A Compendium of Genetic Modifiers of Mitochondrial Dysfunction Reveals Intra-organelle Buffering.

Cell
Authors
Abstract

Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with a spectrum of human conditions, ranging from rare, inborn errors of metabolism to the aging process. To identify pathways that modify mitochondrial dysfunction, we performed genome-wide CRISPR screens in the presence of small-molecule mitochondrial inhibitors. We report a compendium of chemical-genetic interactions involving 191 distinct genetic modifiers, including 38 that are synthetic sick/lethal and 63 that are suppressors. Genes involved in glycolysis (PFKP), pentose phosphate pathway (G6PD), and defense against lipid peroxidation (GPX4) scored high as synthetic sick/lethal. A surprisingly large fraction of suppressors are pathway intrinsic and encode mitochondrial proteins. A striking example of such "intra-organelle" buffering is the alleviation of a chemical defect in complex V by simultaneous inhibition of complex I, which benefits cells by rebalancing redox cofactors, increasing reductive carboxylation, and promoting glycolysis. Perhaps paradoxically, certain forms of mitochondrial dysfunction may best be buffered with "second site" inhibitors to the organelle.

Year of Publication
2019
Journal
Cell
Volume
179
Issue
5
Pages
1222-1238.e17
Date Published
2019 Nov 14
ISSN
1097-4172
DOI
10.1016/j.cell.2019.10.032
PubMed ID
31730859
Links
Grant list
K00 CA212468 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States