线粒体脑肌病患者的基因突变研究

目的 探讨线粒体脑肌病患者骨骼肌细胞线粒体DNA基因突变情况及发病机制。方法 观察总结5例线粒体脑肌病患者的临床表现,影像学变化特点,并应用PCR、限制性内切酶BglⅠ、ApaⅠ酶切,PAGE电泳鉴定DNA片段长度的方法,检测5例患者骨骼肌细胞中mtDNA是否发生nt3243和8344位点A→G突变。结果 5例患者（3例MELAS和2例MERRF）在临床表现和影像学改变等方面均与国外学者的研究结果相符。1例MELAS患者仅存在3243A→G点突变,1例MERRF患者存在8344A→G点突变,1例MERRF上述2个位点均存在突变。另2例呈家系起病的MELAS患者这2个位点都无突变。结论 3243及8344位点突变分别与MELAS和MERRF的发病有关,MERRF患者可以同时存在上述2个位点的突变。临床表现仍是确诊和分类的主要依据。Ⅰ     

线粒体脑肌病伴高乳酸血症和脑卒中样发作综合征一家系临床特征及线粒体基因A3243G位点点突变异质性水平

目的 调查1个疑似患有母系遗传性线粒体脑肌病伴高乳酸血症和脑卒中样发作(MELAS)综合征家系的临床表现、生物化学检测数据和影像学资料,并探索其与血细胞线粒体基因突变异质性水平的关联性.方法 收集先证者和11位其母系家系成员的一般情况、抽搐及脑卒中样发作等病史,检测家系成员的血常规和运动前后血浆乳酸水平等生化指标,并做头颅磁共振检查.用聚合酶链反应(PCR)-限制性内切酶片段长度多态和DNA测序法检测其成员是否存在线粒体基因组A3243G点突变,并用荧光实时定量PCR定量该突变的水平.结果 该家系部分成员存在抽搐、脑卒中样发作和高乳酸血症等MELAS综合征典型症状,以及身材矮小、运动不耐受和发热、偏头痛等非典型症状.发作期头颅磁共振成像符合MELAS综合征的典型特点,且普遍存在小脑萎缩.母系亲属均存在线粒体基因的A3243G位点点突变,突变异质性水平越高,症状越典型且严重.结论 该调查家系确诊母系遗传性MELAS综合征,其致病基因为线粒体A3243G点突变.外周血血细胞线粒体基因突变异质性水平与亲缘关系、抽搐早现性和血乳酸值等临床表型存在相关性.     

遗传性听神经病一家系线粒体DNA全序列分析

目的 通过对一个遗传性听神经病家系进行线粒体DNA全序列分析，为确定其遗传方式提供分子基础。方法 选择一个4代11人的听神经病核心家系为研究对象，对现存9名成员及40例散发聋患者外周血DNA进行12 S rRNA（nt1095）聚合酶链反应（PCR）扩增，以及对一例患者进行线粒体DNA全序列PCR扩增。扩增产物通过基因测序进行突变检测和分析。结果 所有研究对象的基因区域均扩增成功。9名家系成员及40例散发聋个体12 S rRNA（nt1095）突变检测均为阴性。对一例患者线粒体DNA全序列分析发现了一系列单核苷酸多态性位点，以及一个位于MT-C01区的nt6251T→C转换，后者为一同义突变。结论该家系成员不存在线粒体DNA 12 S rRNA T1095C突变，对线粒体DNA全序列分析也未发现有意义的突变位点。结合临床特征和家系谱患者传递规律，确定该家系遗传方式为常染色体显性遗传。     

