Biallelic variants in AGTPBP1, involved in tubulin deglutamylation, are associated with cerebellar degeneration and motor neuropathy

Eur J Hum Genet. 2019 Sep;27(9):1419-1426. doi: 10.1038/s41431-019-0400-y. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

Abstract

The ATP/GTP-Binding Protein 1 (AGTPBP1) gene (OMIM *606830) catalyzes deglutamylation of polyglutamylated proteins, and its deficiency manifests by cerebellar ataxia and peripheral neuropathy in mice and lower motor neuron-like disease in sheep. In the mutant mice, cerebellar atrophy due to Purkinje cell degeneration is observed, likely due to increased tubulin polyglutamylation in affected brain areas. We report two unrelated individuals who presented with early onset cerebellar atrophy, developmental arrest with progressive muscle weakness, and feeding and respiratory difficulties, accompanied by severe motor neuronopathy. Whole exome sequencing followed by segregation analysis in the families and cDNA studies revealed deleterious biallelic variants in the AGTPBP1 gene. We conclude that complete loss-of-function of AGTPBP1 in humans, just like in mice and sheep, is associated with cerebellar and motor neuron disease, reminiscent of Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia Type 1 (PCH1).

MeSH terms

  • Alleles*
  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Child, Preschool
  • Consanguinity
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Exome Sequencing
  • Female
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Motor Neuron Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Motor Neuron Disease / etiology*
  • Motor Neuron Disease / metabolism*
  • Motor Neuron Disease / pathology
  • Mutation*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / etiology
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / metabolism
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / pathology
  • Serine-Type D-Ala-D-Ala Carboxypeptidase / genetics*
  • Spinocerebellar Degenerations / diagnostic imaging
  • Spinocerebellar Degenerations / etiology*
  • Spinocerebellar Degenerations / metabolism*
  • Spinocerebellar Degenerations / pathology
  • Tubulin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Tubulin
  • AGTPBP1 protein, human
  • Serine-Type D-Ala-D-Ala Carboxypeptidase
  • GTP-Binding Proteins