PARK6 is a common cause of familial parkinsonism

Neurol Sci. 2002 Sep:23 Suppl 2:S117-8. doi: 10.1007/s100720200097.

Abstract

The Parkin gene is responsible for about 50% of autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism (ARJP) and less than 20% of sporadic early onset cases. We recently mapped a novel ARJP locus (PARK6) on chromosome 1p. Linkage to PARK6 was confirmed in 8 families from 4 different European countries. These families share some clinical features with the European Parkin-positive cases, with a wide range of ages at onset and slow progression. However, features typical of ARJP, such as dystonia and sleep benefit, were not observed, making the clinical presentation of late-onset cases indistinguishable from that of idiopathic PD. The determination of the smallest region of homozygosity in one consanguineous family allowed reducing the candidate interval to 9 cM. PARK6 appears to be an important locus for ARJP in Europe.

MeSH terms

  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1
  • Europe / epidemiology
  • Genetic Linkage
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Ligases / genetics*
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / epidemiology
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / genetics*
  • Pedigree
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases*

Substances

  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • parkin protein
  • Ligases