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Article

Genetic Heterogeneity Underlying Phenotypes with Early-Onset Cerebellar Atrophy

by
Dolores Martínez-Rubio
1,2,†,
Isabel Hinarejos
1,2,†,
Herminia Argente-Escrig
3,
Clara Marco-Marín
4,5,
María Ana Lozano
1,
Nerea Gorría-Redondo
6,
Vincenzo Lupo
1,
Itxaso Martí-Carrera
7,
Concepción Miranda
8,
María Vázquez-López
8,
Asunción García-Pérez
9,
Ana Victoria Marco-Hernández
10,
Miguel Tomás-Vila
11,
Sergio Aguilera-Albesa
6,‡ and
Carmen Espinós
1,2,5,12,*,‡
1
Rare Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Valencia Biomedical Research Foundation, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe (CIPF), 46012 València, Spain
2
Joint Unit CIPF-IIS La Fe Rare Diseases, 46012 València, Spain
3
Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, 46012 València, Spain
4
Structural Enzymopathology Unit, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia (IBV), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 46022 València, Spain
5
Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28220 Madrid, Spain
6
Paediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Universitario de Navarra, Navarrabiomed, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
7
Paediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Universitario Donostia, 20014 Donostia, Spain
8
Paediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, 28027 Madrid, Spain
9
Paediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Alcorcón, 28922 Madrid, Spain
10
Paediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Universitari Doctor, Peset, 46017 València, Spain
11
Paediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, 46026 València, Spain
12
Biotechnology Department, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 València, Spain
 
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*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work and share first authorship.
‡
These authors contributed equally to this work and share last authorship.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(22), 16400; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242216400
Submission received: 14 September 2023 / Revised: 1 November 2023 / Accepted: 9 November 2023 / Published: 16 November 2023
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Genetics in Neurodegenerative Disorders)
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Abstract

:
Cerebellar atrophy (CA) is a frequent neuroimaging finding in paediatric neurology, usually associated with cerebellar ataxia. The list of genes involved in hereditary forms of CA is continuously growing and reveals its genetic complexity. We investigated ten cases with early-onset cerebellar involvement with and without ataxia by exome sequencing or by a targeted panel with 363 genes involved in ataxia or spastic paraplegia. Novel variants were investigated by in silico or experimental approaches. Seven probands carry causative variants in well-known genes associated with CA or cerebellar hypoplasia: SETX, CACNA1G, CACNA1A, CLN6, CPLANE1, and TBCD. The remaining three cases deserve special attention; they harbour variants in MAST1, PI4KA and CLK2 genes. MAST1 is responsible for an ultrarare condition characterised by global developmental delay and cognitive decline; our index case added ataxia to the list of concomitant associated symptoms. PIK4A is mainly related to hypomyelinating leukodystrophy; our proband presented with pure spastic paraplegia and normal intellectual capacity. Finally, in a patient who suffers from mild ataxia with oculomotor apraxia, the de novo novel CLK2 c.1120T>C variant was found. The protein expression of the mutated protein was reduced, which may indicate instability that would affect its kinase activity.

1. Introduction

The classic role of the cerebellum is to be an efficient modulator of movements. Cerebellar dysfunction is traditionally related to cerebellar motor syndrome, which is characterised by impairments of gait, limb coordination, speech, and ocular movement control [1]. Along with the motor impairment, early damage to the cerebellum leads to cognitive, behavioural and emotional consequences, as the developing nervous system appears to require an intact cerebellum for normal cognitive development [2].
Early-onset ataxias usually present with a relevant disability, including imbalance, poor coordination, developmental delay, and intellectual disability (ID) [3,4]. Cerebellar atrophy (CA) is a key neuroimaging finding usually associated with paediatric forms of cerebellar ataxias of postnatal-onset metabolic or genetic origin [5]. CA identification requires serial neuroimaging studies, as in one it cannot be distinguished from cerebellar hypoplasia, most associated with non-progressive neurodevelopmental disorders [6,7,8]. However, the number of disorders that present with CA is ever-increasing with an extremely broad clinical spectrum, including rare neurodegenerative disorders and developmental disorders [7,9,10,11,12]. Due to rapid advances in technology based on NGS (Next Generation Sequencing), genetic analyses are included in clinical practice and have made possible the discovery of hundreds of genes involved in CA. In the paediatric age group, most cases are due to autosomal recessive (AR) conditions, and a high frequency of cases caused by de novo disease-causing mutations transmitted in an autosomal dominant (AD) manner is appreciated [4]. Its diagnosis is a challenge. The search for cerebellar atrophy (HP:0001272) at HPO (Human Phenotype Ontology; https://hpo.jax.org/app; accessed on 14 September 2023), yields associations with 579 genes.
Among the cerebellar ataxias, we find ARCAs (Autosomal Recessive Cerebellar Ataxias) or SCARs (AR Spinocerebellar Ataxias), and ADCAs (Autosomal Dominant Recessive Cerebellar Ataxias) or SCAs (AD Spinocerebellar Ataxias), in which ataxia is a prominent clinical feature or is a sign included in the clinical phenotype [12,13,14]. This classification provides insufficient guidance for physicians and researchers, so alternatives for recessive cerebellar ataxias have been generated that could be more effective, including the gene name and based on a division between phenotypes with ataxia (e.g., ATX-FXN, Friedreich ataxia), ataxia with a predominant movement disorder (e.g., ATX/HSP-HEXA, Tay-Sachs disease), or complex phenotypes that occasionally present with CA (e.g., EXOSC3, pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 1B) [15]. The list of clinical forms, available on the web page of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (Taskforce on nomenclature in movement disorders), is continually growing as new genes are described.
We describe here ten probands who show CA with or without ataxia, in which a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed due to a motor impairment or early signs of a neurological disease. These patients were selected from a national cohort of children with clinical signs of an early-onset movement disorder and/or ataxia, and CA identified by brain MRI. Causative genes are involved in ataxia phenotypes but are also associated with channelopathies, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, Joubert syndrome (JS) and encephalopathies, which highlights the wide spectrum of genotypes associated with CA. In this cohort, we found relatively frequent genes, SETX, CACNA1G, CACNA1A, CLN6, CPLANE1, and TBCD, with well-known-disorders, new clinical phenotypes related to not-so-common genes, MAST1 and PI4KA, and a novel candidate gene, CLK2, which may act as causative gene or contribute to the clinical phenotype. Additionally, in silico or experimental studies were performed to ascertain the pathogenicity of novel variants, which has been demonstrated essential to achieve conclusive results [7,8,9,16,17,18].

