Linking LRP12 CGG repeat expansion to inherited peripheral neuropathy.

BACKGROUND: The causative genes for over 60% of inherited peripheral neuropathy (IPN) remain unidentified. This study endeavours to enhance the genetic diagnostic rate in IPN cases by conducting screenings focused on non-coding repeat expansions. METHODS: We gathered data from 2424 unrelated Japanese patients diagnosed with IPN, among whom 1555 cases with unidentified genetic causes, as determined through comprehensive prescreening analyses, were selected for the study. Screening for CGG non-coding repeat expansions in LRP12, GIPC1 and RILPL1 genes was conducted using PCR and long-read sequencing technologies. RESULTS: We identified CGG repeat expansions in LRP12 from 44 cases, establishing it as the fourth most common aetiology in Japanese IPN. Most cases (29/37) exhibited distal limb weakness, without ptosis, ophthalmoplegia, facial muscle weakness or bulbar palsy. Neurogenic changes were frequently observed in both needle electromyography (97%) and skeletal muscle tissue (100%). In nerve conduction studies, 28 cases primarily showed impairment in motor nerves without concurrent involvement of sensory nerves, consistent with the phenotype of hereditary motor neuropathy. In seven cases, both motor and sensory nerves were affected, resembling the Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) phenotype. Importantly, the mean CGG repeat number detected in the present patients was significantly shorter than that of patients with LRP12-oculopharyngodistal myopathy (p<0.0001). Additionally, GIPC1 and RILPL1 repeat expansions were absent in our IPN cases. CONCLUSION: We initially elucidate LRP12 repeat expansions as a prevalent cause of CMT, highlighting the necessity for an adapted screening strategy in clinical practice, particularly when addressing patients with IPN.

Clinical phenotypic diversity of NOTCH2NLC-related disease in the largest case series of inherited peripheral neuropathy in Japan.

BACKGROUND: NOTCH2NLC GGC repeat expansions have been associated with various neurogenerative disorders, including neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease and inherited peripheral neuropathies (IPNs). However, only a few NOTCH2NLC-related disease studies in IPN have been reported, and the clinical and genetic spectra remain unclear. Thus, this study aimed to describe the clinical and genetic manifestations of NOTCH2NLC-related IPNs. METHOD: Among 2692 Japanese patients clinically diagnosed with IPN/Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), we analysed NOTCH2NLC repeat expansion in 1783 unrelated patients without a genetic diagnosis. Screening and repeat size determination of NOTCH2NLC repeat expansion were performed using repeat-primed PCR and fluorescence amplicon length analysis-PCR. RESULTS: NOTCH2NLC repeat expansions were identified in 26 cases of IPN/CMT from 22 unrelated families. The mean median motor nerve conduction velocity was 41 m/s (range, 30.8-59.4), and 18 cases (69%) were classified as intermediate CMT. The mean age of onset was 32.7 (range, 7-61) years. In addition to motor sensory neuropathy symptoms, dysautonomia and involuntary movements were common (44% and 29%). Furthermore, the correlation between the age of onset or clinical symptoms and the repeat size remains unclear. CONCLUSIONS: These findings of this study help us understand the clinical heterogeneity of NOTCH2NLC-related disease, such as non-length-dependent motor dominant phenotype and prominent autonomic involvement. This study also emphasise the importance of genetic screening, regardless of the age of onset and type of CMT, particularly in patients of Asian origin, presenting with intermediate conduction velocities and dysautonomia.

