Molecular pathogenesis and gene therapy-based intervention of GTPBP3-related mitochondrial disease

Mitochondrial transfer RNA (mt-tRNA) modification determines organelle translation and function. GTPBP3 and MTO1 catalyze 5-taurinomethyluridine (τm⁵U) modification at wobble uridine of five mt-tRNAs. τm⁵U hypomodification causes mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, but the underlying pathogenesis and intervention strategy due to GTPBP3 mutations are lacking. In this study, we identify two genetic variants (c.689 A > C (p.Q230P) and c.1120 A > G (p.N374D)) of GTPBP3 in a Chinese proband with metabolic disorders and multisystem dysfunction. Mechanistically, Q230P and N374D mutations induce protein multimerization/aggregation, protease degradation, decreased GTPase activity, and tRNA modification to varying degrees, affecting mitochondrial translation, respiration, dynamics, and function. Homozygous N374D mutations in mice cause embryonic lethality; homozygous E230P or compound heterozygous E230P/N374D knock-in mice develop cardiac and muscular dysfunction due to altered mitochondrial translation. Mitochondrial dysfunction and pathology are efficiently reversed by virus-mediated GTPBP3 expression in cells and animals. This study provides valuable insights into the etiology of and promising intervention strategies for GTPBP3-related diseases.