2. Results

The patient MD-359 (SETX, Table 1 and Table 2), was an 8 year-old female who was referred at 6 years of age because of severe learning difficulty at school. She came from a consanguineous family. She had four other siblings, two of whom suffered from ID with no ataxia or CA signs in the MRI. Her IQ (Intelligence Quotient) was within normal limits (WISC-IV, Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children Fourth Edition, total IQ: 92), but she still required support at school and her academic performance remained poor. She also suffered from bilateral sensorineural deafness, and gait ataxia was manifested at the exam with no other cerebellar signs or dysmorphias. Height and weight were normal for their age. Complete blood tests including lactic acid, liver, kidney, hormones, and metabolic panel were normal except for mildly increased α-fetoprotein (13.6 µg/L, normal range 0.9−8.8). Nerve conduction velocities at 12 years of age were normal and two brain MRIs performed at 8 and 11 years old revealed a mild to moderate CA. By WES (Whole Exome Sequencing)-proband, the c.5825T>C (p.I1942T) variant was identified in homozygosis in SETX, which has been widely associated with SCAR previously (Table 1). The variant SETX c.5825T>C was screened in her parents and siblings by Sanger sequencing and all of them carried the mentioned mutation in heterozygosis, except a sister who did not have the mutation. For senataxin (SETX), there is no experimental structure, and the model generated by AlphaFold displays a predominant absence of secondary structure. However, the folding for the C-terminal region of senataxin, where the missense clinical mutation p.I1942T is located, it has been predicted to contain a helicase domain with homology to human RENT1, the immunoglobulin μ-binding protein 2 (IGHMBP2), and yeast-splicing endonuclease 1 (SEN1) [19]. Based on the senataxin model generated by AlphaFold and the structure of yeast SEN1, it can be inferred that the mutation p.I1942T located in the RecA1 domain of the helicase folding (Figure 1A), is distant from the RNA-binding groove but in proximity to the nucleotide-binding site, although not directly involved in nucleotide binding. The side chain of I1942 is oriented towards the core of the RecA1 domain interacting with a conserved helix. Therefore, it is likely that this mutation, which changes a hydrophobic residue to a polar one, destabilises the folding of this domain, altering its stability.
The patient MD-353 (CACNA1G, Table 1 and Table 2), was a 21 year-old who was referred at the age of 11 and presented with arthrogryposis and severe global developmental delay (sitting at 3 years old, not able to walk independently). Regarding his familiar history, a 6 years old male first-degree cousin had spastic paraplegia, a second-degree male cousin had ID, and another second-degree male cousin suffered from autism. He attended a special needs school, and his expressive language was very limited, although his comprehension was preserved. He used a wheelchair and ankle-foot orthoses and needed help with basic daily activities. At the exam, he had horizontal and vertical spontaneous nystagmus, severe contractures in upper limbs with hypoplastic claw hands, reduced muscular tone in the lower limbs and absence of deep tendon reflexes. A brain MRI showed CA, evident from 3 years of age (Figure 2A,B). The CACNA1G c.2881G>A (p.A961T) variant was observed in the patient in a heterozygous state; his parents did not carry the variant. CACNA1G c.2881G>A has been previously reported (Table 1). CACNA1G is a low voltage-gated Ca2+ channel, also known as Cav3.1, that mediates the entry of Ca2+ into excitable cells [21]. The residue A961 is located in the α subunit of this protein complex, particularly in one of the α helices that constitute the core of the Ca2+ translocating pore (Figure 1B). However, the side chain of A961 is not oriented towards the pore but towards the cytoplasmic region of the channel; the change to threonine is not expected to affect the folding of the protein. Insights from the structure of the rabbit Cav1.1 channel [22] suggest that the p.A961T mutation could potentially affect the intracellular segment required for binding to the β regulatory subunit of this channel (Figure 1B); both elements are not visible in the human Cav3.1 structure. This interaction could be crucial for the proper functioning of the channel.
The patient MD-309 (CACNA1A, Table 1 and Table 2) was a 12 year-old male who was referred when he was 4. He was born to non-consanguineous healthy parents and presented with a mild global developmental delay in language acquisition, mild intellectual disability (WISC-IV total IQ: 61 at 4 years of age), and a 1 h duration of disabling episodes of instability since aged 2 (sometimes triggered by fever). At 4 years old, he had a severe spontaneous horizontal rotatory nystagmus, absence of deep tendon reflexes, upper limb dysmetria, and gait ataxia without dysarthria or tremor. Complete blood tests including lactic acid, liver, kidney, hormones, α-fetoprotein, and metabolic panel were normal. Nerve conduction velocities and somatosensory evoked potentials were also normal, but two brain MRIs performed three years apart showed a moderate atrophy in the anterior lobe of the cerebellar vermis and a mega cisterna magna (Figure 2C). Using the gene panel SPGAtaxia-363, the novel CACNA1A c.3042C>G (p.Y1014*) change was identified in the patient. Further segregation analysis showed that this mutation was de novo.
The patient MD-556 (CACNA1A, Table 1 and Table 2), a 14 year-old female, presented from 2 months to 12 months of age with sudden episodes of pallor, sweating, hypotonia, stillness, ocular horizontal abnormal movements, and vomiting. They occurred monthly and lasted from minutes to several hours. A neurological examination was normal between episodes except intermittent strabismus. Investigations were unremarkable, including brain MRI, electroencephalogram (EEG), and serial extended blood and urine analysis. Psychomotor development was normal afterwards but at school age she was diagnosed with attention deficit and learning disorder with a WISC-IV total IQ of 91. Methylphenidate improved attention symptoms and school performance. At 12 years, her learning performance was declining, and an updated total IQ was 73. From 13 years, she presented with vertigo-like episodes with gait instability. A control brain MRI revealed a mild vermian atrophy (Figure 2D). An EEG showed intermittent bihemispheric spike and wave complexes without ictal phenomena. Acetazolamide did not improve symptoms, but topiramate did. WES-trio revealed the de novo deletion of c.234_235delCT (p.F79Pfs*22) in CACNA1A, was, to date, not associated with disease in heterozygosis in the patient, predicted as pathological according to the ACMG (American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics)/AMP (Association for Molecular Pathology) criteria [20] (Table 1).
MD-548 (MAST1, Table 1 and Table 2) was the only son of non-consanguineous healthy parents, with an unremarkable family history. During pregnancy, foetal movements were decreased, but no other signs were noticed and delivery was normal. From the first months of life, psychomotor retardation was detected. At 8 months of life, he presented with regression of some developmental milestones with a decreased contact with the environment and less activity. An array-CGH (Comparative Genomic Hybridization) analysis revealed no findings of interest. A brain MRI performed at 6 months showed a small cerebellar vermis with enlarged folia interspaces. At the age of 12, vermis folia interspaces were mildly enlarged but remarkably, it was disclosed a bilateral thinning of the anterior arm of the internal capsule resembling a pseudo-fusion of putamen and caudate nuclei, and an increase in the overall size of the corpus callosum (Figure 2E,F). Currently, the patient is 14 years old, he presents an absence of verbal language, severe ID, hypotonia and truncal ataxia, but he is able to walk autonomously. The genetic analysis by WES-trio detected a de novo novel variant in MAST1, c.1672G>C (p.V558L) in heterozygosis, predicted as damaging according to the ACMG/AMP criteria (Table 1).
