scholarly journals Loss of the smallest subunit of cytochrome c oxidase, COX8A, causes Leigh-like syndrome and epilepsy

Brain ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 139 (2) ◽  
pp. 338-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerstin Hallmann ◽  
Alexei P. Kudin ◽  
Gábor Zsurka ◽  
Cornelia Kornblum ◽  
Jens Reimann ◽  
...  

Abstract Isolated cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV) deficiency is one of the most frequent respiratory chain defects in humans and is usually caused by mutations in proteins required for assembly of the complex. Mutations in nuclear-encoded structural subunits are very rare. In a patient with Leigh-like syndrome presenting with leukodystrophy and severe epilepsy, we identified a homozygous splice site mutation in COX8A, which codes for the ubiquitously expressed isoform of subunit VIII, the smallest nuclear-encoded subunit of complex IV. The mutation, affecting the last nucleotide of intron 1, leads to aberrant splicing, a frame-shift in the highly conserved exon 2, and decreased amount of the COX8A transcript. The loss of the wild-type COX8A protein severely impairs the stability of the entire cytochrome c oxidase enzyme complex and manifests in isolated complex IV deficiency in skeletal muscle and fibroblasts, similar to the frequent c.845_846delCT mutation in the assembly factor SURF1 gene. Stability and activity of complex IV could be rescued in the patient’s fibroblasts by lentiviral expression of wild-type COX8A. Our findings demonstrate that COX8A is indispensable for function of human complex IV and its mutation causes human disease.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke E Formosa ◽  
Shadi Maghool ◽  
Alice J. Sharpe ◽  
Boris Reljic ◽  
Linden Muellner-Wong ◽  
...  

Cytochrome c oxidase assembly factor 7 (COA7) is a metazoan-specific assembly factor, critical for the biogenesis of mitochondrial complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase). Although mutations in COA7 have been linked in patients to complex IV assembly defects and neurological conditions such as peripheral neuropathy, ataxia and leukoencephalopathy, the precise role COA7 plays in the biogenesis of complex IV is not known. Here we show that the absence of COA7 leads to arrest of the complex IV assembly pathway at the initial step where the COX1 module is built, which requires incorporation of copper and heme cofactors. In solution, purified COA7 binds heme with micromolar affinity, through axial ligation to the central iron atom by histidine and methionine residues. Surprisingly, the crystal structure of COA7, determined to 2.4 angstroms resolution, reveals a banana-shaped molecule composed of five helix-turn-helix repeats, tethered by disulfide bonds, with a structure entirely distinct from proteins with characterized heme binding activities. We therefore propose a role for COA7 in heme binding/chaperoning in the mitochondrial intermembrane space, this activity being crucial for and providing a missing link in complex IV biogenesis.


2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (17) ◽  
pp. 2609-2619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena Böttinger ◽  
Bernard Guiard ◽  
Silke Oeljeklaus ◽  
Bogusz Kulawiak ◽  
Nicole Zufall ◽  
...  

The formation of the mature cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV) involves the association of nuclear- and mitochondria-encoded subunits. The assembly of nuclear-encoded subunits like cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4 (Cox4) into the mature complex is poorly understood. Cox4 is crucial for the stability of complex IV. To find specific biogenesis factors, we analyze interaction partners of Cox4 by affinity purification and mass spectroscopy. Surprisingly, we identify a complex of Cox4, the mitochondrial Hsp70 (mtHsp70), and its nucleotide-exchange factor mitochondrial GrpE (Mge1). We generate a yeast mutant of mtHsp70 specifically impaired in the formation of this novel mtHsp70-Mge1-Cox4 complex. Strikingly, the assembly of Cox4 is strongly decreased in these mutant mitochondria. Because Cox4 is a key factor for the biogenesis of complex IV, we conclude that the mtHsp70-Mge1-Cox4 complex plays an important role in the formation of cytochrome c oxidase. Cox4 arrests at this chaperone complex in the absence of mature complex IV. Thus the mtHsp70-Cox4 complex likely serves as a novel delivery system to channel Cox4 into the assembly line when needed.


