Chiasma distribution, genetic lengths, and recombination fractions: a comparison between chromosomes 15 and 16

Male horse meiosis: metaphase I chromosome configuration and chiasmata distribution

Chromosome configurations and chiasma frequency during the metaphase I stage of spermatogenesis in the male horse are characterized in this work. The genome-wide frequency and distribution of chiasmata was detected as 49.45 ± 2.07 for 14 fertile stallions. All X and Y chromosomes shared a single chiasma at their pseudoautosomal region, while 1-4 chiasmata were observed in autosomal chromosomes. The chiasma frequency and distribution were further studied for 8 different bivalents identified by FISH in 5 fertile stallions. Genetic length was calculated from chiasmata data for the whole genome as well as for these 8 chromosomes. The findings complement the genetic linkage data and provide insight into the genetic basis of spermatogenesis in normal stallions.

Chromosome 15q11-q13 copy number gain detected by array-CGH in two cases with a maternal methylation pattern

Background

The 15q11-q13 region contains many low copy repeats and is well known for its genomic instability. Several syndromes are associated with genomic imbalance or copy-number-neutral uniparental disomy. We report on two patients: Patient 1 is a boy with developmental delay and autism; and Patient 2 is a girl with developmental delay, hypotonia and dysmorphism. We performed analyses to delineate their dosage in the 15q region, determine whether the patients’ dosage correlates with phenotypic severity, and whether genes in the amplified regions are significantly associated with identified functional networks.

Results

For the proximal region of 15q, molecular cytogenetic analysis with Agilent oligonucleotide array showed a copy number of 3 for Patient 1 and a copy number of 4 for Patient 2. Fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis of Patient 2 showed two different populations of cells with different marker chromosomes. Methylation analysis of the amplified region showed that the extra copies of small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptide N gene were of maternal origin. Phenotypic severity did not correlate with the size and dosage of 15q, or whether the amplification is interstitial or in the form of a supernumerary marker. Pathway analysis showed that in Patient 2, the main functional networks that are affected by the genes from the duplicated/triplicated regions are developmental disorder, neurological disease and hereditary disease.

Conclusions

The 15q11-q13 gains that were found in both patients could explain their phenotypic presentations. This report expands the cohort of patients for which 15q11-q13 duplications are molecularly characterized.

On the origin of crossover interference: A chromosome oscillatory movement (COM) model

BACKGROUND

It is now nearly a century since it was first discovered that crossovers between homologous parental chromosomes, originating at the Prophase stage of Meiosis I, are not randomly placed. In fact, the number and distribution of crossovers are strictly regulated with crossovers/chiasmata formed in optimal positions along the length of individual chromosomes, facilitating regular chromosome segregation at the first meiotic division. In spite of much research addressing this question, the underlying mechanism(s) for the phenomenon called crossover/chiasma interference is/are still unknown; and this constitutes an outstanding biological enigma.

RESULTS

The Chromosome Oscillatory Movement (COM) model for crossover/chiasma interference implies that, during Prophase of Meiosis I, oscillatory movements of the telomeres (attached to the nuclear membrane) and the kinetochores (within the centromeres) create waves along the length of chromosome pairs (bivalents) so that crossing-over and chiasma formation is facilitated by the proximity of parental homologs induced at the nodal regions of the waves thus created. This model adequately explains the salient features of crossover/chiasma interference, where (1) there is normally at least one crossover/chiasma per bivalent, (2) the number is correlated to bivalent length, (3) the positions are dependent on the number per bivalent, (4) interference distances are on average longer over the centromere than along chromosome arms, and (5) there are significant changes in carriers of structural chromosome rearrangements.

CONCLUSIONS

The crossover/chiasma frequency distribution in humans and mice with normal karyotypes as well as in carriers of structural chromosome rearrangements are those expected on the COM model. Further studies are underway to analyze mechanical/mathematical aspects of this model for the origin of crossover/chiasma interference, using string replicas of the homologous chromosomes at the Prophase stage of Meiosis I. The parameters to vary in this type of experiment will include: (1) the mitotic karyotype, i.e. ranked length and centromere index of the chromosomes involved, (2) the specific bivalent/multivalent length and flexibility, dependent on the way this structure is positioned within the nucleus and the size of the respective meiocyte nuclei, (3) the frequency characteristics of the oscillatory movements at respectively the telomeres and the kinetochores.

