A Patient with a Novel RARS2 Variant Exhibiting Liver Involvement as a New Clinical Feature and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Pontocerebellar hypoplasia (PCH) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by decreased brainstem and cerebellum volume. Pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 6 (PCH6) is a mitochondrial disease associated with autosomal recessive inheritance that results from mutations in the RARS2 gene. In this case report, we describe a new clinical presentation with a novel RARS2 pathogenic variant. We report here on 2 siblings who presented with neonatal lactic acidosis, microcephaly, growth retardation, persistent seizures, and cholestasis with a previously undefined RARS2 pathogenic variant. In our literature review, we evaluated the clinical features and pathogenic variants of 34 patients reported in 16 publications since the initial identification of RARS2 pathogenic variants in PCH6 in 2007. Both siblings were detected with c.1564G>A (p.Val522Ile), a novel homozygous pathogenic variant of the RARS2 gene. Imaging revealed advanced cerebral atrophy and cerebellar hypoplasia, while the basal ganglia and pons were preserved. At follow-up, the elevations in liver function test results and cholestasis had regressed while the LDH and GGT elevations persisted. Both siblings showed microcephaly on follow-up and started to suffer seizures. Severe developmental delay and nutritional problems were observed, and both died in infancy. RARS2 pathogenic variant is a mitochondrial disease that causes severe mental, motor, and developmental retardation, as well as short life expectancy. Our patients are the first cases with liver involvement in PCH6 and a novel homozygous RARS2 pathogenic variant to be reported in the literature. This additional phenotype can be considered as making a valid contribution to the literature.

Keywords: Liver involvement; Mitochondrial arginyl tRNA; Pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 6; RARS2.

Fig. 1

Patient 1 with microcephaly, syndromic appearance, scooped and low ears, long philtrum, and prominent nasal bridge.

Fig. 2

Cranial MRI of Patient 1. a Significant cerebral atrophy, extra-axial areas prominent with effusion. b Preserved basal ganglia. c, d Cerebellum atrophy at an advanced level.

Fig. 3

Patient 2 with microcephaly, micrognatia, syndromic appearance, prominent occipital bone, narrow forehead, low anterior hairline, and thin upper lip.

Fig. 4

The valine amino acid at position 532 is a very highly conserved region among species.