A Novel PUS1 Mutation in 2 Siblings with MLASA Syndrome: A Review of the Literature

Myopathy, lactic acidosis, and sideroblastic anemia (MLASA) is a rare mitochondrial disorder characterized by MLASA. Variable features of this condition include failure to thrive, and developmental delay or intellectual disability. Additional symptoms consist of cognitive impairment, skeletal and dental abnormalities, delayed motor milestones, cardiomyopathy, dysphagia, and respiratory insufficiency. MLASA has previously been associated with mutations in pseudouridylate synthase 1 (PUS1) and YARS2. PUS1 encodes the nuclear PUS1 enzyme, which is located in both the nucleus and the mitochondria. PUS1 converts uridine into pseudouridine in several cytosolic and mitochondrial transfer RNA positions and increases the efficiency of protein synthesis in both compartments.In the present report, we report on 2 Turkish sisters 4 and 11 of years with an MLASA plus phenotype. Both patients have sideroblastic anemia, lactic acidosis, failure to thrive, developmental delay, and chronic diarrhea; in addition, the older sister has strabismus and skeletal anomalies. The sequencing of the PUS1 gene revealed a novel homozygous p.Glu311* mutation. The phenotype of the older sibling is also unique because of the strabismus and skeletal anomalies, when compared with her sister and other previously reported patients with MLASA. The structural differences in the nuclear versus mitochondrial isoforms of PUS1 and modifier genes may be implicated in the variability of the clinical presentations in MLASA.This report adds to the growing number of mutations causing complex clinical manifestations of MLASA including lactic acidosis, sideroblastic anemia, chronic diarrhea, and myopathy.