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Nadalutti CA, Ayala-Peña S, Santos JH. Mitochondrial DNA damage as driver of cellular outcomes. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2022; 322:C136-C150. [PMID: 34936503 PMCID: PMC8799395 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00389.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria are primarily involved in energy production through the process of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Increasing evidence has shown that mitochondrial function impacts a plethora of different cellular activities, including metabolism, epigenetics, and innate immunity. Like the nucleus, mitochondria own their genetic material, but this organellar genome is circular, present in multiple copies, and maternally inherited. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes 37 genes that are solely involved in OXPHOS. Maintenance of mtDNA, through replication and repair, requires the import of nuclear DNA-encoded proteins. Thus, mitochondria completely rely on the nucleus to prevent mitochondrial genetic alterations. As most cells contain hundreds to thousands of mitochondria, it follows that the shear number of organelles allows for the buffering of dysfunction-at least to some extent-before tissue homeostasis becomes impaired. Only red blood cells lack mitochondria entirely. Impaired mitochondrial function is a hallmark of aging and is involved in a number of different disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, cancer, and autoimmunity. Although alterations in mitochondrial processes unrelated to OXPHOS, such as fusion and fission, contribute to aging and disease, maintenance of mtDNA integrity is critical for proper organellar function. Here, we focus on how mtDNA damage contributes to cellular dysfunction and health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina A. Nadalutti
- 1Mechanistic Toxicology Branch, Division of the National Toxicology
Program (DNTP), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Sylvette Ayala-Peña
- 2Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Janine H. Santos
- 1Mechanistic Toxicology Branch, Division of the National Toxicology
Program (DNTP), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
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2
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So M, Stiban J, Ciesielski GL, Hovde SL, Kaguni LS. Implications of Membrane Binding by the Fe-S Cluster-Containing N-Terminal Domain in the Drosophila Mitochondrial Replicative DNA Helicase. Front Genet 2021; 12:790521. [PMID: 34950192 PMCID: PMC8688847 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.790521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that iron-sulfur clusters (ISCs) in DNA replicative proteins sense DNA-mediated charge transfer to modulate nuclear DNA replication. In the mitochondrial DNA replisome, only the replicative DNA helicase (mtDNA helicase) from Drosophila melanogaster (Dm) has been shown to contain an ISC in its N-terminal, primase-like domain (NTD). In this report, we confirm the presence of the ISC and demonstrate the importance of a metal cofactor in the structural stability of the Dm mtDNA helicase. Further, we show that the NTD also serves a role in membrane binding. We demonstrate that the NTD binds to asolectin liposomes, which mimic phospholipid membranes, through electrostatic interactions. Notably, membrane binding is more specific with increasing cardiolipin content, which is characteristically high in the mitochondrial inner membrane (MIM). We suggest that the N-terminal domain of the mtDNA helicase interacts with the MIM to recruit mtDNA and initiate mtDNA replication. Furthermore, Dm NUBPL, the known ISC donor for respiratory complex I and a putative donor for Dm mtDNA helicase, was identified as a peripheral membrane protein that is likely to execute membrane-mediated ISC delivery to its target proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minyoung So
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Mitochondrial Science and Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Johnny Stiban
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Mitochondrial Science and Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.,Department of Biology and Biochemistry, Birzeit University, Birzeit, Palestine
| | - Grzegorz L Ciesielski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Mitochondrial Science and Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.,Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.,Department of Chemistry, Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL, United States
| | - Stacy L Hovde
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Mitochondrial Science and Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Laurie S Kaguni
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Mitochondrial Science and Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.,Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
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3
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Nadalutti CA, Prasad R, Wilson SH. Perspectives on formaldehyde dysregulation: Mitochondrial DNA damage and repair in mammalian cells. DNA Repair (Amst) 2021; 105:103134. [PMID: 34116475 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2021.103134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Maintaining genome stability involves coordination between different subcellular compartments providing cells with DNA repair systems that safeguard against environmental and endogenous stresses. Organisms produce the chemically reactive molecule formaldehyde as a component of one-carbon metabolism, and cells maintain systems to regulate endogenous levels of formaldehyde under physiological conditions, preventing genotoxicity, among other adverse effects. Dysregulation of formaldehyde is associated with several diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. In the present review, we discuss the complex topic of endogenous formaldehyde metabolism and summarize advances in research on fo dysregulation, along with future research perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina A Nadalutti
