bims-mitdis Biomed News
on Mitochondrial disorders
Issue of 2023–01–29
forty-six papers selected by
Catalina Vasilescu, Helmholz Munich
  1. A census of complexes formed by mitochondrial proteins.
  2. MitoStores: chaperone-controlled protein granules store mitochondrial precursors in the cytosol.
  3. Mitochondrial complex I deficiency and Parkinson disease.
  4. Coenzyme Q biochemistry and biosynthesis.
  5. Endosomal-dependent mitophagy coordinates mitochondrial nucleoid and mtDNA elimination.
  6. Nonprogressive Mobile Dystonia in MTFMT-Related Mitochondrial Disease.
  7. Laboratory testing for mitochondrial diseases: biomarkers for diagnosis and follow-up.
  8. Mitochondrial NAD kinase in health and disease.
  9. Inefficient Batteries in Heart Failure: Metabolic Bottlenecks Disrupting the Mitochondrial Ecosystem.
  10. Mitochondrial complexome reveals quality-control pathways of protein import.
  11. Small heat shock proteins operate as molecular chaperones in the mitochondrial intermembrane space.
  12. Hacd2 deficiency in mice leads to an early and lethal mitochondrial disease.
  13. Inhibition of Drp1-dependent mitochondrial fission by natural compounds as a therapeutic strategy for organ injuries.
  14. Increased cysteine metabolism in PINK1 models of Parkinson's disease.
  15. Barriers and opportunities: Intercellular mitochondrial transfer for cardiac protection-Delivery by extracellular vesicles.
  16. Genome-wide analysis of Structural Variants in Parkinson's Disease.
  17. Nanoparticle-Based Artificial Mitochondrial DNA Transcription Regulator: MitoScript.
  18. Isolation of extracellular fluids reveals novel secreted bioactive proteins from muscle and fat tissues.
  19. Aquila_stLFR: diploid genome assembly based structural variant calling package for stLFR linked-reads.
  20. Mitochondrial connexin43 and mitochondrial KATP channels modulate triggered arrhythmias in mouse ventricular muscle.
  21. Structural basis of mammalian respiratory complex I inhibition by medicinal biguanides.
  22. Changes of energy metabolism in failing heart and its regulation by SIRT3.
  23. Mitochondrial SENP2 regulates the assembly of SDH complex under metabolic stress.
  24. Mitochondrial remodelling is essential for female germ cell differentiation and survival.
  25. PRKN/parkin-mediated mitophagy is induced by the probiotics Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactococcus lactis.
  26. Mechanisms behind therapeutic potentials of mesenchymal stem cell mitochondria transfer/delivery.
  27. Insulin-regulated serine and lipid metabolism drive peripheral neuropathy.
  28. Cx43 acts as a mitochondrial calcium regulator that promotes obesity by inducing the polarization of macrophages in adipose tissue.
  29. Inter and intracellular mitochondrial transfer: Future of mitochondrial transplant therapy in Parkinson's disease.
  30. NAD salvage pathway machinery expression in normal and glaucomatous retina and optic nerve.
  31. Mitochondria as biological targets for stem cell and organismal senescence.
  32. Towards a structurally resolved human protein interaction network.
  33. Arginine for the Treatment of Mitochondrial Encephalopathy, Lactic Acidosis, and Stroke-Like Episodes: A Systematic Review.
  34. IARS2-related disease manifesting as sideroblastic anemia and hypoparathyroidism: A case report.
  35. Mitofusin 1 and 2 differentially regulate mitochondrial function underlying Ca2+ signaling and proliferation in rat aortic smooth muscle cells.
  36. A mitochondria-targeted fluorescent probe for imaging of endogenous carbon monoxide in living cells.
  37. Phase Separation in Biology and Disease; Current Perspectives and Open Questions.
  38. DNA methylation signature classification of rare disorders using publicly available methylation data.
  39. Predicting reliability through structured expert elicitation with the repliCATS (Collaborative Assessments for Trustworthy Science) process.
  40. Inhibition of mitochondrial VDAC1 oligomerization alleviates apoptosis and necroptosis of retinal neurons following OGD/R injury.
  41. A FRET-based respirasome assembly screen identifies spleen tyrosine kinase as a target to improve muscle mitochondrial respiration and exercise performance in mice.
  42. RNA Secondary Structure Alteration Caused by Single Nucleotide Variants.
  43. GRASP: a computational platform for building kinetic models of cellular metabolism.
  44. Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes with an MT-TL1 m.3243A>G point mutation: Neuroradiological features and their implications for underlying pathogenesis.
  45. The genomic landscape of rare disorders in the Middle East.
  46. Recurrent sensory-motor neuropathy mimicking CIDP as predominant presentation of PDH deficiency.
  1. Nature. 2023 Jan 25.
    A census of complexes formed by mitochondrial proteins.
      
    Keywords:  Biochemistry; Cell biology; Metabolism; Proteomics
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-023-00095-0
  2. EMBO J. 2023 Jan 27. e112309
    MitoStores: chaperone-controlled protein granules store mitochondrial precursors in the cytosol.
    Lena Krämer, Niko Dalheimer, Markus Räschle, Zuzana Storchová, Jan Pielage, Felix Boos, Johannes M Herrmann.
      Hundreds of nucleus-encoded mitochondrial precursor proteins are synthesized in the cytosol and imported into mitochondria in a post-translational manner. However, the early processes associated with mitochondrial protein targeting remain poorly understood. Here, we show that in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the cytosol has the capacity to transiently store mitochondrial matrix-destined precursors in dedicated deposits that we termed MitoStores. Competitive inhibition of mitochondrial protein import via clogging of import sites greatly enhances the formation of MitoStores, but they also form during physiological cell growth on nonfermentable carbon sources. MitoStores are enriched for a specific subset of nucleus-encoded mitochondrial proteins, in particular those containing N-terminal mitochondrial targeting sequences. Our results suggest that MitoStore formation suppresses the toxic potential of aberrantly accumulating mitochondrial precursor proteins and is controlled by the heat shock proteins Hsp42 and Hsp104. Thus, the cytosolic protein quality control system plays an active role during the early stages of mitochondrial protein targeting through the coordinated and localized sequestration of mitochondrial precursor proteins.
    Keywords:  chaperones; mitochondria; proteasome; protein aggregates; protein translocation
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.15252/embj.2022112309
  3. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2023 Jan 25.
    Mitochondrial complex I deficiency and Parkinson disease.
    Janelle Drouin-Ouellet.
      
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41583-023-00676-y
  4. Trends Biochem Sci. 2023 Jan 24. pii: S0968-0004(22)00334-6. [Epub ahead of print]
    Coenzyme Q biochemistry and biosynthesis.
    Rachel M Guerra, David J Pagliarini.
      Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is a remarkably hydrophobic, redox-active lipid that empowers diverse cellular processes. Although most known for shuttling electrons between mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) complexes, the roles for CoQ are far more wide-reaching and ever-expanding. CoQ serves as a conduit for electrons from myriad pathways to enter the ETC, acts as a cofactor for biosynthetic and catabolic reactions, detoxifies damaging lipid species, and engages in cellular signaling and oxygen sensing. Many open questions remain regarding the biosynthesis, transport, and metabolism of CoQ, which hinders our ability to treat human CoQ deficiency. Here, we recount progress in filling these knowledge gaps, highlight unanswered questions, and underscore the need for novel tools to enable discoveries and improve the treatment of CoQ-related diseases.
    Keywords:  coenzyme Q; complex Q; lipids; mitochondria; oxidative phosphorylation; ubiquinone
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibs.2022.12.006
  5. Autophagy. 2023 Jan 24.
    Endosomal-dependent mitophagy coordinates mitochondrial nucleoid and mtDNA elimination.
    Ayesha Sen, Julia Boix, David Pla-Martín.
      Mitophagy and its variants are considered important salvage pathways to remove dysfunctional mitochondria. Non-canonical mitophagy, independent of autophagosome formation and including endosomal-dependent mitophagy, operate upon specific injury. In a recent paper, we describe a new mechanism where, upon mtDNA damage, mitochondrial nucleoids are eliminated via an endosomal-mitophagy pathway. Using proximity proteomics, we identified the proteins required for elimination of mutated mitochondrial nucleoids from the mitochondrial matrix. Among them, ATAD3 and SAMM50 control cristae architecture and nucleoid interaction, necessary for mtDNA extraction. In the mitochondrial outer membrane, SAMM50 coordinates with the retromer protein VPS35 to sequester mtDNA in endosomes and guide them towards elimination, thus avoiding the activation of an exacerbated immune response. Here, we summarize our findings and examine how this newly described pathway contributes to our understanding of mtDNA quality control.
    Keywords:  - mitophagy; endosomes; mtDNA
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1080/15548627.2023.2170959
  6. Mov Disord Clin Pract. 2023 Jan;10(1): 145-147
    Nonprogressive Mobile Dystonia in MTFMT-Related Mitochondrial Disease.
    Kallol Kumar Set, Karl De Dios.
      
    Keywords:  Leigh syndrome; MTFMT‐related mitochondrial disease; mobile dystonia
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/mdc3.13595
  7. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci. 2023 Jan 24. 1-20
    Laboratory testing for mitochondrial diseases: biomarkers for diagnosis and follow-up.
    Abraham J Paredes-Fuentes, Clara Oliva, Roser Urreizti, Delia Yubero, Rafael Artuch.