An NEFH founder mutation causes broad phenotypic spectrum in multiple Japanese families.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Mutations in neurofilament genes have been linked to several neuromuscular disorders. The neurofilament heavy (NEFH) gene was identified as the causative gene of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2CC (CMT2CC) in 2016, with a toxic gain of function mechanism caused by the translation and aggregation of cryptic amyloidogenic element (CAE) in the 3' untranslated region (UTR). But the NEFH-related clinical and genetic spectrums are still unclear in Japan. METHODS: We analyzed all variants in the NEFH gene from our in-house whole-exome sequencing data, established from Japanese nationwide patients with neuromuscular disorders, including Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). RESULTS: We identified a c.3017dup (p.Pro1007Alafs*56) variant in NEFH from three families clinically diagnosed with CMT, and one family with SMA. In addition to the patients presented with typical peripheral neuropathies, pyramidal signs were observed from one CMT patient. Whereas the SMA patients showed severe characteristic weakness of triceps brachii and quadriceps femoris. All of these four families reside in Kagoshima Prefecture of Japan, and a following haplotype analysis strongly suggests a founder effect. INTERPRETATION: This is the original report referring to a founder mutation in NEFH. The clinical diversity in our study, comprising CMT, with or without pyramidal signs, and SMA, suggest an extensive involvement of peripheral nerve, anterior horn cells, or both. Our findings broaden the phenotypic spectrum of NEFH-related disorders.

Prevalence of Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome in Patients with Cerebellar Ataxia in Japan.

The presence of fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) premutation has been linked to patients with a certain type of cerebellar ataxia, the fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). However, its prevalence in Japan has yet to be clarified. The aim of the present study is to determine the prevalence of FXTAS in Japanese patients with cerebellar ataxia and to describe their clinical characteristics. DNA samples were collected from 1328 Japanese patients with cerebellar ataxia, referred for genetic diagnosis. Among them, 995 patients with negative results for the most common spinocerebellar ataxia subtypes were screened for FMR1 premutation. Comprehensive clinical and radiological analyses were performed for the patients harbouring FMR1 premutation. We herein identified FMR1 premutation from one female and two male patients, who satisfied both clinical and radiological criteria of FXTAS (0.3%; 3/995) as well. Both male patients presented with high signal intensity of corticomedullary junction on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, a finding comparable to that of neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease. The female patient mimicked multiple system atrophy in the early stages of her disease and developed aseptic meningitis with a suspected immune-mediated mechanism after the onset of FXTAS, which made her unique. Despite the lower prevalence rate in Japan than the previous reports in other countries, the present study emphasises the necessity to consider FXTAS with undiagnosed ataxia, regardless of men or women, particularly for those cases presenting with similar clinical and radiological findings with multiple system atrophy or neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease.

The application of shotgun metagenomics to the diagnosis of granulomatous amoebic encephalitis due to Balamuthia mandrillaris: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) is an infrequent and fatal infectious disease worldwide. Antemortem diagnosis in this condition is very difficult because clinical manifestations and neuroimaging are nonspecific. CASE PRESENTATION: A 60-year-old Japanese woman was admitted with a chief complaint of left homonymous hemianopsia. Brain-MRI showed extensive necrotizing lesions enhanced by gadolinium, in the right frontal lobe, right occipital lobe, and left parietal lobe. Epithelioid granulomas of unknown etiology were found in the biopsied brain specimens. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing using a next-generation sequencer detected DNA fragments of Balamuthia mandrillaris in the tissue specimens. The diagnosis of granulomatous amoebic encephalitis was confirmed using an amoeba-specific polymerase chain reaction and immunostaining on the biopsied tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Shotgun metagenomics is useful for the diagnosis of central nervous system infections such as GAE wherein the pathogens are difficult to identify.

Structural dynamics of the nuclear pore complex.

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are the sole conduits that facilitate macromolecular exchange between the nucleus and cytosol. Recent advancements have led to a more highly resolved NPC structure. However, our understanding of the NPC modus operandi that facilitates transport selectivity, and speed, of diverse cargoes remains incomplete. For the most part, assorted cargo-complexes of different sizes traverse the NPC central channel in milliseconds, yet little is known about the nanoscopic movements of its barrier-forming Phe-Gly nucleoporins (FG Nups) and related sub-structures at transport-relevant time and length scales. Here, we discuss how dynamic FG Nup behavior may confer NPCs with an effective permeability barrier according to the functional needs of the cell. Moreover, we postulate that structural flexibility might resonate throughout the NPC framework from the cytoplasmic filaments to the nuclear basket.

