• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.62-70
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• 2001

Alzheimer's disease(AD) is associated with a characteristic neuropathology. The major hallmarks of AD are senile plaques (SPs) and neurofibrillary tangles(NFTs). ${\beta}$-amyloid protein($A{\beta}$) is derived from the proteolysis of amyloid precursor protein(APP) and then converted to SPs. Mature SPs produce cytotoxicity through direct toxic effects and activation of microglia and complement. NFTs are composed of paired helical filaments(PHFs) including abnormally phosphorylated form of the microtubule-associated protein(MAP) tau and increased tau level in cerebrospinal fluid may be observed in most AD. The aggregation of $A{\beta}$ and tau formation are thought to be a final common pathway of AD. Acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, GABA and their receptors are associated with AD. Especially, decreased nicotinic acetylcholine receptors(nAChRs) in AD are reported. Genetic lesions associated with AD are mutations in the structural genes for the APP located on chromosome 21, presenilin(PSN)1 located on chromosome 14 and PSN2 located on chromosome 1. Also, trisomy 21, Apo-E gene located on chromosome 19, PMF locus, low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein and ${\alpha}$-macroglobulin increase risk of AD. In this article, we will review about the neurobiology of AD and some newly developed research areas.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.59-63
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• 1998

Between 1988-1998, cytogenetic analyses were performed for 1,476 couples and 162 women with recurrent abortions. We applied GTG-banding, high resolution-banding and FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridization) techniques in this study. The frequency of balanced translocations was 3.6% (112/3114). Of them, 74 cases (2.38%) were reciprocal translocations and 38 (1.22%) were robertsonian translocations. Chromosome aberrations were more frequent in women (80 cases) than in men (32 cases). No phenotypical abnormalities were found in all carriers who had experienced recurrent spontaneous abortions or experienced giving birth to malformed offsprings. Prenatal cytogenetic analyses were carried out on 40 subsequent pregnancies for carrier couples with balanced translocation. The fetal karyotypes showed that 13 cases (32.5%) were normal, 25 (62.5%) were balanced translocations, and two (6%) were unbalanced translocations. It is believed that the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities in patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion is higher than that of the normal population. Most of the fetal samples showed normal karyotypes or balanced translocations matching that of one of their parents. Although the incidence of chromosomal imbalance in the fetuses was relatively low in prenatal cytogenetic analysis, individuals with balanced translocations are predisposed to giving birth to malformed offsprings with partial trisomy or monosomy. Therefore, we recommend the cytogenetic and the prenatal cytogenetic analysis for those who experiences recurrent abortion as well as in case they become pregnant, to prevent the birth of offsprings with chromosomal abnormalities.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2015

We herein report an analysis of a female baby with a de novo dup(10p)/del(10q) chromosomal aberration. A prenatal cytogenetic analysis was performed owing to abnormal ultrasound findings including a choroid plexus cyst, prominent cisterna magna, and a slightly medially displaced stomach. The fetal karyotype showed additional material attached to the terminal region of chromosome 10q. Parental karyotypes were both normal. At birth, the baby showed hypotonia, upslanting palpebral fissures, a nodular back mass, respiratory distress, neonatal jaundice and a suspicious polycystic kidney. We ascertained that the karyotype of the baby was 46,XX,der(10)($pter{\rightarrow}q26.3::p11.2{\rightarrow}pter$) by cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic analyses including high resolution GTG-and RBG-banding, fluorescence in situ hybridization, comparative genomic hybridization, and short tandem repeat marker analyses. While almost all reported cases of 10p duplication originated from one of the parents with a pericentric inversion, our case is extraordinarily rare as the de novo dup(10p)/del(10q) presumably originated from a rearrangement at the premeiotic stage of the parental germ cell or from parental germline mosaicism.

