Generation of a patient-derived iPSC line from a clinically diagnosed MELAS case carrying the mtDNA m.3243A > G variant

MELAS (Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy, Lactic Acidosis, and Stroke-like episodes) represents a multisystemic mitochondrial disease mainly triggered by heteroplasmic m.3243A > G mutation in mtDNA MT-TL1, the gene for tRNA^Leu(UUR). Here we report the successful reprogramming of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a female MELAS patient into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). This patient-specific iPSC line provides a valuable platform to investigate MELAS pathophysiology and screen therapeutic interventions targeting mitochondrial dysfunction in a genetically relevant context.