On the mechanism of palmitic acid-induced apoptosis: the role of a pore induced by palmitic acid and Ca2+ in mitochondria

Mitochondrial Permeability Transition, Cell Death and Neurodegeneration

Neurodegenerative diseases are chronic conditions occurring when neurons die in specific brain regions that lead to loss of movement or cognitive functions. Despite the progress in understanding the mechanisms of this pathology, currently no cure exists to treat these types of diseases: for some of them the only help is alleviating the associated symptoms. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of most the neurodegenerative disorders. The fast and transient permeability of mitochondria (the mitochondrial permeability transition, mPT) has been shown to be an initial step in the mechanism of apoptotic and necrotic cell death, which acts as a regulator of tissue regeneration for postmitotic neurons as it leads to the irreparable loss of cells and cell function. In this study, we review the role of the mitochondrial permeability transition in neuronal death in major neurodegenerative diseases, covering the inductors of mPTP opening in neurons, including the major ones-free radicals and calcium-and we discuss perspectives and difficulties in the development of a neuroprotective strategy based on the inhibition of mPTP in neurodegenerative disorders.

Mitochondrial Cyclosporine A-Independent Palmitate/Ca2+-Induced Permeability Transition Pore (PA-mPT Pore) and Its Role in Mitochondrial Function and Protection against Calcium Overload and Glutamate Toxicity

A sharp increase in the permeability of the mitochondrial inner membrane known as mitochondrial permeability transition (or mPT) occurs in mitochondria under the conditions of Ca²⁺ and ROS stress. Permeability transition can proceed through several mechanisms. The most common mechanism of mPT is based on the opening of a cyclosporine A (CSA)-sensitive protein channel in the inner membrane. In addition to the CSA-sensitive pathway, mPT can occur through the transient opening of lipid pores, emerging in the process of formation of palmitate/Ca²⁺ complexes. This pathway is independent of CSA and likely plays a protective role against Ca²⁺ and ROS toxicity. The review considers molecular mechanisms of formation and regulation of the palmitate/Ca²⁺-induced pores, which we designate as PA-mPT to distinguish it from the classical CSA-sensitive mPT. In the paper, we discuss conditions of its opening in the biological membranes, as well as its role in the physiological and pathophysiological processes. Additionally, we summarize data that indicate the involvement of PA-mPT in the protection of mitochondria against calcium overload and glutamate-induced degradation in neurons.

Mitochondrial Ca2+ Transport: Mechanisms, Molecular Structures, and Role in Cells

Mitochondria are among the most important cell organelles involved in the regulation of intracellular calcium homeostasis. During the last decade, a number of molecular structures responsible for the mitochondrial calcium transport have been identified including the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU), Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCLX), and Ca2+/H+ antiporter (Letm1). The review summarizes the data on the structure, regulation, and physiological role of such structures. The pathophysiological mechanism of Ca2+ transport through the cyclosporine A-sensitive mitochondrial permeability transition pore is discussed. An alternative mechanism for the mitochondrial pore opening, namely, formation of the lipid pore induced by saturated fatty acids, and its role in Ca2+ transport are described in detail.

The Effect of Oleic and Palmitic Acid on Induction of Steatosis and Cytotoxicity on Rat Hepatocytes in Primary Culture

In vitro models serve as a tool for studies of steatosis. Palmitic and oleic acids can induce steatosis in cultured hepatocytes. The aim of our study was to verify steatogenic and cytotoxic effects of palmitic acid (PA), oleic acid (OA) and their combinations as well as their impact on functional capacity of rat primary hepatocytes. Hepatocytes were exposed to OA or PA (0.125-2 mmol/l) or their combination at ratios of 3:1, 2:1 or 1:1 at the final concentrations of 0.5-1 mmol/l. Both OA and PA caused a dose-dependent increase in triacylglycerol content in hepatocytes. PA was more steatogenic at 0.25 and 0.5 mmol/l while OA at 0.75 and 1 mmol/l. PA exhibited a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect associated with ROS production, present markers of apoptosis and necrosis and a decrease in albumin production. OA induced a damage of the cytoplasmic membrane from 1 mM concentration. Mixture of OA and PA induced lower cytotoxicity with less weakened functional capacity than did PA alone. Extent of steatosis was comparable to that after exposure to OA alone. In conclusion, OA or combination of OA with PA is more suitable for simulation of simple steatosis than PA alone.

