1
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Ahmed S, Akbar F, DeBerardinis RJ, Ni M, Afroze B. Evaluation of the clinical, biochemical, and genetic presentation of neonatal and adult-onset 5,10-methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency in patients from Pakistan. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2023; 36:761-771. [PMID: 37440674 DOI: 10.1515/jpem-2023-0083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To study the biochemical, clinical and molecular characteristics of 5,10- methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency in Pakistani patients from a single center. METHODS Medical charts, urine organic acid chromatograms, plasma methionine and Hcys levels, and molecular testing results of MTHFR gene of patients presenting at the Biochemical Genetics Clinic, AKUH from 2016 to 2022 were reviewed. RESULTS Neonatal MTHFR deficiency was found in five patients. The median (IQR) age of symptom onset and diagnosis were 18 (8.5-22) and 26 (16.5-31) days. The median lag between symptom onset and diagnosis was 8 (4.5-12.5) days. The median age of treatment initiation and duration of treatment were 26 (16.5-49) and 32 (25.5-54) days. The most common clinical features were lethargy, poor feeding, and seizures. The MTHFR gene sequencing revealed homozygous variants p.K510K, p.R567*, and p.R157W. Renal insufficiency manifesting as elevated serum creatinine and responding to betaine therapy was noted in one patient. This has not been previously reported in neonatal MTHFR deficiency and may reflect engagement of alternate pathways of remethylation. Adult onset MTHFR deficiency was found in six patients, with a heterogeneous neurological presentation. The median lag between symptoms onset and diagnosis was 7 (3-11) years. MTHFR gene sequencing revealed homozygous variant p.A195V in five patients from one family and p.G261V in the other. Two of the five reported variants are novel that include p.R157W and p.G261V. CONCLUSIONS Eleven patients of this rare disorder from a single center indicate the need for clinical awareness and appropriate biochemical evaluation to ensure optimal outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibtain Ahmed
- Section of Chemical Pathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Fizza Akbar
- Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Ralph J DeBerardinis
- Children's Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Min Ni
- Children's Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Bushra Afroze
- Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
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2
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Yverneau M, Leroux S, Imbard A, Gleich F, Arion A, Moreau C, Nassogne MC, Szymanowski M, Tardieu M, Touati G, Bueno M, Chapman KA, Chien YH, Huemer M, Ješina P, Janssen MCH, Kölker S, Kožich V, Lavigne C, Lund AM, Mochel F, Morris A, Pons MR, Porras-Hurtado GL, Benoist JF, Damaj L, Schiff M. Influence of early identification and therapy on long-term outcomes in early-onset MTHFR deficiency. J Inherit Metab Dis 2022; 45:848-861. [PMID: 35460084 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
MTHFR deficiency is a severe inborn error of metabolism leading to impairment of the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine. Neonatal and early-onset patients mostly exhibit a life-threatening acute neurologic deterioration. Furthermore, data on early-onset patients' long-term outcomes are scarce. The aims of this study were (1) to study and describe the clinical and laboratory parameters of early-onset MTHFR-deficient patients (i.e., ≤3 months of age) and (2) to identify predictive factors for severe neurodevelopmental outcomes in a cohort with early and late onset MTHFR-deficient patients. To this end, we conducted a retrospective, multicentric, international cohort study on 72 patients with MTHFR deficiency from 32 international metabolic centres. Characteristics of the 32 patients with early-onset MTHFR deficiency were described at time of diagnosis and at the last follow-up visit. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictive factors of severe neurodevelopmental outcome in a broader set of patients with early and non-early-onset MTHFR deficiency. The majority of early-onset MTHFR-deficient patients (n = 32) exhibited neurologic symptoms (76%) and feeding difficulties (70%) at time of diagnosis. At the last follow-up visit (median follow-up time of 8.1 years), 76% of treated early-onset patients (n = 29) exhibited a severe neurodevelopmental outcome. Among the whole study population of 64 patients, pre-symptomatic diagnosis was independently associated with a significantly better neurodevelopmental outcome (adjusted OR 0.004, [0.002-0.232]; p = 0.003). This study provides evidence for benefits of pre-symptomatic diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic management, highlighting the need for systematic newborn screening for MTHFR deficiency and pre-symptomatic treatment that may improve outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Yverneau
- Department of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Rennes Hospital, Rennes, France
| | - Stéphanie Leroux
- Department of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Rennes Hospital, Rennes, France
| | - Apolline Imbard
- Biochemistry Laboratory, Robert Debré Hospital, APHP, Paris, France
- Department of Pediatrics, Reference Center for Inborn Error of Metabolism, Necker and Robert-Debré Hospital, APHP, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- LYPSIS, Université Paris-Saclay, Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Florian Gleich
- Division of Child Neurology and Metabolic Medicine, Center for Child and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alina Arion
- Department of Pediatrics, Caen Hospital, Caen, France
| | | | - Marie-Cécile Nassogne
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marie Szymanowski
- Department of Pediatrics, Estaing Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | | | - Guy Touati
- Department of Pediatrics, Reference Center for Inborn Error of Metabolism, Toulouse Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - María Bueno
- Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Kimberly A Chapman
- Section of Genetics and Metabolism, Children's National Health System, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Yin-Hsiu Chien
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Martina Huemer
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Paediatrics, Landeskrankenhaus Bregenz, Bregenz, Austria
| | - Pavel Ješina
- Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, General University Hospital, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Mirian C H Janssen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Kölker
- Division of Child Neurology and Metabolic Medicine, Center for Child and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Viktor Kožich
- Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, General University Hospital, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Christian Lavigne
- Department of Internal Medicine, Angers University Hospital, Angers, France
| | - Allan Meldgaard Lund
- Departments of Paediatrics and Clinical Genetics, Centre for Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Fanny Mochel
- Department of Genetics, AP-HP, Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Andrew Morris
- Willink Metabolic Unit, Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester
- Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | | | | | - Jean-François Benoist
- Biochemistry Laboratory, Robert Debré Hospital, APHP, Paris, France
- Department of Pediatrics, Reference Center for Inborn Error of Metabolism, Necker and Robert-Debré Hospital, APHP, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- LYPSIS, Université Paris-Saclay, Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Léna Damaj
- Department of Pediatrics, Competence Center of Inherited Metabolic Disorders, Rennes Hospital, Rennes, France
| | - Manuel Schiff
- Department of Pediatrics, Reference Center for Inborn Error of Metabolism, Necker and Robert-Debré Hospital, APHP, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Inserm UMR_S1163, Institut Imagine, Paris, France
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3
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Moirangthem A, Saxena D, Masih S, Shambhavi A, Nilay M, Phadke SR. Variable neurological phenotypes of homocystinuria caused by biallelic methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase variants. Clin Dysmorphol 2022; 31:59-65. [PMID: 34845156 DOI: 10.1097/mcd.0000000000000407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Inherited methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency is associated with a wide spectrum of disorders including homocystinuria. This study aims to describe the neurological phenotypes and molecular profiles of patients with homocystinuria caused by biallelic variants in MTHFR. We report six subjects with MTHFR deficiency who presented with variable neurological phenotypes which could be viewed as a continuous spectrum. Fatal infantile encephalopathy was observed in one family, whereas another patient presented at 27 years with acute leukoencephalopathy and recovered within 3 months. Intermediate forms presenting as complicated hereditary spastic paraparesis of variable severity were observed in four subjects. Clinical and molecular information of the 207 cases reported in literature were also retrieved and analyzed. We categorized all subjects into three categories - severe, intermediate and mild forms according to the clinical presentation. In addition, a total of 286 disease-causing variations reported to date were analyzed. These included seven disease-causing variants reported in this study of which one is novel. Some genotype-phenotype correlation could be seen which corroborated with previous observations. However, inter- and intrafamilial variability was also noted. Treatment with betaine, B12 and folic acid was started in four subjects with variable outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amita Moirangthem
- Department of Medical Genetics, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
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4
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Seminotti B, Grings M, Tucci P, Leipnitz G, Saso L. Nuclear Factor Erythroid-2-Related Factor 2 Signaling in the Neuropathophysiology of Inherited Metabolic Disorders. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:785057. [PMID: 34955754 PMCID: PMC8693715 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.785057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs) are rare genetic conditions that affect multiple organs, predominantly the central nervous system. Since treatment for a large number of IMDs is limited, there is an urgent need to find novel therapeutical targets. Nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that has a key role in controlling the intracellular redox environment by regulating the expression of antioxidant enzymes and several important genes related to redox homeostasis. Considering that oxidative stress along with antioxidant system alterations is a mechanism involved in the neuropathophysiology of many IMDs, this review focuses on the current knowledge about Nrf2 signaling dysregulation observed in this group of disorders characterized by neurological dysfunction. We review here Nrf2 signaling alterations observed in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, glutaric acidemia type I, hyperhomocysteinemia, and Friedreich’s ataxia. Additionally, beneficial effects of different Nrf2 activators are shown, identifying a promising target for treatment of patients with these disorders. We expect that this article stimulates research into the investigation of Nrf2 pathway involvement in IMDs and the use of potential pharmacological modulators of this transcription factor to counteract oxidative stress and exert neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Seminotti
- Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Mateus Grings
- Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Paolo Tucci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Guilhian Leipnitz
- Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences: Physiology, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Luciano Saso
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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5
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Raghubeer S, Matsha TE. Methylenetetrahydrofolate (MTHFR), the One-Carbon Cycle, and Cardiovascular Risks. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13124562. [PMID: 34960114 PMCID: PMC8703276 DOI: 10.3390/nu13124562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The 5-10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) enzyme is vital for cellular homeostasis due to its key functions in the one-carbon cycle, which include methionine and folate metabolism and protein, DNA, and RNA synthesis. The enzyme is responsible for maintaining methionine and homocysteine (Hcy) balance to prevent cellular dysfunction. Polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene, especially C677T, have been associated with various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancer, inflammatory conditions, diabetes, and vascular disorders. The C677T MTHFR polymorphism is thought to be the most common cause of elevated Hcy levels, which is considered an independent risk factor for CVD. This polymorphism results in an amino acid change from alanine to valine, which prevents optimal functioning of the enzyme at temperatures above 37 °C. Many studies have been conducted to determine whether there is an association between the C677T polymorphism and increased risk for CVD. There is much evidence in favour of this association, while several studies have concluded that the polymorphism cannot be used to predict CVD development or progression. This review discusses current research regarding the C677T polymorphism and its relationship with CVD, inflammation, diabetes, and epigenetic regulation and compares the evidence provided for and against the association with CVD.
