The mutation responsible for fragile X syndrome and myotonic dystrophy involves the amplification of a simple trinucleotide repeat sequence, which increases in successive generations of affected pedigrees accounting for increasing penetrance of both disorders. This common molecular basis suggests that the two diseases may share other genetic features, but whereas myotonic dystrophy exhibits a significant founder chromosome effect, fragile X syndrome apparently has a very high mutation frequency. By haplotype analysis of microsatellite markers which flank the fragile X unstable element, we have uncovered evidence of founder chromosomes of the fragile X 'mutation'. Disorders caused by heritable unstable elements may therefore exhibit common genetic properties including anticipation and founder chromosomes.

Role of transforming growth factor-alpha-related peptides in the autocrine/paracrine control of experimental breast cancer growth in vitro by estradiol, prolactin and progesterone.

We present a 34-year-old man with an unbalanced translocation between the long arms of chromosome 4 and chromosome 11. He had manifestations of monosomy 11(q23)--minor facial anomalies, abnormal head shape, cryptorchidism; trisomy 4(q32)--hirsutism, renal disease; and manifestations attributable to both imbalances--heart disease, musculoskeletal anomalies, and mental retardation. FISH studies showed that the chromosome 11q23.3 translocation breakpoint was distal to the rare folate sensitive fragile site (FRA11B). The patient is the oldest reported with both imbalance of 4q+ and 11q-.