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Methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) is an autosomal recessive disorder, caused by the deficiency of the mitochondrial enzyme methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MUT). It is characterized by metabolic instability, multiorgan pathology, and poor prognosis for long-term survival. Deletion of Mut in mice results in neonathal lethality, thus, to overcome this limitation, we have generated novel transgenic mice that have the Mut knockout background but express the Mut gene under the control of a muscle-specific creatine kinase promoter (Mut-/- Tg INS-Mck-Mut).

Isolated Methylmalonic Acidemia (MMA) comprises a relatively common and heterogeneous group of inborn errors of metabolism. The most common cause of isolated MMA is genetic deficiency of the enzyme methylmalonyl-coA mutase (MUT), which, unfortunately for the affected patients, is also the most clinically severe. NHGRI scientist have discovered biomarkers previously described cytokines that has never been associated with MMA or propionic acidemia (PA) such as FGF-21 (fibroblast like-growth factor - 21).

Methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by the deficiency of the mitochondrial enzyme methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MUT). It is characterized by metabolic instability, multiorgan pathology, and poor prognosis for long-term survival. To study MMA caused by MUT deficiency, a series of murine models have been constructed using gene targeting and analyzed. The model is a full knock out of the mouse Mut gene that produces neonatal lethality on the C57Bl6/Sv129 background.

This technology includes a new set of synthetic PCCB genes that can be used to treat propionic acidemia (PA) caused by propionyl-coA carboxylase beta (PCCB) mutations. The amino acid sequence of PCCB was reverse translated, using a variety of algorithms and expert input, to generate novel DNA sequences encoding PCCB (synPCCB1-5) expected to have increased expression.

Propionic acidemia (PA) is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder caused by mutations in either PCCA or PCCB. The products of these genes form the alpha and beta subunits of the enzyme propionyl-Co A carboxylase (PCC), a critically important mitochondrial enzyme involved in the catabolism of branched chain amino acids. NHGRI scientist have developed a new set of synthetic PCCA genes that can be used to treat PA caused by PCCA mutation(s).

This technology includes mouse models (heterozygous for the knock-in (KI) and homozygous for the knock-out (KO)) to be used as research reagents and to study molecular mechanisms and potential therapies for Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). FMF is the prototype of a group of inherited disorders characterized by recurring, spontaneous episodes of fever and localized inflammation. The gene responsible for FMF is composed of 10 exons encoding a 781 amino acid protein known as pyrin.

This technology includes cell lines from patients with gangliosidosis diseases for the screening of potential therapeutics. Gangliosidosis contains different types of lipid storage disorders caused by the accumulation of lipids known as gangliosides. GM1 gangliosidosis is an ultra-rare lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in galactosidase beta 1 (GLB1) that result in a deficiency of beta-galactosidase. GM2 gangliosidoses are a group of autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorders caused by accumulation of GM2 ganglioside due to the absence or near absence of B-hexosamindase.

This technology includes two human fibroblast cell lines to be used to study the defects in GBA1 gene and protein and to screen small molecules for involvement in Gaucher disease. Glucocerebrosidase (GBA1 or GCase or beta-glucosidase) is a lysosomal enzyme, responsible for breakdown of a fatty material called glucocerebroside (or glucosyl ceramide). Deficiency or malfunction of GBA1 leads to the accumulation of insoluble glucocerebrosides in tissues, which is a major symptom of Gaucher disease.

This technology includes two human fibroblast cell lines be used to study the defects in GBA1 gene and protein and to screen small molecules for involvement in Gaucher disease. Glucocerebrosidase (GBA1 or GCase or beta-glucosidase) is a lysosomal enzyme, responsible for breakdown of a fatty material called glucocerebroside (or glucosyl ceramide). Deficiency or malfunction of GBA1 leads to the accumulation of insoluble glucocerebrosides in tissues, which is a major symptom of Gaucher disease. Gaucher disease is a rare and heterogeneous disorder, caused by inherited genetic mutations in GBA1.

This technology includes a high-yield, easy-to-culture mouse neuronal cell model with nearly complete glucocerebrosidase deficiency representative of Gaucher disease (GD) to study pathophysiology and evaluate new therapies. GD is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by loss-of function mutations in the GBA1 gene, which codes for the lysosomal hydrolase glucocerebrosidase (GCase).