Chiasma-based genetic maps of chromosome 21

The available cytogenetic data on meiotic chiasmata have been used to construct sex-specific genetic maps, showing the genetic distances and recombination fractions along the length of 21q. The male maps are based on direct observations of spermatocytes, while the female maps are derivations related to the increased chromosome length in oocytes. The male chiasma data have also been used as a frame of reference for ordering and positioning loci on the physical map with D21S110 as a fixed point.

A family with a grand-maternally derived interstitial duplication of proximal 15q

About 1% of individuals with autism or types of pervasive developmental disorder have a duplication of the 15q11-q13 region. These abnormalities can be detected by routine G-banded chromosome study, showing an extra marker chromosome, or demonstrated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis, revealing an interstitial duplication. We report here the molecular, cytogenetic, clinical and neuropsychiatric evaluations of a family in whom 3 of 4 siblings inherited an interstitial duplication of 15q11-q13. This duplication was inherited from their mother who also had a maternally derived duplication. Affected family members had apraxia of speech, phonological awareness deficits, developmental language disorder, dyslexia, as well as limb apraxia but did not have any dysmorphic clinical features. The observations in this family suggest that the phenotypic manifestations of proximal 15q duplications may also involve language-based learning disabilities.

Somatic segregation errors predominantly contribute to the gain or loss of a paternal chromosome leading to uniparental disomy for chromosome 15

Paternal uniparental disomy (UPD) for chromosome 15 (UPD15), which is found in approximately 2% of Angelman syndrome (AS) patients, is much less frequent than maternal UPD15, which is found in 25% of Prader-Willi syndrome patients. Such a difference cannot be easily accounted for if 'gamete complementation' is the main mechanism leading to UPD. If we assume that non-disjunction of chromosome 15 in male meiosis is relatively rare, then the gain or loss of the paternal chromosome involved in paternal and maternal UPD15, respectively, may be more likely to result from a post-zygotic rather than a meiotic event. To test this hypothesis, the origin of the extra chromosome 15 was determined in 21 AS patients with paternal UPD15 with a paternal origin of the trisomy. Only 4 of 21 paternal UPD15 cases could be clearly attributed to a meiotic error. Furthermore, significant non-random X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) observed in maternal UPD15 patients (p < 0.001) provides indirect evidence that a post-zygotic error is also typically involved in loss of the paternal chromosome. The mean maternal and paternal ages of 33.4 and 39.4 years, respectively, for paternal UPD15 cases are increased as compared with normal controls. This may be simply the consequence of an age association with maternal non-disjunction leading to nullisomy for chromosome 15 in the oocyte, although the higher paternal age in paternal UPD15 as compared with maternal UPD15 cases is suggestive that paternal age may also play a role in the origin of paternal UPD15.

Chiasma-based genetic map of the mouse X chromosome

The X chromosome pair was identified in diakinesis/metaphase I stage mouse oocytes using a repeat sequence DNA probe and fluorescence in situ hybridisation. Chiasma positions along the X bivalent were measured in 57 oocytes from 4 females. Overall, our observations showed that while there were no obvious "hotspots" for chiasma formation along the X chromosome, there was a tendency to favour the distal end. Minimum inter-chiasma distances were substantial indicating the occurrence of strong genetic interference. Estimates of both genetic distances and recombination fractions for any interval along the chromosome can be calculated from the chiasma data. The average chiasma frequency for the X bivalent was 1.37 giving an estimated total genetic map length of 68.5 cM. In general, the pattern of chiasma distribution along the X chromosome resembled that anticipated from recombination distances in published consensus linkage maps. There were, however, some intriguing differences between the two approaches. The reason for these discrepancies are unknown but may be related to lack of precision in cytogenetic mapping of loci, inter-strain and/or interspecies differences in the genetic controls over the distribution of crossover events. One advantage of the chiasma analysis approach is its suitability for investigating these problems.

