Complex chromosomal rearrangements of human chromosome 21 in a patient manifesting clinical features partially overlapped with that of Down syndrome

Hum Genet. 2020 Dec;139(12):1555-1563. doi: 10.1007/s00439-020-02196-6. Epub 2020 Jun 13.

Abstract

The chromosomal region critical in Down syndrome has long been analyzed through genotype-phenotype correlation studies using data from many patients with partial trisomy 21. Owing to that, a relatively small region of human chromosome 21 (35.9 ~ 38.0 Mb) has been considered as Down syndrome critical region (DSCR). In this study, microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization analysis identified complex rearrangements of chromosome 21 in a patient manifesting clinical features partially overlapped with that of Down syndrome. Although the patient did not show up-slanting palpebral fissures and single transverse palmar creases, other symptoms were consistent with Down syndrome. Rearrangements were analyzed by whole-genome sequencing using Nanopore long-read sequencing. The analysis revealed that chromosome 21 was fragmented into seven segments and reassembled by six connected points. Among 12 breakpoints, 5 are located within the short region and overlapped with repeated segments. The rearrangement resulted in a maximum gain of five copies, but no region showed loss of genomic copy numbers. Breakpoint-junctions showed no homologous region. Based on these findings, chromoanasynthesis was considered as the mechanism. Although the distal 21q22.13 region was not included in the aberrant regions, some of the genes located on the duplicated regions, SOD1, SON, ITSN1, RCAN1, and RUNX1, were considered as possible candidate genes for clinical features of the patient. We discussed the critical region for Down syndrome, with the literature review.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport / genetics
  • Chromosome Aberrations
  • Chromosomes, Human / genetics*
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21 / genetics*
  • Comparative Genomic Hybridization / methods
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Down Syndrome / genetics*
  • Down Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Gene Dosage / genetics
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / methods
  • Infant
  • Microarray Analysis / methods
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens / genetics
  • Muscle Proteins / genetics
  • Superoxide Dismutase-1 / genetics
  • Whole Genome Sequencing

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • ITSN1 protein, human
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Muscle Proteins
  • RCAN1 protein, human
  • RUNX1 protein, human
  • SOD1 protein, human
  • SON protein, human
  • Superoxide Dismutase-1

Supplementary concepts

  • Down Syndrome Critical Region