Adolescence is the starting point of sex-dichotomous COMT genetic effects.

The catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT) genetic variations produce pleiotropic behavioral/neuroanatomical effects. Some of these effects may vary among sexes. However, the developmental trajectories of COMT-by-sex interactions are unclear. Here we found that extreme COMT reduction, in both humans (22q11.2 deletion syndrome COMT Met) and mice (COMT-/-), was associated to cortical thinning only after puberty and only in females. Molecular biomarkers, such as tyrosine hydroxylase, Akt and neuronal/cellular counting, confirmed that COMT-by-sex divergent effects started to appear at the cortical level during puberty. These biochemical differences were absent in infancy. Finally, developmental cognitive assessment in 22q11DS and COMT knockout mice established that COMT-by-sex-dichotomous effects in executive functions were already apparent in adolescence. These findings uncover that genetic variations severely reducing COMT result in detrimental cortical and cognitive development selectively in females after their sexual maturity. This highlights the importance of taking into account the combined effect of genetics, sex and developmental stage.

No evidence for the presence of genetic variants predisposing to psychotic disorders on the non-deleted 22q11.2 allele of VCFS patients.

The velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS) is caused by hemizygous deletions on chromosome 22q11.2. The VCFS phenotype is complex and characterized by frequent occurrence of neuropsychiatric symptoms with up to 25-30% of cases suffering from psychotic disorders compared with only ~1% in the general population (odds ratio≈20-25). This makes the 22q11.2 deletion one of the most prominent risk factors for schizophrenia. However, its penetrance for neuropsychiatric phenotypes is incomplete suggesting that additional risk factors are required for disease development. These additional risk factors could lie anywhere on the genome, but by reducing the normal diploid to a haploid state, the 22q11.2 deletion could result in the unmasking of otherwise recessive alleles or functional variants on the non-deleted 22q11.2 allele. To test this hypothesis, we captured and sequenced the whole 22q11.2 non-deleted region in 88 VCFS patients with (n=40) and without (n=48) psychotic disorders to identify genetic variation that could increase the risk for schizophrenia. Single nucleotide variants (SNVs), small insertions/deletions (indels) and copy number variants were called and their distributions were compared between the two diagnostic groups using variant-, gene- and region-based association tests. None of these tests resulted in statistical evidence for the existence of a genetic variation in the non-deleted allele that would increase schizophrenia risk in VCFS patients. Power analysis showed that our study was able to achieve >80% statistical power to detect association of a risk variant with an odd ratio of ⩾22. However, it is certainly under-powered to detect risk variant of smaller effect sizes. Our study did not provide evidence that genetic variants of very large effect size located on the non-deleted 22q1.2 allele in VCFS patients increase the risk for developing psychotic disorders. Variants with smaller effects may be located in the remaining 22q11.2 allele and elsewhere in the genome. Therefore, whole exome or even genome sequencing for larger sample size would appear to be the next logical steps in the search for the genetic modifiers of the 22q11.2-deletion neuropsychiatric phenotype.

Experience of a multidisciplinary task force with exome sequencing for Mendelian disorders.

BACKGROUND: In order to optimally integrate the use of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) as a tool in clinical diagnostics of likely monogenic disorders, we have created a multidisciplinary "Genome Clinic Task Force" at the University Hospitals of Geneva, which is composed of clinical and molecular geneticists, bioinformaticians, technicians, bioethicists, and a coordinator. METHODS AND RESULTS: We have implemented whole exome sequencing (WES) with subsequent targeted bioinformatics analysis of gene lists for specific disorders. Clinical cases of heterogeneous Mendelian disorders that could potentially benefit from HTS are presented and discussed during the sessions of the task force. Debate concerning the interpretation of identified variants and the content of the final report constitutes a major part of the task force's work. Furthermore, issues related to bioethics, genetic counseling, quality control, and reimbursement are also addressed. CONCLUSIONS: This multidisciplinary task force has enabled us to create a platform for regular exchanges between all involved experts in order to deal with the multiple complex issues related to HTS in clinical practice and to continuously improve the diagnostic use of HTS. In addition, this task force was instrumental to formally approve the reimbursement of HTS for molecular diagnosis of Mendelian disorders in Switzerland.

Pretransplant HLA mistyping in diagnostic samples of acute myeloid leukemia patients due to acquired uniparental disomy.

