Hereditary optic neuropathies share a common mitochondrial coupling defect

Ann Neurol. 2008 Jun;63(6):794-8. doi: 10.1002/ana.21385.

Abstract

Hereditary optic neuropathies are heterogeneous diseases characterized by the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells leading to optic nerve atrophy and impairment of central vision. We found a common coupling defect of oxidative phosphorylation in fibroblasts of patients affected by autosomal dominant optic atrophy (mutations of OPA1), autosomal dominant optic atrophy associated with cataract (mutations of OPA3), and Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy, a disorder associated with point mutations of mitochondrial DNA complex I genes. Interestingly, the energetic defect was significantly more pronounced in Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy and autosomal dominant optic atrophy patients with a more complex phenotype, the so-called plus phenotype.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cells, Cultured
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Energy Metabolism / genetics*
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / genetics
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics*
  • Genetic Testing
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Mitochondria / genetics*
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Mitochondrial Diseases / complications
  • Mitochondrial Diseases / genetics*
  • Mitochondrial Diseases / metabolism
  • Mutation
  • Optic Atrophies, Hereditary / genetics*
  • Optic Atrophies, Hereditary / metabolism
  • Optic Atrophies, Hereditary / physiopathology
  • Optic Atrophy, Autosomal Dominant / genetics
  • Optic Atrophy, Autosomal Dominant / metabolism
  • Optic Atrophy, Autosomal Dominant / physiopathology
  • Optic Atrophy, Hereditary, Leber / genetics
  • Optic Atrophy, Hereditary, Leber / metabolism
  • Optic Atrophy, Hereditary, Leber / physiopathology
  • Oxidative Phosphorylation
  • Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • OPA3 protein, human
  • Proteins
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases
  • OPA1 protein, human