PLEC

At least nine mutations in the PLEC gene can cause epidermolysis bullosa with pyloric atresia (EB-PA). In addition to skin blistering, people with EB-PA are born with a life-threatening obstruction of the digestive tract called pyloric atresia. Mutations in the PLEC gene account for about 15 percent of all cases of EB-PA.

The PLEC gene mutations responsible for EB-PA change the normal structure and function of plectin. Mutations that prevent the cell from making any functional plectin tend to cause more severe signs and symptoms, while mutations that reduce the amount of plectin or alter the protein's structure usually cause milder signs and symptoms. A shortage of functional plectin disrupts the attachment of the epidermis to underlying skin layers, making the skin less resistant to friction and minor trauma. It is less clear how mutations in the PLEC gene are related to pyloric atresia.

MedlinePlus Genetics provides information about Congenital myasthenic syndrome

At least one mutation in the PLEC gene is associated with the features of epidermolysis bullosa simplex, a condition that causes the skin to be very fragile and to blister easily. This mutation has been found in a small number of families with a form of the disorder known as the Ogna type. Researchers are uncertain whether this rare condition is actually a subtype of epidermolysis bullosa simplex or represents a separate form of epidermolysis bullosa.

The mutation responsible for the Ogna type of epidermolysis bullosa simplex changes a single protein building block (amino acid) in the plectin protein. Specifically, this genetic change replaces the amino acid arginine with the amino acid tryptophan at protein position 2000 (written as Arg2000Trp or R2000W). Studies suggest that this mutation may change the way the protein folds into a 3-dimensional shape, which could prevent it from interacting with molecules that make up the cytoskeleton. In the skin, these changes cause epidermal cells to become fragile and easily damaged. As a result, the skin is less resistant to friction and minor trauma and blisters easily.

MedlinePlus Genetics provides information about Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy

Mutations in the PLEC gene also cause at least one other form of epidermolysis bullosa known as epidermolysis bullosa with muscular dystrophy. In addition to skin blistering, people with this disorder experience progressive muscle weakness and wasting (atrophy) later in life. More than 20 PLEC gene mutations have been found to cause this form of the disorder. These mutations alter the structure, function, or production of plectin. In the skin, a reduced amount of functional plectin disrupts the attachment of the epidermis to underlying skin layers, making the skin less resistant to friction. A shortage of functional plectin in muscle tissue affects critical structures needed for muscle tensing (contraction), which leads to muscle weakness and atrophy.