Mitochondrial permeability: dual role for the ADP/ATP translocator?

The ADP/ATP translocator (or adenine nucleotide translocase; ANT) is thought to play a dual role: in the transport of ADP and ATP across the mitochondrial inner membrane and in the formation of the mitochondrial permeability-transition pore (mtPTP), a nonspecific pore that is an important mediator of apoptosis (programmed cell death). However, Kokoszka et al. have shown that mitochondria from livers of 'ANT-knockout' mice, in which the ANT has been genetically inactivated, still possess mtPTP activity. From this, the authors conclude that the ANT is a non-essential component of the mtPTP that may be dispensable for mtPTP-associated cell death. These results, which contradict previous evidence and cast doubt on a widely accepted model for the mtPTP (ref. 1), warrant scrutiny and call for a fundamental reappraisal of the role of the ANT in liver metabolism.     

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.     

Ectopic beta-chain of ATP synthase is an apolipoprotein A-I receptor in hepatic HDL endocytosis

The effect of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in protecting against atherosclerosis is usually attributed to its role in 'reverse cholesterol transport'. In this process, HDL particles mediate the efflux and the transport of cholesterol from peripheral cells to the liver for further metabolism and bile excretion. Thus, cell-surface receptors for HDL on hepatocytes are chief partners in the regulation of cholesterol homeostasis. A high-affinity HDL receptor for apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) was previously identified on the surface of hepatocytes. Here we show that this receptor is identical to the beta-chain of ATP synthase, a principal protein complex of the mitochondrial inner membrane. Different experimental approaches confirm this ectopic localization of components of the ATP synthase complex and the presence of ATP hydrolase activity at the hepatocyte cell surface. Receptor stimulation by apoA-I triggers the endocytosis of holo-HDL particles (protein plus lipid) by a mechanism that depends strictly on the generation of ADP. We confirm this effect on endocytosis in perfused rat liver ex vivo by using a specific inhibitor of ATP synthase. Thus, membrane-bound ATP synthase has a previously unsuspected role in modulating the concentrations of extracellular ADP and is regulated by a principal plasma apolipoprotein.     

Structure of mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier in complex with carboxyatractyloside

ATP, the principal energy currency of the cell, fuels most biosynthetic reactions in the cytoplasm by its hydrolysis into ADP and inorganic phosphate. Because resynthesis of ATP occurs in the mitochondrial matrix, ATP is exported into the cytoplasm while ADP is imported into the matrix. The exchange is accomplished by a single protein, the ADP/ATP carrier. Here we have solved the bovine carrier structure at a resolution of 2.2 A by X-ray crystallography in complex with an inhibitor, carboxyatractyloside. Six alpha-helices form a compact transmembrane domain, which, at the surface towards the space between inner and outer mitochondrial membranes, reveals a deep depression. At its bottom, a hexapeptide carrying the signature of nucleotide carriers (RRRMMM) is located. Our structure, together with earlier biochemical results, suggests that transport substrates bind to the bottom of the cavity and that translocation results from a transient transition from a 'pit' to a 'channel' conformation.     

Cyclophilin D-dependent mitochondrial permeability transition regulates some necrotic but not apoptotic cell death

Mitochondria play an important role in energy production, Ca2+ homeostasis and cell death. In recent years, the role of the mitochondria in apoptotic and necrotic cell death has attracted much attention. In apoptosis and necrosis, the mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT), which leads to disruption of the mitochondrial membranes and mitochondrial dysfunction, is considered to be one of the key events, although its exact role in cell death remains elusive. We therefore created mice lacking cyclophilin D (CypD), a protein considered to be involved in the mPT, to analyse its role in cell death. CypD-deficient mice were developmentally normal and showed no apparent anomalies, but CypD-deficient mitochondria did not undergo the cyclosporin A-sensitive mPT. CypD-deficient cells died normally in response to various apoptotic stimuli, but showed resistance to necrotic cell death induced by reactive oxygen species and Ca2+ overload. In addition, CypD-deficient mice showed a high level of resistance to ischaemia/reperfusion-induced cardiac injury. Our results indicate that the CypD-dependent mPT regulates some forms of necrotic death, but not apoptotic death.     

