Some practical aspects of providing a diagnostic service for respiratory chain defects.
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| Abstract |
The oxidative phosphorylation system (OXPHOS) is organized into five multi-protein complexes, comprising four complexes (I-IV) of the respiratory chain and ATP synthase (complex V). OXPHOS has a vital role in cellular energy metabolism and ATP production. Enzyme analysis of individual OXPHOS complexes in a skeletal muscle biopsy remains the mainstay of the diagnostic process for patients suspected of mitochondrial cytopathy. Practical guidelines are presented to provide optimal conditions for performance of laboratory investigations and a reliable diagnosis. A fresh muscle biopsy is preferable to a frozen muscle sample because the overall capacity of the OXPHOS system can be measured in a fresh biopsy. In about 25% of patients referred for muscle biopsy to our centre, reduced substrate oxidation rates and ATP+creatine phosphate production rates were found without any defect in complexes I-V and the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Investigation of frozen muscle biopsy alone may lead to false-negative diagnoses in many patients. In some patients, it is necessary to investigate fibroblasts for prospective diagnostic purposes. An exact diagnosis of respiratory chain defects is a prerequisite for rational therapy and genetic counselling. Provided guidelines for specimen collection are followed, there are now reliable methods for identifying respiratory chain defects.
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| Authors | A J M Janssen, J A M Smeitink, L P van den Heuvel |
| Journal | Annals of clinical biochemistry (Ann Clin Biochem) Vol. 40 Issue Pt 1 Pg. 3-8 (Jan 2003) ISSN: 0004-5632 [Print] England |
| PMID | 12542905 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review) |
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