Mutations in human MPV17 have been reported in patients with severe mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) depletion manifesting as early childhood onset failure to thrive, hypoglycemia, encephalopathy and progressive liver failure. We describe an 11 year old girl, born to consanguineous parents, who presented with rapidly progressive weakness of all 4 limbs with symmetrical proximal and distal weakness, gastrointestinal disease and leukoencephalopathy. Genetic analysis of the patient revealed a homozygous pathogenic mutation c.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO) is caused by defects in both mitochondrial and nuclear genes, however, the causal genetic factors in large number of patients remains undetermined. Therefore, our aim was to screen 12 unrelated patients with CPEO for mutation/multiple deletions in mtDNA and mutations in the coding regions of C10orf2, which is essential for mtDNA replication. Histopathological study of muscle biopsy revealed cytochrome c oxidase-deficient fibers and ragged blue fibers in all the patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMitochondrial dysfunctions are known to be responsible for a number of heterogenous clinical presentations with multi-systemic involvement. Impaired oxidative phosphorylation leading to a decrease in cellular energy (ATP) production is the most important cause underlying these disorders. Despite significant progress made in the field of mitochondrial medicine during the last two decades, the molecular mechanisms underlying these disorders are not fully understood.
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