2012 ◽  
Vol 1817 ◽  
pp. S70
Author(s):  
S. Schimo ◽  
A. Hannappel ◽  
F.A. Bundschuh ◽  
C. Glaubnitz ◽  
K.M. Pos ◽  
...  

2002 ◽  
Vol 282 (2) ◽  
pp. H726-H733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina B. Radford ◽  
Bang Wan ◽  
Angela Richman ◽  
Lidia S. Szczepaniak ◽  
Jia-Ling Li ◽  
...  

Cytochrome -c oxidase subunit VIaH (COXVIaH) has been implicated in the modulation of COX activity. A gene-targeting strategy was undertaken to generate mice that lacked COXVIaH to determine its role in regulation of oxidative energy production and mechanical performance in cardiac muscle. Total COX activity was decreased in hearts from mutant mice, which appears to be a consequence of altered assembly of the holoenzyme COX. However, total myocardial ATP was not significantly different in wild-type and mutant mice. Myocardial performance was examined using the isolated working heart preparation. As left atrial filling pressure increased, hearts from mutant mice were unable to generate equivalent stroke work compared with hearts from wild-type mice. Direct measurement of left ventricular end-diastolic volume using magnetic resonance imaging revealed that cardiac dysfunction was a consequence of impaired ventricular filling or diastolic dysfunction. These findings suggest that a genetic deficiency of COXVIaH has a measurable impact on myocardial diastolic performance despite the presence of normal cellular ATP levels.


2010 ◽  
Vol 19 (15) ◽  
pp. 3043-3052 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Yu-Wai-Man ◽  
Kamil S. Sitarz ◽  
David C. Samuels ◽  
Philip G. Griffiths ◽  
Amy K. Reeve ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Harvey B. Sarnat ◽  
José Marín-García

ABSTRACT:Muscle biopsy provides the best tissue to confirm a mitochondrial cytopathy. Histochemical features often correlate with specific syndromes and facilitate the selection of biochemical and genetic studies. Ragged-red fibres nearly always indicate a combination defect of respiratory complexes I and IV. Increased punctate lipid within myofibers is a regular feature of Kearns-Sayre and PEO, but not of MELAS and MERRF. Total deficiency of succinate dehydrogenase indicates a severe defect in Complex II; total absence of cytochrome-c-oxidase activity in all myofibres correlates with a severe deficiency of Complex IV or of coenzyme-Q10. The selective loss of cytochrome-c-oxidase activity in scattered myofibers, particularly if accompanied by strong succinate dehydrogenase staining in these same fibres, is good evidence of mitochondrial cytopathy and often of a significant mtDNA mutation, though not specific for Complex IV disorders. Glycogen may be excessive in ragged-red zones. Ultrastructure provides morphological evidence of mitochondrial cytopathy, in axons and endothelial cells as well as myocytes. Abnormal axonal mitochondria may contribute to neurogenic atrophy of muscle, a secondary chronic feature. Quantitative determinations of respiratory chain enzyme complexes, with citrate synthase as an internal control, confirm the histochemical impressions or may be the only evidence of mitochondrial disease. Biological and technical artifacts may yield falsely low enzymatic activities. Genetic studies screen common point mutations in mtDNA. The brain exhibits characteristic histopathological alterations in mitochondrial diseases. Skin biopsy is useful for mitochondrial ultrastructure in smooth erector pili muscles and axons; skin fibroblasts may be grown in culture. Mitochondrial alterations occur in many nonmitochondrial diseases and also may be induced by drugs and toxins.


