Carboxyatractylate-sensitive uncoupling in liver mitochondria from ground squirrels during hibernation and arousal

Molecular Liver Fingerprint Reflects the Seasonal Physiology of the Grey Mouse Lemur (Microcebus murinus) during Winter

Grey mouse lemurs (Microcebus murinus) are primates that respond to environmental energetic constraints through strong physiological seasonality. They notably fatten during early winter (EW), and mobilize their lipid reserves while developing glucose intolerance during late winter (LW), when food availability is low. To decipher how the hepatic mechanisms may support such metabolic flexibility, we analyzed the liver proteome of adult captive male mouse lemurs, whose seasonal regulations are comparable to their wild counterparts. We highlight profound hepatic changes that reflect fat accretion in EW at the whole-body level, without triggering an ectopic storage of fat in the liver, however. Moreover, molecular regulations are consistent with the decrease in liver glucose utilization in LW, and therefore with reduced tolerance to glucose. However, no major regulation was seen in insulin signaling/resistance pathways. Fat mobilization in LW appeared possibly linked to the reactivation of the reproductive system while enhanced liver detoxification may reflect an anticipation to return to summer levels of food intake. Overall, these results show that the physiology of mouse lemurs during winter relies on solid molecular foundations in liver processes to adapt fuel partitioning while opposing the development of a pathological state despite large lipid fluxes.

Mitochondrial metabolic suppression and reactive oxygen species production in liver and skeletal muscle of hibernating thirteen-lined ground squirrels

During hibernation, animals cycle between periods of torpor, during which body temperature (Tb) and metabolic rate (MR) are suppressed for days, and interbout euthermia (IBE), during which Tb and MR return to resting levels for several hours. In this study, we measured respiration rates, membrane potentials, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of liver and skeletal muscle mitochondria isolated from ground squirrels ( Ictidomys tridecemlineatus ) during torpor and IBE to determine how mitochondrial metabolism is suppressed during torpor and how this suppression affects oxidative stress. In liver and skeletal muscle, state 3 respiration measured at 37°C with succinate was 70% and 30% lower, respectively, during torpor. In liver, this suppression was achieved largely via inhibition of substrate oxidation, likely at succinate dehydrogenase. In both tissues, respiration by torpid mitochondria further declined up to 88% when mitochondria were cooled to 10°C, close to torpid Tb. In liver, this passive thermal effect on respiration rate reflected reduced activity of all components of oxidative phosphorylation (substrate oxidation, phosphorylation, and proton leak). With glutamate + malate and succinate, mitochondrial free radical leak (FRL; proportion of electrons leading to ROS production) was higher in torpor than IBE, but only in liver. With succinate, higher FRL likely resulted from increased reduction state of complex III during torpor. With glutamate + malate, higher FRL resulted from active suppression of complex I ROS production during IBE, which may limit ROS production during arousal. In both tissues, ROS production and FRL declined with temperature, suggesting ROS production is also reduced during torpor by passive thermal effects.

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.

Loss of mitochondrial ATP synthase subunit beta (Atp2) alters mitochondrial and chloroplastic function and morphology in Chlamydomonas

Mitochondrial F1FO ATP synthase (Complex V) catalyses ATP synthesis from ADP and inorganic phosphate using the proton-motive force generated by the substrate-driven electron transfer chain. In this work, we investigated the impact of the loss of activity of the mitochondrial enzyme in a photosynthetic organism. In this purpose, we inactivated by RNA interference the expression of the ATP2 gene, coding for the catalytic subunit beta, in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. We demonstrate that in the absence of beta subunit, complex V is not assembled, respiratory rate is decreased by half and ATP synthesis coupled to the respiratory activity is fully impaired. Lack of ATP synthase also affects the morphology of mitochondria which are deprived of cristae. We also show that mutants are obligate phototrophs and that rearrangements of the photosynthetic apparatus occur in the chloroplast as a response to ATP synthase deficiency in mitochondria. Altogether, our results contribute to the understanding of the yet poorly studied bioenergetic interactions between organelles in photosynthetic organisms.