Bcl-2 family proteins regulate the release of apoptogenic cytochrome c by the mitochondrial channel VDAC.

During transduction of an apoptotic (death) signal into the cell, there is an alteration in the permeability of the membranes of the cell's mitochondria, which causes the translocation of the apoptogenic protein cytochrome c into the cytoplasm, which in turn activates death-driving proteolytic proteins known as caspases. The Bcl-2 family of proteins, whose members may be anti-apoptotic or pro-apoptotic, regulates cell death by controlling this mitochondrial membrane permeability during apoptosis, but how that is achieved is unclear. Here we create liposomes that carry the mitochondrial porin channel (also called the voltage-dependent anion channel, or VDAC) to show that the recombinant pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Bak accelerate the opening of VDAC, whereas the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-x(L) closes VDAC by binding to it directly. Bax and Bak allow cytochrome c to pass through VDAC out of liposomes, but passage is prevented by Bcl-x(L). In agreement with this, VDAC1-deficient mitochondria from a mutant yeast did not exhibit a Bax/Bak-induced loss in membrane potential and cytochrome c release, both of which were inhibited by Bcl-x(L). Our results indicate that the Bcl-2 family of proteins bind to the VDAC in order to regulate the mitochondrial membrane potential and the release of cytochrome c during apoptosis.     

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.     

Mitochondrial functions on oocytes and preimplantation embryos

Oocyte quality has long been considered as a main limiting factor for in vitro fertilization (IVF). In the past decade, extensive observations demonstrated that the mitochondrion plays a vital role in the oocyte cytoplasm, for it can provide adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for fertilization and preimplantation embryo development and also act as stores of intracellular calcium and proapoptotic factors. During the oocyte maturation, mitochondria are characterized by distinct changes of their distribution pattern from being homogeneous to heterogeneous, which is correlated with the cumulus apoptosis. Oocyte quality decreases with the increasing maternal age. Recent studies have shown that low quality oocytes have some age-related dysfunctions, which include the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, increase of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damages, chromosomal aneuploidies, the incidence of apoptosis, and changes in mitochondrial gene expression. All these dysfunctions may cause a high level of developmental retardation and arrest of preimplantation embryos. It has been suggested that these mitochondrial changes may arise from excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) that is closely associated with the oxidative energy production or calcium overload, which may trigger permeability transition pore opening and subsequent apoptosis. Therefore, mitochondria can be seen as signs for oocyte quality evaluation, and it is possible that the oocyte quality can be improved by enhancing the physical function of mitochondria. Here we reviewed recent advances in mitochondrial functions on oocytes.     

线粒体腺苷酸转运体在宫颈癌组织中的表达变化及其与细胞凋亡的关系

 为探讨线粒体腺苷酸转运体（ANT）在宫颈癌组织中的表达变化及其与细胞凋亡的关系,收集维吾尔族妇女浸润性宫颈鳞癌患者的组织36 例,正常或者慢性宫颈炎宫颈组织32 例作为对照。分别运用荧光定量PCR（Q-PCR）、蛋白免疫印迹（westernblot,WB）技术,检测线粒体腺苷酸转运体ANT1、ANT2、ANT3,以及Bax、Bcl-2、p53 在不同宫颈组织中的mRNA 和蛋白表达水平及其差异。运用TUNEL 法测定不同宫颈组织中的细胞凋亡程度。Q-PCR 和WB 结果显示,与正常对照组相比,p53、Bax 在宫颈癌患者宫颈组织中表达降低,而Bcl-2 和ANT3 表达升高,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。TUNEL 结果显示,宫颈癌组的凋亡指数（AI）明显高于正常对照宫颈炎组,两组之间差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。线粒体腺苷酸转运体ANT 在宫颈癌组织中的异常表达导致线粒体功能紊乱,从而干扰细胞凋亡过程,这可能是宫颈癌发生与发展的一个重要机制。     

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.     

