Studies on isolated human skeletal muscle mitochondria

A STUDY OF THE NUCLEOSIDE TRI- AND DIPHOSPHATE ACTIVITIES OF RAT LIVER MICROSOMES

Rat liver microsomes catalyze the hydrolysis of the triphosphates of adenosine, guanosine, uridine, cytidine, and inosine into the corresponding diphosphates and inorganic orthophosphate. The activities are stimulated by Na₂S₂O₄, and inhibited by atebrin, chlorpromazine, sodium azide, and deaminothyroxine. Sodium deoxycholate inhibits the ATPase activity in a progressive manner; the release of orthophosphate from GTP and UTP is stimulated by low, and inhibited by high, concentrations of deoxycholate, and that from CTP and ITP is unaffected by low, and inhibited by high, concentrations of deoxycholate. Subfractionation of microsomes with deoxycholate into ribosomal, membrane, and soluble fractions reveals a concentration of the triphosphatase activity in the membrane fraction. Rat liver microsomes also catalyze the hydrolysis of the diphosphates of the above nucleosides into the corresponding monophosphates and inorganic orthophosphate. Deoxycholate strongly enhances the GDPase, UDPase, and IDPase activities while causing no activation or even inhibition of the ADPase and CDPase activities. The diphosphatase is unaffected by Na₂S₂O₄ and is inhibited by azide and deaminothyroxine but not by atebrin or chlorpromazine. Upon fractionation of the microsomes with deoxycholate, a large part of the GDPase, UDPase, and IDPase activities is recovered in the soluble fraction. Mechanical disruption of the microsomes with an Ultra Turrax Blender both activates and releases the GDPase, UDPase, and IDPase activities, and the former effect occurs more readily than the latter. The GDPase, UDPase, and IDPase activities of the rat liver cell reside almost exclusively in the microsomal fraction, as revealed by comparative assays of the mitochondrial, microsomal, and final supernatant fractions of the homogenate. The microsomes exhibit relatively low nucleoside monophosphatase and inorganic pyrophosphatase activities, and these are unaffected by deoxycholate or mechanical treatment. Different approaches toward the function of the liver microsomal nucleoside tri- and diphosphatases are reported, and the possible physiological role of the two enzymes is discussed.

Metabolic pathways in Anopheles stephensi mitochondria

No studies have been performed on the mitochondria of malaria vector mosquitoes. This information would be valuable in understanding mosquito aging and detoxification of insecticides, two parameters that have a significant impact on malaria parasite transmission in endemic regions. In the present study, we report the analyses of respiration and oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria of cultured cells [ASE (Anopheles stephensi Mos. 43) cell line] from A. stephensi, a major vector of malaria in India, South-East Asia and parts of the Middle East. ASE cell mitochondria share many features in common with mammalian muscle mitochondria, despite the fact that these cells are of larval origin. However, two major differences with mammalian mitochondria were apparent. One, the glycerol-phosphate shuttle plays as major a role in NADH oxidation in ASE cell mitochondria as it does in insect muscle mitochondria. In contrast, mammalian white muscle mitochondria depend primarily on lactate dehydrogenase, whereas red muscle mitochondria depend on the malate-oxaloacetate shuttle. Two, ASE mitochondria were able to oxidize proline at a rate comparable with that of alpha-glycerophosphate. However, the proline pathway appeared to differ from the currently accepted pathway, in that oxoglutarate could be catabolized completely by the tricarboxylic acid cycle or via transamination, depending on the ATP need.

The sarcotubular system of frog skeletal muscle. A morphological and biochemical study

In the frog skeletal muscle cell a well defined and highly organized system of tubular elements is located in the sarcoplasm between the myofibrils. The sarcoplasmic component is called the sarcotubular system. By means of differential centrifugation it has been possible to isolate from the frog muscle homogenate a fraction composed of small vesicles, tubules, and particles. This fraction is without cytochrome oxidase activity, which is localized in the mitochondrial membranes. This indicates that the structural components of this fraction do not derive from the mitochondrial fragmentation, but probably from the sarcotubular system. This fraction, called sarcotubular fraction, has a Mg(++)-stimulated ATPase activity which differs from that of muscle mitochondria in that it is 3 to 4 times higher on the protein basis as compared with the mitochondrial ATPase, and is inhibited by Ca(++) and by deoxycholate like the Kielley and Meyerhof ATPase. We therefore conclude that the "granules" of the Kielley and Meyerhof ATPase, which were shown to have a relaxing effect, are fragments of the sarcotubular system. The isolated sarcotubular fraction has a high RNA content and demonstrable activity in incorporating labeled amino acids, even in the absence of added supernatant.

