Progressive cerebellar degenerative changes in the severe mental retardation syndrome caused by duplication of MECP2 and adjacent loci on Xq28

Localised duplications, involving the MECP2 locus, at Xq28 have been associated with a syndrome comprising X-linked mental retardation, hypotonia and recurrent infections in males. We now present neuroradiological evidence that progressive cerebellar degenerative changes may also be a consistent feature of this syndrome, emerging in the second decade of life. We report seven affected males, from three different families who, in addition to the previously described clinical findings, have a reduction in the volume of the white matter and mild dilatation of the lateral ventricles. Three of the older patients show a consistent cerebellar degenerative phenotype. Furthermore, we describe the first female affected with the disorder. The female was mildly affected and shows X-inactivation in the ratio of 70:30, demonstrating that X-inactivation cannot be exclusively relied upon to spare the female carriers from symptoms. In conclusion, there is a radiological phenotype associated with Xq28 duplication which clearly demonstrates progressive degenerative cerebellar disease as part of the syndrome.     

The pattern of inheritance of X-linked traits is not dominant or recessive, just X-linked

Our modern concepts of genetic inheritance originated nearly a century ago. Early concepts of dominant and recessive inheritance were developed in insects and were subsequently applied to sex-linked inheritance in mammals. Years of clinical experience, however, suggest that the modern-day rules for X-linked dominant and recessive diseases do not explain why so many female carriers of X-linked 'recessive' disorders have an abnormal phenotype. In a review of 32 X-linked diseases we revealed an unexpectedly high degree of intermediate disease penetrance in females that cannot be explained by existing concepts. We recommend that the terms 'dominant' and recessive' be abandoned and that these disorders be referred to as X-linked. In this review we will present modified rules for X-linked inheritance and propose hypotheses related to the potential mechanisms that may explain differences in disease expression in females.
Conclusion : Past assumptions regarding factors that may affect phenotype in heterozygous females do not capture the extraordinarily variable expressivity of X-linked disorders in females and need to be revisited.     

The pattern of inheritance of X-linked traits is not dominant or recessive, just X-linked

Our modern concepts of genetic inheritance originated nearly a century ago. Early concepts of dominant and recessive inheritance were developed in insects and were subsequently applied to sex-linked inheritance in mammals. Years of clinical experience, however, suggest that the modern-day rules for X-linked dominant and recessive diseases do not explain why so many female carriers of X-linked 'recessive' disorders have an abnormal phenotype. In a review of 32 X-linked diseases we revealed an unexpectedly high degree of intermediate disease penetrance in females that cannot be explained by existing concepts. We recommend that the terms 'dominant' and recessive' be abandoned and that these disorders be referred to as X-linked. In this review we will present modified rules for X-linked inheritance and propose hypotheses related to the potential mechanisms that may explain differences in disease expression in females.Conclusion: Past assumptions regarding factors that may affect phenotype in heterozygous females do not capture the extraordinarily variable expressivity of X-linked disorders in females and need to be revisited.     

X-chromosome inactivation: role in skin disease expression

The occurrence of X inactivation in mammals has the consequence that all women are functional mosaics. In X-linked skin disorders, Lyonization usually gives rise to a mosaic pattern, as manifest by the appearance of the lines of Blaschko. This arrangement of lesions is observed in male-lethal X-linked traits, such as incontinentia pigmenti, focal dermal hypoplasia, Conradi-Hünermann-Happle syndrome, oral-facial-digital syndrome type 1 and MIDAS (microphthalmia, dermal aplasia and sclerocornea) syndrome, as well as in various X-linked non-lethal phenotypes, such as hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia of Christ-Siemens-Touraine, IFAP (ichthyosis follicularis-alopecia-photophobia) syndrome and X-linked dyskeratosis congenita. Analogous X-inactivation patterns have been documented in human bones, teeth, eyes and, possibly, the brain. Patterns that are distinct from the lines of Blaschko are also seen, such as the lateralization observed in CHILD (congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform nevus and limb defects) syndrome, and the chequerboard pattern seen in women heterozygous for X-linked congenital hypertrichosis. Exceptional cases of either severe or absent involvement in a woman heterozygous for an X-linked trait can be explained by skewing of X inactivation. Some X-linked skin disorders are caused by genes that escape inactivation, which is why heterozygous female 'carriers' of these disorders do not show mosaicism. A well-known example is X-linked recessive ichthyosis due to steroid sulphatase deficiency, the locus for which is situated at the tip of the short arm of the X chromosome and does not undergo Lyonization. On the other hand, in the case of Fabry disease, the gene encoding alpha-galactosidase A is subject to inactivation. Remarkably, however, the skin lesions of women do not show a mosaic pattern.Conclusion: In the various X-linked skin disorders, affected women show quite dissimilar degrees of involvement and forms of manifestation because X inactivation may give rise to different patterns of functional mosaicism. Paradoxically, no such pattern is observed in women with Fabry disease. Like many X-linked diseases, Fabry disease should neither be called recessive nor dominant, because these dichotomous terms are obscured by the mechanism of X inactivation.     