The boy MD-392 (CPLANE1/C5orf42, Table 1 and Table 2) was first seen at 18 months of age due to motor delay. He is the only child of healthy parents, with no personal or family history of interest, including neonatal period. Sitting was achieved around 8–9 months. At exam, he presented axial and limb hypotonia without weakness, and patellar hyporeflexia. Independent gait was achieved at 22 months but with instability and a wide base of support. An MRI revealed a hypoplastic cerebellar vermis at the infratentorial level, horizontalized superior cerebellar peduncles, and a dilated fourth ventricle. The pontine midbrain junction took the form of the “molar sign”, all suggestive of JB (Figure 2G). Their IQ was at the lower limit of normal with difficulties in processing speed and attention. The last examination was carried out at the age of 17 where motor difficulties persisted, he was not able to walk in tandem, although with normal gait, and he was capable of running or monopodial jumping. Using the gene panel SPGAtaxia-363, two variants in heterozygosis of CPLANE1 were detected in MD-392: a previously reported splicing change c.7588+7A>G and a novel deletion c.2747-1981_6172-78del (Table 1). Each parent harbours one of these variants in heterozygosis. We explored the effect of both variants by transcript analysis and concluded that they should cause a deletion of 55 bp causing the skipping of exon 37 (Figure 3A), and a deletion of 45,305 bp causing the lost from exon 16 to 32 (Figure 3B). This large deletion was detected after a CNV (copy number variation) screening using DECoN, which allowed us to detect a significantly lower coverage depth of the CPLANE1 capture regions spanning exons 16 to 32 (NM_023073.4) compared with the rest of the samples suggesting a heterozygous intragenic deletion in the proband MD-392. By PCR and subsequent Sanger sequencing, we established that the deletion was of 45,305 bp (chr5: 37,170,413-37,215,717; GRCh38) from intron 15 to intron 32. Further transcript analysis showed the absence of exons 16 to 32, suggesting a change in the reading frame and a premature termination codon (NP_075561.3: p.G916Afs*19; Figure 3B).
The girl MD-297 (TBCD, Table 1 and Table 2), born to consanguineous parents (first cousins), was first seen at 15 months due to psychomotor retardation, standing with support, and with corticospinal signs. At the age of 3, she only stood in a standing frame and did not walk even with a walker and presented spasticity and dystonic attitudes to manipulation. Several osteotomies and tenotomies were performed at the ages of 9 and 11. She did not improve with levodopa. With time, she showed bradypsychia and progressive hypomimia, with constant drooling, tetraparesis and loss of head control. A cognitive decline was also ascertained. She also developed acquired microcephaly, precocious puberty at the age of 7, and angiokeratomas from 12 years. Serial neuroimaging showed white matter signal abnormalities that improved overtime but also showed progressive thinning of the corpus callosum, cerebellar ataxia and increasing cortical CA (Figure 2H). At the age of 18, the TBCD c.3099C>G (p.N1033K) variant was detected by WES-proband in homozygosis. Her healthy mother carried the TBCD c.3099C>G in heterozygosis and her paternal uncle did not (sample from the MD-297′s father was not available). TBCD c.3099C>G was previously associated with early-onset progressive encephalopathy (Table 1). TBCD is one of the chaperones involved in the assembly of tubulin heterodimers for their incorporation into microtubules. The three-dimensional structure of this protein is unknown, although it is predicted that it consists of in tandem α helix-turn-α helix repeats arranged in an α solenoid structure (Figure 1C) [23]. In the TBCD tertiary structure modelled by AlphaFold, N1033 is located in the turn between two antiparallel helices, with its side chain oriented towards the protein surface. Although the predictive power of AlphaFold to orient different domains is limited, it is likely that the missense change to lysine results in charge change on the protein’s surface in addition to introducing a bulkier side chain. For both reasons, it is possible to anticipate that this mutation could either affect the interaction between TBCD domains or the interaction of TBCD with other proteins, which could be relevant for the functioning of TBCD given the involvement of this protein in complexes with other tubulin assembly factors [24].
The patient MD-471 (CLN6, Table 1 and Table 2), a 7 year-old male, presented with language delay and clumsiness from 3 years of age. At 5 years old, a neurological examination revealed dysarthria, drooling, gait instability, and occasional drop attacks. An EEG disclosed generalised polyspike wave complexes and slow background activity. A brain MRI showed global cerebral and cerebellar atrophy, and white matter hyperintensities (Figure 2I,J). The clinical course was rapidly progressive from age 6, and at 7 years, he was unable to walk alone and presented with severe visual deficit, loss of speech and auditive-triggered myoclonus. WES-proband showed that the patient was compound heterozygote for c.214G>T (p.E72*) and c.829_836delinsCCT (p.V277Pfs*5), in CLN6. Both variants have been before related to disease (Table 1). The further segregation analysis showed that each parent carried one of these mutations, and that his younger sister also was compound heterozygous, as her brother. His sister was included in the genetic study because of mild stuttering from the age of 3. At that age, her brain MRI already showed enlarged cerebellar folia interspaces and white matter hyperintensities. In the subsequent year, gait instability, dysarthria and cognitive decline symptoms appeared in the sister.
The patient MD-610 (PI4KA, Table 1 and Table 2), presented at 20 months of age with acute gait instability after being treated with amoxicillin because of a middle ear infection. A post-infectious cerebellar syndrome was suspected, but a brain MRI revealed predominantly supratentorial T2 diffuse myelin hyperintensity suggesting hypomyelination, with mild enlargement of folia interspaces in both cerebellar hemispheres (Figure 2K). From 2 to 3 years of age, he developed progressive spasticity in lower limbs, with cognitive and language preservation. A control MRI at 30 months of age confirmed hypomyelination and CA. The genetic analysis by WES-trio detected that the patient was compound heterozygote for c.3845C>T (p.A1282V) and c.2750T>C (p.F917S) in PI4KA. Both mutations are novel and each one was inherited for a parent (Table 1). PI4KA c.3845C>T was predicted as a splicing mutation and a transcript analysis was performed (Figure 3C) that revealed that should cause a deletion of 57 bp causing partial skipping of exon 33.
Finally, the patient MD-436 (CLK2, Table 1 and Table 2), was first seen at 17 months of age due to motor delay. She was able to walk with support but could not stand from sitting by herself. At exam, she presented with hypotonia, and a limitation to move her eyes side-to-side, shaking the head to the direction of interest. Further exams were consistent with oculomotor apraxia with mild improvement over age. Some dysmorphic features were ascertained: small orbits, pointed palate and small hands. A CGH-array did not reveal any relevant CNV. A brain MRI showed a subtle enlargement of vermian folia interspaces at 20 months of age. At 5 years, she could walk independently but presented some difficulties in tandem. School performance and expressive language were below average but improved with time. A de novo novel variant was detected by WES-trio in heterozygosis in the proband, c.1120T>C (p.Y374H), in CLK2. No other variants of interest were detected. To investigate the structural effects of CLK2 p.Y374H, we used HOPE that determined the disruption of the hydrogen bond formed between the residue Y374 and the threonine at position 250, and Foldx that predicted a notable structural destabilization of the mutated protein and calculated a 4.00776 kcal/mol change in free energy. CLK2 is a dual specificity kinase that phosphorylates splice factors acting on both serine/threonine and tyrosine-containing substrates. To be active, CLK2 first goes under auto-phosphorylation of its tyrosine residues; then, it phosphorylates serine- and arginine-rich (SR) proteins of the spliceosomal complex. The proband has mutated the residue Y374. To test whether the detected p.Y374H affects the CLK2 protein levels suggesting instability of the mutated protein, as previously described for the variants p.K192R and p.T343A in mice [25,26], we transfected transiently the mutated protein in HEK293T cells. A significantly decreased expression of CLK2-mutant compared to the native protein was appreciated (Figure 3D), which may indicate a deficient activity of CLK2-Y374H.

