Novel Homozygous KCNJ10 Mutation in a Patient with Non-syndromic Early-Onset Cerebellar Ataxia

Mutations in KCNJ10 , which encodes the inwardly rectifying potassium channel Kir4.1, a primary regulator of membrane excitability and potassium homeostasis, cause a complex syndrome characterized by seizures, sensorineural deafness, ataxia, intellectual disability, and electrolyte imbalance called SeSAME/EAST syndrome. We describe a 41-year-old patient with non-syndromic, slowly progressive, early-onset ataxia. Targeted next-generation sequencing identified a novel c.180 T > G (p.Ile60Met) missense homozygous mutation. The mutated residue Ile60Met likely impairs phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate (PIP2) binding which is known to play an essential role in channel gating . Our study expands the clinical and mutational spectrum of KCNJ10 -related disorders and suggests that screening of this gene should be implemented in patients with early-onset ataxia, with or without syndromic features.