Exome sequencing and SNP analysis detect novel compound heterozygosity in fatty acid hydroxylase-associated neurodegeneration

Eur J Hum Genet. 2012 Apr;20(4):476-9. doi: 10.1038/ejhg.2011.222. Epub 2011 Dec 7.

Abstract

Fatty acid hydroxylase-associated neurodegeneration due to fatty acid 2-hydroxylase deficiency presents with a wide range of phenotypes including spastic paraplegia, leukodystrophy, and/or brain iron deposition. All previously described families with this disorder were consanguineous, with homozygous mutations in the probands. We describe a 10-year-old male, from a non-consanguineous family, with progressive spastic paraplegia, dystonia, ataxia, and cognitive decline associated with a sural axonal neuropathy. The use of high-throughput sequencing techniques combined with SNP array analyses revealed a novel paternally derived missense mutation and an overlapping novel maternally derived ~28-kb genomic deletion in FA2H. This patient provides further insight into the consistent features of this disorder and expands our understanding of its phenotypic presentation. The presence of a sural nerve axonal neuropathy had not been previously associated with this disorder and so may extend the phenotype.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Base Sequence
  • Child
  • DNA Copy Number Variations
  • Exome / genetics*
  • Heterozygote
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases / genetics*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / enzymology*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / genetics*
  • Pedigree
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*

Substances

  • Mixed Function Oxygenases
  • fatty acid alpha-hydroxylase