Pompe disease (glycogen storage disease type II) in Argentineans: clinical manifestations and identification of 9 novel mutations.

Pompe disease is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a deficiency in 1,4-alpha-glucosidase (EC.3.2.1.3), the enzyme required to hydrolyze lysosomal glycogen to glucose. While previous studies have focused on Pompe patients from Europe, the United States, and Taiwan, we have analyzed a group of South American Pompe patients to better understand the molecular basis of their disease. From 14 Argentinean patients diagnosed with either infantile or late-onset disease, we identified 14 distinct mutations in the acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA) gene including nine novel variants (c.236_246del, c.377G>A, c.1099T>C, c.1397T>G, c.1755-1G>A, c.1802C>G, c.1978C>T, c.2281delGinsAT, and c.2608C>T). Three different families displayed the c.377G>A allelic variant, suggesting a higher frequency among a subset of Argentineans. Comparison of patients with similar or identical variations in the GAA gene highlights the phenotypic diversity of late-onset disease and supports a role for other genetic and environmental factors in disease presentation.

Direct multiplex assay of enzymes in dried blood spots by tandem mass spectrometry for the newborn screening of lysosomal storage disorders.

Tandem mass spectrometry is currently used in newborn screening programmes to quantify the level of amino acids and acylcarnitines in dried blood spots for detection of metabolites associated with treatable diseases. We have developed assays for lysosomal enzymes in rehydrated dried blood spots in which a set of substrates is added and the set of corresponding enzymatic products are quantified using tandem mass spectrometry with the aid of mass-differentiated internal standards. We have developed a multiplex assay of the set of enzymes that, when deficient, cause the lysosomal storage disorders Fabry, Gaucher, Hurler, Krabbe, Niemann-Pick A/B and Pompe diseases. These diseases were selected because treatments are now available or expected to emerge shortly. The discovery that acarbose is a selective inhibitor of maltase glucoamylase allows the Pompe disease enzyme, acid alpha-glucosidase, to be selectively assayed in white blood cells and dried blood spots. When tested with dried blood spots from 40 unaffected individuals and 10-12 individuals with the lysosomal storage disorder, the tandem mass spectrometry assay led to the correct identification of the affected individuals with 100% sensitivity. Many of the reagents needed for the new assays are commercially available, and those that are not are being prepared under Good Manufacturing Procedures for approval by the FDA. Our newborn screening assay for Krabbe disease is currently being put in place at the Wadsworth Center in New York State for the analysis of approximately 1000 dried blood spots per day. Summary We have developed tandem mass spectrometry for the direct assay of lysosomal enzymes in rehydrated dried blood spots that can be implemented for newborn screening of lysosomal storage disorders. Several enzymes can be analysed by a single method (multiplex analysis) and in a high-throughput manner appropriate for newborn screening laboratories.

Aromatic l-aminoacid decarboxylase deficiency: unusual neonatal presentation and additional findings in organic acid analysis.

Aromatic l-aminoacid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency is a neurotransmitter defect leading to a combined deficiency of catecholamines and serotonin. Patients are usually detected in infancy due to developmental delay, hypotonia, and extrapyramidal movements. Diagnosis is based on an abnormal neurotransmitter metabolite profile in CSF and reduced AADC activity in plasma. An elevation of vanillactic acid (VLA) has been described as the only abnormality detected in organic acid analysis (OA) of urine. We report a patient who presented in the neonatal period with lethargy, hypotonia, metabolic acidosis, and hypoglycemia. Blood ammonia, lactic acid, and acylcarnitines were normal, but OA of a urine sample showed a small increase of VLA, raising the suspicion of AADC deficiency. The patient was lost to follow-up until the age of 8 months, when he presented with dystonia, abnormal movements, oculogyric crises, and hypothermia. Repeat OA showed not only increased levels of VLA, but also increased vanilpyruvic acid (VPA), N-acetyl-vanilalanine (AVA) and N-acetyl-tyrosine (NAT). Neurotransmitter analysis in CSF showed increased vanilalanine (1200 nmol/L, ref<100) with decreased levels of 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid (5-HIAA, < 5 nmol/L; ref 152-462), homovanillic acid (HVA, 83 nmol/L; ref 302-845), and methoxy-hydroxy-phenyl-glycol (<5 nmol/L; ref 51-112). AADC activity in plasma was nearly undetectable. In the urine, low excretion of vanilmandelic acid (<0.3 micromol/mmol creat; ref 0.3-20) and 5-HIAA (0.9 micromol/mmol creat; ref 4-18), was found, but HVA was normal and dopamine even elevated. This contradictory phenomenon of hyperdopaminuria has been described earlier in AADC deficient patients. We postulate that VPA and AVA could originate from vanilalanine (through a transaminase and an acetylase respectively), while NAT could originate from tyrosine through an AA acetylase. This report expands the clinical presentation of AADC deficiency and adds new markers of the disease for OA analysis, improving detection of AADC deficient patients in general metabolic screening procedures.

