Propionic acidemia: analysis of mutant propionyl-CoA carboxylase enzymes expressed in Escherichia coli

Deficiency of propionyl-CoA carboxylase (PCC) results in propionic acidemia, an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by ketoacidosis sufficiently severe to cause neonatal death. PCC is involved in the catabolism of branched-chain amino acids, odd-chain fatty acids, and cholesterol. The enzyme is a biotin-dependent mitochondrial protein composed of two heterologous subunits arranged into an 800-kDa alpha(6 )beta(6) dodecameric structure. Approximately 60 mutations have been reported in the nuclear genes PCCA and PCCB that encode the two PCC subunits. The vast majority of these mutations have not been examined at the protein level. We present an initial characterization of 13 mutations located in exons 1, 3-7, and 12-14 of PCCB. After expression in E. coli, these recombinant mutant enzymes were analyzed for stability, biotinylation, alpha-beta subunit interaction, and activity. Our results show a functional dichotomy in these PCCB mutations with some mutants (R44P, S106R, G131R, G198D, V205D, I408del, and M442T) capable of varying degrees of assembly but forming catalytically inactive PCC proteins. Other PCCB mutants (R165W, E168K, D178H, P228L, and R410W) that are PCC deficient in patient-derived fibroblasts, were found to be capable of expressing wild-type level PCC activity when assembled in our chaperone-assisted E. coli expression system. This result indicates that these mutations exert their pathogenic effect due to an inability to assemble correctly in patients' cells. This initial screen has identified a range of mutant PCC proteins that are sufficiently stable to be purified and subsequently used for structure-function analysis to further elucidate the complex relationship between genotype and phenotype in propionic acidemia.     

Identification of novel mutations in the PCCB gene in European propionic acidemia patients

Propionyl‐CoA carboxylase (PCC) is a biotin‐dependent enzyme located in the mitochondrial matrix. Mutations in the PCCA and PCCB genes, which encode the a and b subunits of this heteropolymer, result in propionic acidemia (PA). We report the molecular analysis of b‐deficient patients from Spain and Austria. Subjects were screened for defects affecting the PCCB gene by direct sequencing from genomic PCR products, restriction digests and mRNA analysis by RT‐PCR. Study by western blot of the presence of immunoreactive b‐PCC protein was also performed. A total of four novel sequence variations were found including the point mutations V205D, and M442T, and the frameshift mutation 790‐791insG. Additionaly, a new point change, L17M, was identified on the same allele as 790‐791insG. The missense changes described above were not found in at least 40 control chromosomes analyzed. The Austrian patients were homozygous for V205D. One of the Spanish subjects was heterozygous for M442T and the known mutation c1170insT. The other Spanish patient carried L17M+790‐791insG on one allele, and the described mutation E168K on the other mutant chromosome. The mutations V205D and M442T were confirmed at RNA level and also we have detected the presence of immunoreactive b‐PCC protein translated from these mutant alleles. The patient having L17M+790‐791insG and E168K also presented immunoreactive b‐PCC protein. However, no cDNA product was obtained from the chromosome carrying L17M+790‐791insG. We propose that 790‐791insG, which causes a frameshift and a premature stop codon, is responsible for this finding. In any case, the translation from this mutant cDNA would produce a severily truncated peptide and, in consequence, a non‐functional protein. Expression analysis of all these changes will help us to clarify their structural/functional consequences. Hum Mutat 14:89–90, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Overview of mutations in the PCCA and PCCB genes causing propionic acidemia.

