The np 3243 MELAS mutation: damned if you aminoacylate, damned if you don’t

Authors: Jacobs, Howard T.¹; Holt, Ian J.²

Source: Human Molecular Genetics, Volume 9, Number 4, 1 March 2000 , pp. 463-465(3)

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Abstract:

The np 3243 MELAS mtDNA mutation in tRNA^leu(UUR) has been variously proposed as a loss-of-function or as a gain-of-function mutation, based on apparently contradictory studies in cultured cell lines. A new report describing the molecular effects of the mutation in vivonow mirrors this variability. This should prompt a more systematic re-investigation of cells carrying the mutation, in order to separate primary from secondary and pathogenic from compensatory effects, all of which may contribute to disease phenotype. Nuclear genetic and developmental background, mitochondrial haplotype, and epigenetic effects may all influence the pathological outcome. Defects in both base-modification and aminoacylation of the mutant tRNA could play critical roles.

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Institute of Medical Technology and Tampere University Hospital, University of Tampere, 33101 Tampere, Finland, 2: MRC Dunn Human Nutrition Unit, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2XY, UK

Publication date: 2000-03-01

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