Publications by authors named "Johannes A Mayr"

Disease-causing variants in are associated with a spectrum of epilepsy and/or movement disorders, often with additional developmental issues or intellectual impairment. Monoallelic gain-of-function variants often lead to paroxysmal nonkinesigenic dyskinesia (PNKD). While the treatment mechanism is unknown, dextroamphetamine and its prodrug lisdexamfetamine have been shown to successfully control the debilitating PNKD with up to several hundred daily incidents in one patient with the (NM_001161352.

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Objective: 3-methylglutaconic aciduria (MEG), dystonia-deafness (D), (hepatopathy (H)), encephalopathy (E), and Leigh-like-syndrome (L) (MEGD(H)EL) syndrome is a rare, severely disabling progressive mitochondrial disease associated with biallelic pathogenic variants in SERAC1. Knowledge about hearing loss (HL) and hearing rehabilitation is scarce but highly sought after for best possible care in the absence of causative treatment.

Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study.

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Dystonin (DST) encodes three major isoforms, DST-a, DST-b, and DST-e. Biallelic pathogenic variants in DST have previously been associated with two allelic monogenic disorders: Hereditary Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathy type VI (caused by a loss of DST-a) and Epidermolysis bullosa simplex 3 (caused by a loss of DST-e). We investigated patients diagnosed with congenital myopathy using exome or genome sequencing.

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Purpose: Primary mitochondrial disorders (PMDs) are a clinically heterogeneous group of genetic disorders that can affect many tissues, with a broad phenotypic spectrum ranging from isolated organ involvement to severe early-onset multisystem disease. Visual loss from optic atrophy is a frequent clinical manifestation of mitochondrial cytopathies. This study aimed to identify the missing heritability in previously unsolved cases of suspected isolated or syndromic optic neuropathy.

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Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase deficiency (MIM 246900/DLDD) is an autosomal recessive mitochondrial disease with three clinical subgroups. The hepatic form leads to recurrent metabolic decompensations often accompanied by elevated levels of liver transaminases (ELT) in blood, sometimes progressing to acute liver failure (ALF). Genetically, it is linked to the p.

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The major spliceosome contains five small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs; U1, U2, U4, U5 and U6) essential for splicing. Variants in RNU4-2, encoding U4, cause a neurodevelopmental disorder called ReNU syndrome. We investigated de novo variants in 50 snRNA-encoding genes in a French cohort of 23,649 individuals with rare disorders and gathered additional cases through international collaborations.

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Preeclampsia (PE), a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and organ damage, has been suggested to be associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, although evidence remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the activity of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) enzymes and the expression of related proteins in placental tissues from women diagnosed with early-onset preeclampsia (eoPE, <34 weeks of gestation), late-onset preeclampsia (loPE, ≥34 weeks of gestation), and normotensive controls. Placental samples were analyzed using immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and enzymatic activity assays to assess the activity and expression of OXPHOS complexes.

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The Mediator complex regulates protein-coding gene transcription by coordinating the interaction of upstream enhancers with the basal transcription machinery at the promoter. Pathogenic variants in Mediator subunits typically lead to neurodevelopmental or neurodegenerative disorders with variable clinical presentations, designated as MEDopathies. Here, we report the identification of 25 individuals from 18 families with bi-allelic MED16 variants who have a multiple congenital anomalies (MCAs)-intellectual disability syndrome.

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Childhood-onset mitochondrial disorders are rare genetic diseases that often manifest with neurological impairment due to altered mitochondrial structure or function. To date, pathogenic variants in 373 genes across the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes have been linked to mitochondrial disease, but the ensuing genetic and clinical complexity of these disorders poses considerable challenges to their diagnosis and management. Nevertheless, despite the current lack of curative treatment, recent advances in next generation sequencing and -omics technologies have laid the foundation for precision mitochondrial medicine through enhanced diagnostic accuracy and greater insight into pathomechanisms.

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Background: Pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) is a rare and life-threatening condition. In up to 50% of PALF cases, the underlying etiology remains unknown during routine clinical testing. This lack of knowledge complicates clinical management and liver transplantation decisions.

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The gene product (protein PTCD3 or MRPS39) forms the entry channel of the mitochondrial small ribosomal subunit and binds to single-stranded mRNA. Here, we expand on the clinical manifestations of pathogenic variants by describing an early-onset patient with Leigh-like syndrome and two patients with milder form of disease, with combined oxidative phosphorylation deficiency. A 34-year-old male and his 33-year-old sister both have horizontal nystagmus, pronounced rough tremor, truncal ataxia, dysmetria, spasticity and hyperreflexia.

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Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD) deficiency can, in one of its forms, be a rare cause of acute liver failure. Clinical presentation is nonspecific. Biochemical findings can reflect metabolic block, but vary depending on patient and his condition.