Long-chain α,ω-dioic acids as inducers of cyclosporin A-insensitive nonspecific permeability of the inner membrane of liver mitochondria loaded with calcium or strontium ions

Long-chain saturated monocarboxylic fatty acids can induce nonspecific permeability of the inner membrane (open pores) of liver mitochondria loaded with Ca2+ or Sr(2+) by the mechanism insensitive to cyclosporin A. In this work we investigated the effect of their metabolites - α,ω-dioic (dicarboxylic) acids - as potential inducers of pore opening by a similar mechanism. It was established that the addition of α,ω-hexadecanedioic acid (HDA) at a concentration of 10-30 µM to liver mitochondria loaded with Ca2+ or Sr(2+) leads to swelling of the organelles and release of these ions from the matrix. The maximum effect of HDA is observed at 50 µM Ca2+ concentration. Cyclosporin A at a concentration of 1 µM, previously added to the mitochondria, did not inhibit the observed processes. The calcium uniporter inhibitor ruthenium red, which blocks influx of Ca2+ and Sr(2+) to the matrix of mitochondria, prevented HDA-induced swelling. The effect of HDA as inducer of swelling of mitochondria was compared with similar effects of α,ω-tetradecanedioic and α,ω-dodecanedioic acids whose acyl chains are two and four carbon atoms shorter than HDA, respectively. It was found that the efficiency of these α,ω-dioic acids decreases with reducing number of carbon atoms in their acyl chains. It was concluded that in the presence of Ca2+ or Sr(2+) long-chain saturated α,ω-dioic acids can induce a cyclosporin A-insensitive permeability of the inner membrane (open pores) of liver mitochondria as well as their monocarboxylic analogs.

A permeability transition in liver mitochondria and liposomes induced by α,ω-dioic acids and Ca(2+)

The article examines the molecular mechanism of the Ca(2+)-dependent cyclosporin A (CsA)-insensitive permeability transition in rat liver mitochondria induced by α,ω-dioic acids. The addition of α,ω-hexadecanedioic acid (HDA) to Ca(2+)-loaded liver mitochondria was shown to induce a high-amplitude swelling of the organelles, a drop of membrane potential and the release of Ca(2+) from the matrix, the effects being insensitive to CsA. The experiments with liposomes loaded with sulforhodamine B (SRB) revealed that, like palmitic acid (PA), HDA was able to cause permeabilization of liposomal membranes. However, the kinetics of HDA- and PA-induced release of SRB from liposomes was different, and HDA was less effective than PA in the induction of SRB release. Using the method of ultrasound interferometry, we also showed that the addition of Ca(2+) to HDA-containing liposomes did not change the phase state of liposomal membranes-in contrast to what was observed when Ca(2+) was added to PA-containing vesicles. It was suggested that HDA/Ca(2+)- and PA/Ca(2+)-induced permeability transition occurs by different mechanisms. Using the method of dynamic light scattering, we further revealed that the addition of Ca(2+) to HDA-containing liposomes induced their aggregation/fusion. Apparently, these processes result in a partial release of SRB due to the formation of fusion pores. The possibility that this mechanism underlies the HDA/Ca(2+)-induced permeability transition of the mitochondrial membrane is discussed.

Hepatocellular toxicity of benzbromarone: effects on mitochondrial function and structure

Benzbromarone is an uricosuric structurally related to amiodarone and a known mitochondrial toxicant. The aim of the current study was to improve our understanding in the molecular mechanisms of benzbromarone-associated hepatic mitochondrial toxicity. In HepG2 cells and primary human hepatocytes, ATP levels started to decrease in the presence of 25-50μM benzbromarone for 24-48h, whereas cytotoxicity was observed only at 100μM. In HepG2 cells, benzbromarone decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential starting at 50μM following incubation for 24h. Additionally, in HepG2 cells, 50μM benzbromarone for 24h induced mitochondrial uncoupling,and decreased mitochondrial ATP turnover and maximal respiration. This was accompanied by an increased lactate concentration in the cell culture supernatant, reflecting increased glycolysis as a compensatory mechanism to maintain cellular ATP. Investigation of the electron transport chain revealed a decreased activity of all relevant enzyme complexes. Furthermore, treatment with benzbromarone was associated with increased cellular ROS production, which could be located specifically to mitochondria. In HepG2 cells and in isolated mouse liver mitochondria, benzbromarone also reduced palmitic acid metabolism due to an inhibition of the long-chain acyl CoA synthetase. In HepG2 cells, benzbromarone disrupted the mitochondrial network, leading to mitochondrial fragmentation and a decreased mitochondrial volume per cell. Cell death occurred by both apoptosis and necrosis. The study demonstrates that benzbromarone not only affects the function of mitochondria in HepG2 cells and human hepatocytes, but is also associated with profound changes in mitochondrial structure which may be associated with apoptosis.

