PRRT2-related disorders: further PKD and ICCA cases and review of the literature

Recent studies reported mutations in the gene encoding the proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2) to be causative for paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD), PKD combined with infantile seizures (ICCA), and benign familial infantile seizures (BFIS). PRRT2 is a presynaptic protein which seems to play an important role in exocytosis and neurotransmitter release. PKD is the most common form of paroxysmal movement disorder characterized by recurrent brief involuntary hyperkinesias triggered by sudden movements. Here, we sequenced PRRT2 in 14 sporadic and 8 familial PKD and ICCA cases of Caucasian origin and identified three novel mutations (c.919C>T/p.Gln307*, c.388delG/p.Ala130Profs*46, c.884G>A/p.Arg295Gln) predicting two truncated proteins and one probably damaging point mutation. A review of all published cases is also included. PRRT2 mutations occur more frequently in familial forms of PRRT2-related syndromes (80–100 %) than in sporadic cases (33-46 %) suggesting further heterogeneity in the latter. PRRT2 mutations were rarely described in other forms of paroxysmal dyskinesias deviating from classical PKD, as we report here in one ICCA family without kinesigenic triggers. Mutations are exclusively found in two exons of the PRRT2 gene at a high rate across all syndromes and with one major mutation (c.649dupC) in a mutational hotspot of nine cytosines, which is responsible for 57 % of all cases in all phenotypes. We therefore propose that genetic analysis rapidly performed in early stages of the disease is highly cost-effective and can help to avoid further unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.     

Clinical Manifestations in Paroxysmal Kinesigenic Dyskinesia Patients with Proline-Rich Transmembrane Protein 2 Gene Mutation

Background and Purpose

Given the diverse phenotypes including combined non-dyskinetic symptoms in patients harboring mutations of the gene encoding proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2), the clinical significance of these mutations in paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) is questionable. In this study, we investigated the clinical characteristics of PKD patients with PRRT2 mutations.

Methods

Familial and sporadic PKD patients were enrolled and PRRT2 gene sequencing was performed. Demographic and clinical data were compared between PKD patients with and without a PRRT2 mutation.

Results

Among the enrolled PKD patients (8 patients from 5 PKD families and 19 sporadic patients), PRRT2 mutations were detected in 3 PKD families (60%) and 2 sporadic cases (10.5%). All familial patients with a PRRT2 gene mutation had the c.649dupC mutation, which is the most commonly reported mutation. Two uncommon mutations (c.649delC and c.629dupC) were detected only in the sporadic cases. PKD patients with PRRT2 mutation were younger at symptom onset and had more non-dyskinetic symptoms than those without PRRT2 mutation. However, the characteristics of dyskinetic movement did not differ between the two groups.

Conclusions

This is the first study of PRRT2 mutations in Korea. The presence of a PRRT2 mutation was more strongly related to familial PKD, and was clinically related with earlier age of onset and common non-dyskinetic symptoms in PKD patients.     

Missense mutations of the proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 gene cosegregate with mild paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia and infantile convulsions in a Chinese pedigree

Paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia is an autosomal dominant dystonia induced by sudden voluntary movements. Recently, proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2) gene mutations, especially frameshift mutations, were described for PKD. In our study, we have collected a three-generation paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia-infantile convulsions pedigree in Tianjin, North China. The symptoms of six patients varied; age of onset decreased in each generation. Mutations in the PRRT2 gene in nine PKD family members were screened by PCR sequencing of genomic DNA samples. Missense mutations of the PRRT2 gene were found in all four PKD patients and two children with infantile convulsions. All six individuals carried heterozygous codon 138 (Pro/Ala) and codon 306 (Ala/Asp) mutations. Missense mutations of the PRRT2 gene other than truncate and frameshift mutations were account for PKD and/or infantile convulsions. Age of onset and symptoms were not necessarily associated with PRRT2 mutations.     

Genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity in sporadic and familial forms of paroxysmal dyskinesia

Paroxysmal dyskinesia (PxD) is a group of movement disorders characterized by recurrent episodes of involuntary movements. Familial paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) is caused by PRRT2 mutations, but a distinct etiology has been suggested for sporadic PKD. Here we describe a cohort of patients collected from our movement disorders outpatient clinic in the period 1996–2011. Fifteen patients with sporadic PxD and 23 subjects from three pedigrees with familial PKD were screened for mutations in candidate genes. PRRT2 mutations co-segregated with PKD in two families and occurred in two sporadic cases of PKD. No mutations were detected in patients with non-kinesigenic or exertion-induced dyskinesia, and none in other candidate genes including PNKD1 (MR-1) and SLC2A1 (GLUT1). Thus, PRRT2 mutations also cause sporadic PKD as might be expected given the variable expressivity and reduced penetrance observed in familial PKD. Further genetic heterogeneity is suggested by the absence of candidate gene mutations in both sporadic and familial PKD suggesting a contribution of other genes or non-coding regions.     

Acute-Onset Ataxia and Transient Cerebellar Diffusion Restriction Associated with a PRRT2 Mutation

PRRT2 gene mutations cause paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD), infantile convulsions, hemiplegic migraine, and episodic ataxia. A 21-year-old woman reported an episode of dizziness and ataxic gait occurring after swimming. Brain MRI showed a hyperintense cerebellar lesion on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with decreased apparent diffusion coefficient. The clinical course was favorable. Both clinical and MRI abnormalities regressed. Her brother had presented PKD since adulthood. A C.649dupC PRRT2 truncating mutation was identified in both patients. To our knowledge, this is the first case of an acute cerebellar ataxia associated with heterozygous PRRT2 mutation and transient cerebellar hyperintensity on DWI. Among the clinical and genetic heterogeneities of familial paroxysmal disorders, PRRT2 mutation may be considered in patients with episodic cerebellar ataxia and diffusion restriction on neuroimaging.     

Re-evaluation of PRRT2 mutations in paroxysmal disorders

Mutations in PRRT2 have recently been identified as the major cause of autosomal dominant benign familial infantile epilepsy (BFIE), infantile convulsions with choreoathetosis syndrome (ICCA), and paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD). Other paroxysmal disorders like febrile seizures, migraine, paroxysmal exercise-induced dyskinesia, and paroxysmal non-kinesigenic dyskinesia have also been shown to be associated with this gene. We re-evaluated PRRT2 mutations and genetic–clinical correlations in additional cases with PKD/ICCA and other paroxysmal disorders. Two novel mutations in PRRT2 were revealed in PKD/ICCA cases, while no mutations were detected in other diseases, which suggests BFIE and PKD are still core phenotypes of PRRT2-related spectrum disorders.     

Altered intrinsic brain activity in patients with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia by PRRT2 mutation

The proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2) gene has been recently identified as a causative gene of paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD), with an insertion mutation c.649_650insC (p.P217fsX7) reported as the most common mutation. However, the pathogenic mechanism of the mutation of PRRT2 remains largely unknown. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging is a promising approach to assess cerebral function and reveals underlying functional changes. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 4 Chinese PKD patients with p.P217fsX7 mutation, 6 Chinese PKD patients without the mutation, and 10 healthy control subjects. Voxel-based analysis was used to characterize alterations in the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF). When compared with the healthy control subjects, both groups of PKD patients showed alterations in spontaneous brain activities within cortical–basal ganglia circuitry. Besides, the group of patients with p.P217fsX7 mutation also exhibited increased ALFF in the right postcenral gyrus and right rolandic operculum area, while the alteration of ALFF in group of patients without the mutation additionally involved the middle orbitofrontal cortex. Direct comparative analysis between these two patient groups revealed significantly increased ALFF in the right postcentral gyrus in the group with p.P217fsX7 mutation. Increased spontaneous brain activity in the cortical–basal ganglia circuitry, especially in the motor preparation areas, is a common pathophysiology in PKD. Differences in the spatial patterns of increased ALFF between patients with and those without the mutation might reflect the distinct pathological mechanism resulting from PRRT2 mutation.     

Paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia and myotonia congenita in the same family：coexistence of a PRRT2 mutation and two CLCN1 mutations

Paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia（PKD） and myotonia congenita（MC） are independent disorders that share some clinical features. We aimed to investigate the sequences of PRRT2 and CLCN1 in a proband diagnosed with PKD and suspected MC. Clinical evaluation and auxiliary examinations were performed. Direct sequencing of the entire coding regions of the PRRT2 and CLCN1 genes was conducted. Haplotype analysis confirmed the relationships among the family members. The proband suffered choreoathetosis attacks triggered by sudden movements, and lower-limb weakness a n d s t i ff n e s s t h a t w o r s e n e d i n c o l d w e a t h e r. Carbamazepine monotherapy completely controlled his choreoathetosis and significantly relieved his limb weakness and stiffness. His father, when young, had similar limb stiffness, while his mother and brother were asymptomatic. Genetic analysis revealed that the proband and his father harbored a PRRT2 c.649 dup C mutation, and CLCN1 c.1723C〉T and c.2492A〉G mutations. His brother carried only the two CLCN1 mutations. None of these mutations were identified in his mother and 150 unrelated controls. This is the first report showing the coexistence ofPRRT2 and CLCN1 mutations. Our results also indicate that both the PRRT2 and CLCN1 genes need to be screened if we fail to identify PRRT2 mutations in PKD patients or CLCN1 mutations in MC patients.     

Homozygous c.649dupC mutation in PRRT2 worsens the BFIS/PKD phenotype with mental retardation,episodic ataxia,and absences

Heterozygous mutations of PRRT2, which encodes proline‐rich transmembrane protein 2, are associated with heterogeneous phenotypes including benign familial infantile seizures (BFIS), or familial paroxysmal kinesigenic dystonia (PKD). We report a consanguineous Italian family with BFIS/PKD phenotype that contained 14 living members with 6 affected individuals (four men, ranging in age from 6–44 years). We identified the reported c.649dupC (p.Arg217ProfsX8) mutation of PRRT2 gene that cosegregated with the disease and was not observed in 100 controls of matched ancestry. Four patients with BFIS phenotype were heterozygous for this mutation, including the consanguineous parents of the two affected brothers with more severe phenotypes of BFIS/PKD—mental retardation, episodic ataxia, and absences—who were the only individuals to carry a homozygous c.649dupC mutation. This family provides strong evidence that homozygous PRRT2 mutations give rise to more severe clinical disease of mental retardation, episodic ataxia, and absences, and, thus, enlarges the clinical spectrum related to PRRT2 mutations. Moreover, it suggests an additive effect of double dose of the genetic mutation and underscores the complexity of the phenotypic consequences of mutations in this gene.     

Mutation analysis of the sodium/hydrogen exchanger gene (NHE5) in familial paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia

Summary. Familial Paroxysmal Kinesigenic Dyskinesia (PKD) is an autosomal dominant condition characterized by attacks of dystonia or chorea triggered by sudden movements. Recently two separate loci for PKD, Episodic Kinesigenic Dyskinesia 1 (EKD1) and Episodic Kinesigenic Dyskinesia 2 (EKD2), have been mapped to chromosome 16 but the causative genes have not been identified. The Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger gene (NHE5) involved in regulating intracellular pH lies in the EKD2 region. The coding region of the NHE5 gene in familial PKD was sequenced. We did not identify any mutations in the exons, intron/exon boundaries or the 5′ and 3′UTR. This excludes mutations in the coding region of the NHE5 gene as a cause for familial PKD, but does not rule out a possible role of sequence variants in introns or regulatory regions. Received March 16, 2002; accepted March 22, 2002 Published online June 28, 2002     

Benign infantile convulsions (IC) and subsequent paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) in a patient with 16p11.2 microdeletion syndrome

Paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia with infantile convulsions (PKD/IC) is caused by mutations in the gene PRRT2 located in 16p11.2. A deletion syndrome 16p11.2 is well established and is characterized by intellectual disability, speech delay, and autism. PKD/IC, however, is extremely rare in this syndrome. We describe a case of PKD/IC and 16p11.2 deletion syndrome and discuss modifiers of PRRT2 activity to explain the rare concurrence of both syndromes.     

Phenotypic overlap among paroxysmal dyskinesia subtypes: Lesson from a family with PRRT2 gene mutation

Paroxysmal dyskinesia (PD) is a group of rare neurological conditions which was divided into paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD), paroxysmal non-kinesigenic dyskinesia (PNKD) and paroxysmal exercise-induced dyskinesia (PED) according to their clinical features. PRRT2 gene was initially identified as the major gene responsible for PKD followed by presence of various PRRT2 mutations discovered in families with benign familial infantile convulsions (BFIC) and infantile convulsions and choreoathetosis (ICCA). We describe a family with characteristic PD showing overlaps in clinical pictures among the three PD subgroups, and a nonsense PRRT2 mutation c.649C > T (p.Arg217X) was also detected. This broadens the phenotypic spectrum in PRRT2-related disorders. In addition, an unusual exercise trigger observed in the proband, likely representing an underestimated occurrence, together with the current clinical PD classification is also elucidated.     

