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FXN gene
URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/fxn/

FXN gene

frataxin

Normal Function

The FXN gene provides instructions for making a protein called frataxin. This protein is found in cells throughout the body, with the highest levels in the heart, spinal cord, liver, pancreas, and muscles used for voluntary movement (skeletal muscles). Within cells, frataxin is found in energy-producing structures called mitochondria. Although its function is not fully understood, frataxin appears to help assemble clusters of iron and sulfur molecules that are critical for the function of many proteins, including those needed for energy production.

One region of the FXN gene contains a segment of DNA known as a GAA trinucleotide repeat. This segment is made up of a series of three DNA building blocks (one guanine and two adenines) that appear multiple times in a row. In most people, the number of GAA repeats in the FXN gene is fewer than 12 (referred to as short normal). Sometimes, however, the GAA segment is repeated 12 to 33 times (referred to as long normal).

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Friedreich ataxia

Friedreich ataxia results from an increased number of copies (expansion) of the GAA trinucleotide repeat in the FXN gene. In people with this condition, the GAA segment is abnormally repeated 66 to more than 1,000 times. The length of the GAA trinucleotide repeat appears to be related to the age at which the symptoms of Friedreich ataxia appear. People with GAA segments repeated fewer than 300 times tend to have a later appearance of symptoms (after age 25) than those with larger GAA trinucleotide repeats.

Most individuals with Friedreich ataxia have the expanded GAA trinucleotide repeat in both copies of the FXN gene. About 2 percent of people with this condition have an expanded GAA trinucleotide repeat in one copy of the FXN gene and a different kind of mutation in the other copy of the gene. In most of these cases, the other mutation changes a single DNA building block (nucleotide) within the FXN gene.

It is not fully understood how FXN gene mutations cause Friedreich ataxia. Mutations in this gene disrupt production of frataxin, greatly reducing the amount of this protein in cells. A shortage of frataxin appears to decrease the activity of proteins that contain iron-sulfur clusters, which could impair the production of energy in mitochondria. Cells with insufficient amounts of frataxin are also particularly sensitive to reactive molecules (free radicals) that can damage and destroy cells. Cells in the brain, spinal cord, and muscles that are damaged or have inadequate energy supplies may not function properly, leading to the signs and symptoms of Friedreich ataxia.

More About This Health Condition

Other Names for This Gene

  • CyaY
  • FA
  • FARR
  • FRDA
  • FRDA_HUMAN
  • Friedreich ataxia
  • MGC57199
  • X25

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Adinolfi S, Trifuoggi M, Politou AS, Martin S, Pastore A. A structural approach to understanding the iron-binding properties of phylogenetically different frataxins. Hum Mol Genet. 2002 Aug 1;11(16):1865-77. doi: 10.1093/hmg/11.16.1865. Citation on PubMed
  • Bidichandani SI, Delatycki MB, Napierala M, Duquette A. Friedreich Ataxia. 1998 Dec 18 [updated 2024 Oct 31]. In: Adam MP, Feldman J, Mirzaa GM, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews(R) [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2024. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1281/ Citation on PubMed
  • Castaldo I, Pinelli M, Monticelli A, Acquaviva F, Giacchetti M, Filla A, Sacchetti S, Keller S, Avvedimento VE, Chiariotti L, Cocozza S. DNA methylation in intron 1 of the frataxin gene is related to GAA repeat length and age of onset in Friedreich ataxia patients. J Med Genet. 2008 Dec;45(12):808-12. doi: 10.1136/jmg.2008.058594. Epub 2008 Aug 12. Citation on PubMed
  • Correia AR, Adinolfi S, Pastore A, Gomes CM. Conformational stability of human frataxin and effect of Friedreich's ataxia-related mutations on protein folding. Biochem J. 2006 Sep 15;398(3):605-11. doi: 10.1042/BJ20060345. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Hebert MD. Targeting the gene in Friedreich ataxia. Biochimie. 2008 Aug;90(8):1131-9. doi: 10.1016/j.biochi.2007.12.005. Epub 2007 Dec 28. Citation on PubMed
  • Pandolfo M, Pastore A. The pathogenesis of Friedreich ataxia and the structure and function of frataxin. J Neurol. 2009 Mar;256 Suppl 1:9-17. doi: 10.1007/s00415-009-1003-2. Citation on PubMed
  • Pandolfo M. Friedreich ataxia. Arch Neurol. 2008 Oct;65(10):1296-303. doi: 10.1001/archneur.65.10.1296. Citation on PubMed
  • Seznec H, Simon D, Bouton C, Reutenauer L, Hertzog A, Golik P, Procaccio V, Patel M, Drapier JC, Koenig M, Puccio H. Friedreich ataxia: the oxidative stress paradox. Hum Mol Genet. 2005 Feb 15;14(4):463-74. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddi042. Epub 2004 Dec 22. Citation on PubMed
  • Stehling O, Elsasser HP, Bruckel B, Muhlenhoff U, Lill R. Iron-sulfur protein maturation in human cells: evidence for a function of frataxin. Hum Mol Genet. 2004 Dec 1;13(23):3007-15. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddh324. Epub 2004 Oct 27. Citation on PubMed

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