遗传性脊髓小脑型共济失调患者SCA1基因突变检测分析

检测中国人遗传性脊髓小脑型共济失调（ＳＣＡ）患者的ＳＣＡ１基因突变［（ＣＡＧ）ｎ］。方法应用聚合酶链（ＰＣＲ）技术，检测了２７个ＳＣＡ家系中４４例ＳＣＡ患者的ＳＣＡ１（ＣＡＧ）ｎ。结果首次发现１个家系２例患者及１位“正常者”均有１个ＳＣＡ１异常等位基因扩增片段。患者Ⅲ５与其１位兄弟（“正常者”）的异常等位基因扩增片段，长度为２７２ｂｐ，三核苷酸ＣＡＧ重复数为５３次，患者Ⅲ２的异常等位基因扩增片段，长度为２９９ｂｐ，ＣＡＧ重复数为６２次，均超出正常范围。另２６个家系４２例患者的等位基因扩增片段长度范围在１６４～２１８ｂｐ之间，ＣＡＧ重复数在１７～３５次间，属于正常范围。结论来自１家系２例ＳＣＡ患者的基因分型为ＳＣＡ１型，“正常者”可能是未到发病年龄的无症状ＳＣＡ１患者，余２６个家系４２例患者不是ＳＣＡ１型。     

Novel PRKCG/SCA14 mutation in a Dutch spinocerebellar ataxia family: expanding the phenotype.

We report on a family with an autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia in which we identified a novel mutation in exon 5 of the PRKCG/SCA14 gene that results in a Val138Glu substitution in the encoded protein PKCgamma. While most affected subjects displayed a late-onset uncomplicated form of spinocerebellar ataxia with occasional mild extrapyramidal features (such as postural tremor), one patient presented with a very mild nonprogressive ataxia since the age of 3 years and predominant multifocal myoclonus.     

The SCA12 mutation as a rare cause of spinocerebellar ataxia.

BACKGROUND: Spinocerebellar ataxias are a group of phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous disorders characterized by progressive degeneration of the cerebellum. The expansion of a CAG repeat upstream of the PP2APR55beta gene has been recently reported as a novel cause of a dominantly inherited ataxia (SCA12) in a kindred with limb tremor as an early feature. OBJECTIVE: To explore the relative frequency of SCA12 among familial and sporadic spinocerebellar ataxias in an ethnically diverse patient population. METHODS: We used polymerase chain reaction to analyze CAG repeat size in a series of patients presenting to an ataxia clinic in California. RESULTS: The SCA12 expansion was not detected in any of the cases investigated. The largest allele found had 22 repeats, a finding within the proposed nonpathogenic range. Distribution of repeat size and heterozygosity were similar to that described previously. CONCLUSIONS: These results, coupled with findings in other populations, indicate that the SCA12 mutation is a rare cause of spinocerebellar degeneration. Diagnostic testing for SCA12 should be considered in patients with cerebellum disorders and an atypical clinical phenotype, especially when tremor is initially present.     

SCA12: an unusual mutation leads to an unusual spinocerebellar ataxia

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 12 (SCA12) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder which has been described in pedigrees of German American and Indian descent. The phenotype typically begins with tremor in the fourth decade, progressing to include ataxia and other cerebellar and cortical signs. SCA12 is associated with an expansion of a CAG repeat in the 5' region of the gene PPP2R2B which encodes a brain-specific regulatory subunit of the protein phosphatase PP2A. The repeat size ranges from 55 to 78 triplets in the mutant allele of affected individuals, and from 9 to 28 triplets in normal alleles. It is possible that an expansion mutation in PPP2R2B may influence PPP2R2B expression, perhaps altering the activity of PP2A, an enzyme implicated in multiple cellular functions, including cell cycle regulation, tau phosphorylation, and apoptosis.     

Profile of families with parkinsonism-predominant spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2).

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) has been recognized recently as an uncommon cause of parkinsonism, an alternate presentation to the typical cerebellar disorder. This research review summarizes the existing literature on parkinsonism-predominant presentation SCA2 and presents new clinical cases of patients with this condition. Various phenotypes are noted in this subtype of SCA2, including parkinsonism indistinguishable from idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD), parkinsonism plus ataxia, motor neuron disease, and postural tremor. In several kindreds with multiple affected family members, the SCA2 expansion segregated with disease; in addition, several single cases of parkinsonism with and without a family history are also described. The number of repeats in symptomatic patients ranged from 33 to 43. Interruption of the CAG repeat with CAA, CGG, or CCG was found in some individuals, possibly stabilizing the repeat structure and accounting for the relative stability of the repeat size across generations in some families; allele length is not necessarily indicative of trinucleotide repeat architecture. Positron emission tomography scanning in one family showed reduced fluorodopa uptake and normal to increased raclopride binding with a rostrocaudal gradient similar to that found in idiopathic PD. This review emphasizes the importance of testing for SCA2 in patients with parkinsonism and a family history of neurodegenerative disorders. Testing for SCA2 is also important in studies of inherited parkinsonism.     

