1
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Tan BG, Gustafsson CM, Falkenberg M. Mechanisms and regulation of human mitochondrial transcription. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2024; 25:119-132. [PMID: 37783784 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-023-00661-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
The expression of mitochondrial genes is regulated in response to the metabolic needs of different cell types, but the basic mechanisms underlying this process are still poorly understood. In this Review, we describe how different layers of regulation cooperate to fine tune initiation of both mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) transcription and replication in human cells. We discuss our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms that drive and regulate transcription initiation from mtDNA promoters, and how the packaging of mtDNA into nucleoids can control the number of mtDNA molecules available for both transcription and replication. Indeed, a unique aspect of the mitochondrial transcription machinery is that it is coupled to mtDNA replication, such that mitochondrial RNA polymerase is additionally required for primer synthesis at mtDNA origins of replication. We discuss how the choice between replication-primer formation and genome-length RNA synthesis is controlled at the main origin of replication (OriH) and how the recent discovery of an additional mitochondrial promoter (LSP2) in humans may change this long-standing model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedict G Tan
- Institute for Mitochondrial Diseases and Ageing, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cluster of Excellence Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Claes M Gustafsson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Maria Falkenberg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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2
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Schrott S, Osman C. Two mitochondrial HMG-box proteins, Cim1 and Abf2, antagonistically regulate mtDNA copy number in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:11813-11835. [PMID: 37850632 PMCID: PMC10681731 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The mitochondrial genome, mtDNA, is present in multiple copies in cells and encodes essential subunits of oxidative phosphorylation complexes. mtDNA levels have to change in response to metabolic demands and copy number alterations are implicated in various diseases. The mitochondrial HMG-box proteins Abf2 in yeast and TFAM in mammals are critical for mtDNA maintenance and packaging and have been linked to mtDNA copy number control. Here, we discover the previously unrecognized mitochondrial HMG-box protein Cim1 (copy number influence on mtDNA) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which exhibits metabolic state dependent mtDNA association. Surprisingly, in contrast to Abf2's supportive role in mtDNA maintenance, Cim1 negatively regulates mtDNA copy number. Cells lacking Cim1 display increased mtDNA levels and enhanced mitochondrial function, while Cim1 overexpression results in mtDNA loss. Intriguingly, Cim1 deletion alleviates mtDNA maintenance defects associated with loss of Abf2, while defects caused by Cim1 overexpression are mitigated by simultaneous overexpression of Abf2. Moreover, we find that the conserved LON protease Pim1 is essential to maintain low Cim1 levels, thereby preventing its accumulation and concomitant repressive effects on mtDNA. We propose a model in which the protein ratio of antagonistically acting Cim1 and Abf2 determines mtDNA copy number.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Schrott
- Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Großhaderner Str. 2, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - Christof Osman
- Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Großhaderner Str. 2, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany
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3
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Wu YH, Hsieh HL. Effects of Redox Homeostasis and Mitochondrial Damage on Alzheimer's Disease. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1816. [PMID: 37891895 PMCID: PMC10604635 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12101816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioenergetic mitochondrial dysfunction is a common feature of several diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), where redox imbalance also plays an important role in terms of disease development. AD is an age-related disease and begins many years before the appearance of neurodegenerative symptoms. Intracellular tau aggregation, extracellular β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition in the brain, and even the APOE4 genotype contribute to the process of AD by impairing redox homeostasis and mitochondrial dysfunction. This review summarizes the evidence for the redox imbalance and mitochondrial dysfunction in AD and demonstrates the current therapeutic strategies related to mitochondrial maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Hsuan Wu
- Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan or
| | - Hsi-Lung Hsieh
- Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan or
- Department of Nursing, Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Graduate Institute of Health Industry Technology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
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4
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Kozhukhar N, Alexeyev MF. 35 Years of TFAM Research: Old Protein, New Puzzles. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:823. [PMID: 37372108 DOI: 10.3390/biology12060823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Transcription Factor A Mitochondrial (TFAM), through its contributions to mtDNA maintenance and expression, is essential for cellular bioenergetics and, therefore, for the very survival of cells. Thirty-five years of research on TFAM structure and function generated a considerable body of experimental evidence, some of which remains to be fully reconciled. Recent advancements allowed an unprecedented glimpse into the structure of TFAM complexed with promoter DNA and TFAM within the open promoter complexes. These novel insights, however, raise new questions about the function of this remarkable protein. In our review, we compile the available literature on TFAM structure and function and provide some critical analysis of the available data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalya Kozhukhar
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
| | - Mikhail F Alexeyev
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
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5
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Daglish SCD, Fennell EMJ, Graves LM. Targeting Mitochondrial DNA Transcription by POLRMT Inhibition or Depletion as a Potential Strategy for Cancer Treatment. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1598. [PMID: 37371693 PMCID: PMC10295849 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11061598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription of the mitochondrial genome is essential for the maintenance of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and other functions directly related to this unique genome. Considerable evidence suggests that mitochondrial transcription is dysregulated in cancer and cancer metastasis and contributes significantly to cancer cell metabolism. Recently, inhibitors of the mitochondrial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (POLRMT) were identified as potentially attractive new anti-cancer compounds. These molecules (IMT1, IMT1B) inactivate cancer cell metabolism through reduced transcription of mitochondrially-encoded OXPHOS subunits such as ND1-5 (Complex I) and COI-IV (Complex IV). Studies from our lab have discovered small molecule regulators of the mitochondrial matrix caseinolytic protease (ClpP) as probable inhibitors of mitochondrial transcription. These compounds activate ClpP proteolysis and lead to the rapid depletion of POLRMT and other matrix proteins, resulting in inhibition of mitochondrial transcription and growth arrest. Herein we present a comparison of POLRMT inhibition and ClpP activation, both conceptually and experimentally, and evaluate the results of these treatments on mitochondrial transcription, inhibition of OXPHOS, and ultimately cancer cell growth. We discuss the potential for targeting mitochondrial transcription as a cancer cell vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lee M. Graves
- Department of Pharmacology and the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (S.C.D.D.); (E.M.J.F.)
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6
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Akbari M, Nilsen HL, Montaldo NP. Dynamic features of human mitochondrial DNA maintenance and transcription. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:984245. [PMID: 36158192 PMCID: PMC9491825 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.984245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are the primary sites for cellular energy production and are required for many essential cellular processes. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a 16.6 kb circular DNA molecule that encodes only 13 gene products of the approximately 90 different proteins of the respiratory chain complexes and an estimated 1,200 mitochondrial proteins. MtDNA is, however, crucial for organismal development, normal function, and survival. MtDNA maintenance requires mitochondrially targeted nuclear DNA repair enzymes, a mtDNA replisome that is unique to mitochondria, and systems that control mitochondrial morphology and quality control. Here, we provide an overview of the current literature on mtDNA repair and transcription machineries and discuss how dynamic functional interactions between the components of these systems regulate mtDNA maintenance and transcription. A profound understanding of the molecular mechanisms that control mtDNA maintenance and transcription is important as loss of mtDNA integrity is implicated in normal process of aging, inflammation, and the etiology and pathogenesis of a number of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansour Akbari
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Hilde Loge Nilsen
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Unit for precision medicine, Akershus University Hospital, Nordbyhagen, Norway
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nicola Pietro Montaldo
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- *Correspondence: Nicola Pietro Montaldo,
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7
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Tan BG, Mutti CD, Shi Y, Xie X, Zhu X, Silva-Pinheiro P, Menger KE, Díaz-Maldonado H, Wei W, Nicholls TJ, Chinnery PF, Minczuk M, Falkenberg M, Gustafsson CM. The human mitochondrial genome contains a second light strand promoter. Mol Cell 2022; 82:3646-3660.e9. [PMID: 36044900 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The human mitochondrial genome must be replicated and expressed in a timely manner to maintain energy metabolism and supply cells with adequate levels of adenosine triphosphate. Central to this process is the idea that replication primers and gene products both arise via transcription from a single light strand promoter (LSP) such that primer formation can influence gene expression, with no consensus as to how this is regulated. Here, we report the discovery of a second light strand promoter (LSP2) in humans, with features characteristic of a bona fide mitochondrial promoter. We propose that the position of LSP2 on the mitochondrial genome allows replication and gene expression to be orchestrated from two distinct sites, which expands our long-held understanding of mitochondrial gene expression in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedict G Tan
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 405 30, Sweden
| | - Christian D Mutti
- Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Yonghong Shi
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 405 30, Sweden
| | - Xie Xie
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 405 30, Sweden
| | - Xuefeng Zhu
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 405 30, Sweden
| | - Pedro Silva-Pinheiro
- Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Katja E Menger
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Héctor Díaz-Maldonado
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 405 30, Sweden
| | - Wei Wei
- Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Thomas J Nicholls
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Patrick F Chinnery
- Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Michal Minczuk
- Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK.
| | - Maria Falkenberg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 405 30, Sweden.
| | - Claes M Gustafsson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 405 30, Sweden.
