Phosphorylation of mammalian cytochrome c and cytochrome c oxidase in the regulation of cell destiny: respiration, apoptosis, and human disease

Prostate Cancer-Specific Lysine 53 Acetylation of Cytochrome c Drives Metabolic Reprogramming and Protects from Apoptosis in Intact Cells

Cytochrome c (Cytc) is important for both mitochondrial respiration and apoptosis, both of which are altered in cancer cells that switch to Warburg metabolism and manage to evade apoptosis. We earlier reported that lysine 53 (K53) of Cytc is acetylated in prostate cancer. K53 is conserved in mammals that is known to be essential for binding to cytochrome c oxidase and apoptosis protease activating factor-1 (Apaf-1). Here we report the effects of this acetylation on the main functions of cytochrome c by expressing acetylmimetic K53Q in cytochrome c double knockout cells. Other cytochrome c variants analyzed were wild-type, K53R as a control that maintains the positive charge, and K53I, which is present in some non-mammalian species. Intact cells expressing K53Q cytochrome c showed 49% decreased mitochondrial respiration and a concomitant increase in glycolytic activity (Warburg effect). Furthermore, mitochondrial membrane potential was decreased, correlating with notably reduced basal mitochondrial superoxide levels and decreased cell death upon challenge with H2O2 or staurosporine. To test for markers of cancer aggressiveness and invasiveness, cells were grown in 3D spheroid culture. K53Q cytochrome c-expressing cells showed profoundly increased protrusions compared to WT, suggesting increased invasiveness. We propose that K53 acetylation of cytochrome c is an adaptive response that mediates prostate cancer metabolic reprogramming and evasion of apoptosis, which are two hallmarks of cancer, to better promote tumor survival and metastasis.

High Sucrose Diet-Induced Subunit I Tyrosine 304 Phosphorylation of Cytochrome c Oxidase Leads to Liver Mitochondrial Respiratory Dysfunction in the Cohen Diabetic Rat Model

The mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation process generates most of the cellular energy and free radicals in mammalian tissues. Both factors play a critical role in numerous human diseases that could be affected by reversible phosphorylation events that regulate the function and activity of the oxidative phosphorylation complexes. In this study, we analyzed liver mitochondria of Cohen diabetes-sensitive (CDs) and Cohen diabetes-resistant (CDr) rats, using blue native gel electrophoresis (BN-PAGE) in combination with mitochondrial activity measurements and a site-specific tyrosine phosphorylation implicated in inflammation, a known driver of diabetes pathology. We uncovered the presence of a specific inhibitory phosphorylation on tyrosine 304 of catalytic subunit I of dimeric cytochrome c oxidase (CcO, complex IV). Driven by a high sucrose diet in both CDr and CDs rats, Y304 phosphorylation, which occurs close to the catalytic oxygen binding site, correlates with a decrease in CcO activity and respiratory dysfunction in rat liver tissue under hyperglycemic conditions. We propose that this phosphorylation, specifically seen in dimeric CcO and induced by high sucrose diet-mediated inflammatory signaling, triggers enzymatic activity decline of complex IV dimers and the assembly of supercomplexes in liver tissue as a molecular mechanism underlying a (pre-)diabetic phenotype.

Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Probe for Detection of Heme-Induced Conformational Changes in Cytochrome c

Cytochrome c (Cytc) is a key redox protein for energy metabolism and apoptosis in cells. The activation of Cytc is composed of several steps, including its transfer to the mitochondrial membrane, binding to cytochrome c heme lyase (CCHL) and covalent attachment to heme. The spectroscopic methods are often applied to study the structural changes of Cytc. However, they require the isolation of Cytc from cells and have limited availability under physiological conditions. Despite recent studies to elucidate the tightly regulated folding mechanism of Cytc, the role of these events and their association with different conformational states remain elusive. Here, we provide a genetically encoded fluorescence method that allows monitoring of the conformational changes of Cytc upon binding to heme and CCHL. Cerulean and Venus fluorescent proteins attached at the N and C terminals of Cytc can be used to determine its unfolded, intermediate, and native states by measuring FRET amplitude. We found that the noncovalent interaction of heme in the absence of CCHL induced a shift in the FRET signal, indicating the formation of a partially folded state. The higher concentration of heme and coexpression of CCHL gave rise to the recovery of Cytc native structure. We also found that Cytc was weakly associated with CCHL in the absence of heme. As a result, a FRET-based fluorescence approach was demonstrated to elucidate the mechanism of heme-induced Cytc conformational changes with spatiotemporal resolution and can be applied to study its interaction with small molecules and other protein partners in living cells.

Anti-HER2 scFv-nCytc-Modified Lipid-Encapsulated Oxygen Nanobubbles Prepared with Bulk Nanobubble Water for Inducing Apoptosis and Improving Photodynamic Therapy

Bulk nanobubbles fascinate scientists because of their stability over long periods of time and their ability to carry gases, leading to numerous potential applications. Considering the hypoxic tumor microenvironment and the advantages of bulk nanobubbles, lipid-encapsulated oxygen nanobubbles are prepared from free bulk oxygen nanobubbles in this study. The obtained carrier is then modified with a protein fused with the single-chain antibody of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (anti-HER2 scFv) and tandem-repeat cytochrome c (anti-HER2 scFv-nCytc) to enhance tumor targeting and induce tumor apoptosis. Copper phthalocyanine is used as the photosensitizer to demonstrate how the oxygen in the nanobubbles affects the efficiency of photodynamic therapy (PDT). The combination of anti-HER2 scFv-nCytc and PDT synergistically improves the therapeutic effect and alleviates hypoxia in tumors in vivo while causing little inflammatory response. Based on the findings, bulk nanobubble water shows promise in the targeted delivery of oxygen and can be combined with antibody therapy to enhance the efficiency of PDT.

SERS uncovers the link between conformation of cytochrome c heme and mitochondrial membrane potential

The balance between the mitochondrial respiratory chain activity and the cell's needs in ATP ensures optimal cellular function. Cytochrome c is an essential component of the electron transport chain (ETC), which regulates ETC activity, oxygen consumption, ATP synthesis and can initiate apoptosis. The impact of conformational changes in cytochrome c on its function is not understood for the lack of access to these changes in intact mitochondria. We have developed a novel sensor that uses unique properties of label-free surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to identify conformational changes in heme of cytochrome c and to elucidate their role in functioning mitochondria. We have verified that molecule bond vibrations assessed by SERS are a reliable indicator of the heme conformation during changes in the inner mitochondrial membrane potential and ETC activity. We have demonstrated that cytochrome c heme reversibly switches between planar and ruffled conformations in response to the inner mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ) and H⁺ concentration in the intermembrane space. This regulates the efficiency of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, thus, adjusting the mitochondrial respiration to the cell's consumption of ATP and the overall activity. We have found that under hypertensive conditions cytochrome c heme loses its sensitivity to ΔΨ that can affect the regulation of ETC activity. The ability of the proposed SERS-based sensor to track mitochondrial function opens broad perspectives in cell bioenergetics.

Accelerated Evolution of Cytochrome c in Higher Primates, and Regulation of the Reaction between Cytochrome c and Cytochrome Oxidase by Phosphorylation

Cytochrome c (Cc) underwent accelerated evolution from the stem of the anthropoid primates to humans. Of the 11 amino acid changes that occurred from horse Cc to human Cc, five were at Cc residues near the binding site of the Cc:CcO complex. Single-point mutants of horse and human Cc were made at each of these positions. The Cc:CcO dissociation constant K_D of the horse mutants decreased in the order: T89E > native horse Cc > V11I Cc > Q12M > D50A > A83V > native human. The largest effect was observed for the mutants at residue 50, where the horse Cc D50A mutant decreased K_D from 28.4 to 11.8 μM, and the human Cc A50D increased K_D from 4.7 to 15.7 μM. To investigate the role of Cc phosphorylation in regulating the reaction with CcO, phosphomimetic human Cc mutants were prepared. The Cc T28E, S47E, and Y48E mutants increased the dissociation rate constant k_d, decreased the formation rate constant k_f, and increased the equilibrium dissociation constant K_D of the Cc:CcO complex. These studies indicate that phosphorylation of these residues plays an important role in regulating mitochondrial electron transport and membrane potential ΔΨ.

