CCDC181
ccdc181: Unraveling the Enigma of a Gene Linked to a Spectrum of Neurological Disorders
Description
ccdc181 (coiled-coil domain containing 181) is a gene that plays a pivotal role in the development and function of the nervous system. It encodes a protein that localizes to the cilia, small hair-like structures that extend from the surface of many cells. Cilia are crucial for sensory perception, cell signaling, and fluid flow.
Associated Diseases
Mutations in ccdc181 have been implicated in a spectrum of neurological disorders, including:
- Joubert syndrome: A rare condition characterized by developmental delay, hypotonia (low muscle tone), and a characteristic brain malformation known as the "molar tooth sign."
- Meckel-Gruber syndrome: A fatal birth defect characterized by severe brain and kidney malformations.
- Nephronophthisis: A rare kidney disease characterized by the progressive loss of kidney function leading to end-stage renal failure.
- Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA): A rare form of blindness caused by retinal degeneration.
Did you Know ?
Approximately 25% of individuals with Joubert syndrome have mutations in ccdc181, making it one of the most common genetic causes of this condition.