1
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Yu C, Asadian S, Tigano M. Molecular and cellular consequences of mitochondrial DNA double-stranded breaks. Hum Mol Genet 2024; 33:R12-R18. [PMID: 38779775 PMCID: PMC11112379 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddae048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are subcellular organelles essential for life. Beyond their role in producing energy, mitochondria govern various physiological mechanisms, encompassing energy generation, metabolic processes, apoptotic events, and immune responses. Mitochondria also contain genetic material that is susceptible to various forms of damage. Mitochondrial double-stranded breaks (DSB) are toxic lesions that the nucleus repairs promptly. Nevertheless, the significance of DSB repair in mammalian mitochondria is controversial. This review presents an updated view of the available research on the consequences of mitochondrial DNA DSB from the molecular to the cellular level. We discuss the crucial function of mitochondrial DNA damage in regulating processes such as senescence, integrated stress response, and innate immunity. Lastly, we discuss the potential role of mitochondrial DNA DSB in mediating the cellular consequences of ionizing radiations, the standard of care in treating solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxiao Yu
- Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia 19107, United States
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 199 Renai Road, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Samieh Asadian
- Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Pour Sina St, Tehran 1416634793, Iran
| | - Marco Tigano
- Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia 19107, United States
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2
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Moraes CT. Tools for editing the mammalian mitochondrial genome. Hum Mol Genet 2024; 33:R92-R99. [PMID: 38779768 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddae037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The manipulation of animal mitochondrial genomes has long been a challenge due to the lack of an effective transformation method. With the discovery of specific gene editing enzymes, designed to target pathogenic mitochondrial DNA mutations (often heteroplasmic), the selective removal or modification of mutant variants has become a reality. Because mitochondria cannot efficiently import RNAs, CRISPR has not been the first choice for editing mitochondrial genes. However, the last few years witnessed an explosion in novel and optimized non-CRISPR approaches to promote double-strand breaks or base-edit of mtDNA in vivo. Engineered forms of specific nucleases and cytidine/adenine deaminases form the basis for these techniques. I will review the newest developments that constitute the current toolbox for animal mtDNA gene editing in vivo, bringing these approaches not only to the exploration of mitochondrial function, but also closer to clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos T Moraes
- Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, 1600 NW 10th Ave, room 7044, Miami, FL 33136, United States
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3
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Hirose M, Sekar P, Eladham MWA, Albataineh MT, Rahmani M, Ibrahim SM. Interaction between mitochondria and microbiota modulating cellular metabolism in inflammatory bowel disease. J Mol Med (Berl) 2023; 101:1513-1526. [PMID: 37819377 PMCID: PMC10698103 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-023-02381-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a prototypic complex disease in the gastrointestinal tract that has been increasing in incidence and prevalence in recent decades. Although the precise pathophysiology of IBD remains to be elucidated, a large body of evidence suggests the critical roles of mitochondria and intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis of IBD. In addition to their contributions to the disease, both mitochondria and gut microbes may interact with each other and modulate disease-causing cell activities. Therefore, we hypothesize that dissecting this unique interaction may help to identify novel pathways involved in IBD, which will further contribute to discovering new therapeutic approaches to the disease. As poorly treated IBD significantly affects the quality of life of patients and is associated with risks and complications, successful treatment is crucial. In this review, we stratify previously reported experimental and clinical observations of the role of mitochondria and intestinal microbiota in IBD. Additionally, we review the intercommunication between mitochondria, and the intestinal microbiome in patients with IBD is reviewed along with the potential mediators for these interactions. We specifically focus on their roles in cellular metabolism in intestinal epithelial cells and immune cells. To this end, we propose a potential therapeutic intervention strategy for IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misa Hirose
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Priyadharshini Sekar
- Sharjah Institute of Medical Research, RIMHS, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Mohammad T Albataineh
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamed Rahmani
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Saleh Mohamed Ibrahim
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562, Lübeck, Germany.
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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4
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Shoop WK, Lape J, Trum M, Powell A, Sevigny E, Mischler A, Bacman SR, Fontanesi F, Smith J, Jantz D, Gorsuch CL, Moraes CT. Efficient elimination of MELAS-associated m.3243G mutant mitochondrial DNA by an engineered mitoARCUS nuclease. Nat Metab 2023; 5:2169-2183. [PMID: 38036771 PMCID: PMC10730414 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-023-00932-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Nuclease-mediated editing of heteroplasmic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) seeks to preferentially cleave and eliminate mutant mtDNA, leaving wild-type genomes to repopulate the cell and shift mtDNA heteroplasmy. Various technologies are available, but many suffer from limitations based on size and/or specificity. The use of ARCUS nucleases, derived from naturally occurring I-CreI, avoids these pitfalls due to their small size, single-component protein structure and high specificity resulting from a robust protein-engineering process. Here we describe the development of a mitochondrial-targeted ARCUS (mitoARCUS) nuclease designed to target one of the most common pathogenic mtDNA mutations, m.3243A>G. mitoARCUS robustly eliminated mutant mtDNA without cutting wild-type mtDNA, allowing for shifts in heteroplasmy and concomitant improvements in mitochondrial protein steady-state levels and respiration. In vivo efficacy was demonstrated using a m.3243A>G xenograft mouse model with mitoARCUS delivered systemically by adeno-associated virus. Together, these data support the development of mitoARCUS as an in vivo gene-editing therapeutic for m.3243A>G-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy K Shoop
- Precision BioSciences, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Sandra R Bacman
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Flavia Fontanesi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | | | | | - Carlos T Moraes
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
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5
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Schmiderer L, Yudovich D, Oburoglu L, Hjort M, Larsson J. Site-specific CRISPR-based mitochondrial DNA manipulation is limited by gRNA import. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18687. [PMID: 36333335 PMCID: PMC9636205 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21794-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Achieving CRISPR Cas9-based manipulation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been a long-standing goal and would be of great relevance for disease modeling and for clinical applications. In this project, we aimed to deliver Cas9 into the mitochondria of human cells and analyzed Cas9-induced mtDNA cleavage and measured the resulting mtDNA depletion with multiplexed qPCR. In initial experiments, we found that measuring subtle effects on mtDNA copy numbers is challenging because of high biological variability, and detected no significant Cas9-caused mtDNA degradation. To overcome the challenge of being able to detect Cas9 activity on mtDNA, we delivered cytosine base editor Cas9-BE3 to mitochondria and measured its effect (C → T mutations) on mtDNA. Unlike regular Cas9-cutting, this leaves a permanent mark on mtDNA that can be detected with amplicon sequencing, even if the efficiency is low. We detected low levels of C → T mutations in cells that were exposed to mitochondrially targeted Cas9-BE3, but, surprisingly, these occurred regardless of whether a guide RNA (gRNA) specific to the targeted site, or non-targeting gRNA was used. This unspecific off-target activity shows that Cas9-BE3 can technically edit mtDNA, but also strongly indicates that gRNA import to mitochondria was not successful. Going forward mitochondria-targeted Cas9 base editors will be a useful tool for validating successful gRNA delivery to mitochondria without the ambiguity of approaches that rely on quantifying mtDNA copy numbers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludwig Schmiderer
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 221 00, Lund, Sweden.
- BMC A12, Lund University, 221 84, Lund, Sweden.
| | - David Yudovich
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 221 00, Lund, Sweden
| | - Leal Oburoglu
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 221 00, Lund, Sweden
| | - Martin Hjort
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 221 00, Lund, Sweden
- MBC Biolabs, Navan Technologies, San Carlos, CA, 94070, USA
| | - Jonas Larsson
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 221 00, Lund, Sweden.
- BMC A12, Lund University, 221 84, Lund, Sweden.