      The currently available biomarkers generally lack the specificity and sensitivity needed for the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with mitochondrial diseases (MDs). In this group of rare genetic disorders (mutations in approximately 350 genes associated with MDs), all clinical presentations, ages of disease onset and inheritance types are possible. Blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid surrogates are well-established biomarkers that are used in clinical practice to assess MD. One of the main challenges is validating specific and sensitive biomarkers for the diagnosis of disease and prediction of disease progression. Profiling of lactate, amino acids, organic acids, and acylcarnitine species is routinely conducted to assess MD patients. New biomarkers, including some proteins and circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA, with increased diagnostic specificity have been identified in the last decade and have been proposed as potentially useful in the assessment of clinical outcomes. Despite these advances, even these new biomarkers are not sufficiently specific and sensitive to assess MD progression, and new biomarkers that indicate MD progression are urgently needed to monitor the success of novel therapeutic strategies. In this report, we review the mitochondrial biomarkers that are currently analyzed in clinical laboratories, new biomarkers, an overview of the most common laboratory diagnostic techniques, and future directions regarding targeted versus untargeted metabolomic and genomic approaches in the clinical laboratory setting. Brief descriptions of the current methodologies are also provided.
    Keywords:  Mitochondrial diseases; biomarkers; laboratory diagnosis; mass spectrometry; metabolomics
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1080/10408363.2023.2166013
  8. Redox Biol. 2023 Jan 18. pii: S2213-2317(23)00014-9. [Epub ahead of print]60 102613
    Mitochondrial NAD kinase in health and disease.
    Ren Zhang, Kezhong Zhang.
      Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), a co-enzyme and an electron carrier, plays crucial roles in numerous biological functions, including cellular metabolism and antioxidation. Because NADP is subcellular-membrane impermeable, eukaryotes compartmentalize NAD kinases (NADKs), the NADP biosynthetic enzymes. Mitochondria are fundamental organelles for energy production through oxidative phosphorylation. Ten years after the discovery of the mitochondrial NADK (known as MNADK or NADK2), a significant amount of knowledge has been obtained regarding its functions, mechanism of action, human biology, mouse models, crystal structures, and post-translation modifications. NADK2 phosphorylates NAD(H) to generate mitochondrial NADP(H). NADK2-deficient patients suffered from hyperlysinemia, elevated plasma C10:2-carnitine (due to the inactivity of relevant NADP-dependent enzymes), and neuronal development defects. Nadk2-deficient mice recapitulate key features of NADK2-deficient patients, including metabolic and neuronal abnormalities. Crystal structures of human NADK2 show a dimer, with the NADP+-binding site located at the dimer interface. NADK2 activity is highly regulated by post-translational modifications, including S188 phosphorylation, K76 and K304 acetylation, and C193 S-nitrosylation; mutations in each site affect NADK2 activity and function. In mice, hepatic Nadk2 functions as a major metabolic regulator upon increased energy demands by regulating sirtuin 3 activity and fatty acid oxidation. Hopefully, future research on NADK2 will not only elucidate its functional roles in health and disease but will also pave the way for novel therapeutics for both rare and common diseases, including NADK2 deficiency and metabolic syndrome.
    Keywords:  Antioxidation; MNADK; Mitochondria; NAD; NADK; NADK2; NADP
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2023.102613
  9. JACC Basic Transl Sci. 2022 Nov;7(11): 1161-1179
    Inefficient Batteries in Heart Failure: Metabolic Bottlenecks Disrupting the Mitochondrial Ecosystem.
    Brian Schwartz, Petro Gjini, Deepa M Gopal, Jessica L Fetterman.
      Mitochondrial abnormalities have long been described in the setting of cardiomyopathies and heart failure (HF), yet the mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiac pathophysiology remain poorly understood. Many studies have described HF as an energy-deprived state characterized by a decline in adenosine triphosphate production, largely driven by impaired oxidative phosphorylation. However, impairments in oxidative phosphorylation extend beyond a simple decline in adenosine triphosphate production and, in fact, reflect pervasive metabolic aberrations that cannot be fully appreciated from the isolated, often siloed, interrogation of individual aspects of mitochondrial function. With the application of broader and deeper examinations into mitochondrial and metabolic systems, recent data suggest that HF with preserved ejection fraction is likely metabolically disparate from HF with reduced ejection fraction. In our review, we introduce the concept of the mitochondrial ecosystem, comprising intricate systems of metabolic pathways and dynamic changes in mitochondrial networks and subcellular locations. The mitochondrial ecosystem exists in a delicate balance, and perturbations in one component often have a ripple effect, influencing both upstream and downstream cellular pathways with effects enhanced by mitochondrial genetic variation. Expanding and deepening our vantage of the mitochondrial ecosystem in HF is critical to identifying consistent metabolic perturbations to develop therapeutics aimed at preventing and improving outcomes in HF.
    Keywords:  ADP, adenosine diphosphate; ANT1, adenine translocator 1; ATP, adenosine triphosphate; CVD, cardiovascular disease; DCM, dilated cardiomyopathy; DRP-1, dynamin-related protein 1; EET, epoxyeicosatrienoic acid; FADH2/FAD, flavin adenine dinucleotide; HETE, hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid; HF, heart failure; HFpEF, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction; HFrEF, heart failure with reduced ejection fraction; HIF1α, hypoxia-inducible factor 1α; LV, left ventricle; LVAD, left ventricular assist device; LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction; NADH/NAD+, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide; OPA1, optic atrophy protein 1; OXPHOS, oxidative phosphorylation; PGC1-α, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha; SIRT1-7, sirtuins 1-7; cardiomyopathy; heart failure; iPLA2γ, Ca2+-independent mitochondrial phospholipase; mPTP, mitochondrial permeability transition pore; metabolism; mitochondria; mitochondrial ecosystem; mtDNA, mitochondrial DNA
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacbts.2022.03.017
  10. Nature. 2023 Jan 25.
    Mitochondrial complexome reveals quality-control pathways of protein import.
    Uwe Schulte, Fabian den Brave, Alexander Haupt, Arushi Gupta, Jiyao Song, Catrin S Müller, Jeannine Engelke, Swadha Mishra, Christoph Mårtensson, Lars Ellenrieder, Chantal Priesnitz, Sebastian P Straub, Kim Nguyen Doan, Bogusz Kulawiak, Wolfgang Bildl, Heike Rampelt, Nils Wiedemann, Nikolaus Pfanner, Bernd Fakler, Thomas Becker.
      Mitochondria have crucial roles in cellular energetics, metabolism, signalling and quality control1-4. They contain around 1,000 different proteins that often assemble into complexes and supercomplexes such as respiratory complexes and preprotein translocases1,3-7. The composition of the mitochondrial proteome has been characterized1,3,5,6; however, the organization of mitochondrial proteins into stable and dynamic assemblies is poorly understood for major parts of the proteome1,4,7. Here we report quantitative mapping of mitochondrial protein assemblies using high-resolution complexome profiling of more than 90% of the yeast mitochondrial proteome, termed MitCOM. An analysis of the MitCOM dataset resolves >5,200 protein peaks with an average of six peaks per protein and demonstrates a notable complexity of mitochondrial protein assemblies with distinct appearance for respiration, metabolism, biogenesis, dynamics, regulation and redox processes. We detect interactors of the mitochondrial receptor for cytosolic ribosomes, of prohibitin scaffolds and of respiratory complexes. The identification of quality-control factors operating at the mitochondrial protein entry gate reveals pathways for preprotein ubiquitylation, deubiquitylation and degradation. Interactions between the peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase Pth2 and the entry gate led to the elucidation of a constitutive pathway for the removal of preproteins. The MitCOM dataset-which is accessible through an interactive profile viewer-is a comprehensive resource for the identification, organization and interaction of mitochondrial machineries and pathways.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-05641-w
  11. Nat Cell Biol. 2023 Jan 23.
    Small heat shock proteins operate as molecular chaperones in the mitochondrial intermembrane space.
    Elias Adriaenssens, Bob Asselbergh, Pablo Rivera-Mejías, Sven Bervoets, Leen Vendredy, Vicky De Winter, Katrien Spaas, Riet de Rycke, Gert van Isterdael, Francis Impens, Thomas Langer, Vincent Timmerman.
      Mitochondria are complex organelles with different compartments, each harbouring their own protein quality control factors. While chaperones of the mitochondrial matrix are well characterized, it is poorly understood which chaperones protect the mitochondrial intermembrane space. Here we show that cytosolic small heat shock proteins are imported under basal conditions into the mitochondrial intermembrane space, where they operate as molecular chaperones. Protein misfolding in the mitochondrial intermembrane space leads to increased recruitment of small heat shock proteins. Depletion of small heat shock proteins leads to mitochondrial swelling and reduced respiration, while aggregation of aggregation-prone substrates is countered in their presence. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease-causing mutations disturb the mitochondrial function of HSPB1, potentially linking previously observed mitochondrial dysfunction in Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2F to its role in the mitochondrial intermembrane space. Our results reveal that small heat shock proteins form a chaperone system that operates in the mitochondrial intermembrane space.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41556-022-01074-9
  12. Mol Metab. 2023 Jan 21. pii: S2212-8778(23)00011-X. [Epub ahead of print] 101677
    Hacd2 deficiency in mice leads to an early and lethal mitochondrial disease.
    Nahed Khadhraoui, Alexandre Prola, Aymeline Vandestienne, Jordan Blondelle, Laurent Guillaud, Guillaume Courtin, Maxime Bodak, Bastien Prost, Hélène Huet, Mélody Wintrebert, Christine Péchoux, Audrey Solgadi, Frédéric Relaix, Laurent Tiret, Fanny Pilot-Storck.
       OBJECTIVE: Mitochondria fuel most animal cells with ATP, ensuring proper energetic metabolism of organs. Early and extensive mitochondrial dysfunction often leads to severe disorders through multiorgan failure. Hacd2 gene encodes an enzyme involved in very long chain fatty acid (C ≥ 18) synthesis, yet its roles in vivo remain poorly understood. Since mitochondria function relies on specific properties of their membranes conferred by a particular phospholipid composition, we investigated if Hacd2 gene participates to mitochondrial integrity.