3. Discussion

The number of disorders that present with CA is ever-increasing with an extremely broad clinical spectrum, from non-progressive developmental disorders to neurodegenerative conditions [7,9,10,11]. Pure CA, defined as an isolated CA based on neuroimaging, is commonly found in SCAs and SCARs, but also in some inborn errors of metabolism and mitochondrial disorders [9,27]. CA may present with additional supratentorial findings such as hypomyelination, periventricular progressive matter abnormalities, and basal ganglia involvement, which would add clinical value for a pattern-recognition approach [6,27]. We report here ten new cases of early-onset cerebellar involvement with a great clinical and genetic heterogeneity.
In this cohort, CA, as determined in serial neuroimaging, is present in eight individuals with variants in 7 genes: SETX, CACNA1G, CACNA1A, MAST1, TBCD, CLN6, and PI4KA, highlighting the heterogeneity of associated genotypes with a clear progression of CA over time. Additionally, in three patients a white matter involvement was associated with CA carrying mutations in CLN6, MAST1 and PI4KA genes. A suggestive MRI pattern was identified in two patients with mutations in MAST1, associated with pseudofusion of the putamen and caudate, and mega-corpus callosum size, and in TBCD, causing hypomyelination, and CA and callosal thinning, which are hallmarks of this progressive disorder.
So far, 338 different variants in SETX are annotated in HGMD® (Human Genetic Mutation Database Professional 2023.1; accessed on 14 September 2023), some of them especially recurrent, as the mutation identified in homozygosis in the girl MD-359, c.5825T>C. Modelling of the protein showed that the mutation may destabilize the folding affecting its stability. Mutations in SETX transmitted in an AD manner are involved in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-4 (ALS4), and with an AR mode of inheritance, are responsible for SCA with axonal neuropathy (SCAN2), which is characterised by progressive CA, along with sensorimotor neuropathy, occasional oculocephalic dissociation and/or oculomotor apraxia, strabismus, chorea, dystonia, and elevated serum α-fetoprotein levels [28,29]. Polyneuropathy is present in 97.5% of patients suffering from SETX-associated ataxia and CA in 96% [29]. Senataxin, which contains a DNA/RNA helicase domain, participates in the DNA repair pathway and mutations in SETX may cause neuronal degeneration through dysfunction of helicase activity or other steps in RNA processing [30,31]. MD-359 was a Roma girl born to consanguineous parents. She showed a mild clinical picture with mild-moderate CA and unsteady gait together with increased levels of α-fetoprotein (13.6 µg/L). She also presented with moderate bilateral sensory hearing loss, which might not be linked to SETX.
Implication of ion channels in genetic ataxias associated with CA is long known, given the importance of ion balance, notably that of calcium ions, in cerebellar pathology. In fact, in mutational screening of clinical series of patients with cerebellar ataxia, the frequency of channelopathies is relatively high [32,33]. This group of disorders comprises a large number of clinically heterogeneous diseases usually comprising epilepsy. Damaging variants in CACNA1G leads to SCA42, a slowly progressive ataxia, characterised by severe motor, cognitive impairment, and CA, with variable features such as facial dysmorphisms, digital anomalies, microcephaly, and epilepsy [5,34]. CACNA1G encodes the low-voltage-activated Ca(v)3.1 T-type calcium channel, and highly expressed in Purkinje neurons and deep cerebellar nuclei; mutations in CACNA1G may result in decreased neuronal excitability [5,34]. MD-353 harbours a de novo CACNA1G c.2881 G>A change in heterozygosis, a well-known mutation associated with SCA42. Modelling of the mutated protein showed that the change p.A961T may affect the intracellular segment required for binding to the β regulatory subunit of this channel, which may impair the proper functioning of the channel. MD-353 is at present, a 17 year-old boy, with a stable ataxia course and no epilepsy, who at age of 13 months displayed cerebellar reduced volume that was associated with CA afterwards. He showed moderate cognitive impairment and attention deficit. Strikingly, the proband suffered from congenital arthrogryposis, which is not a common feature related to ataxias [35], although it is for instance, associated with pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 1A due to VRK1 mutations that occasionally includes ataxia [36].
Another more frequent ataxia due to defects in a calcium channel is SCA6, caused by mutations in CACNA1A. Episodic ataxia type 2 (EA2), developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 42 (DEE42), and familial hemiplegic migraine are also due to CACNA1A variants. EA2 or SCA6 can be caused by abnormal (CAG)n expansions as well as point mutations. The CACNA1A-associated phenotypic spectrum is really much more wider comprising early developmental delay, autism spectrum disorders, epileptic encephalopathy, and early onset paroxysmal dystonia [37], as revealed by the detection of mutations facilitated by the use of NGS-based genetic diagnostic tools. In fact, more than 400 mutations in CACNA1A are known (HGMD® Professional 2023.1; accessed September 14, 2023). The CACNA1A gene encodes the transmembrane pore-forming subunit of the P/Q-type or CaV2.1 voltage-gated calcium channel, which functions as a transcription factor that mediated cerebellar development [38]. The CACNA1A probands carry c.3042C>G (MD-309) or c.234_235delCT (MD-556), in heterozygosis, which have not been previously associated with disease.
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCLs) are a group of inherited lysosomal storage disorders with a notable genetic heterogeneity (at least 15 genes involved) and a complex phenotype. Deleterious mutations in CLN6 lead to NCL type 6A and type 6B. CLN6 encodes for a transmembrane protein that is expressed in in adult and embryonic brain and in peripheral tissues of mouse and human [39]. CLN6 dysfunction leads to changes in the storage material, which consists of autofluorescent lipopigments, in the lysosomes causing the destruction and loss of neurons in the cerebral, cerebellar cortex and retina [40]. The clinical picture comprises intellectual and motor deterioration, visual impairment, seizures, psycho-motor decline, and loss of neurons [41]. The CLN6-associated phenotype fits with this clinical picture and fatal outcome with premature death. Ataxia is a common additional neurological sign, and even may be the primary clinical feature at symptoms onset, which may mislead the diagnosis of NCL [42]. Other frequent manifestations include developmental regression, seizure, and ID [43]. Patient MD-471 fits completely with the CLN6-associated phenotype, including CA and abnormal cerebral white matter morphology, which are also observed in CLN6 patients [43]. Both stop mutations in CLN6, p.E72* and p.V277Pfs*5, described in MD-471 and his sister have been reported in several patients (HGMD® Professional 2023.1; accessed on 14 September 2023).
MAST1 alterations lead to a mega-corpus-callosum syndrome with cerebellar hypoplasia and cortical malformations. The clinical picture comprises non-verbal moderate to profound ID, and hypotonia in all of them [44]. To our knowledge, eleven cases are known caused by seven different mutations in MAST1 (HGMD® Professional 2023.1; accessed on 14 September 2023). McMichael et al. [45] reported a de novo novel missense mutation in a patient with diplegic cerebral palsy, but with no further clinical information. Tripathy et al. [46] delineated the clinical picture described above, with six patients presenting the neuroimaging triad, associated with non-verbal ID and hypotonia in all of them. Additionally, two patients also presented with seizures and two with oculomotor apraxia, and a mild truncal ataxia was described in one patient with a frameshift variant. Few cases with MAST1 mutations have been reported with atypical presentations, such as absence of cerebellar hypoplasia, predominant bilateral polymicrogyria, dysmorphic features, short stature, epileptic encephalopathy, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism [47,48,49,50]. The c.1672G>C (p.V558L) variant in MAST1 identified in MD-548 is a de novo novel change predicted as damaging according to the ACMG/AMP criteria [20]. MD-548 presents with the main clinical signs associated with the neurodevelopmental disorder caused by MAST1 mutations. He is currently a nonverbal teen with a severe ID, hypotonia, and truncal ataxia, but a cortical development malformation is lacking in neuroimaging. Additionally, it was disclosed a bilateral thinning of the anterior arm of the internal capsule resembling a pseudo-fusion of putamen and caudate nuclei, not previously reported. With MD-548, we describe the novel MAST1 c.1672G>C mutation, expanding the clinical picture of this ultrarare neurodevelopmental disorder, suggesting that ataxia may be more frequently present but masked as persistent hypotonia in other cases.
The proband MD-392 was a compound heterozygous for c.7588+7A>G and c.2747-1981_6172-78del in CPLANE1. Both mutations investigated by transcript analysis revealed that altered the proper splicing causing the loss of exons. Damaging variants in CPLANE1 can cause JS or more frequently, orofaciodigital syndrome VI (OFD6). Around 35 genes are involved in JS and related disorders, which are characterised by a pathognomonic cerebellar and brainstem malformation on brain MRI, the so-called molar tooth sign. JS is a multisystem syndrome with a complex phenotype that affect different body systems (eyes, kidney, liver and skeleton), clinically characterised by hypotonia, ataxia, developmental delay or ID, oculomotor apraxia, and apnea or hyperapnea [51]. MD-392 displayed a pure neurological form of JS with borderline intelligence and no retinal or kidney involvement, although he occasionally presented with oculomotor apraxia, together with hypotonia and molar tooth sign on MRI. The CPLANE1 (ciliogenesis and planar polarity effector) protein is required for cilium assembly in ciliated cells [52]. Abnormal cell cycle regulation and DNA damage signalling are involved in the pathogenesis of ciliopathies [53,54]. Upon entry into mitosis, JBTS17 is localised to the kinetochore; a knockdown of Jbts17 causes mitotic arrest of progenitor cells and defects in neuronal migration in cerebral cortex in developing mouse brain [52].
Early-onset progressive encephalopathy with brain atrophy and a thin corpus callosum (PEBAT) is caused by damaging variants transmitted in an AR fashion in TBCD. TBCD is one of the five tubulin-specific chaperones (TBCA-E) needed for the reversible assembly of the α-/β-tubulin heterodimers, which are involved in crucial cell functions such as division or intracellular transport [55]. Patient fibroblasts showed altered microtubule dynamics, supporting that microtubule dynamic has an impact on neuronal function and survival in the brain [23]. TBCD depletion may result in an abnormal microtubule network and abnormal microtubule trafficking of mitochondria in the human brain, leading to decreased energy supply to neuronal cells and subsequent neuronal degeneration. PEBAT is characterised by a broad clinical spectrum even between siblings [55,56]. The girl, MD-297, presented with a severe neurological dysfunction with encephalopathy, spastic-dystonic tetraparesis, and severe ID. The observed neuroimaging findings resembled those usually associated with PEBAT: hypomyelination, CA and callosal thinning. The TBCD p.N1033K mutation identified in homozygosis in the patient MD-297 was reported as a founder event in the Faroe Islands [57]; to our knowledge, MD-297 and their relatives were all from Spain. The structural modelling of TBCD p.N1033K predicted that its capacity for interacting with other proteins may be impaired, which may affect its proper activity given the involvement of TBCD in complexes other tubulin assembly factors [24].
AR mutations in PI4KA cause a variable phenotypical spectrum ranging from severe neurodevelopmental disorder with spasticity, hypomyelinating leukodystrophy, and brain abnormalities (NEDSPL) to pure spastic paraplegia type 84 (SPG84) [58]. Additionally, patients can present with inflammatory bowel disease, multiple intestinal atresia, and combined immunodeficiency [59]. MD-610 presented with ataxia from 2 years of age, but soon developed spasticity in lower limbs. At 3 years of age, cognitive and language development were within normal limits, and he could walk alone. A brain MRI showed diffuse alterations of the pattern of supratentorial myelination and incipient cerebellar atrophy involving hemispheres. MD-610 carried novel biallelic variants in PI4KA and the transcript analysis performed for c.3845C>G revealed that may affect the proper splicing. Two patients have been previously described with a similar clinical picture without cognitive or language impairment, but both did not show supratentorial white matter hypomyelination as ours, so a longer follow-up must be needed to ascertain the milder phenotype [58].
The proband MD-436 suffered from a mild ataxia, oculomotor apraxia, borderline IQ, and language delay, with global improvement over time. A single brain MRI revealed a reduced vermian volume with enlarged interfolia spaces at two years of age. In the patient MD-436 investigated by WES-trio, the only variant of interest was the de novo novel variant CLK2 c.1120T>C (p.Y374H) in heterozygosis. To date, no Mendelian disorders have been associated with CLK2 mutations. A translocation t(1;19) (q21.3;q13.2), affecting CLK2 and PAFAH1B3, was reported in a female with ID, ataxia and brain atrophy [60]. The molecular mechanism was associated with PAFAH1B3, which resulted to be inactive and hence, without capacity of interacting with LIS1 (related to lissencephaly), a member of the heterotrimeric G protein complex PAF-AH1B. CLKs belong to the dual-specificity protein kinase family and play an essential role in the regulation of the transcript splicing via the phosphorylation of the serine/arginine-rich (SR) proteins and subsequently modulates the alternative splicing of precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) [61]. The patient MD-436 had a mutated residue of tyrosine, Y374. CLK2 protein level is regulated by CLK2 kinase activity [25]. The CLK2-K192R and -T343A mutants were demonstrated to be less stable and with a reduced protein expression [25]. We have demonstrated that CLK2-Y374H shows a decreased expression that may reflect a reduction in the kinase activity of the mutated protein due to its instability, predicted by the in silico tools HOPE and FoldX, which possibly affects its substrate interaction properties. Levels of phosphorylation of substrates correlates with the CLK2 expression. PGC-1α, a CLK2 substrate, is a widely expressed transcriptional regulator, which modulates the expression of genes engaged in mitochondrial biosynthesis, metabolic regulation, and oxidative stress [62,63]. Recent studies have demonstrated that PGC-1α protects against neuroinflammation and performs a neuroprotective influence in neurodegenerative diseases and, therefore, plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of many neurodegenerative disorders [62,63], which may participate in the clinical presentation of a neurodevelopmental disorder with ataxia and oculomotor apraxia. Further studies are needed to elucidate if CLK2 p.Y374H is the causative defect leading to the clinical presentation in our patient or is a change that partly contributes to the clinical picture.

