Screening for SGCE mutations in Moroccan sporadic patients with Myoclonus-Dystonia syndrome

Neurosci Lett. 2019 Jun 11:703:1-4. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.03.003. Epub 2019 Mar 5.

Abstract

Myoclonus-Dystonia (M-D) is a rare autosomal-dominant movement disorder characterized by myoclonic jerks in combination with dystonia and psychiatric features. Mutations in the Epsilon-sarcoglycan (SGCE, DYT11) gene have been found to cause M-D in 30%-50% of familial M-D. Sporadic cases have also been reported. The aim of study was to investigate whether the M-D phenotype is associated with the existence of SGCE mutations in Moroccan sporadic patients with M-D syndrome. The study included 12 M-D patients. We sequenced the entire coding region of the SGCE gene. We identified two different heterozygous SGCE mutations (c.769A > C ; c.391-3T > C). Our finding confirm that SGCE mutations can occur in sporadic patients when the phenotype is consistent with M-D. Further functional studies are needed to show how changes in SGCE protein function lead to the M-D phenotype.

Keywords: Epsilon-sarcoglycan; Myoclonus-Dystonia; SGCE mutations; Sporadic cases.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Dystonic Disorders / genetics*
  • Female
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Morocco
  • Mutation
  • Sarcoglycans / genetics*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • SGCE protein, human
  • Sarcoglycans

Supplementary concepts

  • Myoclonic dystonia