the upper lip. In family 2, the proposita, proposita's mother and maternal grandfather had a median nodule of the upper lip. In family 3, the proposita, proposita's father, paternal grandfather, paternal uncle, and cousin had a median nodule of the upper lip. Analysis of 3 families indicates that the condition is an autosomal dominant trait. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Neocentromere at 13q32 in one of two stable markers derived from a 13q21 break

A 10-month-old girl with psychomotor retardation, microcephaly, bilateral microphthalmia, and postaxial polydactyly of the feet was karyotyped using banding techniques and (single or dual color) fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with four probes: D13Z1/D21Z1, pancentromeric, pantelomeric, and a mix of 13q subtelomeric and 13/21 alphoid repeats. She was found to have a 47-chromosome karyotype in which a normal 13 was replaced by two stable markers derived from a breakpoint at 13q21.1, namely a del(13)(q21.1) and an isofragment(13) (qter→q21.1::q21.1→qter). The latter had a single C-negative but Cd-positive primary constriction at 13q32 which, however, was not obvious in about 12% of the cells. FISH studies showed that the small 13q- had the 13-centromere and a 13q telomere (as shown for a specific 13q subtelomeric signal) onto the broken end whereas the isofragment lacked alphoid signals but had 13q subtelomeric sequences on both ends. Parental karyotypes were normal. The patient's rearrangement represents the eighth chromosome-13–derived marker with a nonalphoid neocentromere located at 13q. All in all, such neocentromeres have been described in 29 markers derived from chromosomes 2, 3, 8–11, 13–15, 20, and Y, and plausibly result from the epigenetic activation of a latent centromere, which may even be a telomere with neocentric activity. The 13q telomere found in the del(13q) was probably captured from the homologous chromosome. Am. J. Med. Genet. 85:385–388, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Familial interstitial deletion 11(p11.12p12) associated with parietal foramina,brachymicrocephaly, and mental retardation

Parietal foramina may be an isolated autosomal dominant trait or found in syndromes. We report on two related individuals who have multiple anomalies with parietal formaina and the deletion of 11(p11.12p12) due to the inheritance of a derivative chromosome 11 from an insertional translocation dir ins(13;11)(q14.1;p11.12p12). Results of initial chromosome analyses on the proposita and her maternal halfuncle were reported as normal. However, the clinical manifestations and family history suggested a chromosomal cause and cytogenetic studies were performed on the proposita's mother. A derivative chromosome 13 was initially identified and further evaluation documented a derivative 11 as the reciprocal product. This family illustrates the importance of performing chromosome studies on the normal intervening relatives in families with multiple affected individuals with mental retardation and minor anomalies as one of the two reciprocal products may be more easily detectable in a balanced carrier. Additionally, the finding of del(11)(p11.12p12) may provide a map location for a syndrome which includes parietal foramina. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Balanced rearrangement of chromosomes 2, 5, and 13 in a family with duplication 5q and fetal loss

We have studied a family in which a mother and daughter (the proposita) had the karyotype 46,XX,ins(2;5),t(5;13). The mother had four spontaneous abortions, a mentally retarded son with duplication (5q), and a daughter who died at 3 months. The proposita had a phenotypically abnormal abortus. Rearrangements involving several chromosomes are very rare. Observations on this family are consistent with the predicted high likelihood of reproductive loss.     

Trisomy 18q: 46, XX,13q+,t(13;18)(q32;q11) in a newborn associated with multiple congenital anomalies due to paternal reciprocal translocation, 46, XY,-13,+der(13)/t(13;18)(q32;q11)

A 20-day-old female neonate presented with multiple congenital anomalies, convulsions and failure to thrive. Karyotype analysis of the proposita revealed an unbalanced translocation, 46, XX,13q+,t(13;18)(q32;qll)pat resulting in partial trisomy 18q. Her father and a 5-year-old sister were phenotypically normal, balanced translocation carriers, 46, XY, -13, + der(13),t(13;18)(q32;qll) and 46, XX,-13,+der(13),t(13;18)(q32;qll), respectively. The case presented here is the second liveborn reported with trisomy 18q and is of interest from the point of view of the structural chromosomal aberration resulting in the manifestations of most features of trisomy 18 and some of 13q monosomy. The infant died due to convulsions at the age of 2 months.     

Origin of a paternal (13q; 15q) translocation leading to dup(13q) in two half sibs

We report on two half-sibs, a male and a female with dup(13)(q1405 → qter) that resulted from a der(15),t(13;15)(15qter → 15q25::13q1405 → 13qter), h +, pat. Their manifestations were similar to those with duplication of the distal half 13q. The father was a balanced de novo translocation carrier. Since the der(15) had a long secondary constriction, it was possible to trace the site of the mutation to the germ cell of the patients paternal grandmother who had this distinctive long secondary constriction in one of her normal 15 chromosomes.     