- Genome Integrity and Structural Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Rajendra Prasad
- Genome Integrity and Structural Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Samuel H Wilson
- Genome Integrity and Structural Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
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4
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Towarnicki SG, Ballard JWO. Towards understanding the evolutionary dynamics of mtDNA. Mitochondrial DNA A DNA Mapp Seq Anal 2020; 31:355-364. [PMID: 33026269 DOI: 10.1080/24701394.2020.1830076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Historically, mtDNA was considered a selectively neutral marker that was useful for estimating the population genetic history of the maternal lineage. Over time there has been an increasing appreciation of mtDNA and mitochondria in maintaining cellular and organismal health. Beyond energy production, mtDNA and mitochondria have critical cellular roles in signalling. Here we briefly review the structure of mtDNA and the role of the mitochondrion in energy production. We then discuss the predictions that can be obtained from quaternary structure modelling and focus on mitochondrial complex I. Complex I is the primary entry point for electrons into the electron transport system is the largest respiratory complex of the chain and produces about 40% of the proton flux used to synthesize ATP. A focus of the review is Drosophila's utility as a model organism to study the selective advantage of specific mutations. However, we note that the incorporation of insights from a multitude of systems is necessary to fully understand the range of roles that mtDNA has in organismal fitness. We speculate that dietary changes can illicit stress responses that influence the selective advantage of specific mtDNA mutations and cause spatial and temporal fluctuations in the frequencies of mutations. We conclude that developing our understanding of the roles mtDNA has in determining organismal fitness will enable increased evolutionary insight and propose we can no longer assume it is evolving as a strictly neutral marker without testing this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel G Towarnicki
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - J William O Ballard
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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5
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Oliveira MT, Pontes CDB, Ciesielski GL. Roles of the mitochondrial replisome in mitochondrial DNA deletion formation. Genet Mol Biol 2020; 43:e20190069. [PMID: 32141473 PMCID: PMC7197994 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2019-0069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions are a common cause of human mitochondrial
diseases. Mutations in the genes encoding components of the mitochondrial
replisome, such as DNA polymerase gamma (Pol γ) and the mtDNA helicase Twinkle,
have been associated with the accumulation of such deletions and the development
of pathological conditions in humans. Recently, we demonstrated that changes in
the level of wild-type Twinkle promote mtDNA deletions, which implies that not
only mutations in, but also dysregulation of the stoichiometry between the
replisome components is potentially pathogenic. The mechanism(s) by which
alterations to the replisome function generate mtDNA deletions is(are) currently
under debate. It is commonly accepted that stalling of the replication fork at
sites likely to form secondary structures precedes the deletion formation. The
secondary structural elements can be bypassed by the replication-slippage
mechanism. Otherwise, stalling of the replication fork can generate single- and
double-strand breaks, which can be repaired through recombination leading to the
elimination of segments between the recombination sites. Here, we discuss
aberrances of the replisome in the context of the two debated outcomes, and
suggest new mechanistic explanations based on replication restart and template
switching that could account for all the deletion types reported for
patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos T Oliveira
- Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Departamento de Tecnologia, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
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6
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Holt IJ. The mitochondrial R-loop. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:5480-5489. [PMID: 31045202 PMCID: PMC6582354 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The DNA in mitochondria contributes essential components of the organelle’s energy producing machinery that is essential for life. In 1971, many mitochondrial DNA molecules were found to have a third strand of DNA that maps to a region containing critical regulatory elements for transcription and replication. Forty-five years later, a third strand of RNA in the same region has been reported. This mitochondrial R-loop is present on thousands of copies of mitochondrial DNA per cell making it potentially the most abundant R-loop in nature. Here, I assess the discovery of the mitochondrial R-loop, discuss why it remained unrecognized for almost half a century and propose for it central roles in the replication, organization and expression of mitochondrial DNA, which if compromised can lead to disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian J Holt
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 San Sebastián, Spain & IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Spain.,Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Royal Free Campus, London, NW3 2PF, UK.,CIBERNED (Center for Networked Biomedical Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Institute Carlos III), Madrid, Spain
