Influence of Reactive Oxygen Species on Mitochondrial Transcription

Many factors influence the expression of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) which is a circular DNA molecule present in multiple copies per mitochondrion. Our aim is to understand the effect of various factors such as protein-DNA binding behavior and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on mitochondrial transcription under different conditions. We have experimentally observed changes to mitochondrial DNA transcription in both S. cerevisiae and mammalian HepG2 cells under conditions of increased reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress. The introduction of naphthoquinones such as menadione into S. cerevisiae cultures show increased oxidative stress, and results in changes to transcriptional output. Understanding these types of transcriptional regulatory processes in mitochondria provides insight into mitochondrial dysfunction related to disease and aging