Antenatal presentation of MRPS22-related mitochondrial disease confirmed with rapid proteomics

L. N.Semcesen, M.Ball, D. H.Hock, et al., “Antenatal Presentation of MRPS22-Related Mitochondrial Disease Confirmed With Rapid Proteomics,” JIMD Reports67, no. 3 (2026): e70092, https://doi.org/10.1002/jmd2.70092.

Abstract

MRPS22-related mitochondrial disease (MIM#611719) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by defects in the mitochondrial ribosomal protein S22, a component of the small mitoribosomal subunit essential for mitochondrial translation. Of the few reported cases, most present antenatally with a severe phenotype, conveying a poor prognosis. We describe a fetus with severe antenatal-onset MRPS22-related mitochondrial disease and the use of multi-omics in the molecular diagnosis. A primigravida underwent termination of pregnancy following identification of multiple congenital anomalies (hydrops fetalis, microcephaly, corpus callosal agenesis, periventricular cysts and cardiac hypertrophy) on ultrasound at 20 + 2 weeks' gestation, confirmed on fetal magnetic resonance imaging. Trio genome sequencing revealed compound heterozygous variants in MRPS22 (NM_020191.4: c.509G>A; p.(Arg170His) and c.565C>G; p.(Arg189Gly)). Rapid proteomic analysis demonstrated destabilisation of the small mitoribosomal subunit and combined reduction of OXPHOS complexes, supporting the pathogenicity of the variants. This case consolidates the antenatal phenotype of severe MRPS22-related disease and highlights the importance of considering mitochondrial disease in the differential diagnosis of congenital anomalies, especially hydrops fetalis and corpus callosum anomalies. This study provides evidence for the utility of multi-omic approaches (trio genome sequencing, proteomics) in confirming variant pathogenicity following pregnancy loss, enabling accurate diagnosis, and informing reproductive counselling for affected families.

Key Points

MRPS22-related mitochondrial disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of fetal hydrops and multiple congenital anomalies, particularly in the presence of corpus callosum agenesis.

Rapid proteomic analysis confirmed the pathogenicity of MRPS22 variants identified by genomic autopsy, demonstrating the utility of multi-omic diagnostics following pregnancy loss.