Family cancer histories predictive of a high risk of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer associate significantly with a genomic rearrangement in hMSH2 or hMLH1

Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) results from inactivating germline mutations in a set of DNA-mismatch-repair genes, of which the most clinically relevant are hMSH2 and hMLH1. Computer-assisted pedigree risk assessment tools are available to assist in the calculation of an individual's likelihood of bearing such a deleterious mutation. One such tool, cancergene version 3.4 (http://www3.utsouthwestern.edu/cancergene) was used to assess the risk of a deleterious mutation in the genes hMSH2 and/or hMLH1 in a series of probands selected from a panel of 67 South-western Ontario kindred previously identified as likely candidates for HNPCC by established clinical criteria. A DNA sample isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes obtained from each of these probands was examined for genomic rearrangement using the multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) method. Of the individuals calculated to have a risk of >50% of a hMSH2 or hMLH1 gene mutation by the CancerGene risk assessment tool, 69% (9/13) were shown to have a genomic rearrangement resulting in the deletion of one or more exons of one of these two genes. Family cancer histories predictive of a high risk of HNPCC significantly associate with a genomic rearrangement in hMSH2 or hMLH1.     

Subtelomeric deletions detected in patients with idiopathic mental retardation using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA)

Subtelomeric rearrangements are responsible for 5% to 10% of cases of unexplained mental retardation. Despite their clinical relevance, methods to screen for these cytogenetically invisible abnormalities on a routine base are scarce. We screened patients with idiopathic mental retardation for subtelomeric aberrations using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). This recently developed technique is based on PCR amplification of ligated probes hybridized to chromosome ends. Currently, 41 telomeres can be screened in just two multiplex reactions. Four subtelomeric rearrangements (5.3%) were detected in a group of 75 patients with mild to severe mental retardation in combination with dysmorphic features and/or a familial history of mental retardation: two terminal 1p deletions, a terminal 1q deletion, and a terminal 3p deletion. Deletions could be verified by FISH and marker analysis. In one case the MLPA indicated a terminal 21q deletion due to a 3-bp deletion at the site of the probe, giving a false-positive rate of 1.3%. This study demonstrates that MLPA is a fast and reliable screening method, potentially suitable for use in routine diagnostics.     

Characterization of a Large Novel α-Globin Gene Cluster Deletion Causing α0-Thalassemia in a Chinese Family

We report a large novel α-globin cluster deletion that we named –?–^PG (NG_000006.1: g.93628_542759del450131), in a Chinese family. This large deletion is approximately 450?kb long, spanning from upstream of the PolR3k gene at the 5′ end to the RAB11FIP3 gene at the 3′ end of chromosome 16p13.3. This deletion removes all the globin distal regulatory elements as well as the whole α-globin gene cluster. Patients with heterozygous –?–^PG/αα had red blood cell (RBC) indices consistent with α-thalassemia (α-thal) trait, but no apparent increase in a cancer tendency or mental disability, microcephaly, relative hypertelorism, unusual facies or genital anomalies.     

MLPA技术在检测胎儿非整倍体异常中的应用

目的探讨多重探针连接依赖式扩增（multiplex ligation—dependent probe amplification,MLPA）在快速检测胎儿染色体非整倍体异常中的应用价值。方法344例产前诊断标本同时进行MLPA检测及核型分析,所有样本进行MLPA获得的扩增产物信息经Coffalyserv9．4软件（Holland—MRC公司）进行定量分析,观察样本DNA拷贝数的变化,并将所得结果与染色体核型分析结果进行比较,计算其检测的敏感度、特异度及阳性预测值。结果MLPA分析在标本接收后24h内即可得出结果,共检出染色体倍体异常产前诊断标本5例,包括唐氏综合征（Downsyndrome,47,＋21）6例、爱德华氏综合征（Edwardssyndrome,47,＋18）l例。MLPA检测24h报告结果临床符合率为97．7％。结论MLPA检测21、18、13、X、Y等染色体非整倍体疾病时,与核型分析相比较,MLPA是一种快速、高效的分析非整倍体的产前诊断的方法,具有临床应用价值。     

