Localization of the gene for X-linked recessive type of retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) to Xp21 by linkage analysis.

The X-linked recessive type of retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) causes progressive night blindness, visual field constriction, and eventual blindness in affected males by the third or fourth decade of life. The biochemical basis of the disease is unknown, and prenatal diagnosis and definitive carrier diagnosis remain elusive. Heterogeneity in XLRP has been suggested by linkage studies of families affected with XLRP and by phenotypic differences observed in female carriers. Localization of XLRP near Xp11.3 has been suggested by close linkage to an RFLP at the locus DXS7 (Xp11.3) detected by probe L1.28. In other studies a locus for XLRP with metallic sheen has been linked to the ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) locus mapping to the Xp21 region. In this study, by linkage analysis using seven RFLP markers between Xp21 and Xcen, we examined four families with multiple affected individuals. Close linkage was found between XLRP and polymorphic sites OTC (theta = .06 with lod 5.69), DXS84 (theta = .05 with lod 4.08), and DXS206 (theta = .06 with lod 2.56), defined by probes OTC, 754, and XJ, respectively. The close linkage of OTC, 754, and XJ to XLRP localizes the XLRP locus to the Xp21 region. Data from recombinations in three of four families place the locus above L1.28 and below the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene, consistent with an Xp21 localization. In one family, however, one affected male revealed a crossover between XLRP and all DNA markers, except for the more distal DXS28 (C7), while his brother is recombined for this marker (C7) and not other, more proximal markers. This suggests that in this family the XLRP mutation maps near DXS28 and above the DMD locus.     

Localization of the microsatellite probe DXS426 between DXS7 and DXS255 on Xp and linkage to X-linked retinitis pigmentosa.

The microsatellite marker DXS426 maps to the interval Xp21.1-Xp11.21, the chromosomal region which contains two loci for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP; RP2 and RP3). We have refined the localization of DXS426 both physically, by mapping it to a deletion which spans the interval Xp21.3-Xp11.23, and genetically, by studying multiply informative crossovers which indicate that DXS426 lies between DXS7 and DXS255 (i.e., Xp11.4-Xp11.22). As this is the region which contains the RP2 gene, RP2 families could be identified on the basis of linkage of XLRP to DXS426. Multiply informative crossovers in two RP2 families indicate that the most likely location of the RP2 gene is between DXS426 and DXS7. DXS426 is therefore an important highly informative marker for the purposes of carrier detection and early diagnosis of RP2 and for the localization of the disease gene.     

A recombination outside the BB deletion refines the location of the X linked retinitis pigmentosa locus RP3.

Genetic loci for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) have been mapped between Xp11.22 and Xp22.13 (RP2, RP3, RP6, and RP15). The RP3 gene, which is responsible for the predominant form of XLRP in most Caucasian populations, has been localized to Xp21.1 by linkage analysis and the map positions of chromosomal deletions associated with the disease. Previous linkage studies have suggested that RP3 is flanked by the markers DXS1110 (distal) and OTC (proximal). Patient BB was thought to have RP because of a lesion at the RP3 locus, in addition to chronic granulomatous disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), mild mental retardation, and the McLeod phenotype. This patient carried a deletion extending approximately 3 Mb from DMD in Xp21.3 to Xp21.1, with the proximal breakpoint located approximately 40 kb centromeric to DXS1110. The RP3 gene, therefore, is believed to reside between DXS1110 and the proximal breakpoint of the BB deletion. In order to refine the location of RP3 and to ascertain patients with RP3, we have been analyzing several XLRP families for linkage to Xp markers. Linkage analysis in an American family of 27 individuals demonstrates segregation of XLRP with markers in Xp21.1, consistent with the RP3 subtype. One affected mate shows a recombination event proximal to DXS1110. Additional markers within the DXS1110-OTC interval show that the crossover is between two novel polymorphic markers, DXS8349 and M6, both of which are present in BB DNA and lie centromeric to the proximal breakpoint. This recombination places the XLRP mutation in this family outside the BB deletion and redefines the location of RP3.     

Localisation of the gene for Norrie disease to between DXS7 and DXS426 on Xp

Summary A highly informative microsatellite marker, DXS426, which maps proximal to DXS7 in the interval Xp11.4–Xp11.23, has been used to refine further the localisation of the gene for Norrie disease (NDP). The results from a multiply informative crossover localize the NDP gene proximal to DXS7. In conjunction with information from 2 NDP patients who have a deletion for DXS7 but not for DSX426, our data indicate that the NDP gene lies between DXS7 and DXS426 on proximal Xp.     

