Biology subjects

Zeviani, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Zeviani, M..

10 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Sequestration of the polyunsaturated fatty acids protects the cells with oxidative phosphorylation deficiency from ferroptosis

Impaired energy production is a hallmark of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) defects. However, secondary metabolic disturbances also represent an important trigger for pathologies originating from OXPHOS aberrations. We identified that cells with OXPHOS deficiencies accumulate triacylglycerols enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which are stored in lipid droplets. Sequestration of PUFAs is a critical component of a broader stress response, which also includes downregulation of cellular desaturases and upregulation of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Here, we demonstrate that this mechanism represents a physiologically relevant protective strategy, manifesting in the cells under hypoxia and fibroblasts derived from patients with primary mitochondrial complex IV deficiency. As proof of principle, we observed elevated PUFA-enriched triacylglycerols in the plasma of patients with Myoclonic Epilepsy with Ragged Red Fibres (MERRF). Our findings reveal a novel protective mechanism against ferroptosis, which preserves membrane integrity when mitochondrial respiration is compromised. HighlightsO_LIOXPHOS-deficient cells trigger polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) stress response that includes sequestration of PUFAs to TGs, downregulation of desaturases, and upregulation of lipid peroxide detoxification C_LIO_LIPUFA trafficking to TGs stored in lipid droplets protects the cells against lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis C_LIO_LIOXPHOS-deficient cells synthesise fatty acids de novo from glutamine-derived acetyl-CoA when reductive carboxylation is permissible C_LIO_LIPUFA stress response is activated in patients with mitochondrial deficiencies and during hypoxia C_LI

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2024

COA8 is a COX10-binding protein involved in the early biogenesis of cytochrome c oxidase

Human cytochrome c oxidase (COX) is composed of fourteen subunits, only two of which are catalytic. The functions of a myriad of accessory factors are needed to put together the structural subunits, as well as for the formation of the active centers. The molecular roles of most of these factors are still unknown, even if they are essential for COX function since their defects cause severe mitochondrial disease. COA8 is exclusively found in metazoa and loss-of-function genetic variants cause mitochondrial encephalopathy and COX deficiency in humans. In this work, we have resolved the function of COA8, as a factor that specifically binds to COX10, the heme O synthase. This interaction is necessary not only for the stabilization of human COX10, but also to guarantee its catalytic activity as the first step for the synthesis of the heme A cofactor, which is a crucial component of the COX catalytic center.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2023

Structural rather than catalytic role for mitochondrial respiratory chain supercomplexes

Mammalian mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) complexes are able to associate into quaternary structures named supercomplexes (SCs), which normally coexist with non bound individual complexes. The functional significance of SCs has not been fully clarified and the debate has been centered on whether or not they confer catalytic advantages to the non-bound individual complexes. Mitochondrial respiratory chain organization does not seem to be conserved in all organisms. In fact, and differently from mammalian species, mitochondria from Drosophila melanogaster tissues are characterized by low amounts of SCs, despite the high metabolic demands and MRC activity shown by these mitochondria. Here, we show that attenuating the biogenesis of individual respiratory chain complexes was accompanied by increased formation of stable SCs, which are missing in Drosophila melanogaster in physiological conditions. This phenomenon was not accompanied by an increase in mitochondrial respiratory activity. Therefore, we conclude that SC formation is necessary to stabilize the complexes in suboptimal biogenetic conditions, but not for the enhancement of respiratory chain catalysis.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2020

Biogenesis of NDUFS3-less complex I indicates TMEM126A/OPA7 as an assembly factor of the ND4-module

Complex I (CI) is the largest enzyme of the mitochondrial respiratory chain and its defects are the main cause of mitochondrial disease. To understand the mechanisms regulating the extremely intricate biogenesis of this fundamental bioenergetic machine, we analyzed the structural and functional consequences of the ablation of NDUFS3, a non-catalytic core subunit. We prove that in diverse mammalian cell types a small amount of functional CI can still be detected in the complete absence of NDUFS3. In addition, we have determined the dynamics of CI disassembly when the amount of NDUFS3 is gradually decreased. The process of degradation of the complex occurs in a hierarchical and modular fashion where the ND4-module remains stable and bound to TMEM126A. We have thus, uncovered the function of TMEM126A, the product of a disease gene causing recessive optic atrophy, as a factor necessary for the correct assembly and function of CI.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2020

In vivo and in vitro mechanistic characterization of a clinically relevant PolγA mutation