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6
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Gene Therapy for Mitochondrial Diseases: Current Status and Future Perspective. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14061287. [PMID: 35745859 PMCID: PMC9231068 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14061287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial diseases (MDs) are a group of severe genetic disorders caused by mutations in the nuclear or mitochondrial genome encoding proteins involved in the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system. MDs have a wide range of symptoms, ranging from organ-specific to multisystemic dysfunctions, with different clinical outcomes. The lack of natural history information, the limits of currently available preclinical models, and the wide range of phenotypic presentations seen in MD patients have all hampered the development of effective therapies. The growing number of pre-clinical and clinical trials over the last decade has shown that gene therapy is a viable precision medicine option for treating MD. However, several obstacles must be overcome, including vector design, targeted tissue tropism and efficient delivery, transgene expression, and immunotoxicity. This manuscript offers a comprehensive overview of the state of the art of gene therapy in MD, addressing the main challenges, the most feasible solutions, and the future perspectives of the field.
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7
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Barrera-Paez JD, Moraes CT. Mitochondrial genome engineering coming-of-age. Trends Genet 2022; 38:869-880. [PMID: 35599021 PMCID: PMC9283244 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2022.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The mitochondrial genome has been difficult to manipulate because it is shielded by the organelle double membranes, preventing efficient nucleic acid entry. Moreover, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) recombination is not a robust system in most species. This limitation has forced investigators to rely on naturally occurring alterations to study both mitochondrial function and pathobiology. Because most pathogenic mtDNA mutations are heteroplasmic, the development of specific nucleases has allowed us to selectively eliminate mutant species. Several 'protein only' gene-editing platforms have been successfully used for this purpose. More recently, a DNA double-strand cytidine deaminase has been identified and adapted to edit mtDNA. This enzyme was also used as a component to adapt a DNA single-strand deoxyadenosine deaminase to mtDNA editing. These are major advances in our ability to precisely alter the mtDNA in animal cells.
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8
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Arora A, Behl T, Sehgal A, Singh S, Sharma N, Mathew B, Bungau S. Targeting cellular batteries for the therapy of neurological diseases. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:41517-41532. [PMID: 34080116 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14665-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The mitochondria, apart from being known as the cell's "powerhouse," are crucial in the viability of nerve cells. Any damage to these cellular organelles can result in their cellular level dysfunction which includes rapidly multiplying reactive oxygen species (ROS) from the mitochondrial membrane, impaired calcium ion homeostasis, and disturbed mitochondrial dynamics by the formation of permeability transition pore in mitochondria. All these impaired biochemical changes lead to various neurological disorders such as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Moreover, impaired mitochondrial functions are particularly prone to damage owing to prolonged lifespan and stretched length of the neurons. At the same time, neurons are highly dependent on ATP, and thus, the mitochondria play a central role in the pathogenesis pertaining to neuronal disorders. Dysfunction in the mitochondria is an early pathological hallmark of neurological disorders, and its early detection with the help of suitable biomarkers can lead to promising treatment in this area. Thus, the drugs which are targeting mitochondrial dysfunctions are the emerging area of research in connection with neurological disorders. This can be evidenced by the great opportunities for mitigation, diagnosis, and treatment of numerous human disorders that entail mitochondrial dysfunction at the nexus of their pathogenesis. Here, we throw light at the mitochondrial pathologies and indications of dysfunctional mitochondria in PD, AD, and PSP. There is also an insight into the possible therapeutic strategies highlighting the need for mitochondria-based medicine and made an attempt for claiming the prerequisite for the therapy of neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arpita Arora
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Tapan Behl
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India.
| | - Aayush Sehgal
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Sukhbir Singh
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Neelam Sharma
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Bijo Mathew
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Kochi, India
| | - Simona Bungau
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania
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9
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Mitochondrial targeted meganuclease as a platform to eliminate mutant mtDNA in vivo. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3210. [PMID: 34050192 PMCID: PMC8163834 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23561-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Diseases caused by heteroplasmic mitochondrial DNA mutations have no effective treatment or cure. In recent years, DNA editing enzymes were tested as tools to eliminate mutant mtDNA in heteroplasmic cells and tissues. Mitochondrial-targeted restriction endonucleases, ZFNs, and TALENs have been successful in shifting mtDNA heteroplasmy, but they all have drawbacks as gene therapy reagents, including: large size, heterodimeric nature, inability to distinguish single base changes, or low flexibility and effectiveness. Here we report the adaptation of a gene editing platform based on the I-CreI meganuclease known as ARCUS®. These mitochondrial-targeted meganucleases (mitoARCUS) have a relatively small size, are monomeric, and can recognize sequences differing by as little as one base pair. We show the development of a mitoARCUS specific for the mouse m.5024C>T mutation in the mt-tRNAAla gene and its delivery to mice intravenously using AAV9 as a vector. Liver and skeletal muscle show robust elimination of mutant mtDNA with concomitant restoration of mt-tRNAAla levels. We conclude that mitoARCUS is a potential powerful tool for the elimination of mutant mtDNA. Heteroplasmic mitochondrial DNA mutations lack effective treatments. Here the authors adapt I-CreI meganuclease to target the mitochondria and specifically-eliminate mtDNA with a m.5024C>T mutation in the mttRNA Ala gene.
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10
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Koňaříková E, Marković A, Korandová Z, Houštěk J, Mráček T. Current progress in the therapeutic options for mitochondrial disorders. Physiol Res 2020; 69:967-994. [PMID: 33129249 PMCID: PMC8549882 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.934529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial disorders manifest enormous genetic and clinical heterogeneity - they can appear at any age, present with various phenotypes affecting any organ, and display any mode of inheritance. What mitochondrial diseases do have in common, is impairment of respiratory chain activity, which is responsible for more than 90% of energy production within cells. While diagnostics of mitochondrial disorders has been accelerated by introducing Next-Generation Sequencing techniques in recent years, the treatment options are still very limited. For many patients only a supportive or symptomatic therapy is available at the moment. However, decades of basic and preclinical research have uncovered potential target points and numerous compounds or interventions are now subjects of clinical trials. In this review, we focus on current and emerging therapeutic approaches towards the treatment of mitochondrial disorders. We focus on small compounds, metabolic interference, such as endurance training or ketogenic diet and also on genomic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Koňaříková
- Laboratory of Bioenergetics, Institute of Physiology Czech Acad. Sci., Prague, Czech Republic. ,
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11
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Wallace DC. CRISPR-Free Mitochondrial DNA Base Editing. CRISPR J 2020; 3:228-230. [PMID: 32833534 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2020.29101.dwa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Douglas C Wallace
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Human Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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12
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Silva-Pinheiro P, Cerutti R, Luna-Sanchez M, Zeviani M, Viscomi C. A Single Intravenous Injection of AAV-PHP.B- hNDUFS4 Ameliorates the Phenotype of Ndufs4 -/- Mice. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2020; 17:1071-1078. [PMID: 32478122 PMCID: PMC7248291 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Leigh syndrome, or infantile necrotizing subacute encephalopathy (OMIM #256000), is one of the most common manifestations of mitochondrial dysfunction, due to mutations in more than 75 genes, with mutations in respiratory complex I subunits being the most common cause. In the present study, we used the recently described PHP.B serotype, characterized by efficient capacity to cross the blood-brain barrier, to express the hNDUFS4 gene in the Ndufs4 -/- mouse model of Leigh disease. A single intravenous injection of PHP.B-hNDUFS4 in adult Ndufs4 -/- mice led to a normalization of the body weight, marked amelioration of the rotarod performance, delayed onset of neurodegeneration, and prolongation of the lifespan up to 1 year of age. hNDUFS4 protein was expressed in virtually all brain regions, leading to a partial recovery of complex I activity. Our findings strongly support the feasibility and effectiveness of adeno-associated viral vector (AAV)-mediated gene therapy for mitochondrial disease, particularly with new serotypes showing increased permeability to the blood-brain barrier in order to achieve widespread expression in the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Silva-Pinheiro
- MRC/University of Cambridge Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Raffaele Cerutti
- MRC/University of Cambridge Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Marta Luna-Sanchez
- MRC/University of Cambridge Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Massimo Zeviani
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Via Orus, 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Carlo Viscomi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi, 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy
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13
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Jackson CB, Turnbull DM, Minczuk M, Gammage PA. Therapeutic Manipulation of mtDNA Heteroplasmy: A Shifting Perspective. Trends Mol Med 2020; 26:698-709. [PMID: 32589937 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2020.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Mutations of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) often underlie mitochondrial disease, one of the most common inherited metabolic disorders. Since the sequencing of the human mitochondrial genome and the discovery of pathogenic mutations in mtDNA more than 30 years ago, a movement towards generating methods for robust manipulation of mtDNA has ensued, although with relatively few advances and some controversy. While developments in the transformation of mammalian mtDNA have stood still for some time, recent demonstrations of programmable nuclease-based technology suggest that clinical manipulation of mtDNA heteroplasmy may be on the horizon for these largely untreatable disorders. Here we review historical and recent developments in mitochondrially targeted nuclease technology and the clinical outlook for treatment of hereditary mitochondrial disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher B Jackson
