A novel common missense mutation G301C in the N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase gene in mucopolysaccharidosis IVA.

Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA (MPS IVA) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by a genetic defect in N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase (GALNS). In previous studies, we have found two common mutations in Caucasians and Japanese, respectively. To characterize the mutational spectrum in various ethnic groups, mutations in the GALNS gene in Colombian MPS IVA patients were investigated, and genetic backgrounds were extensively analyzed to identify racial origin, based on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) lineages. Three novel missense mutations never identified previously in other populations and found in 16 out of 19 Colombian MPS IVA unrelated alleles account for 84.2% of the alleles in this study. The G301C and S162F mutations account for 68.4% and 10.5% of mutations, respectively, whereas the remaining F69V is limited to a single allele. The skewed prevalence of G301C in only Colombian patients and haplotype analysis by restriction fragment length polymorphisms in the GALNS gene suggest that G301C originated from a common ancestor. Investigation of the genetic background by means of mtDNA lineages indicate that all our patients are probably of native American descent.

Peroxisomal assembly defects: clinical, pathologic, and biochemical findings in two patients in a newly identified complementation group.

We describe the clinical, pathologic, and biochemical findings for two peroxisome-deficient patients in a newly identified complementation group. Both patients had biochemical findings typical of patients with peroxisome biogenesis disorders. However, whereas one patient had the typical clinicopathologic features of Zellweger syndrome, the other patient's phenotype was atypical.

Zellweger-like syndrome with detectable hepatic peroxisomes: a variant form of peroxisomal disorder.

A male infant with typical clinical and biochemical findings of Zellweger syndrome, but in whom hepatic peroxisomes were detected by electron microscopy, had profound hypotonia, hepatomegaly, typical facial appearance including large fontanelle and frontal bossing, convulsions, panaminoaciduria, and hyperammonemia. He died of liver failure at age 5 months. There were increased levels of very long chain fatty acids and trihydroxycoprostanic acid in serum, and increased excretion of dicarboxylic acids and tyrosine metabolites in the urine. Levels of peroxisomal enzymes, acyl coenzyme A oxidase, bifunctional protein, 3-ketoacyl coenzyme A thiolase, and dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase in the liver tissue from the patient were all deficient, findings consistent with Zellweger syndrome. However, immunocytochemical study and electron microscopic examination of the liver at autopsy revealed that hepatic peroxisomes were present at a level similar to that in a control subject. These observations suggest further heterogeneity in Zellweger syndrome and a different pathogenesis in this variant case.