Despite their multifunctionality and ubiquitous expression, mutations in HSPB1 and HSPB8 affect specifically the peripheral nervous system causing the axonal form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy (CMT2) and/or distal hereditary motor neuropathy (dHMN) (Evgrafov et al. 2004; Irobi et al. 2004). Here, HSPB1 is linked to Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2.