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Normal Function
The RRM2B gene provides instructions for making one piece, called the p53 inducible small subunit (p53R2), of a protein called ribonucleotide reductase (RNR). Two copies of the p53R2 subunit are attached to two copies of another protein called R1 to form RNR. (R1 can also attach to another small subunit, called R2, to make another form of RNR). Whether made with p53R2 or R2, RNR helps produce DNA building blocks (nucleotides), which are joined to one another in a particular order to form DNA.
RNRs containing p53R2 make nucleotides that are used for the formation of DNA in specialized cell structures called mitochondria. Although most DNA is packaged in chromosomes within the cell's nucleus (nuclear DNA), mitochondria also have a small amount of their own DNA (mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA). Mitochondria are the energy-producing centers in cells, and the DNA in these structures contains genes essential for the process of energy production (called oxidative phosphorylation). The production of nucleotides by p53R2 also helps maintain a normal amount of mtDNA in cells.
Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes
Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalopathy disease
MedlinePlus Genetics provides information about Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalopathy disease
More About This Health ConditionProgressive external ophthalmoplegia
At least 17 mutations in the RRM2B gene have been identified in people with an eye condition called progressive external ophthalmoplegia. This disorder weakens the muscles that control eye movement and causes the eyelids to droop (ptosis). Some affected individuals have additional signs and symptoms, such as weakness of other muscles, extreme tiredness (fatigue), hearing loss caused by problems with the inner ear (sensorineural hearing loss), and digestive problems.
Typically, mutations that cause progressive external ophthalmoplegia occur in one copy of the RRM2B gene, although rarely both copies of the gene are altered. RRM2B gene mutations associated with progressive external ophthalmoplegia lead to impaired RNR activity. These mutations result in large deletions of genetic material from mtDNA in muscle tissue, possibly because impairment of RNR activity leads to a shortage of nucleotides, although the mechanism is unclear. Researchers have not determined how deletions of mtDNA lead to the specific signs and symptoms of progressive external ophthalmoplegia, although the features of the condition may be related to impaired oxidative phosphorylation. It has been suggested that eye muscles are commonly affected by mitochondrial defects because they are especially dependent on oxidative phosphorylation for energy.
More About This Health ConditionRRM2B-related mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, encephalomyopathic form with renal tubulopathy
More than a dozen mutations in the RRM2B gene can cause RRM2B-related mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, encephalomyopathic form with renal tubulopathy (RRM2B-MDS), a severe condition that affects multiple body systems. It typically leads to brain dysfunction combined with muscle weakness (encephalomyopathy) and a problem with kidney function known as renal tubulopathy. The mutations that cause this disorder occur in both copies of the RRM2B gene. They reduce the activity or amount of RNR, which likely impairs production of mtDNA nucleotides. A shortage of nucleotides available for the production of mtDNA molecules leads to a reduction in the amount of mtDNA (known as mtDNA depletion) and impairs mitochondrial function in many different types of cells.
Impairment of oxidative phosphorylation is thought to underlie the signs and symptoms of mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome. It is unclear why some RRM2B gene mutations result in deletions of genetic material from mtDNA (as in progressive external ophthalmoplegia, described above) and others reduce the overall amount of mtDNA (as in RRM2B-MDS).
More About This Health ConditionOther Names for This Gene
- MTDPS8A
- MTDPS8B
- p53-inducible ribonucleotide reductase small subunit 2 homolog
- p53-inducible ribonucleotide reductase small subunit 2 short form beta
- p53-inducible ribonucleotide reductase small subunit 2-like protein
- P53R2
- ribonucleoside-diphosphate reductase subunit M2 B isoform 1
- ribonucleoside-diphosphate reductase subunit M2 B isoform 2
- ribonucleoside-diphosphate reductase subunit M2 B isoform 3
- ribonucleotide reductase M2 B (TP53 inducible)
- TP53-inducible ribonucleotide reductase M2 B
Additional Information & Resources
Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry
Scientific Articles on PubMed
Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM
References
- Bourdon A, Minai L, Serre V, Jais JP, Sarzi E, Aubert S, Chretien D, de Lonlay P, Paquis-Flucklinger V, Arakawa H, Nakamura Y, Munnich A, Rotig A. Mutation of RRM2B, encoding p53-controlled ribonucleotide reductase (p53R2), causes severe mitochondrial DNA depletion. Nat Genet. 2007 Jun;39(6):776-80. doi: 10.1038/ng2040. Epub 2007 May 7. Citation on PubMed
- Fratter C, Raman P, Alston CL, Blakely EL, Craig K, Smith C, Evans J, Seller A, Czermin B, Hanna MG, Poulton J, Brierley C, Staunton TG, Turnpenny PD, Schaefer AM, Chinnery PF, Horvath R, Turnbull DM, Gorman GS, Taylor RW. RRM2B mutations are frequent in familial PEO with multiple mtDNA deletions. Neurology. 2011 Jun 7;76(23):2032-4. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e31821e558b. No abstract available. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
- Lim AZ, McFarland R, Taylor RW, Gorman GS. RRM2B Mitochondrial DNA Maintenance Defects. 2014 Apr 17 [updated 2021 Jun 24]. In: Adam MP, Feldman J, Mirzaa GM, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews(R) [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2025. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK195854/ Citation on PubMed
- Pitceathly RD, Smith C, Fratter C, Alston CL, He L, Craig K, Blakely EL, Evans JC, Taylor J, Shabbir Z, Deschauer M, Pohl U, Roberts ME, Jackson MC, Halfpenny CA, Turnpenny PD, Lunt PW, Hanna MG, Schaefer AM, McFarland R, Horvath R, Chinnery PF, Turnbull DM, Poulton J, Taylor RW, Gorman GS. Adults with RRM2B-related mitochondrial disease have distinct clinical and molecular characteristics. Brain. 2012 Nov;135(Pt 11):3392-403. doi: 10.1093/brain/aws231. Epub 2012 Oct 29. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
- Pontarin G, Ferraro P, Bee L, Reichard P, Bianchi V. Mammalian ribonucleotide reductase subunit p53R2 is required for mitochondrial DNA replication and DNA repair in quiescent cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Aug 14;109(33):13302-7. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1211289109. Epub 2012 Jul 30. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
- Pontarin G, Fijolek A, Pizzo P, Ferraro P, Rampazzo C, Pozzan T, Thelander L, Reichard PA, Bianchi V. Ribonucleotide reduction is a cytosolic process in mammalian cells independently of DNA damage. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Nov 18;105(46):17801-6. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0808198105. Epub 2008 Nov 7. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
- Tyynismaa H, Ylikallio E, Patel M, Molnar MJ, Haller RG, Suomalainen A. A heterozygous truncating mutation in RRM2B causes autosomal-dominant progressive external ophthalmoplegia with multiple mtDNA deletions. Am J Hum Genet. 2009 Aug;85(2):290-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2009.07.009. Epub 2009 Aug 6. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
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