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1.
J Med Genet ; 2024 Jul 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38955476

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Transport protein particle (TRAPP) is a multiprotein complex that functions in localising proteins to the Golgi compartment. The TRAPPC11 subunit has been implicated in diseases affecting muscle, brain, eye and to some extent liver. We present three patients who are compound heterozygotes for a missense variant and a structural variant in the TRAPPC11 gene. TRAPPC11 structural variants have not yet been described in association with a disease. In order to reveal the estimated genesis of identified structural variants, we performed sequencing of individual breakpoint junctions and analysed the extent of homology and the presence of repetitive elements in and around the breakpoints. METHODS: Biochemical methods including isoelectric focusing on serum transferrin and apolipoprotein C-III, as well as mitochondrial respiratory chain complex activity measurements, were used. Muscle biopsy samples underwent histochemical analysis. Next-generation sequencing was employed for identifying sequence variants associated with neuromuscular disorders, and Sanger sequencing was used to confirm findings. RESULTS: We suppose that non-homologous end joining is a possible mechanism of deletion origin in two patients and non-allelic homologous recombination in one patient. Analyses of mitochondrial function performed in patients' skeletal muscles revealed an imbalance of mitochondrial metabolism, which worsens with age and disease progression. CONCLUSION: Our results contribute to further knowledge in the field of neuromuscular diseases and mutational mechanisms. This knowledge is important for understanding the molecular nature of human diseases and allows us to improve strategies for identifying disease-causing mutations.

2.
Genet Med ; 25(11): 100944, 2023 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37493040

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Zellweger spectrum disorders (ZSDs) are known as autosomal recessive disorders caused by defective peroxisome biogenesis due to bi-allelic pathogenic variants in any of at least 13 different PEX genes. Here, we report 2 unrelated patients who present with an autosomal dominant ZSD. METHODS: We performed biochemical and genetic studies in blood and skin fibroblasts of the patients and demonstrated the pathogenicity of the identified PEX14 variants by functional cell studies. RESULTS: We identified 2 different single heterozygous de novo variants in the PEX14 genes of 2 patients diagnosed with ZSD. Both variants cause messenger RNA mis-splicing, leading to stable expression of similar C-terminally truncated PEX14 proteins. Functional studies indicated that the truncated PEX14 proteins lost their function in peroxisomal matrix protein import and cause increased degradation of peroxisomes, ie, pexophagy, thus exerting a dominant-negative effect on peroxisome functioning. Inhibition of pexophagy by different autophagy inhibitors or genetic knockdown of the peroxisomal autophagy receptor NBR1 resulted in restoration of peroxisomal functions in the patients' fibroblasts. CONCLUSION: Our finding of an autosomal dominant ZSD expands the genetic repertoire of ZSDs. Our study underscores that single heterozygous variants should not be ignored as possible genetic cause of diseases with an established autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.


Subject(s)
Zellweger Syndrome , Humans , Alleles , Peroxisomes/genetics , Peroxisomes/metabolism , Protein Transport/physiology , Proteins/genetics , Zellweger Syndrome/genetics
3.
Mol Genet Metab ; 139(3): 107624, 2023 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37348148

ABSTRACT

Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder affecting the biosynthesis of dopamine, a precursor of both norepinephrine and epinephrine, and serotonin. Diagnosis is based on the analysis of CSF or plasma metabolites, AADC activity in plasma and genetic testing for variants in the DDC gene. The exact prevalence of AADC deficiency, the number of patients, and the variant and genotype prevalence are not known. Here, we present the DDC variant (n = 143) and genotype (n = 151) prevalence of 348 patients with AADC deficiency, 121 of whom were previously not reported. In addition, we report 26 new DDC variants, classify them according to the ACMG/AMP/ACGS recommendations for pathogenicity and score them based on the predicted structural effect. The splice variant c.714+4A>T, with a founder effect in Taiwan and China, was the most common variant (allele frequency = 32.4%), and c.[714+4A>T];[714+4A>T] was the most common genotype (genotype frequency = 21.3%). Approximately 90% of genotypes had variants classified as pathogenic or likely pathogenic, while 7% had one VUS allele and 3% had two VUS alleles. Only one benign variant was reported. Homozygous and compound heterozygous genotypes were interpreted in terms of AADC protein and categorized as: i) devoid of full-length AADC, ii) bearing one type of AADC homodimeric variant or iii) producing an AADC protein population composed of two homodimeric and one heterodimeric variant. Based on structural features, a score was attributed for all homodimers, and a tentative prediction was advanced for the heterodimer. Almost all AADC protein variants were pathogenic or likely pathogenic.


