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The 1555A→G mutation in mitochondrial 12S rRNA has been associated with aminoglycoside-induced and non-syndromic deafness in many individuals worldwide. Mitochondrial genetic modifiers are proposed to influence the phenotypic expression of m.1555A→G mutation. Here, we report that a deafness-susceptibility allele (m.4317A→G) in the tRNA Ile gene modulates the phenotype expression of m.1555A→G mutation. Strikingly, a large Han Chinese pedigree carrying both m.4317A→G and m.1555A→G mutations exhibited much higher penetrance of deafness than those carrying only the m.1555A→G mutation. The m.4317A→G mutation affected a highly conserved adenine at position 59 in the T-loop of tRNA Ile We therefore hypothesized that the m.4317A→G mutation alters both structure and function of tRNA Ile Using lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from members of Chinese families (three carrying both m.1555A→G and m.4317A→G mutations, three harboring only m.1555A→G mutation, and three controls lacking these mutations), we found that the cell lines bearing both m.4317A→G and m.1555A→G mutations exhibited more severe mitochondrial dysfunctions than those carrying only the m.1555A→G mutation. We also found that the m.4317A→G mutation perturbed the conformation, stability, and aminoacylation efficiency of tRNA Ile These m.4317A→G mutation-induced alterations in tRNA Ile structure and function aggravated the defective mitochondrial translation and respiratory phenotypes associated with the m.1555A→G mutation. Furthermore, mutant cell lines bearing both m.4317A→G and m.1555A→G mutations exhibited greater reductions in the mitochondrial ATP levels and membrane potentials and increasing production of reactive oxygen species than those carrying only the m.1555A→G mutation. Our findings provide new insights into the pathophysiology of maternally inherited deafness arising from the synergy between mitochondrial 12S rRNA and tRNA mutations., (© 2018 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.)

Nuclear modifier gene(s) was proposed to modulate the phenotypic expression of mitochondrial DNA mutation(s). Our previous investigations revealed that a nuclear modifier allele (A10S) in TRMU (methylaminomethyl-2-thiouridylate-methyltransferase) related to tRNA modification interacts with 12S rRNA 1555A→G mutation to cause deafness. The A10S mutation resided at a highly conserved residue of the N-terminal sequence. It was hypothesized that the A10S mutation altered the structure and function of TRMU, thereby causing mitochondrial dysfunction. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we showed that the A10S mutation introduced the Ser 10 dynamic electrostatic interaction with the Lys 106 residue of helix 4 within the catalytic domain of TRMU. The Western blotting analysis displayed the reduced levels of TRMU in mutant cells carrying the A10S mutation. The thermal shift assay revealed the T m value of mutant TRMU protein, lower than that of the wild-type counterpart. The A10S mutation caused marked decreases in 2-thiouridine modification of U34 of tRNA Lys , tRNA Glu and tRNA Gln However, the A10S mutation mildly increased the aminoacylated efficiency of tRNAs. The altered 2-thiouridine modification worsened the impairment of mitochondrial translation associated with the m.1555A→G mutation. The defective translation resulted in the reduced activities of mitochondrial respiration chains. The respiratory deficiency caused the reduction of mitochondrial ATP production and elevated the production of reactive oxidative species. As a result, mutated TRMU worsened mitochondrial dysfunctions associated with m.1555A→G mutation, exceeding the threshold for expressing a deafness phenotype. Our findings provided new insights into the pathophysiology of maternally inherited deafness that was manifested by interaction between mtDNA mutation and nuclear modifier gene., (© 2017 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.)

Aminoglycosides as modifying factors modulated the phenotypic manifestation of mitochondrial rRNA mutations and the incomplete penetrance of hearing loss. In this report, using cybrids harboring the m.1494C>T mutation, we showed that gentamycin aggravated mitochondrial dysfunction in a combination of the m.1494C>T mutation. The m.1494C>T mutation was responsible for the dramatic reduction in three mtDNA-encoded proteins of H-strand, with the average of 39% reduction, except of the MT-ND6 protein, accompanied with 21% reduction of ATP production and increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, compared with those of control cybrids. After exposure to gentamycin, 35% reduction of mitochondrial ATP production was observed in mutant cybrids with a marked decrease of the mitochondrial membrane potential. More excessive cellular reactive oxygen species was detected with stimulus of gentamycin than those in mutant cells. Under gentamycin and m.1494C>T stress together, more dysfunctional mitochondria were forced to fuse and exhibited mitophagy via up-regulated LC3-B, as a compensatory protective response to try to optimize mitochondrial function, rather than undergo apoptosis. These findings may provide valuable information to further understand of mechanistic link between mitochondrial rRNA mutation, toxicity of AGs and hearing loss.

Inter-species and intraspecific variations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were observed in a bioinformatics analysis of the mitochondrial genomic sequences of 11 animal species. Some highly conserved regions were identified in the mitochondrial 12S and 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes of these species. To test whether these sequences are universally conserved, primers were designed to target the conserved regions of these two genes and were used to amplify DNA from 21 animal tissues, including two of unknown origin. By sequencing these PCR amplicons and aligning the sequences to a database of non-redundant nucleotide sequences, it was confirmed that these amplicons aligned specifically to mtDNA sequences from the expected species of origin. This molecular technique, when combined with bioinformatics, provides a reliable method for the taxonomic classification of animal tissues.

Mitochondrial 12S rRNA A1555G mutation has been associated with both aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss. In this report, we performed a clinical and genetic evaluation, and mitochondrial genome analysis of one hearing-impaired Chinese family carrying the A1555G mutation. Strikingly, the penetrances of hearing loss in this family, which were 81% and 66.7%, respectively, when aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss was included or excluded. The penetrances of hearing loss in this family were significantly higher than those in other Chinese families carrying the A1555G mutation. Sequence analysis of their mitochondrial genomes revealed the presence of homoplasmic tRNAIle A4317G mutations and 38 mtDNA polymorphisms belonging to East-Asian haplogroup B4c1b2. Further analysis revealed that other mitochondrial DNA variants were not functional significantly, while the A4317G mutation is localized to a highly conserved nucleotide (conventional site 59) at tRNAIle TΨC loop of tRNAIle. The mutation may alter secondary structure and function of this tRNA, thereby leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. Allelic analysis showed that this mutation was absent in 961 hearing normal Chinese controls. Thus, the altered tRNAIle metabolism by the A4317G mutation may aggravate mitochondrial dysfunction associated with the A1555G mutation, and contribute to the higher penetrance of hearing loss. Therefore, the tRNAIle A4317G mutation may act as a mitochondrial modifier to influence the phenotypic manifestation of the A1555G mutation.

