Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “AMINO ACIDURIA”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 991 records · Page 55Linked to original sources

Modulation of B12 dosage and response in fetal treatment of methylmalonic aciduria (MMA): titration of treatment dose to serum and urine MMA.

OBJECTIVE: Prenatally diagnosed methylmalonic aciduria (MMA) has been treated in only a few fetuses, and has been done empirically with maternally administered cyanocobalamin (B12) in attempts to ameliorate sequelae that include failure to thrive, developmental delay, dehydration, and coma. There has not been a systematic attempt to titrate doses to fetal response. We investigated the alterations in maternal dosage necessary to keep maternal plasma (MP) and urine (MU) levels of MMA in the normal range secondary to the ability of pharmacological doses of B12 to catalyze the reaction of methylmalonyl-coenzyme A to succinyl-coenzyme A. METHODS: A 28-year-old woman, with a 3-year-old son affected with MMA, underwent amniocentesis at 15 weeks which showed a normal karyotype, elevated amniotic fluid MMA, and decreased amniocyte 5'-deoxyadenosylcobalamin, propionate, and methyl-tetrahydrofolate. MP and MU MMA levels were measured biweekly. B12 doses were altered periodically according to laboratory-determined levels. RESULTS: MP and MU levels varied with gestational age and in response to increases in maternally administered B12. CONCLUSIONS: With increasing gestation, fetal, and placental size, increasing doses of B12 are necessary to maintain MP and MU levels of MMA within normal range. The data suggest that close surveillance and frequent measurements of MMA are necessary to properly titrate B12 treatment.

Adult↗

Crystal structure of human 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA Lyase: insights into catalysis and the molecular basis for hydroxymethylglutaric aciduria.

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) lyase is a key enzyme in the ketogenic pathway that supplies metabolic fuel to extrahepatic tissues. Enzyme deficiency may be due to a variety of human mutations and can be fatal. Diminished activity has been explained based on analyses of recombinant human mutant proteins or, more recently, in the context of structural models for the enzyme. We report the experimental determination of a crystal structure at 2.1 A resolution of the recombinant human mitochondrial HMG-CoA lyase containing a bound activator cation and the dicarboxylic acid 3-hydroxyglutarate. The enzyme adopts a (betaalpha)(8) barrel fold, and the N-terminal barrel end is occluded. The structure of a physiologically relevant dimer suggests that substrate access to the active site involves binding across the cavity located at the C-terminal end of the barrel. An alternative hypothesis that involves substrate insertion through a pore proposed to extend through the barrel is not compatible with the observed structure. The activator cation ligands included Asn(275), Asp(42),His(233), and His(235); the latter three residues had been implicated previously as contributing to metal binding or enzyme activity. Arg(41), previously shown to have a major effect on catalytic efficiency, is also located at the active site. In the observed structure, this residue interacts with a carboxyl group of 3-hydroxyglutarate, the hydrolysis product of the competitive inhibitor 3-hydroxyglutaryl-CoA required for crystallization of human enzyme. The structure provides a rationale for the decrease in enzyme activity due to clinical mutations, including H233R, R41Q, D42H, and D204N, that compromise active site function or enzyme stability.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Correlation of genotype and phenotype in glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency.

We have investigated the correlation between genotype and phenotype in a large number of patients with glutaric aciduria type I (GA I). The deficiency of glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase has been confirmed in the Rigshospitalet's laboratory in 215 patients since 1975. Most of the patients were of European ancestry. Complete absence of enzyme activity was found in more than half of the patients, while 34% of patients had a residual activity up to 5% and a few patients had a residual activity of 5-15%. In four exceptional cases, a very high residual activity of up to 30% was found. Enzyme studies are thus a reliable method for confirming the diagnosis of GA I, although it may be difficult to distinguish exceptional 'mild' cases from heterozygous carriers for GA I. Three of the patients with very high residual activity are compound heterozygous for the missense mutations R227P and V400M, both of which are associated with residual enzyme activity of 8-10% in homozygous patients. Patients with a mild mutation on at least one chromosome frequently show unusual biochemical findings such as low or normal urinary excretion of glutaric acid and mild or only slightly increased excretion of 3-hydroxyglutaric acid. In contrast, patients with severe mutations such as R402W or A293T on both alleles have no residual activity and show the typical urinary metabolite pattern. Clinical data were available for a subgroup of 79 patients. No correlation with the biochemical phenotype or the genotype could be established.

