Pathogenicity of novel ABCD1 variants: The need for biochemical testing in the era of advanced genetics.

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a progressive neurodegenerative disease, is caused by mutations in ABCD1 and characterized by very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA) accumulation. In male patients, an increased plasma VLCFA levels in combination with a pathogenic mutation in ABCD1 confirms the diagnosis. Recent studies have shown that many women with ALD also develop myelopathy. Correct diagnosis is important for management including genetic counseling. Diagnosis in women can only be confirmed when VLCFA levels are elevated or when a known pathogenic ABCD1 mutation is identified. However, in 15-20% of women with ALD VLCFA plasma levels are not elevated. Demonstration that a novel sequence variant is pathogenic can be a challenge when VLCFA levels are in the normal range. Here we report two women with a clinical presentation compatible with ALD, an ABCD1 variation (p.Arg17His and p.Ser358Pro) of unknown significance, but with normal VLCFA levels. We developed a diagnostic test that is based on generating clonal cell lines that express only one of the two alleles. Subsequent biochemical studies enabled us to show that the two sequence variants were not pathogenic, thereby excluding the diagnosis ALD in these women. We conclude that the clonal approach is an important addition to the existing diagnostic array.

C26:0-Carnitine Is a New Biomarker for X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy in Mice and Man.

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a progressive neurodegenerative disease, is caused by mutations in ABCD1 and characterized by very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA) accumulation. Virtually all males develop progressive myelopathy (AMN). A subset of patients, however, develops a fatal cerebral demyelinating disease (cerebral ALD). Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is curative for cerebral ALD provided the procedure is performed in an early stage of the disease. Unfortunately, this narrow therapeutic window is often missed. Therefore, an increasing number of newborn screening programs are including ALD. To identify new biomarkers for ALD, we developed an Abcd1 knockout mouse with enhanced VLCFA synthesis either ubiquitous or restricted to oligodendrocytes. Biochemical analysis revealed VLCFA accumulation in different lipid classes and acylcarnitines. Both C26:0-lysoPC and C26:0-carnitine were highly elevated in brain, spinal cord, but also in bloodspots. We extended the analysis to patients and confirmed that C26:0-carnitine is also elevated in bloodspots from ALD patients. We anticipate that validation of C26:0-carnitine for the diagnosis of ALD in newborn bloodspots may lead to a faster inclusion of ALD in newborn screening programs in countries that already screen for other inborn errors of metabolism.

Enzymatic characterization of ELOVL1, a key enzyme in very long-chain fatty acid synthesis.

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a neurometabolic disease that is caused by mutations in the ABCD1 gene. ABCD1 protein deficiency impairs peroxisomal very long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) degradation resulting in increased cytosolic VLCFA-CoA levels, which are further elongated by the VLCFA-specific elongase, ELOVL1. In adulthood, X-ALD most commonly manifests as a gradually progressive myelopathy (adrenomyeloneuropathy; AMN) without any curative or disease modifying treatments. We recently showed that bezafibrate reduces VLCFA accumulation in X-ALD fibroblasts by inhibiting ELOVL1. Although, in a clinical trial, bezafibrate was unable to lower VLCFA levels in plasma or lymphocytes in X-ALD patients, inhibition of ELOVL1 remains an attractive therapeutic option. In this study, we investigated the kinetic characteristics of ELOVL1 using X-ALD fibroblasts and microsomal fractions from ELOVL1 over-expressing HEK293 cell lines and analyzed the inhibition kinetics of a series of fibrates. Our data show that the CoA esters of bezafibrate and gemfibrozil reduce chain elongation by specifically inhibiting ELOVL1. These fibrates can therefore serve as lead compounds for the development of more potent and more specific inhibitors for ELOVL1.

Bezafibrate lowers very long-chain fatty acids in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy fibroblasts by inhibiting fatty acid elongation.

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is caused by mutations in the ABCD1 gene encoding ALDP, an ATP-binding-cassette (ABC) transporter located in the peroxisomal membrane. ALDP deficiency results in impaired peroxisomal ß-oxidation and the subsequent accumulation of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA; > C22:0) in plasma and tissues. VLCFA are primarily derived from endogenous synthesis by ELOVL1. Therefore inhibiting this enzyme might constitute a feasible therapeutic approach. In this paper we demonstrate that bezafibrate, a PPAR pan agonist used for the treatment of patients with hyperlipidaemia reduces VLCFA levels in X-ALD fibroblasts. Surprisingly, the VLCFA-lowering effect was independent of PPAR activation and not caused by the increase in either mitochondrial or peroxisomal fatty acid ß-oxidation capacity. In fact, our results show that bezafibrate reduces VLCFA synthesis by decreasing the synthesis of C26:0 through a direct inhibition of fatty acid elongation activity. Taken together, our data indicate bezafibrate as a potential pharmacotherapeutic treatment for X-ALD. A clinical trial is currently ongoing to evaluate the effect in patients with X-ALD.