Number Of X-chromosomes Research Articles

Evaluating the relationship between the proportion of X-chromosome deletions and clinical manifestations in children with turner syndrome.

Analyze the relationship between changes in the proportion of X-chromosome deletions and clinical manifestations in children with Turner syndrome (TS). X-chromosome number abnormalities in 8,635 children with growth retardation were identified using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Meanwhile, the relationship between the proportion of X-chromosome deletions and the clinical manifestations of TS, such as face and body phenotype, cardiovascular, renal, and other comorbidities in children with TS was analyzed. A total of 389 children had X-chromosome number abnormalities, with an average age at diagnosis of 9.2 years. There was a significant increase in diagnoses around the ages of 3 and 7 years and highest number of diagnoses at 10 years of age. 130 with XO (complete loss of an X-chromosome), 205 with XO/XX, 8 with XO/XXX, 23 with XO/XX/XXX, 19 with XO/XY, and 4 with XO/XY/XYY. Body and facial phenotypes increased with higher mosaicism proportions, with a relatively high correlation shown with Pearson correlation analysis (r = 0.26, p = 1.7e-06). The incidence of congenital heart malformations was 25.56%, mainly involving a bicuspid aortic valve, and were more common in patients who had complete loss of an X-chromosome. However, this relationship was not present for renal disease (p = 0.26), central nervous system, thyroid, or liver disease. The mosaicism (XO/XX) is the most common karyotype of TS in screened cases. The phenotypes in children with TS may increase with the proportion of X-chromosome deletions, but the renal disease and comorbidities did not show the same characteristics.

Combinatorial clustering of distinct DNA motifs directs synergistic binding of Caenorhabditis elegans dosage compensation complex to X chromosomes

Organisms that count X-chromosome number to determine sex utilize dosage compensation mechanisms to balance X-gene expression between sexes. Typically, a regulatory complex is recruited to X chromosomes of one sex to modulate gene expression. A major challenge is to determine the mechanisms that target regulatory complexes specifically to X. Here, we identify critical X-sequence motifs in Caenorhabditis elegans that act synergistically in hermaphrodites to direct X-specific recruitment of the dosage compensation complex (DCC), a condensin complex. We find two DNA motifs that collaborate with a previously defined 12-bp motif called MEX (motif enriched on X) to mediate binding: MEX II, a 26-bp X-enriched motif and Motif C, a 9-bp motif that lacks X enrichment. Inserting both MEX and MEX II into a new location on X creates a DCC binding site equivalent to an endogenous recruitment site, but inserting only MEX or MEX II alone does not. Moreover, mutating MEX, MEX II, or Motif C in endogenous recruitment sites with multiple different motifs dramatically reduces DCC binding invivo to nearly the same extent as mutating all motifs. Changing the orientation or spacing of motifs also reduces DCC binding. Hence, synergy in DCC binding via combinatorial clustering of motifs triggers DCC assembly specifically on X chromosomes. Using an invitro DNA binding assay, we refine the features of motifs and flanking sequences that are critical for DCC binding. Our work reveals general principles by which regulatory complexes can be recruited across an entire chromosome to control its gene expression.

Mechanisms of sex determination and X-chromosome dosage compensation.

Abnormalities in chromosome number have the potential to disrupt the balance of gene expression and thereby decrease organismal fitness and viability. Such abnormalities occur in most solid tumors and also cause severe developmental defects and spontaneous abortions. In contrast to the imbalances in chromosome dose that cause pathologies, the difference in X-chromosome dose used to determine sexual fate across diverse species is well tolerated. Dosage compensation mechanisms have evolved in such species to balance X-chromosome gene expression between the sexes, allowing them to tolerate the difference in X-chromosome dose. This review analyzes the chromosome counting mechanism that tallies X-chromosome number to determine sex (XO male and XX hermaphrodite) in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and the associated dosage compensation mechanism that balances X-chromosome gene expression between the sexes. Dissecting the molecular mechanisms underlying X-chromosome counting has revealed how small quantitative differences in intracellular signals can be translated into dramatically different fates. Dissecting the process of X-chromosome dosage compensation has revealed the interplay between chromatin modification and chromosome structure in regulating gene expression over vast chromosomal territories.

