Loss of cyclophilin D reveals a critical role for mitochondrial permeability transition in cell death

Mitochondria play a critical role in mediating both apoptotic and necrotic cell death. The mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT) leads to mitochondrial swelling, outer membrane rupture and the release of apoptotic mediators. The mPT pore is thought to consist of the adenine nucleotide translocator, a voltage-dependent anion channel, and cyclophilin D (the Ppif gene product), a prolyl isomerase located within the mitochondrial matrix. Here we generated mice lacking Ppif and mice overexpressing cyclophilin D in the heart. Ppif null mice are protected from ischaemia/reperfusion-induced cell death in vivo, whereas cyclophilin D-overexpressing mice show mitochondrial swelling and spontaneous cell death. Mitochondria isolated from the livers, hearts and brains of Ppif null mice are resistant to mitochondrial swelling and permeability transition in vitro. Moreover, primary hepatocytes and fibroblasts isolated from Ppif null mice are largely protected from Ca2+-overload and oxidative stress-induced cell death. However, Bcl-2 family member-induced cell death does not depend on cyclophilin D, and Ppif null fibroblasts are not protected from staurosporine or tumour-necrosis factor-alpha-induced death. Thus, cyclophilin D and the mitochondrial permeability transition are required for mediating Ca2+- and oxidative damage-induced cell death, but not Bcl-2 family member-regulated death.     

The ADP/ATP translocator is not essential for the mitochondrial permeability transition pore

A sudden increase in permeability of the inner mitochondrial membrane, the so-called mitochondrial permeability transition, is a common feature of apoptosis and is mediated by the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mtPTP). It is thought that the mtPTP is a protein complex formed by the voltage-dependent anion channel, members of the pro- and anti-apoptotic BAX-BCL2 protein family, cyclophilin D, and the adenine nucleotide (ADP/ATP) translocators (ANTs). The latter exchange mitochondrial ATP for cytosolic ADP and have been implicated in cell death. To investigate the role of the ANTs in the mtPTP, we genetically inactivated the two isoforms of ANT in mouse liver and analysed mtPTP activation in isolated mitochondria and the induction of cell death in hepatocytes. Mitochondria lacking ANT could still be induced to undergo permeability transition, resulting in release of cytochrome c. However, more Ca2+ than usual was required to activate the mtPTP, and the pore could no longer be regulated by ANT ligands. Moreover, hepatocytes without ANT remained competent to respond to various initiators of cell death. Therefore, ANTs are non-essential structural components of the mtPTP, although they do contribute to its regulation.     

c-Myc regulates mammalian body size by controlling cell number but not cell size.

Overexpression of the proto-oncogene c-myc has been implicated in the genesis of diverse human tumours. c-Myc seems to regulate diverse biological processes, but its role in tumorigenesis and normal physiology remains enigmatic. Here we report the generation of an allelic series of mice in which c-myc expression is incrementally reduced to zero. Fibroblasts from these mice show reduced proliferation and after complete loss of c-Myc function they exit the cell cycle. We show that Myc activity is not needed for cellular growth but does determine the percentage of activated T cells that re-enter the cell cycle. In vivo, reduction of c-Myc levels results in reduced body mass owing to multiorgan hypoplasia, in contrast to Drosophila c-myc mutants, which are smaller as a result of hypotrophy. We find that c-myc substitutes for c-myc in fibroblasts, indicating they have similar biological activities. This suggests there may be fundamental differences in the mechanisms by which mammals and insects control body size. We propose that in mammals c-Myc controls the decision to divide or not to divide and thereby functions as a crucial mediator of signals that determine organ and body size.     