Identification of a novel Twinkle mutation in a family with infantile onset spinocerebellar ataxia by whole exome sequencing

Whole exome sequencing combined with homozygosity mapping comprises a genetic diagnostic tool to identify genetic defects in families with multiple affected members, compatible with presumed autosomal recessively inherited neurometabolic/neurogenetic disease. These tools were applied to a family with two individuals manifesting ataxia, associated with peripheral sensory neuropathy, athetosis, seizures, deafness, and ophthalmoplegia. A novel homozygous missense mutation c.1366C>G (L456V) in C10orf2 (the Twinkle gene) was identified, confirming infantile onset spinocerebellar ataxia in the probands. Signs in infantile onset spinocerebellar ataxia follow a fairly distinct pattern, affecting early development, followed by ataxia and loss of skills. However, this very rare disease was previously reported only in Finland. We suggest that infantile onset spinocerebellar ataxia should be more frequently considered in the differential diagnosis of neurometabolic diseases in childhood. Next-generation sequencing and its use along with homozygosity mapping offer highly promising techniques for molecular diagnosis, especially in small families affected with very rare neurometabolic disorders such as infantile onset spinocerebellar ataxia.     

Cortical silent period prolongation in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2)

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder mapped on chromosome 12. Different results have been reported in spinocerebellar ataxias following transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). TMS-induced cortical silent period (CSP) was prolonged in different cerebellar disorders. Here we evaluate the duration of the TMS-induced CSP following a single magnetic stimulus in a large homogeneous group of SCA2 patients compared with idiopathic cerebellar ataxia (IDCA) patients with similar disease duration and severity, and in 20 healthy controls. The CSP duration in both arm and leg muscles was significantly (p<0.005) longer in patients than in controls. A significant positive correlation between disease duration and CSP prolongation in both SCA2 and IDCA was found. No correlation between age, onset and CSP duration emerged in either group. This study shows a prolongation of the TMS-induced silent period in both SCA2 and IDCA indicating that the cortical inhibitory mechanism is dependent on the disease duration and severity. Thus, the cerebellum seems to exert a pliable physiological influence on the cortico-spinal system through control of inhibitory cortical interneurons.     

Huntington's disease-like and ataxia syndromes: Identification of a family with a de novo SCA17/TBP mutation

The autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxias, commonly referred to as SCAs, are clinically and genetically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorders. Twenty-eight genetic subtypes have been identified, of which 7 are caused by expansion of a CAG trinucleotide repeat that encodes a polyglutamine tract in the respective proteins. SCA17 is caused by a CAG/CAA repeat expansion in the TATA box-binding protein-gene (TBP). In some cases the clinical phenotype of SCA17 overlaps that of Huntington's disease (HD), hence the use of the term Huntington's disease-like. We screened 89 patients with a Huntington's disease-like phenotype without the HD-gene mutation and 178 patients with genetically unclassified cerebellar ataxia for the mutation in TBP. A 33-year old woman presenting with an HD like phenotype with a de novo 54 CAG/CAA repeat expansion was identified. Her normal allele included 38 repeats. The patient's mother and father both carried normal range repeats, 38/38 and 33/39 respectively. Analysis of the repeat structures revealed that the expansion had occurred upon expansion of the longer paternal allele. We conclude that, however rare, SCA17 must be considered as a cause of Huntington's disease-like phenotypes and ataxia syndromes, also in isolated cases.     

脊髓小脑性共济失调12型一家系的临床特征和基因突变分析

目的研究1个遗传性共济失调12型(spinocerebellar ataxia type 12 SCA12)家系的临床特征与基因突变特点。方法应用聚合酶链反应、毛细管电泳等方法对1个临床诊断为遗传性共济失调的家系进行SCA基因检测。结果确定该家系为遗传性共济失调SCA12型家系。共确诊7例现证患者,患者异常CAG的重复次数为51⁵5次。结论上肢震颤,逐渐出现共济失调、延髓麻痹,病理征阳性为SCA12型相对独特的临床表现。先证者异常片段CAG重复为55次,第3代患者Ⅲ2 CAG重复次数54次,发病年龄提前,可能存在遗传早现现象。SCAs核苷酸突变扩展的数目与年龄呈负相关,与症状严重程度呈正相关的特点可能也存在于SCA12型中。     

Clinical and genetic study of a family with spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) and beta-thalassemia

We report a family affected by autosomal dominant ataxia, in which numerous members also showed microcytosis. Genetic analysis demonstrated a CAG expansion in the SCA1 locus in five members, while all subjects with microcytosis revealed a C-T substitution at codon 39 of the beta-globin gene. A pure cerebellar syndrome with prominent gait ataxia characterized the first stages of the neurological disease. The fully developed disease included additional clinical findings such as dysarthria and dysphagia, and instrumental signs of axonal involvement of the peripheral nerves. Ophthalmoplegia was not observed. The coexistence of hereditary spinocerebellar degeneration and erythropathies or hemoglobinopathies has been previously described. We discuss the possible linkages between these two pathologies.

