Biochemical Genetics 3 Flashcards
Mito, LSDs, MPS's, and Peroxisomal disorders
What are the dx criteria for mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and seizure-like episodes (MELAS?)
Two different criteria published:
1. following three must be met (stroke episodes before 40yo, encephalopathy with seizures and/or dementia, mito myopathy is evident by the presence of lactic acidosis and/or ragged-red fibers on muscle bx) AND at least two of the following (normal early psychomotor development, recurrent headaches, and recurrent vomiting episodes)
- at least TWO category A AND TWO category B criteria
A- headaches with vomiting, seizures, hemiplegia, cortical blindness, acute focal lesions on neuroimaging
B- high plasma or CSF lactate, mito abnormalities on muscle bx, a MELAS PV
How can MELAS be dx with molecular genetic testing
typically blood leukocyte DNA is initially tested for the m.3243A>G PV in MT-TL1, present in ~80% of individuals with typical clinical findings
If the above is normal, targeted testing for other specific mito variants in MT-TL1 and in MT-ND5 is considered next
entire mito genome sequencing that includes MT-TL1, MT-ND5, and other mtDNA genes of interest is most likely to identify the genetic cause
What are the clinical features associated with MELAS
Childhood is the typical age on onset with ~75% of affected individuals presenting at or before 20yo
most common initial symptoms are seizures, recurrent headaches, stroke-like episodes, cortical vision loss, muscle weakness, recurrent vomiting, and short stature
stroke-like episodes present clinically with partially reversible aphasia, cortical vision loss, motor weakness, headaches, altered mental status, and seizures with neurologic deficits; dementia, focal and primary generalized seizures, white matter lesions, cortical atrophy, and corpus callosum agenesis or hypogenesis, migraine headaches can precipitate stroke-like episodes, hearing impairment due to SNHL is usually mild, peripheral neuropathy, early psychomotor development is usually normal, psychiatric illnesses (depression, BPD, anxiety, personality changes)
exercise intolerance, recurrent/cyclic vomiting is common, diabetes occurs occasionally
What is the life expectancy of someone with MELAS
Dz progresses over yrs with episodic deterioration related to stroke-like events. Course varies from individual to individual (average is around 35yo)
Describe the causes of phenotypic variability in those with MELAS
Heteroplasmy: the presence of a mixture of mutated and normal mtDNA
Tissue distribution of mutated DNA
Threshold effect: vulnerability of each tissue to impaired oxidative metabolism
mutational load and tissue distribution do vary and may account for the clinical diversity seen
the m.3243A>G PV is associated with diverse clinical manifestations and is the most frequent variant associated with MELAS
penetrance is dependent on mutational load and tissue distribution, which shows random variation within families
What initial evals must someone with MELAS undergo following dx
measurement of height and weight for growth
ophthalmology eval
audiology eval
echo and electrocardiogram for cardiovascular eval
urinalysis and urine aa analysis for renal involvement
PT/OT assessment
neurologic eval, head MRI w MRS, and neuropsychiatric testing
fasting serum glucose, glucose tolerance test to screen for DM
What is the recommended tx for pts with MELAS
Tx is primarily supportive
Arginine therapy: once an individual has the first stroke like episode, arginine should be administered prophylactically to reduce the risk of recurrent stroke like episodes
CoQ10, L carnitine, creatine, traditional anticonvulsant therapy, aerobic exercise, standard therapy for cardio problems, neuropathy, DM
What should be avoided for ppl with MELAS
mito toxins such as: aminoglycoside antibiotics, linezolid, cigarettes, and alcohol
no valproic acid should be avoided in the tx of seizures
metformin bc of its propensity to cause lactic acidosis
dichloroacetate bc of onset or worsening of peripheral neuropathy
How should someone with MELAS be managed if they become pregnant
infertility may preclude pregnancy in some affected individuals
affected or at risk women should be monitored for the development of DM and respiratory insufficiency, which may require therapeutic interventions
interpretation of prenatal testing is complex bc 1. the mutational load in mom’s tissue and in fetal tissues sampled may not correspond to that of other fetal tissues, 2. mutational loas in tissues sampled prenatally may shift in utero or after birth as a result of random mitotic segregation, 3. prediction of phenotype, age of onset, severity, or rate of progression is not possible
What is the molecular pathogenesis of MELAS
the inability of dysfunctional mitochondria to generate sufficient energy to meet the energy demands of various organs results in the multiorgan dysfunction observed in MELAS syndrome