Brain structural connectome in relation to PRRT2 mutations in paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia

This study explored the topological characteristics of brain white matter structural networks in patients with Paroxysmal Kinesigenic Dyskinesia (PKD), and the potential influence of the brain network stability gene PRRT2 on the structural connectome in PKD. Thirty‐five PKD patients with PRRT2 mutations (PKD‐M), 43 PKD patients without PRRT2 mutations (PKD‐N), and 40 demographically‐matched healthy control (HC) subjects underwent diffusion tensor imaging. Graph theory and network‐based statistic (NBS) approaches were performed; the topological properties of the white matter structural connectome were compared across the groups, and their relationships with the clinical variables were assessed. Both disease groups PKD‐M and PKD‐N showed lower local efficiency (implying decreased segregation ability) compared to the HC group; PKD‐M had longer characteristic path length and lower global efficiency (implying decreased integration ability) compared to PKD‐N and HC, independently of the potential effects of medication. Both PKD‐M and PKD‐N had decreased nodal characteristics in the left thalamus and left inferior frontal gyrus, the alterations being more pronounced in PKD‐M patients, who also showed abnormalities in the left fusiform and bilateral middle temporal gyrus. In the connectivity characteristics assessed by NBS, the alterations were more pronounced in the PKD‐M group versus HC than in PKD‐N versus HC. As well as the white matter alterations in the basal ganglia‐thalamo‐cortical circuit related to PKD with or without PRRT2 mutations, findings in the PKD‐M group of weaker small‐worldness and more pronounced regional disturbance show the adverse effects of PRRT2 gene mutations on brain structural connectome.     

Lacosamide for children with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia

ObjectivesThis study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of lacosamide (LCM) for paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) in children.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of pediatric PKD patients (aged <16 years) treated with LCM. Data regarding demographic characteristics, proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2) gene variant, clinical features of PKD, dose of LCM, efficacy, and adverse events were recorded.ResultsFour eligible patients (3 males, 1 female) were identified, with an age of onset ranging from 8.3 to 14.7 years. PRRT2 variant was evaluated in three children and a c.649dupC variant was identified in one child with a positive family history. Attacks were bilateral in three children and left-sided in one. Two children had a family history of PKD and one child had a family history of benign infantile epilepsy. Treatment with carbamazepine failed in two children due to drowsiness and auditory disturbance. The initial dose of LCM was 50 mg/day in three children and 100 mg/day in one. All patients were attack-free within a few days. The maintenance dose was mostly similar to the initial dose. No adverse events related to LCM were reported during follow-up.ConclusionsLCM is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for PKD in children, and low-dose treatment may be viable.     

5例基因确诊的发作性运动诱发性运动障碍病例研究

目的 筛查PKD患者中PRRT2基因突变.方法 收集9例临床诊断为PKD的患者,其中4例有家族史,抽取静脉血3 mL,标准法提取基因组DNA,Sanger法测PRRT2基因序列.结果 5例患者携带PRRT2基因突变,其中4例家族性PKD携带c.649dupC突变;另1例散发性PKD携带c.133-136delCCAG突变,其无症状的父亲亦携带该突变;其余患者未发现PRRT2基因突变.结论 本研究进一步证实PRRT2为PKD的致病基因,PRRT2突变存在外显不全现象.     

The PRRT2 mutation c.649dupC is the so far most frequent cause of benign familial infantile convulsions

PurposeMutations in the PRRT2 gene have been recently described as a cause of paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia, infantile convulsions with choreoathetosis syndrome and, less often, infantile convulsions. We have analysed the frequency of PRRT2 mutations in families with benign familial infantile convulsions without paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia.Methods and resultsDirect sequencing of the coding region identified the PRRT2 mutation c.649dupC in 5/5 families with infantile convulsions. The mutation was present in 23 family members, of which 18 were clinically affected and 2 were obligate carriers. The affected carriers of this mutation presented with different types of epileptic seizures during early childhood but did not develop additional neurological symptoms later in life.ConclusionOur data demonstrate that the PRRT2 mutation c.649dupC is a frequent cause of benign familial infantile convulsions.     