Molecular characterization of two proximal deletion breakpoint regions in both Prader-Willi and Angelman syndrome patients

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and Angelman syndrome (AS) are distinct mental retardation syndromes caused by paternal and maternal deficiencies, respectively, in chromosome 15q11-q13. Approximately 70% of these patients have a large deletion of approximately 4 Mb extending from D15S9 (ML34) through D15S12 (IR10). To further characterize the deletion breakpoints proximal to D15S9, three new polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed that showed observed heterozygosities of 60%-87%. D15S541 and D15S542 were isolated from YAC A124A3 containing the D15S18 (IR39) locus. D15S543 was isolated from a cosmid cloned from the proximal right end of YAC 254B5 containing the D15S9 (ML34) locus. Gene-centromere mapping of these markers, using a panel of ovarian teratomas of known meiotic origin, extended the genetic map of chromosome 15 by 2-3 cM toward the centromere. Analysis of the more proximal S541/S542 markers on 53 Prader-Willi and 33 Angelman deletion patients indicated two classes of patients: 44% (35/80) of the informative patients were deleted for these markers (class I), while 56% (45/80) were not deleted (class II), with no difference between PWS and AS. In contrast, D15S543 was deleted in all informative patients (13/48) or showed the presence of a single allele (in 35/48 patients), suggesting that this marker is deleted in the majority of PWS and AS cases. These results confirm the presence of two common proximal deletion breakpoint regions in both Prader-Willi and Angelman syndromes and are consistent with the same deletion mechanism being responsible for paternal and maternal deletions. One breakpoint region lies between D15S541/S542 and D15S543, with an additional breakpoint region being proximal to D15S541/S542.

Cytogenetic and molecular studies in the Prader-Willi and Angelman syndromes: an overview

The majority of patients with Angelman syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome have a cytogenetic and molecular deletion of chromosome 15q11q13 with the primary difference being in the parental origin of deletion. Our current understanding of the cytogenetics and molecular genetics of these 2 clinically distinct syndromes will be discussed in this review.

Deletion breakpoints associated with the Prader-Willi and Angelman syndromes (15q11-q13) are not sites of high homologous recombination

Deletions of 15q11.2-q12 are associated with either the Prader-Willi (PWS) or Angelman (AS) syndromes. It has been suggested that excessive recombination in this region might explain the high frequency of such deletions, and the frequent involvement of chromosome 15 in translocations and nondisjunction. We have studied recombination in the PWS region by linkage analysis of non-PWS families. No recombination was found (with maximum lod scores greater than 3.0) for most pair-wise combinations of probes: 39, IR4-3R, ML34, 189-1, 3-21. A 'hotspot' of recombination is observed between loci detected by p3-21 and pIR10-1. The female recombination fraction in this region was significantly higher than that for males. Close linkage with 0.06 recombination was found for the IR10-1 and CMW-1 pair. No excess recombination was found between sites bounding common breakpoints observed in deletions associated with PWS and AS. It is suggested that these deletions form frequently because of the presence of duplicated DNA sequences and/or inversions in this region, and not because of a high rate of homologous recombination.

Multiplex PCR of three dinucleotide repeats in the Prader-Willi/Angelman critical region (15q11-q13): molecular diagnosis and mechanism of uniparental disomy

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and Angelman syndrome (AS) are distinct mental retardation disorders caused by a deficiency of paternal (PWS) or maternal (AS) contributions for chromosome 15 by either deletion or uniparental disomy (UPD). To further study the molecular mechanisms involved in these disorders and to improve molecular diagnostic methods, we have isolated three dinucleotide repeat markers in the PWS/AS critical region. An Alu-CA PCR method was used to isolate CA-repeat markers directly from yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) clones identified by probes IR4-3R (D15S11), LS6-1 (D15S113), and GABAA receptor B3 (GABRB3). Three markers with 6-11 alleles and 73-83% heterozygosities were identified and analyzed by multiplex PCR. Gene-centromere mapping was performed on a panel of ovarian teratomas of known meiotic origin, and showed the most proximal marker, IR4-3R, to be 13 cM (95% confidence limits: 7-19 cM) from the centromere of chromosome 15. Molecular diagnostic studies were performed on 20 PWS and 9 AS patients. In 17 patients with deletions, the parental origin of deletion was determined. Ten PWS patients were shown to have maternal heterodisomy. Since these markers are only 13 cM from the centromere, heterodisomy indicates that maternal meiosis I nondisjunction is involved in the origin of UPD. In contrast, two paternal disomy cases of AS showed isodisomy for all markers tested along the length of chromosome 15. This suggests a paternal meiosis II nondisjunction event (without crossing over) or, more likely, monosomic conception (due to maternal nondisjunction) followed by chromosome duplication.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Homology of a 130-kb region enclosing the alpha-globin gene cluster, the alpha-locus controlling region, and two non-globin genes in human and mouse

