HTRA1 Disorder
Synonym: CARASIL (Cerebral Autosomal Recessive Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy)
Osamu Onodera, MD, PhD, Hiroaki Nozaki, MD, PhD, and Toshio Fukutake, MD, PhD.
Author Information and AffiliationsInitial Posting: April 27, 2010; Last Update: November 7, 2019.
Estimated reading time: 20 minutes
Summary
Clinical characteristics.
HTRA1 disorder is a phenotypic spectrum in which some individuals have few to no symptoms and others manifest with the more severe CARASIL (cerebral autosomal recessive arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy) phenotype. Those who have a heterozygous HTRA1 pathogenic variant may have mild neurologic findings (sometimes identified only on neuroimaging) or mild-to-moderate neurologic signs and symptoms of CARASIL. In this chapter, the term "classic CARASIL" refers to the more severe phenotype associated with biallelic pathogenic variants, and "HTRA1 cerebral small vessel disease" (HTRA1-CSVD) refers to the milder phenotype associated with a heterozygous HTRA1 pathogenic variant.
Classic CARASIL is characterized by early-onset changes in the deep white matter of the brain observed on MRI, and associated neurologic findings. The most frequent initial symptom is gait disturbance from spasticity beginning between ages 20 and 40 years. Forty-four percent of affected individuals have stroke-like episodes before age 40 years. Mood changes (apathy and irritability), pseudobulbar palsy, and cognitive dysfunction begin between ages 20 and 50 years. The disease progresses slowly following the onset of neurologic symptoms. Scalp alopecia and acute mid- to lower-back pain (lumbago) before age 30 years are characteristic.
The most frequent initial symptom in individuals with HTRA1-CSVD is slowly progressive gait disturbance after age 40 years, which may be followed by the development of mood changes and cognitive dysfunction. A majority of affected individuals have a stroke-like episode after age 40 years. Spondylosis and alopecia are seen in a minority of individuals with HTRA1-CSVD.
Diagnosis/testing.
The diagnosis of HTRA1 disorder is established in a proband by identification of either a heterozygous or biallelic pathogenic variant(s) in HTRA1 on molecular genetic testing.
Management.
Treatment of manifestations: Consideration of anti-platelet therapy and anti-hypertensive therapy for those with cerebral microbleeds; physical therapy, walking aids, and home adaptations for those with gait disturbance; consideration of medication (baclofen or tizanidine) for spasticity; wig or hairpiece for those with alopecia; standard treatment for spinal spondylosis and mood disorder; supportive care including emotional support and counseling for affected individuals and their families.
Surveillance: Follow-up intervals are based on the severity and type of symptoms and the needs of the individuals and their caregivers.
Agents/circumstances to avoid: Smoking and a high-salt diet, which may hasten the progression of arteriosclerosis.
Genetic counseling.
HTRA1 disorder caused by biallelic pathogenic variants (i.e., the classic CARASIL phenotype) is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. HTRA1 disorder caused by heterozygous pathogenic variants is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner.
Autosomal recessive inheritance. At conception, each sib of an affected individual has a 25% chance of inheriting both HTRA1 pathogenic variants and being affected, a 50% chance of inheriting one pathogenic variant and being heterozygous, and a 25% chance of inheriting neither pathogenic variant and not being at risk for HTRA1 disorder.
Autosomal dominant inheritance. Each sib of an affected individual has a 50% risk of inheriting the pathogenic variant from their affected parent.
Once the HTRA1 pathogenic variant(s) have been identified in an affected family member, prenatal testing for a pregnancy at increased risk and preimplantation genetic testing for HTRA1 disorder are possible.
Diagnosis
Clinical diagnostic criteria for HTRA1 disorder, including the classic CARASIL phenotype ("classic CARASIL"), have not been published.
Suggestive Findings
HTRA1 disorder should be suspected in individuals with the following clinical, neuroimaging, and family history findings.
Clinical features. Individuals presenting before age 55 years with the following:
Note: Those with a heterozygous HTRA1 pathogenic variant (HTRA1 cerebral small vessel disease) may present with these features after age 55 years.
Additional young adult-onset findings in those with biallelic pathogenic variants in HTRA1 (classic CARASIL):
Spondylosis deformans. Acute mid- to lower-back pain (lumbago) associated with spondylosis and disk degeneration with osteophyte formation in the lumbar spine
Alopecia. Typically seen before age 30 years
Neuroimaging. Extended white matter lesions and external capsule lesions:
Early-onset leukoaraiosis (changes in deep white matter in the brain, observed on MRI or CT). Leukoaraiosis may precede neurologic symptoms [
Fukutake 2011,
Nozaki et al 2015].
