Lrch2, leucine-rich repeat and calponin homology domain-containing protein 2, likely has functions related to its leucine-rich repeat domain which is evolutionarily conserved. However, its exact function, associated pathways, and overall biological importance are still being explored, and genetic models could be valuable for further functional studies.

In a study, a unique missense mutation (p.Lys258Glu) in the Lrch2 gene was found in Family I with early-onset ataxia and cerebellar hypoplasia, inherited in an X-linked manner. This mutation occurs in an evolutionarily invariant site of the leucine-rich repeat domain of Lrch2. The Lrch2 gene for these patients, where congenital cerebellar hypoplasia was associated with demyelinating polyneuropathy, is expressed in Schwann and precursor Schwann cells and predominantly over its paralogous genes in the developing cerebellar cortex [1].

In conclusion, the findings suggest that Lrch2 may play a role in the development of the cerebellar cortex and Schwann cells, and its mutation is associated with early-onset ataxia with cerebellar hypoplasia and demyelinating polyneuropathy. The study of Lrch2 using genetic models can potentially provide more insights into these neurological disease conditions.

References:

1. Protasova, Maria S, Gusev, Fedor E, Andreeva, Tatiana V, Illarioshkin, Sergey N, Rogaev, Evgeny I. 2022. Novel genes bearing mutations in rare cases of early-onset ataxia with cerebellar hypoplasia. In European journal of human genetics : EJHG, 30, 703-711. doi:10.1038/s41431-022-01088-9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35351988/