Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/2445/159298
Title: A novel mutation in the GFAP gene expands the phenotype of Alexander disease
Author: Casasnovas Pons, Carlos
Verdura, Edgard
Vélez Santamaria, Valentina
Schlüter, Agatha
Pons Escoda, Albert
Homedes, Christian
Ruiz, Montserrat
Fourcade, Stéphane
Launay, Nathalie
Pujol Onofre, Aurora
Keywords: Malalties del sistema nerviós
Malalties cerebrals
Nervous system Diseases
Brain diseases
Issue Date: 19-Apr-2019
Publisher: BMJ
Abstract: Background: Alexander disease, an autosomal dominant leukodystrophy, is caused by missense mutations in GFAP. Although mostly diagnosed in children, associated with severe leukoencephalopathy, milder adult forms also exist. Methods: A family affected by adult-onset spastic paraplegia underwent neurological examination and cerebral MRI. Two patients were sequenced by WES. A candidate variant was functionally tested in an astrocytoma cell line. Results: The novel variant in GFAP N-terminal head domain (p.Gly18Val) cosegregated in multiple relatives (LOD score: 2.7). All patients, even those with the mildest forms, showed characteristic signal changes or atrophy in the brainstem and spinal cord MRIs, and abnormal MRS. In vitro, this variant did not cause significant protein aggregation, in contrast to most Alexander disease mutations characterized so far. However, cell area analysis showed larger size, a feature previously described in patients and mouse models. Conclusion: We suggest that this variant causes variable expressivity and an attenuated phenotype of Alexander Disease type II, probably associated with alternative pathogenic mechanisms, i.e. astrocyte enlargement. GFAP analysis should be considered in adult-onset neurologic presentations with pyramidal and bulbar symptoms, in particular when characteristic findings, such as the tadpole sign, are present in MRI. WES is a powerful tool to diagnose atypical cases.
Note: Versió postprint del document publicat a: https://doi.org/10.1136/jmedgenet-2018-105959
It is part of: Journal of Medical Genetics, 2019, vol. 56, num. 12, p. 846-849
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2445/159298
Related resource: https://doi.org/10.1136/jmedgenet-2018-105959
Appears in Collections:Articles publicats en revistes (Institut d'lnvestigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL))

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