title: Mutations in the mitochondrial methionyl-tRNA synthetase cause a neurodegenerative phenotype in flies and a recessive ataxia (ARSAL) in humans.
abstract: An increasing number of genes required for mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics, or function have been found to be mutated in metabolic disorders and neurological diseases such as Leigh Syndrome. In a forward genetic screen to identify genes required for neuronal function and survival in Drosophila photoreceptor neurons, we have identified mutations in the mitochondrial methionyl-tRNA synthetase, Aats-met, the homologue of human MARS2. The fly mutants exhibit age-dependent degeneration of photoreceptors, shortened lifespan, and reduced cell proliferation in epithelial tissues. We further observed that these mutants display defects in oxidative phosphorylation, increased Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), and an upregulated mitochondrial Unfolded Protein Response. With the aid of this knowledge, we identified MARS2 to be mutated in Autosomal Recessive Spastic Ataxia with Leukoencephalopathy (ARSAL) patients. We uncovered complex rearrangements in the MARS2 gene in all ARSAL patients. Analysis of patient cells revealed decreased levels of MARS2 protein and a reduced rate of mitochondrial protein synthesis. Patient cells also exhibited reduced Complex I activity, increased ROS, and a slower cell proliferation rate, similar to Drosophila Aats-met mutants.
authors.affiliation: Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.
authors.forename: Vafa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bayat
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Thiffault
authors.forename: Manish
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jaiswal
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tétreault
authors.forename: Taraka
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Donti
authors.forename: Florin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sasarman
authors.forename: Geneviève
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bernard
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Demers-Lamarche
authors.forename: Marie-Josée
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Dicaire
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mathieu
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vanasse
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bouchard
authors.forename: Marie-France
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Rioux
authors.forename: Charles M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lourenco
authors.forename: Zhihong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Haueter
authors.forename: Eric A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Shoubridge
authors.forename: Brett H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brais
authors.forename: Hugo J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Bellen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001259:Ataxia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004330:Drosophila / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004579:Electron Transport; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D056784:Leukoencephalopathies / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008136:Longevity; D008297:Male; D008718:Methionine-tRNA Ligase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009132:Muscles / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D009154:Mutation; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010085:Oxidative Phosphorylation; D010375:Pedigree; D010641:Phenotype; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D056811:Unfolded Protein Response; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D008718:Methionine-tRNA Ligase