A novel MMUT splicing variant causing mild methylmalonic acidemia phenotype

Methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) is a rare inborn genetic disorder that is characterized by increased levels of methylmalonic acid in blood plasma and urine. Isolated methylmalonic acidemia is one of the most common types of MMA and is caused by mutations in the gene encoding methyl-malonyl coenzyme A mutase (MMUT). In this study, we investigated the possible mechanisms underlying the symptoms of isolated MMA in a patient by molecular analysis.

PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing analysis was performed to identify variants in the MMUT gene in the proband and his family. Furthermore, minigene constructs were generated to validate the splicing defects in the MMUT gene variant identified in the proband.

The 3-year-old patient was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of MMA, including fever, convulsions, and vomiting. He showed metabolic acidosis, high levels of methylmalonic acid in blood and urine, and normal blood homocysteine levels. Genetic analysis demonstrated that the patient was a compound heterozygous carrier of two variants in the MMUT gene: a missense c.278G > A variant that has already been reported in a patient with the severe mut⁰ phenotype; and a novel splice site variant c.2125-2A > G. RT-PCR analysis showed that, while the novel variant clearly alters splicing, a minor amount of a full-length transcript is generated, suggesting that a wild-type protein may be produced although at a lower quantitative level. The patient's condition improved after treatment with vitamin B12. Serious complications were not reported during follow-up at age 5.

We identified a novel splice site variant that partially disrupts normal splicing of the MMUT pre-mRNA. Production of a reduced amount of full-length transcript is responsible for the mild clinical phenotype observed in this patient. Functional studies have proven useful in exploring the genotype-phenotype association and in providing guidance for the genetic diagnosis of MMA.