Implications of mitochondrial DNA mutations and mitochondrial dysfunction in tumorigenesis

Alterations in oxidative phosphorylation resulting from mitochondriai dysfunction have long been hypothesized to be involved in tumorigenesis. Mitochondria have recently been shown to play an important role in regulating both programmed cell death and cell proliferation. Furthermore, mitochondrial DNA （mtDNA） mutations have been found in various cancer cells. However, the role of these mtDNA mutations in tumorigenesis remains largely unknown. This review focuses on basic mitochondrial genetics, mtDNA mutations and consequential mitochondrial dysfunction associated with cancer. The potential molecular mechanisms, mediating the pathogenesis from mtDNA mutations and mitochondrial dysfunction to tumorigenesis are also discussed.

Detection of mitochondrial DNA deletion by a modified PCR method

Objective: To develop a simple and efficient method for detecting small populations of mitochondrial DNA deletion. Methods: Peripheral blood cell DNA was obtained from a victim who was accidently exposed to a 60Co radiation source 11 years ago. Using the DNA as template, PCR was performed to generate multiple products including true deletions and artifacts. The full length product was recovered and used as template of secondary PCR. The suspicious deletion product of mtDNA could be confirmed if it was only yielded by first PCR. Using either original primers or their nested primers, the suspicious deletion product was amplified and authenticated as true deletion product. The template was recovered and determined to be a deletion by sequencing directly. Results: A new mtDNA deletion, spanning 889 bp from nt11688 to nt12576, was detected in the peripheral blood cells of the victim. Conclusion: The new PCR-based method is more efficient in detecting small populations of mtDNA deletion than other routine methods. MtDNA deletion is found in the victim, suggesting there is relationship between the deletion and phenotypes of the disease.

Mutations of mitochondrion DNA in mouse tumors

Objective： To ascertain the variations of mitochondrion DNA （mtDNA） in mouse tumors and to inquire into the relationship between mutations of mtDNA and carcinogenesis Methods： The variations of D-loop, ND3 and tRNA^Met＋Glu＋Ile gene fragments of mtDNA from six tumor cell lines of mice were analyzed by PCR technology with restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis （polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, PCR-RFLP） and single strand conformation polymorphism analysis （SSCP-PCR） method. Results： ND3 and tRNA^Met＋Glu＋Ile gene fragments ofmtDNA from the tumors showed no variation in 27 endonuclease sites; D-loop ofmtDNA from Hca-F had an additional endonuclease sites of Hinf I in contrast to that of the inbred mouse. Deeply analyzed by PCR-SSCP, the D-loop ofmtDNA was found to possess mutations in 4 of 6 tumors. Conclusion： D-loop is the hot spot of tumor mtDNA mutation which can act as contributors to the carcinogenic

Molecular mechanisms of cardiac aging

Age-associated changes in cardiovascular structure/ function are implicated in the markedly increased risk for cardiovascular disease in older persons. Aging not only prolongs exposure to several other cardiovascular risks, but also leads to intrinsic cardiac changes, which reduces cardiac functional reserve, predisposes the heart to stress and contributes to increased cardiovascular mortality in the elderly. Intrinsic cardiac aging in the murine model closely recapitulates age-related cardiac changes in humans, includ- ing left ventricular hypertrophy, fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction. Cardiac aging in mice is accompanied by accumulation of mitochondrial protein oxidation, increased mitochondrial DNA mutations, increased mitochondrial biogenesis, as well as decreased cardiac SERCA2 protein. All of these age-related changes are significantly attenu- ated in mice overexpressing catalase targeted to mitochondria （mCAT）. These findings demonstrate the critical role of rnitochondrial reactive oxygen species （ROS） in cardiac ag ing and support the potential antioxidants to cardiac aging lar diseases. application of mitochondrial and age-related cardiovascular diseases.

Variants of the Mitochondrial Displacement Loop in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes

OBJECTIVE Some mtDNA mutations have been detected in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes(MDSs).As the non-coding region of mitochondria,the displacement loop(D-loop) region of mtDNA contains important elements for mtDNA replication and transcription.Variants of the D-loop region were found to be related to the cause of many diseases.The aim of our study was to investigate mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms in the D-loop region of MDS patients.METHODS The mutations and SNPs in the hypervariable regions of the D-loop were detected by direct sequencing in MDS patients and normal controls.RESULTS Sixty-four SNPs were found in the D-loop region in MDS cases and control group.Among the SNPs,the 16,189 variant(T > C transition) was found to have an increased frequency in the MDS group(P = 0.044).However,no mutations were detected in neither group.CONCLUSION Our data provide evidence for a highly polymorphic D-loop region in patients with MDS,but do not support the presence of mutations in the mitochondrial D-loop region in MDS cases.The mtDNA T16,189C variant,which may be a functional variant,is associated with increased susceptibility to a MDS.

Point mutations of muscle mitochondrial DNA from patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathies

Objective To study the relation between point mutations at nt3243 and nt8344 of muscle mitochondrial DNA from patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathies and phenotypes. Methods DNA was extracted from muscle specimens from 5 patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathies and amplified by PCR method, using corresponding oligonucleotide primers. DNA fragments were digested with restriction enzymes BglⅠ and ApaⅠ, then the digested DNA fragments were analyzed with an electrophoresis method.Results The point mutation at nt3243 of mtDNA was found in 2 patients, one with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) and another with myoclonic epilepsy with ragged red fibers (MERRF). The point mutation at nt8344 was found in 2 patients with MERRF, including the one with point mutation at nt3243.Conclusion The point mutation of DNA at nt3243 correlated with MELAS and nt8344 correlated with MERRF. In addition, the detection of point mutations at both nt3243 and nt8344 in a patient with MERRF shows the association of mutation with diversity in clinical manifestations of mitochondrial encephalomyopathies.