Cytochemical studies of adenosine triphosphatases in skeletal muscle fibers

Mitochondrial ATPase and myosin ATPase have been localized in the muscle fibers of the rat diaphragm. The principal fiber type possesses a structure favorable for making this cytochemical separation with the light microscope. This small red fiber has numerous large, nearly spherical, mitochondria (ca. 1.5 µ) which are aggregated beneath the sarcolemma. In the interior of the fiber, smaller paired filamentous mitochondria (ca. 0.2 µ diameter) are aligned with the I band. Distribution of mitochondria was determined by sudanophilia, succinic dehydrogenase activity, and by direct examination with the electron microscope. ATPase activity at pH 7.2 is located in the large peripheral mitochondria and in the smaller mitochondria associated with the I band. The alignment of the small mitochondria results in a discrete cross-striated appearance in fibers stained for this enzymic activity. This mitochondrial ATPase does not cleave adenosine diphosphate or adenosine monophosphate; it is not sulfhydryl dependent and, in fact, is enhanced by the mercurial, p-hydroxymercuribenzoate. It requires magnesium ion and is stimulated by dinitrophenol. It is inhibited after formol-calcium fixation, but the residual activity is demonstrable by lengthening the incubation time. At pH 9.4 the ATPase is myofibrillar in origin and is located in the A bands. This myosin ATPase activity is sulfhydryl-dependent. Mercurial at this high pH has an interesting dual effect: it suppresses myosin ATPase but evokes mitochondrial ATPase activity. A third type of ATPase activity can be demonstrated, especially in the large white fibers. This activity occurs at pH 7.2 in the presence of cysteine. Its position is manifested cytochemically as a fine reticular pattern which surrounds individual myofibrils. The distribution suggests that it may originate in the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

ATP production rate in mitochondria isolated from microsamples of human muscle

Mitochondrial ATP production (MAPR) was determined using a bioluminescence method in mitochondrial preparations of human skeletal muscle. We obtained muscle samples from 21 healthy subjects using the percutaneous muscle biopsy technique. The subjects were grouped according to their degree of physical activity, i.e., from sedentary to highly active. The MAPR for each subject was related to the mitochondrial protein content and to the activity of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) estimated in muscle homogenates and in isolated mitochondria. With the use of GDH as a reference base, the MAPR could be expressed per muscle mass. MAPR was determined for different individual substrates and also for the combination of pyruvate, palmitoyl-carnitine, alpha-ketoglutarate, and malate (MAPRPPKM). The MAPR observed was higher for the combination of substrates than for any individual substrate tested. The relation between mitochondrial ATP production rate and GDH activity was the same for all subjects irrespective of physical activity status, but MAPRPPKM/kg muscle varied from 6.6 +/- 1.3 mmol.min-1.kg-1 in sedentary subjects to 11.0 +/- 2.2 in highly active subjects. The present method, which uses 50 mg of muscle tissue, enables mitochondrial function to be estimated in healthy subjects or patients with mitochondrial disorders.

A sensitive method for measuring ATP-formation in rat muscle mitochondria

A sensitive method for the measurement of the ATP production rate in isolated skeletal muscle mitochondria is presented. Mitochondrial suspensions were prepared by differential centrifugation from approximately 80 mg of soleus muscle. ATP production rates were measured luminometrically, utilizing a reagent based upon firefly luciferase, which emits light proportional to the ATP concentration. In a group of 10 rats the ATP production rates were measured with the following substrate combinations: pyruvate + malate, palmitoyl-L-carnitine + malate, alpha-ketoglutarate, succinate + rotenone and succinate alone. The variance of the method including tissue preparation, protein determination and the luminometric determination of ATP production was estimated to be 10-14% for the various substrates. Compared to values in the literature, the present results show a good agreement for the substrates pyruvate + malate and palmitoyl-L-carnitine + malate, but lower rates were obtained in our study for alpha-ketoglutarate and succinate + rotenone. The advantage of the luminometric method is its high sensitivity. Only 30-40 mg of tissue is required for a complete determination, compared to 1-2 g for a similar assay of oxygen consumption. The method is intended for use in human subjects and will facilitate studies of mitochondrial respiration both in patients of different age groups and in healthy subjects.

Restoration of membrane potential in mitochondria deenergized with carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP)

The membrane potential (delta psi) of rat liver mitochondria dropped upon addition of carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP) but was gradually and fully restored to the original value by the subsequent addition of dithioerythritol. Concomitantly, Ca2+ released from mitochondria was reaccumulated and the oxidative phosphorylation process completely recoupled. Neither of these effects has been observed with dinitro-o-cresol or 2,4-dinitrophenol, uncouplers which, unlike FCCP, do not react with thiols. Delta psi abolished by FCCP was also restored, though incompletely, by albumin; a prompt and complete restoration was however achieved upon subsequent addition of dithioerythritol. Dithioerythritol also completely and rapidly restored the delta psi decreased by addition of diazene dicarboxylic acid bisdimethylamide (diamide).

