HMGCL Gene

Defintion:3-hydroxymethyl-3-methylglutaryl-Coenzyme

Official Symbol:HMGCL

 Chromosome:1

 Location : 1p36.1-p35

Gene Size: 23583 bp complement(24000954..24024536)


No Exons: 9

Description:

The HMGCL gene provides instructions for making an enzyme that is found in mitochondria (the energy-producing centers inside cells). This enzyme, called 3-hydroxymethyl-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (CoA) lyase, plays an essential role in breaking down proteins and fats from the diet. Specifically, 3-hydroxymethyl-3-methylglutaryl-CoA lyase is needed to process leucine, an amino acid used as a building block in many enzymes and other proteins. This enzyme is also involved in making ketones when fat is broken down by the body. These reactions produce molecules that are later used for energy.

Disease :

Many of the identified HMGCL mutations change the amino acids used as building blocks in the enzyme 3-hydroxymethyl-3-methylglutaryl-CoA lyase. Other mutations cause the production of an abnormally shortened enzyme that is missing critical components. All of these mutations disrupt the normal function of 3-hydroxymethyl-3-methylglutaryl-CoA lyase. As a result, leucine cannot be processed and ketones cannot be made properly. Because of incomplete processing, certain chemical byproducts (organic acids) can build up and cause the blood to become too acidic (metabolic acidosis). In addition, a lack of ketones causes blood sugar to become dangerously low (hypoglycemia). The effects of metabolic acidosis and hypoglycemia can damage the brain and nervous system.