Asymmetry of methylation with FMR-1 full mutation in two 45,X/46,XX mosaic females associated with normal intellect

Am J Med Genet. 1994 Jul 15;51(4):507-8. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.1320510443.

Abstract

The full FMR-1 mutation is known to cause the fragile X syndrome [Fra(X)], but variable expression in females, including normal to deficient intellect, may be related to random X-inactivation (lyonization). We have evaluated 2 mosaic 45,X/46,XX females who are cytogenetically fra(X) positive, have an FMR-1 full mutation, and are of normal intellect. There were 50% fra(X) chromosomes in the 45,X cells of one of the females; this has not been reported previously. In both patients, there was a strong asymmetry of FMR-1 methylation with the normal allele being totally or 90% unmethylated and the mutant allele being similarly methylated. Thus, the apparent selective inactivation of the full mutant FMR-1 allele appears to have resulted in limited expression with normal intellect. The presence of the fra(X) chromosome in 45,X cells is unique; however, there may be no relationship to the asymmetric inactivation of the mutant allele which could be due to chance or a mechanism yet to be delineated.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aneuploidy*
  • DNA / metabolism
  • Dinucleoside Phosphates / metabolism
  • Dosage Compensation, Genetic
  • Female
  • Fragile X Syndrome / complications
  • Fragile X Syndrome / genetics*
  • Fragile X Syndrome / metabolism
  • Gene Dosage
  • Humans
  • Intelligence*
  • Mosaicism*
  • Mutation
  • Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
  • Turner Syndrome / complications

Substances

  • Dinucleoside Phosphates
  • cytidylyl-3'-5'-guanosine
  • DNA