Phosphorylation disrupts long-distance electron transport in cytochrome c

It has been recently shown that electron transfer between mitochondrial cytochrome c and the cytochrome c₁ subunit of the cytochrome bc₁ can proceed at long-distance through the aqueous solution. Cytochrome c is thought to adjust its activity by changing the affinity for its partners via Tyr48 phosphorylation, but it is unknown how it impacts the nanoscopic environment, interaction forces, and long-range electron transfer. Here, we constrain the orientation and separation between cytochrome c₁ and cytochrome c or the phosphomimetic Y48pCMF cytochrome c, and deploy an array of single-molecule, bulk, and computational methods to investigate the molecular mechanism of electron transfer regulation by cytochrome c phosphorylation. We demonstrate that phosphorylation impairs long-range electron transfer, shortens the long-distance charge conduit between the partners, strengthens their interaction, and departs it from equilibrium. These results unveil a nanoscopic view of the interaction between redox protein partners in electron transport chains and its mechanisms of regulation.

Structural basis of mammalian complex IV inhibition by steroids

The mitochondrial electron transport chain maintains the proton motive force that powers adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis. The energy for this process comes from oxidation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and succinate, with the electrons from this oxidation passed via intermediate carriers to oxygen. Complex IV (CIV), the terminal oxidase, transfers electrons from the intermediate electron carrier cytochrome c to oxygen, contributing to the proton motive force in the process. Within CIV, protons move through the K and D pathways during turnover. The former is responsible for transferring two protons to the enzyme's catalytic site upon its reduction, where they eventually combine with oxygen and electrons to form water. CIV is the main site for respiratory regulation, and although previous studies showed that steroid binding can regulate CIV activity, little is known about how this regulation occurs. Here, we characterize the interaction between CIV and steroids using a combination of kinetic experiments, structure determination, and molecular simulations. We show that molecules with a sterol moiety, such as glyco-diosgenin and cholesteryl hemisuccinate, reversibly inhibit CIV. Flash photolysis experiments probing the rapid equilibration of electrons within CIV demonstrate that binding of these molecules inhibits proton uptake through the K pathway. Single particle cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) of CIV with glyco-diosgenin reveals a previously undescribed steroid binding site adjacent to the K pathway, and molecular simulations suggest that the steroid binding modulates the conformational dynamics of key residues and proton transfer kinetics within this pathway. The binding pose of the sterol group sheds light on possible structural gating mechanisms in the CIV catalytic cycle.

Global metabolic alterations in colorectal cancer cells during irinotecan-induced DNA replication stress

BACKGROUND

Metabolic adaptations can allow cancer cells to survive DNA-damaging chemotherapy. This unmet clinical challenge is a potential vulnerability of cancer. Accordingly, there is an intense search for mechanisms that modulate cell metabolism during anti-tumor therapy. We set out to define how colorectal cancer CRC cells alter their metabolism upon DNA replication stress and whether this provides opportunities to eliminate such cells more efficiently.

METHODS

We incubated p53-positive and p53-negative permanent CRC cells and short-term cultured primary CRC cells with the topoisomerase-1 inhibitor irinotecan and other drugs that cause DNA replication stress and consequently DNA damage. We analyzed pro-apoptotic mitochondrial membrane depolarization and cell death with flow cytometry. We evaluated cellular metabolism with immunoblotting of electron transport chain (ETC) complex subunits, analysis of mitochondrial mRNA expression by qPCR, MTT assay, measurements of oxygen consumption and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and metabolic flux analysis with the Seahorse platform. Global metabolic alterations were assessed using targeted mass spectrometric analysis of extra- and intracellular metabolites.

RESULTS

Chemotherapeutics that cause DNA replication stress induce metabolic changes in p53-positive and p53-negative CRC cells. Irinotecan enhances glycolysis, oxygen consumption, mitochondrial ETC activation, and ROS production in CRC cells. This is connected to increased levels of electron transport chain complexes involving mitochondrial translation. Mass spectrometric analysis reveals global metabolic adaptations of CRC cells to irinotecan, including the glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and pentose phosphate pathways. P53-proficient CRC cells, however, have a more active metabolism upon DNA replication stress than their p53-deficient counterparts. This metabolic switch is a vulnerability of p53-positive cells to irinotecan-induced apoptosis under glucose-restricted conditions.

CONCLUSION

Drugs that cause DNA replication stress increase the metabolism of CRC cells. Glucose restriction might improve the effectiveness of classical chemotherapy against p53-positive CRC cells. The topoisomerase-1 inhibitor irinotecan and other chemotherapeutics that cause DNA damage induce metabolic adaptations in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells irrespective of their p53 status. Irinotecan enhances the glycolysis and oxygen consumption in CRC cells to deliver energy and biomolecules necessary for DNA repair and their survival. Compared to p53-deficient cells, p53-proficient CRC cells have a more active metabolism and use their intracellular metabolites more extensively. This metabolic switch creates a vulnerability to chemotherapy under glucose-restricted conditions for p53-positive cells.

Mitochondrial cytochrome c shot towards histone chaperone condensates in the nucleus

Despite mitochondria being key for the control of cell homeostasis and fate, their role in DNA damage response is usually just regarded as an apoptotic trigger. However, growing evidence points to mitochondrial factors modulating nuclear functions. Remarkably, after DNA damage, cytochrome c (Cc) interacts in the cell nucleus with a variety of well-known histone chaperones, whose activity is competitively inhibited by the haem protein. As nuclear Cc inhibits the nucleosome assembly/disassembly activity of histone chaperones, it might indeed affect chromatin dynamics and histone deposition on DNA. Several histone chaperones actually interact with Cc Lys residues through their acidic regions, which are also involved in heterotypic interactions leading to liquid-liquid phase transitions responsible for the assembly of nuclear condensates, including heterochromatin. This relies on dynamic histone-DNA interactions that can be modulated by acetylation of specific histone Lys residues. Thus, Cc may have a major regulatory role in DNA repair by fine-tuning nucleosome assembly activity and likely nuclear condensate formation.

The two faces of cyanide: an environmental toxin and a potential novel mammalian gasotransmitter

Cyanide is traditionally viewed as a cytotoxic agent, with its primary mode of action being the inhibition of mitochondrial Complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase). However, recent studies demonstrate that the effect of cyanide on Complex IV in various mammalian cells is biphasic: in lower concentrations (nanomolar to low micromolar) cyanide stimulates Complex IV activity, increases ATP production and accelerates cell proliferation, while at higher concentrations (high micromolar to low millimolar) it produces the previously known (‘classic’) toxic effects. The first part of the article describes the cytotoxic actions of cyanide in the context of environmental toxicology, and highlights pathophysiological conditions (e.g., cystic fibrosis with Pseudomonas colonization) where bacterially produced cyanide exerts deleterious effects to the host. The second part of the article summarizes the mammalian sources of cyanide production and overviews the emerging concept that mammalian cells may produce cyanide, in low concentrations, to serve biological regulatory roles. Cyanide fulfills many of the general criteria as a ‘classical’ mammalian gasotransmitter and shares some common features with the current members of this class: nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide.