1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 3520-3526
Author(s):  
C E Trueblood ◽  
R O Poyton

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, COX5a and COX5b encode two distinct forms of cytochrome c oxidase subunit V, Va and Vb, respectively. To determine the relative contribution of COX5a and COX5b to cytochrome c oxidase function, we have disrupted each gene. Cytochrome c oxidase activity levels and respiration rates of strains carrying null alleles of COX5a or COX5b or both indicate that some form of subunit V is required for cytochrome c oxidase function and that COX5a is much more effective than COX5b in providing this function. Wild-type respiration is supported by a single copy of either COX5a or COX5ab (a constructed chimeric gene sharing 5' sequences with COX5a). In contrast, multiple copies of COX5b or COX5ba (a chimeric gene with 5' sequences from COX5b) are required to support wild-type respiration. These results suggest that the decreased effectiveness of COX5b is due to inefficiency in gene expression rather than to any deficiency in the gene product, Vb. This conclusion is supported by two observations: (i) a COX5a-lacZ fusion gene produces more beta-galactosidase than a COX5b-lacZ fusion gene, and (ii) the COX5a transcript is significantly more abundant than the COX5b transcript or the COXsba transcript. We conclude that COX5a is expressed more efficiently than COX5b and that, although mature subunits Va and Vb are only 67% homologous, they do not differ significantly in their ability to assemble and function as subunits of the holoenzyme.


Genetics ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 158 (2) ◽  
pp. 573-585
Author(s):  
Vilius Stribinskis ◽  
Guo-Jian Gao ◽  
Steven R Ellis ◽  
Nancy C Martin

Abstract RPM2 is a Saccharomyces cerevisiae nuclear gene that encodes the protein subunit of mitochondrial RNase P and has an unknown function essential for fermentative growth. Cells lacking mitochondrial RNase P cannot respire and accumulate lesions in their mitochondrial DNA. The effects of a new RPM2 allele, rpm2-100, reveal a novel function of RPM2 in mitochondrial biogenesis. Cells with rpm2-100 as their only source of Rpm2p have correctly processed mitochondrial tRNAs but are still respiratory deficient. Mitochondrial mRNA and rRNA levels are reduced in rpm2-100 cells compared to wild type. The general reduction in mRNA is not reflected in a similar reduction in mitochondrial protein synthesis. Incorporation of labeled precursors into mitochondrially encoded Atp6, Atp8, Atp9, and Cytb protein was enhanced in the mutant relative to wild type, while incorporation into Cox1p, Cox2p, Cox3p, and Var1p was reduced. Pulse-chase analysis of mitochondrial translation revealed decreased rates of translation of COX1, COX2, and COX3 mRNAs. This decrease leads to low steady-state levels of Cox1p, Cox2p, and Cox3p, loss of visible spectra of aa3 cytochromes, and low cytochrome c oxidase activity in mutant mitochondria. Thus, RPM2 has a previously unrecognized role in mitochondrial biogenesis, in addition to its role as a subunit of mitochondrial RNase P. Moreover, there is a synthetic lethal interaction between the disruption of this novel respiratory function and the loss of wild-type mtDNA. This synthetic interaction explains why a complete deletion of RPM2 is lethal.


Blood ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 86 (10) ◽  
pp. 3797-3804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q Zhu ◽  
M Zhang ◽  
RM Blaese ◽  
JM Derry ◽  
A Junker ◽  
...  

The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is an X-linked recessive disorder characterized by thrombocytopenia, small platelets, eczema, recurrent infections, and immunodeficiency. Besides the classic WAS phenotype, there is a group of patients with congenital X-linked thrombocytopenia (XLT) who have small platelets but only transient eczema, if any, and minimal immune deficiency. Because the gene responsible for WAS has been sequenced, it was possible to correlate the WAS phenotypes with WAS gene mutations. Using a fingerprinting screening technique, we determined the approximate location of the mutation in 13 unrelated WAS patients with mild to severe clinical symptoms. Direct sequence analysis of cDNA and genomic DNA obtained from patient-derived cell lines showed 12 unique mutations distributed throughout the WAS gene, including insertions, deletions, and point mutations resulting in amino acid substitutions, termination, exon skipping, or splicing defects. Of 4 unrelated patients with the XLT phenotype, 3 had missense mutations affecting exon 2 and 1 had a splice-site mutation affecting exon 9. Patients with classic WAS had more complex mutations, resulting in termination codons, frameshift, and early termination. These findings provide direct evidence that XLT and WAS are caused by mutations of the same gene and suggest that severe clinical phenotypes are associated with complex mutations.


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