BAD and glucokinase reside in a mitochondrial complex that integrates glycolysis and apoptosis

Glycolysis and apoptosis are considered major but independent pathways that are critical for cell survival. The activity of BAD, a pro-apoptotic BCL-2 family member, is regulated by phosphorylation in response to growth/survival factors. Here we undertook a proteomic analysis to assess whether BAD might also participate in mitochondrial physiology. In liver mitochondria, BAD resides in a functional holoenzyme complex together with protein kinase A and protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) catalytic units, Wiskott-Aldrich family member WAVE-1 as an A kinase anchoring protein, and glucokinase (hexokinase IV). BAD is required to assemble the complex in that Bad-deficient hepatocytes lack this complex, resulting in diminished mitochondria-based glucokinase activity and blunted mitochondrial respiration in response to glucose. Glucose deprivation results in dephosphorylation of BAD, and BAD-dependent cell death. Moreover, the phosphorylation status of BAD helps regulate glucokinase activity. Mice deficient for BAD or bearing a non-phosphorylatable BAD(3SA) mutant display abnormal glucose homeostasis including profound defects in glucose tolerance. This combination of proteomics, genetics and physiology indicates an unanticipated role for BAD in integrating pathways of glucose metabolism and apoptosis.     

Effect of ATP on actin filament stiffness

Actin is an adenine nucleotide-binding protein and an ATPase. The bound adenine nucleotide stabilizes the protein against denaturation and the ATPase activity, although not required for actin polymerization, affects the kinetics of this assembly Here we provide evidence for another effect of adenine nucleotides. We find that actin filaments made from ATP-containing monomers, the ATPase activity of which hydrolyses ATP to ADP following polymerization, are stiff rods, whereas filaments prepared from ADP-monomers are flexible. ATP exchanges with ADP in such filaments and stiffens them. Because both kinds of actin filaments contain mainly ADP, we suggest the alignment of actin monomers in filaments that have bound and hydrolysed ATP traps them conformationally and stores elastic energy. This energy would be available for release by actin-binding proteins that transduce force or sever actin filaments. These data support earlier proposals that actin is not merely a passive cable, but has an active mechanochemical role in cell function.     

Oxygen uptake occurs faster than sodium pumping in bee retina after a light flash

When neurones are active there is an entry of Na+, which must subsequently be pumped out, and an increase in their oxygen consumption rate (Qo2). The Na+ pump derives its energy from ATP, splitting it into ADP and Pi, and it has reasonably been proposed that the changes in concentrations of ATP, ADP and Pi lead to a stimulation of the O2 consumption by the mitochondria and hence to a restoration of the stock of ATP. Here we present evidence suggesting that Qo2 must be controlled differently in the retinal photoreceptor cells of the honeybee drone. Stimulation of drone photoreceptors with a flash of light causes an entry of Na+ (ref. 4) and a transient increase in Qo2 that indicates respiration of the right order of magnitude to provide ATP to pump the Na+ out. We report intracellular recordings of changes in intracellular sodium (Nai+) and potassium (Ki+) in response to single light flashes and have compared the time course of extra oxygen consumption (delta Qo2) with these ion changes and other indices of Na+ pumping. We found that the time course of pumping seems to lag behind the time course of delta Qo2. It follows that the mitochondrial respiration must be stimulated by some signal which is generated earlier than the rise in ADP produced by the Na+ pump.     

External Na dependence of ouabain-sensitive ATP:ADP exchange initiated by photolysis of intracellular caged-ATP in human red cell ghosts