The human alpha-globin gene cluster (30 kb) is embedded in a GC-rich isochore very close to the telomere of Chromosome (Chr) 16p. The alpha-Locus Controlling Region (alpha-LCR) is located upstream of the adult alpha-globin genes and has been shown to be essential for their expression. In this study we have been looking for expressed genes in the region upstream of the alpha-globin cluster to understand the role of the LCR-like element in the expression and replication timing of flanking gene clusters. We show that the upstream alpha-globin region is conserved over a 75-kb range and includes at least two oppositely transcribed non-globin genes, here referred to as Mid1 and Dist1. Complementary DNA sequences of 250 bp and 2.5 kb from Mid1 (coordinate -68) and Dist1 (coordinate -90 to -99), respectively, were isolated from human and mouse. The deduced partial amino acid sequences of these cDNAs are 81% and 95% identical for the Mid1 and Dist1 gene respectively. We have cloned a mouse cosmid "contig" which includes Dist1, Mid1, and the entire murine alpha-globin cluster. The murine homolog of the alpha-LCR was mapped upstream of the mouse globin genes at approximately the same position as in the human locus. Our results indicate that, in mouse and human, the alpha-globin loci and their flanking sequences are homologous over a range of at least 130 kb. The structural homology of this region in both mammals suggests also a functional one and indicates the mouse as a potential model for studying the role of the alpha-LCR controlling element in the regulation of expression and replication timing of the flanking gene clusters.

Meiotic analysis by FISH of a human male 46,XY,t(15;20)(q11.2;q11.2) translocation heterozygote: quadrivalent configuration, orientation and first meiotic segregation

Understanding the segregational behaviour of reciprocal translocations in man is of both theoretical and clinical importance. Generally, information for genetic counselling is obtained from empirical data although knowledge of gametic output can now be obtained by karyotyping individual human spermatozoa. However, neither empirical studies nor sperm karyotyping data provide detailed information on how the combinations of normal, balanced and unbalanced gametes arise. For this knowledge of quadrivalent orientation and first meiotic segregation is required. We have used dual colour fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) to identify normal and derived chromosomes during meiosis in testicular biopsy material from a 46,XY,t(15;20)(q11.2;q11.2) heterozygote. We were able to determine the frequencies of different quadrivalent structures at first metaphase (MI) and the proportion of first meiotic divisions subject to interstitial chiasmata. Having identified all 2:2, 3:1 and 4:0 segregation products at second metaphase, it was possible to correlate segregation categories with the various forms of MI quadrivalent possibly indicating their modes of orientation. Finally the ratios of normal:balanced:unbalanced gametes expected to be produced by this translocation heterozygote were calculated.

Long-range restriction mapping and linkage analysis of the Prader-Willi chromosome region (PWCR)

In an attempt to elucidate the relationship between genetic alterations at chromosomal bands 15q11.2-12 and the Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), we have constructed a long-range restriction map of this region using a combination of pulsed-field gel techniques and the infrequently cutting restriction enzymes NotI, MluI, SalI, SfiI, NruI, SacII, and BssHII. Four previously reported probes mapping to 15q11.2-12 and known to be deleted in PWS patients were used to construct the physical map of this region. The loci recognized by these four probes have been localized to a 2600-kb partial SalI restriction fragment and a 3200-kb partial EcoRI restriction fragment. Linkage studies were performed on nine families to estimate the recombination rates between these loci. The calculated lod scores did not indicate significant linkage between any of the four loci. The contrast between the physical distance and the observed recombination frequency suggests that these four loci are located in a recombinational "hot spot."

