Mitochondrial permeability transition is a central coordinating event of apoptosis

In a number of experimental systems, the early stage of the apoptotic process, i.e., the stage that precedes nuclear disintegration, is characterized by the breakdown of the inner mitochondrial transmembrane potential (delta psi m). This delta psi m disruption is mediated by the opening of permeability transition (PT) pores and appears to be critical for the apoptotic cascade, since it is directly regulated by Bcl-2 and since mitochondria induced to undergo PT in vitro become capable of inducing nuclear chromatinolysis in a cell-free system of apoptosis. Here, we addressed the question of which apoptotic events are secondary to mitochondrial PT. We tested the effect of a specific inhibitor of PT, bongkrekic acid (BA), a ligand of the mitochondrial adenine nucleotide translocator, on a prototypic model of apoptosis glucocorticoid-induced thymocyte death. In addition to abolishing the apoptotic delta psi m disruption, BA prevents a number of phenomena linked to apoptosis: depletion of nonoxidized glutathione, generation of reactive oxygen species, translocation of NF kappa B, exposure of phosphatidylserine residues on the outer plasma membrane, cytoplasmic vacuolization, chromatin condensation, and oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation. BA is also an efficient inhibitor of p53-dependent thymocyte apoptosis induced by DNA damage. These data suggest that a number of apoptotic phenomena are secondary to PT. In addition, we present data indicating that apoptotic delta psi m disruption is secondary to transcriptional events. These data connect the PT control point to the p53- and ICE/ Ced 3-regulated control points of apoptosis and place PT upstream of nuclear and plasma membrane features of PCD.

Inhibitors of permeability transition interfere with the disruption of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential during apoptosis

In a number of experimental systems, the early stage of the apoptotic process, i.e. the stage which precedes nuclear disintegration, is characterized by the breakdown of the inner mitochondrial transmembrane potential (delta psi m). Here we address the question as to whether mitochondrial permeability transition (PT) pores may account for the delta psi m dissipation in lymphocyte apoptosis. Drugs known for their PT-inhibitory potential (bongkrekic acid, cyclosporin A, and the non-immunosuppressive cyclosporin A analogue N-methyl-Val-4-cyclosporin A) are capable of preventing the apoptotic delta psi m disruption. Moreover, pharmacological modulation of PT-mediated delta psi m dissipation can prevent apoptosis. Thus, while suppressing the delta psi m disruption, bongkrekic acid also inhibits the apoptotic chromatinolysis. In conclusion, these data are compatible with the hypothesis that apoptotic delta psi m disruption is mediated by the formation of PT pores and that PT-mediated delta psi m disruption is a critical event of the apoptotic cascade.

Electrical currents associated with nucleotide transport by the reconstituted mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier

The electrophoretic export of ATP against the import of ADP in mitochondria bridges the intra- versus extramitochondrial ATP potential gap. Here we report that the electrical nature of the ADP/ATP exchange by the mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier (AAC) can be directly studied by measuring the electrical currents via capacitive coupling of AAC-containing vesicles on a planar lipid membrane. The currents were induced by the rapid liberation of ATP or ADP with UV flash photolysis from caged nucleotides. Six different transport modes of the AAC were studied: heteroexchange with either ADP or ATP inside the vesicles, initiated by photolysis of caged ATP or ADP; homoexchange with ADPex/ADPin or ATPex/ATPin; and caged ADP or ATP with unloaded vesicles. The heteroexchange produced the largest currents with the longest duration in line with the electrical charge difference ATP4- versus ADP3-. Surprisingly, also in the homoexchange and with unloaded vesicles, small currents were measured with shorter duration. In all three modes with caged ATP, a negative charge moved into the vesicles and with caged ADP it moved out of the vesicles. All currents were completely inhibited by a mixture of the inhibitors of the AAC, carboxyatractyloside and hongkrekate, which proves that the currents are exclusively due to AAC function. The observed charge movements in the heteroexchange system agree with the prediction from transport studies in mitochondria and reconstituted vesicles. The unexpected charge movements in the homoexchange or unloaded systems are interpreted to reveal transmembrane rearrangements of charged sites in the AAC when occupied with ADP or ATP. The results also indicate that not only ATP4- but also ADP3- contribute, albeit in opposite direction, to the electrical nature of the ADP/ATP exchange, which is at variance with former conclusions from biochemical transport studies. These measurements open up new avenues of studying the electrical interactions of ADP and ATP with the AAC.

