Rationale
TERT, (catalytic subunit of telomerase), is linked to development of coronary artery disease (CAD); however, whether the role of nuclear vs. mitcondrial actions of TERT are involved is not determined. Dominant-negative TERT splice variants contribute to decreased mitochondrial integrity and promote elevated ROS production. We hypothesize that a decrease in mitochondrial TERT would increase mtDNA damage, promoting a pro-oxidative redox environment. The goal of this study was to define whether mitochondrial TERT is sufficient to maintain NO as the underlying mechanism of FMD by preserving mtDNA integrity.
Methods and Results
Immunoblots and qPCR were used to show elevated levels of splice variants α- and β-deletion TERT tissue from subjects with and without CAD. Genetic, pharmacological, and molecular tools were used to manipulate TERT localization. Isolated vessel preparations and fluorescence-based quantification of mtH2O2 and NO showed that reduction of TERT in the nucleus increased flow induced NO and decreased mtH2O2 levels, while prevention of mitochondrial import of TERT augmented pathological effects. Further elevated mtDNA damage was observed in tissue from subjects with CAD and initiation of mtDNA repair mechanisms was sufficient to restore NO mediated dilation in vessels from patients with CAD.
Conclusion
The work presented is the first evidence that catalytically active mitochondrial TERT, independent of its nuclear functions, plays a critical physiological role in preserving NO-mediated vasodilation and the balance of mitochondrial to nuclear TERT is fundamentally altered in states of human disease that are driven by increased expression of dominant negative splice variants.