Mitochondrially encoded tRNA glutamic acid (MT-TE)

Mitochondrially encoded tRNA glutamic acid (MT-TE, also called trnE or tRNAGlu) is a transfer RNA molecule encoded within human mitochondrial DNA. It consists of 68–69 nucleotides and functions by transferring the amino acid glutamic acid during mitochondrial protein synthesis, which is crucial for the assembly of proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation, the process that produces cellular ATP. MT-TE is expressed exclusively in the mitochondria and essential for normal mitochondrial function and cellular energy homeostasis. Pathogenic mutations in MT-TE are associated with mitochondrial disorders including maternally inherited diabetes and deafness, mitochondrial myopathies, MELAS, and sometimes Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy. The molecule itself is not considered a therapeutic target (such as a receptor or enzyme), but its genetic integrity is critical for normal energy metabolism, and its mutations serve as diagnostic biomarkers for certain mitochondrial diseases.

Other names

trnEtRNAGlumt-tRNA-Glu

Not applicable; transfer RNAs are not direct drug targets in clinical use. Pathology arises from mutations affecting protein translation and subsequent mitochondrial dysfunction