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Sommario Riportiamo it caso di una famiglia affetta da atassia autosomica dominante, in cui numerosi membri presentavano anche microcitemia. L'analisi genetica dimostrava una espansione CA G net locus SCA1 in cinque membri, mentre tutti i soggetti con microcitemia erano portatori di una sostituzione C-T al codone 39 del gene delta beta-globina. La malattia neurologica era caratterizzata nelle prime fasi da una sindrome cerebellare pura con prevalente atassia delta marcia. Il quadro completo della malatia includeva anche disartria, disfagia e segni di danno assonale ai nervi periferici. Non veniva mai osservata oftalmoplegia. La coesistenza di degenerazione spinocerebellare ereditaria ed eritropatie o emoglobinopatie è già stata descritta precedentemente. Discutiamo i possibili legami tra queste due patologie.

     

脊髓小脑性共济失调一家系的基因诊断

目的 对1个常染色体显性遗传的脊髓小脑性共济失调(SCA)家系进行基因诊断.方法 采用PCR技术,对一汉族SCA家系(包括3例患者及3位无症状成员)及50名正常对照者的SCA1 ～3基因进行检测,通过琼脂糖凝胶电泳和产物直接测序法计数等位基因内CAG三核苷酸重复次数.结果 该家系中所有成员SCA1、SCA2基因CAG三核苷酸重复次数在正常范围;3例患者SCA3 CAG重复次数分别为67、68和66次,1位无症状成员为71次.结论 该家系为SCA3,基因检测诊断出1例症状前患者.     

Recent progress in spinocerebellar ataxia type-10 (SCA10)

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 10 (SCA10) is a dominantly inherited ataxia caused by expansion of ATTCT pentanucleotide repeat in intron 9 of a novel gene, E46L, on chromosome 22q13.3. SCA10 is a complex neurodegenerative condition. Initial studies characterized SCA10 as pure cerebellar ataxia associated with seizures. Recent identification of new SCA10 families revealed more diverse phenotypes, including polyneuropathy, pyramidal signs, cognitive and neuropsychiatric impairment. Moreover, several families manifest with ataxia without seizures. Thus a complete clinical spectrum is emerging. Progress has also been made in understanding the molecular and genetic mechanisms of pathogenesis. The length of expanded ATTCT repeats is variable in different tissues and highly unstable during paternal transmission, revealing complex genetic and pathogenetic processes. Under torsional stress, ATTCT repeats form unpaired DNA structure and may serve as an erroneous DNA replication origin, potentially contributing to repeat instability and aberrant cell cycle entry. E46L is a cytoplasmic protein with unknown function. Reduced expression of E46L in primary neuronal cultures from cerebellum and cortex by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) caused increased apoptosis, raising the possibility that reduced expression of E46L might also play an important role in SCA10 pathogenesis.     

脊髓小脑性共济失调3型一家系报道

目的 探讨脊髓小脑性共济失调(spinocerebellar ataxia, SCA)3型(SCA3)的临床特点。方法 收集1例2016年6月在济宁医学院附属医院神经内科住院的SCA3患者及其家系的临床资料,基因检测明确家系分型,结合文献分析家系中的临床差异。结果 患者23岁发病,临床表现为行走不稳伴进行性下肢无力,肌张力正常,水平性诱发眼震,无跌倒及吟诗性语言,闭目难立征阳性,呈宽基底步态,双侧巴氏征未引出,腹壁反射减低,膝反射及跟腱反射活跃,深浅感觉未见异常。基因检测提示患者ATXN3基因CAG重复次数79次(正常人范围在12～44次),超过正常范围,患者其它(ATXN1、ATXN2、CACNA1A、ATXN7、ATXN8、PPP2R2B、TBP)基因的CAG重复次数均在正常范围内。患者的55岁父亲、6岁女儿及4岁儿子的ATXN3基因的CAG重复数分别为65、73、71次,超过正常范围,但均未发病。患者母亲ATXN3基因的CAG重复数29次,属正常范围,未见临床症状。结论 本例家系是SCA3型,具有临床异质性,基因检测有助于诊断。     

Downbeat nystagmus in two siblings with spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA 6)

We report two siblings with spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA 6), both showing downbeat nystagmus (DBN) as a predominant clinical feature. Familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM), episodic ataxia type 2 (EA-2) and SCA 6 are allelic disorders, and interestingly, the occasional presence of DBN in EA-2 was reported. Our observations suggest that common molecular mechanisms might underlie DBN in FHM, EA-2 and SCA 6. Then, these disorders should be kept in mind in diagnosing patients with DBN.