Metabolic type of muscles of the sheep. III. evolution with age and influence of sex

Myofibrillar ATPase activity (in the presence of Ca2+ and Mg2+), activities of various glycolytic and mitochondrial enzymes, and haemin iron, glycogen, ATP and lactic acid levels were determined in the heart and five skeletal muscles of the sheep as a function of age and sex. During growth from 2 to 13 months, ATPase activity remained stable whereas most mitochondrial and glycolytic activities tended to decrease, particularly between 2 and 6 months. The isoenzyme composition of lactic dehydrogenase evolved markedly, with in particular a rise in the percentage of M4. Haemin iron level rose from 6 months. These modifications occurred in most of the skeletal muscles but rarely in the heart. Glycogen and ATP decreased progressively between 2 and 13 months. Overall, results indicated a regression of the metabolic differentiation among muscles between 2 and 13 months, particularly marked before 6 months. At 3 and 7 months, sex had practically no influence on the enzyme activities studied.

Biochemical functioning of mitochondria in normal and denervated mammalian skeletal muscle

Mitochondrial preparations derived from denervated rat skeletal muscle and paired control muscle are characterized with respect to their oxidative and phosphorylative capacities. Our data indicate that there is an impairment within the first 2 energy coupling regions of the respiratory chain and within the ATPase complex itself.

Metabolic types of muscle in the sheep: I. Myosin ATPase, glycolytic, and mitochondrial enzyme activities

The metabolic characteristics of 12 skeletal muscles of the sheep were studied. Glycolytic activities (hexokinase, glycogen synthetase I and D, phosphorylase a and b, phosphofructokinase) were measured. Myofibrillar ATPase activity was evaluated. Oxygen consumption, respiratory control and carnitine palmityl transferase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome oxidase activities were measured in isolated mitochondria. Three metabolic types could be distinguished; (1) essentially oxidative slow twitch muscles, typified by the supraspinatus and infraspinatus, having low ATPase activity, (2) fast twitch red muscles, typified by the longissimus dorsi and the semimembranosus, having a higher ATPase activity and both high oxidative and high glycolytic activity, and (3) essentially glycolytic fast twitch muscles, typified by the tensor fascia lata and the semitendinosus, having the highest ATPase activity.

Mitochondrial functions in chronic spinal muscular atrophy

We determined the respiration rate, respiratory control and ADP/O ratios, with different substrates in mitochondria isolated from seven patients with chronic spinal muscular atrophy and compared them with normal human muscle. In all cases studied, a severe alteration of the respiratory control with variable derangement of oxidative phosphorylation was found. Similar findings have been described in other neuromuscular disorders including the so-called "mitochondrial myopathy". We believe that this disturbance of mitochondrial function is non specific and only the hypermetabolic syndrome of Luft could be considered biochemically as a "mitochondrial myopathy", a disorder selectively involving mitochondria of skeletal muscle.

The relationship between the structure and activity of rat skeletal muscle mitochondria after thyroidectomy and thyroid hormone treatment

The fine structure of rat gastrocnemius muscle fibers has been studied after changes were induced in the basal metabolic rate (BMR) by thyroidectomy and L-thyroxine administration under anabolic conditions. Biochemical analysis of skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration and phosphorylation from the same tissue preparations has been summarized, details having been published earlier (3). As estimated from electron micrographs, the total amount of mitochondria from thyroidectomized animals was enlarged 1.5 times over that from normal controls. The total amount of mitochondria from thyroidectomized or normal animals made hypermetabolic with thyroxine was increased 2.5 to 3.5 times over that from their corresponding controls. In all cases, there was an increase in the mitochondrial population and the profile ratio of cristae to matrix was also considerably increased, thus indicating both relative and absolute enlargements of the entire surface of the cristae per unit fiber. The major structural changes persisted for at least 3 weeks after the cessation of thyroxine treatment, by which time the elevated mitochondrial respiratory and phosphorylative activity had declined to normal values. The hypertrophy and increase in mitochondrial population was more prominent in the perinuclear and subsacrolemmic regions near blood vessels than in the interstices of the fibrils. The very long interfibrillar mitochondria found in both the hypo- and hypermetabolic tissues are more likely to be derived from outgrowths of the original mitochondria rather than from a fusion of smaller ones. These findings are compatible with the ideas expressed elsewhere (see 1, 3, 10) that, under conditions close to the physiological, thyroid hormones control mitochondrial metabolic activity by a subtle alteration in mitochondrial composition with respect to their respiratory and phosphorylative constituents. The possible application of using thyroid hormones in the study of biogenesis of mitochondria and the synthesis of mitochondrial constituents are discussed.

HEREDITARY METABOLIC MYOPATHY WITH PAROXYSMAL MYOGLOBINURIA DUE TO ABNORMAL GLYCOLYSIS

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