Extensive, 3.8 Mb-Sized Deletion of 22q12 in a Patient with Bilateral Schwannoma, Intellectual Disability, Sensorineural Hearing Loss, and Epilepsy.

Introduction: In contrast with the well-known and described deletion of the 22q11 chromosome region responsible for DiGeorge syndrome, 22q12 deletions are much rarer. Only a few dozen cases have been reported so far. This region contains genes responsible for cell cycle control, chromatin modification, transmembrane signaling, cell adhesion, and neural development, as well as several cancer predisposition genes. Case Presentation: We present a patient with cleft palate, sensorineural hearing loss, vestibular dysfunction, epilepsy, mild to moderate intellectual disability, divergent strabism, pes equinovarus, platyspondylia, and bilateral schwannoma. Using Microarray-based Comparative Genomic Hybridization (aCGH), we identified the de novo 3.8 Mb interstitial deletion at 22q12.1→22q12.3. We confirmed deletion of the critical NF2 region by MLPA analysis. Discussion: Large 22q12 deletion in the proband encases the critical NF2 region, responsible for development of bilateral schwannoma. We compared the phenotype of the patient with previously reported cases. Interestingly, our patient developed cleft palate even without deletion of the MN1 gene, deemed responsible in previous studies. We also strongly suspect the DEPDC5 gene deletion to be responsible for seizures, consistent with previously reported cases.

Direct fluorogenic detection of palladium and platinum organometallic complexes with proteins and nucleic acids in polyacrylamide gels.

Allyl- and propargyl ethers of umbelliferone are sensitive probes for palladium and platinum, including anticancer compounds cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin, and effective for direct visualization of protein and DNA complexes with organometallic compounds in polyacrylamide gels allowing easy detection of interactions with analyzed protein or nucleic acid. Both probes can be used for fast evaluation of Pd/Pt binding to nanocarriers relevant in drug targeted therapy or specific clinically relevant target macromolecules.