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Martins AC, Virgolini MB, Ávila DS, Scharf P, Li J, Tinkov AA, Skalny AV, Bowman AB, Rocha JBT, Aschner M. Mitochondria in the Spotlight: C. elegans as a Model Organism to Evaluate Xenobiotic-Induced Dysfunction. Cells 2023; 12:2124. [PMID: 37681856 PMCID: PMC10486742 DOI: 10.3390/cells12172124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria play a crucial role in cellular respiration, ATP production, and the regulation of various cellular processes. Mitochondrial dysfunctions have been directly linked to pathophysiological conditions, making them a significant target of interest in toxicological research. In recent years, there has been a growing need to understand the intricate effects of xenobiotics on human health, necessitating the use of effective scientific research tools. Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), a nonpathogenic nematode, has emerged as a powerful tool for investigating toxic mechanisms and mitochondrial dysfunction. With remarkable genetic homology to mammals, C. elegans has been used in studies to elucidate the impact of contaminants and drugs on mitochondrial function. This review focuses on the effects of several toxic metals and metalloids, drugs of abuse and pesticides on mitochondria, highlighting the utility of C. elegans as a model organism to investigate mitochondrial dysfunction induced by xenobiotics. Mitochondrial structure, function, and dynamics are discussed, emphasizing their essential role in cellular viability and the regulation of processes such as autophagy, apoptosis, and calcium homeostasis. Additionally, specific toxins and toxicants, such as arsenic, cadmium, and manganese are examined in the context of their impact on mitochondrial function and the utility of C. elegans in elucidating the underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, we demonstrate the utilization of C. elegans as an experimental model providing a promising platform for investigating the intricate relationships between xenobiotics and mitochondrial dysfunction. This knowledge could contribute to the development of strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of contaminants and drugs of abuse, ultimately enhancing our understanding of these complex processes and promoting human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Airton C. Martins
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA;
| | - Miriam B. Virgolini
- Departamento de Farmacología Otto Orsingher, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5000, Argentina
- Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Técnicas (IFEC-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5000, Argentina
| | - Daiana Silva Ávila
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Toxicology in Caenorhabditis Elegans, Universidade Federal do Pampa, Campus Uruguaiana, BR-472 Km 592, Uruguaiana 97500-970, RS, Brazil
| | - Pablo Scharf
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Jung Li
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA 50312, USA
| | - Alexey A. Tinkov
- Laboratory of Ecobiomonitoring and Quality Control, Yaroslavl State University, Yaroslavl 150003, Russia
- Laboratory of Molecular Dietetics, IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow 119435, Russia
| | - Anatoly V. Skalny
- Laboratory of Ecobiomonitoring and Quality Control, Yaroslavl State University, Yaroslavl 150003, Russia
- Laboratory of Molecular Dietetics, IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow 119435, Russia
- Peoples Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow 117198, Russia
| | - Aaron B. Bowman
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2051, USA
| | - João B. T. Rocha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, Brazil
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA;
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Agarrayua DA, Silva AC, Saraiva NR, Soares AT, Aschner M, Avila DS. Neurotoxicology of metals and metallic nanoparticles in Caenorhabditis elegans. ADVANCES IN NEUROTOXICOLOGY 2023; 9:107-148. [PMID: 37384197 PMCID: PMC10306323 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ant.2023.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Araujo Agarrayua
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Toxicology in Caenorhabditis elegans, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil
| | - Aline Castro Silva
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Toxicology in Caenorhabditis elegans, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil
| | - Nariani Rocha Saraiva
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Toxicology in Caenorhabditis elegans, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil
| | - Ana Thalita Soares
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Toxicology in Caenorhabditis elegans, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Daiana Silva Avila
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Toxicology in Caenorhabditis elegans, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences- Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
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Martins AC, Virgolini MB, Tinkov AA, Skalny AV, Tirumala RP, Farina M, Santamaria A, Lu R, Aschner M. Iron overload and neurodegenerative diseases: What can we learn from Caenorhabditis elegans? TOXICOLOGY RESEARCH AND APPLICATION 2022; 6. [PMID: 35990536 PMCID: PMC9390093 DOI: 10.1177/23978473221091852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Iron (Fe) is an essential trace element required for several physiological processes. It plays important roles in mitochondrial function, synthesis, and metabolism of the neurotransmitter, as well as oxygen transport. However, excess Fe can cause toxicity. Particularly, Fe overload may result in neurotoxicity, contributing to the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, although the molecular mechanisms underlying Fe-induced neurodegeneration have yet to be entirely understood. Alternative (non-rodent) experimental models have been pointed as important approaches to elucidate molecular and physiological events mediating Fe-induced pathology. Among such alternative strategies, an advantageous experimental worm-model system, Caenorhabditis elegans ( C. elegans), has been used to investigate Fe-induced neurotoxicity and neurodegenerative disorders. Its genome has been fully sequenced, corroborating that it shares significant homology with mammalians, and has approximately 40% of human disease-related genes. As part of this review, we discuss studies using the C. elegans model to study molecular mechanisms such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, disturbed homeostasis, and its potential contribution to the study of metal-induced neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Airton C Martins
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Miriam B Virgolini
- Departamento de Farmacología Otto Orsingher, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Técnicas (IFEC-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Alexey A Tinkov
- Laboratory of Molecular Dietetics, IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
- Laboratory of Ecobiomonitoring and Quality Control, Yaroslavl State University, Yaroslavl, Russia
| | - Anatoly V. Skalny
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
- K.G. Razumovsky Moscow State University of Technologies and Management, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Marcelo Farina
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Abel Santamaria
- Laboratorio de Aminoácidos Excitadores, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rongzhu Lu
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Laboratory Science, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
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Conjugates of desferrioxamine and aromatic amines improve markers of iron-dependent neurotoxicity. Biometals 2021; 34:259-275. [PMID: 33389339 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-020-00277-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder associated in some instances with dyshomeostasis of redox-active metal ions, such as copper and iron. In this work, we investigated whether the conjugation of various aromatic amines would improve the pharmacological efficacy of the iron chelator desferrioxamine (DFO). Conjugates of DFO with aniline (DFOANI), benzosulfanylamide (DFOBAN), 2-naphthalenamine (DFONAF) and 6-quinolinamine (DFOQUN) were obtained and their properties examined. DFOQUN had good chelating activity, promoted a significant increase in the inhibition of β-amyloid peptide aggregation when compared to DFO, and also inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity both in vitro and in vivo (Caenorhabditis elegans). These data indicate that the covalent conjugation of a strong iron chelator to an AChE inhibitor offers a powerful approach for the amelioration of iron-induced neurotoxicity symptoms.
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