A de novo SPAST mutation leading to somatic mosaicism is associated with a later age at onset in HSP

SPG4/SPAST, the gene-encoding spastin, is responsible for the most frequent form of autosomal dominant hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP). SPG4-HSP is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by both interfamilial and intrafamilial variation, especially regarding the severity and the age at onset. In this study, we investigated the origin of the mutation and the factors involved in intra-familial heterogeneity in a family with a SPG4 mutation. We demonstrated that the mutation occurred de novo and show evidence of somatic mosaicism in the grandfather, who was the only affected member of six siblings. His disease began at age 55, much later than in his daughter, who had onset at age 18, and his grandson, in whom onset was at age 5. These observations indicate that de novo mutations can occur in SPG4, and that somatic mosaicism might account for intra-familial variation in SPG4-linked HSP.