Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0162671 (MELAS)
 587 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

In extraocular muscle tissue of elderly humans small amounts of point mutations in tRNA genes of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were identified by point mutation-specific PCR. These mutations were not found in navel-string samples from newborns. While the mutations in tRNA(Leu(UUR)) (np 3243) and tRNA(Gly) (np 10006), previously identified in patients with MELAS and CIPO, respectively, were found in most elderly people, the mutations in tRNA(Ser(GCU)O (np 12246) and tRNA(Asn) (np 5692), identified in patients with CIPO and CPEO, respectively, were found only in two of 15 tissue samples from different individuals. The data suggest that some nucleotides of mtDNA represent "hot spots" for somatic mutations, which contribute to human aging.
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PMID:Human aging is associated with various point mutations in tRNA genes of mitochondrial DNA. 812 54

Reactive nitrogen and oxygen species (O2*-, H2O2, NO* and ONOO-) have been strongly implicated in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative and mitochondrial diseases. In the present study, we examined the effects of nitrosative and/or nitrative stress generated by DETA-NO {(Z)-1-[2-aminoethyl-N-(2-ammonioethyl)amino]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate}, SIN-1 (3-morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride) and SNP (sodium nitroprusside) on U87MG glioblastoma cybrids carrying wt (wild-type) and mutant [A3243G (Ala3243-->Gly)] mtDNA (mitochondrial genome) from a patient suffering from MELAS (mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes). The mutant cybrids had reduced activity of cytochrome c oxidase, significantly lower ATP level and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. However, endogenous levels of reactive oxygen species were very similar in all cybrids regardless of whether they carried the mtDNA defects or not. Furthermore, the cybrids were insensitive to the nitrosative and/or nitrative stress produced by either DETA-NO or SIN-1 alone. Cytotoxicity, however, was observed in response to SNP treatment and a combination of SIN-1 and glucose-deprivation. The mutant cybrids were significantly more sensitive to these insults compared with the wt controls. Ultrastructural examination of dying cells revealed several characteristic features of autophagic cell death. We concluded that nitrosative and/or nitrative stress alone were insufficient to trigger cytotoxicity in these cells, but cell death was observed with a combination of metabolic and nitrative stress. The vulnerability of the cybrids to these types of injury correlated with the cellular energy status, which were compromised by the MELAS mutation.
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PMID:Effects of nitric oxide donors on cybrids harbouring the mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) A3243G mitochondrial DNA mutation. 1596 53