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Mitochondrial Transfer from Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cell to MERRF Cybrid Reduces Oxidative Stress and Improves Mitochondrial Bioenergetics. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2017; 2017:5691215. [PMID: 28607632 PMCID: PMC5457778 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5691215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Myoclonus epilepsy associated with ragged-red fibers (MERRF) is a maternally inherited mitochondrial disease affecting neuromuscular functions. Mt.8344A>G mutation in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is the most common cause of MERRF syndrome and has been linked to an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and oxidative stress, as well as impaired mitochondrial bioenergetics. Here, we tested whether WJMSC has therapeutic potential for the treatment of MERRF syndrome through the transfer of mitochondria. The MERRF cybrid cells exhibited a high mt.8344A>G mutation ratio, enhanced ROS level and oxidative damage, impaired mitochondrial bioenergetics, defected mitochondria-dependent viability, exhibited an imbalance of mitochondrial dynamics, and are susceptible to apoptotic stress. Coculture experiments revealed that mitochondria were intercellularly conducted from the WJMSC to the MERRF cybrid. Furthermore, WJMSC transferred mitochondria exclusively to cells with defective mitochondria but not to cells with normal mitochondria. MERRF cybrid following WJMSC coculture (MF+WJ) demonstrated improvement of mt.8344A>G mutation ratio, ROS level, oxidative damage, mitochondrial bioenergetics, mitochondria-dependent viability, balance of mitochondrial dynamics, and resistance against apoptotic stress. WJMSC-derived mitochondrial transfer and its therapeutic effect were noted to be blocked by F-actin depolymerizing agent cytochalasin B. Collectively, the WJMSC ability to rescue cells with defective mitochondrial function through donating healthy mitochondria may lead to new insights into the development of more efficient strategies to treat diseases related to mitochondrial dysfunction.
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Moustris A, Edwards MJ, Bhatia KP. Movement disorders and mitochondrial disease. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2011; 100:173-92. [PMID: 21496577 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-52014-2.00010-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Moustris
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
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LIOU CHIAWEI, LIN TSUKUNG, HUANG FENGMEI, CHEN TZULING, LEE CHENGFENG, CHUANG YAOCHUNG, TAN TENGYEOW, CHANG KUCHOU, WEI YAUHUEI. Association of the Mitochondrial DNA 16189 T to C Variant with Lacunar Cerebral Infarction: Evidence from a Hospital-Based Case-Control Study. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2004. [DOI: 10.1196/annals.1293.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Liou CW, Lin TK, Huang FM, Chen TL, Lee CF, Chuang YC, Tan TY, Chang KC, Wei YH. Association of the mitochondrial DNA 16189 T to C variant with lacunar cerebral infarction: evidence from a hospital-based case-control study. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2004; 1011:317-24. [PMID: 15126308 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-41088-2_31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A transition of T to C at nucleotide position 16189 in the hypervariable D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has attracted research interest for its probable correlation with increasing insulin resistance and development of diabetes mellitus (DM) in adult life. In this article, we present our observations of the positive relationship between this variant and cerebral infarction. Six hundred and one subjects in two groups-one with cerebral infarction (307 cases), the other with no cerebral infarction (294 cases)-were recruited. Their clinical features, fasting blood sugar and insulin levels, and insulin resistance index, were recorded. Patients with cerebral infarction were further categorized into four different subgroups according to the TOAST criteria for stroke classification. The results showed the occurrence of the mtDNA 16189 variant in 34.2% of patients with cerebral infarction and in 26.5% of normal controls. The difference in the occurrence rates between the two groups was statistically significant (P = 0.041). Further studies of the occurrence rate in each stroke subgroup revealed that the variant occurred at the highest frequency in the small vessel subgroup (41.5%). The difference in occurrence rate between this subgroup and the normal controls is highly significant (P = 0.006). These results correlated well with the findings of significantly increased levels of average fasting blood insulin and a higher index of average insulin resistance in the small vessel subgroup of patients harboring this mtDNA variant. Taken together, we suggest that the mtDNA 16189 variant is a predisposing genetic factor for the development of insulin resistance and may be related to various phenotypic expressions in adult life such as development of DM and vascular pathologies involved in stroke and cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Wei Liou
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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5
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Clinical phenotype, prognosis and mitochondrial DNA mutation load in mitochondrial encephalomyopathies. J Biomed Sci 2002. [DOI: 10.1007/bf02254979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