Asplenia syndrome in a child with a balanced reciprocal translocation of chromosomes 11 and 20 [46,XX,t(11;20)(q13.1;q13.13)]

We present a 6-year-old girl with a balanced 11;20 translocation [46,XX,t(11;20)(q13.1;q13.13)pat], asplenia, pulmonic stenosis, Hirschsprung disease, minor anomalies, and mental retardation. This case represents the second report of an individual with situs abnormalities and a balanced chromosome rearrangement involving a breakpoint at 11q13. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of microsatellite markers excluded uniparental disomy for chromosomes 11 and 20. Segregation analysis of markers in the 11q13 region in the proposita and her phenotypically normal carrier sibs did not show a unique combination of maternal and paternal alleles in the patient. We discuss several possible explanations for the simultaneous occurrence of situs abnormalities and a balanced 11;20 translocation. These include (1) chance, (2) a further chromosome rearrangement in the patient, (3) gene disruption and random situs determination, and (4) gene disruption plus transmission of a recessive or imprinted allele from the mother. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Mental retardation with 45 chromosomes 45,XX,--5,--14,+der(5) t(5,14)(p15;q13) mat due to familial balanced reciprocal translocation.

A girl with severe mental retardation and odd facies and some features of the cri-duchat syndrome was found to have only 45 chromosomes. Her karyotype was 45,XX, -5, -14,+der(5) t(5,14)(p15;q13) mat. Her mother and her two sisters were found to be balanced reciprocal translocation carriers having 46 chromosomes, one of which was a very small (14pter leads to 14q13::5p15leads to 5pter) that was missing in the proposita.     

Cryptic subtelomeric translocations in the 22q13 deletion syndrome

Cryptic subtelomeric rearrangements are suspected to underlie a substantial portion of terminal chromosomal deletions. We have previously described two children, one with an unbalanced subtelomeric rearrangement resulting in deletion of 22q13→qter and duplication of 1qter, and a second with an apparently simple 22q13→qter deletion. We have examined two additional patients with deletions of 22q13→qter. In one of the new patients presented here, clinical findings were suggestive of the 22q13 deletion syndrome and FISH for 22qter was requested. Chromosome studies suggested an abnormality involving the telomere of one 22q (46,XX,?add(22)(q13.3)). FISH using Oncor D22S39 and Vysis ARSA probes confirmed a terminal deletion. A multi-telomere FISH assay showed a signal from 19qter on the deleted chromosome 22. Results were confirmed with 19qtel and 22qtel specific probes. The patient is therefore trisomic for 19qter and monosomic for 22qter. The patient''s mother was found to have a translocation (19;22)(q13.42;q13.31). We also re-examined chromosomes from two patients previously diagnosed with 22q deletions who were not known to have a rearrangement using the multi-telomere assay. One of these patients was found to have a derivative chromosome 22 (der(22)t(6;22)(p25;q13)). No evidence of rearrangement was detected in the other patient. Thus we have found the 22q13 deletion to be associated with a translocation in three of four patients. This report illustrates the usefulness of examining patients with hypotonia, severe language delay, and mild facial dysmorphism for this syndrome and suggests that most of these deletions may be unbalanced subtelomeric rearrangements.     

Partial trisomy 3q syndrome inherited from familial t(3;9)(q26.1; p23)

A five-year-old girl was referred to prometaphase chromosome analysis because of mental retardation, facial dysmorphic features suggestive of Cornelia de Lange syndrome, cleft palate and additional minor congenital malformations of the cardiac system and fingers and toes. A familial balanced translocation (3;9)(q26.1; p23) was found. The karyotype of the proposita was 46,XX,der(9),t(3;9)(q26.1;p23). Thus the patient was trisomic for 3q26.1-qter and monosomic for 9p23-pter. The unbalanced chromosome constitution was not detected by standard Q-banding analysis shortly after birth. The karyotype was misdiagnosed as 46,XX,9(p+) in the proposita and her mother, and thought to be a normal variant of chromosome 9. The repeated cytogenetic study led to the diagnosis of the translocation and to the possibility of prenatal diagnosis in the translocation carriers. A survey of 22 published cases of dup(3q) showed that nearly 60% were secondary to familial balanced rearrangements with an excess of maternally derived abnormal chromosomes 3. Red blood cell galactose-1-phosphate-uridyltransferase (GALT) activity was normal in the patient, consistent with previous assignment of the gene locus for GALT to 9p13 (Shih et al. 1982).     

