GTPCH is encoded by the geneGCH1. Several alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been described; however, not all of the variants give rise to a functional enzyme.[1]
Clinical significance
Mutations in this gene are associated with malignantphenylketonuria (PKU) and hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA), as well as GTP cyclohydrolase I deficiency.[1] Deficiency of GTP cyclohydrolase I can occur in a recessive and in a dominant form and lead to a lack of certain neurotrasmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine and serotonin). The dominant form, with mutation in only one of the two alleles for GTP cyclohydrolase I, causes dopamine-responsive dystonia, characterized by childhood-onset dystonia. Patients with the recessive form have mutations in both alleles for GTP cyclohydrolase I. Patients present with developmental delays and neurological dysfunction with trunk hypotonia, hypertonia of the extremities, abnormal movements, tremors, convulsions, and sometimes autonomic dysfunction.[2] Response to treatment is variable and the long-term and functional outcome is unknown. To provide a basis for improving the understanding of the epidemiology, genotype/phenotype correlation and outcome of these diseases their impact on the quality of life of patients, and for evaluating diagnostic and therapeutic strategies a patient registry was established by the noncommercial International Working Group on Neurotransmitter Related Disorders (iNTD).[3]
