title: Fra(X) prenatal diagnosis: are endoreduplicated and polyploid cells useful diagnostic criteria?
abstract: Cytogenetic and molecular protocols for prenatal ascertainment of the fragile X syndrome and the associated fragile site at Xq27.3 are relatively reliable. Any new diagnostic method which becomes available still elicits much interest. Kimchi-Sarfaty et al. [1991] reported an increase in frequency of endoreduplication and polyploidy in fra(X) lymphoblasts and amniocytes when cultured with methotrexate (MTX) or fluorodeoxyuridine. Recently we analyzed the endoreduplication/polyploidy system using amniotic fluid, chorionic villus, and fibroblasts from fra(X) positive abortus cell cultures and from control samples. We observed no increased expression of endoreduplicated or polyploid cells in fra(X) positive amniocytes after exposure to MTX. The data presented here clearly dispute the value of endoreduplication/polyploid scoring as a diagnostic aid in prenatal fra(X) analysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island 10314.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Krawczun
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Stark-Houck
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Jenkins
mesh_terms: D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005600:Fragile X Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate; D011123:Polyploidy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis
chemical_list: D008727:Methotrexate