Involvement of mitochondria in the assimilatory metabolism of anaerobic Saccharomyces cerevisiae cultures

The possible physiological role of mitochondria in anaerobically grown Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated via enzyme localization and inhibitor studies. Almost all of the activity of citrate synthase (EC 4.1.3.7) was recovered in the mitochondrial fraction after differential centrifugation of spheroplast lysates. The enzyme exhibited a high degree of latency which was demonstrated by sonication of the mitochondrial fractions. Since citrate synthase is an important enzyme in anabolic reactions, a consequence of this localization is the requirement for transport of metabolites across the mitochondrial membranes. Such transport is likely to require energy which, as a result of anaerobiosis, cannot be supplied by respiration. It was therefore investigated whether ATP translocation into the mitochondria by an ADP/ATP translocase might be involved in anaerobic mitochondrial energy metabolism. It was shown that addition of the ADP/ATP translocase inhibitor bongkrekic acid to anaerobic cultures indeed inhibited growth, although only partially. It is concluded that mitochondria of S. cerevisiae fulfil a vital role in anaerobic sugar metabolism.

Importance of loops of mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier for its transport activity deduced from reactivities of its cysteine residues with the sulfhydryl reagent eosin-5-maleimide

The effects of various compounds such as the transport substrate ADP and the transport inhibitors carboxyatractyloside (CATR) and bongkrekic acid (BKA) on the labeling of cysteine residues in the ADP/ATP carrier of bovine heart submitochondrial particles by the SH reagent eosin-5-maleimide (EMA) were studied. Of the four cysteine residues in the carrier, the labeling of Cys159 by EMA progressed predominantly and rapidly, and those of Cys56 and Cys256 moderately, but Cys128 was not labeled, as we reported previously [Majima, E., et al. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 22181-22187]. ADP inhibited the labelings of Cys56, Cys159, and Cys256 by EMA. BKA markedly inhibited the labeling of Cys159 by EMA, and also the labeling of Cys256, but did not affect the labeling of Cys56, suggesting that it binds from the matrix side to a region close to Cys159 in the second loop facing the matrix space. CATR completely inhibited the labeling by EMA when added on the cytosolic side, but had no effect when added on the matrix side. From these results, the conformational changes of the carrier induced by CATR, BKA, and ADP are discussed. Furthermore, a mechanism of adenine nucleotide transport through the ADP/ATP carrier in association with change in its conformation is proposed.

The adenine nucleotide translocase modulates oligomycin-induced quenching of pyranine fluorescence in submitochondrial particles

Incorporation of the fluorescent, nonpermeant pH indicator pyranine into submitochondrial particles (pyranine-SMP) permitted monitoring of intravesicular pH changes brought about by proton translocation due to oxidation of respiratory chain substrates or to hydrolysis of ATP. Addition of oligomycin to beef heart pyranine-SMP was followed by a pH-independent quenching of pyranine fluorescence. Quenching was influenced by the presence of adenine nucleotides both inside and outside the submitochondrial particles. The nature of the nucleotides required for quenching resembled the specificity of the adenine nucleotide translocase rather than F1-ATPase. Removal of F1 from pyranine-SMP by treatment of the particles with urea did not alter oligomycin-induced quenching. Atractyloside, a specific inhibitor of the adenine nucleotide translocase, prevented oligomycin-induced quenching when the inhibitor was coincorporated into submitochondrial particles with pyranine. Bongkrekic acid prevented or reversed the oligomycin-dependent quenching when added to pyranine-SMP either before or after oligomycin, respectively, but only when ATP was present within the particles. A mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, lacking translocase genes, exhibited oligomycin-dependent fluorescence quenching which was not inhibited by bongkrekic acid. The results support the interpretation that oligomycin promotes sequestration of the fluorescent probe in a region of the submitochondrial particle, probably the F0F1 complex, that leads to a quenching of fluorescence. The observed quenching can be modulated in a way that suggests an interaction between the translocase and F0.

