Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1: molecular pathogenesis to gene therapy.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1 (CMT1) is caused by mutations in the peripheral myelin protein, 22 kDa (PMP22) gene, protein zero (P0) gene, early growth response gene 2 (EGR-2) and connexin-32 gene, which are expressed in Schwann cells, the myelinating cells of the peripheral nervous system. Although the clinical and pathological phenotypes of the various forms of CMT1 are similar, including distal muscle weakness and sensory loss, their molecular pathogenesis is likely to be quite distinct. In addition, while demyelination is the hallmark of CMT1, the clinical signs and symptoms of the disease are probably produced by axonal degeneration, not demyelination itself. In this review we discuss the molecular pathogenesis of CMT1, as well as approaches to an effective gene therapy for this disease.
Kamholz
J
J
Department of Neurology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. j_kamholz@wayne.edu
Menichella
D
D
Jani
A
A
Garbern
J
J
Lewis
R A
RA
Krajewski
K M
KM
Lilien
J
J
Scherer
S S
SS
Shy
M E
ME
D002607:Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D004248:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases; D015254:DNA Modification Methylases / Q000235:genetics; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D018908:Muscle Weakness; D009185:Myelin Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009410:Nerve Degeneration; D010641:Phenotype; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000502:physiology; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D009185:Myelin Proteins; C073687:PMP22 protein, human; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins; C054675:ribosomal protein P0; D015254:DNA Modification Methylases; D004248:DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases; C112810:chromomethylase