A Novel TFG Mutation in a Korean Family with α-Synucleinopathy and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Background Tropomyosin-receptor kinase fused gene (TFG) functions as a regulator of intracellular protein packaging and trafficking at the endoplasmic reticulum exit sites. TFG has recently been proposed as a cause of multisystem proteinopathy. Objectives Here, we describe a Korean family presenting with Parkinson's disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis caused by a novel variant of TFG (c.1148 G > A, p.Arg383His). Methods We collected clinical, genetic, dopamine transporter imaging, nerve conduction, and electromyography data from the seven subjects. To verify the pathogenicity of the R383H variant, we studied cell viability and the abnormal aggregation of alpha-synuclein and TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) in HeLa cells expressing R383H-TFG. Results The clinical phenotypes of the R383H-TFG mutation varied; of the five family members, one had Parkinson's disease, three had subclinical parkinsonism, and one (the proband) had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The individual with multiple system atrophy was the proband's paternal cousin, but the TFG genotype was not confirmed due to unavailability of samples. Our in vitro studies showed that R383H-TFG overexpression impaired cell viability. In cells co-expressing R383H-TFG and alpha-synuclein, insoluble alpha-synuclein aggregates increased in concentration and were secreted from the cells and co-localized with R383H-TFG. The levels of cytoplasmic insoluble aggregates of TDP-43 increased in HeLa cells expressing R383H-TFG and co-localized with R383H-TFG. Conclusions Clinical and in vitro studies have supported the pathogenic role of the novel TFG mutation in alpha-synucleinopathy and TDP-43 proteinopathy. These findings expand the phenotypic spectrum of TFG and suggest a pivotal role of endoplasmic reticulum dysfunction during neurodegeneration. (c) 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society

Automated summary

In this study, a Korean family with Parkinson's disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis caused by a novel variant of TFG was described. Clinical and in vitro studies supported the pathogenic role of the TFG mutation in alpha-synucleinopathy and TDP-43 proteinopathy, expanding the phenotypic spectrum of TFG and suggesting a pivotal role of endoplasmic reticulum dysfunction during neurodegeneration.