Transcriptome profiling in human primary mitochondrial respiratory chain disease

Primary mitochondrial respiratory chain (RC) diseases are heterogeneous in etiology and manifestations but collectively impair cellular energy metabolism. To identify a common cellular response to RC disease, systems biology level transcriptome investigations were performed in human RC disease skeletal muscle and fibroblasts. Global transcriptional and post-transcriptional dysregulation in a tissue-specific fashion was identified across diverse RC complex and genetic etiologies. RC disease muscle was characterized by decreased transcription of cytosolic ribosomal proteins to reduce energy-intensive anabolic processes, increased transcription of mitochondrial ribosomal proteins, shortened 5'-UTRs to improve translational efficiency, and stabilization of 3'-UTRs containing AU-rich elements. These same modifications in a reversed direction typified RC disease fibroblasts. RC disease also dysregulated transcriptional networks related to basic nutrient-sensing signaling pathways, which collectively mediate many aspects of tissue-specific cellular responses to primary RC disease. These findings support the utility of a systems biology approach to improve mechanistic understanding of mitochondrial RC disease.

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Zhang Z, Tsukikawa M, Peng M, Polyak E, Nakamaru-Ogiso E, Ostrovsky J, McCormack S, Place E, Clarke C, Reiner G, McCormick E, Rappaport E, Haas R, Baur JA, Falk MJ