Differential mitochondrial protein interaction profile between human translocator protein and its A147T polymorphism variant

PLoS One. 2022 May 6;17(5):e0254296. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254296. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

The translocator protein (TSPO) has been implicated in mitochondrial transmembrane cholesterol transport, brain inflammation, and other mitochondrial functions. It is upregulated in glial cells during neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease. High affinity TSPO imaging radioligands are utilized to visualize neuroinflammation. However, this is hampered by the common A147T polymorphism which compromises ligand binding. Furthermore, this polymorphism has been linked to increased risk of neuropsychiatric disorders, and possibly reduces TSPO protein stability. Here, we used immunoprecipitation coupled to mass-spectrometry (IP-MS) to establish a mitochondrial protein binding profile of wild-type (WT) TSPO and the A147T polymorphism variant. Using mitochondria from human glial cells expressing either WT or A147T TSPO, we identified 30 WT TSPO binding partners, yet only 23 for A147T TSPO. Confirming that A147T polymorphism of the TSPO might confer loss of function, we found that one of the identified interactors of WT TSPO, 14-3-3 theta (YWHAQ), a protein involved in regulating mitochondrial membrane proteins, interacts much less with A147T TSPO. Our data presents a network of mitochondrial interactions of TSPO and its A147T polymorphism variant in human glial cells and indicate functional relevance of A147T in mitochondrial protein networks.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Mitochondria / genetics
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Mitochondrial Proteins* / metabolism
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Receptors, GABA* / metabolism

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Receptors, GABA
  • TSPO protein, human

Grants and funding

This works was supported by funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (Grant numbers 1136241, 1132524, 2001572) and the Australian Research Council (DP210101957). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.