Role of the YWHAG gene mutations in Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy

Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy (DEE) is a severe neurological condition characterized by epileptic seizures and cognitive developmental impairments. Mutations in the YWHAG gene, which encodes the 14-3-3γ protein, are implicated in DEE. Predominantly expressed in the brain, 14-3-3γ regula...

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Main Authors: Violet Vilmont, Richard S. Nowakowski, Yi Zhou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Neuroscience
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1641250/full
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author Violet Vilmont
Richard S. Nowakowski
Yi Zhou
author_facet Violet Vilmont
Richard S. Nowakowski
Yi Zhou
author_sort Violet Vilmont
collection DOAJ
description Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy (DEE) is a severe neurological condition characterized by epileptic seizures and cognitive developmental impairments. Mutations in the YWHAG gene, which encodes the 14-3-3γ protein, are implicated in DEE. Predominantly expressed in the brain, 14-3-3γ regulates various cellular processes, forming homodimers or heterodimers with other isoforms. It binds to phosphorylated sites on target proteins, influencing their activity, stability, or cellular localization. This review evaluates the association between YWHAG mutations and DEE, the mechanisms by which 14-3-3γ influences neuronal function, and potential therapeutic interventions. YWHAG mutations, often de novo, lead to a variety of epilepsy phenotypes, from febrile seizures to severe epileptic encephalopathies. Loss-of-function mutations disrupt neuronal homeostasis, contributing to epilepsies and cognitive dysfunction. Specific missense mutations in the 14-3-3γ, such as Arg132Cys, significantly impair the protein’s binding affinity and are associated with a severe DEE. These mutations impact the function and stability of 14-3-3γ, affecting its interaction with ion channels and proteins, thereby contributing to neuronal hyperexcitability and impaired development. Understanding the involvement of YWHAG in DEE can provide insights into targeted treatments that address both the epileptic and developmental components of the disorder.
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spelling doaj-art-b74f1979878e40558efcbfa182869d032025-08-20T03:41:43ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neuroscience1662-453X2025-08-011910.3389/fnins.2025.16412501641250Role of the YWHAG gene mutations in Developmental and Epileptic EncephalopathyViolet VilmontRichard S. NowakowskiYi ZhouDevelopmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy (DEE) is a severe neurological condition characterized by epileptic seizures and cognitive developmental impairments. Mutations in the YWHAG gene, which encodes the 14-3-3γ protein, are implicated in DEE. Predominantly expressed in the brain, 14-3-3γ regulates various cellular processes, forming homodimers or heterodimers with other isoforms. It binds to phosphorylated sites on target proteins, influencing their activity, stability, or cellular localization. This review evaluates the association between YWHAG mutations and DEE, the mechanisms by which 14-3-3γ influences neuronal function, and potential therapeutic interventions. YWHAG mutations, often de novo, lead to a variety of epilepsy phenotypes, from febrile seizures to severe epileptic encephalopathies. Loss-of-function mutations disrupt neuronal homeostasis, contributing to epilepsies and cognitive dysfunction. Specific missense mutations in the 14-3-3γ, such as Arg132Cys, significantly impair the protein’s binding affinity and are associated with a severe DEE. These mutations impact the function and stability of 14-3-3γ, affecting its interaction with ion channels and proteins, thereby contributing to neuronal hyperexcitability and impaired development. Understanding the involvement of YWHAG in DEE can provide insights into targeted treatments that address both the epileptic and developmental components of the disorder.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1641250/fullYWHAG mutation14-3-3γ proteindevelopmental and epileptic encephalopathyepilepsyseizureneuronal hyperexcitability
spellingShingle Violet Vilmont
Richard S. Nowakowski
Yi Zhou
Role of the YWHAG gene mutations in Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy
Frontiers in Neuroscience
YWHAG mutation
14-3-3γ protein
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy
epilepsy
seizure
neuronal hyperexcitability
title Role of the YWHAG gene mutations in Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy
title_full Role of the YWHAG gene mutations in Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy
title_fullStr Role of the YWHAG gene mutations in Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy
title_full_unstemmed Role of the YWHAG gene mutations in Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy
title_short Role of the YWHAG gene mutations in Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy
title_sort role of the ywhag gene mutations in developmental and epileptic encephalopathy
topic YWHAG mutation
14-3-3γ protein
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy
epilepsy
seizure
neuronal hyperexcitability
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1641250/full
work_keys_str_mv AT violetvilmont roleoftheywhaggenemutationsindevelopmentalandepilepticencephalopathy
AT richardsnowakowski roleoftheywhaggenemutationsindevelopmentalandepilepticencephalopathy
AT yizhou roleoftheywhaggenemutationsindevelopmentalandepilepticencephalopathy