Normal Function
The HADH gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase that is important for converting certain fats to energy. This enzyme is involved in a process called fatty acid oxidation, in which several enzymes work in a step-wise fashion to break down (metabolize) fats and convert them to energy. The role of 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase is to metabolize groups of fats called medium-chain fatty acids and short-chain fatty acids. These fatty acids are found in foods such as milk and certain oils and are produced when larger fatty acids are metabolized.
3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase functions in mitochondria, the energy-producing centers within cells. This enzyme is especially important for the normal functioning of the heart, liver, kidneys, muscles, and pancreas. The pancreas makes enzymes that help digest food, and it also produces insulin, which controls how much sugar (glucose) is passed from the blood into cells for conversion to energy.
3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase is essential in the process that converts medium-chain and short-chain fatty acids to ketones, the major source of energy used by the heart and muscles. During prolonged periods without food (fasting) or when energy demands are increased, ketones are also important for the liver and other tissues.
Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes
3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency
At least three mutations in the HADH gene have been found to cause 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency. These mutations change single protein building blocks (amino acids) used to make the 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase enzyme. These changes probably alter the 3-dimensional shape of the enzyme, which impairs its normal function.
With a shortage (deficiency) of functional 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, medium-chain and short-chain fatty acids are not metabolized properly. As a result, these fatty acids are not converted to energy, which can lead to signs and symptoms of 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency such as lack of energy (lethargy) and low blood glucose (hypoglycemia). Medium-chain and short-chain fatty acids that are not broken down can build up in tissues and damage the liver, heart, and muscles, causing serious complications.
More About This Health ConditionCongenital hyperinsulinism
MedlinePlus Genetics provides information about Congenital hyperinsulinism
More About This Health ConditionOther disorders
Mutations in the HADH gene have been reported in a small number of people with familial hyperinsulinism. This disorder is characterized by abnormally high levels of insulin (hyperinsulinism) and unusually low blood glucose (hypoglycemia).
Researchers have identified at least five HADH gene mutations that cause familial hyperinsulinism. These mutations severely reduce 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activity, either by impairing the enzyme's function or by decreasing the amount of this enzyme in cells. Researchers believe that inadequate 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activity in the pancreas leads to excessive insulin secretion and hypoglycemia in people with familial hyperinsulinism. It is unclear why the HADH gene mutations that cause familial hyperinsulinism seem to affect only the pancreas.
Other Names for This Gene
- HAD
- HADH1
- HADHSC
- HCDH_HUMAN
- HHF4
- hydroxyacyl-Coenzyme A dehydrogenase
- L-3-hydroxyacyl-Coenzyme A dehydrogenase
- L-3-hydroxyacyl-Coenzyme A dehydrogenase, short chain
- M/SCHAD
- medium and short chain L-3-hydroxyacyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase
- MGC8392
- SCHAD
- short chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase
Additional Information & Resources
Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry
Scientific Articles on PubMed
Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM
References
- Bennett MJ, Russell LK, Tokunaga C, Narayan SB, Tan L, Seegmiller A, Boriack RL, Strauss AW. Reye-like syndrome resulting from novel missense mutations in mitochondrial medium- and short-chain l-3-hydroxy-acyl-CoA dehydrogenase. Mol Genet Metab. 2006 Sep-Oct;89(1-2):74-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2006.04.004. Epub 2006 May 24. Citation on PubMed
- Clayton PT, Eaton S, Aynsley-Green A, Edginton M, Hussain K, Krywawych S, Datta V, Malingre HE, Berger R, van den Berg IE. Hyperinsulinism in short-chain L-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency reveals the importance of beta-oxidation in insulin secretion. J Clin Invest. 2001 Aug;108(3):457-65. doi: 10.1172/JCI11294. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
- Hussain K, Clayton PT, Krywawych S, Chatziandreou I, Mills P, Ginbey DW, Geboers AJ, Berger R, van den Berg IE, Eaton S. Hyperinsulinism of infancy associated with a novel splice site mutation in the SCHAD gene. J Pediatr. 2005 May;146(5):706-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2005.01.032. Citation on PubMed
- Kapoor RR, James C, Flanagan SE, Ellard S, Eaton S, Hussain K. 3-Hydroxyacyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency and hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia: characterization of a novel mutation and severe dietary protein sensitivity. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2009 Jul;94(7):2221-5. doi: 10.1210/jc.2009-0423. Epub 2009 May 5. Citation on PubMed
- Molven A, Matre GE, Duran M, Wanders RJ, Rishaug U, Njolstad PR, Jellum E, Sovik O. Familial hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia caused by a defect in the SCHAD enzyme of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. Diabetes. 2004 Jan;53(1):221-7. doi: 10.2337/diabetes.53.1.221. Citation on PubMed
- Yang SY, He XY, Schulz H. 3-Hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase and short chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase in human health and disease. FEBS J. 2005 Oct;272(19):4874-83. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2005.04911.x. Citation on PubMed
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