- Stem Cells and Metabolism, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Doug M Turnbull
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Michal Minczuk
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Payam A Gammage
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK; Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
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14
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Nissanka N, Moraes CT. Mitochondrial DNA heteroplasmy in disease and targeted nuclease-based therapeutic approaches. EMBO Rep 2020; 21:e49612. [PMID: 32073748 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201949612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes a subset of the genes which are responsible for oxidative phosphorylation. Pathogenic mutations in the human mtDNA are often heteroplasmic, where wild-type mtDNA species co-exist with the pathogenic mtDNA and a bioenergetic defect is only seen when the pathogenic mtDNA percentage surpasses a threshold for biochemical manifestations. mtDNA segregation during germline development can explain some of the extreme variation in heteroplasmy from one generation to the next. Patients with high heteroplasmy for deleterious mtDNA species will likely suffer from bona-fide mitochondrial diseases, which currently have no cure. Shifting mtDNA heteroplasmy toward the wild-type mtDNA species could provide a therapeutic option to patients. Mitochondrially targeted engineered nucleases, such as mitoTALENs and mitoZFNs, have been used in vitro in human cells harboring pathogenic patient-derived mtDNA mutations and more recently in vivo in a mouse model of a pathogenic mtDNA point mutation. These gene therapy tools for shifting mtDNA heteroplasmy can also be used in conjunction with other therapies aimed at eliminating and/or preventing the transfer of pathogenic mtDNA from mother to child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadee Nissanka
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Carlos T Moraes
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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15
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Bacman SR, Gammage P, Minczuk M, Moraes CT. Manipulation of mitochondrial genes and mtDNA heteroplasmy. Methods Cell Biol 2020; 155:441-487. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2019.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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16
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Wallis CP, Scott LH, Filipovska A, Rackham O. Manipulating and elucidating mitochondrial gene expression with engineered proteins. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 375:20190185. [PMID: 31787043 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Many conventional, modern genome engineering tools cannot be used to study mitochondrial genetics due to the unusual structure and physiology of the mitochondrial genome. Here, we review a number of newly developed, synthetic biology-based approaches for altering levels of mutant mammalian mitochondrial DNA and mitochondrial RNAs, including transcription activator-like effector nucleases, zinc finger nucleases and engineered RNA-binding proteins. These approaches allow researchers to manipulate and visualize mitochondrial processes and may provide future therapeutics. This article is part of the theme issue 'Linking the mitochondrial genotype to phenotype: a complex endeavour'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher P Wallis
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia.,The University of Western Australia Centre for Medical Research, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Louis H Scott
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia.,The University of Western Australia Centre for Medical Research, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Aleksandra Filipovska
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia.,The University of Western Australia Centre for Medical Research, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia.,School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Oliver Rackham
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia.,School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia.,Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia
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17
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Al Khatib I, Shutt TE. Advances Towards Therapeutic Approaches for mtDNA Disease. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1158:217-246. [PMID: 31452143 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-8367-0_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria maintain and express their own genome, referred to as mtDNA, which is required for proper mitochondrial function. While mutations in mtDNA can cause a heterogeneous array of disease phenotypes, there is currently no cure for this collection of diseases. Here, we will cover characteristics of the mitochondrial genome important for understanding the pathology associated with mtDNA mutations, and review recent approaches that are being developed to treat and prevent mtDNA disease. First, we will discuss mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT), where mitochondria from a healthy donor replace maternal mitochondria harbouring mutant mtDNA. In addition to ethical concerns surrounding this procedure, MRT is only applicable in cases where the mother is known or suspected to carry mtDNA mutations. Thus, there remains a need for other strategies to treat patients with mtDNA disease. To this end, we will also discuss several alternative means to reduce the amount of mutant mtDNA present in cells. Such methods, referred to as heteroplasmy shifting, have proven successful in animal models. In particular, we will focus on the approach of targeting engineered endonucleases to specifically cleave mutant mtDNA. Together, these approaches offer hope to prevent the transmission of mtDNA disease and potentially reduce the impact of mtDNA mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman Al Khatib
- Deparments of Medical Genetics and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Timothy E Shutt
- Deparments of Medical Genetics and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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18
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Pereira CV, Bacman SR, Arguello T, Zekonyte U, Williams SL, Edgell DR, Moraes CT. mitoTev-TALE: a monomeric DNA editing enzyme to reduce mutant mitochondrial DNA levels. EMBO Mol Med 2019; 10:emmm.201708084. [PMID: 30012581 PMCID: PMC6127889 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201708084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations often co‐exist with wild‐type molecules (mtDNA heteroplasmy). Phenotypes manifest when the percentage of mutant mtDNA is high (70–90%). Previously, our laboratory showed that mitochondria‐targeted transcription activator‐like effector nucleases (mitoTALENs) can eliminate mutant mtDNA from heteroplasmic cells. However, mitoTALENs are dimeric and relatively large, making it difficult to package their coding genes into viral vectors, limiting their clinical application. The smaller monomeric GIY‐YIG homing nuclease from T4 phage (I‐TevI) provides a potential alternative. We tested whether molecular hybrids (mitoTev‐TALEs) could specifically bind and cleave mtDNA of patient‐derived cybrids harboring different levels of the m.8344A>G mtDNA point mutation, associated with myoclonic epilepsy with ragged‐red fibers (MERRF). We tested two mitoTev‐TALE designs, one of which robustly shifted the mtDNA ratio toward the wild type. When this mitoTev‐TALE was tested in a clone with high levels of the MERRF mutation (91% mutant), the shift in heteroplasmy resulted in an improvement of oxidative phosphorylation function. mitoTev‐TALE provides an effective architecture for mtDNA editing that could facilitate therapeutic delivery of mtDNA editing enzymes to affected tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia V Pereira
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Sandra R Bacman
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Tania Arguello
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Ugne Zekonyte
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Sion L Williams
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - David R Edgell
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Carlos T Moraes
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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19
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Naeem MM, Sondheimer N. Heteroplasmy Shifting as Therapy for Mitochondrial Disorders. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1158:257-267. [PMID: 31452145 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-8367-0_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial disease can arise due to pathogenic sequence variants in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) that prevent cells from meeting their energy demands. Mitochondrial diseases are often fatal and currently there are no treatments directed towards the underlying cause of disease. Pathogenic variants in mtDNA often exist in a state of heteroplasmy, with coexistence of pathogenic and wild type mtDNA. The load of heteroplasmy, defined as the relative amount of pathogenic mtDNA to wild type mtDNA, corresponds to timing and symptom severity. Thus, changing the heteroplasmy load may lead to a shift in disease onset and symptom severity. Here we review techniques aimed at preventing inheritance of pathogenic mtDNA via mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) and strategies geared toward shifting of heteroplasmy in individuals with active mitochondrial disease. MRT strategies seek to create embryos with the nuclear genetic makeup of the intended parents and wild type mtDNA from a donor in order to avoid known maternal pathogenic variants. Heteroplasmy shift approaches in patients are of two categories: nuclease dependent and nuclease independent strategies. Despite initial success in mouse models and patient cells, these techniques have not reached clinical use. Translational attempts in this area are urgently needed to improve therapies for a currently untreatable set of disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansur M Naeem
- Institute of Medical Science, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Neal Sondheimer
- Institute of Medical Science, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Zhao L. Mitochondrial DNA degradation: A quality control measure for mitochondrial genome maintenance and stress response. Enzymes 2019; 45:311-341. [PMID: 31627882 DOI: 10.1016/bs.enz.2019.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria play a central role in bioenergetics, and fulfill a plethora of functions in cell signaling, programmed cell death, and biosynthesis of key protein cofactors. Mitochondria harbor their own genomic DNA, which encodes protein subunits of the electron transport chain and a full set of transfer and ribosomal RNAs. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is essential for cellular and organismal functions, and defects in mitochondrial genome maintenance have been implicated in common human diseases and mitochondrial disorders. mtDNA repair and degradation are known pathways to cope with mtDNA damage; however, molecular factors involved in this process have remained unclear. Such knowledge is fundamental to the understanding of mitochondrial genomic maintenance and pathology, because mtDNA degradation may contribute to the etiology of mtDNA depletion syndromes and to the activation of the innate immune response by fragmented mtDNA. This article reviews the current literature regarding the importance of mitochondrial DNA degradation in mtDNA maintenance and stress response, and the recent progress in uncovering molecular factors involved in mtDNA degradation. These factors include key components of the mtDNA replication machinery, such as DNA polymerase γ, helicase Twinkle, and exonuclease MGME1, as well as a major DNA-packaging protein, mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States.
