Toshiyuki Yamamoto
   Department   School of Medicine(Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital), School of Medicine
   Position   Professor
Article types Case report
Language English
Peer review Peer reviewed
Title Aspartylglucosaminuria caused by a novel homozygous mutation in the AGA gene was identified by an exome-first approach in a patient from Japan.
Journal Formal name:Brain & Development
ISSN code:03877604
Domestic / ForeginForegin
Volume, Issue, Page 39(5),pp.422-425
Author and coauthor Yamamoto T, Shimojima K, Matsufuji M, Mashima R, Sakai E, Okuyama T.
Authorship Lead author,Corresponding author
Publication date 2016/05
Summary BACKGROUND:
Aspartylglucosaminuria (AGU) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme, aspartylglucosaminidase (AGA). This disorder is rare in the general population except in Finland. Since the most characteristic feature of this disorder is a progressive developmental regression, patients often show no specific symptoms in the initial stages, and thus early diagnosis is often challenging.
CASE REPORT:
We encountered a 16-year-old boy who began to show difficulties in his speech at the age of 6years. Due to a mild regression in his development, he gradually lost common daily abilities. His diagnosis was first obtained through exome sequencing that identified a novel homozygous mutation in the AGA gene. This result was reasonable because of parental consanguinity. Reduced enzymatic activity of AGA was then confirmed. His urine was retrospectively screened by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and a specific pattern of abnormal metabolites was identified.
CONCLUSIONS:
Because both exome sequencing and MALDI-TOF-MS screening are adaptable and comprehensive, future combinatory use of these methods would be useful for diagnosis of rare inborn errors of metabolism such as AGU.
DOI 10.1016/j.braindev.2016.12.004
PMID 28063748