Biomarkers are an indicator of biologic or pathogenic processes, whose function is indicating the presence/absence of disease or monitoring disease course and its response to treatment. Since mitochondrial disorders (MDs) can represent a diagnostic challenge for clinicians, due to their clinical and genetic heterogeneity, the identification of easily measurable biomarkers becomes a high priority. Given the complexity of MD, in particular the primary mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) diseases due to oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) dysfunction, a reliable single biomarker, relevant for the whole disease group, could be extremely difficult to find, most of times leading the physicians to better consider a ‘biosignature’ for the diagnosis, rather than a single biochemical marker. Serum biomarkers like lactate and pyruvate are largely determined in the diagnostic algorithm of MD, but they are not specific to this group of disorders. The concomitant determination of creatine (Cr), plasma amino acids, and urine organic acids might be helpful to reinforce the biosignature in some cases. In recent studies, serum fibroblast growth factor 21 (sFGF21) and serum growth differentiation factor 15 (sGDF15) appear to be promising molecules in identifying MD. Moreover, new different approaches have been developed to discover new MD biomarkers. This work discusses the most important biomarkers currently used in the diagnosis of MRC diseases, and some approaches under evaluation, discussing both their utility and weaknesses.
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July 2018
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Cover Image
Cover Image
Mitochondria are unique organelles under the dual genetic control executed by nuclear DNA and their own genome, mitochondrial DNA. Every cell contains a population of mitochondria and multiple copies of mtDNA, carrying wild type or mutated variants (heteroplasmy). The genetic variability together with the complex regulation of multiple metabolic pathways operating in mitochondria are responsible for phenotypic variability, schematically represented in the cover image. In this issue of Essays in Biochemistry, we illustrate the biological pathways operating in mitochondria and the pathomechanisms leading to disease. We also provide an overview of the current advances in the approach to diagnosis, design of new therapies, and development of clinical trials. Image kindly provided by Caterina Garone (MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit).
Review Article|
July 06 2018
Biomarkers for mitochondrial energy metabolism diseases
Sara Boenzi;
Sara Boenzi
1Division of Metabolism and Research Unit of Metabolic Biochemistry, Children’s Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
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Daria Diodato
1Division of Metabolism and Research Unit of Metabolic Biochemistry, Children’s Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
2Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders Unit and Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Children’s Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome 49346, Italy
Correspondence: Daria Diodato (daria.diodato@opbg.net)
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
February 12 2018
Revision Received:
May 22 2018
Accepted:
May 23 2018
Online ISSN: 1744-1358
Print ISSN: 0071-1365
© 2018 The Author(s). Published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society
2018
Essays Biochem (2018) 62 (3): 443–454.
Article history
Received:
February 12 2018
Revision Received:
May 22 2018
Accepted:
May 23 2018
Citation
Caterina Garone, Michal Minczuk, Sara Boenzi, Daria Diodato; Biomarkers for mitochondrial energy metabolism diseases. Essays Biochem 20 July 2018; 62 (3): 443–454. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/EBC20170111
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