Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD) and alpha-dystroglycanopathy

ABSTRACT  Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD), Walker-Warburg syndrome (WWS), and muscle-eye-brain (MEB) disease are clinically similar autosomal recessive disorders characterized by congenital muscular dystrophy, lissencephaly, and eye anomalies. Through positional cloning, we identified the gene for FCMD and MEB, which encodes the fukutin protein and the protein O -linked mannose β1, 2-N-acetylgIucosaminy ltransferase (POMGnT1), respectively. Recent studies have revealed that posttranslational modification of α-dystro-glycan is associated with these congenital muscular dystrophies with brain malformations. In this review Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD), other CMDs with brain malformations, and their relation with α-dystroglycan are discussed.     

Congenital muscular dystrophies: muscle-eye-brain disease

Three rare autosomal recessive disorders share the combination of congenital muscular dystrophy and brain malformations including a neuronal migration defect: muscle-eye-brain disease (MEB), Walker-Warburg syndrome (WWS), and Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD). In addition, ocular abnormalities are a constant feature in MEB and WWS. We report on two brothers with MEB. The clinical and radiological characteristics are demonstrated.     

Diabetes mellitus, exocrine pancreatic deficiency, hypertrichosis, hyperpigmentation, and chronic inflammation: confirmation of a syndrome

Abstract:  Type 1 diabetes mellitus is characterized by dysregulation of the immune system leading to inflammation and selective destruction of pancreatic beta cells. Mild to moderate pancreatic exocrine insufficiency is found in patients with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes mellitus may also be part of a syndrome occasionally involving hair and skin abnormalities. We report our observations on two siblings with insulin-dependent diabetes, severe exocrine pancreatic deficiency, pigmented hypertrichotic skin patches with induration and chronic inflammation. The first sibling presented at the age of 9 months with hypertrichosis and hyperpigmentation, particularly on her back and legs and then developed diabetes mellitus at the age of 4 yr. The second sibling presented with exactly the same clinical features but at a later age of 12 yr. Both siblings had severe pancreatic exocrine deficiency with chronic persistent inflammation. Some of the clinical features in these siblings resemble those described by Prendiville et al. although our patients had additional features. The chronic inflammatory response in both siblings is highly suggestive of some form of immune dysregulation. The presence of consanguinity in the parents and similarity of clinical features in the siblings are suggestive of a novel autoimmune disorder, possibly secondary to autosomal recessive inheritance.     

Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 with a novel mutation

Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 [PH1] is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a deficiency of alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase AGT, which is encoded by the AGXT gene. We report an Indian family with two affected siblings having a novel mutation in the AGXT gene inherited from the parents. The index case progressed to end stage renal disease at 5 months of age. His 4 month old sibling is presently under follow up with preserved renal function.     

A novel single point mutation of the LYST gene in two siblings with different phenotypic features of Chediak Higashi syndrome

Chediak Higashi syndrome (CHS) is an autosomal-recessive disorder characterized by oculocutaneous albinism, recurrent infections and a progressive primary neurological disease. Here, we describe two siblings with CHS due to a novel homozygous R1836X mutation in the LYST gene associated with loss of NK cell degranulation and cytotoxicity. While one sibling was born with fair skin and hair and died of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) at 5 months of age, the other sibling had dark black hair and skin and developed HLH at the age of 4 years.     

Extreme Clinical Variability of Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Two Siblings With Alström Syndrome

Alström syndrome (ALMS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the ALMS1 gene. We report two brothers, 3 and 4 years of age and diagnosed with ALMS, who initially presented in infancy with severe dilated cardiomyopathy during febrile respiratory infection. The disease course in the two siblings was marked by significant intrafamilial variability. Although cardiomyopathy in the older sibling has mainly resolved thus allowing for the discontinuation of medical therapy, heart function in the younger sibling continues to deteriorate despite maximal drug support with furosemide, carvedilol, captopril, and aldospirone. Genetic analysis revealed homozygous mutations, c.8008C>T (R2670X), in ALMS1 resulting in premature protein truncation. This report further emphasizes the exceptional intrafamilial variability of ALMS, mainly during the natural course of cardiac disease.     

Molecular analysis in two siblings African patients with severe form of Hunter Syndrome: identification of a novel (p.Y54X) nonsense mutation

Hunter syndrome (or Mucopolysaccharidosis type II, MPS II) is an X-linked recessive disorder due to the deficiency of the iduronate-2-sulfatase (IDS) enzyme, resulting in the accumulation of heparan and dermatan sulfates in the lysosomes. The heterogeneity of clinical phenotypes, ranging from mild-to-severe forms, is a result of different mutations in the IDS gene. We report here, a novel nonsense mutation (p.Y54X) in two siblings MPS II African patients affected with a severe form of the disease. We postulated that the p.Y54X mutation which causes a loss of the IDS region highly conserved among sulfatase enzymes, could be predicted as a severe disease-causing mutation for Hunter syndrome.     