Propionic acidemia is an inborn error of metabolism caused by a deficiency of propionyl-CoA carboxylase, a heteropolymeric mitochondrial enzyme involved in the catabolism of branched chain amino acids, odd-numbered chain length fatty acids, cholesterol, and other metabolites. The enzyme is composed of alpha and beta subunits which are encoded by the PCCA and PCCB genes, respectively. Mutations in both genes can cause propionic acidemia. The identification of the responsible gene, previous to mutation analysis, can be performed by complementation assay or, in some instances, can be deduced from peculiarities relevant to either gene, including obtaining normal enzyme activity in the parents of many patients with PCCB mutations, observing combined absence of alpha and beta subunits by Western blot of many PCCA patients, as well as conventional mRNA-minus result of Northern blots for either gene or beta subunit deficiency in PCCB patients. Mutations in both the PCCA and PCCB genes have been identified by sequencing either RT-PCR products or amplified exonic fragments, the latter specifically for the PCCB gene for which the genomic structure is available. To date, 24 mutations in the PCCA gene and 29 in the PCCB gene have been reported, most of them single base substitutions causing amino acid replacements and a variety of splicing defects. A greater heterogeneity is observed in the PCCA gene-no mutation is predominant in the populations studied-while for the PCCB gene, a limited number of mutations is responsible for the majority of the alleles characterized in both Caucasian and Oriental populations. These two populations show a different spectrum of mutations, only sharing some involving CpG dinucleotides, probably as recurrent mutational events. Future analysis of the mutations identified, of their functional effect and their clinical relevance, will reveal potential genotype-phenotype correlations for this clinically heterogeneous disorder.     

Metabolic changes associated with hyperammonemia in patients with propionic acidemia

Propionic acidemia is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by deficiency of propionyl CoA carboxylase. Affected patients can develop severe hyperammonemia, whose causative mechanism is unknown. In this study, we monitored changes in metabolic parameters associated with hyperammonemia in patients with propionic acidemia. Levels of ammonia were correlated with plasma levels of individual amino acids and carnitine and with urinary organic acids. Significance of correlations was determined with analysis of variance. Hyperammonemia positively correlated with an increase in branched-chain amino acids (leucine and isoleucine) and a decrease in glutamine/glutamate and esterified carnitine. The urinary excretion of methylcitric acid, formed by the combination of propionic acid with oxaloacetate from the Krebs cycle, increased while that of citric acid decreased with hyperammonemia. These results suggest that in propionic acidemia, hyperammonemia is triggered by catabolism with the accumulation of propionic acid derivatives. The decrease of the plasma levels of glutamine/glutamate with hyperammonemia in patients with propionic acidemia indicates that the mechanism producing hyperammonemia differs from that in urea cycle defects. The increase in methylcitric acid and decline in citric acid urinary excretion suggest that hyperammonemia in propionic acidemia might be related to inability to maintain adequate levels of glutamine precursors through a dysfunctional Krebs cycle.     

Effect of PCCB gene mutations on the heteromeric and homomeric assembly of propionyl-CoA carboxylase.

Propionic acidemia is an inherited metabolic disorder caused by deficiency of propionyl-CoA carboxylase, a dodecameric enzyme composed of alpha-PCC and beta-PCC subunits (encoded by genes PCCA and PCCB) that have been associated with a number of mutations responsible for this disease. To clarify the molecular effect associated with gene alterations causing propionic acidemia, 12 different mutations affecting the PCCB gene (R67S, S106R, G131R, R165W, R165Q, E168K, G198D, A497V, R512C, L519P, W531X, and N536D) were analyzed for their involvement in alpha-beta heteromeric and beta-beta homomeric assembly. The experiments were performed using the mammalian two-hybrid system, which was assayed at two different temperatures to distinguish between mutations directly involved in interaction and those probably affecting polypeptide folding, thus indirectly affecting the correct assembly. Mutations R512C, L519P, W531X, and N536D, located at the carboxyl-terminal end of the PCCB gene, were found to inhibit alpha-beta heteromeric and/or the beta-beta homomeric interaction independently of the cultivation temperature, reflecting their primary effect on the assembly. Two mutations A497V and R165Q did not affect either heteromeric or homomeric assembly. The remaining mutations (R67S, S106R, G131D, R165W, E168K, and G198D), located in the amino-terminal region of the beta-polypeptide, resulted in normal interaction levels only when expressed at the lower temperature, suggesting that these changes could be considered as folding defects. From these results and the clinical manifestations associated with patients bearing the mutations described above, several genotype-phenotype correlations may be established. In general, the temperature-sensitive mutations are associated with a less severe, although variable phenotype. This could correlate with the recent hypothesis that the effect of folding mutations can be influenced by the capacity of the cellular protein quality control machinery, which provides clues to our understanding of the variability of the clinical symptoms observed among the patients bearing these mutations.     

