Failure of testicular development associated with a rearrangement of 9p24.1 proximal to the SNF2 gene

In 46,XY individuals, testes are determined by the activity of the SRY gene (sex-determining region Y), located on the short arm of the Ychromosome. The other genetic components of the cascade that leads to testis formation are unknown and may be located on the Xchromosome or on the autosomes. Evidence for the existence of several loci associated with failure of male sexual development is indicated by reports of 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis associated with structural abnormalities of the Xchromosome or of autosomes (chromosomes9, 10, 11 and 17). In this report, we describe the investigation of a child presenting with multiple congenital abnormalities, mental retardation and partial testicular failure. The patient had a homogeneous de novo 46,XY,inv dup(9)(pter→p24.1::p21.1 →p23.3::p24.1→qter) chromosome complement. No deletion was found by either cytogenetic or molecular analysis. The SRY gene and DSS region showed no abnormalities. Southern blotting dosage analysis with 9p probes and fluorescent in situ hybridisation data indicated that the distal breakpoint of the duplicated fragment was located at 9p24.1, proximal to the SNF2 gene. We therefore suggest that a gene involved in normal testicular development and/or maintenance is present at this position on chromosome 9. Received: 20 January 1997 / Accepted: 5 November 1997     

Changes in calmodulin level and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity during epididymal maturation of ram spermatozoa

Calmodulin concentration and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity were simultaneously determined on ram spermatozoa collected by cannulation of successive segments of the epididymal tubule. Epididymal transit was characterized on one hand by an overall decrease in the calmodulin level and on the other by a dramatic rise in the cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity. In contrast to the calmodulin level, the cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity was correlated with the acquisition of flagellar beat. No further alterations in the level of these two proteins could be detected as spermatozoa acquired progressive motility.     

The organization of repetitive sequences in the albumin and alpha-fetoprotein gene loci in the rat

Summary The distribution of middle repetitive sequences in the genic and extragenic regions of the rat albumin and -fetoprotein genes was analyzed. Their presence was determined by probing Southern blots of restriction fragments of albumin and -fetoprotein genomic subclones with ³²P-labeled total rat DNA. Repetitive sequences were detected in both genes. They were classified as weak, moderate and intense hybridizing elements according to the intensity of hybridization. Weak repetitive sequences were characterized as dG·dT repeats by using ³²P-labeled poly-(dG·dT)(dC·dA) oligomer probe. They occurred in 5 and 3 extragenic regions of the two genes and in introns 4 and 5 of the albumin gene. The moderate repetitive sequence present in intron 6 of the albumin gene was identified as the rat SINES element, 4D12. The intense repetitive sequence, localized in the 3 non-coding region of the albumin gene, corresponded to the terminal segment of a rat high repeat long interspersed DNA family, L1Rn. 4D12 and L1Rn sequences were also scattered throughout the -fetoprotein locus as moderate and intense repetitive elements, respectively, but their distribution was different from that of the albumin genomic region. These results indicate that repetitive sequences invaded the two loci in a non-conservative manner.     

Chromosome localization and polymorphism of an oestrogen-inducible gene specifically expressed in some breast cancers

Summary The BCEI gene codes for a small secreted protein and is expressed in the human mammary tumour cell line MCF7 under oestrogen control and in some breast cancers. We have mapped the gene to chromosome 21 using a panel of somatic hybrid lines, and in situ hybridization has allowed a precise assignment to band 21q223. Two restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) are described that should be of use in linkage or population studies to test a possible involvement of the BCEI gene in genetic predisposition to breast cancer. This gene should also be a useful marker for the genetic and physical mapping of chromosome 21, and for a better definition of the region involved in the clinical phenotype of Downs syndrome.     

Molecular analysis of a reciprocal translocation t(5;11)(q11;p13) in a WAGR patient

Summary Most patients with the complex association aniridia — predisposition to Wilms' tumor (WAGR syndrome) present with a de novo constitutional deletion of band 11p13. We report a patient with WAGR syndrome and a reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 5 and 11 t(5;11)(q11;p13). High resolution banding cytogenetic analysis and molecular characterization using 11p13 DNA markers showed a tiny deletion encompassing the gene for CAT but sparing the gene for FSHB. This suggests that syndromes associated with apparently balanced translocations may be due to undetectable loss of material at the breakpoint(s) rather than to breakage in the gene itself.     

New chromosome 21 DNA markers isolated by pulsed field gel electrophoresis from an ETS2-containing Down syndrome chromosomal region

To generate new chromosome 21 markers in a region that is critical for the pathogenesis of Down syndrome (D21S55-MX1), we used pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to isolate a 600-kb NruI DNA fragment from the WA17 hybrid cell line, which has retained chromosome 21 as the only human material. This fragment, which contains the oncogene ETS2, was used to construct a partial genomic library. Among the 14 unique sequences that were isolated, 3 were polymorphic markers and contained sequences that are conserved in mammals. Five of these markers mapped on the ETS2-containing NruI fragment and allowed us to define an 800-kb high-resolution PFGE map.     

Evolution of the flagellar waveform of ram spermatozoa in relation to the degree of epididymal maturation.

Motility and flagellar movement of ram spermatozoa along the epididymis were analysed in vitro. From the caput to the cauda of the epididymis, the percentage of motile and progressive spermatozoa increases. No flagellar bending was observed in spermatozoa from the testis or the epididymal anterior caput. When spermatozoa reached the distal caput of the epididymis, a static curvature, associated with an initiation of the flagellar beating, appeared on the flagella. This curvature normally disappeared during epididymal transit. Its disappearance was associated with an increase in the flagellar beat efficiency. Our results suggest that the initiation of motility is related to two mechanisms involving: (1) the presence of a transient static curvature, and (2) the establishment of a symmetric regular beating of the flagellum.