SMN1 and proximal spinal muscular atrophy: In the study in which thePLS3gene expression and SMA relationship were investigated in 88 SMA patients (29 males less than 11 years old, 12 males older than 11 years old, 29 prepubertal females, and 18 postpubertal females), the highestPLS3gene expression was found in SMA type III postpubertal females.PLS3gene expression was reported as a modifier gene in females, as it varied according to age and puberty stage.23