Ataxia with Oculomotor Apraxia Type 2: Novel Mutations in Six Patients with Juvenile Age of Onset and Elevated Serum α-Fetoprotein

 

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Abstract

Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2 (AOA2), a neurodegenerative disorder with juvenile to adolescent onset is caused by mutations within the senataxin gene (SETX). We performed molecular analyses in six patients showing clinically an AOA2 phenotype and moderate to significant elevated serum α-fetoprotein levels. Sequencing the 24 coding exons and flanking intronic sequences revealed 11 novel DNA variations, including seven unknown missense mutations, a dinucleotide deletion, a four-nucleotide deletion affecting the 5′ splice site of exon 22 and two sequence variations, which are considered to be polymorphisms. By molecular testing the clinical diagnosis has been confirmed in all patients.

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Correspondence

V. Bernard

Institut für Humangenetik

Universität zu Lübeck

Ratzeburger Allee 160

23538 Lübeck

Germany

Phone: +49/451/500 29 92

Fax: +49/451/500 41 87

Email: veronica.bernard@uk-sh.de