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21
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Emerging therapies for mitochondrial diseases. Essays Biochem 2018; 62:467-481. [PMID: 29980632 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20170114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 05/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
For the vast majority of patients with mitochondrial diseases, only supportive and symptomatic therapies are available. However, in the last decade, due to extraordinary advances in defining the causes and pathomechanisms of these diverse disorders, new therapies are being developed in the laboratory and are entering human clinical trials. In this review, we highlight the current use of dietary supplement and exercise therapies as well as emerging therapies that may be broadly applicable across multiple mitochondrial diseases or tailored for specific disorders. Examples of non-tailored therapeutic targets include: activation of mitochondrial biogenesis, regulation of mitophagy and mitochondrial dynamics, bypass of biochemical defects, mitochondrial replacement therapy, and hypoxia. In contrast, tailored therapies are: scavenging of toxic compounds, deoxynucleoside and deoxynucleotide treatments, cell replacement therapies, gene therapy, shifting mitochondrial DNA mutation heteroplasmy, and stabilization of mutant mitochondrial transfer RNAs.
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Advances in methods for reducing mitochondrial DNA disease by replacing or manipulating the mitochondrial genome. Essays Biochem 2018; 62:455-465. [PMID: 29950320 PMCID: PMC6056713 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20170113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a multi-copy genome whose cell copy number varies depending on tissue type. Mutations in mtDNA can cause a wide spectrum of diseases. Mutated mtDNA is often found as a subset of the total mtDNA population in a cell or tissue, a situation known as heteroplasmy. As mitochondrial dysfunction only presents after a certain level of heteroplasmy has been acquired, ways to artificially reduce or replace the mutated species have been attempted. This review addresses recent approaches and advances in this field, focusing on the prevention of pathogenic mtDNA transfer via mitochondrial donation techniques such as maternal spindle transfer and pronuclear transfer in which mutated mtDNA in the oocyte or fertilized embryo is substituted with normal copies of the mitochondrial genome. This review also discusses the molecular targeting and cleavage of pathogenic mtDNA to shift heteroplasmy using antigenomic therapy and genome engineering techniques including Zinc-finger nucleases and transcription activator-like effector nucleases. Finally, it considers CRISPR technology and the unique difficulties that mitochondrial genome editing presents.
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Aravintha Siva M, Mahalakshmi R, Bhakta-Guha D, Guha G. Gene therapy for the mitochondrial genome: Purging mutations, pacifying ailments. Mitochondrion 2018; 46:195-208. [PMID: 29890303 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2018.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In the recent years, the reported cases of mitochondrial disorders have reached a colossal number. These disorders spawn a sundry of pathological conditions, which lead to pernicious symptoms and even fatality. Due to the unpredictable etiologies, mitochondrial diseases are putatively referred to as "mystondria" (mysterious diseases of mitochondria). Although present-day research has greatly improved our understanding of mitochondrial disorders, effective therapeutic interventions are still at the precursory stage. The conundrum becomes further complicated because these pathologies might occur due to either mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations or due to mutations in the nuclear DNA (nDNA), or both. While correcting nDNA mutations by using gene therapy (replacement of defective genes by delivering wild-type (WT) ones into the host cell, or silencing a dominant mutant allele that is pathogenic) has emerged as a promising strategy to address some mitochondrial diseases, the complications in correcting the defects of mtDNA in order to renovate mitochondrial functions have remained a steep challenge. In this review, we focus specifically on the selective gene therapy strategies that have demonstrated prospects in targeting the pathological mutations in the mitochondrial genome, thereby treating mitochondrial ailments.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Aravintha Siva
- Cellular Dyshomeostasis Laboratory (CDHL), School of Chemical and Bio Technology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur 613 401, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - R Mahalakshmi
- Cellular Dyshomeostasis Laboratory (CDHL), School of Chemical and Bio Technology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur 613 401, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Dipita Bhakta-Guha
- Cellular Dyshomeostasis Laboratory (CDHL), School of Chemical and Bio Technology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur 613 401, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Gunjan Guha
- Cellular Dyshomeostasis Laboratory (CDHL), School of Chemical and Bio Technology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur 613 401, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Lehmann D, McFarland R. Overview of Approaches to Mitochondrial Disease Therapy. JOURNAL OF INBORN ERRORS OF METABOLISM AND SCREENING 2018. [DOI: 10.1177/2326409817752960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Diana Lehmann
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurology, University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Robert McFarland
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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Gammage PA, Minczuk M. Enhanced Manipulation of Human Mitochondrial DNA Heteroplasmy In Vitro Using Tunable mtZFN Technology. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1867:43-56. [PMID: 30155814 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8799-3_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
As a platform capable of mtDNA heteroplasmy manipulation, mitochondrially targeted zinc-finger nuclease (mtZFN) technology holds significant potential for the future of mitochondrial genome engineering, in both laboratory and clinic. Recent work highlights the importance of finely controlled mtZFN levels in mitochondria, permitting far greater mtDNA heteroplasmy modification efficiencies than observed in early applications. An initial approach, differential fluorescence-activated cell sorting (dFACS), allowing selection of transfected cells expressing various levels of mtZFN, demonstrated improved heteroplasmy modification. A further, key optimization has been the use of an engineered hammerhead ribozyme as a means for dynamic regulation of mtZFN expression, which has allowed the development of a unique isogenic cellular model of mitochondrial dysfunction arising from mutations in mtDNA, known as mTUNE. Protocols detailing these transformative optimizations are described in this chapter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Payam A Gammage
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Michal Minczuk
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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TALEN-mediated shift of mitochondrial DNA heteroplasmy in MELAS-iPSCs with m.13513G>A mutation. Sci Rep 2017; 7:15557. [PMID: 29138463 PMCID: PMC5686150 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-15871-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are suitable for studying mitochondrial diseases caused by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations. Here, we generated iPSCs from a patient with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) with the m.13513G>A mutation. The patient’s dermal fibroblasts were reprogrammed, and we established two iPSC clones with and without mutant mtDNA. Furthermore, we tried to decrease mutant mtDNA level in iPSCs using transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs). We originally engineered platinum TALENs, which were transported into mitochondria, recognized the mtDNA sequence including the m.13513 position, and preferentially cleaved G13513A mutant mtDNA (G13513A-mpTALEN). The m.13513G>A heteroplasmy level in MELAS-iPSCs was decreased in the short term by transduction of G13513A-mpTALEN. Our data demonstrate that this mtDNA-targeted nuclease would be a powerful tool for changing the heteroplasmy level in heteroplasmic iPSCs, which could contribute to elucidation of the pathological mechanisms of mitochondrial diseases caused by mtDNA mutations.
