Expansion of the spectrum of TUBB4A-related disorders: a new phenotype associated with a novel mutation in the TUBB4A gene

Neurogenetics. 2014 May;15(2):107-13. doi: 10.1007/s10048-014-0392-2. Epub 2014 Feb 14.

Abstract

Mutations in the TUBB4A gene have been identified so far in two neurodegenerative disorders with extremely different clinical features and course: whispering dysphonia, also known as dystonia type 4 (DYT4), and hypomyelination with atrophy of the basal ganglia and cerebellum (H-ABC). We describe a patient with slowly progressive spastic paraparesis, segmental dystonia, intellectual disability, behavioral problems, and evidence of permanent, incomplete myelination associated with progressive cerebellar atrophy. Whole exome sequencing revealed a novel E410K de novo heterozygous mutation in the TUBB4A gene. The clinical and radiological picture of our patient is different from the classic phenotype; thus, it expands the phenotypic variation of TUBB4A-gene-related disorders.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Heterozygote
  • Humans
  • Leukoencephalopathies / complications
  • Leukoencephalopathies / genetics*
  • Male
  • Mutation*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / complications
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / genetics*
  • Phenotype*
  • Tubulin / genetics*

Substances

  • TUBB4A protein, human
  • Tubulin