A MAPT mutation in a regulatory element upstream of exon 10 causes frontotemporal dementia

Neurobiol Dis. 2006 May;22(2):401-3. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2005.12.001. Epub 2006 Feb 28.

Abstract

We report here the genetic analysis of a newly ascertained kindred in which frontotemporal dementia occurs in an apparent autosomal dominant fashion, and in which a novel MAPT gene mutation co-segregates with disease. Sequencing the MAPT gene in affected individuals revealed a change in intron 9. This finding supports earlier studies on the effect of a splice-accepting element in inclusion of exon 10 in the MAPT transcript. This mutation sheds light on a novel mechanism by which over-expression of 4-repeat tau leads to disease. Based on our current findings, we propose a novel mechanism by which intronic mutations can lead to frontotemporal dementia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Dementia / genetics*
  • Dementia / metabolism
  • Dementia / physiopathology
  • Disease Progression
  • Exons / genetics*
  • Female
  • Frontal Lobe / metabolism
  • Frontal Lobe / pathology
  • Frontal Lobe / physiopathology
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics*
  • Genetic Testing
  • Humans
  • Introns / genetics
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation / genetics*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • PC12 Cells
  • Pedigree
  • RNA Splice Sites / genetics
  • Rats
  • Regulatory Elements, Transcriptional / genetics*
  • Temporal Lobe / metabolism
  • Temporal Lobe / pathology
  • Temporal Lobe / physiopathology
  • tau Proteins

Substances

  • MAPT protein, human
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • RNA Splice Sites
  • tau Proteins