Alleles↗

D-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria in three patients with proven SSADH deficiency: genetic coincidence or a related biochemical epiphenomenon?

Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) deficiency and D-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria (D-2-HGA) are rare inborn errors of metabolism primarily revealed by urinary organic acid screening. Three patients with proven SSADH deficiency excreted, in addition to GHB considerable amounts of D-2-HG. We examined whether these patients suffered from two inborn errors of metabolism by measuring D-2-HG concentrations in the culture medium of cells from these patients. In addition, mutation analysis of the D-2-hydroxyglutarate dehydrogenase gene was performed. Normal concentrations of D-2-HG were measured in the culture media of fibroblasts or lymphoblasts derived from the three patients. In one patient, we found a heterozygous likely pathogenic mutation in the D-2-hydroxyglutarate dehydrogenase gene. These combined results argue against the hypothesis that the patients are affected with "primary" D-2-HGA in combination with their SSADH deficiency. Moderately increased levels of D-2-HG were also found in urine, plasma, and cerebrospinal fluid samples derived from 12 other patients with SSADH deficiency, revealing that D-2-HG is a common metabolite in this disease. The increase of D-2-HG in SSADH deficiency can be explained by the action of hydroxyacid-oxoacid transhydrogenase, a reversible enzyme that oxidases GHB in the presence of 2-ketoglutarate yielding SSA and D-2-HG.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗

Molecular basis for dysfunction of some mutant forms of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase: deductions from the structure of methionine synthase.

Inherited defects in the gene for methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (EC 5.4.99.2) result in the mut forms of methylmalonic aciduria. mut- mutations lead to the absence of detectable mutase activity and are not corrected by excess cobalamin, whereas mut- mutations exhibit residual activity when exposed to excess cobalamin. Many of the mutations that cause methylmalonic aciduria in humans affect residues in the C-terminal region of the methylmalonyl-CoA mutase. This portion of the methylmalonyl-CoA mutase sequence can be aligned with regions in other B12 (cobalamin)-dependent enzymes, including the C-terminal portion of the cobalamin-binding region of methionine synthase. The alignments allow the mutations of human methylmalonyl-CoA mutase to be mapped onto the structure of the cobalamin-binding fragment of methionine synthase from Escherichia coli (EC 2.1.1.13), which has recently been determined by x-ray crystallography. In this structure, the dimethylbenzimidazole ligand to the cobalt in free cobalamin has been displaced by a histidine ligand, and the dimethylbenzimidazole nucleotide "tail" is thrust into a deep hydrophobic pocket in the protein. Previously identified mut0 and mut- mutations (Gly-623 --> Arg, Gly-626 --> Cys, and Gly-648 --> Asp) of the mutase are predicted to interfere with the structure and/or stability of the loop that carries His-627, the presumed lower axial ligand to the cobalt of adenosylcobalamin. Two mutants that lead to severe impairment (mut0) are Gly-630 --> Glu and Gly-703 --> Arg, which map to the binding site for the dimethylbenzimidazole nucleotide substituent of adenosylcobalamin. The substitution of larger residues for glycine is predicted to block the binding of adenosylcobalamin.

5-Methyltetrahydrofolate-Homocysteine S-Methyltran↗

Tryptophan and lysine metabolism in alpha-aminoadipic aciduria.

