The tRNA(Gly) T10003C mutation in mitochondrial haplogroup M11b in a Chinese family with diabetes decreases the steady-state level of tRNA(Gly), increases aberrant reactive oxygen species production, and reduces mitochondrial membrane potential.

Mitochondrial diabetes originates mainly from mutations located in maternally transmitted, mitochondrial tRNA-coding genes. In a genetic screening program of type 2 diabetes conducted with a Chinese Han population, we found one family with suggestive maternally transmitted diabetes. The proband's mitochondrial genome was analyzed using DNA sequencing. Total 42 known nucleoside changes and 1 novel variant were identified, and the entire mitochondrial DNA sequence was assigned to haplogroup M11b. Phylogenetic analysis showed that a homoplasmic mutation, 10003T>C transition, occurred at the highly conserved site in the gene encoding tRNA(Gly). Using a transmitochondrial cybrid cell line harboring this mutation, we observed that the steady-state level of tRNA(Gly) significantly affected and the amount of tRNA(Gly) decreased by 97%, production of reactive oxygen species was enhanced, and mitochondrial membrane potential, mtDNA copy number and cellular oxygen consumption rate were remarkably decreased compared with wild-type cybrid cells. The homoplasmic 10003T>C mutation in the mitochondrial tRNA(Gly) gene suggested to be as a pathogenesis-related mutation which might contribute to the maternal inherited diabetes in the Han Chinese family.