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The hereditary spastic paraplegias: nine genes and counting.

The hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are inherited neurologic disorders in which the primary symptom is insidiously progressive difficulty walking due to lower extremity weakness and spasticity. There have been great strides in our knowledge of this group of disabling disorders; 20 HSP loci and 9 HSP genes have been discovered. Insights into the molecular causes of HSPs are beginning to emerge. This review summarizes these advances in HSPs' genetics.

Animals↗

Mutation analysis of SPG4 and SPG3A genes and its implication in molecular diagnosis of Korean patients with hereditary spastic paraplegia.

BACKGROUND: Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), a genetically and clinically heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders, is characterized by progressive lower limb weakness and spasticity. Among the 8 loci associated with the autosomal dominant uncomplicated HSP (AD-HSP), the spastin (SPG4) and atlastin (SPG3A) genes have been known to account for approximately 40% and 10% of all cases, respectively. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the contribution of these 2 genes in the occurrence of HSP in Korean patients. DESIGN: Clinical and genetic study. SETTING: Tertiary care center. PATIENTS: Eighteen patients with uncomplicated HSP (11 AD and 7 sporadic) underwent screening for gene mutation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mutations in the SPG4 and SPG3A genes as detected by direct sequencing of all coding exons and flanking intronic sequences. RESULTS: We identified 8 different SPG4 mutations, 7 of which have not been reported elsewhere. Among the detected mutations were 3 missense mutations, 2 in-frame deletions, 2 frameshift mutations, and 1 splice-site mutation. No mutation was found in the SPG3A gene. CONCLUSION: Compared with previous studies, a higher frequency of SPG4 gene mutations in AD-HSP (7/11; 64%) was observed, suggesting that a mutation analysis for the SPG4 gene might be helpful for molecular diagnosis of AD-HSP in Korean patients.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Eight novel mutations in SPG4 in a large sample of patients with hereditary spastic paraplegia.

BACKGROUND: Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a group of genetically heterogeneous disorders characterized by progressive spasticity of the lower limbs. Mutations in the SPG4 gene, which encodes spastin protein, are responsible for up to 45% of autosomal dominant cases. OBJECTIVE: To search for disease-causing mutations in a large series of Italian patients with HSP. DESIGN: Samples of DNA were analyzed by direct sequencing of all exons in SPG4. Samples from a subset of patients were also analyzed by direct sequencing of all exons in SPG3A, SPG6, SPG10, and SPG13. SETTING: Molecular testing facility in Italy. PATIENTS: Sixty unrelated Italian patients with pure (n = 50) and complicated (n = 10) HSP. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mutations in SPG4, SPG3A, SPG6, SPG10, and SPG13. RESULTS: We identified 12 different mutations, 8 of which were novel, in 13 patients. No mutations of any of the other HSP genes tested were found in 15 patients with sporadic pure HSP who did not have mutations in the SPG4 gene. CONCLUSIONS: The overall rate of mutation in the SPG4 gene within our sample was 22%, rising to 26% when only patients with pure HSP were considered. The negative result obtained in 15 patients without mutations in SPG4 in whom 4 other genes were analyzed (SPG3A, SPG6, SPG10, and SPG13) indicate that these genes are not frequently mutated in sporadic pure HSP.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Hereditary spastic paraplegia with thin corpus callosum: reduction of the SPG11 interval and evidence for further genetic heterogeneity.

BACKGROUND: Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) with thin corpus callosum (TCC) is an autosomal recessive form of complicated HSP mainly characterized by slowly progressive spastic paraparesis and mental deterioration beginning in the second decade of life. The locus for HSP-TCC, designated SPG11, was mapped to chromosome 15q13-15 in some of the affected families from Japan, Europe, and North America, spanning an interval of 17.5 megabases (Mb). OBJECTIVE: To perform a clinical and genetic study of HSP-TCC. DESIGN AND SETTING: Case series; multi-institutional study. PATIENTS: Seven patients with HSP-TCC who belong to 3 consanguineous families of Arab origin residing in Israel. RESULTS: The 7 patients manifested a relatively similar combination of adolescence-onset cognitive decline and spastic paraparesis with TCC on brain magnetic resonance imaging. After excluding the SPG7 locus, we tested the 3 families for linkage to the SPG11, SPG21/MAST, and ACCPN loci associated with autosomal recessive disorders with TCC. Two families showed evidence for linkage to SPG11 (Z(max) = 5.55) and reduced the candidate region to 13 Mb. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings in HSP-TCC further confirm its worldwide distribution and genetic heterogeneity, and they significantly reduce the candidate SPG11 interval.