• The Journal of Korea Assosiation for Disability and Oral Health
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.103-106
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• 2011

다운 증후군(Down syndrome, Trisomy 21)은 가장 흔하게 나타나는 증후군으로 대략 1/1000의 확률로 태어난다. 세 개의 유전적 유형이 있지만, 95% 정도가 3개의 21번 염색체를 갖는 비분리 염색체 유형이다. 주된 구강 증상으로는 거대설, 균열설, 과잉치, 결손치, 왜소치, 유치와 영구치의 맹출지연 그리고 이에 따른 부정교합 등이 있다. 75%의 환자에서는 어린 나이에 치주질환에 이환되기 쉬우며, 치아우식증에는 낮은 이환율을 보인다는 보고가 있다. 급성 림프구성 백혈병(Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia)은 주로 어린이에서 나타나며, 특히 다운 증후군 환자에서의 발병율은 정상인에 비해 20배 높다. 치은비대와 출혈의 양상이 주로 나타나며, 간혹 상악골과 구개골에 종괴가 관찰 되기도 한다. 본 증례에서는 서울대학교치과병원 소아치과에 내원한 환자 중 급성림프구성 백혈병을 앓고 있는 다운 증후군 환아가 있어 이를 보고하고자 한다.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.78-81
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• 2010

Pericentric inversion is not rare in humans and is usually benign. However, pericentric inversion can lead to production of an unbalanced recombinant and might be a cause of repetitive pregnancy loss. Pericentric inversion of chromosome 22 is rare and only a few cases have been reported. We report a case of inv(22)(p13q12) carrier who had history of repetitive pregnancy loss including three spontaneous abortions and one fetal hydrops in which the chromosomal complement was rec(22)dup(22q) inv(22)(p13q12)mat. The maternal inv(22) and fetal rec(22) were confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization using region-specific probes (TUPLE1 on 22q11.2 and ARSA on 22q13). Because the identification of inv(22) or rec(22) in conventional karyotyping might be easily overlooked, great attention and additional molecular tests are required for accurate diagnosis of inv(22) and rec(22).

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.79-86
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) as an alternative testing of invasive diagnostic testing in pregnancies with ultrasound abnormalities. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of pregnant women with abnormal ultrasound findings before 24 weeks of gestation between April 2016 and March 2017. Abnormal ultrasound findings included isolated increased nuchal translucency, structural anomalies, and soft markers. The NIPT or diagnostic test was conducted and NIPT detected trisomy 21 (T21), T18, T13 and sex chromosomal abnormalities. We analyzed the false positive and residual risks of NIPT based on the ultrasound findings. Results: During the study period, 824 pregnant women had abnormal ultrasound findings. Among the study population, 139 patients (16.9%) underwent NIPT. When NIPT was solely performed in the patients with abnormal ultrasound findings, overall false positive risk was 2.2% and this study found residual risks of NIPT. However, the discordant results of NIPT differed according to the type of abnormal ultrasound findings. Discordant results were significant in the group with structural anomalies with 4.4% false positive rate. However, no discordant results were found in the group with single soft markers. Conclusion: This study found different efficacy of NIPT according to the ultrasound findings. The results emphasize the importance of individualized counseling for prenatal screening or diagnostic test based on the type of abnormal ultrasound.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.10-14
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• 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological features of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) associated with chromosomal abnormalities. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of POI patients with chromosomal abnormalities diagnosed between January 2009 and December 2017. The definition of POI is based on hypergonadotropinism of 40 or greater in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) measurements at age 40 years or less. FSH was measured twice at least 4 weeks apart. Karyotyping using peripheral blood for chromosomal testing was conducted in all patients diagnosed with POI. We analyzed the clinical characteristics and genetic causes of patients who were diagnosed with POI. Results: Forty patients were diagnosed with POI including 9 (22.5%) with identified chromosomal abnormalities. The mean age at diagnosis was $23.1{\pm}7.8years$ (ranging between 14 and 39). Three patients did not experience menarche. The presenting complaints were short stature in one case, one case of amenorrhea with ambiguous external genitals, one case of infertility, and six related to menstruation such as oligomenorrhea or irregular rhythm. Turner syndrome was diagnosed in four cases, Xq deletion in one case, trisomy X in two cases, and 46,XY disorder of sexual development in two other patients. Conclusion: Patients diagnosed with POI carrying the same type of chromosomal abnormality manifest different phenotypes. The management protocol also needs to be changed depending on the diagnosis. A karyotype is indicated for accurate diagnosis and proper management of POI in patients, with or without stigmata of chromosomal abnormalities.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.219-230
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• 2023

