EPM2A Gene

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1		Vivi Li	+ 479 word(s)	479	2020-12-15 07:51:52

This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/epm2a

EPM2A, laforin glucan phosphatase

genes

1. Normal Function

The EPM2A gene provides instructions for making a protein called laforin. Although this protein is active in cells throughout the body, it appears to play a critical role in the survival of nerve cells (neurons) in the brain.

Studies suggest that laforin has multiple functions within cells. To carry out these functions, laforin interacts with several other proteins, including malin (which is produced from the NHLRC1 gene). These proteins are part of complex networks that transmit chemical signals and break down unneeded or abnormal proteins. Additionally, laforin may act as a tumor suppressor protein, which means that it keeps cells from growing and dividing in an uncontrolled way.

Laforin and malin likely play a critical role in regulating the production of a complex sugar called glycogen. Glycogen is a major source of stored energy in the body. The body stores this sugar in the liver and muscles, breaking it down when it is needed for fuel. Researchers believe that laforin and malin may prevent a potentially damaging buildup of glycogen in tissues that do not normally store this molecule, such as those of the nervous system.

2. Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

2.1 Lafora progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy

More than 50 mutations in the EPM2A gene have been identified in people with Lafora progressive myoclonus epilepsy. Many of these mutations change single protein building blocks (amino acids) in the laforin protein. Other mutations delete or insert genetic material in the EPM2A gene. Almost all mutations in this gene prevent cells from producing any laforin or lead to the production of a nonfunctional version of the protein.

It is unclear how mutations in the EPM2A gene lead to the major features of Lafora progressive myoclonus epilepsy. Studies suggest that a loss of laforin prevents cells from regulating the production of glycogen. As a result, distinctive clumps called Lafora bodies form within many types of cells. Lafora bodies are made up of an abnormal form of glycogen (called polyglucosan) that cannot be broken down and used for fuel. Instead, polyglucosans build up to form clumps that can damage cells. Neurons appear to be particularly vulnerable to this type of damage. Although Lafora bodies are found in many of the body's tissues, the signs and symptoms of Lafora progressive myoclonus epilepsy are limited to the nervous system.

Researchers are uncertain how a loss of functional laforin contributes to the formation of Lafora bodies. However, a lack of this protein ultimately results in the death of neurons, which interferes with the brain's normal functions. The degeneration of neurons likely underlies the seizures, movement abnormalities, intellectual decline, and other neurological problems seen with Lafora progressive myoclonus epilepsy.

3. Other Names for This Gene

epilepsy, progressive myoclonus type 2, Lafora disease (laforin)
epilepsy, progressive myoclonus type 2A, Lafora disease (laforin)
EPM2
EPM2A_HUMAN
laforin
LD
LDE
MELF

References

Chan EM, Ackerley CA, Lohi H, Ianzano L, Cortez MA, Shannon P, Scherer SW,Minassian BA. Laforin preferentially binds the neurotoxic starch-likepolyglucosans, which form in its absence in progressive myoclonus epilepsy. HumMol Genet. 2004 Jun 1;13(11):1117-29.
Ganesh S, Agarwala KL, Ueda K, Akagi T, Shoda K, Usui T, Hashikawa T, Osada H,Delgado-Escueta AV, Yamakawa K. Laforin, defective in the progressive myoclonusepilepsy of Lafora type, is a dual-specificity phosphatase associated withpolyribosomes. Hum Mol Genet. 2000 Sep 22;9(15):2251-61.
Garyali P, Siwach P, Singh PK, Puri R, Mittal S, Sengupta S, Parihar R, GaneshS. The malin-laforin complex suppresses the cellular toxicity of misfoldedproteins by promoting their degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Hum Mol Genet. 2009 Feb 15;18(4):688-700. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddn398.
Girard JM, Lê KH, Lederer F. Molecular characterization of laforin, adual-specificity protein phosphatase implicated in Lafora disease. Biochimie.2006 Dec;88(12):1961-71.
Liu R, Wang L, Chen C, Liu Y, Zhou P, Wang Y, Wang X, Turnbull J, MinassianBA, Liu Y, Zheng P. Laforin negatively regulates cell cycle progression throughglycogen synthase kinase 3beta-dependent mechanisms. Mol Cell Biol. 2008Dec;28(23):7236-44. doi: 10.1128/MCB.01334-08.
Liu Y, Wang Y, Wu C, Liu Y, Zheng P. Deletions and missense mutations of EPM2Aexacerbate unfolded protein response and apoptosis of neuronal cells induced byendoplasm reticulum stress. Hum Mol Genet. 2009 Jul 15;18(14):2622-31. doi:10.1093/hmg/ddp196.
Minassian BA, Lee JR, Herbrick JA, Huizenga J, Soder S, Mungall AJ, Dunham I, Gardner R, Fong CY, Carpenter S, Jardim L, Satishchandra P, Andermann E, Snead OC3rd, Lopes-Cendes I, Tsui LC, Delgado-Escueta AV, Rouleau GA, Scherer SW.Mutations in a gene encoding a novel protein tyrosine phosphatase causeprogressive myoclonus epilepsy. Nat Genet. 1998 Oct;20(2):171-4.
Serratosa JM, Gómez-Garre P, Gallardo ME, Anta B, de Bernabé DB, Lindhout D,Augustijn PB, Tassinari CA, Malafosse RM, Topcu M, Grid D, Dravet C, Berkovic SF,de Córdoba SR. A novel protein tyrosine phosphatase gene is mutated inprogressive myoclonus epilepsy of the Lafora type (EPM2). Hum Mol Genet. 1999Feb;8(2):345-52.
Singh S, Ganesh S. Lafora progressive myoclonus epilepsy: a meta-analysis ofreported mutations in the first decade following the discovery of the EPM2A andNHLRC1 genes. Hum Mutat. 2009 May;30(5):715-23. doi: 10.1002/humu.20954. Review.
Solaz-Fuster MC, Gimeno-Alcañiz JV, Ros S, Fernandez-Sanchez ME, Garcia-FojedaB, Criado Garcia O, Vilchez D, Dominguez J, Garcia-Rocha M, Sanchez-Piris M,Aguado C, Knecht E, Serratosa J, Guinovart JJ, Sanz P, Rodriguez de Córdoba S.Regulation of glycogen synthesis by the laforin-malin complex is modulated by theAMP-activated protein kinase pathway. Hum Mol Genet. 2008 Mar 1;17(5):667-78.
Tagliabracci VS, Turnbull J, Wang W, Girard JM, Zhao X, Skurat AV,Delgado-Escueta AV, Minassian BA, Depaoli-Roach AA, Roach PJ. Laforin is aglycogen phosphatase, deficiency of which leads to elevated phosphorylation ofglycogen in vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007 Dec 4;104(49):19262-6.
Vilchez D, Ros S, Cifuentes D, Pujadas L, Vallès J, García-Fojeda B,Criado-García O, Fernández-Sánchez E, Medraño-Fernández I, Domínguez J,García-Rocha M, Soriano E, Rodríguez de Córdoba S, Guinovart JJ. Mechanismsuppressing glycogen synthesis in neurons and its demise in progressive myoclonusepilepsy. Nat Neurosci. 2007 Nov;10(11):1407-13.
Worby CA, Gentry MS, Dixon JE. Laforin, a dual specificity phosphatase thatdephosphorylates complex carbohydrates. J Biol Chem. 2006 Oct 13;281(41):30412-8.

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Vivi Li

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Entry Collection: MedlinePlus

Update Date: 24 Dec 2020

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