ClinVar

Description

The heterozygous variant c.353C> T p. (Thr118Met) was detected in the PMP22 gene [dbSNP rs104894619; frequency T = 0.468% (ExAC)]. In the literature [Shy (2006) Ann Neurol 59: 358; Keckarevic-Markovic (2009) J Peripher Nerv Syst 14: 125; Russo (2011) Neuromuscul Disord 21: 106 and Ho (2018) Case Rep Genet 2018: 2618071] this variant is associated with hereditary neuropathies. However, the authors refer to numerous older studies in which it is controversially discussed and in some cases it is assigned an unclear clinical effect up to and including classification as a non-pathological polymorphism. These very inconsistent and controversial classifications are reflected in the databases ClinVar [4x pathogenic, 13x VUS, 3x likely / benign] and LOVD [7x pathogenic, 5x VUS, 2x likely benign]. A "reduced penetrance" [Russo (2011) Neuromuscul Disord 21: 106] of the proven variant is being discussed, since it was also demonstrated in control groups of the studies. In addition, a partial loss of function was observed for the protein affected by the variant depending on the genotype [Shy (2006) Ann Neurol 59: 358]. Modulating effects due to variants in other genes cannot be ruled out either. Hereditary motor sensory neuropathy (HMSN), also known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT), is the most commonly inherited peripheral polyneuropathy. It constitutes a group of inherited, progressive, motor and sensory peripheral nerve disorders with properties of demyelination, axonal degeneration, or both. It is classified by clinical characteristics, modes of inheritance, electrophysiologic features, metabolic defects, and specific gene markers. Our patients all walk on tiptoe, so they show similar symptoms. When we genetically test them with our toe walking panel, we find that around 90 per cent of them have a genetic variant that explains their toe walking. These can be assigned, for example, to the area of myopathies (such as variants of the COL6A3 gene), the area of hereditary neuropathies (such as variants of the KMT2C gene) or the area of metabolic diseases (such as variants of the PYGM gene). In a smaller group of patients with almost identical symptoms, no abnormality is found in the genes of our panel, but spastic paraplegia can be detected. In another small group of our toe walkers, no abnormalities can be detected in the genes analysed in our toe walking panel, nor do they suffer from spastic paraplegia, as is also the case with healthy children. In contrast to these, however, they show a tiptoe gait. These patients suffer from infantile cerebral palsy, in which toe walking can also be observed.