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8
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Kozhukhar N, Spadafora D, Rodriguez YAR, Alexeyev MF. A Method for In Situ Reverse Genetic Analysis of Proteins Involved mtDNA Replication. Cells 2022; 11:2168. [PMID: 35883613 PMCID: PMC9316749 DOI: 10.3390/cells11142168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The unavailability of tractable reverse genetic analysis approaches represents an obstacle to a better understanding of mitochondrial DNA replication. Here, we used CRISPR-Cas9 mediated gene editing to establish the conditional viability of knockouts in the key proteins involved in mtDNA replication. This observation prompted us to develop a set of tools for reverse genetic analysis in situ, which we called the GeneSwap approach. The technique was validated by identifying 730 amino acid (aa) substitutions in the mature human TFAM that are conditionally permissive for mtDNA replication. We established that HMG domains of TFAM are functionally independent, which opens opportunities for engineering chimeric TFAMs with customized properties for studies on mtDNA replication, mitochondrial transcription, and respiratory chain function. Finally, we present evidence that the HMG2 domain plays the leading role in TFAM species-specificity, thus indicating a potential pathway for TFAM-mtDNA evolutionary co-adaptations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Mikhail F. Alexeyev
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA; (N.K.); (D.S.); (Y.A.R.R.)
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9
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Abstract
In the course of its short history, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has made a long journey from obscurity to the forefront of research on major biological processes. mtDNA alterations have been found in all major disease groups, and their significance remains the subject of intense research. Despite remarkable progress, our understanding of the major aspects of mtDNA biology, such as its replication, damage, repair, transcription, maintenance, etc., is frustratingly limited. The path to better understanding mtDNA and its role in cells, however, remains torturous and not without errors, which sometimes leave a long trail of controversy behind them. This review aims to provide a brief summary of our current knowledge of mtDNA and highlight some of the controversies that require attention from the mitochondrial research community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inna Shokolenko
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
| | - Mikhail Alexeyev
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
- Correspondence:
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10
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Amorim JA, Coppotelli G, Rolo AP, Palmeira CM, Ross JM, Sinclair DA. Mitochondrial and metabolic dysfunction in ageing and age-related diseases. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2022; 18:243-258. [PMID: 35145250 PMCID: PMC9059418 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-021-00626-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 242] [Impact Index Per Article: 121.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Organismal ageing is accompanied by progressive loss of cellular function and systemic deterioration of multiple tissues, leading to impaired function and increased vulnerability to death. Mitochondria have become recognized not merely as being energy suppliers but also as having an essential role in the development of diseases associated with ageing, such as neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. A growing body of evidence suggests that ageing and age-related diseases are tightly related to an energy supply and demand imbalance, which might be alleviated by a variety of interventions, including physical activity and calorie restriction, as well as naturally occurring molecules targeting conserved longevity pathways. Here, we review key historical advances and progress from the past few years in our understanding of the role of mitochondria in ageing and age-related metabolic diseases. We also highlight emerging scientific innovations using mitochondria-targeted therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- João A Amorim
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology of the University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- IIIUC, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Giuseppe Coppotelli
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, College of Pharmacy, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Anabela P Rolo
- Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology of the University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Department of Life Sciences of the University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carlos M Palmeira
- Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology of the University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Department of Life Sciences of the University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Jaime M Ross
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, College of Pharmacy, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - David A Sinclair
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Choi WS, Garcia-Diaz M. A minimal motif for sequence recognition by mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM). Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 50:322-332. [PMID: 34928349 PMCID: PMC8754647 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab1230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) plays a critical role in mitochondrial transcription initiation and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) packaging. Both functions require DNA binding, but in one case TFAM must recognize a specific promoter sequence, while packaging requires coating of mtDNA by association with non sequence-specific regions. The mechanisms by which TFAM achieves both sequence-specific and non sequence-specific recognition have not yet been determined. Existing crystal structures of TFAM bound to DNA allowed us to identify two guanine-specific interactions that are established between TFAM and the bound DNA. These interactions are observed when TFAM is bound to both specific promoter sequences and non-sequence specific DNA. These interactions are established with two guanine bases separated by 10 random nucleotides (GN10G). Our biochemical results demonstrate that the GN10G consensus is essential for transcriptional initiation and contributes to facilitating TFAM binding to DNA substrates. Furthermore, we report a crystal structure of TFAM in complex with a non sequence-specific sequence containing a GN10G consensus. The structure reveals a unique arrangement in which TFAM bridges two DNA substrates while maintaining the GN10G interactions. We propose that the GN10G consensus is key to facilitate the interaction of TFAM with DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woo Suk Choi
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Miguel Garcia-Diaz
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
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12
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Cao K, Feng Z, Gao F, Zang W, Liu J. Mitoepigenetics: An intriguing regulatory layer in aging and metabolic-related diseases. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 177:337-346. [PMID: 34715295 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
As a key organelle in eukaryotic cells, mitochondria play a central role in maintaining normal cellular functions. Mitochondrial dysfunction is reported to be closely related with aging and various diseases. Epigenetic modifications in nuclear genome provide a substantial layer for the modulation of nuclear-encoded gene expression. However, whether mitochondria could also be subjected to such similar epigenetic alterations and the involved mechanisms remain largely obscure and controversial. Recently, accumulating evidence has suggested that mitochondrial epigenetics, also known as mitoepigenetics may serve as an intriguing regulatory layer in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)-encoded gene expression. Given the potential regulatory role of mitoepigenetics, mitochondrial dysfunction derived from mitoepigenetics-induced abnormal gene expression could also be closely associated with aging and disease development. In this review, we summarized the recent advances in mitoepigenetics, with a special focus on mtDNA methylation in aging and metabolic-related diseases as well as the new methods and technologies for the study of mitoepigenetics. Uncovering the regulatory role of mitoepigenetics will help to understand the underlying mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction and provide novel strategies for delaying aging and preventing metabolic-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Cao
- Center for Mitochondrial Biology and Medicine, The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Zhihui Feng
- Center for Mitochondrial Biology and Medicine, The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China; Frontier Institute of Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Feng Gao
- School of Aerospace Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Weijin Zang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Jiankang Liu
- Center for Mitochondrial Biology and Medicine, The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China; University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China.