Subject(s)
Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors , Aromatic-L-Amino-Acid Decarboxylases , Humans , Prevalence , Dopamine/metabolism , Genotype , Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors/epidemiology , Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors/genetics , Amino Acids/genetics
4.
Ultrastruct Pathol ; 46(5): 462-475, 2022 Sep 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35946926

ABSTRACT

Huntington´s disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with onset in adulthood that leads to a complete disability and death in approximately 20 years after onset of symptoms. HD is caused by an expansion of a CAG triplet in the gene for huntingtin. Although the disease causes most damage to striatal neurons, other parts of the nervous system and many peripheral tissues are also markedly affected. Besides huntingtin malfunction, mitochondrial impairment has been previously described as an important player in HD. This study focuses on mitochondrial structure and function in cultivated skin fibroblasts from 10 HD patients to demonstrate mitochondrial impairment in extra-neuronal tissue. Mitochondrial structure, mitochondrial fission, and cristae organization were significantly disrupted and signs of elevated apoptosis were found. In accordance with structural changes, we also found indicators of functional alteration of mitochondria. Mitochondrial disturbances presented in fibroblasts from HD patients confirm that the energy metabolism damage in HD is not localized only to the central nervous system, but also may play role in the pathogenesis of HD in peripheral tissues. Skin fibroblasts can thus serve as a suitable cellular model to make insight into HD pathobiochemical processes and for the identification of possible targets for new therapies.


Subject(s)
Huntington Disease , Neurodegenerative Diseases , Adult , Fibroblasts/metabolism , Humans , Huntington Disease/genetics , Huntington Disease/metabolism , Huntington Disease/pathology , Mitochondria/pathology , Neurodegenerative Diseases/metabolism , Neurodegenerative Diseases/pathology , Neurons/pathology
5.
Mol Genet Metab ; 132(3): 189-197, 2021 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33317989

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Despite profound neurological symptomatology there are only few MRI studies focused on the brain abnormalities in alpha-mannosidosis (AM). Our aim was to characterize brain MRI findings in a large cohort of AM patients along with clinical manifestations. METHODS: Twenty-two brain MRIs acquired in 13 untreated AM patients (8 M/5F; median age 17 years) were independently assessed by three experienced readers and compared to 16 controls. RESULTS: Focal and/or diffuse hyperintense signals in the cerebral white matter were present in most (85%) patients. Cerebellar atrophy was common (62%), present from the age of 5 years. Progression was observed in two out of 6 patients with follow-up scans. Cortical atrophy (62%) and corpus callosum thinning (23%) were already present in a 13-month-old child. The presence of low T2 signal intensity in basal ganglia and thalami was excluded by the normalized signal intensity profiling. The enlargement of perivascular spaces in white matter (38%), widening of perioptic CSF spaces (62%), and enlargement of cisterna magna (85%) were also observed. Diploic space thickening (100%), mucosal thickening (69%) and sinus hypoplasia (54%) were the most frequent non-CNS abnormalities. CONCLUSION: White matter changes and cerebellar atrophy are proposed to be the characteristic brain MRI features of AM. The previously reported decreased T2 signal intensity in basal ganglia and thalami was not detected in this quantitative study. Rather, this relative MR appearance seems to be related to the diffuse high T2 signal in the adjacent white matter and not the gray matter iron deposition that has been hypothesized.


Subject(s)
Atrophy/diagnosis , Cerebellum/diagnostic imaging , White Matter/diagnostic imaging , alpha-Mannosidosis/diagnosis , Adolescent , Adult , Atrophy/diagnostic imaging , Atrophy/pathology , Brain/diagnostic imaging , Brain/pathology , Cerebellum/pathology , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Male , Nervous System Malformations/diagnosis , Nervous System Malformations/diagnostic imaging , Nervous System Malformations/pathology , Neuroimaging/methods , White Matter/pathology , Young Adult , alpha-Mannosidosis/diagnostic imaging , alpha-Mannosidosis/pathology
6.
Acta Paediatr ; 110(11): 2994-2999, 2021 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34289149

