Zebrafish lacking functional DNA polymerase gamma survive to juvenile stage,despite rapid and sustained mitochondrial DNA depletion,altered energetics and growth |
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Authors: | Jennifer J. Rahn Jennifer E. Bestman Krista D. Stackley Sherine S.L. Chan |
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Affiliation: | Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA |
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Abstract: | DNA polymerase gamma (POLG) is essential for replication and repair of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Mutations in POLG cause mtDNA instability and a diverse range of poorly understood human diseases. Here, we created a unique Polg animal model, by modifying polg within the critical and highly conserved polymerase domain in zebrafish. polg+/− offspring were indistinguishable from WT siblings in multiple phenotypic and biochemical measures. However, polg−/− mutants developed severe mtDNA depletion by one week post-fertilization (wpf), developed slowly and had regenerative defects, yet surprisingly survived up to 4 wpf. An in vivo mtDNA polymerase activity assay utilizing ethidium bromide (EtBr) to deplete mtDNA, showed that polg+/− and WT zebrafish fully recover mtDNA content two weeks post-EtBr removal. EtBr further reduced already low levels of mtDNA in polg−/− animals, but mtDNA content did not recover following release from EtBr. Despite significantly decreased respiration that corresponded with tissue-specific levels of mtDNA, polg−/− animals had WT levels of ATP and no increase in lactate. This zebrafish model of mitochondrial disease now provides unique opportunities for studying mtDNA instability from multiple angles, as polg−/− mutants can survive to juvenile stage, rather than lose viability in embryogenesis as seen in Polg mutant mice. |
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