1
|
Jain PV, Maxey J, W Lawlor M, Parsons LN. Putting It All Together: Postmortem Diagnosis of a Rare Ichthyosis Syndrome. Cureus 2023; 15:e38787. [PMID: 37303350 PMCID: PMC10249999 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.38787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Neu-Laxova syndrome (NLS) is a rare lethal disorder with autosomal recessive inheritance and is characterized by multiple congenital anomalies. Our case of NLS presented with severe intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), abnormal facial features, severe central nervous system malformations, skeletal muscle contractures, and the hallmark signs of NLS: ichthyotic skin and excessive subcutaneous tissue with edema. Additionally, testing amniotic fluid from a prior pregnancy with a fetus showing similar abnormalities revealed several regions of homozygosity; one of these regions involved chromosome 1p13.2-p11.2, where the PHGDH gene is located. Based on the pattern of findings on serial fetal ultrasounds, postmortem neonatal exams, gross and microscopic exams, radiographs, and genetic analysis in conjunction with the clinical history and the prior pregnancy with the above-described molecular alteration, a final diagnosis of NLS was made. This rare developmental disorder is characterized by heterogenous neuroectodermal defects. Fetal ultrasound in the second trimester can help diagnose it. It is postulated to be caused by loss-of-function mutations in the PHGDH (phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase), PSAT1 (phosphoserine aminotransferase 1), and PSPH (phosphoserine phosphatase) genes, which are responsible for de novo L-serine synthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jauntea Maxey
- Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ozeki Y, Sekine M, Fujii K, Watanabe T, Okayasu H, Takano Y, Shinozaki T, Aoki A, Akiyama K, Homma H, Shimoda K. Phosphoserine phosphatase activity is elevated and correlates negatively with plasma d-serine concentration in patients with schizophrenia. Psychiatry Res 2016; 237:344-50. [PMID: 26804975 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2015] [Revised: 10/26/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The pathophysiology of schizophrenia may involve N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction. D-3serine and glycine are endogenous l-serine-derived NMDAR co-agonists. We hypothesized that the l-serine synthesis pathway could be involved in schizophrenia. We measured the activity of phosphoserine phosphatase (PSP), a rate-limiting enzyme in l-serine synthesis, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 54 patients with schizophrenia and 49 normal control subjects. Plasma amino acid (l-serine, d-serine, glycine, glutamine, and glutamate) levels were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Peripheral blood mRNA expression levels of PHGDH, PSAT1, PSP, and SR, determined by quantitative real-time PCR were compared between patients and controls. PSP activity was higher in patients than in controls, especially in male patients. In male patients, the plasma l-serine concentration was higher than that in controls. In patients, PSP activity was negatively correlated with plasma d-serine and glycine levels. Furthermore, PSP activity was positively correlated with plasma l-serine concentration. These results were statistically significant only in male patients. PSP, PSAT1, and PHGDH mRNA levels were lower in patients than in controls, except when the PHGDH expression level was compared with ACTB expression. In summary, we found the l-serine synthesis system to be altered in patients with schizophrenia, especially in male patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Ozeki
- Department of Psychiatry, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan; Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Masae Sekine
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kumiko Fujii
- Department of Psychiatry, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Takashi Watanabe
- Department of Psychiatry, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Okayasu
- Department of Psychiatry, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Yumiko Takano
- Department of Psychiatry, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Takahiro Shinozaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Akiko Aoki
- Department of Psychiatry, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Kazufumi Akiyama
- Department of Biological Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Homma
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Shimoda
- Department of Psychiatry, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan
| |
Collapse
|