Brain MRI resembling that of
CADASIL (
cerebral
autosomal
dominant
arteriopathy with
subcortical
infarcts and
leukoencephalopathy). Findings in symptomatic individuals may include the following [
Fukutake 2011,
Nozaki et al 2015]:
Symmetrically distributed white matter hyperintensities located in the periventricular and deep white matter
Note: White matter changes may precede the onset of neurologic symptoms, including gait disturbance, mood change, and cognitive decline.
T2-weighted signal abnormalities in the white matter of the anterior part of the temporal lobe, cerebellum, brain stem, and middle cerebellar peduncle (arc sign), and in the external capsule
Relative preservation of U-fibers
Lacunar infarcts (linearly arranged groups of rounded and circumscribed lesions with signal intensity identical to that of cerebrospinal fluid) in the basal ganglia and subcortical white matter
Microbleeds in the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, brain stem, and cerebellum
Note: It is not clear if the white matter changes in the anterior temporal poles and external capsule, which are characteristic signs in CADASIL, are also observed in early stages of CARASIL.
Family history is consistent with:
Note: Absence of a known family history of HTRA1 disorder does not preclude the diagnosis.
Establishing the Diagnosis
The diagnosis of HTRA1 disorder is established in a proband by identification of either a heterozygous pathogenic (or likely pathogenic) variant or biallelic pathogenic (or likely pathogenic) variants in HTRA1 on molecular genetic testing (see Table 1).
Note: (1) Per ACMG/AMP variant interpretation guidelines, the terms "pathogenic variant" and "likely pathogenic variant" are synonymous in a clinical setting, meaning that both are considered diagnostic and can be used for clinical decision making [Richards et al 2015]. Reference to "pathogenic variants" in this section is understood to include likely pathogenic variants. (2) The identification of variant(s) of uncertain significance cannot be used to confirm or rule out the diagnosis.
Molecular genetic testing approaches can include a combination of gene-targeted testing (single-gene testing, multigene panel) and comprehensive
genomic testing (exome sequencing or genome sequencing) depending on the phenotype.
Gene-targeted testing requires that the clinician determine which gene(s) are likely involved, whereas genomic testing does not. Because the phenotype of HTRA1 disorder is broad, individuals with the distinctive findings described in Suggestive Findings are likely to be diagnosed using gene-targeted testing (see Option 1), whereas those in whom the diagnosis of CARASIL has not been considered are more likely to be diagnosed using genomic testing (see Option 2).
Option 1
When the phenotypic and imaging findings suggest the diagnosis of classic CARASIL, molecular genetic testing approaches can include single-gene testing or use of a multigene panel:
Single-gene testing. Sequence analysis of
HTRA1 detects small intragenic deletions/insertions and missense, nonsense, and splice site variants; typically, exon or whole-gene deletions/duplications are not detected. Given the mechanism of disease causation (see
Molecular Genetics), it is unclear whether exon or whole-gene deletions/duplications cause this phenotype.
A cerebral small vessel disease
multigene panel that includes
HTRA1 and other genes of interest (see
Differential Diagnosis) is most likely to identify the genetic cause of the condition while limiting identification of variants of uncertain significance and pathogenic variants in genes that do not explain the underlying phenotype. Note: (1) The genes included in the panel and the diagnostic sensitivity of the testing used for each gene vary by laboratory and are likely to change over time. (2) Some multigene panels may include genes not associated with the condition discussed in this
GeneReview. (3) In some laboratories, panel options may include a custom laboratory-designed panel and/or custom phenotype-focused exome analysis that includes genes specified by the clinician. (4) Methods used in a panel may include sequence analysis, deletion/duplication analysis, and/or other non-sequencing-based tests.
For an introduction to multigene panels click
here. More detailed information for clinicians ordering genetic tests can be found
here.
Option 2
When the diagnosis of CARASIL or HTRA1 disorder is not considered because an individual has atypical phenotypic features, comprehensive genomic testing (which does not require the clinician to determine which gene[s] are likely involved) is the best option. Exome sequencing is most commonly used; genome sequencing is also possible.
For an introduction to comprehensive genomic testing click here. More detailed information for clinicians ordering genomic testing can be found here.
Table 1.
