Loss of mtDNA activates astrocytes and leads to spongiotic encephalopathy.

Mitochondrial dysfunction manifests as different neurological diseases, but the mechanisms underlying the clinical variability remain poorly understood. To clarify whether different brain cells have differential sensitivity to mitochondrial dysfunction, we induced mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) depletion in either neurons or astrocytes of mice, by inactivating Twinkle (TwKO), the replicative mtDNA helicase. Here we show that astrocytes, the most abundant cerebral cell type, are chronically activated upon mtDNA loss, leading to early-onset spongiotic degeneration of brain parenchyma, microgliosis and secondary neurodegeneration.

Mitochondrial DNA Replication Defects Disturb Cellular dNTP Pools and Remodel One-Carbon Metabolism.

Mitochondrial dysfunction affects cellular energy metabolism, but less is known about the consequences for cytoplasmic biosynthetic reactions. We report that mtDNA replication disorders caused by TWINKLE mutations-mitochondrial myopathy (MM) and infantile onset spinocerebellar ataxia (IOSCA)-remodel cellular dNTP pools in mice. MM muscle shows tissue-specific induction of the mitochondrial folate cycle, purine metabolism, and imbalanced and increased dNTP pools, consistent with progressive mtDNA mutagenesis.

Effective treatment of mitochondrial myopathy by nicotinamide riboside, a vitamin B3.

Nutrient availability is the major regulator of life and reproduction, and a complex cellular signaling network has evolved to adapt organisms to fasting. These sensor pathways monitor cellular energy metabolism, especially mitochondrial ATP production and NAD(+)/NADH ratio, as major signals for nutritional state. We hypothesized that these signals would be modified by mitochondrial respiratory chain disease, because of inefficient NADH utilization and ATP production.