Exclusion of sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase from mitochondria causes Leigh-like disease in mice by impairing sulfide metabolism

Leigh syndrome is the most common inherited mitochondrial disease in children and is often fatal within the first few years of life. In 2020, mutations in the gene encoding sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase (SQOR), a mitochondrial protein, were identified as a cause of Leigh syndrome. Here, we report that mice with a mutation in the gene encoding SQOR ([Sqor.sup.[DELTA]N/[DELTA]N] mice), which prevented SQOR from entering mitochondria, had clinical and pathological manifestations of Leigh syndrome. [Sqor.sup.[DELTA]N/[DELTA]N] mice had increased blood lactate levels that were associated with markedly decreased complex IV activity and increased hydrogen sulfide ([H.sub.2]S) levels. Because [H.sub.2]S is produced by both gut microbiota and host tissue, we tested whether metronidazole (a broad-spectrum antibiotic) or a sulfur-restricted diet rescues [Sqor.sup.[DELTA]N/[DELTA]N] mice from developing Leigh syndrome. Daily treatment with metronidazole alleviated increased [H.sub.2]S levels, normalized complex IV activity and blood lactate levels, and prolonged the survival of [Sqor.sup.[DELTA]N/[DELTA]N] mice. Similarly, a sulfur-restricted diet normalized blood lactate levels and inhibited the development of Leigh syndrome. Taken together, these observations suggest that mitochondrial SQOR is essential to prevent systemic accumulation of [H.sub.2]S. Metronidazole administration and a sulfur-restricted diet may be therapeutic approaches to treatment of patients with Leigh syndrome caused by mutations in SQOR.
Introduction Leigh syndrome is an inherited metabolic disorder that affects the central nervous system and is the most common mitochondrial disease in children. The genetic abnormalities in Leigh syndrome are [...]