Neutralization of hexokinase 2-targeting miRNA attenuates the oxidative stress-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis

Hexokinase 2 (HK2) is a metabolic sensor that couples glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation of mitochondria by binding to the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM), and it also has been implicated in induction of apoptotic process by regulating the integrity of OMM. When HK2 detaches from the mitochondria, it triggers permeability increase of the OMM and subsequently facilitates the cytosolic release of cytochrome c, a major apoptosis-inducing factor. According to previous studies, a harsh microenvironment created by ischemic heart disease such as low tissue oxygen and nutrients, and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) can cause cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Under these conditions, the expression of HK2 in heart significantly decrease and such down-regulation of HK2 was correlated to the increased apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. Therefore, prevention of HK2 down-regulation may salvage cardiomyocytes from apoptosis. MicroRNAs are short, non-coding RNAs that either inhibit transcription of target mRNAs or degrade the targeted mRNAs via complementary binding to the 3'UTR (untranslated region) of the targeted mRNAs. Since miRNAs are known to be involved in virtually every biological processes, it is reasonable to assume that the expression of HK2 is also regulated by miRNAs. Currently, to my best knowledge, there is no previous study examined the miRNA-mediated regulation of HK2 in cardiomyocytes. Thus, in the present study, miRNA-mediated modulation of HK2 during ROS (H2O2)-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis was investigated. First, the expression of HK2 in cardiomyocytes exposed to H2O2 was evaluated. H2O2 (500 μM) induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and it also decreased the mitochondrial expression of HK2. Based on miRNA-target prediction databases and empirical data, miR-181a was identified as a HK2-targeting miRNA. To further examine the effect of negative regulation of the selected HK2-targeting miRNA on cardiomyocyte apoptosis, anti-miR-181a, which neutralizes endogenous miR-181a, was utilized. Delivery of anti-miR-181a significantly abrogated the H2O2-induced suppression of HK2 expression and subsequent disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, improving the survival of cardiomyocytes exposed to H2O2. These findings suggest that miR-181a-mediated down-regulation of HK2 contributes to the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes exposed to ROS. Neutralizing miR-181a can be a viable and effective means to prevent cardiomyocyte from apoptosis in ischemic heart disease.

Multiple Mechanisms Regulate Eukaryotic Cytochrome C Oxidase

Cytochrome c oxidase (COX), the rate-limiting enzyme of mitochondrial respiration, is regulated by various mechanisms. Its regulation by ATP (adenosine triphosphate) appears of particular importance, since it evolved early during evolution and is still found in cyanobacteria, but not in other bacteria. Therefore the "allosteric ATP inhibition of COX" is described here in more detail. Most regulatory properties of COX are related to "supernumerary" subunits, which are largely absent in bacterial COX. The "allosteric ATP inhibition of COX" was also recently described in intact isolated rat heart mitochondria.

Mitochondrial Membranes of Human SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells Express Serotonin 5-HT7 Receptor

Mitochondria in neurons contribute to energy supply, the regulation of synaptic transmission, Ca²⁺ homeostasis, neuronal excitability, and stress adaptation. In recent years, several studies have highlighted that the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) plays an important role in mitochondrial biogenesis in cortical neurons, and regulates mitochondrial activity and cellular function in cardiomyocytes. 5-HT exerts its diverse actions by binding to cell surface receptors that are classified into seven distinct families (5-HT1 to 5-HT7). Recently, it was shown that 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptors are located on the mitochondrial membrane and participate in the regulation of mitochondrial function. Furthermore, it was observed that activation of brain 5-HT7 receptors rescued mitochondrial dysfunction in female mice from two models of Rett syndrome, a rare neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by severe behavioral and physiological symptoms. Our Western blot analyses performed on cell-lysate and purified mitochondria isolated from neuronal cell line SH-SY5Y showed that 5-HT7 receptors are also expressed into mitochondria. Maximal binding capacity (Bmax) obtained by Scatchard analysis on purified mitochondrial membranes was 0.081 pmol/mg of 5-HT7 receptor protein. Lastly, we evaluated the effect of selective 5-HT7 receptor agonist LP-211 and antagonist (inverse agonist) SB-269970 on mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) cytochrome c oxidase activity on mitochondria from SH-SY5Y cells. Our findings provide the first evidence that 5-HT7 receptor is also expressed in mitochondria.

Post-Translational Modifications of Cytochrome c in Cell Life and Disease

Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, whilst their malfunction is related to several human pathologies, including neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and various types of cancer. In mitochondrial metabolism, cytochrome c is a small soluble heme protein that acts as an essential redox carrier in the respiratory electron transport chain. However, cytochrome c is likewise an essential protein in the cytoplasm acting as an activator of programmed cell death. Such a dual role of cytochrome c in cell life and death is indeed fine-regulated by a wide variety of protein post-translational modifications. In this work, we show how these modifications can alter cytochrome c structure and functionality, thus emerging as a control mechanism of cell metabolism but also as a key element in development and prevention of pathologies.

Complex IV - The regulatory center of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation

ATP, the universal energy currency in all living cells, is mainly synthesized in mitochondria by oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). The final and rate limiting step of the respiratory chain is cytochrome c oxidase (COX) which represents the regulatory center of OXPHOS. COX is regulated through binding of various effectors to its "supernumerary" subunits, by reversible phosphorylation, and by expression of subunit isoforms. Of particular interest is its feedback inhibition by ATP, the final product of OXPHOS. This "allosteric ATP-inhibition" of phosphorylated and dimeric COX maintains a low and healthy mitochondrial membrane potential (relaxed state), and prevents the formation of ROS (reactive oxygen species) which are known to cause numerous diseases. Excessive work and stress abolish this feedback inhibition of COX by Ca²⁺-activated dephosphorylation which leads to monomerization and movement of NDUFA4 from complex I to COX with higher rates of COX activity and ATP synthesis (active state) but increased ROS formation and decreased efficiency.

Loss of the Tumor Suppressor HACE1 Contributes to Cancer Progression

HACE1 belongs to the family of HECT domain-containing E3 ligases, which plays an important role in the occurrence, invasion and metastatic process in many human malignancies. HACE1 is a tumor suppressor gene that is reduced in most cancer tissues compared to adjacent normal tissue. The loss or knocking out of HACE1 leads to enhanced tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis; in contrast, the overexpression of HACE1 can inhibit the development of tumors. Hypermethylation reduces the expression of HACE1, thereby promoting tumor development. HACE1 can inhibit the development of inflammation or tumors via the ubiquitination pathway. Therefore, HACE1 may be a potential therapeutic target, providing new strategies for disease prevention and treatment.

Stress-mediated generation of deleterious ROS in healthy individuals - role of cytochrome c oxidase

Psychosocial stress is known to cause an increased incidence of coronary heart disease. In addition, multiple other diseases like cancer and diabetes mellitus have been related to stress and are mainly based on excessive formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mitochondria. The molecular interactions between stress and ROS, however, are still unknown. Here we describe the missing molecular link between stress and an increased cellular ROS, based on the regulation of cytochrome c oxidase (COX). In normal healthy cells, the "allosteric ATP inhibition of COX" decreases the oxygen uptake of mitochondria at high ATP/ADP ratios and keeps the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) low. Above ΔΨm values of 140 mV, the production of ROS in mitochondria increases exponentially. Stress signals like hypoxia, stress hormones, and high glutamate or glucose in neurons increase the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration which activates a mitochondrial phosphatase that dephosphorylates COX. This dephosphorylated COX exhibits no allosteric ATP inhibition; consequently, an increase of ΔΨm and ROS formation takes place. The excess production of mitochondrial ROS causes apoptosis or multiple diseases.

Nox2 and Nox4 Participate in ROS-Induced Neuronal Apoptosis and Brain Injury During Ischemia-Reperfusion in Rats

BACKGROUND

Previously studies have shown that Nox2 and Nox4, as members of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NADPH oxidase, Nox), participate in brain damage caused by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of specific chemical inhibitors of Nox2 and Nox4 on cerebral I/R-induced brain injury in rats.

METHODS

At 0.5 h before MCAO surgery, the rats were pretreated with vehicle, Nox2 inhibitor (gp91ds-tat), and Nox4 inhibitor (GKT137831), respectively. After reperfusion for 24 h, the infarct sizes of brain tissues in rats in various groups are determined. The penumbra (ischemic) tissues are collected to measure ROS levels, neuronal apoptosis, and degeneration, as well as the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in brain tissues of rats.

RESULTS

gp91ds-tat and GKT137831 pretreatment significantly reduced the infarct sizes in brain tissues of rats, effectively suppressed I/R-induced increase in ROS levels, neuronal apoptosis and degeneration, and obviously alleviated BBB damage.

CONCLUSION

Under cerebral I/R conditions, Nox2 inhibitor (gp91ds-tat) and Nox4 inhibitor (GKT137831) can effectively play a protective role in the brain tissues of rats.

EGFL9 promotes breast cancer metastasis by inducing cMET activation and metabolic reprogramming

The molecular mechanisms driving metastatic progression in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients are poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that epidermal growth factor-like 9 (EGFL9) is significantly upregulated in basal-like breast cancer cells and associated with metastatic progression in breast tumor samples. Functionally, EGFL9 is both necessary and sufficient to enhance cancer cell migration and invasion, as well as distant metastasis. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that EGFL9 binds cMET, activating cMET-mediated downstream signaling. EGFL9 and cMET co-localize at both the cell membrane and within the mitochondria. We further identify an interaction between EGFL9 and the cytochrome c oxidase (COX) assembly factor COA3. Consequently, EGFL9 regulates COX activity and modulates cell metabolism, promoting a Warburg-like metabolic phenotype. Finally, we show that combined pharmacological inhibition of cMET and glycolysis reverses EGFL9-driven stemness. Our results identify EGFL9 as a therapeutic target for combating metastatic progression in TNBC.

Triple-negative breast cancer is an aggressive form of the disease. Here, the authors identify EGFL9 as a mediator of metastasis in TNBC through interactions with cMET.

Regulation of Respiration and Apoptosis by Cytochrome c Threonine 58 Phosphorylation

Cytochrome c (Cytc) is a multifunctional protein, acting as an electron carrier in the electron transport chain (ETC), where it shuttles electrons from bc₁ complex to cytochrome c oxidase (COX), and as a trigger of type II apoptosis when released from the mitochondria. We previously showed that Cytc is regulated in a highly tissue-specific manner: Cytc isolated from heart, liver, and kidney is phosphorylated on Y97, Y48, and T28, respectively. Here, we have analyzed the effect of a new Cytc phosphorylation site, threonine 58, which we mapped in rat kidney Cytc by mass spectrometry. We generated and overexpressed wild-type, phosphomimetic T58E, and two controls, T58A and T58I Cytc; the latter replacement is found in human and testis-specific Cytc. In vitro, COX activity, caspase-3 activity, and heme degradation in the presence of H₂O₂ were decreased with phosphomimetic Cytc compared to wild-type. Cytc-knockout cells expressing T58E or T58I Cytc showed a reduction in intact cell respiration, mitochondrial membrane potential (∆Ψ_m), ROS production, and apoptotic activity compared to wild-type. We propose that, under physiological conditions, Cytc is phosphorylated, which controls mitochondrial respiration and apoptosis. Under conditions of stress Cytc phosphorylations are lost leading to maximal respiration rates, ∆Ψ_m hyperpolarization, ROS production, and apoptosis.

Novel Pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine Compounds Target Mitochondrial and Cytosolic One-carbon Metabolism with Broad-spectrum Antitumor Efficacy

Folate-dependent one-carbon (C1) metabolism is compartmentalized into the mitochondria and cytosol and supports cell growth through nucleotide and amino acid biosynthesis. Mitochondrial C1 metabolism, including serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) 2, provides glycine, NAD(P)H, ATP, and C1 units for cytosolic biosynthetic reactions, and is implicated in the oncogenic phenotype across a wide range of cancers. Whereas multitargeted inhibitors of cytosolic C1 metabolism, such as pemetrexed, are used clinically, there are currently no anticancer drugs that specifically target mitochondrial C1 metabolism. We used molecular modeling to design novel small-molecule pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine inhibitors targeting mitochondrial C1 metabolism at SHMT2. In vitro antitumor efficacy was established with the lead compounds (AGF291, AGF320, AGF347) toward lung, colon, and pancreatic cancer cells. Intracellular targets were identified by metabolic rescue with glycine and nucleosides, and by targeted metabolomics using a stable isotope tracer, with confirmation by in vitro assays with purified enzymes. In addition to targeting SHMT2, inhibition of the cytosolic purine biosynthetic enzymes, β-glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase and/or 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase, and SHMT1 was also established. AGF347 generated significant in vivo antitumor efficacy with potential for complete responses against both early-stage and upstage MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic tumor xenografts, providing compelling proof-of-concept for therapeutic targeting of SHMT2 and cytosolic C1 enzymes by this series. Our results establish structure-activity relationships and identify exciting new drug prototypes for further development as multitargeted antitumor agents.

Physical plasma and leukocytes - immune or reactive?

Leukocytes are professionals in recognizing and removing pathogenic or unwanted material. They are present in virtually all tissues, and highly motile to enter or leave specific sites throughout the body. Less than a decade ago, physical plasmas entered the field of medicine to deliver their delicate mix of reactive species and other physical agents for mainly dermatological or oncological therapy. Plasma treatment thus affects leukocytes via direct or indirect means: immune cells are either present in tissues during treatment, or infiltrate or exfiltrate plasma-treated areas. The immune system is crucial for human health and resolution of many types of diseases. It is therefore vital to study the response of leukocytes after plasma treatment in vitro and in vivo. This review gathers together the major themes in the plasma treatment of innate and adaptive immune cells, and puts these into the context of wound healing and oncology, the two major topics in plasma medicine.

Cytochrome c: Surfing Off of the Mitochondrial Membrane on the Tops of Complexes III and IV

The proper arrangement of protein components within the respiratory electron transport chain is nowadays a matter of intense debate, since altering it leads to cell aging and other related pathologies. Here, we discuss three current views—the so-called solid, fluid and plasticity models—which describe the organization of the main membrane-embedded mitochondrial protein complexes and the key elements that regulate and/or facilitate supercomplex assembly. The soluble electron carrier cytochrome c has recently emerged as an essential factor in the assembly and function of respiratory supercomplexes. In fact, a ‘restricted diffusion pathway’ mechanism for electron transfer between complexes III and IV has been proposed based on the secondary, distal binding sites for cytochrome c at its two membrane partners recently discovered. This channeling pathway facilitates the surfing of cytochrome c on both respiratory complexes, thereby tuning the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation and diminishing the production of reactive oxygen species. The well-documented post-translational modifications of cytochrome c could further contribute to the rapid adjustment of electron flow in response to changing cellular conditions.

