KCNT2-Related Disorders: Phenotypes, Functional, and Pharmacological Properties

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  • Maria Cristina Cioclu
  • Ilaria Mosca
  • Paolo Ambrosino
  • Deborah Puzo
  • Allan Bayat
  • Saskia B. Wortmann
  • Johannes Koch
  • Vincent Strehlow
  • Kentaro Shirai
  • Naomichi Matsumoto
  • Stephan J. Sanders
  • Vincent Michaud
  • Marine Legendre
  • Antonella Riva
  • Pasquale Striano
  • Hiltrud Muhle
  • Manuela Pendziwiat
  • Gaetan Lesca
  • Giuseppe Donato Mangano
  • Rosaria Nardello
  • Johannes R. Lemke
  • Rikke S. Møller
  • Maria Virginia Soldovieri
  • Rubboli, Guido
  • Maurizio Taglialatela
  • KCNT2-study group

Objective: Pathogenic variants in KCNT2 are rare causes of developmental epileptic encephalopathy (DEE). We herein describe the phenotypic and genetic features of patients with KCNT2-related DEE, and the in vitro functional and pharmacological properties of KCNT2 channels carrying 14 novel or previously untested variants. Methods: Twenty-five patients harboring KCNT2 variants were investigated: 12 were identified through an international collaborative network, 13 were retrieved from the literature. Clinical data were collected and included in a standardized phenotyping sheet. Novel variants were detected using exome sequencing and classified using ACMG criteria. Functional and pharmacological studies were performed by whole-cell electrophysiology in HEK-293 and SH-SY5Y cells. Results: The phenotypic spectrum encompassed: (a) intellectual disability/developmental delay (21/22 individuals with available information), ranging from mild to severe/profound; (b) epilepsy (15/25); (c) neurological impairment, with altered muscle tone (14/22); (d) dysmorphisms (13/20). Nineteen pathogenic KCNT2 variants were found (9 new, 10 reported previously): 16 missense, 1 in-frame deletion of a single amino acid, 1 nonsense, and 1 frameshift. Among tested variants, 8 showed gain-of-function (GoF), and 6 loss-of-function (LoF) features when expressed heterologously in vitro. Quinidine and fluoxetine blocked all GoF variants, whereas loxapine and riluzole activated some LoF variants while blocking others. Interpretation: We expanded the phenotypic and genotypic spectrum of KCNT2-related disorders, highlighting novel genotype–phenotype associations. Pathogenic KCNT2 variants cause GoF or LoF in vitro phenotypes, and each shows a unique pharmacological profile, suggesting the need for in vitro functional and pharmacological investigation to enable targeted therapies based on the molecular phenotype. ANN NEUROL 2023.

Original languageEnglish
JournalAnnals of Neurology
Volume94
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)332-349
ISSN0364-5134
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

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© 2023 American Neurological Association.

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