Peripheral neuropathy in a case with CADASIL: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is characterized clinically by central nervous system dysfunctions. It is unclear whether CADASIL is involved in peripheral neuropathy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 67-year-old Japanese man with stepwise progression of sensory and motor neuropathy was admitted to our hospital. Peripheral neuropathy of the extremities was detected through electrophysiological and pathological studies, and brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed bilateral periventricular ischemic and thalamic hemorrhagic lesions. We diagnosed CADASIL after detecting granular osmiophilic material in the walls of the endoneurial vessels morphologically and identifying a heterozygous NOTCH3 mutation p.Arg75Pro. CONCLUSIONS: CADASIL is to be included in the work-up of not classified peripheral neuropathies.

Clinical variability associated with intronic FGF14 GAA repeat expansion in Japan.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The GAA repeat expansion within the fibroblast growth factor 14 (FGF14) gene has been found to be associated with late-onset cerebellar ataxia. This study aimed to investigate the genetic causes of cerebellar ataxia in patients in Japan. METHODS: We collected a case series of 940 index patients who presented with chronic cerebellar ataxia and remained genetically undiagnosed after our preliminary genetic screening. To investigate the FGF14 repeat locus, we employed an integrated diagnostic strategy that involved fluorescence amplicon length analysis polymerase chain reaction (PCR), repeat-primed PCR, and long-read sequencing. RESULTS: Pathogenic FGF14 GAA repeat expansions were detected in 12 patients from 11 unrelated families. The median size of the pathogenic GAA repeat was 309 repeats (range: 270-316 repeats). In these patients, the mean age of onset was 66.9 ± 9.6 years, with episodic symptoms observed in 56% of patients and parkinsonism in 30% of patients. We also detected FGF14 repeat expansions in a patient with a phenotype of multiple system atrophy, including cerebellar ataxia, parkinsonism, autonomic ataxia, and bilateral vocal cord paralysis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed normal to mild cerebellar atrophy, and a follow-up study conducted after a mean period of 6 years did not reveal any significant progression. DISCUSSION: This study highlights the importance of FGF14 GAA repeat analysis in patients with late-onset cerebellar ataxia, particularly when they exhibit episodic symptoms, or their brain MRI shows no apparent cerebellar atrophy. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the clinical variability of GAA-FGF14-related diseases.

Novel mutation in the replication focus targeting sequence domain of DNMT1 causes hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy IE.

DNMT1, encoding DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1), is a critical enzyme which is mainly responsible for conversion of unmethylated DNA into hemimethylated DNA. To date, two phenotypes produced by DNMT1 mutations have been reported, including hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy (HSAN) type IE with mutations in exon 20, and autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia, deafness, and narcolepsy caused by mutations in exon 21. We report a sporadic case in a Japanese patient with loss of pain and vibration sense, chronic osteomyelitis, autonomic system dysfunctions, hearing loss, and mild dementia, but without definite cerebellar ataxia. Electrophysiological studies revealed absent sensory nerve action potential with nearly normal motor nerve conduction studies. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed mild diffuse cerebral and cerebellar atrophy. Using a next-generation sequencing system, 16 candidate genes were analyzed and a novel missense mutation, c.1706A>G (p.His569Arg), was identified in exon 21 of DNMT1. Our findings suggest that mutation in exon 21 of DNMT1 may also produce a HSAN phenotype. Because all reported mutations of DNMT1 are concentrated in exons 20 and 21, which encode the replication focus targeting sequence (RFTS) domain of Dnmt1, the RFTS domain could be a mutation hot spot.

Gene panel analysis of 119 index patients with suspected periodic paralysis in Japan.

