An update on molecular genetics of Alkaptonuria (AKU).

Abstract

Alkaptonuria (AKU) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a deficiency of homogentisate 1,2 dioxygenase (HGD) and characterized by homogentisic aciduria, ochronosis, and ochronotic arthritis. The defect is caused by mutations in the HGD gene, which maps to the human chromosome 3q21-q23. AKU shows a very low prevalence (1:100,000-250,000) in most ethnic groups, but there are countries such as Slovakia and the Dominican Republic in which the incidence of this disorder rises to as much as 1:19,000. In this work, we summarize the genetic aspects of AKU in general and the distribution of all known disease-causing mutations reported so far. We focus on special features of AKU in Slovakia, which is one of the countries with an increased incidence of this rare metabolic disorder.

• Authors: Andrea Zatkova
• Journal: Journal of inherited metabolic disease (J Inherit Metab Dis) Vol. 34 Issue 6 Pg. 1127-36 (Dec 2011) ISSN: 1573-2665 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21720873 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Validation Study)

Chemical References

• Homogentisate 1,2-Dioxygenase
• Homogentisic Acid

Topics

• Alkaptonuria (diagnosis, enzymology, epidemiology, genetics)
• Chromosome Mapping (methods)
• Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3 (genetics)
• DNA Mutational Analysis (methods)
• Dominican Republic (epidemiology)
• Genetics, Population
• Genotype
• Global Health
• Homogentisate 1,2-Dioxygenase (deficiency, genetics, urine)
• Homogentisic Acid (urine)
• Humans
• Incidence
• Joint Diseases (genetics)
• Mutation (genetics)
• Ochronosis (genetics)
• Phenotype
• Slovakia (epidemiology)
• Topography, Medical