Multipoint linkage analysis and heterogeneity testing in 20 X-linked retinitis pigmentosa families

Using multipoint linkage analysis in 20 families segregating for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP), the lod scores on a map of eight RFLP loci were obtained. Our results indicate that under the hypothesis of homogeneity the maximal multipoint lod score supports one disease locus located slightly distal to OTC at Xp21.1. Heterogeneity testing for two XLRP loci suggested that a second XLRP locus may be located 8.5 cM proximal to DXS28 at Xp21.3. Further heterogeneity testing for three disease loci failed to detect a third XLRP locus proximal to DXS7 in any of our 20 XLRP families.     

Localization of the gene for the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome between two flanking markers, TIMP and DXS255, on Xp11.22-Xp11.3.

The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is an X-linked recessive genetic disease in which the basic molecular defect is unknown. We previously located the WAS gene between two DNA markers, DXS7 (Xp11.3) and DXS14 (Xp11), and mapped it to the proximal short arm of the human X chromosome (Kwan et al., 1988, Genomics 3:39-43). In this study, further mapping was performed on 17 WAS families with two additional RFLP markers, TIMP and DXS255. Our data suggest that DXS255 is closer to the WAS locus than any other markers that have been previously described, with a multipoint maximum lod score of Z = 8.59 at 1.2 cM distal to DXS255 and thus further refine the position of the WAS gene on the short arm of the X chromosome. Possible locations for the WAS gene are entirely confined between TIMP (Xp11.3) and DXS255 (Xp11.22). Use of these markers thus represents a major improvement in genetic prediction in WAS families.     

A novel locus (RP24) for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa maps to Xq26-27.

Two genetic loci, RP2 and RP3, for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) have been localized to Xp11.3-11.23 and Xp21.1, respectively. RP3 appears to account for 70% of XLRP families; however, mutations in the RPGR gene (isolated from the RP3 region) are identified in only 20% of affected families. Close location of XLRP loci at Xp and a lack of unambiguous clinical criteria do not permit assignment of genetic subtype in a majority of XLRP families; nonetheless, in some pedigrees, both RP2 and RP3 could be excluded as the causative locus. We report the mapping of a novel locus, RP24, by haplotype and linkage analysis of a single XLRP pedigree. The RP24 locus was identified at Xq26-27 by genotyping 52 microsatellite markers spanning the entire X chromosome. A maximum LOD score of 4.21 was obtained with DXS8106. Haplotype analysis assigned RP24 within a 23-cM region between the DXS8094 (proximal) and DXS8043 (distal) markers. Other chromosomal regions and known XLRP loci were excluded by obligate recombination events between markers in those regions and the disease locus. Hemizygotes from the RP24 family have early onset of rod photoreceptor dysfunction; cone receptor function is normal at first, but there is progressive loss. Patients at advanced stages show little or no detectable rod or cone function and have clinical hallmarks of typical RP. Mapping of the RP24 locus expands our understanding of the genetic heterogeneity in XLRP and will assist in development of better tools for diagnosis.     

Physical mapping of two Xp markers DXS16 and DXS143

Summary Lymphocyte karyotyping of an infant girl with the clinical features of microphthalmia, iridoschisis, goiter, hip joint dysplasia, labium synechia and craniotabes revealed an Xp deletion. The lymphocyte karyotypes of the parents were normal. Bromodeoxyuridine incorporation studies showed that, in 42 out of 43 metaphases, the deleted X chromosome was late replicating. In one metaphase, the normal X chromosome was observed to be allocyclic. Using DNA markers from the Xp22 region, the breakpoint was assigned distal to DXS16 (pXUT23) and proximal to DXS143 (dic56). Dosage intensity measurements confirmed that the STS gene and the DNA marker DXS31 were involved in the deleted area. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis revealed that the paternally derived X-chromosome was deleted.     

Analysis of linkage relationships of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa with the following Xp loci: L1.28, OTC, 754, XJ-1.1, pERT87, and C7

Summary A number of variants of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) have been described. In one variant, listed in the McKusick (McK) catalogue (McKusick 1983) as entry no. 30320, the heterozygotes exhibit a golden metallic or tapetal reflex. Three large pedigrees segregating for XLRP with the characteristic tapetal reflex in the heterozygotes were examined, and the linkage between the XLRP locus and Xp loci, L1.28, OTC, 754, XJ-1.1, pERT87 and C7 was measured. The strongest linkage was found to be between the XLRP locus and OTC. In addition, recombinational evidence drawn from the three pedigrees suggests that the XLRP locus is distal to L1.28 and proximal to 754. This putative location of the XLRP gene between L1.28 and 754 taken together with the tight linkage to OTC, a locus already located between L1.28 and 754, leads us to propose a gene order of centromere-L1.28-OTC/XLRP-754-telomere.     

Mapping of locus for X-linked congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB1) proximal to DXS7.