ABSTRACT

AIM: Extremely low birthweight (ELBW) neonates require a high protein intake, but this can be challenging in the very rare cases when they also have phenylketonuria (PKU). This is due to a lack of suitable parenteral nutrition or enteral formula. Our aim was to analyse tolerance to phenylalanine in these infants. MATERIAL: There are approximately 110 000 children born in the Czech Republic each year. A neonatal screening programme from 2005 to 2020 found that 320 neonates had PKU, including 30 premature neonates with a birth weight of less than 2500 g. RESULTS: This study focused on three neonates who were born with ELBWs of 720, 740 and 950 g, respectively. Phenylalanine levels normalised in ELBW neonates with PKU within 1 week of the introduction of low-phenylalanine parenteral or enteral nutrition. The tolerance to phenylalanine was very high (70-110 mg/kg) in the first months of life, due to a rapid weight gain, but significantly decreased during infancy. CONCLUSION: Extremely low birthweight neonates with PKU need special dietary management. Regular assessments of phenylalanine are necessary during the first weeks of life to allow prompt dietary adjustments that reflect rapid weight gain and transitory high tolerance to phenylalanine.


Subject(s)
Phenylketonurias , Birth Weight , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Neonatal Screening , Parenteral Nutrition , Phenylalanine , Phenylketonurias/diagnosis
7.
J Inherit Metab Dis ; 43(4): 694-700, 2020 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32216104

ABSTRACT

Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) represent a wide range of >140 inherited metabolic diseases, continually expanding not only with regards to the number of newly identified causative genes, but also the heterogeneity of the clinical and molecular presentations within each subtype. The deficiency of ATP6AP1, an accessory subunit of the vacuolar H+ -ATPase, is a recently characterised N- and O-glycosylation defect manifesting with immunodeficiency, hepatopathy and cognitive impairment. At the cellular level, the latest studies demonstrate a complex disturbance of metabolomics involving peroxisomal function and lipid homeostasis in the patients. Our study delineates a case of two severely affected siblings with a new hemizygous variant c.221T>C (p.L74P) in ATP6AP1 gene, who both died due to liver failure before reaching 1 year of age. We bring novel pathobiochemical observations including the finding of increased reactive oxygen species in the cultured fibroblasts from the older boy, a striking copper accumulation in his liver, as well as describe the impact of the mutation on the protein in different organs, showing a tissue-specific pattern of ATP6AP1 level and its posttranslational modification.


Subject(s)
Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation/genetics , Copper/metabolism , Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes/genetics , Liver Diseases/genetics , Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases/genetics , Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation/diagnosis , Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation/metabolism , Fatal Outcome , Humans , Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes/diagnosis , Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes/metabolism , Infant , Liver Diseases/diagnosis , Liver Diseases/metabolism , Male , Metabolomics , Mutation , Oxidative Stress/genetics , Phenotype , Protein Processing, Post-Translational , Siblings , Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases/deficiency
8.
BMC Pediatr ; 20(1): 41, 2020 01 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31996177

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Maternally inherited complex I deficiencies due to mutations in MT-ND genes represent a heterogeneous group of multisystem mitochondrial disorders (MD) with a unfavourable prognosis. The aim of the study was to characterize the impact of the mutations in MT-ND genes, including the novel m.13091 T > C variant, on the course of the disease, and to analyse the activities of respiratory chain complexes, the amount of protein subunits, and the mitochondrial energy-generating system (MEGS) in available muscle biopsies and cultivated fibroblasts. METHODS: The respiratory chain complex activities were measured by spectrophotometry, MEGS were analysed using radiolabelled substrates, and protein amount by SDS-PAGE or BN-PAGE in muscle or fibroblasts. RESULTS: In our cohort of 106 unrelated families carrying different mtDNA mutations, we found heteroplasmic mutations in the genes MT-ND1, MT-ND3, and MT-ND5, including the novel variant m.13091 T > C, in 13 patients with MD from 12 families. First symptoms developed between early childhood and adolescence and progressed to multisystem disease with a phenotype of Leigh or MELAS syndromes. MRI revealed bilateral symmetrical involvement of deep grey matter typical of Leigh syndrome in 6 children, cortical/white matter stroke-like lesions suggesting MELAS syndrome in 3 patients, and a combination of cortico-subcortical lesions and grey matter involvement in 4 patients. MEGS indicated mitochondrial disturbances in all available muscle samples, as well as a significantly decreased oxidation of [1-14C] pyruvate in fibroblasts. Spectrophotometric analyses revealed a low activity of complex I and/or complex I + III in all muscle samples except one, but the activities in fibroblasts were mostly normal. No correlation was found between complex I activities and mtDNA mutation load, but higher levels of heteroplasmy were generally found in more severely affected patients. CONCLUSIONS: Maternally inherited complex I deficiencies were found in 11% of families with mitochondrial diseases in our region. Six patients manifested with Leigh, three with MELAS. The remaining four patients presented with an overlap between these two syndromes. MEGS, especially the oxidation of [1-14C] pyruvate in fibroblasts might serve as a sensitive indicator of functional impairment due to MT-ND mutations. Early onset of the disease and higher level of mtDNA heteroplasmy were associated with a worse prognosis.


