#240600
GLYCOGEN STORAGE DISEASE 0, LIVER

Alternative titles; symbols
GSD 0a; GSD0a
HYPOGLYCEMIA WITH DEFICIENCY OF GLYCOGEN SYNTHETASE IN THE LIVER
LIVER GLYCOGEN SYNTHASE DEFICIENCY
LIVER GLYCOGEN STORAGE DISEASE 0

Phenotype Gene Relationships
Location Phenotype Phenotype
MIM number
Gene/Locus Gene/Locus
MIM number
12p12.1 Glycogen storage disease, type 0 240600 GYS2 138571


TEXT
A number sign (#) is used with this entry because of evidence that the defect in liver glycogen storage disease 0 resides in the glycogen synthase-2 gene (GYS2; 138571).

See 611556 for a description of muscle glycogen storage disease caused by mutation in the GYS1 gene (138570).

Clinical Features
In a well-studied family, Lewis et al. (1963) demonstrated that infantile hypoglycemia was due to a deficiency of glycogen synthetase in the liver. The cases were probably of the same type as those reported by Broberger and Zetterstrom (1961) because urinary excretion of catecholamines was not influenced by hypoglycemia. The observations of Lewis et al. (1963) are particularly convincing evidence for autosomal recessive inheritance of this one form, although iron-clad proof awaits demonstration of a partial deficiency in both parents. See hepatic deficiency of fructose-1,6-phosphatase (229700), another cause of hypoglycemia. Howell (1972) doubted that the deficiency of glycogen synthetase is primary. He suggested that the low level of glycogen synthetase is due to low levels of insulin, which normally stimulates the enzyme. He pointed out that, with feeding, glycogen is synthesized and glucagon is effective. Dykes and Spencer-Peet (1972) restudied the family. They pointed out that elevation of blood lactate after administration of glucose or more particularly of galactose is a useful diagnostic test. The level of enzyme activity in cultured fibroblasts was not commented on. Aynsley-Green et al. (1977, 1977) did metabolic and enzyme studies on a 9-year-old girl who first presented with hypoglycemic convulsions at the age of 7 years. They found that the 13-year-old brother of the proband had the same 'metabolic profile' but was asymptomatic. With fasting, there is hypoglycemia and hyperketonemia; with feeding, there is hyperglycemia and hyperlactatemia. Gitzelmann et al. (1983) reported that cultured skin fibroblasts from 2 sibs with hepatic glycogen synthetase deficiency and from their parents contained glycogen synthetase activity that was within the range of the controls. Thus, this mutation was not expressed in fibroblasts, a finding that further supports the presumed existence of genetically different forms of glycogen synthetase.

Gitzelmann et al. (1996) described 3 children with liver glycogen synthase deficiency from 2 German families and compared the observations with the previously published 3 families comprising 8 patients. The 2 index cases presented with morning fatigue, had ketotic hypoglycemia when fasting which rapidly disappeared after eating, and hepatic glycogen deficiency with absent or very low hepatic glycogen synthase activity. Metabolic profiles comprising glucose, lactate, alanine, and ketones in blood were typical for hepatic glycogen synthase deficiency. Symptoms were rapidly relieved and chemical signs corrected by introducing frequent protein-rich meals and nighttime feedings of suspensions of uncooked corn starch. The discovery of oligosymptomatic and asymptomatic sibs suggested that there are persons with undiagnosed hepatic glycogen synthase deficiency. Gitzelmann et al. (1996) stated that the disorder should be sought in children who, before the first meal of the day, present with drowsiness, lack of attention, pallor, uncoordinated eye movements, disorientation, or convulsions, and who have hypoglycemia and acetone in the urine. Gitzelmann (1996) stated that he is aware of 2 additional families with affected members.

Rutledge et al. (2001) reported an additional patient with liver glycogen synthase deficiency. In the first year of life she ate every 3 to 4 hours and never slept through the night, awakening spontaneously to feed. At 15 months she slept through the night for the first time. She was found at 6 o'clock the following morning in a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Blood glucose was 27 mg/dL, and urinary ketones were present.

Laberge et al. (2003) described hepatic glycogen synthase deficiency in a French Canadian girl referred at 7 years of age for a family history of hyperlipidemia. Initial evaluation incidentally revealed fasting hypoglycemia and ketonuria after a 10-hour fast with normal growth, development, and physical examination. Additional biochemical findings included fasting hypoalaninemia with elevated plasma branched chain amino acids and postprandial hyperlactatemia. Liver glycogen synthase activity was reduced. Unlike most other reported patients, the patient showed an increase in fasting plasma glucose levels after glucagon administration during episodes of hypoglycemia. At 13 years of age, growth and intellect were normal; however, she still had hypoglycemia after 18 hours of fasting.

Mapping
Orho et al. (1998) established linkage of glycogen storage disease 0 to intragenic and flanking polymorphic markers of the GYS2 gene on chromosome 12p12.2.