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Abstract
The report in 1988 that Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) was the product of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations provided the first demonstration of the clinical relevance of inherited mtDNA variation. From LHON studies, the medical importance was demonstrated for the mtDNA showing its coding for the most important energy genes, its maternal inheritance, its high mutation rate, its presence in hundreds to thousands of copies per cell, its quantitatively segregation of biallelic genotypes during both mitosis and meiosis, its preferential effect on the most energetic tissues including the eye and brain, its wide range of functional polymorphisms that predispose to common diseases, and its accumulation of mutations within somatic tissues providing the aging clock. These features of mtDNA genetics, in combination with the genetics of the 1-2000 nuclear DNA (nDNA) coded mitochondrial genes, is not only explaining the genetics of LHON but also providing a model for understanding the complexity of many common diseases. With the maturation of LHON biology and genetics, novel animal models for complex disease have been developed and new therapeutic targets and strategies envisioned, both pharmacological and genetic. Multiple somatic gene therapy approaches are being developed for LHON which are applicable to other mtDNA diseases. Moreover, the unique cytoplasmic genetics of the mtDNA has permitted the first successful human germline gene therapy via spindle nDNA transfer from mtDNA mutant oocytes to enucleated normal mtDNA oocytes. Such LHON lessons are actively being applied to common ophthalmological diseases like glaucoma and neurological diseases like Parkinsonism.
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28
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Pereira CV, Moraes CT. Current strategies towards therapeutic manipulation of mtDNA heteroplasmy. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed) 2017; 22:991-1010. [PMID: 27814659 DOI: 10.2741/4529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial disease is a multifactorial disorder involving both nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. Over the past 20 years, great progress was achieved in the field of gene editing which raised the possibility of partial or complete elimination of mutant mtDNA that causes disease phenotypes. Each cell contains thousands of copies of mtDNA which can be either wild-type (WT) or mutant, a condition called heteroplasmy. As there are multiple copies of mtDNA inside a cell, the percentage of mutant mtDNA can vary and a directional shift in the heteroplasmy ratio towards an increase of WT mtDNA copies would have therapeutic value. Gene editing tools have been adapted to translocate to mitochondria and were able to change heteroplasmy in a predictable manner. These include mitochondrial targeted restriction endonucleases, Zinc-finger nucleases, and TAL-effector nucleases. These procedures could also be adapted to reduce the levels of mutant mtDNA in embryos, offering an option to the controversial mitochondrial replacement techniques during in vitro fertilization. The current strategies to induce heteroplasmy shift of mtDNA and its implications will be comprehensively discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia V Pereira
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Carlos T Moraes
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA,
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29
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Gammage PA, Gaude E, Van Haute L, Rebelo-Guiomar P, Jackson CB, Rorbach J, Pekalski ML, Robinson AJ, Charpentier M, Concordet JP, Frezza C, Minczuk M. Near-complete elimination of mutant mtDNA by iterative or dynamic dose-controlled treatment with mtZFNs. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:7804-16. [PMID: 27466392 PMCID: PMC5027515 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial diseases are frequently associated with mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). In most cases, mutant and wild-type mtDNAs coexist, resulting in heteroplasmy. The selective elimination of mutant mtDNA, and consequent enrichment of wild-type mtDNA, can rescue pathological phenotypes in heteroplasmic cells. Use of the mitochondrially targeted zinc finger-nuclease (mtZFN) results in degradation of mutant mtDNA through site-specific DNA cleavage. Here, we describe a substantial enhancement of our previous mtZFN-based approaches to targeting mtDNA, allowing near-complete directional shifts of mtDNA heteroplasmy, either by iterative treatment or through finely controlled expression of mtZFN, which limits off-target catalysis and undesired mtDNA copy number depletion. To demonstrate the utility of this improved approach, we generated an isogenic distribution of heteroplasmic cells with variable mtDNA mutant level from the same parental source without clonal selection. Analysis of these populations demonstrated an altered metabolic signature in cells harbouring decreased levels of mutant m.8993T>G mtDNA, associated with neuropathy, ataxia, and retinitis pigmentosa (NARP). We conclude that mtZFN-based approaches offer means for mtDNA heteroplasmy manipulation in basic research, and may provide a strategy for therapeutic intervention in selected mitochondrial diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Pedro Rebelo-Guiomar
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Cambridge, UK GABBA, University of Porto, Portugal
| | | | | | - Marcin L Pekalski
- JDRF/Wellcome Trust DIL, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Marine Charpentier
- INSERM U1154, CNRS UMR 7196, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Paul Concordet
- INSERM U1154, CNRS UMR 7196, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
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30
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Darbandi S, Darbandi M, Khorshid HRK, Sadeghi MR, Al-Hasani S, Agarwal A, Shirazi A, Heidari M, Akhondi MM. Experimental strategies towards increasing intracellular mitochondrial activity in oocytes: A systematic review. Mitochondrion 2016; 30:8-17. [PMID: 27234976 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2016.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Revised: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The mitochondrial complement is critical in sustaining the earliest stages of life. To improve the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), current methods of interest were evaluated for increasing the activity and copy number of mitochondria in the oocyte cell. METHODS This covered the researches from 1966 to September 2015. RESULTS The results provided ten methods that can be studied individually or simultaneously. CONCLUSION Though the use of these techniques generated great concern about heteroplasmy observation in humans, it seems that with study on these suggested methods there is real hope for effective treatments of old oocyte or oocytes containing mitochondrial problems in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Darbandi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mahsa Darbandi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
| | | | - Mohammad Reza Sadeghi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Safaa Al-Hasani
- Reproductive Medicine Unit, University of Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck, Germany.
