Defects in BSCL2 are the cause of congenital generalized lipodystrophy type 2 (CGL2) . Congenital generalized lipodystrophy is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by a near absence of adipose tissue, extreme insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia, hepatic steatosis and early onset of diabetes.
Defects in BSCL2 are the cause of spastic paraplegia type 17 (SPG17) ; also known as Silver spastic paraplegia syndrome. Spastic paraplegia is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a slow, gradual, progressive weakness and spasticity of the lower limbs. SPG17 is characterized by prominent amyotrophy of the hand muscles, the presence of mild to severe pyramidal tract signs, and spastic paraplegia.
SPG17 is a motor neuron disease overlapping with distal spinal muscular atrophy type 5. Defects in BSCL2 are a cause of distal hereditary motor neuropathy type 5 (HMN5); also known aS distal hereditary motor neuropathy type V (DSMAV). HMN5 is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by degeneration of motor nerve fibers, predominantly in limb distal regions.