Novel missense variants in PCK1 gene cause cytosolic PEPCK deficiency with growth failure from inadequate caloric intake

J Hum Genet. 2021 Mar;66(3):321-325. doi: 10.1038/s10038-020-00823-8. Epub 2020 Sep 9.

Abstract

Cytosolic PEPCK deficiency (PCKDC) is a rare autosomal recessive inborn error of metabolism, which can present with hypoglycemia, lactic acidosis, and liver failure. It is caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in the PCK1 gene. Only four PCK1 variants have been previously reported in seven patients with PCKDC, and their clinical course of this condition has not been well characterized. Here, we report a Hispanic male with novel biallelic PCK1 variants, p.(Gly430Asp) and p.(His496Gln), who had a unique clinical presentation. He presented with a new onset of growth failure, elevated blood lactate, transaminitis, and abnormal urine metabolites profile, but he has not had documented hypoglycemia. Growth restriction happened due to insufficient caloric intake, and it was improved with nutritional intervention. PCKDC is a manageable disorder and therefore appropriate nutritional and clinical suspicion from typical lab abnormalities which lead to molecular confirmation tests are essential to prevent poor clinical outcomes.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Birth Weight
  • Child, Preschool
  • Citric Acid Cycle
  • Codon, Nonsense*
  • Cytosol / enzymology
  • Energy Intake / genetics*
  • Failure to Thrive / blood
  • Failure to Thrive / genetics*
  • Failure to Thrive / urine
  • Female
  • Food Preferences
  • Genotype
  • Growth Disorders / blood
  • Growth Disorders / genetics*
  • Growth Disorders / urine
  • Humans
  • Infant Food
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / deficiency
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics*
  • Male
  • Microcephaly / genetics
  • Pedigree
  • Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (GTP) / deficiency
  • Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (GTP) / genetics*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications
  • Seizures
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

Substances

  • Codon, Nonsense
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • PCK1 protein, human
  • Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (GTP)