Novel GNE mutations in three Chinese patients with typical GNE myo-pathy

GNE myopathy is an adult-onset muscle disorder featuring distal muscle atrophy and weakness. Rimmed vacuoles found in the muscle biopsies and gene mutations lead to the diagnosis of GNE myopathy. We collected clinical information, performed muscle biopsies and genetic testing on three patients. These cases developed typical disease presentations with distal muscle weakness at the ages of 26, 23, and 37 years. Their muscle pathologies revealed rimmed vacuoles. Genetic analysis led to the findings which included, c.1543-1544delGA (p.D515QfsX2)/c.38G>C (p.C13S) compound heterozygous mutation, c.733A>G (p.K245E) homozygous mutation and c.527A>T (p.D176V)/c.1634-1G>C (splicing) ; in which c.1543-1544 del GA (p.D515QfsX2), c.733A>G (p.K245E) and c.1634-1G>C (splicing) are three de novo mutations that have never been reported before. In conclusion, this study broadens the mutational spectrum of the GNE gene.