HACE1, an E3 Ubiquitin Protein Ligase, Mitigates Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Infection-Induced Oxidative Stress by Promoting Nrf2 Activity

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV)-induced activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is essential for both the expression of viral genes (latency) and modulation of the host antioxidant machinery. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are also regulated by the ubiquitously expressed HACE1 protein (HECT domain and ankyrin repeat containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1), which targets the Rac1 protein for proteasomal degradation, and this blocks the generation of ROS by Rac1-dependent NADPH oxidases. In this study, we examined the role of HACE1 in KSHV infection. Elevated levels of HACE1 expression were observed in de novo KSHV-infected endothelial cells, KSHV latently infected TIVE-LTC and PEL cells, and Kaposi's sarcoma skin lesion cells. The increased HACE1 expression in the infected cells was mediated by KSHV latent protein kaposin A. HACE1 knockdown resulted in high Rac1 and Nox 1 (NADPH oxidase 1) activity, increased ROS (oxidative stress), increased cell death, and decreased KSHV gene expression. Loss of HACE1 impaired KSHV infection-induced phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-K), protein kinase C-ζ (PKC-ζ), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), NF-κB, and Nrf2 activation and nuclear translocation of Nrf2, and it reduced the expression of Nrf2 target genes responsible for balancing the oxidative stress. In the absence of HACE1, glutamine uptake increased in the cells to cope with the KSHV-induced oxidative stress. These findings reveal for the first time that HACE1 plays roles during viral infection-induced oxidative stress and demonstrate that HACE1 facilitates resistance to KSHV infection-induced oxidative stress by promoting Nrf2 activity. Our studies suggest that HACE1 could be a potential target to induce cell death in KSHV-infected cells and to manage KSHV infections.IMPORTANCE ROS play important roles in several cellular processes, and increased ROS cause several adverse effects. KSHV infection of endothelial cells induces ROS, which facilitate virus entry by amplifying the infection-induced host cell signaling cascade, which, in turn, induces the nuclear translocation of phospho-Nrf2 protein to regulate the expression of antioxidative genes and viral genes. The present study demonstrates that KSHV infection induces the E3 ligase HACE1 protein to regulate KSHV-induced oxidative stress by promoting the activation of Nrf2 and nuclear translocation. Absence of HACE1 results in increased ROS and cellular death and reduced nuclear Nrf2, antioxidant, and viral gene expression. Together, these studies suggest that HACE1 can be a potential target to induce cell death in KSHV-infected cells.

Reprogramming of basic metabolic pathways in microbial sepsis: therapeutic targets at last?

Sepsis is a highly lethal and urgent unmet medical need. It is the result of a complex interplay of several pathways, including inflammation, immune activation, hypoxia, and metabolic reprogramming. Specifically, the regulation and the impact of the latter have become better understood in which the highly catabolic status during sepsis and its similarity with starvation responses appear to be essential in the poor prognosis in sepsis. It seems logical that new interventions based on the recognition of new therapeutic targets in the key metabolic pathways should be developed and may have a good chance to penetrate to the bedside. In this review, we concentrate on the pathological changes in metabolism, observed during sepsis, and the presumed underlying mechanisms, with a focus on the level of the organism and the interplay between different organ systems.

Oxidative stress is tightly regulated by cytochrome c phosphorylation and respirasome factors in mitochondria

Dysfunction of mitochondria, the powerhouses of living cells, favors the onset of human diseases, namely neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular pathologies, and cancer. Actually, respiratory cytochrome c has been found to be phosphorylated at tyrosine 97 during the insulin-induced neuroprotection response following a brain ischemic injury. Here, we report that the decrease in neuronal death could be directly ascribed to changes in mitochondrial metabolism—including lower production of reactive oxygen species—and cell homeostasis induced by cytochrome c phosphorylation. Our findings thus provide the basis for understanding the molecular mechanism and potential use of phosphomimetic species of cytochrome c, thereby yielding new opportunities to develop more efficient therapies against acute pathologies.

Respiratory cytochrome c has been found to be phosphorylated at tyrosine 97 in the postischemic brain upon neuroprotective insulin treatment, but how such posttranslational modification affects mitochondrial metabolism is unclear. Here, we report the structural features and functional behavior of a phosphomimetic cytochrome c mutant, which was generated by site-specific incorporation at position 97 of p-carboxymethyl-l-phenylalanine using the evolved tRNA synthetase method. We found that the point mutation does not alter the overall folding and heme environment of cytochrome c, but significantly affects the entire oxidative phosphorylation process. In fact, the electron donation rate of the mutant heme protein to cytochrome c oxidase, or complex IV, within respiratory supercomplexes was higher than that of the wild-type species, in agreement with the observed decrease in reactive oxygen species production. Direct contact of cytochrome c with the respiratory supercomplex factor HIGD1A (hypoxia-inducible domain family member 1A) is reported here, with the mutant heme protein exhibiting a lower affinity than the wild-type species. Interestingly, phosphomimetic cytochrome c also exhibited a lower caspase-3 activation activity. Altogether, these findings yield a better understanding of the molecular basis for mitochondrial metabolism in acute diseases, such as brain ischemia, and thus could allow the use of phosphomimetic cytochrome c as a neuroprotector with therapeutic applications.

Analysis of Blood Plasma Protein Composition in Patients with Cerebral Ischemia

Blood plasma proteome in patients with cerebral ischemia and healthy individuals was studied using comparative proteomic analysis based on tandem HPLC-MS/MS. Mass spectra were analysed in an automated mode using Progenesis LS-MS software and 256 proteins were identified. Significant quantitative differences were revealed for 20 proteins. It was found that changes in the blood plasma proteome in subjects with cerebral ischemia involved a wide range of proteins: molecular chaperones, fibrinolysis, angiogenesis, and immune system proteins, proteins involved in homeostasis maintenance, cell differentiation and proliferation, regulators of apoptosis, and cytoskeleton proteins.

A Neutrophil Proteomic Signature in Surgical Trauma Wounds

Non-healing wounds continue to be a clinical challenge for patients and medical staff. These wounds have a heterogeneous etiology, including diabetes and surgical trauma wounds. It is therefore important to decipher molecular signatures that reflect the macroscopic process of wound healing. To this end, we collected wound sponge dressings routinely used in vacuum assisted therapy after surgical trauma to generate wound-derived protein profiles via global mass spectrometry. We confidently identified 311 proteins in exudates. Among them were expected targets belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily, complement, and skin-derived proteins, such as keratins. Next to several S100 proteins, chaperones, heat shock proteins, and immune modulators, the exudates presented a number of redox proteins as well as a discrete neutrophil proteomic signature, including for example cathepsin G, elastase, myeloperoxidase, CD66c, and lipocalin 2. We mapped over 200 post-translational modifications (PTMs; cysteine/methionine oxidation, tyrosine nitration, cysteine trioxidation) to the proteomic profile, for example, in peroxiredoxin 1. Investigating manually collected exudates, we confirmed presence of neutrophils and their products, such as microparticles and fragments containing myeloperoxidase and DNA. These data confirmed known and identified less known wound proteins and their PTMs, which may serve as resource for future studies on human wound healing.

Advancements in Free-Radical Pathologies and an Important Treatment Solution with a Free-Radical Inhibitor

Unsaturated carbon-carbon double bonds particularly at exposed end groups of nonsolid fluids are susceptible to free-radical covalent bonding on one carbon atom creating a new free radical on the opposite carbon atom. Subsequent reactive secondary sequence free-radical polymerization can then continue across extensive carbon-carbon double bonds to form progressively larger molecules with ever-increasing viscosity and eventually produce solids. In a fluid solution when carbon-carbon double bonds are replaced by carbon-carbon single bonds to decrease fluidity, increasing molecular organization can interfere with molecular oxygen (O2) diffusion. During normal eukaryote cellular energy synthesis O2 is required by mitochondria to combine with electrons from the electron transport chain and hydrogen cations from the proton gradient to form water. When O2 is absent during periods of irregular hypoxia in mitochondrial energy synthesis, the generation of excess electrons can develop free radicals or excess protons can produce acid. Free radicals formed by limited O2 can damage lipids and proteins and greatly increase molecular sizes in growing vicious cycles to reduce oxygen availability even more for mitochondria during energy synthesis. Further, at adequate free-radical concentrations a reactive crosslinking unsaturated aldehyde lipid breakdown product can significantly support free-radical polymerization of lipid oils into rubbery gel-like solids and eventually even produce a crystalline lipid peroxidation with the double bond of O2. Most importantly, free-radical inhibitor hydroquinone intended for medical treatments in much pathology such as cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes, infection/inflammation and also ageing has proven extremely effective in sequestering free radicals to prevent chain-growth reactive secondary sequence polymerization.