Although acquired uniparental disomy (aUPD) has been reported in relapse acute myeloid leukemia (AML), pretransplant aUPD involving chromosome 6 is poorly documented. Such events could be of interest because loss of heterozygosity (LOH) resulting from aUPD in leukemic cells may lead to erroneous results if HLA typing for hematopoietic stem cell donor searches is performed on blood samples drawn during blastic crisis. We report here six AML patients whose HLA typing was performed on DNA extracted from peripheral blood obtained at diagnosis. We observed LOH involving the entire HLA region (three patients), HLA-A, B, C (two patients) and HLA-A only (one patient). An array-comparative genomic hybridization showed that copy number was neutral for all loci, thus revealing partial aUPD of chromosome 6p21. When HLA typing was performed on remission blood samples both haplotypes were detected. A 3-4% LOH incidence was estimated in AML patients with high blast counts. Based on DNA mixing experiments, we determined by PCR sequence-specific oligonucleotide hybridization on microbeads arrays a detection threshold for HLA-A, B, DRB1 heterozygosity in blood samples with <80% blasts. Because aUPD may be partial, any homozygous HLA result should be confirmed by a second typing performed on buccal swabs or on blood samples from the patient in remission.

[Trophoblastic diseases: a multidisciplinary approach, a first Swiss center]. / Maladies trophobtastiques: une prise en charge pluridisciplinaire, un premier centre suisse.

Trophoblastic diseases are rare and complex. The Center for trophoblastic diseases, the first in Switzerland, was founded in Geneva in January 2009 to formalize the collaboration between obstetricians-gynecologists, pathologists, geneticists, radiologists and oncologists. At the physician's request and with patient consent, an integrative diagnosis is proposed after centralized review of the histological slides, anti-p57KIP2 immunohistochemistry, and ploidy analysis by QF-PCR (Quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction). The referring physician receives treatment and beta-hCG dosage recommendations. This pluridisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic approach allows optimal surveillance and treatment of patients.

A de novo 12q13.11 microdeletion in a patient with severe mental retardation, cleft palate, and high myopia.

We report a de novo 12q13.11 deletion of 1.3 Mb in an 10-year-old dysmorphic girl with a multiple congenital anomalies/mental retardation (MCA/MR) syndrome consisting mainly of severe mental retardation, cleft palate, and high myopia. The deleted region encompasses 16 RefSeq genes. Among these, it is hypothesized that haploinsufficiency of AMIGO2 is potentially responsible for the mental retardation of this patient, and of COL2A1 for the cleft palate and high myopia.

Reciprocal translocation t(4;7)(q14;q28) in cattle: molecular characterization.

Cytogenetic analysis of a phenotypically normal young bull from the Marchigiana breed revealed the presence of an abnormal chromosome. The finding of one oversize chromosome in all metaphases, associated with a 2n = 60, XY karyotype, suggested that a reciprocal translocation had occurred. RBG-banding and FISH analyses, using specific bovine BAC probes, identified a de novo reciprocal translocation t(4;7)(q14;q28). The presence of rcp(4;7) was confirmed by FISH experiments using BTA4 and BTA7 whole chromosome probes. An array-CGH analysis (Agilent 244A) using a bovine custom design was performed to investigate if the translocation was associated with loss or gain of genetic material. The absence of a concomitant deletion or duplication at the break points allowed the balanced state of the translocation to establish. The analysis also revealed the presence of several CNVs throughout the genome. To our knowledge this is the first time the balanced condition of a cattle RCP has been ascertained using the array-CGH approach.

De novo duplication of MECP2 in a girl with mental retardation and no obvious dysmorphic features.

Loss-of-function mutations of MECP2 are responsible for Rett syndrome (RTT), an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder affecting mainly girls. The availability of MECP2 testing has led to the identification of such mutations in girls with atypical RTT features and the recognition of milder forms. Furthermore, duplication of the entire gene has recently been described in boys with mental retardation and recurrent infections. We describe a girl with a heterozygous de novo MECP2 duplication. The patient, at the age of 19, has mental retardation with no autistic features. She is friendly but gets frequently anxious. She has neither dysmorphic features nor malformations. Her motor development was delayed with walking at 20 months. Speech is fluid with good pronunciation but is simple and repetitive. Diagnosis was made after single-strand conformation analysis (SSCA) and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis of MECP2. Array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis showed a duplication of 29 kb including MECP2 and part of IRAK1. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) has revealed that the duplicated region is inserted near the telomere of the short arm of chromosome 10. X-chromosome inactivation in leukocyte DNA was not skewed. We conclude that it is likely that this MECP2 duplication is responsible for the mental retardation in this patient. This case broadens the phenotypic spectrum of MECP2 abnormalities with consequent implication in diagnosis and genetic counselling of girls with non-syndromic mental retardation.

