Variable degree of mosaicism for tetrasomy 18p in phenotypically discordant monozygotic twins-Diagnostic implications.
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Rydzanicz M, Olszewski P, Kedra D, Davies H, Filipowicz N, Bruhn-Olszewska B, Cavalli M, Szczałuba K, Młynek M, Machnicki MM, Stawiński P, Kostrzewa G, Krajewski P, Śladowski D, Chrzanowska K, Dumanski JP, Płoski R
Mol Genet Genomic Med 9 (1) e1526 [2021-01-00; online 2020-12-14]
Phenotypically discordant monozygotic twins (PDMZTs) offer a unique opportunity to study post-zygotic genetic variation and provide insights into the linkage between genotype and phenotype. We report a comprehensive analysis of a pair of PDMZTs. Dysmorphic features and delayed neuro-motor development were observed in the proband, whereas her twin sister was phenotypically normal. Four tissues (blood, skin, hair follicles, and buccal mucosa) from both twins were studied using four complementary methods, including whole-exome sequencing, karyotyping, array CGH, and SNP array. In the proband, tetrasomy 18p affecting all studied tissues except for blood was identified. Karyotyping of fibroblasts revealed isochromosome 18p [i(18p)] in all metaphases. The corresponding analysis of the phenotypically normal sister surprisingly revealed low-level mosaicism (5.4%) for i(18p) in fibroblasts. We emphasize that when mosaicism is suspected, multiple tissues should be studied and we highlight the usefulness of non-invasive sampling of hair follicles and buccal mucosa as a convenient source of non-mesoderm-derived DNA, which complements the analysis of mesoderm using blood. Moreover, low-level mosaic tetrasomy 18p is well tolerated and such low-level mosaicism, readily detected by karyotyping, can be missed by other methods. Finally, mosaicism for low-level tetrasomy 18p might be more common in the general population than it is currently recognized, due to detection limitations.
Bioinformatics Support for Computational Resources [Service]
NGI Uppsala (SNP&SEQ Technology Platform)
National Genomics Infrastructure
PubMed 33319479
DOI 10.1002/mgg3.1526
Crossref 10.1002/mgg3.1526