HMGCL
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Gene summaries condense public reference material; disease links and population data change as databases are updated. Clinical decisions belong with your care team.
3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA lyase
Normal Function
Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes
3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA lyase deficiency
More than 25 mutations in the HMGCL gene have been identified in people with 3-hydroxymethyl-3-methylglutaryl-CoA lyase deficiency (also called HMG-CoA lyase deficiency). Most of these mutations change single amino acids in the HMG-CoA lyase enzyme. For example, the most common mutation in the Saudi Arabian population replaces the amino acid arginine with the amino acid glutamine at position 41 (written as Arg41Gln or R41Q). Other HMGCL mutations result in the production of an abnormally short enzyme that is missing critical segments.
If a mutation reduces or eliminates the activity of HMG-CoA lyase, the body is unable to process leucine or make ketones properly. When leucine is not processed normally, chemical byproducts called organic acids can build up and make the blood too acidic (metabolic acidosis). A shortage of ketones can cause blood glucose levels to become dangerously low (hypoglycemia). The effects of metabolic acidosis and hypoglycemia can damage cells, particularly in the brain, resulting in serious illness in children with HMG-CoA lyase deficiency.
More About This Health ConditionRelated Conditions
3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA lyase deficiency
Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes
More than 25 mutations in the HMGCL gene have been identified in people with 3-hydroxymethyl-3-methylglutaryl-CoA lyase deficiency (also called HMG-CoA lyase deficiency). Most of these mutations change single amino acids in the HMG-CoA lyase enzyme. For example, the most common mutation in the Saudi Arabian population replaces the amino acid arginine with the amino acid glutamine at position 41 (written as Arg41Gln or R41Q). Other HMGCL mutations result in the production of an abnormally short enzyme that is missing critical segments.
If a mutation reduces or eliminates the activity of HMG-CoA lyase, the body is unable to process leucine or make ketones properly. When leucine is not processed normally, chemical byproducts called organic acids can build up and make the blood too acidic (metabolic acidosis). A shortage of ketones can cause blood glucose levels to become dangerously low (hypoglycemia). The effects of metabolic acidosis and hypoglycemia can damage cells, particularly in the brain, resulting in serious illness in children with HMG-CoA lyase deficiency.