Reduction of mitochondrial tRNA Leu(UUR) aminoacylation by some MELAS-associated mutations

Rui Hao, Yong Neng Yao, Yong Gang Zheng, Min Gang Xu, En Duo Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

The mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes syndrome (MELAS) is a rare congenital disorder of mitochondrial DNA. Five single nucleotide substitutions within the human mitochondrial tRNA Leu(UUR) gene have been reported to be associated with MELAS. Here, we provide in vitro evidence that the aminoacylation capacities of these five hmtRNA Leu(UUR) transcripts are reduced to different extents relative to the wild-type hmtRNA Leu(UUR) transcript. A thermal denaturation experiment showed that the A3243G and T3291C mutants, which were the least charged by LeuRS, have fragile structures. In addition, the T3291C mutant can inhibit aminoacylation of the wild-type hmtRNA Leu(UUR), indicating that it may act as an inhibitor in the mitochondrial heteroplasmic environment.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)135-139
Number of pages5
JournalFEBS Letters
Volume578
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 3 2004
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Aminoacylation
  • Human mitochondrion
  • MELAS-related mutation
  • tRNA (UUR)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Structural Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology

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