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6
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Biesalski AS, Hoffjan S, Schneider R, Nguyen HP, Dekomien G, Lücke T, Schneider-Gold C, Matusche B, Gold R, Ayzenberg I. Phoenix from the ashes: dramatic improvement in severe late-onset methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency with a complete loss of vision. J Neurol 2021; 269:2206-2209. [PMID: 34657180 PMCID: PMC8940754 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-021-10841-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Sophie Biesalski
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef Hospital, Gudrunstraße 56, 44791, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Sabine Hoffjan
- Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany.,Center for Rare Diseases Ruhr (CeSER), Bochum, Germany
| | - Ruth Schneider
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef Hospital, Gudrunstraße 56, 44791, Bochum, Germany
| | - Huu Phuc Nguyen
- Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany.,Center for Rare Diseases Ruhr (CeSER), Bochum, Germany
| | - Gabriele Dekomien
- Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany.,Center for Rare Diseases Ruhr (CeSER), Bochum, Germany
| | - Thomas Lücke
- University Children's Hospital, St. Josef Hospital, Bochum, Germany.,Center for Rare Diseases Ruhr (CeSER), Bochum, Germany
| | | | - Britta Matusche
- Institute of Neuroradiology, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Ralf Gold
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef Hospital, Gudrunstraße 56, 44791, Bochum, Germany
| | - Ilya Ayzenberg
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef Hospital, Gudrunstraße 56, 44791, Bochum, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
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7
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Marelli C, Lavigne C, Stepien KM, Janssen MCH, Feillet F, Kožich V, Jesina P, Schule R, Kessler C, Redonnet-Vernhet I, Regnier A, Burda P, Baumgartner M, Benoist JF, Huemer M, Mochel F. Clinical and molecular characterization of adult patients with late-onset MTHFR deficiency. J Inherit Metab Dis 2021; 44:777-786. [PMID: 33089527 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency usually presents as a severe neonatal disease. This study aimed to characterize natural history, biological and molecular data, and response to treatment of patients with late-onset MTHFR deficiency. The patients were identified through the European Network and Registry for Homocystinuria and Methylation Defects and the Adult group of the French Society for Inherited Metabolic Diseases; data were retrospectively colleted. To identify juvenile to adult-onset forms of the disease, we included patients with a diagnosis established after the age of 10 years. We included 14 patients (median age at diagnosis: 32 years; range: 11-54). At onset (median age: 20 years; range 9-38), they presented with walking difficulties (n = 8), cognitive decline (n = 3) and/or seizures (n = 3), sometimes associated with mild mental retardation (n = 6). During the disease course, symptoms were almost exclusively neurological with cognitive dysfunction (93%), gait disorders (86%), epilepsy (71%), psychiatric symptoms (57%), polyneuropathy (43%), and visual deficit (43%). Mean diagnostic delay was 14 years. Vascular events were observed in 28% and obesity in 36% of the patients. One patient remained asymptomatic at the age of 55 years. Upon treatment, median total homocysteine decreased (from 183 μmol/L, range 69-266, to 90 μmol/L, range 20-142) and symptoms improved (n = 9) or stabilized (n = 4). Missense pathogenic variants in the C-terminal regulatory domain of the protein were over-represented compared to early-onset cases. Residual MTHFR enzymatic activity in skin fibroblasts (n = 4) was rather high (17%-58%). This series of patients with late-onset MTHFR deficiency underlines the still unmet need of a prompt diagnosis of this treatable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Marelli
- Expert Centre for Neurogenetic Diseases and Adult Mitochondrial and Metabolic Diseases, Univ Montpellier, CHU, Montpellier, France
- MMDN, Univ Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Christian Lavigne
- Internal Medicine Department, Angers University Hospital, Angers, France
| | - Karolina M Stepien
- Adult Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford Care Organisation, Northern Care Alliance, Salford, UK
| | - Mirian C H Janssen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Francois Feillet
- Reference Center for Inborn Errors of Metabolism, Pediatric unit, University Hospital of Nancy, Nancy, France
- INSERM UMR_S 1256, Nutrition, Genetics, and Environmental Risk Exposure (NGERE), Faculty of Medicine of Nancy, Nancy, France
| | - Viktor Kožich
- Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, Charles University-First Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital in Prague, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Jesina
- Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, Charles University-First Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital in Prague, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Rebecca Schule
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Kessler
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Isabelle Redonnet-Vernhet
- lNSERM U1211, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Laboratoire de Biochimie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Centre de référence pour les maladies mitochondriales de l'enfant à l'adulte (CARAMMEL), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Adeline Regnier
- Department of General Practice, Faculty of Medicine of Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Patricie Burda
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Baumgartner
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Francois Benoist
- Biochemistry Laboratory Robert-Debré University Hospital, APHP, Paris, France
- LYPSIS2, Université Paris-Saclay, Chatenay-Malabry, France
| | - Martina Huemer
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Paediatrics Landeskrankenhaus Bregenz, Austria
| | - Fanny Mochel
- APHP, La Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Department of Genetics, Paris, France
- Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06 UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM, Paris, France
- APHP, La Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Reference Center for Adult Neurometabolic diseases, Paris, France
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8
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De Biase I, Gherasim C, La'ulu SL, Asamoah A, Longo N, Yuzyuk T. Laboratory evaluation of homocysteine remethylation disorders and classic homocystinuria: Long-term follow-up using a cohort of 123 patients. Clin Chim Acta 2020; 509:126-134. [PMID: 32533987 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2020.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The homocystinurias, caused by defects of remethylation and cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS) deficiency, are characterized by elevated homocysteine and abnormal methionine levels. Various treatments, including injectable hydroxycobalamin and oral betaine, aim to reduce homocysteine toxicity and normalize methionine, but only limited biochemical data has been reported assessing biochemical response to treatment. We analyzed laboratory results in 812 plasma samples from 56 patients with remethylation disorders and 67 patients with CBS deficiency. Total plasma homocysteine (tHcys) decreased with therapy, but rarely normalized regardless of treatment, with highest levels seen in CBS (116 ± 79 μmol/L) and MTHFR (102 ± 56 μmol/L) deficiencies. In CBS deficiency, tHcys correlated positively with methionine (rs = 0.51, p < 0.0001) and inversely with cystine (rs = -0.57, p < 0.0001) consistent with a metabolic block downstream of homocysteine. In patients with remethylation disorders, methionine was mostly normal on therapy, and inversely correlated with tHcys (rs = -0.57, p < 0.0001) demonstrating effectiveness of hydroxycobalamin and/or betaine in stimulating tHcys remethylation. Betaine also significantly increased sarcosine from its pre-treatment level on average 19-fold in remethylation disorders and 3-fold in CBS deficiency, with sarcosine > 5 μmol/L being 97% sensitive and 95% specific for betaine therapy. These results show that existing therapies improve sulfur amino acid metabolism without completely normalizing it and that sarcosine can determine compliance to betaine supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene De Biase
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States; ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Salt Lake City, UT, United States.
| | - Carmen Gherasim
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States; Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States(1)
| | - Sonia L La'ulu
- ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Alexander Asamoah
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Nicola Longo
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States; ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Salt Lake City, UT, United States; Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Tatiana Yuzyuk
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States; ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
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9
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Vieira D, Florindo C, Tavares de Almeida I, Macário MC. Adult-onset methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency. BMJ Case Rep 2020; 13:13/3/e232241. [PMID: 32161077 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2019-232241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe hyperhomocysteinemia (>100 µmol/L) is often associated with inborn errors of homocysteine metabolism. It manifests typically in neonatal period with developmental delay, hypotonia, feeding problems or failure to thrive. Adult-onset forms are rare and include less severe manifestations. Early diagnosis is crucial because effective treatment is available. A 23-year-old man presented with a 3-week history of speech and gait impairment, and numbness in lower limbs. Neurological examination revealed dysarthria, decreased vibratory sensation in both legs and appendicular and gait ataxia. Brain MRI revealed T2-hyperintense symmetric white matter lesions and cortical atrophy. He had folate and vitamin B12 deficiency, a markedly elevated serum homocysteine and low methionine. Despite vitamin supplementation homocysteine levels remained elevated. Molecular studies of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene revealed a new pathogenic mutation (c.1003C>T (p.Arg335Cys)) and a polymorphism (C677T (p.Ala222Val)) associated with hyperhomocysteinemia, both in homozygosity. The patient started betaine with clinical and biochemical improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Vieira
- Serviço de Neurologia, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra EPE, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Cristina Florindo
- Lab. Met&Gen, iMed, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - Maria Carmo Macário
- Serviço de Neurologia, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra EPE, Coimbra, Portugal
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10
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Strauss KA, Carson VJ, Soltys K, Young ME, Bowser LE, Puffenberger EG, Brigatti KW, Williams KB, Robinson DL, Hendrickson C, Beiler K, Taylor CM, Haas-Givler B, Chopko S, Hailey J, Muelly ER, Shellmer DA, Radcliff Z, Rodrigues A, Loeven K, Heaps AD, Mazariegos GV, Morton DH. Branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase deficiency (maple syrup urine disease): Treatment, biomarkers, and outcomes. Mol Genet Metab 2020; 129:193-206. [PMID: 31980395 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2020.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Revised: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Over the past three decades, we studied 184 individuals with 174 different molecular variants of branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase activity, and here delineate essential clinical and biochemical aspects of the maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) phenotype. We collected data about treatment, survival, hospitalization, metabolic control, and liver transplantation from patients with classic (i.e., severe; n = 176), intermediate (n = 6) and intermittent (n = 2) forms of MSUD. A total of 13,589 amino acid profiles were used to analyze leucine tolerance, amino acid homeostasis, estimated cerebral amino acid uptake, quantitative responses to anabolic therapy, and metabolic control after liver transplantation. Standard instruments were used to measure neuropsychiatric outcomes. Despite advances in clinical care, classic MSUD remains a morbid and potentially fatal disorder. Stringent dietary therapy maintains metabolic variables within acceptable limits but is challenging to implement, fails to restore appropriate concentration relationships among circulating amino acids, and does not fully prevent cognitive and psychiatric disabilities. Liver transplantation eliminates the need for a prescription diet and safeguards patients from life-threatening metabolic crises, but is associated with predictable morbidities and does not reverse pre-existing neurological sequelae. There is a critical unmet need for safe and effective disease-modifying therapies for MSUD which can be implemented early in life. The biochemistry and physiology of MSUD and its response to liver transplantation afford key insights into the design of new therapies based on gene replacement or editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A Strauss
- Clinic for Special Children, Strasburg, PA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Penn Medicine-Lancaster General Hospital, Lancaster, PA, USA; Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular, Cell & Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, Worcester, MA, USA.
