Familial parkinsonism and ophthalmoplegia from a mutation in the mitochondrial DNA helicase twinkle.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical phenotype and genetic basis of a family with autosomal dominant progressive external ophthalmoplegia and parkinsonism from a Twinkle mutation.


METHODS
All coding exons of POLG1, Twinkle (aka C10ORF2, PEO1), and ANT1 (SLC25A4) were sequenced in the proband with targeted sequencing of the Twinkle gene in all additional subjects.


METHODS
Members of a 3-generation family followed up in a neuromuscular disease center for dominantly inherited progressive external ophthalmoplegia.


RESULTS
We identified a heterozygous G1121A mutation (R374Q) in exon 1 of Twinkle that segregated with the disease phenotype in all affected family members. No pathogenic mutations were present in POLG1 or ANT1.


CONCLUSIONS
This finding broadens the clinical spectrum of Twinkle gene mutations and further implicates loss of mitochondrial DNA integrity in the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease.
Baloh
Robert H
RH
Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, PO Box 8111, 660 S Euclid Ave, St Louis, MO 63110, USA. balohb@neuro.wustl.edu
Salavaggione
Ezequiel
E
Milbrandt
Jeffrey
J
Pestronk
Alan
A
D004265:DNA Helicases / Q000235:genetics*; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D005820:Genetic Testing; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D028361:Mitochondrial Diseases / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D017246:Ophthalmoplegia, Chronic Progressive External / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010375:Pedigree; D019683:Penetrance; D010641:Phenotype
D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D004265:DNA Helicases; C431576:TWNK protein, human