Cellular analysis of a novel mutation p. Ser287Tyr in TOR1A in late-onset isolated dystonia

• Main Authors: Longjiang Xu, Zhaoqing Yang, Wenwu Li, Zhiling Luo, Changjun Zhang, Xiaoqin Huang, Shaohui Ma, Yuzhou Long, Yan Chu, Yuan Qian, Xiuyun Wang, Hao Sun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2020-07-01
• Series: Neurobiology of Disease
• Subjects: Chinese; Late-onset dystonia; TOR1A; Novel mutation
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0969996120301261

Background: Variations in TOR1A were thought to be associated with early-onset isolated dystonia. The variant S287Y (NM_000113.2: c.860C > A, p. Ser287Tyr, rs766483672) was found in our late-onset isolated dystonia patient. This missense variant is adjacent to R288Q (c.863G > A, p. Arg288Gln), which was reported to be associated with isolated dystonia. The potentially pathogenic role of S287Y is not conclusively known. Methods: Cytological and molecular biological analyses were performed in vitro to determine whether this variant damages the structure and function of the cell. Results: Compared with the SH-SY5Y cells overexpressing wild-type TOR1A, the cells overexpressing the protein with S287Y have an enlarged peri-nuclear space. The same changes in nuclear morphology were also found in the cells overexpressing the pathogenic variants ΔE (NM_000113.2:c.904_906delGAG, p. Glu302del), F205I (NM_000113.2:c.613 T > A, p. Phe205Ile), and R288Q (NM_000113.2:c.863G > A, p. Arg288Gln). Mutated proteins with S287Y presented a higher tendency to form dimers under reducing conditions. The same tendencies were observed in other mutated proteins but not in wild-type torsinA. Conclusions: TorsinA with S287Y damages the structure of the cell nucleus and may be a novel pathogenic mutation that causes isolated dystonia.