Adult cases of mitochondrial DNA depletion due to TK2 defect: an expanding spectrum.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
In this study we aim to demonstrate the occurrence of adult forms of TK2 mutations causing progressive mitochondrial myopathy
with significant muscle mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) depletion.
METHODS
Patients' investigations included serum creatine kinase, blood lactate, electromyographic, echocardiographic, and functional
respiratory analyses as well as TK2 gene sequencing and TK2 activity measurement. Mitochondrial activities and mtDNA were
analyzed in the patients' muscle biopsy.
RESULTS
The 3 adult patients with TK2 mutations presented with slowly progressive myopathy compatible with a fairly normal life during
decades. Apart from its much slower progression, these patients' phenotype closely resembled that of pediatric cases including
early onset, absence of CNS symptoms, generalized muscle weakness predominating on axial and proximal muscles but affecting
facial, ocular, and respiratory muscles, typical mitochondrial myopathy with a mosaic pattern of COX-negative and ragged-red
fibers, combined mtDNA-dependent respiratory complexes deficiency and mtDNA depletion. In accordance with the disease's relatively
slow progression, the residual mtDNA content was higher than that observed in pediatric cases. That difference was not explained
by the type of the TK2 mutations or by the residual TK2 activity.
CONCLUSION
TK2 mutations can cause mitochondrial myopathy with a slow progression. Comparison of patients with similar mutations but
different disease progression might address potential mechanisms of mtDNA maintenance modulation.
Links
Authors
Béhin A, Jardel C, Claeys KG, Fagart J, Louha M, Romero NB, Laforêt P, Eymard B, Lombès A
Institution
APHP, Centre de Référence de Pathologie Neuromusculaire Paris-Est, Institut de Myologie, Paris.
Source
Neurology 78:9 2012 Feb 28 pg 644-8MeSH
AdultDNA, Mitochondrial
Female
Humans
Male
Mitochondrial Myopathies
Muscle Weakness
Muscle, Skeletal
Thymidine Kinase
Pub Type(s)
Case ReportsJournal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Language
eng
PubMed ID
22345218
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