Helix Unwinding and Base Flipping Enable Human MTERF1 to Terminate Mitochondrial Transcription

SummaryDefects in mitochondrial gene expression are associated with aging and disease. Mterf proteins have been implicated in modulating transcription, replication and protein synthesis. We have solved the structure of a member of this family, the human mitochondrial transcriptional terminator MTERF1, bound to dsDNA containing the termination sequence. The structure indicates that upon sequence recognition MTERF1 unwinds the DNA molecule, promoting eversion of three nucleotides. Base flipping is critical for stable binding and transcriptional termination. Additional structural and biochemical results provide insight into the DNA binding mechanism and explain how MTERF1 recognizes its target sequence. Finally, we have demonstrated that the mitochondrial pathogenic G3249A and G3244A mutations interfere with key interactions for sequence recognition, eliminating termination. Our results provide insight into the role of mterf proteins and suggest a link between mitochondrial disease and the regulation of mitochondrial transcription.

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload high-quality image (250 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► A structure of the human mitochondrial termination factor bound to DNA was determined
► MTERF1 binding leads to DNA helix unwinding and base flipping
► Base flipping is essential for transcriptional termination
► Two mitochondrial pathogenic mutations interfere with transcriptional termination