Isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency: mutation analysis and DNA-based prenatal diagnosis

Isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency is an autosomal recessive, neurological disorder resulting from a defect in SUOX, the gene encoding the enzyme that catalyzes the terminal reaction in the sulfur amino acid degradation pathway. In its classical, severe form, sulfite oxidase deficiency leads to intractable seizures, severe and progressive brain pathology and death at an early age. We report here on clinical features and mutational analysis of the genetic defect in a newborn with sulfite oxidase deficiency. Cultured fibroblasts from this patient exhibited no detectable sulfite oxidase activity, and a unique four base pair deletion was present in the cDNA isolated from the same source. Identification of the same genetic defect in a heterozygous state in each of the parents and the monitoring of subsequent pregnancies in this family by DNA-based prenatal diagnosis are also described. The deletion mutation was identified in a homozygous state in uncultured chorionic villus tissue from the second pregnancy that was subsequently terminated. In the third pregnancy, the presence of sulfite oxidase activity and identification of the mutation in a heterozygous state suggested that the fetus was not affected. This pregnancy resulted in the birth of a normal child.