Study reveals critical role of tRNA modifying enzyme in brain function

A study conducted by a research team from Kumamoto University has shed light on the critical role of a tRNA methylation enzyme, TRMT10A, in supporting brain function. The findings reveal how the absence of TRMT10A leads to a reduction in specific transfer RNA (tRNA) levels, disrupting protein synthesis in the brain and impairing synaptic structure and function.

The research is published in the journal Nucleic Acids Research.

The research group created mice lacking the Trmt10a gene and measured tRNA levels in the brain. They discovered a significant decrease in two types of tRNA: the initiator methionine tRNA, essential for starting protein synthesis, and a specific glutamine tRNA.

This reduction resulted in diminished protein synthesis of key genes in the brain, particularly those associated with neuronal function. Consequently, the structural integrity and plasticity of synapses—crucial for learning and memory—were compromised, leading to impaired cognitive abilities in the mice.

Remarkably, while a decrease in initiator methionine and glutamine tRNA levels was observed throughout various tissues, functional impairments were limited to the brain, indicating its particular vulnerability.

Lecturer Takeshi Chujo from the Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, who led the research, stated, “Since human cells lacking TRMT10A exhibited similar reductions in these tRNA levels, it suggests that the mechanisms we discovered in mice could likely apply to humans as well.”

The study highlights the importance of a universal tRNA modification for translation of specific codons. With these insights, the research team aims to explore whether preventing the decline of tRNA levels in the brain could mitigate functional impairments, potentially leading to novel therapeutic approaches for treating intellectual disabilities caused by tRNA modification deficiencies.

This research not only enhances our understanding of RNA modification diseases but also opens doors to innovative strategies for addressing cognitive challenges linked to these conditions.