Skewed X inactivation in healthy individuals and in different diseases

In female mammalian cells, one of the two X chromosomes is inactivated in early embryonic life. Females are mosaics for two cell populations, one with the maternal and one with the paternal X as the active chromosome. Skewed X inactivation is arbitrarily defined, often as a pattern where 80% or more of the cells show a preferential inactivation of one X chromosome. Inactivation is presumed to be permanent for all descendants of a cell; however, after about 55 years of age, the frequency of skewed X inactivation in peripheral blood cells increases, probably through selection. Unfavourable skewing of X inactivation, where the X chromosome carrying a mutant allele is the predominantly active X, has been found in affected female carriers of several X-linked disorders; however, for many X-linked disorders, a consistent relationship between the pattern of X inactivation and clinical phenotype has been difficult to demonstrate. One reason for this may be that peripheral blood cells are not a representative or relevant tissue in many disorders. In some severe X-linked disorders, post-inactivation selection takes place against the X chromosome carrying the mutant allele, leading to a completely skewed X-inactivation pattern. Skewed X inactivation has also been reported in young females with breast cancer, and may indicate an effect of X-linked genes on the development of this condition.Conclusion: The process of X inactivation and the resultant degree of skewing is clearly important for the expression of genetic diseases. It is also important to consider, however, that under normal conditions the frequency of skewed X inactivation increases with age in peripheral blood cells. Analysis of the expression of a large proportion of the genes on the X chromosome has revealed that X-chromosome inactivation is more heterogeneous than previously thought.     

X-chromosome inactivation and human genetic disease

The inactivation of one X-chromosome in females in early development is the process by which the effective dosage of X-linked genes is equalized between XX females and XY males. The mechanism that brings this about is the subject of intense research. The X-linked gene Xist is a key player, which is necessary but not sufficient for the initiation of X-inactivation. It codes for an untranslated RNA that coats the inactive X-chromosome, which takes on properties characteristic of heterochromatin, but how this change in chromatin is brought about remains unknown. Because of X-inactivation, females heterozygous for X-linked genes are mixtures of two types of cells and show a variable phenotype. The proportions of the two types of cells can depart from equality due to cell selection either at the tissue or whole organism level. In rare cases, changes in the Xist gene can cause skewing of X-inactivation. A few genes escape from X-inactivation either wholly or partially. CONCLUSION: X-chromosome inactivation is a physiological mechanism that equalizes gene-dosage effects on the sex chromosomes. The occurrence of this normal process affects the phenotype seen in females carrying X-linked mutant genes or chromosome anomalies.     

X-chromosome inactivation and human genetic disease

The inactivation of one X-chromosome in females in early development is the process by which the effective dosage of X-linked genes is equalized between XX females and XY males. The mechanism that brings this about is the subject of intense research. The X-linked gene Xist is a key player, which is necessary but not sufficient for the initiation of X-inactivation. It codes for an untranslated RNA that coats the inactive X-chromosome, which takes on properties characteristic of heterochromatin, but how this change in chromatin is brought about remains unknown. Because of X-inactivation, females heterozygous for X-linked genes are mixtures of two types of cells and show a variable phenotype. The proportion s of the two types of cells can depart from equality due to cell selection either at the tissue or whole organism level. In rare cases, changes in the Xist gene can cause skewing of X-inactivation. A few genes escape from X-inactivation either wholly or partially.
Conclusion : X-chromosome inactivation is a physiological mechanism that equalizes gene-dosage effects on the sex chromosomes. The occurrence of this normal process affects the phenotype seen in females carrying X-linked mutant genes or chromosome anomalies.     