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13
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Balasubramanian N, Jadhav G, Sakharkar AJ. Repeated mild traumatic brain injuries perturb the mitochondrial biogenesis via DNA methylation in the hippocampus of rat. Mitochondrion 2021; 61:11-24. [PMID: 34508891 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2021.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial biogenesis in the brain is impaired in various neurological disorders including traumatic brain injury (TBI). The long-lasting effects of TBI may be, in part, attributed to epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation. However, the role of DNA methylation on regulatory elements of nuclear and mitochondrial genome in mitochondrial biogenesis is not known. We examined the epigenetic regulation of mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), and further probed its implications in mitochondrial dysfunction in the hippocampus of rats subjected to repeated mild TBI (rMTBI) using weight drop injury paradigm. rMTBI-induced hypermethylation at TFAM promoter resulted in deficits in its protein levels in mitochondria after immediate (48 h) and protracted (30 d) time points. Further, rMTBI also caused hypomethylation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) promoters (HSP1 and HSP2), which further culminated into low binding of TFAM. rMTBI-induced changes weakened mitochondrial biogenesis in terms of reduced mtDNA-encoded rRNA, mRNA, and protein levels leading to shortages of ATP. To verify the potential role of mtDNA methylation in rMTBI-induced persistent mitochondrial dysfunction, rMTBI-induced rats were treated with methionine, a methyl donor. Methionine treatment restored the methylation levels on HSP1 and HSP2 resulting in efficient binding of TFAM and normalized the rRNA, mRNA, and protein levels. These findings suggest the crucial role of DNA methylation at nuclear and mitochondrial promoter regions in mitochondrial gene expression and ATP activity in the hippocampus after rMTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gouri Jadhav
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411 007, India
| | - Amul J Sakharkar
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411 007, India.
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14
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Basu U, Bostwick AM, Das K, Dittenhafer-Reed KE, Patel SS. Structure, mechanism, and regulation of mitochondrial DNA transcription initiation. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:18406-18425. [PMID: 33127643 PMCID: PMC7939475 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev120.011202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are specialized compartments that produce requisite ATP to fuel cellular functions and serve as centers of metabolite processing, cellular signaling, and apoptosis. To accomplish these roles, mitochondria rely on the genetic information in their small genome (mitochondrial DNA) and the nucleus. A growing appreciation for mitochondria's role in a myriad of human diseases, including inherited genetic disorders, degenerative diseases, inflammation, and cancer, has fueled the study of biochemical mechanisms that control mitochondrial function. The mitochondrial transcriptional machinery is different from nuclear machinery. The in vitro re-constituted transcriptional complexes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) and humans, aided with high-resolution structures and biochemical characterizations, have provided a deeper understanding of the mechanism and regulation of mitochondrial DNA transcription. In this review, we will discuss recent advances in the structure and mechanism of mitochondrial transcription initiation. We will follow up with recent discoveries and formative findings regarding the regulatory events that control mitochondrial DNA transcription, focusing on those involved in cross-talk between the mitochondria and nucleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urmimala Basu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | | | - Kalyan Das
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Smita S Patel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.
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15
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Held JP, Patel MR. Functional conservation of mitochondrial RNA levels despite divergent mtDNA organization. BMC Res Notes 2020; 13:334. [PMID: 32653018 PMCID: PMC7353721 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-020-05177-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Mitochondria-encoded ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes in humans are expressed at a higher rate than protein coding genes of the mitochondria. The organization of the human mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) is amenable to differential expression of rRNAs as the rRNA encoding genes lie in tandem immediately downstream of the promoter-containing region. However, mtDNA is not organized in the same way as humans in all metazoans. In the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, the rRNA genes are on opposite sides of the mtDNA molecule and there are no obvious promoter sequences specific to the rRNA genes. Thus, we asked whether rRNA levels are higher relative to mRNAs in mitochondria of C. elegans as they are in humans. RESULTS Using droplet digital PCR, we discovered that steady-state mitochondrial rRNA transcript levels are approximately 120 times higher than the levels of mitochondrial mRNAs. These data demonstrate that despite the lack of conservation in mitochondrial genome organization, a high mitochondrial rRNA-to-mRNA ratio is a conserved feature of metazoans.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P Held
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Maulik R Patel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Diabetes Research and Training Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
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16
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Mishmar D, Levin R, Naeem MM, Sondheimer N. Higher Order Organization of the mtDNA: Beyond Mitochondrial Transcription Factor A. Front Genet 2019; 10:1285. [PMID: 31998357 PMCID: PMC6961661 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.01285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The higher order organization of eukaryotic and prokaryotic genomes is pivotal in the regulation of gene expression. Specifically, chromatin accessibility in eukaryotes and nucleoid accessibility in bacteria are regulated by a cohort of proteins to alter gene expression in response to diverse physiological conditions. By contrast, prior studies have suggested that the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) is coated solely by mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), whose increased cellular concentration was proposed to be the major determinant of mtDNA packaging in the mitochondrial nucleoid. Nevertheless, recent analysis of DNase-seq and ATAC-seq experiments from multiple human and mouse samples suggest gradual increase in mtDNA occupancy during the course of embryonic development to generate a conserved footprinting pattern which correlate with sites that have low TFAM occupancy in vivo (ChIP-seq) and tend to adopt G-quadruplex structures. These findings, along with recent identification of mtDNA binding by known modulators of chromatin accessibility such as MOF, suggest that mtDNA higher order organization is generated by cross talk with the nuclear regulatory system, may have a role in mtDNA regulation, and is more complex than once thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Mishmar
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Rotem Levin
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Mansur M Naeem
- Institute of Medical Sciences and the Department of Paediatrics, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Neal Sondheimer
- Institute of Medical Sciences and the Department of Paediatrics, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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17
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Bouda E, Stapon A, Garcia-Diaz M. Mechanisms of mammalian mitochondrial transcription. Protein Sci 2019; 28:1594-1605. [PMID: 31309618 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Numerous age-related human diseases have been associated with deficiencies in cellular energy production. Moreover, genetic alterations resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction are the cause of inheritable disorders commonly known as mitochondrial diseases. Many of these deficiencies have been directly or indirectly linked to deficits in mitochondrial gene expression. Transcription is an essential step in gene expression and elucidating the molecular mechanisms involved in this process is critical for understanding defects in energy production. For the past five decades, substantial efforts have been invested in the field of mitochondrial transcription. These efforts have led to the discovery of the main protein factors responsible for transcription as well as to a basic mechanistic understanding of the transcription process. They have also revealed various mechanisms of transcriptional regulation as well as the links that exist between the transcription process and downstream processes of RNA maturation. Here, we review the knowledge gathered in early mitochondrial transcription studies and focus on recent findings that shape our current understanding of mitochondrial transcription, posttranscriptional processing, as well as transcriptional regulation in mammalian systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Bouda
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Anthony Stapon
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Miguel Garcia-Diaz
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
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18
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Differences in Liver TFAM Binding to mtDNA and mtDNA Damage between Aged and Extremely Aged Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20102601. [PMID: 31137890 PMCID: PMC6566948 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20102601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
While mitochondrial dysfunction is acknowledged as a major feature of aging, much less is known about the role of mitochondria in extended longevity. Livers from aged (28-month-old) and extremely aged (32-month-old) rats were analyzed for citrate synthase activity, mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) amount, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and 4.8 Kb “common deletion” contents. None of the assayed parameters differed significantly between age groups. TFAM-binding to mtDNA and the incidence of 8-oxo-deoxyguanosine in specific mtDNA regions, encompassing the origins of mtDNA replication (D-loop and Ori-L) and the 16-bp long direct repeat 1 (DR1) of the 4.8 Kb deletion, were determined. A decrease in TFAM binding was unveiled at all regions in extremely aged in comparison with aged rats. Reduced incidence of oxidized purines at all assayed regions was detected in 32-month-old rats compared with the 28-month-old group. A significant positive correlation between the incidence of 8-oxo-deoxoguanosine and TFAM-bound mtDNA was found at D-Loop and Ori-L regions only in 28-month-old rats. The absence of such correlation in 32-month-old rats indicates a different, fine-tuned regulation of TFAM binding in the two age groups and supports the existence of two different paces in aging and extended aging.
