Pathogenic variants in NUP214 cause “plugged” nuclear pore channels and acute febrile encephalopathy
A new study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics reported biallelic missense and frameshift pathogenic variants in the gene encoding human nucleoporin NUP214 causing acute febrile encephalopathy. Clinical symptoms include neurodevelopmental regression, seizures, myoclonic jerks, progressive microcephaly, and cerebellar atrophy. NUP214 and NUP88 protein levels were reduced in primary skin fibroblasts derived from affected individuals, while the total number and density of nuclear pore complexes remained normal. Nuclear transport assays exhibited defects in the classical protein import and mRNA export pathways in affected cells. Direct surface imaging of fibroblast nuclei by scanning electron microscopy revealed a large increase in the presence of central particles (known as "plugs") in the nuclear pore channels of affected cells. The study provided evidence by direct imaging at the single nuclear pore level of functional changes linked to a human disease.
- Am J Hum Genet. 2019 Jul 3;105(1):48-64