Martin Paucar MD, PhD, Tianyi Li PhD, Åsa Bergendal PhD, Irina Savitcheva MD, PhD, Kaveh Pourhamidi MD, PhD, José M. Laffita-Mesa PhD, Ann Nordgren MD, PhD, Martin Engvall MD, PhD, Per Uhlén PhD, Kristina Lagerstedt-Robinson PhD, Per Svenningsson MD, PhD
An X-Linked Ataxia Syndrome in a Family with Hearing Loss Associated with a Novel Variant in the BCAP31 Gene
Objective
Pathogenic variants in B-cell receptor-associated protein (BCAP31) are associated with X-linked, deafness, dystonia and cerebral hypomyelination (DDCH) syndrome. DDCH is congenital and non-progressive, featuring severe intellectual disability (ID), variable dysmorphism, and sometimes associated with shortened survival. BCAP31 encodes one of the most abundant chaperones, with several functions including acting as a negative regulator of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium ion (Ca2+) concentration. Here, we characterize an X-linked syndrome, its underlying genotype, and a functional evaluation of the identified candidate genetic variant.
Methods
Evaluation of motor features, neuroimaging studies, neurophysiological, and cognitive tests. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was applied, a plasmid encoding BCAP31 with and without a candidate variant was transfected into SH-SY5Y cells to assess subcellular location and to measure Ca2+ levels in the cytoplasm.
Results
Adult-onset ataxia, cognitive impairment, and hearing loss leading to deafness are the predominant features. Reduced penetrance, slow progression with preserved ability to walk in advance age, and universal cerebellar atrophy are other features for this syndrome. This condition is associated with the new variant c.22G>A (V8I) in BCAP31 at Xq28. The subcellular location of the V8I BCAP31 protein was not altered but caused significant elevation of cytosolic Ca2+.
期刊介绍:
Movement Disorders publishes a variety of content types including Reviews, Viewpoints, Full Length Articles, Historical Reports, Brief Reports, and Letters. The journal considers original manuscripts on topics related to the diagnosis, therapeutics, pharmacology, biochemistry, physiology, etiology, genetics, and epidemiology of movement disorders. Appropriate topics include Parkinsonism, Chorea, Tremors, Dystonia, Myoclonus, Tics, Tardive Dyskinesia, Spasticity, and Ataxia.