Studies on mitochondrial proteins. I. Separation and characterization by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Two-dimensional gel electrophoretic resolution of the polypeptides of rat liver mitochondria and the outer membrane

The proteins of highly purified rat liver mitochondria were resolved by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and detected by staining with either Coomassie blue or silver. Approximately 250 polypeptides were detected with silver staining which is 2- to 3-times that observed with Coomassie blue. Silver staining was especially more effective than Coomassie blue for detecting polypeptides of less than 50 000 daltons. A two-dimensional gel pattern of rat liver microsomes was distinct from that of the mitochondria. The mitochondrial outer membrane was prepared from purified mitochondria either with digitonin or by swelling in a hypotonic medium. As assessed by marker enzymes, the latter method yielded a considerably purer outer membrane preparation (20-fold purification) than the former (2.6-fold purification). Approximately 50 polypeptides were observed in a two-dimensional gel (pH 3-10) of the highly purified outer membrane fraction. Three isoelectric forms of the pore (VDAC) protein were observed with pI values of 8.2, 7.8 and 7.1. Monoamine oxidase was identified as a polypeptide of Mr 60 000. About 50 polypeptides were also resolved in a reverse polarity non-equilibrium pH gradient electrophoresis gel of the outer membrane, pH 3-10, with at least six isoelectric forms of the VDAC protein observed under these conditions. The six isoforms of the VDAC protein were also observed in a non-equilibrium gel with 2 micrograms of the purified protein.

Kinetics of voltage-induced conductance increases in the outer mitochondrial membrane

The kinetics of the increase in conductance in the outer mitochondrial membrane induced by patch-clamping at various negative potentials (pipette inside negative) are reported. The changes are biphasic, a rapid increase is followed by a slowly developing larger change. The results can be predicted by a model in which an initial activation of channels is followed by their assembly into highly conducting channels. The model suggests that five to seven activated subunits form each high-conductance channel.

Mitochondria and microsomal membranes have a free radical reductase activity that prevents chromanoxyl radical accumulation

Enzyme-dependent mechanisms which prevent accumulation of chromanoxyl radicals derived from the vitamin E analogue, 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethyl-6-hydroxycromane (PMC), were characterized in rat liver microsomal and mitochondrial membranes. The free radical oxidation product of PMC (chromanoxyl radical) was generated in membranes using either photochemical (uv light) or enzymatic (lipoxygenase and arachidonic acid) methods and detected by ESR. Substrates (NADH or NADPH) prevented accumulation of chromanoxyl radicals until the substrate was fully consumed. In microsomes, reduced glutathione increased the efficacy of NADPH in preventing the accumulation of the chromanoxyl radical, but was without effect in the absence of NADPH. Ascorbate also prevented accumulation of the chromanoxyl radical. It is concluded that rat liver microsomes and mitochondria have both enzymatic and non-enzymatic mechanisms for reducing chromanoxyl radicals.

Evidence for a novel voltage-activated channel in the outer mitochondrial membrane

Patch-clamp studies of the outer mitochondrial membrane indicate a voltage-dependent increase in conductance for potentials positive relative to the exterior of the mitochondrion. The time course of the conductance changes is consistent with an activation of channels. Voltage pulse experiments suggest that the activation phenomenon corresponds to assembly of the channels from subunits with disassembly occurring after recovery of the original conductance. Effects of temperature and concanavalin A on the voltage-induced conductances are also consistent with a channel assembly model.

Acyl CoA oxidase is the most suitable marker for hepatic peroxisomal changes caused by treatment of F344 rats with di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate

Hepatic peroxisomal changes, caused by treating male Fischer 344 rats with di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, were examined by measuring activities of enzymes involved in peroxisomal beta-oxidation, catalase and levels of the 80,000 Da peroxisome proliferation-associated polypeptide. Acyl CoA oxidase activity was increased 2.5-fold after 1 day, and 8-fold after 14 days. Enoyl CoA hydratase activity increased 2-fold after 2 days and 6-fold after 14 days. There were no significant increases in hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase or catalase activities after 3 days of treatment. Thus acyl CoA oxidase activity was the most sensitive marker of early peroxisomal changes. The apparent no-observable-effect level for this change was 0.06 g/kg/day.

Quantitative determination of overlapped proteins in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

A method for resolving an overlapped polypeptide pattern of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was described. The procedure was essentially a Gaussian fitting using the least squares method, and could resolve more than 20 overlapped components simultaneously. The applicability to overlapped and shouldered patterns was evaluated using practical electrophoretic data with varying amounts of mitochondrial samples. The relative contents of respective polypeptide components gave a good agreement regardless of the loaded amounts.