Carboxyatractyloside effects on brown-fat mitochondria imply that the adenine nucleotide translocator isoforms ANT1 and ANT2 may be responsible for basal and fatty-acid-induced uncoupling respectively

In brown-fat mitochondria, fatty acids induce thermogenic uncoupling through activation of UCP1 (uncoupling protein 1). However, even in brown-fat mitochondria from UCP1-/- mice, fatty-acid-induced uncoupling exists. In the present investigation, we used the inhibitor CAtr (carboxyatractyloside) to examine the involvement of the ANT (adenine nucleotide translocator) in the mediation of this UCP1-independent fatty-acid-induced uncoupling in brown-fat mitochondria. We found that the contribution of ANT to fatty-acid-induced uncoupling in UCP1-/- brown-fat mitochondria was minimal (whereas it was responsible for nearly half the fatty-acid-induced uncoupling in liver mitochondria). As compared with liver mitochondria, brown-fat mitochondria exhibit a relatively high (UCP1-independent) basal respiration ('proton leak'). Unexpectedly, a large fraction of this high basal respiration was sensitive to CAtr, whereas in liver mitochondria, basal respiration was CAtr-insensitive. Total ANT protein levels were similar in brown-fat mitochondria from wild-type mice and in liver mitochondria, but the level was increased in brown-fat mitochondria from UCP1-/- mice. However, in liver, only Ant2 mRNA was found, whereas in brown adipose tissue, Ant1 and Ant2 mRNA levels were equal. The data are therefore compatible with a tentative model in which the ANT2 isoform mediates fatty-acid-induced uncoupling, whereas the ANT1 isoform may mediate a significant part of the high basal proton leak in brown-fat mitochondria.

Respiration under control of uncoupling proteins: Clinical perspective

The term 'uncoupling protein' was originally used for the mitochondrial membrane protein UCP1, which is uniquely present in mitochondria of brown adipocytes, thermogenic cells that regulate body temperature in small rodents, hibernators and mammalian newborns. In these cells, UCP1 acts as a proton carrier activated by free fatty acids and creates a shunt between complexes of the respiratory chain and ATP-synthase resulting in a futile proton cycling and dissipation of oxidation energy as heat. Recent identification of new homologues to UCP1 expressed in brown and white adipose tissue, muscle, brain and other tissues together with the hypothesis that these novel uncoupling proteins (UCPs) may regulate thermogenesis and/or fatty acid metabolism and furthermore may protect against free radical oxygen species production have generated considerable optimism for rapid advances in the identification of new targets for pharmacological management of complex pathological syndromes such as obesity, type 2 diabetes or chronic inflammatory diseases. However, since the physiological and biochemical roles of the novel UCPs are not yet clear, the main challenge today consists first of all in providing mechanistic explanation for their functions in cellular physiology. This lively awaited information may be the basis for potential pharmacological targeting of the UCPs in future.

The effect of bovine serum albumin on the membrane potential and reactive oxygen species generation in succinate-supported isolated brain mitochondria

Characteristics of the succinate-supported H(2)O(2) formation were compared in mitochondria prepared from guinea-pig brain either by Percoll gradient centrifugation or using digitonin. The high rate of H(2)O(2) generation measured in mitochondria prepared with digitonin (600.6+/-26.8pmol/min/mg protein) was inhibited by rotenone, consistently with a reverse flow of electrons via complex I. The rate of H(2)O(2) formation was significantly smaller in Percoll-purified mitochondria (252.6+/-17.3pmol/min/mg protein) and this was stimulated by rotenone. Since bovine serum albumin (BSA) is usually present in the isolation medium used in the digitonin method, systematic study was performed addressing the effect of BSA on H(2)O(2) formation. Mitochondria prepared by the digitonin method (BSA present in the isolation medium) were highly polarized (185+/-3.2mV) and addition of BSA (0.025%) to the assay medium increased H(2)O(2) generation by only 50%. In Percoll-purified mitochondria DeltaPsim was more depolarized (171+/-2mV) and BSA caused hyperpolarization by 10.7+/-1.9mV. H(2)O(2) formation, which was largely independent of DeltaPsim, was stimulated by 400%, became highly dependent on DeltaPsim and could be inhibited by rotenone in the presence of BSA. This shows that in Percoll-purified mitochondria ROS formation via reverse electron flow is preferred only when BSA is present in the assay medium. It is demonstrated that (i) the presence or absence of BSA could determine the mechanism by which ROS is generated in succinate-supported mitochondria and (ii) depolarization by about 10mV eliminates reverse electron flow and the remaining ROS formation, which is smaller but still significant, is no longer dependent on DeltaPsim.

