Array based characterization of a terminal deletion involving chromosome subband 15q26.2: an emerging syndrome associated with growth retardation, cardiac defects and developmental delay

• Main Authors: Björkhem Gudrun, Collin Anna, Davidsson Josef, Soller Maria
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2008-01-01
• Series: BMC Medical Genetics
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2350/9/2

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Subtelomeric regions are gene rich and deletions in these chromosomal segments have been demonstrated to account for approximately 2.5% of patients displaying mental retardation with or without association of dysmorphic features. However, cases that report de novo terminal deletions on chromosome arm 15q are rare.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study we present the first example of a detailed molecular genetic mapping of a de novo deletion in involving 15q26.2-qter, caused by the formation of a dicentric chromosome 15, using metaphase FISH and tiling resolution (32 k) genome-wide array-based comparative genomic hybridization (CGH).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After an initial characterization of the dicentric chromosome by metaphase FISH, array CGH analysis mapped the terminal deletion to encompass a 6.48 megabase (Mb) region, ranging from 93.86–100.34 Mb on chromosome 15.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In conclusion, we present an additional case to the growing family of reported cases with 15q26-deletion, thoroughly characterized at the molecular cytogenetic level. In the deleted regions, four candidate genes responsible for the phenotype of the patient could be delineated: <it>IGFR1, MEF2A, CHSY1</it>, and <it>TM2D3</it>. Further characterization of additional patients harboring similar 15q-aberrations might hopefully in the future lead to the description of a clear cut clinically recognizable syndrome.</p>