The distribution of cholesterol and phospholipid composition in submitochondrial membranes from bovine adrenal cortex: fundamental studies of steroidogenic mitochondria

The cholesterol contents and phospholipid compositions of mitochondria, microsomes and submitochondrial membranes from bovine adrenal cortex have been analyzed quantitatively. From our results, the following cholesterol contents were obtained: mitochondria, 6.2 +/- 0.9 mol %; microsomes, 18.4 +/- 2.8 mol %; mitochondrial inner membrane, 2.8 +/- 0.6 mol %; and mitochondrial outer membrane, 8.3 +/- 1.3 mol %. In addition, the phospholipid compositions of the mitochondrial inner and outer membranes were determined for the first time. Cardiolipin was found to be enriched in the inner membrane, whereas phosphatidylinositol was richer in the outer membrane. The general features of phospholipid compositions in the submitochondrial membranes resembled that of rat liver mitochondria.

Structure of the outer mitochondrial membrane: ordered arrays of porelike subunits in outer-membrane fractions from Neurospora crassa mitochondria

Light-membrane fractions obtained by hypoosmotic lysis of neurospora crassa mitochondria exhibit buoyant densities and marker-enzyme activities characteristic of outer mitochondrial membranes. SDS PAGE of these membrane fractions indicates that a polypeptide of M(r) 31,000 is the main protein component. Under negative-stain electron microscope examination many of the membranes in these fractions appear as large (0.5-1- mum diameter), collapsed vesicles. The surfaces of flattened, open (i.e., ripped) vesicles often exhibit extended two-dimensional arrays of subunits are arranged into hexagons within each parallelogram unit cell, 12.6x11.1 nm (lattice angle = 109 degrees).

Selective interaction of D-beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase with intracellular membranes

We are investigating the properties of pre-existing membrane structures that may contribute to localization of newly formed polypeptides on target membranes. To this end, D-beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.30) was purified from inner membranes of rat liver mitochondria and interacted with three different cellular membranes, as well as with liposomes prepared from membrane lipid extracts. (1) The purified lipid-free enzyme displayed little catalytic activity. Its activity was restored by interaction with rat liver mitochondrial inner membranes or microsomal membranes, but not with rat erythrocyte plasma membrane vesicles. (2) Plasma membranes from which membrane proteins had been partially removed did not reactivate the enzyme, but microsomal membranes treated in a similar manner displayed an increased efficiency of reactivation. (3) The selective reactivation found in the three membrane species was confirmed in liposomes prepared with total lipid extracts of the native membranes. The results suggest that the interaction of exogeneously added enzyme with the membranes is primarily dependent on lipid components or some specific lipid environment on the acceptor membranes.

[Mitochondrial sialyltransferase (author's transl)]

A sialyl transferase activity is found in purified mitochondria. It is not due to residual contamination and this enzymatic system is located in the outer mitochondrial membrane. This proves mitochondrial autonomy in regard to glyconconjugate sialylation.

Phosphate transport and proteins with SH groups in rat liver mitochondria

Phosphate transport in rat liver mitochondria was studied by following [32P] phosphate uptake within physiological concentrations. Transport inhibition due to mersalyl and protection by mersalyl against N-ethylmaleimide measured in those conditions corresponded to earlier results obtained by the swelling technique. When mitochondria were incubated with [3H] N-ethylmaleimide in the presence of mersalyl, the radioactive labeling in proteins of particles obtained after sonication was decreased in all fractions, but three proteins were both highly alkylated and also highly protected by mersalyl (M.W. 48,000 - 36,000 - 31,000). Two of these (M.W. 36,000 and 31,000) were partially purified by ultrogel chromatography in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Furthermore, it was shown that both phosphate and nigericin diminished labeling by N-ethylmaleimide in the final supernatant fraction. Two proteins (M.W. 98,000 and 31,000) were significantly alkylated by [3H] N-ethylmaleimide and protected by phosphate and nigericin.

Incorporation of amino acids by isolated submitochondrial fractions of lactating goat mammary gland in vitro

Incorporation of amino acids by mitochondria and its subfractions from mammary gland of the goat during lactation was studied in vitro. Assessment of distribution of radioactivity incorporated by intact mitochondria into its subfractions revealed maximum specific activity in the inner membrane. During lactation the inner membrane of mitochondria exhibited further stimulation in such incorporation. Matrix was the next active fraction whereas outer membrane and peripheral space had negligible radioactivity. In isolated submitochondrial fractions from mammary gland incubated with radioactive amino acids under similar conditions of assay, the inner membrane was the most potent subfraction in incorporation. In mammary tissue during lactation this fraction was the most active site. The relative sequence of the subfractions appeared to remain unaltered in lactation and was in the order of inner membrane greater than matrix greater than outer membrane greater than peripheral space. The ratio of specific activity in inner to outer membrane appears to increase significantly during lactation.