Molecular Genetic Testing Used in HTRA1 Disorder
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Gene 1 | Method | Proportion of Pathogenic Variants 2 Detectable by Method |
---|
HTRA1
| Sequence analysis 3 | Estimated >95% 4 |
Gene-targeted deletion/ duplication analysis 5 | Unknown 6 |
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
Sequence analysis detects variants that are benign, likely benign, of uncertain significance, likely pathogenic, or pathogenic. Variants may include small intragenic deletions/insertions and missense, nonsense, and splice site variants; typically, exon or whole-gene deletions/duplications are not detected. For issues to consider in interpretation of sequence analysis results, click here.
- 4.
- 5.
Gene-targeted deletion/duplication analysis detects intragenic deletions or duplications. Methods used may include a range of techniques such as quantitative PCR, long-range PCR, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), and a gene-targeted microarray designed to detect single-exon deletions or duplications.
- 6.
No data on detection rate of gene-targeted deletion/duplication analysis are available.
Clinical Characteristics
Clinical Description
HTRA1 disorder is a phenotypic spectrum in which some individuals have few to no symptoms and others manifest with the more severe classic CARASIL (cerebral autosomal recessive arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy) phenotype. Those who have a heterozygous HTRA1 pathogenic variant may have mild neurologic findings (sometimes identified only on neuroimaging) or mild-to-moderate neurologic signs and symptoms of CARASIL [Verdura et al 2015, Nozaki et al 2016].
HTRA1 Disorder Caused by Biallelic HTRA1 Pathogenic Variants (Classic CARASIL)
Neurologic symptoms begin between ages 20 and 50 years.
The most frequent initial symptom is slowly progressive gait disturbance from spasticity and pyramidal signs in the lower extremities beginning between ages 20 and 40 years.
Mood change (depression and irritability) and cognitive dysfunction begin between ages 20 and 50 years.
Pseudobulbar palsy also begins between ages 30 and 50 years.
Forty-four percent of affected individuals have a stroke-like episode (e.g., hemiparesis or hemisensory impairment) before age 40 years.
The disease progresses slowly following the onset of neurologic symptoms. In the advanced stage, emotional incontinence, abulia, and akinetic mutism develop.
Spondylosis (disk degeneration with osteophyte formation), which typically follows acute lower- and mid-back pain (lumbago), results in lower-limb pain beginning between ages ten and 30 years. Severe spondylosis deformans with osteoporosis in the cervical and lumbar spine [Nozaki et al 2015] and deformity and formation of osseous specula in the knee joints [Yanagawa et al 2002] may be appreciated on plain radiographs.
Alopecia is frequently (not always) seen before age 30 years.
Scalp alopecia is diffuse, not confined to the frontal or parietal regions.
There is no obvious body hair loss.
Pathology. From the autopsy findings, arteriosclerosis associated with intimal thickening and dense collagen fibers, loss of vascular smooth muscle cells, and hyaline degeneration of the media have been observed in cerebral small arteries. These pathologic findings resemble those observed in persons with non-hereditary ischemic cerebral small vessel disease [Okeda et al 2004, Oide et al 2008, Ito et al 2016]. However, multilayering and splitting of elastic laminae may be specific for CARASIL. These changes are predominant in cerebral small arteries; therefore, skin biopsy is not useful for diagnosis.
Note: Granular osmiophilic material within the vascular media close to smooth muscle cells, a pathologic hallmark for CADASIL, is never observed in CARASIL.
HTRA1 Disorder Caused by a Heterozygous Pathogenic Variant (HTRA1 Cerebral Small Vessel Disease)
Neurologic symptoms typically begin after age 40 years [Nozaki et al 2016] and include the following:
Slowly progressive gait disturbance (the most frequent initial symptom)
Mood change (depression and irritability) and cognitive dysfunction
A stroke-like episode (e.g., hemiparesis or hemisensory impairment) in 63% of affected individuals
Slow progression of the disease following the onset of neurologic symptoms
Spondylosis and alopecia are rarer findings.
Pathology. Small vessels in the central nervous system have shown intimal proliferation, splitting of the internal elastic lamina, and degeneration of smooth muscle cells in the tunica media. The features resemble those of individuals with classic CARASIL [Nozaki et al 2016, Ito et al 2018].
Genotype-Phenotype Correlations
No strong genotype-phenotype correlations for HTRA1 have been identified in classic CARASIL [Hara et al 2009, Favaretto et al 2019].
Those who have a heterozygous HTRA1 missense variant that either leads to defective trimerization or is located in the LD or L3 domain may have a more severe phenotype than those who have a heterozygous HTRA1 loss-of-function variant [Nozaki et al 2016, Uemura et al 2019].
