Biallelic Variants in the DARS2 Gene as a Novel Cause of Axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

Abstract

Objective: Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is a heterogeneous group of genetic neuropathies, with >90 genes identified. Several aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases have been linked to CMT. DARS2, encoding the mitochondrial aspartyl-tRNA synthetase, has been typically associated with leukoencephalopathy with brainstem and spinal cord involvement and lactate elevation. This study aimed to investigate the association between biallelic DARS2 variants and axonal CMT.

Methods: We investigated 5 individuals from 3 unrelated families with axonal CMT and biallelic DARS2 variants. Functional studies in fibroblasts assessed their effects on DARS2 expression, localization, and mitochondrial function. Enzymatic activity was evaluated in HEK293 cells.

Results: The 5 individuals, including 4 adults, presented with childhood-onset progressive axonal CMT. None had leukoencephalopathy, but one showed central nervous system involvement, with intellectual disability and epilepsy. Genetic analysis identified compound heterozygous DARS2 variants: family A, p.Ser238Phe and p.Arg336Cys; family B, p.Ser238Phe and p.Ile25Thrfs*38; family C, c.492+2T>C and p.Pro503Leu. Functional studies revealed reduced DARS2 protein levels, mitochondrial network abnormalities, and impaired mitochondrial function. p.Ser238Phe behaves as a hypomorphic allele, whereas p.Pro503Leu reduced DARS2 enzymatic activity by 75%.

Interpretation: Our findings expand the DARS2-related disease spectrum, establishing a novel association with axonal CMT. Hypomorphic variants, such as p.Ser238Phe, when paired with more deleterious variants, result in isolated axonal CMT, whereas more severe combinations-although not as deleterious as those seen in leukoencephalopathy with brainstem and spinal cord involvement and lactate elevation-result in axonal CMT with central nervous system involvement, albeit without leukoencephalopathy. These observations raise the possibility that DARS2-associated diseases form a continuum rather than representing strictly distinct central or peripheral nervous system disorders. ANN NEUROL 2025.