In Vivo, Nucleoside Reverse‐Transcriptase Inhibitors Alter Expression of Both Mitochondrial and Lipid Metabolism Genes in the Absence of Depletion of Mitochondrial DNA

Abstract

Independent of HIV, NRTIs decrease transcription of mtRNA in vivo. The absence of depletion of mtDNA suggests that NRTIs cause mitochondrial dysfunction by means other than through inhibition of DNA polymerase- gamma , whereas disruption of expression of lipid metabolism genes offers an explanation for NRTI-induced lipoatrophy.