Skewed X inactivation in healthy individuals and in different diseases

In female mammalian cells, one of the two X chromosomes is inactivated in early embryonic life. Females are mosaics for two cell populations, one with the maternal and one with the paternal X as the active chromosome. Skewed X inactivation is arbitrarily defined, often as a pattern where 80% or more of the cells show a preferential inactivation of one X chromosome. Inactivation is presumed to be permanent for all descendants of a cell; however, after about 55 years of age, the frequency of skewed X inactivation in peripheral blood cells increases, probably through selection. Unfavourable skewing of X inactivation, where the X chromosome carrying a mutant allele is the predominantly active X, has been found in affected female carriers of several X-linked disorders; however, for many X-linked disorders, a consistent relationship between the pattern of X inactivation and clinical phenotype has been difficult to demonstrate. One reason for this may be that peripheral blood cells are not a representative or relevant tissue in many disorders. In some severe X-linked disorders, post-inactivation selection takes place against the X chromosome carrying the mutant allele, leading to a completely skewed X-inactivation pattern. Skewed X inactivation has also been reported in young females with breast cancer, and may indicate an effect of X-linked genes on the development of this condition.
Conclusion: The process of X inactivation and the resultant degree of skewing is clearly important for the expression of genetic diseases. It is also important to consider, however, that under normal conditions the frequency of skewed X inactivation increases with age in peripheral blood cells. Analysis of the expression of a large proportion of the genes on the X chromosome has revealed that X-chromosome inactivation is more heterogeneous than previously thought.     

Heterogeneity of clinical severity and molecular lesions in Aicardi syndrome

All patients with Aicardi syndrome are female or have a 47,XXY karyotype. This finding, along with a report of an Aicardi syndrome patient with an Xp22/autosome translocation, led to the hypothesis that Aicardi syndrome might be caused by an X-linked dominant, male-lethal mutation on the short arm of the X chromosome. To study this hypothesis, we investigated X chromosome inactivation patterns in peripheral lymphocytes from seven patients. We used two methods: methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme analysis and segregation of the active X chromosome in somatic cell hybrids. We found that three of seven cytogenetically normal girls with Aicardi syndrome had profoundly skewed X-inactivation in their lymphocytes, supporting the concept that Aicardi syndrome is X linked. Three of the five girls with the greatest degree of psychomotor retardation and the poorest seizure control had skewed X-inactivation. In contrast, the two highest-functioning children had random X-inactivation. We screened DNA using eight polymorphic probes from the Xp22 region but were unable to identify a deletion in any of the seven patients. Nonrandom X-inactivation in lymphocytes and possibly other tissues in some, but not all, patients with Aicardi syndrome may reflect heterogeneity of their molecular lesions.     

年龄和组织类型对X连锁Alport综合征女性患者X染色体失活方式的影响

目的 探讨不同年龄和组织类型对X连锁Alport综合征（XLAS）女性患者X染色体失活方式的影响。方法 纳入1997年1月至2006年12月北京大学第一医院（我院）儿科肾脏病遗传门诊就诊符合XLAS诊断标准的家系。根据年龄,将XLAS家系中女性患者分为两组,年龄≤30岁为A组,年龄>30岁为B组。采集患者及其家属静脉血3 mL,盐析法提取淋巴细胞基因组DNA。对家系中的女性患者在前臂下1/3处进行皮肤活检,并进行成纤维细胞培养。通过PCR扩增雄性激素受体（AR）基因第一外显子CAG重复序列的多肽性分析X染色体失活。每一标本X染色体失活分析均检测2次,取其平均值用于两组X染色体失活的差异分析,以X染色体失活率≥80%作为X染色体失活倾斜的标准。结果 研究期间我院儿科肾脏病遗传门诊共诊断XLAS家系186个,符合纳入和排除标准的XLAS家系共32个,包括36例女性患者,32例男性患者。A组和B组分别为13和23例,平均年龄分别为（17.9±11.7）和（38.6±6.2）岁。①36例女性患者中,外周血中AR基因位点杂合者32例,异质性为88.9%;AR基因位点纯合者4例。外周血中X染色体失活倾斜比例为12.5%（4/32例）,其中A组0例,B组4/20例（20.0%）,两组差异无统计学意义（χ2=2.743,P=0.098）。②12例女性患者同时分析外周血和皮肤成纤维细胞X染色体失活,结果显示两种组织中X染色体失活方式明显不同,3例患者仅皮肤成纤维细胞显示为X染色体失活倾斜而外周血无失活倾斜;1例外周血显示X染色体失活倾斜而皮肤成纤维细胞无失活倾斜。7/12例（58.3%）患者两种组织中以同一条X染色体失活为主;5/12例（41.7%）患者则相反,两种组织间X染色体失活明显不同。结论 不同组织类型而不是年龄可影响XLAS女性患者的X染色体失活方式,这可能是有关XLAS女性患者和X染色体失活研究结果不一致的一个主要原因。     

