Mutations in LGI1 cause autosomal-dominant partial epilepsy with auditory features

Nat Genet. 2002 Mar;30(3):335-41. doi: 10.1038/ng832. Epub 2002 Jan 28.

Abstract

The epilepsies are a common, clinically heterogeneous group of disorders defined by recurrent unprovoked seizures. Here we describe identification of the causative gene in autosomal-dominant partial epilepsy with auditory features (ADPEAF, MIM 600512), a rare form of idiopathic lateral temporal lobe epilepsy characterized by partial seizures with auditory disturbances. We constructed a complete, 4.2-Mb physical map across the genetically implicated disease-gene region, identified 28 putative genes (Fig. 1) and resequenced all or part of 21 genes before identifying presumptive mutations in one copy of the leucine-rich, glioma-inactivated 1 gene (LGI1) in each of five families with ADPEAF. Previous studies have indicated that loss of both copies of LGI1 promotes glial tumor progression. We show that the expression pattern of mouse Lgi1 is predominantly neuronal and is consistent with the anatomic regions involved in temporal lobe epilepsy. Discovery of LGI1 as a cause of ADPEAF suggests new avenues for research on pathogenic mechanisms of idiopathic epilepsies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Auditory Diseases, Central / complications
  • Auditory Diseases, Central / genetics*
  • Base Sequence
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 10
  • DNA
  • Epilepsy / complications
  • Epilepsy / genetics*
  • Female
  • Genes, Dominant*
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Male
  • Mutation*
  • Pedigree
  • Proteins / genetics*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • LGI1 protein, human
  • Lgi1 protein, mouse
  • Proteins
  • DNA