Adult↗

Prevention of paraplegia associated with resection of extensive thoracic aneurysms.

A review of the literature suggests that paraplegia associated with thoracic aortic surgery is preventable if intraoperative hypotension is eliminated, the distal aorta perfused adequately, and the intercostal arteries below T-8 level preserved. A surgical technique has been developed that leaves the posterior aortic wall, preserving the intercostal arteries below the level of T-8, and interspersing a diagonally tailored prosthesis with the aid of left atrial-to-femoral arterial bypass without heparinization. Seven patients with extensive aneurysms involving the entire descending thoracic aorta were operated on successfully by this technique without neurological complications.

Aged↗

Association of late onset spastic paraparesis and dementia: probably an autosomal dominant form of complicated paraplegia.

The hereditary paraplegias are a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders characterized mainly by spastic paraparesis, which may be found as an isolated "pure form" known as Strümpell-Lorrain syndrome, or associated with a wide group of other manifestations [Harding, 1990; McKusick, 1994]. We studied two unrelated families, one with five members and the other with 11 members (over four generations), affected by a syndrome of late onset spastic paraparesis and dementia. Both pedigrees suggest an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. However, this cannot be concluded definitely because male-to-male transmission was not seen. Since this disorder has a late age of onset, we still do not know who will become affected in the second, third, and fourth generations. The association of late onset spastic paraparesis and dementia, without other pathological findings, has not been reported and probably represents a distinct entity.

Adult↗

Different mutations in the same codon of the proteolipid protein gene, PLP, may help in correlating genotype with phenotype in Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease/X-linked spastic paraplegia (PMD/SPG2).

Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease/X-linked spastic paraplegia (PMD/SPG2) comprises a spectrum of diseases that range from severe to quite mild. The reasons for the variation in severity are not obvious, but suggested explanations include the extent of disruption of the transmembrane portion of the proteolipid protein caused by certain amino acid substitutions and interference with the trafficking of the PLP molecule in oligodendrocytes. Four codons in which substitution of more than one amino acid has occurred are available for examination of clinical and potential structural manifestations: Valine165 to either glutamate or glycine, leucine 045 to either proline or arginine, aspartate 202 to asparagine or histidine, and leucine 223 to isoleucine or proline. Three of these mutations, Val165Gly, Leu045Pro, and Leu223Ile have not been described previously in humans. The altered amino acids appear in the A-B loop, C helix, and C-D loop, respectively. We describe clinically patients with the mutations T494G (Val165Gly), T134C (Leu045Pro), and C667A (Leu223Ile). We discuss also the previously reported mutations Asp202Asn and Asp202His. We have calculated the changes in hydrophobicity of short sequences surrounding some of these amino acids and compared the probable results of the changes in transmembrane structure of the proteolipid protein for the various mutations with the clinical data available on the patients. While the Val165Glu mutation, which is expected to produce disruption of a transmembrane loop of the protein, produces more severe disease than does Val165Gly, no particular correlation with hydrophobicity is found for the other mutations. As these are not in transmembrane domains, other factors such as intracellular transport or interaction between protein chains during myelin formation are probably at work.

Codon↗

Brazilian family with pure autosomal dominant spastic paraplegia maps to 8q: analysis of muscle beta 1 syntrophin.

The autosomal dominant hereditary spastic paraplegias (AD-HSP) are a heterogeneous group of degenerative disorders of the central motor system, characterized by progressive spasticity of the lower limbs. Five loci for pure AD-HSP have been identified to date: SPG3 at 14q, SPG4 at 2p, SPG6 at 15q, SPG8 at 8q, and more recently SPG10 at 12q. We have analyzed a Brazilian family with 16 affected individuals by pure AD-HSP who developed progressive gait disturbance with onset at age 18-26 years. Linkage analysis performed with 13 relatives (6 affected and 7 normal) excluded SPG3, SPG4, and SPG6 as candidate regions. However, positive LOD scores were obtained with markers flanking the candidate region for the SPG8 locus [maximum two point Lod score (Zmax) = 3.3 at theta = 0 for D8S1804]. In this region lies the syntrophin beta 1 gene (SNT2B1), a widely expressed dystrophin-associated protein and therefore a good positional and functional candidate for this disease. Immunohistochemical and Western Blot (WB) studies showed that the distribution, expression, and apparent molecular weight of the beta 1 syntrophin protein were comparable to those of normal control individuals. Therefore, it is unlikely that defects in this protein are related to SPG8, at least in the present family.

