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Heterozygous truncation mutations of the SMC 1A gene cause a severe early onset epilepsy with cluster seizures in females: Detailed phenotyping of 10 new cases
Author(s) -
Symonds Joseph D.,
Joss Shelagh,
Metcalfe Kay A.,
Somarathi Suresh,
Cruden Jamie,
Devlin Anita M.,
Donaldson Alan,
DiDonato Nataliya,
Fitzpatrick David,
Kaiser Frank J.,
Lampe Anne K.,
Lees Melissa M.,
McLellan Ailsa,
Montgomery Tara,
Mundada Vivek,
Nairn Lesley,
Sarkar Ajoy,
Schallner Jens,
Pozojevic Jelena,
Parenti Ilaria,
Tan Jeen,
Turnpenny Peter,
Whitehouse William P.,
Zuberi Sameer M.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/epi.13669
Subject(s) - epilepsy , missense mutation , phenotype , genetics , biology , mutation , gene , neuroscience
Summary Objective The phenotype of seizure clustering with febrile illnesses in infancy/early childhood is well recognized. To date the only genetic epilepsy consistently associated with this phenotype is PCDH 19, an X‐linked disorder restricted to females, and males with mosaicism. The SMC 1A gene, which encodes a structural component of the cohesin complex is also located on the X chromosome. Missense variants and small in‐frame deletions of SMC 1A cause approximately 5% of Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (Cd LS ). Recently, protein truncating mutations in SMC 1A have been reported in five females, all of whom have been affected by a drug‐resistant epilepsy, and severe developmental impairment. Our objective was to further delineate the phenotype of SMC 1A truncation. Method Female cases with de novo truncation mutations in SMC 1A were identified from the Deciphering Developmental Disorders ( DDD ) study (n = 8), from postmortem testing of an affected twin (n = 1), and from clinical testing with an epilepsy gene panel (n = 1). Detailed information on the phenotype in each case was obtained. Results Ten cases with heterozygous de novo mutations in the SMC 1A gene are presented. All 10 mutations identified are predicted to result in premature truncation of the SMC 1A protein. All cases are female, and none had a clinical diagnosis of Cd LS . They presented with onset of epileptic seizures between <4 weeks and 28 months of age. In the majority of cases, a marked preponderance for seizures to occur in clusters was noted. Seizure clusters were associated with developmental regression. Moderate or severe developmental impairment was apparent in all cases. Significance Truncation mutations in SMC 1A cause a severe epilepsy phenotype with cluster seizures in females. These mutations are likely to be nonviable in males.