OBJECTIVETo analyze (CGG)n repeats sequence and AGG interspersion correlated with unstable expansion of FMR1 gene in a general Chinese population.

METHODSAmplideX FMR1 PCR Kit was used to amplify 380 X chromosomes from randomly selected 176 males and 102 females, 11 permutation carriers and 10 full mutation patients have served as controls. Results of capillary electrophoresis were analyzed with GeneMapper software Version 4.0. SPSS 11.0 software was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTSThe ratio of heterozygous females was 64.70%. The number of alleles in general males and females was 15 and 14, the classes of AGG pattern was 26 and 27, respectively. The range of alleles was between 17 to 45 CGG repeats in males and 21 to 44 CGG repeats in females, and 1 male was identified as gray zone carrier. The most frequent allele was 29 CGG repeats, which was followed by 30 and 36 repeats, while 28 CGG repeats were absent. The most common AGG pattern was 9A9A9, 99.21% of the population was detected with different forms and numbers of AGG interruption, and 6A interruption pattern was found in 10.02% samples especially in individuals with more CGG repeats. However, 57.58% of control samples had no AGG interruption, and none of the controls had 6A interruption pattern. No significant difference was observed in allele frequent distribution of (CGG)n repeats and AGG interspersion patterns between the males and females (P > 0.05), and AGGs was significantly different between general population and controls (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAGGs and AGG pattern may have important roles in maintaining (CGG)n stability in general population of China, 9A9A6A9 may be a special pattern for preventing (CGG)n unstable expansion in Asian populations.