Chemical, immunological, enzymatic, and genetic approaches to studying the arrangement of the peptide chain of the ADP/ATP carrier in the mitochondrial membrane

In the process of oxidative phosphorylation, the exchange of cytosolic ADP3- against mitochondrial ATP4- across the inner mitochondrial membrane is mediated by a specific carrier protein. Two different conformations for this carrier have been demonstrated on the basis of interactions with specific inhibitors, namely carboxyatractyloside (CATR) and bongkrekic acid (BA). The two conformations, referred to as CATR and BA conformations, are interconvertible, provided that ADP or ATP are present. The functional ADP/ATP carrier is probably organized as a tetramer. In the presence of CATR or BA the tetramer is split into two dimers combined with either of the two inhibitors. The amino acid sequence of the beef heart carrier monomer (297 residues) contains three repeats of about 100 residues each. Experimental results obtained through different approaches, including photolabeling, immunochemistry, and limited proteolysis, can be interpreted on the basis of a model with five or six transmembrane alpha helices per carrier monomer. Two mobile regions involved in the binding of nucleotides and accessible to proteolytic enzymes have been identified. Each of them may be visualized as consisting of two pairs of short amphipathic alpha helices, which can be juxtaposed to form hydrophilic channels facilitating the nucleotide transport. Mutagenesis in yeast is currently being used to detect strategic amino acids in ADP/ATP transport.

Non-cytochrome mediated mitochondrial ATP production in bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei brucei

The life cycle of Trypanosoma brucei brucei involves a series of differentiation steps characterized by marked changes in mitochondrial development and function. The bloodstream forms of this parasite completely lack cytochromes and have not been considered to have any Krebs cycle function. It has been suggested that glycolysis is the sole source of ATP in all bloodstream forms. However, earlier results indicated that in the mitochondria of the transitional intermediate/short stumpy bloodstream forms, the biochemical pathways are present that could allow intra-mitochondrial production of ATP. Using a high mannitol buffer to enhance permeability, we confirm previous observations showing that transitional forms maintain motility and respiratory activity with 2-oxoglutarate as the sole substrate. Using a luminometer to measure intracellular ATP levels via the luciferin/luciferase chemiluminescence assay, we show that these same transitional forms, but not long slender forms, maintain high levels of intracellular ATP in the presence of 2-oxoglutarate. Further, in the presence of bongkrekic acid, an inhibitor of the mitochondrial adenine nucleotide translocase, ATP levels are reduced with subsequent death and lysis of the cells when 2-oxoglutarate, but not glucose, is used as sole substrate. These data are direct evidence of ATP production by transitional bloodstream form mitochondria.

Topography of the membrane-bound ADP/ATP carrier assessed by enzymatic proteolysis

The folding of the peptide chain of the beef heart ADP/ATP carrier in the inner mitochondrial membrane was investigated by enzymatic and immunochemical approaches, using specific proteases and polyclonal antibodies directed against the whole protein and specific regions of the carrier. The accessibility of the membrane-bound ADP/ATP carrier to proteases was followed by immunodetection of the cleavage products, using mitochondria devoid of outer membrane (mitoplasts) and inside-out submitochondrial particles (SMP) in the presence of either carboxyatractyloside (CATR) or bongkrekic acid (BA), two specific inhibitors which are able to bind to the outer face or the inner face of the carrier, respectively. Four types of particles were investigated, namely, mitoplasts-CATR, mitoplasts-BA, SMP-CATR, and SMP-BA. Only the ADP/ATP carrier in SMP-BA was cleaved by two specific proteases, namely, trypsin and lysine C endoprotease, at low doses for short periods of time. Two initial cleavage sites were found between Lys-42 and Glu-43, and between Lys-244 and Gly-245. After a longer period of incubation, an additional cleavage site between Lys-146 and Gly-147 could be demonstrated. Despite cleavage of the membrane-embedded carrier, the binding capacity and affinity of SMP for BA were not altered. A number of other proteases tested, including V8 protease, proline C endoprotease, thrombin, alpha-chymotrypsin, and thermolysin had virtually no effect. These results are explained by a dynamic model of the arrangement of the peptide chain of the ADP/ATP carrier.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cyclic AMP-induced Mg2+ release from rat liver hepatocytes, permeabilized hepatocytes, and isolated mitochondria