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Article Synopsis
  • - This study examines the link between rare variants in the cullin-3 ubiquitin ligase (CUL3) gene and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), gathering data from multiple centers to explore genetic mutations and their clinical impacts.
  • - Researchers identified 37 individuals with CUL3 variants, most of which result in loss-of-function (LoF), leading to intellectual disabilities and possibly autistic traits; specific mechanisms affecting protein stability were also investigated.
  • - The findings enhance the understanding of NDDs associated with CUL3 mutations, suggesting that LoF variants are the main cause, which could help inform future diagnostics and treatment strategies.
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Citric acid cycle deficiencies are extremely rare due to their central role in energy metabolism. The gene encodes the mitochondrial isoform of aconitase (aconitase 2), the second enzyme of the citric acid cycle. Approximately 100 patients with aconitase 2 deficiency have been reported with a variety of symptoms, including intellectual disability, hypotonia, optic nerve atrophy, cortical atrophy, cerebellar atrophy, and seizures.

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Background And Objectives: Hexokinase 1 (encoded by ) catalyzes the first step of glycolysis, the adenosine triphosphate-dependent phosphorylation of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate. Monoallelic variants causing a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) have been reported in 12 individuals.

Methods: We investigated clinical phenotypes, brain MRIs, and the CSF of 15 previously unpublished individuals with monoallelic variants and an NDD phenotype.

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Article Synopsis
  • Plexins are important receptors associated with semaphorin signaling, involved in essential cellular interactions during both development and adulthood, with only some variants linked to genetic diseases so far.
  • A study examined eight individuals from six families with a rare recessive condition characterized by amelogenesis imperfecta (AI), sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), and varying levels of intellectual disability, using genetic sequencing and variant analysis.
  • The research identified pathogenic biallelic variants in the plexin B2 gene, linked to a new autosomal recessive syndrome that features AI and SNHL, along with potential additional symptoms like intellectual disability and developmental abnormalities.
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  • - X-linked myotubular myopathy (XLMTM) is a rare genetic condition that mainly affects newborns and infants, leading to high mortality due to severe muscle weakness and breathing issues, though some patients may have milder cases and survive into adulthood with noticeable facial differences.
  • - The study examined genetic variations in XLMTM patients to find connections between their specific gene mutations and the severity of their symptoms, studying a cohort of 414 patients and using facial recognition technology (Face2Gene) to analyze distinguishable facial traits between patients and healthy individuals.
  • - Results indicated severe symptoms were linked to certain serious genetic mutations, while milder cases were associated with less severe mutations; additionally, Face2Gene successfully identified differences
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In this study, we investigated the metabolic signatures of different mitochondrial defects (two different complex I and complex V, and the one MDH2 defect) in human skin fibroblasts (HSF). We hypothesized that using a selective culture medium would cause defect specific adaptation of the metabolome and further our understanding of the biochemical implications for the studied defects. All cells were cultivated under galactose stress condition and compared to glucose-based cell culture condition.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Two siblings showed high levels of galactose-related substances in newborn tests, but standard enzyme tests for galactose metabolism came back normal.
  • - Whole-exome sequencing revealed a significant genetic variant in the PPA1 gene, affecting the enzyme’s function and stability, leading to reduced enzyme activity in patient skin cells.
  • - The findings suggest a potential mild deficiency in PPA1 that could explain abnormal galactose metabolism; this may represent a newly recognized metabolic disorder that could be detected in broader newborn screenings.
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Article Synopsis
  • - Pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) is a serious condition with up to 50% of cases remaining unexplained, hindering effective treatment options like liver transplantation.
  • - In a study involving 260 children from 19 countries, whole-exome sequencing (WES) identified genetic causes in 37% of indeterminate PALF cases, with a particularly high diagnostic rate in infants and those with recurrent liver failure.
  • - The research uncovered 36 distinct genes associated with PALF, highlighting mitochondrial diseases as the most common cause and underscoring the need for advanced genetic testing in diagnosing and treating this condition.
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Suppressor of lin-12-like-HMG-CoA reductase degradation 1 (SEL1L-HRD1) ER-associated degradation (ERAD) plays a critical role in many physiological processes in mice, including immunity, water homeostasis, and energy metabolism; however, its relevance and importance in humans remain unclear, as no disease variant has been identified. Here, we report a biallelic SEL1L variant (p. Cys141Tyr) in 5 patients from a consanguineous Slovakian family.

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Purpose: RNF213, encoding a giant E3 ubiquitin ligase, has been recognized for its role as a key susceptibility gene for moyamoya disease. Case reports have also implicated specific variants in RNF213 with an early-onset form of moyamoya disease with full penetrance. We aimed to expand the phenotypic spectrum of monogenic RNF213-related disease and to evaluate genotype-phenotype correlations.

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Article Synopsis
  • Recessive variants in the NDUFAF3 gene are linked to serious mitochondrial disorders that often lead to severe neurological issues and early death in affected infants.
  • A case study of a 10-year-old patient presents atypical symptoms including neurodevelopmental disorders, progressive exercise intolerance, and high blood lactate levels, identified through advanced genetic analysis revealing specific pathogenic variants in NDUFAF3.
  • Investigations into mitochondrial function showed reduced complex I activity and unusual findings in mitochondrial complex assembly, contributing important new insights into the complexities of NDUFAF3-related mitochondrial diseases and highlighting the variability in patient symptoms.
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Bi-allelic variants in cause the ultrarare bone fragility disorder "spinal muscular atrophy with congenital bone fractures-2" (SMABF2). However, the mechanism by which ASCC1 dysfunction leads to this musculoskeletal condition and the nature of the associated bone defect are poorly understood. By exome sequencing, we identified a novel homozygous deletion in in a female infant.

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