Postconditioning of sevoflurane and propofol is associated with mitochondrial permeability transition pore

Background： Sevoflurane and propofol are effective cardioprotective anaesthetic agents, though the cardioprotection of propofol has not been shown in humans. Their roles and underlying mechanisms in anesthetic postconditioning are unclear. Mitochondrial permeability transition pore （MPTP） opening is a major cause of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Here we investigated sevoflurane- and propofol-induced postconditioning and their relationship with MPTP. Methods： Isolated perfused rat hearts were exposed to 40 min of ischemia followed by 1 h of reperfusion. During the first 15 min of reperfusion, hearts were treated with either control buffer （CTRL group） or buffer containing 20 μmol/L atractyloside （ATR group）, 3% （v/v） sevoflurane （SPC group）, 50 μmol/L propofol （PPC group）, or the combination of atractyloside with respective anesthetics （SPC＋ATR and PPC＋ATR groups）. Infarct size was determined by dividing the total necrotic area of the left ventricle by the total left ventricular slice area （percent necrotic area）. Results： Hearts treated with sevoflurane or propofol showed significantly better recovery of coronary flow, end-diastolic pressures, left ventricular developed pressure and derivatives compared with controls. Sevoflurane resulted in more protective alteration of hemodynamics at most time point of reperfusion than propofol. These improvements were paralleled with the reduction of lactate dehydrogenase release and the decrease of infarct size （SPC vs CTRL： （17.48±2.70）% vs （48.47±6.03）%, P〈0.05; PPC vs CTRL： （35.60±2.10）% vs （48.47±6.03）%,P〈0.05）. SPC group had less infarct size than PPC group （SPC vs PPC： （ 17.48±2.70）% vs （35.60±2.10）%,P〈0.05）. Atractyloside coadministration attenuated or completely blocked the cardioprotective effect of postconditioning of sevoflurane and propofol. Conclusion： Postconditioning of sevoflurane and propofol has cardio-protective effect against ischemia-reperfusion injury of heart     

A novel method forin situ detection of apoptotic cell death in plants

A simple novel protocol suitable forin situ detection of apoptotic plant cell death is presented. This protocol combines the chromosome spreading technique with an extendedin situ end labeling version for plants and makes it possible to detect apoptosis directly at chromosome, nuclear and DNA levels simultaneously with high-sensitivity. False positive and nonspecific signals can be efficiently avoided. Moreover, the changes of chromosomes, nuclei and DNA during the process of apoptosis can be characterizedin situ. To illustrate this method, salt stress-induced cell death has been investigated in maize root meristematic cells.     

S-nitrosylation of NADPH oxidase regulates cell death in plant immunity

Changes in redox status are a conspicuous feature of immune responses in a variety of eukaryotes, but the associated signalling mechanisms are not well understood. In plants, attempted microbial infection triggers the rapid synthesis of nitric oxide and a parallel accumulation of reactive oxygen intermediates, the latter generated by NADPH oxidases related to those responsible for the pathogen-activated respiratory burst in phagocytes. Both nitric oxide and reactive oxygen intermediates have been implicated in controlling the hypersensitive response, a programmed execution of plant cells at sites of attempted infection. However, the molecular mechanisms that underpin their function and coordinate their synthesis are unknown. Here we show genetic evidence that increases in cysteine thiols modified using nitric oxide, termed S-nitrosothiols, facilitate the hypersensitive response in the absence of the cell death agonist salicylic acid and the synthesis of reactive oxygen intermediates. Surprisingly, when concentrations of S-nitrosothiols were high, nitric oxide function also governed a negative feedback loop limiting the hypersensitive response, mediated by S-nitrosylation of the NADPH oxidase, AtRBOHD, at Cys 890, abolishing its ability to synthesize reactive oxygen intermediates. Accordingly, mutation of Cys 890 compromised S-nitrosothiol-mediated control of AtRBOHD activity, perturbing the magnitude of cell death development. This cysteine is evolutionarily conserved and specifically S-nitrosylated in both human and fly NADPH oxidase, suggesting that this mechanism may govern immune responses in both plants and animals.     