The addition of norepinephrine, epinephrine, or forskolin to collagenase-dispersed rat liver hepatocytes increase cAMP and result in a 15% loss in total cell Mg2+ within 5 min. Conversely, carbachol and vasopressin induce a 10-15% increase of total cell Mg2+. Permeabilized hepatocytes also mobilize a large pool of Mg2+ when stimulated by ADP or cAMP. This stimulation is completely inhibited by atractyloside and bongkrekic acid, two different specific inhibitors of the mitochondrial adenine nucleotide translocase. cAMP directly mobilizes Mg2+ efflux from isolated rat liver mitochondria. 50 nM cAMP or 250 microM ADP induces in 5 min a mitochondrial loss of about 6 nmol of Mg2+/mg of protein and a stimulation of ATP efflux. The effect of cAMP is specific, is not reproduced by other cyclic or noncyclic nucleotides, and is inhibited by inhibitors of the adenine nucleotide translocase. These data indicate that cAMP is a messenger for a major mobilization of Mg2+ in hepatocytes. A major target for the effect of cAMP are mitochondria, which lose up to 20-25% of their total Mg2+ in 5 min, both within the cell and after isolation. Evidence is presented suggesting that the adenine nucleotide translocase is the target of the cAMP-dependent Mg2+ efflux and that cAMP may change the operation of the translocase. This, in turn, could change within the matrix the substrate of choice of the translocase from ATP to ATP.Mg.

Uncoupling effect of fatty acids on heart muscle mitochondria and submitochondrial particles

The effect of ATP/ADP-antiporter inhibitors on palmitate-induced uncoupling was studied in heart muscle mitochondria and inside-out submitochondrial particles. In both systems palmitate is found to decrease the respiration-generated membrane potential. In mitochondria, this effect is specifically abolished by carboxyatractylate (CAtr) a non-penetrating inhibitor of antiporter. In submitochondrial particles, CAtr does not abolish the palmitate-induced potential decrease. At the same time, bongkrekic acid, a penetrating inhibitor of the antiporter, suppresses the palmitate effect on the potential both in mitochondria and particles. Palmitoyl-CoA which is known to inhibit the antiporter in mitochondria as well as in particles decreases the palmitate uncoupling efficiency in both these systems. These data are in agreement with the hypothesis that the ATP/ADP-antiporter is involved in the action of free fatty acids as natural uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation.

Comparative analysis of mitochondrial and amyloplast adenylate translocators

Structurally intact and metabolically competent mitochondria isolated from liquid-culture cells of sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) were shown to incorporate ADPglucose. Employing the double silicone oil layer filtering centrifugation method, we examined the kinetic properties of the uptake of various adenylates as well as the inhibitory effects exerted by carboxyatractyloside, atractyloside and bongkrekic acid, known specific inhibitors of the mitochondrial adenylate translocator. Immunoblot patterns of peptides derived from the partial proteolytic digestion of the mitochondrial and plastid adenylate translocators were shown to be essentially the same. We conclude that the molecular entities engaged in the adenylate transport system operating in two different organelles, mitochondria and amyloplasts, are very similar.

Partial inhibition by cyclosporin A of the swelling of liver mitochondria in vivo and in vitro induced by sub-micromolar [Ca2+], but not by butyrate. Evidence for two distinct swelling mechanisms

1. The effects of cyclosporin A on the increase in matrix PPi and consequent swelling of energized liver mitochondria incubated with 1 mM-butyrate, 30 microM-bongkrekic acid or 0.1-35 microM-Ca2+ [Halestrap (1989) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 973, 355-382] were studied. 2. Cyclosporin (1 microM) had no significant effect on the swelling induced by butyrate, bongkrekic acid or Ca2+ at concentrations of less than 0.3 microM. 3. At higher [Ca2+] (greater than 0.3 microM), swelling became progressively inhibited by cyclosporin, although the increase in matrix PPi was slightly greater in the presence than in the absence of cyclosporin. 4. Titration with cyclosporin indicated that there are 128 pmol of relevant cyclosporin-binding sites per mg of mitochondrial protein, with a Ki of about 5 nM. 5. The decrease in light-scattering by hepatocytes induced by butyrate [Davidson & Halestrap (1988) Biochem. J. 254, 379-384] was unaffected by cyclosporin, whereas that induced by vasopressin was inhibited by 20-30% without a significant change in cellular PPi content. 6. It is suggested that there are two mechanisms for the increase in mitochondrial volume induced by Ca2+: a PPi-mediated mechanism that is insensitive to cyclosporin and an additional Ca2(+)-mediated effect that is inhibited by cyclosporin. The nature of these pathways and their inter-relationship is discussed in the following paper [Halestrap & Davidson (1990) Biochem. J. 268, 153-160].