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Cluett TJ, Akman G, Reyes A, Kazak L, Mitchell A, Wood SR, Spinazzola A, Spelbrink JN, Holt IJ. Transcript availability dictates the balance between strand-asynchronous and strand-coupled mitochondrial DNA replication. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:10771-10781. [PMID: 30239839 PMCID: PMC6237803 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian mitochondria operate multiple mechanisms of DNA replication. In many cells and tissues a strand-asynchronous mechanism predominates over coupled leading and lagging-strand DNA synthesis. However, little is known of the factors that control or influence the different mechanisms of replication, and the idea that strand-asynchronous replication entails transient incorporation of transcripts (aka bootlaces) is controversial. A firm prediction of the bootlace model is that it depends on mitochondrial transcripts. Here, we show that elevated expression of Twinkle DNA helicase in human mitochondria induces bidirectional, coupled leading and lagging-strand DNA synthesis, at the expense of strand-asynchronous replication; and this switch is accompanied by decreases in the steady-state level of some mitochondrial transcripts. However, in the so-called minor arc of mitochondrial DNA where transcript levels remain high, the strand-asynchronous replication mechanism is instated. Hence, replication switches to a strand-coupled mechanism only where transcripts are scarce, thereby establishing a direct correlation between transcript availability and the mechanism of replication. Thus, these findings support a critical role of mitochondrial transcripts in the strand-asynchronous mechanism of mitochondrial DNA replication; and, as a corollary, mitochondrial RNA availability and RNA/DNA hybrid formation offer means of regulating the mechanisms of DNA replication in the organelle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tricia J Cluett
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB1 9SY, UK
| | | | - Aurelio Reyes
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB1 9SY, UK
| | - Lawrence Kazak
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB1 9SY, UK
| | - Alice Mitchell
- Department of Clinical Movement Neurosciences, Institute of Neurology, Royal Free Campus, University College London, London NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Stuart R Wood
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB1 9SY, UK
| | - Antonella Spinazzola
- Department of Clinical Movement Neurosciences, Institute of Neurology, Royal Free Campus, University College London, London NW3 2PF, UK.,MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
| | - Johannes N Spelbrink
- Department of Pediatrics, Radboud Centre for Mitochondrial Medicine, Radboud University Medical Centre, Geert Grooteplein 10, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ian J Holt
- Department of Clinical Movement Neurosciences, Institute of Neurology, Royal Free Campus, University College London, London NW3 2PF, UK.,Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 San Sebastián, Spain and IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
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8
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González de Cózar JM, Gerards M, Teeri E, George J, Dufour E, Jacobs HT, Jõers P. RNase H1 promotes replication fork progression through oppositely transcribed regions of Drosophila mitochondrial DNA. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:4331-4344. [PMID: 30635398 PMCID: PMC6433063 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.007015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replication uses a simple core machinery similar to those of bacterial viruses and plasmids, but its components are challenging to unravel. Here, we found that, as in mammals, the single Drosophila gene for RNase H1 (rnh1) has alternative translational start sites, resulting in two polypeptides, targeted to either mitochondria or the nucleus. RNAi-mediated rnh1 knockdown did not influence growth or viability of S2 cells, but compromised mtDNA integrity and copy number. rnh1 knockdown in intact flies also produced a phenotype of impaired mitochondrial function, characterized by respiratory chain deficiency, locomotor dysfunction, and decreased lifespan. Its overexpression in S2 cells resulted in cell lethality after 5–9 days, attributable to the nuclearly localized isoform. rnh1 knockdown and overexpression produced opposite effects on mtDNA replication intermediates. The most pronounced effects were seen in genome regions beyond the major replication pauses where the replication fork needs to progress through a gene cluster that is transcribed in the opposite direction. RNase H1 deficiency led to an accumulation of replication intermediates in these zones, abundant mtDNA molecules joined by four-way junctions, and species consistent with fork regression from the origin. These findings indicate replication stalling due to the presence of unprocessed RNA/DNA heteroduplexes, potentially leading to the degradation of collapsed forks or to replication restart by a mechanism involving strand invasion. Both mitochondrial RNA and DNA syntheses were affected by rnh1 knockdown, suggesting that RNase H1 also plays a role in integrating or coregulating these processes in Drosophila mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose M González de Cózar
- From the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology and Tampere University Hospital, FI-33014 Tampere University, Finland
| | - Mike Gerards
- From the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology and Tampere University Hospital, FI-33014 Tampere University, Finland
| | - Eveliina Teeri
- From the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology and Tampere University Hospital, FI-33014 Tampere University, Finland
| | - Jack George
- From the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology and Tampere University Hospital, FI-33014 Tampere University, Finland
| | - Eric Dufour
- From the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology and Tampere University Hospital, FI-33014 Tampere University, Finland
| | - Howard T Jacobs
- From the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology and Tampere University Hospital, FI-33014 Tampere University, Finland, .,Institute of Biotechnology, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland, and
| | - Priit Jõers
- From the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology and Tampere University Hospital, FI-33014 Tampere University, Finland.,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23, 51010 Tartu, Estonia
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