The single nucleotide variant at c.662A>G in human RRM2B is a loss-of-function mutation

Impact of N221S missense mutation in human ribonucleotide reductase small subunit b on mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome

The impact of N221S mutation in hRRM2B gene, which encodes the small subunit of human ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), on RNR activity and the pathogenesis of mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome (MDDS) was investigated. Our results demonstrate that N221 mutations significantly reduce RNR activity, suggesting its role in the development of MDDS. We proposed an allosteric regulation pathway involving a chain of three phenylalanine residues on the αE helix of RNR small subunit β. This pathway connects the C-terminal loop of β2, transfers the activation signal from the large catalytic subunit α to β active site, and controls access of oxygen for radical generation. N221 is near this pathway and likely plays a role in regulating RNR activity. Mutagenesis studies on residues involved in the phenylalanine chain and the regulation pathway were conducted to confirm our proposed mechanism. We also performed molecular dynamic simulation and protein contact network analysis to support our findings. This study sheds new light on RNR small subunit regulation and provides insight on the pathogenesis of MDDS.

Mitochondrial DNA Depletion Syndrome and Its Associated Cardiac Disease

Mitochondria is a ubiquitous, energy-supplying (ATP-based) organelle found in nearly all eukaryotes. It acts as a “power plant” by producing ATP through oxidative phosphorylation, providing energy for the cell. The bioenergetic functions of mitochondria are regulated by nuclear genes (nDNA). Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and respiratory enzymes lose normal structure and function when nuclear genes encoding the related mitochondrial factors are impaired, resulting in deficiency in energy production. Massive generation of reactive oxygen species and calcium overload are common causes of mitochondrial diseases. The mitochondrial depletion syndrome (MDS) is associated with the mutations of mitochondrial genes in the nucleus. It is a heterogeneous group of progressive disorders characterized by the low mtDNA copy number. TK2, FBXL4, TYPM, and AGK are genes known to be related to MDS. More recent studies identified new mutation loci associated with this disease. Herein, we first summarize the structure and function of mitochondria, and then discuss the characteristics of various types of MDS and its association with cardiac diseases.

The single nucleotide variant at c.662A>G in human RRM2B is a loss-of-function mutation

BACKGROUND

Mitochondrial DNA maintenance defects (MDMDs) is one of the critical pediatric dysfunction. One of the recent report indicated that a severe patient of MDMDs carries the NP_056528.2:p.Asn221Ser (N221S) variation in the RRM2B gene (NM_015713.5). However, there is no direct evidence demonstrating the nature of the N221S variation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study aimed to utilize zebrafish and morpholino oligomer (MO) knockdown technique to provide direct evidence for the nature of the N221S variation in the RRM2B.

RESULTS

The results showed that two distinct MOs were both able to perturb the expression of rrm2b in zebrafish and dose-dependently induced morphological defects. Furthermore, co-injection of human wild-type RRM2B mRNA with MO-e4i4 successfully rescued the developmental defects, whereas co-injection of RRM2B/N221S mRNA with MO-e4i4 did not rescue the developmental defects.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the functional assay in this study provided the direct evidence proving that the N221S variation is a loss-of-function mutation and plausibly related to the pathogenic developmental defects found in the infants of previous clinical reports.