Two brothers previously diagnosed as having alpha-aminoadipic aciduria (alpha-AA) were subjected to a tryptophan loading test to determine if their condition resulted from a defect in the alpha-aminoadipate aminotransferase (kynurenine aminotransferase) system. Normal increases in kynurenic and xanthurenic acids eliminated this possibility. Further analyses of their urines revealed that both boys had measurable amounts of previously undetected alpha-ketoadipic acid (alpha-KA) before and after the loading test. A reexamination of speciments from a prelysine and postlysine loading test reconfirmed the existence of alpha-KA in their urines at the time the original observation of alpha-AA was made. The response to the lysine load was a predictable increase in both alpha-AA and alpha-KA. The boy who had been referred to this institution with a learning defect responded to the tryptophan load with a slight decrease in alpha-AA and an unpredicted decrease in alpha-KA and 3-hydroxykynurenine. His mentally normal brother showed a significant decrease in alpha-AA and major increases in all other measured metabolites including alpha-KA. The latter results were compatible with a defect in the oxidative decarobxylation of alpha-KA. A comparison of the urinary alpha-AA and alpha-KA concentrations in our subjects with comparable data in mentally normal and mentally retarded patients with this condition suggested that the retardation may result from other causes.

2-Aminoadipic Acid↗

Complementation studies of isovaleric acidemia and glutaric aciduria type II using cultured skin fibroblasts.

Using cultured skin fibroblasts, we studied the heterogeneity of inborn errors of leucine metabolism such as isovaleric acidemia (IVA), glutaric aciduria type II (GA II), and multiple carboxylase deficiency (MC). We first developed a simple macromolecular-labeling test to measure the ability of cells to oxidize [1-14C]isovaleric acid in situ in culture. Cells from two different lines were fused using polyethylene glycol, and the ability of the heterokaryons to oxidize [1-14C]isovaleric acid was tested by the macromolecular-labeling test. The MC line complemented with all 10 IVA lines tested; heterokaryons showed 99 +/- 68% more activity than the unfused mixture of component cells. GA II/IVA heterokaryons exhibited poor growth, but when the culture remained confluent, the GA II cells complemented with all six IVA lines tested, showing a 71 +/- 41% increase in activity. The relatively large standard deviations are due to a few experiments in which significant enhancement of macromolecular-labeling test activity was not observed upon fusion, but significant complementation was clearly observed in repeats of the same combinations. These results are consistent with our previous findings, which indicated that the decreased ability of GA II cells to oxidize isovaleryl-CoA involves a defective electron-transporting system rather than a defective isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase. IVA/IVA heterokaryons showed no complementation in any combination tested, indicating no detectable heterogeneity in isovaleric acidemia. This finding indicates that the same gene is mutated in all IVA lines. Previous results indicated that this gene codes for isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase.

Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors↗

Atypical and variable clinical presentation of glutaric aciduria type I.

We report atypical and variable clinical presentation of glutaric aciduria type I (GA I) in four children from two Greek families. In one family, a boy with typical biochemical and neuroradiological features of GA I suffered a metabolic crisis at 16 months of age resulting in a severe movement disorder. His sister, two years older and showing identical biochemical features, has remained neurologically normal throughout childhood and at six years of age is attending normal primary school. Both children are homozygous for P217 L, a novel mis-sense mutation in exon 7 of the glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase (GCDH) gene. In the other family, monozygotic twins presented at 6 years of age with mild developmental delay and a single episode of hypoglycaemia. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans in both twins revealed almost identical high-signal alterations in the periventricular white matter and in the centrum semiovale. Biochemical analyses showed massive urinary excretion of glutaric and 3-hydroxyglutaric acids and carnitine depletion. Molecular studies showed compound heterozygosity for two novel putative null mutations, IVS6-1 G > A and Y413 X, in the GCDH gene. The milder clinical course of GA I in three of the four Greek patients demonstrates the phenotypic heterogeneity of the disease even within families. Asymptomatic siblings of GA I patients should always be investigated, and molecular studies may be useful for confirming the diagnosis, particularly when the presentation is atypical.

Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors↗

3-Ureidopropionate contributes to the neuropathology of 3-ureidopropionase deficiency and severe propionic aciduria: a hypothesis.

