MELAS分子生物学研究进展

线粒体脑肌病伴乳酸中毒及卒中样发作（MELAS）是一种最为常见的线粒体脑肌病。因其临床表现具有高度异质性,故该病的分子机制日益受到人们的重视。本文以最为常见的线粒体DNA（mtDNA）A3243G点突变为例,就MELAS综合征的分子生物学基础、检测手段以及新近的研究进展做一概述。     

非综合征型遗传性耳聋两家系线粒体基因突变分析

目的 探讨母系遗传非综合征型耳聋发病机理及7445^G点突变在这类家系及散发感音神经性耳聋病例中的发生率，为建立相应的基因诊断方法提供依据。方法 收集两个母系遗传非综合征型耳聋家系和14个感音神经性耳聋散发病例；抽外周血标本，从白细胞中提取DNA；聚合酶链反应扩增线粒体DNA（mitochondrial DNA,mtDNA）目的片段，分别以Alw 26Ⅰ、ApaⅠ及XbaⅠ限制性内切酶检测1555^G、3243^G及7445^G点突变；行mtDNA 12S r RNA、tRNA^Leu(UUR)、tRNA^Ser(UCN)基因测序。结果 经酶切检测，两家系中12例为7445^G点突变阳性，其余6例及14例散发病例均为阴性，所有病例1555^G、3243^G点突变均阴性；7445^G点突变呈母系遗传。mtDNA测序显示，所有病例1555^G、3243^G点突变均阴性；酶切显示为7445^G突变阳性病例经基因测序均发现有（nt)7445A→G替换。结论 7445^G点突变在母系遗传非综合征型耳聋家系中有较高的发生率，而在散发病例中发生率很低；7445^G结合1555^G点7突变筛查对这类耳聋的诊断有重要意义。     

慢性进行性眼外肌瘫痪和Kearns-Sayre综合征的线粒体DNA突变分析

目的 探讨慢性进行性眼外肌瘫痪(chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia，CPEO)和Kearns-Sayre综合征(Kearns—Sayre syndrome，KSS)的线粒体DINA(mitochondrial DNA，mtDNA)突变特点。方法 用Southern印迹方法检测7例CPEO和4例KSS患者的肌肉组织mtDNA，并进一步用聚合酶链反应产物直接测序来明确缺失的具体范围；用聚合酶链反应-限制性内切酶分析法检测有无mtDNA A3243G点突变。结果 发现5例患者(2例CPEO和3例KSS)存在mtDNA的大片段缺失；1例KSS患者存在A3243G点突变。5例大片段缺失的大小及缺失范围各不相同，从3．0～8．0kb不等，缺失型mtDNA占总mtDNA的比例为37．6％～87．0％。聚合酶链反应产物测序表明这5例缺失类型均未见文献报道。结论 与CPEO和KSS患者相关的最常见的mtDNA突变为大片段缺失，A3243G点突变也可在少数患者中检测到。     

线粒体DNA A1555G和961 insC双重突变导致的非综合征型遗传性耳聋

目的探讨一个非综合征型遗传性耳聋大家系线粒体DNA(mitoehondrial DNA，mtDNA)突变类型。方法临床听力测试已明确诊断，并收集非综合征型遗传性耳聋分支家系中33人及6例散发聋患者的外周静脉血样本，从白细胞中提取DNA，聚合酶链反应扩增mtDNA目的片段，分别用BsmA I、Apa I及Xba I限制性内切酶检测1555G、3243G和7445G点突变，对相关的扩增片段进行基因测序。结果酶切检测，家系中17例耳聋患者均为1555G点突变阳性，非母系成员及散发聋病例均为阴性。测序结果：6例酶切显示1555G突变阳性病例均发现(nt)1555A→G转换和(nt)961C插入，3243G、7445G点突变阴性。结论在该非综合征型遗传性耳聋大家系中，mtDNA 12SrRNA基因区域A1555G和961insC的双重突变可能共同参与了听力损害的过程。     