Cold lability of membrane-bound F1-ATPase

1. Preincubation of MgATP submitochondrial particles with EDTA or Tris.HCl liberated a measurable amount of ATPase inhibitor that could be rapidly purified using only trichloroacetic acid precipitation and heat treatment. 2. In spite of the emergence of high ATPase activity, a considerable amount of ATPase inhibitor was left in the particles. Comparative analysis of other submitochondrial preparations indicated that only AS-particles were effectively depleted. 3. The high ATPase activity of inhibitor-deficient particles, was labile at low temperature provided that the exposure to cold was done in the presence of MgATP. Other nucleotides could not substitute for ATP. Glycerol inhibited and salts enhanced the cold inactivation of membrane-bound F1-ATPase. Isolation of F1-ATPase from cold-inactivated particles yielded a soluble preparation of correspondingly lower activity. 4. It is concluded that together with the increase of ATPase activity, the ATP-dependent cold lability of membrane-bound F1-ATPase and the dislocation of ATPase inhibitor at non operative sites reveal the extent of ATPase complex disorganization.

[Reversible enlargement of proteins in rat liver mitochondria: analysis by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis]

Intramitochondrial large amplitude protein movements were studied by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis on the intermembranal fluids of mitochondria which were incubated in presence of movement effectors. The specific and reversible property of this phenomenon was confirmed by this method. Its bilateral nature was observed. The eventuality of a partial inner membrane damage provoked by the synergic action of digitonine and movement effector, was discussed, evaluated and dismissed.

Isolation and characterization of proteins associated with the lung surfactant system

Rabbit lung washings and purified lung surfactant were delipidated without precipitation or loss of protein. This enabled effective study of the proteins by electrophoretic and immunoelectrophoretic techniques. The lung washings contained secretory immunoglobulin A and several serum proteins. The protein composition of purified lung surfactant was the same as the unfractionated lung washings confirming our previous study which indicated that there is no specific protein associated with surfactant phospholipids obtained by alveolar lavage with isotonic saline.

Studies on the adenine nucleotide translocase from rat liver mitochondria. Isolation, partial characterization and immunochemical properties of carboxyatractylate-binding protein

1. Solubility of mitochondrial membranes in various solvent systems was determined quantitatively. The most effective agent was the anionic detergent, sodium dodecylsulphate, which solubilizes 90% of the protein at the concentration of 0.1% followed by Triton X-100 (70%), sodium deoxycholate (60%), Brij 56 (50%), and guanidine hydrochloride (40%) at a concentration of 2 M. 2. Affinity chromatography of a clear 0.1% sodium dodecylsulphate solution of digitonized mitochondria on Sepharose 4B containing carboxyatractylate always resulted in the separation of two fractions, one of which was not retained by the column and the other which could be obtained after elution with 2% sodium dodecylsulphate. 3. The retained protein showed a high binding specificity for ATP and [3H]atractylate when compared with the unretained fraction. The amount of bound [3H]atractylate or carboxyatractylate-sensitive binding of ATP was 10.5 +/- 4 nmol/mg protein, and 22 +/- 8 nmol/mg protein, respectively. 4. The major component within the retained fraction, comprising 85% of the total weight, was protein, followed by phospholipids (14%) and approximately 1% triglycerides. Sodium dodecylsulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed a major (95%) and a minor (5%) component with an apparent molecular weight of 26000 +/- 1000 and 8300 +/- 400, respectively. The gels did not stain for carbohydrates. Ultracentrifugal analysis showed a single, symmetrical boundry. 5. Double immunodiffusion analysis gave a single precipitin line with the corresponding antiserum. [14C]ADP exchange of digitonin particles was completely inhibited by an antiserum to the carboxyatractylate binding protein fraction, whereas the adenine nucleotide transport of intact mitochondria remained unaffected. In the presence of specific immunoglobulins state-3 respiration rate of digitonin particles was prolonged and reduced by approximately 25%. State-4 respiration rate was unaffected.

