Phenotype and Genotype of Children with ALS2 gene-Related Disorder

Abstract

Introduction The Alsin Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor (ALS2) gene encodes a protein alsin that functions as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor. The variations in ALS2 gene leads to degeneration of upper motor neurons of the corticospinal tract. The phenotypes resulting from variants in ALS2 gene are infantile-onset ascending hereditary spastic paralysis (IAHSP, OMIM # 607225), juvenile primary lateral sclerosis (JPLS, OMIM # 606353), and juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (JALS, OMIM # 205100). Our study objectives were to describe the clinical phenotype and genotype of children with an established diagnosis of ALS2 gene-related disorder.

Methods The clinical details, laboratory data, and genotype findings of children with an established diagnosis of ALS2 gene-related disorder were collected from the hospital electronic database after obtaining institutional review board approval.

Results One family with three affected siblings, a second family with a proband and an affected fetus, and a third family with two affected siblings with ALS2 gene variants were identified. IAHSP was diagnosed in all of our patients with variants in ALS2 gene. The clinical findings observed in our patients were insidious onset progressive spastic paraparesis, contractures, and dysarthria. Nonsense variants were observed in four patients while frameshift variant was observed in one family. Novel variants in ALS2 gene were identified in two unrelated families.

Conclusion ALS2 mutation results in rare neurodegenerative disorders with the clinical spectrum encompassing IAHSP, JPLS, and JALS disorders. In view of allelic heterogeneity described in the literature, more research studies are needed for establishing genotype–phenotype correlation in patients with ALS2 gene-related disorder.

Keywords

Alsin Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor - ALS2 gene - Infantile-onset ascending hereditary spastic paralysis (IAHSP) - Corticospinal tract - Neurodegenerative disorder

Author's Contribution

S.Y. and M.K. prepared the manuscript. R.A., S.R.R., B.S.U., S.P.O., S.D., and M.T. revised the manuscript. All authors approved the final manuscript.

Publication History

Received: 24 April 2024

Accepted: 30 August 2024

Article published online:
18 October 2024

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