Dose-dependent action of the RNA binding protein FOX-1 to relay X-chromosome number and determine C. elegans sex.

We demonstrate how RNA binding protein FOX-1 functions as a dose-dependent X-signal element to communicate X-chromosome number and thereby determine nematode sex. FOX-1, an RNA recognition motif protein, triggers hermaphrodite development in XX embryos by causing non-productive alternative pre-mRNA splicing of xol-1, the master sex-determination switch gene that triggers male development in XO embryos. RNA binding experiments together with genome editing demonstrate that FOX-1 binds to multiple GCAUG and GCACG motifs in a xol-1 intron, causing intron retention or partial exon deletion, thereby eliminating male-determining XOL-1 protein. Transforming all motifs to GCAUG or GCACG permits accurate alternative splicing, demonstrating efficacy of both motifs. Mutating subsets of both motifs partially alleviates non-productive splicing. Mutating all motifs blocks it, as does transforming them to low-affinity GCUUG motifs. Combining multiple high-affinity binding sites with the twofold change in FOX-1 concentration between XX and XO embryos achieves dose-sensitivity in splicing regulation to determine sex.

Sex and death: from cell fate specification to dynamic control of X-chromosome structure and gene expression.

Determining sex is a binary developmental decision that most metazoans must make. Like many organisms, Caenorhabditis elegans specifies sex (XO male or XX hermaphrodite) by tallying X-chromosome number. We dissected this precise counting mechanism to determine how tiny differences in concentrations of signals are translated into dramatically different developmental fates. Determining sex by counting chromosomes solved one problem but created another—an imbalance in X gene products. We found that nematodes compensate for the difference in X-chromosome dose between sexes by reducing transcription from both hermaphrodite X chromosomes. In a surprising feat of evolution, X-chromosome regulation is functionally related to a structural problem of all mitotic and meiotic chromosomes: achieving ordered compaction of chromosomes before segregation. We showed the dosage compensation complex is a condensin complex that imposes a specific three-­dimensional architecture onto hermaphrodite X chromosomes. It also triggers enrichment of histone modification H4K20me1. We discovered the machinery and mechanism underlying H4K20me1 enrichment and demonstrated its pivotal role in regulating higher-order X-chromosome structure and gene expression.

Thoughts about SLC16A2, TSIX and XIST gene like sites in the human genome and a potential role in cellular chromosome counting.

BackgroundChromosome counting is a process in which cells determine somehow their intrinsic chromosome number(s). The best-studied cellular mechanism that involves chromosome counting is ‘chromosome-kissing’ and X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) mechanism. It is necessary for the well-known dosage compensation between the genders in mammals to balance the number of active X-chromosomes (Xa) with regard to diploid set of autosomes. At the onset of XCI, two X-chromosomes are coming in close proximity and pair physically by a specific segment denominated X-pairing region (Xpr) that involves the SLC16A2 gene.ResultsAn Ensembl BLAST search for human and mouse SLC16A2/Slc16a2 homologues revealed, that highly similar sequences can be found at almost each chromosome in the corresponding genomes. Additionally, a BLAST search for SLC16A2/TSIX/XIST (genes responsible for XCI) reveled that “SLC16A2/TSIX/XIST like sequences” cover equally all chromosomes, too. With respect to this we provide following hypotheses.HypothesesIf a single genomic region containing the SLC16A2 gene on X-chromosome is responsible for maintaining “balanced” active copy numbers, it is possible that similar sequences or gene/s have the same function on other chromosomes (autosomes). SLC16A2 like sequences on autosomes could encompass evolutionary older, but functionally active key regions for chromosome counting in early embryogenesis. Also SLC16A2 like sequence on autosomes could be involved in inappropriate chromosomes pairing and, thereby be involved in aneuploidy formation during embryogenesis and cancer development. Also, “SLC16A2/TSIX/XIST gene like sequence combinations” covering the whole genome, could be important for the determination of X:autosome ratio in cells and chromosome counting.ConclusionsSLC16A2 and/or SLC16A2/TSIX/XIST like sequence dispersed across autosomes and X-chromosome(s) could serve as bases for a counting mechanism to determine X:autosome ratio and could potentially be a mechanism by which a cell also counts its autosomes. It could also be that such specific genomic regions have the same function for each specific autosome. As errors during the obviously existing process of chromosome counting are one if not the major origin of germline/somatic aneuploidy the here presented hypotheses should further elaborated and experimentally tested.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13039-016-0271-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Female mice lacking Xist RNA show partial dosage compensation and survive to term.

