Wilsons disease
Kenzi Rentmeister
Bio 2520
April 22,2014
Disease fact sheet
What is Wilson disease?
Wilson disease is a genetic disorder that prevents the body from getting rid of extra copper. A small amount of copper obtained from food is needed to stay healthy, but too much copper is poisonous. In Wilson disease, copper builds up in the liver, brain, eyes, and other organs. Over time, high copper levels can cause life-threatening organ damage.
Pathophysiology and clinical features of Wilson disease
Wilson disease is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder of copper metabolism resulting in pathological accumulation of copper in many organs and tissues. ATP7B is the gene product of the Wilson disease gene located on chromosome 13 and resides in hepatocytes in the trans-Golgi network, transporting copper into the secretory pathway for incorporation into apoceruloplasmin and excretion into the bile. Mutations of the gene result in impaired trafficking of copper in and through the hepatocytes. More than 200 mutations of Wilson disease gene were found, the most common ones being H1069Q (in Europe) and R778L (in Asia). Wilson disease may present under a variety of clinical conditions, commonly as liver and/or neuropsychiatric disease. The pathogenesis of hepatic and neurologic Wilson disease is a direct consequence of copper accumulation. Presence of copper causes oxidative stress resulting in cell destruction. The diagnosis of Wilson disease requires a combination of a variety of clinical symptoms, biochemical tests, and detection of gene mutations, which are the basis of a score proposed by a group of international experts. Initial treatment for symptomatic patients should include a chelating agent (penicillamine or trientine). Treatment of presymptomatic patients or maintenance therapy can also be accomplished with zinc.
Who gets Wilson disease?
People who get Wilson disease inherit two abnormal copies of the ATP7B gene, one from each parent. Wilson disease
Bio 2520
April 22,2014
Disease fact sheet
What is Wilson disease?
Wilson disease is a genetic disorder that prevents the body from getting rid of extra copper. A small amount of copper obtained from food is needed to stay healthy, but too much copper is poisonous. In Wilson disease, copper builds up in the liver, brain, eyes, and other organs. Over time, high copper levels can cause life-threatening organ damage.
Pathophysiology and clinical features of Wilson disease
Wilson disease is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder of copper metabolism resulting in pathological accumulation of copper in many organs and tissues. ATP7B is the gene product of the Wilson disease gene located on chromosome 13 and resides in hepatocytes in the trans-Golgi network, transporting copper into the secretory pathway for incorporation into apoceruloplasmin and excretion into the bile. Mutations of the gene result in impaired trafficking of copper in and through the hepatocytes. More than 200 mutations of Wilson disease gene were found, the most common ones being H1069Q (in Europe) and R778L (in Asia). Wilson disease may present under a variety of clinical conditions, commonly as liver and/or neuropsychiatric disease. The pathogenesis of hepatic and neurologic Wilson disease is a direct consequence of copper accumulation. Presence of copper causes oxidative stress resulting in cell destruction. The diagnosis of Wilson disease requires a combination of a variety of clinical symptoms, biochemical tests, and detection of gene mutations, which are the basis of a score proposed by a group of international experts. Initial treatment for symptomatic patients should include a chelating agent (penicillamine or trientine). Treatment of presymptomatic patients or maintenance therapy can also be accomplished with zinc.
Who gets Wilson disease?
People who get Wilson disease inherit two abnormal copies of the ATP7B gene, one from each parent. Wilson disease