RAB33B-related Smith-McCort dysplasia 2 is a rare autosomal recessive spondylo-epi-metaphyseal skeletal dysplasia caused by biallelic RAB33B variants. RAB33B encodes a Golgi-localized Rab GTPase involved in Golgi vesicle trafficking and autophagy. Pathogenic variants reduce or destabilize Rab33b, prevent normal Golgi-membrane localization, alter autophagosome formation in cell models, and are linked in a knock-in mouse model to impaired osteoclast function, altered protein glycosylation, and abnormal bone material properties. Clinically, SMC2 resembles Dyggve-Melchior-Clausen skeletal dysplasia radiographically but is distinguished by normal cognition and lack of microcephaly in the classic presentation.
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name: RAB33B-Related Smith-McCort Dysplasia 2
creation_date: "2026-07-06T12:00:00Z"
category: Mendelian
description: >-
RAB33B-related Smith-McCort dysplasia 2 is a rare autosomal recessive
spondylo-epi-metaphyseal skeletal dysplasia caused by biallelic RAB33B
variants. RAB33B encodes a Golgi-localized Rab GTPase involved in Golgi
vesicle trafficking and autophagy. Pathogenic variants reduce or destabilize
Rab33b, prevent normal Golgi-membrane localization, alter autophagosome
formation in cell models, and are linked in a knock-in mouse model to impaired
osteoclast function, altered protein glycosylation, and abnormal bone
material properties. Clinically, SMC2 resembles Dyggve-Melchior-Clausen
skeletal dysplasia radiographically but is distinguished by normal cognition
and lack of microcephaly in the classic presentation.
disease_term:
preferred_term: Smith-McCort dysplasia 2
term:
id: MONDO:0014087
label: Smith-McCort dysplasia 2
parents:
- Smith-McCort dysplasia
- Skeletal Dysplasia
- RAB protein disorder
synonyms:
- SMC2
- Smith-McCort dysplasia due to RAB33B deficiency
- RAB33B deficiency
- RAB33B-related spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia
external_assertions:
- name: OMIM Smith-McCort dysplasia 2 record
source: OMIM
assertion_type: disease_record
external_id: OMIM:615222
description: OMIM phenotype identifier for RAB33B-related Smith-McCort dysplasia 2.
classifications:
icimd_category:
- classification_value: vesicular_trafficking
notes: >-
WP-068 classification 19.6.70.01: Complex Molecule and Organelle
Metabolism, disorders of organelle biogenesis, dynamics and interactions,
disorders of vesicular trafficking.
inheritance:
- name: Autosomal recessive inheritance
inheritance_term:
preferred_term: Autosomal recessive inheritance
term:
id: HP:0000007
label: Autosomal recessive inheritance
description: >-
RAB33B-related SMC2 is reported in homozygous and compound heterozygous
affected individuals and families.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:23042644
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Smith-McCort dysplasia (SMC) is a rare autosomal recessive
spondylo-epi-metaphyseal dysplasia
explanation: >-
The RAB33B case report defines SMC as an autosomal recessive skeletal
dysplasia.
- reference: PMID:28127940
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Here we present three SMC patients with four novel pathogenic variants in
RAB33B, including homozygosity for c.211C>T (p.R71*), homozygosity for
c.365T>C (p.F122S), and compound heterozygosity for c.48delCGGGGCAG
(p.G17Vfs*58) and c.490C>T (p.Q164*).
explanation: >-
Homozygous and compound heterozygous RAB33B pathogenic variants support
autosomal recessive inheritance.
pathophysiology:
- name: RAB33B Golgi Rab GTPase deficiency
description: >-
Biallelic RAB33B variants impair a Golgi-localized Rab GTPase required for
vesicle trafficking and autophagy-associated membrane events.
genes:
- preferred_term: RAB33B
term:
id: hgnc:16075
label: RAB33B
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: Golgi vesicle transport
modifier: ABNORMAL
term:
id: GO:0048193
label: Golgi vesicle transport
- preferred_term: autophagy
modifier: ABNORMAL
term:
id: GO:0006914
label: autophagy
locations:
- preferred_term: Golgi apparatus
term:
id: GO:0005794
label: Golgi apparatus
evidence:
- reference: PMID:23042644
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
identification of a missense mutation in RAB33B, another Golgi protein
involved in retrograde transport of Golgi vesicles.
explanation: >-
Human genetic evidence links RAB33B and its Golgi retrograde transport
role to SMC.
