Compound heterozygous TRPV4 mutations in two siblings with a complex phenotype including severe intellectual disability and neuropathy

Am J Med Genet A. 2017 Nov;173(11):3087-3092. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.38400. Epub 2017 Sep 12.

Abstract

TRPV4 encodes a polymodal calcium-permeable plasma membrane channel. Dominant pathogenic mutations in TRPV4 lead to a wide spectrum of abnormal phenotypes. This is the first report of biallelic TRPV4 mutations and we describe two compound heterozygous siblings presenting with a complex phenotype including severe neuromuscular involvement. In light of previously well described dominant inheritance for TRPV4-related neuromuscular disease, our study suggests a role for compound heterozygosity and loss-of-function as a potential novel disease mechanism for this group of disorders. Profound intellectual disability was also noted in both affected children, suggesting that TRPV4 may be necessary for normal brain development.

Keywords: TRPV4; brachydactyly; channelopathy; hearing loss; intellectual disability; neuromuscular diseases; peripheral neuropathy; retinopathy; scoliosis; skeletal.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Brain / growth & development
  • Brain / pathology
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Intellectual Disability / genetics*
  • Intellectual Disability / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Mutation, Missense
  • Neuromuscular Diseases / genetics*
  • Neuromuscular Diseases / physiopathology
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / genetics*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology
  • Phenotype
  • Siblings
  • TRPV Cation Channels / genetics*

Substances

  • TRPV Cation Channels
  • TRPV4 protein, human