Reversion of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a patient with deficiency of the mitochondrial copper binding protein Sco2: Is there a potential effect of copper?

Mutations in Sco2, a protein involved in copper trafficking to the terminal enzyme of the respiratory chain, cytochrome c oxidase, results in infantile hypertrophic cardioencephalomyopathy. We have recently shown that copper-histidine (Cu-his) supplementation of Sco2-deficient myoblasts rescues COX activity in vitro. Here, we report a patient with SCO2 mutations and with resolution of severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Weighing up the evidence, the most likely explanation for the improved cardiac function in this patient was the subcutaneous application of Cu-his.