title: Direct diagnosis by DNA analysis of the fragile X syndrome of mental retardation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The fragile X syndrome, the most common form of inherited mental retardation, is caused by mutations that increase the size of a specific DNA fragment of the X chromosome (in Xq27.3). Affected persons have both a full mutation and abnormal DNA methylation. Persons with a smaller increase in the size of this DNA fragment (a premutation) have little or no risk of retardation but are at high risk of having affected children or grandchildren. The passage from premutation to full-mutation status occurs only with transmission from the mother. We have devised a method of identifying carriers of these mutations by direct DNA analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 511 persons from 63 families with the fragile X syndrome. Mutations and abnormal methylation were detected by Southern blotting with a probe adjacent to the mutation target. Analysis of EcoRI and EagI digests of DNA distinguished clearly in a single test between the normal genotype, the premutation, and the full mutation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  DNA analysis unambiguously established the genetic status at the fragile X locus for all samples tested. This method was much more powerful and reliable than cytogenetic testing or segregation studies with closely linked polymorphic markers. The frequency of mental retardation in persons with premutations was similar to that in the general population, whereas all 103 males and 31 of 59 females with full mutations had mental retardation. About 15 percent of those with full mutations had some cells carrying only the premutation. All the mothers of affected children were carriers of either a premutation or a full mutation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Direct diagnosis by DNA analysis is now an efficient and reliable primary test for the diagnosis of the fragile X syndrome after birth, as well as for prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling.
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Unité 184, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rousseau
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Heitz
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Biancalana
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Blumenfeld
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kretz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boué
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tommerup
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Van Der Hagen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: DeLozier-Blanchet
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Croquette
mesh_terms: D015139:Blotting, Southern; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D015342:DNA Probes; D005260:Female; D005600:Fragile X Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D008745:Methylation; D010375:Pedigree; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014960:X Chromosome / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D004247:DNA