Recessive mutations in RYR1 are a common cause of congenital fiber type disproportion.

The main histological abnormality in congenital fiber type disproportion (CFTD) is hypotrophy of type 1 (slow twitch) fibers compared to type 2 (fast twitch) fibers. To investigate whether mutations in RYR1 are a cause of CFTD we sequenced RYR1 in seven CFTD families in whom the other known causes of CFTD had been excluded. We identified compound heterozygous changes in the RYR1 gene in four families (five patients), consistent with autosomal recessive inheritance. Three out of five patients had ophthalmoplegia, which may be the most specific clinical indication of mutations in RYR1. Type 1 fibers were at least 50% smaller, on average, than type 2 fibers in all biopsies. Recessive mutations in RYR1 are a relatively common cause of CFTD and can be associated with extreme fiber size disproportion.

Mutations in TPM3 are a common cause of congenital fiber type disproportion.

OBJECTIVE: Congenital fiber type disproportion (CFTD) is a rare form of congenital myopathy in which the principal histological abnormality is hypotrophy of type 1 (slow-twitch) fibers compared with type 2 (fast-twitch) fibers. To date, mutation of ACTA1 and SEPN1 has been associated with CFTD, but the genetic basis in most patients is unclear. The gene encoding alpha-tropomyosin(slow) (TPM3) is a rare cause of nemaline myopathy, previously reported in only five families. We investigated whether mutation of TPM3 is a cause of CFTD. METHODS AND RESULTS: We sequenced TPM3 in 23 unrelated probands with CFTD or CFTD-like presentations of unknown cause and identified novel heterozygous missense mutations in five CFTD families (p. Leu100Met, p.Arg168Cys, p.Arg168Gly, p.Lys169Glu, p.Arg245Gly). All affected family members that underwent biopsy had typical histological features of CFTD, with type 1 fibers, on average, at least 50% smaller than type 2 fibers. We also report a sixth family in which a recurrent TPM3 mutation (p.Arg168His) was associated with histological features of CFTD and nemaline myopathy in different family members. We describe the clinical features of 11 affected patients. Typically, there was proximal limb girdle weakness, prominent weakness of neck flexion and ankle dorsiflexion, mild facial weakness, and mild ptosis. The age of onset and severity varied, even within the same family. Many patients required nocturnal noninvasive ventilation despite remaining ambulant. INTERPRETATION: Mutation of TPM3 is the most common cause of CFTD reported to date.

A novel X-linked form of congenital fiber-type disproportion.

We describe a four-generation family with a previously unreported form of congenital fiber-type disproportion that follows an X-linked inheritance pattern. Affected male family members have a striking pattern of weakness. From birth there is marked ptosis, facial weakness, poor sucking, hypotonia, respiratory weakness, and relatively preserved limb strength. Most affected male individuals die of respiratory failure within the first months of life. A mild dilated cardiomyopathy developed in infancy in the sole surviving affected male member of this family. Some carrier female individuals manifest milder signs. We have demonstrated linkage to two regions of the X chromosome, Xp22.13 to Xp11.4 and Xq13.1 to Xq22.1, with a maximum logarithm of odds score of 3.25 in the latter region. We propose that clinical clues can differentiate this disorder from other forms of congenital fiber-type disproportion so that affected families can receive appropriate genetic counseling.