    METHODS: We generated two mouse models, the first one leading to a partial knockdown of Hacd2 expression and the second one, to a complete knockout of Hacd2 expression. We performed an in-depth analysis of the associated phenotypes, from whole organism to molecular scale.
    RESULTS: Thanks to these models, we show that Hacd2 displays an early and broad expression, and that its deficiency in mice is lethal. Specifically, partial knockdown of Hacd2 expression leads to death within one to four weeks after birth, from a sudden growth arrest followed by cachexia and lethargy. The total knockout of Hacd2 is even more severe, characterized by embryonic lethality around E9.5 following developmental arrest and pronounced cardiovascular malformations. In-depth mechanistic analysis revealed that Hacd2 deficiency causes altered mitochondrial efficiency and ultrastructure, as well as accumulation of oxidized cardiolipin.
    CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, these data indicate that the Hacd2 gene is essential for energetic metabolism during embryonic and postnatal development, acting through the control of proper mitochondrial organization and function.
    Keywords:  ELOVL; Fatty acid; Heart development; OXPHOS coupling; Phospholipid; VLCFA
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molmet.2023.101677
  13. Pharmacol Res. 2023 Jan 20. pii: S1043-6618(23)00028-2. [Epub ahead of print]188 106672
    Inhibition of Drp1-dependent mitochondrial fission by natural compounds as a therapeutic strategy for organ injuries.
    Sohrab Rahmani, Ali Roohbakhsh, Gholamreza Karimi.
      Mitochondria are morphologically dynamic organelles frequently undergoing fission and fusion processes that regulate mitochondrial integrity and bioenergetics. These processes are considered critical for cell survival. The mitochondrial fission process regulates mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy. It is associated with apoptosis, while mitochondrial fusion controls the accurate distribution of mitochondrial DNA and metabolic substances across the mitochondria. Excessive mitochondrial fission results in mitochondrial structural changes, dysfunction, and cell damage. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that mitochondrial dynamics affect neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases along with several other diseases. Biological molecules regulating the process of mitochondrial fission are potential targets for developing therapeutic agents. Many natural products target the dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1)-dependent mitochondrial fission pathway, and their inhibitory effects ameliorate mitochondrial fragmentation. In this article, we reviewed the research literature that describes Drp1-dependent inhibition as a mechanism for the protective effects of natural compounds.
    Keywords:  Apoptosis; Dynamin-related protein 1; Fission inhibitors; Free radical production; Herbal medicine; Mitochondrial fission; Mitochondrial fusion; Natural compound
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106672
  14. Dis Model Mech. 2023 Jan 01. pii: dmm049727. [Epub ahead of print]16(1):
    Increased cysteine metabolism in PINK1 models of Parkinson's disease.
    Marco Travaglio, Filippos Michopoulos, Yizhou Yu, Rebeka Popovic, Edmund Foster, Muireann Coen, L Miguel Martins.
      Parkinson's disease (PD), an age-dependent neurodegenerative disease, is characterised by the selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of PD, and mutations in PINK1, a gene necessary for mitochondrial fitness, cause PD. Drosophila melanogaster flies with pink1 mutations exhibit mitochondrial defects and dopaminergic cell loss and are used as a PD model. To gain an integrated view of the cellular changes caused by defects in the PINK1 pathway of mitochondrial quality control, we combined metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis in pink1-mutant flies with human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neural precursor cells (NPCs) with a PINK1 mutation. We observed alterations in cysteine metabolism in both the fly and human PD models. Mitochondrial dysfunction in the NPCs resulted in changes in several metabolites that are linked to cysteine synthesis and increased glutathione levels. We conclude that alterations in cysteine metabolism may compensate for increased oxidative stress in PD, revealing a unifying mechanism of early-stage PD pathology that may be targeted for drug development. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
    Keywords:   Drosophila ; Metabolism; Mitochondria; PINK1; Parkinson's disease; Stem cell research
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1242/dmm.049727
  15. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2022 ;9 1024481
    Barriers and opportunities: Intercellular mitochondrial transfer for cardiac protection-Delivery by extracellular vesicles.
    Tian Chen, Naifeng Liu.
      
    Keywords:  cardioprotection; extracellular vesicles; intercellular crosstalk; mitochondria delivery; mitochondrial quality control
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2022.1024481
  16. Ann Neurol. 2023 Jan 25.
    Genome-wide analysis of Structural Variants in Parkinson's Disease.
    UK Brain Expression Consortium (UKBEC)
       OBJECTIVE: Identification of genetic risk factors for Parkinson's disease (PD) has to date been primarily limited to the study of single nucleotide variants, which only represent a small fraction of the genetic variation in the human genome. Consequently, causal variants for most PD risk are not known. Here we focused on structural variants (SVs), which represent a major source of genetic variation in the human genome. We aimed to discover SVs associated with PD risk by performing the first large-scale characterization of SVs in PD.
    METHODS: We leveraged a recently developed computational pipeline to detect and genotype SVs from 7,772 Illumina short-read whole genome sequencing samples. Using this set of SV variants, we performed a genome-wide association study using 2,585 cases and 2,779 controls and identified SVs associated with PD risk. Furthermore, to validate the presence of these variants, we generated a subset of matched whole-genome long-read sequencing data.
    RESULTS: We genotyped and tested 3,154 common SVs, representing over 412 million nucleotides of previously uncatalogued genetic variation. Using long-read sequencing data, we validated the presence of three novel deletion SVs that are associated with risk of PD from our initial association analysis, including a 2kb intronic deletion within the gene LRRN4.
    INTERPRETATION: We identify three SVs associated with genetic risk of PD. This study represents the most comprehensive assessment of the contribution of SVs to the genetic risk of PD to date. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/ana.26608
  17. Nano Lett. 2023 Jan 23.
    Nanoparticle-Based Artificial Mitochondrial DNA Transcription Regulator: MitoScript.
    Letao Yang, Christopher Rathnam, Takuya Hidaka, Yannan Hou, Brandon Conklin, Ganesh N Pandian, Hiroshi Sugiyama, Ki-Bum Lee.
      The growing knowledge of the links between aberrant mitochondrial gene transcription and human diseases necessitates both an effective and dynamic approach to control mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) transcription. To address this challenge, we developed a nanoparticle-based synthetic mitochondrial transcription regulator (MitoScript). MitoScript provides great colloidal stability, excellent biocompatibility, efficient cell uptake, and selective mitochondria targeting and can be monitored in live cells using near-infrared fluorescence. Notably, MitoScript controlled mtDNA transcription in a human cell line in an effective and selective manner. MitoScript targeting the light strand promoter region of mtDNA resulted in the downregulation of ND6 gene silencing, which eventually affected cell redox status, with considerably increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In summary, we developed MitoScript for the efficient, nonviral modification of mitochondrial DNA transcription. Our platform technology can potentially contribute to understanding the fundamental mechanisms of mitochondrial disorders and developing effective treatments for mitochondrial diseases.
    Keywords:  Artificial transcription factors; Mitochondria DNA (mtDNA) manipulations; Mitochondria-targeted delivery; Nanoclusters; Nanomedicine
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c03958
  18. Cell Metab. 2023 Jan 14. pii: S1550-4131(22)00577-0. [Epub ahead of print]
    Isolation of extracellular fluids reveals novel secreted bioactive proteins from muscle and fat tissues.
    Melanie J Mittenbühler, Mark P Jedrychowski, Jonathan G Van Vranken, Hans-Georg Sprenger, Sarah Wilensky, Phillip A Dumesic, Yizhi Sun, Andrea Tartaglia, Dina Bogoslavski, Mu A, Haopeng Xiao, Katherine A Blackmore, Anita Reddy, Steven P Gygi, Edward T Chouchani, Bruce M Spiegelman.
      Proteins are secreted from cells to send information to neighboring cells or distant tissues. Because of the highly integrated nature of energy balance systems, there has been particular interest in myokines and adipokines. These are challenging to study through proteomics because serum or plasma contains highly abundant proteins that limit the detection of proteins with lower abundance. We show here that extracellular fluid (EF) from muscle and fat tissues of mice shows a different protein composition than either serum or tissues. Mass spectrometry analyses of EFs from mice with physiological perturbations, like exercise or cold exposure, allowed the quantification of many potentially novel myokines and adipokines. Using this approach, we identify prosaposin as a secreted product of muscle and fat. Prosaposin expression stimulates thermogenic gene expression and induces mitochondrial respiration in primary fat cells. These studies together illustrate the utility of EF isolation as a discovery tool for adipokines and myokines.
    Keywords:  PGC1α; cold adaptation; exercise; extracellular fluid; prosaposin; proteomics; secreted proteins; secretome
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2022.12.014
  19. Bioinform Adv. 2021 ;1(1): vbab007
    Aquila_stLFR: diploid genome assembly based structural variant calling package for stLFR linked-reads.
    Yichen Henry Liu, Griffin L Grubbs, Lu Zhang, Xiaodong Fang, David L Dill, Arend Sidow, Xin Zhou.
       Motivation: Identifying structural variants (SVs) is critical in health and disease, however, detecting them remains a challenge. Several linked-read sequencing technologies, including 10X Genomics, TELL-Seq and single tube long fragment read (stLFR), have been recently developed as cost-effective approaches to reconstruct multi-megabase haplotypes (phase blocks) from sequence data of a single sample. These technologies provide an optimal sequencing platform to characterize SVs, though few computational algorithms can utilize them. Thus, we developed Aquila_stLFR, an approach that resolves SVs through haplotype-based assembly of stLFR linked-reads.
