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URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/carnitine-palmitoyltransferase-ii-deficiency/

Carnitine palmitoyltransferase II deficiency

Description

Carnitine palmitoyltransferase II (CPT II) deficiency is a condition that prevents the body from using certain fats for energy, particularly during periods without food (fasting). There are three main types of CPT II deficiency: a lethal neonatal form, a severe infantile hepatocardiomuscular form, and a myopathic form.

The lethal neonatal form of CPT II deficiency becomes apparent soon after birth. Infants with this form of the disorder develop respiratory failure, seizures, liver failure, a weakened heart muscle (cardiomyopathy), and an irregular heart beat (arrhythmia). Affected individuals also have low blood glucose (hypoglycemia) and a low level of ketones, which are produced during the breakdown of fats and used for energy. Together these signs are called hypoketotic hypoglycemia. In many cases, the brain and kidneys are also structurally abnormal. Infants with the lethal neonatal form of CPT II deficiency usually live for a few days to a few months.

The severe infantile hepatocardiomuscular form of CPT II deficiency affects the liver, heart, and muscles. Signs and symptoms usually appear within the first year of life. This form involves recurring episodes of hypoketotic hypoglycemia, seizures, an enlarged liver (hepatomegaly), cardiomyopathy, and arrhythmia. Problems related to this form of CPT II deficiency can be triggered by periods of fasting or by illnesses such as viral infections. Individuals with the severe infantile hepatocardiomuscular form of CPT II deficiency are at risk for liver failure, nervous system damage, coma, and sudden death.

The myopathic form is the least severe type of CPT II deficiency. This form is characterized by recurrent episodes of muscle pain (myalgia) and weakness and is associated with the breakdown of muscle tissue (rhabdomyolysis). The destruction of muscle tissue releases a protein called myoglobin, which is processed by the kidneys and released in the urine (myoglobinuria). Myoglobin causes the urine to be red or brown. This protein can also damage the kidneys, in some cases leading to life-threatening kidney failure. Episodes of myalgia and rhabdomyolysis may be triggered by exercise, stress, exposure to extreme temperatures, infections, or fasting. The first episode usually occurs during childhood or adolescence. Most people with the myopathic form of CPT II deficiency have no signs or symptoms of the disorder between episodes.

Frequency

CPT II deficiency is a rare disorder. The lethal neonatal form has been described in at least 18 families, while the severe infantile hepatocardiomuscular form has been identified in approximately 30 families. The myopathic form occurs most frequently, with more than 300 reported cases.

Causes

Mutations in the CPT2 gene cause CPT II deficiency. This gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2. This enzyme is essential for fatty acid oxidation, which is the multistep process that breaks down (metabolizes) fats and converts them into energy. Fatty acid oxidation takes place within mitochondria, which are the energy-producing centers in cells. A group of fats called long-chain fatty acids must be attached to a substance known as carnitine to enter mitochondria. Once these fatty acids are inside mitochondria, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 removes the carnitine and prepares them for fatty acid oxidation. Fatty acids are a major source of energy for the heart and muscles. During periods of fasting, fatty acids are also an important energy source for the liver and other tissues.

Mutations in the CPT2 gene reduce the activity of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2. Without enough of this enzyme, carnitine is not removed from long-chain fatty acids. As a result, these fatty acids cannot be metabolized to produce energy. Reduced energy production can lead to some of the features of CPT II deficiency, such as hypoketotic hypoglycemia, myalgia, and weakness. Fatty acids and long-chain acylcarnitines (fatty acids still attached to carnitine) may also build up in cells and damage the liver, heart, and muscles. This abnormal buildup causes the other signs and symptoms of the disorder.

Learn more about the gene associated with Carnitine palmitoyltransferase II deficiency

Inheritance

This condition is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, which means both copies of the gene in each cell have mutations. The parents of an individual with an autosomal recessive condition each carry one copy of the mutated gene, but they typically do not show signs and symptoms of the condition.

Other Names for This Condition

  • Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 deficiency
  • CPT II deficiency
  • CPT2 deficiency

Additional Information & Resources

Genetic Testing Information

Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center

Patient Support and Advocacy Resources

Clinical Trials

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Scientific Articles on PubMed

References

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  • Corti S, Bordoni A, Ronchi D, Musumeci O, Aguennouz M, Toscano A, Lamperti C, Bresolin N, Comi GP. Clinical features and new molecular findings in Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase II (CPT II) deficiency. J Neurol Sci. 2008 Mar 15;266(1-2):97-103. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2007.09.015. Epub 2007 Oct 23. Citation on PubMed
  • Deschauer M, Wieser T, Zierz S. Muscle carnitine palmitoyltransferase II deficiency: clinical and molecular genetic features and diagnostic aspects. Arch Neurol. 2005 Jan;62(1):37-41. doi: 10.1001/archneur.62.1.37. Citation on PubMed
  • Fanin M, Anichini A, Cassandrini D, Fiorillo C, Scapolan S, Minetti C, Cassanello M, Donati MA, Siciliano G, D'Amico A, Lilliu F, Bruno C, Angelini C. Allelic and phenotypic heterogeneity in 49 Italian patients with the muscle form of CPT-II deficiency. Clin Genet. 2012 Sep;82(3):232-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.2011.01786.x. Epub 2011 Oct 12. Citation on PubMed
  • Illsinger S, Lucke T, Peter M, Ruiter JP, Wanders RJ, Deschauer M, Handig I, Wuyts W, Das AM. Carnitine-palmitoyltransferase 2 deficiency: novel mutations and relevance of newborn screening. Am J Med Genet A. 2008 Nov 15;146A(22):2925-8. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.32545. Citation on PubMed
  • Isackson PJ, Bennett MJ, Lichter-Konecki U, Willis M, Nyhan WL, Sutton VR, Tein I, Vladutiu GD. CPT2 gene mutations resulting in lethal neonatal or severe infantile carnitine palmitoyltransferase II deficiency. Mol Genet Metab. 2008 Aug;94(4):422-427. doi: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2008.05.002. Epub 2008 Jun 11. Citation on PubMed
  • Longo N, Amat di San Filippo C, Pasquali M. Disorders of carnitine transport and the carnitine cycle. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. 2006 May 15;142C(2):77-85. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.c.30087. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
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  • Orngreen MC, Duno M, Ejstrup R, Christensen E, Schwartz M, Sacchetti M, Vissing J. Fuel utilization in subjects with carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 gene mutations. Ann Neurol. 2005 Jan;57(1):60-6. doi: 10.1002/ana.20320. Citation on PubMed
  • Wieser T, Deschauer M, Olek K, Hermann T, Zierz S. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase II deficiency: molecular and biochemical analysis of 32 patients. Neurology. 2003 Apr 22;60(8):1351-3. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000055901.58642.48. Citation on PubMed
  • Wieser T. Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase II Deficiency. 2004 Aug 27 [updated 2019 Jan 3]. In: Adam MP, Feldman J, Mirzaa GM, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Bean LJH, Gripp KW, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews(R) [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2024. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1253/ Citation on PubMed

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