Tubulinopathy Case Series: Marked Intrafamilial Phenotypic Variability Associated With a Novel Missense <scp> <i>TUBB</i> </scp> Variant

Due to diverse clinical presentation, tubulinopathy is usually confirmed by genetic analysis. We report a family case series with a novel missense likely pathogenic variant in the TUBB gene. The proband presented with a severe clinical course, including seizures and global developmental delay starting at 6 months of age. The younger sibling was recognized in the neonatal period due to abnormal cranial ultrasound. Both showed similar brain MRI findings: asymmetrical ventriculomegaly, dysmorphic basal ganglia and asymmetric posterior fossa structures. After identification of the TUBB variant in both siblings and a presumably healthy mother, maternal MRI also demonstrated features consistent with tubulinopathy. This family highlights the critical role of neuroimaging in the diagnosis of tubulinopathies, as characteristic MRI findings can guide genetic interpretation and reclassification of variants. MRI findings enabled reclassification of the TUBB missense variant from variant of uncertain significance to likely pathogenic. The variant showed complete penetrance but markedly variable expressivity, contributing to the broad clinical spectrum associated with TUBB-related disorders.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A
Published
2026-04-22
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/ajmg.a.70173
Primary Topic
Cellular transport and secretion
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Tubulinopathy Case Series: Marked Intrafamilial Phenotypic Variability Associated With a Novel Missense TUBB Variant

Karin Writzl, Aleš Maver, Lana Stavber, Alja Kavčič et al.
American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A
Cellular transport and secretion
article

Tubulinopathy Case Series: Marked Intrafamilial Phenotypic Variability Associated With a Novel Missense TUBB Variant

Karin Writzl, Aleš Maver, Lana Stavber, Alja Kavčič, Jernej Avsenik, Aneta Soltirovska Šalamon, Manca Velkavrh, Maruša Debeljak, Sara Bertok, Nataša Šuštar
article en

Abstract

Due to diverse clinical presentation, tubulinopathy is usually confirmed by genetic analysis. We report a family case series with a novel missense likely pathogenic variant in the TUBB gene. The proband presented with a severe clinical course, including seizures and global developmental delay starting at 6 months of age. The younger sibling was recognized in the neonatal period due to abnormal cranial ultrasound. Both showed similar brain MRI findings: asymmetrical ventriculomegaly, dysmorphic basal ganglia and asymmetric posterior fossa structures. After identification of the TUBB variant in both siblings and a presumably healthy mother, maternal MRI also demonstrated features consistent with tubulinopathy. This family highlights the critical role of neuroimaging in the diagnosis of tubulinopathies, as characteristic MRI findings can guide genetic interpretation and reclassification of variants. MRI findings enabled reclassification of the TUBB missense variant from variant of uncertain significance to likely pathogenic. The variant showed complete penetrance but markedly variable expressivity, contributing to the broad clinical spectrum associated with TUBB-related disorders.

American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A
University of Ljubljana (SI), Ljubljana University Medical Centre (SI)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 11%
Cellular transport and secretion
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.