Respiratory chain activity in tissues from patients (MELAS) with a point mutation of the mitochondrial genome [tRNALeu(UUR)]

A heteroplasmic point mutation (transition A to G at position 3243 in the mitochondrial tRNA(Leu(UUR)) gene is indicative for myo-encephalopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS). Decreased respiratory chain complex activities measured in different tissues from four patients with MELAS syndrome do not correlate with the proportion of mutated mitochondrial genome.