Inhibition of Ca2(+)-induced large-amplitude swelling of liver and heart mitochondria by cyclosporin is probably caused by the inhibitor binding to mitochondrial-matrix peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase and preventing it interacting with the adenine nucleotide translocase

1. Isolated rat liver and heart mitochondria incubated in 150 mM-KSCN or sucrose medium in the presence of respiratory-chain inhibitors showed a large increase in swelling when exposed to 250 microM-Ca2+. Swelling was inhibited by bongkrekic acid and cyclosporin A in both media and by ADP in KSCN medium; the effect of ADP was reversed by carboxyatractyloside. These results demonstrate that this is a suitable technique with which to study the opening of the Ca2(+)-induced non-specific pore of the mitochondrial inner membrane and implicate the adenine nucleotide carrier in this process. 2. Titration of the rate of swelling with increasing concentrations of cyclosporin showed the number of cyclosporin-binding sites (+/- S.E.M.) in liver and heart mitochondria to be respectively 113.7 +/- 5.0 (n = 9) and 124.3 +/- 11.2 (n = 10) pmol/mg of protein, with a Ki of about 5 nM. 3. Liver and heart mitochondrial-matrix fractions were prepared free of membrane and cytosolic contamination and shown to contain cyclosporin-sensitive peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (cyclophilin) activity. Titration of isomerase activity with cyclosporin gave values (+/- S.E.M.) of 110.6 +/- 10.1 (n = 5) and 165.4 +/- 15.0 (n = 3) pmol of enzyme/mg of liver and heart mitochondrial protein respectively, with a Ki of 2.5 nM. The similarity of these results to those from the swelling experiments suggest that the isomerase may be involved in the Ca2(+)-induced swelling. 4. The rapid light-scattering change induced in energized heart mitochondria exposed to submicromolar Ca2+ [Halestrap (1987) Biochem. J. 244, 159-164] was inhibited by ADP and bongkrekic acid, the former effect being reversed by carboxyatractyloside. These results suggest an interaction of Ca2+ with the adenine nucleotide carrier when the 'c' conformation. 5. A model is proposed in which mitochondrial peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase interacts with the adenine nucleotide carrier in the presence of Ca2+ to cause non-specific pore opening. The model also explains the involvement of the adenine nucleotide translocase in the PPi-mediated cyclosporin-insensitive increase in K+ permeability described in the preceding paper [Davidson & Halestrap (1990) Biochem. J. 268, 147-152]. 6. The physiological and pathological implications of the model are discussed in relation to reperfusion injury and cyclosporin toxicity.

Regulation of Ca2+ transport in brain mitochondria. II. The mechanism of the adenine nucleotides enhancement of Ca2+ uptake and retention

