Mondo Description An autosomal recessive myopathy caused by mutations in the KLHL40 gene, encoding Kelch-like protein 40. The phenotype is highly variable, and as such attempts at classification by clinical features is not optimal. Generally, affected individuals have generalized muscle weakness, and typically involves proximal muscles, the face, bulbar and respiratory muscles.

Uniprot Description A severe form of nemaline myopathy. Nemaline myopathies are muscular disorders characterized by muscle weakness of varying severity and onset, and abnormal thread-like or rod-shaped structures in muscle fibers on histologic examination. NEM8 is characterized by fetal akinesia or hypokinesia, followed by contractures, fractures, respiratory failure, and swallowing difficulties apparent at birth. Most patients die in infancy. Skeletal muscle biopsy shows numerous small nemaline bodies, often with no normal myofibrils.

Disease Ontology Description A nemaline myopathy characterized by fetal akinesia or hypokinesia, followed by contractures, fractures, respiratory failure, and swallowing difficulties apparent at birth that has_material_basis_in homozygous or compound heterozygous mutation in the KLHL40 gene on chromosome 3p22.