Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) affects between 0.69 and 1.66 newborns per 100,000 worldwide [7]. Its prevalence varies from one country to another, suggesting that the distribution of this disease is linked to geographical location and ethnic origin. It is estimated at 3.2/100,000 newborns in Saudi Arabia, 0.69/100,000 newborns in Germany and 1.33/100,000 newborns in Portugal [8].
In Tunisia, the incidence of all mucopolysaccharidoses has been estimated at 3.2 per 100,000 births and the consanguineous marriages account for 32% of marriages. This frequency may be as high as 60% in rural areas of the country. This prevalence is comparable to that of other Arab countries such as Sudan (52%) and Algeria (22.6%) [5].
In Tunisia, MPS I accounts for 15.07% of all MPS, with an estimated incidence of 1.91 cases per 100,000 newborns, which is the highest and associated with mucopolysaccharidosis type III (MPS III) [9].
The incidence of the mild form of MPS I (Scheie syndrome) varies from 1 in 115,000 to 500,000 live births, and that of the severe form (Hurler syndrome) from 1 in 100,000 [10].
Molecular studies of the IDUA gene have identified more than 300 different mutations, the most common of which are p.Q70X and p.W402X in the Caucasian population and p.P533R in the North African population [5]. More than 60 polymorphisms, some of which lead to a change in amino acids, have also been described in the literature.
In this study, all the patients examined were from consanguineous marriages, a result consistent with several previous studies on this condition. According to several studies, this behavior appears to be closely linked to the socio-economic and cultural status of populations.
This hereditary disease may be a social and economic concern, relatively more so in Tunisia due to the high prevalence of consanguineous marriages. The level of consanguinity is likely to be high given the lack of awareness and the attachment of individuals to their traditional cultural values. The high frequency of intermarriage between relatives with patients affected by autosomal recessive diseases was very important and would increase the incidence of certain lesions such as the p.P533R mutation in Tunisian and Moroccan MPS I patients, and consequently a close relationship could be established between consanguinity and certain genetic diseases.
Phenotypic expression of mucopolysaccharidosis type I
The clinical picture in MPS I is often heterogeneous. Clinical signs appear progressively with varying degrees of severity[10].
In our study, in the two patients 3 and 4 from the third family with Hurler syndrome, mental retardation, facial dysmorphia, corneal opacity, hepatosplenomegaly and skeletal deformity were constant features. Survival did not exceed 10 years. This clinical description observed in the two patients studied is consistent with the literature [11].
The intermediate form of the disease, or Hurler/Scheie syndrome, is characterized by mental retardation and variable survival, hepatomegaly, multiple dysostoses, and a slow course, although it may be beset at any time by complications (especially cardiac and/or respiratory) that are sometimes fatal [12]. All these clinical symptoms are observed in the patient 1, who stopped his studies in the first year because of mental retardation.
The attenuated form (Hurler/Scheie syndrome) is characterized by hepatosplenomegaly, multiple dysostosis, almost normal survival and no mental retardation [12]. This clinical picture was found in the patient 2, who continued to attend school almost normally until the present day.
Mutations identified
The missense mutation p.P533R
Patients 1 and 2 were homozygous for the p.P533R missense mutation. This lesion in exon 11 (CCG-CGG) leads to the substitution of a neutral amino acid (proline) by a basic amino acid (arginine) at position 533 of the IDUA protein. This hIDUA- p.P533R mutant protein has been shown to retain some residual catalytic activity when expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells [13]. The patient 1 presented the intermediate form of the disease (Hurler/Scheie) and the patient 2 presented the attenuated form (Scheie syndrome), both of which are associated with residual enzymatic activity.
Crystallographic study of the IDUA protein showed that the Pro533 residue is close to the helix involved in substrate binding. The introduction of a larger amino acid such as arginine (Arg) requires more space in the contact between beta sandwich and the helix involved in substrate binding, which probably results in a decrease in affinity between the protein and the substrate. In addition, the intoduction of this mutant residue (Arg) increases the flexibility and charge of the protein, leading to a steric hindrance reaction with neighbouring amino acids, especially those of the helix in contact, hence the repulsion between the mutant residue and the helix that binds the substrate. We can therefore deduce that this mutation affects the protein stability and activity of the IDUA protein.
The novel p.His356_Gln362del
The two brothers 3 and 4 were homozygous for the novel deletion; p.His356_Gln362del in exon 8, which results in the deletion of 21 nucleotides located at position g.1002362_1002382del of the cDNA, leading to the deletion of seven amino acids in the protein sequence composed of 653 amino acids. Crystallographic analysis of the IDUA protein revealed that an amino acid sequence from His 356 to Gln 362 forms a crucial bend involved in substrate binding. This sequence, comprising residues Gln 182 and Gln 188, constitutes the catalytic site of the protein and is therefore essential for its catalytic activity. Deletion of this sequence leads to loss of the substrate binding site, resulting in zero enzymatic activity. This lack of activity was observed in the two patients 3 and 4, who unfortunately died at the age of 6 and 5 respectively.
In the case where the family is not listed and the MPS I mutation is unknown, the strategy currently adapted in our laboratory is based on the search, in the first instance, for the p.P533R mutation most frequently identified in Tunisian MPS I patients [6]followed by complete sequencing of the gene if this mutation is absent [5]. The choice of this methodology is appropriate for our laboratory and for the molecular characteristics of our MPS I population.
The treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is based mainly on two approaches: bone marrow transplantation and enzyme replacement therapy. However, it is important to note that these two therapeutic approaches cannot treat the neurological disorders associated with the disease [14]. In Tunisia, MPS I patients are generally hospitalized to treat complications such as umbilical hernias and skeletal deformities. None of the patients studied received one of the two treatments. Genetic analysis remains the main hope for families at risk. This analysis provides reliable genetic counselling and also enables prenatal diagnosis and in-depth family investigation. In our study, the 3rd family underwent prenatal diagnosis after the death of the two children 1 and 2. The prenatal diagnosis showed that the foetus was heterozygous for the p.His356_Gln362del mutation and had a similar profile to the parents.