Failure to detect linkage between Xg and other X-borne loci in Sardinians

Old and new genetics help ordering loci at the telomere of the human X-chromosome long arm

A Sardinian pedigree described in 1964 for having been found to segregate at the X-linked loci for the Xga antigen, G6PD deficiency, Protan and Deutan color blindness, with an instance of recombination between the last two loci, was re-examined with respect to four common X-linked DNA polymorphisms detected by molecular probes homologous to critical subregions of the human X chromosome. Two branches of this pedigree--including the one with the Protan-Deutan recombinant--were found to segregate also for the common BamHI polymorphism identified with the cDNA probe pHPT-2 or the HPRT gene (Xq26). The analysis of the chromosome haplotypes in the male offspring of the phase known penta-heterozygous mother suggests that the probable order of the relevant loci is HPRT, Deutan, G6PD, Protan, Xq telomere. Though we are fully aware of the risks of generalizing the significance of observations made on a single exceptional pedigree, we believe that this report outlines the potential of families of the type described as research tools to resolve the linear order of tightly X-linked loci and to investigate the biology of genetic recombination in humans.

X-mapping in man: evidence against measurable linkage between anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia and G6PD deficiency

A Sardinian kindred segregating for X-linked anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (AED), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency of Mediterranean type, and Xga blood antigen provides evidence against a measurable linkage between the loci for AED and G6PD. Moreover, from the segregation of the combined phenotypes in four scorable sons from two triple heterozygotes with phase known, it seems highly probable that the AED locus is nearer to the centromere than is the G6PD locus.

Additional pedigree supporting the frequent origin of XXYY from consecutive meiotic non-disjunction in paternal gametogenesis

A 48,XXYY Sardinian patient, born to a 46,XX mother heterozygous for the Gd Mediterranean mutant, and to a 46,XY father hemizygous for the same mutant, was found to have a mosaic distribution of G6PD(+) and G6PD(-) peripheral red blood cells. The most likely interpretation of this finding is that the propositus is an additional example of an XXYY zygote derived from a consecutive meiotic non-disjunction during paternal gametogenesis.

Genetic inactivation of the alpha-galactosidase locus in carriers of Fabry's disease

Skin fibroblasts from a patient with Fabry's disease showed deficient activity of alpha-galactosidase. Fibroblasts from his mother and sister had two distinct clonal populations, one with enzymatic activity and the other enzyme deficient. This provides evidence of genetic inactivation at the alpha-galactosidase locus and makes possible the detection of carriers of Fabry's disease even when the enzymatic activity in their leukocytes and uncloned fibroblasts is within the range of controls.