Background: Wolfram Syndrome 1 (WS1) has been characterized on the basis of mutation in the WFS1 gene encoding a calcium storage wolframin endoplasmatic reticulum transmembrane glycoprotein.
Patients and methods: We observed a WS 10-years old female subject, with Type 1 diabetes-mellitus (DM), that had compound heterozygous WSF1 mutations but without other symptoms generally observed in WS subjects, such as optic atrophy or neurodegeneration.
Results: Decreased copper, ceruloplasmin, and transferrin levels, pointing to a copper deficiency, were associated with a new c.18703A>G mutation in the ATP7B gene, while lower calcium levels were associated with WSF1 mutations. An omega-3 fatty acids therapy was administrated to the subject in the attempt to ameliorate diabetes symptoms, restored copper deficiency, and normal calcium levels.
Conclusions: This specific case report provides new insights into the potential interplay of ATP7B mutation in shaping a milder WS clinical picture.
Keywords: ATP7B; Copper; Diabetes; Wolfram Syndrome.