线粒体脑肌病伴有高乳酸血症和卒中样发作综合征的临床及基因突变分析

目的 探讨线粒体脑肌病伴有高乳酸血症和卒中样发作综合征(MELAS)的临床及基因突变特征. 方法 对1例MELAS患者的临床表现、影像学、肌肉病理特点进行分析,并用PCR-RFLP结合基因测序方法进行线粒体基因突变分析. 结果 患者主要临床表现为发作性头痛和呕吐、反复卒中样发作、癫痫、运动不耐受、身材矮小、神经性耳聋、乳酸水平升高等.脑CT见双侧基底节多个钙化灶,MRI见枕叶异常信号,1H-MRS见T2WI异常信号区域有明显的乳酸峰,在T2正常信号区域也有小的乳酸峰.光镜及电镜肌肉病理检查未见明显的线粒体异常,基因检测显示mtDNA A3243G杂合突变. 结论 MELAS的诊断必须结合临床表现、影像学、病理学和基因突变检测等结果进行综合分析,病理学检查阴性不能否定MELAS的诊断,诊断MELAS应常规进行mtDNA突变分析.     

Leigh综合征的线粒体DNA突变分析

目的：了解中国人Leigh综合征的线粒体DNA（mtDNA）突变特点。方法：对12例LS患者用Southern杂交和PCR－限制性内切酶分析的方法检测有无mtDNA的缺失及T8993G、T8993C、T9176C、A8344G、A3243G等点突变。结果：在4例患者中发现mtDNA点突变，包括T8993G1例、T8993C1例、A8344G2例，定量分析表明突变型mtDNA的比例均较高，为87．2％－97．8％，未发现mtDNA的大片段缺失及T9176C、A3243G点突变。结论：LS在遗传方面有显著的异质性，根据不同的病因，临床表现略有差异。     

编码酶复合体Ⅰ亚单位的线粒体基因新突变导致的MELAS综合征

目的:报道4例由编码酶复合体Ⅰ中NADH脱氢酶(ND)亚单位的线粒体基因(mtDNA)突变所导致的线粒体脑肌病患者,分析其临床及骨骼肌病理改变特点.方法:4例患者的发病年龄在6 ～21岁之间,病程在7～ 20年.其中1例为MELAS、3例为MELAS/Leigh叠加综合征.对4例患者进行肌肉活检和mtDNA全长测序检查.结果:骨骼肌病理检查发现1例同时存在破碎红纤维(RRFs)及SDH深染的血管(SSVs),2例仅有SSVs,另1例未见异常.4例患者均携带mtDNA编码的ND基因突变,分别为位于ND3编码区的T10191C(p.S45P)、ND4编码区的A11470C(p.K237N)、ND5编码区的T13046C(p.M237T)点突变以及累及ND5和ND6编码区的单一大片段缺失( 13025-13033:14417-14425),后3种突变均为新发现的致病性突变.结论:ND基因突变是导致部分MELAS或MELAS/Leigh叠加综合征患者的分子病理学基础,这些患者的骨骼肌病理检查常缺乏典型的线粒体脑肌病的病理改变,如RRFs.     

线粒体基因突变对氧化磷酸化的影响及其在阿尔茨海默病发病中的意义

近年研究发现，阿尔茨海默病(AD)患者线粒体细胞色素氧化酶(COX)活性选择性降低，部分患者特异性存在线粒体DNA(mtDNA)COX基因突变。我们于2000～2002年以AD胞质杂交细胞(cybrid)为实验模型，观察mtDNA基因突变对线粒体氧化磷酸化(OXPHOS)及β-淀粉样蛋白(AB)产生、神经原纤维缠结(NFT)形成和神经元凋亡的影响，探讨mtDNA基因突变在AD发病中的意义。     