2-Methyl-3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase (MHBD) deficiency: an X-linked inborn error of isoleucine metabolism that may mimic a mitochondrial disease

We describe three patients, from two Spanish families, with 2-methyl-3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase (MHBD) deficiency, a recently described X-linked neurodegenerative inborn error of isoleucine metabolism. Two of them are males with severe lactic acidosis suggestive of a mitochondrial encephalopathy, and the third is a female who was less severely affected, suggesting skewed X-inactivation. Molecular studies revealed a new missense mutation, 740A-->G, in one family and a previously described mutation, 388C-->T, in the other, causing the amino acid substitutions N247S and R130C, respectively. Both male patients died, one of them despite treatment with an isoleucine-restricted diet, but the disease has remained stable in the female patient after 1 y of treatment.     

Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia in females

The authors report a female with full-blown hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia and survey the literature concerning cases of the complete syndrome in females. The condition is ordinarily inherited as an X-linked recessive trait but evidence suggests that other patterns of inheritance may occur. There are several examples of probable autosomal recessive inheritance. The syndrome appears to be an example of genetic heterogeneity.This study was made possible in part by U.S.P.H.S. Program Grant in Oral Pathology, DE-1770.     

Improved definition of carrier status in X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia by use of restriction fragment length polymorphism-based linkage analysis

The detection of carriers of the X-linked disorder hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia is problematic because of random X-inactivation; the diagnosis was previously based on the observation of subtle defects in ectodermal structures in at-risk females. Linkage studies have recently mapped hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia to the region Xq11-q21.1. We assessed the improvement in carrier detection by the method of linkage analysis, in which restriction fragment length polymorphisms were used as markers, in 72 at-risk female members of 29 families. Carriers analyses were based on pedigree information, dental examination of at-risk females (phenotype), and DNA analyses at seven linked marker loci. Linkage analysis based on restriction fragment length polymorphisms significantly improved risk estimates over those based on phenotype and pedigree alone. When all available information was combined, 85% (61/72) of the at-risk females had final risks of less than 5% or greater than 95%, and 68% (49/72) had risks less than 1% or greater than 99%. A diagnosis of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia was also excluded (97.5% probability) by DNA and linkage analyses from a sample of cord blood from an at-risk male; a similar approach can be taken for prenatal diagnosis of the disorder.     

Absence of testicular steroid sulphatase activity in a boy with recessive X-linked ichthyosis and testicular maldescent

We present a 14-year-old boy with recessive X-linked ichthyosis in whom only one testis could be found. In this apparently normal testis, a lack of activity of the enzyme steroid sulphatase was demonstrated. Several male patients with recessive X-linked ichthyosis have been reported to have testicular diseases, and it is suggested that this may be related to the absence of testicular steroid sulphatase activity.Abbreviations RXLI recessive X-linked ichthyosis - STS steroid sulphatase     

Analysis of various types of chronic granulomatous disease with the monoclonal antibody 7D5 directed against the small subunit of surface cytochrome b558