Subject(s)
DNA, Mitochondrial , Electron Transport Complex I/deficiency , Leigh Disease/genetics , MELAS Syndrome/genetics , Mitochondrial Diseases/genetics , Mutation , Adolescent , Adult , Age of Onset , Biopsy , Brain/diagnostic imaging , Brain/pathology , Cells, Cultured , Child , Electron Transport Complex I/genetics , Electron Transport Complex I/metabolism , Female , Fibroblasts/metabolism , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
9.
Prague Med Rep ; 121(3): 153-162, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33030144

ABSTRACT

Dominantly inherited mutations in COMP gene encoding cartilage oligomeric matrix protein may cause two dwarfing skeletal dysplasias, milder multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED) and more severe pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH). We studied the phenotype and X-rays of 11 patients from 5 unrelated families with different COMP mutations. Whole exome and/or Sangers sequencing were used for molecular analyses. Four to ten X-ray images of hands hips, knees or spine were available for each patient for retrospective analyses. Eight patients with MED have mutation c.1220G>A and 3 children with PSACH mutations c.1359C>A, c.1336G>A, or the novel mutation c.1126G>T in COMP. Progressive failure in growth developed in all patients from early childhood and resulted in short stature < 3rd percentile in 7 patients and very short stature < 1st percentile in four. Most patients had joint pain since childhood, severe stiffness in shoulders and elbows but increased mobility in wrists. Six children had bowlegs and two had knock knees. In all patients, X-rays of hands, hips and knees showed progressive, age-dependent skeletal involvement more pronounced in the epiphyses of long rather than short tubular bones. Anterior elongation and biconvex configuration of vertebral bodies were more conspicuous for kids. Six children had correction of knees and two adults had hip replacement. Skeletal and joint impairment in patients with MED and PSACH due to COMP mutation start in early childhood. Although the clinical severity is mutation and age dependent, many symptoms represent a continuous phenotypic spectrum between both diseases. Most patients may benefit from orthopaedic surgeries.


Subject(s)
Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein , Mutation , Osteochondrodysplasias , Achondroplasia , Adult , Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein/genetics , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Matrilin Proteins/genetics , Osteochondrodysplasias/diagnostic imaging , Osteochondrodysplasias/genetics , Retrospective Studies , Severity of Illness Index
10.
Ceska Slov Farm ; 69(1): 24-32, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32460507

ABSTRACT

Currently, nerve agents are often used in terrorist attacks or assassinations. In such cases, it is necessary to detect them quickly, accurately and easily right in the field. Detection tubes, which are small devices containing pellets with immobilized cholinesterase and detection reagents, meet these conditions. Their detection mechanism is based on a highly sensitive enzymatic Ellman reaction, when in the absence of cholinesterase inhibitors the pellets develop a visible yellow color, whereas in their presence the carriers retain the original color. The rate of reaction, its sensitivity and the distinct color transition are the key points of the research. In this experiment, double-coated pellets were prepared. The first coating contained the butyrylcholinesterase immobilized in hypromellose, while the second coating consisted of ethylcellulose and triethyl citrate. Based on the properties of such carriers, samples containing lactose dispersed in the ethylcellulose coating were also prepared, which was expected to have an effect on increasing the permeability of the coating and hence the detection rate and color intensity. In addition to selected physicochemical properties, carriers were evaluated for enzyme activity, sensitivity and color transition intensity. Samples showing the best properties were subjected to a 24-months stability test at three different temperatures and humidity.


