antonella Spinazzola
Medical Research Council, Physiology & Metabolism, Faculty Member
Research Interests: Culture, Biological Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Cell line, Mitochondrial DNA, and 15 moreHumans, Mutation, Retinitis pigmentosa, Animals, Biological, ATP synthase, Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain, CHEMICAL SCIENCES, Amino Acid Profile, Amino Acid Sequence, Amino Acid Substitution Rates, Galactose Binding, Carbon Source, Molecular Sequence Data, and fibroblasts
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Research Interests: Mitochondria, Molecular Genetics, Mitochondrial DNA, Humans, Mutation, and 14 moreSpectrophotometry, Nucleic Acids, Genetic linkage analysis, Enzyme, High Pressure Liquid Chromatography, Peripheral Neuropathy, Mitochondrial Diseases, Eye Movement, Genetic Disorder, Autosomal Recessive, Nucleotides, Biochemistry and cell biology, Brain Diseases, and Thymidine
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Objectives: These European Federation of Neurological Sciences (EFNS) guidelines are designed to provide practical help for the general neurologist to make appropriate use of molecular genetics for diagnosing mitochondrial disorders... more
Objectives: These European Federation of Neurological Sciences (EFNS) guidelines are designed to provide practical help for the general neurologist to make appropriate use of molecular genetics for diagnosing mitochondrial disorders (MIDs), which gain increasing attention and are more frequently diagnosed due to improved diagnostic tools.Background: Since the publication of the first EFNS guidelines on the molecular diagnosis of inherited neurological diseases in 2001, rapid progress has been made in this field, necessitating the creation of an updated version.Search strategy: To collect data about the molecular diagnosis of MIDs search for literature in various electronic databases, such as Cochrane library, MEDLINE, OMIM, GENETEST or Embase, were carried out and original papers, meta-analyses, review papers, and guideline recommendations were reviewed.Results: The guidelines summarise the possibilities and limitations of molecular genetic diagnosis of MIDs and provide practical recommendations and diagnostic criteria in accordance with the EFNS Scientific Committee to guide the molecular diagnostic work-up of MIDs.Recommendations: The proposed guidelines suggest an approach to the molecular diagnosis of MIDs in a manner accessible to general neurologists.
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Research Interests: Skeletal muscle biology, Early Childhood, mtDNA, Mitochondrial DNA, Humans, and 19 moretRNA, Chronic Disease, Female, Male, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Medical Physiology, Clinical Sciences, Aged, Adult, Heteroplasmy, Neuromuscular Disorders, Glycine, Base Sequence, Hair Follicle, Neuromuscular, Adenine, Ophthalmoplegia, Neurosciences, and DNA mutational analysis
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We present here a discussion on the most relevant recent publications on mitochondrial disease. In addition to many papers concerning the description of the genotype-to-phenotype correlations in mitochondrial DNA-related disorders, this... more
We present here a discussion on the most relevant recent publications on mitochondrial disease. In addition to many papers concerning the description of the genotype-to-phenotype correlations in mitochondrial DNA-related disorders, this very broad area of neurogenetics includes a number of novel observations on the basic aspects of mitochondrial biogenesis that can be relevant in explaining the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial abnormalities. The completion of the human genome project and the wealth of knowledge gained on the genetics of oxidative phosphorylation in yeast have promoted a substantial acceleration in the discovery of a remarkable number of nuclear genes associated with specific mitochondrial disorders. A further development of these contributions has been the generation of several cellular and animal models of disease that can now be exploited for testing both pathogenetic hypotheses and therapeutic strategies. Most of the latter are based on the use of chemical compounds aimed at reducing the negative impact of mitochondrial defects on both energy production and generation of reactive oxygen species. The first successful attempts for gene therapy of some mitochondrial diseases have recently been achieved and will hopefully increase in the near future.
Research Interests: Cognitive Science, Mitochondria, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Biological Sciences, Mitochondrial DNA, and 11 moreHumans, Mutation, Animals, Physical sciences, Electron Transport, Neurons, Clinical Sciences, Mitochondrial Diseases, Oxidative phosphorylation, Neurosciences, and Biochemistry and cell biology
Mitochondrial DNA depletion syndromes (MDSs) form a group of autosomal recessive disorders characterized by profoundly decreased mitochondrial DNA copy numbers in affected tissues. Three main clinical presentations are known: myopathic,... more
Mitochondrial DNA depletion syndromes (MDSs) form a group of autosomal recessive disorders characterized by profoundly decreased mitochondrial DNA copy numbers in affected tissues. Three main clinical presentations are known: myopathic, encephalomyopathic and hepatocerebral. The first is associated with mutations in thymidine kinase 2 (TK2) and p53-induced ribonucleotide reductase B subunit (RRM2B); the second with mutations in succinate synthase A (SUCLA2) and B (SUCLG1); the third with mutations in Twinkle (PEO1), pol-γA (POLG1), deoxyguanosine kinase (DGUOK) and MPV17 (MPV17). In this work, we review the MDS-associated phenotypes and present our own experience of 32 MDS patients, with the aim of defining the mutation frequency of the known genes, the clinical spectrum of the diseases, and the genotype–phenotype correlations. Five of our patients carried previously unreported mutations in one of the eight MDS genes.