3-Ureidopropionate (3-UPA) is a physiologic metabolite in pyrimidine degradation. Pathological accumulation of 3-UPA in body fluids is found in 3-ureidopropionase deficiency and severe forms of propionic aciduria. Both diseases clinically present with a severe neuropathology involving gray and white matter as well as with a dystonic dyskinetic movement disorder. To date nothing is known about the toxic nature of this metabolite. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether 3-UPA may act as endogenous neurotoxin. Exposure of cultured chick neurons to 3-UPA induced a concentration- and time-dependent neurodegeneration. Neuronal damage was reduced by the antioxidant alpha-tocopherol and the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist MK-801. In contrast, the non-NMDA receptor antagonist CNQX, the metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist L-AP3, and succinate showed no protective effect. Furthermore, 3-UPA elicited an increased production of reactive oxygen species followed by a delayed increase in intracellular calcium concentrations. Activity measurement of single respiratory chain complexes I-V revealed an inhibition of complex V activity, but not of the electron-transferring complexes I-IV by 3-UPA. In contrast, 3-UPA did not affect the mitochondrial beta-oxidation of fatty acids. In conclusion, our results provide strong evidence that 3-UPA acts as endogenous neurotoxin via inhibition of mitochondrial energy metabolism, resulting in the initiation of secondary, energy-dependent excitotoxic mechanisms.

Animals↗

Identification of the human mitochondrial FAD transporter and its potential role in multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency.

Multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD) or glutaric aciduria type II (GAII) is most often caused by mutations in the genes encoding the alpha- or beta-subunit of electron transfer flavoprotein (ETF) or electron transfer flavoprotein dehydrogenase (ETF-DH). Since not all patients have mutations in these genes, other as yet unidentified genes are predicted to be involved as well. Because all affected mitochondrial flavoproteins in MADD have FAD as a prosthetic group, the underlying defect in these patients may be due to a thus far undisclosed disturbance in the metabolism of FAD. Since a proper mitochondrial flavin balance is maintained by a mitochondrial FAD transporter, a defect of this transporter could also cause an MADD-like phenotype. In yeast, FAD is transported across the mitochondrial inner membrane by the FLX1 protein. An FLX1-mutated Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain exhibits a decreased activity of several mitochondrial flavoproteins. In the present study, we report the identification of the human mitochondrial FAD transporter. Based on sequence similarity to FLX1, we identified two human candidate genes (MFT and N111), which were cloned and characterized by functional expression in an FLX1-mutated yeast strain. Of the two candidate genes, only the previously described mitochondrial folate transporter (MFT) was able to functionally complement the FLX1 mutant. Candidates for mutations in the MFT gene are patients with a clinical suspicion of MADD but without any mutation in the alpha- or beta-subunit of ETF or ETF-DH.

Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase↗

Dystonia and dyskinesia in glutaric aciduria type I: clinical heterogeneity and therapeutic considerations.

Glutaric aciduria type I (GA-I) is an inborn error in the degradation of lysine, hydroxylysine, and tryptophan due to a deficiency of glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase. Glutaric, 3-OH-glutaric, and glutaconic acids are excreted in the urine, particularly during intercurrent illness. The enzyme may be assayed in leukocytes, cultured fibroblasts and chorionic villi. Twelve new cases, 9 months-16 years of age, are reported, comprising all known cases of GA-I in Sweden and Norway. Ten had a severe dystonic-dyskinetic disorder, one had a mild hyperkinetic disorder, and one was asymptomatic. Two children died in a state of hyperthermia. Carnitine deficiency and malnutrition developed in patients with severe dystonia and dysphagia, which necessitated substitution and gastrostomy. A slowly progressive dyskinetic disorder developed in spite of adequate early dietary treatment in one subject. Macrocephaly was found in three. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance investigations in 10 showed deep bitemporal spaces in 7. Neuropsychological testing of 8 of 12 subjects demonstrated receptive language function to be superior to expressive language and motor function. Cognitive functions were obviously less affected than motor functions. A review of 57 pooled cases showed that a severe dystonic syndrome developed in 77%, a mild extrapyramidal syndrome in 10%, and 12% were asymptomatic. This disorder may pass undetected in the cerebral palsy and mentally retarded child and adult populations. Repeated urine examinations of organic acids in the urine and enzyme assay may be necessary to confirm GA-I.