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Abolfazl Shirazi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mahnaz Heidari
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran. M.@avicenna.ar.ir
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Akhondi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
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Abstract
Human mitochondria produce ATP and metabolites to support development and maintain cellular homeostasis. Mitochondria harbor multiple copies of a maternally inherited, non-nuclear genome (mtDNA) that encodes for 13 subunit proteins of the respiratory chain. Mutations in mtDNA occur mainly in the 24 non-coding genes, with specific mutations implicated in early death, neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and diabetes. A significant barrier to new insights in mitochondrial biology and clinical applications for mtDNA disorders is our general inability to manipulate the mtDNA sequence. Microinjection, cytoplasmic fusion, nucleic acid import strategies, targeted endonucleases, and newer approaches, which include the transfer of genomic DNA, somatic cell reprogramming, and a photothermal nanoblade, attempt to change the mtDNA sequence in target cells with varying efficiencies and limitations. Here, we discuss the current state of manipulating mammalian mtDNA and provide an outlook for mitochondrial reverse genetics, which could further enable mitochondrial research and therapies for mtDNA diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander N Patananan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | | | - Pei-Yu Chiou
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Michael A Teitell
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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32
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Van Houten B, Hunter SE, Meyer JN. Mitochondrial DNA damage induced autophagy, cell death, and disease. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed) 2016; 21:42-54. [PMID: 26709760 DOI: 10.2741/4375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian mitochondria contain multiple small genomes. While these organelles have efficient base excision removal of oxidative DNA lesions and alkylation damage, many DNA repair systems that work on nuclear DNA damage are not active in mitochondria. What is the fate of DNA damage in the mitochondria that cannot be repaired or that overwhelms the repair system? Some forms of mitochondrial DNA damage can apparently trigger mitochondrial DNA destruction, either via direct degradation or through specific forms of autophagy, such as mitophagy. However, accumulation of certain types of mitochondrial damage, in the absence of DNA ligase III (Lig3) or exonuclease G (EXOG), can directly trigger cell death. This review examines the cellular effects of persistent damage to mitochondrial genomes and discusses the very different cell fates that occur in response to different kinds of damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bennett Van Houten
- Department of Pharmacology Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, 15213-1863,
| | - Senyene E Hunter
- School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
| | - Joel N Meyer
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0328
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33
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Qu Q, Ma X, Zhao Y. Targeted delivery of doxorubicin to mitochondria using mesoporous silica nanoparticle nanocarriers. NANOSCALE 2015; 7:16677-86. [PMID: 26400067 DOI: 10.1039/c5nr05139h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
A lot of investigations have been conducted using mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) functionalized with different targeting ligands in order to deliver various hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs to targeted cancer cells. However, the utilization of MSNPs to deliver drug molecules to targeted subcellular organelles has been rarely reported. In this work, we applied targeting ligand-conjugated MSNPs with an average diameter of 80 nm to deliver the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) to mitochondria. Triphenoylphosphonium (TPP) was functionalized on MSNPs as a mitochondria targeting ligand. Mitochondria targeting efficiency was demonstrated in HeLa cells by a co-localization study of mitochondria and functionalized MSNPs as well as by fluorescence analysis in isolated mitochondria. In addition, enhanced cancer cell killing efficacy was achieved when using DOX-loaded and TPP-functionalized MSNPs for mitochondria-targeted delivery. Lowered adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential were observed, demonstrating the mitochondria dysfunction caused by delivered DOX. The positive results indicate promising application potential of MSNPs in targeted subcellular drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyu Qu
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, 637371 Singapore.
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34
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Tischner C, Wenz T. Keep the fire burning: Current avenues in the quest of treating mitochondrial disorders. Mitochondrion 2015; 24:32-49. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2015.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Revised: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Wade M. High-Throughput Silencing Using the CRISPR-Cas9 System: A Review of the Benefits and Challenges. JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR SCREENING 2015; 20:1027-39. [PMID: 26001564 DOI: 10.1177/1087057115587916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas system has been seized upon with a fervor enjoyed previously by small interfering RNA (siRNA) and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) technologies and has enormous potential for high-throughput functional genomics studies. The decision to use this approach must be balanced with respect to adoption of existing platforms versus awaiting the development of more "mature" next-generation systems. Here, experience from siRNA and shRNA screening plays an important role, as issues such as targeting efficiency, pooling strategies, and off-target effects with those technologies are already framing debates in the CRISPR field. CRISPR/Cas can be exploited not only to knockout genes but also to up- or down-regulate gene transcription-in some cases in a multiplex fashion. This provides a powerful tool for studying the interaction among multiple signaling cascades in the same genetic background. Furthermore, the documented success of CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene correction (or the corollary, introduction of disease-specific mutations) provides proof of concept for the rapid generation of isogenic cell lines for high-throughput screening. In this review, the advantages and limitations of CRISPR/Cas are discussed and current and future applications are highlighted. It is envisaged that complementarities between CRISPR, siRNA, and shRNA will ensure that all three technologies remain critical to the success of future functional genomics projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Wade
- Screening Unit, Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milan, Italy
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Viscomi C, Bottani E, Zeviani M. Emerging concepts in the therapy of mitochondrial disease. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2015; 1847:544-57. [PMID: 25766847 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2015.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2014] [Revised: 02/15/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial disorders are an important group of genetic conditions characterized by impaired oxidative phosphorylation. Mitochondrial disorders come with an impressive variability of symptoms, organ involvement, and clinical course, which considerably impact the quality of life and quite often shorten the lifespan expectancy. Although the last 20 years have witnessed an exponential increase in understanding the genetic and biochemical mechanisms leading to disease, this has not resulted in the development of effective therapeutic approaches, amenable of improving clinical course and outcome of these conditions to any significant extent. Therapeutic options for mitochondrial diseases still remain focused on supportive interventions aimed at relieving complications. However, new therapeutic strategies have recently been emerging, some of which have shown potential efficacy at the pre-clinical level. This review will present the state of the art on experimental therapy for mitochondrial disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Viscomi
- Unit of Molecular Neurogenetics, The Foundation "Carlo Besta" Institute of Neurology IRCCS, 20133 Milan, Italy; MRC-Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK.
| | | | - Massimo Zeviani
- Unit of Molecular Neurogenetics, The Foundation "Carlo Besta" Institute of Neurology IRCCS, 20133 Milan, Italy; MRC-Mitochondrial Biology Unit, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK.
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Peralta S, Torraco A, Iommarini L, Diaz F. Mitochondrial Diseases Part III: Therapeutic interventions in mouse models of OXPHOS deficiencies. Mitochondrion 2015; 23:71-80. [PMID: 25638392 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2015.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial defects are the cause of numerous disorders affecting the oxidative phosphorylation system (OXPHOS) in humans leading predominantly to neurological and muscular degeneration. The molecular origin, manifestations, and progression of mitochondrial diseases have a broad spectrum, which makes very challenging to find a globally effective therapy. The study of the molecular mechanisms underlying the mitochondrial dysfunction indicates that there is a wide range of pathways, enzymes and molecules that can be potentially targeted for therapeutic purposes. Therefore, focusing on the pathology of the disease is essential to design new treatments. In this review, we will summarize and discuss the different therapeutic interventions tested in some mouse models of mitochondrial diseases emphasizing the molecular mechanisms of action and their potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Peralta
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
| | - Alessandra Torraco
- Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Viale di San Paolo, 15 - 00146, Rome, Italy.
