Familial reciprocal translocation t(17;19) (q11.2;q13.2) associated with neurofibromatosis type 1, including one patient with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and an additional t(14;20) in B lymphocytes

Uncommon Alu-mediated NF1 microdeletion with a breakpoint inside the NF1 gene

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) microdeletion syndrome is caused by haploinsufficiency of the NF1 gene and of gene(s) located in adjacent flanking regions. Most of the NF1 deletions originate by nonallelic homologous recombination between repeated sequences (REP-P and -M) mapped to 17q11.2, while a few uncommon deletions show unusual breakpoints. We characterized an uncommon 1.5-Mb deletion of an NF1 patient displaying a mild phenotype. We applied high-resolution FISH analysis allowing us to obtain the sequence of the first junction fragment of an uncommon deletion showing the telomeric breakpoint inside the IVS23a of the NF1 gene. Sequence analysis of the centromeric and telomeric boundaries revealed that the breakpoints were present in the AluJb and AluSx regions, respectively, showing 85% homology. The centromeric breakpoint is localized inside a chi-like element; a few copies of this sequence are also located very close to both breakpoints. The in silico analysis of the breakpoint intervals, aimed at identifying consensus sequences of several motifs usually involved in deletions and translocations, suggests that Alu sequences, probably associated with the chi-like element, might be the only recombinogenic motif directly mediating this large deletion.

Zimmermann-Laband syndrome associated with a balanced reciprocal translocation t(3;8)(p21.2;q24.3) in mother and daughter: molecular cytogenetic characterization of the breakpoint regions

Zimmermann-Laband syndrome (ZLS) is a rare disorder characterized by gingival fibromatosis, abnormalities of the nose and/or ears, and absence or hypoplasia of nails or terminal phalanges of hands and feet. Other more variable features include hyperextensibility of joints, hepatosplenomegaly, mild hirsutism, and mental retardation. The genetic basis of ZLS is unknown; autosomal dominant inheritance has been suggested. We report an apparently balanced chromosomal aberration, 46,XX, t(3;8)(p13-p21.2;q24.1-q24.3), in a family with an affected mother and daughter. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization with BAC clones, we refined the breakpoints to 3p21.2 and 8q24.3 and, thereby, narrowed down both breakpoint regions to approximately 1.5 Mb. Our data provide additional support to the assumption that ZLS follows autosomal dominant inheritance. The 3;8 translocation described here represents a powerful resource to identify the causative gene for ZLS that maps most likely to one of the breakpoints.

Neurofibromatosis and associated tumour suppressor genes

Neurofibromatosis 1 and 2 (NF1 and NF2) are autosomal dominantly inherited disorders with close to 100% penetrance. NF1 is one of the most frequent human genetic diseases with an incidence of 1:3000. The incidence of NF2 is about 10 fold lower. NF1 is caused by mutations which inactivate the NF1 gene on chromosome 17q, while the NF2 gene is on chromsome 22. Both genes are tumour suppressor genes. The product of the NF1 gene, called neurofibromin, is a large protein of 2818 amino acids. The protein acts as a negative regulator in the ras signal transduction pathway and may also act downstream of ras. In the cell types that are affected in NF1 patients, the absence of neurofibromin leads to increased proliferation resulting in benign, and in some cases malignant tumours. The product of the NF2 gene is a protein of 595 amino acids. The protein displays in its N-terminal half considerable homology with proteins that are involved in contacts between the cytoskeleton and the cell membrane, and a similar function has been proposed for the NF2 protein. How the absence of the NF2 protein may lead to the development of Schwannomas and meningiomas, which are the major manifestations of NF2 in patients, is not clear at present.