Clinical and mutational characterization of three patients with multiple sulfatase deficiency: report of a new splicing mutation.

Multiple sulfatase deficiency (MSD) is a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease characterized by impaired activity of all known sulfatases. The gene SUMF1, recently identified, encodes the enzyme responsible for post-translational modification of a cysteine residue, which is essential for the activity of sulfatases. Fewer than 30 MSD patients have been reported to date and 23 different mutations in the SUMF1 gene have been identified. Here, we present the characterization of the mutant alleles of two Spanish and one Argentinean MSD patients. While the two Spanish patients were homozygous for the previously described mutations, c.463T>C (p.S155P) and c.1033C>T (p.R345C), the Argentinean patient was homozygous for the new mutation IVS7+5 G>T. A minigene approach was used to analyze the effect of the splice site mutation identified, due to the lack of sample from the patient. This experiment showed that this change altered the normal splicing of the RNA, which strongly suggests that this is the molecular cause of the disease in this patient.

Fabry disease: a study of 6 hemizygous men and 5 heterozygous women with emphasis on dermatologic manifestations.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the significance of the dermatologic and systemic abnormalities found in 11 patients with Fabry disease (FD) which is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by the partial or complete deficiency of the alpha-galactosidase A enzyme. This defect leads to the accumulation of uncleaved glycosphingolipids throughout vascular endothelium and visceral tissues. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Pediatric Dermatology Division, Ramos Mejia Hospital (primary care center) and Laboratory of Neurochemistry (referral center for metabolic diseases). PATIENTS: Eleven patients with FD were studied: 6 hemizygous men (mean age, 23.0 years) and 5 heterozygous women (mean age, 49.4 years). RESULTS: Mucocutaneous angiokeratomas (AKs) were found in 5 (83%) of 6 hemizygotes and 4 (80%) of 5 heterozygotes. The AKs appeared at an average age of 13 years, affecting predominantly genitalia, back, elbows, and other frequently traumatized areas. All the hemizygotes and none of the heterozygotes suffered from hypohidrosis. Angiokeratomas on the trunk and oral mucosa without sweat abnormalities were detected in 80% of heterozygous women. All hemizygotic men presented with acral pain in childhood. CONCLUSION: We emphasize the value of early recognition of AKs and hypohidrosis as diagnostic clues to FD, a severe and progressive disorder.

Manifestaciones cardíacas en once pacientes con enfermedad de Fabry / Cardiac manifestations in eleven patients with Fabry disease

Introducción: La enfermedad de Fabry es una enfermedad lisosomal ligada al cromosoma X, producida por la deficiencia de la enzima alfa-galactosidasa A, que produce un cúmulo intralisosomal de esfingolípidos en las células endoteliales, periteliales y musculares lisas del sistema vascular. La enfermedad se presenta como un trastorno multisistémico con compromiso especialmente del riñón, el corazón y el sistema nervioso central. Se ha descripto una variante cardíaca con manifestaciones limitadas solamente al corazón. Objetivos: Presentar el comienzo temprano y la alta frecuencia de anormalidades cardíacas encontradas en 11 casos. Material y métodos: En todos los pacientes se realizaron exámenes clínicos y cardiológicos (incluídos ECG y ECO), laboratorio de rutina, dosajes enzimáticos y estudios moleculares. Resultados: Los principales hallazgos fueron: intervalo PR corto: 1 paciente, WPW: 1; criterios ECG de HVI: 8; espesor aumentado del VI: 6; dilatación AI: 4, dilatación VI: 1; patrón restrictivo: 4; relajación prolongada: 1, insuficiencia mitral leve: 3 e insuficiencia tricuspídea leve: 1. El estudio genético molecular mostró una mutación puntual en nueve pacientes y una deleción en los restantes. Conclusiones: La enfermedad de Fabry es una patología grave, progresiva, que deteriora la calidad de vida y lleva a una muerte temprana. El compromiso cardíaco está presente en todos nuestros pacientes, especialmente la miocardiopatía, que aumenta su gravedad con el tiempo. Los pacientes mayores muestran las alteraciones más severas.

