成人発症の脊髄性筋萎縮症に新たな遺伝的病因を発見―LRP12 遺伝子のCGG リピート伸長による新たな病型を提示―

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2026-09-28 東京大学

東京大学と国立精神・神経医療研究センターなどの研究グループは、成人発症の脊髄性筋萎縮症(SMA)について、新たな遺伝的原因を発見した。原因不明だった日本人の成人発症non-5q SMA 8家系を解析した結果、6家系でLRP12遺伝子のCGGリピート伸長を同定した。ロングリードシーケンスによりリピート数は58~92回と確認され、この遺伝的変化が成人発症・緩徐進行性・近位筋優位の下位運動ニューロン障害を特徴とする新たなSMA病型に関与することが示された。LRP12のCGGリピート伸長はこれまで眼咽頭遠位型ミオパチーなどとの関連が知られていたが、今回、SMAとの関連が明らかになった。成果は、原因不明の成人発症神経・筋疾患に対する遺伝学的診断の拡充や、リピート伸長による神経・筋障害の機序解明、将来の治療法開発につながることが期待される。

成人発症の脊髄性筋萎縮症に新たな遺伝的病因を発見―LRP12 遺伝子のCGG リピート伸長による新たな病型を提示―
成人発症non-5q SMAでLRP12遺伝子のCGGリピート伸長を同定

<関連情報>

成人発症型非5q脊髄性筋萎縮症患者におけるLRP12 CGGリピート伸長 LRP12 CGG Repeat Expansions in Patients With Adult-Onset Non-5q Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Hiroya Naruse Jun Mitsui, Hiroyuki Ishiura, So Okubo, Chiharu Yoshida, Akihiko Mitsutake, Kyoko Maruta, … Show All … , and Tatsushi Toda
Neurology Genetics  Published:September 23, 2026
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1212/NXG.0000000000200440

Abstract

Background and Objectives
Non-5q spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is genetically heterogeneous, yet many adult-onset cases remain molecularly undiagnosed. CGG repeat expansions in the 5′ untranslated region of LRP12, originally identified in oculopharyngodistal myopathy, have also been implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and inherited peripheral neuropathy. The aim of this study was to determine whether LRP12 CGG repeat expansions occur in patients with adult-onset proximal-predominant non-5q SMA and characterize the associated clinical presentations.

Methods
In this observational case series, we enrolled 8 consecutive, genetically unresolved families that met prespecified criteria for adult-onset non-5q SMA after exclusion of known genetic causes of SMA and familial ALS by comprehensive genetic evaluation, including whole-exome sequencing. LRP12 CGG repeat expansions were screened by repeat-primed PCR and then confirmed and sized by Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing. LRP12 CGG repeat expansions were also screened in 496 unrelated ALS cases and 1,000 controls.

Results
Monoallelic LRP12 CGG repeat expansions were identified in 6 of the 8 non-5q SMA probands (75%). Five of the 6 positive families were consistent with autosomal-dominant inheritance. Expanded alleles ranged from 58 to 92 repeat units. Affected individuals showed adult-onset, slowly progressive, proximal-predominant pure lower motor neuron weakness with preserved bulbar and sensory function and no upper motor neuron signs. Expansions were rare in ALS cases (2/496, 0.40%) and controls (2/1,000, 0.20%).

Discussion
We identified LRP12 CGG repeat expansions in a substantial proportion of patients with slowly progressive, proximal-predominant pure lower motor neuron weakness not linked to 5q-SMA. These findings broaden the clinical spectrum of LRP12-related disease and support inclusion of LRP12 repeat-expansion analysis in the evaluation of genetically unresolved adult-onset lower motor neuron syndromes.

細胞遺伝子工学
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