X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) compensates for differences in X-chromosome number between male and female mammals. XCI is orchestrated by Xist RNA, whose expression in early development leads to transcriptional silencing of one X chromosome in the female. Knockout studies have established a requirement for Xist with inviability of female embryos that inherit an Xist deletion from the father. Here, we report that female mice lacking Xist RNA can, surprisingly, develop and survive to term. Xist-null females are born at lower frequency and are smaller at birth, but organogenesis is mostly normal. Transcriptomic analysis indicates significant overexpression of hundreds of X-linked genes across multiple tissues. Therefore, Xist-null mice can develop to term in spite of a deficiency of dosage compensation. However, the degree of X-autosomal dosage imbalance was less than anticipated (1.14-fold to 1.36-fold). Thus, partial dosage compensation can be achieved without Xist, supporting the idea of inherent genome balance. Nevertheless, to date, none of the mutant mice has survived beyond weaning stage. Sudden death is associated with failure of postnatal organ maturation. Our data suggest Xist-independent mechanisms of dosage compensation and demonstrate that small deviations from X-autosomal balance can have profound effects on overall fitness.

Abstract 16433: Protection Conferred by Y-chromosome Against Hypoxia-induced Pulmonary Hypertension is Not Due to Ddx3y Gene

Introduction: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a chronic pulmonary vascular disease characterized by elevated pulmonary arterial pressures and vascular remodelling leading to right ventricular failure. It is 4 times more likely to occur in females than males. The reasons for the female predominance or male protection are still not fully elucidated. Our previous work showed that in gonadectomized (GDX) Four Core Genotypes (FCG) mice (XX and XY males, XX and XY females, C57BL6/J), XY mice having a Y-chromosome (XYM, XYF) develop less severe PH than the XX mice lacking a Y-chromosome (XXM, XXF). Hypothesis: Protection against hypoxia-induced PH in gonadectomized mice is due to the presence of Y-chromosome and not due to the number of X-chromosomes. We also examined the role of a Y-chromosome gene Ddx3y, a cellular growth suppressor expressed consistently in the lungs and heart in protection against PH. Methods: Here we used GDX XY* C57BL/6J mouse model which allows us to have male mice with XY or XXY and female mice with XX or XO genotypes (n=5/group). In addition we also used XX female mice with and without a transgenic copy of Y-chromosome gene Ddx3y (n=10/group). Mice were gonadectomized at day-75 and 4-weeks after gonadectomy, were exposed to hypoxia (10% O2) for 3-weeks. RVSP was measured through direct catheterization. Results: In the GDX XY* model, right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) in mice with Y-chromosome (XY=33.5±0.6, XXY=32±2mmHg) was significantly lower than that of mice without a Y-chromosome (XO=38.7±2, XX=41.5±3.8, P<0.05). We concluded that presence of Y-chromosome confers protection against PH in GDX mice. Four Y-chromosome genes are expressed consistently in the lungs and heart (Ddx3y, Kdm5d, Uty, Eif2x3y) and are thus candidate protective genes. We did not find a significant difference between the RVSP of XX mice with or without a transgenic copy of Ddx3y. Conclusions: We conclude that Y-chromosome confers protection against hypoxia-induced PH in GDX mice which is not due to Ddx3y gene. Next we plan to investigate effects of the other Y-chromosome candidate genes Kdm5d, Uty, and Eif2x3y.