    Results: Aquila_stLFR first partitions long fragment reads into two haplotype-specific blocks with the assistance of the high-quality reference genome, by taking advantage of the potential phasing ability of the linked-read itself. Each haplotype is then assembled independently, to achieve a complete diploid assembly to finally reconstruct the genome-wide SVs. We benchmarked Aquila_stLFR on a well-studied sample, NA24385, and showed Aquila_stLFR can detect medium to large size deletions (50 bp-10 kb) with high sensitivity and medium-size insertions (50 bp-1 kb) with high specificity.
    Availability and implementation: Source code and documentation are available on https://github.com/maiziex/Aquila_stLFR.
    Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics Advances online.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1093/bioadv/vbab007
  20. Pflugers Arch. 2023 Jan 28.
    Mitochondrial connexin43 and mitochondrial KATP channels modulate triggered arrhythmias in mouse ventricular muscle.
    Haruka Sato, Masami Nishiyama, Natsuki Morita, Wakako Satoh, Taiki Hasegawa, Yuka Someya, Tsuyoshi Okumura, Sana Koyama, Chiyohiko Shindoh, Masahito Miura.
      Connexin43 (Cx43) exits as hemichannels in the inner mitochondrial membrane. We examined how mitochondrial Cx43 and mitochondrial KATP channels affect the occurrence of triggered arrhythmias. To generate cardiac-specific Cx43-deficient (cCx43-/-) mice, Cx43flox/flox mice were crossed with α-MHC (Myh6)-cre+/- mice. The resulting offspring, Cx43flox/flox/Myh6-cre+/- mice (cCx43-/- mice) and their littermates (cCx43+/+ mice), were used. Trabeculae were dissected from the right ventricles of mouse hearts. Cardiomyocytes were enzymatically isolated from the ventricles of mouse hearts. Force was measured with a strain gauge in trabeculae (22°C). To assess arrhythmia susceptibility, the minimal extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]o,min), at which arrhythmias were induced by electrical stimulation, was determined in trabeculae. ROS production was estimated with 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein (DCF), mitochondrial membrane potential with tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester (TMRM), and Ca2+ spark frequency with fluo-4 and confocal microscopy in cardiomyocytes. ROS production within the mitochondria was estimated with MitoSoxRed and mitochondrial Ca2+ with rhod-2 in trabeculae. Diazoxide was used to activate mitochondrial KATP. Most of cCx43-/- mice died suddenly within 8 weeks. Cx43 was present in the inner mitochondrial membrane in cCx43+/+ mice but not in cCx43-/- mice. In cCx43-/- mice, the [Ca2+]o,min was lower, and Ca2+ spark frequency, the slope of DCF fluorescence intensity, MitoSoxRed fluorescence, and rhod-2 fluorescence were higher. TMRM fluorescence was more decreased in cCx43-/- mice. Most of these changes were suppressed by diazoxide. In addition, in cCx43-/- mice, antioxidant peptide SS-31 and N-acetyl-L-cysteine increased the [Ca2+]o,min. These results suggest that Cx43 deficiency activates Ca2+ leak from the SR, probably due to depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, an increase in mitochondrial Ca2+, and an increase in ROS production, thereby causing triggered arrhythmias, and that Cx43 hemichannel deficiency may be compensated by activation of mitochondrial KATP channels in mouse hearts.
    Keywords:  Arrhythmia; Connexin43; Diazoxide; Mitochondria; SS-31
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s00424-023-02789-w
  21. Science. 2023 Jan 27. 379(6630): 351-357
    Structural basis of mammalian respiratory complex I inhibition by medicinal biguanides.
    Hannah R Bridges, James N Blaza, Zhan Yin, Injae Chung, Michael N Pollak, Judy Hirst.
      The molecular mode of action of biguanides, including the drug metformin, which is widely used in the treatment of diabetes, is incompletely characterized. Here, we define the inhibitory drug-target interaction(s) of a model biguanide with mammalian respiratory complex I by combining cryo-electron microscopy and enzyme kinetics. We interpret these data to explain the selectivity of biguanide binding to different enzyme states. The primary inhibitory site is in an amphipathic region of the quinone-binding channel, and an additional binding site is in a pocket on the intermembrane-space side of the enzyme. An independent local chaotropic interaction, not previously described for any drug, displaces a portion of a key helix in the membrane domain. Our data provide a structural basis for biguanide action and enable the rational design of medicinal biguanides.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1126/science.ade3332
  22. Heart Fail Rev. 2023 Jan 28.
    Changes of energy metabolism in failing heart and its regulation by SIRT3.
    Xiao Wang, Yuting Huang, Kai Zhang, Feng Chen, Tong Nie, Yun Zhao, Feng He, Jingyu Ni.
      Heart failure (HF) is the leading cause of hospitalization in elderly patients and a disease with extremely high morbidity and mortality rate worldwide. Although there are some existing treatment methods for heart failure, due to its complex pathogenesis and often accompanied by various comorbidities, there is still a lack of specific drugs to treat HF. The mortality rate of patients with HF is still high, highlighting an urgent need to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms of HF and seek new therapeutic approaches. The heart is an organ with a very high metabolic intensity, mainly using fatty acids, glucose, ketone bodies, and branched-chain amino acids as energy substrates to supply energy for the heart. Loss of metabolic flexibility and metabolic remodeling occurs with HF. Sirtuin3 (SIRT3) is a member of the NAD+-dependent Sirtuin family located in mitochondria, and can participate in mitochondrial physiological functions through the deacetylation of metabolic and respiratory enzymes in mitochondria. As the center of energy metabolism, mitochondria are involved in many physiological processes. Maintaining stable metabolic and physiological functions of the heart depends on normal mitochondrial function. The damage or loss of SIRT3 can lead to various cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, we summarize the recent progress of SIRT3 in cardiac mitochondrial protection and metabolic remodeling.
    Keywords:  Fatty acids; Glucose; Heart failure; Ketone body; Mitochondrion; SIRT3
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10741-023-10295-5
  23. Cell Rep. 2023 Jan 27. pii: S2211-1247(23)00052-9. [Epub ahead of print]42(2): 112041
    Mitochondrial SENP2 regulates the assembly of SDH complex under metabolic stress.
    Ying Liu, Kejia Liu, Rick F Thorne, Ronghua Shi, Qingyuan Zhang, Mian Wu, Lianxin Liu.
      Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) is a heterotetrameric enzyme complex belonging to the mitochondrial respiratory chain and uniquely links the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle with oxidative phosphorylation. Cancer-related SDH mutations promote succinate accumulation, which is regarded as an oncometabolite. Post-translational modifications of SDH complex components are known to regulate SDH activity, although the contribution of SUMOylation remains unclear. Here, we show that SDHA is SUMOylated by PIAS3 and deSUMOylated by SENP2, events dictating the assembly and activity of the SDH complex. Moreover, CBP acetylation of SENP2 negatively regulates its deSUMOylation activity. Under glutamine deprivation, CBP levels decrease, and the ensuing SENP2 activation and SDHA deSUMOylation serve to concurrently dampen the TCA cycle and electron transport chain (ETC) activity. Along with succinate accumulation, this mechanism avoids excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production to promote cancer cell survival. This study elucidates a major function of mitochondrial-localized SENP2 and expands our understanding of the role of SUMOylation in resolving metabolic stress.
    Keywords:  CP: Cancer; CP: Metabolism; PTMs; SENP2; SUMOylation; TCA cycle; acetylation; metabolic stress; mitochondria; oxidative phosphorylation; succinate dehydrogenase
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112041
  24. PLoS Genet. 2023 Jan 25. 19(1): e1010610
    Mitochondrial remodelling is essential for female germ cell differentiation and survival.
    Vernon Leander Monteiro, Darya Safavian, Deepika Vasudevan, Thomas Ryan Hurd.
      Stem cells often possess immature mitochondria with few inner membrane invaginations, which increase as stem cells differentiate. Despite this being a conserved feature across many stem cell types in numerous organisms, how and why mitochondria undergo such remodelling during stem cell differentiation has remained unclear. Here, using Drosophila germline stem cells (GSCs), we show that Complex V drives mitochondrial remodelling during the early stages of GSC differentiation, prior to terminal differentiation. This endows germline mitochondria with the capacity to generate large amounts of ATP required for later egg growth and development. Interestingly, impairing mitochondrial remodelling prior to terminal differentiation results in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lipid bilayer stress, Protein kinase R-like ER kinase (PERK)-mediated activation of the Integrated Stress Response (ISR) and germ cell death. Taken together, our data suggest that mitochondrial remodelling is an essential and tightly integrated aspect of stem cell differentiation. This work sheds light on the potential impact of mitochondrial dysfunction on stem and germ cell function, highlighting ER lipid bilayer stress as a potential major driver of phenotypes caused by mitochondrial dysfunction.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1010610
  25. Autophagy. 2023 Jan 28.
    PRKN/parkin-mediated mitophagy is induced by the probiotics Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactococcus lactis.
    Peter John Hawrysh, Jinghua Gao, Stephanie Tan, Amy Oh, Justin Nodwell, Thomas A Tompkins, G Angus McQuibban.
      Mitochondrial impairment is a hallmark feature of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson disease, and PRKN/parkin-mediated mitophagy serves to remove unhealthy mitochondria from cells. Notably, probiotics are used to alleviate several symptoms of Parkinson disease including impaired locomotion and neurodegeneration in preclinical studies and constipation in clinical trials. There is some evidence to suggest that probiotics can modulate mitochondrial quality control pathways. In this study, we screened 49 probiotic strains and tested distinct stages of mitophagy to determine whether probiotic treatment could upregulate mitophagy in cells undergoing mitochondrial stress. We found two probiotics, Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactococcus lactis, that upregulated mitochondrial PRKN recruitment, phospho-ubiquitination, and MFN degradation in our cellular assays. Administration of these strains to Drosophila that were exposed to paraquat, a mitochondrial toxin, resulted in improved longevity and motor function. Further, we directly observed increased lysosomal degradation of dysfunctional mitochondria in the treated Drosophila brains. These effects were replicated in vitro and in vivo with supra-physiological concentrations of exogenous soluble factors that are released by probiotics in cultures grown under laboratory conditions. We identified methyl-isoquinoline-6-carboxylate as one candidate molecule, which upregulates mitochondrial PRKN recruitment, phospho-ubiquitination, MFN degradation, and lysosomal degradation of damaged mitochondria. Addition of methyl-isoquinoline-6-carboxylate to the fly food restored motor function to paraquat-treated Drosophila. These data suggest a novel mechanism that is facilitated by probiotics to stimulate mitophagy through a PRKN-dependent pathway, which could explain the potential therapeutic benefit of probiotic administration to patients with Parkinson disease.
