Localisation of a gene implicated in a severe speech and language disorder.

Between 2 and 5% of children who are otherwise unimpaired have significant difficulties in acquiring expressive and/or receptive language, despite adequate intelligence and opportunity. While twin studies indicate a significant role for genetic factors in developmental disorders of speech and language, the majority of families segregating such disorders show complex patterns of inheritance, and are thus not amenable for conventional linkage analysis. A rare exception is the KE family, a large three-generation pedigree in which approximately half of the members are affected with a severe speech and language disorder which appears to be transmitted as an autosomal dominant monogenic trait. This family has been widely publicised as suffering primarily from a defect in the use of grammatical suffixation rules, thus supposedly supporting the existence of genes specific to grammar. The phenotype, however, is broader in nature, with virtually every aspect of grammar and of language affected. In addition, affected members have a severe orofacial dyspraxia, and their speech is largely incomprehensible to the naive listener. We initiated a genome-wide search for linkage in the KE family and have identified a region on chromosome 7 which co-segregates with the speech and language disorder (maximum lod score = 6.62 at theta = 0.0), confirming autosomal dominant inheritance with full penetrance. Further analysis of microsatellites from within the region enabled us to fine map the locus responsible (designated SPCH1) to a 5.6-cM interval in 7q31, thus providing an important step towards its identification. Isolation of SPCH1 may offer the first insight into the molecular genetics of the developmental process that culminates in speech and language.

Isolation of a candidate gene for Menkes disease that encodes a potential heavy metal binding protein.

Menkes disease is a lethal-X linked recessive disorder associated with copper metabolism disturbance. We have recently mapped two chromosome breakpoints related to this disease in a 1 megabase yeast artificial chromosome contig at Xq13.3. We now report the construction of a phage contig and the isolation of candidate partial cDNAs for the Menkes disease gene. The candidate gene expresses an 8 kb message in all investigated tissues, and deletions were detected in 16% of 100 unrelated Menkes patients. The deduced partial protein sequence shared the GMTCXXC motif with bacterial metal resistance operons, suggesting a potential heavy metal binding protein. These findings should lead to more accurate prenatal diagnosis of this severe disease and a better understanding of the cellular homeostasis of essential heavy metals.

Complete coverage of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe genome in yeast artificial chromosomes.

The genome of the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, consists of some 14 million base pairs of DNA contained in three chromosomes. On account of its excellent genetics we used it as a test system for a strategy designed to map mammalian chromosomes and genomes. Data obtained from hybridization fingerprinting established an ordered library of 1,248 yeast artificial chromosome clones with an average size of 535 kilobases. The clones fall into three contigs completely representing the three chromosomes of the organism. This work provides a high resolution physical and clone map of the genome, which has been related to available genetic and physical map information.

A molecular defect in loricrin, the major component of the cornified cell envelope, underlies Vohwinkel's syndrome.

Terminal keratinocyte differentiation involves coordinated expression of several functionally interdependent genes, many of which have been mapped to the epidermal differentiation complex (EDC) on chromosome 1q21. We have identified linkage of Vohwinkel's syndrome in an extended pedigree to markers flanking the EDC region with a maximum multipoint lod score of 14.3. Sequencing of the loricrin gene revealed an insertion that shifts the translation frame of the C-terminal Gly- and Gln/Lys-rich domains, and is likely to impair cornification. Our findings provide the first evidence for a defect in an EDC gene in human disease, and disclose novel insights into perturbations of cornified cell envelope formation.

Characterization of a yeast artificial chromosome contig spanning the Huntington's disease gene candidate region.

The Huntington's disease (HD) gene has been localized by recombination events to a region covering 2.2 megabases (Mb) DNA within chromosome 4p16.3. We have screened three yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) libraries in order to isolate and characterize 44 YAC clones mapping to this region. Approximately 50% of the YACs were chimaeric. Unstable YACs were identified across the whole region, but were particularly prevalent around the D4S183 and D4S43 loci. The YACs have been assembled into a contig extending from D4S126 to D4S98 covering roughly 2 Mb DNA, except for a gap of about 250 kilobases (kb). The establishment of a YAC contig which spans the region most likely to contain the HD mutation is an essential step in the isolation of the HD gene.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 4B is caused by mutations in the gene encoding myotubularin-related protein-2.

