Definition

Biallelic pathogenic variants in the MVK gene reduce or abolish the activity of mevalonate kinase, the enzyme that catalyzes the first step of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway; disease severity is inversely proportional to residual enzyme activity. The severe end of the spectrum presents as mevalonic aciduria (psychomotor delay, ataxia); the mild end presents as hyper-IgD syndrome (recurrent fever attacks, lymphadenopathy, arthritis).

Gene/region analyzed

MVK - Exon 1, MVK - Exon 2, MVK - Exon 3, MVK - Exon 4, MVK - Exon 5, MVK - Exon 6, MVK - Exon 7, MVK - Exon 8, MVK - Exon 9, MVK - Exon 10, MVK - Exon 11

Method

Sequence analysis

Accepted sample types

EDTA blood, AF, CVS

Inheritance

Hereditary, autosomal recessive.

Related Tests

Inheritance Patterns

Describes how a genetic condition is passed on within a family. There are five main patterns

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Carrier (Heterozygous / Homozygous)

Why it matters: In autosomal recessive inheritance, when each parent is a carrier (while both appear healthy), the chance of their child being born with the disease is 25% in each

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VUS (Variant of Uncertain Significance)

This is the situation where the test has detected a change in the DNA, but the role of this change in the development of disease is unconfirmed.

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How to Read a Genetic Test Result (Positive / Negative / VUS)

A genetic test result falls into three main categories

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Types of Genetic Tests

A genetic test is a type of medical test that detects changes in genes, chromosomes or proteins. Today there are more than 77,000 genetic tests available.

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