The m.7510T>C mutation : hearing impairment and a complex neurologic phenotype

Abstract

<div lang="en" class="abs"><p class="abs_header">Abstract</p><p><em>Objectives:</em> Mutations in mitochondrial DNA cause a variety of clinical phenotypes ranging from a mild hearing impairment (HI) to severe encephalomyopathy. The MT-TS1 gene is a hotspot for mutations causing HI. The m.7510T>C mutation in MT-TS1 has been previously associated with non-syndromic HI in four families from different ethnic backgrounds.</p><p><em>Materials and Methods:</em> We describe the clinical, genetic, and histopathological findings in a Finnish family with the heteroplasmic m.7510T>C mutation in mitochondrial DNA.</p><p><em>Results:</em> The family proband presented with a progressive mitochondrial disease phenotype including migraine, epilepsy, mild ataxia, and cognitive impairment in addition to HI. One young adult presented with HI only. Other family members had a mild phenotype comprising ataxia and tremor in addition to HI. Mutation heteroplasmy was 90% in the blood of maternal grandmother and ≥99% in the muscle and blood of the three other family members. Muscle histology was consistent with mitochondrial myopathy in three family members. The mitochondrial haplogroup of the family was a different branch of the haplogroup H than in the previous reports of this mutation.</p><p><em>Conclusion:</em> Our results suggest that, in addition to sensorineural HI, the m.7510T>C mutation is associated with a spectrum of mitochondrial disease clinical features including migraine, epilepsy, cognitive impairment, ataxia, and tremor, and with evidence of mitochondrial myopathy.</p></div>