Metabolic studies of a patient harbouring a novel S487L mutation in the catalytic subunit of AMPK.

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) regulates many different metabolic pathways in eukaryote cells including mitochondria biogenesis and energy homeostasis. Here we identify a patient with hypotonia, weakness, delayed milestones and neurological impairment since birth harbouring a novel homozygous mutation in the AMPK catalytic α-subunit 1, encoded by the PRKAA1 gene. The homozygous mutation p.S487L in isoform 1 present in the patient is in a cryptic residue for AMPK activity. In the present study, we performed the characterization of mitochondrial respiratory properties of the patient, in comparison to healthy controls, through the culture of skin fibroblasts in order to understand some of the cellular consequences of the PRKAA1 mutation. In these assays, mitochondrial respiratory complex I showed lower activity, which was followed by a decrement in the mtDNA copy number, which is a probable consequence of the lower expression of PGC-1α and PRKAA1 itself as measured in our quantitative PCRs experiments. Confirming the effect of the patient mutation in respiration, transfection of patient fibroblasts with wild type PRKAA1 partially restore complex I level. The preliminary clinic evaluations of the patient suggested a metabolic defect related to the mitochondrial respiratory function, therefore treatment with CoQ10 supplementation dose started four years ago and a clear improvement in motor skills and strength has been achieved with this treatment.

Association of PRKAA1 gene polymorphisms with chronic hepatitis B virus infection in Chinese Han population

ABSTRACT Objective: Studies have indicated that AMPK play critical roles in the regulation of innate immunity and inflammatory responses. However, the role of the polymorphisms of PRKAA1 gene in immune-response to infectious organisms remains unknown. To evaluate the potential role of PRKAA1/AMPKα1 in the immune-response to HBV, we conducted this case-control study. Methods: We recruited 276 patients (145 men and 131 women; average age, 51.6 years) with chronic HBV infection (CHB) and 303 healthy controls (166 men and 137 women; average age, 54.2 years). All the subjects were unrelated individuals of Chinese Han Population. Three SNPs of PRKAA1gene were tested. Results: Rs1002424 polymorphism showed significant difference in the allele frequencies, but no difference in the genotype frequencies (allele: p = 0.039411, OR95%CI = 0.783479 [0.621067-0.988362]; genotype: p = 0.104758); rs13361707 polymorphism showed significance in allele analysis, but not in genotype analysis (allele: p = 0.034749, OR95%CI = 1.284303 [1.017958-1.620335]; genotype: p = 0.098027); rs3792822 polymorphism was demonstrated to have significant differences in both genotype and allele frequencies between cases and controls (allele: p = 0.029286, OR95%CI= 0.741519 [0.566439-0.970716]; genotype: p = 0.034560). The haplotype results showed that CTG and TCA in the rs13361707-rs1002424-rs3792822 block were significantly associated with the happening of HBV (CTG: p = 0.036854, OR95%CI = 1.281 [1.015-1.617]; p = 0.030841, OR95%CI = 0.743 [0.568-0.973]). Conclusion: These findings suggest that PRKAA1 polymorphisms may contribute to the susceptibility of chronic HBV infection in Chinese Han origin.

Association of PRKAA1 gene polymorphisms with chronic hepatitis B virus infection in Chinese Han population.

OBJECTIVE: Studies have indicated that AMPK play critical roles in the regulation of innate immunity and inflammatory responses. However, the role of the polymorphisms of PRKAA1 gene in immune-response to infectious organisms remains unknown. To evaluate the potential role of PRKAA1/AMPKα1 in the immune-response to HBV, we conducted this case-control study. METHODS: We recruited 276 patients (145 men and 131 women; average age, 51.6 years) with chronic HBV infection (CHB) and 303 healthy controls (166 men and 137 women; average age, 54.2 years). All the subjects were unrelated individuals of Chinese Han Population. Three SNPs of PRKAA1gene were tested. RESULTS: Rs1002424 polymorphism showed significant difference in the allele frequencies, but no difference in the genotype frequencies (allele: p=0.039411, OR95%CI=0.783479 [0.621067-0.988362]; genotype: p=0.104758); rs13361707 polymorphism showed significance in allele analysis, but not in genotype analysis (allele: p=0.034749, OR95%CI=1.284303 [1.017958-1.620335]; genotype: p=0.098027); rs3792822 polymorphism was demonstrated to have significant differences in both genotype and allele frequencies between cases and controls (allele: p=0.029286, OR95%CI= 0.741519 [0.566439-0.970716]; genotype: p=0.034560). The haplotype results showed that CTG and TCA in the rs13361707-rs1002424-rs3792822 block were significantly associated with the happening of HBV (CTG: p=0.036854, OR95%CI=1.281 [1.015-1.617]; p=0.030841, OR95%CI=0.743 [0.568-0.973]). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that PRKAA1 polymorphisms may contribute to the susceptibility of chronic HBV infection in Chinese Han origin.