Atypical Rett Syndrome: CDKL5 Gene Sequencing
Condition Description
Mutations in the gene CDKL5 (Xp22) (also known as Serine Threonine Kinase 9 or STK9) are associated with an atypical variant of Rett syndrome, which includes intellectual disability and severe neurological symptoms. Characteristics include severe early-onset seizures, loss of communication and motor skills, hypsarrythmia, and profound global developmental arrest. Hand-wringing and hand-mouthing stereotypies and breathing dysfunction suggestive of Rett syndrome have been reported. Rett syndrome is caused by mutations in the MeCP2 gene, and clinical symptoms include loss of speech and purposeful hand use, microcephaly, seizures, ataxia, and stereotypic hand movements. Similar to MeCP2, CDKL5 mutations manifest a wide range of clinical phenotypes in female and rare male patients, with features overlapping other intellectual disability disorders. Identical twin females with atypical Rett syndrome have been reported in which one was more severely affected, with profound intellectual disability, mixed seizure disorder, and small hands and feet, while the other had mild intellectual disability and autistic features, but no seizures.
CDKL5 mutations have been found in affected individuals with phenotypic features of atypical Rett syndrome. De novo mutations and evidence of germ-line mosaicism have been reported. It has been demonstrated that in the mouse brain, Cdkl5 expression overlaps that of Mecp2, suggesting that these two gene products play a role in a common pathogenic process. Mutation analysis of the CDKL5 gene should be considered in patients who previously tested negative for comprehensive mutation analysis in the MeCP2 gene.
For patients with suspected atypical Rett syndrome, sequence analysis is recommended as the first step in mutation identification. For patients in whom mutations are not identified by full gene sequencing, deletion/duplication analysis is appropriate.
Genes (1)
Indications
This test is indicated for:
- Confirmation of a clinical/biochemical diagnosis of atypical Rett syndrome.
- Carrier testing in adult females with a family history of atypical Rett syndrome.
Methodology
Detection
Clinical sensitivity: unknown. Mutations in the promoter region, some mutations in the introns, other regulatory element mutations, and large deletions cannot be detected by this analysis. Analytical sensitivity: ~99%.
Results of molecular analysis should be interpreted in the context of the patient's biochemical phenotype.
Specimen Requirements
Orangene™ Saliva Collection Kit used according to manufacturer instructions. Please contact EGL for a Saliva Collection Kit for patients that cannot provide a blood sample.
Infants and Young Children (<2 years of age): 2-3 ml
Children > 2 years of age to 10 years old: 3-5 ml
Older Children & Adults: 5-10 ml
Autopsy: 2-3 ml unclotted cord or cardiac blood
8µg
Isolation using the Perkin Elmer™Chemagen™ Chemagen™ Automated Extraction method or Qiagen™ Puregene kit for DNA extraction is recommended.
Special Instructions
Please submit copies of diagnostic biochemical test results along with the sample, if appropriate. Contact the laboratory if further information is needed. Sequence analysis is required before deletion/duplication analysis by targeted CGH array. If sequencing is performed outside of EGL Genetics, please submit a copy of the sequencing report with the test requisition form.
Related Tests
- Atypical Rett Syndrome: CDKL5 Gene Deletion/Duplication (RL).
- X-Linked Mental Retardation Deletion/Duplication (OL).
- Rett Syndrome: MeCP2 Gene Sequencing (SR).
- Rett Syndrome: MeCP2 Gene Deletion/Duplication (KT).
- Known Mutation Analysis (KM) is available to family members if mutations are identified by targeted mutation testing or sequencing analysis.
- Prenatal Custom Diagnostics is available to adult females who are confirmed carriers of mutations. Please contact the laboratory genetic counselor to discuss appropriate testing prior to collecting a prenatal specimen.