Last updated:
September 22, 2022
Years published: 2022
NORD gratefully acknowledges Eric M. Morrow, MD, PhD, Professor, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry Department; Director, Developmental Disorders Genetics Research Program, Brown University; Director, Center for Translational Neuroscience at the Carney Institute for Brain Science and GPT2Deficiency.org, for the preparation of this report.
GPT2 deficiency (glutamate pyruvate transaminase 2 deficiency) is a genetic, neurological and metabolic disorder that results in intellectual disability and progressive motor dysfunction. This deficiency disrupts important biological processes necessary for proper brain growth. The developing brain relies on the creation and reinforcement of synapses, or connections, between neurons. This disease compromises those connections, resulting in fewer synapses and weaker brain circuits. GPT2 deficiency ultimately hinders brain development, causes metabolic abnormalities including deficiencies in metabolites that protect the nervous system, so patients tend to become more severely affected over time (neurodegenerative course).
Individuals with GPT2 deficiency have been reported to have varying levels of intellectual disability. Most affected infants have low muscle tone (hypotonia) at birth and too much muscle tone (hypertonia) later in childhood. Most individuals experience progressive coordination and movement problems, including spastic paraplegia or diplegia around 8-10 years of age. Below is a list of reported and researched symptoms:
• mild, moderate or severe intellectual disability
• global developmental delay
• postnatal microcephaly (small head)
• failure to thrive
• low percentiles for weight and height
• poor feeding, including frequent vomiting
• ataxia (poor muscle control causing clumsy movements)
• apraxia (difficulty performing learned skills or movements)
• dysarthria (muscle disorder causing difficulty speaking)
• hyperreflexia (overactive reflexes)
• oral-motor dysfunction (muscle disorder causing difficulty speaking and eating)
• hypotonia during infancy
• hypertonia later in childhood
• progressive spastic diplegia or paraplegia (weakness or paralysis of legs or lower half of body)
• seizures
GPT2 deficiency is caused by loss-of-function variants (mutations) in the GPT2 gene. This gene codes for the important mitochondrial enzyme glutamate pyruvate transaminase 2 (GPT2). Loss-of-function mutations reduce the capacity of important enzymes and proteins to carry out normal operation, sometimes with total inactivation. The GPT2 gene is expressed in the brain and helps regulate levels of metabolites central to proper development. Metabolites are tiny molecules that are responsible for proper cell growth, defense and function.
The GPT2 enzyme, which is localized to the mitochondria, is responsible for the regulation of important metabolic processes, such as amino acid metabolism and the TCA (tricarboxylic acid) cycle, and is also responsible for encoding a mitochondrial alanine transaminase. Glutamate is a particularly important neurotransmitter as it helps brain cells connect and interact, thereby ensuring proper neuronal development and health. GPT2 deficiency undermines all of these processes, resulting in reduced postnatal brain development as well as cognitive and motor disability.
It is important that intermediates of this cycle are replenished and that the cycle is rebuilt through a process called anaplerosis. When the cycle-building process of anaplerosis is disrupted due to GPT2 deficiency, subsequent metabolic pathways are disrupted as well. There is a chain reaction effect resulting first in altered alanine, reduced TCA cycle intermediates and reduced pyruvate, followed by elevations in glycolytic intermediates and amino acids. These disruptions severely compromise neuronal growth and survival – causing various levels of intellectual disability and developmental delays – and seem to lead to neurodegeneration expressed as progressive spastic paraplegia or diplegia.
GPT2 deficiency is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. Recessive genetic disorders occur when an individual inherits a non-working gene from each parent. If an individual receives one working gene and one non-working gene for the disease, the person will be a carrier for the disease, but usually will not show symptoms. The risk for two carrier parents to both pass the non-working gene and, therefore, have an affected child is 25% with each pregnancy. The risk to have a child who is a carrier, like the parents, is 50% with each pregnancy. The chance for a child to receive working genes from both parents is 25%. The risk is the same for males and females.
GPT2 deficiency seems to affect males and females equally. Individuals with this condition are from a variety of countries across the globe and from many different ethnic backgrounds. GPT2 deficiency is currently considered an ultra-rare disease with a very small number of individuals reported with the mutations and it is often unrecognized or misdiagnosed. As genetic testing, specifically whole exome sequencing (WES), becomes more accessible, it will be possible to gain more information about affected populations.
Diagnosis of GPT2 deficiency must be confirmed through genetic testing. The GPT2 gene is included in certain genetic diagnostic panels and whole exome sequencing.
Treatment
While there are no guidelines for the treatment of GPT2 deficiency, standard therapies can address the specific symptoms of this disease. Early intervention is especially important for young children exhibiting symptoms. Ongoing therapies may include but are not limited to physical therapy, occupational therapy, feeding therapy and speech therapy.