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Lu CY, Tso DJ, Yang T, Jong YJ, Wei YH. Detection of DNA mutations associated with mitochondrial diseases by Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer. Clin Chim Acta 2002; 318:97-105. [PMID: 11880118 DOI: 10.1016/s0009-8981(01)00809-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Molecular analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has provided a final diagnosis for many of the mitochondrial diseases. We evaluated the Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer (Agilent Technologies, Palo Alto, CA) to determine whether the system could replace the conventional restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis by the agarose gel electrophoresis for the detection of the mtDNA mutation. METHODS Three members of a family with MELAS syndrome and four members of a family with MERRF syndrome were recruited for this study. After PCR and restriction enzyme digestion, DNA fragments were separated on the Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer in conjunction with the DNA 500 and DNA 1000 Labchip kits and by electrophoresis on precast 3% agarose gels. RESULTS The data generated by the DNA 500 and DNA 1000 assays using the Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer showed a lower percentage error and a better reproducibility as compared to those obtained by the conventional method. CONCLUSION Based on the performance of the bioanalyzer, we suggest that this novel Labchip is adequate to replace the current RFLP analysis by the agarose gel electrophoresis for mtDNA mutation detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-You Lu
- Department of Biochemistry and Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology, School of Life Science, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan 112, ROC
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Liou CW, Huang CC, Wei YH. Molecular analysis of diabetes mellitus-associated A3243G mitochondrial DNA mutation in Taiwanese cases. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2001; 54 Suppl 2:S39-43. [PMID: 11733108 DOI: 10.1016/s0168-8227(01)00334-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Investigation of the clinical manifestations of MELAS-specific A3243G mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) point mutation has suggested that the A3243G mutation of mtDNA can cause certain subtypes of diabetes mellitus (DM) and contributes about 0.15% of the overall incidence of diabetes. However, a relationship between the diabetic syndrome and the proportion of mutant mtDNA in affected tissues remains unclear. In this article, we report the results of our investigation of 14 diabetic and 23 non-diabetic patients who had the A3243G mutant mtDNA. The proportions of mutant mtDNA in different tissues were noted to change variably and neither heteroplasmy of mutant mtDNA in various tissues nor the proportion of mutated mtDNA in a specific tissue showed a correlation with the clinical phenotype of DM. Generation of a diabetic syndrome was not predictable from either the content of mutant mtDNA in leukocytes, hair follicles, or in muscle tissues. Further study showed that muscle tissue has the highest proportion of mutant mtDNA followed by hair follicles and by blood cells. Moreover, we observed that as the patient's age increased, all tissue showed a declining proportion of mutant mtDNA. These findings suggest that age may play a role in the manifestation of diabetes in patients with A3243G mutation of mtDNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- C W Liou
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 833, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC.
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James AM, Sheard PW, Wei YH, Murphy MP. Decreased ATP synthesis is phenotypically expressed during increased energy demand in fibroblasts containing mitochondrial tRNA mutations. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY 1999; 259:462-9. [PMID: 9914528 DOI: 10.1046/j.1432-1327.1999.00066.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the tRNA genes of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cause the debilitating MELAS (mitochondrial, myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes) and MERRF (myoclonic epilepsy and ragged-red fibres) syndromes. These mtDNA mutations affect respiratory chain function, apparently without decreasing cellular ATP concentration [Moudy et al. (1995) PNAS, 92, 729-733]. To address this issue, we investigated the role of mitochondrial ATP synthesis in fibroblasts from MELAS and MERRF patients. The maximum rate of mitochondrial ATP synthesis was decreased by 60-88%, as a consequence of the decrease in the proton electrochemical potential gradient of MELAS and MERRF mitochondria. However, in quiescent fibroblasts neither ATP concentration or the ATP/ADP ratio was affected by the lowered rate of ATP synthesis. We hypothesized that the low ATP demand of quiescent fibroblasts masked the mitochondrial ATP synthesis defect and that this defect might become apparent during higher ATP use. To test this we simulated high energy demand by titrating cells with gramicidin, an ionophore that stimulates ATP hydrolysis by the plasma membrane Na+/K+-ATPase. We found a threshold gramicidin concentration in control cells at which both the ATP/ADP ratio and the plasma membrane potential decreased dramatically, due to ATP demand by the Na+/K+-ATPase outstripping mitochondrial ATP synthesis. In MELAS and MERRF fibroblasts the corresponding threshold concentrations of gramicidin were 2-20-fold lower than those for control cells. This is the first demonstration that cells containing mtDNA mutations are particularly sensitive to increased ATP demand and this has several implications for how mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to disease pathophysiology. In particular, the increased susceptibility to plasma membrane depolarization will render neurons with dysfunctional mitochondria susceptible to excitotoxic cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M James
