Cytogenetics Flashcards
What is a contiguous gene syndrome?
The phenotype is attributable to haploinsufficiency for multiple contiguous genes within the deleted region.
Name some examples of contiguous gene syndromes.
Williams syndrome, DiGeorge syndrome, Smith-Magenis syndrome, Azoospermia
T&T p96 has a good table
What are acrocentric chromosomes?
Chromosomes 13, 14, 15, 21 & 22
short arm is made up of stalks and satellites - repetitive DNA
What is aneuploidy?
loss (monosomy) or gain (trisomy) of one or more chromosomes
What is polyploidy?
gain or one or more haploid sets of chromosomes
What is an isochromosome?
chromosome comprised of two copies of the same arm in mirror image of each other
What is the most common mechanism by which trisomy can arise?
Nondisjunction
Nondisjunction accounts for what percentage of Down syndrome?
95%
maternal meiosis I error is by far the most common
What is the recurrence risk of Trisomy 21 in women <30 years?
1-1.4%
What is the recurrence risk of Trisomy 21 in women >35 years?
Age related risk
*double check that it isn’t higher
What is a Robertsonian translocation?
translocation involving the acrocentric chromosomes and breakage in short arms/stalk/satellite or at centromere
A woman is a 21:21 Robertsonian translocation carrier. What is her recurrence risk for a child with Down syndrome?
100%
21:21 translocations are rare so most cases are de novo in the child with a very low recurrence risk (if mom’s karyotype is normal)
(monosomy 21 is lethal which could explain miscarriage or trouble getting pregnant)
What percentage of Down syndrome is caused by translocation?
~4%
What is the most common Robertsonian translocation involving chromosome 21?
14:21
What is the risk for a woman carrying a 14:21 translocation to have a baby with Down syndrome?
10-15%
What is the risk for a man carrying a 14:21 translocation to have a baby with Down syndrome?
1-3%
What percentage of Trisomy 13 phenotype is due to Robertsonian translocation?
20% (higher than Down syndrome)
What is the most common Robertsonian translocation from chromosome 13?
13:14
most common Robertsonian translocation in gen pop (1/1300)
What is the recurrence risk for Patau syndrome (tri 13) for translocation carriers?
der(13;14) carriers: <2% for males and females
How often does triploidy occur?
1-3% of all conceptions