Mitochondrial rRNA Methylation by Mettl15 Contributes to the Exercise and Learning Capability in Mice.

Mitochondrial translation is a unique relic of the symbiotic origin of the organelle. Alterations of its components cause a number of severe human diseases. Hereby we report a study of mice devoid of Mettl15 mitochondrial 12S rRNA methyltransferase, responsible for the formation of mC839 residue (human numbering). Homozygous mice appeared to be viable in contrast to other mitochondrial rRNA methyltransferase knockouts reported earlier. The phenotype of mice is much milder than that of other mutants of mitochondrial translation apparatus. In agreement with the results obtained earlier for cell cultures with an inactivated gene, we observed accumulation of the RbfA factor, normally associated with the precursor of the 28S subunit, in the 55S mitochondrial ribosome fraction of knockout mice. A lack of Mettl15 leads to a lower blood glucose level after physical exercise relative to that of the wild-type mice. mice demonstrated suboptimal muscle performance and lower levels of Cox3 protein synthesized by mitoribosomes in the oxidative soleus muscles. Additionally, we detected decreased learning capabilities in the knockout mice in the tests with both positive and negative reinforcement. Such properties make knockout mice a suitable model for mild mitochondriopathies.