Nomenclature
Other names for HTRA1 disorder include the following:
CARASIL, for those who have biallelic HTRA1 pathogenic variants
Familial young adult-onset arteriosclerotic leukoencephalopathy with alopecia and lumbago without arterial hypertension
Nemoto disease
Maeda syndrome
CADASIL2 (
cerebral
arteriopathy,
autosomal
dominant, with
subcortical
infarcts and
leukoencephalopathy, type 2; OMIM
616779)
Prevalence
HTRA1 disorder has been reported in individuals from Asia, Europe, and North America. However, no founder haplotype has been identified; thus, the authors suspect that the disease will be found more widely.
Differential Diagnosis
Other inherited disorders that cause leukoaraiosis in adulthood are summarized in Table 2. They can be distinguished from HTRA1 disorder by clinical signs, MRI findings, and appropriate laboratory investigations.
Note: Classic CARASIL should be considered in any young person who has alopecia in conjunction with multiple white matter lesions on MRI.
Table 2.
Inherited Disorders with Adult-Onset Leukoaraiosis to Consider in the Differential Diagnosis of HTRA1 Disorder
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Gene(s) | Disorder | MOI | Clinical Description |
---|
COL4A1, COL4A2 | COL4A1- & COL4A2-related small vessel disease (See COL4A1-Related Disorders.) | AD |
|
CTSA
| CARASAL | AD | Therapy-resistant hypertension 1 |
GLA
|
Fabry disease
| XL |
|
ITM2B
| Familial British dementia (OMIM 176500) | AD | Ataxia, spasticity |
NOTCH3
| CADASIL 2, 3 | AD | Isolated T2-weighted hyperintensities involving temporal poles on brain MRI |
TREX1
| HERNS (OMIM 192315) | AD | Contrast-enhancing lesion mimicking tumor on brain MRI Retinal artery abnormalities (macular capillary dropout, tortuous telangiectasia) Progressive visual loss Raynaud phenomenon Migraine Proteinuria & hematuria
|
AD = autosomal dominant; CADASIL = cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy; CARASAL = cathepsin A-related arteriopathy with strokes and leukoencephalopathy; HERNS = hereditary endotheliopathy with retinopathy, nephropathy, and stroke; MOI = mode of inheritance; XL = X-linked
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
Recommended laboratory investigations: skin biopsy evaluation for NOTCH3 protein expression and electron microscopy for granular osmiophilic material
Other. The clinical characteristics and MRI abnormalities in the following conditions may also resemble those of CARASIL:
Management
Consensus clinical management guidelines for HTRA1 disorder, including classic CARASIL, have not been published.
Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis
To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with HTRA1 disorder, the evaluations summarized in Table (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to the diagnosis) are recommended.
Table 3.
Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis in Individuals with HTRA1 Disorder
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System/Concern | Evaluation | Comment |
---|
Neurologic
| Neurologic evaluation | Incl scales to evaluate severity of gait disturbance & pseudobulbar palsy |
T2*-weighted gradient echo imaging | To evaluate for cerebral microbleeds |
Psychiatric
| Neuropsychiatric evaluation | To screen for anxiety, mood disturbance, & cognitive dysfunction |
Gastrointestinal
| Consider feeding &/or swallowing study. | If there is concern for pseudobulbar palsy |
Skeletal
| Consider MRI of spine. | To evaluate for degenerative changes in lumbar or cervical spine |
Dermatologic
| Assessment for scalp alopecia | |
Miscellaneous/
Other
| Consultation w/clinical geneticist &/or genetic counselor | Incl genetic counseling |
Family supports/resources | |
Treatment of Manifestations
Supportive care in the form of practical help, emotional support, and counseling are appropriate for affected individuals and their families.
Table 4.
Treatment of Manifestations in Individuals with HTRA1 Disorder
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Manifestation/Concern | Treatment | Considerations/Other |
---|
Cerebral microbleeds
| Anti-platelet therapy & anti-hypertension therapy may be considered. | There is no evidence for their effectiveness. |
Gait disturbance
| Physical therapy to ameliorate coordination difficulties, especially w/walking | |
Crutches (less often canes) & walkers | To prevent falls |
Home adaptations incl grab bars for bathtub or shower chairs, raised toilet seats, & ramps to accommodate motorized chairs, as needed | |
Medication (e.g., baclofen, tizanidine) | May be considered for those w/spasticity |
Mood disorder
| Standard treatment per psychiatrist | Personality changes may necessitate antipsychotic medication. |
Pseudobulbar palsy
| Speech-language therapy | Communication devices such as writing pads & computer-based devices may also be of benefit. |
Video esophagrams can identify consistency of food least likely to trigger aspiration. | Weighted eating utensils & dressing hooks help maintain a sense of independence. |
Spinal spondylosis
| Standard treatment per orthopedist | For those w/neurologic deficits due to spinal compression |
Alopecia
| Wig or hairpiece | |
Family/Community
| Ensure appropriate social work involvement to connect families w/local resources, respite, & support. Coordinate care to manage multiple subspecialty appointments, equipment, medications, & supplies.