Molecular analysis of PCCB gene in Korean patients with propionic acidemia

Propionic acidemia (PA) is an autosomal recessive inborn error in the catabolism of methionine, isoleucine, threonine, and valine, odd-numbered chain length fatty acids and cholesterol. Clinical symptoms are very heterogeneous and present as a severe neonatal-onset or a late-onset form. It is caused by a deficiency of propionyl-CoA carboxylase (PCC, EC 6.4.1.3), a biotin-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the carboxylation of propionyl-CoA to D-methylmalonyl-CoA. PCC is a heteropolymeric enzyme composed of alpha- and beta-subunits. A greater heterogeneity is observed in the PCCA gene, while for the PCCB gene, a limited number of mutations is responsible for the majority of the alleles characterized in both Caucasian and Oriental populations. We identified eight Korean patients with PA by organic acid analysis confirmed in five patients by the PCC enzyme assay in the lymphoblasts. Two neonatal-onset patients showed undetectable PCC activities while three cases with residual enzyme activities had relatively late manifestations. In the molecular analysis, we identified five novel mutations, Y439C, 1527del3, 1357insT, IVS12-8T-->A, and 31del10, and one known mutation, T428I in PCCB gene. Alleleic frequency of T428I in Korean patients with PA was 56.3% in this study. Two neonatal-onset patients with null enzyme activities were homozygotes with 1527del3 and T428I, respectively. This finding implies that T428I and 1527del3 mutation could be responsible for their severe clinical courses and null enzyme activities. The mRNA of PCCB gene in T428I and 1527del3 homozygotes were normal but in Western blot analysis, the betaPCC-subunit was only absent in 1527del3 homozygote patient suggesting different molecular pathology.     

Mutation spectrum of the PCCA and PCCB genes in Japanese patients with propionic acidemia

Propionic acidemia (PA) is an inborn error of organic acid metabolism caused by a deficiency of propionyl-CoA carboxylase. This enzyme is composed of two non-identical subunits, alpha and beta, which are encoded by the PCCA and PCCB genes, respectively. An enzyme deficiency can result from mutations in either PCCA or PCCB. To elucidate the mutation spectrum in Japanese patients, we have performed a mutation analysis of 30 patients with PA, which included nine previously reported patients. The study revealed that 15 patients were alpha-subunit deficient and 15 patients were beta-subunit deficient. Seven novel mutations were found (IVS18-6C >G, 1746G >A, C398R, G197E and IVS18+1G >A in the PCCA; A153P and IVS9+1G >T in the PCCB). Among these Japanese patients with alpha-subunit deficiencies, 923-924insT, IVS18-6C >G, and R399Q mutations were frequent and the total allelic frequency of these three mutations combined was 56% (17/30). This is in sharp contrast to the mutation spectrum found in Caucasian patients, where no prevalent mutations have been identified. Among the beta-subunit deficiencies, there were three frequent mutations; R410W, T428I, and A153P, whose allelic frequencies were 30, 26.7, and 13.3%, respectively. In conclusion, a limited number of mutations are predominant in both PCCA and PCCB genes among Japanese patients with propionic acidemia.     

Pitfalls in the prenatal diagnosis of propionic acidemia

Prenatal diagnosis of propionic acidemia can be performed by two independent methods: measuring an elevated quantity of the metabolite methylcitrate in amniotic fluid; and demonstrating deficient activity of propionyl-CoA carboxylase in amniocytes cultured from the fluid. Discordant results in a pregnancy at risk for propionic acidemia were obtained. Elevated concentration of methylcitrate indicated an affected fetus, but the activity of propionyl-CoA carboxylase was normal. An affected female infant was born. Chromosome variant analysis demonstrated that between passage two and four overgrowth of the female fetal cells by contaminating maternal cells led to the "false negative" results obtained by enzyme assay. This experience demonstrates the value of analysis of abnormal metabolites in amniotic fluid and highlights a problem that could confound the prenatal diagnosis of any condition assessed by enzyme activity.     