| | - Vincent J Carson
- Clinic for Special Children, Strasburg, PA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Penn Medicine-Lancaster General Hospital, Lancaster, PA, USA
| | - Kyle Soltys
- Hillman Center for Pediatric Transplantation, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Cora M Taylor
- Geisinger Autism & Developmental Medicine Institute, Lewisburg, PA, USA
| | | | - Stephanie Chopko
- Department of Pediatrics, Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, USA; Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Emilie R Muelly
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Permanente Medical Group, Santa Clara, CA, USA
| | - Diana A Shellmer
- Hillman Center for Pediatric Transplantation, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Zachary Radcliff
- Department of Pediatrics, Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, USA
| | | | | | | | - George V Mazariegos
- Hillman Center for Pediatric Transplantation, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - D Holmes Morton
- Clinic for Special Children, Strasburg, PA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Penn Medicine-Lancaster General Hospital, Lancaster, PA, USA; Central Pennsylvania Clinic, Belleville, PA, USA
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11
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Mossa A, Manzini MC. Molecular causes of sex-specific deficits in rodent models of neurodevelopmental disorders. J Neurosci Res 2019; 99:37-56. [PMID: 31872500 PMCID: PMC7754327 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 11/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) such as intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder consistently show a male bias in prevalence, but it remains unclear why males and females are affected with different frequency. While many behavioral studies of transgenic NDD models have focused only on males, the requirement by the National Institutes of Health to consider sex as a biological variable has promoted the comparison of male and female performance in wild-type and mutant animals. Here, we review examples of rodent models of NDDs in which sex-specific deficits were identified in molecular, physiological, and/or behavioral responses, showing sex differences in susceptibility to disruption of genes mutated in NDDs. Haploinsufficiency in genes involved in mechanisms such as synaptic function (GABRB3 and NRXN1), chromatin remodeling (CHD8, EMHT1, and ADNP), and intracellular signaling (CC2D1A and ERK1) lead to more severe behavioral outcomes in males. However, in the absence of behavioral deficits, females can still present with cellular and electrophysiological changes that could be due to compensatory mechanisms or differential allocation of molecular and cellular functions in the two sexes. By contrasting these findings with mouse models where females are more severely affected (MTHFR and AMBRA1), we propose a framework to approach the study of sex-specific deficits possibly leading to sex bias in NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adele Mossa
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - M Chiara Manzini
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.,Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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12
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Massadeh S, Umair M, Alaamery M, Alfadhel M. A Novel Homozygous Non-sense Mutation in the Catalytic Domain of MTHFR Causes Severe 5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Deficiency. Front Neurol 2019; 10:411. [PMID: 31068897 PMCID: PMC6491806 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Severe 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency is a heterogeneous metabolic disorder inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. Pathogenic mutations in MTHFR gene have been associated with severe MTHFR deficiency. The clinical presentation of MTHFR deficiency is highly variable and associated with several neurological anomalies. Methods: Direct whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed in all the five available individuals from the family, including the affected individual (III-7) using standard procedures. Results: We observed a proband (III-7) with an abnormality in the cerebral white matter, apnoea, and microcephaly. WES analysis identified a novel homozygous non-sense mutation (c.154C>T; p.Arg52*) in MTHFR gene that segregated with the disease phenotype within the family. Conclusion: We identified a novel non-sense mutation in MTHFR gene in a single Egyptian family with severe MTHFR deficiency. The present investigation is clinically important, as it adds to the growing list of MTHFR mutations, which might help in genetic counseling of families of affected children and proper genotype-phenotype correlation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salam Massadeh
- Developmental Medicine Department, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Joint Centers of Excellence Program, KACST-BWH/Harvard Center of Excellence for Biomedicine, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Umair
- Medical Genomics Research Department, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Manal Alaamery
- Developmental Medicine Department, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Joint Centers of Excellence Program, KACST-BWH/Harvard Center of Excellence for Biomedicine, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Majid Alfadhel
- Medical Genomics Research Department, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, King Abdullah Specialized Children's Hospital, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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13
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Jakubowski H. Homocysteine Modification in Protein Structure/Function and Human Disease. Physiol Rev 2019; 99:555-604. [PMID: 30427275 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00003.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies established that elevated homocysteine, an important intermediate in folate, vitamin B12, and one carbon metabolism, is associated with poor health, including heart and brain diseases. Earlier studies show that patients with severe hyperhomocysteinemia, first identified in the 1960s, exhibit neurological and cardiovascular abnormalities and premature death due to vascular complications. Although homocysteine is considered to be a nonprotein amino acid, studies over the past 2 decades have led to discoveries of protein-related homocysteine metabolism and mechanisms by which homocysteine can become a component of proteins. Homocysteine-containing proteins lose their biological function and acquire cytotoxic, proinflammatory, proatherothrombotic, and proneuropathic properties, which can account for the various disease phenotypes associated with hyperhomocysteinemia. This review describes mechanisms by which hyperhomocysteinemia affects cellular proteostasis, provides a comprehensive account of the biological chemistry of homocysteine-containing proteins, and discusses pathophysiological consequences and clinical implications of their formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hieronim Jakubowski
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, International Center for Public Health , Newark, New Jersey ; and Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Poznań University of Life Sciences , Poznań , Poland
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14
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Borowczyk K, Piechocka J, Głowacki R, Dhar I, Midtun Ø, Tell GS, Ueland PM, Nygård O, Jakubowski H. Urinary excretion of homocysteine thiolactone and the risk of acute myocardial infarction in coronary artery disease patients: the WENBIT trial. J Intern Med 2019; 285:232-244. [PMID: 30193001 PMCID: PMC6378604 DOI: 10.1111/joim.12834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES No individual homocysteine (Hcy) metabolite has been studied as a risk marker for coronary artery disease (CAD). Our objective was to examine Hcy-thiolactone, a chemically reactive metabolite generated by methionyl-tRNA synthetase and cleared by the kidney, as a risk predictor of incident acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the Western Norway B-Vitamin Intervention Trial. DESIGN Single centre, prospective double-blind clinical intervention study, randomized in a 2 × 2 factorial design. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Patients with suspected CAD (n = 2049, 69.8% men; 61.2-year-old) were randomized to groups receiving daily (i) folic acid (0.8 mg)/vitamin B12 (0.4 mg)/vitamin B6 (40 mg); (ii) folic acid/vitamin B12 ; (iii) vitamin B6 or (iv) placebo. Urinary Hcy-thiolactone was quantified at baseline, 12 and 38 months. RESULTS Baseline urinary Hcy-thiolactone/creatinine was significantly associated with plasma tHcy, ApoA1, glomerular filtration rate, potassium and pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (positively) and with age, hypertension, smoking, urinary creatinine, plasma bilirubin and kynurenine (negatively). During median 4.7-years, 183 patients (8.9%) suffered an AMI. In Cox regression analysis, Hcy-thiolactone/creatinine was associated with AMI risk (hazard ratio = 1.58, 95% confidence interval = 1.10-2.26, P = 0.012 for trend; adjusted for age, gender, tHcy). This association was confined to patients with pyridoxic acid below median (adjusted HR = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.47-5.03, P = 0.0001; Pinteraction = 0.020). B-vitamin/folate treatments did not affect Hcy-thiolactone/creatinine and its AMI risk association. CONCLUSIONS Hcy-thiolactone/creatinine ratio is a novel AMI risk predictor in patients with suspected CAD, independent of traditional risk factors and tHcy, but modified by vitamin B6 catabolism. These findings lend a support to the hypothesis that Hcy-thiolactone is mechanistically involved in cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Borowczyk
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, International Center for Public Health, Newark, NJ, USA.,Department of Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - J Piechocka
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - R Głowacki
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - I Dhar
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - G S Tell
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Bergen, Norway
| | - P M Ueland
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - O Nygård
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Heart Disease, Haukeland University Hospital, Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - H Jakubowski
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, International Center for Public Health, Newark, NJ, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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15
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Hoss GRW, Poloni S, Blom HJ, Schwartz IVD. Three Main Causes of Homocystinuria: CBS, cblC and MTHFR Deficiency. What do they Have in Common? JOURNAL OF INBORN ERRORS OF METABOLISM AND SCREENING 2019. [DOI: 10.1590/2326-4594-jiems-2019-0007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Soraia Poloni
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Henk J Blom
- University Medical Centre Amsterdam, Netherlands
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16
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Cruz T, Gleizes M, Balayssac S, Mornet E, Marsal G, Millán JL, Malet-Martino M, Nowak LG, Gilard V, Fonta C. Identification of altered brain metabolites associated with TNAP activity in a mouse model of hypophosphatasia using untargeted NMR-based metabolomics analysis. J Neurochem 2017; 140:919-940. [PMID: 28072448 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Revised: 12/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) is a key player of bone mineralization and TNAP gene (ALPL) mutations in human are responsible for hypophosphatasia (HPP), a rare heritable disease affecting the mineralization of bones and teeth. Moreover, TNAP is also expressed by brain cells and the severe forms of HPP are associated with neurological disorders, including epilepsy and brain morphological anomalies. However, TNAP's role in the nervous system remains poorly understood. To investigate its neuronal functions, we aimed to identify without any a priori the metabolites regulated by TNAP in the nervous tissue. For this purpose we used 1 H- and 31 P NMR to analyze the brain metabolome of Alpl (Akp2) mice null for TNAP function, a well-described model of infantile HPP. Among 39 metabolites identified in brain extracts of 1-week-old animals, eight displayed significantly different concentration in Akp2-/- compared to Akp2+/+ and Akp2+/- mice: cystathionine, adenosine, GABA, methionine, histidine, 3-methylhistidine, N-acetylaspartate (NAA), and N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate, with cystathionine and adenosine levels displaying the strongest alteration. These metabolites identify several biochemical processes that directly or indirectly involve TNAP function, in particular through the regulation of ecto-nucleotide levels and of pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzymes. Some of these metabolites are involved in neurotransmission (GABA, adenosine), in myelin synthesis (NAA, NAAG), and in the methionine cycle and transsulfuration pathway (cystathionine, methionine). Their disturbances may contribute to the neurodevelopmental and neurological phenotype of HPP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Cruz
- Groupe de RMN Biomédicale, Laboratoire SPCMIB (CNRS UMR 5068), Université Paul Sabatier, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse Cedex, France
| | - Marie Gleizes
- Centre de Recherche Cerveau et Cognition (CerCo), Université de Toulouse UPS; CNRS UMR 5549, Toulouse, France
| | - Stéphane Balayssac
- Groupe de RMN Biomédicale, Laboratoire SPCMIB (CNRS UMR 5068), Université Paul Sabatier, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse Cedex, France
| | - Etienne Mornet
- Unité de Génétique Constitutionnelle Prénatale et Postnatale, Service de Biologie, Centre Hospitalier de Versailles, Le Chesnay, France
| | - Grégory Marsal
- Centre de Recherche Cerveau et Cognition (CerCo), Université de Toulouse UPS; CNRS UMR 5549, Toulouse, France
| | - José Luis Millán
- Sanford Children's Health Research Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Myriam Malet-Martino
- Groupe de RMN Biomédicale, Laboratoire SPCMIB (CNRS UMR 5068), Université Paul Sabatier, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse Cedex, France
| | - Lionel G Nowak
- Centre de Recherche Cerveau et Cognition (CerCo), Université de Toulouse UPS; CNRS UMR 5549, Toulouse, France
| | - Véronique Gilard
- Groupe de RMN Biomédicale, Laboratoire SPCMIB (CNRS UMR 5068), Université Paul Sabatier, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse Cedex, France
| | - Caroline Fonta
- Centre de Recherche Cerveau et Cognition (CerCo), Université de Toulouse UPS; CNRS UMR 5549, Toulouse, France
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17
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Iida S, Nakamura M, Asayama S, Kunieda T, Kaneko S, Osaka H, Kusaka H. Rapidly progressive psychotic symptoms triggered by infection in a patient with methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency: a case report. BMC Neurol 2017; 17:47. [PMID: 28241805 PMCID: PMC5330085 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-017-0827-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency is a rare inborn error of metabolism inherited in autosomal recessive pattern and is associated with a wide spectrum of neurological abnormalities. Case presentation We herein describe a 15-year-old boy with MTHFR deficiency who presented with a slowly progressive decline of school performance and a spastic gait. Rapidly deteriorating psychosis and repetitive seizures triggered by a febrile infection prompted neurological investigation. He had significantly elevated total plasma homocysteine and urinary homocystine levels, as well as a decreased plasma methionine level. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed leukoencephalopathy. DNA gene sequencing showed c.446_447 del GC ins TT and c.137G > A, and c.665C > T heterozygous mutations in the MTHFR gene of the patient. Oral administration of betaine drastically improved his clinical symptoms within a few months. After 8 months of treatment, his total plasma homocysteine level moderately decreased; and the plasma methionine concentration became normalized. Furthermore, the white matter lesions on MRI had disappeared. Conclusion This patient demonstrates the possibility that MTHFR deficiency should be considered in mentally retarded adolescents who display an abnormally elevated plasma level of homocysteine in association with progressive neurological dysfunction and leukoencephalopathy. Febrile infections may be an aggravating factor in patients with MTHFR deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin Iida
- Department of Neurology, Kansai Medical University, 2-5-1, Shinmachi, Hirakata, Osaka, 5731010, Japan
| | - Masataka Nakamura
- Department of Neurology, Kansai Medical University, 2-5-1, Shinmachi, Hirakata, Osaka, 5731010, Japan.
