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Biomedical subjects

M P King

Publications and source records attributed to M P King.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Analysis of cybrids harboring MELAS mutations in the mitochondrial tRNA(Leu(UUR)) gene.

MELAS (mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and strokelike episodes), a maternally inherited mitochondrial disorder, has been associated with an A-->G transition at nucleotide 3243 and a T-->C transition at nucleotide 3271, both in the mitochondrial tRNA(Leu(UUR)) gene. We transferred mitochondria harboring these mutations into human cells lacking endogenous mtDNA (rho o cells), and analyzed the resulting transmitochondrial cytoplasmic hybrid (cybrid) cell lines for the relationship of genotype to phenotype. Cybrids containing high levels of mutated genomes showed decreased rates of synthesis of mitochondrial translation products, reduced respiratory chain function, and increased amounts of a novel unprocessed RNA species (RNA 19). Overall effects on mitochondrial functions were more severe for the MELAS 3243 cybrids as compared to the MELAS 3271 cybrids. These data, combined with our previous observations, suggest that RNA 19 may play an important, but as yet uncharacterized, role in the pathogenesis of this mitochondrial disorder.

Genes↗
PubMed1995

In vitro analysis of mutations causing myoclonus epilepsy with ragged-red fibers in the mitochondrial tRNA(Lys)gene: two genotypes produce similar phenotypes.

Cytoplasts from patients with myoclonus epilepsy with ragged-red fibers harboring a pathogenic point mutation at either nucleotide 8344 or 8356 in the human mitochondrial tRNA(Lys) gene were fused with human cells lacking endogenous mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). For each mutation, cytoplasmic hybrid (cybrid) cell lines containing 0 or 100% mutated mtDNAs were isolated and their genetic, biochemical, and morphological characteristics were examined. Both mutations resulted in the same biochemical and molecular genetic phenotypes. Specifically, cybrids containing 100% mutated mtDNAs, but not those containing the corresponding wild-type mtDNAs, exhibited severe defects in respiratory chain activity, in the rates of protein synthesis, and in the steady-state levels of mitochondrial translation products. In addition, aberrant mitochondrial translation products were detected with both mutations. No significant alterations were observed in the processing of polycistronic RNA precursor transcripts derived from the region containing the tRNA(Lys) gene. These results demonstrate that two different mtDNA mutations in tRNA(Lys), both associated with the same mitochondrial disorder, result in fundamentally identical defects at the cellular level and strongly suggest that specific protein synthesis abnormalities contribute to the pathogenesis of myoclonus epilepsy with ragged-red fibers.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1993

Post-transcriptional regulation of the steady-state levels of mitochondrial tRNAs in HeLa cells.

In human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), the tRNA genes are located in three different transcription units that are transcribed at three different rates. To analyze the regulation of tRNA formation by the three transcription units, we have examined the steady-state levels and metabolic properties of the tRNAs of HeLa cell mitochondria. DNA excess hybridization experiments utilizing separated strands of mtDNA and purified tRNA samples from exponential cells long term labeled with [32P]orthophosphate have revealed a steady-state level of 6 x 10(5) tRNA molecules/cell, with three-fourths being encoded in the H-strand and one-fourth in the L-strand. Hybridization of the tRNAs with a panel of M13 clones of human mtDNA containing, in most cases, single tRNA genes and a quantitation of two-dimensional electrophoretic fractionations of the tRNAs have shown that the steady-state levels of tRNA(Phe) and tRNA(Val) are two to three times higher than the average level of the other H-strand-encoded tRNAs and three to four times higher than the average level of the L-strand-encoded tRNAs. Similar experiments carried out with tRNAs isolated from cells labeled with very short pulses of [5-3H]uridine have indicated that the rates of formation of the individual tRNA species are proportional to their steady-state amounts. Therefore, the approximately 25-fold higher rate of transcription of the tRNA(Phe) and tRNA(Val) genes relative to the other H-strand tRNA genes and the 10-16-fold higher rate of transcription of the L-strand tRNA genes relative to the H-strand tRNA genes are not reflected in the steady-state levels or the rates of formation of the corresponding tRNAs. A comparison of the steady-state levels of the individual tRNAs with the corresponding codon usage for protein synthesis, as determined from the DNA sequence and the rates of synthesis of the various polypeptides, has not revealed any significant correlation between the two parameters.

Cloning, Molecular↗
PubMed1993

Fine mapping of mitochondrial RNAs derived from the mtDNA region containing a point mutation associated with MELAS.

Mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) is a mitochondrial disorder associated with heteroplasmic point mutations in the mitochondrial tRNA(Leu)(UUR) gene. While previous studies have shown that the MELAS mutation at nt-3243 results in impairments in mitochondrial protein synthesis and respiratory chain function, it was not clear whether these were associated with structural alterations in mature RNAs derived from transcription of the region containing the mutation. We have performed fine mapping and high-resolution. Northern analysis of RNAs from cybrids derived from two MELAS patients harboring the nt-3243 mutation. No differences in the size or steady-state levels of transcripts from the 16S rRNA, tRNA(Leu)(UUR), or ND 1 genes (which are contiguous in the mtDNA) were observed between cell lines containing mutated or wild-type mtDNAs. Therefore, it is not likely that the protein synthesis defects observed in cybrids with the MELAS-3243 mutation are directly caused by qualitative alterations in either transcription termination or processing of these mitochondrial RNAs.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1992

The mitochondrial tRNA(Leu)(UUR)) mutation in MELAS: a model for pathogenesis.