发作性运动诱发性运动障碍一家系临床与遗传学特点

目的探讨家族性发作性运动诱发性运动障碍(paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia,PKD)临床及遗传学特点。方法对1个PKD家系共14名成员进行PRRT2基因检测及调查随访,其中患病2例(1例住院治疗,另1例未治疗),总结分析其临床表现、遗传特点、药物治疗效果及预后。结果该家系2例患者均为男性,患病率14.3%,其中1例不治自愈,1例用卡马西平疗效显著,用拉莫三嗪也有效。该家系为单纯性PKD家系,PRRT2基因检测结果显示该家系中3例存在突变c.797GA(p.266RQ),其中1例无临床症状,符合常染色体显性遗传,伴不全外显,存在遗传早现;该家系合并存在多囊肾家族史。结论单纯家族性PKD抗癫痫药物疗效与突变类型及临床特征有关;治疗方案选择应以临床特点及突变类型为依据。     

Analysis of catechol-<Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-methyltransferase gene mutation and identification of new pathogenic gene for paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia

We aimed to analyze the mutation site and frequency of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene, to explore the relationship between COMT genotype and phenotype, and to find new pathogenic genes for paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD). PKD patients who were treated from December 2011 to January 2014 were selected and subjected to genetic testing in the exon region of COMT. Two patients and one intrafamilial healthy control were subjected to exome sequencing using whole exome capture in combination with high-throughput sequencing to find candidate pathogenic gene sites. The results were verified by Sanger sequencing. A total of 11 familial PKD patients from 4 families and 9 sporadic patients without family history were included. Pathogenic c.634dupC(p.P220fsX7) mutation of COMT gene was found in 7 familial PKD patients and3 sporadic patients. Mutated COMT gene carriers suffered from PKD earlier (average age of onset: 11.61 ± 2.33 vs 16.21 ± 2.58, P = 0.001) with symmetric symptoms in most cases, while the mutation-negative group only showed unilateral symptoms (P = 0.001). The mutation-positive group also had more daily attacks (P = 0.038). Carbamazepine worked for all mutation-positive patients (10/10, 100 %), but only for a part of mutation-negative patients (3/10, 30.0 %). About 90000 single nucleotide polymorphisms and 2000 insertion–deletion polymorphisms were detected in each of the three samples. c.737C → T(p.T246 M) mutation of POC1B gene was a new pathogenic site for a selected family. COMT gene mutation, which was the pathogenesis of most familial PKD patients and a part of sporadic patients, predicted the response to carbamazepine. POC1B may be a novel pathogenic gene for PKD.     

A new case of concurrent existence of PRRT2-associated paroxysmal movement disorders with c.649dup variant and 16p11.2 microdeletion syndrome

BackgroundThe PRRT2 gene located at 16p11.2 encodes proline-rich transmembrane protein 2. In recent reviews, clinical spectrum caused by pathogenic PRRT2 variants is designated as PRRT2-associated paroxysmal movement disorders, which include paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia, benign familial infantile epilepsy, and infantile convulsions with choreoathetosis, and hemiplegic migraine. The recurrent 16p11.2 microdeletion encompassing PRRT2 has also been reported to cause neurodevelopmental syndrome, associated with autism spectrum disorder. Although PRRT2 variants and 16p11.2 microdeletion cause each disease with the autosomal dominant manner, rare cases with bi-allelic PRRT2 variants or concurrent existence of PRRT2 variants and 16p11.2 microdeletion have been reported to show more severe phenotypes.Case reportA 22-year-old man presents with episodic ataxia, paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia, seizure, intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. He also has obesity, hypertension, hyperuricemia, and mild liver dysfunction. Exome sequencing revealed a c.649dup variant in PRRT2 in one allele and a de novo 16p11.2 microdeletion in another allele.ConclusionsOur case showed combined clinical features of PRRT2-associated paroxysmal movement disorders and 16p11.2 microdeletion syndrome. We reviewed previous literatures and discussed phenotypic features of patients who completely lack the PRRT2 protein.