Adolescent↗

[Methylmalonic aciduria. Classification, diagnosis and therapy (author's transl)].

Congenital methylmalonic aciduria (MMA) is a metabolic disorder inherited by an autosomal recessive trait. The metabolic block is located in the catabolic pathway of propionyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA. Biochemically, four enzymatic defects have been recognized, i.e.: 1. Methylmalonyl-CoA racemase. 2. Methylmalonyl-CoA mutase apoenzyme. 3. Synthesis of desoxyadenosyl-cobalamine. 4. Disturbance at an earlier level of cobalamine metabolism which causes defective synthesis of both vitamin B12-coenzymes. These four enzymatic defects express themselves in three ways: non-vitamin B12-dependent MMA (defects 1 and 2); vitamin B12-dependent MMA (defect 3); MMA associated with homocystinuria (defect 4). The various forms of MMA cannot be distinguished clinically from one another. The disorder manifests itself during the first few days to weeks of life. Principal symptoms and signs are: anorexia, vomiting, muscular hypotonia and metabolic acidosis. The diagnosis is established by determination of methylmalonic acid in plasma, cerebrospinal fluid and urine, as well as by assay of enzyme activities in leukocytes, liver tissue or cultured fibroblasts (from biopsied skin). A prenatal diagnosis is feasible by the examination of cultured amnion cells, amniotic fluid and maternal urine. Therapy of non vitamin B12-dependent MMA calls for reduction of protein intake, particularly that of precursors of methylmalonic acid, such as methionine, threonine, isoleucine and valine. The treatment of vitamin B12-dependent forms is accomplished by i.m. injection of high doses of vitamin B12. No definite statement can be made as yet with regard to long-term prognosis and normalcy of mental development in treated children.

Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors↗

Genetic analysis of three genes causing isolated methylmalonic acidemia: identification of 21 novel allelic variants.

Isolated methylmalonic aciduria (MMA) is an inborn error of metabolism due to the impaired isomerization of l-methylmalonyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA. This reaction is catalyzed by the mitochondrial protein methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MCM, EC 5.4.99.2), an adenosylcobalamin-dependent enzyme. Four different forms of isolated MMA have been described: mut MMA associated with defects in the MCM apoenzyme, and phenotypically divided into two subtypes mut- and mut0 MMA, and three different defects involved in the synthesis of the active form of the cofactor adenosylcobalamin, termed cbl MMA, and classified into three different complementation groups cblA, cblB, and cblH associated with defects in the MMAA and MMAB genes and with an unidentified protein, respectively. In this work we describe the genetic analysis of 25 MMA patients, mainly from Spain. Using biochemical and cellular approaches our patients have been classified, identifying 13 mut MMA, 7 cblA, 2 cblB, and 3 noncblA, noncblB deficient patients. cDNA and genomic DNA sequence analysis of the MUT, MMAA, and MMAB genes have allowed us to identify 27 different changes, 21 novel ones. Among the missense mutations identified in the MUT gene only one, the c.970G>A (p.A324T) variant located in the substrate binding domain is likely a mut- mutation. The remaining missense mutations c.326A>G (p.Q109R), c.983T>C (p.L328P), c.1846C>T (p.R616C), and c.1850T>G (p.L617R) are probably mut0. In the MMAA patients analyzed, frameshift mutations are prevalent. We have explored the genotype-phenotype correlation for this clinically heterogeneous disease.

Acidosis↗

Vascular dysfunction as an additional pathomechanism in glutaric aciduria type I.