线粒体脑肌病伴高乳酸血症和卒中样发作综合征的线粒体DNA突变特点

目的 探讨线粒体脑肌病伴高乳酸血症和卒中样发作（MELAS综合征）的分子遗传学特点。方法 用聚合酶链反应-限制片段长度多态性（PCR-RFLP）方法检测来自7个家庭的9例MELAS患者及其部分母系亲属的肌肉和（或）外周血细胞的mtDNA的A3243G和T3271C点突变,并进行突变型mtDNA的定量。结果 在9例患者和1例亲属的肌肉和（或）外周血细胞中检测到A3243G点突变,未检测到T3271C突变。在这10例A3243G阳性标本中,外周血细胞（9例）的突变型mtDNA的比例为26.8%-50.3%;肌肉组织（4例）的突变型mtDNA的比例为46.8%-61.0%;对3例患者同时进行了肌肉和血细胞标本的检测,突变型mtDNA的比例肌肉组织均高于血细胞。对6个家庭的部分母系亲属的血细胞研究表明：只有1例先证者的同胞有此突变;另外3例先证者的母亲及2例先证者的同胞均未检测到此突变。另外有2例先证者的儿子临床表现符合MELAS,血中也检测到此突变。结论 mtDNA A3243G突变在本组MELAS综合征中的发生率较高,并且可在不同组织中检测到此突变,与国外文献报道一致;但国外报道多为母系遗传,而我们的病例以散发的居多,推测是由于新生突变所致。     

碳离子辐射引起Hela细胞线粒体DNA 4 977 bp的缺失

背景：线粒体DNA 4 977 bp缺失的累积对衰老的多细胞动物来说是一个显著的特征,同时也与各种肿瘤细胞的转移和凋亡有关。目前的研究已证明辐射可特异性地诱导此缺失的产生,有望将其作为新的DNA水平的辐射损伤生物剂量标记。 目的：用聚合酶链反应方法检测碳离子辐射引起的Hela细胞线粒体DNA 4 977 bp突变缺失,并观察碳离子辐射剂量及辐射时间与线粒体DNA 4 977 bp缺失的相关性。 设计、时间及地点：细胞DNA水平的对照实验,于2008-10/11在甘肃省兰州市近代物理研究所完成。 材料：人宫颈癌细胞Hela细胞株。 方法：Hela细胞经2~8 Gy的碳离子辐射后,于2~24 h各个时间点分别提取包含线粒体DNA的全基因组DNA,并用聚合酶链反应法扩增线粒体DNA 4 977 bp缺失的特异片段,通过限制反应模板浓度和聚合酶链反应循环数的方法进行定性分析。 主要观察指标：碳离子辐射剂量及辐射时间对线粒体DNA 4 977 bp缺失的影响。 结果：经2 Gy辐照处理的Hela细胞在2,4,8,24 h 4个时间点的检测中均无聚合酶链反应阳性产物,8 Gy辐照处理的Hela细胞在12,16,24 h 3个时间点可检测到线粒体DNA 4 977 bp 缺失,且随时间延长而累积。辐照后12 h Hela细胞在8 Gy辐照处理后可检测到线粒体DNA 4 977 bp 缺失,辐照后16和24 h Hela细胞在6,8 Gy辐照处理后可检测到线粒体DNA 4 977 bp 缺失。 结论：碳离子辐射引起的Hela细胞线粒体DNA 4 977 bp缺失存在剂量相关性,且其累计程度可能与辐射时间有关。     

