Ahmed B Hamid

Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Jena, Thuringia, Germany

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Publications (10)21.92 Total impact

  • Article: Multicolor FISH methods in current clinical diagnostics.
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    ABSTRACT: Multicolor FISH (mFISH) assays are currently indispensable for a precise description of derivative chromosomes. Routine application of such techniques on human chromosomes started in 1996 with the simultaneous use of all 24 human whole-chromosome painting probes in multiplex-FISH and spectral karyotyping. Since then, multiple approaches for chromosomal differentiation based on multicolor-FISH (MFISH) assays have been developed. Predominantly, they are applied to characterize marker or derivative chromosomes identified in conventional banding analysis. Since the introduction of array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), mFISH is also applied to verify and further delineate aCGH-detected aberrations. For the latter, it is important to consider the fact that aCGH cannot detect or characterize balanced rearrangements, which are important to be resolved in detail in infertility diagnostics. In addition, mFISH is necessary to distinguish different imbalanced situations detectable in aCGH; small supernumerary marker chromosomes have to be differentiated from insertions or unbalanced translocations. This review presents an overview on the available mFISH methods and their applications in pre- and post-natal clinical genetics.
    Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics 04/2013; 13(3):251-5. · 4.86 Impact Factor
  • Article: Human ring chromosomes and small supernumerary marker chromosomes-do they have telomeres?
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    ABSTRACT: Ring chromosomes and small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMC) are enigmatic types of derivative chromosomes, in which the telomeres are thought to play a crucial role in their formation and stabilization. Considering that there are only a few studies that evaluate the presence of telomeric sequences in ring chromosomes and on sSMC, here, we analyzed 14 ring chromosomes and 29 sSMC for the presence of telomeric sequences through fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The results showed that ring chromosomes can actually fall into two groups: the ones with or without telomeres. Additionally, telomeric signals were detectable at both ends of centric and neocentric sSMC with inverted duplication shape, as well as in complex sSMC. Apart from that, generally both ring- and centric minute-shaped sSMC did not present telomeric sequences neither detectable by FISH nor by a second protein-directed immunohistochemical approach. However, the fact that telomeres are absent does not automatically mean that the sSMC has a ring shape, as often deduced in the previous literature. Overall, the results obtained by FISH studies directed against telomeres need to be checked carefully by other approaches.
    Chromosome Research 10/2012; · 3.09 Impact Factor
  • Article: Characterization of three small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMC) in humans.
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    ABSTRACT: In the present study, three prenatally detected small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMC) were identified by banding cytogenetics and characterized in detail by molecular cytogenetics. In one case an sSMC(10) leading to a pericentric partial trisomy and in two cases heterochromatic sSMC derived from chromosome 22 were characterized. Outcomes were reportedly normal for two of the three cases for whom this information was known.
    The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine: the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians 09/2012; · 1.36 Impact Factor
  • Article: How to narrow down chromosomal breakpoints in small and large derivative chromosomes--a new probe set.
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    ABSTRACT: Here a new fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH-) based probe set is presented and its possible applications are highlighted in 34 exemplary clinical cases. The so-called pericentric-ladder-FISH (PCL-FISH) probe set enables a characterization of chromosomal breakpoints especially in small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMC), but can also be applied successfully in large inborn or acquired derivative chromosomes. PCL-FISH was established as 24 different chromosome-specific probe sets and can be used in two- up multicolor-FISH approaches. PCL-FISH enables the determination of a chromosomal breakpoint with a resolution between 1 and ∼10 megabasepairs and is based on locus-specific bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) probes. Results obtained on 29 sSMC cases and five larger derivative chromosomes are presented and discussed. To confirm the reliability of PCL-FISH, eight of the 29 sSMC cases were studied by array-comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH); the used sSMC-specific DNA was obtained by glass-needle based microdissection and DOP-PCR-amplification. Overall, PCL-FISH leads to a better resolution than most FISH-banding approaches and is a good tool to narrow down chromosomal breakpoints.
    Journal of applied genetics 04/2012; 53(3):259-69. · 1.66 Impact Factor
  • Article: A new multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization probe set directed against human heterochromatin: HCM-FISH.
