title: Genomic structure and localisation within a linkage hotspot of Disrupted In Schizophrenia 1, a gene disrupted by a translocation segregating with schizophrenia.
abstract: Two overlapping and antiparallel genes on chromosome 1, Disrupted In Schizophrenia 1 and 2 (DISC1 and DISC2), are disrupted by a (1;11)(q42.1;q14.3) translocation which segregates with schizophrenia through at least four generations of a large Scottish family. Consequently, these genes are worthy of further investigation as candidate genes potentially involved in the aetiology of major psychiatric illness. We have constructed a contiguous clone map of PACs and cosmids extending across at least 400 kb of the chromosome 1 translocation breakpoint region and this has provided the basis for examination of the genomic structure of DISC1. The gene consists of thirteen exons, estimated to extend across at least 300 kb of DNA. The antisense gene DISC2 overlaps with exon 9. Exon 11 contains an alternative splice site that removes 66 nucleotides from the open reading frame. The final intron of DISC1 belongs to the rare AT-AC class of introns. We have also mapped marker DIS251 in close proximity to DISC1, localising the gene within a critical region identified by several independent studies. Information regarding the structure of the DISC1 gene will facilitate assessment of its involvement in the aetiology of major mental illness in psychotic individuals unrelated to carriers of the translocation.
authors.affiliation: Medical Genetics Section. The University of Edinburgh, Molecular Medicine Centre, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, Scotland. Kristy.Millar@ed.ac.uk
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Millar
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Christie
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lawson
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hsiao-Wei Loh
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Devon
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Arveiler
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Muir
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Blackwood
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Porteous
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D005819:Genetic Markers; D015894:Genome, Human; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D007438:Introns; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D022821:RNA Splice Sites / Q000235:genetics; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000235:genetics*; D014178:Translocation, Genetic
chemical_list: C412476:DISC1 protein, human; D005819:Genetic Markers; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D022821:RNA Splice Sites