    Keywords:  Drosophila; PRKN/parkin; Parkinson disease; melanoxadin; methyl-isoquinoline-6-carboxylate; mitochondria; picolinic acid
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1080/15548627.2023.2172873
  26. J Control Release. 2023 Jan 24. pii: S0168-3659(23)00068-8. [Epub ahead of print]
    Mechanisms behind therapeutic potentials of mesenchymal stem cell mitochondria transfer/delivery.
    Kosar Malekpour, Ali Hazrati, Sara Soudi, Seyed Mahmoud Hashemi.
      Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) perform their therapeutic effects through various mechanisms, including their ability to differentiate, producing different growth factors, immunomodulatory factors, and extracellular vesicles (EVs). In addition to the mentioned mechanisms, a new aspect of the therapeutic potential of MSCs has recently been noticed, which occurs through mitochondrial transfer. Various methods of MSCs mitochondria transfer have been used in studies to benefit from their therapeutic potential. Among these methods, mitochondrial transfer after MSCs transplantation in cell-to-cell contact, EVs-mediated transfer of mitochondria, and the use of MSCs isolated mitochondria (MSCs-mt) are well studied. Pathological conditions can affect the cells in the damaged microenvironment and lead to cells mitochondrial damage. Since the defect in the mitochondrial function of the cell leads to a decrease in ATP production and the subsequent cell death, restoring the mitochondrial content, functions, and hemostasis can affect the functions of the damaged cell. Various studies show that the transfer of MSCs mitochondria to other cells can affect vital processes such as proliferation, differentiation, cell metabolism, inflammatory responses, cell senescence, cell stress, and cell migration. These changes in cell attributes and behavior are very important for therapeutic purposes. For this reason, their investigation can play a significant role in the direction of the researchers'.
    Keywords:  Cell therapy; Extracellular vesicles; Immune cells; MSCs; Mitochondria; Regenerative medicine
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.01.059
  27. Nature. 2023 Jan 25.
    Insulin-regulated serine and lipid metabolism drive peripheral neuropathy.
    Michal K Handzlik, Jivani M Gengatharan, Katie E Frizzi, Grace H McGregor, Cameron Martino, Gibraan Rahman, Antonio Gonzalez, Ana M Moreno, Courtney R Green, Lucie S Guernsey, Terry Lin, Patrick Tseng, Yoichiro Ideguchi, Regis J Fallon, Amandine Chaix, Satchidananda Panda, Prashant Mali, Martina Wallace, Rob Knight, Marin L Gantner, Nigel A Calcutt, Christian M Metallo.
      Diabetes represents a spectrum of disease in which metabolic dysfunction damages multiple organ systems including liver, kidneys and peripheral nerves1,2. Although the onset and progression of these co-morbidities are linked with insulin resistance, hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia3-7, aberrant non-essential amino acid (NEAA) metabolism also contributes to the pathogenesis of diabetes8-10. Serine and glycine are closely related NEAAs whose levels are consistently reduced in patients with metabolic syndrome10-14, but the mechanistic drivers and downstream consequences of this metabotype remain unclear. Low systemic serine and glycine are also emerging as a hallmark of macular and peripheral nerve disorders, correlating with impaired visual acuity and peripheral neuropathy15,16. Here we demonstrate that aberrant serine homeostasis drives serine and glycine deficiencies in diabetic mice, which can be diagnosed with a serine tolerance test that quantifies serine uptake and disposal. Mimicking these metabolic alterations in young mice by dietary serine or glycine restriction together with high fat intake markedly accelerates the onset of small fibre neuropathy while reducing adiposity. Normalization of serine by dietary supplementation and mitigation of dyslipidaemia with myriocin both alleviate neuropathy in diabetic mice, linking serine-associated peripheral neuropathy to sphingolipid metabolism. These findings identify systemic serine deficiency and dyslipidaemia as novel risk factors for peripheral neuropathy that may be exploited therapeutically.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-05637-6
  28. Cell Signal. 2023 Jan 18. pii: S0898-6568(23)00020-7. [Epub ahead of print] 110606
    Cx43 acts as a mitochondrial calcium regulator that promotes obesity by inducing the polarization of macrophages in adipose tissue.
    Qing Zhou, Yuyan Wang, Zongshi Lu, Chengkang He, Li Li, Mei You, Lijuan Wang, Tingbing Cao, Yu Zhao, Qiang Li, Aidi Mou, Wentao Shu, Hongbo He, Zhigang Zhao, Daoyan Liu, Zhiming Zhu, Peng Gao, Zhencheng Yan.
      Metabolic reprogramming of macrophages initiates the polarization of pro-inflammatory macrophages that exacerbates adipocyte dysfunction and obesity. The imbalance of mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis impairs mitochondrial function and promotes inflammation. Connexin 43 (Cx43), a ubiquitous gap junction protein, has been demonstrated to regulate intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. Here we explored whether macrophage Cx43 affects the obesity process by regulating the polarization of macrophage. HFD treatment induced obesity and exacerbated macrophages infiltration with upregulation of macrophages Cx43. Macrophage-specific knockout of Cx43 reduced HFD-induced obesity by alleviating inflammation in adipose tissue, with less pro-inflammatory M1 macrophage infiltration. Consistently, inhibition or knockdown of Cx43 improved palmitic acid (PA) induced mitochondrial dysfunction, as indicated by improved oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), reduced formation of mitochondria-associated membranes (MAM) and mitochondrial Ca2+ overload. Mechanistically, Cx43 interacted with the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU) and knockdown of Cx43 alleviated PA-induced succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) oxidation by lowering MCU-mediated mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, which then, promoting the polarization of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages. Thus, this study identified Cx43 as a mitochondrial Ca2+ regulator that aggravates obesity via promoting macrophages polarized to M1 pro-inflammatory phenotype and suggests that Cx43 might be a promising therapeutic target antagonizing obesity.
    Keywords:  Cx43; Inflammation; Macrophage polarization; Mitochondrial Ca(2+) overload; Obesity
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110606
  29. Biomed Pharmacother. 2023 Jan 20. pii: S0753-3322(23)00056-2. [Epub ahead of print]159 114268
    Inter and intracellular mitochondrial transfer: Future of mitochondrial transplant therapy in Parkinson's disease.
    Rachit Jain, Nusrat Begum, Kamatham Pushpa Tryphena, Shashi Bala Singh, Saurabh Srivastava, Sachchida Nand Rai, Emanuel Vamanu, Dharmendra Kumar Khatri.
      Parkinson's disease (PD) is marked by the gradual degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and the intracellular build-up of Lewy bodies rich in α-synuclein protein. This impairs various aspects of the mitochondria including the generation of ROS, biogenesis, dynamics, mitophagy etc. Mitochondrial dynamics are regulated through the inter and intracellular movement which impairs mitochondrial trafficking within and between cells. This inter and intracellular mitochondrial movement plays a significant role in maintaining neuronal dynamics in terms of energy and growth. Kinesin, dynein, myosin, Mitochondrial rho GTPase (Miro), and TRAK facilitate the retrograde and anterograde movement of mitochondria. Enzymes such as Kinases along with Calcium (Ca2+), Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the genes PINK1 and Parkin are also involved. Extracellular vesicles, gap junctions, and tunneling nanotubes control intercellular movement. The knowledge and understanding of these proteins, enzymes, molecules, and movements have led to the development of mitochondrial transplant as a therapeutic approach for various disorders involving mitochondrial dysfunction such as stroke, ischemia and PD. A better understanding of these pathways plays a crucial role in establishing extracellular mitochondrial transplant therapy for reverting the pathology of PD. Currently, techniques such as mitochondrial coculture, mitopunch and mitoception are being utilized in the pre-clinical stages and should be further explored for translational value. This review highlights how intercellular and intracellular mitochondrial dynamics are affected during mitochondrial dysfunction in PD. The field of mitochondrial transplant therapy in PD is underlined in particular due to recent developments and the potential that it holds in the near future.
    Keywords:  Future therapies; Mitochondria: mitophagy; Mitochondrial dysfunction: mitochondrial transplant; Parkinson’s Disease
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114268
  30. Acta Neuropathol Commun. 2023 Jan 22. 11(1): 18
    NAD salvage pathway machinery expression in normal and glaucomatous retina and optic nerve.
    James R Tribble, Anna Hagström, Kenza Jusseaume, Emma Lardner, Raymond Ching-Bong Wong, Gustav Stålhammar, Pete A Williams.
      Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness and is a major health and economic burden. Current treatments do not address the neurodegenerative component of glaucoma. In animal models of glaucoma, the capacity to maintain retinal nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) pools declines early during disease pathogenesis. Treatment with nicotinamide, an NAD precursor through the NAD salvage pathway, robustly protects against neurodegeneration in a number of glaucoma models and improves vision in existing glaucoma patients. However, it remains unknown in humans what retinal cell types are able to process nicotinamide to NAD and how these are affected in glaucoma. To address this, we utilized publicly available RNA-sequencing data (bulk, single cell, and single nucleus) and antibody labelling in highly preserved enucleated human eyes to identify expression of NAD synthesizing enzyme machinery. This identifies that the neural retina favors expression of the NAD salvage pathway, and that retinal ganglion cells are particularly enriched for these enzymes. NMNAT2, a key terminal enzyme in the salvage pathway, is predominantly expressed in retinal ganglion cell relevant layers of the retina and declines in glaucoma. These findings suggest that human retinal ganglion cells can directly utilize nicotinamide and could maintain a capacity to do so in glaucoma, showing promise for ongoing clinical trials.