凋亡细胞线粒体膜电势与物理参数变化的可视化研究

目的: 通过放线菌酮(CHX)诱导HL-60细胞凋亡模型,探讨线粒体膜电势与细胞物理参数的变化.方法:建立CHX诱导HL-60细胞凋亡模型.于6和18 h时点,利用Annexin V-FITC/PI双染流式细胞术检测凋亡和晚期凋亡细胞及坏死细胞比率;利用JC-1染色流式细胞术,通过对对照组和CHX组FL1/FL2散点图上具有不同荧光强度的细胞群划分为R2,R3,R4 3个细胞群,并分别对这些细胞群在FSC/SSC二维散点图上进行反向设门,分析细胞凋亡过程中线粒体膜电势变化与细胞物理参数间的关系.通过透射电镜观察凋亡细胞形态结构改变.结果:CHX可引起HL-60细胞凋亡;与对照组相比,CHX组R2和R3细胞群物理参数为FSC和SSC均显著增高,但线粒体膜电势无显著性差异,P>0.05;R4细胞群则为FSC降低,SSC增高,P<0.05,且线粒体膜电势降低.CHX可诱导HL-60细胞体积变小,皱缩,并出现凋亡特征,如核固缩形成新月体和质膜"出芽"现象.结论:流式细胞仪FSC/SSC图可视为细胞指纹图谱.本模型中线粒体膜电势降低的细胞变小,且颗粒程度增加,可能与细胞凋亡过程中的结构改变有关.     

Essential role of the mitochondrial apoptosis-inducing factor in programmed cell death

Programmed cell death is a fundamental requirement for embryogenesis, organ metamorphosis and tissue homeostasis. In mammals, release of mitochondrial cytochrome c leads to the cytosolic assembly of the apoptosome-a caspase activation complex involving Apaf1 and caspase-9 that induces hallmarks of apoptosis. There are, however, mitochondrially regulated cell death pathways that are independent of Apaf1/caspase-9. We have previously cloned a molecule associated with programmed cell death called apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF). Like cytochrome c, AIF is localized to mitochondria and released in response to death stimuli. Here we show that genetic inactivation of AIF renders embryonic stem cells resistant to cell death after serum deprivation. Moreover, AIF is essential for programmed cell death during cavitation of embryoid bodies-the very first wave of cell death indispensable for mouse morphogenesis. AIF-dependent cell death displays structural features of apoptosis, and can be genetically uncoupled from Apaf1 and caspase-9 expression. Our data provide genetic evidence for a caspase-independent pathway of programmed cell death that controls early morphogenesis.     

Bid BH3 peptide, but not its mutant form G94E, induces permeability transition pore opening and cytochrome c release in vitro

It has been shown that Bid and its truncated form tBid could induce cytochrome c (cyt c) release without impacting on PTP. We first show that Bid BH3 peptide, but not its mutant form of Bid BH3 peptide G94E, which is unable to bind to Bcl-xL, induces permeability transition pore (PTP) opening in a dose dependent manner. Bid BH3 peptide also induces the reduction of mitochondria membrane potential (ψm) and cyt c release from mitochondrial in vitro.PTP opening and the loss of ψm were inhibited by Bcl-xL,cyclosporin A and ruthenium red, and the latter was an inhibitor of Ca2+ uniporter in the mitochondrial membrane.These results indicate that Bid BH3 peptide could antagonize Bcl-xL to induced PTP opening and mitochondrial dysfunction.     

Bcl-2 is an inner mitochondrial membrane protein that blocks programmed cell death

The t(14; 18) chromosomal translocation of human follicular B-cell lymphoma juxtaposes the bcl-2 gene with the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus. The bcl-2 immunoglobulin fusion gene is markedly deregulated resulting in inappropriately elevated levels of bcl-2 RNA and protein. Transgenic mice bearing a bcl-2 immunoglobulin minigene demonstrate a polyclonal expansion of resting yet responsive IgM-IgD B cells which display prolonged cell survival but no increase in cell cycling. Moreover, deregulated bcl-2 extends the survival of certain haematopoietic cell lines following growth-factor deprivation. By using immunolocalization studies we now demonstrate that Bcl-2 is an integral inner mitochondrial membrane protein of relative molecular mass 25,000 (25k). Overexpression of Bcl-2 blocks the apoptotic death of a pro-B-lymphocyte cell line. Thus, Bcl-2 is unique among proto-oncogenes, being localized to mitochondria and interfering with programmed cell death independent of promoting cell division.     

Constitutive c-myc oncogene expression blocks mouse erythroleukaemia cell differentiation but not commitment

Mouse erythroleukaemia cells (also called Friend cells) can be isolated from the spleen of certain strains of mice that have been infected with the Friend virus complex. The cells resemble proerythroblasts and, when exposed to dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) or a variety of other chemicals, can be induced to undergo a programme of differentiation which closely resembles the final stages of normal erythropoiesis. This includes the cessation of proliferation and large increases in the production of messenger RNA for both alpha- and beta-globin. In addition, DMSO induces a rapid (less than 2 h) decrease in c-myc mRNA levels. The c-myc oncogene is expressed in the majority of proliferating normal cells and altered expression of the gene has been implicated in the genesis of a wide variety of tumours. To study the influence of oncogene activation on differentiation, we have transfected viral-promoter-driven c-myc genes into mouse erythroleukaemia cells. Constitutive c-myc expression was found to block DMSO-induced differentiation.     

