Dosage effect of a dominant CLCN1 mutation: a novel syndrome

J Child Neurol. 2008 Feb;23(2):163-6. doi: 10.1177/0883073807307974.

Abstract

Multiple mutations in the CLCN1 gene coding for the voltage-gated chloride channel have been documented to cause myotonia congenita. We report a kindred featuring an index patient who possesses 2 copies of a dominantly inherited mutated CLCN1 allele with a resulting novel phenotypic presentation. The index patient is a boy who presented initially for evaluation at the age of 5 years with a 2-year history of gait problems. Both parents and 3 male siblings were entirely well. Examination revealed a striking diffuse muscular hypertrophy, diffuse mild to moderate weakness, Gower sign, percussion, and grip myotonia. Electromyography confirmed myotonia, and molecular analysis revealed 2 copies of the T310M mutation on the CLCN1 gene. Testing of family members revealed a normal neurological examination without clinical myotonia in all and electromyographic evidence of myotonia and a single copy of the T310M mutation in both parents and 2 siblings. Our kindred is the initial demonstration of the dosage effect of a dominant mutated allele in the CLCN1 gene.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chloride Channels / genetics*
  • Electromyography
  • Gene Dosage*
  • Genes, Dominant*
  • Hand Strength
  • Humans
  • Hypertrophy / genetics
  • Male
  • Muscle Weakness / genetics
  • Muscle Weakness / pathology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology*
  • Myotonia Congenita / genetics*
  • Myotonia Congenita / pathology
  • Pedigree
  • Syndrome

Substances

  • CLC-1 channel
  • Chloride Channels