Multiple recombination events are responsible for the heterogeneity of alpha(+)-thalassemia haplotypes among the forest tribes of Andhra Pradesh, India

The presence of several polymorphic markers along the alpha-globin gene complex allows the identification of haplotypes associated with alpha-thalassemia determinants. These are found at very high frequencies in geographic areas where malaria is or has been endemic which suggests a positive selective role by the parasitic disease in favour of alpha(+)-thalassemia mutants. A population survey among forest tribal communities from Andhra Pradesh, India, revealed the prevalence and molecular heterogeneity of alpha(+)-thalassemia determinants presumably due to a long backdated malaria endemicity among these populations. Analysis of the tribal alpha-thalassemia haplotypes has shown a great degree of genetic heterogeneity which can be explained as the result of multiple recombination events in the presence of natural selection by malaria.

Sister chromatid exchange analysis of the 15q11 region in Prader-Willi syndrome patients

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a sporadic disorder in which about half of cases have a 15q12 deletion. Although a small number of cases have other rearrangements involving 15q12, the rest of the cases appear to have normal chromosomes. Clinical similarities among all these patients regardless of the karyotype strongly suggests a common etiology. To investigate the nature of this common etiology, we analyzed sister chromatid exchange (SCE) at the 15q11-13 region in 10 PWS patients with the chromosome deletion, 12 PWS patients with normal chromosomes, and 11 normal control individuals. While SCE at the q11-13 region was absent on the 15q12 deleted chromosome, the percentage of SCE on chromosome 15 at q11 was statistically higher for PWS with normal chromosomes (10.1%) compared to that for normal controls (1.9%) and the normal homologue (2.2%) in deleted patients (chi 2 = 7.7982, df = 2, P less than 0.025). The data suggest relative instability of DNA at the 15q11 region in PWS patients.

The association of Angelman's syndrome with deletions within 15q11-13

The inheritance of Angelman's syndrome, a disorder characterised by mental retardation, epilepsy, ataxia, and a happy disposition, is debated because affected sibs occur less frequently than expected with autosomal recessive inheritance. After discovering two unrelated patients with a small deletion of the proximal long arm of chromosome 15, 10 further patients with Angelman's syndrome were reassessed. Five had apparently normal karyotypes, four had a deletion within 15q11-13, and one had a pericentric inversion, inv(15)(p11q13) involving the same chromosomal region. In the latter case, the healthy mother had the same pericentric inversion, indicating that the patient also had a submicroscopic mutation on his other chromosome 15. These data map the Angelman locus to 15q11-13 and suggest that de novo visible deletions (associated with a low recurrence risk) and autosomal recessively inherited cases combine to give an overall sib recurrence risk of less than 25%.

Construction of a chromosome 16-enriched phage library and characterization of several DNA segments from 16p

A flow sorted chromosome 16-enriched recombinant library was produced to isolate DNA probes useful for constructing a linkage map of 16p, primarily for the study of adult polycystic kidney disease (APKD). The APKD locus has been mapped to chromosome 16 by linkage with the probe 3'HVR, which is located in the region 16p12----pter. Of the 48 single-copy fragments isolated from this new phage library, 39 (81%) were found to be chromosome 16 specific. Probes mapping to chromosome 16 were regionally localized by hybridizing to flow-sorted spot blots of translocation products from lymphoblastoid cell lines containing the rearrangements t(1;16) or t(11;16). Translocation breakpoints at 16p13.11 and 16p11.1 were utilized to subdivide chromosome 16 into three regions: Twenty-six probes were mapped to 16p11.1----16qter, two to 16p11.1----16p13.11, and eleven to 16p13.11----16pter. Probes from 16p were examined for their recognition of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). Seven polymorphic probes were found which recognized eleven RFLPs. Six of the seven probes have RFLPs which are reasonably informative (polymorphism information contents (PIC) of over 0.25). Two of these identify polymorphisms with three different alleles, one of which has a PIC value of over 0.4. These probes may aid in the diagnosis of APKD and contribute towards a linkage map of chromosome 16.