ADP greatly enhances the rate of Ca2+ uptake and retention in Ca2+ loaded mitochondria. Atractyloside, a specific inhibitor of the ADP/ATP translocator, completely inhibits the ADP effect, while bongkrekate, another specific inhibitor of the translocator enhances the effect of ADP. These results indicate that locking the ADP/ATP translocator in the M-state is sufficient to produce the ADP effect. Cyclosporin A, a specific inhibitor of the Ca2(+)-induced membrane permeabilization does not substitute for ADP, indicating that ADP directly affect the rate of electrogenic Ca2+ uptake. The effect of the translocator conformation on the rate of electrogenic Ca2+ uptake is independent of the concentration of Pi and is not caused by changes in membrane potential. However, locking the carrier in the M-state appears to increase the negative surface charge on the matrix face of the inner membrane. This may lead to an enhanced rate of Ca2+ dissociation from the electrogenic carrier at the matrix surface. The rate of Na(+)-independent Ca2+ efflux is only slightly inhibited by locking the carrier in the M-state, presumably due to the same mechanism. In the presence of ADP, Pi inhibits the Na(+)-independent efflux. In the presence of physiological concentrations of spermine, Pi and Mg2+, the rate of Ca2+ uptake, Ca2+ retention and Ca2+ set points depend sharply on ADP concentration at the physiological range of ADP. Thus, changes of cytosolic ADP concentration may lead to change in the rate of Ca2+ uptake by mitochondria and thus modulate the excitation-relaxation cycles of cytoplasmic free calcium.

Adenine nucleotides regulate Ca2+ transport in brain mitochondria

Adenine nucleotides (ADP greater than ATP) greatly enhance Ca2+ uptake and retention in rat brain mitochondria. In the presence of both spermine and ADP, brain mitochondria sequester Ca2+ down to cellular free Ca2+ levels, suggesting a role for mitochondria in modulating Ca2+ cycles in brain cells. Analysis of the effects of various inhibitors on Ca2+ uptake and efflux suggest that locking the ADP/ATP translocator in its M-state stimulates electrogenic Ca2+ uptake and, to a lesser extent, inhibits Ca2+ efflux. It is suggested that this effect is due to a modulation of the surface charge on the M-side which enhances Ca2+ dissociation from the carriers.

Growth defects in intramitochondrial energy depleted cells: role of mitochondrial biogenesis

Simultaneous inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation by rho- mutation and adenine nucleotide exchange by op1 mutation or bongkrekic acid results in intramitochondrial energy depletion and cessation of growth in yeast. Effect of energy depletion of mitochondria on mitochondrial biogenesis was studied in intact yeast cells. Immunoblot analysis revealed an overall decrease in cellular content of two mitochondrial proteins - ADP/ATP translocase and beta subunit of mitochondrial ATPase - together with their lower ability to reach the proper intramitochondrial compartment. Both effects indicate disturbed biogenesis of energy depleted mitochondria. Quantitative differences in growth abilities and mitochondrial damage observed in two studied systems - op1 rho- double mutants and rho- cells treated with bongkrekic acid - can be explained by different degree of intramitochondrial energy depletion due to leakiness of op1 mutation in op1 rho- cells.

Involvement of the ADP/ATP carrier in calcium-induced perturbations of the mitochondrial inner membrane permeability: importance of the orientation of the nucleotide binding site

Compounds which induce calcium efflux from calcium-loaded mitochondria generally provoke membrane leakiness. The involvement of the ADP/ATP carrier in modification of mitochondrial membrane properties was studied. The addition of impermeant inhibitors of the ADP/ATP carrier, namely carboxyatractylate, palmitoyl coenzyme A (in the absence of carnitine), and pyridoxal 5-phosphate, to calcium-loaded mitochondria triggered the release of accumulated calcium, the leakage of endogenous ADP, and the swelling of mitochondria. Permeant ligands, such as bongkrekic acid or ADP, showed no damaging effect on membrane permeability; in fact, they impeded the membrane perturbation which was induced by the three impermeant effectors. In addition, both bongkrekic acid and ADP were able to cancel the calcium loss and swelling resulting from the oxidation of intramitochondrial pyridine nucleotides by acetoacetate. In acetoacetate-treated mitochondria, the ADP/ATP carrier was shown to be mainly in a c-state conformation (i.e., the nucleotide binding site had an external orientation). It was concluded that induction of membrane leakiness by calcium ions depends on the conformational state of the adenine nucleotide carrier. The ability of intramitochondrial calcium ions to modify membrane properties is determined by the orientation of the nucleotide binding site. Only the c-state conformation allows membrane destabilization. Consequently, all compounds which stabilize the ADP/ATP carrier in the c-state conformation will have a deleterious effect on calcium-loaded mitochondria.