| | - Shinya Asayama
- Department of Neurology, Kansai Medical University, 2-5-1, Shinmachi, Hirakata, Osaka, 5731010, Japan
| | - Takenobu Kunieda
- Department of Neurology, Kansai Medical University, 2-5-1, Shinmachi, Hirakata, Osaka, 5731010, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kaneko
- Department of Neurology, Kansai Medical University, 2-5-1, Shinmachi, Hirakata, Osaka, 5731010, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Osaka
- Department of Pediatrics, Jichi Medical School, 3311-1, Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi, 3290498, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Kusaka
- Department of Neurology, Kansai Medical University, 2-5-1, Shinmachi, Hirakata, Osaka, 5731010, Japan
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18
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Huemer M, Diodato D, Schwahn B, Schiff M, Bandeira A, Benoist JF, Burlina A, Cerone R, Couce ML, Garcia-Cazorla A, la Marca G, Pasquini E, Vilarinho L, Weisfeld-Adams JD, Kožich V, Blom H, Baumgartner MR, Dionisi-Vici C. Guidelines for diagnosis and management of the cobalamin-related remethylation disorders cblC, cblD, cblE, cblF, cblG, cblJ and MTHFR deficiency. J Inherit Metab Dis 2017; 40:21-48. [PMID: 27905001 PMCID: PMC5203859 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-016-9991-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Revised: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Remethylation defects are rare inherited disorders in which impaired remethylation of homocysteine to methionine leads to accumulation of homocysteine and perturbation of numerous methylation reactions. OBJECTIVE To summarise clinical and biochemical characteristics of these severe disorders and to provide guidelines on diagnosis and management. DATA SOURCES Review, evaluation and discussion of the medical literature (Medline, Cochrane databases) by a panel of experts on these rare diseases following the GRADE approach. KEY RECOMMENDATIONS We strongly recommend measuring plasma total homocysteine in any patient presenting with the combination of neurological and/or visual and/or haematological symptoms, subacute spinal cord degeneration, atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome or unexplained vascular thrombosis. We strongly recommend to initiate treatment with parenteral hydroxocobalamin without delay in any suspected remethylation disorder; it significantly improves survival and incidence of severe complications. We strongly recommend betaine treatment in individuals with MTHFR deficiency; it improves the outcome and prevents disease when given early.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Huemer
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Childrens' Hospital Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
- radiz - Rare Disease Initiative Zürich, Clinical Research Priority Program, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Paediatrics, Landeskrankenhaus Bregenz, Bregenz, Austria
| | - Daria Diodato
- Division of Metabolism, Bambino Gesù Children's Research Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Bernd Schwahn
- Willink Biochemical Genetics Unit, Saint Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK
| | - Manuel Schiff
- Reference Center for Inborn Errors of Metabolism, Robert Debré University Hospital, APHP, Paris, France
- Inserm U1141, Robert Debré Hospital, Paris, France
- Université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, site Robert Debré, Paris, France
| | | | - Jean-Francois Benoist
- Reference Center for Inborn Errors of Metabolism, Robert Debré University Hospital, APHP, Paris, France
- Inserm U1141, Robert Debré Hospital, Paris, France
- Biochimie, faculté de pharmacie, Université Paris Sud, Paris, France
| | - Alberto Burlina
- Division of Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Roberto Cerone
- University Dept of Pediatrics, Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria L Couce
- Congenital Metabolic Diseases Unit, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, IDIS, CIBER, Compostela, Spain
| | - Angeles Garcia-Cazorla
- Department of Neurology, Neurometabolism Unit, and CIBERER (ISCIII), Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Giancarlo la Marca
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Firence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Pasquini
- Metabolic and Newborn Screening Clinical Unit, Department of Neurosciences, A. Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Laura Vilarinho
- Newborn Screening, Metabolism & Genetics Unit, National Institute of Health, Porto, Portugal
| | - James D Weisfeld-Adams
- Section of Clinical Genetics and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
- Inherited Metabolic Diseases Clinic, Childrens Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Viktor Kožich
- Institute of Inherited Metabolic Disorders, Charles University-First Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Henk Blom
- Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry and Metabolism, Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine University Hospital, Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Matthias R Baumgartner
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Childrens' Hospital Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- radiz - Rare Disease Initiative Zürich, Clinical Research Priority Program, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Carlo Dionisi-Vici
- Division of Metabolism, Bambino Gesù Children's Research Hospital, Rome, Italy.
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19
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Ortigoza Escobar JD, Pérez Dueñas B. Treatable Inborn Errors of Metabolism Due to Membrane Vitamin Transporters Deficiency. Semin Pediatr Neurol 2016; 23:341-350. [PMID: 28284395 DOI: 10.1016/j.spen.2016.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
B vitamins act as cofactors for strategic metabolic processes. The SLC19 gene family of solute carriers has a significant structural similarity, transporting substrates with different structure and ionic charge. Three proteins of this family are expressed ubiquitously and mediate the transport of 2 important water-soluble vitamins, folate, and thiamine. SLC19A1 transports folate and SLC19A2 and SLC19A3 transport thiamine. PCFT and FOLR1 ensure intestinal absorption and transport of folate through the blood-brain barrier and SLC19A25 transports thiamine into the mitochondria. Several damaging genetic defects in vitamin B transport and metabolism have been reported. The most relevant feature of thiamine and folate transport defects is that both of them are treatable disorders. In this article, we discuss the biology and transport of thiamine and folate, as well as the clinical phenotype of the genetic defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Darío Ortigoza Escobar
- Department of Child Neurology, Pediatric Research Institute, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Belén Pérez Dueñas
- Department of Child Neurology, Pediatric Research Institute, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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20
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Khayati K, Antikainen H, Bonder EM, Weber GF, Kruger WD, Jakubowski H, Dobrowolski R. The amino acid metabolite homocysteine activates mTORC1 to inhibit autophagy and form abnormal proteins in human neurons and mice. FASEB J 2016; 31:598-609. [PMID: 28148781 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201600915r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms leading to and responsible for age-related, sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) remain largely unknown. It is well documented that aging patients with elevated levels of the amino acid metabolite homocysteine (Hcy) are at high risk of developing AD. We investigated the impact of Hcy on molecular clearance pathways in mammalian cells, including in vitro cultured induced pluripotent stem cell-derived forebrain neurons and in vivo neurons in mouse brains. Exposure to Hcy resulted in up-regulation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activity, one of the major kinases in cells that is tightly linked to anabolic and catabolic pathways. Hcy is sensed by a constitutive protein complex composed of leucyl-tRNA-synthetase and folliculin, which regulates mTOR tethering to lysosomal membranes. In hyperhomocysteinemic human cells and cystathionine β-synthase-deficient mouse brains, we find an acute and chronic inhibition of the molecular clearance of protein products resulting in a buildup of abnormal proteins, including β-amyloid and phospho-Tau. Formation of these protein aggregates leads to AD-like neurodegeneration. This pathology can be prevented by inhibition of mTORC1 or by induction of autophagy. We conclude that an increase of intracellular Hcy levels predisposes neurons to develop abnormal protein aggregates, which are hallmarks of AD and its associated onset and pathophysiology with age.-Khayati, K., Antikainen, H., Bonder, E. M., Weber, G. F., Kruger, W. D., Jakubowski, H., Dobrowolski, R. The amino acid metabolite homocysteine activates mTORC1 to inhibit autophagy and form abnormal proteins in human neurons and mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khoosheh Khayati
- Federated Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University/New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Henri Antikainen
- Federated Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University/New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Edward M Bonder
- Federated Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University/New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Gregory F Weber
- Federated Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University/New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | | | - Hieronim Jakubowski
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Genetics, International Center for Public Health, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA.,Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Poznań, Poland; and.,Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Radek Dobrowolski
- Federated Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University/New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, USA;
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21
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Mutation Update and Review of Severe Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Deficiency. Hum Mutat 2016; 37:427-38. [DOI: 10.1002/humu.22970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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22
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Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Autophagy in Homocystinuria Patients with Remethylation Defects. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0150357. [PMID: 26959487 PMCID: PMC4784912 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Proper function of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria is crucial for cellular homeostasis, and dysfunction at either site as well as perturbation of mitochondria-associated ER membranes (MAMs) have been linked to neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases. Previously, we have observed an increase in ROS and apoptosis levels in patient-derived fibroblasts with remethylation disorders causing homocystinuria. Here we show increased mRNA and protein levels of Herp, Grp78, IP3R1, pPERK, ATF4, CHOP, asparagine synthase and GADD45 in patient-derived fibroblasts suggesting ER stress and calcium perturbations in homocystinuria. In addition, overexpressed MAM-associated proteins (Grp75, σ-1R and Mfn2) were found in these cells that could result in mitochondrial calcium overload and oxidative stress increase. Our results also show an activation of autophagy process and a substantial degradation of altered mitochondria by mitophagy in patient-derived fibroblasts. Moreover, we have observed that autophagy was partially abolished by antioxidants suggesting that ROS participate in this process that may have a protective role. Our findings argue that alterations in Ca2+ homeostasis and autophagy may contribute to the development of this metabolic disorder and suggest a therapeutic potential in homocystinuria for agents that stabilize calcium homeostasis and/or restore the proper function of ER-mitochondria communications.
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23
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Feier F, Schwartz IVD, Benkert AR, Seda Neto J, Miura I, Chapchap P, da Fonseca EA, Vieira S, Zanotelli ML, Pinto e Vairo F, Camelo JS, Margutti AVB, Mazariegos GV, Puffenberger EG, Strauss KA. Living related versus deceased donor liver transplantation for maple syrup urine disease. Mol Genet Metab 2016; 117:336-43. [PMID: 26786177 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2016.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2015] [Revised: 01/10/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is an inherited disorder of branched chain ketoacid (BCKA) oxidation associated with episodic and chronic brain disease. Transplantation of liver from an unrelated deceased donor restores 9-13% whole-body BCKA oxidation capacity and stabilizes MSUD. Recent reports document encouraging short-term outcomes for MSUD patients who received a liver segment from mutation heterozygous living related donors (LRDT). To investigate effects of living related versus deceased unrelated grafts, we studied four Brazilian MSUD patients treated with LRDT who were followed for a mean 19 ± 12 postoperative months, and compared metabolic and clinical outcomes to 37 classical MSUD patients treated with deceased donor transplant. Patient and graft survival for LRDT were 100%. Three of 4 MSUD livers were successfully domino transplanted into non-MSUD subjects. Following LRDT, all subjects resumed a protein-unrestricted diet as mean plasma leucine decreased from 224 ± 306 μM to 143 ± 44 μM and allo-isoleucine decreased 91%. We observed no episodes of hyperleucinemia during 80 aggregate postoperative patient-months. Mean plasma leucine:isoleucine:valine concentration ratios were ~2:1:4 after deceased donor transplant compared to ~1:1:1.5 following LRDT, resulting in differences of predicted cerebral amino acid uptake. Mutant heterozygous liver segments effectively maintain steady-state BCAA and BCKA homeostasis on an unrestricted diet and during most catabolic states, but might have different metabolic effects than grafts from unrelated deceased donors. Neither living related nor deceased donor transplant affords complete protection from metabolic intoxication, but both strategies represent viable alternatives to nutritional management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Feier
- Hospital Sirio Libanes, São Paulo, Brazil; Hospital Santa Casa de Misericórdia, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ida Vanessa D Schwartz
- Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil; Genetics Department, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Sandra Vieira
- Pediatrics Department, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Pediatrics Liver Transplantation Program, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Maria Lúcia Zanotelli
- Pediatrics Liver Transplantation Program, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Jose Simon Camelo
- Pediatrics Department, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | - George V Mazariegos
- Hillman Center for Pediatric Transplantation, Children's Hospital of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Erik G Puffenberger
- Clinic for Special Children, Strasburg, PA, USA; Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA, USA
| | - Kevin A Strauss
- Clinic for Special Children, Strasburg, PA, USA; Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA, USA; Lancaster General Hospital, Lancaster, PA, USA.