    Keywords:  Axon degeneration; Glaucoma; Metabolism; NAD; Neurodegeneration; Nicotinamide; Optic nerve; Retinal ganglion cell
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1186/s40478-023-01513-0
  31. Eur J Cell Biol. 2023 Jan 20. pii: S0171-9335(23)00004-3. [Epub ahead of print]102(2): 151289
    Mitochondria as biological targets for stem cell and organismal senescence.
    Ana Branco, Inês Moniz, João Ramalho-Santos.
      Organismal aging is impacted by the deterioration of tissue turnover mechanisms due, in part, to the decline in stem cell function. This decline can be related to mitochondrial dysfunction and underlying energetic defects that, in concert, help drive biological aging. Thus, mitochondria have been described as a potential interventional target to hinder the loss of stem cell robustness, and subsequently, decrease tissue turnover decline and age-associated pathologies. In this review, we focused our analysis on the most recent literature on mitochondria and stem cell aging and discuss the potential benefits of targeting mitochondria in preventing stem cell dysfunction and thus influencing aging.
    Keywords:  Aging; Mesenchymal stem cell; Mitochondria
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejcb.2023.151289
  32. Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2023 Jan 23.
    Towards a structurally resolved human protein interaction network.
    David F Burke, Patrick Bryant, Inigo Barrio-Hernandez, Danish Memon, Gabriele Pozzati, Aditi Shenoy, Wensi Zhu, Alistair S Dunham, Pascal Albanese, Andrew Keller, Richard A Scheltema, James E Bruce, Alexander Leitner, Petras Kundrotas, Pedro Beltrao, Arne Elofsson.
      Cellular functions are governed by molecular machines that assemble through protein-protein interactions. Their atomic details are critical to studying their molecular mechanisms. However, fewer than 5% of hundreds of thousands of human protein interactions have been structurally characterized. Here we test the potential and limitations of recent progress in deep-learning methods using AlphaFold2 to predict structures for 65,484 human protein interactions. We show that experiments can orthogonally confirm higher-confidence models. We identify 3,137 high-confidence models, of which 1,371 have no homology to a known structure. We identify interface residues harboring disease mutations, suggesting potential mechanisms for pathogenic variants. Groups of interface phosphorylation sites show patterns of co-regulation across conditions, suggestive of coordinated tuning of multiple protein interactions as signaling responses. Finally, we provide examples of how the predicted binary complexes can be used to build larger assemblies helping to expand our understanding of human cell biology.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41594-022-00910-8
  33. Cureus. 2022 Dec;14(12): e32709
    Arginine for the Treatment of Mitochondrial Encephalopathy, Lactic Acidosis, and Stroke-Like Episodes: A Systematic Review.
    Jennifer M Argudo, Olga M Astudillo Moncayo, Walter Insuasti, Gabriela Garofalo, Alex S Aguirre, Sebastian Encalada, Jose Villamarin, Sebastian Oña, Maria Gabriela Tenemaza, Ahmed Eissa-Garcés, Sakina Matcheswalla, Juan Fernando Ortiz.
      Mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome is a mitochondrial disease that lacks a definitive treatment. Lately, there has been an increased interest in the scientific community about the role of arginine in the short and long-term settings of the disease. We aim to conduct a systematic review of the clinical use of arginine in the management of MELAS and explore the role of arginine in the pathophysiology of the disease. We used PubMed advanced-strategy searches and only included full-text clinical trials on humans written in the English language. After applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, four clinical trials were reviewed. We used the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol for this systematic review. We used the Cochrane Collaboration risk-of-bias tool to assess the bias encountered in each study. Overall, IV arginine seems to be effective in improving symptoms during acute attacks of MELAS, while oral arginine supplementation increases endothelial function, preventing further stroke-like episodes.
    Keywords:  l-arginine; lactic acidosis; melas; melas syndrome; mitochondrial disease; mitochondrial encephalopathy; stroke
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.32709
  34. Front Pediatr. 2022 ;10 1080664
    IARS2-related disease manifesting as sideroblastic anemia and hypoparathyroidism: A case report.
    Yan Gong, Xiao Ping Lan, Sheng Guo.
       Background: IARS2 (EC6.1.5) is a mitochondrial isoleucine-tRNA synthetase. Despite the fact that only fewer than 30 patients have been reported in the literature, mitochondrial disorders caused by pathogenic variants in the IARS2 gene (OMIM: 616007) have a very broad and variable clinical phenotype spectrum. We present a child who has sideroblastic anemia and hypoparathyroidism as a result of a previously unreported mutation in the IARS2 gene.
    Case presentation: A 14-year-old girl who had been anemic for 12 years was diagnosed with pure red cell aplasia (hemoglobin 42 g/L, reference range 110-160) at the age of 2. Her anemia was resistant to high-dose intravenous gamma globulin and cyclosporine therapy and required monthly blood transfusions to maintain normal hemoglobin levels. She developed cataracts at the age of 6 and was cured by phacoemulsification. At the age of 8, she visited the endocrine department, because of mental and physical retardation accompanied by repeated convulsions, and the antiepileptic treatment was ineffective. She was diagnosed with hypoparathyroidism. To control the convulsions, she was given calcitriol orally as well as large doses of calcium supplements. Due to severe growth and development delays, delayed sexual development, and hypokinesia at the age of 13.5Y, the parents agreed to a whole-exon gene sequencing test. IARS2 gene compound heterozygous variants c.2450G > A (p.Arg817His) and c.2511del (p.Leu838Phefs*69) were discovered. The girl was then diagnosed with IARS2-related disease and given a cocktail therapy of coenzyme Q10, vitamin B2, L-Carnitine and vitamin E. Although the child's clinical symptoms improved, she still experienced intermittent claudication and hip joint pain. The vitamin B6 was discontinued after three months due to its ineffectiveness in treating anemia. Because the child's ferritin levels remained elevated, she was also prescribed long-term oral deferiprone therapy.
    Conclusion: Our findings broaden the clinical and genetic spectrum of IARS2-associated disease, and case summaries help raise clinical awareness of IARS2-associated disease and reduce under- and misdiagnosis.
    Keywords:  CAGSSS; IARS2; hypoparathyroidism; mitochondrial disease; sideroblastic anemia
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2022.1080664
  35. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2023 Jan 16. pii: S0006-291X(23)00075-X. [Epub ahead of print]645 137-146
    Mitofusin 1 and 2 differentially regulate mitochondrial function underlying Ca2+ signaling and proliferation in rat aortic smooth muscle cells.
    Sou Inagaki, Yoshiaki Suzuki, Keisuke Kawasaki, Rubii Kondo, Yuji Imaizumi, Hisao Yamamura.
      Mitochondria play a substantial role in cytosolic Ca2+ buffering and energy metabolism. We recently demonstrated that mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) regulated Ca2+ signaling by tethering mitochondria and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), and thus, facilitated mitochondrial function and the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). However, the physiological role of mitofusin 1 (Mfn1) on Ca2+ signaling and mitochondrial function remains unclear. Herein, the roles of Mfn1 and Mfn2 in mitochondrial function underlying Ca2+ signaling, ATP production, and cell proliferation were examined in rat aortic smooth muscle A10 cells. Following an arginine vasopressin-induced increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]cyt), Mfn2 siRNA (siMfn2) reduced cytosolic Ca2+ removal and mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake. However, Mfn1 siRNA (siMfn1) attenuated mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, facilitated Ca2+ removal from mitochondria, and resulted in increased [Ca2+]cyt, which was mediated by the downregulation of mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU) expression and the upregulation of mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCLX) expression. Furthermore, siMfn1 increased the mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP production by adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT), and cell proliferation, whereas siMfn2 exhibited the opposite responses. In conclusion, Mfn1 modulates the expressions of MCU, NCLX, and ANT, and Mfn2 tethers mitochondria to SR, which demonstrates their different mitochondrial functions for Ca2+ signaling, ATP production, and the proliferation of VSMCs.
    Keywords:  Calcium; Mitochondria; Mitofusin; Proliferation; Sarcoplasmic reticulum; Smooth muscle
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.01.044
  36. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. 2023 Jan 20. pii: S1386-1425(23)00062-8. [Epub ahead of print]291 122377
    A mitochondria-targeted fluorescent probe for imaging of endogenous carbon monoxide in living cells.
    Mengwen Yi, Nan Zhang, Xiangjun Liu, Jing Liu, Xiangru Zhang, Yongbiao Wei, Dihua Shangguan.
      Carbon monoxide (CO), a vital gasotransmitter, plays critical functions in many physiological processes. Mitochondrial CO is closely related to mitochondrial respiration, thus the detection and imaging of mitochondrial CO in living cells is very important and has attracted much attention recently. In this paper, we developed a hemicyanine-based off-on fluorescent probe, CO-H1, which was used for monitoring endogenous mitochondrial CO levels in living cells. After reacted with CO in the presence of PdCl2, the fluorescence of CO-H1 was enhanced notably, accompanied by a significant red shift of absorption. CO-H1 exhibits low cytotoxicity, high sensitivity (detection limit of 0.048 μM), and good selectivity for CO. When incubated with living cells, probe CO-H1 mainly entered the mitochondria. CO-H1 was successfully applied to imaging the exogenous/endogenous mitochondrial CO in living cells, suggesting its potential application for further studying the biological functions of mitochondrial CO in living cells.
