MED17-related disorder (MCPHA) is a rare autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorder caused by biallelic variants in MED17, a subunit of the head module of the Mediator transcriptional coactivator complex, with a recurrent homozygous founder allele (p.Leu371Pro) in Caucasus-Jewish families. Infants are normal at birth and then develop postnatal progressive microcephaly, spasticity, epilepsy, and profound psychomotor retardation; brain MRI shows marked cerebral and cerebellar atrophy with a severe myelination defect. Prognosis is grave. Because MED17 acts in the constitutive head module rather than the dissociable kinase module, MCPHA is one of the founding recessive "core-module" MEDopathies; the p.L371P allele inactivated the homologous yeast gene SRB4 in complementation assays, supporting loss of function.
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name: MED17-Related Disorder
creation_date: '2026-07-31T00:00:00Z'
category: Mendelian
synonyms:
- Infantile cerebral and cerebellar atrophy with postnatal progressive microcephaly
- MCPHA
- Mental retardation, postnatal progressive microcephaly, and seizures
- MED17-related infantile cerebral and cerebellar atrophy
description: >
MED17-related disorder (MCPHA) is a rare autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental and
neurodegenerative disorder caused by biallelic variants in MED17, a subunit of the head module
of the Mediator transcriptional coactivator complex, with a recurrent homozygous founder allele
(p.Leu371Pro) in Caucasus-Jewish families. Infants are normal at birth and then develop
postnatal progressive microcephaly, spasticity, epilepsy, and profound psychomotor retardation;
brain MRI shows marked cerebral and cerebellar atrophy with a severe myelination defect.
Prognosis is grave. Because MED17 acts in the constitutive head module rather than the
dissociable kinase module, MCPHA is one of the founding recessive "core-module" MEDopathies;
the p.L371P allele inactivated the homologous yeast gene SRB4 in complementation assays,
supporting loss of function.
disease_term:
preferred_term: Infantile cerebral and cerebellar atrophy with postnatal progressive microcephaly
term:
id: MONDO:0013351
label: infantile cerebral and cerebellar atrophy with postnatal progressive microcephaly
parents:
- Autosomal recessive intellectual disability
- Neurodevelopmental disorder
- Mediator complex-associated disorder
classifications:
harrisons_chapter:
- classification_value: GENETICS_ENVIRONMENT_DISEASE
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20950787
reference_title: "Infantile cerebral and cerebellar atrophy is associated with a mutation in the MED17 subunit of the transcription preinitiation mediator complex."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "A missense mutation in one of them, MED17, segregated with the disease state in the families"
explanation: Supports classification as a heritable autosomal recessive genetic disorder.
- classification_value: NEUROLOGIC
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20950787
reference_title: "Infantile cerebral and cerebellar atrophy is associated with a mutation in the MED17 subunit of the transcription preinitiation mediator complex."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "Five infants from four unrelated families of Caucasus Jewish origin presented soon after birth with spasticity, epilepsy, and profound psychomotor retardation."
explanation: Supports classification as a neurodevelopmental / neurologic (and neurodegenerative) disorder.
prevalence:
- population: Caucasus Jewish
measure_type: CASES_IN_LITERATURE
prevalence_class: BELOW_1_IN_1000000
notes: >-
Ultra-rare, clustering in Caucasus-Jewish founder families carrying the recurrent
p.Leu371Pro allele. A later delineation study assembled 15 patients (10 males, 5 females)
from 11 families carrying the same founder allele. No population-based prevalence
estimate is available.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20950787
reference_title: "Infantile cerebral and cerebellar atrophy is associated with a mutation in the MED17 subunit of the transcription preinitiation mediator complex."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "all homozygous for the p.L371P mutation and all originating from Caucasus Jewish families."
explanation: Documents the founder-population structure of the defining cohort.
- reference: PMID:33756211
reference_title: "Delineation of the phenotype of MED17-related disease in Caucasus-Jewish families."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "The study cohort, including the previously reported patients, comprised 10 males and 5 females from 11 families."
explanation: Documents the expanded founder-allele cohort (15 patients from 11 families), supporting the statement that additional families have been reported.
pathophysiology:
- name: MED17 head-module Mediator dysfunction
description: >
MED17 is a subunit of the head module of the Mediator complex, required for RNA polymerase
II preinitiation. The recurrent p.Leu371Pro variant is a loss-of-function allele (it
inactivated the homologous yeast SRB4 gene in complementation assays), disrupting
Mediator-dependent transcription. The resulting phenotype is a severe, postnatal-onset
neurodegenerative process. MED17 belongs to the group of Mediator complex-associated
disease genes.