Male X-linked genes in Drosophila melanogaster are compensated independently of the Male-Specific Lethal complex

BackgroundIn organisms where the two sexes have unequal numbers of X-chromosomes, the expression of X-linked genes needs to be balanced not only between the two sexes, but also between X and the autosomes. In Drosophila melanogaster, the Male-Specific Lethal (MSL) complex is believed to produce a 2-fold increase in expression of genes on the male X, thus restoring this balance.ResultsHere we show that almost all the genes on the male X are effectively compensated. However, many genes are compensated without any significant recruitment of the MSL-complex. These genes are very weakly, if at all, affected by mutations or RNAi against MSL-complex components. In addition, even the genes that are strongly bound by MSL rely on mechanisms other than the MSL-complex for proper compensation. We find that long, non-ubiquitously expressed genes tend to rely less on the MSL-complex for their compensation and genes that in addition are far from High Affinity Sites tend to not bind the complex at all or very weakly.ConclusionsWe conclude that most of the compensation of X-linked genes is produced by an MSL-independent mechanism. Similar to the case of the MSL-mediated compensation we do not yet know the mechanism behind the MSL-independent compensation that appears to act preferentially on long genes. Even if we observe similarities, it remains to be seen if the mechanism is related to the buffering that is observed in autosomal aneuploidies.

Sexual differentiation in the developing mouse brain: contributions of sex chromosome genes

Neural sexual differentiation begins during embryogenesis and continues after birth for a variable amount of time depending on the species and brain region. Because gonadal hormones were the first factors identified in neural sexual differentiation, their role in this process has eclipsed investigation of other factors. Here, we use a mouse with a spontaneous translocation that produces four different unique sets of sex chromosomes. Each genotype has one normal X-chromosome and a unique second sex chromosome creating the following genotypes: XY(*x) , XX, XY(*) , XX(Y) (*) . This Y(*) mouse line is used by several laboratories to study two human aneuploid conditions: Turner and Klinefelter syndromes. As sex chromosome number affects behavior and brain morphology, we surveyed brain gene expression at embryonic days 11.5 and 18.5 to isolate X-chromosome dose effects in the developing brain as possible mechanistic changes underlying the phenotypes. We compared gene expression differences between gonadal males and females as well as individuals with one vs. two X-chromosomes. We present data showing, in addition to genes reported to escape X-inactivation, a number of autosomal genes are differentially expressed between the sexes and in mice with different numbers of X-chromosomes. Based on our results, we can now identify the genes present in the region around the chromosomal break point that produces the Y(*) model. Our results also indicate an interaction between gonadal development and sex chromosome number that could further elucidate the role of sex chromosome genes and hormones in the sexual differentiation of behavior.

A simple screening method for detection of Klinefelter syndrome and other X-chromosome aneuploidies based on copy number of the androgen receptor gene

Due to the high prevalence and variable phenotype of patients with Klinefelter syndrome, there is a need for a robust and rapid screening method allowing early diagnosis. Here, we report on the development and detailed clinical validation of a quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR)-based method of the copy number assessment of the androgen receptor (AR) gene, located to Xq11.2-q12. We analysed samples from 50 individuals, including a healthy male and female controls and patients with Klinefelter syndrome (47,XXY; 48,XXXY) (n = 28), mosaicisms (46,XX/47,XXY/48XXYY; 45,X/46,XY) (n = 3), other sex chromosome abnormalities (46,XX males; 47,XYY)(n = 4) and normal karyotypes (46,XY) (n = 13). The reference range for the AR-copy number was established as 0.8-1.2 for one copy and 1.7-2.3 for two copies. The qPCR results were within the reference range in 17/18 samples (94%) or 30/31 (97%) samples with one or two copies of the AR gene, respectively. None of the Klinefelter patients were misdiagnosed as having a karyotype with only one X-chromosome, and in none of the 46,XY males were two copies demonstrated. We systematically compared qPCR results with those obtained with another PCR-based method, the XIST-gene expression. The XIST-expression based assay was correct in only 29/36 samples (81%). Our findings demonstrated that the AR-qPCR technique is a simple and reliable screening method for diagnosis of patients with Klinefelter syndrome or other chromosomal disorders involving an aberrant number of X-chromosomes.

Xist and the order of silencing

X inactivation is the mechanism by which mammals adjust the genetic imbalance that arises from the different numbers of gene-rich X-chromosomes between the sexes. The dosage difference between XX females and XY males is functionally equalized by silencing one of the two X chromosomes in females. This dosage-compensation mechanism seems to have arisen concurrently with early mammalian evolution and is based on the long functional Xist RNA, which is unique to placental mammals. It is likely that previously existing mechanisms for other cellular functions have been recruited and adapted for the evolution of X inactivation. Here, we critically review our understanding of dosage compensation in placental mammals and place these findings in the context of other cellular processes that intersect with mammalian dosage compensation.

