# Case Report: Novel ATP13A2 pathogenic variants associated with early-onset parkinsonism and a mini-review

**Authors:** Leonardo Affronte, Antonella Pini, Claudia Pizzoli, Emanuele Coccia, Serena Mazzone, Arber Golemi, Melania Giannotta, Duccio Maria Cordelli, Valerio Carelli, Alessandro Vaisfeld, Flavia Palombo

PMC · DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2025.1588812 · Frontiers in Genetics · 2025-07-29

## TL;DR

This case report describes two siblings with new ATP13A2 gene mutations causing early-onset parkinsonism and reviews other similar cases.

## Contribution

The study presents novel ATP13A2 pathogenic variants and provides a comprehensive review of all reported Kufor Rakeb syndrome cases.

## Key findings

- Two siblings with novel ATP13A2 variants showed early-onset parkinsonism and cognitive impairment.
- The study compares clinical and molecular features of all reported Kufor Rakeb syndrome cases.
- One sibling showed levodopa-responsive motor dystonia, while the other had only mild cognitive impairment.

## Abstract

ATP13A2 is a gene localized on chromosome 1p36.13 and coding for a transmembrane protein found in the lysosomes and late endosomes, which is involved in many cellular metabolic activities. Pathogenetic variants of ATP13A2 are associated with a wide range of neurodegenerative disorder including Kufor Rakeb syndrome (KRS), a rare autosomal recessive form of levodopa responsive juvenile onset parkinsonism (MxMD-ATP13A2), characterized by rapidly progressive muscular stiffness, bradykinesia, spasticity, pyramidal findings, dementia and supranuclear gaze palsy. The aim of this study is to provide detailed clinical descriptions of two siblings, carriers of novel biallelic ATP13A2 variants. One of them showed KRS levodopa-responsive motor dystonic features at the age of 10 years preceded by moderate cognitive impairment, while the other only showed mild cognitive impairment at our last evaluation at 11 years of age. Additionally, we reviewed the previously published cases, focusing on early signs and symptoms, clinical evolution and response to therapy. To our knowledge, this is the only work that groups all reported KRS patients and compares their clinical and molecular features.

## Linked entities

- **Genes:** ATP13A2 (ATPase cation transporting 13A2) [NCBI Gene 23400]
- **Diseases:** Kufor Rakeb syndrome (MONDO:0011706), dementia (MONDO:0001627)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** ATP13A2 (ATPase cation transporting 13A2) [NCBI Gene 23400] {aka CLN12, HSA9947, KRPPD, PARK9, SPG78}
- **Diseases:** parkinsonism (MESH:D010302), supranuclear gaze palsy (MESH:D013494), KRS (MESH:C537177), dementia (MESH:D003704), cognitive impairment (MESH:D003072), dystonic (MESH:D004421), muscular stiffness (MESH:C566112), juvenile onset parkinsonism (MESH:D020734), spasticity (MESH:D009128), bradykinesia (MESH:D018476), neurodegenerative disorder (MESH:D019636)
- **Chemicals:** levodopa (MESH:D007980)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

2 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12340552/full.md

## References

46 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12340552/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12340552