Subject(s)
Butyrylcholinesterase/chemistry , Cellulose/analogs & derivatives , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/isolation & purification , Enzymes, Immobilized/chemistry
11.
Pediatr Blood Cancer ; 66(4): e27591, 2019 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30588737

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sideroblastic anemia represents a heterogeneous group of inherited or acquired diseases with disrupted erythroblast iron utilization, ineffective erythropoiesis, and variable systemic iron overload. In a cohort of 421 patients with multisystem mitochondrial diseases, refractory anemia was found in 8 children. RESULTS: Five children had sideroblastic anemia with increased numbers of ring sideroblasts >15%. Two of the children had a fatal course of MLASA1 syndrome (mitochondrial myopathy, lactic acidosis, and sideroblastic anemia [SA]) due to a homozygous, 6-kb deletion in the PUS1 gene, part of the six-member family of pseudouridine synthases (pseudouridylases). Large homozygous deletions represent a novel cause of presumed PUS1-loss-of-function phenotype. The other three children with SA had Pearson syndrome (PS) due to mtDNA deletions of 4 to 8 kb; two of these children showed early onset of PS and died due to repeated sepsis; the other child had later onset of PS and survived as the hematological parameters normalized and the disease transitioned to Kearns-Sayre syndrome. In addition, anemia without ring sideroblasts was found in three other patients with mitochondrial disorders, including two children with later onset of PS and one child with failure to thrive, microcephaly, developmental delay, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and renal tubular acidosis due to the heterozygous mutations c.610A>G (p.Asn204Asp) and c.674C>T (p.Pro225Leu) in the COX10 gene encoding the cytochrome c oxidase assembly factor. CONCLUSIONS: Sideroblastic anemia was found in fewer than 1.2% of patients with multisystem mitochondrial disease, and it was usually associated with an unfavorable prognosis.


Subject(s)
Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase, Long-Chain/deficiency , Anemia, Sideroblastic , Iron Overload , Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors , MELAS Syndrome , Mitochondrial Diseases , Muscular Diseases , Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase, Long-Chain/genetics , Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase, Long-Chain/metabolism , Anemia, Sideroblastic/genetics , Anemia, Sideroblastic/metabolism , Anemia, Sideroblastic/pathology , Child , Child, Preschool , Congenital Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes , Female , Humans , Iron Overload/genetics , Iron Overload/metabolism , Iron Overload/pathology , Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors/genetics , Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors/metabolism , Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors/pathology , MELAS Syndrome/genetics , MELAS Syndrome/metabolism , Male , Mitochondrial Diseases/genetics , Mitochondrial Diseases/metabolism , Mitochondrial Diseases/pathology , Muscular Diseases/genetics , Muscular Diseases/metabolism , Muscular Diseases/pathology
12.
Prague Med Rep ; 120(4): 124-130, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31935347

ABSTRACT

Asphyxiating thoracic dysplasia (ATD) represents a heterogeneous group of skeletal dysplasias with short ribs, narrow chest and reduced thoracic capacity. Mutations in several genes including IFT80, DYNC2H1, TTC21B and WDR19 have been found in patients with ATD. Both severe and milder course of the disease were described in correlation with secondary involvement of lung's function. Two children with attenuated form of ATD are described. Their anthropometric parameters for birth weight, length and head circumference were normal but narrow thorax was observed in both of them in early infancy with chest circumference < -3 SD (standard deviation) in comparison to age related controls. The postnatal adaptation and development of both children was uneventful except for mild tachypnoea in one of them which persisted till the age of 6 months. In both children, radiographs revealed narrow upper half of the chest with shorter ribs and atypical configuration of pelvis with horizontally running acetabula and coarse internal edges typical for ATD. Molecular analyses using whole exome sequencing in one family revealed that the patient is compound heterozygote in DYNC2H1 gene for a frame-shift mutation c.4458delT resulting in premature stop-codon p.Phe1486Leufs*11 and a missense mutation c.9044A>G (p.Asp3015Gly). The second family refused the DNA analysis. Regular monitoring of anthropometric parameters during childhood is of big importance both in health and disease. In addition, measurement of the chest circumference should be included, at least at birth and during infancy.