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Arpa J, Campos Y, Gutiérrez-Molina M, Martin-Casanueva MA, Cruz-Martínez A, Pérez-Conde MC, López-Pajares R, Morales MC, Tatay J, Lacasa T, Barreiro P, Arenas J. Gene dosage effect in one family with myoclonic epilepsy and ragged-red fibers (MERRF). Acta Neurol Scand 1997; 96:65-71. [PMID: 9272179 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1997.tb00241.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We analyzed the percentage of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) heteroplasmy in blood samples of 13 individuals belonging to a three family generation of myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF) and compared the 5 affected patients and the 8 unaffected relatives. MATERIAL AND METHODS DNA was extracted from blood and muscle of the proband and from blood of 12 maternal relatives. A PCR restriction analysis method was used to detect the mutation. RESULTS The proband had the complete MERRF phenotype. The phenotype in three other individuals in the maternal lineage was consistent with the MERRF syndrome. The remaining were asymptomatic. The np 8344 mutation was observed in muscle and blood of the proband, and in blood from every one of 12 maternal relatives, ranging from 44% to 83% of mutated genomes. Symptomatic individuals had higher levels (P < 0.001) of mutated mtDNA than asymptomatic maternal relatives. However, high proportions of mutant genomes (up to 63%) were found in asymptomatic relatives. CONCLUSIONS Although there seems to be a gene dosage effect in MERRF, we found no absolute relationship between the relative proportion of mutant genomes in blood and clinical severity. Factors other than gene dosage in blood may account for the differences in clinical phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Arpa
- Department of Neurology, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
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Chen CS, Chao HT, Pan RL, Wei YH. Maintenance of human sperm motility and prevention of oxidative damage through co-culture incubation. Andrologia 1997; 29:227-33. [PMID: 9263573 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.1997.tb00320.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Co-culture incubation is one of the important techniques used in basic and clinical research of assisted reproduction. In this study, sperm samples from 40 healthy donors were prepared for co-culture incubation with Vero cells which had been derived from the kidney fibroblasts of the African green monkey, Cercopithecus aethiops. We found that the motility characteristics of ejaculated human sperm co-cultured with Vero cells were largely maintained and the percentage of hyperactivated sperm in the co-culture group was not affected. While the sperm of the control group completely lost the motility at 12 h incubation at 37 degrees C in 5% CO2, the sperm co-cultured with Vero cells still maintained 74% of the original motility. Lipid peroxidation and accumulation of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in spermatozoa were also reduced by the co-culture incubation, which strongly indicates that intercellular interactions may play some role in the maintenance of sperm functions. We conclude that the oxidative damage in vitro of the sperm can be reduced by the co-culture system and thereby maintains the function of sperm from oxidative damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
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James AM, Wei YH, Pang CY, Murphy MP. Altered mitochondrial function in fibroblasts containing MELAS or MERRF mitochondrial DNA mutations. Biochem J 1996; 318 ( Pt 2):401-7. [PMID: 8809026 PMCID: PMC1217636 DOI: 10.1042/bj3180401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
A number of human diseases are caused by inherited mitochondrial DNA mutations. Two of these diseases, MELAS (mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes) and MERRF (myoclonic epilepsy and ragged-red fibres), are commonly caused by point mutations to tRNA genes encoded by mitochondrial DNA. Here we report on how these mutations affect mitochondrial function in primary fibroblast cultures established from a MELAS patient containing an A to G mutation at nucleotide 3243 in the tRNA(Leu(UUR) gene and a MERRF patient containing an A to G mutation at nucleotide 8344 in the tRNA(Lys) gene. Both mitochondrial membrane potential and respiration rate were significantly decreased in digitonin-permeabilized MELAS and MERRF fibroblasts respiring on glutamate/malate. A similar decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential was found in intact MELAS and MERRF fibroblasts. The mitochondrial content of these cells, estimated by stereological analysis of electron micrographs and from measurement of mitochondrial marker enzymes, was similar in control, MELAS and MERRF cells. Therefore, in cultured fibroblasts, mutation of mitochondrial tRNA genes leads to assembly of bioenergetically incompetent mitochondria, not to an alteration in their amount. However, the cell volume occupied by secondary lysosomes and residual bodies in the MELAS and MERRF cells was greater than in control cells, suggesting increased mitochondrial degradation in these cells. In addition, fibroblasts containing mitochondrial DNA mutations were 3-4-fold larger than control fibroblasts. The implications of these findings for the pathology of mitochondrial diseases are discussed.
