POLG1 mutations associated with progressive encephalopathy in childhood.

Abstract

We have identified compound heterozygous missense mutations in POLG1, encoding the mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma (Pol gamma), in 7 children with progressive encephalopathy from 5 unrelated families. The clinical features in 6 of the children included psychomotor regression, refractory seizures, stroke-like episodes, hepatopathy, and ataxia compatible with Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome. Three families harbored a previously reported A467T substitution, which was found in compound with the earlier described G848S or the W748S substitution or a novel R574W substitution. Two families harbored the W748S change in compound with either of 2 novel mutations predicted to give an R232H or M1163R substitution. Muscle morphology showed mitochondrial myopathy with cytochrome c oxidase (COX)-deficient fibers in 4 patients. mtDNA analyses in muscle tissue revealed mtDNA depletion in 3 of the children and mtDNA deletions in the 2 sibling pairs. Neuropathologic investigation in 3 children revealed widespread cortical degeneration with gliosis and subcortical neuronal loss, especially in the thalamus, whereas there were only subcortical neurodegenerative findings in another child. The results support the concept that deletions as well as depletion of mtDNA are involved in the pathogenesis of Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome and add 3 new POLG1 mutations associated with an early-onset neurodegenerative disease.

• Authors: Gittan Kollberg, Ali-Reza Moslemi, Niklas Darin, Inger Nennesmo, Ingibjörg Bjarnadottir, Paul Uvebrant, Elisabeth Holme, Atle Melberg, Már Tulinius, Anders Oldfors
• Journal: Journal of neuropathology and experimental neurology (J Neuropathol Exp Neurol) Vol. 65 Issue 8 Pg. 758-68 (Aug 2006) ISSN: 0022-3069 [Print] England
• PMID: 16896309 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• DNA, Mitochondrial
• Electron Transport Complex IV
• DNA Polymerase gamma
• DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase
• POLG protein, human

Topics

• Adolescent
• Age of Onset
• Brain (metabolism, pathology, physiopathology)
• Child, Preschool
• Conserved Sequence (genetics)
• DNA Mutational Analysis
• DNA Polymerase gamma
• DNA, Mitochondrial (biosynthesis, genetics)
• DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase (genetics)
• Diffuse Cerebral Sclerosis of Schilder (genetics, metabolism, physiopathology)
• Electron Transport Complex IV (genetics, metabolism)
• Fatal Outcome
• Female
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease (genetics)
• Genetic Testing
• Humans
• Infant
• Liver Diseases (genetics, pathology, physiopathology)
• Male
• Mitochondria (genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• Mitochondrial Diseases (genetics, metabolism, physiopathology)
• Mitochondrial Myopathies (genetics, metabolism, physiopathology)
• Muscle, Skeletal (metabolism, pathology, physiopathology)
• Mutation, Missense (genetics)
• Pedigree
• Syndrome