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24
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Knowles L, Morris AAM, Walter JH. Treatment with Mefolinate (5-Methyltetrahydrofolate), but Not Folic Acid or Folinic Acid, Leads to Measurable 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate in Cerebrospinal Fluid in Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Deficiency. JIMD Rep 2016; 29:103-107. [PMID: 26898294 DOI: 10.1007/8904_2016_529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2015] [Revised: 12/07/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
S-adenosyl methionine, which is formed from methionine, is an essential methyl donor within the central nervous system. Methionine is formed by the enzyme methionine synthase for which 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) and homocysteine are substrates. Patients with severe methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency cannot make 5-MTHF and have extremely low levels in the CSF. As a consequence, methylation reactions in the CNS are compromised, and this is likely to play an important role in the neurological abnormalities that occur in MTHFR deficiency. Although treatment with oral betaine can remethylate homocysteine to methionine in the liver, betaine crosses the blood-brain barrier poorly, and CSF levels of methionine remain low. We report three patients with severe MTHFR deficiency (enzyme activity ≤1% of controls) who had undetectable levels of CSF 5-MTHF at diagnosis and while on treatment with either folic acid or calcium folinate. Only treatment with oral 5-MTHF given as calcium mefolinate at doses of 15-60 mg/kg/day resulted in an increase in CSF 5-MTHF.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Knowles
- Willink Biochemical Genetics Unit, Genetic Medicine, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - A A M Morris
- Willink Biochemical Genetics Unit, Genetic Medicine, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - J H Walter
- Willink Biochemical Genetics Unit, Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, University of Manchester, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, St Mary's Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK.
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25
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Huemer M, Mulder-Bleile R, Burda P, Froese DS, Suormala T, Zeev BB, Chinnery PF, Dionisi-Vici C, Dobbelaere D, Gökcay G, Demirkol M, Häberle J, Lossos A, Mengel E, Morris AA, Niezen-Koning KE, Plecko B, Parini R, Rokicki D, Schiff M, Schimmel M, Sewell AC, Sperl W, Spiekerkoetter U, Steinmann B, Taddeucci G, Trejo-Gabriel-Galán JM, Trefz F, Tsuji M, Vilaseca MA, von Kleist-Retzow JC, Walker V, Zeman J, Baumgartner MR, Fowler B. Clinical pattern, mutations and in vitro residual activity in 33 patients with severe 5, 10 methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency. J Inherit Metab Dis 2016; 39:115-24. [PMID: 26025547 PMCID: PMC6551224 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-015-9860-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Revised: 04/28/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency is a rare inborn defect disturbing the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine (<200 reported cases). This retrospective study evaluates clinical, biochemical genetic and in vitro enzymatic data in a cohort of 33 patients. METHODS Clinical, biochemical and treatment data was obtained from physicians by using a questionnaire. MTHFR activity was measured in primary fibroblasts; genomic DNA was extracted from cultured fibroblasts. RESULTS Thirty-three patients (mean age at follow-up 11.4 years; four deceased; median age at first presentation 5 weeks; 17 females) were included. Patients with very low (<1.5%) mean control values of enzyme activity (n = 14) presented earlier and with a pattern of feeding problems, encephalopathy, muscular hypotonia, neurocognitive impairment, apnoea, hydrocephalus, microcephaly and epilepsy. Patients with higher (>1.7-34.8%) residual enzyme activity had mainly psychiatric symptoms, mental retardation, myelopathy, ataxia and spasticity. Treatment with various combinations of betaine, methionine, folate and cobalamin improved the biochemical and clinical phenotype. During the disease course, patients with very low enzyme activity showed a progression of feeding problems, neurological symptoms, mental retardation, and psychiatric disease while in patients with higher residual enzyme activity, myelopathy, ataxia and spasticity increased. All other symptoms remained stable or improved in both groups upon treatment as did brain imaging in some cases. No clear genotype-phenotype correlation was obvious. DISCUSSION MTHFR deficiency is a severe disease primarily affecting the central nervous system. Age at presentation and clinical pattern are correlated with residual enzyme activity. Treatment alleviates biochemical abnormalities and clinical symptoms partially.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Huemer
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Childrens' Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- radiz - Rare Disease Initiative Zürich, Clinical Research Priority Program, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Paediatrics, Landeskrankenhaus Bregenz, Bregenz, Austria
| | | | - Patricie Burda
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Childrens' Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - D Sean Froese
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Childrens' Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Terttu Suormala
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Childrens' Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Bruria Ben Zeev
- Edmond and Lilly Safra Pediatric Hospital, Sheba Med Center and Sackler School of Medicine Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Patrick F Chinnery
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Carlo Dionisi-Vici
- Division of Metabolism, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Dries Dobbelaere
- Centre de Référence Maladies Héréditaires du Métabolisme de l'enfant et de l'adulte, Hôpital Jeanne de Flandre, Lille, France
| | - Gülden Gökcay
- Istanbul Medical Faculty, Children's Hospital, Pediatric Nutrition and Metabolism, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mübeccel Demirkol
- Istanbul Medical Faculty, Children's Hospital, Pediatric Nutrition and Metabolism, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Johannes Häberle
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Childrens' Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Lossos
- Villa metabolica, Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, MC Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Eugen Mengel
- Villa metabolica, Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, MC Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Andrew A Morris
- Willink Unit, Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, Central Manchester University Hospitals, Manchester, UK
| | - Klary E Niezen-Koning
- Laboratory Metabolic Diseases, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Barbara Plecko
- radiz - Rare Disease Initiative Zürich, Clinical Research Priority Program, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Division of Child Neurology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Rossella Parini
- Unit for rare metabolic diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione MBBM/San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Dariusz Rokicki
- Department of Pediatrics, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, The Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Manuel Schiff
- Reference Center for Inborn Errors of Metabolism, Hôpital Robert Debré, APHP, INSERM U1141 and Université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | | | - Adrian C Sewell
- Department of Paediatrics, University Children's Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Bioscientia Institute for Laboratory Diagnostics, Ingelheim, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Sperl
- Department of Pediatrics, Paracelsus Medical University (PMU), Salzburg, Austria
| | - Ute Spiekerkoetter
- Department of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Children's Hospital, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Beat Steinmann
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Childrens' Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Grazia Taddeucci
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Paediatric Neurology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Friedrich Trefz
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Megumi Tsuji
- Department of Neuroscience, Jikei University School of Medicine, Minato, Tokyo, Japan
| | - María Antònia Vilaseca
- Laboratori de Malalties Metabòliques Hereditàrias, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Valerie Walker
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Jiri Zeman
- Department of Paediatrics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Matthias R Baumgartner
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Childrens' Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
- radiz - Rare Disease Initiative Zürich, Clinical Research Priority Program, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Brian Fowler
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Childrens' Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
- University Childrens' Hospital Basel (UKBB), Basel, Switzerland.
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26
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Strauss KA, Ferreira C, Bottiglieri T, Zhao X, Arning E, Zhang S, Zeisel SH, Escolar ML, Presnick N, Puffenberger EG, Vugrek O, Kovacevic L, Wagner C, Mazariegos GV, Mudd SH, Soltys K. Liver transplantation for treatment of severe S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase deficiency. Mol Genet Metab 2015; 116:44-52. [PMID: 26095522 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2015.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2015] [Accepted: 06/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A child with severe S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (AHCY) deficiency (AHCY c.428A>G, p.Tyr143Cys; c.982T>G, p.Tyr328Asp) presented at 8 months of age with growth failure, microcephaly, global developmental delay, myopathy, hepatopathy, and factor VII deficiency. Plasma methionine, S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet), and S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) were markedly elevated and the molar concentration ratio of AdoMet:AdoHcy, believed to regulate a myriad of methyltransferase reactions, was 15% of the control mean. Dietary therapy failed to normalize biochemical markers or alter the AdoMet to AdoHcy molar concentration ratio. At 40 months of age, the proband received a liver segment from a healthy, unrelated living donor. Mean AdoHcy decreased 96% and the AdoMet:AdoHcy concentration ratio improved from 0.52±0.19 to 1.48±0.79 mol:mol (control 4.10±2.11 mol:mol). Blood methionine and AdoMet were normal and stable during 6 months of follow-up on an unrestricted diet. Average calculated tissue methyltransferase activity increased from 43±26% to 60±22%, accompanied by signs of increased transmethylation in vivo. Factor VII activity increased from 12% to 100%. During 6 postoperative months, head growth accelerated 4-fold and the patient made promising gains in gross motor, language, and social skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A Strauss
- Clinic for Special Children, Strasburg, PA, USA; Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA, USA; Lancaster General Hospital, Lancaster, PA, USA.