Subject(s)
Cytoplasmic Dyneins/genetics , Ellis-Van Creveld Syndrome , Child , Ellis-Van Creveld Syndrome/genetics , Humans , Mutation
13.
Neurol Neurochir Pol ; 53(5): 369-376, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31577365

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION AND AIM OF THE STUDY: White matter disorders represent a spectrum of neurological diseases frequently associated with an unfavourable prognosis and a delay in diagnostics. We report the broad phenotypic spectrum of a rare hypomyelinating leukodystrophy and three novel mutations. Further, we aim to explore the role of the combined clinical and neuroimaging diagnostic approach in the era of whole exome sequencing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present a clinical, neuroimaging and molecular-genetic characterisation of four patients from three families suffering from a rare genetic leukoencephalopathy. Two severely affected siblings (P1, P2) manifested a profound developmental delay, cerebellar symptomatology, microcephaly, failure to thrive, short stature and delayed teeth eruption with oligodontia. The other two patients (P3, P4), on the contrary, suffer from substantially less serious impairment with mild to moderate developmental delay and cerebellar symptomatology, delayed teeth eruption, or well-manageable epilepsy. In all four patients, magnetic resonance revealed cerebellar atrophy and supratentorial hypomyelination with T2-weight hypointensities in the areas of the ventrolateral thalamic nuclei, corticospinal tract and the dentate nuclei. RESULTS: Using whole-exome sequencing in P1, P2 and P3, and targeted sequencing in P4, pathogenic variants were disclosed in POLR3B, a gene encoding one of 17 subunits of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase III - all patients were compound heterozygotes for point mutations. Three novel mutations c.727A>G (p.Met243Val) and c.2669G>A (p.Arg890His) (P1, P2), and c.1495G>A (p.Met499Val) (P3) were found. Magnetic resonance revealed the characteristic radiological pattern of POLR3-leukodystrophies in our patients. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The diagnosis of POLR3-associated leukodystrophies can be significantly accelerated using the combined clinical and neuroradiological recognition pattern. Therefore, it is of crucial importance to raise the awareness of this rare disorder among clinicians. Molecular-genetic analyses are indispensable for a swift diagnosis confirmation in cases of clear clinical suspicion, and for diagnostic search in patients with less pronounced symptomatology. They represent an invaluable tool for unravelling the complex genetic background of heritable white matter disorders.


Subject(s)
Cerebellar Diseases , Hereditary Central Nervous System Demyelinating Diseases , RNA Polymerase III/genetics , Humans , Mutation , Neuroimaging
15.
J Inherit Metab Dis ; 41(6): 1267-1273, 2018 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30027425

ABSTRACT

Although there are no effective disease-modifying therapies for mitochondrial diseases, an increasing number of trials are being conducted in this rare disease group. The use of sensitive and valid endpoints is essential to test the effectiveness of potential treatments. There is no consensus on which outcome measures to use in children with mitochondrial disease. The aims of this two-day Delphi-based workshop were to (i) define the protocol for an international, multi-centre natural history study in children with mitochondrial myopathy and (ii) to select appropriate outcome measures for a validation study in children with mitochondrial encephalopathy. We suggest two sets of outcome measures for a natural history study in children with mitochondrial myopathy and for a proposed validation study in children with mitochondrial encephalopathy.


Subject(s)
Delphi Technique , Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathies/therapy , Mitochondrial Myopathies/therapy , Child , Consensus , Humans , Internationality , Multicenter Studies as Topic , Muscle Development , Treatment Outcome , Validation Studies as Topic
18.
Acta Paediatr ; 107(8): 1402-1408, 2018 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29797470

ABSTRACT

AIM: The aim of this study was to develop an algorithm to prompt early clinical suspicion of mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I). METHODS: An international working group was established in 2016 that comprised 11 experts in paediatrics, rare diseases and inherited metabolic diseases. They reviewed real-world clinical cases, selected key signs or symptoms based on their prevalence and specificity and reached consensus about the algorithm. The algorithm was retrospectively tested. RESULTS: An algorithm was developed. In patients under two years of age, kyphosis or gibbus deformity were the key symptoms that raised clinical suspicion of MPS I and in those over two years they were kyphosis or gibbus deformity, or joint stiffness or contractures without inflammation. The algorithm was tested on 35 cases, comprising 16 Hurler, 10 Hurler-Scheie, and nine Scheie patients. Of these 35 cases, 32 (91%) - 16 Hurler, nine Hurler-Scheie and seven Scheie patients - would have been referred earlier if the algorithm had been used. CONCLUSION: The expert panel developed and tested an algorithm that helps raise clinical suspicion of MPS I and would lead to a more prompt final diagnosis and allow earlier treatment.