线粒体基因G13513A突变导致的线粒体脑肌病六例临床表型分析

目的 报告6例mtDNA G13513A点突变引起的线粒体脑肌病患者的临床、影像学特点,总结mtDNA G13513A突变所致的线粒体病的临床表型.方法 对35例mtDNA常见突变(包括大片段缺失及A3243G、T3271C、A8344G、T8993G/C点突变)检查为阴性的线粒体脑肌病患者,用线粒体DNA全长测序和(或)聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态法检测mtDNA G13513A点突变,分析阳性患者的临床特点,复习文献报道的mtDNA G13513A所致线粒体病的病例.结果 35例患者中有6例存在mtDNA G13513A突变.该6例患者均出现偏盲、轻偏瘫或偏身感觉障碍等卒中样发作表现,其中3例成人发病者以卒中样发作为主要症状,伴随癫痫、头痛、身材矮小、神经性耳聋等,头颅MRI显示以顶-枕-颢叶受累为主的大片病灶,符合成人型线粒体脑肌病伴高乳酸血症和卒中样发作(MELAS)的临床和影像学特点;3例青少年发病者除卒中样发作外,还有构音障碍、共济失调、眼外肌瘫痪等脑干受累的症状,MRI检查可见枕-颞叶大脑皮质非对称性病灶,以及双侧基底节和脑干的对称性病灶,符合青少年型MELAS-Leigh叠加综合征的临床和影像学特点.肌肉病理检查在5例患者发现不整红边纤维.经复习文献,发现mtDNA G13513A突变患者还存在婴幼儿型Leigh或Leigh样综合征表型.结论 mtDNA G13513A点突变是线粒体脑肌病较常见的致病性突变,主要导致Leigh综合征、MELAS-Leigh叠加综合征或MELAS综合征,其临床表型具有年龄依赖性.

Abstract：

Objective To report 6 Chinese patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy caused by mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA)G13513A mutation and discuss the mitochondrial phenotype associated with this mutation based on the data of our patient series as well as the reports by others.Methods Direct sequencing of polymerase chain reaction(PCR)products or PCR-RFLP analysis Was performed to screen mtDNA G13513A mutation in 35 cases with mitoehondrial encephalomyopathy.who carried no mtDNA common mutations(1arge 8eale deletion,A3243G,T3271 C,A8344G,or T8993G/C).The clinical features,MRI changes were retrospectively collected and analyzed.Published studies of all patients with mtDNA G13513A mutation were also reviewed.Results Six patients were identified carrying mtDNA G13513A mutation.All patients presented stroke-like episodes with hemianopsia.hemiparesis or hemiparesthesia.Three adult patients presented clinical and radiological features of adult-onset mitochondrial myopathy,encephalopathy,lactic acidosis,and stroke-like episodes(MELAS),including stroke-like episodes,epilepsy,headache,short stature,sensorineural deafness,multifocal lesions on parietal,occipital and temporal lobes on cranial MRI scans.Three iuvenile.onset patients presented the clinical and brain MRI features of MELAS-Leigh syndrome(LS)overlap syndrome.In addition to the stroke-like episodes,they also showed brain stem lesions with dysarthria,ataxia,and ophthalmopJegia. Brain MRI revealed asymmetrical lesions in the cortex of the oecipital and temporal lobes,as well as symmetrical lesions in the bilateral basal ganglia and brainstem.Muslce biopsy showed ragged redfibem in 5 patients.The infant-onset LS or Leigh-like syndrome with mtDNA G135 13A was described in the English literature.Conclusions mtDNA G13513A mutation is a common pathogenic mutmion for mitochondrial encephalomyopathy,which can result in Leigh syndrome,MELAS-LS overlap syndrome and adult MELAS.The onset of various phenotypes is relatively age-dependent.     

Content of mutant mitochondrial DNA and organ dysfunction in a patient with a MELAS subgroup of mitochondrial encephalomyopathies

A point mutation of mitochondrial tRNA^Leu(UUR) gene is responsible for a MELAS (mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes) subgroup of mitochondrial encephalomyopathies. In most cases, the mutant mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) coexists with normal mtDNA in a heteroplasmic manner. In order to quantify the content of mutant mtDNA, we developed a quantitative method of PCR. Using this method, the distribution of the mutant mtDNA was examined in 32 different tissues among 18 autopsied organs from a patient with MELAS, who had shown hypophyseal dysfunction. The percentage of the mutant mtDNA at nucleotide number 3243 in each tissue was ranged between 22% and 95%. The content of the mutant mtDNA was at the highest (95%) in the hypophysis and higher in the cerebral cortex than in the white matter. This study shows a possible correlation of tissue dysfunction with accumulation of the mutant mtDNA within the brain.     

