Interactions of Mitochondrial Transcription Factor A with DNA Damage: Mechanistic Insights and Functional Implications

Genes

Linlin Zhao¹  Krystie Chew¹ 

[1] Department of Chemistry and Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA;

关键词: DNA modification;    DNA-protein interaction;    DNA packing;    epigenetics;    G-quadruplex;    nucleoid;   

DOI  :  10.3390/genes12081246

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Mitochondria have a plethora of functions in eukaryotic cells, including cell signaling, programmed cell death, protein cofactor synthesis, and various aspects of metabolism. The organelles carry their own genomic DNA, which encodes transfer and ribosomal RNAs and crucial protein subunits in the oxidative phosphorylation system. Mitochondria are vital for cellular and organismal functions, and alterations of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been linked to mitochondrial disorders and common human diseases. As such, how the cell maintains the integrity of the mitochondrial genome is an important area of study. Interactions of mitochondrial proteins with mtDNA damage are critically important for repairing, regulating, and signaling mtDNA damage. Mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) is a key player in mtDNA transcription, packaging, and maintenance. Due to the extensive contact of TFAM with mtDNA, it is likely to encounter many types of mtDNA damage and secondary structures. This review summarizes recent research on the interaction of human TFAM with different forms of non-canonical DNA structures and discusses the implications on mtDNA repair and packaging.

【 授权许可】

Unknown