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MESH Headings
- Cells, Cultured
- DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics
- Electron Transport Complex II
- Electron Transport Complex III/metabolism
- Electron Transport Complex IV/metabolism
- Fibroblasts/metabolism
- Humans
- Intracellular Membranes/physiology
- Kinetics
- MERRF Syndrome/genetics
- MERRF Syndrome/metabolism
- Membrane Potentials
- Mitochondria/metabolism
- Multienzyme Complexes/metabolism
- NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone)/metabolism
- Oxidoreductases/metabolism
- Oxygen Consumption
- Point Mutation
- Proton-Translocating ATPases/metabolism
- RNA, Transfer, Leu/biosynthesis
- RNA, Transfer, Leu/genetics
- RNA, Transfer, Lys/biosynthesis
- RNA, Transfer, Lys/genetics
- Reference Values
- Skin/metabolism
- Succinate Dehydrogenase/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- A M James
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Chen RS, Huang CC, Chu NS, Chu CC, Shih KD, Pang CY, Wei YH. Tissue distribution of mutant mitochondrial DNA in a patient with MERRF syndrome. Muscle Nerve 1996; 19:519-21. [PMID: 8622733 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-4598(199604)19:4<519::aid-mus12>3.0.co;2-k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- R S Chen
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Medical College and Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Huang CC, Chen RS, Chu NS, Pang CY, Wei YH. Random mitotic segregation of mitochondrial DNA in MELAS syndrome. Acta Neurol Scand 1996; 93:198-202. [PMID: 8741143 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1996.tb00199.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
We describe the heterogeneity of clinical features and molecular genetic characteristics of the probands and other members in two families with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome. A point mutation at the 3243rd nucleotide position of mtDNA was found only in some of the maternal lineage members of the two families. Furthermore, the proportions of mutant mtDNA were varied and found only in some tissues of the individuals. Intriguingly, in some subjects, the mutant mtDNA was found in blood cells or hair follicles but was absent in muscles. The data do not support the notion of a selective advantage of wild-type mtDNA to rapidly replicating cells. We suggest that a rapid replicative segregation may occur in early embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Huang
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Mayall TP, Bjarnason I, Khoo UY, Peters TJ, Macpherson AJ. Mitochondrial gene expression in small intestinal epithelial cells. Biochem J 1995; 308 ( Pt 2):665-71. [PMID: 7539612 PMCID: PMC1136978 DOI: 10.1042/bj3080665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Most mitochondrial genes are transcribed as a single large transcript from the heavy strand of mitochondrial DNA, and are subsequently processed into the proximal mitochondrial (mt) 12 S and 16 S rRNAs, and the more distal tRNAs and mRNAs. We have shown that in intestinal epithelial biopsies the steady-state levels of mt 12 S and 16 S rRNA are an order of magnitude greater than those of mt mRNAs. Fractionation of rat small intestinal epithelial cells on the basis of their maturity has shown that the greatest ratios of 12 S mt rRNA/cytochrome b mt mRNA or 12 S mt rRNA/cytochrome oxidase I mt mRNA are found in the surface mature enterocytes, with a progressive decrease towards the crypt immature enteroblasts. Cytochrome b and cytochrome oxidase I mt mRNA levels are relatively uniform along the crypt-villus axis, but fractionation experiments showed increased levels in the crypt base. The levels of human mitochondrial transcription factor A are also greater in immature crypt enteroblasts compared with mature villus enterocytes. These results show that the relative levels of mt rRNA and mRNA are distinctly regulated in intestinal epithelial cells according to the crypt-villus position and differentiation status of the cells, and that there are higher mt mRNA and mt TFA levels in the crypts, consistent with increased transcriptional activity during mitochondrial biogenesis in the immature enteroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- T P Mayall
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, King's College School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, U.K
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Sparaco M, Schon EA, DiMauro S, Bonilla E. Myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF): an immunohistochemical study of the brain. Brain Pathol 1995; 5:125-33. [PMID: 7670653 DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-3639.1995.tb00586.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF) is a maternally inherited disorder of oxidative phosphorylation due to specific point mutations within the mitochondrial tRNA(Lys) gene. Mitochondrial dysfunction in the central nervous system (CNS) of patients with MERRF accounts for the neurological manifestations of the disease. Antibodies against subunits of complex I, III, IV and V of the respiratory chain were used to study the expression of these proteins in the frontal cortex, cerebellum and medulla from an autoptic case of MERRF. We found a selective decreased expression of subunit II of cytochrome c oxidase (COX-II) in these regions. Immunohistochemical abnormalities were more widespread than the lesions described by traditional histopathological techniques and made possible an attempt of explanation for the neurological symptoms of the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Sparaco
