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Variable phenotypic expression and extensive tau pathology in two families with the novel tau mutation L315R
Author(s) -
Van Herpen Esther,
Rosso Sonia M.,
Serverijnen LiesAnne,
Yoshida Hirotaka,
Breedveld Guido,
Van De Graaf Raoul,
Kamphorst Wouter,
Ravid Rivka,
Willemsen Rob,
Dooijes Dennis,
MajoorKrakauer Daniëlle,
Kros Johan M.,
Crowther R. Anthony,
Goedert Michel,
Heutink Peter,
Van Swieten John C.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
annals of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.764
H-Index - 296
eISSN - 1531-8249
pISSN - 0364-5134
DOI - 10.1002/ana.10721
Subject(s) - phenotype , mutation , expression (computer science) , variable expression , genetics , biology , pathology , medicine , gene , computer science , programming language
Mutations in the tau gene cause familial frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17. Here, we describe two Dutch families with familial frontotemporal dementia associated with the novel missense mutation L315R in exon 11 of tau . The age at onset of disease showed a large variation within each family, ranging from 25 to 64 years. Incomplete penetrance was established in an 82‐year‐old mutation carrier with no signs of dementia and appeared probable in two additional subjects. The brains of two affected subjects were studied and showed extensive tau pathology in neurons (Pick‐like inclusions) and astroglial cells, particularly in the frontotemporal cortex and the hippocampal formation. Sarkosyl‐insoluble tau extracted from the cerebral cortex showed the presence of straight and twisted tau filaments and a pattern of pathological tau bands similar to that of Pick's disease. Upon dephosphorylation, only five of the six brain tau isoforms were observed, with the shortest isoform being undetectable. All six tau isoforms were present in soluble brain tau. Recombinant tau proteins with the L315R mutation showed a reduced ability to promote microtubule assembly. Ann Neurol 2003;54:573–581