The identification of a third fragile site, FRAXF, in Xq27--q28 distal to both FRAXA and FRAXE

Hum Mol Genet. 1993 Feb;2(2):197-200. doi: 10.1093/hmg/2.2.197.

Abstract

FRAXA is unique amongst fragile sites in that it is intimately involved with a specific clinical phenotype, the fragile X syndrome. Whilst the majority of fragile X individuals have been found to have a characteristic mutation in the FMR1 gene, a small proportion of individuals exhibiting fragility have no such mutation. Investigation of the site of chromosome fragility in these FMR1 mutation negative, fragile X site positive individuals, has identified a second site of fragility, FRAXE. However, the presence of FRAXE has not explained all such cases. Here we describe a fragile X site positive, FMR1 mutation negative family, in which chromosome fragility is not due to the FRAXA or FRAXE but is due to a third site designated FRAXF. Using fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) this site is shown to lie over 1Mb distal to FRAXA. The identification of a third fragile site in this small region of the X chromosome provides an opportunity to extend our studies of the molecular nature of chromosome fragility.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Chromatin / ultrastructure
  • Chromosome Fragile Sites
  • Chromosome Fragility*
  • Female
  • Fragile X Syndrome / genetics*
  • Genetic Markers
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Pedigree
  • X Chromosome / ultrastructure*

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • Genetic Markers