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, N.Y. 10032, USA
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Shan DE, Yeh SI, Wan YC, Wei YH. Absence of 4,977-bp deletion of blood cell mitochondrial DNA in patients with young-onset Parkinson's disease. Acta Neurol Scand 1995; 91:149-52. [PMID: 7785427 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1995.tb00423.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Decreased mitochondrial Complex I activities and a 4,977-bp deletion in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been reported in patients with Parkinson's disease. Based on the assumption of possible links between this 4,977-bp deletion and the etiology of Parkinson's disease, we analyzed mtDNA of blood cells from 15 patients with young-onset Parkinson's disease after the DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction. We could not detect the 4,977-bp mtDNA deletion in any of these patients. This result suggests that Parkinson's disease is not a mitochondrial disease due to the 4,977-bp mtDNA deletion. The 4,977-bp deletion in mtDNA appears to be an age-related phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- D E Shan
- Neurological Institute, Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
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Liou CW, Huang CC, Chee EC, Jong YJ, Tsai JL, Pang CY, Lee HC, Wei YH. MELAS syndrome: correlation between clinical features and molecular genetic analysis. Acta Neurol Scand 1994; 90:354-9. [PMID: 7887136 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1994.tb02737.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The clinical manifestations and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations in a Taiwanese family with a female proband exhibiting mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes syndrome are reported. Clinically, the proband had a stroke-like episode with right hemiparesis, hemianopsia and mental dysfunction as well as short stature, hearing impairments, and elevated lactate levels. Brain magnetic resonance images showed multiple increased signal intensities over the left frontal, parietal and temporal areas. There were no ragged-red fibers, but paracrystalline inclusion bodies were shown in the muscle biopsies under electron microscopic examination. A deficiency of NADH-CoQ reductase was also found in biochemical studies of the muscles. The family survey revealed no abnormal findings except for headache and episodic vomiting in her mother. The molecular analysis of mtDNA disclosed a mutation from A to G at the nucleotide pair 3243 of the mitochondrial transfer RNA(Leu) gene in the blood, hair follicles and/or muscle of the maternal relatives. A characteristic finding of the MELAS family is variation of percentage of mutated mtDNA in various tissues and individuals. However, a higher proportion of mutated mtDNA was noted in the proband than that in the asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic family members. From the data, the variable clinical phenotypes in this MELAS family can be explained at least partly, by the different proportions of mutant mtDNA in the target tissues of the proband and maternal relatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- C W Liou
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Huang CC, Chen RS, Chen CM, Wang HS, Lee CC, Pang CY, Hsu HS, Lee HC, Wei YH. MELAS syndrome with mitochondrial tRNA(Leu(UUR)) gene mutation in a Chinese family. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1994; 57:586-9. [PMID: 8201329 PMCID: PMC1072920 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.57.5.586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The clinical features of a patient in a Chinese family with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS syndrome) are reported. The study revealed that hearing and visual impairments and miscarriages may be early clinical presentations in MELAS. A heteroplasmic A to G transition in the tRNA(Leu(UUR)) gene was noted at the nucleotide pair 3243 in the mitochondrial DNA of muscle, blood, and hair follicles of the proband and his maternal relatives. Quantitative analysis of the mutated mitochondrial DNA revealed variable proportions in different tissues and subjects of maternal lineage in the family. Muscle tissue contained a higher proportion of the mutant mitochondria than other tissues examined. The function of the reproductive system of the proband seems to be impaired. In one clinically healthy sibling, the 3243rd point mutation was found in sperm mitochondrial DNA, although sperm motility was not affected. It seems that biochemical defects in mitochondrial respiration and oxidative phosphorylation are tissue specific expressions of the 3243rd point mutation in the mitochondrial DNA of the affected target tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Huang
