Skip navigation

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/mpv17/

MPV17 gene

mitochondrial inner membrane protein MPV17

Normal Function

The MPV17 gene provides instructions for making a protein whose function is largely unknown. The MPV17 protein is located in the inner membrane of cell structures called mitochondria. Mitochondria are involved in a wide variety of cellular activities, including energy production, chemical signaling, and regulation of cell growth and division. Mitochondria contain their own DNA, known as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which is essential for the normal function of these structures. It is likely that the MPV17 protein is involved in the maintenance of mtDNA. Having an adequate amount of mtDNA is essential for normal energy production within cells.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

MPV17-related hepatocerebral mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome

More than 30 mutations in the MPV17 gene have been found to cause MPV17-related hepatocerebral mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, a condition characterized by liver disease and neurological problems that begin in infancy. Most of the mutations that cause this condition change single protein building blocks (amino acids) in the MPV17 protein. One mutation that almost exclusively affects the Navajo population of the southwestern United States replaces the amino acid arginine with the amino acid glutamine at position 50 in the protein (written as R50Q). This mutation results in the production of an unstable MPV17 protein that is quickly broken down. When the condition occurs in people of Navajo ancestry, it is called Navajo neurohepatopathy.

The changes in the MPV17 protein that cause MPV17-related hepatocerebral mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, including the R50Q mutation, impair protein function and reduce the amount of protein that is available. A dysfunctional or absent MPV17 protein leads to problems with the maintenance of mtDNA, which can cause a reduction in the amount of mtDNA (known as mitochondrial DNA depletion). Mitochondrial DNA depletion impairs mitochondrial function in many of the body's cells and tissues, particularly the brain, liver, and other tissues that have high energy requirements. Reduced mitochondrial function in the liver and brain lead to the liver failure and neurological dysfunction associated with MPV17-related hepatocerebral mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome. Researchers suggest that the less mtDNA that is available in cells, the more severe the features of Navajo neurohepatopathy.

More About This Health Condition

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

MedlinePlus Genetics provides information about Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

More About This Health Condition

Other Names for This Gene

  • MpV17 mitochondrial inner membrane protein
  • MPV17, mitochondrial inner membrane protein
  • MPV17_HUMAN
  • MTDPS6
  • SYM1

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • El-Hattab AW, Li FY, Schmitt E, Zhang S, Craigen WJ, Wong LJ. MPV17-associated hepatocerebral mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome: new patients and novel mutations. Mol Genet Metab. 2010 Mar;99(3):300-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2009.10.003. Epub 2009 Oct 13. Citation on PubMed
  • Karadimas CL, Vu TH, Holve SA, Chronopoulou P, Quinzii C, Johnsen SD, Kurth J, Eggers E, Palenzuela L, Tanji K, Bonilla E, De Vivo DC, DiMauro S, Hirano M. Navajo neurohepatopathy is caused by a mutation in the MPV17 gene. Am J Hum Genet. 2006 Sep;79(3):544-8. doi: 10.1086/506913. Epub 2006 Jun 28. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Spinazzola A, Santer R, Akman OH, Tsiakas K, Schaefer H, Ding X, Karadimas CL, Shanske S, Ganesh J, Di Mauro S, Zeviani M. Hepatocerebral form of mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome: novel MPV17 mutations. Arch Neurol. 2008 Aug;65(8):1108-13. doi: 10.1001/archneur.65.8.1108. Citation on PubMed
  • Spinazzola A, Viscomi C, Fernandez-Vizarra E, Carrara F, D'Adamo P, Calvo S, Marsano RM, Donnini C, Weiher H, Strisciuglio P, Parini R, Sarzi E, Chan A, DiMauro S, Rotig A, Gasparini P, Ferrero I, Mootha VK, Tiranti V, Zeviani M. MPV17 encodes an inner mitochondrial membrane protein and is mutated in infantile hepatic mitochondrial DNA depletion. Nat Genet. 2006 May;38(5):570-5. doi: 10.1038/ng1765. Epub 2006 Apr 2. Citation on PubMed
  • Wong LJ, Brunetti-Pierri N, Zhang Q, Yazigi N, Bove KE, Dahms BB, Puchowicz MA, Gonzalez-Gomez I, Schmitt ES, Truong CK, Hoppel CL, Chou PC, Wang J, Baldwin EE, Adams D, Leslie N, Boles RG, Kerr DS, Craigen WJ. Mutations in the MPV17 gene are responsible for rapidly progressive liver failure in infancy. Hepatology. 2007 Oct;46(4):1218-27. doi: 10.1002/hep.21799. Erratum In: Hepatology. 2008 Feb;47(2):768. Citation on PubMed

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.