Cited by 525Epilepsy research and treatmentIon channel regulation and functionGenomics and Rare Diseases

De novo gain-of-function KCNT1 channel mutations cause malignant migrating partial seizures of infancy

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Barcia, Giulia, Fleming, Matthew R, Deligniere, Aline, Gazula, Valeswara-Rao, Brown, Maile R, Langouet, Maeva, Chen, Haijun, Kronengold, Jack +12 more·2012·Nature Genetics

Abstract

Malignant migrating partial seizures of infancy (MMPSI) is a rare epileptic encephalopathy of infancy that combines pharmacoresistant seizures with developmental delay. We performed exome sequencing in three probands with MMPSI and identified de novo gain-of-function mutations affecting the C-terminal domain of the KCNT1 potassium channel. We sequenced KCNT1 in 9 additional individuals with MMPSI and identified mutations in 4 of them, in total identifying mutations in 6 out of 12 unrelated affected individuals. Functional studies showed that the mutations led to constitutive activation of the channel, mimicking the effects of phosphorylation of the C-terminal domain by protein kinase C. In addition to regulating ion flux, KCNT1 has a non-conducting function, as its C terminus interacts with cytoplasmic proteins involved in developmental signaling pathways. These results provide a focus for future diagnostic approaches and research for this devastating condition.

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Crossref · 10.1038/ng.2441

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  • Functional studies show a range of GOFs due to increased potassium current amplitude, correlating with phenotypic severity in KCNT1 DEEs.

    “Functional studies show a range of GOFs due to increased potassium current amplitude, correlating with phenotypic severity 56,58 .”

    From Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (2024) · cites this paper as [56]

    The indexed paper’s functional-results passage (labeled Abstract; page unavailable) reports that two KCNT1 mutations produced currents 2–3 times greater than wild type, supporting gain of function through increased current amplitude. It does not establish a range of gain-of-function effects correlated with phenotypic severity in KCNT1 developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. (LLM, conf=0.87)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Heterozygous de novo pathogenic variants in KCNT1 cause a spectrum of DEEs from Epilepsy of Infancy with Migrating Focal Seizures (EIMFS) to sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy (SHE).

    “Heterozygous de novo pathogenic variants in KCNT1, encoding a sodium-activated potassium channel, cause a spectrum of DEEs from Epilepsy of Infancy with Migrating Focal Seizures (EIMFS) to sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy (SHE) 56,57 .”

    From Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (2024) · cites this paper as [56]

    The indexed passage describing the sequencing results (labeled Abstract; page unavailable) reports heterozygous de novo KCNT1 variants in patients with malignant migrating partial seizures of infancy (MMPSI), an early-onset epileptic encephalopathy. The paper does not report sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy or establish the claimed spectrum extending to it. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • SCN2A was the second most commonly mutated gene for EIMFS in our cohort, after KCNT1.

    “Seven patients with SCN2A mutations had EIMFS, constituting 26% (7/27) of our total cohort of patients with EIMFS and rendering SCN2A the second most commonly mutated gene for EIMFS, after KCNT1.25,26”
  • Seven patients with SCN2A mutations had EIMFS, constituting 26% (7/27) of the total cohort of patients with EIMFS.

    “Seven patients with SCN2A mutations had EIMFS, constituting 26% (7/27) of our total cohort of patients with EIMFS and rendering SCN2A the second most commonly mutated gene for EIMFS, after KCNT1.25,26”
  • Phenotypic features that distinguish SCN2A-associated EIMFS from KCNT1-associated EIMFS include severe movement disorders and response to phenytoin in some patients.

    “Phenotypic features that distinguish SCN2A-associated EIMFS from KCNT1-associated EIMFS 25 include severe movement disorders and response to phenytoin in some patients.”

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Authors
Barcia, G., Fleming, M. R., Deligniere, A., Gazula, V.-R., Brown, M. R., Langouet, M., Chen, H., Kronengold, J., Abhyankar, A., Cilio, R., Nitschke, P., Kaminska, A., Boddaert, N., Casanova, J.-L., Desguerre, I., Munnich, A., Dulac, O., Kaczmarek, L. K., Colleaux, L., & Nabbout, R.
Affiliations
  • Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades (FR)
  • Yale University (US)
  • State University of New York (US)
  • Rockefeller University (US)
Corresponding author
Nabbout, Rima
Venue
Nature Genetics
Published
2012-10-21
Volume
44
Issue
11
Pages
1255-1259
ISSN
  • 1061-4036 (ISSN-L)
  • 1546-1718
OpenAlex
W2034651748
Cited by
525
References
51
Citations by year
2026: 23 · 2025: 32 · 2024: 36 · 2023: 36 · 2022: 34 · 2021: 38 · 2020: 58 · 2019: 38 · 2018: 32 · 2017: 42 · 2016: 36 · 2015: 44 · 2014: 43 · 2013: 29 · 2012: 1
FWCI
26.64
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature Genetics (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • HAL (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • FRAXA Research Foundation
  • St. Giles Foundation
  • Agence Nationale de la Recherche
  • Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
  • Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
  • National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (DC01919, R01DC001919)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R21NS073943, NS073943)
  • National Center for Research Resources (UL1RR024143)
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (HD067517, R01HD067517)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Epilepsy research and treatment
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Ion channel regulation and function
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genomics and Rare Diseases
Keywords
KCNT1, gain-of-function mutations, de novo mutations, epileptic encephalopathy, developmental delay, C-terminal domain, protein kinase C phosphorylation, potassium channels, developmental signaling pathways
MeSH terms
Animals, Cells, Cultured, Electroencephalography, Epilepsies, Partial, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Mutation, Neurons, Phosphorylation, Protein Kinase C, Xenopus, Signal Transduction, Mice, Rats, Intermediate-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels, Exome

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