Human CoQ(10) deficiencies

Coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10) or ubiquinone) is a lipid-soluble component of virtually all cell membranes and has multiple metabolic functions. A major function of CoQ(10) is to transport electrons from complexes I and H to complex III in the respiratory chain which resides in the mitochondrial inner membrane, Deficiencies of CoQ(10) (MIM 607426) have been associated with four major clinical phenotypes: 1) encephalomyopathy characterized by a triad of recurrent myoglobinuria, brain involvement, and ragged-red fibers; 2) infantile multisystemic disease typically with prominent nephropathy and encephalopathy; 3) cerebellar ataxia with marked cerebellar atrophy; and 4) pure myopathy. Primary CoQ(10) deficiencies due to mutations in ubiquinone biosynthetic genes (COQ2, PDSS1, PDSS2, and ADCK3 [CABC1]) have been identified in patients with the infantile multisystemic and cerebellar ataxic phenotypes. In contrast, secondary CoQ(10) deficiencies, due to mutations in genes not directly related to ubiquinone biosynthesis (APTX, ETFDH, and BRAF), have been identified in patients with cerebellar ataxia, pure myopathy, and cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome. In many patients with CoQ(10) deficiencies, the causative molecular genetic defects remain unknown; therefore, it is likely that mutations in additional genes will be identified as causes of CoQ(10) deficiencies.