Evidence of a wide spectrum of cardiac involvement due to ACAD9 mutations: Report on nine patients

Mol Genet Metab. 2016 Jul;118(3):185-189. doi: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2016.05.005. Epub 2016 May 13.

Abstract

Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase 9 (ACAD9) is a mitochondrial protein involved in oxidative phosphorylation complex I biogenesis. This protein also exhibits acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (ACAD) activity. ACAD9-mutated patients have been reported to suffer from primarily heart, muscle, liver, and nervous system disorders. ACAD9 mutation is suspected in cases of elevated lactic acid levels combined with complex I deficiency, and confirmed by ACAD9 gene analysis. At least 18 ACAD9-mutated patients have previously been reported, usually displaying severe cardiac involvement. We retrospectively studied nine additional patients from three unrelated families with a wide spectrum of cardiac involvement between the families as well as the patients from the same families. All patients exhibited elevated lactate levels. Deleterious ACAD9 mutations were identified in all patients except one for whom it was not possible to recover DNA. To our knowledge, this is one of the first reports on isolated mild ventricular hypertrophy due to ACAD9 mutation in a family with moderate symptoms during adolescence. This report also confirms that dilated cardiomyopathy may occur in conjunction with ACAD9 mutation and that some patients may respond clinically to riboflavin treatment. Of note, several patients suffered from patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), with one exhibiting a complex congenital heart defect. It is yet unknown whether these cardiac manifestations were related to ACAD9 mutation. In conclusion, this disorder should be suspected in the presence of lactic acidosis, complex I deficiency, and any cardiac involvement, even mild.

Keywords: ACAD9; Acyl-COA dehydrogenase 9; Cardiomyopathy; Complex I deficiency.

MeSH terms

  • Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenases / genetics*
  • Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenases / metabolism
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Heart Diseases / drug therapy
  • Heart Diseases / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Lactic Acid / blood*
  • Male
  • Mutation*
  • Pedigree
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Riboflavin / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Lactic Acid
  • Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenases
  • ACAD9 protein, human
  • Riboflavin