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    ABSTRACT: A new multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (mFISH) probe set is presented, and its possible applications are highlighted in 25 clinical cases. The so-called heterochromatin-M-FISH (HCM-FISH) probe set enables a one-step characterization of the large heterochromatic regions within the human genome. HCM-FISH closes a gap in the now available mFISH probe sets, as those do not normally cover the acrocentric short arms; the large pericentric regions of chromosomes 1, 9, and 16; as well as the band Yq12. Still, these regions can be involved in different kinds of chromosomal rearrangements such as translocations, insertions, inversions, amplifications, and marker chromosome formations. Here, examples are given for all these kinds of chromosomal aberrations, detected as constitutional rearrangements in clinical cases. Application perspectives of the probe set in tumors as well as in evolutionary cytogenetic studies are given.
    Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry 04/2012; 60(7):530-6. · 2.72 Impact Factor
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    Article: Centromeric association of small supernumerary marker chromosomes with their sister-chromosomes detected by three dimensional molecular cytogenetics.
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    ABSTRACT: Small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMC) are detected in 0.043% of general population and can be characterized for their chromosomal origin, genetic content and shape by molecular cytogenetic approaches. Even though recently progress was achieved towards genotype-phenotype-correlations of sSMC, nothing is known on the influence that an additional derivative extra chromosome has on the nuclear architecture. Here we present the first three-dimensional interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies for the nuclear architecture of sSMC. It could be shown that sSMC derived from chromosomes 15, 16 or 18 preferentially colocalized with one of their corresponding sister chromosomes. This was true in B- and T-lymphocytes as well as in skin fibroblasts. Additionally, a case with a complex sSMC with a karyotype 47,XY,+der(18)t(8;18)(8p23.2 ~ 23.1;18q11.1) was studied. Here the sSMC co-localized with one homologous chromosome 8 instead of 18. Overall, there is a kind of "attraction" between an sSMC and one of its homologous sister chromosomes. This seems to be transmitted by the euchromatic part of the sSMC rather than its heterochromatic one.
    Molecular Cytogenetics 03/2012; 5:15.
  • Article: Small supernumerary marker chromosomes and uniparental disomy have a story to tell.
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    ABSTRACT: Small supernumerary maker chromosomes (sSMC) and uniparental disomy (UPD) are rare, and a combination of both is rarely encountered. Accordingly, only 46 sSMC cases UPD have been reported. Despite of its rareness, UPD has to be considered, especially in prenatal cases with sSMC. Here, the authors reviewed all sSMC cases with UPD (sSMC(U+)) and compared them to sSMC without UPD (sSMC(U-)), which resulted in the following correlations: 1) every sSMC, irrespective of its chromosomal origin, may be principally connected with UPD; 2) mixed hetero- and iso-UPD (hUPD/iUPD) can be observed most often in sSMC(U+) cases followed by complete iUPD, complete hUPD, and segmental iUPD; 3) UPD of chromosomes 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, and 20 is most often reported in sSMC(U+); 4) maternal UPD was approximately nine times more frequent than paternal UPD; 5) if mosaic with a normal cell line, acrocentric-derived sSMC had a three times higher chance of occurrence than the corresponding nonmosaic sSMC cases; 6) UPD in connection with a parentally inherited sSMC is, if existent at all, a rare event; and 7) the gender type and shape of sSMC had no effect on UPD formation. Overall, sSMC(U+) cases may have a story to tell about chromosome number control mechanisms in early embryogenesis.
    Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry 06/2011; 59(9):842-8. · 2.72 Impact Factor
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    Article: Somatic mosaicism in cases with small supernumerary marker chromosomes.
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    ABSTRACT: Somatic mosaicism is something that is observed in everyday lives of cytogeneticists. Chromosome instability is one of the leading causes of large-scale genome variation analyzable since the correct human chromosome number was established in 1956. Somatic mosaicism is also a well-known fact to be present in cases with small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMC), i.e. karyotypes of 47,+mar/46. In this study, the data available in the literature were collected concerning the frequency mosaicism in different subgroups of patients with sSMC. Of 3124 cases with sSMC 1626 (52%) present with somatic mosaicism. Some groups like patients with Emanuel-, cat-eye- or i(18p)- syndrome only tend rarely to develop mosaicism, while in Pallister-Killian syndrome every patient is mosaic. In general, acrocentric and non-acrocentric derived sSMCs are differently susceptible to mosaicism; non-acrocentric derived ones are hereby the less stable ones. Even though, in the overwhelming majority of the cases, somatic mosaicism does not have any detectable clinical effects, there are rare cases with altered clinical outcomes due to mosaicism. This is extremely important for prenatal genetic counseling. Overall, as mosaicism is something to be considered in at least every second sSMC case, array-CGH studies cannot be offered as a screening test to reliably detect this kind of chromosomal aberration, as low level mosaic cases and cryptic mosaics are missed by that.
