Missense Variants in RHOBTB2 Cause a Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy in Humans, and Altered Levels Cause Neurological Defects in Drosophila

Although the role of typical Rho GTPases and other Rho-linked proteins in synaptic plasticity and cognitive function and dysfunction is widely acknowledged, the role of atypical Rho GTPases (such as RHOBTB2) in neurodevelopment has barely been characterized. We have now identified de novo missense variants clustering in the BTB-domain-encoding region of RHOBTB2 in ten individuals with a similar phenotype, including early-onset epilepsy, severe intellectual disability, postnatal microcephaly, and movement disorders.

Source: The American Journal of Human Genetics - December 21, 2017 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Jonas Straub, Enrico D.H. Konrad, Johanna Gr üner, Annick Toutain, Levinus A. Bok, Megan T. Cho, Heather P. Crawford, Holly Dubbs, Ganka Douglas, Rebekah Jobling, Diana Johnson, Bryan Krock, Mohamad A. Mikati, Addie Nesbitt, Joost Nicolai, Meredith Phill Tags: Article Source Type: research