Introduction: Genetic factors are recognized as the major reason for patients with periodic paralysis. The goal of this study was to determine the genetic causes of periodic paralysis in Japan. Methods: We obtained a Japanese nationwide case series of 119 index patients (108 men and 11 women) clinically suspected of periodic paralysis, and a gene panel analysis, targeting CACNA1S, SCN4A, and KCNJ2 genes, was conducted. Results: From 34 cases, 25 pathogenic/likely pathogenic/unknown significance variants were detected in CACNA1S (nine cases), SCN4A (19 cases), or KCNJ2 (six cases), generating a molecular diagnostic rate of 28.6%. In total, seven variants have yet been found linked to periodic paralysis previously. The diagnostic yield of patients with hypokalemic and hyperkalemic periodic paralyzes was 26.2 (17/65) and 32.7% (17/52), respectively. A considerably higher yield was procured from patients with than without positive family history (18/25 vs. 16/94), onset age ≤20 years (24/57 vs. 9/59), or recurrent paralytic attacks (31/94 vs. 3/25). Discussion: The low molecular diagnostic rate and specific genetic proportion of the present study highlight the etiological complexity of patients with periodic paralysis in Japan.

Efficacy of l-Arginine treatment in patients with HTLV-1-associated neurological disease.

OBJECTIVE: HTLV-1 infection causes HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), resulting in loss of motor function. In this Phase 2 trial, we assessed the efficacy and safety of l-arginine in patients with HAM/TSP. METHODS: This open-label, single-arm, Phase 2 study enrolled patients diagnosed with HAM/TSP. Patients received l-arginine at a dose of 20 g orally for 1 week and were followed-up for 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was change in walking speed in the 10-m walk test (10MWT). The main secondary endpoints were change in Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) time, improvement in inflammatory markers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), safety, and tolerability. RESULTS: The study enrolled 20 patients (13 [65%] female) with a mean age of 67.8 years (95% CI 62.3 to 73.3). Although the primary endpoint, the changes in 10MWT time between baseline (Day 0) and Day 7, did not reach statistical significance (mean percent change in time -3.5%, 95% CI -10.8% to 3.7%; P = 0.32), a significant improvement was detected between baseline and Day 14 (-9.4%, 95% CI -16.6% to -2.2%; P = 0.01). Significant improvements were also observed in selected secondary endpoints, including in TUGT time (-9.1%, 95% CI -15.5% to -2.7%; P < 0.01), and in neopterin concentration in CSF (-2.1 pmol/mL, 95% CI -3.8 to -0.5; P = 0.01). Adverse events were infrequent, mild, and resolved rapidly. INTERPRETATION: l-arginine therapy improved motor function and decreased CSF inflammatory markers. l-arginine thus represents a promising therapeutic option for patients with HAM/TSP. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: UMIN000023854.

Anti-ganglionic acetylcholine receptor antibodies in functional neurological symptom disorder/conversion disorder.

Objective: Autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy (AAG) is a rare disorder characterized by autonomic failure associated with the presence of anti-ganglionic acetylcholine receptor (gAChR) antibodies; however, several studies have reported that individuals with anti-gAChR antibodies present with central nervous system (CNS) symptoms such as impaired consciousness and seizures. In the present study, we investigated whether the presence of serum anti-gAChR antibodies correlated with autonomic symptoms in patients with functional neurological symptom disorder/conversion disorder (FNSD/CD). Methods: Clinical data were collected for 59 patients presenting with neurologically unexplained motor and sensory symptoms at the Department of Neurology and Geriatrics between January 2013 and October 2017 and who were ultimately diagnosed with FNSD/CD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition. Correlations between serum anti-gAChR antibodies and clinical symptoms and laboratory data were analyzed. Data analysis was conducted in 2021. Results: Of the 59 patients with FNSD/CD, 52 (88.1%) exhibited autonomic disturbances and 16 (27.1%) were positive for serum anti-gAChR antibodies. Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction, including orthostatic hypotension, was significantly more prevalent (75.0 vs. 34.9%, P = 0.008), whereas involuntary movements were significantly less prevalent (31.3 vs. 69.8%, P = 0.007), among anti-gAChR antibody-positive compared with -negative patients. Anti-gAChR antibody serostatus did not correlate significantly with the frequency of other autonomic, sensory, or motor symptoms analyzed. Conclusions: An autoimmune mechanism mediated by anti-gAChR antibodies may be involved in disease etiology in a subgroup of FNSD/CD patients.