Mitochondrial 12S rRNA A1555AG mutation is one of the important causes of aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic deafness. We report here the clinical, genetic and molecular characterization of 25 Chinese families carrying the A1555G mutation.Clinical and genetic characterizations of these Chinese families exhibited a wide range of penetrance, severity and age-at-onset of hearing impairment. The average penetrances of deafness were 28.1% and 21.5%, respectively, when aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss was included or excluded. Furthermore, the average age-of-onset for deafness without aminoglycoside exposure ranged from 1 and 15 years old. Their mitochondrial genomes exhibited distinct sets of polymorphisms including 16 novel variants, belonging to ten Eastern Asian haplogroups A, B, D, F, G, M, N and R, respectively. Strikingly, these Chinese families carrying mitochondrial haplogroup B exhibited higher penetrance and expressivity of hearing loss. In addition, 7 known secondary mutations and 21 variants resided at the highly conservative residues may enhance the penetrace of hearing loss in these Chinese families. Moreover, the absence of mutation in GJB2 gene suggested that GJB2 may not be a modifier for the phenotypic expression of the A1555G mutation in these Chinese families. These observations suggested that mitochondrial haplotypes and other modifiers may modulate the variable penetrance and expressivity of deafness among these Chinese families.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) secondary mutations, haplotypes, GJB2 gene mutations on phenotype of 1494C>T mutation, and to study the molecular pathogenic mechanism of maternally transmitted aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss., Methods: Two Chinese Han pedigrees of maternally transmitted aminoglycoside induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss were collected. The two probands and their family members underwent clinical, genetic and molecular evaluations including audiological examinations and mutational analysis of mitochondrial genome and GJB2 gene., Results: Clinical evaluation revealed wide range of severity, age-at-onset and audiometric configuration of hearing impairment in matrilineal relatives in both families, for which the penetrance of hearing loss was respectively 42.9% and 28.6% when aminoglycoside-induced deafness was included. When the effect of aminoglycosides was excluded, the penetrances of hearing loss were 14.3% and 14.3%. Sequence analysis of mitochondrial genomes identified a known 12S rRNA 1494C>T mutation, in addition with distinct sets of mtDNA polymorphisms belonging to Eastern Asian haplogroups C4a1a and B4b1c, respectively., Conclusion: Mitochondrial 12S rRNA 1494C>T mutation probably underlie the deafness in both families. Lack of significant mutation in the GJB2 gene ruled out involvement of GJB2 in the phenotypic expression. However, aminoglycosides and other nuclear modifier genes may still modify the phenotype of the 1494C>T mutation in these families. The B4b1c is a newly identified haplogroup in aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss family carrying the 1494C>T mutation. The 1494C>T mutation seems to have occurred sporadically through evolution.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations are one of the important causes of deafness. In particular, the 12S rRNA gene is the hot spots for mutations associated with both aminoglycoside ototoxicity and nonsyndromic deafness. In this report, a total of 318 Chinese pediatric hearing-impaired subjects were recruited from otology clinics in the Zhejiang Province, China. These subjects underwent clinical, genetic evaluation and molecular analysis of 12S rRNA gene. Mutational analysis identified 34 variants in the 12S rRNA gene in this cohort. The incidences of the known deafness-associated 1555A>G, 1494C>T and 1095T>C mutations were 9.1%, 0.6% and 1.25% in this cohort, respectively. Other mtDNA variants were evaluated by structural and phylogenetic analysis. Of these, the 839A>G and 1452T>C variants could confer increased sensitivity to aminoglycosides or nonsyndromic deafness as they were not present in 449 Chinese controls and localized at highly conserved nucleotides of the 12S rRNA. However, other variants appeared to be polymorphisms. These data further support the idea that mitochondrial 12S rRNA is one of major targets for aminoglycoside ototoxicity. These data have been providing valuable information to predict which individuals are at risk for ototoxicity, to improve the safety of aminoglycoside antibiotic therapy, and eventually to decrease the incidence of deafness.

We reported here clinical, genetic evaluations and molecular analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in two Han Chinese families carrying the known mitochondrial 12S rRNA A1555G mutation. In contrast with the previous data that hearing loss as a sole phenotype was present in the maternal lineage of other families carrying the A1555G mutation, matrilineal relatives among these two Chinese families exhibited both hearing loss and hypertension. Of 21 matrilineal relatives, 9 subjects exhibited both hearing loss and hypertension, 2 individuals suffered from only hypertension and 1 member had only hearing loss. The average age at onset of hypertension in the affected matrilineal relatives of these families was 60 and 46 years, respectively, whereas those of hearing loss in these two families were 33 and 55 years, respectively. Molecular analysis of their mtDNA identified distinct sets of variants belonging to the Eastern Asian haplogroup D5a. In contrast, the A1555G mutation occurred among other mtDNA haplogroups D, B, R, F, G, Y, M and N, respectively. Our data further support that the A1555G mutation is necessary but by itself insufficient to produce the clinical phenotype. The other modifiers are responsible for the phenotypic variability of matrilineal relatives within and among these families carrying the A1555G mutation. Our investigation provides the first evidence that the 12S rRNA A1555G mutation leads to both of hearing loss and hypertension. Thus, our findings may provide the new insights into the understanding of pathophysiology and valuable information for management and treatment of maternally inherited hearing loss and hypertension.

The mitochondrial 12S rRNA is a hot spot for mutations associated with both aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss. Of those, the homoplasmic 1555A>G and 1494C>T mutations at the highly conserved decoding region of the 12S rRNA have been associated with hearing loss worldwide. In particular, these two mutations account for a significant number of cases of aminoglycoside ototoxicity. The 1555A>G or 1494C>T mutation is expected to form a novel 1494C-G1555 or 1494U-A1555 base-pair at the highly conserved A-site of 12S rRNA. These transitions make the human mitochondrial ribosomes more bacteria-like and alter binding sites for aminoglycosides. As a result, the exposure to aminoglycosides can induce or worsen hearing loss in individuals carrying one of these mutations. Biochemical characterization demonstrated an impairment of mitochondrial protein synthesis and subsequent defects in respiration in cells carrying the A1555G or 1494C>T mutation. Furthermore, a wide range of severity, age-at-onset and penetrance of hearing loss was observed within and among families carrying these mutations. Nuclear modifier genes, mitochondrial haplotypes and aminoglycosides should modulate the phenotypic manifestation of the 12S rRNA 1555A>G and 1494C>T mutations. Therefore, these data provide valuable information and technology: (1) to predict which individuals are at risk for ototoxicity; (2) to improve the safety of aminoglycoside antibiotic therapy; and (3) eventually to decrease the incidence of hearing loss., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. and Mitochondria Research Society. All rights reserved.)

