Clinical Trial Details
— Status: Completed
Administrative data
NCT number |
NCT01880983 |
Other study ID # |
7202 |
Secondary ID |
|
Status |
Completed |
Phase |
|
First received |
|
Last updated |
|
Start date |
November 2011 |
Est. completion date |
December 31, 2020 |
Study information
Verified date |
June 2021 |
Source |
University of Alabama at Birmingham |
Contact |
n/a |
Is FDA regulated |
No |
Health authority |
|
Study type |
Observational
|
Clinical Trial Summary
The purpose of this study is to identify the biochemical/genetic defects in erythropoietic
protoporphyria (EPP). People with EPP have skin sensitivity to sunlight and occasionally
develop liver disease. In this study, the investigators hope to learn the nature of the
biochemical/genetic defects in EPP because this may help explain the severity of these
clinical features.
Description:
This study examines the possibility that abnormal expression of the gene mitoferrin-1, which
codes for the protein that transports iron in the mitochondria of cells, is a contributing
factor to the phenotype in individuals with EPP.
Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is a human genetic/metabolic disorder in which
accumulation of the compound protoporphyrin causes skin sensitivity to sunlight. Some
individuals with the disorder also have mild anemia, and a few have hepatobiliary disease.
Iron is joined to protoporphyrin to form heme in the mitochondria of cells, under control of
the enzyme ferrochelatase. Defects in this process cause the accumulation of protoporphyrin,
leading to the biochemical and clinical features of EPP. Abnormalities in the ferrochelatase
gene are the major cause of the defect, but do not satisfactorily explain the severity of the
phenotype in all subjects. Mitoferrin-1 transports iron to ferrochelatase in the mitochondria
of cells for heme formation, and also transports iron for the formation of a compound that
keeps ferrochelatase active and stable. Thus, a deficiency of this iron transporter could
reduce ferrochelatase activity and contribute to the phenotype in EPP.