Study of Cell Division Aberrations Induced by Some Silica Dusts in Mammalian Cells in Vitro.

Previously we observed that some crystalline and amorphous (diatomaceous earths) silicas (but not pyrogenic amorphous silica) induced morphological transformation of Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cells. In order to explore the mechanisms of the silica-induced cell transformation, in this study we have examined the possibility that silica may cause genomic changes by interfering with the normal events of mitotic division. The SHE cells were exposed to transforming samples of Min-U-Sil 5 quartz and amorphous diatomite earth (DE) as well as to inactive amorphous synthetic Aerosil 0X50 at concentrations between 9 and 36 µg/cm(2) of culture slide. Effects on the mitotic spindle and on chromosome congression and segregation through the mitotic stages were concurrently examined by differential and indirect immunofluorescence stainings using anti-ß-tubulin antibody. Min-U-Sil 5 and DE dusts induced a significant increase in the number of aberrant mitotic cells detected by differential staining. Increased frequencies of monopolar mitoses and scattered chromosomes as well as a small incidence of lagging chromosomes in DE-treated cells were observed. The immunostaining was more efficient in the detection of spindle disturbances. Min-U-Sil induced a significantly concentration-dependent increase of monopolar spindles. At the highest concentration, highly disorganized prophase spindles and prometaphase multipolars were observed. These damages caused a concentration-dependent decrease in metaphase to anaphase transition. DE-induced spindle aberrations did not reach significant levels over control, although increase in monopolar and multipolar spindles were recorded. Exposure to OX50 particles did not disrupt spindle integrity. To determine whether micronuclei (MN) arise from divisional abnormalities induced by the active samples, we performed in SHE and human bronchial epithelial cells kinetochore (K)-specific and centromere (C)-specific staining, respectively. A concentration-dependent increase in K(+) and C(+) MN with increase of K(+)/K(-) and C(+)/C(-) MN ratio were induced by Min-U-Sil in both cells systems. The DE sample was positive only in SHE cells. The results suggest that some silicas are potential aneugens by disturbance of cell division, leading to genomic imbalance that can be one of the mechanisms of silica-induced cell transformation.

Characterisation of an inverted X chromosome (p11.2q21.3) associated with mental retardation using FISH.

We report on a patient with a pericentric inversion of the X chromosome, 46,Y,inv(X) (p11.2q21.3), who was referred for cytogenetic analysis because of mild mental retardation, short stature, prepubescent macro-orchidism, and submucous cleft palate. The same chromosomal abnormality was found in the proband's mother. The inverted X chromosome was late replicating in all the mother's lymphocytes studied, indicative of a likely unbalanced inversion. We show, by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) using a panel of ordered yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) clones, that the Xp breakpoint is localised in Xp11.23 between DXS146 and DXS255 and that the Xq breakpoint is assigned to the X-Y homologous region in Xq21.3. YACs crossing the Xp and Xq breakpoints have been identified. One of these two breakpoints could be linked to the mental retardation in this patient as many non-specific mental retardation (MRX) loci have previously been located in the pericentromeric region of the X chromosome. Morever, the elucidation at the molecular level of this rearrangement will also indicate if cleft palate or prepubescent macro-orchidism, or both, in this boy are related to one of the two X breakpoints.

GC-quandrupole mass fragmentography of heroin.

Quantitative analysis by quadrupole mass fragmentography is a rapid and accurate method for assay. Its advantage is fundamentally the requirement for very small sample sizes. One must allude to the disadvantage of these techniques in the preparation of a deuterated internal standard (if not commercially available) and operator experience with sophisticated instrumentation. By extrapolating the signal intensities to the baseline intersection (no response) assuming optimal gas chromatographic conditions, 0.5 ng of heroin injected on column appears to be the limit of detection by the above-referenced equipment.