Proteins dealing with N-ethylmaleimide inhibition of pig heart mitochondrial phosphate transport system

Our data clearly demonstrate that protective effect of phosphate and protective effect of mersalyl against NEM-inhibition of phosphate transport act at the level of two kinds of proteins. (1)Two major components are phosphate and nigericin NEM sensitive. According to our previous data [13] it has been also demonstrated that these two proteins components are valinomycin NEM sensitive (results not shown here) suggesting a relationship between these proteins and the energy linked proton translocation process. Relationships between these proteins and the phosphate translocation process are not evident and are under further investigations. (2) Two other insoluble major components localised at the level of the subparticular fraction are mersalyl NEM sensitive. We can suggest that these proteins are implicated in the translocation of phosphate in pig heart mitochondria.

Phospholipid and cholesterol composition of rubella virus and its host cell BHK 21 grown in suspension cultures

Analysis of total lipid, phospholipid and cholesterol distribution has been conducted in parallel on BHK 21/13S cells grown in suspension cultures, on purified Rubella virus and on cells infected by the virus. Extracellular virus was purified by use of a previously described procedure (3,4). A higher content of lipid and phospholipid was found in infected cells (versus control cells) which were characterized by the presence of an unidentified nonphosphorylated lipid fraction that was detected neither in the control cells nor in the purified virus. The level and the nature of phospholipids and cholesterol of BHK 21/13S cells (infected or not) were compared to those of various clones of BHK 21cells. The same phospholipids were detected in the virus and in the cells but phosphatidyl choline level was much higher than in the control cells and lower than in the infected cells, while phosphatidyl ethanolamine content was lower than in the cells (infected or not). The presence of cardiolipin (4.4 per cent), the amount of sphingomyelin (6.9 per cent) and the molar ratio of cholesterol to phospholipids (0.26) in varions seem to favor a rubella virus maturation site in the cells.

Protease digestion of membranes. Ultrastructural and biochemical effects

(1) Nagarse, a bacterial protease, was permitted to react with sarcoplasmic reticulum, submitochondrial and plasma membranes. Gel electrophoresis indicated that all polypeptides were labile to the enzyme, and therefore must be at least partially exposed at membrane surfaces. However, hydrolysis did not proceed to completion, and in each membrane 30-50% of the original protein mass remained after extensive digestion. Gel patterns showed that remaining polypeptide fragments were in the range of 10000 molecular weight. (2) Amino acid analysis of the original protein and membrane-bound digestion product was performed. Only minor changes were observed following digestion, suggesting that the peptide fragments remaining with the membrane did not have specialized amino acid compositions. (3) freeze-fracture analysis of Nagarse-treated sarcoplasmic and plasma membranes showed that particulate structures were present, although particle density and asymmetry of fistribution between fracture faces were decreased. In submitochondrial membranes, digested membranes were indistinguishable from the original membranes in particle density and distribution. We conclude that high molecular weight polypeptides are not required for the production particulate structures in freeze-fracture images of membranes.

Lipid composition and protein profiles of outer and inner membranes from pig heart mitochondria. Comparison with microsomes

1. Mitochondria, inner and outer mitochondrial membranes and microsomes were isolated and purified from pig heart. Their lipid composition and protein components were studied. 2. The fatty acid distribution in the main phospholipids seemed specific rather of a given phospholipid and not of one type of membrane. 3. Inner mitochondrial membranes were characterized by a high content in cardiolipin and a very low level of triglycerides together with a high degree of unsaturation and C18 acids. Gel electrophoresis revealed 13 different polypeptide subunits of which 5 were major ranging in molecular weights from 10000 to 215000. 4. In outer mitochondrial membranes, total lipid, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, plasmologen and triglyceride contents were much higher than in inner membranes. Fatty acids of phospholipids were mostly saturated and the polypeptide pattern showed 12 components, of which 4 were major of mol. wt 75000, 60000, 20000 and below 10000. 5. Compared to outer membrane, microsomes exhibited a much higher cholesterol content and markedly different protein profiles. They contained significant amounts of cardiolipin and phosphatidylserine, this latter phospholipid being exclusively located in microsomes. However odd similarities were observed in some lipid components of microsomes and inner mitochondrial membranes, but fatty acids were more saturated in microsomes and electrophoretic profiles of protein components appeared very different and revealed components of high mol. wt.

Biochemical characteristics of the outer membranes of plant mitochondria

Like the outer membranes of liver mitochondria, those of plant mitochondria are impermeable to cytochrome c when intact and can be ruptured by osmotic shock. Isolated plant outer mitochondrial membranes are also similar to the corresponding liver membranes in terms of phospholipid and sterol content. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis experiments indicate that a single class of proteins (apparent molecular weight 30 000) comprises the bulk of the plant outer membrane protein. There are also considerable amounts of polysaccharide associated with these membranes, which may contribute to their osmotic stability.