Dystroglycanopathy with two novel POMT1 mutations in a Chinese boy with developmental delay and muscular dystrophy

Alpha-dystroglycanopathies are a group of diseases due to reduced glycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan, which commonly result from mutations in POMT1, POMT2, and POMGnT1. Patients with alpha-dystroglycanopathies present with muscular, cerebral, and ocular involvements with differing severities. We reported a boy who presented with muscular dystrophy, developmental delay, and non-specific white matter lesions. Mutation analysis of POMT1 was performed and revealed two novel mutations, a substitution mutation (c.176T>G) and a duplication mutation (c.2059dupC) which results in premature termination of translation. In-silico prediction in five different platforms concurred that the substitution is damaging, and functional studies by immunofluorescence revealed lack of staining in the carbohydrate moiety of alpha-dystroglycan, confirming the molecular findings in a functional manner. In conclusion, we reported the first case of genetically confirmed alpha-dystroglycanopathy due to mutations in POMT1 in Chinese.     

A new DAX-1 mutation in a family with a case of neonatal adrenal insufficiency and a sibling with adrenal hypoplasia and sudden death at 3 years of age

Adrenal hypoplasia congenita (AHC) is a hereditary disorder that leads to adrenal insufficiency and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HHG) in childhood. The gene responsible for the X-linked form of AHC, DAX1 (dosage-sensitive sex-reversal, AHC, on the X-chromosome, gene 1)/NR0B1, encodes for a nuclear factor which lacks the characteristic zinc finger DNA-binding domain that is highly conserved in nuclear receptors. Deletions and point mutations in the DAX1 gene have been described in more than 70 AHC families. We present the clinical and genetic data of two brothers affected by AHC. We report a new DAX1 gene mutation in a family with two affected members: one with neonatal adrenal insufficiency, and a sibling with adrenal hypoplasia and sudden death at 3 years old. The NR0B1/DAX1 gene was amplified in three PCR fragments from the patient's and mother's gDNA extracted from peripheral lymphocytes. Sequencing revealed a novel single nucleotide deletion in codon 419 from exon 2 that resulted in a frameshift and a stop codon 17 nucleotides downstream (c.1256 delA). The mother was heterozygous for this mutation. In conclusion, a novel DAX-1 mutation was detected in two family members with different phenotype: one live infant with adrenal hypoplasia, his mother, and probably his dead brother.     

Fatal neonatal respiratory distress in Niemann-Pick C2 and prenatal diagnosis with mutations in gene HE1/NPC2]

We report the fifth case of neonatal form of type C2 (NP-C2) Niemann-Pick disease with early and fatal respiratory distress. Eleven families presenting such cases are known to date in the world. Since December 2000, isolation of the underlying gene HE1/NPC2 and its mutations has allowed major advances in diagnosis. CASE REPORT: Elisa was born in May 2000. NP-C2 disease was associated with severe respiratory distress leading to death at the age of four months. On the next pregnancy in September 2000, prenatal diagnosis was performed by means of biological tests that required four weeks response time. In December 2000, isolation of the HE1/NPC2 gene located to 14q24.3 and of some of its mutations allowed to characterize the patient as being homozygote for the nonsense mutation E20X. On the the two next pregnancies, prenatal diagnosis was performed at 12 SA, in 48 hours, by the means of mutation analysis. The last fetus was heterozygote for the mutation E20X, allowing the birth at term of a healthy male newborn baby. CONCLUSION: Niemann-Pick type C disease is a rare lysosomal lipid storage disease with severe prognosis. It is characterized by abnormalities of intracellular transport of endocytosed cholesterol. Diagnosis relies on biological tests that require cultured cells. Genetic heterogeneity defines two different genetic complementation groups C1 and C2. Severe and early respiratory distress is more likely to be associated with the rare type C2. Since December 2000, after identification of the disease-causing mutations in the proband, mutation analysis of gene HE1/NPC2 on direct chorionic villus samples allows early and fast (48 hours) prenatal diagnosis.     

