Absence of alpha- and beta-dystroglycan is associated with Walker-Warburg syndrome

作者：Riemersma Moniek; Mandel Hanna; van Beusekom Ellen; Gazzoli Isabella; Roscioli Tony; Eran Ayelet; Gershoni Baruch Ruth; Gershoni Moran; Pietrokovski Shmuel; Vissers Lisenka E; Lefeber Dirk J; Willemsen Michel A; Wevers Ron A; van Bokhoven Hans^*

来源：Neurology, 2015, 84(21): 2177-2182.

DOI：10.1212/WNL.0000000000001615

Objective:To identify the underlying genetic defect in 5 patients from a consanguineous family with a Walker-Warburg phenotype, together with intracranial calcifications.Methods:Homozygosity mapping and exome sequencing, followed by Sanger sequencing of the obtained candidate gene, was performed. Expression of the candidate gene was tested by reverse transcription PCR. Patient fibroblasts were converted to myotubes, and the expression and function of dystroglycan was tested by Western blotting.Results:We detected a homozygous loss-of-function frameshift mutation in the DAG1 gene and showed that this mutation results in a complete absence of both - and -dystroglycan.Conclusions:A loss-of-function mutation in DAG1 can result in Walker-Warburg syndrome and is not embryonic lethal.

• 出版日期2015-5-26