Partial 3p trisomy and different rearrangements involving chromosome 3 in the proposita's family

A case of partial 3p trisomy is reported here. A review of published cases (8 ♂, 2 ♀, 7 families) shows a characteristic pattern of anomalies, constituting one more syndrome of multiple congenital anomaly and mental retardation (MCA/MR) characterized by microcephaly, brachycephaly, frontal bossing, temporal indentation, square face, hypertelorism or telecanthus, epicanthus, short nose with a large tip, prominent cheeks, long and protruding philtrum, large and downturned mouth, protruding mid-upper lip, micro- or retrognathia, short neck, congenital heart defects, gastrointestinal malformation, penile hypoplasia, neuromotor or mental retardation, and predominance of whorls on digits. The proposita had a 46,XX,der(11),t(3;11)(p21;q25) karyotype. The mother was a carrier of a de novo 3;11 balanced translocation. Chromosome mosaicism was detected in a female sibling of the proposita: 46% of her cells were 46,XX and 54% had a 46,XX,t(3;20)(p21;q13) karyotype - ie, a de novo 3;20 balanced translocation. We discuss the origin of this mosaicism and the possible meaning of the breaks involving the same region of chromosome 3 (region 3p21) in the members of the proposita's family.     

‘Deletion rescue’ by mitotic 11q uniparental disomy in a family with recurrence of 11q deletion Jacobsen syndrome

We describe a family with recurrent 11q23‐qter deletion Jacobsen syndrome in two affected brothers, with unique mosaic deletion ‘rescue’ through development of uniparental disomy (UPD) in the mother and one of the brothers. Inheritance studies show that the deleted chromosome is of maternal origin in both boys, and microarray shows a break near the ASAM gene. Parental lymphocyte chromosomes were normal. However, the mother is homozygous in lymphocytes for all loci within the deleted region in her sons, and presumably has UPD for this region. In addition, she is mosaic for the 11q deletion seen in her sons at a level of 20–30% in skin fibroblasts. We hypothesize that one of her #11 chromosomes shows fragility, that breakage at 11q23 occurred with telomeric loss in some cells, but ‘rescue’ from the deletion occurred in most cells by the development of mitotic UPD. She apparently carries the 11q deletion in her germ line resulting in recurrence of the syndrome. The older son is mosaic for the 11q cell line (70–88%, remainder 46,XY), and segmental UPD11 ‘rescue’ apparently also occurred in his cytogenetically normal cells. This is a novel phenomenon restoring disomy to an individual with a chromosomal deletion.     

Prader-Willi–like syndrome in a patient with an Xq23q25 duplication

We report on a 24-year old woman with an Xq duplication and findings suggestive of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Her birth weight was at the 3rd centile and her birth length was less than the 3rd centile. She was hypotonic and had a weak cry as an infant. There were no feeding difficulties, although her mother reports that as an infant, she was “small for her age.” Excessive weight gain began between 3 and 4 years. The patient's development was delayed and she received special education. She has a history of hiding food. She has a sleep disturbance disorder and inappropriate social behavior. At the age of 24 years her height was below the 5th centile and weight >>95th centile. She has physical findings typical of PWS, skin picking, and speech articulation defects. Cytogenetic analysis showed a 46,X,dup(X)(q23q25) karyotype. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) studies using a chromosome X painting probe demonstrated that the rearrangement was intrachromosomal. The X-chromosome fold scoring technique was used to determine the X inactivation pattern and indicated that some cells expressed the abnormal X chromosome. Results of FISH studies using the SNRPN probe localized to 15q11q13 and DNA studies using the PW71B and SNRPN probes were normal. The duplicated X chromosome, random X inactivation pattern, and the negative molecular studies for PWS indicate that the abnormal X chromosome is the basis of this patient's phenotype. This patient emphasizes the importance of obtaining a karyotype even when a syndrome diagnosable by molecular methods is strongly suspected. Am. J. Med. Genet. 80:227–231, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Maternal complex chromosome rearrangement ascertained through a del (13)(q12.1q14.1) detected in her mildly affected daughter

A maternal complex chromosome rearrangement (CCR) involving chromosomes 2, 13, and 20 was ascertained in a normal female through the diagnosis of a deletion of 13q in her daughter. The child has mild clinical features and developmental delay consistent with proximal deletions of 13q that do not extend into band q32 and a del(13)(q12q14.1) that does not involve the retinoblastoma locus by FISH. Maternal studies by GTG banding and FISH showed a complex karyotype with bands 13q12.3→13q12.1::20p13 translocated to 2p13 and bands 2pter→2p13::13q12.3→13q14.1 translocated into band 20p13. This would be the first report of an interstitial deletion of 13q inherited from a parental complex chromosome rearrangement. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Partial trisomy 13q identified by sequential fluorescence in situ hybridization