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19
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Dostal V, Churchill MEA. Cytosine methylation of mitochondrial DNA at CpG sequences impacts transcription factor A DNA binding and transcription. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2019; 1862:598-607. [PMID: 30807854 PMCID: PMC7806247 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2019.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In eukaryotes, cytosine methylation of nuclear DNA at CpG sequences (5mCpG) regulates epigenetic inheritance through alterations in chromatin structure. However, mitochondria lack nucleosomal chromatin, therefore the molecular mechanisms by which 5mCpG influences mitochondria must be different and are as yet unknown. Mitochondrial Transcription Factor A (TFAM) is both the primary DNA-compacting protein in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) nucleoid and a transcription-initiation factor. TFAM must encounter hundreds of CpGs in mtDNA, so the occurrence of 5mCpG has the potential to impact TFAM-DNA recognition. We used biophysical approaches to determine whether 5mCpG alters any TFAM-dependent activities. 5mCpG in the heavy strand promoter (HSP1) increased the binding affinity of TFAM and induced TFAM multimerization with increased cooperativity compared to nonmethylated DNA. However, 5mCpG had no apparent effect on TFAM-dependent DNA compaction. Additionally, 5mCpG had a clear and context-dependent effect on transcription initiating from the three mitochondrial promoters. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that 5mCpG in the mitochondrial promoter region does impact TFAM-dependent activities in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishantie Dostal
- Program in Structural Biology and Biochemistry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Mair E A Churchill
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Program in Structural Biology and Biochemistry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
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20
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Fan S, Tian T, Chen W, Lv X, Lei X, Zhang H, Sun S, Cai L, Pan G, He L, Ou Z, Lin X, Wang X, Perez MF, Tu Z, Ferrone S, Tannous BA, Li J. Mitochondrial miRNA Determines Chemoresistance by Reprogramming Metabolism and Regulating Mitochondrial Transcription. Cancer Res 2019; 79:1069-1084. [PMID: 30659020 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-2505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Apoptosis
- Argonaute Proteins/genetics
- Argonaute Proteins/metabolism
- Biomarkers, Tumor
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology
- Cell Nucleus/genetics
- Cell Nucleus/metabolism
- Cell Proliferation
- Cellular Reprogramming
- Cisplatin/pharmacology
- DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics
- DNA, Mitochondrial/metabolism
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- Follow-Up Studies
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Genome, Mitochondrial
- Humans
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Nude
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- MicroRNAs/metabolism
- Mitochondria/genetics
- Mitochondria/metabolism
- Oxidative Phosphorylation
- Prognosis
- Retrospective Studies
- Survival Rate
- Tongue Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Tongue Neoplasms/genetics
- Tongue Neoplasms/metabolism
- Tongue Neoplasms/pathology
- Transcription, Genetic
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Fan
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation of Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Tian Tian
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Weixiong Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation of Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaobin Lv
- Markey Cancer Center, The University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky
- Nanchang Key Laboratory of Cancer Pathogenesis and Translational Research, Center Laboratory, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xinyuan Lei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation of Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hanqing Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation of Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sheng Sun
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lei Cai
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Guokai Pan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation of Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lile He
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Zhanpeng Ou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation of Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinyu Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation of Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinhui Wang
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Matthew Francis Perez
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Zhiming Tu
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Bakhos A Tannous
- Experimental Therapeutics and Molecular Imaging Lab, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jinsong Li
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation of Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Guangzhou, China
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21
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Dietary modulation of mitochondrial DNA damage: implications in aging and associated diseases. J Nutr Biochem 2019; 63:1-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2018.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2017] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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22
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Barshad G, Marom S, Cohen T, Mishmar D. Mitochondrial DNA Transcription and Its Regulation: An Evolutionary Perspective. Trends Genet 2018; 34:682-692. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2018.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Revised: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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23
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Nuclear genes involved in mitochondrial diseases caused by instability of mitochondrial DNA. J Appl Genet 2018; 59:43-57. [PMID: 29344903 PMCID: PMC5799321 DOI: 10.1007/s13353-017-0424-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial diseases are defined by a respiratory chain dysfunction and in most of the cases manifest as multisystem disorders with predominant expression in muscles and nerves and may be caused by mutations in mitochondrial (mtDNA) or nuclear (nDNA) genomes. Most of the proteins involved in respiratory chain function are nuclear encoded, although 13 subunits of respiratory chain complexes (together with 2 rRNAs and 22 tRNAs necessary for their translation) encoded by mtDNA are essential for cell function. nDNA encodes not only respiratory chain subunits but also all the proteins responsible for mtDNA maintenance, especially those involved in replication, as well as other proteins necessary for the transcription and copy number control of this multicopy genome. Mutations in these genes can cause secondary instability of the mitochondrial genome in the form of depletion (decreased number of mtDNA molecules in the cell), vast multiple deletions or accumulation of point mutations which in turn leads to mitochondrial diseases inherited in a Mendelian fashion. The list of genes involved in mitochondrial DNA maintenance is long, and still incomplete.
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24
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Nagalakshmi B., Sagarkar S, Sakharkar AJ. Epigenetic Mechanisms of Traumatic Brain Injuries. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2018; 157:263-298. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2017.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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25
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Young MJ. Off-Target Effects of Drugs that Disrupt Human Mitochondrial DNA Maintenance. Front Mol Biosci 2017; 4:74. [PMID: 29214156 PMCID: PMC5702650 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2017.00074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) were the first drugs used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Development of severe mitochondrial toxicity has been well documented in patients infected with HIV and administered NRTIs. In vitro biochemical experiments have demonstrated that the replicative mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymerase gamma, Polg, is a sensitive target for inhibition by metabolically active forms of NRTIs, nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NtRTIs). Once incorporated into newly synthesized daughter strands NtRTIs block further DNA polymerization reactions. Human cell culture and animal studies have demonstrated that cell lines and mice exposed to NRTIs display mtDNA depletion. Further complicating NRTI off-target effects on mtDNA maintenance, two additional DNA polymerases, Pol beta and PrimPol, were recently reported to localize to mitochondria as well as the nucleus. Similar to Polg, in vitro work has demonstrated both Pol beta and PrimPol incorporate NtRTIs into nascent DNA. Cell culture and biochemical experiments have also demonstrated that antiviral ribonucleoside drugs developed to treat hepatitis C infection act as off-target substrates for POLRMT, the mitochondrial RNA polymerase and primase. Accompanying the above-mentioned topics, this review examines: (1) mtDNA maintenance in human health and disease, (2) reports of DNA polymerases theta and zeta (Rev3) localizing to mitochondria, and (3) additional drugs with off-target effects on mitochondrial function. Lastly, mtDNA damage may induce cell death; therefore, the possibility of utilizing compounds that disrupt mtDNA maintenance to kill cancer cells is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Young
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL, United States
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26
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Zollo O, Sondheimer N. Topological requirements of the mitochondrial heavy-strand promoters. Transcription 2017; 8:307-312. [PMID: 28841355 DOI: 10.1080/21541264.2017.1331156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro studies of mitochondrial transcription often use linear templates that fail to replicate key features of transcription on a circular genome. We developed a plasmid-based system for the analysis of heavy-strand promoters that recapitulates key features of native mtDNA to study topological and protein requirements of promoter activation. The heavy-strand promoters (HSP1 and HSP2) are simultaneously active on a circular template. HSP2 requires supercoiling for maximal activation. Increasing TFAM concentrations suppress HSP2 at levels that result in HSP1 stimulation. This study shows distinct modes of promoter activation, providing opportunities for the regulation of mitochondrial gene expression by promoter selection.