4. Patients and Methods

4.1. Patients and Clinical Features

Ten probands were selected based on the presence of CA associated to ataxia, ID and/or additional neurological signs and symptoms. Phenotyping included standardised assessments of ataxia, movement disorders, and other neurological symptoms such as spasticity, muscle weakness or signs of peripheral neuropathy. An intelligent quotient was obtained by WISC-IV [64]. MRI studies were performed in 1.5- and 3-T scanners, depending on the referral hospitals. CA was ascertained by loss of cerebellar volume in at least two consecutive cerebral MRI studies [9].

4.2. Genetic and Genomic Studies

Eight out of ten patients went for WES-proband or WES-trio, depending on the samples sequenced) based on a xGen Exome Research Panel with custom-designed capture probes (Integrated DNA Technologies, Coralville, IA, USA) at Blueprint Genetics (Helsinki, Finland) or KAPA HyperExome (Roche, Basel, Switzerland) at CNAG (Centre Nacional d’Anàlisi Genòmica, Barcelona, Spain). MD-309 and MD-392 were investigated using a custom panel for ataxia and spastic paraplegia (Panel SPGAtaxia-363) based on SureSelect Custom Panel (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA) including 363 genes (gene list upon request).
Bioinformatics analyses (filtering data, study of the novelty and pathogenicity of the candidate variants and CNVs, copy number variants) were carried out in-home as previously described [65]. To classify the identified variants according to its pathogenicity, we followed the ACMG/AMP criteria [20].
Sanger sequencing on an ABI Prism 3130XL analyser (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA) was performed for validation by PCR and segregation analysis of the genetic candidate variants identified in the bioinformatics analysis. Primers are available upon request.
Copy number variants (CNVs) were investigated using the coverage-based DECoN bioinformatics tool. BAM files from samples with consistent exon CNVs calls were visually inspected in the Integrative Genomics Viewer (IGV) to find additional support for the calls and putative breakpoints, that were further determined by PCR and Sanger sequencing of DNA samples.