| | - Carlos Ferreira
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Teodoro Bottiglieri
- Center of Metabolomics, Institute of Metabolic Disease, Baylor Research Institute, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Xueqing Zhao
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC, USA
| | - Erland Arning
- Center of Metabolomics, Institute of Metabolic Disease, Baylor Research Institute, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Shucha Zhang
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC, USA
| | - Steven H Zeisel
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, NC, USA
| | - Maria L Escolar
- Program for the Study of Neurodevelopment in Rare Disorders and Center for Rare Disease Therapy, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Erik G Puffenberger
- Clinic for Special Children, Strasburg, PA, USA; Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA, USA
| | - Oliver Vugrek
- Translational Medicine Group, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lucija Kovacevic
- Translational Medicine Group, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Conrad Wagner
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - George V Mazariegos
- Hillman Center for Pediatric Transplantation, Thomas E. Starzl Transplant Institute and Center for Rare Disease Therapy, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - S Harvey Mudd
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kyle Soltys
- Hillman Center for Pediatric Transplantation, Thomas E. Starzl Transplant Institute and Center for Rare Disease Therapy, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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27
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A critical reappraisal of dietary practices in methylmalonic acidemia raises concerns about the safety of medical foods. Part 2: cobalamin C deficiency. Genet Med 2015; 18:396-404. [PMID: 26270766 PMCID: PMC4752912 DOI: 10.1038/gim.2015.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Cobalamin C (cblC) deficiency impairs the biosynthesis of adenosyl- and methylcobalamin resulting in methylmalonic acidemia combined with hyperhomocysteinemia and hypomethioninemia. However, some patients with cblC deficiency are treated with medical foods, devoid of methionine and high in leucine content, that are formulated for patients with isolated propionate oxidative defects. We examined the effects of imbalanced branched-chain amino acid intake on growth outcomes in cblC patients. METHODS Dietary intake was correlated with biochemical, anthropometric, body composition measurements and other disease parameters in a cohort of 28 early-onset cblC patients. RESULTS Protein restricted diets were followed by 21% of the patients, while 32% received medical foods. Patients on protein-restricted diets had lower height-for-age Z-score (P=0.034), while patients consuming medical foods had lower head-circumference Z-scores (P=0.037), plasma methionine concentrations (P=0.001) and predicted methionine influx through the blood brain barrier Z-score (−1.29 vs. −0.0617, P=0.007). The combination of age of diagnosis, a history of seizures and the leucine/valine dietary intake ratio best predicted head circumference Z-score based on multiple regression modeling (R2= 0.945). CONCLUSIONS Patients with cblC deficiency treated with medical foods designed for isolated methylmalonic acidemia are at risk for iatrogenic methionine deficiency that could adversely affect brain growth and development. TRIAL REGISTRATION This clinical study is registered in www.clinicaltrials.gov with the ID: NCT00078078. Study URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00078078
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28
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Wang Y, Liu Y, Ji W, Qin H, Wu H, Xu D, Turtuohut T, Wang Z. Variants in MTHFR gene and neural tube defects susceptibility in China. Metab Brain Dis 2015; 30:1017-26. [PMID: 25855017 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-015-9662-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Neural tube defect (NTD) is a severe congenital birth abnormalities involving incomplete neural tube closure. 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene plays key role in folate cycle and methylation cycle, which could affect the DNA synthesis, repair and methylation. In this study, we aim to investigate the correlation between MTHFR polymorphisms and NTD-affected pregnancy. There were 444 participants involved in our study. Tag-SNPs were identified in HapMap Databases. Blood samples were collected from all subjects to further extract the genomic DNAs by TaqMan Blood DNA kits. We also carried out a meta-analysis based on previous published studies to further examine the association between MTHFR polymorphisms and NTD. In case-control study analysis, two SNPs were identified to be associated with NTD risk. The 677 C > T genetic variant was correlated with increased risk of NTD-affected pregnancy. However, the 1298 A > C polymorphism was shown to lower the risk of NTD-affected pregnancy. The protective role of 1298 A > C polymorphisms was further supported by the result of meta-analysis. Our study revealed that the SNPs of 677C > T and 1298A > C in MTHFR were associated with NTD-affected pregnancy, in which 677C > T was a risk factor and in contrast 1298A > C was protective factor against NTD. Our results of meta-analysis also revealed the 1298A > C MTHFR polymorphism play protective role in NTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongxin Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, No. 137 South Liyushan Road, Urumqi, 830054, China
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29
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Burda P, Schäfer A, Suormala T, Rummel T, Bürer C, Heuberger D, Frapolli M, Giunta C, Sokolová J, Vlášková H, Kožich V, Koch HG, Fowler B, Froese DS, Baumgartner MR. Insights into Severe 5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Deficiency: Molecular Genetic and Enzymatic Characterization of 76 Patients. Hum Mutat 2015; 36:611-21. [DOI: 10.1002/humu.22779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2014] [Accepted: 02/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Patricie Burda
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center; University Children's Hospital; Zurich CH-8032 Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Schäfer
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center; University Children's Hospital; Zurich CH-8032 Switzerland
| | - Terttu Suormala
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center; University Children's Hospital; Zurich CH-8032 Switzerland
| | - Till Rummel
- Department of Pediatrics; University Hospital; Münster D-48149 Germany
| | - Céline Bürer
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center; University Children's Hospital; Zurich CH-8032 Switzerland
| | - Dorothea Heuberger
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center; University Children's Hospital; Zurich CH-8032 Switzerland
| | - Michele Frapolli
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center; University Children's Hospital; Zurich CH-8032 Switzerland
| | - Cecilia Giunta
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center; University Children's Hospital; Zurich CH-8032 Switzerland
| | - Jitka Sokolová
- Institute of Inherited Metabolic Disorders; First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague; Prague Czech Republic
| | - Hana Vlášková
- Institute of Inherited Metabolic Disorders; First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague; Prague Czech Republic
| | - Viktor Kožich
- Institute of Inherited Metabolic Disorders; First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague; Prague Czech Republic
| | - Hans Georg Koch
- Department of Pediatrics; University Hospital; Münster D-48149 Germany
- Klinikum für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin; Klinikum Braunschweig; Braunschweig D-38118 Germany
| | - Brian Fowler
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center; University Children's Hospital; Zurich CH-8032 Switzerland
| | - D. Sean Froese
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center; University Children's Hospital; Zurich CH-8032 Switzerland
- radiz - Rare Disease Initiative Zurich; Clinical Research Priority Program for Rare Diseases, University of Zurich; Switzerland
| | - Matthias R. Baumgartner
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center; University Children's Hospital; Zurich CH-8032 Switzerland
- radiz - Rare Disease Initiative Zurich; Clinical Research Priority Program for Rare Diseases, University of Zurich; Switzerland
- Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology; University of Zurich; Switzerland
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Outcomes of four patients with homocysteine remethylation disorders detected by newborn screening. Genet Med 2015; 18:162-7. [PMID: 25856670 DOI: 10.1038/gim.2015.45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We evaluated the clinical outcome in homocysteine remethylation disorders following newborn screening (NBS) and initiation of early specific treatment. METHODS Five patients with remethylation disorders were included in this study. RESULTS Two asymptomatic patients (one with cblG and one with cblE) were identified by NBS using an approach that combines a postanalytical interpretive tool (available on the Region 4 Stork (R4S) collaborative project website, http://www.clir-r4s.org) and a second-tier test for total homocysteine determination. Both the initial screening and the second-tier test are performed on the same blood spot, with no additional patient contact, resulting in no false-positive outcomes. Two additional patients with methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency were detected by NBS using low methionine as a marker. Although already symptomatic despite the early diagnosis, the latter two patients greatly improved with treatment and their outcomes are compared with that of another patient with methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency and significant morbidity who was diagnosed clinically at 3 months of age. CONCLUSION Early detection by NBS and timely and specific treatment considerably improve at least short-term outcomes of homocysteine remethylation disorders. When a remethylation disorder is suspected, group-specific treatment could be started prior to the completion of in vitro confirmatory testing because all disorders from this group require similar intervention.
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Homocysteine thiolactone and N-homocysteinylated protein induce pro-atherogenic changes in gene expression in human vascular endothelial cells. Amino Acids 2015; 47:1319-39. [PMID: 25802182 PMCID: PMC4458266 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-015-1956-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Genetic or nutritional deficiencies in homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism lead to hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and cause endothelial dysfunction, a hallmark of atherosclerosis. In addition to Hcy, related metabolites accumulate in HHcy but their role in endothelial dysfunction is unknown. Here, we examine how Hcy-thiolactone, N-Hcy-protein, and Hcy affect gene expression and molecular pathways in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. We used microarray technology, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and bioinformatic analysis with PANTHER, DAVID, and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) resources. We identified 47, 113, and 30 mRNAs regulated by N-Hcy-protein, Hcy-thiolactone, and Hcy, respectively, and found that each metabolite induced a unique pattern of gene expression. Top molecular pathways affected by Hcy-thiolactone were chromatin organization, one-carbon metabolism, and lipid-related processes [−log(P value) = 20–31]. Top pathways affected by N-Hcy-protein and Hcy were blood coagulation, sulfur amino acid metabolism, and lipid metabolism [−log(P value)] = 4–11; also affected by Hcy-thiolactone, [−log(P value) = 8–14]. Top disease related to Hcy-thiolactone, N-Hcy-protein, and Hcy was ‘atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease’ [−log(P value) = 9–16]. Top-scored biological networks affected by Hcy-thiolactone (score = 34–40) were cardiovascular disease and function; those affected by N-Hcy-protein (score = 24–35) were ‘small molecule biochemistry, neurological disease,’ and ‘cardiovascular system development and function’; and those affected by Hcy (score = 25–37) were ‘amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism,’ ‘cellular movement, and cardiovascular and nervous system development and function.’ These results indicate that each Hcy metabolite uniquely modulates gene expression in pathways important for vascular homeostasis and identify new genes and pathways that are linked to HHcy-induced endothelial dysfunction and vascular disease.
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Munoz T, Patel J, Badilla-Porras R, Kronick J, Mercimek-Mahmutoglu S. Severe scoliosis in a patient with severe methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency. Brain Dev 2015; 37:168-70. [PMID: 24726568 DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2014.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2014] [Revised: 03/16/2014] [Accepted: 03/19/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Severe methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessively inherited inborn error of folate metabolism. We report a new patient with severe MTHFR deficiency who presented at age 4 months with early onset severe scoliosis associated with severe hypotonia. Markedly decreased MTHFR enzyme activity (0.3 nmoles CHO/mg protein/h; reference range>9) and compound heterozygous mutations (c. 1304T>C; p.Phe435Ser and c.1539dup; p.Glu514Argfs∗24) in the MTHFR gene confirmed the diagnosis. She was treated with vitamin B12, folic acid and betaine supplementation and showed improvements in her developmental milestones and hypotonia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first patient with MTHFR deficiency reported with severe early onset scoliosis. Despite the late diagnosis and treatment initiation, she showed favorable short-term neurodevelopmental outcome. This case suggests that homocysteine measurement should be included in the investigations of patients with developmental delay, hypotonia and scoliosis within first year of life prior to organizing genetic investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Munoz
- Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jinesh Patel
- Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ramses Badilla-Porras
- Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jonathan Kronick
- Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Saadet Mercimek-Mahmutoglu
- Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada; Genetics and Genome Biology Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.
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Hall PL, Marquardt G, McHugh DMS, Currier RJ, Tang H, Stoway SD, Rinaldo P. Postanalytical tools improve performance of newborn screening by tandem mass spectrometry. Genet Med 2014; 16:889-95. [PMID: 24875301 PMCID: PMC4262759 DOI: 10.1038/gim.2014.62] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Accepted: 04/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare performance metrics of postanalytical interpretive tools of the Region 4 Stork collaborative project to the actual outcome based on cutoff values for amino acids and acylcarnitines selected by the California newborn screening program. Methods: This study was a retrospective review of the outcome of 176,186 subjects born in California between 1 January and 30 June 2012. Raw data were uploaded to the Region 4 Stork Web portal as .csv files to calculate tool scores for 48 conditions simultaneously using a previously unpublished functionality, the tool runner. Scores for individual target conditions were deemed informative when equal or greater to the value representing the first percentile rank of known true-positive cases (17,099 cases in total). Results: In the study period, the actual false-positive rate and positive predictive value were 0.26 and 10%, respectively. Utilization of the Region 4 Stork tools, simple interpretation rules, and second-tier tests could have achieved a false-positive rate as low as 0.02% and a positive predictive value >50% by replacing the cutoff system with Region 4 Stork tools as the primary method for postanalytical interpretation. Conclusion: Region 4 Stork interpretive tools, second-tier tests, and other evidence-based interpretation rules could have reduced false-positive cases by up to 90% in California.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia L Hall
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Gregg Marquardt
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - David M S McHugh
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Robert J Currier
- California Department of Public Heath, Richmond, California, USA
| | - Hao Tang
- California Department of Public Heath, Richmond, California, USA
| | - Stephanie D Stoway
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Piero Rinaldo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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Hirabayashi K, Shiohara M, Yamada K, Sueki A, Ide Y, Takeuchi K, Hagimoto R, Kinoshita T, Yabuhara A, Mudd SH, Koike K. Neurologically normal development of a patient with severe methionine adenosyltransferase I/III deficiency after continuing dietary methionine restriction. Gene 2013; 530:104-8. [PMID: 23973726 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2013.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2013] [Revised: 07/15/2013] [Accepted: 08/10/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is not much information on established standard therapy for patients with severe methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT) I/III deficiency. CASE PRESENTATION We report a boy with MAT I/III deficiency, in whom plasma methionine and total homocysteine, and urinary homocystine were elevated. Molecular genetic studies showed him to have novel compound heterozygous mutations of the MAT1A gene: c.191T>A (p.M64K) and c.589delC (p.P197LfsX26). A low methionine milk diet was started at 31 days of age, and during continuing dietary methionine restriction plasma methionine levels have been maintained at less than 750 μmol/L. He is now 5 years old, and has had entirely normal physical growth and psychomotor development. CONCLUSIONS Although some severely MAT I/III deficient patients have developed neurologic abnormalities, we report here the case of a boy who has remained neurologically and otherwise normal for 5 years during methionine restriction, suggesting that perhaps such management, started in early infancy, may help prevent neurological complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koichi Hirabayashi
- Department of Pediatrics, Ina Central Hospital, Ina, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.
