Mild-cerebellar ataxia due to impaired mitochondrial function caused by the MSTO1 variations

MSTO1 encodes a regulator of mitochondrial fusion. Mutations in MSTO1 are linked to a rare mitochondrial disorder characterized by early-onset myopathy and cerebellar ataxia, with 31 cases reported globally to date, which underscores its exceptional rarity.

We conducted comprehensive clinical, molecular, and biochemical investigations in a patient harboring novel MSTO1 variants.

We identified a patient presenting with adult-onset progressive ataxia and cerebellar atrophy who carried two novel compound heterozygous variants in the MSTO1 gene (c.756A>G, p.Glu252Glu; c.1339G>A, p.Glu447Lys). Brain MRI revealed marked cerebellar abnormalities, but the patient's clinical symptoms remained relatively mild with preserved daily function. This milder phenotype, characterized by adult onset and later disease presentation, contrasts with the more severe neurological deficits reported in a previously described case. Functional studies revealed significantly reduced MSTO1 protein expression, mtDNA depletion, and impaired mitochondrial function, as reflected by decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and respiratory capacity, suggesting a pathogenic role for these variants. Comparative analysis with fibroblasts from a previously reported case with MSTO1 mutation revealed notable differences in the severity of mitochondrial dysfunction, suggesting potential genotype-phenotype correlations.

Our findings provide evidence linking the novel MSTO1 variants c.756A>G and c.1339G>A to mitochondrial dysfunction and broaden the phenotypic spectrum of MSTO1-related mitochondrial disorders to encompass a milder, adult-onset form of cerebellar ataxia. These results emphasize the importance of integrated clinical and functional approaches in evaluating variant pathogenicity and in elucidating the clinical and molecular heterogeneity of MSTO1-related mitochondrial disorders.