A recombinant chromosome in a male affected with X-linked congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB1) provides new information on the location of the CSNB1 locus. A four-generation family with five males affected with X-linked CSNB was analyzed with five polymorphic markers for four X-chromosome loci spanning the region OTC (Xp21.1) to DXS255 (Xp11.22). Four of the males inherited the same X chromosome; one male inherited a chromosome that from OTC to DXS7, inclusive, was derived from the normal X chromosome of his unaffected grandfather and that from a location between DXS7 and DXS426 proximally was derived from the chromosome carrying the CSNB1 locus. This recombinant maps the CSNB1 locus in this family to a region on the short arm of the X chromosome proximal to the DXS7 locus.     

Gene of X-chromosomal congenital stationary night blindness is closely linked to DXS7 on Xp

Summary Congenital stationary night blindness is characterized by disturbed or absent night vision that is always present at or shortly after birth and nonprogressive. The X-linked form of the disease (CSNBX; McKusick catalog no. 31050) differs from the autosomal types in that the former is frequently associated with myopia. X-chromosome-specific polymorphic DNA markers were used to carry out linkage analysis in three European families segregating for CSNBX. Close linkage without recombination was found between the disease locus and the anonymous locus DXS7, mapped to Xp11.3, assigning the mutation to the proximal short arm of the X chromosome. Linkage data obtained with markers flanking DXS7 provided further support for this localization of the gene locus. Thus, in addition to retinitis pigmentosa and Norrie disease, CSNBX represents the third well-known hereditary eye disease the locus of which is mapped on the proximal Xp and closely linked to DXS7.     

The gene for Aarskog syndrome is located between DXS255 and DXS566 (Xp11.2-Xq13).

Aarskog syndrome has been mapped to Xq13 on the basis of a patient carrying an Xq13:8p21.2 translocation. We have identified a new microsatellite marker in a clone mapping to this region (HX60;DXS566). Using primers flanking this microsatellite along with primers detecting a microsatellite at PGK1P1 and DXS255, and DXS72, we have performed a multipoint analysis in a large kindred with Aarskog syndrome. Our results suggest that the Aarskog locus lies proximal to Xq13. This is supported by the recent redefining of the breakpoint of the original translocation as between DXS14 (Xp11.21-p11.1) and DXS146 (Xp11.23-p11.22).     

Definitive localization of Becker muscular dystrophy in Xp by linkage to a cluster of DNA polymorphisms (DXS43 and DXS9)

Summary A study of linkage between Becker muscular dystrophy and four X chromosome-specific DNA polymorphisms in 17 kindreds has indicated that this gene is located in Xp, as already anticipated by single pedigree analysis. In particular the DXS43 and DXS9 loci, identified by probes D2 and RC8, respectively, are closely linked to each other and are both located at approximately 15 cM from the Becker locus. These linkage data, together with the previously established linkage between Becker and the DXS7 locus identified by probe L 1.28, indicate that the Becker gene is located in the same region where Duchenne has been mapped and also yield information about relative genetic distances among different DNA polymorphisms of the X chromosome.     

Linkage analysis of a large Latin-American family with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa and metallic sheen in the heterozygote carrier

An extended linkage analysis was performed on the large Latin-American kindred with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) and metallic sheen in the heterozygous carrier studied and reported previously by R.L. Nussbaum et al. (1985, Hum. Genet. 70:45-50) and on a smaller family with the same XLRP variant. In these kindreds the XLRP locus shows close linkage with Xp21 marker loci OTC and DXS206. The results of this linkage analysis agree with the observations made by Nussbaum et al. (1985) that an XLRP locus is distal to DXS7.     

Localization of a gene for incomplete X-linked congenital stationary night blindness to the interval between DXS6849 and DXS8023 in Xp11.23

Congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) is a nonprogressive retinal disorder characterized by night blindness, nystagmus, myopia, a variable decrease in visual acuity, an abnormal electroretinographic response, and a disturbance in dark adaptation. Two forms of X-linked CSNB have been defined, complete CSNB in which rod function is extinguished, and incomplete CSNB in which rod function is reduced but not extinguished, as seen by electroretinography and dark adaptometry. In studying a large family of Mennonite ancestry, we have confirmed linkage between the locus (CSNB2) for incomplete CSNB and genetic markers in the Xp11 region. In particular, lod scores of 12.25 and 15.26 at zero recombination were observed between CSNB2 and the markers DXS573 and DXS255. Detailed analysis of critical recombinant chromosomes in this extended family have refined the minimal region for the CSNB2 locus to the interval between DXS6849 and DXS8023 in Xp11.23. Received: 5 November 1997 / Accepted: 23 February 1998     

Genetic mapping of four DNA markers (DXS16, DXS43, DXS85, and DXS143) from the p22 region of the human X chromosome

