scholarly journals De novo Mutations in NALCN Cause a Syndrome of Congenital Contractures of the Limbs and Face with Hypotonia, and Developmental Delay

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica X Chong ◽  
Margaret J McMillin ◽  
Kathryn M Shively ◽  
Anita E Beck ◽  
Colby T Marvin ◽  
...  

Freeman-Sheldon syndrome, or distal arthrogryposis type 2A (DA2A), is an autosomal dominant condition caused by mutations in MYH3 and characterized by multiple congenital contractures of the face and limbs and normal cognitive development. We identified a subset of five simplex cases putatively diagnosed with “DA2A with severe neurological abnormalities” in which the proband had Congenital Contractures of the LImbs and FAce, Hypotonia, and global Developmental Delay often resulting in early death, a unique condition that we now refer to as CLIFAHDD syndrome. Exome sequencing identified missense mutations in sodium leak channel, nonselective (NALCN) in four families with CLIFAHDD syndrome. Using molecular inversion probes to screen NALCN in a cohort of 202 DA cases as well as concurrent exome sequencing of six other DA cases revealed NALCN mutations in ten additional families with “atypical” forms of DA. All fourteen mutations were missense variants predicted to alter amino acid residues in or near the S5 and S6 pore-forming segments of NALCN, highlighting the functional importance of these segments. In vitro functional studies demonstrated that mutant NALCN nearly abolished the expression of wildtype NALCN, suggesting that mutations that cause CLIFAHDD syndrome have a dominant negative effect. In contrast, homozygosity for mutations in other regions of NALCN has been reported in three families with an autosomal recessive condition characterized mainly by hypotonia and severe intellectual disability. Accordingly, mutations in NALCN can cause either a recessive or dominant condition with varied though overlapping phenotypic features perhaps depending on the type of mutation and affected protein domain(s).

Author(s):  
Gabriel C. Dworschak ◽  
Jaya Punetha ◽  
Jeshurun C. Kalanithy ◽  
Enrico Mingardo ◽  
Haktan B. Erdem ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose To investigate the effect of PLXNA1 variants on the phenotype of patients with autosomal dominant and recessive inheritance patterns and to functionally characterize the zebrafish homologs plxna1a and plxna1b during development. Methods We assembled ten patients from seven families with biallelic or de novo PLXNA1 variants. We describe genotype–phenotype correlations, investigated the variants by structural modeling, and used Morpholino knockdown experiments in zebrafish to characterize the embryonic role of plxna1a and plxna1b. Results Shared phenotypic features among patients include global developmental delay (9/10), brain anomalies (6/10), and eye anomalies (7/10). Notably, seizures were predominantly reported in patients with monoallelic variants. Structural modeling of missense variants in PLXNA1 suggests distortion in the native protein. Our zebrafish studies enforce an embryonic role of plxna1a and plxna1b in the development of the central nervous system and the eye. Conclusion We propose that different biallelic and monoallelic variants in PLXNA1 result in a novel neurodevelopmental syndrome mainly comprising developmental delay, brain, and eye anomalies. We hypothesize that biallelic variants in the extracellular Plexin-A1 domains lead to impaired dimerization or lack of receptor molecules, whereas monoallelic variants in the intracellular Plexin-A1 domains might impair downstream signaling through a dominant-negative effect.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Konstantina Kosma ◽  
Konstantinos Varvagiannis ◽  
Anastasios Mitrakos ◽  
Maria Tsipi ◽  
Joanne Traeger-Synodinos ◽  
...  

Pathogenic <i>KMT2E</i> variants underly O&apos;Donnell-Luria-Rodan syndrome, a recently described neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by global developmental delay, variable degrees of intellectual disability, and subtle facial dysmorphism. Less common findings include autism, seizures, gastrointestinal (GI) problems, and abnormal head circumference. Occurrence of mostly truncating variants as well as the similar phenotype observed in individuals with deletions spanning <i>KMT2E</i> suggest haploinsufficiency of this gene as a common mechanism for the disorder, while a gain-of-function or dominant-negative effect cannot be ruled out for some missense variants. Deletions reported in the literature encompass several additional known or presumed haploinsufficient genes, thus leading to more complex phenotypes. Here, we describe a male with antenatal onset hydronephrosis, hypotonia, global developmental delay, prominent GI symptoms as well as facial dysmorphism. Chromosomal microarray revealed a 239-kb de novo microdeletion spanning <i>KMT2E</i> and <i>LHFPL3</i>. Clinical presentation of our proband, harboring one of the smallest deletions of the region confirms the core features of this disorder, suggests GI symptoms as a prominent finding in affected individuals while expanding the phenotypic spectrum to abnormalities of the urinary tract.


