Severe intellectual disability, omphalocele, hypospadia and high blood pressure associated to a deletion at 2q22.1q22.3: case report.

BACKGROUND: Recently, array-comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) platforms have significantly improved the resolution of chromosomal analysis allowing the identification of genomic copy number gains and losses smaller than 5 Mb. Here we report on a young man with unexplained severe mental retardation, autism spectrum disorder, congenital malformations comprising hypospadia and omphalocele, and episodes of high blood pressure. An ~ 6 Mb interstitial deletion that includes the causative genes is identified by oligonucleotide-based aCGH. RESULTS: Our index case exhibited a de novo chromosomal abnormality at 2q22 [del(2)(q22.1q22.3)dn] which was not visible at the 550 haploid band level. The deleted region includes eight genes: HNMT, SPOPL, NXPH2, LOC64702, LRP1B, KYNU, ARHGAP15 and GTDC1. DISCUSSION: aCGH revealed an ~ 6 Mb deletion in 2q22.1 to 2q22.3 in an as-yet unique clinical case associated with intellectual disability, congenital malformations and autism spectrum disorder. Interestingly, the deletion is co-localized with a fragile site (FRA2K), which could be involved in the formation of this chromosomal aberration. Further studies are needed to determine if deletions of 2q22.1 to 2q22.3 define a new microdeletion syndrome.

Cytogenetic and molecular studies of an X;21 translocation previously diagnosed as complete monosomy 21.

We studied a child with apparent monosomy of chromosome 21. Cytogenetic, FISH and microsatellite analyses revealed a 45,X,-21,+der(X)t(X;21)(q25;q21.1) karyotype resulting from a de novo, unbalanced, X;21 non-reciprocal translocation of paternal origin, with partial monosomy of chromosomes 21 and X. An extreme, skewed X-inactivation pattern of the der(X) chromosome was demonstrated. Skewed inactivation probably accounted for a mild phenotype with respect to Xq25-->qter deletion while propagation of inactivation to the adjacent 21q region may account for mild clinical features associated to distal 21q monosomy.

Deletion (1)(p32.2-p32.3) detected by array-CGH in a patient with developmental delay/mental retardation, dysmorphic features and low cholesterol: A new microdeletion syndrome?

We report on a 25-year-old male with mental retardation and global developmental delay, low levels of total and LDL cholesterol and dysmorphism, which includes macrocephaly, hypertelorism, synophrys, telecanthus, prominent philtrum, low set ears, bilateral cataracts, bilateral cleft lip with cleft palate and widely spaced nipples. While his karyotype and subtelomeric FISH studies were normal, a de novo, 5.4 Mb interstitial deletion at 1p32 [del(1)(p32.2-p32.3)] was identified by oligonucleotide aCGH. The deleted region encompasses a cluster of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation and cholesterol metabolism. One of these genes is PCSK9, a key regulator for a number of cell-surface LDL receptors. In addition to the loss of the paternal allele, our patient is hemizygous for the A443T weak loss-of-function mutation in exon 8 of PCSK9. Loss-of-function mutations within PCSK9 have been shown to cause hypocholesterolemia. Another gene also mapped to this region and deleted in this patient is DAB1, reported to be involved in brain development. Based on the findings in the current patient and in the four previously reported individuals with del(1)(p32.2-p32.3), we suggest that these patients may have a new microdeletion syndrome that may have gone undetected because of its location in a G-negative band. However, the condition can easily be identified by array-CGH.