A gene mutated in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4B (CMT4B), an autosomal recessive demyelinating neuropathy with myelin outfoldings, has been mapped on chromosome 11q22. Using a positional-cloning strategy, we identified in unrelated CMT4B patients mutations occurring in the gene MTMR2, encoding myotubularin-related protein-2, a dual specificity phosphatase (DSP).

Mutations in ATP2A2, encoding a Ca2+ pump, cause Darier disease.

Darier disease (DD) is an autosomal-dominant skin disorder characterized by loss of adhesion between epidermal cells (acantholysis) and abnormal keratinization. Recently we constructed a 2.4-Mb, P1-derived artificial chromosome contig spanning the DD candidate region on chromosome 12q23-24.1. After screening several genes that mapped to this region, we identified mutations in the ATP2A2 gene, which encodes the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2(+)-ATPase type 2 isoform (SERCA2) and is highly expressed in keratinocytes. Thirteen mutations were identified, including frameshift deletions, in-frame deletions or insertions, splice-site mutations and non-conservative missense mutations in functional domains. Our results demonstrate that mutations in ATP2A2 cause DD and disclose a role for this pump in a Ca(2+)-signalling pathway regulating cell-to-cell adhesion and differentiation of the epidermis.

A conserved sorting-associated protein is mutant in chorea-acanthocytosis.

Chorea-acanthocytosis (CHAC, MIM 200150) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the gradual onset of hyperkinetic movements and abnormal erythrocyte morphology (acanthocytosis). Neurological findings closely resemble those observed in Huntington disease. We identified a gene in the CHAC critical region and found 16 different mutations in individuals with chorea-acanthocytosis. CHAC encodes an evolutionarily conserved protein that is probably involved in protein sorting.

Investigation of dyslexia and SLI risk variants in reading- and language-impaired subjects.

Dyslexia (or reading disability) and specific language impairment (or SLI) are common childhood disorders that show considerable co-morbidity and diagnostic overlaps and have been suggested to share some genetic aetiology. Recently, genetic risk variants have been identified for SLI and dyslexia enabling the direct evaluation of possible shared genetic influences between these disorders. In this study we investigate the role of variants in these genes (namely MRPL19/C20RF3, ROBO1, DCDC2, KIAA0319, DYX1C1, CNTNAP2, ATP2C2 and CMIP) in the aetiology of SLI and dyslexia. We perform case-control and quantitative association analyses using measures of oral and written language skills in samples of SLI and dyslexic families and cases. We replicate association between KIAA0319 and DCDC2 and dyslexia and provide evidence to support a role for KIAA0319 in oral language ability. In addition, we find association between reading-related measures and variants in CNTNAP2 and CMIP in the SLI families.

High-density SNP association study and copy number variation analysis of the AUTS1 and AUTS5 loci implicate the IMMP2L-DOCK4 gene region in autism susceptibility.

Autism spectrum disorders are a group of highly heritable neurodevelopmental disorders with a complex genetic etiology. The International Molecular Genetic Study of Autism Consortium previously identified linkage loci on chromosomes 7 and 2, termed AUTS1 and AUTS5, respectively. In this study, we performed a high-density association analysis in AUTS1 and AUTS5, testing more than 3000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in all known genes in each region, as well as SNPs in non-genic highly conserved sequences. SNP genotype data were also used to investigate copy number variation within these regions. The study sample consisted of 127 and 126 families, showing linkage to the AUTS1 and AUTS5 regions, respectively, and 188 gender-matched controls. Further investigation of the strongest association results was conducted in an independent European family sample containing 390 affected individuals. Association and copy number variant analysis highlighted several genes that warrant further investigation, including IMMP2L and DOCK4 on chromosome 7. Evidence for the involvement of DOCK4 in autism susceptibility was supported by independent replication of association at rs2217262 and the finding of a deletion segregating in a sib-pair family.

Protective Effect of Antilymphocyte Serum on Mice Infected with Plasmodium berghei.

Rabbit antiserum to mouse lymphocytes prolonged the survival of mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Since antilymphocyte serum has a well-defined, potent immunosuppressive effect, the immune response of the host to the parasite actually may contribute to the death of the animal with an acute malarial infection.

Conservation of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene in mice and humans.

A portion of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene transcript from human fetal skeletal muscle and mouse adult heart was sequenced, representing approximately 25 percent of the total, 14-kb DMD transcript. The nucleic acid and predicted amino acid sequences from the two species are nearly 90 percent homologous. The amino acid sequence that is predicted from this portion of the DMD gene indicates that the protein product might serve a structural role in muscle, but the abundance and tissue distribution of the messenger RNA suggests that the DMD protein is not nebulin.