Age of Onset↗

Extensive genetic heterogeneity in the "pure" form of autosomal dominant familial spastic paraplegia (Strümpell's disease).

Three dominantly inherited "pure" form of familial spastic paraplegia (FSP) genes have been genetically mapped to regions of chromosomes, yet no specific genes or mutations have been identified (FSP1; chromosome 14q, FSP2; chromosome 2p and FSP3; chromosome 15q). We studied a "pure" form of autosomal dominant FSP family from North American of Italian descent for linkage to three dominant FSP loci. We excluded all three known loci with markers (D14S288, D14S269, D14S281, D2S352, D2S367, D15S210, D15S122, and D15S156) in our "pure" dominant FSP family. Our result suggests that dominant FSP is very genetically heterogeneous, and the existence of at least a fourth locus (FSP4) for the pure form of autosomal dominant FSP (Strümpell's disease).

Chromosome Mapping↗

Paraplegia following intrathecal methotrexate: report of a case and review of the literature.

A patient who developed paraplegia following the intrathecal instillation of methotrexate is discribed. The ten previously reported cases of this unusual complication are reviewed. The following factors appear to predispose to the development of this complication: abnormal cerebrospinal dynamics related to the presence of central nervous system leukemia, and epidural cerebrospinal leakage; elevated cerebrospinal fluid methothexate concentration related to abnormal cerebrospinal fluid dynamics and to inappropriately high methotrexate doses based on body surface area calculations in older children and adults; the presence of neurotoxic preservatives in commercially available methotrexate preparations and diluents; and the use of methotrexate diluents of unphysiologic pH, ionic content and osmolarity. The role of methotrexate contaminants, local folate deficiency, and cranial irradiation in the pathogenesis of intrathecal methotrexate toxicity is unclear. The incidence of neurotoxicity may be reduced by employing lower doses of methotrexate in the presence of central nervous system leukemia, in older children and adults, and in the presence of epidural leakage. Only preservative-free methotrexate in Elliott's B Solution at a concentration of not more than 1 mg/ml should be used for intrathecal administration. Periodic monitoring of cerebruspinal fluid methotrexate levels may be predictive of the development of serious neurotoxicity.

Adult↗

Paraplegia following intrathecal cytosine arabinoside.

Paraplegia following prophylactic intrathecal cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) is described in a patient with acute myelogenous leukemia in remission who received doses of 100 mg/m2/d for 5 consecutive days. Cerebrospinal fluid examination prior to the last dosage of cytosine arabinoside revealed a mononuclear pleocytosis and increased protein. The neurological manifestations developed within one week after the last dose of Ara-C and persisted for over 8 weeks. Administration of intrathecal Ara-C in the same dose over longer intervals within 3-5 days between consecutive doses resulted in mild, transient neurological symptoms (paresthesias) in only one of 30 patients so treated.

Adult↗

Paraplegia in children with malignant teratoma.

Two young children presenting with paraplegia secondary to epidural tumors were found to have unresectable malignant teratomas. Following partial resection and aggressive chemotherapy, both patients have done extremely well with disappearance of all disease and dramatic improvement in neurologic function. It is suggested that children with spinal cord compression might have a much better prognosis for recovery of neurologic function than adults. A treatment approach utilizing chemotherapy as the primary mode of therapy is discussed.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Prenatal diagnosis of hereditary spastic paraplegia.

Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a degenerative neurologic disorder that causes progressive, often severe, spastic weakness in the legs. Autosomal dominant HSP is a highly penetrant, genetically heterogeneous disorder with loci present on chromosomes 2p21-24, 2q24-34, 8q23-24, 10q23.3-24, 12q13, 14q12-23, 15q11-14 and 19q13.1. We identified a large HSP kindred in which the disorder was tightly linked to chromosome 14q12-23. We tested chorionic villus DNA samples of two at-risk fetuses for inheritance of microsatellite polymorphisms flanking and within this locus that segregated with the disease in this family. Whereas samples from the first fetus showed inheritance of a haplotype segregating with the disease allele (indicating high risk of developing HSP), samples from the second fetus showed inheritance of a haplotype segregating with the normal allele (indicating low risk of developing HSP). This is the first report of prenatal testing for HSP. Published in 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Adult↗

Further evidence for a fourth gene causing X-linked pure spastic paraplegia.

X-linked hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) present with two distinct phenotypes: pure and complicated. The pure form is characterized by slowly progressive weakness and spasticity of the lower limbs, whereas the complicated forms have additional features (optic neuropathy, retinopathy, extrapyramidal disturbance, dementia, epilepsy, ataxia, ichthyosis, mental retardation, and deafness). Three X-linked loci have been identified for the complicated HSP, while mutations in the proteolipid gene (PLP) (locus SPG2) were implicated in both pure and complicated forms. The absence of identified mutations in the PLP gene in families with both complicated and pure HSP, linked to the SPG2 locus, suggests the existence of another gene in close proximity. We had previously reported a large pedigree with an X-linked form of pure HSP affecting 24 males [Zatz et al., 1976: J Med Genet 13:217-222]. Here, we present the results of linkage analysis in 19 members of this Brazilian family with markers in or near the PLP locus. Positive LOD scores were obtained with markers at the PLP locus (Zmax = 2.41 at Theta = 0); however, no mutation was found in the coding region of PLP, the intron-exon boundaries, or part of the promoter region. The possibility of a duplication of the PLP gene was also excluded. These results suggest either that there is another X-linked gene in close proximity to the PLP gene or that a novel mutation in the noncoding regions of the PLP gene may cause the disease in this family.

Adolescent↗

Dandy-Walker variant malformation, spastic paraplegia, and mental retardation in two sibs.

Two sibs, a boy and a girl, had both hypoplasia of the cerebellar hemispheres and partial agenesis of the cerebellar vermis with normal communication between the fourth ventricle and arachnoid spaces, i.e., the manifestations of the Dandy-Walker variant malformation associated with agenesis of the corpus callosum. Both sibs were mentally retarded and had spastic paraplegia. The occurrence of a distinct and similar pattern of congenital anomalies in sibs born to healthy parents points toward a "new" syndrome caused by the homozygous state of an autosomal recessive gene. Prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis is possible at least for the more severe form of the brain anomalies.

Brain↗

Paraplegia and congenital contractures as a consequence of intrauterine trauma.

We present a newborn infant with paraplegia and contractures of the lower limbs, consistent with neurologic injury rather than malformation. The mother was involved in a severe motor vehicle accident during the sixth month of pregnancy. We propose that this infant's injuries are a result of that accident.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Large deletion involving the 5'-UTR in the spastin gene caused mild phenotype of autosomal dominant hereditary spastic paraplegia.

Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) due to mutations in the spastin gene (SPG4) located to 2p22-p21 is the most common form of autosomal dominant (AD) HSP. We performed PCR-based direct sequencing of SPG4, followed by a linkage analysis and subsequent Southern blot analysis in large Japanese kindred where 20 of 33 members were evaluated neurologically, and consequently 6 were affected with HSP. Clinical evaluation showed that the mean age at disease onset of the patients was older and the disability was less severe than those of previously reported typical patients with SPG4 mutations. Direct sequencing of genomic DNA and RT-PCR product did not show a SPG4 mutation despite of a strong linkage to the SPG4 locus at 2p. Southern blot analysis suggested a deletion involving the 5'-UTR of SPG4. Further sequence analysis confirmed a heterozygous 2307-bp deletion spanning from the 5'-UTR to intron 1 of SPG4. The results suggested that transcription of the mutated allele starts from an authentic initiation site, but lacks an authentic translational start site of exon 1 because of a deficient splice donor site and coding region. The abnormal transcripts may result in rapid RNA decay. The novel refractory mutation we identified widens the spectrum of SPG4 mutations. These findings suggest that structural genomic abnormalities of SPG4 are more frequent than expected, and this explains previously reported cases more feasibly in which SPG4 mutations were failed to be identified but the disease was linked to 2p.

5' Flanking Region↗