Published in:
01-05-2009 | Original Communication
Heteroplasmic mutation in the anticodon-stem of mitochondrial tRNAVal causing MNGIE-like gastrointestinal dysmotility and cachexia
Authors:
Rita Horváth, Andreas Bender, Angela Abicht, Elke Holinski-Feder, Birgit Czermin, Tobias Trips, Peter Schneiderat, Hanns Lochmüller, Thomas Klopstock
Published in:
Journal of Neurology
|
Issue 5/2009
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Abstract
While mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy (MNGIE) is typically associated with mutations in the nuclear gene encoding for thymidine phosphorylase (ECGF1, TYMP), a similar clinical phenotype was described in patients carrying mutations in the nuclear-encoded polymerase gamma (POLG1) as well as a few mitochondrial tRNA genes. Here we report a novel mutation in the mitochondrial tRNAVal (MTTV) gene in a girl presenting with clinical symptoms of MNGIE-like gastrointestinal dysmotility and cachexia. Clinical, histological, biochemical and single cell investigations were performed. The heteroplasmic m.1630A>G mutation was detected in the mitochondrial tRNAVal (MTTV) gene in the patient’s muscle, blood leukocytes and myoblasts, as well as in blood DNA of the unaffected mother. We provide clinical, biochemical, histological, and molecular genetic evidence on the single cell level for the pathogenicity of this mutation. Our finding adds to the genetic heterogeneity of MNGIE-like gastrointestinal symptoms and highlights the importance of a thorough genetic workup in case of suspected mitochondrial disease.