Factors affecting Ca2+ transport in mouse islet and kidney mitochondria

The transport of Ca2+ in islet and kidney mitochondria respiring on succinate was inhibited by atractylate and fluorocitrate, and stimulated by pyruvate, isocitrate, alpha-ketoglutarate, dibutyryl cAMP, oligomycin and bongkrekate, and by in vivo administration of glucagon, glyceraldehyde or glucose. The kidney [beta-hydroxybutyrate]/[acetoacetate] ratio was increased in glyceraldehyde treated mice. The data suggest a relationship, which might be influenced by cAMP, between activity of pyruvate, isocitrate and alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenases and transport of Ca2+ in islet and kidney mitochondria. A contributory role of reductive carboxylation for Ca2+ uptake, and a role of citrate for Ca2+ retention are discussed.

Adenine nucleotide translocase-dependent anion transport in pea chloroplasts

Pea chloroplasts were found to take up actively ATP and ADP and exchange the external nucleotides for internal ones. Using carrier-free [14C]ATP, the rate of nucleotide transport in chloroplasts prepared from 12-14-day-old plants was calculated to be 330 mumol ATP/g chlorophyll/min, and the transport was not affected by light or temperature between 4 and 22 degrees C. Adenine nucleotide uptake was inhibited only slightly by carboxyatractylate, whereas bongkrekic acid was nearly as effective an inhibitor of the translocator in pea chloroplasts as it was in mammalian mitochondria. There was no counter-transport of adenine nucleotides with substrates carried on the phosphate translocator including inorganic phosphate, 3-phosphoglycerate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate. However, internal or external phosphoenolpyruvate, normally considered to be transported on the phosphate carrier in chloroplasts, was able to exchange readily with adenine nucleotides. Furthermore, inorganic pyrophosphate which is not transported by the phosphate carrier initiated efflux of phosphoenolpyruvate as well as ATP from the chloroplast. These findings illustrate some interesting similarities as well as differences between the various plant phosphate and nucleotide transport systems which may relate to their role in photosynthesis.

Substrate-site interactions in the membrane-bound adenine-nucleotide carrier as disclosed by ADP and ATP analogs

The binding parameters of a number of ADP or ATP analogs to the adenine nucleotide carrier in mitochondria and inside-out submitochondrial particles have been explored by means of two specific inhibitors, carboxyatractyloside and bongkrekic acid. The nucleotides tested fell into two classes depending on the shape of the binding curve. Curvilinear Scatchard plots were obtained for the binding of ADP, ATP, adenosine 5'-triphospho-gamma-1-(5-sulfonic acid)naphthylamidate [gamma-AmNS)ATP) and adenylyl (beta,gamma)-methylenediphosphate (p[CH2]ppA); on the other hand, rectilinear Scatchard plots were obtained in the case of naphthoyl-ADP (N-ADP) and 8-bromo ADP (8Br-ADP) binding. The total number of binding sites for N-ADP and 8Br-ADP could be extrapolated with good accuracy to 1.3-1.5 nmol/mg protein; this value corresponds to the number of carboxyatractyloside-binding sites in heart mitochondria (Block, M.R., Pougeois, R. and Vignais, P.V. (1980) FEBS Lett. 117, 335-340). On the other hand, because of the curvilinearity of the Scatchard plots for the binding of ADP, ATP, (gamma-AmNS)ATP and p[CH2]ppA, the total number of binding sites for these nucleotides could only be approximated to a value higher than 1 nmol/mg protein, the exact value being probably equal to that found for N-ADP and 8Br-ADP binding, i.e. 1.3-1.5 nmol/mg protein. Curvilinearity of Scatchard plots was discussed in terms of negative interactions between nucleotide-binding sites located on the same face of the adenine nucleotide carrier. A possible relationship between the features of the binding plots and the transportable nature of the nucleotide is discussed. Contrary to the enhancing effect of bongkrekic acid on [14C]ADP uptake observed essentially in nucleotide-depleted heart mitochondria (Klingenberg, M., Appel, M., Babel, W. and Aquila, H. (1983) Eur. J. Biochem. 131, 647-654), binding of bongkrekic acid to nondepleted heart mitochondria was found to partially displace previously bound [14C]ADP. These opposite effects of bongkrekic acid may be explained by assuming that bongkrekic acid is able to abolish negative cooperativity between external (cytosolic) ADP-binding sites.

