Abstract
Cellular distribution and dynamics of mitochondria are regulated by several motor proteins and a microtubule network. In neurons, mitochondrial trafficking is crucial because of high energy needs and calcium ion buffering along axons to synapses during neurotransmission. The trafficking kinesin proteins (TRAKs) are well characterized for their role in lysosomal and mitochondrial trafficking in cells, especially neurons. Using whole exome sequencing, we identified homozygous truncating variants in TRAK1 (NM_001042646:c.287-2A 4 C), in six lethal encephalopathic patients from three unrelated families. The pathogenic variant results in aberrant splicing and significantly reduced gene expression at the RNA and protein levels. In comparison with normal cells, TRAK1-deficient fibroblasts showed irregular mitochondrial distribution, altered mitochondrial motility, reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, and diminished mitochondrial respiration. This study confirms the role of TRAK1 in mitochondrial dynamics and constitutes the first report of this gene in association with a severe neurodevelopmental disorder.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 568-581 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Brain |
| Volume | 140 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1 Mar 2017 |
Funding
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Israeli Centers of Excellence | |
| NGHRI | |
| Kahn Family Foundation | |
| Wellcome Trust | 316723, WT105618MA, WT097835MF |
| Israeli Centers for Research Excellence | |
| UK Research and Innovation | |
| NIH Office of the Director | R01OD010944 |
| Office of Naval Research | N000141410538 |
| Israel Science Foundation | 41/11 |
| Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council | BB/K006231/1 |
| National Human Genome Research Institute | ZIDHG200352, ZIAHG000215 |
UN SDGs
This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
Keywords
- Early-onset epilepsy
- Mitochondria transport
- Neurodegeneration
- Rare diseases
- TRAK1
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