Background: Aminoglycoside ototoxicity is one of the common health problems. Mitochondrial 12S rRNA mutations are one of the important causes of aminoglycoside ototoxicity. However, the incidences of 12S rRNA mutations associated with aminoglycoside ototoxicity are less known., Methods: A total of 440 Chinese pediatric hearing-impaired subjects were recruited from two otology clinics in the Ningbo and Wenzhou cities of Zhejiang Province, China. These subjects underwent clinical, genetic evaluation and molecular analysis of mitochondrial 12S rRNA. Resultant mtDNA variants were evaluated by structural and phylogenetic analysis., Results: The study samples consisted of 227 males and 213 females. The age of all participants ranged from 1 years old to 18 years, with the median age of 9 years. Ninety-eight subjects (58 males and 40 females) had a history of exposure to aminoglycosides, accounting for 22.3% cases of hearing loss in this cohort. Molecular analysis of 12S rRNA gene identified 41 (39 known and 2 novel) variants. The incidences of the known deafness-associated 1555A > G, 1494C > T and 1095T > C mutations were 7.5%, 0.45% and 0.91% in this entire hearing-impaired subjects, respectively, and 21.4%, 2% and 2% among 98 subjects with aminoglycoside ototoxicity, respectively. The structural and phylogenetic evaluations showed that a novel 747A > G variant and known 839A > G, 1027A > G, 1310C > T and 1413T > C variants conferred increased sensitivity to aminoglycosides or nonsyndromic deafness as they were absent in 449 Chinese controls and localized at highly conserved nucleotides of this rRNA. However, other variants were polymorphisms. Of 44 subjects carrying one of definite or putative deafness-related 12S rRNA variants, only one subject carrying the 1413T > C variant harbored the 235DelC/299DelAT mutations in the GJB2 gene, while none of mutations in GJB2 gene was detected in other 43 subjects., Conclusions: Mutations in mitochondrial 12S rRNA accounted for ~30% cases of aminoglycoside-induced deafness in this cohort. Our data strongly support the idea that the mitochondrial 12S rRNA is the hot spot for mutations associated with aminoglycoside ototoxicity. These data have been providing valuable information and technology to predict which individuals are at risk for ototoxicity, to improve the safety of aminoglycoside antibiotic therapy, and eventually to decrease the incidence of deafness.

In this report, we investigated the frequency and spectrum of mitochondrial 12S rRNA variants in a large cohort of 1642 Han Chinese pediatric subjects with aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss. Mutational analysis of 12S rRNA gene in these subjects identified 68 (54 known and 14 novel) variants. The frequencies of known 1555A>G and 1494C>T mutations were 3.96% and 0.18%, respectively, in this cohort with nonsyndromic and aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss. Prevalence of other putative deafness-associated mutation at positions 1095 and 961 were 0.61% and 1.7% in this cohort, respectively. Furthermore, the 745A>G, 792C>T, 801A>G, 839A>G, 856A>G, 1027A>G, 1192C>T, 1192C>A, 1310C>T, 1331A>G, 1374A>G and 1452T>C variants conferred increased sensitivity to ototoxic drugs or nonsyndromic deafness as they were absent in 449 Chinese controls and localized at highly conserved nucleotides of this rRNA. However, other variants appeared to be polymorphisms. Moreover, 65 Chinese subjects carrying the 1555A>G mutation exhibited bilateral and sensorineural hearing loss. A wide range of severity, age-of-onset and audiometric configuration was observed among these subjects. In particular, the sloping and flat-shaped patterns were the common audiograms in individuals carrying the 1555A>G mutation. The phenotypic variability in subjects carrying these 12S rRNA mutations indicated the involvement of nuclear modifier genes, mitochondrial haplotypes, epigenetic and environmental factors in the phenotypic manifestation of these mutations. Therefore, our data demonstrated that mitochondrial 12S rRNA is the hot spot for mutations associated with aminoglycoside ototoxicity., (Copyright 2010 Mitochondria Research Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Mitochondrial 12S rRNA 1555A>G mutation is one of the important causes of aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic deafness. Our previous investigations showed that the A1555G mutation was a primary factor underlying the development of deafness but was insufficient to produce deafness phenotype. However, it has been proposed that mitochondrial haplotypes modulate the phenotypic manifestation of the 1555A>G mutation. Here, we performed systematic and extended mutational screening of 12S rRNA gene in a cohort of 1742 hearing-impaired Han Chinese pediatric subjects from Zhejiang Province, China. Among these, 69 subjects with aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic deafness harbored the homoplasmic 1555A>G mutation. These translated to a frequency of approximately 3.96% for the 1555A>G mutation in this hearing-impaired population. Clinical and genetic characterizations of 69 Chinese families carrying the 1555A>G mutation exhibited a wide range of penetrance and expressivity of hearing impairment. The average penetrances of deafness were 29.5% and 17.6%, respectively, when aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss was included or excluded. Furthermore, the average age-of-onset for deafness without aminoglycoside exposure ranged from 5 and 30years old, with the average of 14.5years. Their mitochondrial genomes exhibited distinct sets of polymorphisms belonging to ten Eastern Asian haplogroups A, B, C, D, F, G, M, N, R and Y, respectively. These indicated that the 1555A>G mutation occurred through recurrent origins and founder events. The haplogroup D accounted for 40.6% of the patient's mtDNA samples but only 25.8% of the Chinese control mtDNA samples. Strikingly, these Chinese families carrying mitochondrial haplogroup B exhibited higher penetrance and expressivity of hearing loss. In addition, the mitochondrial haplogroup specific variants: 15927G>A of haplogroup B5b, 12338T>C of haplogroup F2, 7444G>A of haplogroup B4, 5802T>C, 10454T>C, 12224C>T and 11696G>A of D4 haplogroup, 5821G>A of haplogroup C, 14693A>G of haplogroups Y2 and F, and 15908T>C of Y2 may enhance the penetrace of hearing loss in these Chinese families. Moreover, the absence of mutation in nuclear modifier gene TRMU suggested that TRMU may not be a modifier for the phenotypic expression of the 1555A>G mutation in these Chinese families. These observations suggested that mitochondrial haplotypes modulate the variable penetrance and expressivity of deafness among these Chinese families.

The mitochondrial 12S rRNA A1555G mutation is one of the important causes of aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss. Here we employed an RNA-directed chemical-modification approach to understanding the pathogenesis of aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss. The patterns of chemical modification of RNA oligonucleotides carrying the A1555G mutation by dimethyl sulfate (DMS) were distinct from those of the RNA oligonucleotides carrying wild-type sequence in the presence of aminoglycosides. In the RNA analogue carrying the A1555G mutation, reduced reactivity to DMS occurred in base G1555 as well as in bases C1556 and A1553 in the presence of paromomycin, neomycin, gentamicin, kanamycin, tobramycin, or streptomycin. In particular, base G1555 exhibited marked but similar levels of protection in the presence of 0.1 microM to 100 microM neomycin, gentamicin, or kanamycin. In contrast, the levels of protection in base G1555 appeared to be correlated with the concentration of paromycin, tobramycin, or streptomycin. Furthermore, increasing reactivities to DMS in the presence of these aminoglycosides were observed for bases A1492, C1493, C1494, and A1557 in the RNA analogue carrying the A1555G mutation. These data suggested that the A1555G mutation altered the binding properties of aminoglycosides at the A site of 12S rRNA and led to local conformational changes in 12S rRNA carrying the A1555G mutation. The interaction between aminoglycosides and 12S rRNA carrying the A1555G mutation provides new insight into the pathogenesis of aminoglycoside ototoxicity.