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Lee HC, Pang CY, Hsu HS, Wei YH. Differential accumulations of 4,977 bp deletion in mitochondrial DNA of various tissues in human ageing. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 1994; 1226:37-43. [PMID: 8155737 DOI: 10.1016/0925-4439(94)90056-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Several types of deletions in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been recently identified in various tissues of old humans. In order to determine whether there are differences in the incidence and proportion of deleted mtDNAs in different tissues during human ageing, we examined the 4,977 bp deletion in mtDNA of various tissues from subjects of different ages. Total DNA was extracted from each of the biopsied tissues and was serially diluted by two-fold with distilled water. A 533 bp DNA fragment was amplified by PCR from total mtDNA using a pair of primers L3304-3323 and H3817-3836, and another 524 bp PCR product was amplified from 4,977 bp deleted mtDNA by identical conditions using another pair of primers L8150-8166 and H13631-13650. The maximum dilution fold of each sample that still allowed the ethidium bromide-stained PCR product (533 bp or 524 bp) in the agarose gel to be visible under UV light illumination was taken as the relative abundance of the mtDNA (wild-type or mutant) in the original sample. By this method, we were able to determine the proportion of deleted mtDNA in human tissues. We found that the 4,977 bp deletion started to appear in the second and third decades of life in human muscle and liver tissues. But the deletion was not detectable in the testis until the age of 60 years. Moreover, the proportion of deleted mtDNA varied greatly in different tissues. Among the tissues examined, muscle was found to harbor higher proportion of deleted mtDNA than the other tissues. The average proportion of the 4,977 bp deleted mtDNA of the muscle from subjects over 70 years old was approximately 0.06%, and that of the liver and the testis was 0.0076% and 0.05%, respectively. These findings suggest that the frequency and proportion of the deleted mtDNA in human tissues increase with age and that the mtDNA deletions occur more frequently and abundantly in high energy-demanding tissues during the ageing process of the human.
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Affiliation(s)
- H C Lee
- Department and Institute of Biochemistry, National Yang-Ming Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
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Silvestri G, Santorelli FM, Shanske S, Whitley CB, Schimmenti LA, Smith SA, DiMauro S. A new mtDNA mutation in the tRNA(Leu(UUR)) gene associated with maternally inherited cardiomyopathy. Hum Mutat 1994; 3:37-43. [PMID: 7906985 DOI: 10.1002/humu.1380030107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
We report a new mutation, a C to T transition at nt 3303 of mtDNA, in seven members of a family with cardiomyopathy and myopathy: the proband and two siblings had fatal infantile cardiomyopathy, whereas in three maternal relatives the disease manifested later in life as sudden cardiac death or as mitochondrial myopathy with cardiomyopathy. The mutation was homoplasmic in all tissues (including blood) from the proband and her brother, but heteroplasmic in blood from five oligosymptomatic or asymptomatic maternal relatives. This mutation disrupts a conserved base pair in the aminoacyl stem of the tRNA(Leu(UUR)). None of 70 controls carried the mutation. Our data indicate that this mutation is the genetic cause of the disorder in this family, and confirm that the tRNA(Leu(UUR)) is a "hot spot" for mutations in mtDNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Silvestri
- H. Houston Merritt Clinical Research Center for Muscular Dystrophy and Related Diseases, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032
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Fang W, Huang CC, Chu NS, Lee CC, Chen RS, Pang CY, Shih KD, Wei YH. Myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF) syndrome: report of a Chinese family with mitochondrial DNA point mutation in tRNA(Lys) gene. Muscle Nerve 1994; 17:52-7. [PMID: 8264702 DOI: 10.1002/mus.880170107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