| | - Luisa Iommarini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FABIT), University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 42, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Francisca Diaz
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
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Tonin Y, Heckel AM, Vysokikh M, Dovydenko I, Meschaninova M, Rötig A, Munnich A, Venyaminova A, Tarassov I, Entelis N. Modeling of antigenomic therapy of mitochondrial diseases by mitochondrially addressed RNA targeting a pathogenic point mutation in mitochondrial DNA. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:13323-34. [PMID: 24692550 PMCID: PMC4036341 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.528968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Revised: 03/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Defects in mitochondrial genome can cause a wide range of clinical disorders, mainly neuromuscular diseases. Presently, no efficient therapeutic treatment has been developed against this class of pathologies. Because most of deleterious mitochondrial mutations are heteroplasmic, meaning that wild type and mutated forms of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) coexist in the same cell, the shift in proportion between mutant and wild type molecules could restore mitochondrial functions. Recently, we developed mitochondrial RNA vectors that can be used to address anti-replicative oligoribonucleotides into human mitochondria and thus impact heteroplasmy level in cells bearing a large deletion in mtDNA. Here, we show that this strategy can be also applied to point mutations in mtDNA. We demonstrate that specifically designed RNA molecules containing structural determinants for mitochondrial import and 20-nucleotide sequence corresponding to the mutated region of mtDNA, are able to anneal selectively to the mutated mitochondrial genomes. After being imported into mitochondria of living human cells in culture, these RNA induced a decrease of the proportion of mtDNA molecules bearing a pathogenic point mutation in the mtDNA ND5 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann Tonin
- From the UMR 7156 Génétique Moléculaire, Génomique, Microbiologie (GMGM), Strasbourg University-CNRS, Strasbourg 67084, France
| | - Anne-Marie Heckel
- From the UMR 7156 Génétique Moléculaire, Génomique, Microbiologie (GMGM), Strasbourg University-CNRS, Strasbourg 67084, France
| | - Mikhail Vysokikh
- From the UMR 7156 Génétique Moléculaire, Génomique, Microbiologie (GMGM), Strasbourg University-CNRS, Strasbourg 67084, France
| | - Ilya Dovydenko
- From the UMR 7156 Génétique Moléculaire, Génomique, Microbiologie (GMGM), Strasbourg University-CNRS, Strasbourg 67084, France
- the Laboratory of RNA Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia, and
| | - Mariya Meschaninova
- the Laboratory of RNA Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia, and
| | - Agnès Rötig
- the Université Paris Descartes-Sorbonne Paris Cité, INSERM U781, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris 75015, France
| | - Arnold Munnich
- the Université Paris Descartes-Sorbonne Paris Cité, INSERM U781, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris 75015, France
| | - Alya Venyaminova
- the Laboratory of RNA Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia, and
| | - Ivan Tarassov
- From the UMR 7156 Génétique Moléculaire, Génomique, Microbiologie (GMGM), Strasbourg University-CNRS, Strasbourg 67084, France
| | - Nina Entelis
- From the UMR 7156 Génétique Moléculaire, Génomique, Microbiologie (GMGM), Strasbourg University-CNRS, Strasbourg 67084, France
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Bacman SR, Williams SL, Pinto M, Moraes CT. The use of mitochondria-targeted endonucleases to manipulate mtDNA. Methods Enzymol 2014; 547:373-97. [PMID: 25416366 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-801415-8.00018-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
For more than a decade, mitochondria-targeted nucleases have been used to promote double-strand breaks in the mitochondrial genome. This was done in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) homoplasmic systems, where all mtDNA molecules can be affected, to create models of mitochondrial deficiencies. Alternatively, they were also used in a heteroplasmic model, where only a subset of the mtDNA molecules were substrates for cleavage. The latter approach showed that mitochondrial-targeted nucleases can reduce mtDNA haplotype loads in affected tissues, with clear implications for the treatment of patients with mitochondrial diseases. In the last few years, designer nucleases, such as ZFN and TALEN, have been adapted to cleave mtDNA, greatly expanding the potential therapeutic use. This chapter describes the techniques and approaches used to test these designer enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra R Bacman
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Sion L Williams
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Milena Pinto
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Carlos T Moraes
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.
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40
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Role of oxidative stress in refractory epilepsy: evidence in patients and experimental models. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:1455-76. [PMID: 23344052 PMCID: PMC3565330 DOI: 10.3390/ijms14011455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2012] [Revised: 11/06/2012] [Accepted: 12/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress, a state of imbalance in the production of reactive oxygen species and nitrogen, is induced by a wide variety of factors. This biochemical state is associated with systemic diseases, and diseases affecting the central nervous system. Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder with refractoriness to drug therapy at about 30%. Currently, experimental evidence supports the involvement of oxidative stress in seizures, in the process of their generation, and in the mechanisms associated with refractoriness to drug therapy. Hence, the aim of this review is to present information in order to facilitate the handling of this evidence and determine the therapeutic impact of the biochemical status for this pathology.
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41
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Comte C, Tonin Y, Heckel-Mager AM, Boucheham A, Smirnov A, Auré K, Lombès A, Martin RP, Entelis N, Tarassov I. Mitochondrial targeting of recombinant RNAs modulates the level of a heteroplasmic mutation in human mitochondrial DNA associated with Kearns Sayre Syndrome. Nucleic Acids Res 2012; 41:418-33. [PMID: 23087375 PMCID: PMC3592399 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gks965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial mutations, an important cause of incurable human neuromuscular diseases, are mostly heteroplasmic: mutated mitochondrial DNA is present in cells simultaneously with wild-type genomes, the pathogenic threshold being generally >70% of mutant mtDNA. We studied whether heteroplasmy level could be decreased by specifically designed oligoribonucleotides, targeted into mitochondria by the pathway delivering RNA molecules in vivo. Using mitochondrially imported RNAs as vectors, we demonstrated that oligoribonucleotides complementary to mutant mtDNA region can specifically reduce the proportion of mtDNA bearing a large deletion associated with the Kearns Sayre Syndrome in cultured transmitochondrial cybrid cells. These findings may be relevant to developing of a new tool for therapy of mtDNA associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Comte
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Genetics, UMR Génétique Moléculaire, Génomique, Microbiologie, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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42
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Abstract
The hereditary optic neuropathies are inherited disorders in which optic nerve dysfunction is a prominent feature in the phenotypic expression of disease. Optic neuropathy may be primarily an isolated finding, such as in Leber hereditary optic neuropathy and dominant optic atrophy, or part of a multisystem disorder. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the hereditary optic neuropathies involve mitochondrial dysfunction owing to mutations in mitochondrial or nuclear DNA that encodes proteins essential to mitochondrial function. Effective treatments are limited, and current management includes therapies directed at enhancing mitochondrial function and preventing oxidative damage, as well as genetic counselling, and supportive and symptomatic measures. New therapies, including gene therapy, are emerging via animal models and human clinical trials. Leber hereditary optic neuropathy, in particular, provides a unique model for testing promising treatments owing to its characteristic sequential bilateral involvement and the accessibility of target tissue within the eye. Lessons learned from treatment of the hereditary optic neuropathies may have therapeutic implications for other disorders of presumed mitochondrial dysfunction. In this Review, the natural history of the common inherited optic neuropathies, the presumed pathogenesis of several of these disorders, and the literature to date regarding potential therapies are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy J Newman
- Neuro-ophthalmology Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, Neurology and Neurological Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365-B Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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43
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Schiff M, Bénit P, Jacobs HT, Vockley J, Rustin P. Therapies in inborn errors of oxidative metabolism. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2012; 23:488-95. [PMID: 22633959 PMCID: PMC4135311 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2012.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2012] [Revised: 04/19/2012] [Accepted: 04/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial diseases encompass a wide range of presentations and mechanisms, dictating a need to consider both broad-based and disease-specific therapies. The manifestations of mitochondrial dysfunction and the response to therapy vary between individuals. This probably reflects the genetic complexity of mitochondrial biology, which requires an excess of 2000 genes for proper function, with numerous interfering epigenetic and environmental factors. Accordingly, we are increasingly aware of the complexity of these diseases which involve far more than merely decreased ATP supply. Indeed, recent therapeutic progress has addressed only specific disease entities. In this review present and prospective therapeutic approaches will be discussed on the basis of targets and mechanism of action, but with a broad outlook on their potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Schiff
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unité 676, Hôpital Robert Debré, F-75019 Paris, France
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44