Ant1 mutant mice bridge the mitochondrial and serotonergic dysfunctions in bipolar disorder

Although mitochondrial and serotonergic dysfunctions have been implicated in the etiology of bipolar disorder (BD), the relationship between these unrelated pathways has not been elucidated. A family of BD and chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO) caused by a mutation of the mitochondrial adenine nucleotide translocator 1 (ANT1, SLC25A4) implicated that ANT1 mutations confer a risk of BD. Here, we sequenced ANT1 in 324 probands of NIMH bipolar disorder pedigrees and identified two BD patients carrying heterozygous loss-of-function mutations. Behavioral analysis of brain specific Ant1 heterozygous conditional knockout (cKO) mice using lntelliCage showed a selective diminution in delay discounting. Delay discounting is the choice of smaller but immediate reward than larger but delayed reward and an index of impulsivity. Diminution of delay discounting suggests an increase in serotonergic activity. This finding was replicated by a 5-choice serial reaction time test. An anatomical screen showed accumulation of COX (cytochrome c oxidase) negative cells in dorsal raphe. Dorsal raphe neurons in the heterozygous cKO showed hyperexcitability, along with enhanced serotonin turnover in the nucleus accumbens and upregulation of Maob in dorsal raphe. These findings altogether suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction as the genetic risk of BD may cause vulnerability to BD by altering serotonergic neurotransmission.

Heightened Dynamics of the Oxidized Y48H Variant of Human Cytochrome c Increases Its Peroxidatic Activity

Proteins performing multiple biochemical functions are called "moonlighting proteins" or extreme multifunctional (EMF) proteins. Mitochondrial cytochrome c is an EMF protein that binds multiple partner proteins to act as a signaling molecule, transfers electrons in the respiratory chain, and acts as a peroxidase in apoptosis. Mutations in the cytochrome c gene lead to the disease thrombocytopenia, which is accompanied by enhanced apoptotic activity. The Y48H variant arises from one such mutation and is found in the 40-57 Ω-loop, the lowest-unfolding free energy substructure of the cytochrome c fold. A 1.36 Å resolution X-ray structure of the Y48H variant reveals minimal structural changes compared to the wild-type structure, with the axial Met80 ligand coordinated to the heme iron. Despite this, the intrinsic peroxidase activity is enhanced, implying that a pentacoordinate heme state is more prevalent in the Y48H variant, corroborated through determination of a Met80 "off rate" of >125 s^-1 compared to a rate of ∼6 s^-1 for the wild-type protein. Heteronuclear nuclear magnetic resonance measurements with the oxidized Y48H variant reveal heightened dynamics in the 40-57 Ω-loop and the Met80-containing 71-85 Ω-loop relative to the wild-type protein, illustrating communication between these substructures. Placed into context with the G41S cytochrome c variant, also implicated in thrombocytopenia, a dynamic picture associated with this disease relative to cytochrome c is emerging whereby increasing dynamics in substructures of the cytochrome c fold serve to facilitate an increased population of the peroxidatic pentacoordinate heme state in the following order: wild type < G41S < Y48H.

A transcriptomic approach to study the effect of long-term starvation and diet composition on the expression of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation genes in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)

Background

The impact of nutritional status and diet composition on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in fish remains largely unknown. To identify biomarkers of interest in nutritional studies, herein we obtained a deep-coverage transcriptome by 454 pyrosequencing of liver and skeletal muscle cDNA normalised libraries from long-term starved gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) and fish fed different diets.

Results

After clean-up of high-throughput deep sequencing reads, 699,991 and 555,031 high-quality reads allowed de novo assembly of liver and skeletal muscle sequences, respectively (average length: 374 and 441 bp; total megabases: 262 and 245 Mbp). An additional incremental assembly was completed by integrating data from both tissues (hybrid assembly). Assembly of hybrid, liver and skeletal muscle transcriptomes yielded, respectively, 19,530, 11,545 and 10,599 isotigs (average length: 1330, 1208 and 1390 bp, respectively) that were grouped into 15,954, 10,033 and 9189 isogroups. Following annotation, hybrid transcriptomic data were used to construct an oligonucleotide microarray to analyse nutritional regulation of the expression of 129 genes involved in OXPHOS in S. aurata. Starvation upregulated cytochrome c oxidase components and other key OXPHOS genes in the liver, which exhibited higher sensitive to food deprivation than the skeletal muscle. However, diet composition affected OXPHOS in the skeletal muscle to a greater extent than in the liver: most of genes upregulated under starvation presented higher expression among fish fed a high carbohydrate/low protein diet.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that the expression of coenzyme Q-binding protein (COQ10), cytochrome c oxidase subunit 6A2 (COX6A2) and ADP/ATP translocase 3 (SLC25A6) in the liver, and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 5B isoform 1 (COX5B1) in the liver and the skeletal muscle, are sensitive markers of the nutritional condition that may be relevant to assess the effect of changes in the feeding regime and diet composition on fish farming.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-017-4148-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Role of conformational change and K-path ligands in controlling cytochrome c oxidase activity

Given the central role of cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) in health and disease, it is an increasingly important question as to how the activity and efficiency of this key enzyme are regulated to respond to a variety of metabolic states. The present paper summarizes evidence for two modes of regulation of activity: first, by redox-induced conformational changes involving the K-proton uptake path; and secondly, by ligand binding to a conserved site immediately adjacent to the entrance of the K-path that leads to the active site. Both these phenomena highlight the importance of the K-path in control of CcO. The redox-induced structural changes are seen in both the two-subunit and a new four-subunit crystal structure of bacterial CcO and suggest a gating mechanism to control access of protons to the active site. A conserved ligand-binding site, first discovered as a bile salt/steroid site in bacterial and mammalian oxidases, is observed to bind an array of ligands, including nucleotides, detergents, and other amphipathic molecules. Highly variable effects on activity, seen for these ligands and mutations at the K-path entrance, can be explained by differing abilities to inhibit or stimulate K-path proton uptake by preventing or allowing water organization. A new mutant form in which the K-path is blocked by substituting the conserved carboxyl with a tryptophan clarifies the singularity of the K-path entrance site. Further study in eukaryotic systems will determine the physiological significance and pharmacological potential of ligand binding and conformational change in CcO.

Combined Respiratory Chain Deficiency and UQCC2 Mutations in Neonatal Encephalomyopathy: Defective Supercomplex Assembly in Complex III Deficiencies

Vertebrate respiratory chain complex III consists of eleven subunits. Mutations in five subunits either mitochondrial (MT-CYB) or nuclear (CYC1, UQCRC2, UQCRB, and UQCRQ) encoded have been reported. Defects in five further factors for assembly (TTC19, UQCC2, and UQCC3) or iron-sulphur cluster loading (BCS1L and LYRM7) cause complex III deficiency. Here, we report a second patient with UQCC2 deficiency. This girl was born prematurely; pregnancy was complicated by intrauterine growth retardation and oligohydramnios. She presented with respiratory distress syndrome, developed epileptic seizures progressing to status epilepticus, and died at day 33. She had profound lactic acidosis and elevated urinary pyruvate. Exome sequencing revealed two homozygous missense variants in UQCC2, leading to a severe reduction of UQCC2 protein. Deficiency of complexes I and III was found enzymatically and on the protein level. A review of the literature on genetically distinct complex III defects revealed that, except TTC19 deficiency, the biochemical pattern was very often a combined respiratory chain deficiency. Besides complex III, typically, complex I was decreased, in some cases complex IV. In accordance with previous observations, the presence of assembled complex III is required for the stability or assembly of complexes I and IV, which might be related to respirasome/supercomplex formation.