应用MLPA技术进行3例猫叫综合征的分子遗传学分析

目的通过应用多重连接依赖式探针扩增（MLPA）技术对3例猫叫综合征（CDCS,5p缺失综合征）进行分析,旨在探索可快速诊断CDCS的分子遗传学方法。方法对3个CDCS患者及其父母、患者1的异卵双生之姐姐,进行MLPA分析,检测CDCS关键区域5p15．33：包括hTERT基因在内的9个位点的基因拷贝数的变化;同时,对相应标本进行染色体G-显带核型分析。结果在接到标本24—48h,MLPA示：3例患儿均存在CDCS关键区域5p15．33包含hTERT在内的基因缺失,其父母及患者1异卵双生之姐姐未见缺失。7—10天后G显带染色体核型分析示：患儿2、3为单纯5号短臂（5p）末端缺失,其父母正常;患儿1病例在国内尚属少见,核型为：45,XY,-22,-5p,4-der（5）t（5;22）,携带了一条源于5p和22p易位而来衍生的5号染色体,其父母及异卵双生之姐姐均正常。MLPA与核型分析结果-致：3例患儿均为CDCS患者。结论MLPA是-种可快速诊断CDCS的分子遗传学方法,具有临床应用价值。     

Analysis of BRCAness with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification using formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tissue obtained via endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy

Background/Objectives

A breakthrough in chemotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) may be achieved using precision medicine, which involves identifying cases that are highly likely to respond to a certain treatment and then performing that treatment. BRCAness has been receiving attention as a novel predictor of anticancer drug sensitivity in PDAC, making the screening of BRCAness paramount.

GTF2H2基因变异体与脊髓性肌萎缩症的相关性

目的 基于MLPA的检测结果探讨GTF2H2基因的两个变异体与脊髓性肌萎缩症(SMA)的关系.方法 利用MLPA技术对317例连续样本进行SMA的决定基因SMN1、修饰基因NAIP与SMN2以及位置相邻基因RAD17、SERF1B及GTF2H2拷贝数检测.根据有无基因转换,对纳入的数据利用相关与回归分析的统计方法进行探讨分析.结果 Spearman's相关性分析显示,纳入分析的223例连续样本的T-GTF2H2与NAIP基因的相关系数为0.694;线性回归显示,GTF2 H2基因对NAIP基因的决定系数(R2)为0.554,调整R2为0.549,T-GTF2H2变异体的标准回归系数(β)为0.768,而C-GTF2H2变异体的β为-0.052.结论 T-GTF2H2变异体与NAIP基因呈正相关,进而说明T-GTF2H2变异体在SMA致病的分子机制过程中有一定的作用.     

Molecular genetic analysis in 14 Czech Kabuki syndrome patients is confirming the utility of phenotypic scoring

Kabuki syndrome (KS) is a dominantly inherited disorder mainly due to de novo pathogenic variation in KMT2D or KDM6A genes. Initially, a representative cohort of 14 Czech cases with clinical features suggestive of KS was analyzed by experienced clinical geneticists in collaboration with other specialties, and observed disease features were evaluated according to the ‘MLL2‐Kabuki score’ defined by Makrythanasis et al. Subsequently, the aforementioned genes were Sanger sequenced and copy number variation analysis was performed by MLPA, followed by genome‐wide array CGH testing. Pathogenic variants in KMT2D resulting in protein truncation in 43% (6/14; of which 3 are novel) of all cases were detected, while analysis of KDM6A was negative. MLPA analysis was negative in all instances. One female patient bears a 6.6 Mb duplication of the Xp21.2–Xp21.3 region that is probably disease causing. Subjective KS phenotyping identified predictive clinical features associated with the presence of a pathogenic variant in KMT2D. We provide additional evidence that this scoring approach fosters prioritization of patients prior to KMT2D sequencing. We conclude that KMT2D sequencing followed by array CGH is a diagnostic strategy with the highest diagnostic yield.