Blebbing, free Ca2+ and mitochondrial membrane potential preceding cell death in hepatocytes

Cell surface 'blebbing' is an early consequence of hypoxic and toxic injury to cells. A rise in cytosolic free Ca2+ has been suggested as the stimulus for bleb formation and the final common pathway to irreversible cell injury. Here, using digitized low-light video microscopy, we examine blebbing, cytosolic free Ca2+, mitochondrial membrane potential and loss of cell viability in individual cultured hepatocytes. Unexpectedly, we found that after 'chemical hypoxia' with cyanide and iodoacetate, cytosolic free Ca2+ does not change during bleb formation or before loss of cellular viability. Cell death was precipitated by a sudden breakdown of the plasma membrane permeability barrier, possibly caused by rupture of a cell surface bleb.     

DRP-1-mediated mitochondrial fragmentation during EGL-1-induced cell death in C. elegans

Genetic analyses in Caenorhabditis elegans have been instrumental in the elucidation of the central cell-death machinery, which is conserved from C. elegans to mammals. One possible difference that has emerged is the role of mitochondria. By releasing cytochrome c, mitochondria are involved in the activation of caspases in mammals. However, there has previously been no evidence that mitochondria are involved in caspase activation in C. elegans. Here we show that mitochondria fragment in cells that normally undergo programmed cell death during C. elegans development. Mitochondrial fragmentation is induced by the BH3-only protein EGL-1 and can be blocked by mutations in the bcl-2-like gene ced-9, indicating that members of the Bcl-2 family might function in the regulation of mitochondrial fragmentation in apoptotic cells. Mitochondrial fragmentation is independent of CED-4/Apaf-1 and CED-3/caspase, indicating that it occurs before or simultaneously with their activation. Furthermore, DRP-1/dynamin-related protein, a key component of the mitochondrial fission machinery, is required and sufficient to induce mitochondrial fragmentation and programmed cell death during C. elegans development. These results assign an important role to mitochondria in the cell-death pathway in C. elegans.     

ApcD is required for state transition but not involved in blue-light induced quenching in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp.PCC7120

Pbycobilisomes(PBS) are able to transfer absorbed energy to photosystem I and Ⅱ,and the distribution of light energy between two photosystems is regulated by state transitions.In this study we show that energy transfer from PBS to photosystem I(PSI) requires ApcD.Cells were unable to perform state transitions in the absence of ApcD.The apcD mutant grows more slowly in light mainly absorbed by PBS,indicating that ApcD-dependent energy transfer to PSI is required for optimal growth under this condition.The apcD mutant showed normal blue-light induced quenching,suggesting that ApcD is not required for this process and state transitions are independent of blue-light induced quenching.Under nitrogen fixing condition,the growth rates of the wild type and the mutant were the same,indicating that energy transfer from PBS to PSI in heterocysts was not required for nitrogen fixation.     

ApcD is required for state transition but not involved in blue-light induced quenching in the cyanobacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anabaena</Emphasis> sp. PCC7120

Pbycobilisomes （PBS） are able to transfer absorbed energy to photosystem Ⅰ and Ⅱ, and the distribution of light energy between two photosystems is regulated by state transitions. In this study we show that energy transfer from PBS to photosystem Ⅰ （PSI） requires ApcD. Cells were unable to perform state transitions in the absence of ApcD. The apcD mutant grows more slowly in light mainly absorbed by PBS, indicating that ApcD-dependent energy transfer to PSI is required for optimal growth under this condition. The apcD mutant showed normal blue-light induced quenching, suggesting that ApcD is not required for this process and state transitions are independent of blue-light induced quenching. Under nitrogen fixing condition, the growth rates of the wild type and the mutant were the same, indicating that energy transfer from PBS to PSI in heterocysts was not required for nitrogen fixation.