genes:
- preferred_term: MED17
term:
id: hgnc:2375
label: MED17
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: transcription by RNA polymerase II
term:
id: GO:0006366
label: transcription by RNA polymerase II
- preferred_term: regulation of gene expression
term:
id: GO:0010468
label: regulation of gene expression
modifier: DYSREGULATED
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20950787
reference_title: "Infantile cerebral and cerebellar atrophy is associated with a mutation in the MED17 subunit of the transcription preinitiation mediator complex."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: "A corresponding mutation in the homologous S.cerevisiae gene SRB4 inactivated the protein, according to complementation assays."
explanation: Yeast complementation establishes the MED17 founder allele as loss-of-function.
downstream:
- target: Postnatal neurodegeneration and brain atrophy
description: >-
MED17 loss of function disrupts Mediator-dependent transcription, producing postnatal
progressive microcephaly with cerebral and cerebellar atrophy.
- name: Postnatal neurodegeneration and brain atrophy
description: >
Downstream of MED17 head-module dysfunction, a severe postnatal neurodegenerative process
produces declining head-circumference percentiles (postnatal progressive microcephaly),
marked cerebral and cerebellar atrophy with a severe myelination defect, spasticity,
epilepsy, and profound psychomotor retardation.
cell_types:
- preferred_term: neuron
term:
id: CL:0000540
label: neuron
locations:
- preferred_term: cerebellum
term:
id: UBERON:0002037
label: cerebellum
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: myelination
term:
id: GO:0042552
label: myelination
modifier: DECREASED
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20950787
reference_title: "Infantile cerebral and cerebellar atrophy is associated with a mutation in the MED17 subunit of the transcription preinitiation mediator complex."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "homozygosity for this mutation is associated with infantile cerebral and cerebellar atrophy with poor myelination."
explanation: Documents the cerebral/cerebellar atrophy and myelination defect central to the disorder.
downstream:
- target: Progressive microcephaly
description: A postnatal neurodegenerative process produces declining head circumference and progressive microcephaly.
- target: Cerebral atrophy
description: Neurodegeneration produces marked cerebral atrophy.
- target: Cerebellar atrophy
description: Neurodegeneration produces marked cerebellar atrophy.
- target: Spasticity
description: Disrupted motor pathways produce spasticity.
- target: Seizures
description: Cortical dysfunction produces epilepsy.
- target: Global developmental delay
description: The neurodegenerative process produces profound psychomotor retardation.
phenotypes:
- category: Clinical
name: Progressive microcephaly
description: >
Postnatal progressive microcephaly with declining head-circumference percentiles is a
defining feature; infants are normocephalic at birth.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Progressive microcephaly
term:
id: HP:0000253
label: Progressive microcephaly
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20950787
reference_title: "Infantile cerebral and cerebellar atrophy is associated with a mutation in the MED17 subunit of the transcription preinitiation mediator complex."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "Primary microcephaly of postnatal onset is a feature of many neurological disorders, mostly associated with mental retardation, seizures, and spasticity, and it typically carries a grave prognosis."
explanation: Documents postnatal-onset progressive microcephaly and its grave prognosis; the source does not quantify a per-feature frequency, so no band is asserted.
- category: Clinical
name: Global developmental delay
frequency: VERY_FREQUENT
description: >
Profound psychomotor retardation is present in all affected infants.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Global developmental delay
term:
id: HP:0001263
label: Global developmental delay
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20950787
reference_title: "Infantile cerebral and cerebellar atrophy is associated with a mutation in the MED17 subunit of the transcription preinitiation mediator complex."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "Five infants from four unrelated families of Caucasus Jewish origin presented soon after birth with spasticity, epilepsy, and profound psychomotor retardation."
explanation: Documents profound psychomotor retardation in all affected infants.
- reference: PMID:33756211
reference_title: "Delineation of the phenotype of MED17-related disease in Caucasus-Jewish families."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "All of them eventually developed profound intellectual disability."
explanation: The delineation cohort reports profound intellectual disability in all patients, supporting the VERY_FREQUENT band.
- category: Clinical
name: Spasticity
frequency: VERY_FREQUENT
description: >
Spasticity is present from early infancy.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Spasticity
term:
id: HP:0001257
label: Spasticity
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20950787
reference_title: "Infantile cerebral and cerebellar atrophy is associated with a mutation in the MED17 subunit of the transcription preinitiation mediator complex."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "Five infants from four unrelated families of Caucasus Jewish origin presented soon after birth with spasticity, epilepsy, and profound psychomotor retardation."
explanation: Documents spasticity as an early, near-universal feature.
