Die Anwendung von molekulargenetischen Techniken in der Neurochemie

Research in molecular neurobiology has recently entered a new phase of rapid development as a result of the application of the techniques of molecular genetics. This is illustrated by recent work on the electric ray (Torpedo marmorata and T. californica), whose electric organ is a rich source of cholinergic synapses. Other examples from recent literature of the application of the recombinant DNA technique to the mammalian central nervous system are given and possible future developments are discussed.     

The importance of chorionic villus sampling after first trimester diagnosis of cystic hygroma

The prenatal diagnosis of The Turner Syndrome is described at a menstrual age of 12 weeks. Detection of cystic hygroma was followed by vaginal chorionic villous sampling (CVS) which revealed a 45,X karyotype. Early documentation of fetal karyotype in the presence of a cystic hygroma is essential for accurate diagnosis and genetic counselling.     

Prenatal diagnosis of a true mosaic trisomy 20 substantiated by demonstration of a gene dosage effect for adenosine deaminase (ADA)

Fibroblasts from a fetus with the prenatal diagnosis of mosaic trisomy 20 were cloned by dilution plating. Adenosine deaminase (ADA), a biochemical marker for chromosome 20, was assayed in trisomic clones and normal clones as control. The cytogenetic diagnosis was substantiated by demonstration of a triplex gene dosage effect for ADA in the trisomic cells.     

Evidence of a second gamete fusion after the first cleavage of the zygote in a 47,XX, + 18/70,XXX, + 18 mosaic. A remarkable diploid-triploid discrepancy after CVS

A 70,XXX, +18 karyotype was found by chorionic villus sampling, while the fetal fibroblast culture of the affected fetus revealed a 47,XX,+ 18 karyotype. From several possible mechanisms, we assume that a second gamete fusion occurred after the first cell division of the zygote. According to this interpretation, the mosaicism arose in very early pregnancy (at the two-cell stage). This discrepancy can therefore be explained by selection pressure, due to the differentiation processes in the embryonic tissues.     

Molecular cytogenetic characterization of marker chromosomes found at prenatal diagnosis

The nature and origin of two de novo small marker chromosomes found at prenatal diagnosis were determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization using chromosome centromere-specific probes and chromosome-specific plasmid libraries. One marker was found in a mosaic state and was shown to be an i(18p). The second marker was characterized as an inv dup(22). We conclude that molecular cytogenetic analysis contributes to the identification of marker chromosomes and therefore facilitates genetic counselling and decision-making for the parents.     

Metamorphic evolution of eclogite and associated garnet-mica schist in the high-pressure metamorphic Maksyutov complex, Ural, Russia

Metasedimentary garnet-mica schists are interlayered with metabasic garnet–omphacite schists and enclose eclogite boudins in the high-pressure metamorphic Maksyutov complex in the Southern Urals, Russia. These three rock types were investigated in one outcrop and compared chemographically and thermobarometrically. The Fe/Mg distributions between garnet rim–omphacite and garnet rim–phengite pairs indicate different equilibration temperatures for the three samples, with the lowest temperature (500°C, >1.5 GPa) for the eclogite boudin, an intermediate temperature (630°C, >1.7 GPa) for the foliated eclogite and the highest temperature (650°C, >1.7 GPa) for the garnet-mica schist. The garnets in garnet-mica schist enclose abundant chloritoid relics and the Fe/Mg distribution between chloritoid and garnet records an earlier high-temperature stage (650°C, >2.0 GPa) before the garnet rim–phengite temperatures were reached. Together with some minimum- and maximum-pressure estimates three different prograde pressure–temperature paths and a common retrograde metamorphic evolution are interpreted from the chemographic and thermobarometric data. The different early metamorphic evolutions and conditions confirm the variability of protoliths, which are also indicated by different U/Pb zircon and rutile ages.     

Limb reduction and chorion villus sampling

Upper limb reduction was diagnosed by ultrasound scan at 17 weeks after chorion villus sampling at 9 weeks' gestation. Pregnancy was terminated and necropsy confirmed limb reduction in an otherwise normal fetus. The relationship of limb reduction to amniotic band syndrome is discussed.