The Ala16Val genetic dimorphism modulates the import of human manganese superoxide dismutase into rat liver mitochondria

A genetic dimorphism encodes for either alanine (Ala) or valine (Val) in the mitochondrial targeting sequence (MTS) of human manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and has been reported to modulate the risk of some cancers, neurodegenerative diseases and severe alcoholic liver disease. Although functional consequences of this dimorphism on MnSOD activity have not been assessed, computer models predict a partial cc-helix structure for the Ala-MnSOD/MTS, but a beta-sheet structure for the Val-variant, which could hamper mitochondrial import. To investigate this hypothesis, we studied the in-vitro import of chimaeric proteins composed of either one of the MnSOD/MTS fused to the mouse dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) protein, and the import of the two human MnSOD precursor variants into rat liver mitochondria. Compared to Ala-proteins, the Val-MnSOD/MTS-DHFR precursor and Val-MnSOD precursor were both partly arrested within the inner mitochondrial membrane. The Ala-MnSOD precursor generated 30-40% more of the active, matricial, processed MnSOD homotetramer than the Val-MnSOD precursor. These results show that the Ala-MnSOD/MTS allows efficient MnSOD import into the mitochondrial matrix, while the Val-variant causes partial arrest of the precursor within the inner membrane and decreased formation of the active MnSOD tetramer in the mitochondrial matrix.