Elsevier

Human Pathology

Volume 20, Issue 7, July 1989, Pages 666-672
Human Pathology

Original contribution
Fatal mitochondrial myopathy with cytochrome-c-oxidase deficiency and subunit-restricted reduction of enzyme protein in two siblings: An autopsy-immunocytochemical study

https://doi.org/10.1016/0046-8177(89)90154-8Get rights and content

Abstract

Lack of cytochrome-c oxidase activity and of cytochromes aa3 + b has been reported previously in the skeletal muscle of one of two siblings (Müller-Höcker et al, 1983). The present study reports a deficiency of immunoreactive enzyme protein in the skeletal muscle of both siblings, who had an identical fatal clinical course. In all specimens the defect did not involve the whole enzyme protein, but was selectively expressed in the mitochondrially derived subunits IIIII and nuclear coded subunits VIIbc. Neither the specific fibers of the muscle spindles nor the mitochondria of the heart, liver, kidneys, vessel walls and/or gastrointestinal tract were affected. These results are most consistent with a primary nuclear defect being responsible for the organ specific and subunit selective expression of the enzyme defect.

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      Frozen tissue (stored at −80°C) was used for ultracytochemical detection of cytochrome-c-oxidase in the liver as previously described37 and for demonstration of cytochrome-c-oxidase by light microscopy in the skeletal muscle. Immunocytochemistry using the ABC Elite kit (DAKO) was performed as previously described for the detection of cytochrome-c-oxidase subunits II-III and Vab,38 h-mtTFA, DNA-polymerase gamma,39 and mtSSB.40 Biochemical analysis of the respiratory chain enzymes was performed on homogenates of deep frozen muscle.41

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    Supported by grants of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.

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