Frontiers in Neurology (Apr 2023)

Typical pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration caused by compound heterozygous mutations in PANK2 gene in a Chinese patient: a case report and literature review

  • Yilun Tao,
  • Chen Zhao,
  • Dong Han,
  • Yiju Wei,
  • Yiju Wei,
  • Lihong Wang,
  • Wenxia Song,
  • Xiaoze Li

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2023.1170557
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

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Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) is a rare genetic neurodegenerative disorder with brain iron accumulation characterized as dysarthria, spasticity, cognitive impairment, parkinsonism, and retinopathy. PKAN is caused by biallelic mutations in the mitochondrial pantothenate kinase 2 (PANK2) gene. Herein, we report a 4-year-old patient with PKAN from a Han Chinese family, who presented with developmental regression, progressive inability to walk, and limb tremors. Neuroimaging demonstrated “eye-of-the-tiger” sign. Whole exome sequencing (WES) identified compound heterozygous mutations of c.1213T>G (p.Tyr405Asp) and c.1502T>A (p.Ile501Asn) in PANK2 gene. In addition, a review of all known PANK2 variants observed in reported PKAN patients was conducted, to improve understanding of the genotype-phenotype associations that occur in PKAN patients.

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