伴预激综合征的线粒体脑肌病伴高乳酸血症和卒中样发作综合征5例临床病理分析

目的探讨伴预激综合征的线粒体脑肌病伴高乳酸血症和卒中样发作(mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes, MELAS)综合征的临床及肌肉病理特征。方法回顾性分析5例伴有预激综合征的MELAS综合征患者的临床特征、心电图、颅脑MRI及肌肉病理等。结果伴有预激综合征的MELAS综合征患者中女性2例,男性3例;发病年龄6～20岁,平均(12.4±4.6)岁;其中癫痫是最常见的首发症状(80%);颅脑MRI均显示异常,以枕颞顶叶受累为主;肌肉病理示5例患者均可见强反应性血管现象(strong reactive vessel, SSV),3例可见破碎红纤维;基因检测示5例均存在A3243G点突变。结论伴预激综合征的MELAS综合征患者临床以癫痫为首发症状最多见,颅脑枕、颞叶均有损害,肌肉病理均存在SSV,基因突变均是A3243G点突变。     

糖尿病家系的线粒体基因tRNALeu(UUR)A3243G突变分析

目的 分析线粒体基因tRNALeu(UUR)A3243G突变的糖尿病家系中发病规律.方法 筛选临床疑似线粒体糖尿病家系,采用PCR、DNA直接测序技术对3个家系19例临床疑似线粒体基因突变糖尿病家系进行线粒体基因突变高发区域tRNALeu(UUR)基因的检测.结果 3个家系发现与糖尿病发病有关的突变位点均位于nt3243A→G突变,且家系中大部分患者伴有消瘦、耳聋、β细胞功能低下、发病年龄低的特点.结论 线粒体tRNALeu(UUR)基因3243位点A→G突变可导致糖尿病和耳聋.     

线粒体tRNA^ser（UCN））基因突变致线粒体脑肌病1例并文献复习

目的分析1例线粒体细胞病患儿的临床表现及其基因突变特点。方法对1例临床诊断为线粒体脑肌病患儿归纳总结其临床表现及实验室检查结果,并运用PCR法扩增患儿外周血线粒体基因3243、8344和8993热点突变及已报道的62个常见突变位点所在片段,对扩增片段采用直接测序方法检测突变。在某医院年度体检中选择70名无血缘关系的健康成人作为正常对照,采用PCR-RFLP方法进行多态性分析。结果男性患儿,1岁9个月时出现持续高乳酸血症、反复严重代谢性酸中毒和高氨血症,头颅CT扫描显示双侧额顶叶对称性空泡样低密度灶,考虑线粒体性脑肌病;脑萎缩。2岁时死亡。患儿外周血线粒体基因3243、8344和8993热点突变及已报道的62个常见突变位点均未见突变,患儿线粒体tRNAser（UCN）基因存在7496 T→C突变。为证实在正常人群中线粒体tRNAser（UCN）基因是否存在7496 T→C突变,70名正常对照组皆未发现这一位点突变。结论线粒体脑肌病可以表现为代谢紊乱和神经损伤,应提高警惕。线粒体tRNAser（UCN）基因7496 T→C突变可能导致线粒体细胞病。该突变尚未见报道。     

早发糖尿病线粒体基因突变的研究

目的研究天津地区早发糖尿病(发病年龄≤45岁)中线粒体基因突变的发生率及其相关性。方法随机选取无血缘关系、发病年龄≤45岁的糖尿病患者348例;对照组207名,收集相应临床资料,提取外周血基因组DNA,应用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性及克隆技术检测线粒体基因点突变。结果糖尿病组线粒体基因点突变总的发生率为8.3%,明显高于对照组(3.3%)(P<0.05),其中17例ND412026A→G突变(4.9%);10例ND1点突变(2.9%),其中包括4例3316G→A突变(1.2%),5例3394T→C突变(1.4%),1例3426A→G突变(0.3%);2例3243A→G突变,检出率为0.6%。在对照组中发现4例12026A→G(1.9%);2例3394T→C突变(0.9%);1例G3316G→A突变(0.5%);未发现3243A→G突变和3426A→G突变。结论天津地区早发糖尿病患者存在多种线粒体基因点突变。     