| Ongoing assessment for need of home nursing |
Surveillance
The interval at which a person with HTRA1 disorder is followed depends on the severity and type of symptoms and the needs of the affected individual and caregivers.
Agents/Circumstances to Avoid
Smoking and a high-salt diet, which may hasten the progression of arteriosclerosis, should be avoided.
Evaluation of Relatives at Risk
It has been speculated that hypertension or smoking may influence the age of onset and frequency of stroke episodes in individuals with HTRA1 disorder; smoking may result in earlier disease onset [Singhal et al 2004], and smoking or hypertension may increase the frequency of stroke episodes in individuals with the classic CADASIL phenotype [Adib-Samii et al 2010]. Therefore, it is appropriate to test the older and younger sibs of a proband for presence of the HTRA1 pathogenic variant(s) in the family in order to identify early in adulthood (ideally at age ≥18 years) those who would benefit from initiation of treatment and preventive measures such as oral administration of anti-hypertensive drugs and abstinence from smoking.
See Genetic Counseling for issues related to testing of at-risk relatives for genetic counseling purposes.
Therapies Under Investigation
Search ClinicalTrials.gov in the US and EU Clinical Trials Register in Europe for access to information on clinical studies for a wide range of diseases and conditions. Note: There may not be clinical trials for this disorder.
Genetic Counseling
Genetic counseling is the process of providing individuals and families with
information on the nature, mode(s) of inheritance, and implications of genetic disorders to help them
make informed medical and personal decisions. The following section deals with genetic
risk assessment and the use of family history and genetic testing to clarify genetic
status for family members; it is not meant to address all personal, cultural, or
ethical issues that may arise or to substitute for consultation with a genetics
professional. —ED.
Mode of Inheritance
HTRA1 disorder caused by biallelic pathogenic variants (classic CARASIL) is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.
HTRA1 disorder caused by a heterozygous pathogenic variant (HTRA1-CSVD) is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner.
Autosomal Recessive Inheritance
Risk to Family Members
Parents of a proband
Sibs of a proband
If both parents are known to be heterozygous for an HTRA1 pathogenic variant, each sib of an affected individual has at conception a 25% chance of inheriting both HTRA1 pathogenic variants and being affected, a 50% chance of inheriting one pathogenic variant and being heterozygous, and a 25% chance of inheriting neither pathogenic variant and not being at risk for HTRA1 disorder.
It is not clear whether carriers (heterozygotes) are asymptomatic (see Parents of a proband).
Offspring of a proband. The offspring of an individual with biallelic pathogenic variants are obligate heterozygotes for one HTRA1 pathogenic variant.
Other family members. Each sib of the proband's parents is at a 50% risk of being heterozygous for one HTRA1 pathogenic variant.
Heterozygote Detection
Molecular genetic testing for at-risk family members requires prior identification of the HTRA1 pathogenic variants in the family.
Autosomal Dominant Inheritance – Risk to Family Members
Parents of a proband
Most individuals diagnosed with autosomal dominant HTRA1 disorder have an affected parent.
Because simplex cases (i.e., a single occurrence in a family) have not been evaluated sufficiently to determine if a pathogenic variant occurred de novo, the proportion of HTRA1 disorder caused by a de novo pathogenic variant is unknown. (To date, de novo pathogenic variants have not been reported in HTRA1 disorder.)
Molecular genetic testing is recommended for the parents of a proband with an apparent de novo pathogenic variant.
If the pathogenic variant found in the proband cannot be detected in the leukocyte DNA of either parent, possible explanations include a de novo pathogenic variant in the proband or germline mosaicism in a parent. Though theoretically possible, no instances of a proband inheriting a pathogenic variant from a parent with germline mosaicism have been reported.
The family history of some individuals diagnosed with HTRA1 disorder may appear to be negative because of failure to recognize the disorder in family members, early death of the parent before the onset of symptoms, or late onset of the disease in the affected parent. Therefore, an apparently negative family history cannot be confirmed unless molecular genetic testing has been performed on the parents of the proband.