An autopsy case of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy,lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) with a point mutation of mitochondrial DNA

A 14-year-old boy with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) is reported. He had suffered blepharoptosis and cataracts prior to the stroke-like episodes, and was thus reported in 1984 as having Kearns-Shy (Sayre) syndrome. After his death, an A-to-G mutation of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) at bp 3243 was identified in cardiac muscle and the liver. Neuropathologically, multiple old and recent necrotic foci were observed in the gray and white matter of the cerebrum and cerebellum. These lesions were occasionally observed in areas outside of the distribution of major blood vessels of the brain. In the recent necrotic foci, neural loss and sponginess were observed while some neurons were preserved intact. The latter finding has not been described in MELAS and suggests that metabolic degeneration had occurred in the neurons of this patient. This is the first report of a confirmed 3243 mutation of the mtDNA in an autopsied MELAS case.     

Alteration in the copy number of mitochondrial DNA in leukocytes of patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathies

OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether mutation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) affects the copy number of the mitochondrial genome in patients with mitochondrial myopathy encephalopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) and those with myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fiber (MERRF) syndromes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight Taiwanese patients with MELAS syndrome and 20 patients with MERRF syndrome were recruited in this study. RESULTS: In relation to controls, the copy numbers of mtDNA in leukocytes of patients with MELAS or MERRF syndrome were significantly higher at a young age but lower at an advanced age. In addition, MELAS patients harboring higher proportions of mtDNA with A3243G transition had lower mtDNA copy numbers. The MELAS or MERRF patients with multi-system disorders had lower mtDNA copy numbers in leukocytes. Furthermore, higher proportions of mtDNA with 4977 bp deletion were found in leukocytes of MERRF patients with multi-system involvement. CONCLUSION: In leukocytes, alteration in the copy number of mtDNA is related to the proportion of mtDNA with a point mutation or large-scale deletion, which may serve as a biomarker in the pathogenesis and disease progression of MELAS and MERRF syndromes.     

MELAS syndrome associated with a tandem duplication in the D-loop of mitochondrial DNA

We describe a family with two cases of adult-onset mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome. Interestingly, the proband also had non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and hyperthyroidism. Endocrinological studies demonstrated a high titer of TSH receptor antibody in the proband and elevated levels in her maternal relatives. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) showed an A-to-G transition at nucleotide position 3243 in the tRNA^Leu(UUR) gene (A3243G) in the three generations of the family. Furthermore, a previously described ~ 260 bp tandem duplication in the D-loop region of mtDNA was also found in the proband and her maternal relatives. To our knowledge, such kind of duplication has never before been reported in the MELAS syndrome. The proportions of mtDNA with the ~260 bp tandem duplication and A3243G point mutation were 12.5% and 82% in the muscle, respectively, and 1.6% and 35% in the blood cells, respectively, of the proband. We conclude that the hyperthyroidism in this MELAS patient may be related to the tandem duplication in the D-loop of mtDNA. This study further substantiates the importance of searching for additional genetic mutations in mitochondrial encephalomyopathic patients with new clinical phenotypes.     

Are mitochondrial DNA deletions causative in chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia patients?

Twenty-one patients with long standing unexplained ptosis (3), chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO, 16) or Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS, 2) were studied for the presence of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions and the major disease-associated mtDNA point mutations with the aim of correlating mitochondrial genetic abnormalities with pathogenesis in these patients. Only 52% were found to have a deletion; of these, 82% harboured the 'common deletion'. Two of 2 KSS patients and 9 of 16 CPEO patients were deletion positive. None of the 3 patients with bilateral ptosis only had a deletion. Of those patients with ragged red fibres (RRF) on histology, 69% had a deletion. No disease associated mtDNA point mutation was observed with the exception of the nucleotide (nt) 11084 A-G mutation associated with mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) in a patient also harbouring the common deletion. The role of deletions in CPEO patients is discussed.     