Identification and tracking of HTLV-1-infected T cell clones in virus-associated neurologic disease.

Human T lymphotropic virus type 1-assoicated (HTLV-1-associated) myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a neuroinflammatory disease caused by the persistent proliferation of HTLV-1-infected T cells. Here, we performed a T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire analysis focused on HTLV-1-infected cells to identify and track the infected T cell clones that are preserved in patients with HAM/TSP and migrate to the CNS. TCRß repertoire analysis revealed higher clonal expansion in HTLV-1-infected cells compared with noninfected cells from patients with HAM/TSP and asymptomatic carriers (ACs). TCR clonality in HTLV-1-infected cells was similar in patients with HAM/TSP and ACs. Longitudinal analysis showed that the TCR repertoire signature in HTLV-1-infected cells remained stable, and highly expanded infected clones were preserved within each patient with HAM/TSP over years. Expanded HTLV-1-infected clones revealed different distributions between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and peripheral blood and were enriched in the CSF of patients with HAM/TSP. Cluster analysis showed similarity in TCRß sequences in HTLV-1-infected cells, suggesting that they proliferate after common antigen stimulation. Our results indicate that exploring TCR repertoires of HTLV-1-infected cells can elucidate individual clonal dynamics and identify potential pathogenic clones expanded in the CNS.

Stable trapping of multiple proteins at physiological conditions using nanoscale chambers with macromolecular gates.

The possibility to detect and analyze single or few biological molecules is very important for understanding interactions and reaction mechanisms. Ideally, the molecules should be confined to a nanoscale volume so that the observation time by optical methods can be extended. However, it has proven difficult to develop reliable, non-invasive trapping techniques for biomolecules under physiological conditions. Here we present a platform for long-term tether-free (solution phase) trapping of proteins without exposing them to any field gradient forces. We show that a responsive polymer brush can make solid state nanopores switch between a fully open and a fully closed state with respect to proteins, while always allowing the passage of solvent, ions and small molecules. This makes it possible to trap a very high number of proteins (500-1000) inside nanoscale chambers as small as one attoliter, reaching concentrations up to 60 gL-1. Our method is fully compatible with parallelization by imaging arrays of nanochambers. Additionally, we show that enzymatic cascade reactions can be performed with multiple native enzymes under full nanoscale confinement and steady supply of reactants. This platform will greatly extend the possibilities to optically analyze interactions involving multiple proteins, such as the dynamics of oligomerization events.

A new mitochondria-related disease showing myopathy with episodic hyper-creatine kinase-emia.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the relationship between mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) alterations and a mitochondrial disease with a distinct combination of characteristic symptoms, namely episodic hyper-creatine kinase (CK)-emia and mild myopathy. METHODS: We selected 9 patients with mtDNA np8291 alteration from 586 patients suspected to have a mitochondrial disease, and assessed them clinically, pathologically, and genetically. These 9 patients had undiagnosed mitochondrial myopathy with episodic hyper-CK-emia, all showing similar symptoms and progression. RESULTS: Patients had mild muscle weakness and episodic hyper-CK-emia triggered by infections or drugs. Five of 9 patients were initially diagnosed with other conditions, such as myasthenia gravis, polymyositis, viral myositis, and drug-induced myopathy, because these conditions were acute or subacute, and 9 patients showed the same 16 mtDNA alterations, which have been reported to be nonpathological polymorphisms. Muscle biopsy revealed ragged-red fibers, highly expressed succinate dehydrogenase staining fibers, and cytochrome c oxidase-deficient fibers. Because their mitochondrial sequence data was almost the same, and 9 patients live in widely separated cities in Japan, the alterations may have arisen from a single source. INTERPRETATION: These findings suggest that mild myopathy with episodic hyper-CK-emia associated with some of the 16 mtDNA alterations or at least with their mitochondria, could be a novel mitochondrial disease. Therefore, we propose that this disease be named as "mitochondrial myopathy with episodic hyper-CK-emia (MIMECK)." These alterations could work concomitantly and probably modify the impact of medications or other environmental factors. We believe these findings provide an insight into a novel aspect of mitochondrial disease pathogenesis.