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27
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Uchida A, Murugesapillai D, Kastner M, Wang Y, Lodeiro MF, Prabhakar S, Oliver GV, Arnold JJ, Maher LJ, Williams MC, Cameron CE. Unexpected sequences and structures of mtDNA required for efficient transcription from the first heavy-strand promoter. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28745586 PMCID: PMC5552277 DOI: 10.7554/elife.27283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human mtDNA contains three promoters, suggesting a need for differential expression of the mitochondrial genome. Studies of mitochondrial transcription have used a reductionist approach, perhaps masking differential regulation. Here we evaluate transcription from light-strand (LSP) and heavy-strand (HSP1) promoters using templates that mimic their natural context. These studies reveal sequences upstream, hypervariable in the human population (HVR3), and downstream of the HSP1 transcription start site required for maximal yield. The carboxy-terminal tail of TFAM is essential for activation of HSP1 but not LSP. Images of the template obtained by atomic force microscopy show that TFAM creates loops in a discrete region, the formation of which correlates with activation of HSP1; looping is lost in tail-deleted TFAM. Identification of HVR3 as a transcriptional regulatory element may contribute to between-individual variability in mitochondrial gene expression. The unique requirement of HSP1 for the TFAM tail may enable its regulation by post-translational modifications. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.27283.001
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Uchida
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, United States
| | | | - Markus Kastner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, United States
| | - Yao Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, United States
| | - Maria F Lodeiro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, United States
| | - Shaan Prabhakar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, United States
| | - Guinevere V Oliver
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, United States
| | - Jamie J Arnold
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, United States
| | - L James Maher
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, United States
| | - Mark C Williams
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, United States
| | - Craig E Cameron
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, United States
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28
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Blumberg A, Rice EJ, Kundaje A, Danko CG, Mishmar D. Initiation of mtDNA transcription is followed by pausing, and diverges across human cell types and during evolution. Genome Res 2017; 27:362-373. [PMID: 28049628 PMCID: PMC5340964 DOI: 10.1101/gr.209924.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 12/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genes are long known to be cotranscribed in polycistrones, yet it remains impossible to study nascent mtDNA transcripts quantitatively in vivo using existing tools. To this end, we used deep sequencing (GRO-seq and PRO-seq) and analyzed nascent mtDNA-encoded RNA transcripts in diverse human cell lines and metazoan organisms. Surprisingly, accurate detection of human mtDNA transcription initiation sites (TISs) in the heavy and light strands revealed a novel conserved transcription pausing site near the light-strand TIS. This pausing site correlated with the presence of a bacterial pausing sequence motif, with reduced SNP density, and with a DNase footprinting signal in all tested cells. Its location within conserved sequence block 3 (CSBIII), just upstream of the known transcription–replication transition point, suggests involvement in such transition. Analysis of nonhuman organisms enabled de novo mtDNA sequence assembly, as well as detection of previously unknown mtDNA TIS, pausing, and transcription termination sites with unprecedented accuracy. Whereas mammals (Pan troglodytes, Macaca mulatta, Rattus norvegicus, and Mus musculus) showed a human-like mtDNA transcription pattern, the invertebrate pattern (Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans) profoundly diverged. Our approach paves the path toward in vivo, quantitative, reference sequence-free analysis of mtDNA transcription in all eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Blumberg
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, 84105 Israel
| | - Edward J Rice
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
| | - Anshul Kundaje
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-5120, USA
| | - Charles G Danko
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
| | - Dan Mishmar
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, 84105 Israel
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29
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Shokolenko IN, Alexeyev MF. Mitochondrial transcription in mammalian cells. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed) 2017; 22:835-853. [PMID: 27814650 DOI: 10.2741/4520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
As a consequence of recent discoveries of intimate involvement of mitochondria with key cellular processes, there has been a resurgence of interest in all aspects of mitochondrial biology, including the intricate mechanisms of mitochondrial DNA maintenance and expression. Despite four decades of research, there remains a lot to be learned about the processes that enable transcription of genetic information from mitochondrial DNA to RNA, as well as their regulation. These processes are vitally important, as evidenced by the lethality of inactivating the central components of mitochondrial transcription machinery. Here, we review the current understanding of mitochondrial transcription and its regulation in mammalian cells. We also discuss key theories in the field and highlight controversial subjects and future directions as we see them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inna N Shokolenko
- University of South Alabama, Patt Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions, Biomedical Sciences Department, 5721 USA Drive N, HAHN 4021, Mobile, AL 36688-0002, USA
| | - Mikhail F Alexeyev
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of South Alabama, 5851 USA Dr. North, MSB3074, Mobile, AL 36688, USA,
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30
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Mitochondrial DNA Methylation and Related Disease. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 1038:117-132. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-6674-0_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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31
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Ramachandran A, Basu U, Sultana S, Nandakumar D, Patel SS. Human mitochondrial transcription factors TFAM and TFB2M work synergistically in promoter melting during transcription initiation. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 45:861-874. [PMID: 27903899 PMCID: PMC5314767 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw1157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Human mitochondrial DNA is transcribed by POLRMT with the help of two initiation factors, TFAM and TFB2M. The current model postulates that the role of TFAM is to recruit POLRMT and TFB2M to melt the promoter. However, we show that TFAM has ‘post-recruitment’ roles in promoter melting and RNA synthesis, which were revealed by studying the pre-initiation steps of promoter binding, bending and melting, and abortive RNA synthesis. Our 2-aminopurine mapping studies show that the LSP (Light Strand Promoter) is melted from −4 to +1 in the open complex with all three proteins and from −4 to +3 with addition of ATP. Our equilibrium binding studies show that POLRMT forms stable complexes with TFB2M or TFAM on LSP with low-nanomolar Kd values, but these two-component complexes lack the mechanism to efficiently melt the promoter. This indicates that POLRMT needs both TFB2M and TFAM to melt the promoter. Additionally, POLRMT+TFB2M makes 2-mer abortives on LSP, but longer RNAs are observed only with TFAM. These results are explained by TFAM playing a role in promoter melting and/or stabilization of the open complex on LSP. Based on our results, we propose a refined model of transcription initiation by the human mitochondrial transcription machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparna Ramachandran
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical school, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Urmimala Basu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical school, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Shemaila Sultana
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical school, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Divya Nandakumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical school, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Smita S Patel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical school, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
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Single-molecule studies of high-mobility group B architectural DNA bending proteins. Biophys Rev 2016; 9:17-40. [PMID: 28303166 PMCID: PMC5331113 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-016-0236-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein–DNA interactions can be characterized and quantified using single molecule methods such as optical tweezers, magnetic tweezers, atomic force microscopy, and fluorescence imaging. In this review, we discuss studies that characterize the binding of high-mobility group B (HMGB) architectural proteins to single DNA molecules. We show how these studies are able to extract quantitative information regarding equilibrium binding as well as non-equilibrium binding kinetics. HMGB proteins play critical but poorly understood roles in cellular function. These roles vary from the maintenance of chromatin structure and facilitation of ribosomal RNA transcription (yeast high-mobility group 1 protein) to regulatory and packaging roles (human mitochondrial transcription factor A). We describe how these HMGB proteins bind, bend, bridge, loop and compact DNA to perform these functions. We also describe how single molecule experiments observe multiple rates for dissociation of HMGB proteins from DNA, while only one rate is observed in bulk experiments. The measured single-molecule kinetics reveals a local, microscopic mechanism by which HMGB proteins alter DNA flexibility, along with a second, much slower macroscopic rate that describes the complete dissociation of the protein from DNA.
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Byrnes J, Hauser K, Norona L, Mejia E, Simmerling C, Garcia-Diaz M. Base Flipping by MTERF1 Can Accommodate Multiple Conformations and Occurs in a Stepwise Fashion. J Mol Biol 2016; 428:2542-2556. [PMID: 26523681 PMCID: PMC4851923 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2015.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2015] [Revised: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Human mitochondrial transcription termination occurs within the leu-tRNA gene and is mediated by the DNA binding protein MTERF1. The crystal structure of MTERF1 bound to the canonical termination sequence reveals a rare base flipping event that involves the eversion of three nucleotides. These nucleotides are stabilized by stacking interactions with three MTERF1 residues, which are essential not only for base flipping but also for termination activity. To further understand the mechanism of base flipping, we examined each of the individual stacking interactions in structural, energetic and functional detail. Individual substitutions of Arg162, Tyr288 and Phe243 have revealed unequal contributions to overall termination activity. Furthermore, our work identifies an important role for Phe322 in the base flipping mechanism and we demonstrate how Phe322 and Phe243 are important for coupling base flipping between the heavy and light strand DNA chains. We propose a stepwise model for the base flipping process that recapitulates our observations. Finally, we show that MTERF1 has the ability to accommodate alternate active conformations. The adaptability of base flipping has implications for MTERF1 function and for the putative function of MTERF1 at alternative binding sites in human mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Byrnes
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Kevin Hauser
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Leah Norona
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Edison Mejia
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Carlos Simmerling
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA; Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Miguel Garcia-Diaz
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.