EM investigations of surface spread synaptonemal complexes in a human male carrier of a pericentric inversion inv(13)(p12q14): the role of heterosynapsis for spermatocyte survival

EM investigations of surface spread synaptonemal complexes of pachytene spermatocytes were performed on a human male carrier of a pericentric inv(13), ascertained through his daughter with a duplication-deficiency of the same chromosome. The inv(13) bivalent could be unambiguously identified by either its asymmetrical kinetochores or its nucleolar association or both. There was scarcity of reversed homosynapsis of the inverted segments with inversion loops, possibly related to the small size of the inversion. The majority of pachytene spermatocytes showed the inverted segment to be either asynapsed or heterosynapsed. Generally initial homosynapsis is highly efficient with high fidelity, while heterosynapsis at the secondary pachytene pairing phase may take place with any available partner remaining unsynapsed and including the differential segments of the XY. It is suggested that survival of spermatocytes to later stages of meiosis may be ensured by heterosynapsis, and the recombinant chromosome in the offspring might be the result of a U-type exchange.

Analysis of the human alpha-globin gene cluster reveals a highly informative genetic locus

Extensive molecular studies have characterized 15 dimorphic and 2 multiallelic genetic markers within the human alpha-globin gene cluster. Analysis of these markers in 9 populations has shown that the alpha-globin locus is remarkably polymorphic and is therefore an ideal marker on chromosome 16 for the construction of a human genetic linkage map. The combined analysis of 9 polymorphic markers has established alpha-globin haplotypes that provide the means to study the molecular genetics and common mutants of this cluster. The novel association of a conventional restriction fragment length polymorphism haplotype and linked, hypervariable regions of DNA should allow a comparison of the rate of change of such markers.

A complex three breakpoint translocation involving chromosomes 2, 4, and 9 identified by meiotic investigations of a human male ascertained for subfertility

Whole mount pachytene spreads were used to investigate the pairing of a supposed balanced reciprocal t(4;9) translocation in a human male ascertained for subfertility. All well spread pachytene spermatocytes analysed by light microscopy and electron microscopy contained a hexavalent instead of the expected quadrivalent this suggesting that a third chromosome was involved. The hexavalent showed a high efficiency of synapsis with the six arms fully paired except for the proximal segments adjacent to the breakpoints. Further meiotic investigations by the air-drying technique and the reassessment of the mitotic karyotype using stretched chromosomes revealed that the rearrangement is indeed a complex three breakpoint translocation t(2;4;9)(p13;q25;p12). There was an indication of a reduced chiasma frequency of the hexavalent but no interchromosomal effect on chiasma pattern could be detected. No selective association between the hexavalent and the XY configuration was found at any stage, and unless the central lack of pairing is of relevance we have no explanation for the subfertility and reduced testicular size. Except for the hexavalent the most impressive feature of the meiosis of this complex translocation was in fact its normality including the end product with repeated spermiograms being indistinguishable from the normal. Karyotyping of individual spermatozoa has, however, not been performed.

Further studies on bivalent chiasma frequency in human males with normal karyotypes

Previously unpublished data on the chiasma frequency of individual bivalents identified by a triple staining technique are presented for four males. The total autosomal cell chiasma frequency and sex chromosome univalence frequency are also given for these males and for three others. All seven males had apparently normal 46,XY karyotypes and normal spermatogenesis. The extent of inter-individual variation in cell and bivalent chiasma frequency and the gross relationship between chromosome length and chiasma frequency are discussed.

Further studies on chiasma distribution and interference in the human male

Some unusual patterns of chiasma distribution were noted in a preliminary investigation of meiosis in an infertile male with an apparently normal mitotic karyotype and a normal mean autosomal cell chiasma frequency. A detailed investigation of chiasma distribution on all 22 autosomes revealed that several chromosomes showed a significant change in chiasma distribution and/or mean inter-chiasma distance in comparison with previously published controls. These findings are discussed in relation to the general patterns of chiasma localization in the human male and the role of interference.

