PARS2 and NARS2 mutations in infantile-onset neurodegenerative disorder

J Hum Genet. 2017 Apr;62(5):525-529. doi: 10.1038/jhg.2016.163. Epub 2017 Jan 12.

Abstract

Here we present four unrelated families with six individuals that have infantile-onset developmental delay/regression and epilepsy. Whole-exome sequencing revealed compound heterozygous mutations, c.[283G>A];[607G>A] in a gene encoding prolyl-tRNA synthetase (PARS2) in one family. Two pairs of compound heterozygous mutations, c.[151C>T];[1184T>G] and c.[707T>G];[594+1G>A], and a homozygous mutation, c.[500A>G];[500A>G], in a gene encoding asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase (NARS2) were also identified in the other three families. Mutations in genes encoding aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases cause gene-specific mitochondrial disorders. Biallelic PARS2 or NARS2 mutations are reported to cause Alpers' syndrome, which is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by psychomotor regression and epilepsy with variable degree of liver involvement. Moreover, it is known that NARS2 mutations cause various clinical phenotypes, including non-syndromic hearing loss, Leigh syndrome, intellectual disability with epilepsy and severe myopathy. The individuals with PARS2 and NARS2 mutations, we have reported here demonstrate similar neurological features as those previously reported, with diversity in clinical presentation such as hearing loss and seizure type. Our data broaden the clinical and mutational spectrum of PARS2- and NARS2-related disorders.

MeSH terms

  • Age of Onset
  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases / genetics*
  • Aspartate-tRNA Ligase / genetics*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Family
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Mutation / genetics*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / genetics*
  • Pedigree

Substances

  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases
  • Aspartate-tRNA Ligase
  • PARS2 protein, human
  • NARS2 protein, human