线粒体tRNALeu(UUR)基因nt3243A→G突变糖尿病临床特点分析

目的 了解线粒体tRNALeu(UUR)基因nt3243A→G突变在上海及江浙地区家族性糖尿病人群中的发生率及其临床特点.方法 应用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态结合直接测序方法对随机抽取的无亲缘关系的770个糖尿病家系的先证者进行线粒体tRNA<'Leu(UUR)>基因nt3243A→G突变的筛查,并进一步对阳性先证者家系进行家系遗传学及临床特点分析.结果 在770个糖尿病先证者中发现13例(1.69%)nt3243A→G突变.13个先证者家系的一级亲属中共检出32例3243突变携带者,其中24例为糖尿病,8例糖耐量正常,17例伴不同程度听力减退.24例糖尿病患者多呈消瘦体型,有18例呈典型母系遗传,13例伴胰岛素抵抗,15例伴听力障碍,14例应用胰岛素治疗.结论 上海及江浙地区家族性糖尿病人群线粒体3243点突变检出率是1.69%,线粒体糖尿病患者的临床特点是:(1)多数呈母系遗传,少数可为散发;(2)多于45岁以前发病;(3)体型多偏瘦;(4)胰岛β细胞分泌功能明显降低,部分患者同时伴有胰岛素抵抗;(5)多数患者伴神经性听力障碍或神经性耳聋.     

线粒体DNA A1555G突变在新生儿大规模筛查的临床意义

目的 探讨在新生儿中进行线粒体DNA(mitochondria DNA,mtDNA)A1555G突变基因大规模筛查在预防药物性耳聋的必要性.方法 随机取2008年在深圳市出生的1000名新生儿的血滤纸标本,用Chelex-100树脂提取DNA,PCR扩增,变性高效液相色谱法(denaturing hig-performance liquid chromatography,DHPLC)进行mtDNA A1555G突变基因筛查,计算出阳性突变频率.结果 1000名新生儿血滤纸样本中,共检测出2例样本存在mtDNA A1555G突变,突变率为0.2%.结论 mtDNA A1555G突变在新生儿中出现的频率较高,对其进行mtDNA A1555G突变大规模筛查发现氨基甙类抗生素敏感个体,能有效地对新生儿及其家族高危人群进行合理性指导用药,从而更好地预防药物性耳聋.     

Clinical features of MELAS and its relation with A3243G gene point mutation

Mitochondrial encephalopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) mostly occur in children. The point mutation A3243G of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) may work as a specific bio-marker for mitochondrial disorders. The related clinical features, however, may vary among individuals. This study therefore investigated the relation between MELAS clinical features and point mutation A3243G of mtDNA, in an attempt to provide further evidences for genetic diagnosis of MELAS. Children with MELAS-like syndromes were tested for both blood lactate level and point mutation A3243G of mtDNA. Further family study was performed by mtDNA mutation screening at the same loci for those who had positive gene mutation at A3243G loci. Those who were negative for A3243G point mutation were examined by muscle biopsy and genetic screening. Both clinical and genetic features were analyzed. In all 40 cases with positive A3243G mutation, 36 children fitted clinical diagnosis of MELAS. In other 484 cases with negative mutation, only 8 children were clinically diagnosed with MELAS. Blood lactate levels in both groups were all elevated (P>0.05). In a further genetic screening of 28 families, 10 biological mothers and 8 silbings of MELAS children had positive A3243G point mutations but without any clinical symptoms. Certain difference existed in the clinical manifestations between children who were positive and negative for A3243G mutation of mtDNA but without statistical significance. MELAS showed maternal inheritance under most circumstances.     