Genetic spectrum and founder effect of non-dystrophic myotonia: a Japanese case series study.

Non-dystrophic myotonias (NDM) are rare skeletal muscle channelopathies, mainly linked to two voltage-gated ion channel genes, CLCN1 and SCN4A. The aim of this study is to identify the clinical and genetic features of patients with NDM in Japan. We collected a Japanese nationwide case series of patients with clinical diagnosis of NDM (1999-2021). Among 71 out of 88 pedigrees, using Sanger and next-generation sequencing targeting both CLCN1 and SCN4A genes, variants classified as pathogenic/likely pathogenic/unknown significance were detected from CLCN1 (31 probands), SCN4A (36 probands), or both genes (4 probands), and 11 of them were novel. Pedigrees carrying mono-allelic CLCN1 variants were more commonly seen than that with bi-allelic/double variants (24:7). Compared to patients with CLCN1 variants, patients harboring SCN4A variants showed younger onset age (5.64 ± 4.70 years vs. 9.23 ± 5.21 years), fewer warm-up phenomenon, but more paramyotonia, hyperCKemia, transient muscle weakness, and cold-induced myotonia. Haplotype analysis verified founder effects of the hot spot variants in both CLCN1 (p.T539A) and SCN4A (p.T1313M). This study reveals variants in CLCN1 and SCN4A from 80.7% of our case series, extending genetic spectrum of NDM, and would further our understanding of clinical similarity/diversity between CLCN1- and SCN4A-related NDM, as well as the genetic racial differences.

Novel de novo POLR3B mutations responsible for demyelinating Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Biallelic POLR3B mutations cause a rare hypomyelinating leukodystrophy. De novo POLR3B heterozygous mutations were recently associated with afferent ataxia, spasticity, variable intellectual disability, and epilepsy, and predominantly demyelinating sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy. METHODS: We performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) of DNA samples from 804 Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) cases that could not be genetically diagnosed by DNA-targeted resequencing microarray using next-generation sequencers. Using WES data, we analyzed the POLR3B mutations and confirmed their clinical features. RESULTS: We identified de novo POLR3B heterozygous missense mutations in two patients. These patients presented with early-onset demyelinating sensorimotor neuropathy without ataxia, spasticity, or cognitive impairment. Patient 1 showed mild cerebellar atrophy and spinal cord atrophy on magnetic resonance imaging and eventually died of respiratory failure in her 50s. We classified these mutations as pathogenic based on segregation studies, comparison with control database, and in silico analysis. CONCLUSION: Our study is the third report on patients with demyelinating CMT harboring heterozygous POLR3B mutations and verifies the pathogenicity of POLR3B mutations in CMT. Although extremely rare in our large Japanese case series, POLR3B mutations should be added to the CMT-related gene panel for comprehensive genetic screening, particularly for patients with early-onset demyelinating CMT.

Multi-type RFC1 repeat expansions as the most common cause of hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy.

