Read-through therapy for mitochondrial DNA nonsense mutations
Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026

An In Vitro Approach to Study Mitochondrial Dysfunction: A Cybrid Model
Published on: March 9, 2022
David Pacheu-Grau1, Aurora Gómez-Durán, Ester López-Gallardo
1Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular y Celular, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas En Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain.
Abstract:
Disorders resulting from mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations, including nonsense mutations, do not yet have causal treatments. As we discuss here, read-through therapies appear to be a promising approach to the treatment of disorders arising from nuclear DNA (nDNA) nonsense mutations. The genetics of mitochondrial DNA suggest that this therapy will also be successful in the treatment of mitochondriopathies.
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Animal Mitochondrial Genetics
Translation
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
Translation Produces the Building Blocks of Life
Translation
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
Translation Produces the Building Blocks of Life
Mutations