    Keywords:  Carbon monoxide; Cell imaging; Fluorescent probe; Mitochondria-targeted
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2023.122377
  37. J Mol Biol. 2023 Jan 20. pii: S0022-2836(23)00027-X. [Epub ahead of print] 167971
    Phase Separation in Biology and Disease; Current Perspectives and Open Questions.
    Steven Boeynaems, Shasha Chong, Jörg Gsponer, Liam Holt, Drago Milovanovic, Diana M Mitrea, Oliver Mueller-Cajar, Bede Portz, John F Reilly, Christopher D Reinkemeier, Benjamin R Sabari, Serena Sanulli, James Shorter, Emily Sontag, Lucia Strader, Jeanne Stachowiak, Stephanie C Weber, Michael White, Huaiying Zhang, Markus Zweckstetter, Shana Elbaum-Garfinkle, Richard Kriwacki.
      In the past almost 15 years, we witnessed the birth of a new scientific field focused on the existence, formation, biological functions, and disease associations of membraneless bodies in cells, now referred to as biomolecular condensates. Pioneering studies from several laboratories [reviewed in [1-3]] supported a model wherein biomolecular condensates associated with diverse biological processes form through the process of phase separation. These and other findings that followed have revolutionized our understanding of how biomolecules are organized in space and time within cells to perform myriad biological functions, including cell fate determination, signal transduction, endocytosis, regulation of gene expression and protein translation, and regulation of RNA metabolism. Further, condensates formed through aberrant phase transitions have been associated with numerous human diseases, prominently including neurodegeneration and cancer. While in some cases, rigorous evidence supports links between formation of biomolecular condensates through phase separation and biological functions, in many others such links are less robustly supported, which has led to rightful scrutiny of the generality of the roles of phase separation in biology and disease [4-7]. During a week-long workshop in March 2022 at the Telluride Science Research Center (TSRC) in Telluride, Colorado, ∼25 scientists addressed key questions surrounding the biomolecular condensates field. Herein, we present insights gained through these discussions, addressing topics including, roles of condensates in diverse biological processes and systems, and normal and disease cell states, their applications to synthetic biology, and the potential for therapeutically targeting biomolecular condensates.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2023.167971
  38. Clin Genet. 2023 Jan 27.
    DNA methylation signature classification of rare disorders using publicly available methylation data.
    Mathis Hildonen, Marco Ferilli, Tina Duelund Hjortshøj, Morten Dunø, Lotte Risom, Mads Bak, Jakob Ek, Rikke S Møller, Andrea Ciolfi, Marco Tartaglia, Zeynep Tümer.
      Disease-specific DNA methylation patterns (DNAm signatures) have been established for an increasing number of genetic disorders and represent a valuable tool for classification of genetic variants of uncertain significance (VUS). Sample size and batch effects are critical issues for establishing DNAm signatures, but their impact on the sensitivity and specificity of an already established DNAm signature has not previously been tested. Here, we assessed whether publicly available DNAm data can be employed to generate a binary machine learning classifier for VUS classification, and used variants in KMT2D, the gene associated with Kabuki syndrome, together with an existing DNAm signature as proof-of-concept. Using publicly available methylation data for training, a classifier for KMT2D variants was generated, and individuals with molecularly confirmed Kabuki syndrome and unaffected individuals could be correctly classified. The present study documents the clinical utility of a robust DNAm signature even for few affected individuals, and most importantly, underlines the importance of data sharing for improved diagnosis of rare genetic disorders. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
    Keywords:  KMT2D; Kabuki syndrome; VUS classification; epigenetics; episignature; mendelian disorders; rare disorders
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1111/cge.14304
  39. PLoS One. 2023 ;18(1): e0274429
    Predicting reliability through structured expert elicitation with the repliCATS (Collaborative Assessments for Trustworthy Science) process.
    Hannah Fraser, Martin Bush, Bonnie C Wintle, Fallon Mody, Eden T Smith, Anca M Hanea, Elliot Gould, Victoria Hemming, Daniel G Hamilton, Libby Rumpff, David P Wilkinson, Ross Pearson, Felix Singleton Thorn, Raquel Ashton, Aaron Willcox, Charles T Gray, Andrew Head, Melissa Ross, Rebecca Groenewegen, Alexandru Marcoci, Ans Vercammen, Timothy H Parker, Rink Hoekstra, Shinichi Nakagawa, David R Mandel, Don van Ravenzwaaij, Marissa McBride, Richard O Sinnott, Peter Vesk, Mark Burgman, Fiona Fidler.
      As replications of individual studies are resource intensive, techniques for predicting the replicability are required. We introduce the repliCATS (Collaborative Assessments for Trustworthy Science) process, a new method for eliciting expert predictions about the replicability of research. This process is a structured expert elicitation approach based on a modified Delphi technique applied to the evaluation of research claims in social and behavioural sciences. The utility of processes to predict replicability is their capacity to test scientific claims without the costs of full replication. Experimental data supports the validity of this process, with a validation study producing a classification accuracy of 84% and an Area Under the Curve of 0.94, meeting or exceeding the accuracy of other techniques used to predict replicability. The repliCATS process provides other benefits. It is highly scalable, able to be deployed for both rapid assessment of small numbers of claims, and assessment of high volumes of claims over an extended period through an online elicitation platform, having been used to assess 3000 research claims over an 18 month period. It is available to be implemented in a range of ways and we describe one such implementation. An important advantage of the repliCATS process is that it collects qualitative data that has the potential to provide insight in understanding the limits of generalizability of scientific claims. The primary limitation of the repliCATS process is its reliance on human-derived predictions with consequent costs in terms of participant fatigue although careful design can minimise these costs. The repliCATS process has potential applications in alternative peer review and in the allocation of effort for replication studies.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0274429
  40. Ann Anat. 2023 Jan 20. pii: S0940-9602(23)00004-3. [Epub ahead of print]247 152049
    Inhibition of mitochondrial VDAC1 oligomerization alleviates apoptosis and necroptosis of retinal neurons following OGD/R injury.
    Hao Wan, Yan-di Yan, Xi-Min Hu, Lei Shang, Yu-Hua Chen, Yan-Xia Huang, Qi Zhang, Wei-Tao Yan, Kun Xiong.
      Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a common pathological mechanism in many retinal diseases, which can lead to cell death via mitochondrial dysfunction. Voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1), which is mainly located in the outer mitochondrial membrane, is the gatekeeper of mitochondria. The permeability of mitochondrial membrane can be regulated by controlling the oligomerization of VDAC1. However, the functional mechanism of VDAC1 in retinal I/R injury was unclear. Our results demonstrate that oxygen-glucose deprivation and re-oxygenation (OGD/R) injury leads to apoptosis, necroptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction of R28 cells. The OGD/R injury increases the levels of VDAC1 oligomerization. Inhibition of VDAC1 oligomerization by VBIT-12 rescued mitochondrial dysfunction by OGD/R and also reduced apoptosis/necroptosis of R28 cells. In vivo, the use of VBIT-12 significantly reduced aHIOP-induced neuronal death (apoptosis/necroptosis) in the rat retina. Our findings indicate that VDAC1 oligomers may open and enlarge mitochondrial membrane pores during OGD/R injury, leading to the release of death-related factors in mitochondria, resulting in apoptosis and necroptosis. This study provides a potential therapeutic strategy against ocular diseases caused by I/R injury.
    Keywords:  AHIOP; Apoptosis; Mitochondrial dysfunction; Necrosis; OGD/R; VDAC1 oligomerization
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aanat.2023.152049
  41. Nat Commun. 2023 Jan 25. 14(1): 312
    A FRET-based respirasome assembly screen identifies spleen tyrosine kinase as a target to improve muscle mitochondrial respiration and exercise performance in mice.
    Ami Kobayashi, Kotaro Azuma, Toshihiko Takeiwa, Toshimori Kitami, Kuniko Horie, Kazuhiro Ikeda, Satoshi Inoue.
      Aerobic muscle activities predominantly depend on fuel energy supply by mitochondrial respiration, thus, mitochondrial activity enhancement may become a therapeutic intervention for muscle disturbances. The assembly of mitochondrial respiratory complexes into higher-order "supercomplex" structures has been proposed to be an efficient biological process for energy synthesis, although there is controversy in its physiological relevance. We here established Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) phenomenon-based live imaging of mitochondrial respiratory complexes I and IV interactions using murine myoblastic cells, whose signals represent in vivo supercomplex assembly of complexes I, III, and IV, or respirasomes. The live FRET signals were well correlated with supercomplex assembly observed by blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN-PAGE) and oxygen consumption rates. FRET-based live cell screen defined that the inhibition of spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK), a non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase that belongs to the SYK/ zeta-chain-associated protein kinase 70 (ZAP-70) family, leads to an increase in supercomplex assembly in murine myoblastic cells. In parallel, SYK inhibition enhanced mitochondrial respiration in the cells. Notably, SYK inhibitor administration enhances exercise performance in mice. Overall, this study proves the feasibility of FRET-based respirasome assembly assay, which recapitulates in vivo mitochondrial respiration activities.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-35865-x
  42. Methods Mol Biol. 2023 ;2586 107-120
    RNA Secondary Structure Alteration Caused by Single Nucleotide Variants.
    Risa Karakida Kawaguchi, Hisanori Kiryu.
