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Combined oxidative phosphorylation defect type 15 is a rare mitochondrial disease due to a defect in mitochondrial protein synthesis characterized by onset in infancy or early childhood of muscular hypotonia, gait ataxia, mild bilateral pyramidal tract signs, developmental delay (affecting mostly speech and coordination) and subsequent intellectual disability. Short stature, obesity, microcephaly, strabismus, nystagmus, reduced visual acuity, lactic acidosis, and a brain neuropathology consistent with Leigh syndrome are also reported.
Features include always present findings: Progressive neurologic deterioration, Global developmental delay, Increased CSF lactate, and Decreased activity of mitochondrial complex I and others; and common findings: Strabismus, Inguinal hernia, Seizure, and Ataxia and others. 35 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Brain and nerves | 10 | Seizure, Ataxia, Difficulty with thinking and memory (cognitive impairment) |
MTFMT encodes mitochondrial methionyl-tRNA formyltransferase (389 aa). Methionyl-tRNA formyltransferase that formylates methionyl-tRNA in mitochondria and is crucial for translation initiation Highest expression in Uterus (12.9 TPM) and Fallopian Tube (12.8 TPM).
Combined oxidative phosphorylation defect type 15 is associated with mutations in the MTFMT gene on chromosome 15.
MTFMT is classified as a druggable target (Enzyme category) with score 0.0.
Genetic testing for MTFMT is available. Testing is considered confirmatory for diagnosis.
Phenotype severity distribution: 5 always present features, 18 common features.
Estimated prevalence: <1 in 1,000,000 (VERY_RARE).
No clinical trials have been registered for combined oxidative phosphorylation defect type 15.
3 publications have been identified in PubMed for combined oxidative phosphorylation defect type 15. Research spans Basic Science / Preclinical (67%) and Review / Meta-Analysis (33%).
Jiang H (2026). [PMID: 41915781](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41915781/). *ACS Appl Bio Mater*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Zhan Y (2025). [PMID: 40551575](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40551575/). *Clin Transl Med*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Antolínez-Fernández Á (2024). [PMID: 38855161](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38855161/). *Front Cell Dev Biol*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Data assembled from 6 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 18, 2026, 8:14 PM UTC
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
European rare disease database
Genetic and Rare Diseases Info Center
Common questions about combined oxidative phosphorylation defect type 15
Eyes | 4 | Strabismus, Nystagmus, Damage to the optic nerve (optic atrophy) |
Heart and blood vessels | 3 | Ventricular septal defect, Thickened wall between heart chambers (ventricular septal hypertrophy), Hypertension |
Lab test results | 3 | Increased circulating lactate concentration, Decreased activity of mitochondrial complex I, Decreased activity of mitochondrial complex IV |
Muscles | 2 | Low muscle tone (hypotonia), Damage to the optic nerve (optic atrophy) |
Growth and development | 1 | Short stature |
Lungs and breathing | 1 | Respiratory arrest |
Head and neck | 1 | Microcephaly |
Arms and legs | 1 | Small hand |