Chiasma derived genetic lengths and recombination fractions: a 46, XY, t(9; 10) (p22; q24) reciprocal translocation

Chiasma distribution data on chromosomes 1, 2 and 9 from a reciprocal translocation carrier with a 46, XY, t(9; 10) (p22; q24) karyotype were used to calculate genetic distances and recombination fractions for chromosome segments corresponding to the major mitotic bands and for intervals between the centromeres and points at 10% intervals along the chromosome arms. These values were compared with those from control males with normal karyotypes. The translocation showed a marked increase in crossing-over in one specific region of chromosome 9 and, in addition, there was evidence of interchromosomal effects in chromosomes 1 and 2.

The location of the major bands on chromosome 1 at diakinesis in the human male and the relationship between banding pattern and chiasma localization

Q-banded chromosome 1 bivalents from six human males were measured in order to determine the locations of the major band borders. Chiasma position was also recorded in these bivalents in order to determine whether chiasmata preferentially occurred in Q-bright regions, Q-dark regions or in the interfaces between. The results indicated that the locations of the major bands of chromosome 1 were very similar at diakinesis and at mitotic prometaphase and that chiasma distribution was not governed by the banding pattern of the chromosome.

Linkage disequilibrium and evolutionary relationships of DNA variants (restriction enzyme fragment length polymorphisms) at the serum albumin locus

Four additional DNA variants (restriction enzyme fragment length polymorphisms) making a total of eight polymorphic sites at the human albumin locus have been identified. These eight sites were found after screening 689 of 20,000 nucleotides by using cDNA probes for albumin with 27 different restriction enzymes. One in 85 nucleotides was therefore potentially polymorphic. The average nucleotide diversity between any two randomly chosen chromosomes was calculated to be 1/500. We observed marked linkage disequilibrium between the eight variants. Only 7 haplotypes among 256 possible combinations were observed in 160 chromosomes from Caucasoids, Blacks, and Asians. Two haplotypes were found in all three human races, indicating that their origin predated human racial divergence. The three rarest haplotypes appear to represent recombinational events between the more common haplotypes. All crossovers occurred in the same general region. Studies of several nonhuman primates indicated that the origin of one haplotype predated the human-African ape divergence. Although it is not possible to rule out maintenance of this tight linkage by selection or fixation, it is suggested that the limited number of haplotypes at the chromosomal site of the albumin gene near the centromere of chromosome 4 may be the result of decreased recombination.

Chromosome 15 anomalies and the Prader-Willi syndrome: cytogenetic analysis

The behaviour of chromosome 15 is very different from that of the other acrocentric chromosomes. The cytogenetic characteristics of rearrangements associated with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) are analyzed as similar rearrangements irrespective of the associated phenotype (reciprocal translocations of chromosome 15, small bisatellited additional chromosomes, Robertsonian translocations, interstitial deletions, pericentric inversions). This study suggests that: (1) The proximal ( 15q ) region and PWS seem to be indissociable ; (2) chromosome 15 has an indisputable cytogenetic originality which could be related to its histochemical properties. Chromosome 15 constitutive heterochromatin usually contains much 5-methylcytosine-rich DNA and a large amount of each of the four satellite DNAs. Furthermore the existence in the proximal ( 15q ) region of one or several palindromic sequences could be postulated to explain the great lability of this region of chromosome 15.

Studies on chiasma frequency and distribution in two fertile men carrying reciprocal translocations; one with a t(9;10) karyotype and one with a t(Y;10) karyotype

The frequency and distribution of chiasmata was investigated in two fertile carriers of reciprocal translocations, one with a 46,XY,t(9;10)(p22;q24) karyotype and one with a 46,X,-Y,+der(Y),t(Y;10)(q12;q24) karyotype. In both cases the chromosomes involved in the translocation showed an increase in chiasma frequency in comparison to karyotypically normal controls and in both cases this increase was localised, affecting only one interstitial segment of each translocation quadrivalent. In the t(9;10) case chiasmata appeared in substantial numbers in a novel location, the proximal two thirds of 9p, while in the t(Y;10) case chiasmata appeared in a conventional location, the medial region of 10q, but at an increased frequency. Furthermore there was evidence for inter-chromosomal effects in the t(9;10) case.