Mutations in mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene are one of the most important causes of aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss. Here we report the characterization of one Han Chinese pedigree with aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss. This Chinese family carrying the 12S rRNA A1555G mutation exhibited high penetrance and expressivity of hearing impairment. In particular, penetrances of hearing loss in this family pedigree were 43.8% and 25%, respectively, when aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss was included or excluded. Mutational analysis of entire mitochondrial genomes in this family showed the homoplasmic A1555G mutation and a set of variants belonging to haplogroup Y2. Of these, the A14693G variant occurred at the extremely conserved nucleotide (conventional position 54) of the TPsiC-loop of tRNA(Glu) and was absent in 156 Chinese controls. Nucleotides at position 54 of tRNAs are often modified, thereby contributing to the structural formation and stabilization of functional tRNAs. Thus, the structural alteration of tRNA by the A14693G variant may lead to a failure in tRNA metabolism and impair mitochondrial protein synthesis, thereby worsening mitochondrial dysfunctions altered by the A1555G mutation. Therefore, the tRNA(Glu) A14693G variant may have a potential modifier role in increasing the penetrance and expressivity of the deafness-associated A1555G mutation in this Chinese pedigree.

Objective: To investigate the role of mitochondrial modifiers in the development of deafness associated with 12S rRNA A1555G mutation., Methods: Four Chinese families with nonsyndromic and aminoglycoside-induced deafness were studied by clinical and genetic evaluation, molecular and biochemical analyses of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)., Results: These families exhibited high penetrance and expressivity of hearing impairment. Penetrances of hearing loss in WZD31, WZD32, WZD33, and WZD34 pedigrees ranged from 50 to 67% and from 39 to 50%, respectively, when aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss was included or excluded. Matrilineal relatives in these families developed hearing loss at the average of 14, 13, 16, and 15 years of age, respectively, when aminoglycoside-induced deafness was excluded. Mutational analysis of entire mtDNA in these families showed the homoplasmic A1555G mutation and distinct sets of variants belonging to haplogroup B5b1. Of these, the tRNA G15927A mutation locates at the fourth base in the anticodon stem (conventional position 42) of tRNA. A guanine (G42) at this position of tRNA is highly conserved from bacteria to human mitochondria. The lower levels and altered electrophoretic mobility of tRNA were observed in cells carrying A1555G and G15927A mutations or only G15927A mutation but not cells carrying only A1555G mutation. The abolished base pairing (28C-42G) of this tRNA by the G15927A mutation caused a failure in tRNA metabolism, worsening the mitochondrial dysfunctions altered by the A1555G mutation., Conclusion: The G15927A mutation has a potential modifier role in increasing the penetrance and expressivity of the deafness-associated 12S rRNA A1555G mutation in those Chinese pedigrees.

We report here on the clinical, genetic, and molecular characterization of three Han Chinese pedigrees with aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss. Clinical evaluation revealed the variable phenotype of hearing impairment including severity, age-at-onset, audiometric configuration in these subjects. The penetrance of hearing loss in WZD8, WZD9, and WZD10 pedigrees were 46%, 46%, and 50%, respectively, when aminoglycoside-induced deafness was included. When the effect of aminoglycosides was excluded, the penetrance of hearing loss in these pedigrees were 23%, 31%, and 37.5%, respectively. Mutational analysis of the complete mitochondrial genomes showed the homoplasmic A1555G mutation and distinct sets of mitochondrial DNA variants belonging to haplogroups D4b2b, B5b1, and F2, respectively. Of these, the tRNA(Cys) T5802C, tRNA(Thr) A15924C, and ND5 T12338C variants are of special interest as these variants occur at positions which are highly evolutionarily conserved nucleotides of tRNAs or amino acid of polypeptide. These homoplasmic mtDNA variants were absent among 156 unrelated Chinese controls. The T5802C and G15927A variants disrupted a highly conserved A-U or C-G base-pairing at the anticodon-stem of tRNA(Cys) or tRNA(Thr), while the ND5 T12338C mutation resulted in the replacement of the translation-initiating methionine with a threonine, and also located in two nucleotides adjacent to the 3' end of the tRNA(Leu(CUN)). Thus, mitochondrial dysfunctions, caused by the A1555G mutation, would be worsened by these mtDNA variants. Therefore, these mtDNA mutations may have a potential modifier role in increasing the penetrance and expressivity of the deafness-associated 12S rRNA A1555G mutation in those Chinese pedigrees., (2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

We report here the clinical, genetic and molecular characterization of a large Han Chinese family with aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss. The penetrance of hearing loss (affected matrilineal relatives/total matrilineal relatives) in this pedigree was 53%, when aminoglycoside-induced deafness was included. When the effect of aminoglycosides was excluded, the penetrance of hearing loss in this pedigree was 42%. These matrilineal relatives exhibited a wide range of severity of hearing loss, varying from profound to normal hearing. Furthermore, these affected matrilineal relatives shared some common features: bilateral hearing loss of high frequencies and symmetries. Sequence analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in the pedigree identified the homoplasmic 12S rRNA A1555G mutation and other 35 variants belonging to Eastern Asian haplogroup D4. Of these, the V313I (G11696A) mutation in ND4 was associated with vision loss. However, the extremely low penetrance of visual loss, and the mild biochemical defect and the presence of one/167 Chinese controls indicted that the G11696A mutation is itself not sufficient to produce a clinical phenotype. Thus, the G11696A mutation may act in synergy with the primary deafness-associated 12S rRNA A1555G mutation in this Chinese family, thereby increasing the penetrance and expressivity of hearing loss in this Chinese pedigree.

We report here the clinical, genetic and molecular characterization of three Han Chinese pedigrees with maternally transmitted aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic bilateral hearing loss. Clinical evaluation revealed the wide range of severity, age-at-onset and audiometric configuration of hearing impairment in matrilineal relatives in these families. The penetrances of hearing loss in these pedigrees were 28%, 20%, and 15%, with an average of 21%, when aminoglycoside-induced deafness was included. When the effect of aminoglycosides was excluded, the penetrances of hearing loss in these seven pedigrees were 21%, 13% and 8%, with an average of 14%. Sequence analysis of the complete mitochondrial genomes in these pedigrees showed the presence of the deafness-associated 12S rRNA C1494T mutation, in addition to distinct sets of mtDNA polymorphism belonging to Eastern Asian haplogroups F1a1, F1a1 and D5a2, respectively. This suggested that the C1494T mutation occurred sporadically and multiplied through evolution of the mtDNA. The absence of functionally significant mutations in tRNA and rRNAs or secondary LHON mutations in their mtDNA suggests that these mtDNA haplogroup-specific variants may not play an important role in the phenotypic expression of the C1494T mutation in those Chinese families. In addition, the lack of significant mutation in the GJB2 gene ruled out the possible involvement of GJB2 in the phenotypic expression of the C1494T mutation in those affected subjects. However, aminoglycosides and other nuclear modifier genes play a modifying role in the phenotypic manifestation of the C1494T mutation in these Chinese families.

