Severe impairment of complex I-Driven adenosine triphosphate synthesis in Leber hereditary optic neuropathy cybrids

Background: Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a maternally inherited form of central vision loss associated with mitochondrial DNA point mutations that affect the ND subunits of complex 1. Objective: To elucidate the bioenergetic consequences of complex I dysfunction in LHON. Design: The biochemical phenotypes of LHON mutations have been investigated using the transmitochondrial cytoplasmic hybrid (cybrid) cell model derived from the osteocarcoma parental cell line 143B.TK-. Setting: Research laboratories at neuroscience and biochemistry departments at the University of Bologna, Scientific Institute E. Medea, and University of College Medical School. Participants: Fibroblast cell lines were obtained from patients affected with LHON, as defined by the presence of 1 pathogenic mutation, and from healthy volunteers as controls to construct cybrid cell lines. Main Outcome Measures: Complex I (glutamatemalate)- and complex 11 (succinate)-dependent adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis, their respective respiratory rates, and total cellular ATP content were investigated using digitonin permeabilized cybrid cells. Multiple cybrid cell lines were constructed, introducing, into osteosarcoma-derived rho(0) cells either wild-type or LHON mutant mitochondria carrying each of the 3 common mutations at positions 11778/ND4,3460/NDI, and 14484/ND6. Results: All 3 LHON mutations impaired ATP synthesis and the respiratory control ratio driven by complex I substrates. In contrast, succinate-driven ATP synthesis, respiration rates, and respiratory control ratios were not affected. However, the defective ATP synthesis with complex I substrates did not result in reduced ATP cellular content, indicating a compensatory mechanism. Conclusions: The LHON pathogenic mutations profoundly impair complex I-dependent synthesis of ATP, providing a common biochemical feature that may play a major role in LHON pathogenesis. Stratification of the results by mutation suggests that the 11778/ND4 mutation may induce an uncoupling of cybrid respiration, whereas the other 2 mutations impair the oxygen consumption rate.