Plasma lysine concentration and availability of 2-ketoglutarate in liver mitochondria

Defects of lysine metabolism are rare, but hyperlysinemia is a concomitant of many inborn errors of metabolism, including urea cycle abnormalities, pyruvate carboxylase deficiency and L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria. We have hypothesized that mitochondrial lysine degradation is regulated by bioavailability of 2-oxoglutarate in the same compartment, and our studies in physiologic fluid derived from patients with the above described disorders supports our hypothsis. Our data further suggest that patients with isolated L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria may have a defect in 2-ketoglutarate metabolism. The current report summarizes our studies.