Bi-allelic Mutations in NDUFA6 Establish Its Role in Early-Onset Isolated Mitochondrial Complex I Deficiency.

Isolated complex I deficiency is a common biochemical phenotype observed in pediatric mitochondrial disease and often arises as a consequence of pathogenic variants affecting one of the ∼65 genes encoding the complex I structural subunits or assembly factors. Such genetic heterogeneity means that application of next-generation sequencing technologies to undiagnosed cohorts has been a catalyst for genetic diagnosis and gene-disease associations. We describe the clinical and molecular genetic investigations of four unrelated children who presented with neuroradiological findings and/or elevated lactate levels, highly suggestive of an underlying mitochondrial diagnosis. Next-generation sequencing identified bi-allelic variants in NDUFA6, encoding a 15 kDa LYR-motif-containing complex I subunit that forms part of the Q-module. Functional investigations using subjects' fibroblast cell lines demonstrated complex I assembly defects, which were characterized in detail by mass-spectrometry-based complexome profiling. This confirmed a marked reduction in incorporated NDUFA6 and a concomitant reduction in other Q-module subunits, including NDUFAB1, NDUFA7, and NDUFA12. Lentiviral transduction of subjects' fibroblasts showed normalization of complex I. These data also support supercomplex formation, whereby the ∼830 kDa complex I intermediate (consisting of the P- and Q-modules) is in complex with assembled complex III and IV holoenzymes despite lacking the N-module. Interestingly, RNA-sequencing data provided evidence that the consensus RefSeq accession number does not correspond to the predominant transcript in clinically relevant tissues, prompting revision of the NDUFA6 RefSeq transcript and highlighting not only the importance of thorough variant interpretation but also the assessment of appropriate transcripts for analysis.

Mannose phosphate isomerase deficiency-congenital disorder of glycosylation (MPI-CDG) with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis as first and only presenting symptom: A rare but treatable cause of thrombophilia.

Mannose phosphate isomerase deficiency-congenital disorder of glycosylation (MPI-CDG; formerly named CDG type 1b) is characterized by the clinical triad of hepatopathy, protein-losing enteropathy, and hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia in combination with coagulation disorder (thrombophilia, depletion of antithrombin, proteins C and S, factor XI). In the majority of patients, MPI-CDG manifests during early infancy or childhood. Here, we present a 15-year-old female patient with unremarkable medical history suffering from acute cerebral venous sinus thrombosis necessitating interventional thrombectomy and neurosurgical decompression. Diagnostic work-up of thrombophilia revealed deficiency of antithrombin (AT), proteins C and S, and factor XI. Detailed evaluation identified MPI-CDG as the underlying cause of disease. After initiation of mannose therapy, coagulation parameters normalized. The girl fully recovered without any neurologic sequelae, and remains free of further thrombotic events or any other clinical and laboratory abnormalities on follow-up 1 year after start of mannose treatment. In conclusion, we here present the significant case of MPI-CDG with a severe cerebral venous sinus thrombosis as the first and only symptom of the disease. In light of the high frequency of AT deficiency on one hand, and the excellent treatability of MPI-CDG on the other hand, CDG screening should be included as a routine analysis in all patients presenting with unexplained coagulation disorder, especially when comprising AT deficiency.