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Darbandi S, Darbandi M, Khorshid HRK, Sadeghi MR, Al-Hasani S, Agarwal A, Shirazi A, Heidari M, Akhondi MM. Experimental strategies towards increasing intracellular mitochondrial activity in oocytes: A systematic review. Mitochondrion 2016; 30:8-17. [PMID: 27234976 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2016.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Revised: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The mitochondrial complement is critical in sustaining the earliest stages of life. To improve the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), current methods of interest were evaluated for increasing the activity and copy number of mitochondria in the oocyte cell. METHODS This covered the researches from 1966 to September 2015. RESULTS The results provided ten methods that can be studied individually or simultaneously. CONCLUSION Though the use of these techniques generated great concern about heteroplasmy observation in humans, it seems that with study on these suggested methods there is real hope for effective treatments of old oocyte or oocytes containing mitochondrial problems in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Darbandi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mahsa Darbandi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
| | | | - Mohammad Reza Sadeghi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Safaa Al-Hasani
- Reproductive Medicine Unit, University of Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck, Germany.
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Abolfazl Shirazi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mahnaz Heidari
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran. M.@avicenna.ar.ir
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Akhondi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
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Abstract
Mammalian mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes 13 proteins that are essential for the function of the oxidative phosphorylation system, which is composed of four respiratory-chain complexes and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase. Remarkably, the maintenance and expression of mtDNA depend on the mitochondrial import of hundreds of nuclear-encoded proteins that control genome maintenance, replication, transcription, RNA maturation, and mitochondrial translation. The importance of this complex regulatory system is underscored by the identification of numerous mutations of nuclear genes that impair mtDNA maintenance and expression at different levels, causing human mitochondrial diseases with pleiotropic clinical manifestations. The basic scientific understanding of the mechanisms controlling mtDNA function has progressed considerably during the past few years, thanks to advances in biochemistry, genetics, and structural biology. The challenges for the future will be to understand how mtDNA maintenance and expression are regulated and to what extent direct intramitochondrial cross talk between different processes, such as transcription and translation, is important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claes M Gustafsson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden; ,
| | - Maria Falkenberg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden; ,
| | - Nils-Göran Larsson
- Department of Mitochondrial Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, 50931 Cologne, Germany; .,Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
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Picca A, Lezza AMS. Regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis through TFAM-mitochondrial DNA interactions: Useful insights from aging and calorie restriction studies. Mitochondrion 2015; 25:67-75. [PMID: 26437364 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2015.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Revised: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial biogenesis is regulated to adapt mitochondrial population to cell energy demands. Mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) performs several functions for mtDNA and interactions between TFAM and mtDNA participate to regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis. Such interactions are modulated through different mechanisms: regulation of TFAM expression and turnover, modulation of TFAM binding activity to mtDNA through post-translational modifications and differential affinity of TFAM, occurrence of TFAM sliding on mtDNA filaments and of cooperative binding among TFAM molecules, modulation of protein-protein interactions. The tissue-specific regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis in aging and calorie restriction (CR) highlights the relevance of modulation of TFAM-mtDNA interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Picca
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Via Orabona, 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Angela Maria Serena Lezza
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Via Orabona, 4, 70125, Bari, Italy.
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37
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Han LH, Dong LY, Yu H, Sun GY, Wu Y, Gao J, Thasler W, An W. Deceleration of liver regeneration by knockdown of augmenter of liver regeneration gene is associated with impairment of mitochondrial DNA synthesis in mice. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2015; 309:G112-22. [PMID: 25977511 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00435.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic stimulator substance, also known as augmenter of liver regeneration (ALR), is a novel hepatic mitogen that stimulates liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH). Recent work has indicated that a lack of ALR expression inhibited liver regeneration in rats, and the mechanism seems to be related to increased cell apoptosis. The mitochondria play an important role during liver regeneration. Adequate ATP supply, which is largely dependent on effective mitochondrial biogenesis, is essential for progress of liver regeneration. However, ALR gene expression during liver regeneration, particularly its function with mitochondrial DNA synthesis, remains poorly understood. In this study, ALR expression in hepatocytes of mice was suppressed with ALR short-hairpin RNA interference or ALR deletion (knockout, KO). The ALR-defective mice underwent PH, and the liver was allowed to regenerate for 1 wk. Analysis of liver growth and its correlation with mitochondrial biogenesis showed that both ALR mRNA and protein levels increased robustly in control mice with a maximum at days 3 and 4 post-PH. However, ALR knockdown inhibited hepatic DNA synthesis and decelerated liver regeneration after PH. Furthermore, both in the ALR-knockdown and ALR-KO mice, expression of mitochondrial transcription factor A and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α were reduced, resulting in impaired mitochondrial biogenesis. In conclusion, ALR is apparently required to ensure appropriate liver regeneration following PH in mice, and deletion of the ALR gene may delay liver regeneration in part due to impaired mitochondrial biogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-hong Han
- Department of Cell Biology and Municipal Laboratory of Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; and
| | - Ling-yue Dong
- Department of Cell Biology and Municipal Laboratory of Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; and
| | - Hao Yu
- Department of Cell Biology and Municipal Laboratory of Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; and
| | - Guang-yong Sun
- Department of Cell Biology and Municipal Laboratory of Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; and
| | - Yuan Wu
- Department of Cell Biology and Municipal Laboratory of Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; and
| | - Jian Gao
- Department of Cell Biology and Municipal Laboratory of Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; and
| | | | - Wei An
- Department of Cell Biology and Municipal Laboratory of Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; and
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38
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Moustafa IM, Uchida A, Wang Y, Yennawar N, Cameron CE. Structural models of mammalian mitochondrial transcription factor B2. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2015; 1849:987-1002. [PMID: 26066983 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2015.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Revised: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 05/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes 13 core proteins of oxidative phosphorylation, 12S and 16S ribosomal RNAs, and 22 transfer RNAs. Mutations and deletions of mtDNA and/or nuclear genes encoding mitochondrial proteins have been implicated in a wide range of diseases. Thus, cell survival and health of the organism require some steady-state level of the mitochondrial genome and its expression. In mammalian systems, the mitochondrial transcription factor B2 (mtTFB2 or TFB2M) is indispensable for transcription initiation. TFB2M along with two other proteins, mitochondrial RNA polymerase (mtRNAP or POLRMT) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (mtTFA or TFAM), are key components of the core mitochondrial transcription apparatus. Structural information for POLRMT and TFAM from humans is available; however, there is no available structure for TFB2M. In the present study, three-dimensional structure of TFB2M from humans was modeled using a combination of homology modeling and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The TFB2M structural model adds substantively to our understanding of TFB2M function. An explanation for the low or absent RNA methyltransferase activity is provided. A putative nucleic acid-binding site is revealed. The amino and carboxy termini, while likely lacking defined secondary structure, appear to adopt compact, globular conformations, thus "capping" the ends of the protein. Finally, sites of interaction of TFB2M with other factors, protein and/or nucleic acid, are suggested by the identification of species-specific clusters on the surface of the protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim M Moustafa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - Akira Uchida
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Yao Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Neela Yennawar
- Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Craig E Cameron
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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Murugesapillai D, Lodeiro MF, James Maher L, Cameron CE, Williams MC. 26 Sequence-specific DNA looping by mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM). J Biomol Struct Dyn 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2015.1032566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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40
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van der Wijst MGP, Rots MG. Mitochondrial epigenetics: an overlooked layer of regulation? Trends Genet 2015; 31:353-6. [PMID: 25891224 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2015.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite decades of research, mitochondrial epigenetics remains a controversial notion. Recent findings, however, indicate that dysfunctional mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) methylation could underlie aging and disease. Unraveling such a level of regulation will be essential in the understanding of and in interfering with the role of mitochondria in many physiological and pathophysiological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique G P van der Wijst
- Epigenetic Editing, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marianne G Rots
- Epigenetic Editing, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands.