Androgen Receptor Gene Amplification and Protein Expression in Recurrent Prostate Cancer

The androgen receptor (AR) is highly expressed in androgen dependent and recurrent prostate cancer, suggesting that it has a role in tumor growth and progression after androgen deprivation. AR amplification may contribute to androgen receptor activation in relative androgen absence. Formalin fixed and frozen specimens of recurrent prostate cancer were obtained by transurethral resection from men with increasing serum level of prostate specific antigen in whom urinary retention developed. AR amplification and X-chromosome number were determined by 2-color fluorescence in situ hybridization, and AR protein expression was determined by automated image analysis. We compared clinical characteristics and survival of patients with recurrent prostate cancer whose tumors did or did not exhibit AR amplification and X-chromosome polysomy. Thirty-three percent of the 24 recurrent prostate cancer specimens 8 (33%) showed AR amplification. AR was more intensely immunostained in tumors with amplified (AMP) AR (mean optical density 0.36 +/- 0.07) than in tumors lacking amplification (NO AMP) (mean optical density 0.24 +/- 0.09). No differences were found between the 2 groups when comparing serum levels of prostate specific antigen (AMP 11.9, 14.8; NO AMP 26.0, 60.3), Gleason sum (AMP 9.0, 0.5; NO AMP 9.0, 1.0), clinical TNM stage (AMP 4 cases M0, M1 4; NO AMP 8 M0, 8 M1), race (AMP 6 white and 2 black men, NO AMP white and 7 black men) or survival in months (AMP 47.5, 28.5; NO AMP 33.5, 72.0). Three of the recurrent prostate cancer specimens (13%) demonstrated X-chromosome copy number 2 or greater and no differences were found when comparing clinical characteristics between these groups. AR amplification in recurrent prostate cancer results in higher levels of AR protein expression but does not affect survival.

Dosage-sensitive X-linked locus influences the development of amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex, and fear recognition in humans.

The amygdala, which plays a critical role in emotional learning and social cognition, is structurally and functionally sexually dimorphic in humans. We used magnetic neuroimaging and molecular genetic analyses with healthy subjects and patients possessing X-chromosome anomalies to find dosage-sensitive genes that might influence amygdala development. If such X-linked genes lacked a homologue on the Y-chromosome they would be expressed in one copy in normal 46,XY males and two copies in normal 46,XX females. We showed by means of magnetic neuroimaging that 46,XY males possess significantly increased amygdala volumes relative to normal 46,XX females. However, females with Turner syndrome (45,X) have even larger amygdalae than 46,XY males. This finding implies that haploinsufficiency for one or more X-linked genes influences amygdala development irrespective of a direct or indirect (endocrinological) mechanism involving the Y-chromosome. 45,X females also have increased grey matter volume in the orbitofrontal cortex bilaterally, close to a region implicated in emotional learning. They are as poor as patients with bilateral amygdalectomies in the recognition of fear from facial expressions. We attempted to localize the gene(s) responsible for these deficits in X-monosomy by means of a deletion mapping strategy. We studied female patients possessing structural X-anomalies of the short arm. A genetic locus (no greater than 4.96 Mb in size) at Xp11.3 appears to play a key role in amygdala and orbitofrontal structural and (by implication) functional development. Females with partial X-chromosome deletions, in whom this critical locus is deleted, have normal intelligence. Their fear recognition is as poor as that of 45,X females and their amygdalae are correspondingly enlarged. This 4.96 Mb region contains, among others, the genes for monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) and B (MAOB), which are involved in the oxidative deamination of several neurotransmitters, including dopamine and serotonin. Abnormal activity of these neurotransmitters has been implicated in the aetiology of several neurodevelopmental disorders in which social cognitive deficits are prominent. These associated deficits include a specific lack of fear recognition from facial expressions. We show that the thrombocytic activity of MAOB is proportionate to the number of X-chromosomes, and hypothesize that haploinsufficiency of this enzyme in 45,X females predisposes to their deficits in social cognition.

