Pathophysiological mechanisms of dominant and recessive GLRA1 mutations in hyperekplexia.

Abstract

Hyperekplexia is a rare, but potentially fatal, neuromotor disorder characterized by exaggerated startle reflexes and hypertonia in response to sudden, unexpected auditory or tactile stimuli. This disorder is primarily caused by inherited mutations in the genes encoding the glycine receptor (GlyR) alpha1 subunit (GLRA1) and the presynaptic glycine transporter GlyT2 (SLC6A5). In this study, systematic DNA sequencing of GLRA1 in 88 new unrelated human hyperekplexia patients revealed 19 sequence variants in 30 index cases, of which 21 cases were inherited in recessive or compound heterozygote modes. This indicates that recessive hyperekplexia is far more prevalent than previous estimates. From the 19 GLRA1 sequence variants, we have investigated the functional effects of 11 novel and 2 recurrent mutations. The expression levels and functional properties of these hyperekplexia mutants were analyzed using a high-content imaging system and patch-clamp electrophysiology. When expressed in HEK293 cells, either as homomeric alpha1 or heteromeric alpha1beta GlyRs, subcellular localization defects were the major mechanism underlying recessive mutations. However, mutants without trafficking defects typically showed alterations in the glycine sensitivity suggestive of disrupted receptor function. This study also reports the first hyperekplexia mutation associated with a GlyR leak conductance, suggesting tonic channel opening as a new mechanism in neuronal ligand-gated ion channels.

• Authors: Seo-Kyung Chung, Jean-François Vanbellinghen, Jonathan G L Mullins, Angela Robinson, Janina Hantke, Carrie L Hammond, Daniel F Gilbert, Michael Freilinger, Monique Ryan, Michael C Kruer, Amira Masri, Candan Gurses, Colin Ferrie, Kirsten Harvey, Rita Shiang, John Christodoulou, Frederick Andermann, Eva Andermann, Rhys H Thomas, Robert J Harvey, Joseph W Lynch, Mark I Rees
• Journal: The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience (J Neurosci) Vol. 30 Issue 28 Pg. 9612-20 (Jul 14 2010) ISSN: 1529-2401 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20631190 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• GLRA1 protein, human
• Receptors, Glycine

Topics

• Cell Line
• Female
• Genetic Variation
• Humans
• Male
• Muscle Hypertonia (genetics)
• Mutation (genetics)
• Phenotype
• Receptors, Glycine (genetics)
• Reflex, Abnormal (genetics)
• Reflex, Startle (genetics)
• Transfection