Chromosome localization and characterization of the mouse and human zinc finger protein 265 gene

The chromosome location and pattern of expression of the gene encoding the zinc finger protein 265 (alias "Zis") in human (ZNF265) and mouse (Zfp265) was determined. By interspecific backcross analysis, we mapped Zfp265 to mouse chromosome 3q. ZNF265 was localized to human chromosome 1p31 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Since discovery of Zfp265 (in rat) came from studies of changes in renin expression in kidney cell lines, we examined the cell specificity of expression in kidney and also determined hybridization of cDNA with RNA in other tissues. We found that expression was not confined to renin mRNA-containing cells but was ubiquitous. Moreover, the fact that highly conserved homologs of ZNF265p exist in lower organisms (e.g., C4SR in Xenopus), suggests that this protein may have a generalized role in posttranscriptional mechanisms in various cell types and species.

Chromosome 3p23 break with ring formation and translocation of displaced 3p23-->pter segment to 6pter

An 11 year old boy with short stature, learning difficulties, and no obvious facial anomalies has a ring (3)(p23q29) formed by a break in the short arm at 3p23 and subsequent fusion with 3qter. A second rearrangement involving translocation of the displaced 3p23-->pter segment to chromosome 6 at 6pter is non-reciprocal with no obvious loss of distal 6pter material. The involvement of one chromosome in two separate rearrangements is uncommon. The patient's relatively mild phenotype appears to be associated with the "ring syndrome" and ring instability in division rather than from any segmental aneuploidy resulting from the presence of the two rearrangements.

Deletion 15q21.1----q22.1 resulting from a paternal insertion into chromosome 5

A 15 month old boy with an interstitial deletion 15q derived from a paternal insertion (5;15)(q31.3;q21.1q22.1) is described and compared with one other reported case. A beak like nose with hypoplastic nasal alae, a thin upper lip, failure to thrive in infancy with later onset of obesity, and severe mental retardation are features common to both.

Pheromone-induced aggregation of ixodid ticks before host contact

The presence of a pre-feeding aggregation pheromone was demonstrated in the species Dermacentor variabilis, Dermacentor andersoni, Dermacentor parumapertus, Amblyomma americanum and Haemaphysalis leporispalustris by assay within a petri dish. However, Amblyomma maculatum and Amblyomma cajennense did not aggregate in the sector containing discs of presumed pheromone within the hour period. D. andersoni and A. americanum recognized each other's pheromone and A. americanum recognized that of H. leporispalustris. Preliminary experiments with guanine and hemin as possible aggregating factors have thus far given inconsistent results.