Amplification of the androgen receptor gene in bone metastases from hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of androgen receptor (AR) amplification in metastases to bone and other sites in patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) and to compare these findings with those in pretreatment primary tumour samples from the same patients. Tissue from 24 patients with HRPC was available for study, together with 13 primary tumour specimens. AR gene amplification and copy number for X-chromosome were assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using a SpectrumOrange-labelled probe at locus Xq11-13 for the AR gene and a SpectrumGreen-labelled alpha-satellite probe for the X-chromosome (Vysis, UK, Ltd.). A minimum of 20 nuclei were scored in each of three tumour areas by two independent observers. Samples from 18/24 patients with HRPC (12 bone marrow biopsies, three local tumour recurrences, and three lymph nodes) and nine primary tumour specimens were adequate for FISH analysis. Results were expressed as a mean ratio of AR gene copy number : mean X-chromosome number, with a ratio of greater than 1.5 defined as amplification. AR gene amplification was seen in 9/18 (50%) cases of HRPC and in none of the primary (untreated) tumour specimens (p = 0.0048, Fisher's exact test). For the 12 bone marrow samples, AR gene amplification occurred in 5/12 (38%) cases. Elevated copy number for chromosome X occurred in 3/18 (17%) HRPC and 4/9 (44%) matched primary tumours. This study shows for the first time that AR gene amplification can be demonstrated by FISH in bone metastases from HRPC patients. Because bone marrow biopsies can be obtained from most patients with HRPC, the findings provide a rational basis for the routine selection of patients who may respond more favourably to second-line anti-androgen therapy.

2 Is X-chromosome inactivation a homology effect?

Homology effect is defined as any effect on gene expression or chromosome behavior relating to the presence of homologous sequences. Using this definition, imprinted X inactivation probably does not qualify as a homology effect, since paternal silencing is strictly the result of gametic imprinting and occurs without regard to total X-chromosome number. In contrast, random X inactivation could however qualify as a homology effect for three reasons. First, X inactivation depends on the presence of more than one X homolog, or more specifically, more than one Xic sequence. Second, some form of trans-sensing must be operative at the onset of X inactivation, specifically during the process of choice, so that an XX cell does not inadvertantly designate one X as both the future active and inactive X. And finally, the fact that Xist and Tsix produce noncoding homologous RNAs conjures up an analogy to posttranscriptional gene silencing in other organisms. In this class of silencing mechanisms, the action of a transcriptionally active gene is nullified by homologous double-stranded RNA molecules produced at ectopic loci in a process referred to as “RNAi” for RNA-inhibition.

The nuclear hormone receptor SEX-1 is an X-chromosome signal that determines nematode sex

Organisms in many phyla determine sexual fate by distinguishing one X chromosome from two. Here we use the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to dissect such an X-chromosome-counting mechanism in molecular detail. In this nematode, several genes on the X chromosome called X signal elements communicate X-chromosome dose by controlling the activity of the sex-determination gene xol-1. xol-1 specifies male (XO) fate when active and hermaphrodite (XX) fate when inactive. The only X signal element described so far represses xol-1 post-transcriptionally, but xol-1 is repressed in XX animals by transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms. Here we identify a nuclear-hormone-receptor homologue, SEX-1, that regulates the transcription of xol-1. We show that sex-1 is vital to X-chromosome counting: changing sex-1 gene dose in XX or XO embryos causes sexual transformation and death from inadequate dosage compensation (the hermaphrodite-specific process that equalizes X-gene expression between the sexes). The SEX-1 protein acts directly on xol-1, associating with its promoter in vivo and repressing xol-1 transcription in XX embryos. Thus, xol-1 is the direct molecular target of the primary sex-determination signal, and the dose of a nuclear hormone receptor helps to communicate X-chromosome number to determine nematode sex.

Characterization of SV40-transformed xeroderma pigmentosum cell lines for their usability in HPRT mutation studies.