Subject(s)
Algorithms , Early Diagnosis , Mucopolysaccharidosis I/diagnosis , Mucopolysaccharidosis I/therapy , Neonatal Screening/methods , Age Factors , Child , Child, Preschool , Consensus , Disease Progression , Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Internationality , Male , Multimorbidity , Prognosis , Retrospective Studies , Risk Assessment , Severity of Illness Index , Sex Factors
19.
Acta Paediatr ; 107(12): 2059-2065, 2018 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30242902

ABSTRACT

AIM: Mucopolysaccharidosis type I is a lysosomal storage disorder that can result in significant disease burden, disability and premature death, if left untreated. The aim of this review was to elaborate on the diagnosis of mucopolysaccharidosis type I and the pros and cons of newborn screening. METHODS: An international working group was established to discuss ways to improve the early diagnosis of mucopolysaccharidosis type I. It consisted of 13 experts in paediatrics, rare diseases and inherited metabolic diseases from Europe and the Middle East. RESULTS: It is becoming increasingly clearer that the delay between symptom onset and clinical diagnosis is considerable for mucopolysaccharidosis type I and other rare lysosomal storage disorders, despite numerous awareness campaigns since therapies became available. Diagnosis currently depends on recognising the signs and symptoms of the disease. The practice of newborn screening, which is being explored by pilot programmes around the world, enables early diagnosis and consequently early treatment. However, these studies have highlighted numerous new problems and pitfalls that must be faced before newborn screening becomes generally available. CONCLUSION: Newborn screening for mucopolysaccharidosis type I offers the potential for early diagnosis and early pre-symptomatic treatment, but existing hurdles need to be overcome.


Subject(s)
Mucopolysaccharidosis I/diagnosis , Neonatal Screening , Humans , Infant, Newborn
20.
Int J Mol Sci ; 19(12)2018 Dec 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30544562

ABSTRACT

Mitochondrial protein quality control is crucial for the maintenance of correct mitochondrial homeostasis. It is ensured by several specific mitochondrial proteases located across the various mitochondrial subcompartments. Here, we focused on characterization of functional overlap and cooperativity of proteolytic subunits AFG3L2 (AFG3 Like Matrix AAA Peptidase Subunit 2) and YME1L (YME1 like ATPase) of mitochondrial inner membrane AAA (ATPases Associated with diverse cellular Activities) complexes in the maintenance of mitochondrial structure and respiratory chain integrity. We demonstrate that loss of AFG3L2 and YME1L, both alone and in combination, results in diminished cell proliferation, fragmentation of mitochondrial reticulum, altered cristae morphogenesis, and defective respiratory chain biogenesis. The double AFG3L2/YME1L knockdown cells showed marked upregulation of OPA1 protein forms, with the most prominent increase in short OPA1 (optic atrophy 1). Loss of either protease led to marked elevation in OMA1 (OMA1 zinc metallopeptidase) (60 kDa) and severe reduction in the SPG7 (paraplegin) subunit of the m-AAA complex. Loss of the YME1L subunit led to an increased Drp1 level in mitochondrial fractions. While loss of YME1L impaired biogenesis and function of complex I, knockdown of AFG3L2 mainly affected the assembly and function of complex IV. Our results suggest cooperative and partly redundant functions of AFG3L2 and YME1L in the maintenance of mitochondrial structure and respiratory chain biogenesis and stress the importance of correct proteostasis for mitochondrial integrity.


Subject(s)
ATP-Dependent Proteases/metabolism , ATPases Associated with Diverse Cellular Activities/metabolism , Metalloendopeptidases/metabolism , Mitochondria/metabolism , Mitochondrial Proteins/metabolism , ATP-Dependent Proteases/genetics , ATPases Associated with Diverse Cellular Activities/genetics , Blotting, Western , Cell Proliferation/genetics , Cell Proliferation/physiology , HEK293 Cells , Humans , Metalloendopeptidases/genetics , Microscopy, Electron, Transmission , Mitochondria/ultrastructure , Mitochondrial Membranes/metabolism , Mitochondrial Proteins/genetics
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