Noninvasive diagnosis of the 3243A > G mitochondrial DNA mutation using urinary epithelial cells

The 3243A > G mutation is one of the most frequently observed mutations of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and is associated with numerous clinical presentations including mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS), progressive external ophthalmoplegia (PEO) and diabetes and deafness. The routine diagnosis of the 3243A > G mutation in blood is difficult as mutation levels are known to decrease in this tissue over time, while in some patients it may be absent. We have directly compared the levels of the 3243A > G mutation in skeletal muscle, blood and urinary epithelial cells in 18 patients and observed a striking correlation between the mutation load in postmitotic muscle and urinary epithelium, a mitotic tissue. These data strongly support the use of urinary epithelial cells as the tissue of choice in the noninvasive diagnosis of the 3243A > G mutation.     

Histochemical and molecular genetic study of MELAS and MERRF in Korean patients

Mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episode (MELAS) and myoclonic epilepsy and ragged-red fibers (MERRF) are rare disorders caused by point mutation of the tRNA gene of the mitochondrial genome. To understand the pathogenetic mechanism of MELAS and MERRF, we studied four patients. Serially sectioned frozen muscle specimens with a battery of histochemical stains were reviewed under light microscope and ultrastructural changes were observed under electron microscope. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis was performed and the tRNA genes were sequenced to confirm mutations. In two patients with MELAS, strongly succinyl dehydrogenase positive blood vessels (SSVs) and many cytochrome oxidase (COX) positive ragged-red fibers (RRFs) were observed, and A3243G mutations were found from the muscle samples. In two patients with MERRF, neither SSV nor COX positive RRFs were seen and A8344G mutations were found from both muscle and blood samples. In the two MERRF families, the identical mutation was observed among family members. The failure to detect the mutation in blood samples of the MELAS suggests a low mutant load in blood cells. The histochemical methods including COX stain are useful for the confirmation and differentiation of mitochondrial diseases. Also, molecular biological study using muscle sample seems essential for the confirmation of the mtDNA mutation.     

The mitochondrial A3243G mutation presenting as severe cardiomyopathy.

A 6 year old Portuguese boy with dilated cardiomyopathy had abundant ragged red fibres in muscle (20% of total) and severe lactic acidosis. Molecular genetic analysis showed the A to G transition in the mitochondrial transfer RNALeu(UUR) gene at nt 3243 ("MELAS mutation"), which accounted for 88% and 68% of the total mtDNA in his muscle and blood, respectively. Molecular studies in blood from 16 maternal relatives identified lower percentages of the mutation only in the oligo-symptomatic mother and brother. This case reinforces the notion that cardiomyopathy can be the presenting and predominant clinical expression of the A3243G mutation.     

Mitochondrial genetic analysis in a Chinese family suffering from both mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes and diabetes

To investigate the mitochondrial mutations in patients suffering from both mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) and maternally inherited diabetes. MELAS was confirmed by muscle biopsy performed from the biceps muscle of the proband. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The significant mtDNA loci of other 14 family members were further detected according to the sequencing results of the proband. Direct sequencing of PCR products was used to identify the mitochondrial mutations. The proband (III 1) and her brother (III 3) both harbored the tRNALeu (UUR) A3243G mutation, with heteroplasmic levels of 50% and 33% respectively. Moreover, another two mitochondrial variants, A8860G and A15326G, were also detected in the samples of all the family members. MELAS and diabetes can coexist in one patient, and the main cause for these diseases is the tRNALeu (UUR) A3243G mutation. However, other gene variants may contribute to its pathogenesis. This case also supports the concept that both syndromes can be regarded as two phenotypes of the same disease.     

