Bionomics Inc.

The University of Melbourne

Central Adelaide Local Health Network Inc.

Itek Ventures Pty Ltd (university of South Australia)

Samuel Frank Berkovic

Robyn Heather Wallace

John Charles Mulley

Robyn Wallace

Louise Anne Harkin

Leanne Michelle Dibbens

Ingrid Eileen Scheffer

Hilary Anne Phillips

Sarah Elizabeth Heron

Steven Petrou

Jozef Gecz

Anne Davy

Leane Michelle Dibbens

The present invention related to the proline rich transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2) gene, and the identification of mutations and variations in PRRT2 that give rise to seizure and movement disorders. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the diagnosis or prognosis of such disorders by identifying alterations in the PRRT2 gene. Identification of alterations in the PRRT2 gene also enables the identification of subjects with an increased likelihood of having an offspring predisposed to such disorders. The present invention also provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising an alteration in the PRRT2 gene, wherein said alteration produces a seizure and/or movement disorder phenotype. Also provided is an isolated PRRT2 polypeptide that comprises an alteration which produces a seizure and/or movement disorder phenotype. Furthermore, the present invention provides kit for diagnosing or prognosing a seizure and/or movement disorder in a subject, or for identifying a subject with an increased likelihood of having an offspring predisposed to a seizure and/or movement disorder, wherein the kit includes one or more components for testing for the presence of an alteration in the PRRT2 gene in the subject.

Gene and mutations thereof associated with seizure and movement disorders

Methods and kits for the diagnosis of illnesses related to protocadherin 19 (PCDH19) protein deficiency or altered PCDH19 protein function are provided, as well as methods and kits for the identification of a predisposition to such illnesses and methods of screening subjects to identify carriers of such illnesses and methods and kits for the therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of PCDH19 deficiency or altered PCDH19 protein function. Further, nucleotide and amino acid sequences corresponding to a complete PCDH19 open reading frame (ORF), mutant sequences encoding non-functional PCDH19 mRNA or altered PCDH19 mRNA are described along with transformed cells and non-human transgenic animals comprising wild-type or mutant PCDH19 ORF nucleotide sequences.

Diagnostic and therapeutic methods for EFMR (epilepsy and mental retardation limited to females)

The present invention relates to the proline rich transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2) gene, and the identification of mutations and variations in PRRT2 that give rise to seizure and movement disorders. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the diagnosis or prognosis of such disorders by identifying alterations in the PRRT2 gene. Identification of alterations in the PRRT2 gene also enables the identification of subjects with an increased likelihood of having an offspring predisposed to such disorders. The present invention also provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising an alteration in the PRRT2 gene, wherein said alteration produces a seizure and/or movement disorder phenotype. Also provided is an isolated PRRT2 polypeptide that comprises an alteration which produces a seizure and/or movement disorder phenotype. Furthermore, the present invention provides kit for diagnosing or prognosing a seizure and/or movement disorder in a subject, or for identifying a subject with an increased likelihood of having an offspring predisposed to a seizure and/or movement disorder, wherein the kit includes one or more components for testing for the presence of an alteration in the PRRT2 gene in the subject.

Methods and kits for the diagnosis of illnesses related to protocadherin 19 (PCDH 19) protein deficiency or altered PCDH 19 protein function, in particular EFMR (Epilepsy and Mental Retardation limited to Females) are provided, as well as methods and kits for the identification of a predisposition to such illnesses and methods of screening subjects to identify carriers of such illnesses and methods and kits for the therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of PCDH 19 deficiency or altered PCDH 19 protein function. Further, nucleotide and amino acid sequences corresponding to a complete PCDH19 open reading frame (ORF), mutant sequences encoding non-functional PCDH19 mRNA or altered PCDH19 mRN A are described along with transformed cells and non-human transgenic animals comprising wild-type or mutant PCDH19 ORF nucleotide sequences.

A method for the diagnosis of SMEI in a patient comprising:

Diagnostic method for epilepsy

A method of identifying a subject predisposed to a disorder associated with ion channel dysfunction, comprising ascertaining whether at least one of the genes encoding ion channel subunits in said subject has undergone a mutation event as set forth in one of SEQ ID Numbers: 1-72.

Mutations in ion channels

A method of identifying a subject predisposed to a disorder associated with ion channel dysfunction, comprising ascertaining whether at least one of the genes encoding ion channel subunits in said subject has undergone a mutation event such that a cDNA derived from said subject has the sequence set forth in one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-134.

Nucleic acid encoding SCN1A variant

Methods for the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy

An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a mutant alpha subunit of a mammalian voltage-gated sodium channel, wherein a mutation event selected from the group consisting of point mutations, deletions, insertions and rearrangements has occurred and said mutation event disrupts the functioning of an assembled sodium channel comprising this mutated subunit so as to produce an epilepsy phenotype, with the proviso that the mutation event is not a C2624T transition or a G4943A transition.

Nucleic acids encoding mutations in sodium channels related to epilepsy

An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a mutant alpha subunit of a mammalian voltage-gated sodium channel, wherein a mutation event selected from the group consisting of point mutations, deletions, insertions and rearrangements has occurred and said mutation event disrupts the functioning of an assembled sodium channel comprising this mutated subunit so as to produce an epilepsy phenotype, polypeptides encoded by said nucleic molecule and uses of these molecules in preparing animal models and in diagnostic applications.

Method of diagnosing epilepsy

An isolated mammalian DNA molecule encoding a mutant &#x3b3;-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor subunit, wherein a mutation event selected from the group consisting of point mutations, deletions, insertions and rearrangements has occurred and said mutation event disrupts the functioning of an assembled GABA receptor, or an otherwise functional fragment or homologue thereof.

Mutation associated with epilepsy

The mutations D188V, V1353L, I1656M in the neuronal gene sodium-channel alpha1-subunit, SCN1A, are disclosed. The methods of using their associated polypeptides for treating sodium channel dysfunction disorders including generalized epilepsy are also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Caulfield North, Australia

Samuel Frank Berkovic