- reference: PMID:33756211
reference_title: "Delineation of the phenotype of MED17-related disease in Caucasus-Jewish families."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "All patients had progressive spasticity and were wheelchair bound due to spastic quadriplegia."
explanation: The delineation cohort reports progressive spasticity in all patients, supporting the VERY_FREQUENT band.
- category: Clinical
name: Seizures
frequency: VERY_FREQUENT
description: >
Epilepsy is present from early infancy.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Seizure
term:
id: HP:0001250
label: Seizure
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20950787
reference_title: "Infantile cerebral and cerebellar atrophy is associated with a mutation in the MED17 subunit of the transcription preinitiation mediator complex."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "Five infants from four unrelated families of Caucasus Jewish origin presented soon after birth with spasticity, epilepsy, and profound psychomotor retardation."
explanation: Documents epilepsy as an early, near-universal feature.
- reference: PMID:33756211
reference_title: "Delineation of the phenotype of MED17-related disease in Caucasus-Jewish families."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "Epilepsy of varied severity was present in all patients."
explanation: The delineation cohort reports epilepsy in all patients, supporting the VERY_FREQUENT band.
- category: Clinical
name: Cerebral atrophy
description: >
Marked cerebral atrophy with a severe myelination defect is seen on brain MRI.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Cerebral atrophy
term:
id: HP:0002059
label: Cerebral atrophy
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20950787
reference_title: "Infantile cerebral and cerebellar atrophy is associated with a mutation in the MED17 subunit of the transcription preinitiation mediator complex."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "homozygosity for this mutation is associated with infantile cerebral and cerebellar atrophy with poor myelination."
explanation: Documents cerebral atrophy as a defining imaging feature.
- category: Clinical
name: Cerebellar atrophy
description: >
Marked cerebellar atrophy is seen on brain MRI.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Cerebellar atrophy
term:
id: HP:0001272
label: Cerebellar atrophy
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20950787
reference_title: "Infantile cerebral and cerebellar atrophy is associated with a mutation in the MED17 subunit of the transcription preinitiation mediator complex."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "homozygosity for this mutation is associated with infantile cerebral and cerebellar atrophy with poor myelination."
explanation: Documents cerebellar atrophy as a defining imaging feature.
genetic:
- name: MED17 biallelic founder variant
association: Causative
gene_term:
preferred_term: MED17
term:
id: hgnc:2375
label: MED17
inheritance:
- name: Autosomal Recessive
inheritance_term:
preferred_term: Autosomal recessive inheritance
term:
id: HP:0000007
label: Autosomal recessive inheritance
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20950787
reference_title: "Infantile cerebral and cerebellar atrophy is associated with a mutation in the MED17 subunit of the transcription preinitiation mediator complex."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "all homozygous for the p.L371P mutation and all originating from Caucasus Jewish families."
explanation: Homozygosity for the founder allele causing disease is consistent with autosomal recessive inheritance.
features: >
Biallelic variants; recurrent homozygous founder allele p.Leu371Pro in Caucasus-Jewish
families, shown to be loss-of-function by yeast SRB4 complementation.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20950787
reference_title: "Infantile cerebral and cerebellar atrophy is associated with a mutation in the MED17 subunit of the transcription preinitiation mediator complex."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "We conclude that the p. L371P mutation in MED17 is a founder mutation in the Caucasus Jewish community"
explanation: Establishes the recurrent MED17 founder allele.
treatments:
- name: Supportive Care
description: >
Supportive and palliative care, including seizure management and management of spasticity
and feeding difficulties, given the grave prognosis.
treatment_term:
preferred_term: Supportive Care
term:
id: NCIT:C15747
label: Supportive Care
- name: Genetic Counseling
description: >
Genetic counseling is recommended given the autosomal recessive inheritance and
founder-allele population structure, with carrier testing for at-risk relatives.
treatment_term:
preferred_term: Genetic Counseling
term:
id: NCIT:C15240
label: Genetic Counseling
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20950787
reference_title: "Infantile cerebral and cerebellar atrophy is associated with a mutation in the MED17 subunit of the transcription preinitiation mediator complex."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "all homozygous for the p.L371P mutation and all originating from Caucasus Jewish families."
explanation: A shared homozygous founder allele in a defined population establishes the autosomal recessive basis that warrants carrier and recurrence-risk counseling.