The metabolic hallmark of glutaric aciduria type I (GA I) is the deficiency of glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase (GCDH) with subsequent accumulation of glutaric acid, 3-hydroxglutaric acid (3-OH-GA) and glutaconic acid. Current concepts regarding pathomechanisms of GA I focus on investigations of excitotoxic effects of 3-OH-GA. To identify pathogenetically relevant genes, microarray analyses were performed using brain material from GCDH-deficient (GCDH (-/-)) and control mice. These microarray data confirmed recent pathogenic models, but also revealed alterations in genes that had previously not been correlated to the disease, e.g. genes concerning vascular biology. Subsequent in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed direct effects of 3-OH-GA on vascular permeability and endothelial integrity. Clinical observations underscore the involvement of vascular dysfunction. In MRI scans of GA I patients, subdural effusions as well as dilated transarachnoid vascular plexuses were detected independently of encephalopathic crises. In fact, some of these findings are already detectable shortly after birth. MRI scans of a GA I patient performed during an acute encephalopathic crisis detected a dilated intrastriatal vasculature with perivascular hyperintensity, indicating local extravasation. In conclusion, we hypothesize that 3-OH-GA affects prenatal development of vessels, thus leading to an increased vulnerability of endothelial structures and subsequent vascular dysfunction. These observations display an additional pathomechanism in GA I and might explain frontotemporal hypoplasia and chronic subdural effusions in this disease. Elucidation of the pathomechanisms of vascular dysfunction may give further insights into the pathogenesis of GA I.

Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors↗

Long-term follow-up, neurological outcome and survival rate in 28 Nordic patients with glutaric aciduria type 1.

All 28 patients, 13 females and 15 males, with glutaric aciduria type 1 diagnosed between 1975 and 2001 in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden were identified and studied retrospectively until 2001. Mass screening was not performed. Three were sibling cases. Prenatal enzymatic diagnosis performed in 11 pregnancies led to termination in one. The median follow-up time was 14 years. Six patients had died. At 10 years of age the cumulative survival rate was 89% and at 35 years 44%. The dominating neurological sign was dystonia in 20 and dyskinesia in 4. Three had only slight spastic signs and information was missing in one. The head circumference at birth was significantly larger than normal and increased significantly until 6 months of age. The onset was acute encephalopathic in 24 patients and insidious in 3. From the time of diagnosis, all patients but one were prescribed protein restriction and/or a diet low in lysine and tryptophan. Riboflavine and/or carnitine supplementation were given to 25. Neurological deficits did not improve on the offered treatment. Deterioration may have been averted by intense acute metabolic treatment in a few patients. Dystonia correlated significantly to absence of speech but not to cognitive function. Severe disability, including motor, cognitive and speech functions, correlated significantly with acute onset, dystonia and mortality, and weakly with a deteriorating course, but not with age at onset, diagnosis, or follow-up, nor to head size. Results from future population studies derived from mass screening will have to relate to clinical diagnostic series of the kind presented here.

Adolescent↗

Novel L2HGDH mutations in 21 patients with L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria of Portuguese origin.

We studied 21 patients, from 18 families, with L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria (L-2-HGA), a rare neurometabolic disorder with a homogeneous presentation: progressive neurodegeneration with extrapyramidal and cerebellar signs, seizures, and subcortical leukoencephalopathy. Increased levels of L-2-hydroxyglutaric acid in body fluids proved the diagnosis of L-2-HGA in all 21 patients. We analyzed the L-2-HGA gene (L2HGDH), recently found to be mutated in consanguineous families with L-2-HGA, and identified seven novel mutations in 15 families. Three mutations appeared to be particularly prevalent in this Portuguese panel: a frameshift mutation (c.529delC) was detected in 12 out of 30 mutant alleles (40%), a nonsense mutation (c.208C>T; p.Arg70X) in 7/30 alleles (23%), and a missense mutation (c.293A>G; p.His98Arg) in four out of 30 mutant alleles (13%), suggesting that common origin may exist. Furthermore, two novel missense (c.169G>A; p.Gly57Arg, c.1301A>C; p.His434Pro) and two splice error (c.257-2A>G, c.907-2A>G) mutations were found. All the mutations presumably lead to loss-of-function with no relationship between clinical signs, progression of the disease, levels of L-2-HGA and site of the mutation. In the three remaining families, no pathogenic mutations in the L-2-HGA were found, which suggests either alterations in regulatory regions of the gene or of its intervening sequences, compound heterozygosity for large genomic deletion and, or further genetic heterogeneity.

