Aromatic L-Aminoacid Decarboxylase Deficiency


Aromatic L-Aminoacid Decarboxylase Deficiency(Dopa decarboxylase; DDC) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by a mutation in the DDC gene which codes for aromatic-L-aminoacid decarboxylase. A deficiency in this enzyme results in accumulation of 3-methoxytyrosine, 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan, and L-Dopa in plasma, spinal fluid, and urine; 3-methoxytyramine and dopamine in urine. It also results in decreased concentrations of homovanillic acid, S-adenosylmethionine, and 5-hydroxytryptophol in spinal fluid; and epinephrine, norepinephrine in plasma. Symptoms include temperature instability, hypotonia, mental and motor retardation, and cerebral atrophy.

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References

  1. Engelke, U.F.H., S.H. Moolenaar, S.M.G.C. Hoenderop, E. Morava, M. van der Graaf, A. Heerschap and R.A. Wevers. 2007. Handbook of 1H-NMR spectroscopy in inborn errors of metabolism: body fluid NMR spectroscopy and in vivo MR spectroscopy. SPS Publications,The Netherlands.
  2. Uniprot: P20711
  3. OMIM: Entry 608643
  4. Verbeek MM, Geurtz PB, Willemsen MA, Wevers RA: Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase enzyme activity in deficient patients and heterozygotes. Mol Genet Metab. 2007 Apr;90(4):363-9. Epub 2007 Jan 19. Pubmed
  5. Swoboda KJ, Saul JP, McKenna CE, Speller NB, Hyland K: Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency: overview of clinical features and outcomes. Ann Neurol. 2003;54 Suppl 6:S49-55. Pubmed
  6. Pons R, Ford B, Chiriboga CA, Clayton PT, Hinton V, Hyland K, Sharma R, De Vivo DC: Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency: clinical features, treatment, and prognosis. Neurology. 2004 Apr 13;62(7):1058-65. Pubmed