Novel compound heterozygous LIAS mutations cause glycine encephalopathy

Glycine encephalopathy (GCE) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by defects in the glycine cleavage complex. Here we report a patient with GCE and elevated level of glycine in both the serum and the cerebrospinal fluid. Trio-based whole-exome sequencing identified novel compound heterozygous mutations (c.738-2A>G and c.929T>C (p.Met310Thr)) in LIAS. To date, three homozygous mutations have been reported in LIAS. All previously reported GCE patients also show elevated level of serum glycine. Our data further supports LIAS mutations as a genetic cause for GCE.