4.3. Structural Modelling of SETX p.I1942T, CACNA1G p.A961T and TBCD p.N1033K

The structural analysis of SETX was based on the experimental structure of the yeast SEN1 helicase domain (PDB entry 5mzn) [19], as well as on the region corresponding to this domain in the model generated by AlphaFold for human SETX (accession code Q7Z333) [66,67]. In the absence of experimental structural information for TBCD, the structural analysis for this protein was based on a model generated by AlphaFold (https://aphafold.com; accession code Q9BTW9) [66,67]. For CACNA1G we used the structure of the transmembrane region of the human protein (PDB entries 6zzp and 6kzo; Zhao et al. 2019) as well as the structure of the voltage-gated calcium channel Cav1.1 complex from rabbit (PDB entry 5gjv) [22], where some of the cytoplasmic elements not visible in the human CACNA1G structure, in addition to the regulatory proteins, are included. Figure 2 was prepared using PYMOL Molecular Graphics System, v2.0 Schrödinger, LLC (https://pymol.org/2/).

4.4. Transcript Analysis of CPLANE1, c.7588+7A>G and c.2747-1981_6172-78del, and PI4KA, c.3845C>T

For further investigation of variants detected in CPLANE1, c.7588+7A>G and c.2747-1981_6172-78del, as well as the variant c.3845C>T identified in PI4KA (Table 1), transcript analyses were performed as previously described [65]. Table S1 lists the used primers.

4.5. In Silico Analyses and Protein Expression Levels of CLK2 p.Y372H

FoldX [68] was used to calculate the variation in folding free energy of the mutations with respect to the WT (ΔΔG). Higher values correlate with less stable proteins when mutated. The web-based platform HOPE [69] was employed to evaluate differences in physicochemical properties and disruptions of protein interactions induced by mutated residues.
The CLK2 cDNA (NM_001294338.2) cloned in the pcDNA3.1+/C-(K)-DYK vector (oHu28699D), tagged with DYK in C-ter, was obtained from GenScript (Piscataway, NJ, USA). The CLK2 p.Y374H mutation was generated with specific primers (Table S1) using the QuikChange Site-Directed Mutagenesis Kit (Agilent, Santa Clara, CA, USA). HEK293T cells were transiently transfected for 48 h with 1 µg of WT (wild-type) or mutated CLK2 and FuGENE HD Transfection Reagent (Promega, Madison, WI, USA). Whole cell protein extraction with lysis buffer supplemented with the phosphatase inhibitor cocktail PhosSTOP™ (Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Mannheim, Germany), SDS-PAGE and western blotting were performed as previously described [8]. Primary antibody dilutions used in western-blot were as follows: anti-FLAG M2® (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA): 1/1000 and anti-GAPDH (0411) (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Dallas, TX, USA): 1/8000.

5. Conclusions

New genes and new variants are constantly identified thanks to the increased availability of exome and genome sequencing together with new methods such as long-read sequencing. To determine if a genetic variant is deleterious or not is essential. Moreover, most conditions are rare disorders characterised by genetic heterogeneity and allelic diseases. Definitely, diagnosis is a challenge. Therefore, the characterisation of new cases that support the known phenotypes, reveal new clinical pictures, and/or show new diseases due to genes not yet associated with Mendelian diseases is crucial to improve the genetic diagnosis, mainly in childhood. In this work, we contributed to the landscape of early-onset cerebellar atrophy with ten new cases and nine different genes, including additional experiments to gain evidence of the pathogenicity of several variants.

Supplementary Materials

The following are available online at https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/ijms242216400/s1.

Author Contributions

Funding acquisition, C.E.; Genetic and experimental studies, D.M.-R., I.H., M.A.L. and V.L.; Protein modelling, C.M.-M.; Clinical supervision of patients, I.M.-C., N.G.-R., C.M., M.V.-L., A.G.-P., A.V.M.-H., M.T.-V. and S.A.-A.; Interpretation of data, H.A.-E., S.A.-A. and C.E.; Writing—original draft, S.A.-A. and C.E.; Writing—review and editing, S.A.-A. and C.E. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This study has been funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) through the project PI21/00103 to C.E. and co-funded by the European Union and through the grant FI19/00072 to I.H: co-funded by the European Union—European Social Fund (FSE). Part of the equipment employed in this work was funded by Generalitat Valenciana and co-financed with ERDF (OP ERDF of Comunitat Valenciana 2014–2020).

Institutional Review Board Statement

The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and approved by the Ethics Committee of Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe (València, Spain) (protocol code 2021/651/1, 22 September 2021).

Informed Consent Statement

Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study.

Data Availability Statement

Data are contained within the article.