- reference: PMID:31408960
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: >-
Rab33b is a protein that localises to the Golgi apparatus and has
suggested functions in both membrane trafficking and autophagic processes.
explanation: >-
The review places Rab33b at the Golgi and in membrane-trafficking and
autophagy biology.
downstream:
- target: Rab33b protein instability and Golgi mislocalization
causal_link_type: DIRECT
description: >-
Disease-causing Rab33b variants reduce protein abundance or prevent normal
accumulation on Golgi membranes.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:23042644
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: >-
Here, we report a novel RAB33B mutation in a second SMC case that leads
to a marked reduction of the protein
explanation: >-
Protein studies in a second SMC case support reduced Rab33b abundance.
- name: Rab33b protein instability and Golgi mislocalization
description: >-
Mutant Rab33b proteins are unstable, prematurely degraded, and fail to
accumulate normally on Golgi membranes, reducing Golgi trafficking and
autophagy functions.
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: Golgi organization
modifier: ABNORMAL
term:
id: GO:0007030
label: Golgi organization
- preferred_term: autophagy
modifier: DECREASED
term:
id: GO:0006914
label: autophagy
evidence:
- reference: PMID:41506134
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: >-
all of these mutants show subcellular mislocalisation and fail to
accumulate on Golgi membranes.
explanation: >-
Cell-culture expression of five disease-causing variants supports Golgi
mislocalization.
- reference: PMID:41506134
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: >-
overexpression of the single amino acid substitution variants in cells
induced for autophagy causes a severe reduction in the number of
autophagosomes
explanation: >-
Functional experiments support impaired autophagosome formation for
missense variants.
downstream:
- target: Osteoclast and protein-glycosylation dysfunction
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_KNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
intermediate_mechanisms:
- altered Golgi-dependent protein processing
- impaired autophagy-associated membrane trafficking
evidence:
- reference: PMID:37359363
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >-
Our data reveal a potential novel role of RAB33B in osteoclast function
and protein glycosylation and their dysregulation in SMC
explanation: >-
The knock-in mouse model connects RAB33B dysfunction to osteoclast and
glycosylation abnormalities.
- name: Osteoclast and protein-glycosylation dysfunction
description: >-
Golgi/autophagy dysfunction in RAB33B-related SMC disrupts skeletal-tissue
homeostasis through impaired osteoclast function and altered protein
glycosylation in skeletal and other tissues.
cell_types:
- preferred_term: osteoclast
term:
id: CL:0000092
label: osteoclast
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: bone resorption
modifier: DECREASED
term:
id: GO:0045453
label: bone resorption
- preferred_term: protein N-linked glycosylation
modifier: ABNORMAL
term:
id: GO:0006487
label: protein N-linked glycosylation
- preferred_term: protein O-linked glycosylation
modifier: ABNORMAL
term:
id: GO:0006493
label: protein O-linked glycosylation
evidence:
- reference: PMID:37359363
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: "suggesting a bone resorption defect."
explanation: >-
The RAB33B knock-in mouse model showed a bone phenotype interpreted as a
resorption defect.
- reference: PMID:37359363
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >-
disturbed protein glycosylation in cells contributing to skeletal
formation
explanation: >-
Lectin staining findings support altered protein glycosylation in skeletal
disease-relevant cells.
downstream:
- target: Spondyloepimetaphyseal skeletal dysplasia
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_KNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
intermediate_mechanisms:
- abnormal bone resorption
- altered bone material properties
evidence:
- reference: PMID:28127940
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Both disorders share the same skeletal phenotypes characterized by
spondylo-epi-metaphyseal dysplasia with distinctive lacy ilia.
explanation: >-
This clinical review of RAB33B-associated SMC supports the core skeletal
phenotype.