线粒体相关肾病2例病例报告及文献复习

目的 总结2例线粒体相关肾病患儿临床特征及基因突变的特点,提高对该病的认识。方法 收集2例线粒体相关肾病患儿的病史特点、肾脏病理、相关实验室检查和家族史等资料。采用外显子捕获的方法对4 000种人类单基因病的相关致病基因进行高通量测序,包括线粒体DNA A3243G等37个基因和ADCK4等13个参与辅酶Q10生物合成的基因,利用生物信息学对测序结果进行分析,用Sanger法对高通量测序结果进行验证,并在家系中进行突变分析。并进行相关文献复习。结果 2例患儿男女各1例。女性患儿11.7岁起病,主要临床表现为蛋白尿和肾功能异常,无肾外症状,肾脏病理为局灶节段性肾小球硬化(FSGS),检测到NPHS1基因已报道的p.E447K和p.G601A杂合突变,ADCK4基因纯合p.D209H错义突变,为新发现的突变。家系突变分析发现,NPHS1基因p.E447K和p.G601A杂合突变均来自父亲,其哥哥也有相同的基因型,其母亲不携带该2个突变;患儿父母和哥哥分别携带p.D209H杂合突变。男性患儿出生后起病,多个系统受累,表现为精神、运动发育落后,心脏和大血管多发畸形,肾病综合征。检测到COQ6基因的纯合p.R360W错义突变,为新发现的突变。家系突变分析显示,患儿父母分别携带杂合p.R360W错义突变。ADCK4基因p.D209H错义突变和COQ6基因p.R360W错义突变经在线软件PolyPhen和SIFT预测为有害性突变,经多物种蛋白序列比对,2个突变位点均具有保守性。结论 2例患儿肾脏表型分别由辅酶Q10合成基因ADCK4和COQ6突变引起的线粒体相关肾病。新发现p.D209H和p.R360W突变分别丰富了ADCK4和COQ6基因突变谱。     

Successful match-unrelated donor bone marrow transplantation for congenital erythropoietic porphyria (Günther disease)

Congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP; Günther disease; OMIM 263700) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by a deficiency of uroporphyrinogen III synthase (UROS). The deficiency of this enzyme is associated with lifelong overproduction of series I porphyrins which circulate and are deposited in many tissues, causing light-sensitisation and severe damage to skin beginning in childhood. Blistering and scarring of exposed areas may lead to mutilating deformities. We describe two cases: a 4-year-old boy and his first cousin who were cured of CEP by matched unrelated donor bone marrow transplants. Both are alive and disease-free 3 and 2 years post-transplant, respectively. Cutaneous lesions improved dramatically. The correction of the enzyme deficiency was confirmed by measuring erythrocyte UROS activity and urinary porphyrin excretion. Chimerism was complete for both children. Both patients were homoallelic for a novel mutation of the UROS gene, the missense mutation A69T. Conclusion:Considering the severity of the disease, if HLA-matched sibling donor is not available, haematopoietic stem cell transplantation using a matched unrelated donor should be strongly considered for treating congenital erythropoietic porphyria since this is currently the only known curative therapy.     

Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia may be less severe in a subsequent pregnancy

Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT) is more common than previously appreciated. Clinical presentation is varied, but it is generally a severe disorder and it is said to be more severe in subsequent pregnancies. The authors present a case of fatal disseminated intravascular coagulation that was diagnosed as NAIT only after presentation of a subsequent surviving sibling with intracranial hemorrhage and thrombocytopenia. Despite the perinatal complications, this second sibling had good neurodevelopmental outcome. This is the first reported case of less severe disease occurring in a subsequent pregnancy.     

Variable clinical phenotype in two siblings with Aicardi-Goutières syndrome type 6 and a novel mutation in the ADAR gene

Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS) is a hereditary inflammatory encephalopathy resulting in severe neurological damage in the majority of cases. We report on two siblings with AGS6 due to compound heterozygosity for a known and a novel mutation in the ADAR gene and a strikingly variable phenotype. The first sibling presented at 12 months of age with a subacute encephalopathy following a mild respiratory infection. The child developed a spastic tetraparesis, generalized dystonia and dysarthria. In contrast, the younger sibling presented with an acute episode of neurological impairment in his third year of life, from which he recovered without sequelae within a few weeks. These findings illustrate a striking intrafamilial phenotypic variability in patients with AGS6 and describe the first case of a full recovery from an acute encephalopathy in an AGS patient. Our findings also suggest that AGS should be considered as an important differential diagnosis of an infection-triggered encephalopathy in infancy despite the absence of typical neuroimaging findings.     

Familial hypomagnesemia with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis in three siblings having the same genetic lesion but different clinical presentations

Background

This article summarizes the varying clinical manifestations of three siblings with familial hypomagnesemia with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis (FHHNC) caused by the same genetic lesion.