Acknowledgments

We are in debt with the patients and their families for agreeing to participate in this study.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Figure 1. Structural modelling. (A) The crystallographic structure of the yeast SEN1 helicase domain (PDB entry 5mzn) is shown in the cartoon representation. Residue corresponding to I1942 in human senataxin (SETX), where missense mutation p.I1942T has been identified, is marked with a red sphere, to show its proximity to de nucleotide binding site. The inset shows a close-up view of the region where the mutation is located. The nucleotide is shown in stick representation with carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus atoms coloured yellow, red, blue, and orange respectively. (B) Cartoon representation of the protein kinase and pzd domains of the model generated by AlphaFold for human MAST1 (accession number Q9Y2H9). Localization of p.V558L is represented with a red sphere. (C) Cartoon representation of the cryo-electron microscopy structure for the calcium translocating pore of human Cav3.1 (PDB entry 6kzo), from the cytosolic region. Ca2+ are shown as purple spheres. The red sphere localizes residue A961, where p.A961T has been identified. The inset shows a close-up of the region where this mutation is localized, in the structure of the voltage-gated calcium channel Cav1.1 from rabbit (PDB entry 5gjv), to show the proximity of the mutation to the elements from the α subunit that mediate the interaction with the β regulatory subunit of this channel. (D) Cartoon representation of the alpha solenoid structure predicted for TBCD (AlphaFold model; accession code Q9BTW9). Localization of p.N1033K is mapped with a red sphere. The inset shows in detail the region where N1033 is located, with its side chain representing a stick, and on the right, the structural model of the p.N1033K mutation.
Figure 1. Structural modelling. (A) The crystallographic structure of the yeast SEN1 helicase domain (PDB entry 5mzn) is shown in the cartoon representation. Residue corresponding to I1942 in human senataxin (SETX), where missense mutation p.I1942T has been identified, is marked with a red sphere, to show its proximity to de nucleotide binding site. The inset shows a close-up view of the region where the mutation is located. The nucleotide is shown in stick representation with carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus atoms coloured yellow, red, blue, and orange respectively. (B) Cartoon representation of the protein kinase and pzd domains of the model generated by AlphaFold for human MAST1 (accession number Q9Y2H9). Localization of p.V558L is represented with a red sphere. (C) Cartoon representation of the cryo-electron microscopy structure for the calcium translocating pore of human Cav3.1 (PDB entry 6kzo), from the cytosolic region. Ca2+ are shown as purple spheres. The red sphere localizes residue A961, where p.A961T has been identified. The inset shows a close-up of the region where this mutation is localized, in the structure of the voltage-gated calcium channel Cav1.1 from rabbit (PDB entry 5gjv), to show the proximity of the mutation to the elements from the α subunit that mediate the interaction with the β regulatory subunit of this channel. (D) Cartoon representation of the alpha solenoid structure predicted for TBCD (AlphaFold model; accession code Q9BTW9). Localization of p.N1033K is mapped with a red sphere. The inset shows in detail the region where N1033 is located, with its side chain representing a stick, and on the right, the structural model of the p.N1033K mutation.
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Figure 2. Main neuroimaging signs. (A,B) MD-353/CACNA1G, severe vermian atrophy in mid-sagittal T1-weighted image (A) and mild global atrophy in both cerebellar hemispheres in coronal T2 (B) at 17 years of age. (C) MD-309/CACNA1A, a 12 year-old with moderate atrophy in the anterior lobe of the cerebellar vermis and a mega cisterna magna in mid-sagittal T1 (white arrow). (D) MD-556/CACNA1A at 10 years, moderate atrophy in the anterior lobe of the cerebellar vermis (T1-weighted sagittal image). (E,F) MD-548/MAST1 at 13 years, T2 axial image showing thinning of anterior arm of internal capsule (E), and T1 mid-sagittal image with a globally increased corpus callosum and vermian reduced volume (F). (G) MD-392/CPLANE1 at 17 years, T2 axial image showing a lack of normal decussation of superior cerebellar peduncular fiber tracts that follow and horizontal course (molar tooth sign). (H) MD-297/TBCD at 18 years, T2 FLAIR axial image revealing a striking reduction of supratentorial white matter, severe brainstem and cerebellar atrophy was also ascertained. (I,J) MD-471/CLN6, at 5 years (I), T1 coronal image showing enlarged cerebellar folia spaces (white arrow) at 6.5 years (J), T2 axial image disclosed cortical atrophy and deep/periventricular white matter hyperintensities. (K) MD-610/PI4KA, at 30 months, T2 coronal image showing diffuse hypomyelination and enlarged cerebellar folia interspaces. (L) MD-436/CLK2 at 20 months of age, with mild enlargement of folia spaces in the anterior lobe of the cerebellar vermis in mid-sagittal T1.
Figure 2. Main neuroimaging signs. (A,B) MD-353/CACNA1G, severe vermian atrophy in mid-sagittal T1-weighted image (A) and mild global atrophy in both cerebellar hemispheres in coronal T2 (B) at 17 years of age. (C) MD-309/CACNA1A, a 12 year-old with moderate atrophy in the anterior lobe of the cerebellar vermis and a mega cisterna magna in mid-sagittal T1 (white arrow). (D) MD-556/CACNA1A at 10 years, moderate atrophy in the anterior lobe of the cerebellar vermis (T1-weighted sagittal image). (E,F) MD-548/MAST1 at 13 years, T2 axial image showing thinning of anterior arm of internal capsule (E), and T1 mid-sagittal image with a globally increased corpus callosum and vermian reduced volume (F). (G) MD-392/CPLANE1 at 17 years, T2 axial image showing a lack of normal decussation of superior cerebellar peduncular fiber tracts that follow and horizontal course (molar tooth sign). (H) MD-297/TBCD at 18 years, T2 FLAIR axial image revealing a striking reduction of supratentorial white matter, severe brainstem and cerebellar atrophy was also ascertained. (I,J) MD-471/CLN6, at 5 years (I), T1 coronal image showing enlarged cerebellar folia spaces (white arrow) at 6.5 years (J), T2 axial image disclosed cortical atrophy and deep/periventricular white matter hyperintensities. (K) MD-610/PI4KA, at 30 months, T2 coronal image showing diffuse hypomyelination and enlarged cerebellar folia interspaces. (L) MD-436/CLK2 at 20 months of age, with mild enlargement of folia spaces in the anterior lobe of the cerebellar vermis in mid-sagittal T1.
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Figure 3. Studies to investigate the pathogenicity of variants of interest. (A) Transcript analysis of CPLANE1 c.7588+7A>G. Schematic representation of the aberrant splicing. Exons are indicated by boxes and introns are represented by horizontal bars (not to scale). Location of specific primers used in RT-qPCR are indicated by arrows. Dotted lines represent the anomalous splicing outcome and sequence of the abnormal product is shown (electropherogram). Electrophoresis corresponds to the RT-qPCR products obtained from RNA of a control and MD-392, who is heterozygous for CPLANE1 c.7588+7A>G. (B) Detection and transcript analysis of CPLANE1 c.2747-1981_6172-78del. Copy number variation (CNV) detection based on gene panel data using DECoN (upper image). Visualization plot from DECoN shows the ratio of observed to expected coverage depth of the captured regions with a 95% confidence. Significantly lower scores values suggested a heterozygous deletion from exon 16 to 32 (red dots); DECoN results were validated through CPLANE1 transcript analysis (middle image). RT-PCR was performed on RNA derived from the patient MD-392. Sequencing of the mutated amplicon showed the complete deletion of exons 16 to 32 (electropherogram), which implies a change in the reading frame. Size and genomic breakpoints of the CNV were defined (lower image) by PCR and Sanger sequencing revealed a microhomology region at the breakpoint junction (dash boxed sequence). (C) Transcript analysis of PI4KA c.3845C>T. Schematic representation of the aberrant splicing; please see description in (A). Electrophoresis corresponds to the RT-qPCR products obtained from RNA of a control and MD-610, who is heterozygous for PI4KA c.3845C>T. (D) Expression analysis of CLK2 p.Y374H. Western-blot analysis of protein extracts obtained from HEK293T cells, transiently transfected with CLK2 gene wild-type or mutant (p.Y374H), indicates a decreased relative expression of CLK2-mutant compared to the native protein. Three biological replicates are shown. Data is presented as average ± SEM. Significance was determined by two-tailed Student’s t test. * p < 0.005.
