ETFA gene
electron transfer flavoprotein subunit alpha
The ETFA gene provides instructions for making one part (the alpha subunit) of an enzyme called electron transfer flavoprotein. This enzyme is normally active in the mitochondria, the energy-producing centers in cells. Electron transfer flavoprotein is involved in the process by which fats and proteins are broken down to produce energy.
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Some mutations in the ETFA gene prevent the production of the electron transfer flavoprotein enzyme. Other mutations result in the production of a defective enzyme that cannot fulfill its role in the series of reactions (metabolic pathways) that break down fats and proteins. This enzyme deficiency allows these nutrients, as well as compounds created as the nutrients are partially broken down, to build up to abnormal levels, especially when the body is under stress. Toxic products of incomplete metabolism damage cells in many body systems, resulting in the signs and symptoms of glutaric acidemia type II.
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Cytogenetic Location: 15q24.2-q24.3, which is the long (q) arm of chromosome 15 between positions 24.2 and 24.3
Molecular Location: base pairs 76,215,353 to 76,311,469 on chromosome 15 (Homo sapiens Updated Annotation Release 109.20190905, GRCh38.p13) (NCBI)

Related Information
- electron transfer flavoprotein alpha subunit
- electron transfer flavoprotein alpha-subunit
- electron-transfer-flavoprotein, alpha polypeptide
- Electron transfer flavoprotein, alpha polypeptide
- electron-transfer-flavoprotein, alpha polypeptide (glutaric aciduria II)
- electron-transferring-flavoprotein, alpha polypeptide (glutaric aciduria II)
- EMA
- ETFA_HUMAN
- GA2
- MADD
Related Information
- Bross P, Pedersen P, Winter V, Nyholm M, Johansen BN, Olsen RK, Corydon MJ, Andresen BS, Eiberg H, Kolvraa S, Gregersen N. A polymorphic variant in the human electron transfer flavoprotein alpha-chain (alpha-T171) displays decreased thermal stability and is overrepresented in very-long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase-deficient patients with mild childhood presentation. Mol Genet Metab. 1999 Jun;67(2):138-47.
- OMIM: ELECTRON TRANSFER FLAVOPROTEIN, ALPHA POLYPEPTIDE
- Olsen RK, Andresen BS, Christensen E, Bross P, Skovby F, Gregersen N. Clear relationship between ETF/ETFDH genotype and phenotype in patients with multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenation deficiency. Hum Mutat. 2003 Jul;22(1):12-23.
- Olsen RK, Andresen BS, Christensen E, Mandel H, Skovby F, Nielsen JP, Knudsen I, Vianey-Saban C, Simonsen H, Gregersen N. DNA-based prenatal diagnosis for severe and variant forms of multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenation deficiency. Prenat Diagn. 2005 Jan;25(1):60-4.
- Purevjav E, Kimura M, Takusa Y, Ohura T, Tsuchiya M, Hara N, Fukao T, Yamaguchi S. Molecular study of electron transfer flavoprotein alpha-subunit deficiency in two Japanese children with different phenotypes of glutaric acidemia type II. Eur J Clin Invest. 2002 Sep;32(9):707-12.
- Salazar D, Zhang L, deGala GD, Frerman FE. Expression and characterization of two pathogenic mutations in human electron transfer flavoprotein. J Biol Chem. 1997 Oct 17;272(42):26425-33.
- Schiff M, Froissart R, Olsen RK, Acquaviva C, Vianey-Saban C. Electron transfer flavoprotein deficiency: functional and molecular aspects. Mol Genet Metab. 2006 Jun;88(2):153-8. Epub 2006 Feb 28.
- White RA, Dowler LL, Angeloni SV, Koeller DM. Assignment of Etfdh, Etfb, and Etfa to chromosomes 3, 7, and 13: the mouse homologs of genes responsible for glutaric acidemia type II in human. Genomics. 1996 Apr 1;33(1):131-4.