Molecular genetics of hereditary sensory neuropathies.
Hereditary sensory neuropathies (HSN), also known as hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathies (HSAN), are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders. They are caused by neuronal atrophy and degeneration, predominantly affecting peripheral sensory and autonomic neurons. Both congenital and juvenile to adulthood onset is possible. Currently, the classification of the HSN depends on the mode of inheritance, age at onset, and clinical presentation. Hallmark features are progressive sensory loss, chronic skin ulcers, and other skin abnormalities. Spontaneous fractures and neuropathic arthropathy are frequent complications and often necessitate amputations. Autonomic features vary between different subgroups. Distal muscle weakness and wasting may be present and is sometimes so prominent that it becomes difficult to distinguish HSN from Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome. Recent major advances in molecular genetics have led to the identification of seven gene loci and six-disease causing genes for autosomal-dominant and autosomal-recessive HSN. These genes have been shown to play roles in lipid metabolism and the regulation of intracellular vesicular transport, but also a presumptive transcriptional regulator, a nerve growth factor receptor, and a nerve growth factor have been described among the causative genes in HSN. Nevertheless, it remains unclear how mutations in the known genes lead to the phenotype of HSN. In this review, we summarize the recent progress of the molecular genetics of the HSN and the implicated genes.
Auer-Grumbach
Michaela
M
Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Stiftingtalstrasse 24, A-8010 Graz, Austria. michaela.auergrumbach@meduni-graz.at
Mauko
Barbara
B
Auer-Grumbach
Piet
P
Pieber
Thomas R
TR
D000217:Acyltransferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D056404:Chaperonin Containing TCP-1; D018833:Chaperonins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D025063:Chromosome Disorders; D005799:Genes, Dominant; D005808:Genes, Recessive; D005838:Genotype; D015417:Hereditary Sensory and Motor Neuropathy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D015778:Minor Histocompatibility Antigens; D008967:Molecular Biology; D009154:Mutation; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D020917:Receptor, trkA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051102:Serine C-Palmitoyltransferase; D035602:Transcriptional Elongation Factors; D000076204:WNK Lysine-Deficient Protein Kinase 1; D020691:rab GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000090802:rab7 GTP-Binding Proteins
D002352:Carrier Proteins; C114720:Elp1 protein, human; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D015778:Minor Histocompatibility Antigens; C502240:NGF protein, human; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D035602:Transcriptional Elongation Factors; D000090802:rab7 GTP-Binding Proteins; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D000217:Acyltransferases; C487784:SPTLC1 protein, human; D051102:Serine C-Palmitoyltransferase; D020917:Receptor, trkA; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D000076204:WNK Lysine-Deficient Protein Kinase 1; C498743:WNK1 protein, human; D056404:Chaperonin Containing TCP-1; D018833:Chaperonins; D020691:rab GTP-Binding Proteins