      A point mutation in coding RNA can cause not only an amino acid substitution but also a dynamic change of RNA secondary structure, leading to a dysfunctional RNA. Although in silico structure prediction has been used to detect structure-disrupting point mutations known as riboSNitches, exhaustive simulation of long RNAs is needed to detect a significant enrichment or depletion of riboSNitches in functional RNAs. Here, we have developed a novel algorithm Radiam (RNA secondary structure Analysis with Deletion, Insertion, And substitution Mutations) for a comprehensive riboSNitch analysis of long RNAs. Radiam is based on the ParasoR framework, which efficiently computes local RNA secondary structures for long RNAs. ParasoR can compute a variety of structure scores over globally consistent structures with maximal span constraints for the base pair distance. Using the reusable structure database made by ParasoR, Radiam performs an efficient recomputation of the secondary structures for mutated sequences. An exhaustive simulation of Radiam is expected to find reliable riboSNitch candidates on long RNAs by evaluating their statistical significance in terms of the change of local structure stability.
    Keywords:  Local structure; Maximal span constraint; Mutation; RNA secondary structure; SNP; riboSNitch
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-2768-6_7
  43. Bioinform Adv. 2022 ;2(1): vbac066
    GRASP: a computational platform for building kinetic models of cellular metabolism.
    Marta R A Matos, Pedro A Saa, Nicholas Cowie, Svetlana Volkova, Marina de Leeuw, Lars K Nielsen.
       Summary: Kinetic models of metabolism are crucial to understand the inner workings of cell metabolism. By taking into account enzyme regulation, detailed kinetic models can provide accurate predictions of metabolic fluxes. Comprehensive consideration of kinetic regulation requires highly parameterized non-linear models, which are challenging to build and fit using available modelling tools. Here, we present a computational package implementing the GRASP framework for building detailed kinetic models of cellular metabolism. By defining the mechanisms of enzyme regulation and a reference state described by reaction fluxes and their corresponding Gibbs free energy ranges, GRASP can efficiently sample an arbitrarily large population of thermodynamically feasible kinetic models. If additional experimental data are available (fluxes, enzyme and metabolite concentrations), these can be integrated to generate models that closely reproduce these observations using an approximate Bayesian computation fitting framework. Within the same framework, model selection tasks can be readily performed.
    Availability and implementation: GRASP is implemented as an open-source package in the MATLAB environment. The software runs in Windows, macOS and Linux, is documented (graspk.readthedocs.io) and unit-tested. GRASP is freely available at github.com/biosustain/GRASP.
    Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics Advances online.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1093/bioadv/vbac066
  44. Front Neurosci. 2022 ;16 1028762
    Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes with an MT-TL1 m.3243A>G point mutation: Neuroradiological features and their implications for underlying pathogenesis.
    Helin Zheng, Xuemei Zhang, Lu Tian, Bo Liu, Xiaoya He, Longlun Wang, Shuang Ding, Yi Guo, Jinhua Cai.
       Objective: Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) is one of the most common inherited mitochondrial disorders. Due to the high clinical and genetic heterogeneity of MELAS, it is still a major challenge for clinicians to accurately diagnose the disease at an early stage. Herein, we evaluated the neuroimaging findings of MELAS with an m.3243A>G mutation in MT-TL1 and analyzed the possible underlying pathogenesis of stroke-like episodes.
    Materials and methods: Fifty-nine imaging studies in 24 patients who had a confirmed genetic diagnosis of m.3243A>G (MT-TL1; tRNA Leu) associated with MELAS were reviewed in our case series. The anatomic location, morphological features, signal/intensity characteristics and temporal evolution of lesions were analyzed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) images. The supplying vessels and metabolite content of the lesions were also evaluated by using MR angiography (MRA)/CT angiography (CTA), and MR spectroscopy (MRS), respectively.
    Results: The lesions were most commonly located in the posterior brain, with 37 (37/59, 63%) in the occipital lobe, 32 (32/59, 54%) in the parietal lobe, and 30 (30/59, 51%) in the temporal lobe. The signal characteristics of the lesions varied and evolved over time. Bilateral basal ganglia calcifications were found in 6 of 9 (67%) patients who underwent CT. Cerebral and cerebellar atrophy were found in 38/59 (64%) and 40/59 (68%) patients, respectively. Lesion polymorphism was found in 37/59 (63%) studies. MRS showed elevated lactate doublet peaks in 9/10 (90%) cases. MRA or CTA revealed that the lesion-related arteries were slightly dilated compared with those of the contralateral side in 4 of 6 (67%) cases.
    Conclusion: The imaging features of MELAS vary depending on the disease stage. Polymorphic lesions in a single imaging examination should be considered a diagnostic clue for MELAS. Stroke-like episodes may be involved in a complex pathogenetic process, including mitochondrial angiopathy, mitochondrial cytopathy, and neuronal excitotoxicity.
    Keywords:  MELAS; m.3243A>G; neuroradiological features; polymorphic lesions; stroke-like episodes
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2022.1028762
  45. Genome Med. 2023 Jan 27. 15(1): 5
    The genomic landscape of rare disorders in the Middle East.
    Maha El Naofal, Sathishkumar Ramaswamy, Ali Alsarhan, Ahmed Nugud, Fatima Sarfraz, Hiba Janbaz, Alan Taylor, Ruchi Jain, Nour Halabi, Sawsan Yaslam, Roudha Alfalasi, Shruti Shenbagam, Fatma Rabea, Martin Bitzan, Lemis Yavuz, Deena Wafadari, Hamda Abulhoul, Shiva Shankar, Munira Al Maazmi, Ruba Rizk, Zeinab Alloub, Haitham Elbashir, Mohamed O E Babiker, Nidheesh Chencheri, Ammar AlBanna, Meshal Sultan, Mohamed El Bitar, Safeena Kherani, Nandu Thalange, Sattar Alshryda, Roberto Di Donato, Christos Tzivinikos, Ibrar Majid, Alexandra F Freeman, Corina Gonzalez, Arif O Khan, Hisham Hamdan, Walid Abuhammour, Mohamed AlAwadhi, Abdulla AlKhayat, Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Ahmad N Abou Tayoun.
       BACKGROUND: Rare diseases collectively impose a significant burden on healthcare systems, especially in underserved regions, like the Middle East, which lack access to genomic diagnostic services and the associated personalized management plans.
    METHODS: We established a clinical genomics and genetic counseling facility, within a multidisciplinary tertiary pediatric center, in the United Arab Emirates to locally diagnose and manage patients with rare diseases. Clinical genomic investigations included exome-based sequencing, chromosomal microarrays, and/or targeted testing. We assessed the diagnostic yield and implications for clinical management among this population. Variables were compared using the Fisher exact test. Tests were 2-tailed, and P < .05 was considered statistically significant.
    RESULTS: We present data on 1000 patients with rare diseases (46.2% females; average age, 4.6 years) representing 47 countries primarily from the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Africa, and Asia. The cumulative diagnostic yield was 32.5% (95% CI, 29.7-35.5%) and was higher for genomic sequencing-based testing than chromosomal microarrays (37.9% versus 17.2%, P = 0.0001) across all indications, consistent with the higher burden of single gene disorders. Of the 221 Mendelian disorders identified in this cohort, the majority (N = 184) were encountered only once, and those with recessive inheritance accounted for ~ 62% of sequencing diagnoses. Of patients with positive genetic findings (N = 325), 67.7% were less than 5 years of age, and 60% were offered modified management and/or intervention plans. Interestingly, 24% of patients with positive genetic findings received delayed diagnoses (average age, 12.4 years; range 7-37 years), most likely due to a lack of access to genomic investigations in this region. One such genetic finding ended a 15-year-long diagnostic odyssey, leading to a life-threatening diagnosis in one patient, who was then successfully treated using an experimental allogenic bone marrow transplant. Finally, we present cases with candidate genes within regions of homozygosity, likely underlying novel recessive disorders.
    CONCLUSIONS: Early access to genomic diagnostics for patients with suspected rare disorders in the Middle East is likely to improve clinical outcomes while driving gene discovery in this genetically underrepresented population.
    Keywords:  Clinical utility; Diagnostic yield; Genomics; Middle East; Rare diseases; Whole-exome sequencing
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1186/s13073-023-01157-8
  46. Neuropediatrics. 2023 Jan 24.
    Recurrent sensory-motor neuropathy mimicking CIDP as predominant presentation of PDH deficiency.
    Carolina Croci, Matteo Cataldi, Serena Baratto, Claudio Bruno, Federica Trucco, Stefano Doccini, Alessandro Romano, Claudia Nesti, Filippo Maria Santorelli, Chiara Fiorillo.
       INTRODUCTION: PDH deficiency (OMIM # 312170) is a relatively common mitochondrial disorder, caused by mutations in the X-linked PDHA1 gene and presenting with a variable phenotypic spectrum, ranging from severe infantile encephalopathy to milder chronic neurological disorders. Isolated peripheral neuropathy as predominant clinical presentation is uncommon.
    RESULTS: We report on a patient, now 21 years old, presenting at the age of 2 years with recurrent symmetric weakness as first symptom of a PDH deficiency. Neurophysiological evaluation proving a sensory-motor polyneuropathy with conduction blocks and presence of elevated CSF proteins, suggested a chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy (CIDP). The evidence of high serum lactate and the alterations in oxidative metabolism in muscle biopsy pointed toward the final diagnosis. After starting nutritional supplements, no further episodes occurred. A hemizygous mutation in PDHA1 (p.Arg88Cys) was identified. This mutation has been previously described in 5 patients with a similar phenotype. A 3D-reconstruction demonstrated that mutations affecting this Arg88 destabilize the interactions between the subunits of the E1 complex.
    CONCLUSION: We summarize the clinical and genetic characteristics of one patient with PDH deficiency presenting isolated peripheral nervous system involvement. This study highlights that the diagnosis of PDH deficiency should be considered in children with unexplained peripheral neuropathy, even with features suggestive of acquired forms, especially in case of early onset and limited response to treatment. A simple analysis of lactic acid could help to target the diagnosis. In addition, we suggest that the residue Arg88 is the most frequently involved in this specific phenotype of PDH deficiency.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2018-4845
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