Mutations in mitochondrial DNA are one of the important causes of hearing loss. We report here the clinical, genetic, and molecular characterization of two Han Chinese pedigrees with maternally transmitted aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic bilateral hearing loss. Clinical evaluation revealed the wide range of severity, age-at-onset, and audiometric configuration of hearing impairment in matrilineal relatives in these families. The penetrances of hearing loss in these pedigrees were 20% and 18%, when aminoglycoside-induced deafness was included. When the effect of aminoglycosides was excluded, the penetrances of hearing loss in these seven pedigrees were 10% and 15%. Sequence analysis of the complete mitochondrial genomes in these pedigrees showed the presence of the deafness-associated 12S rRNA C1494T and CO1/tRNA(Ser(UCN)) G7444A mutations. Their distinct sets of mtDNA polymorphism belonged to Eastern Asian haplogroup C4a1, while other previously identified six Chinese mitochondrial genomes harboring the C1494T mutation belong to haplogroups D5a2, D, R, and F1, respectively. This suggested that the C1494T or G7444A mutation occurred sporadically and multiplied through evolution of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The absence of functionally significant mutations in tRNA and rRNAs or secondary LHON mutations in their mtDNA suggest that these mtDNA haplogroup-specific variants may not play an important role in the phenotypic expression of the 12S rRNA C1494T and CO1/tRNA(Ser(UCN)) G7444A mutations in those Chinese families. However, aminoglycosides and other nuclear modifier genes play a modifying role in the phenotypic manifestation of the C1494T mutation in these Chinese families.

We report here the clinical, genetic and molecular characterization of one three-generation Han Chinese family with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) and hearing loss. Four of 14 matrilineal relatives exhibited the moderate central vision loss at the average age of 12.5 years. Of these, one subject exhibited both LHON and mild hearing impairment. Sequence analysis of the complete mitochondrial genomes in the pedigree showed the presence of homoplasmic LHON-associated ND6 T14484C mutation, deafness-associated 12S rRNA A1555 mutation and 47 other variants belonging to Eastern Asian haplogroup H2. None of other mitochondrial variants was evolutionarily conserved and functional significance. Therefore, the coexistence of the A1555G mutation and T14484C mutations in this Chinese family indicate that the A1555G mutation may play a synergistic role in the phenotypic manifestation of LHON associated ND6 T14484C mutation. However, the incomplete penetrance of vision and hearing loss suggests the involvement of nuclear modifier genes and environmental factors in the phenotypic expression of these mtDNA mutations.

We report here the clinical, genetic, and molecular characterization of a large Han Chinese family with aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss. Two and 13 of 66 matrilineal relatives suffered from aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss, respectively. These matrilineal relatives exhibited a wide range of severity of hearing loss, varying from profound to normal hearing. In the absence of aminoglycosides, the age-at-onset of hearing impairment in these matrilineal relatives ranged from 13 to 50years. Furthermore, these affected matrilineal relatives shared some common features: bilateral hearing loss of high frequencies and symmetries. Sequence analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in the pedigree identified the homoplasmic 12S rRNA C1494T mutation and other 34 variants belonging to Eastern Asian haplogroup F1. Of these, the variant T5628C occurs at an extremely conserved nucleotide (A31) of tRNA(Ala). This variant converted a very conservative A-U to a G-U base-pairing at AC-stem of this tRNA. The disruption of this base-pairing in tRNAs by mtDNA mutations has been associated with several clinical abnormalities. The alteration of structure of the tRNA(Ala) by the T5628C mutation may lead to a failure in tRNA metabolism and lead to impairment of mitochondrial translation, thereby worsening mitochondrial dysfunctions, caused by the C1494T mutation. Therefore, this mtDNA mutation may influence the phenotypic manifestation of the 12S rRNA C1494T mutation in this Chinese pedigree.

Mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been found to be associated with sensorineural hearing loss. We report here the clinical, genetic and molecular characterizations of seven Han Chinese pedigrees with aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic bilateral hearing loss. Clinical evaluation revealed the variable phenotype of hearing impairment including severity, age-at-onset and audiometric configuration in these subjects. The penetrance of hearing loss in these pedigrees ranged from 3% to 29%, with an average of 13.6%, when aminoglycoside-induced deafness was included. When the effect of aminoglycosides was excluded, the penetrances of hearing loss in these seven pedigrees varied from 0% to 17%, with an average of 5.3%. Sequence analysis of the complete mitochondrial genomes in these pedigrees showed the presence of the deafness-associated 12S rRNA A1555G mutation, in addition to distinct sets of mtDNA polymorphism belonging to East Asian haplogroups B4, D4, D5 and F1, respectively. This suggested that the A1555G mutation occurred sporadically and multiplied through evolution of the mtDNA in China. Despite the presence of several evolutionary conservative variants in protein-encoding genes, there was the absence of functionally significant mutations in tRNA and rRNAs or secondary LHON mutations in these seven Chinese families. These suggest that these mtDNA haplogroup-specific variants may not play an important role in the phenotypic expression of the A1555G mutation in those Chinese families with very low penetrance of hearing loss. However, aminoglycosides appear to be a major modifier factor for the phenotypic manifestation of the A1555G mutation in these Chinese families.

We report here on the clinical, genetic, and molecular characterization of three Han Chinese pedigrees with aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss. Clinical evaluation revealed the variable phenotype of hearing loss including severity, age-at-onset, audiometric configuration in these subjects. Penetrances of hearing loss in BJ107, BJ108, and BJ109 pedigrees are 35%, 63%, and 67%, respectively. Mutational analysis of the complete mitochondrial genomes in these pedigrees showed the identical homoplasmic A1555G mutation and distinct sets of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants belonging to haplogroups N, F, and M, respectively. Of these variants, the A14693G mutation in the tRNA(Glu), the T15908C mutation in the tRNA(Thr), and the T10454C mutation in the tRNA(Arg) are of special interest as these mutations occur at positions which are highly evolutionarily conserved nucleotides of corresponding tRNAs. These homoplasmic mtDNA mutations were absent among 156 unrelated Chinese controls. The A14693G and T10454C mutations occur at the highly conserved bases of the TpsiC-loop of tRNA(Glu) and tRNA(Arg), respectively. Furthermore, the T15908C mutation in the tRNA(Thr) disrupts a highly conserved A-U base-pairing at the D-stem of this tRNA. The alteration of structure of these tRNAs by these mtDNA mutations may lead to a failure in tRNA metabolism, thereby causing impairment of mitochondrial translation. Thus, mitochondrial dysfunctions, caused by the A1555G mutation, would be worsened by these mtDNA mutations. Therefore, these mtDNA mutations may have a potential modifier role in increasing the penetrance and expressivity of the deafness-associated 12S rRNA A1555G mutation in those Chinese pedigrees., ((c) 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been found to be associated with sensorineural hearing loss. We report here the clinical, genetic, and molecular characterization of three Chinese pedigrees (a total of 43 matrilineal relatives) with aminoglycoside-induced impairment. Clinical evaluation revealed the variable phenotype of hearing impairment including audiometric configuration in these subjects, although these subjects shared some common features: being bilateral and sensorineural hearing impairment. Strikingly, only probands of these Chinese pedigrees exhibited severe to profound hearing loss. Mutational analysis of the mtDNA in these pedigrees showed the presence of homoplasmic 12S rRNA T1095C mutation, which has been associated with hearing impairment in several families. Sequence analysis of the complete mitochondrial genomes in these pedigrees showed the identical homoplasmic T1095C mutation and distinct sets of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants belonging to haplogroups M11C. Despite the presence of several highly evolutionarily conservative variants in protein-encoding genes and 16S rRNA gene, the extremely low penetrance of hearing loss with the T1095C mutation implies that the mitochondrial variants may not play an important role in the phenotypic expression of the T1095C mutation in these Chinese families. However, the history of exposure to aminoglycosides in these three hearing-impaired subjects suggested that the aminoglycosides very likely are the cause of hearing loss.

