Defective Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation in Myopathies with Tubular Aggregates Originating from Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

Abnormalities of the sarcotubular system presenting as tubular aggregates (TAs) have been described in a variety of neuromuscular disorders. Here, we report on immunohistochemical and biochemical findings in 7 patients (2 familial and 5 sporadic cases) suffering from myopathies with TAs. In muscle biopsy specimens from 5 of the 7 patients, TAs were immunopositive for the ryanodine receptor (RYR 1) of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), the SR Ca2+ pump (SERCA2-ATPase), and the intraluminal SR Ca2+ binding protein calsequestrin, indicating an SR origin of these aggregates. Furthermore, these 5 cases showed decreased respiratory chain enzyme activities (NADH:CoQ oxidoreductase, complex I and cytochrome c oxidase [COX], complex IV), while the remaining 2 patients exhibited normal values. Our findings indicate a functional link between mitochondrial dysfunction and the presence of TAs originating from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.