Coupled active transport of Na+ and K+ across cellular plasma membranes is mediated by (Na+ + K+)-stimulated Mg2+-dependent ATPase. Active cation transport by this Na pump involves a cyclic Na-dependent phosphorylation of the enzyme by intracellular ATP and hydrolytic dephosphorylation of the phosphoenzyme, stimulated by K+ (ref. 1). In human red blood cells, skeletal muscle and squid axons, replacement of extracellular K by Na results in a ouabain-sensitive efflux of Na coupled to an influx of extracellular Na. There is apparently no net Na movement nor net hydrolysis of ATP. The rate of Na:Na exchange is stimulated by increased levels of ADP and exchange transport is not observed in cells totally depleted of intracellular ATP. These characteristics suggest that the biochemical mechanism underlying the Na exchange mode of the Na pump involves phosphorylation of the enzyme by ATP (which requires intracellular Na) followed by its dephosphorylation by ADP. Such a reaction has been observed in partially purified (Na+ + K+) ATPase from a variety of sources and its dependence on Na concentration has been described (although not previously for the red cell enzyme). In the present work, intracellular ATP:ADP exchange reaction was initiated by photoreleased ATP following brief irradiation at 350 nm of ghosts containing caged-ATP. The ouabain-sensitive component of the ensuing ATP:ADP exchange reaction shows a biphasic response to extracellular Na. External Na in the range 0--10 mM has an inhibitory effect whilst increasing concentrations beyond this range stimulate the rate of exchange in a roughly linear fashion up to 100 mM Na. These results represent the first direct demonstration of the sidedness of the effects of Na on this partial sequence in the overall enzyme cycle and bear a qualitative resemblance to the Na effects on the Na-ATPase which occur in the absence of intracellular ADP in human red blood cells.     

细胞应激条件下嗜热四膜虫线粒体膜电位变化研究

单细胞线虫纲原生动物四膜虫(Tetrahymena),在H2O2的诱导下可发生凋亡样死亡.另外,最新研究表明细胞中活性氧簇(ROS)的积累可有效地诱导细胞自噬途径的发生.通过流式细胞技术和荧光显微技术,检测了经饥饿和ROS诱导剂处理后,线粒体内膜电位变化及细胞内ROS的积累.此外,应用两种抗氧化剂氮乙酰半胱氨酸(NAC)和过氧化氢酶(Catalase)分别对四膜虫细胞进行处理,检测了在氧化应激条件下的抗氧化作用效果.结果表明,Oligomycin和Menadione可有效抑制线粒体膜电位的维持,从而导致细胞内ROS积累.同时,H2O2处理和饥饿处理可以导致嗜热四膜虫细胞线粒体膜电位丧失以及细胞质ROS积累.另外,N-acetylcystine和Catalase可有效地降低四膜虫细胞内ROS的积累,以及保持四膜虫细胞线粒体内膜电位,维持通透性.     

芪参补气药茶保护线粒体及其机制

以黄芪和党参为原料组方制成芪参补气药茶(ACT),探索ACT对线粒体的保护作用及其机制。分别用AlCl₃比色法和硫酸苯酚法测定ACT的功能因子总黄酮、总糖及总多糖含量。用Ca²⁺诱导肝线粒体通透性转换(MPT),分光光度法测MPT程度;以Fe²⁺/维生素C诱发肝线粒体脂质过氧化,采用硫代巴比妥酸显色法测定丙二醛(MDA)含量;测定ACT对Fe²⁺螯合能力及还原力的影响。实验测得ACT总糖含量为(26 ± 1.3)mg·mL^-1,总多糖含量为(12.5 ± 0.8)mg·mL^-1,总黄酮含量为(121 ± 8.5)μg·mL^-1。结果表明:ACT可抑制Ca²⁺引起的MPT,可一定程度上抑制线粒体MDA生成,具有较弱的Fe²⁺螯合能力及一定的还原力。能通过温和的抗氧化和清除活性氧作用,一定的还原力及抑制MPT来保护线粒体,从而维持机体氧化与抗氧化平衡,促进机体健康。     

Loss of Omi mitochondrial protease activity causes the neuromuscular disorder of mnd2 mutant mice

The mouse mutant mnd2 (motor neuron degeneration 2) exhibits muscle wasting, neurodegeneration, involution of the spleen and thymus, and death by 40 days of age. Degeneration of striatal neurons, with astrogliosis and microglia activation, begins at around 3 weeks of age, and other neurons are affected at later stages. Here we have identified the mnd2 mutation as the missense mutation Ser276Cys in the protease domain of the nuclear-encoded mitochondrial serine protease Omi (also known as HtrA2 or Prss25). Protease activity of Omi is greatly reduced in tissues of mnd2 mice but is restored in mice rescued by a bacterial artificial chromosome transgene containing the wild-type Omi gene. Deletion of the PDZ domain partially restores protease activity to the inactive recombinant Omi protein carrying the Ser276Cys mutation, suggesting that the mutation impairs substrate access or binding to the active site pocket. Loss of Omi protease activity increases the susceptibility of mitochondria to induction of the permeability transition, and increases the sensitivity of mouse embryonic fibroblasts to stress-induced cell death. The neurodegeneration and juvenile lethality in mnd2 mice result from this defect in mitochondrial Omi protease.     