The A----G transition at nucleotide 3243 of the mitochondrial tRNA(Leu)(UUR)) gene has been associated with MELAS, a maternally-inherited mitochondrial disorder. We recently transferred mitochondria harboring this mtDNA mutation into a human cell line devoid of endogenous mtDNA (rho degrees cells), and showed: (1) decreased rate of synthesis and of steady-state levels of mitochondrial translational products, (2) reduced respiratory chain function and (3) increased amounts of a novel unprocessed RNA species (termed by us RNA 19) derived from transcription of the 16S rRNA + tRNA(Leu)(UUR) + ND 1 genes. Because RNA 19 contains rRNA sequences, we propose that this molecule is incorporated into mitochondrial ribosomes, and interferes disproportionately with mitochondrial translation, thereby causing the phenotypic changes associated with MELAS.

Brain Diseases, Metabolic↗
PubMed1992

Defects in mitochondrial protein synthesis and respiratory chain activity segregate with the tRNA(Leu(UUR)) mutation associated with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and strokelike episodes.

Cytoplasts from two unrelated patients with MELAS (mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and strokelike episodes) harboring an A----G transition at nucleotide position 3243 in the tRNA(Leu(UUR)) gene of the mitochondrial genome were fused with human cells lacking endogenous mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) (rho 0 cells). Selected cybrid lines, containing less than 15 or greater than or equal to 95% mutated genomes, were examined for differences in genetic, biochemical, and morphological characteristics. Cybrids containing greater than or equal to 95% mutant mtDNA, but not those containing normal mtDNA, exhibited decreases in the rates of synthesis and in the steady-state levels of the mitochondrial translation products. In addition, NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND 1) exhibited a slightly altered mobility on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The mutation also correlated with a severe respiratory chain deficiency. A small but consistent increase in the steady-state levels of an RNA transcript corresponding to 16S rRNA + tRNA(Leu(UUR)) + ND 1 genes was detected. However, there was no evidence of major errors in processing of the heavy-strand-encoded transcripts or of altered steady-state levels or ratios of mitochondrial rRNAs or mRNAs. These results provide evidence for a direct relationship between the tRNALeu(UUR) mutation and the pathogenesis of this mitochondrial disease.

Acidosis, Lactic↗
PubMed1989

Human cells lacking mtDNA: repopulation with exogenous mitochondria by complementation.

Two human cell lines (termed rho 0), which had been completely depleted of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) by long-term exposure to ethidium bromide, were found to be dependent on uridine and pyruvate for growth because of the absence of a functional respiratory chain. Loss of either of these two metabolic requirements was used as a selectable marker for the repopulation of rho 0 cells with exogenous mitochondria by complementation. Transformants obtained with various mitochondrial donors exhibited a respiratory phenotype that was in most cases distinct from that of the rho 0 parent or the donor, indicating that the genotypes of the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes as well as their specific interactions play a role in the respiratory competence of a cell.

Cell Fusion↗
PubMed1988

Injection of mitochondria into human cells leads to a rapid replacement of the endogenous mitochondrial DNA.

Isolated human mitochondria containing a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) coded chloramphenicol resistance marker were injected into cells from two different human sensitive cell lines, 143BTK- and HT1080-6TG, which had been partially depleted of their mtDNA by ethidium bromide treatment. On the basis of the available evidence concerning the tolerance of introduced volumes into mammalian cells, it is estimated that, on the average, less than one mitochondrion was introduced into each cell. Under selective conditions, the mitochondria became established in the recipient cells with a frequency greater than 2-3 x 10(-3). An analysis of multiple mtDNA and nuclear DNA polymorphisms revealed a rapid replacement of the resident mtDNA by the exogenous mtDNA. Six to ten weeks after microinjection, this replacement was complete in all but one of the HT1080-6TG transformants, and nearly complete in the majority of the 143BTK- transformants. The quantitative behavior of the mtDNA of the transformants at very early stages of selection strongly suggests that intracellular mtDNA selection played a crucial role in this replacement, with significant implications for mitochondrial genetics.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1976

The co-carcinogenic activity of 4-nitropyridine-1-oxide (4-NPO) and prevention of transformation by type-specific anti-viral antibodies.

Fischer rat embryo cells chronically infected with Rauscher murine leukemia virus, and known to be sensitive to transformation by potent chemical carcinogens, were transformed by the weak carcinogen 4-nitropyridine-1-oxide. Transformed cells grew in semi-solid agar and produced tumors in newborn Fischer rats. Transformation was inhibited by antisera specific for the ecotropic Rauscher murine leukemia virus, but not by antisera of equal toxicity specific for xenotropic Swiss mouse AT-124 virus.

4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide↗
PubMed1976

Prevention of viral-chemical co-carcinogenesis in vitro by type-specific anti-viral antibody.

Low passage Fischer rat embryo cultures, which are normally very resistant to transformation by 3-methylcholanthrene but are highly susceptible when chronically infected with the Rauscher murine leukemia virus, were completely protected from transformation by methylcholanthrene when treated with neutralizing antibody specific for the leukemia virus prior to and during treatment with methylcholanthrene. Sister cultures were not protected by neutralizing antibody specific for the B-tropic radiation leukemia virus. This demonstrates clearly a definite type specific role for Rauscher murine leukemia virus in the 2-methylcholanthrene transformation system in rat cells.

Antibodies, Viral↗