Episodic ataxia/myokymia syndrome is associated with point mutations in the human potassium channel gene-KCNA1 (Kv1.1)
- Oregon Health Sciences Univ., Portland, OR (United States); and others
Episodic ataxia (EA) is a rare, familial disorder producing attacks of generalized ataxia, with normal or near-normal neurological function between attacks. One type of EA (MIM No.160120) displays autosomal dominant inheritance and is characterized by episodes of ataxia lasting seconds to minutes with myokymia (rippling of small muscles) evident between attacks. Genetic linkage studies in 4 families suggested localization of an EA/myokymia gene near the K{sup +} channel gene KCNA1 (Kv1.1) on chromosome 12p. Chemical cleavage mismatch and DNA sequence analysis of the KCNA1 coding region in these families identified 4 different missense point mutations present in the heterozygous state. The mutations found were Val174Phe, Arg239Ser, Phe249Ile and Val408Ala; the residue numbers correspond to those in the published amino acid sequence of KCNA1 (Genbank Accession No. L02750). Each of these mutations affects an amino acid residue that is invariant among Drosophila melanogaster, mouse, rat and human, The mutations were present in the affected members of the family and absent in all of the unaffected members and in at least 70 unrelated control individuals. These data strongly suggest that EA/myokymia can result from mutations in the KCNA1 gene.
- OSTI ID:
- 133327
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-941009-; ISSN 0002-9297; CNN: Grant HG00022; Grant NS25370; TRN: 95:005313-0054
- Journal Information:
- American Journal of Human Genetics, Vol. 55, Issue Suppl.3; Conference: 44. annual meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics, Montreal (Canada), 18-22 Oct 1994; Other Information: PBD: Sep 1994
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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