Genome analysis and the human X chromosome.

A unified genetic, physical, and functional map of the human X chromosome is being built through a concerted, international effort. About 40 percent of the 160 million base pairs of the X chromosome DNA have been cloned in overlapping, ordered contigs derived from yeast artificial chromosomes. This rapid progress toward a physical map is accelerating the identification of inherited disease genes, 26 of which are already cloned and more than 50 others regionally localized by linkage analysis. This article summarizes the mapping strategies now used and the impact of genome research on the understanding of X chromosome inactivation and X-linked diseases.

Leukemia virus activation during homograft rejection.

Activation of murine leukemia viruses, as detected by the mixed culture cytopathogenicity (XC) assay, followed the transplantation of A/J skin onto immunosuppressed BALB/c mice. Virus was found in most of the mice receiving both skin grafts and antilymphocyte serum, but not in animals receiving either the serum alone, skin graft alone, or no treatment.

Association between X-linked mixed deafness and mutations in the POU domain gene POU3F4.

Deafness with fixation of the stapes (DFN3) is the most frequent X-linked form of hearing impairment. The underlying gene has been localized to a 500-kilobase segment of the Xq21 band. Here, it is reported that a candidate gene for this disorder, Brain 4 (POU3F4), which encodes a transcription factor with a POU domain, maps to the same interval. In five unrelated patients with DFN3 but not in 50 normal controls, small mutations were found that result in truncation of the predicted protein or in nonconservative amino acid substitutions. These findings indicate that POU3F4 mutations are a molecular cause of DFN3.

Biohybrid artificial pancreas: long-term implantation studies in diabetic, pancreatectomized dogs.

Diabetic complications such as neuropathy, retinopathy, and renal and cardiovascular disease continue to pose major health risks for diabetic patients. Consequently, much effort has focused on approaches that could replace conventional insulin therapy and provide more precise regulation of blood glucose levels. The biohybrid perfused artificial pancreas was designed to incorporate islet tissue and a selectively permeable membrane that isolates this tissue from the immune system of the recipient. Biohybrid pancreas devices containing canine islet allografts were implanted in ten pancreatectomized dogs requiring 18 to 32 units of injected insulin daily. These implants resulted in good control of fasting glucose levels in six of these animals without further exogenous insulin for periods of up to 5 months.

Antiserum to lymphocytes: prolonged survival of canine renal allografts.

A horse immunized with dog lynmphocytes produced an antiserum which agglutinated canine lymphocytes in vitro and caused prolonged lymphopenia in dogs in vivo. Renal transplants in dogs treated with this antiserum survived for long periods, two of the grafts surviving beyond 350 days with normal function and histologic appearance.

Dystrophin, the protein product of the Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy gene.

Dystrophin, the protein product of the Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy gene has been localized in muscle to the inner surface of the plasma membrane and is likely to be associated with an integral membrane glycoprotein. The potential to make multiple isoforms via alternate splicing at the carboxyl domain of dystrophin suggests that it may interact with a variety of proteins in neuronal and muscle tissues and have a structural role similar to the cytoskeletal proteins alpha-actinin and spectrin.

Detection, breakpoint identification and detailed characterisation of a CNV at the FRA16D site using SNP assays.

Copy Number Variants (CNV) and other submicroscopic structural changes are now recognised to be widespread across the human genome. We show that SNP data generated for association study can be utilised for the identification of deletion CNVs. During analysis of data for an SNP association study for Specific Language Impairment (SLI) a deletion was identified. SLI adversely affects the language development of children in the absence of any obvious cause. Previous studies have found linkage to a region on chromosome 16. The deletion was located in a known fragile site FRA16D in intron 5-6 of the WWOX gene (also known as FOR). Changes in the FRA16D site have been previously linked to cancer and are often characterised in cell lines. A long-range PCR assay was used to confirm the existence of the deletion. We also show the breakpoint identification and large-scale characterisation of this CNV in a normal human sample set.

Isolation of genes from cloned DNA.

During the past year, improvements in the physical and genetic maps of the human genome, in combination with more efficient methods to isolate genes from cloned DNA, have made an increasing impact on the identification of disease genes. Sequence analysis of genomic DNA and the random sequencing and mapping of cDNA clones is helping to integrate the transcript map with the developing physical and genetic maps.