X-ray diffraction from oriented outer mitochondrial membranes. Detection of in-plane subunit structure

X-ray diffraction patterns from ultracentrifugally oriented specimens of plant outer mitochondrial membranes show five distinct maxima in the equatorial direction. These diffraction maxima arise from in-plane subunits whose dimensions are consistent with those of the features ("pits") seen in electron micrographs of the membranes in negative stain.

Mitochondrial protein synthesis in a mammalian cell-line with a temperature-sensitive leucyl-tRNA synthetase

The temperature-sensitive Chinese hamster ovary cell mutant tsH1, has been shown previously to contain a temperature-sensitive leucyl-tRNA synthetase. At the non-permissive temperature of 40 degrees C cytosolic protein synthesis is rapidly inhibited. The protein synthesis which continues at 40 degrees C appears to be mitochondrial, since: (a) whole-cell protein synthesis at the permissive temperature of 34 degrees C is not inhibied by tevenel, the sulfamoyl analogue of chloramphenicol and a specific inhibitor of mitochondrial protein synthesis; however, whole-cell protein synthesis at 40 degrees C is inhibited by tevenel, (b) Protein synthesis by isolated mitochondria from tsH1 cells is not significantly inhibited at 40 degrees C. (c) At 40 degrees C [14C]leucine is incorporated predominantly into the mitochondrial fraction of tsH1 cells. (d) The incorporation of [14C]leucine at 40 degrees C into mitochondrial proteins of tsH1 cells is inh-bited by tevenel but not by cycloheximide. These results suggest that the mitochondria of tsH1 cells contain a leucyl-tRNA synthetase which is different from the cytosolic enzyme. The inhibition of cytosolic, but not of mitochondrial protein synthesis in tsH1 cells at 40 degrees C allows the selective labelling of mitochondrial translation products in the absence of inhibitors. The mitochondrial translation products labelled in tsH1 cells at 40 degrees C and at 34 degrees C in the presence of cycloheximide have been compared by sodium dodecylsulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Both conditions of labelling give similar profiles. The mitochondrial translation products are resolved into two components, one with an apparent molecular weight range from 40,000 to 20,000 and a second with an apparent molecular weight range from 20,000 to 10,000.

[Influence of thyroid status on the electrophoretic pattern of rat liver mitochondrial proteins]

Liver mitochondria were isolated from normal and thyroidectomized rats and their protein components analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In whole mitochondria 35 protein fractions with MW ranging from 10,000 to 135,000 were characterized. In the absence of thyroid hormone secretion, the amount of a MW 54,000 fraction was always decreased. Injection of small doses of 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine to the thyroidectomized animal restored the quantity of that protein fraction to normal. Isolated outer mitochondrial membranes showed the presence of 20 protein fractions. These fractions revealed no change after thyroidectomy. The mitoplast, which contained 35 fractions, exhibited a decrease of the MW 54,000 component in thyroidectomized rats. The mitoplast was separated into several fractions. Water soluble matrix proteins presented molecular weights ranging between 40,000 and 55,000. Proteins, which were slightly bound to the inner mitochondrial membrane and could be extracted by KCl, presented molecular weights between 25,000 and 45,000. Structural proteins showed a principal specific component of MW equals 23,000. Electrophoretic patterns obtained with these submitochondrial fractions were similar in normal and thyroidectomized animals. The mitoplast fraction which contained the insoluble cytochromes (a, a3, b, c1) was isolated ; its principal constituent, of MW 54,000 was significantly decreased after thyroidectomy. Thus, the lack of thyroid hormone secretion lowered the level of a protein constituent bound to the inner membrane of liver mitochondria. The synthesis of this constituent could be controlled by mitochondrial nucleic acids.

Effect of crosslinking on mitochondrial structure and function

Rat liver mitochondria were treated with ethylacetimidate and methylbutyrimidate, monofunctional imidates, and with dimethylsuberimidate, a bifunctional imidate, and the effects on structure and function studied. Mitochondria treated with 5 mM dimethylsuberimidate or greater did not respond osmotically when placed in deionized water. Sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that at concentrations greater than 5 mM dimethylsuberimidate nearly all mitochondrial polypeptides failed to enter 6% gels, indicating crosslinking of both membrane and soluble proteins. Extensive amidination by ethylacetimidate and methylbutyrimidate had little effect on ascorbate-tetramethylphenylenediamine oxidase while extensive inhibition resulted from dimethylsuberimidate treatment. The possible involvement of molecular motion in electron transport is discussed.