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URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/nfu1/

NFU1 gene

NFU1 iron-sulfur cluster scaffold

Normal Function

The NFU1 gene provides instructions for making a protein that is involved in the formation and transport of molecules called iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters. Certain proteins require Fe-S clusters to function properly.

The NFU1 protein is found in cellular structures called mitochondria. Mitochondria are the energy-producing centers of cells. In these structures, several proteins carry out a series of chemical steps called oxidative phosphorylation to convert the energy in food into a form that cells can use. Many of the proteins that play a role in this process require Fe-S clusters to function. Proteins that contain Fe-S clusters are involved in many functions in the body including DNA repair and the regulation of gene activity.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Multiple mitochondrial dysfunctions syndrome

Genetic changes that cause disease are called pathogenic variants. Pathogenic variants in the NFU1 gene cause multiple mitochondrial dysfunctions syndrome type 1. This condition is characterized by abnormally high blood pressure (hypertension) in the blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the lungs (the pulmonary artery). People with type 1 have additional health problems that are common to all forms of multiple mitochondrial dysfunctions syndrome, such as severe brain dysfunction (encephalopathy) and a loss of mental abilities and acquired skills (developmental regression). Affected individuals usually do not survive past early childhood.

Pathogenic variants in the NFU1 gene cause cells to produce altered versions of the NFU1 proteins. The most common variant (written as Gly208Cys or G208C) changes a single protein building block (amino acid) in the NFU1 protein. This variant prevents the Fe-S cluster from attaching to other proteins. Without Fe-S clusters, certain proteins cannot function normally. This reduces the amount of energy produced by mitochondria and impairs other cellular functions, leading to the severe signs and symptoms of multiple mitochondrial dysfunctions syndrome type 1.

More About This Health Condition

Other Names for This Gene

  • CGI-33
  • HIRA-interacting protein 5
  • HIRIP5
  • NIFUC

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

  • Cameron JM, Janer A, Levandovskiy V, Mackay N, Rouault TA, Tong WH, Ogilvie I, Shoubridge EA, Robinson BH. Mutations in iron-sulfur cluster scaffold genes NFU1 and BOLA3 cause a fatal deficiency of multiple respiratory chain and 2-oxoacid dehydrogenase enzymes. Am J Hum Genet. 2011 Oct 7;89(4):486-95. doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2011.08.011. Epub 2011 Sep 22. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Invernizzi F, Ardissone A, Lamantea E, Garavaglia B, Zeviani M, Farina L, Ghezzi D, Moroni I. Cavitating leukoencephalopathy with multiple mitochondrial dysfunction syndrome and NFU1 mutations. Front Genet. 2014 Nov 20;5:412. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2014.00412. eCollection 2014. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Mayr JA, Feichtinger RG, Tort F, Ribes A, Sperl W. Lipoic acid biosynthesis defects. J Inherit Metab Dis. 2014 Jul;37(4):553-63. doi: 10.1007/s10545-014-9705-8. Epub 2014 Apr 29. Citation on PubMed
  • Navarro-Sastre A, Tort F, Stehling O, Uzarska MA, Arranz JA, Del Toro M, Labayru MT, Landa J, Font A, Garcia-Villoria J, Merinero B, Ugarte M, Gutierrez-Solana LG, Campistol J, Garcia-Cazorla A, Vaquerizo J, Riudor E, Briones P, Elpeleg O, Ribes A, Lill R. A fatal mitochondrial disease is associated with defective NFU1 function in the maturation of a subset of mitochondrial Fe-S proteins. Am J Hum Genet. 2011 Nov 11;89(5):656-67. doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2011.10.005. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Rouault TA. Biogenesis of iron-sulfur clusters in mammalian cells: new insights and relevance to human disease. Dis Model Mech. 2012 Mar;5(2):155-64. doi: 10.1242/dmm.009019. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Wachnowsky C, Wesley NA, Fidai I, Cowan JA. Understanding the Molecular Basis of Multiple Mitochondrial Dysfunctions Syndrome 1 (MMDS1)-Impact of a Disease-Causing Gly208Cys Substitution on Structure and Activity of NFU1 in the Fe/S Cluster Biosynthetic Pathway. J Mol Biol. 2017 Mar 24;429(6):790-807. doi: 10.1016/j.jmb.2017.01.021. Epub 2017 Feb 1. 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.