Mitochondrial Translation Optimization 1 Homolog (MTO1)

MTO1 encodes a mitochondrial protein thought to be involved in mitochondrial tRNA modification. The encoded protein may also play a role in the expression of the non-syndromic and aminoglycoside-induced deafness phenotypes associated with a specific mutation in the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene.  Human Mto1 is an evolutionarily conserved protein that implicates a role in the mitochondrial tRNA modification. Functional conservation of this protein is supported by the observation that isolated human MTO1 cDNA can complement the respiratory deficient phenotype of yeast mto1 cells carrying P(R)454 mutation. MTO1 is ubiquitously expressed in various tissues, but with a markedly elevated expression in tissues of high metabolic rates including cochlea.