Concetta Mazzotta

Concetta Mazzotta


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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14 January 2021 in Applied Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
VSValentina Serpieri
Valentina Serpieri
TBTommaso Biagini
Tommaso Biagini
CMConcetta Mazzotta
Concetta Mazzotta
RPRosa Pasquariello
Rosa Pasquariello
ARAnna Rubegni
Anna Rubegni
EVEnza Maria Valente
Enza Maria Valente
Background: Peptidase mitochondrial processing alpha (PMPCA) biallelic mutations cause a spectrum of disorders ranging from severe progressive multisystemic mitochondrial encephalopathy to a milder non-progressive cerebellar ataxia with or without intellectual disability. Recently, we and others described an intermediate phenotype in two unrelated patients. Methods: We report a second Italian patient carrying novel PMPCA variants (p.Trp278Leu; p.Arg362Gly). Molecular modeling, dynamics simulation, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting were performed to predict the pathogenic impact of variants in the two Italian patients and attempt genotype-phenotype correlates. Results: In line with the two patients with intermediate phenotypes, our case presented global psychomotor delay with regression, intellectual disability, spastic-ataxic gait, and hyperkinetic movements, with cerebellar atrophy and bilateral striatal hyperintensities. However, blood lactate, muscle biopsy, and MRI spectroscopy were normal. PMPCA protein levels were significantly higher than controls despite normal cDNA levels. Dynamics simulation of several PMPCA missense variants showed a variable impact on the flexibility of the glycine rich loop and, for some cases, on the overall protein stability, without clear genotype-phenotype correlates. Conclusion: We confirm the expansion of PMPCA phenotypic spectrum including an intermediate phenotype of progressive encephalopathy without systemic involvement. The association of cerebellar atrophy with “Leigh-like” striatal hyperintensities may represent a “red flag” for this condition.