Fragile X expression in Martin-Bell syndrome, intellectually normal individuals, and neoplasia, interpreted by a viral hypothesis.
We present data on fragile X expression in lymphocytes obtained from the following patients: a university student, an infertile couple, 6 of 22 prostatic cancer patients, a meningioma patient, and members of families with meningioma and familial gliomas. All patients were of normal intelligence. In addition, we report 3 cases of central nervous system (CNS) tumors in more typical fragile X families. We suggest that the fragile X expression as well as the clinical findings may be caused by a viral (or similar) infection. The virus may require a receptor protein coded by one allele of a gene on the X chromosome.
Shabtai
F
F
B. Gattegno Research Institute of Human Reproduction and Fetal Development, Hasharon Hospital, Petah-Tikva, Israel.
Hart
J
J
Klar
D
D
Bichacho
S
S
Halbrecht
I
I
D002873:Chromosome Fragility; D005260:Female; D005600:Fragile X Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology; D010375:Pedigree; D012729:Sex Chromosome Aberrations / Q000209:etiology*; D012897:Slow Virus Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics*; D014960:X Chromosome