Contribution of copy number variations in CMT1X: a retrospective study

Background and purpose: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1X (CMT1X) is an X-linked dominant hereditary motor-sensory peripheral neuropathy, which results from mutations in the Gap Junction B1 (GJB1) gene. In a few cases, gene deletions have been linked to the disease, but their relative contribution in the pathogenesis of CMT1X has not been assessed yet. Herein a retrospective study to establish the incidence of gene deletions is described.

Methods: Copy number variation analysis was performed by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, whilst the breakpoints were defined by Sanger sequencing.

Results: A novel GJB1 deletion was identified in a family presenting with a classical CMT1X phenotype. The rearrangement includes the coding and the regulatory regions of GJB1.

Conclusions: GJB1 deletions appear to be a rare but not insignificant cause of CMT1X and are associated with a typical disease phenotype. Accordingly, patients negative for point mutations whose pedigree and clinical records strongly suggest the possibility of CMT1X should be tested for GJB1 copy number variations.