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Kalifa L, Quintana DF, Schiraldi LK, Phadnis N, Coles GL, Sia RA, Sia EA. Mitochondrial genome maintenance: roles for nuclear nonhomologous end-joining proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Genetics 2012; 190:951-64. [PMID: 22214610 PMCID: PMC3296257 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.111.138214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2011] [Accepted: 12/31/2011] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions are associated with sporadic and inherited diseases and age-associated neurodegenerative disorders. Approximately 85% of mtDNA deletions identified in humans are flanked by short directly repeated sequences; however, mechanisms by which these deletions arise are unknown. A limitation in deciphering these mechanisms is the essential nature of the mitochondrial genome in most living cells. One exception is budding yeast, which are facultative anaerobes and one of the few organisms for which directed mtDNA manipulation is possible. Using this model system, we have developed a system to simultaneously monitor spontaneous direct-repeat-mediated deletions (DRMDs) in the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. In addition, the mitochondrial DRMD reporter contains a unique KpnI restriction endonuclease recognition site that is not present in otherwise wild-type (WT) mtDNA. We have expressed KpnI fused to a mitochondrial localization signal to induce a specific mitochondrial double-strand break (mtDSB). Here we report that loss of the MRX (Mre11p, Rad50p, Xrs2p) and Ku70/80 (Ku70p, Ku80p) complexes significantly impacts the rate of spontaneous deletion events in mtDNA, and these proteins contribute to the repair of induced mtDSBs. Furthermore, our data support homologous recombination (HR) as the predominant pathway by which mtDNA deletions arise in yeast, and suggest that the MRX and Ku70/80 complexes are partially redundant in mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidza Kalifa
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627
| | - Daniel F. Quintana
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627
| | - Laura K. Schiraldi
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627
- Department of Biology, The College at Brockport, State University of New York, Brockport, New York 14420
| | - Naina Phadnis
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627
| | - Garry L. Coles
- Department of Biology, The College at Brockport, State University of New York, Brockport, New York 14420
| | - Rey A. Sia
- Department of Biology, The College at Brockport, State University of New York, Brockport, New York 14420
| | - Elaine A. Sia
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627
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45
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Manipulation of mtDNA heteroplasmy in all striated muscles of newborn mice by AAV9-mediated delivery of a mitochondria-targeted restriction endonuclease. Gene Ther 2011; 19:1101-6. [PMID: 22130448 PMCID: PMC3410960 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2011.196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial diseases are frequently caused by heteroplasmic mtDNA mutations. Because these mutations express themselves only at high relative ratios, any approach able to manipulate mtDNA heteroplasmy can potentially be curative. In this study we developed a system to manipulate mtDNA heteroplasmy in all skeletal muscles from neonate mice. We selected muscle because it is one of the most clinically affected tissues in mitochondrial disorders. A mitochondria targeted restriction endonuclease (mito-ApaLI) expressed from AAV9 particles was delivered either by intraperitoneal or intravenous injection in neonate mice harboring two mtDNA haplotypes, only one of which was susceptible to ApaLI digestion. A single injection was able to elicit a predictable and marked change in mtDNA heteroplasmy in all striated muscles analyzed, including heart. No health problems or reduction in mtDNA levels were observed in treated mice, suggesting that this approach could have clinical applications for mitochondrial myopathies.
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46
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Adhya S, Mahato B, Jash S, Koley S, Dhar G, Chowdhury T. Mitochondrial gene therapy: The tortuous path from bench to bedside. Mitochondrion 2011; 11:839-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2011.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2011] [Revised: 05/12/2011] [Accepted: 06/10/2011] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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47
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Mileshina D, Ibrahim N, Boesch P, Lightowlers RN, Dietrich A, Weber-Lotfi F. Mitochondrial transfection for studying organellar DNA repair, genome maintenance and aging. Mech Ageing Dev 2011; 132:412-23. [PMID: 21645537 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2011.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2010] [Revised: 03/02/2011] [Accepted: 05/21/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Maintenance of the mitochondrial genome is a major challenge for cells, particularly as they begin to age. Although it is established that organelles possess regular DNA repair pathways, many aspects of these complex processes and of their regulation remain to be investigated. Mitochondrial transfection of isolated organelles and in whole cells with customized DNA synthesized to contain defined lesions has wide prospects for deciphering repair mechanisms in a physiological context. We document here the strategies currently developed to transfer DNA of interest into mitochondria. Methodologies with isolated mitochondria claim to exploit the protein import pathway or the natural competence of the organelles, to permeate the membranes or to use conjugal transfer from bacteria. Besides biolistics, which remains restricted to yeast and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, nanocarriers or fusion proteins have been explored as methods to target custom DNA into mitochondria in intact cells. In further approaches, whole mitochondria have been transferred into recipient cells. Repair failure or error-prone repair leads to mutations which potentially could be rescued by allotopic expression of proteins. The relevance of the different approaches for the analysis of mitochondrial DNA repair mechanisms and of aging is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Mileshina
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes, CNRS/Université de Strasbourg, 12 rue du Général Zimmer, 67084 Strasbourg, France
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48
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Smith PM, Lightowlers RN. Altering the balance between healthy and mutated mitochondrial DNA. J Inherit Metab Dis 2011; 34:309-13. [PMID: 20506041 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-010-9122-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2010] [Revised: 04/15/2010] [Accepted: 05/19/2010] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Pathogenic mutations of the mitochondrial genome are frequently found to co-exist with wild-type mtDNA molecules, a state known as heteroplasmy. In most disease cases, the mutation is recessive with manifestation of a clinical phenotype occurring when the proportion of mutated mtDNA exceeds a high threshold. The concept of increasing the ratio of healthy to mutated mtDNA as a means to correcting the biochemical defect has received much attention. A number of strategies are highlighted in this article, including manipulation of the mitochondrial genome by antigenomic drugs or restriction endonucleases, zinc finger peptide-targeted nucleases and exercise-induced gene shifting. The feasibility of these approaches has been demonstrated in a number of models, however more work is necessary before use in human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Smith
- Mitochondrial Research Group, Institute of Ageing and Health, Medical School, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
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49
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Cwerman-Thibault H, Sahel JA, Corral-Debrinski M. Mitochondrial medicine: to a new era of gene therapy for mitochondrial DNA mutations. J Inherit Metab Dis 2011; 34:327-44. [PMID: 20571866 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-010-9131-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2010] [Revised: 05/12/2010] [Accepted: 05/17/2010] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial disorders can no longer be ignored in most medical disciplines. Such disorders include specific and widespread organ involvement, with tissue degeneration or tumor formation. Primary or secondary actors, mitochondrial dysfunctions also play a role in the aging process. Despite progresses made in identification of their molecular bases, nearly everything remains to be done as regards therapy. Research dealing with mitochondrial physiology and pathology has >20 years of history around the world. We are involved, as are many other laboratories, in the challenge of finding ways to fight these diseases. However, our main limitation is the scarcety of animal models required for both understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the diseases and evaluating therapeutic strategies. This is especially true for diseases due to mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), since an authentic genetic model of mtDNA mutations is technically a very difficult task due to both the inability of manipulating the mitochondrial genome of living mammalian cells and to its multicopy nature. This has led researchers in the field to consider the prospect of gene therapy approaches that can roughly be divided into three groups: (1) import of wild-type copies or relevant sections of DNA or RNA into mitochondria, (2) manipulation of mitochondrial genetic content, and (3) rescue of a defect by expression of an engineered gene product from the nucleus (allotopic or xenotropic expression). We briefly introduce these concepts and indicate where promising progress has been made in the last decade.
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50
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Wenz T, Williams SL, Bacman SR, Moraes CT. Emerging therapeutic approaches to mitochondrial diseases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 16:219-29. [PMID: 20818736 DOI: 10.1002/ddrr.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial diseases are very heterogeneous and can affect different tissues and organs. Moreover, they can be caused by genetic defects in either nuclear or mitochondrial DNA as well as by environmental factors. All of these factors have made the development of therapies difficult. In this review article, we will discuss emerging approaches to the therapy of mitochondrial disorders, some of which are targeted to specific conditions whereas others may be applicable to a more diverse group of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Wenz
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami School of Medicine, 1095 NW 14th Terrace, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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