Identification of two novel mutations in the SLC4A1 gene in two unrelated Chinese families with distal renal tubular acidosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) is characterized by a reduced ability to acidify urine, variable hyperchloremic hypokalemic metabolic acidosis, nephrocalcinosis, and nephrolithiasis. Mutations in the SLC4A1 gene have been found to cause either autosomal dominant (AD) or autosomal recessive (AR) dRTA. METHODS: Four affected individuals and nine healthy family members from two unrelated Chinese families with dRTA were clinically studied. The SLC4A1 gene was screened and analyzed, and the mutations were confirmed using molecular genetic techniques. RESULTS: In family1, the affected individuals had novel compound heterozygous SLC4A1 G494S/G701D mutations inherited from their clinically normal heterozygous father and mother, respectively. In family 2, the affected individuals exhibited a novel 3-bp duplication (c.2715_2717dupCGA) in exon 20 of SLC4A1 that led to the D905dup mutation. The age of presentation was younger, hypokalemia was more severe, and growth retardation was more severe in recessive patients in family 1 than patients with AD dRTA in family 2. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of dRTA patients with compound heterozygous conditions in mainland China. Two novel SLC4A1 mutations (G494S and D905dup) were identified. Our results confirm the importance of the C-terminal residues of the SLC4A1 gene product in normal acidification processes and indicate that mutations in this region are likely to result in AD dRTA. Our study extends the mutation spectrum of dRTA and is helpful in early molecular diagnoses of dRTA.

[Analysis of the small supernumerary marker chromosome in Turner syndrome with 45, X/46, X, + mar karyotype].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the origin and study the morphology of small supernumerary marker chromosome (sSMC) in Turner syndrome with 45, X/46, X, + mar karyotype. METHODS: Using the conventional chromosome G-banding technique, 10 cases of Turner syndrome with 45, X/46, X, + mar chromosome karyotype were obtained, dual-color fluorescence in situ hybridization was applied to study the origin and morphology of the sSMC. RESULTS: In the 10 cases of Turner syndrome with 45, X/46, X, + mar karyotype, the sSMC of 7 cases was derived from X chromosome [sSMC(X)], the sSMC of 2 cases was derived from Y chromosome [sSMC(Y)] and the remaining 1 case was derived from the autosome. There were 4 cases of ring(r) chromosomes and 3 of centric minutes (min) in the 7 sSMC (X) cases. In the 2 sSMC(Y), one case was dicentric (dic) and the other was centric minute (min). The sSMC originated from the autosome was a centric minute (min). CONCLUSION: The origin of sSMC of Turner syndrome with 45, X/46, X, + mar karyotype was almost all from sex chromosomes, and rarely from autosomes. sSMC can exist as isodicentric, ring, or centric minute. The molecular cytogenetic features of the sSMC can provide useful information for genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis and treatment of the Turner syndrome patients with a 45, X/46, X, + mar karyotype.