Alloxan effects on mitochondria in vitro: correlation between endogenous adenine nucleotides and efflux of Ca2+

The efflux of Ca2+ induced by alloxan in isolated mouse liver mitochondria was potentiated by atractylate, and by depletion of the organelles in adenine nucleotides, whereas bongkrekate, and added ATP or ADP, but not AMP, inhibited the alloxan effect. The data suggest that the Ca2+ releasing action of alloxan is dependent on the intramitochondrial pool of adenine nucleotides.

Effect of atractylosides, palmitoyl coenzyme A, and anion transport inhibitors on translocation of nucleotide sugars and nucleotide sulfate into Golgi vesicles

The effect of palmitoyl coenzyme A, atractylosides, and anion transport inhibitors on translocation into rat liver Golgi vesicles of adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS), CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid, and GDP-fucose was studied. Translocation of the above three nucleotide derivatives was inhibited by 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS; 50% inhibition required 10-20 microM DIDS). The inhibition of translocation of PAPS by DIDS was used to demonstrate that sulfation of macromolecules within Golgi vesicles is preceded by translocation of PAPS into the vesicles. Palmitoyl coenzyme A, at concentrations below its critical micellar concentration, specifically inhibited translocation into Golgi vesicles of PAPS but not CMP-NeuAc and GDP-fucose. Inhibition of PAPS translocation by 50% required 9 microM palmitoyl coenzyme A. Translocation of PAPS but not of CMP-NeuAc or GDP-fucose was also inhibited by atractyloside or carboxyatractyloside with 50% inhibition requiring 15 microM either glycoside. This pattern of inhibition suggests structural similarities between the putative translocator of PAPS in Golgi membranes and the ATP/ADP translocator of mitochondria.

Possible participation of membrane thiol groups on the mechanism of NAD(P)+-stimulated Ca2+ efflux from mitochondria

NAD(P)+-stimulated Ca2+ efflux from mitochondria is inhibited by bongkrekate and slightly stimulated by carboxyatractylate. Addition of oxaloacetate, an NAD(P) oxidant, or diamide, a thiol oxidant, to de-energized mitochondria incubated in Ca2+ -free medium induced a small decrease in turbidity of the mitochondrial suspension compatible with small structural changes of mitochondria. Similar to NADP+-stimulated Ca2+ efflux these changes were also inhibited by bongkrekate and slightly stimulated by carboxyatractylate. The similarity between the effects of oxaloacetate and diamide, on both Ca2+ efflux and mitochondrial structure, indicates the existence of a common denominator, possibly the oxidation of specific thiol groups, regarding the mechanism by which these agents stimulate Ca2+ efflux from mitochondria.

The binding of bongkrekate to mitochondria

The binding of bongkrekate to mitochondrial membrane was investigated using [3H]bongkrekate. These measurements were designed to examine the previously derived reorienting site mechanism which implies that bongkrekate binds to the single carrier site only from the inner face of the mitochondrial membrane. The binding studies confirm pH-dependent accumulation of [3H]bongkrekate inside the mitochondria which superimposes on to binding of carrier sites. By breaking the membrane with Lubrol or sonication, binding to the carrier sites can be titrated and Kd approximately equal to 5 X 10(-8) M is determined. ADP or ATP increases the amount of binding but does not change the Kd. Reciprocally bongkrekate increases ADP binding in those sections of a titration curve where bongkrekate binding is increased by ADP. [35S]Atractylate is displaced by [3H]bongkrekate at a 1:1 molar ratio. This displacement is dependent on ADP concentration with the Km = 0.5 X 10(-6) M. The earlier described isomer, isobongkrekate, also binds specifically to the carrier sites. From competition with bongkrekate a ratio KisoBKAd/KBKAd = 0.10 is determined. [35S]Carboxyatractylate displaces most of [3H]isobongkrekate but only little of [3H]bongkrekate. The rate of displacement is more than 10-times faster for isobongkrekate than for bongkrekate. The displacement is dependent on ADP with a Km = 5 X 10(-6) M. All these results are fully consistent with the single site reorienting mechanism. In no instant do bongkrekate and atractylate as well as ADP or ATP bind simultaneously to the carrier.