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Metabolic profiling of total homocysteine and related compounds in hyperhomocysteinemia: utility and limitations in diagnosing the cause of puzzling thrombophilia in a family. JIMD Rep 2013; 11:149-63. [PMID: 23733603 DOI: 10.1007/8904_2013_235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2011] [Revised: 05/25/2012] [Accepted: 06/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe a family illustrating the diagnostic difficulties occurring when pyridoxine-responsive cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) deficiency presents with thrombotic disease without associated ocular, skeletal, or CNS abnormalities, a situation increasingly recognized. This family had several thromboembolic episodes in two generations with apparently inconstant elevations of plasma total homocysteine (tHcy). When taking (sometimes even low amounts) of pyridoxine, the affected family members had low-normal tHcy and normal values for cystathionine, methionine, and cysteine. Withdrawal of vitamin therapy was necessary before lower cystathionine, elevated methionine, and decreased cysteine became apparent, a pattern suggestive of CBS deficiency, leading to the finding that the affected members were each compound heterozygotes for CBS p.G307S and p.P49L. To assist more accurate diagnosis of adults presenting with thrombophilia found to have elevated tHcy, the patterns of methionine-related metabolites in CBS-deficient patients are compared in this article to those in patients with homocysteine remethylation defects, including inborn errors of folate or cobalamin metabolism, and untreated severe cobalamin or folate deficiency. Usually serum cystathionine is low in subjects with CBS deficiency and elevated in those with remethylation defects. S-Adenosylmethionine and S-adenosylhomocysteine are often markedly elevated in CBS deficiency when tHcy is above 100 umol/L. We conclude that there are likely other undiagnosed, highly B6-responsive adult patients with CBS deficiency, and that additional testing of cystathionine, total cysteine, methionine, and S-adenosylmethionine will be helpful in diagnosing them correctly and distinguishing CBS deficiency from remethylation defects.
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Jakubowski H. The Mechanism and Consequences of Homocysteine Incorporation Into Protein in Humans. PHOSPHORUS SULFUR 2013. [DOI: 10.1080/10426507.2012.736104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hieronim Jakubowski
- a Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School , International Center for Public Health , Newark , NJ , USA
- b Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, and Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology , University of Life Sciences , Poznań , Poland
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Puffenberger EG, Jinks RN, Wang H, Xin B, Fiorentini C, Sherman EA, Degrazio D, Shaw C, Sougnez C, Cibulskis K, Gabriel S, Kelley RI, Morton DH, Strauss KA. A homozygous missense mutation in HERC2 associated with global developmental delay and autism spectrum disorder. Hum Mutat 2013; 33:1639-46. [PMID: 23065719 DOI: 10.1002/humu.22237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
We studied a unique phenotype of cognitive delay, autistic behavior, and gait instability segregating in three separate sibships. We initiated genome-wide mapping in two sibships using Affymetrix 10K SNP Mapping Arrays and identified a homozygous 8.2 Mb region on chromosome 15 common to five affected children. We used exome sequencing of two affected children to assess coding sequence variants within the mapped interval. Four novel homozygous exome variants were shared between the two patients; however, only two variants localized to the mapped interval on chromosome 15. A third sibship in an Ohio Amish deme narrowed the mapped interval to 2.6 Mb and excluded one of the two novel homozygous exome variants. The remaining variant, a missense change in HERC2 (c.1781C>T, p.Pro594Leu), occurs in a highly conserved proline residue within an RCC1-like functional domain. Functional studies of truncated HERC2 in adherent retinal pigment epithelium cells suggest that the p.Pro594Leu variant induces protein aggregation and leads to decreased HERC2 abundance. The phenotypic correlation with the mouse Herc1 and Herc2 mutants as well as the phenotypic overlap with Angelman syndrome provide further evidence that pathogenic changes in HERC2 are associated with nonsyndromic intellectual disability, autism, and gait disturbance. Hum Mutat 33:1639-1646, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Sonne SR, Bhalla VK, Barman SA, White RE, Zhu S, Newman TM, Prasad PD, Smith SB, Offermanns S, Ganapathy V. Hyperhomocysteinemia is detrimental to pregnancy in mice and is associated with preterm birth. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2013; 1832:1149-58. [PMID: 23579073 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2013.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2013] [Revised: 03/28/2013] [Accepted: 04/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Elevated levels of homocysteine produce detrimental effects in humans but its role in preterm birth is not known. Here we used a mouse model of hyperhomocysteinemia to examine the relevance of homocysteine to preterm birth. The mouse carries a heterozygous deletion of cystathionine β-synthase (Cbs(+/-)). Gestational period was monitored in wild type and Cbs(+/-) female mice. Mouse uterine and placental tissues, human primary trophoblast cells, and human myometrial and placental cell lines were used to determine the influence of homocysteine on expression of specific genes in vitro. The activity of BKCa channel in the myometrial cell line was monitored using the patch-clamp technique. We found that hyperhomocysteinemia had detrimental effects on pregnancy and induced preterm birth in mice. Homocysteine increased the expression of oxytocin receptor and Cox-2 as well as PGE2 production in uterus and placenta, and initiated premature uterine contraction. A Cox-2 inhibitor reversed these effects. Gpr109a, a receptor for niacin, induced Cox-2 in uterus. Homocysteine upregulated GPR109A and suppressed BKCa channel activity in human myometrial cells. Deletion of Gpr109a in Cbs(+/-) mice reversed premature birth. We conclude that hyperhomocysteinemia causes preterm birth in mice through upregulation of the Gpr109a/Cox-2/PGE2 axis and that pharmacological blockade of Gpr109a may have potential in prevention of preterm birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- S R Sonne
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
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39
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Kirsch SH, Herrmann W, Obeid R. Genetic defects in folate and cobalamin pathways affecting the brain. Clin Chem Lab Med 2013. [DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2012-0673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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40
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Ben-Shachar S, Zvi T, Rolfs A, Breda Klobus A, Yaron Y, Bar-Shira A, Orr-Urtreger A. A founder mutation causing a severe methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency in Bukharian Jews. Mol Genet Metab 2012; 107:608-10. [PMID: 22947400 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2012.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2012] [Revised: 08/09/2012] [Accepted: 08/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder. A novel homozygous MTHFR c.474A>T (p.G158G) mutation was detected in two unrelated children of Jewish Bukharian origin. This mutation generates an abnormal splicing and early termination codon. A carrier frequency of 1:39 (5/196) was determined among unrelated healthy Bukharian Jews. Given the disease severity and allele frequency, a population screening for individuals of this ancestry is warranted in order to allow prenatal, or preimplantation diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shay Ben-Shachar
- The Genetic Institute & Prenatal Diagnosis Unit, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
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41
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Watkins D, Rosenblatt DS. Update and new concepts in vitamin responsive disorders of folate transport and metabolism. J Inherit Metab Dis 2012; 35:665-70. [PMID: 22108709 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-011-9418-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2011] [Revised: 10/26/2011] [Accepted: 10/28/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Derivatives of folic acid are involved in transfer of one-carbon units in cellular metabolism, playing a role in synthesis of purines and thymidylate and in the remethylation of homocysteine to form methionine. Five inborn errors affecting folate transport and metabolism have been well studied: hereditary folate malabsorption, caused by mutations in the gene encoding the proton-coupled folate transporter (SLC46A1); glutamate formiminotransferase deficiency, caused by mutations in the FTCD gene; methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency, caused by mutations in the MTHFR gene; and functional methionine synthase deficiency, either as the result of mutations affecting methionine synthase itself (cblG, caused by mutations in the MTR gene) or affecting the accessory protein methionine synthase reductase (cblE, caused by mutations in the MTRR gene). Recently additional inborn errors have been identified. Cerebral folate deficiency is a clinically heterogeneous disorder, which in a few families is caused by mutations in the FOLR1 gene. Dihydrofolate reductase deficiency is characterized by megaloblastic anemia and cerebral folate deficiency, with variable neurological findings. It is caused by mutations in the DHFR gene. Deficiency in the trifunctional enzyme containing methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase, methenyltetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase and formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase activities, has been identified in a single patient with megaloblastic anemia, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome and severe combined immune deficiency. It is caused by mutations in the MTHFD1 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Watkins
- The Hess B and Diane Finestone Laboratory in Memory of Jacob and Jenny Finestone, and Department of Human Genetics, McGill University Health Centre, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Room L3-319, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Strauss KA, Puffenberger EG, Morton DH. One community's effort to control genetic disease. Am J Public Health 2012; 102:1300-6. [PMID: 22594747 PMCID: PMC3477994 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2011.300569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/06/2011] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
In 1989, we established a small community health clinic to provide care for uninsured Amish and Mennonite children with genetic disorders. Over 20 years, we have used publicly available molecular data and sophisticated technologies to improve diagnostic efficiency, control laboratory costs, reduce hospitalizations, and prevent major neurological impairments within a rural underserved community. These actions allowed the clinic's 2010 operating budget of $1.5 million to save local communities an estimated $20 to $25 million in aggregate medical costs. This exposes an unsettling fact: our failure to improve the lot of most people stricken with genetic disease is no longer a matter of scientific ignorance or prohibitive costs but of choices we make about how to implement existing knowledge and resources.
