mTERF2 regulates oxidative phosphorylation by modulating mtDNA transcription.
Regulation of mitochondrial protein expression is crucial for the function of the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system. Although the basal machinery for mitochondrial transcription is known, the regulatory mechanisms are not completely understood. Here, we characterized mTERF2, a mitochondria-localized homolog of the mitochondrial transcription termination factor mTERF1. We show that inactivation of mTERF2 in the mouse results in a myopathy and memory deficits associated with decreased levels of mitochondrial transcripts and imbalanced tRNA pool. These aberrations were associated with decreased steady-state levels of OXPHOS proteins causing a decrease in respiratory function. mTERF2 binds to the mtDNA promoter region, suggesting that it affects transcription initiation. In vitro interaction studies suggest that mtDNA mediates interactions between mTERF2 and mTERF3. Our results indicate that mTERF1, mTERF2, and mTERF3 regulate transcription by acting in the same site in the mtDNA promoter region and thereby mediate fine-tuning of mitochondrial transcription and hence OXPHOS function.
Wenz
Tina
T
Department of Neurology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
Luca
Corneliu
C
Torraco
Alessandra
A
Moraes
Carlos T
CT
D000818:Animals; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D004041:Dietary Fats; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*; D010085:Oxidative Phosphorylation; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D004041:Dietary Fats; C522573:MTERF3 protein, mouse; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D014157:Transcription Factors; C495174:mTERF protein, mouse