Mutations in POLG, encoding POL{gamma}A, the catalytic subunit of the mitochondrial DNA polymerase, cause a spectrum of disorders characterized by mtDNA instability. However, the molecular pathogenesis of POLG-related diseases is poorly understood and efficient treatments are missing. Here, we generated a POLGA449T/A449T mouse model, which reproduces the most common human recessive mutation of POLG, encoding the A467T change, and dissected the mechanisms underlying pathogenicity. We show that the A449T mutation impairs DNA binding and mtDNA synthesis activities of POL{gamma} in vivo and in vitro. Interestingly, the A467T mutation also strongly impairs interactions with POL{gamma}B, the homodimeric accessory subunit of holo-POL{gamma}. This allows the free POL{gamma}A to become a substrate for LONP1 protease degradation, leading to dramatically reduced levels of POL{gamma}A, which in turn exacerbates the molecular phenotypes of PolgA449T/A449T mice. Importantly, we validated this mechanism for other mutations affecting the interaction between the two POL{gamma} subunits. We suggest that LONP1 dependent degradation of POL{gamma}A can be exploited as a target for the development of future therapies.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2020

Opa1 overexpression protects from early onset Mpv17-/--related mouse kidney disease

Moderate overexpression of Opa1, encoding a master regulator of mitochondrial cristae morphology, has been shown to improve significantly mitochondrial damage induced by drugs, surgical denervation, or genetically determined OXPHOS defects. However, this approach has been so far demonstrated in a limited number of genetically defective OXPHOS models characterized by specific impairment of a single mitochondrial respiratory chain complex. Here, we investigated the effectiveness of moderate Opa1 overexpression in the Mpv17-/- mouse, characterized by profound, multisystem mtDNA depletion. In naive Mpv17-/- individuals, whose genetic background was crossed with individuals belonging to the Opa1tg strain, we found a surprising anticipation of severe, progressive focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, previously described in Mpv17-/- animals as a late-onset clinical feature (after 12-18 months of life). In contrast, kidney failure led Mpv17-/- individuals from this new "mixed" strain leading to death 8-9 weeks after birth. However, Mpv17-/-::Opa1tg mice lived much longer than Mpv17-/- littermates, and developed much later severe proteinuria associated with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. MtDNA content and OXPHOS activities were significantly higher in Mpv17-/-::Opa1tg than in Mpv17-/- kidneys, and similar to WT littermates. Mitochondrial network and cristae ultrastructure were largely preserved in Mpv17-/-::Opa1tg vs. Mpv17-/- kidney and isolated podocytes. Mechanistically, the protective effect of Opa1 overexpression in this model was mediated by a block in apoptosis due to the stabilization of the mitochondrial cristae, consequently increasing the levels of mitochondrial morphology proteins like MFN2 and MIC19 as well as stabilizing ATP synthase oligomers. These results demonstrate that strategies aiming at increasing Opa1 expression or activity can be an effective aid against mtDNA depletion syndromes.

pathology↗

bioRxiv2020

Loss of COX4i1 leads to combined respiratory chain deficiency and impaired mitochondrial proteosynthesis

Oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system localized in the inner mitochondrial membrane secures production of the majority of ATP in mammalian organisms. Individual OXPHOS complexes were shown to form supramolecular assemblies termed supercomplexes. It has been repeatedly shown that complexes are not linked only by their function but also by interdependence of individual complex biogenesis or maintenance. For instance, cytochrome c oxidase (cIV, COX) or cytochrome bc1 complex (cIII) deficiencies affect the level of fully assembled NADH dehydrogenase (cI) in monomer as well as within supercomplexes. It was hypothesized that cI is affected at the level of enzyme assembly as well as at the level of cI stability and maintenance. However, the true nature of interdependency between cI and cIV is not fully understood yet. We used HEK293 cellular model with complete knockout of COX4 subunit, which serves as an ideal system to study interdependency of cI and cIV, as early phases of cIV assembly process are disrupted. Total absence of cIV was accompanied by profound deficiency of cI, documented by selective decrease in cI subunits amount and significantly reduced amount of assembled cI. Supercomplexes assembled from cI, cIII and cIV were missing in COX4dKO due to loss of cIV and decrease in cI amount. Pulse-chase metabolic labelling of mtDNA-encoded proteins uncovered decrease of cIV and cI subunits translation. Moreover, partial impairment of mitochondrial proteosynthesis correlated with decreased level of mitochondrial ribosomal proteins. In addition, complexome profiling approach uncovered accumulation of cI assembly intermediates indicating that cI biogenesis was affected rather than stability. We propose that impairment of mitochondrial proteosynthesis caused by cIV deficiency represents one of the mechanisms which may couple biogenesis of cI and cIV.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2020

Neural stem cells traffic functional mitochondria via extracellular vesicles to correct mitochondrial dysfunction in target cells

Neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation induces recovery in animal models of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Although the replacement of lost endogenous cells was originally proposed as the primary healing mechanism of NSC grafts, it is now clear that transplanted NSCs operate via multiple mechanisms, including the horizontal exchange of therapeutic cargoes to host cells via extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are membrane particles trafficking nucleic acids, proteins, metabolites and metabolic enzymes, lipids and entire organelles. However, the function and the contribution of these cargoes to the broad therapeutic effects of NSCs is yet to be fully understood. Mitochondrial dysfunction is an established feature of several inflammatory and degenerative CNS disorders, most of which are potentially treatable with exogenous stem cell therapeutics. Herein we investigated the hypothesis that NSCs release and traffic functional mitochondria via EVs to restore mitochondrial function in target cells. Untargeted proteomics revealed a significant enrichment of mitochondrial proteins spontaneously released by NSCs in EVs. Morphological and functional analyses confirmed the presence of ultrastructurally intact mitochondria within EVs (Mito-EVs) with conserved membrane potential and respiration. We found that the transfer of Mito-EVs to mtDNA-deficient L929 Rho0 cells rescued mitochondrial function and increased Rho0 cell survival. Furthermore, the incorporation of Mito-EVs into inflammatory professional phagocytes restored normal mitochondrial dynamics and cellular metabolism and reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory markers in target cells. When transplanted in an animal model of multiple sclerosis, exogenous NSCs actively transferred mitochondria to mononuclear phagocytes and induced a significant amelioration of clinical deficits. Our data provide the first evidence that NSCs deliver functional mitochondria to target cells via Mito-EVs, paving the way for the development of novel (a)cellular approaches aimed at restoring mitochondrial dysfunction not only in multiple sclerosis, but also in degenerative neurological diseases.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2020

Loss of function of the mitochondrial peptidase PITRM1 induces proteotoxic stress and Alzheimer's disease-like pathology in human cerebral organoids

Mutations in pitrilysin metallopeptidase 1 (PITRM1), a mitochondrial protease involved in mitochondrial precursor processing and degradation, result in a slow-progressive syndrome, characterized by cerebellar ataxia, psychotic episodes and obsessive behavior as well as cognitive decline. To investigate the pathogenetic mechanisms of mitochondrial presequence processing, we employed cortical neurons and cerebral organoids generated from PITRM1 knockout human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). PITRM1 deficiency strongly induced mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) and enhanced mitochondrial clearance in iPSC-derived neurons. Furthermore, we observed increased levels of amyloid precursor protein and amyloid {beta} in PITRM1 knockout neurons. However, neither cell death nor protein aggregates were observed in 2D iPSC-derived cortical neuronal cultures. On the contrary, cerebral organoids generated from PITRM1 knockout iPSCs spontaneously developed over time pathological features of Alzheimers disease (AD), including accumulation of protein aggregates, tau pathology, and neuronal cell death. Importantly, we provide evidence for a protective role of UPRmt and mitochondrial clearance against impaired mitochondrial presequence processing and proteotoxic stress. In summary, we propose a novel concept of PITRM1-linked neurological syndrome whereby defects of mitochondrial presequence processing induce an early activation of UPRmt that, in turn, modulates cytosolic quality control pathways. Thus our work supports a mechanistic link between mitochondrial function and common neurodegenerative proteinopathies.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2018

Inhibition of proteasomal degradation rescues a pathogenic variant of mitochondrial Respiratory chain assembly 1 factor

Nuclear and mitochondrial genome mutations lead to various mitochondrial diseases, many of which affect the mitochondrial respiratory chain. The proteome of the intermembrane space (IMS) of mitochondria consists of several important assembly factors that participate in the biogenesis of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes. The present study comprehensively analyzed a recently identified IMS protein, RESpiratory chain Assembly 1 (RESA1) factor, or cytochrome c oxidase assembly factor 7 (COA7) that is associated with a rare form of mitochondrial leukoencephalopathy and complex IV deficiency. We found that RESA1 requires the mitochondrial IMS import and assembly (MIA) pathway for efficient accumulation in the IMS. We also found that pathogenic mutant versions of RESA1 are imported slower than the wild type protein, and mislocalized mutant proteins are degraded in the cytosol by proteasome machinery. Interestingly, proteasome inhibition rescued both the mitochondrial localization of mutant RESA1 and complex IV activity in patient-derived fibroblasts. We propose that proteasome inhibition is a novel therapeutic approach for a broad range of mitochondrial pathologies that are associated with the excessive degradation of mitochondrial proteins that is caused by genetic mutations or biogenesis defects.

biochemistry↗