Adolescent↗

The structure of a binary complex between a mammalian mevalonate kinase and ATP: insights into the reaction mechanism and human inherited disease.

Mevalonate kinase catalyzes the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of mevalonic acid to form mevalonate 5-phosphate, a key intermediate in the pathways of isoprenoids and sterols. Deficiency in mevalonate kinase activity has been linked to mevalonic aciduria and hyperimmunoglobulinemia D/periodic fever syndrome (HIDS). The crystal structure of rat mevalonate kinase in complex with MgATP has been determined at 2.4-A resolution. Each monomer of this dimeric protein is composed of two domains with its active site located at the domain interface. The enzyme-bound ATP adopts an anti conformation, in contrast to the syn conformation reported for Methanococcus jannaschii homoserine kinase. The Mg(2+) ion is coordinated to both beta- and gamma-phosphates of ATP and side chains of Glu(193) and Ser(146). Asp(204) is making a salt bridge with Lys(13), which in turn interacts with the gamma-phosphate. A model of mevalonic acid can be placed near the gamma-phosphoryl group of ATP; thus, the C5 hydroxyl is located within 4 A from Asp(204), Lys(13), and the gamma-phosphoryl of ATP. This arrangement of residues strongly suggests: 1) Asp(204) abstracts the proton from C5 hydroxyl of mevalonate; 2) the penta-coordinated gamma-phosphoryl group may be stabilized by Mg(2+), Lys(13), and Glu(193); and 3) Lys(13) is likely to influence the pK(a) of the C5 hydroxyl of the substrate. V377I and I268T are the most common mutations found in patients with HIDS. Val(377) is located over 18 A away from the active site and a conservative replacement with Ile is unlikely to yield an inactive or unstable protein. Ile-268 is located at the dimer interface, and its Thr substitution may disrupt dimer formation.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Three-dimensional structure of the argininosuccinate lyase frequently complementing allele Q286R.

Argininosuccinate lyase (ASL) catalyzes the reversible breakdown of argininosuccinate to arginine and fumarate, a reaction involved in the biosynthesis of arginine in all species and in the production of urea in ureotelic species. In humans, mutations in the enzyme result in the autosomal recessive disorder argininosuccinic aciduria. Intragenic complementation has been demonstrated to occur at the ASL locus, with two distinct classes of ASL-deficient strains having been identified, the frequent and high-activity complementers. The frequent complementers participate in the majority of the complementation events observed and were found to be either homozygous or heterozygous for a glutamine to arginine mutation at residue 286. The three-dimensional structure of the frequently complementing allele Q286R has been determined at 2.65 A resolution. This is the first high-resolution structure of human ASL. Comparison of this structure with the structures of wild-type and mutant duck delta1 and delta2 crystallins suggests that the Q286R mutation may sterically and/or electrostatically hinder a conformational change in the 280's loop (residues 270-290) and domain 3 that is thought to be necessary for catalysis to occur. The comparison also suggests that residues other than R33, F333, and D337 play a role in maintaining the structural integrity of domain 1 and reinforces the suggestion that residues 74-89 require a particular conformation for catalysis. The electron density has enabled the structure of residues 6-18 to be modeled for the first time. Residues 7-9 and 15-18 are in type IV beta-turns and are connected by a loop. The conformation observed is stabilized, in part, by a salt bridge between the side chains of R12 and D18. Although the disease causing mutation R12Q would disrupt this salt bridge, it is unclear why this mutation has such a significant effect on the catalytic activity as residues 1-18 are disordered in all other delta-crystallin structures determined to date.

Alleles↗