Revelation of a new mitochondrial DNA mutation (G12147A) in a MELAS/MERFF phenotype

BACKGROUND: A 26-year-old man presented at onset with the syndrome of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and strokelike episodes (MELAS) and later with a phenotype for MELAS and myoclonic epilepsy and ragged red fiber disease (MELAS/MERRF). OBJECTIVE: To identify the possible defects in the mitochondrial genome in blood and muscle samples of the patient. DESIGN: Case study of a patient clinically exhibiting strokelike episodes and then epilepsy with myoclonic features, ataxia, and dementia. SETTING: Research unit of a university hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Electromyographic, morphologic, and biochemical studies of muscle and molecular analysis of blood and muscle to investigate mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) size and quantity. RESULTS: Morphologically, we found abnormal mitochondrial proliferation with several cytochrome-c oxidase (COX)-negative fibers in muscle biopsy specimens; the analysis of serial sections showed a decreased immunoreactivity for the mtDNA-encoded subunits COXII and, partially, COXI. Biochemically, we found a partial and isolated COX deficiency. The complete mtDNA sequence analysis identified 3 sequence changes, 2 of which were reported polymorphisms. The remaining change, a G12147A transition in the transfer RNA(His) gene, appeared to be the likely pathogenic mutation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data propose that the G12147A change, the first mutation in the transfer RNA(His) gene associated with an overlapped MELAS/MERFF phenotype, is the cause of the encephalomyopathy in this patient interfering with the overall mitochondrial protein synthesis.     

Phenotypes and mitochondrial DNA substitutions in families with A3243G mutation

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the relationship between mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence variations and phenotypes in patients with A3243G mutation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied whole mtDNA sequences in two families with A3243G mutation and characteristic clinical features. Two brothers in Family 1 had shown thiamine deficiency and mitochondrial myopathy without central nervous system involvement. In Family 2, a 16-year-old woman showed the symptoms of mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS). Her mother had had diabetes mellitus and died at the age of 42. The proportion of A3243G mtDNA in blood was 87 and 89% in the patients of Family 1, and 25% in the patient and less than 5% in the mother of Family 2. RESULTS: The mtDNA analysis revealed the following homoplasmic substitutions: T1520C and C12153T found only in Family 1, and A15954G found only in Family 2. These substitutions were not detected in seven other MELAS patients or in 50 controls. CONCLUSION: These substitutions might be specific to these families and could be one of the factors that modulate their clinical features together with the A3243G mutation.     

A novel mutation in the mitochondrial tRNA for tryptophan causing a late‐onset mitochondrial encephalomyopathy

Sanaker PS, Nakkestad HL, Downham E, Bindoff LA. A novel mutation in the mitochondrial tRNA for tryptophan causing a late‐onset mitochondrial encephalomyopathy.
Acta Neurol Scand: 2010: 121: 109–113.
© 2009 The Authors Journal compilation © 2009 Blackwell Munksgaard. Background – Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations are increasingly being recognized as causes of late‐onset disease. We report a patient with a late‐onset mitochondrial encephalomyopathy caused by a novel G > C transition in mtDNA at position 5556 in the gene encoding the tRNA for tryptophan (MTTW). Aims – To investigate the cause of disease and assess the pathogenicity of this new mutation. Methods – Clinical, histopathological and gene sequencing studies. Quantification of the mutation was performed in different tissues from the patient and two relatives and in single muscle fibres. Results – The mutation was heteroplasmic, segregated in biochemically affected muscle fibres and was absent in blood. The level of mutation in skeletal muscle was higher than in brain, although the brain was clinically the most affected tissue. Discussion – The 5556G > C mutation appears sporadic. It was not found in any of the family members tested, although some of them manifested disorders that can be associated with mtDNA disease. In addition to reporting the eighth mutation in MTTW, our case illustrates the challenges posed when assigning pathogenicity to mtDNA mutations.