Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease 3/2010

01-12-2010 | Case Report

An adult onset case of alpha-methyl-acyl-CoA racemase deficiency

Authors: Emily Helen Smith, Dimitar K. Gavrilov, Devin Oglesbee, William D. Freeman, Michael W. Vavra, Dietrich Matern, Silvia Tortorelli

Published in: Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease | Special Issue 3/2010

Login to get access

Abstract

α-Methyl-acyl-CoA-racemase (AMACR) deficiency (OMIM 604489) is a rare peroxisomal disorder with a variable age of onset from infancy to late adulthood. We describe a 45-year-old male with a history of seizures who presented with relapsing encephalopathy. Laboratory studies revealed an elevated serum pristanic acid concentration, an elevated pristanic/phytanic acid ratio, as well as the previously described homozygous mutation in the AMACR gene, c.154T>C, consistent with AMACR deficiency. This homozygous mutation is associated with a variable phenotype ranging from neonatal cholestasis to late-onset sensorimotor neuropathy. Dietary pristanic acid restriction was attempted to improve clinical status and the patient has remained in remission for more than 16 months.
Literature
go back to reference Clarke CE, Alger S, Preece MA et al (2004) Tremor and deep white matter changes in alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase deficiency. Neurology 63:188–189PubMedCrossRef Clarke CE, Alger S, Preece MA et al (2004) Tremor and deep white matter changes in alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase deficiency. Neurology 63:188–189PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Ferdinandusse S, Denis S, Clayton PT et al (2000) Mutations in the gene encoding peroxisomal alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase cause adult-onset sensory motor neuropathy. Nat Genet 24:188–191PubMedCrossRef Ferdinandusse S, Denis S, Clayton PT et al (2000) Mutations in the gene encoding peroxisomal alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase cause adult-onset sensory motor neuropathy. Nat Genet 24:188–191PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Ferdinandusse S, Kostopoulos P, Denis S et al (2006) Mutations in the gene encoding peroxisomal sterol carrier protein X (SCPx) cause leukencephalopathy with dystonia and motor neuropathy. Am J Hum Genet 78:1046–1052PubMedCrossRef Ferdinandusse S, Kostopoulos P, Denis S et al (2006) Mutations in the gene encoding peroxisomal sterol carrier protein X (SCPx) cause leukencephalopathy with dystonia and motor neuropathy. Am J Hum Genet 78:1046–1052PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Lagerstedt SA, Hinrichs DR, Batt SM, Magera MJ, Rinaldo P, McConnell JP (2001) Quantitative determination of plasma c8-c26 total fatty acids for the biochemical diagnosis of nutritional and metabolic disorders. Mol Genet Metab 73:38–45PubMedCrossRef Lagerstedt SA, Hinrichs DR, Batt SM, Magera MJ, Rinaldo P, McConnell JP (2001) Quantitative determination of plasma c8-c26 total fatty acids for the biochemical diagnosis of nutritional and metabolic disorders. Mol Genet Metab 73:38–45PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference McLean BN, Allen J, Ferdinandusee S, Wanders RJ (2002) A new defect of peroxisomal function involving pristanic acid: a case report. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 72:396–399PubMedCrossRef McLean BN, Allen J, Ferdinandusee S, Wanders RJ (2002) A new defect of peroxisomal function involving pristanic acid: a case report. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 72:396–399PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Setchell KD, Heubi JE, Bove KE (2003) Liver disease caused by failure to racemize trihydroxycholestanoic acid: gene mutation and effect of bile acid therapy. Gastroenterology 124:217–232PubMedCrossRef Setchell KD, Heubi JE, Bove KE (2003) Liver disease caused by failure to racemize trihydroxycholestanoic acid: gene mutation and effect of bile acid therapy. Gastroenterology 124:217–232PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Thompson SA, Calvin J, Hogg S, Ferdinandusse S, Wanders RJ, Barker RA (2008) Relapsing encephalopathy in a patient with alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase deficiency. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 79:448–450PubMedCrossRef Thompson SA, Calvin J, Hogg S, Ferdinandusse S, Wanders RJ, Barker RA (2008) Relapsing encephalopathy in a patient with alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase deficiency. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 79:448–450PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference van den Brink DM, Wanders RJ (2006) Phytanic acid: production from phytol, its breakdown and role in human disease. Cell Mol Life Sci 63:1752–1765PubMedCrossRef van den Brink DM, Wanders RJ (2006) Phytanic acid: production from phytol, its breakdown and role in human disease. Cell Mol Life Sci 63:1752–1765PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Van Veldhoven PP, Casteels M, Mannaerts GP, Baes M (2001) Further insights into peroxisomal lipid breakdown via alpha- and beta-oxidation. Biochem Soc Trans 29:292–298PubMedCrossRef Van Veldhoven PP, Casteels M, Mannaerts GP, Baes M (2001) Further insights into peroxisomal lipid breakdown via alpha- and beta-oxidation. Biochem Soc Trans 29:292–298PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Wierzbicki AS (2007) Peroxisomal disorders affecting phytanic acid alpha-oxidation: a review. Biochem Soc Trans 35:881–886PubMedCrossRef Wierzbicki AS (2007) Peroxisomal disorders affecting phytanic acid alpha-oxidation: a review. Biochem Soc Trans 35:881–886PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
An adult onset case of alpha-methyl-acyl-CoA racemase deficiency
Authors
Emily Helen Smith
Dimitar K. Gavrilov
Devin Oglesbee
William D. Freeman
Michael W. Vavra
Dietrich Matern
Silvia Tortorelli
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease / Issue Special Issue 3/2010
Print ISSN: 0141-8955
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2665
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10545-010-9183-6

Other articles of this Special Issue 3/2010

Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease 3/2010 Go to the issue