Phenotypic spectrum of iron-sulfur cluster assembly gene IBA57 mutations: c.286T>C identified as a hotspot mutation in Chinese patients with a stable natural history

Abstract

Mutations in IBA57 disrupt iron-sulfur clusters maturation, causing a rare mitochondrial disease. Clinical manifestations vary from neonatal lethality to childhood-onset spastic paraparesis, yet the ethnic heterogeneity and natural history remain unclear, necessitating further exploration. This study aimed to delineate the genotype-phenotype correlation of IBA57 mutations by analyzing diverse clinical presentations. We report 11 Chinese patients and include literature-reported cases, totaling 61 patients enrolled for analysis. Clinical, neuroimaging, genetic and disease progression information were collected. Among these, 46 presented as multiple mitochondrial dysfunctions syndrome 3 (MMDS3), with 58.7% originating from Chinese population. Based on disease course, we propose three clinical subtypes: neonatal, infant and childhood subtypes. Neonatal cases universally displayed hypotonia and respiratory distress at presentation, deceased within three months. Most infancy and childhood cases exhibited developmental regression and impaired motor function. Cavitating leukoencephalopathy was a typical neuroimaging finding in MMDS3 patients. The c.286T > C mutation was reported in 85.2% of Chinese patients. A significantly lower mortality rate was observed compared to the non-Chinese group (P = 0.002), with a survival rate exceeding 90% at 5 years, indicating a relatively stable disease progression. Fifteen cases from three families manifested the spastic paraplegia 74 phenotype, demonstrating normal development before onset, with common clinical manifestations including spastic paraplegia (14/15), visual impairment (10/13), and peripheral neuropathy (9/13). Conclusion: Despite a diverse phenotypic spectrum, neonatal-onset cases exhibit severe symptoms and a poor prognosis. More than half of the patients were Chinese, and c.286T > C variant was a hotspot mutation in Chinese population, associated with a stable natural history.