Evaluation of potential genotoxicity of HIV entry inhibitors derived from natural sources

AIDS is a global pandemic that has seen the development of novel and effective treatments to improve the quality of life of those infected and reduction of spread of the disease. Palmitic Acid (PA), which we identified and isolated from Sargassum fusiforme, is a naturally occurring fatty acid that specifically inhibits HIV entry by binding to a novel pocket on the CD4 receptor. We also identified a structural analogue, 2-bromopalmitate (2-BP), as a more effective HIV entry inhibitor with a 20-fold increase in efficacy. We have used the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of 2-BP as a platform to identify new small chemical molecules that fit into the various identified active sites in an effort to identify more potent CD4 entry inhibitors. To validate further drug development, we tested the PA and 2-BP scaffold molecules for genotoxic potential. The FDA and International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) recommends using a standardized 3-test battery for testing compound genotoxicity consisting of the bacterial reverse mutation assay, mouse lymphoma assay, and rat micronucleus assay. PA and 2-BP and their metabolites tested negative in all three genotoxicty tests. 2-BP is the first derivative of PA to undergo pre-clinical screening, which will enable us to now test multiple simultaneous small chemical structures based on activity in scaffold modeling across the dimension of pre-clinical testing to enable transition to human testing.

Protection of palmitic acid-mediated lipotoxicity by arachidonic acid via channeling of palmitic acid into triglycerides in C2C12

Background

Excessive saturated fatty acids have been considered to be one of major contributing factors for the dysfunction of skeletal muscle cells as well as pancreatic beta cells, leading to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.

Results

PA induced cell death in a dose dependent manner up to 1.5 mM, but AA protected substantially lipotoxicity caused by PA at even low concentration of 62 μM, at which monounsaturated fatty acids including palmitoleic acid (POA) and oleic acid (OA) did not protect as much as AA did. Induction of cell death by PA was resulted from mitochondrial membrane potential loss, and AA effectively blocked the progression of apoptosis. Furthermore, AA rescued significantly PA-impaired glucose uptake and -signal transduction of Akt in response to insulin.

Based on the observations that polyunsaturated AA generated competently cellular droplets at low concentration within the cytosol of myotubes compared with other monounsaturated fatty acids, and AA-driven lipid droplets were also enhanced in the presence of PA, we hypothesized that incorporation of harmful PA into inert triglyceride (TG) may be responsible for the protective effects of AA against PA-induced lipotoxicity. To address this assumption, C2C12 myotubes were incubated with fluorescent probed-PA analogue 4, 4-difluoro-5, 7-dimethyl-4-boro-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene-3-hexadecanoic acid (BODIPY FL C16) in the presence of AA and their subsequent lipid profiles were analyzed. The analyses of lipids on thin layer chromatograpy (TLC) showed that fluorescent PA analogue was rapidly channeled into AA-driven TG droplets.

Conclusion

Taken together, it is proposed that AA diverts PA into inert TG, therefore reducing the availability of harmful PA into intracellular target molecules.

In the eye of the storm: mitochondrial damage during heart and brain ischaemia

We review research investigating mitochondrial damage during heart and brain ischaemia, focusing on the mechanisms and consequences of ischaemia-induced and/or reperfusion-induced: (a) inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory complex I; (b) release of cytochrome c from mitochondria; (c) changes to mitochondrial phospholipids; and (d) nitric oxide inhibition of mitochondria. Heart ischaemia causes inhibition of cytochrome oxidase and complex I, release of cytochrome c, and induction of permeability transition and hydrolysis and oxidation of mitochondrial phospholipids, but some of the mechanisms are unclear. Brain ischaemia causes inhibition of complexes I and IV, but other effects are less clear.