Methods

The medical records of three siblings with FHHNC (one girl and two boys, aged 6 to 12 years) were reviewed and the clinical manifestations and treatment of their disease were described.

Results

Despite varying phenotypes, each sibling had the same genetic lesion??a novel homozygous mutation in CLDN16 (c.211A>G, M71V).

Conclusion

Although FHHNC is a rare disorder, this report is significant for the following reasons: (i) it describes a novel CLDN16 mutation causing FHHNC, adding to the literature of FHHNC-causing CLDN16 mutations; (ii) it suggests that genes other than CLDN16 or epigenetic factors are involved in the clinical spectrum of FHHNC; and (iii) it reinforces the variability of disease manifestation and genotype-phenotype correlations.     

Severe phenotypes of SMARD1 associated with novel mutations of the IGHMBP2 gene and nuclear degeneration of muscle and Schwann cells

Spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 1 (SMARD1) is a very rare autosomal recessive form of spinal muscular atrophy manifested in low birth weight, diaphragmatic palsy and distal muscular atrophy. Caused by a mutation in the IGHMBP2 gene, the disease is addressed here by reference to five Polish patients in which SMARD1 has been confirmed genetically. All presented a severe form of the disease and had evident symptoms during the second month of life; with four displaying weak cries, feeding difficulties and hypotonia from birth. Two were afflicted by severe dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Ultrastructural analysis of a muscle biopsy revealed progressive degeneration within the nuclei of the muscle cells and Schwann cells. Neuromuscular junctions were also defective. It proved possible to identify in our patients 6 novel IGHMBP2 mutations: three missense (c.595G>C, c.1682T>C and c.1794C>A), two nonsense (c.94C>T and c.1336C>T) and one in-frame deletion (c.1615_1623del). One nonsense mutation (c.429C>T) that had been described previously was also identified. Observation of our patients makes it clear that clinical picture is still the most important factor suggesting diagnosis of SMARD1, though further investigations concerning some of the symptoms are required. As the IGHMBP2 gene is characterized by significant heterogeneity, genetic counseling of affected families is rendered more complex. IGHMBP2 protein deficiency can lead to the degeneration of nuclei, in both muscle and Schwann cells.     

PEX1 mutations in complementation group 1 of Zellweger spectrum patients correlate with severity of disease

The peroxisome biogenesis disorders (PBD) are a group of autosomal-recessive diseases with complex developmental and metabolic phenotypes, including the Zellweger spectrum and rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata. The diseases are caused by defects in peroxisomal matrix protein import and are characterized by the loss of multiple peroxisomal metabolic functions. In humans, 12 complementation groups have been identified, with complementation group 1 accounting for more than two thirds of all PBD patients. Mutations in the PEX1 gene encoding a member of the AAA protein family of ATPases are responsible for the defects in this group, and a variety of PEX1 mutant alleles have been described. We characterized the PEX1 gene mutations and associated haplotypes in a group of thoroughly documented Zellweger spectrum patients in complementation group 1 who represent the broad range of phenotypic variation. We compared the type of mutation with the age of survival, clinical manifestations, and biochemical alterations and found a close relationship between genotype and age of survival. Missense mutations cause a milder form of disease, whereas insertions, deletions, and nonsense mutations are associated with severe clinical phenotypes. Thus, knowing the PEX1 gene mutation is helpful in predicting the course of disease in individual cases.     

Misleading diagnosis of partial N-acetylglutamate synthase deficiency based on enzyme measurement corrected by mutation analysis

N-acetylglutamate synthase (NAGS) deficiency is a rare urea cycle disorder. Most of the patients present in the early neonatal period with severe hyperammonaemia and marked neurological impairment. We report on a Turkish family with an index patient, who died due to hyperammonemia, and another three siblings, who received a prophylactic treatment consisting of arginine hydrochloride, sodium benzoate and phenylbutyrate directly after birth. Enzyme measurement in a liver biopsy suggested a diagnosis of partial NAGS deficiency in all three siblings. Thereafter, N-carbamylglutamate was added to the treatment. None of the patients developed hyperammonaemia. After the human NAGS gene was identified, mutation analysis revealed that the consanguineous parents and two siblings were heterozygous for a private mutation (W484R), whereas the wild-type gene was found in the eldest sibling. Therapy was stopped without any deterioration of urea cycle function.

Conclusion: Diagnosis of partial NAGS deficiency based on enzyme measurement may be misleading and should be completed by mutation analysis.