We report myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF) syndrome in a Chinese family with confirmed mitochondrial DNA point mutation. Six members of the family including the grandmother, two siblings, and three grandchildren were affected. Among them, action myoclonus was seen in five; short stature, muscle weakness, and mental retardation in four; lactic acidosis, hearing impairment, and ataxia in two; and seizures in one. Muscle biopsy from two affected siblings revealed ragged-red fibers and abundant subsarcolemmal mitochondria with paracrystalline inclusions. Pedigree analysis suggests a maternal transmission. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA showed a point mutation from A to G at the 8344th nucleotide position located in the tRNA(Lys) gene. To our knowledge, this is the first report of MERRF syndrome with such genetic defect from a Chinese family. The present and previous reports support the notion that mitochondrial DNA point mutation at the 8344th nucleotide position is the most common cause of MERRF syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Fang
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan
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22
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Piccolo G, Focher F, Verri A, Spadari S, Banfi P, Gerosa E, Mazzarello P. Myoclonus epilepsy and ragged-red fibers: blood mitochondrial DNA heteroplasmy in affected and asymptomatic members of a family. Acta Neurol Scand 1993; 88:406-9. [PMID: 8116340 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1993.tb05368.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
By a rapid PCR-based method to assess the 8344 mtDNA mutation associated with MERRF disease, we have studied DNA from blood samples of 10 individuals belonging to a family spanning four generations in which one patient showed the complete MERRF phenotype, three other members were less severely affected, while the remaining were unaffected. The percentage of mutant mtDNA was quantified by laser-densitometric scanning of the negative photographic sheets of the agarose gels. The results showed that the MERRF patient had 53% of mutated mtDNA while the two less affected patients had 62% and 14% of mutated mtDNA, respectively. However, a high percentage of mutated genomes (up to 64%) was also found in some unaffected relatives. These results show that although on one hand the mutation is probably the primary cause of the disease, on the other hand the relative amount of mutated mtDNA in blood samples is not indicative of its clinical expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Piccolo
- Neurological Institute C. Mondino Foundation, University of Pavia, Italy
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Chen RS, Huang CC, Lee CC, Wai YY, Hsi MS, Pang CY, Wei YH. Overlapping syndrome of MERRF and MELAS: molecular and neuroradiological studies. Acta Neurol Scand 1993; 87:494-8. [PMID: 8356881 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1993.tb04143.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
We describe a 42-year-old woman with overlapping syndrome of MELAS (mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes) and MERRF (myoclonus epilepsy and ragged-red fibers). Clinically, she had episodic headache, stroke-like episode with left hemiparesis and lactic acidosis commonly found in MELAS syndrome. However, myoclonus seizure, and ataxia with dyssynergic gait characteristic of MERRF were also noted. Computed tomographic scans showed a right temporo-parietal hypodense lesion. The lesion disappeared 20 months later, even magnetic resonance images also failed to reveal this abnormality. A molecular analysis of mitochondrial DNA was conducted by using restriction endonucleases ApaI and NaeI. A transition from A to G was found at the nucleotide position 3243, but not found at the 8344th nucleotide pair. In this report, we document the fluctuating CT changes and emphasize the importance of molecular analysis in patients with overlapping syndrome of mitochondrial encephalomyopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- R S Chen
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
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Graf WD, Sumi SM, Copass MK, Ojemann LM, Longstreth WT, Shanske S, Lombes A, DiMauro S. Phenotypic heterogeneity in families with the myoclonic epilepsy and ragged-red fiber disease point mutation in mitochondrial DNA. Ann Neurol 1993; 33:640-5. [PMID: 8388680 DOI: 10.1002/ana.410330613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Two families with a point mutation in mtDNA associated with myoclonic epilepsy and ragged-red fiber disease showed pronounced clinical heterogeneity. The mothers of the two families had adult-onset myopathy with ragged-red fibers, partial deficiency of cytochrome c oxidase, and sensory neuropathy. Members of the first family had variable clinical features of progressive ataxic-myoclonic encephalomyopathy and of the other family, primarily adult-onset myopathy. There was a point mutation from A to G at nucleotide pair 8344 located in the tRNALys gene of the mtDNA of all patients tested, three in Family 1, and the mother of Family 2. This clinical heterogeneity may reflect the effects of varying proportions of mutant and wild-type mtDNA in the different organ systems in each individual.