甲基丙二酸血症患儿MUT基因突变分析

目的 检测甲基丙二酸血症(methylmalonic acidemia,MMA)患儿MUT基因突变类型及突变频率,探讨基因型与临床表型之间的关系.方法 依据串联质谱检测血酰基肉碱、气相色谱-质谱检测尿甲基丙二酸以及维生素B_(12)负荷试验等,诊断21例单纯MMA患儿;采用聚合酶链反应和直接测序法对这些患儿进行MUT基因突变检测分析.结果 在21例单纯MMA患儿中14例检测到17种MUT基因突变,其中8种为未报道突变.以c.323G>A(R108H)、c.729_730insTT(D244LfsX39)与c.1630_1631GG>TA(G544X)较为常见,突变频率分别为14.3%、10.7%及14.3%,以错义突变多见(64.7%).14例MUT突变患儿中10例为早发型,1例为迟发型,3例由新生儿出生筛查检出;11例为维生素B_(12)无效型,3例为有效型.结论 揭示了中国MMA患儿中MUT基因的部分突变谱,MUT基因突变患儿发病较早,多为维生素B_(12)无效型.     

Survey of health status and complications among propionic acidemia patients

Propionic acidemia (PA) is a rare organic acidemia that is due to deficiency in the enzyme propionyl-coA carboxylase. Complications are currently described mostly in the form of case reports. We sampled a population of affected individuals in order to estimate the frequency of complications amongst the sample. The study is a cross-sectional retrospective review with a survey instrument and recruitment through the Propionic Acidemia Foundation. Responses for 58 individuals were tabulated for each question as how frequently the complication was reported among responders. Commonly reported findings included seizures, arrhythmia, leucopenia, and anemia. Developmental and cognitive disabilities were reported in the majority of individuals. Heart failure or cardiomyopathy was reported in over half of deceased individuals at time of death. Pancreatitis was reported in a minority of the sample, yet more than half of these reported a recurrence. These results update and extend our current knowledge of recognized complications among individuals with PA. The results also provide new information regarding developmental outcomes and previously unreported morbidity from cardiac and gastrointestinal complications. Longitudinal studies exploring associated biochemical and clinical parameters are necessary to further our understanding of the pathophysiology of PA and its complications.     

Infectious complications of propionic acidemia in Saudia Arabia

A retrospective study of 38 patients with propionic acidemia indicates a high frequency of infections; affecting 80% of such patients. The Saudi Arabian population studied is a product of consanguineous marriages, and presents with a severe phenotype. Most microorganisms implicated are unusual, which suggests an underlying immune deficiency. These frequent infections occur despite aggressive treatment with appropriate diets, carnitine and during acute episodes of the disease with metro-nidazole, which suggests a global effect of the disease on T and B lymphocytes as well as on the bone marrow cells. Any patient with propionic acidemia should be closely followed up for an intercurrent infection in association with acute metabolic decompensation.     

Chronic management and health supervision of individuals with propionic acidemia

Propionic acidemia is a relatively rare inborn error of metabolism. Individuals with propionic acidemia often have life-threatening episodes of hyperammonemia and metabolic acidosis, as well as intellectual disability. There are many reports of additional problems, including poor growth, stroke-like episodes of the basal ganglia, seizures, cardiomyopathy, long QTc syndrome, immune defects, pancreatitis and optic neuropathy; however, there is little information about the incidence of these problems in this rare disease. Additionally, there are no clear guidelines for medical or surgical management of individuals with propionic acidemia. Through a comprehensive and systematic review of the current medical literature and survey of expert opinion, we have developed practice guidelines for the chronic management of individuals with propionic acidemia, including dietary therapy, use of medications, laboratory monitoring, chronic health supervision, use of gastrostomy tubes and liver transplantation.     

