Title:Structure-Function Relationship of Homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase:
Understanding the Genotype-Phenotype Correlations in the Rare Genetic
Disease Alkaptonuria
Volume: 24
Issue: 5
Author(s): Andrea Bernini, Ottavia Spiga and Annalisa Santucci*
Affiliation:
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Italy
- Centro Regionale Medicina di
Precisione, Siena, Italy
- ARTES 4.0, Pontedera, Italy
Keywords:
Alkaptonuria, protein structure, genotype-phenotype relationships, HGA, HGD, protein rescuers.
Abstract: Alkaptonuria (AKU), a rare genetic disorder, is characterized by the accumulation of homogentisic
acid (HGA) in organs, which occurs because the homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase (HGD) enzyme
is not functional due to gene variants. Over time, HGA oxidation and accumulation cause the
formation of the ochronotic pigment, a deposit that provokes tissue degeneration and organ malfunction.
Here, we report a comprehensive review of the variants so far reported, the structural studies on
the molecular consequences of protein stability and interaction, and molecular simulations for pharmacological
chaperones as protein rescuers. Moreover, evidence accumulated so far in alkaptonuria research
will be re-proposed as the bases for a precision medicine approach in a rare disease.