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41
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Negative transcriptional regulation of mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) by nuclear TFAM. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2014; 450:166-71. [PMID: 24875355 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.05.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2014] [Accepted: 05/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The nuclear DNA-encoded mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) is synthesized in cytoplasm and transported into mitochondria. TFAM enhances both transcription and replication of mitochondrial DNA. It is unclear, however, whether TFAM plays a role in regulating nuclear gene expression. Here, we demonstrated that TFAM was localized to the nucleus and mitochondria by immunostaining, subcellular fractionation, and TFAM-green fluorescent protein hybrid protein studies. In HT22 hippocampal neuronal cells, human TFAM (hTFAM) overexpression suppressed human Tfam promoter-mediated luciferase activity in a dose-dependent manner. The mitochondria targeting sequence-deficient hTFAM also repressed Tfam promoter activity to the same degree as hTFAM. It indicated that nuclear hTFAM suppressed Tfam expression without modulating mitochondrial activity. The repression required for nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF-1), but hTFAM did not bind to the NRF-1 binding site of its promoter. TFAM was co-immunoprecipitated with NRF-1. Taken together, we suggest that nuclear TFAM down-regulate its own gene expression as a NRF-1 repressor, showing that TFAM may play different roles depending on its subcellular localizations.
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42
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Knoll N, Jarick I, Volckmar AL, Klingenspor M, Illig T, Grallert H, Gieger C, Wichmann HE, Peters A, Wiegand S, Biebermann H, Fischer-Posovszky P, Wabitsch M, Völzke H, Nauck M, Teumer A, Rosskopf D, Rimmbach C, Schreiber S, Jacobs G, Lieb W, Franke A, Hebebrand J, Hinney A. Mitochondrial DNA variants in obesity. PLoS One 2014; 9:e94882. [PMID: 24788344 PMCID: PMC4008486 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2014] [Accepted: 03/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Heritability estimates for body mass index (BMI) variation are high. For mothers and their offspring higher BMI correlations have been described than for fathers. Variation(s) in the exclusively maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) might contribute to this parental effect. Thirty-two to 40 mtDNA single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were available from genome-wide association study SNP arrays (Affymetrix 6.0). For discovery, we analyzed association in a case-control (CC) sample of 1,158 extremely obese children and adolescents and 435 lean adult controls. For independent confirmation, 7,014 population-based adults were analyzed as CC sample of n = 1,697 obese cases (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and n = 2,373 normal weight and lean controls (BMI<25 kg/m2). SNPs were analyzed as single SNPs and haplogroups determined by HaploGrep. Fisher's two-sided exact test was used for association testing. Moreover, the D-loop was re-sequenced (Sanger) in 192 extremely obese children and adolescents and 192 lean adult controls. Association testing of detected variants was performed using Fisher's two-sided exact test. For discovery, nominal association with obesity was found for the frequent allele G of m.8994G/A (rs28358887, p = 0.002) located in ATP6. Haplogroup W was nominally overrepresented in the controls (p = 0.039). These findings could not be confirmed independently. For two of the 252 identified D-loop variants nominal association was detected (m.16292C/T, p = 0.007, m.16189T/C, p = 0.048). Only eight controls carried the m.16292T allele, five of whom belonged to haplogroup W that was initially enriched among these controls. m.16189T/C might create an uninterrupted poly-C tract located near a regulatory element involved in replication of mtDNA. Though follow-up of some D-loop variants still is conceivable, our hypothesis of a contribution of variation in the exclusively maternally inherited mtDNA to the observed larger correlations for BMI between mothers and their offspring could not be substantiated by the findings of the present study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Knoll
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ivonne Jarick
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Anna-Lena Volckmar
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Martin Klingenspor
- Molecular Nutritional Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Else Kröner-Fresenius Center, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
| | - Thomas Illig
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Center Munich – German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Hannover Unified Biobank, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Harald Grallert
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Center Munich – German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Epidemiology II, Helmholtz Center Munich – German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Christian Gieger
- Institute of Genetic Epidemiology, Helmholtz Center Munich – German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Heinz-Erich Wichmann
- Institute of Epidemiology I, Helmholtz Center Munich – German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, Chair of Epidemiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
- Munich University Hospital, Campus Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
| | - Annette Peters
- Institute of Epidemiology II, Helmholtz Center Munich – German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Susanna Wiegand
- Institute of Experimental Pediatric Endocrinology, Charité Berlin, Germany
| | - Heike Biebermann
- Institute of Experimental Pediatric Endocrinology, Charité Berlin, Germany
| | - Pamela Fischer-Posovszky
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Children and Adolescent Medicine, University of Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Martin Wabitsch
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Children and Adolescent Medicine, University of Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Henry Völzke
- Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Matthias Nauck
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Alexander Teumer
- Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Dieter Rosskopf
- Institute for Pharmacology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Christian Rimmbach
- Institute for Pharmacology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Stefan Schreiber
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Gunnar Jacobs
- Institute of Epidemiology and Biobank popgen, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Lieb
- Institute of Epidemiology and Biobank popgen, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Andre Franke
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Johannes Hebebrand
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Anke Hinney
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Posse V, Hoberg E, Dierckx A, Shahzad S, Koolmeister C, Larsson NG, Wilhelmsson LM, Hällberg BM, Gustafsson CM. The amino terminal extension of mammalian mitochondrial RNA polymerase ensures promoter specific transcription initiation. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:3638-47. [PMID: 24445803 PMCID: PMC3973307 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt1397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian mitochondrial transcription is executed by a single subunit mitochondrial RNA polymerase (Polrmt) and its two accessory factors, mitochondrial transcription factors A and B2 (Tfam and Tfb2m). Polrmt is structurally related to single-subunit phage RNA polymerases, but it also contains a unique N-terminal extension (NTE) of unknown function. We here demonstrate that the NTE functions together with Tfam to ensure promoter-specific transcription. When the NTE is deleted, Polrmt can initiate transcription in the absence of Tfam, both from promoters and non-specific DNA sequences. Additionally, when in presence of Tfam and a mitochondrial promoter, the NTE-deleted mutant has an even higher transcription activity than wild-type polymerase, indicating that the NTE functions as an inhibitory domain. Our studies lead to a model according to which Tfam specifically recruits wild-type Polrmt to promoter sequences, relieving the inhibitory effect of the NTE, as a first step in transcription initiation. In the second step, Tfb2m is recruited into the complex and transcription is initiated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Posse
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Gothenburg, PO Box 440, Gothenburg, Sweden, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering/Physical Chemistry, Chalmers University of Technology, S-41296 Gothenburg, Sweden, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, S-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17177 Stockholm, Sweden, Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Gleueler Str. 50 a D-50931 Cologne, Germany, Centre for Structural Systems Biology, DESY-Campus, D-22603 Hamburg, Germany and European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Unit, 22603 Hamburg, Germany
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Yakubovskaya E, Guja KE, Eng ET, Choi WS, Mejia E, Beglov D, Lukin M, Kozakov D, Garcia-Diaz M. Organization of the human mitochondrial transcription initiation complex. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:4100-12. [PMID: 24413562 PMCID: PMC3973321 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt1360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Initiation of transcription in human mitochondria involves two factors, TFAM and TFB2M, in addition to the mitochondrial RNA polymerase, POLRMT. We have investigated the organization of the human mitochondrial transcription initiation complex on the light-strand promoter (LSP) through solution X-ray scattering, electron microscopy (EM) and biochemical studies. Our EM results demonstrate a compact organization of the initiation complex, suggesting that protein–protein interactions might help mediate initiation. We demonstrate that, in the absence of DNA, only POLRMT and TFAM form a stable interaction, albeit one with low affinity. This is consistent with the expected transient nature of the interactions necessary for initiation and implies that the promoter DNA acts as a scaffold that enables formation of the full initiation complex. Docking of known crystal structures into our EM maps results in a model for transcriptional initiation that strongly correlates with new and existing biochemical observations. Our results reveal the organization of TFAM, POLRMT and TFB2M around the LSP and represent the first structural characterization of the entire mitochondrial transcriptional initiation complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Yakubovskaya
