Project description
Mitochondrial DNA mutations and implications for health
Mitochondria contain their own genome, a compact, circular, double-stranded DNA molecule that encodes 13 protein subunits of the respiratory chain complexes. Emerging evidence indicates a role for accumulating mitochondrial DNA mutations in organelle function. Funded by the European Research Council, the RevMito project is interested in identifying the potential implications of mitochondrial DNA mutations for ageing and disease. Researchers will employ the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism to investigate the outcomes of mitochondrial DNA damage and loss, with a particular focus on protein homeostasis. The findings could enhance our understanding of mitochondrial dysfunction and potentially lead to new treatments for mitochondrial diseases.
Objective
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes several proteins playing key roles in bioenergetics. Pathological mutations of mtDNA can be inherited or may accumulate following treatment for viral infections or cancer. Furthermore, many organisms, including humans, accumulate significant mtDNA damage during their lifespan, and it is therefore possible that mtDNA mutations can promote the aging process.
There are no effective treatments for most diseases caused by mtDNA mutation. An understanding of the cellular consequences of mtDNA damage is clearly imperative. Toward this goal, we use the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a cellular model of mitochondrial dysfunction. Genetic manipulation and biochemical study of this organism is easily achieved, and many proteins and processes important for mitochondrial biogenesis were first uncovered and best characterized using this experimental system. Importantly, current evidence suggests that processes required for survival of cells lacking a mitochondrial genome are widely conserved between yeast and other organisms, making likely the application of our findings to human health.
We will study the repercussions of mtDNA damage by three different strategies. First, we will investigate the link between a conserved, nutrient-sensitive signalling pathway and the outcome of mtDNA loss, since much recent evidence points to modulation of such pathways as a potential approach to increase the fitness of cells with mtDNA damage. Second, we will explore the possibility that defects in cytosolic proteostasis are precipitated by mtDNA mutation. Third, we will apply the knowledge and concepts gained in S. cerevisiae to both candidate-based and unbiased searches for genes that determine the aftermath of severe mtDNA damage in human cells. Beyond the mechanistic knowledge of mitochondrial dysfunction that will emerge from this project, we expect to identify new avenues toward the treatment of mitochondrial disease.
Fields of science
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNA
- medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologygenetic engineering
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsmutation
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncology
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsantivirals
Programme(s)
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
ERC-STG - Starting GrantHost institution
00014 Helsingin Yliopisto
Finland