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common autosomal aneuploidy caused by trisomy of chromosome 21. Previous studies demonstrated that DS affected mitochondrial functions, which may be associated with the abnormal development of the nervous system in patients with DS. Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) is an encoding gene located on chromosome 21. It has been reported that RUNX1 may affect cell apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway. The present study investigated whether RUNX1 plays a critical role in mitochondrial dysfunction in DS and explored the mechanism by which RUNX1 affects mitochondrial functions. Expression of RUNX1 was detected in induced pluripotent stem cells of patients with DS (DS-iPSCs) and normal iPSCs (N-iPSCs), and the mitochondrial functions were investigated in the current study. Subsequently, RUNX1 was overexpressed in N-iPSCs and inhibited in DS-iPSCs. The mitochondrial functions were investigated thoroughly, including reactive oxygen species levels, mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP content, and lysosomal activity. Finally, RNA-sequencing was used to explore the global expression pattern. It was observed that the expression levels of RUNX1 in DS-iPSCs were significantly higher than those in normal controls. Impaired mitochondrial functions were observed in DS-iPSCs. Of note, overexpression of RUNX1 in N-iPSCs resulted in mitochondrial dysfunction, while inhibition of RUNX1 expression could improve the mitochondrial function in DS-iPSCs. Global gene expression analysis indicated that overexpression of RUNX1 may promote the induction of apoptosis in DS-iPSCs by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The present findings indicate that abnormal expression of RUNX1 may play a critical role in mitochondrial dysfunction in DS-iPSCs.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.1-16
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• 2002

The purposes of this study were to investigate the effects of strength training on the change of ground reaction force for the children with trisomy 21 Down syndrome. The subjects of this study were consisted of eight elementary school students with Down syndrome who participated in the strength training. The strength training was administered by six items such as squat, leg curl, leg extension, toe raise, sit-ups, and hyperextension. For strengthening muscle, each group also was treated by walking for 8 weeks, three times a week, 10-15RM, 3sets, which was based on the principle of progressive overload. For inquiring the effect of strength training, the ground reaction force variables were measured in two phases : before-training and 8 week-after training. The gait of each subject was acquisition using 2 AMTI force platforms set at 100 frequency. The results of this study were as follows: The pattern of vertical, antero-posterior and medio-lateral forces, trajectory of net COP and the timing ratio of reaching the each events were shown variously. So, it is not easy to explain these variables clearly. As the result of strength training, these variables were changed. However, the results of within subjects differ greatly, there was no difference statistically.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.223-231
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• 2003

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical efficiency of fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) in the prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal aneuploidy. Methods: We reviewed data of 268 cases to identify women undergoing genetic amniocentesis at cytogenetic laboratory, from January 2000 to December 2002. Amniotic fluid was submitted for both rapid FISH on uncultured interphase amniocytes using a commercially available DNA probe for chromosome 13, 18, 21, X, Y and standard karyotyping on cultured metaphase amniocytes. Results from FISH and full karyotype were compared. Results: There were 251 cases (84%) normal and 17 cases (16%) abnormal in FISH results. All 17 cases of trisomy 13, 18, 21 including two cases of mosaicism and sex chromosome aneuploidies which are detected by FISH were confirmed with conventional cytogenetics and there was no false positive result. Twenty two cases had karyotypically proven abnormalities that could not have been detected by the targeted FISH. Conclusion: Interphase FISH analysis of uncultured amniotic fluid cells has been shown to be an effective and reliable technique for rapid fetal aneuploidy screening during pregnancy as an adjunctive test to conventional cytogenetics.