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, Cryo-Electron Microscopy Facility, New York Structural Biology Center, New York, NY 10027 and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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45
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Morozov YI, Agaronyan K, Cheung ACM, Anikin M, Cramer P, Temiakov D. A novel intermediate in transcription initiation by human mitochondrial RNA polymerase. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:3884-93. [PMID: 24393772 PMCID: PMC3973326 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt1356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The mitochondrial genome is transcribed by a single-subunit T7 phage-like RNA polymerase (mtRNAP), structurally unrelated to cellular RNAPs. In higher eukaryotes, mtRNAP requires two transcription factors for efficient initiation-TFAM, a major nucleoid protein, and TFB2M, a transient component of mtRNAP catalytic site. The mechanisms behind assembly of the mitochondrial transcription machinery and its regulation are poorly understood. We isolated and identified a previously unknown human mitochondrial transcription intermediate-a pre-initiation complex that includes mtRNAP, TFAM and promoter DNA. Using protein-protein cross-linking, we demonstrate that human TFAM binds to the N-terminal domain of mtRNAP, which results in bending of the promoter DNA around mtRNAP. The subsequent recruitment of TFB2M induces promoter melting and formation of an open initiation complex. Our data indicate that the pre-initiation complex is likely to be an important target for transcription regulation and provide basis for further structural, biochemical and biophysical studies of mitochondrial transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaroslav I Morozov
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan University, Medical Center Dr, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA and Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 25, 81377 Munich, Germany
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Deceglie S, Lionetti C, Stewart JB, Habermann B, Roberti M, Cantatore P, Loguercio Polosa P. Characterization of the sea urchin mitochondrial transcription factor A reveals unusual features. Mitochondrion 2014; 14:34-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2013.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2013] [Revised: 09/27/2013] [Accepted: 10/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Picca A, Pesce V, Fracasso F, Joseph AM, Leeuwenburgh C, Lezza AMS. Aging and calorie restriction oppositely affect mitochondrial biogenesis through TFAM binding at both origins of mitochondrial DNA replication in rat liver. PLoS One 2013; 8:e74644. [PMID: 24058615 PMCID: PMC3772924 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2013] [Accepted: 08/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging affects mitochondria in a tissue-specific manner. Calorie restriction (CR) is, so far, the only intervention able to delay or prevent the onset of several age-related changes also in mitochondria. Using livers from middle age (18-month-old), 28-month-old and 32-month-old ad libitum-fed and 28-month-old calorie-restricted rats we found an age-related decrease in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) amount, fully prevented by CR. We revealed also an age-related decrease, completely prevented by CR, for the proteins PGC-1α NRF-1 and cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV, supporting the efficiency of CR to forestall the age-related decrease in mitochondrial biogenesis. Furthermore, CR counteracted the age-related increase in oxidative damage to proteins, represented by the increased amount of oxidized peroxiredoxins (PRX-SO3) in the ad libitum-fed animals. An unexpected age-related decrease in the mitochondrial proteins peroxiredoxin III (Prx III) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), usually induced by increased ROS and involved in mitochondrial biogenesis, suggested a prevailing relevance of the age-reduced mitochondrial biogenesis above the induction by ROS in the regulation of expression of these genes with aging. The partial prevention of the decrease in Prx III and SOD2 proteins by CR also supported the preservation of mitochondrial biogenesis in the anti-aging action of CR. To investigate further the age- and CR-related effects on mitochondrial biogenesis we analyzed the in vivo binding of TFAM to specific mtDNA regions and demonstrated a marked increase in the TFAM-bound amounts of mtDNA at both origins of replication with aging, fully prevented by CR. A novel, positive correlation between the paired amounts of TFAM-bound mtDNA at these sub-regions was found in the joined middle age ad libitum-fed and 28-month-old calorie-restricted groups, but not in the 28-month-old ad libitum-fed counterpart suggesting a quite different modulation of TFAM binding at both origins of replication in aging and CR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Picca
- Department of Aging and Geriatric Research, Institute on Aging, Division of Biology of Aging, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States of America
| | - Vito Pesce
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Flavio Fracasso
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Anna-Maria Joseph
- Department of Aging and Geriatric Research, Institute on Aging, Division of Biology of Aging, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States of America
| | - Christiaan Leeuwenburgh
- Department of Aging and Geriatric Research, Institute on Aging, Division of Biology of Aging, University of Florida, Gainesville, United States of America
| | - Angela M. S. Lezza
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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Bestwick ML, Shadel GS. Accessorizing the human mitochondrial transcription machinery. Trends Biochem Sci 2013; 38:283-91. [PMID: 23632312 PMCID: PMC3698603 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2013.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2013] [Revised: 03/18/2013] [Accepted: 03/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The human genome comprises large chromosomes in the nucleus and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) housed in the dynamic mitochondrial network. Human cells contain up to thousands of copies of the double-stranded, circular mtDNA molecule that encodes essential subunits of the oxidative phosphorylation complexes and the rRNAs and tRNAs needed to translate these in the organelle matrix. Transcription of human mtDNA is directed by a single-subunit RNA polymerase, POLRMT, which requires two primary transcription factors, TFB2M (transcription factor B2, mitochondrial) and TFAM (transcription factor A, mitochondrial), to achieve basal regulation of the system. Here, we review recent advances in understanding the structure and function of the primary human transcription machinery and the other factors that facilitate steps in transcription beyond initiation and provide more intricate control over the system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan L. Bestwick
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Gerald S. Shadel
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
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Lu B, Lee J, Nie X, Li M, Morozov YI, Venkatesh S, Bogenhagen DF, Temiakov D, Suzuki CK. Phosphorylation of human TFAM in mitochondria impairs DNA binding and promotes degradation by the AAA+ Lon protease. Mol Cell 2012. [PMID: 23201127 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2012.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 226] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Human mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) is a high-mobility group (HMG) protein at the nexus of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replication, transcription, and inheritance. Little is known about the mechanisms underlying its posttranslational regulation. Here, we demonstrate that TFAM is phosphorylated within its HMG box 1 (HMG1) by cAMP-dependent protein kinase in mitochondria. HMG1 phosphorylation impairs the ability of TFAM to bind DNA and to activate transcription. We show that only DNA-free TFAM is degraded by the Lon protease, which is inhibited by the anticancer drug bortezomib. In cells with normal mtDNA levels, HMG1-phosphorylated TFAM is degraded by Lon. However, in cells with severe mtDNA deficits, nonphosphorylated TFAM is also degraded, as it is DNA free. Depleting Lon in these cells increases levels of TFAM and upregulates mtDNA content, albeit transiently. Phosphorylation and proteolysis thus provide mechanisms for rapid fine-tuning of TFAM function and abundance in mitochondria, which are crucial for maintaining and expressing mtDNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Lu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
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Blomain ES, McMahon SB. Dynamic regulation of mitochondrial transcription as a mechanism of cellular adaptation. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2012; 1819:1075-9. [PMID: 22766037 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2012.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2012] [Revised: 06/21/2012] [Accepted: 06/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Eukaryotes control nearly every cellular process in part by modulating the transcription of genes encoded by their nuclear genome. However, these cells are faced with the added complexity of possessing a second genome, within the mitochondria, which encodes critical components of several essential processes, including energy metabolism and macromolecule biosynthesis. As these cellular processes require gene products encoded by both genomes, cells have adopted strategies for linking mitochondrial gene expression to nuclear gene expression and other dynamic cellular events. Here we discuss examples of several mechanisms that have been identified, by which eukaryotic cells link extramitochondrial signals to dynamic alterations in mitochondrial transcription. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Mitochondrial Gene Expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik S Blomain
- Department of Cancer Biology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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