- name: Spondyloepimetaphyseal skeletal dysplasia
description: >-
The tissue-level result is a Smith-McCort skeletal dysplasia with
spondylo-epi-metaphyseal involvement and characteristic lacy iliac changes,
typically without intellectual disability or microcephaly.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:23042644
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
skeletal features identical to those of Dyggve-Melchior-Clausen syndrome
(DMC) but with normal intelligence and no microcephaly.
explanation: >-
The RAB33B report defines the SMC phenotype and its distinction from DMC.
- reference: PMID:28127940
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "This report ascertains the pathogenic relationship between RAB33B and SMC."
explanation: >-
Additional patients strengthen the RAB33B-SMC causal association.
phenotypes:
- category: Musculoskeletal
name: Spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Skeletal dysplasia
term:
id: HP:0002652
label: Skeletal dysplasia
description: >-
The more specific clinical/radiographic pattern is
spondylo-epi-metaphyseal dysplasia.
notes: >-
Smith-McCort dysplasia is distinguished from Dyggve-Melchior-Clausen
dysplasia by normal cognition and no microcephaly; those are exclusion
context rather than positive phenotype assertions.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:23042644
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
spondylo-epi-metaphyseal dysplasia with skeletal features identical to
those of Dyggve-Melchior-Clausen syndrome (DMC) but with normal
intelligence and no microcephaly.
explanation: >-
The original RAB33B report supports the skeletal dysplasia phenotype and
documents the normal-intelligence/no-microcephaly distinction.
- reference: PMID:28127940
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
skeletal phenotypes characterized by spondylo-epi-metaphyseal dysplasia
with distinctive lacy ilia.
explanation: >-
HP:0002652 is used as a broad HPO mapping for this
spondylo-epi-metaphyseal dysplasia pattern.
- category: Growth
name: Short stature
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Short stature
term:
id: HP:0004322
label: Short stature
description: >-
Short trunk dwarfism and short neck/trunk are typical Smith-McCort dysplasia
skeletal-growth features.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:37359363
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
including short neck and trunk, p latyspondyly, hyperlordosis, various
joint abnormalities, and short bones
explanation: >-
The review of SMC clinical findings supports short stature as a
skeletal-growth phenotype.
genetic:
- name: RAB33B biallelic pathogenic variants
association: Loss of function mutation
relationship_type: CAUSATIVE
presence: Pathogenic
gene_term:
preferred_term: RAB33B
term:
id: hgnc:16075
label: RAB33B
inheritance:
- name: Autosomal recessive inheritance
inheritance_term:
preferred_term: Autosomal recessive inheritance
term:
id: HP:0000007
label: Autosomal recessive inheritance
features: >-
Reported pathogenic variants include homozygous missense or nonsense alleles
and compound heterozygous frameshift/nonsense variants, with functional
evidence for reduced protein, instability, Golgi mislocalization, and
impaired autophagy.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:28127940
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Recently, RAB33B (OMIM 605950) has been identified as the second gene for
SMC.
explanation: >-
The report identifies RAB33B as the second Smith-McCort dysplasia gene.
diagnosis:
- name: Clinical and Radiographic Recognition
description: >-
RAB33B-related SMC2 should be recognized in a child with a
spondylo-epi-metaphyseal skeletal dysplasia pattern, especially lacy ilia,
and differentiated from Dyggve-Melchior-Clausen dysplasia by normal
cognition and absence of microcephaly in the classic presentation.
diagnosis_term:
preferred_term: clinical imaging procedure
term:
id: MAXO:0000005
label: clinical imaging procedure
evidence:
- reference: PMID:28127940
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Both disorders share the same skeletal phenotypes characterized by
spondylo-epi-metaphyseal dysplasia with distinctive lacy ilia.
explanation: >-
This RAB33B case series identifies the core radiographic pattern used to
recognize Smith-McCort dysplasia and its Dyggve-Melchior-Clausen overlap.