Linoleic acid stimulates [Ca2+]i increase in rat pancreatic beta-cells through both membrane receptor- and intracellular metabolite-mediated pathways

The role of the free fatty acid (FFA) receptor and the intracellular metabolites of linoleic acid (LA) in LA-stimulated increase in cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]i) was investigated. [Ca²⁺]i was measured using Fura-2 as indicator in rat pancreatic β-cells in primary culture. LA (20 µM for 2 min) stimulated a transient peak increase followed by a minor plateau increase in [Ca²⁺]i. Elongation of LA stimulation up to 10 min induced a strong and long-lasting elevation in [Ca²⁺]i. Activation of FFA receptors by the non-metabolic agonist GW9508 (40 µM for 10 min) resulted in an increase in [Ca²⁺]i similar to that of 2-min LA treatment. Inhibition of acyl-CoA synthetases by Triacsin C suppressed the strong and long-lasting increase in [Ca²⁺]i. The increase in [Ca²⁺]i induced by 2 min LA or GW9508 were fully eliminated by exhaustion of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca²⁺ stores or by inhibition of phospholipase C (PLC). Removal of extracellular Ca²⁺ did not influence the transient peak increase in [Ca²⁺]i stimulated by 2 min LA or GW9508. The strong and long-lasting increase in [Ca²⁺]i induced by 10 min LA was only partially suppressed by extracellular Ca²⁺ removal or thapsigargin pretreatment, whereas remaining elevation in [Ca²⁺]i was eliminated after exhaustion of mitochondrial Ca²⁺ using triphenyltin. In conclusion, LA stimulates Ca²⁺ release from ER through activation of the FFA receptor coupled to PLC and mobilizes mitochondrial Ca²⁺ by intracellular metabolites in β-cells.

In Vitro Ultramorphological Assessment of Apoptosis on CEMss Induced by Linoleic Acid-Rich Fraction from Typhonium flagelliforme Tuber

The plant Typhonium flagelliforme, commonly known as “rodent tuber” in Malaysia, is often used as a health supplement and traditional remedy for alternative cancer therapies, including leukemia. This study aimed to evaluate in vitro anti-leukemic activity of dichloromethane extract/fraction number 7 (DCM/F7) from T. flagelliforme tuber on human T4 lymphoblastoid (CEMss) cell line. The DCM extract of tuber has been fractionated by column chromatography. The obtained fractions were evaluated for its cytotoxicity toward CEMss cells as well as human primary blood lymphocytes (PBLs). Assessment of apoptosis produced by the most active fraction was evaluated by various microscopic techniques and further confirmation of apoptosis was done by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Phytochemical screening was done by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results shows that 7 out of 12 fractions showed significant cytotoxicity against the selected cell line CEMss, in which fractions DCM/F7, DCM/F11 and DCM/F12 showed exceptional activity with 3, 5 and 6.2 μg ml⁻¹, respectively. Further studies in the non-cancerous PBL exhibited significant selectivity of DCM/F7 compared to other fractions. Cytological observations showed chromatin condensation, cell shrinkage, abnormalities of cristae, membrane blebbing, cytoplasmic extrusions and formation of apoptotic bodies as confirmed collectively by double-staining of acridine orange (AO)/propidium iodide (PI), SEM and TEM. In addition, DCM/F7 has increased the cellular DNA breaks on treated cells. GC-MS revealed that DCM/F7 contains linoleic acid, hexadecanoic acid and 9-hexadecanoic acid. The present results indicate that T. flagelliforme possess a valuable anti-leukemic effect and was able to produce distinctive morphological features of cell death that corresponds to apoptosis.

