Cathepsin F mutations cause Type B Kufs disease, an adult-onset neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis

Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models

Kufs disease, an adult-onset neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, is challenging to diagnose and genetically heterogeneous. Mutations in CLN6 were recently identified in recessive Kufs disease presenting as progressive myoclonus epilepsy (Type A), whereas the molecular basis of cases presenting with dementia and motor features (Type B) is unknown. We performed genome-wide linkage mapping of two families with recessive Type B Kufs disease and identified a single region on chromosome 11 to which both families showed linkage. Exome sequencing of five samples from the two families identified homozygous and compound heterozygous missense mutations in CTSF within this linkage region. We subsequently sequenced CTSF in 22 unrelated individuals with suspected recessive Kufs disease, and identified an additional patient with compound heterozygous mutations. CTSF encodes cathepsin F, a lysosomal cysteine protease, dysfunction of which is a highly plausible candidate mechanism for a storage disorder like ceroid lipofuscinosis. In silico modeling suggested the missense mutations would alter protein structure and function. Moreover, re-examination of a previously published mouse knockout of Ctsf shows that it recapitulates the light and electron-microscopic pathological features of Kufs disease. Although CTSF mutations account for a minority of cases of type B Kufs, CTSF screening should be considered in cases with early-onset dementia and may avoid the need for invasive biopsies.

Key findings

• We subsequently sequenced CTSF in 22 unrelated individuals with suspected recessive Kufs disease, and identified an additional patient with compound heterozygous mutations.
• CTSF encodes cathepsin F, a lysosomal cysteine protease, dysfunction of which is a highly plausible candidate mechanism for a storage disorder like ceroid lipofuscinosis.
• In silico modeling suggested the missense mutations would alter protein structure and function.
• Moreover, re-examination of a previously published mouse knockout of Ctsf shows that it recapitulates the light and electron-microscopic pathological features of Kufs disease.
• Although CTSF mutations account for a minority of cases of type B Kufs, CTSF screening should be considered in cases with early-onset dementia and may avoid the need for invasive biopsies.

Why it matters

Mutations in the CTSF gene were found in some families with Type B Kufs disease, an adult-onset neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis that can present with dementia and motor features. This identifies a genetic cause in a minority of cases of this rare disease and does not provide a treatment, cure, or prevention for Alzheimer's disease.

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Study details

• Evidence strengthLow

Read the original

• DOI: 10.1093/hmg/dds558
• PubMed: 23297359
• Original source →
• Free full text: PubMed Central →

Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).

@article{smith2013-23297359,
  author  = {Smith, K. R. and Dahl, H. H. and Canafoglia, L. and Andermann, E. and Damiano, J. and Morbin, M. and Bruni, A. C. and Giaccone, G. and others},
  title   = {{Cathepsin F mutations cause Type B Kufs disease, an adult-onset neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis}},
  journal = {Human molecular genetics},
  year    = {2013},
  doi     = {10.1093/hmg/dds558},
  pmid    = {23297359},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.1093/hmg/dds558}
}

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