Karyotype
• The number and structure of chromosomes
within a cell is called a karyotype
• Chromosomes are often rearranged in order of size and
position of the centromere to form a karyogram
Karyotyping method (basic)
Pre-natal screening
Genetic analysis of unborn foetuses common for the diagnosis of:
• Autosomal aneuploidies (next week)
• Sex chromosome aneuploidies
• Chromosomal re-arrangements
• Previously relied on amniocentesis (AFT) or chorionic villus sampling
(CVS) & karyotyping
• Dangerous for unborn child – spontaneous abortion
• Both require the culturing of cells post-collection – slow
• Move towards DNA testing
How prenatal DNA testing is achieved via obtaining sample from maternal blood?
• During pregnancy foetal DNA is shed into the maternal blood stream • Apoptosis of placental cells during embryogenesis • Foetal DNA consists < 3-10% plasmaderived DNA • Purification of foetal DNA obtained by epigenetic patterns • Foetal DNA differently methylated
Detection of foetal aneuploidies
1. Quantitative PCR methods
• Example: Harmony® • Determination of copy number of aneuploidic markers • Typically directed towards common abnormalities (such as Chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X & Y)
Detection of foetal aneuploidies
2. Next-generation sequencing
• Shows promise for the detection of chromosomal
translocations
• Detection of common genetic mutations
Aneuploidy vs Euploidy
Naming of aneuploids
Chromosome number, genotype
For example:
47, XXX
47, 21+
Aneuploids are the result of
non-disjunction of chromosomes during meiosis
1st meiosis: homologous chromosome separate
2nd meiosis: Sister chromosome separates
If ND occurs during meiosis I,
gamete carries different recombinant chromosomes
• Mendel - segregation
2 Gamete with no chromosome and 2 gamete with 2 chromosome
when fused with egg
50% monosomy and 50% Trisomy
If ND occurs during meiosis II,
gamete carries same recombinant chromosomes
• Useful to determine when the ND occurred
50% normal
25% monosomy
25% Trisomy
Gene dosage responsible for
abnormal phenotypes
Diploid individuals has 2 copies of every gene
Trisomy has three copies of every gene
Monosomy has only one copy of every gene
Departures from normal gene dosage consequences
Sex aneuploids
Generally better tolerated 18 different combinations are possible, but four are more common • Monosomy X – Turner syndrome • XXY – Klinefelter syndrome • Trisomy X – Triple X syndrome • XYY – Double Y syndrome
Non disjunction of sex chromosomes
Female meiosis
ND 1 = 50% XX and 50% 00
ND 2 = 50% X and 25% XX 25% 00
Non disjunction of sex chromosomes male meiosis
Normal : 4 gametes with 2 with X and 2 with Y
ND 1 = 50% XY 50% 00
ND 2= 25% XX 25% YY 50% 00
Why are sex aneuploids better tolerated?
• Two reasons:
1. X-inactivation
• XXX individuals will have two Barr bodies instead of one
• XXY will have one Barr Body
• Imprinting retains inactivated X chromosomes in subsequent cellular
generations
2. Y chromosome encodes only a few gene
So where do the abnormalities come from?
• Not the entire X chromosome is inactivated • Hypothesis: • Abnormalities due to excess/deficit gene dosage within pseudo-autosomal regions
Why are two fertile and the others not?
Triple X and Double Y are fertile
• During embryonic development, normal genotype restored
• Oocytes – 46, XX
• Spermatogonia – 46, XY
• One sex chromosome must be lost to develop germline
• ND or lagging during early mitosis
Turner syndrome (45, XO)
Mosaic Turner Syndrome
The missing X chromosome may not occur in the germline
• X chromosome could be lost in early foetal development
• Leads to only some cells being monosomic X (45, XO), while others are normal (46, XX)
• Called mosaicism
Klinefelter (47, XXY)
Triple X (47, XXX)
Double Y (47, XYY)