PVs in mito tRNA genes result in impaired mito protein synthesis. PVs in ETC structural subunits result in impaired ATP synthesis via oxidative phosphorylation
What makes up the mitochondrial genome
mtDNA encodes 22 tRNAs that are essential for mitochondrial protein synthesis
What are the laboratory findings that would be suggestive of MERRF
lactic acidosis both in the blood and in the CSF, pyruvate commonly elevated
Elevated CSF protein concentration
decreased activity of respiratory chain complexes containing mtDNA-encoded subunits, biochemical studies may also be normal
What are the histopathologic features on muscle bx indicative of MERRF and what electrophysiologic features may be present
ragged red fibers are seen
brain MRI often shows brain atrophy and basal ganglia lesions
How is the dx of MERRF established
the clinical dx is based on the following 4 “canonic” features:
1. myoclonus, 2. generalized epilepsy, 3. ataxia, 4. ragged red fibers in the muscle bx
PV in MT-TK (>90%) or other mito genes
How is MERRF identified on molecular genetic testing
serial single gene testing can be considered
targeted analysis- typically, blood leukocyte DNA is initially screened for PVs in MT-TK using targeted analysis for the m.8344A>G PV, which is present in more than 80% of individuals with typical clinical findings
What are the clinical features that can be seen in individuals with MERRF
Myoclonus, epilepsy, normal early development, ragged red fibers, SNHL, lactic acidosis, FH of MERRF, exercise intolerance, dementia, neuropathy, short stature, impaired sensation, optic atrophy, cardiomyopathy/arrythmias, pigmentary retinopathy, pyramidal signs, ophthalmoparesis, lipomatosis, and DM
Describe the neurologic and cardiac manifestations seen in individuals with MERRF
myopathy: exercise intolerance, muscle weakness, and elevated blood creatine kinase level
generalized myoclonic seizures, commonly migraines, SNHL, peripheral neuropathy, early development is typically normal, depressive mood episodes have been reported
cardiomyopathy (both dilated and hypertrophic)
lipomatosis can be seen in adulthood. average age of onset is in the 40s with lipomas being infiltrative, progressive, and massive in size
What are the initial evals recommended after dx of MERRF
measurement of height and weight, neurologic eval, Head MRI w MRS, EEG, neuropsychiatric testing, audiologic eval, ophthalmologic eval, PT/OT assessment, cardiac eval w echo, electrocardiogram, fasting serum glucose, glucose tolerance test
What is the recommended tx for MERRF
overall dz process: ubiquinol, carnitine, alpha lipoic acid, vitamin E, vitamin B complex, creatine
anticonvulsant therapy for seizures
levetiracetam or clonazepam for myoclonus
cochlear implants or hearing aids for hearing loss
What should be avoided in individuals with MERRF? How should someone be monitored during pregnancy if mom is affected?
avoid mito toxins such as aminoglycoside antibiotics, linezolid, cigs, alcohol; valproic acid should be avoided
should be monitored for DM and respiratory insufficiency, which may require therapeutic interventions
What is mitochondrial replacement therapy for tx of MERRF and other mito conditions
replacement of a woman’s abnormal mito DNA with health mito DNA drom a donor
not approved in the US
How is the dx of LHON established
established in a proband with: bilateral subacute vision failure that develops during young adult life, optic disc atrophy, disk hyperemia, edema of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer, retinal telangiectasia, increased vascular tortuosity, optic nerve dysfunction AND/OR
one of three common mtDNA PVs identified by molecular genetic testing
How can LHON be detected with molecular genetic testing
targeted analysis for the three common mtDNA PVs observed in ~90% of individuals with LHON should be performed first
heteroplasmy occurs in just 10-15% of individuals with LHON
affected individuals generally have more than 70% mutated mtDNA in leukocytes
What are the stages of LHON? What are the clinical features associated with each stage
typically presents in YA as bilateral painless subacute visual failure; 95% lose their vision and do so before 50yo; males are 5x more likely to be affected than females; other: postural tumor, peripheral neuropathy, nonspecific neuropathy, movement disorders, Leigh syndrome
Presymptomatic phase: peripapillary telangiectatic vessels, retinal nerve fiber layer edema, loss of color vision, reduced contrast sensitivity
Acute phase: develop visual blurring affecting the central visual field in one eye; at least 97% of affected individuals have bilateral involvement within one yr
chronic phase: optic atrophy (typically develops within 6wks of the onset of visual loss), centrocecal scotoma
recovery of visual function- if it does occur- is usually incomplete