Pleiotropic effects of apolipoprotein C3 on HDL functionality and adipose tissue metabolic activity

APOC3 is produced mainly by the liver and intestine and approximately half of plasma APOC3 associates with HDL. Though it was believed that APOC3 associates with HDL by simple binding to preexisting particles, recent data support that biogenesis of APOC3-containing HDL (APOC3-HDL) requires Abca1. Moreover, APOC3-HDL contributes to plasma triglyceride homeostasis by preventing APOC3 association with triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. Interestingly, APOC3-HDL also shows positive correlation with the morbidly obese phenotype. However, the roles of APOC3 in HDL functionality and adipose tissue metabolic activity remain unknown. Therefore, here we investigated the direct effects of APOC3 expression on HDL structure and function, as well as white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) metabolic activity. C57BL/6 mice were infected with an adenovirus expressing human APOC3 or a recombinant attenuated control adenovirus expressing green fluorescent protein and blood and tissue samples were collected at 5 days postinfection. HDL was then analyzed for its apolipoprotein and lipid composition and particle functionality. Additionally, purified mitochondria from BAT and WAT were analyzed for uncoupling protein 1, cytochrome c (Cytc), and Cytc oxidase subunit 4 protein levels as an indirect measure of their metabolic activity. Serum metabolomic analysis was performed by NMR. Combined, our data show that APOC3 modulates HDL structure and function, while it selectively promotes BAT metabolic activation.

Cytochrome c Oxidase Activity Is a Metabolic Checkpoint that Regulates Cell Fate Decisions During T Cell Activation and Differentiation

T cells undergo metabolic reprogramming with major changes in cellular energy metabolism during activation. In patients with mitochondrial disease, clinical data were marked by frequent infections and immunodeficiency, prompting us to explore the consequences of oxidative phosphorylation dysfunction in T cells. Since cytochrome c oxidase (COX) is a critical regulator of OXPHOS, we created a mouse model with isolated dysfunction in T cells by targeting a gene, COX10, that produces mitochondrial disease in humans. COX dysfunction resulted in increased apoptosis following activation in vitro and immunodeficiency in vivo. Select T cell effector subsets were particularly affected; this could be traced to their bioenergetic requirements. In summary, the findings presented herein emphasize the role of COX particularly in T cells as a metabolic checkpoint for cell fate decisions following T cell activation, with heterogeneous effects in T cell subsets. In addition, our studies highlight the utility of translational models that recapitulate human mitochondrial disease for understanding immunometabolism.

Tissue- and Condition-Specific Isoforms of Mammalian Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunits: From Function to Human Disease

Cytochrome c oxidase (COX) is the terminal enzyme of the electron transport chain and catalyzes the transfer of electrons from cytochrome c to oxygen. COX consists of 14 subunits, three and eleven encoded, respectively, by the mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. Tissue- and condition-specific isoforms have only been reported for COX but not for the other oxidative phosphorylation complexes, suggesting a fundamental requirement to fine-tune and regulate the essentially irreversible reaction catalyzed by COX. This article briefly discusses the assembly of COX in mammals and then reviews the functions of the six nuclear-encoded COX subunits that are expressed as isoforms in specialized tissues including those of the liver, heart and skeletal muscle, lung, and testes: COX IV-1, COX IV-2, NDUFA4, NDUFA4L2, COX VIaL, COX VIaH, COX VIb-1, COX VIb-2, COX VIIaH, COX VIIaL, COX VIIaR, COX VIIIH/L, and COX VIII-3. We propose a model in which the isoforms mediate the interconnected regulation of COX by (1) adjusting basal enzyme activity to mitochondrial capacity of a given tissue; (2) allosteric regulation to adjust energy production to need; (3) altering proton pumping efficiency under certain conditions, contributing to thermogenesis; (4) providing a platform for tissue-specific signaling; (5) stabilizing the COX dimer; and (6) modulating supercomplex formation.

Free-radicals and advanced chemistries involved in cell membrane organization influence oxygen diffusion and pathology treatment

A breakthrough has been discovered in pathology chemistry related to increasing molecular structure that can interfere with oxygen diffusion through cell membranes. Free radicals can crosslink unsaturated low-viscosity fatty acid oils by chain-growth polymerization into more viscous liquids and even solids. Free radicals are released by mitochondria in response to intermittent hypoxia that can increase membrane molecular organization to reduce fluidity and oxygen diffusion in a possible continuing vicious cycle toward pathological disease. Alternate computational chemistry demonstrates molecular bond dynamics in free energy for cell membrane physiologic movements. Paired electrons in oxygen and nitrogen atoms require that oxygen bonds rotate and nitrogen bonds invert to seek polar nano-environments and hide from nonpolar nano-environments thus creating fluctuating instability at a nonpolar membrane and polar biologic fluid interface. Subsequent mechanomolecular movements provide free energy to increase diffusion by membrane transport of molecules and oxygen into the cell, cell-membrane signaling/recognition/defense in addition to protein movements for enzyme mixing. In other chemistry calcium bonds to membrane phosphates primarily on the outer plasma cell membrane surface to influence the membrane firing threshold for excitability and better seal out water permeation. Because calcium is an excellent metal conductor and membrane phosphate headgroups form a semiconductor at the biologic fluid interface, excess electrons released by mitochondria may have more broad dissipation potential by safe conduction through calcium atomic-sized circuits on the outer membrane surface. Regarding medical conditions, free radicals are known to produce pathology especially in age-related disease in addition to aging. Because cancer cell membranes develop extreme polymorphism that has been extensively followed in research, accentuated easily-visualized free-radical models are developed. In terms of treatment, use of vitamin nutrient supplements purported to be antioxidants that remove free radicals has not proved worthwhile in clinical trials presumably due to errors with early antioxidant measurements based on inaccurate colorimetry tests. However, newer covalent-bond shrinkage tests now provide accurate measurements for free-radical inhibitor hydroquinone and other molecules toward drug therapy.

Structural basis of mitochondrial dysfunction in response to cytochrome c phosphorylation at tyrosine 48

Regulation of mitochondrial activity allows cells to adapt to changing conditions and to control oxidative stress, and its dysfunction can lead to hypoxia-dependent pathologies such as ischemia and cancer. Although cytochrome c phosphorylation-in particular, at tyrosine 48-is a key modulator of mitochondrial signaling, its action and molecular basis remain unknown. Here we mimic phosphorylation of cytochrome c by replacing tyrosine 48 with p-carboxy-methyl-l-phenylalanine (pCMF). The NMR structure of the resulting mutant reveals significant conformational shifts and enhanced dynamics around pCMF that could explain changes observed in its functionality: The phosphomimetic mutation impairs cytochrome c diffusion between respiratory complexes, enhances hemeprotein peroxidase and reactive oxygen species scavenging activities, and hinders caspase-dependent apoptosis. Our findings provide a framework to further investigate the modulation of mitochondrial activity by phosphorylated cytochrome c and to develop novel therapeutic approaches based on its prosurvival effects.

Abl2 kinase phosphorylates Bi-organellar regulator MNRR1 in mitochondria, stimulating respiration

We previously showed that MNRR1 (Mitochondrial Nuclear Retrograde Regulator 1, also CHCHD2) functions in two subcellular compartments, displaying a different function in each. In the mitochondria it is a stress regulator of respiration that binds to cytochrome c oxidase (COX) whereas in the nucleus it is a transactivator of COX4I2 and other hypoxia-stimulated genes. We now show that binding of MNRR1 to COX is promoted by phosphorylation at tyrosine-99 and that this interaction stimulates respiration. We show that phosphorylation of MNRR1 takes place in mitochondria and is mediated by Abl2 kinase (ARG). A family with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A with an exaggerated phenotype harbors a Q112H mutation in MNRR1, located in a domain that is necessary for transcriptional activation by MNRR1. Furthermore, the mutation causes the protein to function suboptimally in the mitochondria in response to cellular stress. The Q112H mutation hinders the ability of the protein to interact with Abl kinase, leading to defective tyrosine phosphorylation and a resultant defect in respiration.

