Mutations in TTBK2, encoding a kinase implicated in tau phosphorylation, segregate with spinocerebellar ataxia type 11.
The microtubule-associated protein tau (encoded by MAPT) and several tau kinases have been implicated in neurodegeneration, but only MAPT has a proven role in disease. We identified mutations in the gene encoding tau tubulin kinase 2 (TTBK2) as the cause of spinocerebellar ataxia type 11. Affected brain tissue showed substantial cerebellar degeneration and tau deposition. These data suggest that TTBK2 is important in the tau cascade and in spinocerebellar degeneration.
Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Institute of Neurology and The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK. h.houlden@ion.ucl.ac.uk
Henry
H
Houlden
Janel
J
Johnson
Christopher
C
Gardner-Thorpe
Tammaryn
T
Lashley
Dena
D
Hernandez
Paul
P
Worth
Andrew B
AB
Singleton
David A
DA
Hilton
Janice
J
Holton
Tamas
T
Revesz
Mary B
MB
Davis
Paola
P
Giunti
Paolo
P
Giunti
Nicholas W
NW
Wood
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D018389:Codon, Nonsense; D016368:Frameshift Mutation; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D010766:Phosphorylation; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D013132:Spinocerebellar Degenerations / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D016875:tau Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
D018389:Codon, Nonsense; D016875:tau Proteins; C095903:tau-tubulin kinase; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases