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URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/opa1/

OPA1 gene

OPA1 mitochondrial dynamin like GTPase

Normal Function

The OPA1 gene provides instructions for making a protein that is found in cells and tissues throughout the body. The OPA1 protein is active in the inner membrane of cell structures called mitochondria, which are the energy-producing centers in cells. Mitochondria are dynamic structures that change shape through processes called fission (splitting into smaller pieces) and fusion (combining pieces). Changes in shape are necessary for mitochondrial function and the production of new mitochondria. The OPA1 protein helps to regulate the shape of mitochondria by playing a key role in the fusion process.

The OPA1 protein is also involved in a process that takes place in mitochondria called oxidative phosphorylation, from which cells derive much of their energy. Additionally, the OPA1 protein plays a role in the maintenance of the DNA within mitochondria, called mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and in controlled cell death (apoptosis).

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Optic atrophy type 1

At least 240 mutations in the OPA1 gene have been found to cause optic atrophy type 1. This condition typically results in vision loss beginning in childhood that worsens over time. Affected individuals may also have problems with color vision, particularly distinguishing between shades of blue and green.

Most of the OPA1 gene mutations that cause optic atrophy type 1 create a premature stop signal in the instructions for making the OPA1 protein. As a result, an abnormally small protein is produced, which is likely to be unstable and broken down quickly. The most common mutation that causes optic atrophy type 1 in individuals of Danish ancestry results in an abnormally small protein by deleting one DNA building block (nucleotide) in the OPA1 gene (written as 2826delT).

OPA1 gene mutations that cause optic atrophy type 1 lead to problems in mitochondrial function. The mitochondria become misshapen and disorganized and have reduced energy-producing capabilities. The maintenance of mtDNA may also be impaired, resulting in mtDNA mutations that also contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction. Cells that contain these poorly functioning mitochondria are more susceptible to apoptosis. In particular, cells within the retina called retinal ganglion cells die over time. Specialized extensions of retinal ganglion cells, called axons, form the optic nerves, so when retinal ganglion cells die, the optic nerves break down (atrophy) and cannot transmit visual information to the brain. As the optic nerves atrophy, vision worsens, leading to the signs and symptoms of optic atrophy type 1.

While the OPA1 protein is found in cells throughout the body, retinal ganglion cells appear to be particularly sensitive to the effects of OPA1 gene mutations. These cells have especially high energy requirements that make them more likely to malfunction and die when there are changes in mitochondrial function and decreases in energy production.

More About This Health Condition

Progressive external ophthalmoplegia

MedlinePlus Genetics provides information about Progressive external ophthalmoplegia

More About This Health Condition

Other disorders

About 20 percent of individuals with mutations in the OPA1 gene have the vision problems characteristic of optic atrophy type 1 (described above) with other health problems. Some OPA1 gene mutations cause a condition called optic atrophy type 1 and deafness, which results in both vision loss and hearing loss.

OPA1 mutations can also cause a condition known as autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA)-plus syndrome. ADOA-plus syndrome involves vision and hearing loss, weakness in the muscles that control eye movement (progressive external ophthalmoplegia), difficulty with balance and coordination (ataxia), disturbances in the nerves used for muscle movement and sensation (motor and sensory neuropathy), and skeletal muscle weakness (myopathy).

The most severe condition cause by OPA1 gene mutations is Behr syndrome, which is characterized by neurological problems that begin by early childhood. Individuals with Behr syndrome develop optic atrophy, brain dysfunction (encephalopathy), loss of sensation and weakness in the limbs (peripheral neuropathy), difficulty coordinating movements (ataxia), feeding and digestive difficulties, and developmental delay.

The features of these conditions are likely caused by the loss of cells in multiple tissues due to poor mitochondrial function. It is unclear why OPA1 gene mutations affect only the eyes in individuals with optic atrophy type 1 but have more widespread effects in others. Researchers speculate that some OPA1 gene mutations lead to the production of an altered protein that interferes with the function of the normal protein produced from the non-mutated copy of the gene, further impairing OPA1 protein function.

While optic atrophy type 1 and ADOA-plus syndrome are caused by OPA1 gene mutations in one copy of the gene in each cell, individuals with Behr syndrome have mutations in both copies of the OPA1 gene in each cell. Alterations in both copies of the gene drastically reduce the amount of functional OPA1 protein, which likely leads to the severe signs and symptoms of Behr syndrome.

Other Names for This Gene

  • dynamin-like 120 kDa protein, mitochondrial
  • FLJ12460
  • KIAA0567
  • MGM1
  • mitochondrial dynamin-like GTPase
  • NPG
  • NTG
  • OPA1_HUMAN

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

  • Amati-Bonneau P, Milea D, Bonneau D, Chevrollier A, Ferre M, Guillet V, Gueguen N, Loiseau D, de Crescenzo MA, Verny C, Procaccio V, Lenaers G, Reynier P. OPA1-associated disorders: phenotypes and pathophysiology. Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2009 Oct;41(10):1855-65. doi: 10.1016/j.biocel.2009.04.012. Epub 2009 Apr 21. Citation on PubMed
  • Amati-Bonneau P, Valentino ML, Reynier P, Gallardo ME, Bornstein B, Boissiere A, Campos Y, Rivera H, de la Aleja JG, Carroccia R, Iommarini L, Labauge P, Figarella-Branger D, Marcorelles P, Furby A, Beauvais K, Letournel F, Liguori R, La Morgia C, Montagna P, Liguori M, Zanna C, Rugolo M, Cossarizza A, Wissinger B, Verny C, Schwarzenbacher R, Martin MA, Arenas J, Ayuso C, Garesse R, Lenaers G, Bonneau D, Carelli V. OPA1 mutations induce mitochondrial DNA instability and optic atrophy 'plus' phenotypes. Brain. 2008 Feb;131(Pt 2):338-51. doi: 10.1093/brain/awm298. Epub 2007 Dec 24. Citation on PubMed
  • Bonneau D, Colin E, Oca F, Ferre M, Chevrollier A, Gueguen N, Desquiret-Dumas V, N'Guyen S, Barth M, Zanlonghi X, Rio M, Desguerre I, Barnerias C, Momtchilova M, Rodriguez D, Slama A, Lenaers G, Procaccio V, Amati-Bonneau P, Reynier P. Early-onset Behr syndrome due to compound heterozygous mutations in OPA1. Brain. 2014 Oct;137(Pt 10):e301. doi: 10.1093/brain/awu184. Epub 2014 Jul 10. No abstract available. Citation on PubMed
  • Chao de la Barca JM, Prunier-Mirebeau D, Amati-Bonneau P, Ferre M, Sarzi E, Bris C, Leruez S, Chevrollier A, Desquiret-Dumas V, Gueguen N, Verny C, Hamel C, Milea D, Procaccio V, Bonneau D, Lenaers G, Reynier P. OPA1-related disorders: Diversity of clinical expression, modes of inheritance and pathophysiology. Neurobiol Dis. 2016 Jun;90:20-6. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2015.08.015. Epub 2015 Aug 23. Citation on PubMed
  • Delettre-Cribaillet C, Hamel CP, Lenaers G. Optic Atrophy Type 1. 2007 Jul 13 [updated 2015 Nov 12]. In: Adam MP, Feldman J, Mirzaa GM, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Bean LJH, Gripp KW, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews(R) [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2024. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1248/ Citation on PubMed
  • Ferre M, Bonneau D, Milea D, Chevrollier A, Verny C, Dollfus H, Ayuso C, Defoort S, Vignal C, Zanlonghi X, Charlin JF, Kaplan J, Odent S, Hamel CP, Procaccio V, Reynier P, Amati-Bonneau P. Molecular screening of 980 cases of suspected hereditary optic neuropathy with a report on 77 novel OPA1 mutations. Hum Mutat. 2009 Jul;30(7):E692-705. doi: 10.1002/humu.21025. Citation on PubMed
  • Ferre M, Caignard A, Milea D, Leruez S, Cassereau J, Chevrollier A, Amati-Bonneau P, Verny C, Bonneau D, Procaccio V, Reynier P. Improved locus-specific database for OPA1 mutations allows inclusion of advanced clinical data. Hum Mutat. 2015 Jan;36(1):20-5. doi: 10.1002/humu.22703. Epub 2014 Dec 1. Citation on PubMed
  • Formichi P, Radi E, Giorgi E, Gallus GN, Brunetti J, Battisti C, Rufa A, Dotti MT, Franceschini R, Bracci L, Federico A. Analysis of opa1 isoforms expression and apoptosis regulation in autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA) patients with mutations in the opa1 gene. J Neurol Sci. 2015 Apr 15;351(1-2):99-108. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2015.02.047. Epub 2015 Mar 6. Citation on PubMed
  • Schimpf S, Fuhrmann N, Schaich S, Wissinger B. Comprehensive cDNA study and quantitative transcript analysis of mutant OPA1 transcripts containing premature termination codons. Hum Mutat. 2008 Jan;29(1):106-12. doi: 10.1002/humu.20607. Citation on PubMed
  • Yu-Wai-Man P, Griffiths PG, Gorman GS, Lourenco CM, Wright AF, Auer-Grumbach M, Toscano A, Musumeci O, Valentino ML, Caporali L, Lamperti C, Tallaksen CM, Duffey P, Miller J, Whittaker RG, Baker MR, Jackson MJ, Clarke MP, Dhillon B, Czermin B, Stewart JD, Hudson G, Reynier P, Bonneau D, Marques W Jr, Lenaers G, McFarland R, Taylor RW, Turnbull DM, Votruba M, Zeviani M, Carelli V, Bindoff LA, Horvath R, Amati-Bonneau P, Chinnery PF. Multi-system neurological disease is common in patients with OPA1 mutations. Brain. 2010 Mar;133(Pt 3):771-86. doi: 10.1093/brain/awq007. Epub 2010 Feb 15. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Zanna C, Ghelli A, Porcelli AM, Karbowski M, Youle RJ, Schimpf S, Wissinger B, Pinti M, Cossarizza A, Vidoni S, Valentino ML, Rugolo M, Carelli V. OPA1 mutations associated with dominant optic atrophy impair oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial fusion. Brain. 2008 Feb;131(Pt 2):352-67. doi: 10.1093/brain/awm335. Citation on PubMed

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