Glutamyl-tRNA(Gln) amidotransferase is essential for mammalian. mitochondrial translation in vivo

摘要

Translational accuracy depends on the correct formation of aminoacyl-tRNAs, which, in the majority of cases, are produced by specific aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases that ligate each amino acid to its cognate isoaceptor tRNA Aminoacylation of tRNA(Gln), however, is performed by various mechanisms in different systems. Since no mitochondrial glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase has been identified to date in mammalian mitochondria, Gln-tRNA(Gln) has to be formed by an indirect mechanism in the organelle. It has been demonstrated that human mitochondria contain a non-discriminating glutamyl-tRNA synthetase and the heterotrimeric enzyme GatCAB (where Gat is glutamyl-tRNA(Gln) amidotransferase), which are able to catalyse the formation of Gln-tRNA(Gln) in vitro. In the present paper we demonstrate that mgatA (mouse GatA) interference in mouse cells produces a strong defect in mitochondrial translation without affecting the stability of the newly synthesized proteins. As a result, interfered cells present an impairment of the oxidative phosphorylation system and a significant increase in ROS (reactive oxygen species) levels. MS analysis of mitochondrial proteins revealed no glutamic acid found in the position of glutamines, strongly suggesting that misaminoacylated Glu-tRNA(Gln) is rejected from the translational apparatus to maintain the fidelity of mitochondrial protein synthesis in mammals.