Possible mitochondrial dysfunction in a patient with deafness, dystonia, and cerebral hypomyelination (DDCH) due to BCAP31 Mutation

BACKGROUND: Deafness, dystonia, and cerebral hypomyelination (DDCH) is an X-linked disorder due to hemizygous mutations of BCAP31. METHODS: We report an 8-year-old boy with DDCH who possibly accompanied mitochondrial dysfunction. Clinical evaluation, respiratory chain enzyme assay, and whole exome sequencing analysis were performed. RESULTS: Mitochondrial dysfunction was suspected by respiratory chain enzyme assay on his cultured skin fibroblasts which showed significantly decreased complex I enzyme activity. Whole exome sequencing analysis revealed a recurrent BCAP31 mutation (c.97C>T:p.Gln33*) which confirmed the diagnosis of DDCH for the patient. CONCLUSION: We speculate that mitochondrial dysfunction may be a feature in patients with DDCH.