MT-TS1
mitochondrially encoded tRNA serine 1 (UCN)
Normal Function
Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes
Myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers
Mutations in the MT-TS1 gene have been found in a few people with variant forms of myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF). In these cases, affected individuals typically have muscle twitches (myoclonus), muscle weakness (myopathy), difficulty coordinating movement (ataxia), hearing loss, seizures, and intellectual impairment. Two mutations in the MT-TS1 gene have been found to cause these symptoms. One mutation replaces the DNA building block (nucleotide) thymine with the nucleotide cytosine at gene position 7512 (written as T7512C). The other mutation inserts an extra cytosine at position 7472 (written as 7472insC). Researchers have not determined how these genetic changes cause variant forms of MERRF.
More About This Health ConditionRelated Conditions
Myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibersNonsyndromic hearing lossPalmoplantar keratoderma with deafnessOther disorders
Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes
Mutations in the MT-TS1 gene have been found in a few people with variant forms of myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF). In these cases, affected individuals typically have muscle twitches (myoclonus), muscle weakness (myopathy), difficulty coordinating movement (ataxia), hearing loss, seizures, and intellectual impairment. Two mutations in the MT-TS1 gene have been found to cause these symptoms. One mutation replaces the DNA building block (nucleotide) thymine with the nucleotide cytosine at gene position 7512 (written as T7512C). The other mutation inserts an extra cytosine at position 7472 (written as 7472insC). Researchers have not determined how these genetic changes cause variant forms of MERRF.
MedlinePlus Genetics provides information about Nonsyndromic hearing loss
Some of the MT-TS1 gene mutations responsible for hearing loss can cause additional signs and symptoms in affected individuals. For example, one mutation causes a skin condition called palmoplantar keratoderma with deafness. In addition to hearing loss, this condition causes skin on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet to become thick, scaly, and calloused.
The genetic change that results in this combination of features replaces the nucleotide adenine with the nucleotide guanine at position 7445 in the MT-TS1 gene (written as A7445G). This mutation likely disrupts the normal production of the tRNASer(UCN) molecule. As a result, less tRNASer(UCN) is available to assemble proteins within mitochondria. These changes reduce the production of proteins needed for oxidative phosphorylation, which may impair the ability of mitochondria to make ATP. It is unclear why the effects of the mutation are limited to cells in the inner ear and the skin in this condition.
In some families, mutations in the MT-TS1 gene cause health problems unrelated to hearing loss. For example, one mutation has been identified in people with muscle pain, weakness, and extreme fatigue associated with exercise (exercise intolerance). The genetic change that causes these symptoms replaces the nucleotide adenine with the nucleotide guanine at position 7497 in the MT-TS1 gene (written as A7497G).
It is unclear why changes in the MT-TS1 gene can cause such a large variety of signs and symptoms. Even within a single family, affected individuals may have different health problems caused by the same genetic change. Researchers believe that other genetic and environmental factors help determine whether a MT-TS1 gene mutation leads to isolated hearing loss, hearing loss associated with other signs and symptoms, or features unrelated to hearing.