Muscular dystrophy and myopathy_Paediatric
Gene: TUBA4A
In this multi-centre study, one previously reported and 12 novel TUBA4A missense variants were identified in 31 individuals from 19 unrelated families. Remarkably, individuals in 17 families presented with a myopathy without any CNS involvement or history of such disease. In the remaining two families, we observed probands with cerebellar ataxia and epilepsy accompanying proximal and axial muscle weakness
Four families demonstrated autosomal dominant transmission through heterozygous variants in TUBA4A.
Three probands had recessive inheritance due to homozygous variants, while the respective heterozygous carriers were asymptomatic.
Five probands carried de novo variants, and nine probands with heterozygous variants were classified as sporadic cases.Created: 3 Jul 2026, 2:12 p.m. | Last Modified: 3 Jul 2026, 2:12 p.m.
Panel Version: 2.3
Mode of inheritance
BOTH monoallelic and biallelic, autosomal or pseudoautosomal
Phenotypes
myopathy, nemaline myopathy
Publications
Mode of pathogenicity
Loss-of-function variants (as defined in pop up message) DO NOT cause this phenotype - please provide details in the comments
Mode of inheritance
MONOALLELIC, autosomal or pseudoautosomal, NOT imprinted
Phenotypes
Congenital myopathy 26, MIM# 621225
One novel TUBA4A variant in two unrelated Chinese patients with sporadic congenital myopathy.
Identified candidate genes using laser capture micro dissection, proteomics, WES, clinical data, myopathological changes, electrophysiological exams and thigh muscle MRIs.
The variant is de novo in both patients, c.679C>T, p.(Leu227Phe). The prominent myopathological changes in both patients were muscle fibres with focal myofibrillar disorganisation and rimmed vacuoles. Immunofluorescence showed ubiqution-positive TUBA4A protein aggregates in the muscle fibres with rimmed vacuoles. Overexpression of Leu227Phe resulted in cytoplasmic aggregates which colocalised with ubiquitin in cellular model.
Patient 1 is 14yo and had delayed motor development milestones since infancy. Myopathic face, high-arched palate, waddling gait, winged scapula and muscle weakness in four limbs with lower extremities and proximal muscle more severely affected. Follow up at 14yo showed slight improvement in motor function compared with 3yo.
Patient 2 is 6yo and presented with motor retardation since birth. At 3yo, presented with mild ptosis and ophthalmoparesis, high-arched palate and muscle weakness involving both proximal and distal in all limbs.
No likely pathogenic variants in 116 other protein-encoding genes. Variants confirmed by Sanger sequencing and absent from gnomAD. ACMG predicts likely pathogenic classification.
Sources: LiteratureCreated: 7 Mar 2024, 11:27 a.m.
Mode of inheritance
MONOALLELIC, autosomal or pseudoautosomal, NOT imprinted
Phenotypes
Congenital myopathy MONDO:0019952
Publications
Publications for gene: TUBA4A were set to PMID: 38413182
Gene: tuba4a has been classified as Green List (High Evidence).
Mode of inheritance for gene: TUBA4A was changed from MONOALLELIC, autosomal or pseudoautosomal, NOT imprinted to BOTH monoallelic and biallelic, autosomal or pseudoautosomal
Phenotypes for gene: TUBA4A were changed from Congenital myopathy MONDO:0019952 to Congenital myopathy 26, MIM# 621225
Gene: tuba4a has been classified as Amber List (Moderate Evidence).
Gene: tuba4a has been classified as Amber List (Moderate Evidence).
Gene: tuba4a has been classified as Amber List (Moderate Evidence).
gene: TUBA4A was added gene: TUBA4A was added to Muscular dystrophy and myopathy_Paediatric. Sources: Literature Mode of inheritance for gene: TUBA4A was set to MONOALLELIC, autosomal or pseudoautosomal, NOT imprinted Publications for gene: TUBA4A were set to PMID: 38413182 Phenotypes for gene: TUBA4A were set to Congenital myopathy MONDO:0019952 Review for gene: TUBA4A was set to AMBER