Molecular and clinical characterisation of homocystinuria in two Austrian families with cystathionine beta-synthase deficiency

Acta Med Austriaca. 2001;28(5):145-51. doi: 10.1046/j.1563-2571.2001.01035.x.

Abstract

The influence of the genotype on the phenotypic expression of homocystinuria due to cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) deficiency is frequently unclear. We therefore investigated the genotype and the phenotype of CBS deficiency in two Austrian families also considering genetic polymorphisms with a putative association with vascular disease (MTHFR 677C-->T, MTHFR 1298A-->C, F5 1691G-->A, F2 20210G-->A) and response to therapy. We identified the CBS 833T-->C/1058C-->T and CBS 828ins104/1358del134 compound heterozygous genotype in our index patients. Both patients showed mental retardation and ectopia lentis. CBS 833T-->C/1058C-->T was associated with severe vascular complications, which was not the case for CBS 828ins104/1358del134. The patient with CBS 828ins104/1358del134 was negative for F5 1691G-->A, F2 20210G-->A, MTHFR 677C-->T, and MTHFR 1298A-->C, while the patient with CBS 833T-->C/1058C-->T was heterozygous for MTHFR 1298A-->C. A combination therapy including pyridoxine, folic acid, hydroxycobalamin, and betaine failed to lower total homocysteine plasma levels below 50 mumol/L in both patients. In summary, our study demonstrates that the CBS 833C/1058T-MTHFR 1298AC genotype can be related to severe vascular disease, while the CBS 828ins104/1358del134-MTHFR 1298AA genotype presents with a somewhat milder clinical phenotype. Both genotypes do not allow for normalisation of total homocysteine plasma levels following vitamin therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Austria
  • Base Sequence
  • Cystathionine beta-Synthase / deficiency*
  • Cystathionine beta-Synthase / genetics
  • DNA / blood
  • DNA / genetics
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Homocystinuria / blood
  • Homocystinuria / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Introns*
  • Male
  • Mutation*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length*
  • Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
  • White People

Substances

  • DNA
  • Cystathionine beta-Synthase