Research Interests: Skeletal muscle biology, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Electroencephalography, Brain, Mitochondrial DNA, and 19 moreHumans, Child, Liver, Mutation, Female, Male, Infant, Electromyography, Clinical Sciences, Newborn Infant, Mitochondrial Diseases, Spectrum, Thymidine Kinase, Ribonucleotide Reductase, Autosomal Recessive, Clinical Presentation, Age of Onset, Cohort Studies, and Child preschool
Research Interests: Membrane Proteins, Adolescent, Hepatology, Biopsy, Liver diseases, and 17 moreMitochondrial DNA, Humans, Glucose, Glucose Metabolism, Liver, Mutation, Female, Male, Infant, Pedigree, Clinical Sciences, Mitochondrial Diseases, Disease Progression, Aspartate Aminotransferases, Alanine Transaminase, Mitochondrial Proteins, and Child preschool
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Background and purpose: These EFNS guidelines on the molecular diagnosis of neurogenetic disorders are designed to provide practical help for the general neurologist to make appropriate use of molecular genetics in diagnosing... more
Background and purpose: These EFNS guidelines on the molecular diagnosis of neurogenetic disorders are designed to provide practical help for the general neurologist to make appropriate use of molecular genetics in diagnosing neurogenetic disorders. Since the publication of the first two EFNS-guideline papers on the molecular diagnosis of neurological diseases in 2001, rapid progress has been made in this field, necessitating an updated series of guidelines.Methods: Literature searches were performed before expert members of the task force wrote proposals, which were discussed in detail until final consensus had been reached among all task force members.Results and conclusion: This paper provides updated guidelines for molecular diagnosis of Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and dystonias as well as a general introduction to the topic. Possibilities and limitations of molecular genetic diagnosis of these disorders are evaluated and recommendations are provided.
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Research Interests: Genetics, Cognitive Science, Neurology, Gastroenterology, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and 33 moreMitochondria, Anorexia Nervosa, Biological Sciences, PCR, mtDNA, Brain, Mitochondrial DNA, Humans, Laser Capture Microdissection, LCM, Female, Male, Cytochrome c oxidase, Young Adult, Differential Diagnosis, Gi, Phenotype, Clinical Sciences, Mitochondrial Diseases, Bone Marrow Transplantation, Adult, Public health systems and services research, Cachexia, Gastrointestinal motility, Biological markers, Ophthalmoplegia, Neurosciences, Predictive value of tests, Enzyme Replacement Therapy, Gastrointestinal Diseases, Mitochondrion, Thymidine, and DNA mutational analysis(Mitochondria, Anorexia Nervosa, Biological Sciences, PCR, mtDNA, Brain, Mitochondrial DNA, Humans, Laser Capture Microdissection, LCM, Female, Male, Cytochrome c oxidase, Young Adult, Differential Diagnosis, Gi, Phenotype, Clinical Sciences, Mitochondrial Diseases, Bone Marrow Transplantation, Adult, Public health systems and services research, Cachexia, Gastrointestinal motility, Biological markers, Ophthalmoplegia, Neurosciences, Predictive value of tests, Enzyme Replacement Therapy, Gastrointestinal Diseases, Mitochondrion, Thymidine, and DNA mutational analysis)
(Mitochondria, Anorexia Nervosa, Biological Sciences, PCR, mtDNA, Brain, Mitochondrial DNA, Humans, Laser Capture Microdissection, LCM, Female, Male, Cytochrome c oxidase, Young Adult, Differential Diagnosis, Gi, Phenotype, Clinical Sciences, Mitochondrial Diseases, Bone Marrow Transplantation, Adult, Public health systems and services research, Cachexia, Gastrointestinal motility, Biological markers, Ophthalmoplegia, Neurosciences, Predictive value of tests, Enzyme Replacement Therapy, Gastrointestinal Diseases, Mitochondrion, Thymidine, and DNA mutational analysis)
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In the course of evolution, mitochondria lost their independence, and mtDNA became “slave” of nDNA, depending on numerous nucleus-encoded factors for its integrity, replication and expression. Mutations in any of these factors may alter... more
In the course of evolution, mitochondria lost their independence, and mtDNA became “slave” of nDNA, depending on numerous nucleus-encoded factors for its integrity, replication and expression. Mutations in any of these factors may alter the cross-talk between the two genomes and cause diseases that affect mtDNA integrity or expression, being inherited as mendelian traits.