- reference: PMID:28127940
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
The difference rests on the presence or absence of intellectual
disability, that is, intellectual disability in DMC and normal cognition
in SMC.
explanation: >-
Normal cognition is the key clinical discriminator from
Dyggve-Melchior-Clausen dysplasia in this paper's diagnostic framing.
- name: Molecular Confirmation of SMC2
description: >-
Molecular diagnosis is confirmed by identifying biallelic pathogenic RAB33B
variants in a patient with compatible Smith-McCort clinical and radiographic
findings.
diagnosis_term:
preferred_term: molecular genetic testing
term:
id: MAXO:0000533
label: molecular genetic testing
evidence:
- reference: PMID:28127940
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Here we present three SMC patients with four novel pathogenic variants in
RAB33B, including homozygosity for c.211C>T (p.R71*), homozygosity for
c.365T>C (p.F122S), and compound heterozygosity for c.48delCGGGGCAG
(p.G17Vfs*58) and c.490C>T (p.Q164*).
explanation: >-
The case series supports biallelic RAB33B pathogenic variants as the
molecular confirmation for SMC2.
discussions:
- discussion_id: gap_rab33b_mouse_partial_recapitulation
prompt: >-
Does the Rab33b Lys46Gln knock-in mouse capture the disease-relevant human
skeletal mechanism broadly enough to infer the SMC2 pathograph, or does its
partial, male-restricted phenotype mean that human chondrocyte, osteoclast,
and glycosylation biology require additional model systems?
kind: HUMAN_MODEL_MISMATCH
status: OPEN
attaches_to:
- pathophysiology#Osteoclast and protein-glycosylation dysfunction
- pathophysiology#Spondyloepimetaphyseal skeletal dysplasia
rationale: >-
The Rab33b knock-in mouse provides the strongest functional bridge from
RAB33B Golgi/autophagy dysfunction to bone resorption and glycosylation
defects, but the same paper reports incomplete and sex-specific phenotypic
recapitulation. That makes the mouse evidence valuable for mechanism
directionality while leaving uncertainty about which skeletal-cell defects
drive the progressive human spondylo-epi-metaphyseal phenotype.
proposed_experiments:
- experiment_id: exp_rab33b_human_skeletal_cell_models
name: Isogenic RAB33B-deficient human skeletal-cell differentiation models
description: >-
Generate patient-derived or CRISPR-edited human iPSC chondrocyte and
osteoclast differentiation systems and compare Golgi localization,
autophagosome formation, protein glycosylation, matrix production, and
bone-resorption readouts against rescued and wild-type controls.
- experiment_id: exp_rab33b_mouse_sex_age_series
name: Sex- and age-stratified Rab33b knock-in skeletal phenotyping
description: >-
Extend the Rab33b Lys46Gln mouse analysis across both sexes and multiple
developmental ages with vertebral, growth-plate, osteoclast, and
glycosylation readouts to test whether the human phenotype is missed
because of timing, skeletal site, or sex-specific expressivity.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:37359363
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >-
The mouse model only reproduced some of the features of the human disease
and was sex-specific, manifesting in male but not female mice.
explanation: >-
The model paper itself identifies the mismatch that motivates this open
discussion.
No provider-generated deep research artifact was present on the WP-068 branch. This fallback audit documents the literature scope used to curate and review the RAB33B-related entry from cached PubMed references.
The supported model is biallelic RAB33B dysfunction causing a Golgi Rab GTPase defect with Golgi mislocalization, reduced protein stability, impaired autophagy-associated membrane trafficking, and downstream osteoclast/protein glycosylation abnormalities. The phenotype should focus on spondylo-epi-metaphyseal skeletal dysplasia and short stature while preserving the reported distinction that classic Smith-McCort dysplasia has normal cognition and no microcephaly.