Hyperglycemia magnifies Schwann cell dysfunction and cell death triggered by PA-induced lipotoxicity

Lipid overload resulting in lipotoxicity is prominent in a number of chronic diseases and has been associated with cellular dysfunction and cell death. This study characterizes palmitic acid-induced lipotoxicity (PA-LTx) in Schwann cell cultures grown in normal and high glucose concentrations. The study shows for the first time that Schwann cell (SC) cultures exposed to elevated levels of PA exhibit a dose- and time-dependent loss in cell viability. Hoescht and Annexin V/7AAD staining confirmed cell death through apoptosis and the lipotoxic effect was more dramatic in SC cultures grown under high glucose conditions. The first indication of cellular dysfunction in treated SC cultures was a decrease in Ca(++) levels in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER, [Ca(++)](ER)) observed five minutes following the initial challenge with PA. This decrease in [Ca(++) ](ER) was followed by a significant increase in the expression of ER stress signature genes CHOP, Xbp1 and GRP78. The early ER stress response induced by PA-LTx was followed by a strong mitochondrial membrane depolarization. Flow cytometry using 2', 7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H(2)DCFDA) showed an increase in oxidative stress within three to six hours after PA treatment. Treatment of cultures undergoing PA-LTx with the calcium chelator BAPTA-AM and the anti-oxidant MCI-186 significantly reversed the lipotoxic effect by decreasing the generation of ROS and significantly increasing cell viability. We conclude that lipotoxicity in Schwann cells results in cellular dysfunction and cell death that involves a robust ER stress response, mitochondrial dysfunction and an augmented state of cellular oxidative stress (ASCOS).

Palmitic acid induces the opening of a Ca2+-dependent pore in the plasma membrane of red blood cells: the possible role of the pore in erythrocyte lysis

Earlier we found that in the presence of Ca(2+) palmitic acid (Pal) increases the nonspecific permeability of artificial (planar and liposomal) membranes and causes permeabilization of the inner mitochondrial membrane. An assumption was made that the mechanism of Pal/Ca(2+)-induced membrane permeabilization relates to the Ca(2+)-induced phase separation of Pal and can be considered as formation of fast-tightening lipid pores due to chemotropic phase transition in the lipid bilayer. In this article, we continue studying this pore. We have found that Pal plus Ca(2+) permeabilize the plasma membrane of red blood cells in a dose-dependent manner. The same picture has been revealed for stearic acid (20 μM) but not for myristic and linoleic acids. The Pal-induced permeabilization of erythrocytic membranes can also occur in the presence of Ba(2+) and Mn(2+) (200 μM), but other bivalent cations (200 μM Mg(2+), Sr(2+), Ni(2+), Co(2+)) are relatively ineffective. The formation of Pal/Ca(2+)-induced pores in the erythrocytic membranes has been found to result in the destruction of cells.

Mitochondria as decision-makers in cell death

Mitochondria play an essential role in both cell health and death. Increasing experimental evidence suggests that mitochondria are involved in active control of cell death processes at several levels including (1) mitochondrial membrane permeabilization and release of proapoptotic proteins, (2) post-cytochrome c regulation of caspase activation, and (3) supply of energy for execution of death program. The purpose of this review is to discuss the main mechanisms by which alterations in mitochondrial outer membrane permit the translocation of proapoptotic proteins into cytosol, how mitochondria "make decisions" on the mode of cell death, and how they regulate caspase activation by changing the redox state of cytosolic cytochrome c. The interventions into these processes may constitute an important strategy for the pharmacological prevention of unwanted cell death in various pathologies or, conversely, for facilitation of anticancer therapy.

Mitochondrial Ca2+ cycle mediated by the palmitate-activated cyclosporin a-insensitive pore

Earlier we found that in isolated rat liver mitochondria the reversible opening of the mitochondrial cyclosporin A-insensitive pore induced by low concentrations of palmitic acid (Pal) plus Ca(2+) results in the brief loss of Deltapsi [Mironova et al., J Bioenerg Biomembr (2004), 36:171-178]. Now we report that Pal and Ca(2+), increased to 30 and 70 nmol/mg protein respectively, induce a stable and prolonged (10 min) partial depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane, the release of Ca(2+) and the swelling of mitochondria. Inhibitors of the Ca(2+) uniporter, ruthenium red and La(3+), as well as EGTA added in 10 min after the Pal/Ca(2+)-activated pore opening, prevent the release of Ca(2+) and repolarize the membrane to initial level. Similar effects can be observed in the absence of exogeneous Pal, upon mitochondria accumulating high [Sr(2+)], which leads to the activation of phospholipase A(2) and appearance of endogenous fatty acids. The paper proposes a new model of the mitochondrial Ca(2+) cycle, in which Ca(2+) uptake is mediated by the Ca(2+) uniporter and Ca(2+) efflux occurs via a short-living Pal/Ca(2+)-activated pore.