Human pathology

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mitochondrial myopathies

Definition: Muscular defects of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Defects in the mitochondrial respiratory chain impair energy production and almost invariably involve skeletal muscle, causing exercise intolerance, cramps, recurrent myoglobinuria, or fixed weakness, which often affects extraocular muscles and results in droopy eyelids (ptosis) and progressive external ophthalmoplegia.

Types

- defects in nuclear DNA -* coenzyme Q10 deficiency

  • mutations in genes controlling mitochondrial DNA abundance and structure
    • POLG
    • TK2
    • MPV17

See also

- mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke (MELAS)
- inflammatory myopathies associated with mtDNA deletions

References

- Dimauro S. Mitochondrial myopathies. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2006 Nov;18(6):636-41. PMID: 17053512