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Carrillo-Carrasco N, Chandler RJ, Venditti CP. Combined methylmalonic acidemia and homocystinuria, cblC type. I. Clinical presentations, diagnosis and management. J Inherit Metab Dis 2012; 35:91-102. [PMID: 21748409 PMCID: PMC4219318 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-011-9364-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2010] [Revised: 05/27/2011] [Accepted: 06/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Combined methylmalonic acidemia and homocystinuria, cblC type, is an inborn error of intracellular cobalamin metabolism with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations that is stated to be the most common inherited disorder of cobalamin metabolism. This metabolic disease is caused by mutations in the MMACHC gene and results in impaired intracellular synthesis of adenosylcobalamin and methylcobalamin, cofactors for the methylmalonyl-CoA mutase and methionine synthase enzymes. Elevated methylmalonic acid and homocysteine with decreased methionine production are the biochemical hallmarks of this disorder. Awareness of the diverse clinical presentations associated with cblC disease is necessary to provide a timely diagnosis, to guide management of affected individuals and to establish a framework for the future treatment of individuals detected through expanded newborn screening. This article reviews the biochemistry, clinical presentations, genotype-phenotype correlations, diagnosis and management of cblC disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria Carrillo-Carrasco
- Organic Acid Research Section, Genetics and Molecular Biology Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 49, Room 4A18, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Randy J. Chandler
- Organic Acid Research Section, Genetics and Molecular Biology Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 49, Room 4A18, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Charles P. Venditti
- Organic Acid Research Section, Genetics and Molecular Biology Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 49, Room 4A18, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Van Hove JLK, Lohr NJ. Metabolic and monogenic causes of seizures in neonates and young infants. Mol Genet Metab 2011; 104:214-30. [PMID: 21839663 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2011.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2011] [Revised: 04/20/2011] [Accepted: 04/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Seizures in neonates or young infants present a frequent diagnostic challenge. After exclusion of acquired causes, disturbances of the internal homeostasis and brain malformations, the physician must evaluate for inborn errors of metabolism and for other non-malformative genetic disorders as the cause of seizures. The metabolic causes can be categorized into disorders of neurotransmitter metabolism, disorders of energy production, and synthetic or catabolic disorders associated with brain malformation, dysfunction and degeneration. Other genetic conditions involve channelopathies, and disorders resulting in abnormal growth, differentiation and formation of neuronal populations. These conditions are important given their potential for treatment and the risk for recurrence in the family. In this paper, we will succinctly review the metabolic and genetic non-malformative causes of seizures in neonates and infants less than 6 months of age. We will then provide differential diagnostic clues and a practical paradigm for their evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan L K Van Hove
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Clinical Genetics, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
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45
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Prasad AN, Rupar CA, Prasad C. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency and infantile epilepsy. Brain Dev 2011; 33:758-69. [PMID: 21778025 DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2011.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2011] [Revised: 05/18/2011] [Accepted: 05/31/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES A recessively inherited defect leading to deficiency of the enzyme 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) underlies one form of hyperhomocysteinemia. We describe the association of severe MTHFR deficiency and neurological manifestations with particular attention to neurodevelopment and evolution of epileptic seizures. METHODS Case study and review of literature. RESULTS A 9 year old female infant born to Caucasian non-consanguineous parents presented with infantile spasms and developmental regression in the first year. The biochemical profile of low plasma methionine (below detectable limits), and slightly elevated homocystine (3 μmol/L (0-trace) and homocystinuria (234 μmol/gm creatinine) (0-trace amounts) was suggestive of a disturbance in homocysteine metabolism. Plasma homocysteine measurements (30.7 μmol/L, normal <13.5 μmol/L) confirmed hyperhomocysteinemia. Enzyme assay in skin fibroblasts confirmed severe MTHFR deficiency (patient 0.92, control 13.3±4.6nmol/mg/h). Molecular genetic studies identified compound heterozygosity for 2 variant polymorphisms (c.677C>T, and c.1298A>C) and a splicing mutation (c.1348+1G>A). This is a novel mutation that removes a splice site at the end of exon 7 resulting in a premature stop codon that truncates the protein, losing exons 8-11. CSF neurotransmitter analysis showed an extremely low level of 5-methyl tetrahydrofolate of <5 (40-128 nmol/L). The course of epilepsy has been characterized by progression to severe epileptic encephalopathy. Periventricular white matter change consistent with demyelination is seen on MR imaging. Treatment protocols include; oral betaine, supplementation with methionine, folic acid, and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate with questionable benefit. Epileptic seizures remain pharmacoresistant to antiepileptic medications singly and in combinations. Frequent bouts of status epilepticus have led to multiple hospitalizations, and neurosurgical interventions (corpus callosotomy, vagal nerve stimulation). At age 9 years, the patient remains severely impaired by vertebral compressive and limb fractures secondary to severe osteoporosis. CONCLUSION Severe MTHFR deficiency is an important diagnostic consideration in infantile epileptic encephalopathies. Early diagnosis and specific treatment interventions are possible. Further research is needed into effective treatment of epilepsy and prevention of complications in this disorder. Genotype and phenotype correlations will be explored in the light of available biochemical and molecular genetic data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asuri N Prasad
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
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46
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Jakubowski H. The role of paraoxonase 1 in the detoxification of homocysteine thiolactone. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2011; 660:113-27. [PMID: 20221875 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-60761-350-3_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The thioester homocysteine (Hcy)-thiolactone, product of an error-editing reaction in protein biosynthesis, forms when Hcy is mistakenly selected by methionyl-tRNA synthetase. Accumulating evidence suggests that Hcy-thiolactone plays an important role in atherothrombosis. The thioester chemistry of Hcy-thiolactone underlies its ability to form isopeptide bonds with protein lysine residues, which impairs or alters protein function and has pathophysiological consequences including activation of an autoimmune response and enhanced thrombosis. Mammalian organisms, including human, have evolved the ability to eliminate Hcy-thiolactone. One such mechanism involves paraoxonase 1 (PON1), which has the ability to hydrolyze Hcy-thiolactone. This article outlines Hcy-thiolactone pathobiology and reviews evidence documenting the role of PON1 in minimizing Hcy-thiolactone and N-Hcy-protein accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hieronim Jakubowski
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
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Strauss KA, Brumbaugh J, Duffy A, Wardley B, Robinson D, Hendrickson C, Tortorelli S, Moser AB, Puffenberger EG, Rider NL, Morton DH. Safety, efficacy and physiological actions of a lysine-free, arginine-rich formula to treat glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency: focus on cerebral amino acid influx. Mol Genet Metab 2011; 104:93-106. [PMID: 21820344 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2011.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2011] [Accepted: 07/03/2011] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Striatal degeneration from glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (glutaric aciduria type 1, GA1) is associated with cerebral formation and entrapment of glutaryl-CoA and its derivatives that depend on cerebral lysine influx. In 2006 we designed a lysine-free study formula enriched with arginine to selectively block lysine transport across cerebral endothelia and thereby limit glutaryl-CoA production by brain. Between 2006 and present, we treated twelve consecutive children with study formula (LYSx group) while holding all other treatment practices constant. Clinical and biochemical outcomes were compared to 25 GA1 patients (PROx group) treated between 1995 and 2005 with natural protein restriction (dietary lysine/arginine ratio of 1.7±0.3 mg:mg). We used published kinetic parameters of the y+and LAT1 blood-brain barrier transporters to model the influx of amino acids into the brain. Arginine fortification to achieve a mean dietary lysine/arginine ratio of 0.7±0.2 mg:mg was neuroprotective. All 12 LYSx patients are physically and neurologically healthy after 28 aggregate patient-years of follow up (current ages 28±21 months) and there were no adverse events related to formula use. This represents a 36% reduction of neurological risk (95% confidence interval 14-52%, p=0.018) that we can directly attribute to altered amino acid intake. During the first year of life, 20% lower lysine intake and two-fold higher arginine intake by LYSx patients were associated with 50% lower plasma lysine, 3-fold lower plasma lysine/arginine concentration ratio, 42% lower mean calculated cerebral lysine influx, 54% higher calculated cerebral arginine influx, 15-26% higher calculated cerebral influx of several anaplerotic precursors (isoleucine, threonine, methionine, and leucine), 50% less 3-hydroxyglutarate excretion, and a 3-fold lower hospitalization rate (0.8 versus 2.3 hospitalizations per patient per year). The relationship between arginine fortification and plasma lysine indicates that transport competition exists at both cerebrovascular and gastrointestinal barriers, suggesting their co-administration is key to efficacy. Monitoring the ratio between lysine and arginine in diet and plasma may prove a useful strategy for treating children with GA1.
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Weber-Ferro W, Hertzberg C, Röder H, Timme K, Rossi R. Intact recovery from early 'acquired methylmalonic aciduria' secondary to maternal atrophic gastritis. Acta Paediatr 2011; 100:e138-40. [PMID: 21352365 DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2011.02242.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIM A 6-month-old infant with severe hyporegenerative anaemia, muscular hypotonia and developmental delay is reported, and the metabolic, diagnostic and therapeutic implications of this case are discussed. RESULTS Diagnostic work-up disclosed vitamin B12 depletion with an elevated excretion of methylmalonic acid (MMA), but a normal plasma total homocysteine. MRI showed fronto-temporal atrophy and a delay in myelinization. The boy's disease was attributable to a maternal atrophic gastritis. After initiation of vitamin B12 supplementation, he quickly recovered regarding haematopoiesis and MMA excretion. His neurological development completely normalized during 18 months of follow-up including assessment by Bayley scores. CONCLUSION As the majority of reported patients with this acquired form of methylmalonic aciduria show a persistent neurological deficit, early diagnosis of this condition is mandatory and should include sensitive markers of vitamin B12 depletion, namely MMA formation and plasma homocysteine.
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Schiff M, Benoist JF, Tilea B, Royer N, Giraudier S, Ogier de Baulny H. Isolated remethylation disorders: do our treatments benefit patients? J Inherit Metab Dis 2011; 34:137-45. [PMID: 20490923 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-010-9120-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2010] [Revised: 04/17/2010] [Accepted: 04/20/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Deficiency of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), the very rare methionine synthase reductase (CblE) and methionine synthase (CblG) defects, and the recently identified CblD-variant-1 defect are primary remethylation defects characterized by an isolated defect in methionine synthesis without methylmalonic aciduria. The clinical signs are mainly neurological, and hematological signs are seen in CblE, CblG, and CblD-variant-1 defects. Patients with neonatal or early-onset disease exhibit acute neurological distress. Infants and children have unspecific mental retardation, often with acquired microcephaly. Without appropriate therapy, they may experience acute or rapidly progressive neurological deterioration, which may be fatal. Adolescents and adults show normal development or mild developmental delay initially and then experience rapid neurological or behavioral deterioration. A few patients may have signs of subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord. Adults may be asymptomatic or present with isolated thromboembolism. All patients with suspected remethylation disorders should receive emergency treatment with parenteral administration of hydroxocobalamin and folate supplements combined with betaine orally. The long-term treatment of CblE, CblG, and CblD-variant-1 defects consists of parenterally administered hydroxocobalamin and orally administered folate and betaine supplements, whereas patients with MTHFR deficiency require long-term oral folate and betaine supplements. Long-term oral methionine therapy should also be considered. Early treatment may lead to a favorable outcome with developmental recovery and prevention of further neurological deterioration. In contrast, most late-treated patients have severe and irreversible neuromotor impairments. Hematological abnormalities are easily corrected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Schiff
- Reference Center for Metabolic Disease, Robert Debré University Hospital, Paris, France.
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Tortorelli S, Turgeon CT, Lim JS, Baumgart S, Day-Salvatore DL, Abdenur J, Bernstein JA, Lorey F, Lichter-Konecki U, Oglesbee D, Raymond K, Matern D, Schimmenti L, Rinaldo P, Gavrilov DK. Two-tier approach to the newborn screening of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency and other remethylation disorders with tandem mass spectrometry. J Pediatr 2010; 157:271-5. [PMID: 20394947 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2010.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2009] [Revised: 01/20/2010] [Accepted: 02/17/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To validate a 2-tier approach for newborn screening (NBS) of remethylation defects. STUDY DESIGN The original NBS dried blood spots of 5 patients with a proven diagnosis of a remethylation disorder and 1 patient with biochemical evidence of such disorder were analyzed retrospectively to determine disease ranges for methionine (Met; 4.7-8.1 micromol/L; 1 percentile of healthy population, 11.1 micromol/L), the methionine/phenylalanine ratio (Met/Phe; 0.09-0.16; 1 percentile of healthy population, 0.22), and total homocysteine (tHcy; 42-157 micromol/L; 99 percentile of normal population, 14.7 micromol/L). These preliminary disease ranges showed a sufficient degree of segregation from healthy population data, allowing the selection of cutoff values. A simple algorithm was then developed to reflex cases to a second-tier testing for tHcy, which has been applied prospectively for 14 months. RESULTS A total of 86 333 NBS samples were tested between January 2007 and March 2008, and 233 of them (0.27%) met the criteria for second-tier testing of tHcy. All cases revealed concentrations of tHcy <15 micromol/L and were considered unaffected. No false-negative results have been reported with a state-wide system based on 2 combined metabolic clinics and laboratories that cover the entire Minnesota population and border areas of neighboring states. CONCLUSIONS Pending more conclusive evidence from the prospective identification of additional true-positive cases, NBS for remethylation disorders appears to be feasible with existing methodologies, with only a marginal increase of the laboratory workload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Tortorelli
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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