Partial tetrasomy 11q resulting from an intrachromosomal triplication of a 22 Mb region of chromosome 11.

Intrachromosomal triplications are complex chromosomal rearrangements which arise during meiosis or mitosis and lead to a tetrasomic dose of the affected genomic regions. We describe a female patient harboring an intrachromosomal triplication who presented to the Genetics clinic with dysmorphic features, including telecanthus, flat facial profile, and prognathism, short stature, widely spaced nipples, multiple allergy complaints, loose bowel movements, and mild speech delay. Microarray analysis showed a copy number gain of a 22.37 Mb region of chromosome 11 between bands 11q14.1 and 11q22.1. This region contains 95 genes and seven microRNAs, none of which have been implicated in a disease resulting from increased gene dosage. FISH analysis using a probe targeted to the middle of the segment of the copy number gain yielded a pattern indicative of a tetrasomy via an intrachromosomal triplication, with three signals on the long arm of one homologue of chromosome 11 and the fourth on the other homologue. Subsequent FISH analysis showed that the middle triplicated fragment was positioned in an inverted orientation relative to the outer fragments. To investigate the mechanism by which the intrachromosomal triplication occurred, SNP microarray analysis was performed. These results were consistent with the presence of multiple haplotypes in the tetrasomic region and suggest that the intrachromosomal triplication in our patient arose in one parent during meiosis. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Characterization of copy number variation in genomic regions containing STR loci using array comparative genomic hybridization.

Short tandem repeat (STR) loci are commonly used in forensic casework, familial analysis for human identification, and for monitoring hematopoietic cell engraftment after bone marrow transplant. Unexpected genetic variation leading to sequence and length differences in STR loci can complicate STR typing, and presents challenges in casework interpretation. Copy number variation (CNV) is a relatively recently identified form of genetic variation consisting of genomic regions present at variable copy numbers within an individual compared to a reference genome. Large scale population studies have demonstrated that likely all individuals carry multiple regions with CNV of 1kb in size or greater in their genome. To date, no study correlating genomic regions containing STR loci with CNV has been conducted. In this study, we analyzed results from 32,850 samples sent for clinical array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analysis for the presence of CNV at regions containing the 13 CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) STR, and the Amelogenin X (AMELX) and Amelogenin Y (AMELY) loci. Thirty-two individuals with CNV involving STR loci on chromosomes 2, 4, 7, 11, 12, 13, 16, and 21, and twelve with CNV involving the AMELX/AMELY loci were identified. These results were correlated with data from publicly available databases housing information on CNV identified in normal populations and additional clinical cases. These collective results demonstrate the presence of CNV in regions containing 9 of the 13 CODIS STR and AMELX/Y loci. Further characterization of STR profiles within regions of CNV, additional cataloging of these variants in multiple populations, and contributing such examples to the public domain will provide valuable information for reliable use of these loci.