Figure 3. Studies to investigate the pathogenicity of variants of interest. (A) Transcript analysis of CPLANE1 c.7588+7A>G. Schematic representation of the aberrant splicing. Exons are indicated by boxes and introns are represented by horizontal bars (not to scale). Location of specific primers used in RT-qPCR are indicated by arrows. Dotted lines represent the anomalous splicing outcome and sequence of the abnormal product is shown (electropherogram). Electrophoresis corresponds to the RT-qPCR products obtained from RNA of a control and MD-392, who is heterozygous for CPLANE1 c.7588+7A>G. (B) Detection and transcript analysis of CPLANE1 c.2747-1981_6172-78del. Copy number variation (CNV) detection based on gene panel data using DECoN (upper image). Visualization plot from DECoN shows the ratio of observed to expected coverage depth of the captured regions with a 95% confidence. Significantly lower scores values suggested a heterozygous deletion from exon 16 to 32 (red dots); DECoN results were validated through CPLANE1 transcript analysis (middle image). RT-PCR was performed on RNA derived from the patient MD-392. Sequencing of the mutated amplicon showed the complete deletion of exons 16 to 32 (electropherogram), which implies a change in the reading frame. Size and genomic breakpoints of the CNV were defined (lower image) by PCR and Sanger sequencing revealed a microhomology region at the breakpoint junction (dash boxed sequence). (C) Transcript analysis of PI4KA c.3845C>T. Schematic representation of the aberrant splicing; please see description in (A). Electrophoresis corresponds to the RT-qPCR products obtained from RNA of a control and MD-610, who is heterozygous for PI4KA c.3845C>T. (D) Expression analysis of CLK2 p.Y374H. Western-blot analysis of protein extracts obtained from HEK293T cells, transiently transfected with CLK2 gene wild-type or mutant (p.Y374H), indicates a decreased relative expression of CLK2-mutant compared to the native protein. Three biological replicates are shown. Data is presented as average ± SEM. Significance was determined by two-tailed Student’s t test. * p < 0.005.
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Table 1. Genetic findings.
Table 1. Genetic findings.
PatientGeneRefSeqPosition †DNA ChangeProtein ChangePrediction ‡rs Number
(MAF) §		References
PMID ‖		Method
MD-359SETXNM_015046.7
NP_055861.3		chr9:132297011c.5825T>C
HOMOZYGOSIS
(Consanguinity)		p.I1942TPrs773379832 (0.00001195)27549087
35872528
33098801
27528516
34426522		WES-proband
MD-353CACNA1GNM_018896.5
NP_061496.2		chr17:50592063c.2881G>Ap.A961TPrs886041505
(0)		29878067
33098379
30842224
32736238
31785789
31836334		WES-proband
MD-309CACNA1ANM_001127221.2
NP_001120693.1		chr19:13298594c.3042C>Gp.Y1014*PNovelNovelGene panel
MD-556CACNA1Achr19:13505990-13505991c.234_235delCTp.F79Pfs*22Prs762483619
(0.000004023)		NAWES-trio
MD-471CLN6NM_017882.3
NP_060352.1		chr15:68214373c.214G>Tp.E72*Prs104894483
(0.00006761)		11791207
35012600
31589614
35505348
25525159		WES-proband
chr15:68208244-68208248c.829_836delinsCCTp.V277Pfs*5Prs1595816474
(NA)		34440436
35505348
12815591
MD-548MAST1NM_014975.3
NP_055790.1		chr19:12865349c.1672G>Cp.V558LPNovelNovelWES-trio
MD-392CPLANE1NM_023073.3
NP_075561.3		chr5:37164266c.7588+7A>Gp.E2512Kfs*18Prs773662834
(0.00002389)		28431631Gene panel
chr5:37170413-37215717c.2747-1981_6172-78delp.G916Afs*19PNovelNovel
MD-297TBCDNM_005993.5
NP_005984.3		chr17:82930629c.3099C>G
HOMOZYGOSIS
(No consanguinity)		p.N1033KPrs748615072
(0.000007128)		29921875WES-proband
MD-610PI4KANM_058004.4
NP_477352.3		chr22:20734450c.3845C>Tp.A1282_D1300delLPNovelNovelWES-trio
chr22:20761345c.2750T>Cp.F917SLPNovelNovel
MD-436CLK2NM_001294338.2
NP_001281267.1		chr1:155264494c.1120T>Cp.Y374HLPNovelNovelWES-trio
LP, likely pathogenic; NA, not available; P, pathogenic; PMID, PubMed identifier; RefSeq, reference sequence; WES, whole exome sequencing; MAF, minor allele frequency † Chromosome position based on GRCh38. ‡ Prediction of pathogenicity performed according to the ACMG/AMP guidelines [20]. § Consulted database gnomAD v2.1.1 (accessed on 27 March 2023). ‖ References associated with each mutation in the Human Mutation Data Base (HGMD®) Professional 2023.1 (accessed on 14 September 2023).
Table 2. Clinical features.
Table 2. Clinical features.
Patient
Sex		GenePresentation
Inheritance		Disease
(OMIM)		Age of Onset
Age at Testing		Clinical PresentationBrain MRICognitive
Involvement		Other Neurological
Phenotypic Characteristics
MD-359
female		SETXSporadic
AR		SCA with axonal neuropathy
(606002)		6 yo
8 yo		Mild truncal ataxia. Bilateral sensorineural deafness.CAAverage IQLearning difficulties
MD-353
male		CACNA1Gde novo
AD		SCA42 (616795)
SCA42 early-onset, severe, with neurodevelopmental deficits (618087)		At birth
17 yo		Congenital arthrogryposis. Ataxia. Gait instability. Dysmetria.Moderate CAModerate
Attention deficit		Moderate-severe speech delay. Dystonic head movements. Nystagmus
MD-309
male		CACNA1Ade novo
AD		Episodic Ataxia type 2 (108500)
SCA6 (183086)
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 42 (617106)
Familial hemiplegic migraine type 1 (141500)		18 mo
12 yo		Gait instability. Basal nystagmus. Dysmetria. Episodes of increased instability that last hours.Mild vermian atrophyMild IQArreflexia
MD-556
female		CACNA1Ade novo
AD		6 mo
12 yo		Paroxysmal, episodic, vertigo-like disorder triggered by emotions or fever. Gait instability.Mild vermian atrophyBorderline IQStrabismus. Mild gait ataxia. EEG abnormalities
MD-471
male		CLN6Familial
AR		Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis
Type 6A (601780)
Type 6B (204300)		3 yo
5 yo		Dysarthria. Gait instability. ADHD symptoms.CA
White matter T2/FLAIR hyperintensity		Progressive declineDrop attacks. Visual deficit and gait loss from 6-yo.
MD-472 †
female		3 yo
3 yo		Mild stuttering.Enlarged cerebellar folia, white matter T2/FLAIR hyperintensityMild attention deficitGait instability, loss of speech and cognitive decline from 4-yo.
MD-548
male		MAST1de novo
AD		Mega-corpus-callosum syndrome with cerebellar hypoplasia and cortical malformations (618273)At birth
13 yo		Ataxia. Lack of speech.Megacorpus callosum with CASevere IDAbsence of language. Mild facial dysmorphic features. Tented upper lip, pointed palate
MD-392
male		CPLANE1Sporadic
AR		Joubert syndrome 17 (614615)18 mo
17 yo		Motor delay (independent walk 2 yo).Molar tooth sign. Cerebellar hypoplasiaBorderline IQAtaxia. Oculomotor apraxia. ADHD.
MD-297
female		TBCDSporadic
AR		Early-onset progressive encephalopathy with brain atrophy and thin corpus callosum (PEBAT) (617193)15 mo
18 yo		Seizures. Motor impairment.Progressive CASevere IDEncephalopathy
Spastic-dystonic tetraparesis
MD-610
male		PI4KASporadic
AR		Neurodevelopmental disorder with spasticity, hypomyelinating leukodystrophy, and brain abnormalities (NEDSPLB) (616531)20 mo
36 mo		Acute ataxia.Diffuse hypomyelination Enlarged cerebellar foliaNoProgressive lower limbs spasticity
MD-436
female		CLK2de novo
AD		-17 mo
5 yo		Motor delay. Gait instability. Oculomotor apraxia.Subtle enlargement of vermian foliaBorderline IQGlobal improvement over age. Language delay
OMIM, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Men; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; FLAIR, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery; EEG: electroencephalogram; AR, autosomal recessive; AD, autosomal dominant; mo, months old; yo, years old; SCA, spinocerebellar ataxia; ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; IQ, intellectual quotient; ID, intellectual disability; CA, cerebellar atrophy. † MD-472 is sister of proband MD-471.
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Martínez-Rubio, D.; Hinarejos, I.; Argente-Escrig, H.; Marco-Marín, C.; Lozano, M.A.; Gorría-Redondo, N.; Lupo, V.; Martí-Carrera, I.; Miranda, C.; Vázquez-López, M.; et al. Genetic Heterogeneity Underlying Phenotypes with Early-Onset Cerebellar Atrophy. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 16400. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242216400

AMA Style

Martínez-Rubio D, Hinarejos I, Argente-Escrig H, Marco-Marín C, Lozano MA, Gorría-Redondo N, Lupo V, Martí-Carrera I, Miranda C, Vázquez-López M, et al. Genetic Heterogeneity Underlying Phenotypes with Early-Onset Cerebellar Atrophy. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023; 24(22):16400. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242216400

Chicago/Turabian Style

Martínez-Rubio, Dolores, Isabel Hinarejos, Herminia Argente-Escrig, Clara Marco-Marín, María Ana Lozano, Nerea Gorría-Redondo, Vincenzo Lupo, Itxaso Martí-Carrera, Concepción Miranda, María Vázquez-López, and et al. 2023. "Genetic Heterogeneity Underlying Phenotypes with Early-Onset Cerebellar Atrophy" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24, no. 22: 16400. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242216400

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