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Updated: Jun 23, 2025

Targeted Next-generation Sequencing and Bioinformatics Pipeline to Evaluate Genetic Determinants of Constitutional Disease
Published on: April 4, 2018
A novel SPAST gene splicing variant (c.1617-2A>C) in a heterozygous carrier with hereditary spastic paraplegia
Elvira Sbragia1,2, Andrea Assini1, Silvia Calzavara3
1Unit of Neurology, Galliera Hospital, Genoa, Italy.
Abstract:
Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a group of genetically heterogenous neurodegenerative disorders characterized by progressive spasticity and weakness of lower limbs. We report a novel splicing variant (c.1617-2A>C) of the SPAST gene in a heterozygous carrier from an Italian family with autosomal dominant HSP. The case study describes a pure form of spastic paraparesis with the cardinal clinical features of SPG4. The novel variant affects a canonical splice site and is likely to disrupt RNA splicing. We conclude that the c.1617-2A>C substitution is a null variant, which could be classified as pathogenic; its penetrance should be further investigated.
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