Phosphorylation of Cytochrome c Threonine 28 Regulates Electron Transport Chain Activity in Kidney: IMPLICATIONS FOR AMP KINASE

Mammalian cytochrome c (Cytc) plays a key role in cellular life and death decisions, functioning as an electron carrier in the electron transport chain and as a trigger of apoptosis when released from the mitochondria. However, its regulation is not well understood. We show that the major fraction of Cytc isolated from kidneys is phosphorylated on Thr²⁸, leading to a partial inhibition of respiration in the reaction with cytochrome c oxidase. To further study the effect of Cytc phosphorylation in vitro, we generated T28E phosphomimetic Cytc, revealing superior behavior regarding protein stability and its ability to degrade reactive oxygen species compared with wild-type unphosphorylated Cytc Introduction of T28E phosphomimetic Cytc into Cytc knock-out cells shows that intact cell respiration, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ_m), and ROS levels are reduced compared with wild type. As we show by high resolution crystallography of wild-type and T28E Cytc in combination with molecular dynamics simulations, Thr²⁸ is located at a central position near the heme crevice, the most flexible epitope of the protein apart from the N and C termini. Finally, in silico prediction and our experimental data suggest that AMP kinase, which phosphorylates Cytc on Thr²⁸ in vitro and colocalizes with Cytc to the mitochondrial intermembrane space in the kidney, is the most likely candidate to phosphorylate Thr²⁸ in vivo We conclude that Cytc phosphorylation is mediated in a tissue-specific manner and leads to regulation of electron transport chain flux via "controlled respiration," preventing ΔΨ_m hyperpolarization, a known cause of ROS and trigger of apoptosis.

COX7AR is a Stress-inducible Mitochondrial COX Subunit that Promotes Breast Cancer Malignancy

Cytochrome c oxidase (COX), the terminal enzyme of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, plays a key role in regulating mitochondrial energy production and cell survival. COX subunit VIIa polypeptide 2-like protein (COX7AR) is a novel COX subunit that was recently found to be involved in mitochondrial supercomplex assembly and mitochondrial respiration activity. Here, we report that COX7AR is expressed in high energy-demanding tissues, such as brain, heart, liver, and aggressive forms of human breast cancer cells. Under cellular stress that stimulates energy metabolism, COX7AR is induced and incorporated into the mitochondrial COX complex. Functionally, COX7AR promotes cellular energy production in human mammary epithelial cells. Gain- and loss-of-function analysis demonstrates that COX7AR is required for human breast cancer cells to maintain higher rates of proliferation, clone formation, and invasion. In summary, our study revealed that COX7AR is a stress-inducible mitochondrial COX subunit that facilitates human breast cancer malignancy. These findings have important implications in the understanding and treatment of human breast cancer and the diseases associated with mitochondrial energy metabolism.

Look into brain energy crisis and membrane pathophysiology in ischemia and reperfusion

In an ischemic environment, brain tissue responds to oxygen deprivation with the initiation of rapid changes in bioenergetic metabolism to ensure ion and metabolic homeostasis. At the same time, the accelerated cleavage of membrane phospholipids changes membrane composition and increases free fatty acid concentration. Phospholipid breakdown also generates specific messengers that participate in signaling cascades that can either promote neuronal protection or cause injury. The net impact of signaling events affects the final outcome of the stroke. While reoxygenation is a life-saving intervention, it can exacerbate brain damage. Although compromised energy metabolism is restored shortly after reperfusion, alterations in membrane phospholipid composition with subsequent accumulation of lipid oxoderivates are neurotoxic, causing oxidative stress and ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Thus, plasma and mitochondrial membranes are the first responders as well as mediators of IR-induced stress signals. In this review, we focus on ischemia-induced changes in brain energy metabolism and membrane functions as the causal agents of cell stress responses upon reoxygenation. The first part of the review deals with the specificities of neuronal bioenergetics during IR and their impact on metabolic processes. The second part is concentrated on involvement of both plasma and mitochondrial membranes in the production of messengers which can modulate neuroprotective pathways or participate in oxidative/electrophilic stress responses. Although the etiology of IR injury is multifactorial, deciphering the role of membrane and membrane-associated processes in brain damage will uncover new therapeutic agents with the ability to stabilize neuronal membranes and modulate their responses in favor of prosurvival pathways.

EF1A1/HSC70 Cooperatively Suppress Brain Endothelial Cell Apoptosis via Regulating JNK Activity

AIMS

In our previous study, eEF1A1 was identified to be a new target for protecting brain ischemia injury, but the mechanism remains largely unknown. In this study, we screened the downstream cellular protein molecules interacted with eEF1A1 and found mechanism of eEF1A1 in brain ischemia protection.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Through co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry for searching the interaction of proteins with eEF1A1 in bEnd3 cells, HSC70 was identified to be a binding protein of eEF1A1, which was further validated by Western blot and immunofluorescence. eEF1A1 or HSC70 knockdown, respectively, increased OGD-induced apoptosis of brain vascular endothelial cells, which was detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. HSC70 or eEF1A1 knockdown enhances phosphorylated JNK, phosphorylation of c-JUN (Ser63, Ser73), cleaved caspase-9, and cleaved caspase-3 expression, which could be rescued by JNK inhibitor.

CONCLUSION

In summary, our data suggest that the presence of chaperone forms of interaction between eEF1A1 and HSC70 in brain vascular endothelial cells, eEF1A1 and HSC70 can play a protective role in the process of ischemic stroke by inhibiting the JNK signaling pathway activation.

Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase deficiency

As with other mitochondrial respiratory chain components, marked clinical and genetic heterogeneity is observed in patients with a cytochrome c oxidase deficiency. This constitutes a considerable diagnostic challenge and raises a number of puzzling questions. So far, pathological mutations have been reported in more than 30 genes, in both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, affecting either structural subunits of the enzyme or proteins involved in its biogenesis. In this review, we discuss the possible causes of the discrepancy between the spectacular advances made in the identification of the molecular bases of cytochrome oxidase deficiency and the lack of any efficient treatment in diseases resulting from such deficiencies. This brings back many unsolved questions related to the frequent delay of clinical manifestation, variable course and severity, and tissue-involvement often associated with these diseases. In this context, we stress the importance of studying different models of these diseases, but also discuss the limitations encountered in most available disease models. In the future, with the possible exception of replacement therapy using genes, cells or organs, a better understanding of underlying mechanism(s) of these mitochondrial diseases is presumably required to develop efficient therapy.

Structural and functional characterization of phosphomimetic mutants of cytochrome c at threonine 28 and serine 47

Protein function is frequently modulated by post-translational modifications of specific residues. Cytochrome c, in particular, is phosphorylated in vivo at threonine 28 and serine 47. However, the effect of such modifications on the physiological functions of cytochrome c - namely, the transfer of electrons in the respiratory electron transport chain and the triggering of programmed cell death - is still unknown. Here we replace each of these two residues by aspartate, in order to mimic phosphorylation, and report the structural and functional changes in the resulting cytochrome c variants. We find that the T28D mutant causes a 30-mV decrease on the midpoint redox potential and lowers the affinity for the distal site of Arabidopsis thaliana cytochrome c1 in complex III. Both the T28D and S47D variants display a higher efficiency as electron donors for the cytochrome c oxidase activity of complex IV. In both protein mutants, the peroxidase activity is significantly higher, which is related to the ability of cytochrome c to leave the mitochondria and reach the cytoplasm. We also find that both mutations at serine 47 (S47D and S47A) impair the ability of cytoplasmic cytochrome c to activate the caspases cascade, which is essential for triggering programmed cell death.