Neurology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 89 (4) ◽  
pp. 385-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah von Spiczak ◽  
Katherine L. Helbig ◽  
Deepali N. Shinde ◽  
Robert Huether ◽  
Manuela Pendziwiat ◽  
...  

Objective:To evaluate the phenotypic spectrum caused by mutations in dynamin 1 (DNM1), encoding the presynaptic protein DNM1, and to investigate possible genotype-phenotype correlations and predicted functional consequences based on structural modeling.Methods:We reviewed phenotypic data of 21 patients (7 previously published) with DNM1 mutations. We compared mutation data to known functional data and undertook biomolecular modeling to assess the effect of the mutations on protein function.Results:We identified 19 patients with de novo mutations in DNM1 and a sibling pair who had an inherited mutation from a mosaic parent. Seven patients (33.3%) carried the recurrent p.Arg237Trp mutation. A common phenotype emerged that included severe to profound intellectual disability and muscular hypotonia in all patients and an epilepsy characterized by infantile spasms in 16 of 21 patients, frequently evolving into Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Two patients had profound global developmental delay without seizures. In addition, we describe a single patient with normal development before the onset of a catastrophic epilepsy, consistent with febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome at 4 years. All mutations cluster within the GTPase or middle domains, and structural modeling and existing functional data suggest a dominant-negative effect on DMN1 function.Conclusions:The phenotypic spectrum of DNM1-related encephalopathy is relatively homogeneous, in contrast to many other genetic epilepsies. Up to one-third of patients carry the recurrent p.Arg237Trp variant, which is now one of the most common recurrent variants in epileptic encephalopathies identified to date. Given the predicted dominant-negative mechanism of this mutation, this variant presents a prime target for therapeutic intervention.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanping Wei ◽  
Min Qian

DNM1L encodes dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), which is a member of the dynamin superfamily of GTPases and mediates mitochondrial and peroxisomal fission. In humans, several de novo heterozygous missense mutations in DNM1L have been reported, which were characterized by devastating courses with refractory epilepsy, myoclonus, and brain atrophy on MRI. We describe a 4.5-year-old male child harboring a novel de novo mutation in DNM1L presenting a phenotype of developmental delay, ataxia, and peripheral neuropathy. The clinical features, magnetic resonance imaging findings, and genetic results were summarized. Meanwhile, all the cases of DNM1L mutations reported were reviewed. DNM1L variants may need to be considered in phenotypes that include global developmental delay, peripheral neuropathy, and ataxia.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiao Xue ◽  
Zhenfeng Song ◽  
Shuyin Ma ◽  
Zhi Yi ◽  
Chengqing Yang ◽  
...  

Abstract Heterozygous missense mutations in TUBB3 have been implicated in various neurological disorders encompassing either isolated congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles type 3 (CFEOM3) or complex cortical dysplasia with other brain malformations 1 (CDCBM1). The description of seizures in patients with TUBB3 mutations is rare. Here, we reported a patient who had febrile seizures before and focal seizure this time, which was diagnosed as epilepsy in combination with an abnormal EEG. MRI showed hypoplastic corpus callosum. Mutation analysis showed a novel de novo heterozygous variant of TUBB3 gene (NM_006086), c.763G>A (p.V255I). He had global developmental delay, photophobia and elliptic pupil, but lacking extraocular muscles involvement and malformations of cortical development, which might be a less severe phenotype of TUBB3 mutations. This was the first report of elliptic pupil in patients with TUBB3 mutations and expanded the spectrum of TUBB3 phenotypes. It indicated that the phenotypic range of TUBB3 mutations might be more continuous than discrete, with a severity ranging from mild to severe. Further studies are needed to elucidate the complete spectrum of TUBB3-related phenotypes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (11) ◽  
pp. 030006052110583
Author(s):  
Tong Qiu ◽  
Qian Dai ◽  
Qiu Wang

