Biochemistry · Enzymes (Kinetics, Mechanism, Clinical Significance)

A patient with progressive muscle weakness and markedly elevated serum creatine kinase (CK) is found to have pure CK-MM elevation. The MB fraction is absent. Muscle biopsy reveals glycogen accumulation. The specific enzyme deficiency most likely causing CK-MM release in the setting of glycogen storage is:

  • A Acid maltase (alpha-1,4-glucosidase) deficiency
  • B Phosphofructokinase deficiency
  • C Branching enzyme deficiency
  • D Myophosphorylase deficiency (McArdle's disease)
Correct answer: D. Myophosphorylase deficiency (McArdle's disease)

Explanation

McArdle's disease (type V GSD) results from myophosphorylase deficiency, impairing glycogenolysis in skeletal muscle. Exercise-induced muscle breakdown releases CK-MM (the predominant muscle isoenzyme) without myoglobinuria only in mild cases; severe exertion causes rhabdomyolysis. The ischaemic forearm exercise test shows failure of venous lactate to rise. Acid maltase deficiency (type II) also causes myopathy but targets lysosomes; branching enzyme deficiency causes liver disease predominantly.

Reference: Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry, 32nd ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.

Sponsored

Want to test yourself?

Create a free account for timed mock tests, mistake tracking, and FSRS spaced-repetition revision across 23,000+ MCQs.

Start free → Log in

More Enzymes (Kinetics, Mechanism, Clinical Significance) MCQs

See all Enzymes (Kinetics, Mechanism, Clinical Significance) MCQs →