The human mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) A1555G mutation has been associated with aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic deafness in many families worldwide. Our previous investigation revealed that the A1555G mutation is a primary factor underlying the development of deafness but is not sufficient to produce a deafness phenotype. However, it has been proposed that nuclear-modifier genes modulate the phenotypic manifestation of the A1555G mutation. Here, we identified the nuclear-modifier gene TRMU, which encodes a highly conserved mitochondrial protein related to transfer RNA (tRNA) modification. Genotyping analysis of TRMU in 613 subjects from 1 Arab-Israeli kindred, 210 European (Italian pedigrees and Spanish pedigrees) families, and 31 Chinese pedigrees carrying the A1555G or the C1494T mutation revealed a missense mutation (G28T) altering an invariant amino acid residue (A10S) in the evolutionarily conserved N-terminal region of the TRMU protein. Interestingly, all 18 Arab-Israeli/Italian-Spanish matrilineal relatives carrying both the TRMU A10S and 12S rRNA A1555G mutations exhibited prelingual profound deafness. Functional analysis showed that this mutation did not affect importation of TRMU precursors into mitochondria. However, the homozygous A10S mutation leads to a marked failure in mitochondrial tRNA metabolisms, specifically reducing the steady-state levels of mitochondrial tRNA. As a consequence, these defects contribute to the impairment of mitochondrial-protein synthesis. Resultant biochemical defects aggravate the mitochondrial dysfunction associated with the A1555G mutation, exceeding the threshold for expressing the deafness phenotype. These findings indicate that the mutated TRMU, acting as a modifier factor, modulates the phenotypic manifestation of the deafness-associated 12S rRNA mutations.

Nuclear modifier genes have been proposed to modulate the phenotypic manifestation of human mitochondrial 12S rRNA A1491G mutation associated with deafness in many families world-wide. Here we identified and characterized the putative nuclear modifier gene TRMU encoding a highly conserved mitochondrial protein related to tRNA modification. A 1937bp TRMU cDNA has been isolated and the genomic organization of TRMU has been elucidated. The human TRMU gene containing 11 exons encodes a 421 residue protein with a strong homology to the TRMU-like proteins of bacteria and other homologs. TRMU is ubiquitously expressed in various tissues, but abundantly in tissues with high metabolic rates including heart, liver, kidney, and brain. Immunofluorescence analysis of human 143B cells expressing TRMU-GFP fusion protein demonstrated that the human Trmu localizes and functions in mitochondrion. Furthermore, we show that in families with the deafness-associated 12S rRNA A1491G mutation there is highly suggestive linkage and linkage disequilibrium between microsatellite markers adjacent to TRMU and the presence of deafness. These observations suggest that human TRMU may modulate the phenotypic manifestation of the deafness-associated mitochondrial 12S rRNA mutations.

We report here the clinical, genetic, and molecular characterization of a four-generation Chinese family with aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss. Five of nine matrilineal relatives had aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss. These matrilineal relatives exhibited variable severity and audiometric configuration of hearing impairment, despite sharing some common features: being bilateral and having sensorineural hearing impairment. Sequence analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in the pedigree identified 16 variants and the homoplasmic 12S rRNA C1494T mutation, which was associated with hearing loss in the other large Chinese family. In fact, the occurrence of the C1494T mutation in these genetically unrelated pedigrees affected by hearing impairment strongly indicated that this mutation is involved in the pathogenesis of aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss. However, incomplete penetrance of hearing loss indicated that the C1494T mutation itself is not sufficient to produce a clinical phenotype but requires the involvement of modifier factors for the phenotypic expression. Those mtDNA variants, showing no evolutional conservation, may not have a potential modifying role in the pathogenesis of the C1494T mutation. However, nuclear background seems to contribute to the phenotypic variability of matrilineal relatives in this family. Furthermore, aminoglycosides modulate the expressivity and penetrance of deafness associated with the C1494T mutation in this family.

Mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been found to be associated with sensorineural hearing loss. We report here the clinical, genetic, and molecular characterization of 16 Chinese pedigrees (a total of 246 matrilineal relatives) with aminoglycoside-induced impairment. Clinical evaluation revealed the variable phenotype of hearing impairment including audiometric configuration in these subjects, although these subjects share some common features: being bilateral and sensorineural hearing impairment. Strikingly, these Chinese pedigrees exhibited extremely low penetrance of hearing loss, ranging from 4% to 18%, with an average of 8%. In particular, nineteen of 246 matrilineal relatives in these pedigrees had aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss. Mutational analysis of the mtDNA in these pedigrees showed the presence of homoplasmic 12S rRNA A1555G mutation, which has been associated with hearing impairment in many families worldwide. The extremely low penetrance of hearing loss in these Chinese families carrying the A1555G mutation strongly supports the notion that the A1555G mutation itself is not sufficient to produce the clinical phenotype. Children carrying the A1555G mutation are susceptible to the exposure of aminoglycosides, thereby inducing or worsening hearing impairment, as in the case of these Chinese families. Using those genetic and molecular approaches, we are able to diagnose whether children carry the ototoxic mtDNA mutation. Therefore, these data have been providing valuable information and technology to predict which individuals are at risk for ototoxicity, to improve the safety of aminoglycoside therapy, and eventually to decrease the incidence of deafness.

Nuclear gene(s) have been shown to modulate the phenotypic expression of mitochondrial DNA mutations. We report here the identification and characterization of the yeast nuclear gene MTO2 encoding an evolutionarily conserved protein involved in mitochondrial tRNA modification. Interestingly, mto2 null mutants expressed a respiratory-deficient phenotype when coexisting with the C1409G mutation of mitochondrial 15 S rRNA at the very conservative site for human deafness-associated 12 S rRNA A1491G and C1409T mutations. Furthermore, the overall rate of mitochondrial translation was markedly reduced in a yeast mto2 strain in the wild type mitochondrial background, whereas mitochondrial protein synthesis was almost abolished in a yeast mto2 strain carrying the C1409G allele. The other interesting feature of mto2 mutants is the defective expression of mitochondrial genes, especially CYTB and COX1, but only when coexisting with the C1409G allele. These data strongly indicate that a product of MTO2 functionally interacts with the decoding region of 15 S rRNA, particularly at the site of the C1409G or A1491G mutation. In addition, we showed that yeast and human Mto2p localize in mitochondria. The isolated human MTO2 cDNA can partially restore the respiratory-deficient phenotype of yeast mto2 cells carrying the C1409G mutation. These functional conservations imply that human MTO2 may act as a modifier gene, modulating the phenotypic expression of the deafness-associated A1491G or C1409T mutation in mitochondrial 12 S rRNA.

Mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been found to be associated with sensorineural hearing loss. We report here a systematic mutational screening of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene in 128 Chinese pediatric subjects with sporadic aminoglycoside-induced and non-syndromic hearing loss. We show that aminoglycoside ototoxicity accounts for 48% of cases of hearing loss in this Chinese pediatric population. Of the known deafness-associated mutations in this gene, the incidence of the A1555G mutation is approximately 13% and approximately 2.9% in this Chinese pediatric population with aminoglycoside-induced and non-syndromic hearing loss, respectively. Furthermore, mutations at position 961 in the 12S rRNA gene account for approximately 1.7% and 4.4% of cases of aminoglycoside-induced and non-syndromic hearing loss in this Chinese clinical population, respectively. The T1095C mutation has been identified in one maternally inherited family with aminoglycoside-induced and non-syndromic hearing loss. However, the C1494T mutation was not detected in this clinical population. In addition, three variants, A827G, T1005C and A1116G, in the 12S rRNA gene, localized at highly conserved sites, may play a role in the pathogenesis of aminoglycoside ototoxicity. These data strongly suggest that the mitochondrial 12S rRNA is a hot-spot for deafness-associated mutations in the Chinese population.

Mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been found to be associated with sensorineural hearing loss. We report here the clinical, genetic, and molecular characterization of four Chinese pedigrees with aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing impairment. Clinical evaluation revealed the variable phenotype of hearing impairment including audiometric configuration in these subjects, although these subjects share some common features: bilateral and sensorineural hearing impairment. Strikingly, these Chinese pedigrees exhibited extremely low penetrance of hearing loss (5.2%, 4.8%, 4.2%, and 13.3%, respectively, and with an average 8% penetrance). In particular, four of all five affected matrilineal relatives of these pedigrees had aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss. Sequence analysis of the complete mitochondrial genomes in these pedigrees showed the distinct sets of mtDNA polymorphism, in addition to the identical homoplasmic A1555G mutation, associated with hearing impairment in many families from different genetic backgrounds. The fact that mtDNA of those pedigrees belonged to different haplogroups R9a, N9a, D4a, and D4 suggested that the A1555G mutation occurred sporadically and multiplied through evolution of the mtDNA in China. However, there was the absence of functionally significant mutations in tRNA and rRNAs or secondary LHON mutations in these Chinese families. These data imply that the nuclear background or/and mitochondrial haplotype may not play a significant role in the phenotypic expression of the A1555G mutation in these Chinese pedigrees. However, aminoglycoside appears to be a major modifier factor for the phenotypic manifestation of the A1555G mutation in these Chinese families.

In this study, we report the biochemical characterization of the deafness-associated mitochondrial 12S rRNA C1494T mutation using 27 cybrid cell lines constructed by transferring mitochondria from 9 lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from a Chinese family into human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)-less (rho degrees) cells. Six cybrids derived from two asymptomatic members, and nine cybrids derived from three symptomatic members of the Chinese family carrying the C1494T mutation exhibited approximately 38 and 43% decrease in the rate of mitochondrial protein labeling, respectively, compared with twelve cybrids derived from four Chinese control individuals. These defects are apparently a primary contributor to significant reductions in the rate of overall respiratory capacity or the rate of malate/glutamate promoted respiration, or succinate/G3P-promoted respiration, or TMPD/ascorbate-promoted respiration in mutant cybrid cell lines derived from either symptomatic or asymptomatic individuals. Furthermore, the very significant/nearly identical increase in the ratio of doubling times in DMDM medium in the presence/absence of high concentration of paromomycin was observed in symptomatic or asymptomatic cybrid cell lines carrying the C1494T mutation as compared with the average rate in control cell lines. These observations provide the direct biochemical evidences that the C1494T mutation is a pathogenic mtDNA mutation associated with aminoglycoside-induced and non-syndromic hearing loss. In addition, these data provide the first biochemical evidence that nuclear background plays a critical role in the phenotypic manifestation of non-syndromic hearing loss and aminoglycoside toxicity associated with the C1494T mutation.

Mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), particularly those in the 12S rRNA gene, have been shown to be associated with sensorineural hearing loss. Recently, a systematic and extended mutation screening of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene has been initiated in the large clinical population of the Otology Clinic at the Chinese PLA General Hospital with the aim of identifying mtDNA mutations associated with hearing loss. Here we report the clinical and molecular characterization of a Chinese patient with auditory neuropathy. Sequence analysis of mtDNA in this patient identified a T-to-C transition at position 1095 (T1095C) in the 12S rRNA gene and other nucleotide changes. The T1095C mutation is expected to disrupt an evolutionarily conserved A-to-U base-pair, which is at the highly conserved P-site of 12S rRNA. The T1095C mutation has also been found to be associated with hearing loss in several unrelated families. Among other nucleotide changes, two novel variants: the I175V mutation in the CO2 and the V112M mutation in the ND6 localize at highly evolutionarily conserved residues from different organisms. Furthermore, the absence of mutation in the otoferlin related to auditory neuropathy showed that otoferlin may not be involved in the phenotypic expression of T1095C mutation in this subject. These data suggest that the T1095C mutation may be associated with auditory neuropathy in this subject, and two novel variants I175V and V112M may play a role in the phenotypic expression of the T1095C mutation., ((c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), particularly those in the 12S rRNA gene, have been shown to be associated with sensorineural hearing loss. Here we report the clinical and sequence analysis of the entire mitochondrial genome in three Chinese subjects with aminoglycoside-induced and non-syndromic hearing impairment. Clinical evaluation showed a variable phenotype of hearing impairment including the age of onset and audiometric configuration in these subjects. Sequence analysis of the complete mitochondrial genomes in three subjects showed the distinct sets of mtDNA polymorphism, in addition to the identical mitochondrial 12S rRNA T1095C mutation. This mutation was previously identified to be associated with hearing impairment in three families from different genetic backgrounds. The T1095C mutation was absent in 364 Chinese control. In fact, the occurrence of the T1095C mutation in these several genetically unrelated subjects affected by hearing impairment strongly indicates that this mutation is involved in the pathogenesis of hearing impairment. Among other nucleotide changes, the A2238G and T2885C mutations in the 16S rRNA, the I175V mutation in the CO2, the F16L mutation in the A6 and the V112M mutation in the ND6 exhibited a high evolutionary conservation. These data suggest that the T1095C mutation may be associated with aminoglycoside-induced and non-syndromic hearing impairments and A2238G and T2885C mutations in the 16S rRNA, the I175V mutation in the CO2, the F16L mutation in the A6 and the V112M mutation in the ND6 may contribute to the phenotypic expression of the T1095C mutation in these subjects.

