Structure, mechanism, and regulation of mitochondrial DNA transcription initiation

Urmimala Basu, Alicia M. Bostwick, Kalyan Das, Kristin E. Dittenhafer-Reed, Smita S. Patel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mitochondria are specialized compartments that produce requisite ATP to fuel cellular functions and serve as centers of metabolite processing, cellular signaling, and apoptosis. To accomplish these roles, mitochondria rely on the genetic information in their small genome (mitochondrial DNA) and the nucleus. A growing appreciation for mitochondria’s role in a myriad of human diseases, including inherited genetic disorders, degenerative diseases, inflammation, and cancer, has fueled the study of biochemical mechanisms that control mitochondrial function. The mitochondrial transcriptional machinery is different from nuclear machinery. The in vitro reconstituted transcriptional complexes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) and humans, aided with high-resolution structures and biochemical characterizations, have provided a deeper understanding of the mechanism and regulation of mitochondrial DNA transcription. In this review, we will discuss recent advances in the structure and mechanism of mitochondrial transcription initiation. We will follow up with recent discoveries and formative findings regarding the regulatory events that control mitochondrial DNA transcription, focusing on those involved in cross-talk between the mitochondria and nucleus.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)18406-18425
Number of pages20
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume295
Issue number52
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 25 2020

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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