Imerslund–Gräsbeck syndrome
| Imerslund–Gräsbeck syndrome | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Imerslund–Najman–Gräsbeck syndrome, Imerslund–Gräsbeck disease (IGS or INGS), Imerslund syndrome, Congenital cobalamin malabsorption or Autosomal recessive megaloblastic anemia (MGA1) |
| This condition is inherited via an autosomal recessive manner. | |
Imerslund–Gräsbeck syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive, familial form of vitamin B12 deficiency caused by malfunction of the "Cubam" receptor located in the terminal ileum. This receptor is composed of two proteins, amnionless (AMN), and cubilin. A defect in either of these protein components can cause this syndrome. This is a rare disease, with a prevalence about 1 in 200,000, and is usually seen in patients of European ancestry.
Vitamin B12 is an important vitamin needed for proper functioning of the bone marrow; if deficient, this may lead to decreased marrow output and anemia. Vitamin B12 has two forms, one of which, along with folate, is important in DNA synthesis. Vitamin B12 is sensitive to acid deformation in the stomach, so a molecule called haptocorrin (R-factor), protects it in the stomach. In the small intestine, a molecule named intrinsic factor (IF), allows vitamin B12 to be absorbed in the ileum. IGS is caused by a mutation in the receptors located in the terminal portion of ileum. This is a very rare, and unlikely cause of vitamin B12 deficiency but is a cause nonetheless.