Two homozygous mutations in the PINK1 gene, encoding a mitochondrial putative protein kinase, recently have been identified in families with PARK6-linked, autosomal recessive early-onset parkinsonism (AREP). Here, we describe a novel homozygous mutation (1573_1574 insTTAG) identified in an AREP patient, which causes a frameshift and truncation at the C-terminus of the PINK1 protein, outside the kinase catalytic domain. The clinical phenotype includes early-onset (28 years) parkinsonism, foot dystonia at onset, good levodopa response, slow progression, early levodopa-induced dyskinesias, and sleep benefit, thereby resembling closely parkin-related disease. These findings confirm that recessive mutations in PINK1 cause early-onset parkinsonism. and expand the associated clinical phenotype.

doi.org/10.1002/ana.20247, hdl.handle.net/1765/57507
Annals of Neurology
Department of Clinical Genetics

Rohe, C. F., Montagna, P., Breedveld, G., Cortelli, P., Oostra, B., & Bonifati, V. (2004). Homozygous PINK1 C-terminus mutation causing early-onset parkinsonism. Annals of Neurology, 56(3), 427–431. doi:10.1002/ana.20247