Is the length of the poly(A) tail involved in human disease?
['In human mitochondria, polyadenylation of mRNA, undertaken by the nuclear-encoded mitochondrial poly(A) RNA polymerase, is essential for maintaining mitochondrial gene expression. Our molecular investigation of an autosomal-recessive spastic ataxia with optic atrophy, present among the Old Order Amish, identified a mutation of MTPAP associated with the disease phenotype. When subjected to poly(A) tail-length assays, mitochondrial mRNAs from affected individuals were shown to have severely truncated poly(A) tails.']
['Yes. Severely truncated poly(A) tails of mitochondrial mRNAs were found to be involved in an autosomal recessive spastic ataxia with optic atrophy.']
['yes']