GENOMIC DISCORDANCE BETWEEN MONOZYGOTIC TWINS DISCORDANT FOR AUTISM

对患有自闭症的同卵双胞胎的基因组DNA进行了分析，以确定他们的基因组是否真的相同。受试者为同卵女性双胞胎，其中一人患有DSM-IV自闭症。从白细胞中提取基因组DNA，并应用于FRGP（荧光代表性基因组分析）分析。在对大约600个斑点的模式进行比较后，我们发现至少有四个斑点的强度在这对双胞胎身上明显不同。这种差异可能是由双胞胎之间DNA甲基化状态的差异造成的。这种差异可能影响一个或多个基因的转录水平。

Genomic DNA of monozygotic twins discordant for autism was analyzed to determine whether their genomes were truly identical. The subjects were monozygotic female twins, one of whom had DSM-IV Autistic disorder. Genomic DNA was extracted from leukocytes and was applied to FRGP (Fluorescent Representational Genomic Profiling) analysis. After comparisons of patterns with approximately 600 spots, we detected at least four spots with intensities that obviously differed in the two twins. The discrepancies likely were generated by differences in the methylation status of DNA between the twins. The difference may influence the transcription level of one or more genes.