We have characterized six SV40-transformed xeroderma pigmentosum cell lines (XP20S and XP12BE derived from female donors, XP12RO-SV, XP3BR/12SV, XP4PA-SV and XP8CAC-SV from male donors) for their usability in HPRT mutation studies. All cell lines exhibit hypersensitivity, compared with MRC5CV1 cells, towards the cytotoxic action of UV-irradiation. They were all shown to be heteronuclear and hyperdiploid with pronounced variability in chromosome number. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with an X-chromosomal library (X-chromosome painting) and BrdUrd-labelling of late-replicating X-chromosomes demonstrated the presence of variable numbers of X-chromosomes and additional X-chromosomal material and suggested the presence of more than one genetically active HPRT allele in the majority of cells of five cell lines. The cell line XP8CAC-SV (complementation group C) seemed to be most suitable for HPRT mutation studies due to its near-diploid karyotype with only one X-chromosome in the majority of cells. From this cell line, a clonal subline was established (XP8CAC-SV-C1) which revealed the same UV-hypersensitivity as the parental cell line and a near-diploid karyotype with one X-chromosome in 94% of the metaphases. Molecular analysis of the HPRT gene gave a normal PCR amplification pattern for all exons and the normal wild-type sequence of the cDNA. HPRT tests with (+)-anti-benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-oxide [(+)-anti-BPDE] showed a reproducible, concentration related increase in mutant frequencies. Compared with results with MRC5CV1 cells, the obtained data indicate spontaneous and (+)-anti-BPDE-induced hypermutability of the XP line. XP8CAC-SV-C1 thus represents a permanent XP cell line with characteristic cellular XP features which is convenient for studying the influence of deficient excision repair on HPRT mutant frequencies and mutation spectra.

Function of Drosophila ovo+ in germ-line sex determination depends on X-chromosome number.

Germ-line sex determination in Drosophila melanogaster requires an assessment of the number of X chromosomes as measured against autosomal standards (XX = female, X = male) and signaling from the soma. Both of these sex determination cues are required for female-specific Sex-lethal+ function in germ cells. The ovo+ locus encodes zinc finger protein(s) required for female-specific splicing of Sex-lethal+ pre-mRNA, making ovo+ a candidate function acting between the two principal cues and Sex-lethal+. We have made ovo reporter genes and find that they show high activity in the germ line of females and low activity in the germ line of males. XY flies transformed into somatic females do not show high levels of reporter activity, while XX flies transformed into somatic males do. This shows that high level ovo+ expression depends on the number of X chromosomes, not the somatic sexual signals. The requirement for ovo+ function is restricted to XX flies. Mutations in ovo have no effect on XY males, X0 males or XY females, but have pronounced effects on germ cell viability in XX females, XX females with sex transformed germ lines, and XX males indicating that ovo+ gene products are required for events occurring only in flies with two X chromosomes.

Prenatal quantitation of number of X-chromosomes by slot blot hybridization and autoradiography

OBJECTIVE: To study the use of slot blot hybridization as a method of prenatal quantication of the number of X-chromosomes in chorionic villi samples. METHOD: DNA of chorionic villi from fetuses with karyotypes of 46, XY; 45,X0; 47,XXX; 69,XXX and 48,XXXX were extracted, slot blotted and hybridized to the following radioactive probes β 0.9, FVIII, pY 3.4 and pBLUR. DNA of chorionic villi from five other fetuses with unknown karytypes were similarly blotted and hybridized. Autoradiography with pre-exposed films was carried out and the density of each of the hybidized bands was scanned by a laser densitomer. RESULTS: It was found that with increasing amounts of DNA in the samples, the intensity of the bands hybridized with FVIII and β 0.9 probes increased proportionately. However, the intensity of the bands obtained with the probes pY 3.4 and pBLUR (probes containing multiple repeat sequences) varied little with increasing DNA concentrations. The ratios of radioactivity obtained for the two probes FVIII/β 0.9, were well correlated with the number of X-chromosomes in the samples. Calculations of the FVIII/β 0.9 ratio for the five samples with the unknown karyotypes gave a correct prediction of the number of X-chromosomes in each case. CONCLUSION: Slot blot hybridization can be used as a method of prenatal quantitation of the number of X-chromosomes in chorionic villi samples. The method could be useful for rapid prenatal diagnosis of other numerical chromosomal abnormalities.