DIHYDROLIPOAMIDE S-SUCCINYLTRANSFERASE (DLST). Gene Map Locus: 14q24.3 [OMIM 126063]
DLSTs act by decarboxylating alpha-keto acids in mitochondria. It was a candidate gene for the chromosome 14-mapping familial AD gene.

Comment on DLST from John Blass (jpblass@mail.med.cornell.edu)

Association of DLST with AD has now been reported from Japan, the USA, and Sweden (cf Nakano et al, Lancet 1997; 350:1367-1368;Sheu et al Ann Neurol 1999; 45: 48-53; Sheu et al, Neurology 1999; 52: 1505-1507; Sheu, Lilius et al, Neurobiol Aging 1998; 19:S293). A single negative report, from Japan, was of a series in which controls and AD patients were not matched for age or sex (Kunugi et al, Lancet 1998;351:1584-1585). Thus, DLST, a nuclear gene encoding a mitochondrial component, seems more clearly linked to AD than just as a former candidate gene on chromosome 14q24.3. Indeed, preliminary evidence from studies in Sweden indicate that DLST remains a candidate gene for the 50% or more of chromosome 14q24.3-linked familial AD which can not be attributed to PS1.