Summary Linkage analysis of four polymorphic anonymous DNA markers from the Xp22 region was performed using families from the Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain. The loci DXS43 (pD2) and DXS16 (pXUT23) were found to be tightly linked ( = 0.02 at = 14.96) and proximal to both DXS85 (782) and DXS143 (dic56). Multipoint linkage analysis suggests the order:     

Close linkage between Norrie disease,a cloned DNA sequence from the proximal short arm,and the centromere of the X chromosome

Summary Norrie disease (ND) is an X-linked recessive disorder with congenital blindness (atrophia bulborum hereditaria, pseudoglioma). Six kindreds segregating for ND were studied for linkage with polymorphic markers of the human X chromosome. No recombination was observed between the ND-locus (NDP) and the DXS7 locus, the latter followed as a DNA-restriction fragment length polymorphism, detected by the recombinant DNA probe L1.28, and assigned to the region Xp11.2–Xp11.3. The maximum lod scores are at . Linkage data between NDP and the other genetic markers used in the present study are in keeping with this assignment of the mutation to the proximal Xp.     

Identification of new markers in Xp21 between DXS28 (C7) and DMD

Characterization of Xp21 distal to Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in the region containing the genes for adrenal hypoplasia congenita (AHC) and glycerol kinase deficiency (GKD) has been limited due to a paucity of probes. Two probes were localized between DXS28 (C7) and AHC, the yeast artificial chromosome insert YHX39 (DXS727) and the polymorphic phage clone QST59 (DXS319). A genomic clone, FT1 (DXS726), 3' to DMD, was also characterized. Portions of the three probes were sequenced and primer pairs were generated to amplify a sequence-tagged site within each probe. Amplification of DNA from patients confirmed the deletion results obtained by Southern blot analysis, and these three sequence-tagged sites were successfully combined for triplex PCR. In addition to facilitating molecular genetic diagnosis in Xp21, these probes can be used to identify additional YACs and other probes to further increase the genomic information and diagnostic capabilities in this region.     

Confirmation and refinement of the genetic localization of the Coffin-Lowry syndrome locus in Xp22.1-p22.2

The Coffin-Lowry syndrome (CLS) is an X-linked inherited disease of unknown pathogenesis characterized by severe mental retardation, typical facial and digital anomalies, and progressive skeletal deformations. Our previous linkage analysis, based on four pedigrees with the disease, suggested a localization for the CLS locus in Xp22.1-p22.2, with the most likely position between the marker loci DXS41 and DXS43. We have now extended the study to 16 families by using seven RFLP marker loci spanning the Xp22.1-p22.2 region. Linkage has been established with five markers from this part of the X chromosome: DXS274 (lod score [Z] (theta) = 3.53 at theta = .08), DXS43 (Z(theta) = 3.16 at theta = .08), DXS197 (Z(theta) = 3.03 at theta = .05), DXS41 (Z(theta) = 2.89 at theta = .08), and DXS207 (Z(theta) = 2.73 at theta = .13). A multipoint linkage analysis further placed, with a maximum multipoint Z of 7.30, the mutation-causing CLS within a 7-cM interval defined by the cluster of tightly linked markers (DXS207-DXS43-DXS197) on the distal side and by DXS274 on the proximal side. Thus, these further linkage data confirm and refine the map location for the gene responsible for CLS in Xp22.1-p22.2. As no linkage heterogeneity was detected, this validates the use of the Xp22.1-p22.2 markers for carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis in CLS families.     

Linkage analysis of two cloned DNA sequences, DXS197 and DXS207, in hypophosphatemic rickets families

The human X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets gene locus (HYP, formerly HPDR) has been previously localized by linkage analysis to Xp22.31-Xp21.3 and the locus order Xpter-DXS43-HYP-DXS41-Xcen established. Recombination between HYP and these flanking markers is frequently observed and additional markers have been sought. The polymorphic loci DXS197 and DXS207 have been localized to Xpter-Xp11 and Xp22-Xp21, respectively. We have further localized DXS197 to Xpter-Xp21.3 by using a panel of rodent-human hybrid cells and have established the map positions of DXS197 and DXS207 in relation to HYP by linkage studies of hypophosphatemic rickets families. Linkage between DXS197 and the loci DXS43, DXS85, and DXS207 was established with peak lod score values of 6.19, 0 = 0.032; 4.14, 0 = 0.000; and 3.01, 0 = 0.000, respectively. Multilocus linkage analysis mapped the DXS197 and DXS207 loci distal to HYP and demonstrated the locus order Xpter-DXS85-(DXS207, DXS43, DXS197)-HYP-DXS41-Xcen. These additional genetic markers DXS197 and DXS207 will be useful as alternative markers in the genetic counseling of some families.