ARHGEF9 encodes collybistin, a brain-specific guanosine diphosphate-guanosine-5′-triphosphate exchange factor that plays an important role in clustering of gephyrin and γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors in the postsynaptic membrane. Overwhelming evidence suggests that defects in this protein can cause X-linked intellectual disability, which comprises a series of clinical phenotypes, including autism spectrum disorder, behavior disorder, intellectual disability, and febrile seizures. Here, we report a boy with clinical symptoms of severe intellectual disability, epilepsy, and developmental delay and regression. Trio exome sequencing ( trio-clinical exome sequencing) identified a novel hemizygous deletion, c.656_c.669delACTTCTTTGAGGCC (p. His219Leu fs*9), in exon 5 of ARHGEF9. This variant was not reported in either the Genome Aggregation Database or our database of 309 patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. Oxcarbazepine and levetiracetam reduced the frequency of the patient’s epileptic seizures to a certain extent, but psychomotor developmental delay and developmental regression became more obvious with age. This case study seeks to report a de novo loss-of-function mutation of ARHGEF9, aiming to emphasize the genetic diagnosis of X-linked intellectual disability and further improve knowledge of the ethnic distribution of ARHGEF9 mutations.


Author(s):  
Milena Motta ◽  
Maria Chiara Consentino ◽  
Alessandra Fontana ◽  
Laura Sciuto ◽  
Raffaele Falsaperla ◽  
...  

AbstractThe phenotypic variety associated to mutations in dynamin 1 (DNM1), codifying the presynaptic protein DNM1 has been increasingly reported, mainly related to encephalopathy with intractable epilepsy; currently, it is known the phenotype related to DNM1 gene mutations is relatively homogeneous with developmental delay, hypotonia, and epilepsy characterized by infantile spasms and possible progression to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. By examining all the papers published until 2020 (18 articles), we compared data from 30 patients (extrapolated from 5 papers) with DNM1 mutations, identifying 26 patients with de novo mutations in DNM1. Nine patients (33.3%) reported the recurrent mutation p.Arg237Trp. A usual phenotype observed comprises severe to deep developmental delay and muscular hypotonia in all patients with epilepsy beginning with infantile spasms, which often evolved into Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Data about GTPase or central domains mutations, and existing structural modeling and functional suggest a dominant negative effect on DMN1 function. Generally genetic epilepsies consist of a wide spectrum of clinical features, unlike that, DNM1-related CNS impairment phenotype is quite uniform. In up to one third of patients it has been found variant p.Arg237Trp, which is one of the most frequent variant detected in epileptic encephalopathies. The understanding of DNM1 function opens up the chance that this gene would become a new therapeutic target for epilepsies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (560) ◽  
pp. eaax8013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veli-Matti Leppänen ◽  
Pascal Brouillard ◽  
Emilia A. Korhonen ◽  
Tuomas Sipilä ◽  
Sawan Kumar Jha ◽  
...  

