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Description
Holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency is an inherited disorder in which the body is unable to use the vitamin biotin effectively. This disorder is classified as a multiple carboxylase deficiency, which is a group of disorders characterized by impaired activity of certain enzymes that depend on biotin.
The signs and symptoms of holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency typically appear within the first few months of life, but the age of onset varies. Affected infants often have difficulty feeding, breathing problems, a skin rash, hair loss (alopecia), and a lack of energy (lethargy). Immediate treatment and lifelong management with biotin supplements may prevent many of these complications. If left untreated, the disorder can lead to delayed development, seizures, and coma. These medical problems may be life-threatening in some cases.
Frequency
The exact incidence of this condition is unknown, but it is estimated to affect 1 in 87,000 people.
Causes
Mutations in the HLCS gene cause holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency. The HLCS gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called holocarboxylase synthetase. This enzyme is important for the effective use of biotin, a B vitamin found in foods such as liver, egg yolks, and milk. Holocarboxylase synthetase attaches biotin to certain enzymes that are essential for the normal production and breakdown of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in the body. Mutations in the HLCS gene reduce the enzyme's ability to attach biotin to these enzymes, preventing them from processing nutrients properly and disrupting many cellular functions. These defects lead to the serious medical problems associated with holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency.
Inheritance
This condition is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, which means both copies of the gene in each cell have mutations. The parents of an individual with an autosomal recessive condition each carry one copy of the mutated gene, but they typically do not show signs and symptoms of the condition.
Other Names for This Condition
- Biotin-(propionyl-CoA-carboxylase) ligase deficiency
- Biotin-(propionyl-coenzyme A-carboxylase) ligase deficiency
- Early-onset biotin-responsive multiple carboxylase deficiency
- Early-onset combined carboxylase deficiency
- HLCS deficiency
- Infantile multiple carboxylase deficiency
Additional Information & Resources
Genetic Testing Information
Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center
Patient Support and Advocacy Resources
Clinical Trials
Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM
Scientific Articles on PubMed
References
- Bandaralage SP, Farnaghi S, Dulhunty JM, Kothari A. Antenatal and postnatal radiologic diagnosis of holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency: a systematic review. Pediatr Radiol. 2016 Mar;46(3):357-64. doi: 10.1007/s00247-015-3492-8. Epub 2016 Jan 11. Citation on PubMed
- Baumgartner MR. Vitamin-responsive disorders: cobalamin, folate, biotin, vitamins B1 and E. Handb Clin Neurol. 2013;113:1799-810. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-59565-2.00049-6. Citation on PubMed
- Leon-Del-Rio A, Valadez-Graham V, Gravel RA. Holocarboxylase Synthetase: A Moonlighting Transcriptional Coregulator of Gene Expression and a Cytosolic Regulator of Biotin Utilization. Annu Rev Nutr. 2017 Aug 21;37:207-223. doi: 10.1146/annurev-nutr-042617-104653. Epub 2017 May 31. Citation on PubMed
- Morrone A, Malvagia S, Donati MA, Funghini S, Ciani F, Pela I, Boneh A, Peters H, Pasquini E, Zammarchi E. Clinical findings and biochemical and molecular analysis of four patients with holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency. Am J Med Genet. 2002 Jul 22;111(1):10-8. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.10532. Citation on PubMed
- Tang NL, Hui J, Yong CK, Wong LT, Applegarth DA, Vallance HD, Law LK, Fung SL, Mak TW, Sung YM, Cheung KL, Fok TF. A genomic approach to mutation analysis of holocarboxylase synthetase gene in three Chinese patients with late-onset holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency. Clin Biochem. 2003 Mar;36(2):145-9. doi: 10.1016/s0009-9120(02)00432-0. Citation on PubMed
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