RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 A novel mutation in ARG1 gene is responsible for arginase deficiency in an Asian family. JF Saudi Medical Journal JO Saudi Med J FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City SP 1601 OP 1603 VO 30 IS 12 A1 Hertecant, Jozef L. A1 Al-Gazali, Lihadh I. A1 Karuvantevida, Noushad S. A1 Ali, Bassam R. YR 2009 UL http://smj.org.sa/content/30/12/1601.abstract AB Argininemia is a rare autosomal recessive metabolic disorder caused by a deficiency in the arginase enzyme, which is the final enzyme in the urea cycle and responsible for the hydrolysis of arginine to urea and ornithine. The disease becomes symptomatic during childhood and is characterized by progressive spastic quadriplegia, progressive mental impairment, growth retardation, and periodic episodes of hyperammonemia. At least 19 distinct mutations in the ARG1 gene have been identified indicating the molecular heterogeneity of this condition. We report a homozygous novel mutation (c.93 delG) in the ARG1 gene from 3 affected children of a Pakistani family living in the United Arab Emirates. The mutation is expected to lead to a frame shift after the thirtieth residue and a stop codon at residue 44 (p.T30fsX14). Therefore, this mutation is expected to result in complete loss-of-function of the arginase enzyme and therefore is the mostly likely cause of argininemia in this family.