Comprehensive interdisciplinary care is helpful for managing symptoms and improving patient outcomes. Specialists that may be consulted include geneticists, gastroenterologists, neurologists, ear nose and throat specialists (ENTs), physical therapists, occupational therapists, feeding and speech pathologists as well as developmental pediatricians. It is important to consult with a pediatrician or primary care physician regarding the treatment of any concerning symptoms.
Genetic counseling is recommended for affected individuals and their family members.
The Developmental Disorders Genetic Research Program (DDGRP) at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital is conducting research on GPT2 disease focused on identifying and testing potential treatment strategies to salvage development and stop disease progression:
Phone: 401-432-1608
Email: [email protected]
Information on current clinical trials is posted on the Internet at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ All studies receiving U.S. Government funding, and some supported by private industry, are posted on this government web site.
For information about clinical trials being conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD, contact the NIH Patient Recruitment Office:
Tollfree: (800) 411-1222
TTY: (866) 411-1010
Email: [email protected]
Some current clinical trials also are posted on the following page on the NORD website:
https://rarediseases.org/living-with-a-rare-disease/find-clinical-trials/
For information about clinical trials sponsored by private sources, contact:
https://www.centerwatch.com/
For information about clinical trials conducted in Europe, contact:
https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Baytas O, Davidson SM, DeBerardinis RJ, Morrow EM. Mitochondrial enzyme GPT2 regulates metabolic mechanisms required for neuron growth and motor function in vivo. Hum Mol Genet. 2022;31(4):587-603. doi:10.1093/hmg/ddab269 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34519342/
Binaafar S, Razmara E, Mahdieh N, Sahebjame H, Tavasoli AR, Garshasbi M. A novel missense variant in GPT2 causes non-syndromic autosomal recessive intellectual disability in a consanguineous Iranian family. Eur J Med Genet. 2020;63(5):103853. doi:10.1016/j.ejmg.2020.103853 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31978613/
Ouyang Q, Kavanaugh BC, Joesch-Cohen L, et al. GPT2 mutations in autosomal recessive developmental disability: extending the clinical phenotype and population prevalence estimates. Hum Genet. 2019;138(10):1183-1200. doi:10.1007/s00439-019-02057-x https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31471722/
Hengel H, Keimer R, Deigendesch W, et al. GPT2 mutations cause developmental encephalopathy with microcephaly and features of complicated hereditary spastic paraplegia. Clin Genet. 2018;94(3-4):356-361. doi:10.1111/cge.13390 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29882329/
Baytaş O, Morrow EM. The role of mitochondrial glutamate metabolism in cognitive development and disease. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2018;43(1):229-230. doi:10.1038/npp.2017.202 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29192671/
Ouyang Q, Nakayama T, Baytas O, et al. Mutations in mitochondrial enzyme GPT2 cause metabolic dysfunction and neurological disease with developmental and progressive features. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2016;113(38):E5598-E5607. doi:10.1073/pnas.1609221113 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27601654/
Lobo-Prada T, Sticht H, Bogantes-Ledezma S, et al. A homozygous mutation in GPT2 associated with nonsyndromic intellectual disability in a consanguineous family from Costa Rica. JIMD Rep. 2017;36:59-66. doi:10.1007/8904_2016_40 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28130718/
Celis K, Shuldiner S, Haverfield EV, et al. Loss of function mutation in glutamic pyruvate transaminase 2 (GPT2) causes developmental encephalopathy. J Inherit Metab Dis. 2015;38(5):941-948. doi:10.1007/s10545-015-9824-x https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25758935/
INTERNET
From DNA to disease, study describes rare, new brain disorder. News from Brown. September 5, 2016. https://www.brown.edu/news/2016-09-05/gpt2 Accessed June 5, 2022.
Gpt2 deficiency. Disease InfoSearch, Genetic Alliance.
https://www.diseaseinfosearch.org/search?term=gpt2+deficiency Accessed June 5, 2022.
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Learn more https://rarediseases.org/patient-assistance-programs/caregiver-respite/The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only. The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) does not endorse the information presented. The content has been gathered in partnership with the MONDO Disease Ontology. Please consult with a healthcare professional for medical advice and treatment.
The Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) has information and resources for patients, caregivers, and families that may be helpful before and after diagnosis of this condition. GARD is a program of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
View reportOrphanet has a summary about this condition that may include information on the diagnosis, care, and treatment as well as other resources. Some of the information and resources are available in languages other than English. The summary may include medical terms, so we encourage you to share and discuss this information with your doctor. Orphanet is the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research and the Health Programme of the European Union.
View reportOnline Mendelian Inheritance In Man (OMIM) has a summary of published research about this condition and includes references from the medical literature. The summary contains medical and scientific terms, so we encourage you to share and discuss this information with your doctor. OMIM is authored and edited at the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
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