Manifestaciones cardíacas en once pacientes con enfermedad de Fabry / Cardiac manifestations in eleven patients with Fabry disease

Introducción: La enfermedad de Fabry es una enfermedad lisosomal ligada al cromosoma X, producida por la deficiencia de la enzima alfa-galactosidasa A, que produce un cúmulo intralisosomal de esfingolípidos en las células endoteliales, periteliales y musculares lisas del sistema vascular. La enfermedad se presenta como un trastorno multisistémico con compromiso especialmente del riñón, el corazón y el sistema nervioso central. Se ha descripto una variante cardíaca con manifestaciones limitadas solamente al corazón. Objetivos: Presentar el comienzo temprano y la alta frecuencia de anormalidades cardíacas encontradas en 11 casos. Material y métodos: En todos los pacientes se realizaron exámenes clínicos y cardiológicos (incluídos ECG y ECO), laboratorio de rutina, dosajes enzimáticos y estudios moleculares. Resultados: Los principales hallazgos fueron: intervalo PR corto: 1 paciente, WPW: 1; criterios ECG de HVI: 8; espesor aumentado del VI: 6; dilatación AI: 4, dilatación VI: 1; patrón restrictivo: 4; relajación prolongada: 1, insuficiencia mitral leve: 3 e insuficiencia tricuspídea leve: 1. El estudio genético molecular mostró una mutación puntual en nueve pacientes y una deleción en los restantes. Conclusiones: La enfermedad de Fabry es una patología grave, progresiva, que deteriora la calidad de vida y lleva a una muerte temprana. El compromiso cardíaco está presente en todos nuestros pacientes, especialmente la miocardiopatía, que aumenta su gravedad con el tiempo. Los pacientes mayores muestran las alteraciones más severas. (AU)

Direct multiplex assay of lysosomal enzymes in dried blood spots for newborn screening.

BACKGROUND: Newborn screening for deficiency in the lysosomal enzymes that cause Fabry, Gaucher, Krabbe, Niemann-Pick A/B, and Pompe diseases is warranted because treatment for these syndromes is now available or anticipated in the near feature. We describe a multiplex screening method for all five lysosomal enzymes that uses newborn-screening cards containing dried blood spots as the enzyme source. METHODS: We used a cassette of substrates and internal standards to directly quantify the enzymatic activities, and tandem mass spectrometry for enzymatic product detection. Rehydrated dried blood spots were incubated with the enzyme substrates. We used liquid-liquid extraction followed by solid-phase extraction with silica gel to remove buffer components. Acarbose served as inhibitor of an interfering acid alpha-glucosidase present in neutrophils, which allowed the lysosomal enzyme implicated in Pompe disease to be selectively analyzed. RESULTS: We analyzed dried blood spots from 5 patients with Gaucher, 5 with Niemann-Pick A/B, 11 with Pompe, 5 with Fabry, and 12 with Krabbe disease, and in all cases the enzyme activities were below the minimum activities measured in a collection of heterozygous carriers and healthy noncarrier individuals. The enzyme activities measured in 5-9 heterozygous carriers were approximately one-half those measured with 15-32 healthy individuals, but there was partial overlap of each condition between the data sets for carriers and healthy individuals. CONCLUSION: For all five diseases, the affected individuals were detected. The assay can be readily automated, and the anticipated reagent and supply costs are well within the budget limits of newborn-screening centers.

Glycogen storage disease type II: enzymatic screening in dried blood spots on filter paper.

BACKGROUND: Glycogen storage disease II is characterized by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme acid alpha-glucosidase. Currently, glycogen storage disease II is diagnosed by demonstrating the virtual absence or a marked reduction of acid alpha-glucosidase activity in muscle biopsies, cultured fibroblasts, or purified lymphocytes. Early diagnosis and treatment of glycogen storage disease II are considered to be critical for maximum efficacy of the enzyme replacement therapies that are in development. However, these existing diagnostic methods are not suited for newborn screening. We developed an assay useful for newborn screening for glycogen storage disease II. METHODS: A series of three enzyme assays to measure the alpha-glucosidase activities in dried blood spots on filter paper was developed. The measurement of acid alpha-glucosidase activity with minimal interference by other alpha-glucosidases was accomplished using maltose as an inhibitor. The method was used on samples from glycogen storage disease II patients, obligate heterozygotes, and healthy controls. RESULTS: Glycogen storage disease II patients were distinguished from carriers and healthy controls using the series of enzyme assays. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a simple and noninvasive screening method for glycogen storage disease II. The method could be incorporated into newborn screening.

Structural (betaalpha)8 TIM barrel model of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A lyase.