Sibs of a proband. The risk to the sibs of the proband depends on the genetic status of the proband's parents:
If a parent of the proband is affected and/or is known to have the pathogenic variant identified in the proband, the risk to the sibs is 50%.
If the proband has a known
HTRA1 pathogenic variant that cannot be detected in the leukocyte DNA of either parent, the recurrence risk to sibs is estimated to be 1% because of the theoretic possibility of parental germline mosaicism [
Rahbari et al 2016].
If the parents have not been tested for the HTRA1 pathogenic variant but are clinically unaffected, sibs are still presumed to be at increased risk for HTRA1 disorder because of the possibility of age-related penetrance in a heterozygous parent or the theoretic possibility of parental germline mosaicism.
Offspring of a proband. Each child of an individual with autosomal dominant HTRA1 disorder has a 50% chance of inheriting the pathogenic variant.
Other family members. The risk to other family members depends on the status of the proband's parents: if a parent has the HTRA1 pathogenic variant, other members of the parent's family may be at risk.
Prenatal Testing and Preimplantation Genetic Testing
Once the HTRA1 pathogenic variant(s) have been identified in an affected family member, prenatal and preimplantation genetic testing for HTRA1 disorder are possible.
Differences in perspective may exist among medical professionals and within families regarding the use of prenatal testing. While most centers would consider use of prenatal testing to be a personal decision, discussion of these issues may be helpful.
Resources
GeneReviews staff has selected the following disease-specific and/or umbrella
support organizations and/or registries for the benefit of individuals with this disorder
and their families. GeneReviews is not responsible for the information provided by other
organizations. For information on selection criteria, click here.
National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference
American Stroke Association
National Center
7272 Greenville Avenue
Dallas TX 75231
Phone: 800-AHA-USA-1; 800-242-8721
Molecular Genetics
Information in the Molecular Genetics and OMIM tables may differ from that elsewhere in the GeneReview: tables may contain more recent information. —ED.
Table A.
HTRA1 Disorder: Genes and Databases
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Data are compiled from the following standard references: gene from
HGNC;
chromosome locus from
OMIM;
protein from UniProt.
For a description of databases (Locus Specific, HGMD, ClinVar) to which links are provided, click
here.
Table B.
View in own window
600142 | CEREBRAL ARTERIOPATHY, AUTOSOMAL RECESSIVE, WITH SUBCORTICAL INFARCTS AND LEUKOENCEPHALOPATHY; CARASIL |
602194 | HTRA SERINE PEPTIDASE 1; HTRA1 |
616779 | CEREBRAL ARTERIOPATHY, AUTOSOMAL DOMINANT, WITH SUBCORTICAL INFARCTS AND LEUKOENCEPHALOPATHY, TYPE 2; CADASIL2 |
Molecular Pathogenesis
Introduction. HTRA1 belongs to the HTRA protein family, the members of which have dual roles as chaperones and serine proteases [Clausen et al 2002]. They serve as stress sensors for unfolded proteins and repress transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) family signaling [Clausen et al 2002, Oka et al 2004]. HTRA1 proteins exist as trimers, thus allowing communication between adjacent subunits to regulate protease activity [Truebestein et al 2011].
In vitro functional expression studies with HTRA1 known pathogenic variants showed a loss of protease activity and consequent inability to repress TGF-β family signaling [Hara et al 2009]. Additionally, the mutated HTRA1 proteins of some pathogenic variants show a dominant-negative effect by interfering with communication between adjacent subunits [Nozaki et al 2016, Uemura et al 2019].
Mechanism of disease causation. Loss of function. Some pathogenic variants have a dominant-negative effect [Hara et al 2009, Nozaki et al 2016, Uemura et al 2019].
Chapter Notes
Revision History
7 November 2019 (ma) Comprehensive update posted live
11 September 2014 (me) Comprehensive update posted live
17 February 2011 (cd) Revision: prenatal testing available clinically
27 April 2010 (me) Review posted live
5 January 2010 (oo) Original submission
References
Published Guidelines / Consensus Statements
Committee on Bioethics, Committee on Genetics, and American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics Social, Ethical, Legal Issues Committee. Ethical and policy issues in genetic testing and screening of children. Available
online. 2013. Accessed 7-11-23.
National Society of Genetic Counselors. Position statement on genetic testing of minors for adult-onset conditions. Available
online. 2018. Accessed 7-11-23.
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