Fragile X expression studied by clonal analysis and somatic cell hybridization.

The expression of the fragile site on the X chromosome was examined in euploid somatic cell hybrids to determine if a normal genome could complement the abnormal genome and suppress fragile X expression. Fibroblasts from the patient showed the fragile X in 8% to 12% of cells, and fibroblasts from the normal individual showed no fragile X expression. Six fibroblast clones from the patient showed a variable frequency of fragile X expression (from 6.6% to 12%), suggesting that the fragile X is not expressed in a clonal fashion. Three clones from the normal individual did not show the fragile X. Four hybrid clones showed the fragile X in 5.6%, 4.0%, 7.0%, and 4.0% of cells, respectively, indicating that fragile X expression is not completely suppressed by the normal genome.