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In the course of evolution, mitochondria lost their independence, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) became the ‘slave’ of nuclear DNA, depending on numerous nucleus-encoded factors for its integrity, replication and expression. Mutations in... more
In the course of evolution, mitochondria lost their independence, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) became the ‘slave’ of nuclear DNA, depending on numerous nucleus-encoded factors for its integrity, replication and expression. Mutations in any of these factors may alter the cross-talk between the two genomes and cause Mendelian disorders characterized by qualitative (multiple deletions) or quantitative (depletion) alterations of mtDNA, or by defective translation of mtDNA-encoded respiratory chain components.
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Research Interests: Skeletal muscle biology, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Molecular Genetics, Sequence Analysis, Biological Sciences, and 12 moreDNA, Brain, Mitochondrial DNA, Humans, Child, Mutation, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Physical sciences, Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain, Adult, Succinate Dehydrogenase, and Biochemistry and cell biology
Autosomal recessive mutations in MPV17 (OMIM *137960) have been identified in the hepatocerebral form of mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome (MDS). To describe the clinical, morphologic, and genetic findings in 3 children with... more
Autosomal recessive mutations in MPV17 (OMIM *137960) have been identified in the hepatocerebral form of mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome (MDS). To describe the clinical, morphologic, and genetic findings in 3 children with MPV17-related MDS from 2 unrelated families. Case report. Academic research. We identified 3 novel pathogenic mutations in 3 children. Two children were homozygous for nonsense mutation p.W120X. A third child was compound heterozygous for missense mutation p.G24W and for a macrodeletion spanning MPV17 exon 8. All patients demonstrated lactic acidosis, hypoglycemia, hepatomegaly, and progressive liver failure. Neurologic symptoms manifested at a later stage of the disease. Death occurred within the first year of life in all 3 patients. These data confirm that MPV17 mutations are associated with a 2-stage syndrome. The first symptoms are metabolic and rapidly progress to hepatic failure. This stage is followed by neurologic involvement affecting the central and peripheral systems.
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We report a new mutation, a T-->C transition at nt.4285 in the mitochondrial tRNA(Ile) gene, in a sporadic case of progressive external ophtalmoplegia (PEO) and ragged-red fibers (RRF). The mutation, involving a highly... more
We report a new mutation, a T-->C transition at nt.4285 in the mitochondrial tRNA(Ile) gene, in a sporadic case of progressive external ophtalmoplegia (PEO) and ragged-red fibers (RRF). The mutation, involving a highly conserved base-pair in the anticodon stem, was detected in high percentages (91%) in muscle, but not in blood. It has never been reported in literature in normal subjects and it was not found in any of 80 controls studied in our laboratory. The absence of the mutation in leukocytes in this case with pure muscle involvement confirms the importance of performing mtDNA studies in PEO patients preferentially on muscle rather than blood, which could give false negative results. Other mutations in the tRNA(Ile) gene associated with different phenotypes have been previously reported. Thus, tRNA(Ile) gene is confirmed to be another "hot spot" region for mtDNA mutations.
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We report a new mutation, a T-->C transition at nt.4285 in the mitochondrial tRNA(Ile) gene, in a sporadic case of progressive external ophtalmoplegia (PEO) and ragged-red fibers (RRF). The mutation, involving a highly... more
We report a new mutation, a T-->C transition at nt.4285 in the mitochondrial tRNA(Ile) gene, in a sporadic case of progressive external ophtalmoplegia (PEO) and ragged-red fibers (RRF). The mutation, involving a highly conserved base-pair in the anticodon stem, was detected in high percentages (91%) in muscle, but not in blood. It has never been reported in literature in normal subjects and it was not found in any of 80 controls studied in our laboratory. The absence of the mutation in leukocytes in this case with pure muscle involvement confirms the importance of performing mtDNA studies in PEO patients preferentially on muscle rather than blood, which could give false negative results. Other mutations in the tRNA(Ile) gene associated with different phenotypes have been previously reported. Thus, tRNA(Ile) gene is confirmed to be another "hot spot" region for mtDNA mutations.