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Gene analysis and clinical features of 22 GNE myopathy patients

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Abstract

Introduction

GNE myopathy is an autosomal recessive distal myopathy caused by a biallelic mutation in UDP-N-acetylglucosamine 2-epomerase/N-acetylmannosamine kinase. In this study, we discuss the clinical features, pathological characteristics, genetic profiles, and atypical clinical manifestations of 22 Chinese GNE patients.

Materials and methods

Retrospective analysis was performed for GNE myopathy patients at our institute between 2005 and 2021. Histopathological analysis and gene testing were done according to standard protocols.

Results

Molecular analysis revealed 14-reported and 7 novel mutations, including c.125G > A (p.P42Q), c.226G > A (p.V76I), c.970C > G (p.H324D), c.155A > G (p.D52G), c.1055G > A (p.R352H), c.1064G > A (p.G355E), and c.491 T > C (p.I164T) in GNE. D207V was the most frequent mutation showing an allele frequency of 25%. A total of 21 patients presented classic clinical manifestation, and only 1 patient had signs of proximal muscle weakness. A patient containing p.V603L and p.R160X mutations showed idiopathic thrombocytopenia and distal weakness. There were 4 female patients who experienced rapid deterioration after pregnancy.

Discussion

Our study revealed 7 novel mutations in GNE, where p.D207V was shown as a potential hotspot mutation in Chinese patients. Idiopathic thrombocytopenia should be a concern in GNE myopathy patients. Twenty-seven percent of female patients experienced rapid deterioration during pregnancy or after delivery.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the patients for their participation in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People’s Republic of China

    Xuan Guo, Zhe Zhao, Hongrui Shen, Qi Bing, Nan Li, Jiannan Chen & Jing Hu

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  1. Xuan Guo
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  2. Zhe Zhao
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Correspondence to Jing Hu.

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This study was approved by Ethics Committee of the Third Hospital of Hebei University.

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Guo, X., Zhao, Z., Shen, H. et al. Gene analysis and clinical features of 22 GNE myopathy patients. Neurol Sci 43, 5049–5056 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-022-06023-w

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