Molecular Genetics
Orho et al. (1998) identified mutations in the GYS2 gene (138571.0001-138571.0008) in affected members of 5 families with GSD-0.

See Also:
Aynsley-Green et al. (1978)

REFERENCES
1. Aynsley-Green, A., Williamson, D. H., Gitzelmann, R. Hepatic glycogen synthetase deficiency: definition of syndrome from metabolic and enzyme studies on a 9-year-old girl. Arch. Dis. Child. 52: 573-579, 1977. [PubMed: 141912, related citations] [Full Text: Pubget]

2. Aynsley-Green, A., Williamson, D. H., Gitzelmann, R. Asymptomatic hepatic glycogen synthetase deficiency. (Letter) Lancet 311: 147-148, 1978. Note: Originally Volume I.

3. Aynsley-Green, A., Williamson, D. H., Gitzelmann, R. The dietary treatment of hepatic glycogen synthetase deficiency. Helv. Paediat. Acta 32: 71-75, 1977. [PubMed: 106027, related citations] [Full Text: Pubget]

4. Broberger, O., Zetterstrom, R. Hypoglycemia with an inability to increase the epinephrine secretion in insulin-induced hypoglycemia. J. Pediat. 59: 215-222, 1961.

5. Dykes, J. R. W., Spencer-Peet, J. Hepatic glycogen synthetase deficiency: further studies on a family. Arch. Dis. Child. 47: 558-563, 1972. [PubMed: 4505568, related citations] [Full Text: Pubget]

6. Gitzelmann, R. Personal Communication. Zurich, Switzerland 8/16/1996.

7. Gitzelmann, R., Spycher, M. A., Feil, G., Muller, J., Seilnacht, B., Stahl, M., Bosshard, N. U. Liver glycogen synthase deficiency: a rarely diagnosed entity. Europ. J. Pediat. 155: 561-567, 1996. [PubMed: 8831078, related citations] [Full Text: Springer, Pubget]

8. Gitzelmann, R., Steinmann, B., Aynsley-Green, A. Hepatic glycogen synthetase deficiency not expressed in cultured skin fibroblasts. Clin. Chim. Acta 130: 111-115, 1983. [PubMed: 6406107, related citations] [Full Text: Elsevier Science, Pubget]

9. Howell, R. R. Glycogen storage diseases.In: Stanbury, J. B.; Wyngaarden, J. B.; Fredrickson, D. S. (eds.) : The Metabolic Basis of Inherited Disease. New York: McGraw-Hill (pub.) (3rd ed.) : 1972. Pp. 149-173.

10. Laberge, A. M., Mitchell, G. A., van de Werve, G., Lambert, M. Long-term follow-up of a new case of liver glycogen synthase deficiency. Am. J. Med. Genet. 120A: 19-22, 2003. [PubMed: 12794686, related citations] [Full Text: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Pubget]

11. Lewis, G. M., Spencer-Peet, J., Stewart, K. M. Infantile hypoglycaemia due to inherited deficiency of glycogen synthetase in liver. Arch. Dis. Child. 38: 40-48, 1963.

12. Orho, M., Bosshard, N. U., Buist, N. R. M., Gitzelmann, R., Aynsley-Green, A., Blumel, P., Gannon, M. C., Nuttall, F. Q., Groop, L. C. Mutations in the liver glycogen synthase gene in children with hypoglycemia due to glycogen storage disease type 0. J. Clin. Invest. 102: 507-515, 1998. [PubMed: 9691087, related citations] [Full Text: Journal of Clinical Investigation, Pubget]

13. Rutledge, S. L., Atchison, J., Bosshard, N. U., Steinmann, B. Case report: liver glycogen synthase deficiency--a cause of ketotic hypoglycemia. Pediatrics 108: 495-497, 2001. [PubMed: 11483824, related citations] [Full Text: HighWire Press, Pubget]

Contributors: Victor A. McKusick - updated : 10/16/2007
Victor A. McKusick - updated : 6/23/2003
Ada Hamosh - updated : 9/24/2001
Victor A. McKusick - updated : 10/1/1998
Beat Steinmann - updated : 4/23/1997
Creation Date: Victor A. McKusick : 6/3/1986
Edit History: terry : 03/04/2009
alopez : 10/26/2007
terry : 10/16/2007
carol : 4/17/2007
cwells : 6/26/2003
terry : 6/23/2003
alopez : 9/25/2001
terry : 9/24/2001
carol : 10/6/1998
terry : 10/1/1998
carol : 9/30/1998
joanna : 4/23/1997
terry : 11/15/1996
terry : 11/6/1996
davew : 8/31/1994
mimadm : 2/19/1994
supermim : 3/16/1992
supermim : 3/20/1990
ddp : 10/26/1989
root : 9/27/1989