Nitrogen Metabolism Flashcards
IEM of amino acid transport can result in what?
Intestinal malabsorption and aberrant renal reabsorption
Where does amino acid and glucose reabsorption occur in the kidney?
Occurs in the PCT
As the filtrate passes through the PCT transport proteins from the SLC (solute carrier) gene superfamily mediate reuptake of amino acids and glucose
What is hartnup disease?
Autosomal recessive disorder caused by a defect in transporter of neutral amino acids
Affects absorption/reabsorption of neutral amino acids
Aminoaciduria: Ala, Ser, Thr, Val, Leu, Ile, Phe, Tyr, Trp, Gln, Asn excreted 5-10x the normal level
Also known as pellagra-like dermatosis
Deficiency of which vitamin is also seen with Hartnup disease?
Niacin deficiency
Trp is a precursor for serotonin, melatonin and niacin (which is a precursor for NAD)
How does Hartnup disease manifest in infancy?
As failure to thrive, nystagmus (rapid and repetitive eye movement), intermittent ataxia, tremor and photosensitivity
What can trigger Hartnup disease?
Sunlight, fever, drugs or emotional or physical stress
Period of poor nutrition almost always precedes an attack
How is Hartnup disease treated?
With a repletion of niacin including a high protein diet and daily nicotinamide supplementation
Trp is an important precursor for which molecules?
Niacin (needs Vit B6)
Serotonin and melatonin
Affected in hartnup disease
What is cystinuria?
Autosomal recessive defects in the reabsorption of dimeric amino acid cystine
Also defects in reabsorption of dibasic amino acids Arg, Lys and ornithine (COAL)
Results in the formation of cystine renal calculi
What is the pt presentation for cystinuria?
Renal colic (abdominal pain that comes in waves and is linked to kidney stones)
During cystinuria, COAL is not reabsorbed and the concentration of amino acids rise where?
In the tubular lumen as the glomerular filtrate passes through the nephron
What is the main metabolic byproduct in extrahepatic tissues and the most prevalent nitrogen transporter in the blood?
Glutamine
Amino acids are converted to glutamate via what?
Transamination reactions via PLP as a cofactor
What causes classic phenylketonuria (PKU)?
Deficient/defective phenylalanine hydroxylase
What causes secondary (non-classical) PKU?
Dihydrobiopterin reductase deficiency
Deficiency of tetrahydrobiopterin (cofactor of PAH)
Defects in synthesis or regeneration of BH4
What is the most common IEM?
Phenylketonuria
What occurs with phenylketonuria?
Phe is instead converted to phenylpyruvate and then phenyllactate (causes musty odor in urine) and phenylacetate
Latter tow disrupt neurotransmission and block aa transport in teh brain as well as myelin formation resulting in severe impairment of brain function
How is PKU treated?
Dietary limit of Phe
Protein supplied with synthetic formula supplemented with Tyr
Improved metabolic control when treated with tetrahydrobiopterin (cofactor of PAH)
When the body has enough PAH this enzyme will convert Phe into what?
Tyrosine
Diagnosis and initiation of dietary treatment of classical PKU must occur when?
Before the child is 2 weeks of age in order to prevent intellectual disability
What is the role of THB (BH4)?
It is an essential cofactor in hydroxylation of aromatic aa Phe, Tyr and Trp
It is regenerated by the reduced form of NADPH dependent reduction of qBH2 catalyzed by dihydrobiopterin reductase
Defects in biosynthesis or regeneration of THB lead to secondary PKU
Production of which NTs is also disrupted with deficient THB?
Monoamine NTs such as dopamine, NE and serotonin from Tyr and Trp which leads to neurologic dysfunction
How is secondary PKU treated?
With synthetic THB
What are tyrosinemias?
Elevated blood levels of tyrosine
Transient tyrosinemia in newborns is attributed to delayed expression of enzymes necessary for Tyr catabolism
Which dietary restrictions are taken for tyrosinemias?
Restrictions of Phe and Tyr
What is tyrosinemia type I?
Defect in fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase
MC and requires a liver transplant
What are the effects of tyrosinemia type I?
Infants will have a cabbage like smell and develop severe liver failure without treatment
Formation of succinylacetone (toxic to liver and kidney) interferes with the TCA cycle causes renal tubule dysfunction and inhibits the biosynthesis of heme