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Normal Function
The DARS1 gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called aspartyl-tRNA synthetase. This enzyme is found in all cell types and plays an important role in the production (synthesis) of proteins. During protein synthesis, building blocks (amino acids) are connected together in a specific order, creating a chain of amino acids. A type of RNA called transfer RNA (tRNA) carries a specific amino acid to the growing chain. Enzymes called aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, including aspartyl-tRNA synthetase, attach a particular amino acid to a specific tRNA. Aspartyl-tRNA synthetase attaches the amino acid aspartate to the correct tRNA, which helps ensure that aspartate is added at the proper place in proteins.
In addition to its role in protein synthesis, aspartyl-tRNA synthetase may have other functions that are not fully understood.
Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes
Hypomyelination with brainstem and spinal cord involvement and leg spasticity
At least 16 mutations in the DARS1 gene have been found to cause a condition called hypomyelination with brainstem and spinal cord involvement and leg spasticity (HBSL). This condition is characterized by abnormalities of the nervous system's white matter, usually involving particular regions of the spinal cord and brainstem (the region of the brain that connects to the spinal cord). The white matter consists of nerve fibers covered by a fatty substance called myelin, which insulates the fibers and promotes the rapid transmission of nerve impulses. In HBSL, the nervous system has a reduced ability to form myelin (hypomyelination). Affected individuals develop muscle stiffness (spasticity) in the legs that worsens over time and impairs walking.
Most of the mutations in the DARS1 gene change single amino acids in the aspartyl-tRNA synthetase enzyme. These alterations occur in a region of the enzyme called the active site, where aspartate and the tRNA come together so the amino acid can be transferred. The altered enzyme has difficulty adding the amino acid to the tRNA, which in turn hinders the addition of aspartate to proteins. It is unclear how the gene mutations lead to the signs and symptoms of HBSL. Researchers do not understand why reduced activity of aspartyl-tRNA synthetase affects myelination or why specific parts of the brainstem and spinal cord are involved.
More About This Health ConditionOther Names for This Gene
- Asp tRNA Ligase
- Aspartate tRNA Ligase
- aspartate tRNA ligase 1, cytoplasmic
- Aspartyl tRNA Synthetase
- DARS
- Synthetase, Aspartyl-tRNA
Additional Information & Resources
Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry
Scientific Articles on PubMed
Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM
References
- Frohlich D, Suchowerska AK, Voss C, He R, Wolvetang E, von Jonquieres G, Simons C, Fath T, Housley GD, Klugmann M. Expression Pattern of the Aspartyl-tRNA Synthetase DARS in the Human Brain. Front Mol Neurosci. 2018 Mar 20;11:81. doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00081. eCollection 2018. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
- Park SG, Choi EC, Kim S. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase-interacting multifunctional proteins (AIMPs): a triad for cellular homeostasis. IUBMB Life. 2010 Apr;62(4):296-302. doi: 10.1002/iub.324. Citation on PubMed
- Taft RJ, Vanderver A, Leventer RJ, Damiani SA, Simons C, Grimmond SM, Miller D, Schmidt J, Lockhart PJ, Pope K, Ru K, Crawford J, Rosser T, de Coo IF, Juneja M, Verma IC, Prabhakar P, Blaser S, Raiman J, Pouwels PJ, Bevova MR, Abbink TE, van der Knaap MS, Wolf NI. Mutations in DARS cause hypomyelination with brain stem and spinal cord involvement and leg spasticity. Am J Hum Genet. 2013 May 2;92(5):774-80. doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2013.04.006. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
- Wolf NI, Toro C, Kister I, Latif KA, Leventer R, Pizzino A, Simons C, Abbink TE, Taft RJ, van der Knaap MS, Vanderver A. DARS-associated leukoencephalopathy can mimic a steroid-responsive neuroinflammatory disorder. Neurology. 2015 Jan 20;84(3):226-30. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000001157. Epub 2014 Dec 19. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
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