We report on a 19-month-old boy with partial trisomy 13q resulting from a probable balanced translocation involving chromosomes 1 and 13. The infant presented with omphalocele, malrotation, microcephaly with overriding skull bones, micrognathia, apparently low-set ears, rocker-bottom feet, and congenital heart disease, findings suggestive of trisomy 13. Karyotypic studies from peripheral blood lymphocytes documented an unbalanced karyotype 46,XY,−1, +der(1). The mother's chromosomes were normal, and the father was not available. Conventional cytogenetic techniques were unable to identify the extra material on the terminal 1q. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on the GTL-banded metaphases, the extra material on 1q was identified as the terminal long arm of 13, thus resulting in partial trisomy 13 (q32–qter). © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Molecular and cytogenetic characterisation of an unusual case of partial trisomy/partial monosomy 13 mosaicism: 46,XX,r(13)(p11q14)/46,XX,der(13)t(13;13)(q10;q14)

A female infant with multiple malformations and mental retardation was noted to have a rare de novo chromosome abnormality involving mosaicism with two cell lines, one with a ring chromosome 13, and the other with partial trisomy 13 owing to a complex rearrangement. Cytogenetic examination excluded the presence of a t(13q;13q) cell line and showed a cell line with a marker chromosome containing two chromosome 13 long arms joined together after deletion of a part (q11→q14) of one of them. In addition, the absence of a cell line with two normal chromosomes 13 or a cell line with a t(13q;13q) implies that the ring (13) and the marker (13) arose from a single event at the first cleavage division.
The two cell lines were present in different proportions in both peripheral blood lymphocytes and skin fibroblasts. The results of microsatellite characterisation clearly indicate the paternal origin and the absence of recombination, supporting the postzygotic origin of both the ring and the marker chromosome.


Keywords: unusual mosaicism; ring 13; partial trisomy 13; partial monosomy 13     

Two different structural abnormalities of chromosome 13 in offspring of chromo-somally normal parents with two fragile sites

Two siblings were found with different structural abnormalities involving their maternally inherited chromosome 13. The proband exhibited a ring 13 and a small fragment: 46, XX, r(13) (pllq34), +f, while her clinically normal brother carried a dicentric Robertsonian translocation: 45, XY, dic(13;15) (pl 1;pl 1). Both parents had normal karyotypes in peripheral blood and skin fibroblasts. The structural abnormalities of chromosome 13 may be due to an unstable gonadal 13; 15 translocation in the mother. In addition, two autosomal fragile sites were segregating in this family. The mother had a fragile (16) (q22) which was inherited by the proband. The father and paternal grandmother possessed a fragile (12)(q13) which was not inherited by either child. The expression of both fragile sites was dependent on culture conditions.     

A boy with proximal trisomy 15 and a male foetus with distal trisomy 15 due to a familial 13p;15q translocation

A familial 13p;lSq translocation was ascertained through a mentally retarded boy with a proximal trisomy 15 syndrome. His mother, who was a balanced 13p;15q carrier, had in addition a legal abortion after 22 weeks of gestation because of a prenatal diagnosis of distal trisomy 15 in a male foetus. Her mother and two sisters, who were balanced carriers, all had children with either a normal karyotype or a balanced translocation or had had pregnancies resulting in an early spontaneous abortion.     

Translocation 9q/13q resulting in duplication (trisomy 9pter→9q22) and deficiency (monosomy 13pter→13q12)

A profoundly retarded, 12-year-old female is described. Her phenotype is compatible with the clinical features of the trisomy 9p syndrome. Cytogenetic analyses showed her to be trisomic for 9pter→9q22 and monosomic for 13pter→13q12, as the result of adjacent-2 segregation during meiosis in her mother. The family pedigree shows this (9;13) translocation to be present in at least three generations.     

Neocentromere at 13q32 in one of two stable markers derived from a 13q21 break.

A 10-month-old girl with psychomotor retardation, microcephaly, bilateral microphthalmia, and postaxial polydactyly of the feet was karyotyped using banding techniques and (single or dual color) fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with four probes: D13Z1/D21Z1, pancentromeric, pantelomeric, and a mix of 13q subtelomeric and 13/21 alphoid repeats. She was found to have a 47-chromosome karyotype in which a normal 13 was replaced by two stable markers derived from a breakpoint at 13q21.1, namely a del(13)(q21.1) and an isofragment(13) (qter-->q21.1::q21.1-->qter). The latter had a single C-negative but Cd-positive primary constriction at 13q32 which, however, was not obvious in about 12% of the cells. FISH studies showed that the small 13q- had the 13-centromere and a 13q telomere (as shown for a specific 13q subtelomeric signal) onto the broken end whereas the isofragment lacked alphoid signals but had 13q subtelomeric sequences on both ends. Parental karyotypes were normal. The patient's rearrangement represents the eighth chromosome-13-derived marker with a nonalphoid neocentromere located at 13q. All in all, such neocentromeres have been described in 29 markers derived from chromosomes 2, 3, 8-11, 13-15, 20, and Y, and plausibly result from the epigenetic activation of a latent centromere, which may even be a telomere with neocentric activity. The 13q telomere found in the del(13q) was probably captured from the homologous chromosome.