This study describes three novel homozygous missense mutations (S75R, S201Y, and D204N) in the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) lyase gene, which caused 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric aciduria in patients from Germany, England, and Argentina. Expression studies in Escherichia coli show that S75R and S201Y substitutions completely abolished the HMG-CoA lyase activity, whereas D204N reduced catalytic efficiency to 6.6% of the wild type. We also propose a three-dimensional model for human HMG-CoA lyase containing a (betaalpha)8 (TIM) barrel structure. The model is supported by the similarity with analogous TIM barrel structures of functionally related proteins, by the localization of catalytic amino acids at the active site, and by the coincidence between the shape of the substrate (HMG-CoA) and the predicted inner cavity. The three novel mutations explain the lack of HMG-CoA lyase activity on the basis of the proposed structure: in S75R and S201Y because the new amino acid residues occlude the substrate cavity, and in D204N because the mutation alters the electrochemical environment of the active site. We also report the localization of all missense mutations reported to date and show that these mutations are located in the beta-sheets around the substrate cavity.

Gene rearrangements in the glucocerebrosidase-metaxin region giving rise to disease-causing mutations and polymorphisms. Analysis of 25 Rec NciI alleles in Gaucher disease patients.

The glucocerebrosidase and metaxin genes lie in a gene-rich region that also includes two corresponding pseudogenes. This gives rise to recombinant alleles. We analysed two groups of patients from Argentina and Spain: 25 bearing the Rec NciI allele and 36 carrying L444P. The mutational mechanism is described and the crossover site precisely defined. Most of the Rec NciI alleles were generated by gene conversion. Rearranged alleles involving the metaxin gene were also identified. The high frequency of Rec NciI alleles associated with a polymorphic rearrangement at the metaxin level is probably due to a founder effect.

Molecular studies in mutase-deficient (MUT) methylmalonic aciduria: identification of five novel mutations.

Mutase-deficient (MUT) methylmalonic aciduria (MMA) is an autosomal recessive inborn error of organic acid metabolism, resulting from a functional defect in the nuclear encoded mitochondrial enzyme methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MCM) (EC.5.4.99.2). The enzyme requires 5'-deoxyadenosylcobalamin as a cofactor. Isolated MMA results from either apoenzyme or cofactor defects, and is classified into several genotypic classes and complementation groups. These are designated mut(-) or mut(0) (together termed mut), depending on minimal or no apoenzyme activity respectively and cobalamin A or B (cbl A/B) for cofactor defects. To date various studies have identified over 53 disease-causing mutations from patients with mut(0/-) MMA. These are predominantly missense/nonsense nucleotide substitutions. In this study, we report the genotype analysis on 7 patients diagnosed with mut MMA. Five novel mutations were identified (R403stop, 497delG, P615T, 208delG and R467stop) and one novel polymorphism (c712A->G). The previously reported R228Q mutation was found in one patient, who is a compound heterozygote for this mutation and the R467stop mutation. A recently reported N219Y mutation was found in one patient. The 497delG mutation was detected as a homozygous deletion. The remaining mutations were observed in compound heterozygotes, with the second mutation yet to be identified. Many of the unidentified mutations may occur within the promotor or intronic regions.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis: a long-term follow-up study of 84 pediatric patients.

BACKGROUND: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the CNS. Few pediatric series have been published, with retrospective and short-term follow-up studies. OBJECTIVES: To describe a cohort of pediatric patients with ADEM and to determine whether clinical and neuroimaging findings predict outcome. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted between March 1988 and July 2000 on 84 consecutive children with ADEM at the National Pediatric Hospital "Dr. J. P. Garrahan." RESULTS: Mean age at onset was 5.3 +/- 3.9 years, with a significant male predominance. Sixty-two patients (74%) had a preceding viral illness or vaccination. Acute hemiparesis (76%), unilateral or bilateral long tract signs (85%), and changes in mental state (69%) were the most prominent presenting features. Four MRI groups were identified: ADEM with small lesions (62%), with large lesions (24%), with additional bithalamic involvement (12%), and acute hemorrhagic encephalomyelitis (2%). Of the 54 children whose CSF samples were analyzed, none showed intrathecal oligoclonal bands. The use of high-dose corticosteroid treatment, particularly IV methylprednisolone, was associated with good recovery and resolution of MRI lesions. After a mean follow-up of 6.6 +/- 3.8 years, 90% of children showed a monophasic course, and 10% a biphasic disease. Eighty-nine percent of patients show at present Expanded Disability Status Scale scores of 0 to 2.5. Eleven percent have disability scores of 3 to 6.5. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is a benign condition, affecting boys more frequently. No association was found between MRI groups and disability. Disability was related to optic nerve involvement at presentation. Even in relapsing cases, the distinction between acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and MS was possible on the basis of long-term clinical and neuroimaging follow-up and the absence of oligoclonal bands in CSF.

Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases: enzymatic diagnosis in dried blood spots on filter paper: retrospective diagnoses in newborn-screening cards.

BACKGROUND: Tay-Sachs disease (TSD), Sandhoff disease (SD) and variants are caused by deficient activity of the lysosomal enzymes hexosaminidase A (HA) and total hexosaminidase (TH) (hexosaminidase A plus B), respectively. For diagnosis, these enzymes are usually measured in plasma or extracts of leukocytes. We describe methods for the assay of hexosaminidase A and total hexosaminidase activities in dried blood spots (DBSs) on filter paper. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 163 healthy controls, 9 Tay-Sachs patients, 4 Sandhoff patients, 18 obligate carriers and the newborn-screening cards from two patients with Tay-Sachs and one patient with Sandhoff disease. To tubes containing a 3-mm-diameter blood spot, we added elution liquid and substrate solution. After incubation at 37 degrees C, the amount of hydrolyzed product was compared with a calibrator to allow the quantification of enzyme activity. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The described methodology is useful to distinguish patients with Tay-Sachs disease or Sandhoff disease from carriers and controls using samples that are sufficiently stable to be transported to the testing laboratory by mail. The diagnosis of both diseases from a newborn-screening card (NSC) was clearly demonstrated, even after storage for up to 38 months at room temperature. The newborn-screening card has been added to the biological materials that allow the identification of patients with Tay-Sachs disease and Sandhoff disease.

Gaucher and Niemann-Pick diseases--enzymatic diagnosis in dried blood spots on filter paper: retrospective diagnoses in newborn-screening cards.

BACKGROUND: Gaucher disease (GD) and Niemann-Pick (NP) disease are caused by deficient activity of the lysosomal enzymes acid beta-D-glucosidase (ABG) and acid sphingomyelinase (ASM), respectively. For diagnosis, these enzymes are usually measured in the extracts of leukocytes or cultured fibroblasts. Chitotriosidase (CTE), a chitinolytic enzyme, is markedly increased in the plasma of Gaucher patients. We describe methods for the assay of acid beta-D-glucosidase, acid sphingomyelinase, chitotriosidase, and alpha-N-acetyl-galactosaminidase (NAGA) as a control enzyme in blood spots that were dried onto filter paper. METHODS: To tubes containing a 3 mm-diameter blood spot, we added elution liquid and substrate solution. After incubation at 37 degrees C, the amount of hydrolyzed product was compared with a calibrator to allow the quantification of enzyme activity. We examined 80 healthy controls, 54 Gaucher patients, 8 Niemann-Pick patients, 27 obligate carriers, and the newborn-screening cards (NSC) from a case of Gaucher and a case of Niemann-Pick disease. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The described methodology is useful to identify Gaucher and Niemann-Pick patients and controls, using samples that are sufficiently stable to be transported to the testing laboratory by mail. The diagnosis of both diseases on a newborn-screening card was clearly established. The newborn-screening card has been added to the biological materials that allow the identification of patients with Gaucher and Niemann-Pick diseases.

Acidúria glutárica tipo 1: variabilidade fenotípica. Estudo de seis pacientes / Glutaric aciduria type 1: phenotypic variability. Report of 6 patients

Estudamos seis pacientes com acidúria glutárica tipo I, em quatro famílias. Observamos variaçoes intensas na apresentaçao clínica, mesmo entre elementos da mesma família. Três pacientes evoluiram sem alteraçoes até o início das anomalias neurológicas, que se manifestaram como encefalite-símile, no primeiro ano de vida. Uma criança apresentou atraso precoce do desenvolvimento, sem episódios agudos de descompensaçao. Dois pacientes nao têm alteraçao cognitiva; um deles apresenta leve tremor associado a quadro coreoatetóide desde o primeiro ano de vida, enquanto o outro teve apenas duas crises convulsivas afebris quando lactente. Três crianças apresentam distonia como sequela, nao sendo capazes de sentar ou firmar a cabeça. Os seis pacientes apresentam macrocrania e a neles tomografia computadorizada de crânio demonstra aumento dos espaços liquóricos em regioes fronto-temporais. O estudo dos ácidos orgânicos urinários dos pacientes demonstra elevaçao dos níveis do ácido glutárico.