E. coli sepsis as a presenting sign in neonatal propionic acidemia

An infant, who was later diagnosed with propionic acidemia presented with E. coli sepsis, a previously unreported association. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Pharmacologic amino acid acylation in the acute hyperammonemia of propionic acidemia

An infant with propionic acidemia presented at one month of age with hyperammonemic coma. Treatment by two double-volume exchange transfusions did not have an appreciable effect, but hemodialysis led to a substantial reduction of the serum concentration of ammonia on two occasions. Nevertheless, continued therapy with sodium benzoate, arginine-HCl, carnitine and lactulose did not have any observable effect on the blood concentration of ammonia. Treatment with sodium phenylacetate was followed by a reduction in serum concentrations of ammonia to normal levels which were maintained. These observations demonstrate the dramatic reduction in serum concentrations of ammonia that may be obtained in patients with organic acidemia by hemodialysis. They suggest that pharmacologic acylation therapy with phenylacetate may be of lasting benefit in the management of this complication.     

五例戊二酸血症I型患者GCDH基因突变的分子诊断CSCD

目的探讨5例戊二酸血症I型（glutaric acidemiatype I,GA—I）患者的GCDH基因突变情况,为临床诊治提供参考依据。方法应用Sanger测序法对泉州地区5例GA—I患者GcDH基因的所有外显子及侧翼内含子进行测序,并对测得序列进行分析,以寻找可能的致病突变位点。结果5例患者均检测到GCDH基因突变,共检测到4种突变位点,包括2种错义突变[c．532G〉A（P．G178R）、C．533G〉A（P．G178E）]和2种移码突变Ee．106—107delAC（P．Q37fs＊5）、C．1244—2A〉c]。其中,c．1244—2A〉C突变频率最高～C106—107delAC为未见报道的新突变,MutationTaster软件预测其为致病性突变。结论本研究分析了5例戊二酸血症I型患者的GCDH基因突变情况,从基因水平上证实了临床诊断,发现1个新的GCDH基因突变位点,丰富了GCDH基因的突变谱。     

Case reports of successful pregnancy in women with maple syrup urine disease and propionic acidemia.

We report on 2 women with organic acidemias, one with classical maple syrup urine disease and another with mild propionic acidemia in which protein restricted diets and carnitine supplementation were successfully employed to manage pregnancies. Healthy infants were delivered without maternal metabolic decompensation.     

Interallelic complementation of {beta}-subunit defects in fibroblasts of patients with propionyl-CoA carboxylase deficiency microinjected with mutant cDNA constructs

Propionic acidemia results from deficiency of propionyl-CoAcarboxylase (PCC) activity. PCC is a biotin-dependent, mitochondrialenzyme composed of - and ß-subunits (structure, ₄ß₄),with the -subunit containing the biotin ligand. About two-thirdsof fibroblast lines from patients with mutations in the PCCB(ß-subunit) gene show interallelic complementationin cell fusion experiments (the pccB and pccC subgroups of thepccBC major group defining ß-subunit mutations, wherepccBxpccC fusions show complementation). We previously identifiedthe mutations in several pccB or pccC cell lines and suggestedthat point mutations or small, in-frame insertions or deletionswere likely responsible for the complementation obtained betweenß-subunit defects. To test this hypothesis, we haveintroduced five different mutations (three pccB and two pccC)that fit these criteria into a PCC ß-subunit cDNAplasmid expressed from a cytomegalovirus promoter. The cDNAplasmids were microinjected into mutant fibroblasts and thecells were assayed by radioautographic detection of ¹⁴C-propionateincorporation into cellular macromolecules. Four different mutations(Pro228Leu or dupKICK140 from pccB or lle408 or Arg410Trp frompccC) complemented cells from complementation subgroups in apattern congruent with the results obtained in cell fusion experiments.The fifth mutation, Arg536Asn, which was found both in a complementingpccB and a non-complementing pccBC cell line, failed to complementany of the mutant cell lines. The high proportion of mutantcell lines that show interallelic complementation, the diversityof mutations responsible for it, and the extent of heteroallelismbecoming apparent in affected patients suggests that partialcomplementation between allelic mutations may contribute tothe clinical heterogeneity observed in propionic acidemia duetos ß-subunit defects.