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Atypical X‐chromosome inactivation in an X;1 translocation patient demonstrating Xq28 functional disomy
Author(s) -
Cottrell Catherine E.,
Sommer Annemarie,
Wenger Gail D.,
Bullard Steven,
Busch Tamara,
Krahn Katherine Nash,
Lidral Andrew C.,
GastierFoster Julie M.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
american journal of medical genetics part a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.064
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1552-4833
pISSN - 1552-4825
DOI - 10.1002/ajmg.a.32699
Subject(s) - x inactivation , xq28 , chromosomal translocation , x chromosome , biology , genetics , uniparental disomy , breakpoint , skewed x inactivation , autosome , gene , chromosome , karyotype
X‐chromosome inactivation (XCI) is an epigenetic process used to regulate gene dosage in mammalian females by silencing genes on one X‐chromosome. While the pattern of XCI is typically random in normal females, abnormalities of the X‐chromosome may result in skewing due to disadvantaged cell growth. We describe a female patient with an X;1 translocation [46,X,t(X;1)(q28;q21)] and unusual pattern of XCI who demonstrates functional disomy of the Xq28 region distal to the translocation breakpoint. There was complete skewing of XCI in the patient, along with the atypical findings of an active normal X chromosome and an inactive derivative X. Characterization of the translocation revealed that the patient's Xq28 breakpoint interrupts the DKC1 gene. Molecular analysis of the breakpoint region revealed functional disomy of Xq28 genes distal to DKC1 . We propose that atypical XCI occurred in the patient due to a post‐inactivation cell selection mechanism likely initiated by disruption of DKC1 . As a result, the pattern of XCI is opposite that of the expected for an X;autosome translocation. Therefore, we suggest the phenotypic abnormalities found in the patient are a result of functional disomy in the Xq28 region. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.