Non-coding repeat expansions within RFC1 and NOTCH2NLC genes have lately been linked to multisystem neurodegenerative diseases, which also shed light on yet undiagnosed patients with inherited peripheral neuropathies. The aim of this study was to identify the genetic basis of patients with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy (HSAN). We collected 79 unrelated DNA samples clinically suspected with HSAN from multiple regions of Japan. Mutation screening was first performed using gene panel sequencing and whole-exome sequencing. Pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants were identified from genes of WNK1/HSN2 (6 cases), SCN9A (3 cases), NTRK1 (3 cases), and DNMT1 (2 cases). Subsequently, long-range flanking PCR and repeat-primed PCR were applied to analyze repeat expansions in RFC1 and NOTCH2NLC. Bi-allelic RFC1 repeat expansions were detected from 20 adult-onset HSAN patients, consisting of [(AAGGG)exp/(AAGGG)exp] (8 cases), [(ACAGG)exp/(ACAGG)exp] (8 cases), and [(AAGGG)exp/(ACAGG)exp] (4 cases). GGC repeat expansion in NOTCH2NLC was found in 1 case. Single-nucleotide variant-based haplotype analysis of patients harboring disease-associated repeat expansions in RFC1 revealed distinguishable haplotypes among subgroups with different repeat genotypes. These findings substantially redefine the genetic spectrum of HSAN, where multi-type RFC1 repeat expansions account for 25.3% of all patients, highlighting the necessity of genetic screening, particularly for adult-onset patients.

Comprehensive Genetic Analyses of Inherited Peripheral Neuropathies in Japan: Making Early Diagnosis Possible.

Various genomic variants were linked to inherited peripheral neuropathies (IPNs), including large duplication/deletion and repeat expansion, making genetic diagnosis challenging. This large case series aimed to identify the genetic characteristics of Japanese patients with IPNs. We collected data on 2695 IPN cases throughout Japan, in which PMP22 copy number variation (CNV) was pre-excluded. Genetic analyses were performed using DNA microarrays, next-generation sequencing-based gene panel sequencing, whole-exome sequencing, CNV analysis, and RFC1 repeat expansion analysis. The overall diagnostic rate and the genetic spectrum of patients were summarized. We identified 909 cases with suspected IPNs, pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants. The most common causative genes were MFN2, GJB1, MPZ, and MME. MFN2 was the most common cause for early-onset patients, whereas GJB1 and MPZ were the leading causes of middle-onset and late-onset patients, respectively. Meanwhile, GJB1 and MFN2 were leading causes for demyelinating and axonal subtypes, respectively. Additionally, we identified CNVs in MPZ and GJB1 genes and RFC1 repeat expansions. Comprehensive genetic analyses explicitly demonstrated the genetic basis of our IPN case series. A further understanding of the clinical characteristics of IPN and genetic spectrum would assist in developing efficient genetic testing strategies and facilitate early diagnosis.

Genetic and clinical features of cerebellar ataxia with RFC1 biallelic repeat expansions in Japan.

The recessive intronic pentanucleotide repeat AAGGG expansion of replication factor complex subunit 1 (RFC1) is associated with cerebellar ataxia, sensory neuropathy, and vestibular areflexia syndrome. And the clinical spectrum has been continuously expanding. We conducted this study to demonstrate the clinical and genetic features of a large-scale case series of Japanese patients with cerebellar ataxia with RFC1 repeat expansions. We examined 1,289 Japanese patients with cerebellar ataxia and analyzed RFC1 repeat expansions in 840 patients, excluding those with genetic diagnoses or an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. For individuals where no product was obtained by flanking polymerase chain reaction (PCR), repeat-primed PCR was performed using primers specific for the following four repeat motifs: AAAAG, AAAGG, AAGGG, and ACAGG. RFC1 analysis revealed multitype biallelic pathogenic repeat expansions in 15 patients, including (AAGGG)exp/(AAGGG)exp in seven patients, (ACAGG)exp/(ACAGG)exp in three patients, (AAGGG)exp/(ACAGG)exp in four patients, and (AAGGG)exp/(AAAGG)15(AAGGG)exp in one patient. Clinical analysis showed various combinations of cerebellar ataxia, vestibular dysfunction, neuropathy, cognitive decline, autonomic dysfunction, chronic cough, pyramidal tract disorder, parkinsonism, involuntary movement, and muscle fasciculation. Pathological RFC1 repeat expansions account for 1.8% (15/840) of undiagnosed patients with cerebellar ataxia and sporadic/recessive/unclassified inheritance. Screening of RFC1 repeat expansions should be considered in patients with cerebellar ataxia, irrespective of their subtype and onset age.