Mutations in the mitochondrial DNA have been shown to be one of the most important causes of sensorineural hearing loss. Here, we report the characterization of a large Chinese family (507 members in six generations) with maternally inherited non-syndromic hearing loss. Members of this family showed variable severity and age-of-onset of hearing impairment. In particular, the average age at onset of hearing loss in this family changed from 49 years (generation III) to 3 years (generation VI). Sequence analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome in this pedigree revealed the presence of a homoplasmic A1555G mutation in the 12S rRNA gene and other nucleotide changes. Of these changes, a C insertion at position 961 in the 12S rRNA gene is of special interest as mutations at this position have been found to be associated with aminoglycoside induced deafness in several genetically unrelated families. These data imply that the C insertion at position 961 in the 12S rRNA gene, acting as a secondary factor, could play a role in the phenotypic expression of the deafness associated A1555G mutation., (Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc)

Human mitochondrial 12S rRNA A1555G mutation has been found to be associated with deafness. However, putative nuclear modifier gene(s) has been proposed to regulate the phenotypic expression of this mutation. In yeast cells, mutant alleles of MSS1, encoding a mitochondrial GTP-binding protein, manifest a respiratory-deficient phenotype only when coupled with mitochondrial 15S rRNA P(R)(454) mutation corresponding to human A1555G mutation. This suggests that an MSS1-like modifier gene may influence the phenotypic expression of the A1555G mutation. We report here the identification and characterization of human MSS1 homolog, GTPBP3, the first identified vertebrate gene related to mitochondrial tRNA modification. The Gtpbp3 is the mitochondrial GTPase evolutionarily conserved from bacteria to mammals. Functional conservation of this protein is supported by the observation that isolated human GTPBP3 cDNA can complement the respiratory-deficient phenotype of yeast mss1 cells carrying P(R)(454) mutation. GTPBP3 is ubiquitously expressed in various tissues as multiple transcripts, but with a markedly elevated expression in tissues of high metabolic rates. We showed that Gtpbp3 localizes in mitochondrion. These observations suggest that the human GTPBP3 is a structural and functional homolog of yeast MSS1. Thus, allelic variants in GTPBP3 could, if they exist, modulate the phenotypic manifestation of human mitochondrial A1555G mutation.

The human mitochondrial 12 S rRNA A1555G mutation has been found to be associated with aminoglycoside-induced and non-syndromic deafness. However, putative nuclear modifier gene(s) have been proposed to regulate the phenotypic expression of this mutation. In yeast, the mutant alleles of MTO1, encoding a mitochondrial protein, manifest respiratory-deficient phenotype only when coupled with the mitochondrial 15 S rRNA P(R)454 mutation corresponding to human A1555G mutation. This suggests that the MTO1-like modifier gene may influence the phenotypic expression of human A1555G mutation. Here we report the identification of full-length cDNA and elucidation of genomic organization of the human MTO1 homolog. Human Mto1 is an evolutionarily conserved protein that implicates a role in the mitochondrial tRNA modification. Functional conservation of this protein is supported by the observation that isolated human MTO1 cDNA can complement the respiratory deficient phenotype of yeast mto1 cells carrying P(R)454 mutation. MTO1 is ubiquitously expressed in various tissues, but with a markedly elevated expression in tissues of high metabolic rates including cochlea. These observations suggest that human MTO1 is a structural and functional homolog of yeast MTO1. Thus, it may play an important role in the pathogenesis of deafness-associated A1555G mutation in 12 S rRNA gene or mutations in tRNA genes.

The pathogenetic mechanism of the human mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene mutation at position 1555, associated with non-syndromic deafness and aminoglycoside-induced deafness, has been investigated in 33 transformants obtained by transferring mitochondria from lymphoblastoid cell lines into human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)-less (rho *206) cells. In this nearly constant nuclear background, 15 transformants derived from five symptomatic individuals from a large Arab-Israeli family, carrying this mutation in homoplasmic form, exhibited significant decreases compared with nine control transformants in the rate of growth in a medium containing galactose instead of glucose, as well as in the rates of mitochondrial protein synthesis and of substrate-dependent respiration. Most significantly, these decreases were very similar to those observed in nine transformants derived from three asymptomatic members of the family. This result in transmitochondrial cybrids is in contrast to the differences in the same parameters previously demonstrated between the original lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from the symptomatic and asymptomatic members of the Arab-Israeli family. In addition, the intragroup variability in biochemical dysfunction among the lymphoblastoid cell lines from different symptomatic or asymptomatic or control individuals was significantly reduced in the derived mitochondrial transformants carrying the same nuclear background. These observations provide strong genetic and biochemical evidence in support of the idea that the nuclear background plays a determinant role in the phenotypic manifestation of the non-syndromic deafness associated with the A1555G mutation.

The A1555 G mutation in mitochondrial 12S rRNA has been found to be associated with non-syndromic deafness and aminoglycoside-induced deafness. The sensitivity to the aminoglycoside paromomycin has been analyzed in lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from five deaf individuals and five hearing individuals from an Arab-Israeli family carrying the A1555G mutation, and three married-in controls from the same family. Exposure to a high concentration of paromomycin (2 mg/ml), which caused an 8% average increase in doubling time (DT) in the control cell lines, produced higher average DT increases (49 and 47%) in the A1555G mutation-carrying cell lines derived from symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, respectively. The ratios of translation rates in the presence and absence of paromomycin, which reflected the effect of the drug on mitochondrial protein synthesis, were significantly decreased in the cell lines derived from symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals (by 30 and 28% on average, respectively), compared with the ratios in the control cell lines. These ratios showed, in both groups of mutant cell lines, a significant negative correlation with the ratios of DTs in the presence and absence of the antibiotic. These results have provided the first direct evidence that the mitochondrial 12S rRNA carrying the A1555G mutation is the main target of aminoglycosides. They suggest that these antibiotics exert their detrimental effect through an alteration of mitochondrial protein synthesis, which exacerbates the inherent defect caused by the mutation, reducing the overall translation rate down to and below the minimal level required for normal cellular function (40-50%).

The phenotypic effects of the human mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene mutation at position 1555 associated with maternally inherited non-syndromic deafness and sensitivity to aminoglycoside-induced deafness have been analyzed in 25 lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from members of a large family carrying this mutation in homoplasmic form and from control individuals. A clear decrease in the rates of growth in galactose medium, mitochondrial protein synthesis, total oxygen consumption, and complex I-, complex III- and complex IV-dependent respiration was observed in two groups of nine and 10 mutant cell lines derived, respectively, from symptomatic and asymptomatic members of the family, as compared with six control cell lines. The severity of mitochondrial dysfunction in the mutant cell lines was correlated with the presence or absence of hearing loss in the donor individuals. These observations strongly suggest a role of a nuclear factor(s) in the phenotypic manifestation of the mutation. The approach used here provides a paradigm for the analysis of the nuclear background involvement in other mtDNA-linked disorders, including the putative ones associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Exposure of the cell lines derived from several symptomatic or asymptomatic individuals from the same family to high concentrations of neomycin or paromomycin decreased to a significant, nearly identical extent their rate of growth in glucose-containing medium, as contrasted with the unchanged growth rate of control cell lines or of mtDNA-less cells. These results support the hypothesis that the main target of the antibiotics is the mitochondrial 12S rRNA carrying the 1555 mutation, without any apparent role of the nuclear background.