[Maple syrup urine disease caused by two novel BCKDHB gene mutations in a Chinese neonate].
OBJECTIVE
Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder that is caused by mutations in the subunits of the branched chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKD) complex. This report presents a Han ethnic Chinese newborn infant with the severe classic form of MSUD caused by two novel missense mutations in the BCKDHB gene.


METHODS
The clinical and biochemical data of a Chinese neonate with classic form of MSUD were analyzed, and the DNA sequences of BCKDHA, BCKDHB, DBT and DLD genes were investigated for mutations. Then the DNA samples of the proband and the patient's parents were tested with Sanger sequencing.


RESULTS
The manifestations of this patient were poor feeding, low reaction, and compensatory metabolic acidosis. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) showed that leucine and valine were significantly higher than normal. Urine gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) showed significant abnormality. Brain CT scan showed white matter changes. We identified two previously unreported mutations in the BCKDHB gene, p.Leu194Phe (c.580 C>T) and p.Ser199Arg (c.597 T>G) in exon 5. Segregation analysis showed that the novel mutation p.Ser199Arg was maternally inherited and the novel mutation p.Leu194Phe was paternally inherited. Neither mutation was found in the 186 alleles of 93 normal Han ethnic Chinese individuals. In human BCKDHB protein crystal structure, the 194th and 199th amino acids changes are likely to affect the spatial structure of the protein. The 194th and 199th amino acid of human BCKDHB protein was conserved among species. PolyPhen protein function prediction indicated that the 194th and 199th amino acid changes were likely to affect protein function.


CONCLUSIONS
Two novel missense mutations were identified in the BCKDHB gene in the Chinese patient with MSUD.
Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200040, China.
Yunlin
Y
Shen
Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200040, China.
Xiaohui
X
Gong
Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200040, China.
Jingbin
J
Yan
Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200040, China.
Li
L
Qin
Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200040, China. Email: qiugang214@hotmail.com.
Gang
G
Qiu
D042942:3-Methyl-2-Oxobutanoate Dehydrogenase (Lipoamide) / Q000235:genetics*; D000483:Alleles; D044466:Asian People; D001483:Base Sequence; D004247:DNA; D005091:Exons; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008375:Maple Syrup Urine Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D020125:Mutation, Missense; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry
D004247:DNA; D042942:3-Methyl-2-Oxobutanoate Dehydrogenase (Lipoamide)