Primary lymphedema is caused by developmental and functional defects of the lymphatic vascular system that result in accumulation of protein-rich fluid in tissues, resulting in edema. The 28 currently known genes causing primary lymphedema can explain <30% of cases. Angiopoietin 1 (ANGPT1) and ANGPT2 function via the TIE1-TIE2 (tyrosine kinase with immunoglobulin-like and epidermal growth factor–like domains 1 and 2) receptor complex and α5β1 integrin to form an endothelial cell signaling pathway that is critical for blood and lymphatic vessel formation and remodeling during embryonic development, as well as for homeostasis of the mature vasculature. By screening a cohort of 543 individuals affected by primary lymphedema, we identified one heterozygous de novo ANGPT2 whole-gene deletion and four heterozygous ANGPT2 missense mutations. Functional analyses revealed three missense mutations that resulted in decreased ANGPT2 secretion and inhibited the secretion of wild-type (WT)–ANGPT2, suggesting that they have a dominant-negative effect on ANGPT2 signaling. WT-ANGPT2 and soluble mutants T299M and N304K activated TIE1 and TIE2 in an autocrine assay in human lymphatic endothelial cells. Molecular modeling and biophysical studies showed that amino-terminally truncated ANGPT subunits formed asymmetrical homodimers that bound TIE2 in a 2:1 ratio. The T299M mutant, located in the dimerization interphase, showed reduced integrin α5 binding, and its expression in mouse skin promoted hyperplasia and dilation of cutaneous lymphatic vessels. These results demonstrate that primary lymphedema can be associated with ANGPT2 mutations and provide insights into TIE1 and TIE2 activation mechanisms.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soo Yeon Kim ◽  
YoungKyu Shim ◽  
Young Joon Ko ◽  
Soojin Park ◽  
Se Song Jang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background GNAO1 encephalopathy is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by distinct movement presentations and early onset epileptic encephalopathy. Here, we report the in-depth phenotyping of genetically confirmed patients with GNAO1 encephalopathy, focusing on movement presentations. Results Six patients who participated in Korean Undiagnosed Disease Program were diagnosed to have pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in GNAO1 using whole exome sequencing. All medical records and personal video clips were analyzed with a literature review. Three of the 6 patients were male. Mean follow-up duration was 39 months (range, 7–78 months) and age at last examination was 8.0 years (range, 3.3–16.9 years). Initial complaints were hypotonia or developmental delay in 5 and right-hand clumsiness in 1 patient, which were noticed at 20 months of age on average (range, 0–75 months). All patients showed global developmental delay and 4 had severely retarded development. Five patients (5/6, 83.3%) had many different movement symptoms with various onset and progression. The symptoms included stereotyped hands movement, non-epileptic myoclonus, dyskinesia, dystonia and choreoathetosis. Whole exome sequencing identified 6 different variants in GNAO1. Three were novel de novo variants and atypical presentation was noted in a patient. One variant turned out to be inherited from patient’s mother who had mosaic variant. Distinct phenotypes in patients with variant p.Glu246Lys and p.Arg209His were elucidated by in-depth phenotyping and literature review. Conclusions We reported 6 patients with GNAO1 encephalopathy showing an extremely diverse clinical spectrum on video. Some characteristic movement features identified by careful inspection may also provide important diagnostic insight and practice guidelines.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soo Yeon Kim ◽  
YoungKyu Shim ◽  
Young Joon Ko ◽  
Soojin Park ◽  
Se Song Jang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: GNAO1 encephalopathy is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by distinct movement presentations and early onset epileptic encephalopathy. Here, we report the in-depth phenotyping of genetically confirmed patients with GNAO1 encephalopathy, focusing on movement presentations.Results: Six patients who participated in Korean Undiagnosed Disease Program were diagnosed to have pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in GNAO1 using whole exome sequencing. All medical records and personal video clips were analyzed with a literature review. Three of the 6 patients were male. Median follow-up duration was 41 months (range, 7–78 months) and age at last examination was 7.4 years (range, 3.3–16.9 years). Initial complaints were hypotonia or developmental delay in 5 and right-hand clumsiness in 1 patient, which were noticed at median age of 3 months (range, 0–75 months). All patients showed global developmental delay and 4 had severely retarded development. Five patients (5/6, 83.3%) had many different movement symptoms with various onset and progression. The symptoms included stereotyped hands movement, non-epileptic myoclonus, dyskinesia, dystonia and choreoathetosis. Whole exome sequencing identified 6 different variants in GNAO1. Three were novel de novo variants and atypical presentation was noted in a patient. One variant turned out to be inherited from patient’s mother who had mosaic variant. Distinct and characteristics movement phenotypes in patients with variant p.Glu246Lys and p.Arg209His were elucidated by in-depth phenotyping and literature review. Conclusions: We reported 6 patients with GNAO1 encephalopathy showing an extremely diverse clinical spectrum on video. Some characteristic movement features identified by careful inspection may also provide important diagnostic insight and practice guidelines.


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