The mitochondrial tRNA-derived fragment, mt-tRF-LeuTAA, couples mitochondrial metabolism to insulin secretion

The contribution of the mitochondrial electron transfer system to insulin secretion involves more than just energy provision. We identified a small RNA fragment (mt-tRF-LeuTAA) derived from the cleavage of a mitochondrially-encoded tRNA that is conserved between mice and humans. The role of mitochondrially-encoded tRNA-derived fragments remains unknown. This study aimed to characterize the impact of mt-tRF-LeuTAA, on mitochondrial metabolism and pancreatic islet functions. We used antisense oligonucleotides to reduce mt-tRF-LeuTAA levels in primary rat and human islet cells, as well as in insulin-secreting cell lines. We performed a joint transcriptome and proteome analysis upon mt-tRF-LeuTAA inhibition. Additionally, we employed pull-down assays followed by mass spectrometry to identify direct interactors of the fragment. Finally, we characterized the impact of mt-tRF-LeuTAA silencing on the coupling between mitochondrial metabolism and insulin secretion using high-resolution respirometry and insulin secretion assays. Our study unveils a modulation of mt-tRF-LeuTAA levels in pancreatic islets in different Type 2 diabetes models and in response to changes in nutritional status. The level of the fragment is finely tuned by the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1. Located within mitochondria, mt-tRF-LeuTAA interacts with core subunits and assembly factors of respiratory complexes of the electron transfer system. Silencing of mt-tRF-LeuTAA in islet cells limits the inner mitochondrial membrane potential and impairs mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, predominantly by affecting the Succinate (via Complex II)-linked electron transfer pathway. Lowering mt-tRF-LeuTAA impairs insulin secretion of rat and human pancreatic β-cells. Our findings indicate that mt-tRF-LeuTAA interacts with electron transfer system complexes and is a pivotal regulator of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and its coupling to insulin secretion. •Functional impact and mechanistic signaling of mitochondrially-encoded tRNA-derived fragments are currently unknown.•The level of the mitochondrially-encoded tRNA mt-tRF-LeuTAA in pancreatic islets varies with the nutritional status.•The mt-tRF-LeuTAA fragment interacts with electron transfer system complexes.•mt-tRF-LeuTAA regulates mitochondrial respiration and insulin release in rat and human β-cells.•mt-tRF-LeuTAA silencing leads to impaired metabolism-insulin secretion coupling, a hallmark of diabetes.