Four different types of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) were analysed with the monoclonal antibody, 7D5, directed against the small 23 kD subunit of cytochrome b₅₅₈ using a flow cytometric fluorescence analytical method. 7D5 immunofluorescent surface staining of granulocytes was absent in 12 patients with X-linked cytochrome b₅₅₈ deficiency, in 2 patients with variant X-linked CGD with residual (X-forming activity and in 2 patients with autosomal recessive cytochrome b₅₅₈ deficiency. The mothers of the patients with the X-linked form of CGD had 2 cell populations, one 7D5 negative or weakly positive and one 7D5 positive. The granulocytes of both parents of one patient with autosomal recessive cytochrome b₅₅₈ deficiency had slightly reduced fluorescence intensity comparable to their reduced cytochrome b₅₅₈ content. Three CGD patients with normal cytochrome b₅₅₈ and their parents had granulocytes normally stained with antibody 7D5. 7D5 antibody enables rapid detection and classification of CGD patients with cytochrome b₅₅₈ deficiency as well as rapid identification of heterozygous carriers.     

Chorioretinal lesions in patients and carriers of chronic granulomatous disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the frequency of retinal lesions in patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) and to seek such lesions in carriers. STUDY DESIGN: Seventy-four individuals from 33 families were recruited; 38 had CGD (30 X-linked and 8 autosomal recessive inheritance). All participants (including 33 control subjects) underwent measurement of visual acuity, anterior segment examination by slit lamp, and dilated funduscopy. RESULTS: Nine of 38 (23.7%) of the affected children had chorioretinal lesions compared with 0 of 33 control subjects. All 9 were known to have X-linked CGD and absent gp91(phox). The "typical" retinal abnormality consisted of "punched out" chorioretinal lesions associated with pigment clumping lying along major retinal vessels. Unexpectedly, 3 XL-CGD asymptomatic carriers also had typical chorioretinal lesions. CONCLUSION: Retinal lesions are relatively common in patients with XL-CGD and may interfere with vision and thus should be sought in such patients.     

The Coffin-Lowry syndrome

Two adult, mentally retarded males with the typical features of the Coffin-Lowry syndrome are reported. Further family investigation led to the same diagnosis in a 2.5-year-old male cousin, and to the identification of five female carriers, with variable clinical expression of this X-linked inherited mental retardation syndrome.     

Identifizierung heterozygoter Genträgerinnen der rasch progredienten recessiv X-chromosomalen Muskeldystrophie (Typ Duchenne)

Zusammenfassung Es wird über Ergebnisse der SH-aktivierten CPK-Bestimmung im Serum von 84 Konduktorinnen der Muskeldystrophie Typ Duchenne berichtet. Es handelt sich um 6 sichere, 5 wahrscheinliche und 73 mögliche, Konduktorinnen. 83% der sicheren, 60% der wahrscheinlichen und 37% der möglichen Konduktorinnen zeigten erhöhte CPK-Aktivitäten im Serum.

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Identification of the carrier state in the severe recessive X-linked muscular dystrophy (Duchenne type)I. Assay of activated serum creatine kinase activity in serum

SH-activated serum-CPK has been estimated in 84 carriers of X-linked muscular dystrophy type Duchenne. The series includes 6 definite, 5 probable and 73 possible carriers. In 83% of the definite, 60% of the probable and 37% of the possible carriers serum-CPK activities were elevated.

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Abkürzungen CPK Kreatin-Phosphokinase - MD Muskeldystrophie - SH Sulfhydril - IU International Unit     

Variable presentation of X-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenita

We present a family with X-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenita (AHC) due to a truncation mutation in the DAX1 gene. The three patient reports demonstrate variable clinical and biochemical features at presentation. They presented with adrenal crises at 3 years, 4 weeks, and 3 weeks. Mineralocorticoid deficiency preceded glucocorticoid deficiency in patient 3 and an early ultrasound indicated normal sized adrenal tissue. Genetic analysis showed that potential female carriers were unaffected.     

The Weaver syndrome in a girl

This paper reports the first female case of the Weaver syndrome. The prominent clinical features are gigantism, macrocephaly, and the characteristic facial dysmorphism. Hypertonia and bone maturation acceleration are somewhat less pronounced than in the formerly published cases of male patients. The etiology of the syndrome remains unclear, but if genetic, X-linked recessive inheritance can be excluded.