    Current Genomics 09/2010; 11(6):432-9. · 2.41 Impact Factor
  • Article: Centromere activity in dicentric small supernumerary marker chromosomes.
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    ABSTRACT: Twenty-five dicentric small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMC) derived from #13/21, #14, #15, #18, and #22 were studied by immunohistochemistry for their centromeric activity. Centromere protein (CENP)-B was applied as marker for all centromeres and CENP-C to label the active ones. Three different 'predominant' activation patterns could be observed, i.e., centric fusion or either only one or all two centromeres were active. In one inherited case, the same activation pattern was found in mother and son. In acrocentric-derived sSMC, all three activation patterns could be present. In contrary, in chromosome 18-derived sSMC, only the fusion type was observed. In concordance with previous studies a certain centromeric plasticity was observed in up to 13% of the cells of an individual case. Surprisingly, the obtained data suggests a possible influence of the sSMC carrier's gender on the implementation of the predominant activation pattern; especially, only one active centromere was found more frequently in female than in male carriers. Also, it might be suggested that dicentric sSMC with one active centromere could be less stable than such with two active ones-centromeric plasticity might have an influence here, as well. Also, centromere activity in acrocentric-derived dicentrics could be influenced by heteromorphisms of the corresponding short arms. Finally, evidence is provided that the closer the centromeres of a dicentric are and if they are not fused, the more likely it was that both of them became active. In concordance and refinement with previous studies, a distance of 1.4 Mb up to about 13 Mb the two active centromere state was favored, while centromeric distance of over approximately 15 Mb lead to inactivation of one centromere. Overall, here, the first and largest ever undertaken study in dicentric sSMC is presented, providing evidence that the centromeric activation pattern is, and parental origin may be of interest for their biology. Influence of mechanisms similar or identical to meiotic imprinting in the centromeric regions of human chromosomes might be present. Furthermore, centromeric activation pattern could be at least in parts meaningful for the clinical outcome of dicentric sSMC, as sSMC stability and mosaicism can make the difference between clinically normal and abnormal phenotypes.
    Chromosome Research 07/2010; 18(5):555-62. · 3.09 Impact Factor
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    Article: Four small supernumerary marker chromosomes derived from chromosomes 6, 8, 11 and 12 in a patient with minimal clinical abnormalities: a case report.
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    ABSTRACT: Small supernumerary marker chromosomes are still a problem in cytogenetic diagnostic and genetic counseling. This holds especially true for the rare cases with multiple small supernumerary marker chromosomes. Most such cases are reported to be clinically severely affected due to the chromosomal imbalances induced by the presence of small supernumerary marker chromosomes. Here we report the first case of a patient having four different small supernumerary marker chromosomes which, apart from slight developmental retardation in youth and non-malignant hyperpigmentation, presented no other clinical signs. Our patient was a 30-year-old Caucasian man, delivered by caesarean section because of macrosomy. At birth he presented with bilateral cryptorchidism but no other birth defects. At age of around two years he showed psychomotor delay and a bilateral convergent strabismus. Later he had slight learning difficulties, with normal social behavior and now lives an independent life as an adult. Apart from hypogenitalism, he has multiple hyperpigmented nevi all over his body, short feet with pes cavus and claw toes. At age of 30 years, cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic analysis revealed a karyotype of 50,XY,+min(6)(:p11.1-> q11.1:),+min(8)(:p11.1->q11.1:),+min(11)(:p11.11->q11:),+min(12)(:p11.2~12->q10:), leading overall to a small partial trisomy in 12p11.1~12.1. Including this case, four single case reports are available in the literature with a karyotype 50,XN,+4mar. For prenatally detected multiple small supernumerary marker chromosomes in particular we learn from this case that such a cytogenetic condition may be correlated with a positive clinical outcome.
    Journal of Medical Case Reports 01/2010; 4:239.