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Affiliation(s)
- W D Graf
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
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Suomalainen A, Ciafaloni E, Koga Y, Peltonen L, DiMauro S, Schon EA. Use of single strand conformation polymorphism analysis to detect point mutations in human mitochondrial DNA. J Neurol Sci 1992; 111:222-6. [PMID: 1431990 DOI: 10.1016/0022-510x(92)90074-u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Myoclonus epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF) has been shown to be associated with a specific point mutation at the nucleotide 8344 in the tRNA(Lys) gene of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). We screened 6 patients with clinically diagnosed MERRF and 1 patient with ocular myopathy for point mutations in the tRNA(Lys) gene, using single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, which can detect even a 1-basepair difference between 2 DNA sequences. Using SSCP and consequent DNA sequencing, we identified the known MERRF mutation in 4 out of 6 MERRF patients, as well as in 1 patient with a new clinical phenotype associated with this mutation: progressive external ophthalmoplegia, muscle weakness and a lipoma, but no myoclonus or epilepsy. Two of the patients with clinical MERRF had neither the MERRF-mutation nor any other mutations in the tRNA(Lys) gene. Using SSCP analysis, we also detected a new polymorphism in 1 patient. Thus, SSCP analysis can be applied to search effectively and rapidly for point mutations or polymorphisms in mitochondrial DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Suomalainen
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY
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Penisson-Besnier I, Degoul F, Desnuelle C, Dubas F, Josi K, Emile J, Lestienne P. Uneven distribution of mitochondrial DNA mutation in MERRF dizygotic twins. J Neurol Sci 1992; 110:144-8. [PMID: 1324294 DOI: 10.1016/0022-510x(92)90021-c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
A new family of myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF) was studied at clinical, histological, biochemical and molecular genetic levels. There was a remarkable variation in the age of onset, the clinical presentation and the severity of symptoms. Multiple defects affecting respiratory chain complexes I, III and IV were detected in 2 patients. The point mutation at 8344 of the mitochondrial genome was found in all the maternal lineage with a relatively narrow range of variation in the percentage of mutant mitochondrial genomes. The one exception was represented by a set of dizygotic twins, one clinically affected and showing high proportions of mutant mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs) in blood cells, while the other was asymptomatic and showed very small amounts of mutant mt-DNAs in blood and skin. This could suggest an early segregation of the mitochondrial genome during ovogenesis.
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Lombès A, Diaz C, Romero NB, Ziegler F, Fardeau M. Analysis of the tissue distribution and inheritance of heteroplasmic mitochondrial DNA point mutation by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis in MERRF syndrome. Neuromuscul Disord 1992; 2:323-30. [PMID: 1300181 DOI: 10.1016/s0960-8966(06)80003-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
MERRF (Myoclonic Epilepsy and Ragged-Red Fibres) syndrome is one of the maternally inherited diseases for which a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) point mutation has recently been identified. The mutation is always heteroplasmic, that is normal and mutant mtDNA coexist within the same individual. We studied mtDNA heteroplasmy in two families with MERRF syndrome, using a denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis technique that avoids the errors in the evaluation of wild/mutant mtDNA ratios caused by restriction enzyme cutting in the situation of amplification of a heteroplasmic DNA. In two patients, the proportion of muscle mutant mtDNA was in agreement with the severity of muscle mitochondrial proliferation, energy defect and fibre type I predominance. In nine patients from three generations of one family, mutant mtDNA proportion in leukocytes was in relative agreement with the clinical severity of the disease. Transmission of mutant mtDNA through these three generations did not show any tendency toward homoplasmy. Homogeneity of the mutant mtDNA proportion among different tissues from one patient was demonstrated in brain, liver, muscle and heart but a possibility of divergence of the mutant mtDNA proportion during mitosis was documented in cultured skin fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Lombès
- Développement, Pathologie, Régénération du Système Neuromusculaire, INSERM U.153, Paris, France
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Yen TC, Su JH, King KL, Wei YH. Ageing-associated 5 kb deletion in human liver mitochondrial DNA. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1991; 178:124-31. [PMID: 2069552 DOI: 10.1016/0006-291x(91)91788-e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Using PCR technique and restriction mapping, we analyzed liver mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of 2 stillborn babies and 55 Chinese subjects from 27 to 86 years old and blood cell mtDNA from 20 subjects of various ages. An ageing-associated 4,977-bp deletion was detected between nucleotide position 8,469 and 13,447 (or between 8,482 and 13,460) in the liver mtDNA of older subjects. In the region containing the junction fragment, we observed a 13 bp repeat "ACCTCCCTCACCA". Moreover, the incidence of the deleted mtDNA of each of the study subjects was found to increase with age. The deletion was found in 5 out of 8 patients of the 31-40 age group and 9 out of 11 patients of the 41-50 age group, and in all the patients over 50 years old. The deletion was not observed in either the mtDNA of the liver of the stillbirth or the blood cells of subjects of all the age groups. These results support our previous contention that liver mitochondrial respiratory functions decline with age and the hypothesis that continuous accumulation of mitochondrial DNA mutation is an important contributor to ageing process.
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Affiliation(s)
- T C Yen
- Department of Biochemistry, National Yang-Ming Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
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