Andersen-Tawil syndrome pathophysiology
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Vamsikrishna Gunnam M.B.B.S [2]
Overview
It is understood that Andersen-Tawil syndrome is the result of mutation in KCNJ2 gene which encodes for Kir2.1 inward rectifier potassium channel that involves in cardiac repolarization phase. The movement of potassium ions through these channels is critical for maintaining the normal functions of skeletal muscles which are used for movement and cardiac muscle. Andersen-Tawil syndrome is a rare syndrome transmitted in autosomal dominant pattern.
Pathophysiology
Pathogenesis
- It is understood that Andersen-Tawil syndrome is the result of mutation in KCNJ2 gene.[1][2][3]
- KCNJ2 gene encodes for Kir2.1 inward rectifier potassium channel which is a component of the inward rectifier IK1 and involves in repolarizing current during the late phase of repolarization and plays an important role in controlling the diastolic membrane potential of the cardiac membrane.[4][5]
- The protein encoded by the KCNJ2 gene which is Kir2.1 inward rectifier potassium channel transports potassium ions into muscle cells.
- The movement of Kir2.1 inward rectifier potassium channel ions is very crucial in maintaining the normal functions of skeletal muscles which are used for movement and cardiac muscle.
- Any change in the Kir2.1 inward rectifier potassium channel ions transport especially in the heart leads to abnormal heart rhythm which will result in arrhythmia and long QT or QU syndrome.[6]
- Any change in the Kir2.1 inward rectifier potassium channel ions transport in skeletal muscles leads to periodic paralysis and and developmental abnormalities.[7]
Genetics
- Andersen-Tawil syndrome is transmitted in autosomal dominant pattern.
- Genes involved in the pathogenesis of Andersen-Tawil syndrome include:[8][9][10][11]
- KCNJ2 gene in 60% of the cases Andersen-Tawil syndrome (ATS) 1 type
- Unknown gene defect in 40% of the cases of Andersen-Tawil syndrome (ATS) 2 type
- KCNJ5 gene is also implicated but no cases reported in Andersen-Tawil syndrome
Associated Conditions
Conditions associated with Andersen-Tawil syndrome include:[12][13]
- Episodes of flaccid paralysis
- Ventricular arrhythmias
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Unique physical features
References
- ↑ Limberg MM, Zumhagen S, Netter MF, Coffey AJ, Grace A, Rogers J; et al. (2013). “Non dominant-negative KCNJ2 gene mutations leading to Andersen-Tawil syndrome with an isolated cardiac phenotype”. Basic Res Cardiol. 108 (3): 353. doi:10.1007/s00395-013-0353-1. PMID 23644778.
- ↑ Doi T, Makiyama T, Morimoto T, Haruna Y, Tsuji K, Ohno S; et al. (2011). “A novel KCNJ2 nonsense mutation, S369X, impedes trafficking and causes a limited form of Andersen-Tawil syndrome”. Circ Cardiovasc Genet. 4 (3): 253–60. doi:10.1161/CIRCGENETICS.110.958157. PMID 21493816.
- ↑ Tan SV, Z’graggen WJ, Boërio D; et al. (2012). “Membrane dysfunction in Andersen-Tawil syndrome assessed by velocity recovery cycles”. Muscle Nerve. 46 (2): 193–203. doi:10.1002/mus.23293. PMID 22806368. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ Tristani-Firouzi M, Etheridge SP (2010). “Kir 2.1 channelopathies: the Andersen-Tawil syndrome”. Pflugers Arch. 460 (2): 289–94. doi:10.1007/s00424-010-0820-6. PMID 20306271.
- ↑ Plaster NM, Tawil R, Tristani-Firouzi M, Canún S, Bendahhou S, Tsunoda A; et al. (2001). “Mutations in Kir2.1 cause the developmental and episodic electrical phenotypes of Andersen’s syndrome”. Cell. 105 (4): 511–9. doi:10.1016/s0092-8674(01)00342-7. PMID 11371347.
- ↑ Haruna Y, Kobori A, Makiyama T, Yoshida H, Akao M, Doi T; et al. (2007). “Genotype-phenotype correlations of KCNJ2 mutations in Japanese patients with Andersen-Tawil syndrome”. Hum Mutat. 28 (2): 208. doi:10.1002/humu.9483. PMID 17221872.
- ↑ Ballester LY, Benson DW, Wong B, Law IH, Mathews KD, Vanoye CG; et al. (2006). “Trafficking-competent and trafficking-defective KCNJ2 mutations in Andersen syndrome”. Hum Mutat. 27 (4): 388. doi:10.1002/humu.9418. PMID 16541386.
- ↑ Tristani-Firouzi M, Jensen JL, Donaldson MR; et al. (2002). “Functional and clinical characterization of KCNJ2 mutations associated with LQT7 (Andersen syndrome)”. J. Clin. Invest. 110 (3): 381–8. PMID 12163457.
- ↑ Pegan S, Arrabit C, Slesinger PA, Choe S (2006). “Andersen’s syndrome mutation effects on the structure and assembly of the cytoplasmic domains of Kir2.1”. Biochemistry. 45 (28): 8599–606. doi:10.1021/bi060653d. PMID 16834334.
- ↑ Sansone V, Tawil R (2007). “Management and treatment of Andersen-Tawil syndrome (ATS)”. Neurotherapeutics. 4 (2): 233–7. doi:10.1016/j.nurt.2007.01.005. PMID 17395133.
- ↑ Nguyen HL, Pieper GH, Wilders R (2013). “Andersen-Tawil syndrome: clinical and molecular aspects”. Int J Cardiol. 170 (1): 1–16. doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2013.10.010. PMID 24383070.
- ↑ Andersen, Ellen Damgaard; Krasilnikoff, Peter A.; Overvad, Hans (1971). “INTERMITTENT MUSCULAR WEAKNESS, EXTRASYSTOLES, AND MULTIPLE DEVELOPMENTAL ANOMALIES”. Acta Paediatrica. 60 (5): 559–564. doi:10.1111/j.1651-2227.1971.tb06990.x. ISSN 0803-5253.
- ↑ Schoonderwoerd, Bas A.; Wiesfeld, Ans C.P.; Wilde, Arthur A.M.; van den Heuvel, Freek; Van Tintelen, J. Peter; van den Berg, Maarten P.; Van Veldhuisen, Dirk J.; Van Gelder, Isabelle C. (2006). “A family with Andersen-Tawil syndrome and dilated cardiomyopathy”. Heart Rhythm. 3 (11): 1346–1350. doi:10.1016/j.hrthm.2006.07.021. ISSN 1547-5271.
© 2026 MyEClinic – IFTM Institut für Telematik in der Medizin GmbH