Diagnosis of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes in a Chinese family by PCR/restriction enzyme analysis

The clinical presentation and the biochemical and molecular genetic findings are described in a 13 year old Chinese boy with MELAS (mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes). The diagnosis was initially suspected because of the characteristic clinical features and the strong family history of convulsions. Using polymerase chain reaction—restriction enzyme analysis, the heteroplasmic nt3243 A→G mutation in mtDNA of peripheral blood leucocytes and a muscle sample was demonstrated. The oligosymptomatic relatives were then screened by this method and the degree of heteroplasmy was analysed. This appears to be the first report of a MELAS family in Hong Kong with this described mutation. Molecular genetic techniques are advantageous in the diagnosis of MELAS.     

Rapid and noninvasive screening of patients with mitochondrial myopathy

In recent years, several point mutations in the mitochondria! genome have been associated with human disease. PCR Polymerase Chain Reaction/restriction endonuclease based techniques provide a reliable method for screening large numbers of specimens for many of the reported mutations. Muscle tissue usually carries the mutations and has been used in earlier studies. We describe a technique for analysis of mtDNA derived from hair follicles for a range of mutations. Both the 3243 A→G MELAS and 8344 A→G MERRF mutations were detected in mtDNA from hair follicles. In patients where both muscle and hair were screened, the mutation load was apparently higher in muscle. Furthermore, in patients positive for a given mutation, all the hair follicles analysed were shown to harbour the mutation, although the proportion of wild type to mutant mtDNA was found to somewhat vary. The advantages of this method are (1: six hair follicles provide sufficient mtDNA for analysis of at least 20 different mutations, and (2: specimen collection and transport to a central laboratory are easier than for other tissues. Our studies show that hair follicles constitute a reliable specimen for mitochondrial mutation screening at a diagnostic level. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Nonrandom tissue distribution of mutant mtDNA.

Heteroplasmic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) defects are an important cause of inherited human disease. On a cellular level, the percentage of mutant mtDNA is the principal factor behind the expression of the genetic defect. Marked variation in the level of mutant mtDNA among tissues is thought to be responsible for the diverse clinical phenotypes associated with the same pathogenic mtDNA mutation. This study was designed to determine whether the percentage level of a pathogenic mtDNA molecule is determined by a purely random process. The tissue distribution of the A3243G MELAS point mutation was analyzed in five individuals who were members of a family with maternally inherited diabetes and deafness. The level of mutant mtDNA was measured in four tissues in three individuals and three tissues in two individuals. The highest level of mutant mtDNA occurred in skeletal muscle, followed by hair follicles, and then buccal mucosa, with the lowest levels in blood (leucocyte/platelet fraction). The probability of observing any strict hierarchy in family is 4.82 x 10(-5). These results indicate that the distribution of the A3243G mutation is not solely determined by random processes.     

Comparison of the relative levels of the 3243 (A-->G) mtDNA mutation in heteroplasmic adult and fetal tissues.

In this report, levels of the 3243 A to G mtDNA mutation associated with the mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome were measured in different heteroplasmic tissues of subjects in a kindred including adults with variable clinical phenotypes and a fetus. The relative proportions of mutant mtDNA varied widely (0.03 to 0.67) between identical tissues of the six different subjects and between different tissues of the same subjects. In the one adult for whom sufficient data were available there was an apparent correlation between the distribution of mutant mtDNA and clinical presentation. A woman without neurological symptoms who died prematurely with a cardiomyopathy and lactic acidosis had higher proportions of mutant in heart (0.49, SD 0.02), skeletal muscle (0.56, SD 0.01), and liver (0.55, SD 0.12) than in other tissues studied (for example, kidney, 0.03, SD 0.01). A strikingly different result was found in a 24 week old fetus in whom there was little variation in heteroplasmy in different tissues (average proportion of mutant mtDNA in six tissues, 0.53, SD 0.02). These observations add cardiomyopathy to the growing list of presenting features of the 3243 mtDNA mutation. The unique results from the fetus suggest also that selection pressures acting on either wild type or 3243 mutant mtDNA (rather than variation from replicative segregation of the heteroplasmic mtDNA) may be responsible primarily for the variable levels of 3243 mutant mtDNA in different heteroplasmic tissues of adults.