鲨鱼肝蛋白粗提物对大鼠肝线粒体抗氧化功能的影响

摘以400mg／kg2次腹腔注射硫代乙酰胺（TAA）建立大鼠急性肝损伤模型,并在注射TAA前1h以80mg／kg2次腹腔注射鲨鱼肝蛋白粗提物进行预防,研究了鲨鱼肝蛋白粗提物对大鼠肝线粒体抗氧化功能的影响。注射TAA后,大鼠肝脏线粒体腺苷二磷酸（ADP）诱导的氧消耗、呼吸控制率（RCR）、磷／氧比（P／O）、氧化磷酸化率均低于对照组,而预防组线粒体ADP诱导的氧消耗、呼吸控制率、P／O和氧化磷酸化效率均高于模型组;TAA降低了线粒体中谷胱甘肽、谷胱甘肽还原酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶的水平,而鲨鱼肝蛋白粗提物则使线粒体中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶和超氧化物歧化酶的水平明显升高,说明鲨鱼肝蛋白粗提物能部分修复线粒体受损的呼吸功能,增强线粒体抗氧化能力。     

Structure of the apoptotic protease-activating factor 1 bound to ADP

Apoptosis is executed by caspases, which undergo proteolytic activation in response to cell death stimuli. The apoptotic protease-activating factor 1 (Apaf-1) controls caspase activation downstream of mitochondria. During apoptosis, Apaf-1 binds to cytochrome c and in the presence of ATP/dATP forms an apoptosome, leading to the recruitment and activation of the initiator caspase, caspase-9 (ref. 2). The mechanisms underlying Apaf-1 function are largely unknown. Here we report the 2.2-A crystal structure of an ADP-bound, WD40-deleted Apaf-1, which reveals the molecular mechanism by which Apaf-1 exists in an inactive state before ATP binding. The amino-terminal caspase recruitment domain packs against a three-layered alpha/beta fold, a short helical motif and a winged-helix domain, resulting in the burial of the caspase-9-binding interface. The deeply buried ADP molecule serves as an organizing centre to strengthen interactions between these four adjoining domains, thus locking Apaf-1 in an inactive conformation. Apaf-1 binds to and hydrolyses ATP/dATP and their analogues. The binding and hydrolysis of nucleotides seem to drive conformational changes that are essential for the formation of the apoptosome and the activation of caspase-9.     

Apoptosis of RKO induced by catechins and GA through Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and LIP

The anti-tumor effects of catechins and gallic acid （GA） in-vitro was investigated in this paper. Fluo-3AM, Calcium-AM （Ca-AM）, 2＇, 7＇ -dichlorofluorescein-diacetate（DCFH-DA）, 4＇ ,6-dia- midino-2- phenylindole （DAPI） and Ca-AM plus colbat were used to characterize intracellular calcium, labile iron pool （LIP）, reac- tive oxygen species （ROS）, nuclei morphology and mitochondrial permeability transition pore （mPTP） opening, respectively. High performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） was used to quanti- tare catechins and GA in the cultural medium. The results indi- cated that each of them showed dose response inhibition of cell growth, provoking nuclei condensation, intracellular calcium ele- vation, mPTP opening, LIP reduction, and cytochrome c （Cyt-C） to release into cytosol. The caspase inhibitors, 2-aminoethox- ydiphenol borate （APB） or Fe3＋ could inhibit lethal effects of GA and （-）-epigallocatechin （EGC）, but failed to affect （-）-epigalloca- techin gallate （EGCG） and （-）-epicatechin gallate （ECG）. Level of ROS presented negative growth while their concentration de- creased in the medium. In conclusion, our findings suggest that viability of RKO decreased because of their good correlation with elevation of calcium and loss of L1P and ROS in cytosol.