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Published on: September 12, 2020
Microcephaly-dystonia due to mutated PLEKHG2 with impaired actin polymerization
Simon Edvardson1,2, Haibo Wang3,4, Talya Dor2
1Monique and Jacques Roboh Department of Genetic Research, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
Abstract:
Rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton is controlled by RhoGTPases which are activated by RhoGEFs. We identified homozygosity for Arg204Trp mutation in the Rho guanidine exchange factor (RhoGEF) PLEKHG2 gene in five patients with profound mental retardation, dystonia, postnatal microcephaly, and distinct neuroimaging pattern. The activity of the mutant PLEKHG2 was significantly decreased, both in basal state and when Gβγ- or lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-stimulated. SDF1a-stimulated actin polymerization was significantly impaired in patient cells, and this abnormality was duplicated in control cells when PLEKHG2 expression was downregulated. These results underscore the role of PLEKHG2 in actin polymerization and delineate the clinical and radiological findings in PLEKHG2 deficiency.
Insights
A mutation in the PLEKHG2 gene impairs actin polymerization, leading to profound intellectual disability, dystonia, and microcephaly in patients. This study identifies key clinical and radiological features of PLEKHG2 deficiency.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Neurogenetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Actin cytoskeleton dynamics are crucial for neuronal development and function.
- Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RhoGEFs) regulate Rho GTPases, which control actin rearrangement.
- PLEKHG2 is a RhoGEF implicated in cellular signaling pathways.
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