Moderate dependence of ROS formation on DeltaPsim in isolated brain mitochondria supported by NADH-linked substrates

The membrane potential (DeltaPsim) dependence of the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in isolated guinea-pig brain mitochondria respiring on NADH-linked substrates (glutamate plus malate) was addressed. Depolarization by FCCP was without effect on H(2)O(2) formation in the absence of bovine serum albumin (BSA). Addition of BSA (0.025%) to the assay medium hyperpolarized mitochondria by 6.1 +/- 0.9 mV (from 169 +/- 3 to 175.1 +/- 2.1 mV) and increased the rate of H(2)O(2) formation from 207 +/- 4.5 to 312 +/- 12 pmol/min/mg protein. Depolarization by FCCP (5-250 nM) in the presence of BSA decreased H(2)O(2) formation but only to the level observed in the absence of BSA. Rotenone stimulated the formation of H(2)O(2) both in the absence and presence of BSA. It is suggested that H(2)O(2) formation in mitochondria supported by NADH-linked substrates is sensitive to changes in DeltaPsim only when mitochondria are highly polarized and even then, 60% of ROS generation is independent of DeltaPsim. This is in contrast to earlier reports on the highly DeltaPsim sensitive ROS formation related to reverse electron flow observed in well-coupled succinate-supported mitochondria.

Interaction of free fatty acids with mitochondria: coupling, uncoupling and permeability transition

Long chain free fatty acids (FFA) exert, according to their actual concentration, different effects on the energy conserving system of mitochondria. Sub-micromolar concentrations of arachidonic acid (AA) rescue DeltapH-dependent depression of the proton pumping activity of the bc1 complex. This effect appears to be due to a direct interaction of AA with the proton-input mouth of the pump. At micromolar concentrations FFA increase the proton conductance of the inner membrane acting as protonophores. FFA can act as natural uncouplers, causing a mild uncoupling, which prevents reactive oxygen species production in the respiratory resting state. When Ca(2+)-loaded mitochondria are exposed to micromolar concentrations of FFA, the permeability of the inner membrane increases, resulting in matrix swelling, rupture of the outer membrane and release of intermembrane pro-apoptotic proteins. The characteristics of AA-induced swelling appear markedly different in mitochondria isolated from heart or liver. While in the latter it presents the canonical features of the classical permeability transition (PT), in heart mitochondria substantial differences are observed concerning CsA sensitivity, DeltaPsi dependence, reversibility by BSA and specificity for the activating divalent cation. In heart mitochondria, the AA-dependent increase of the inner membrane permeability is affected by ANT ligands such as adenine nucleotides and atractyloside. AA apparently causes a Ca2+-mediated conversion of ANT from a translocator to a channel system. Upon diamide treatment of heart mitochondria, the Ca2+/AA-induced CsA insensitive channel is converted into the classical PT pore. The relevance of these observations in terms of tissue-specific components of the putative PTP and heart ischemic and post-ischemic process is discussed.

Activation of calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) in brain mitochondria and release of apoptogenic factors by BAX and truncated BID

Cleaved or truncated BID (tBID) is known to oligomerize both BAK and BAX. Previously, BAK and BAX lacing the C-terminal fragment (BAXDeltaC) were shown to induce modest cytochrome c (Cyt c) release from rat brain mitochondria when activated by tBID. We now show that tBID plus monomeric full-length BAX induce extensive release of Cyt c, Smac/DIABLO, and Omi/HtrA2 (but not endonuclease G and the apoptosis inducing factor) comparable to the release induced by alamethicin. This occurs independently of the permeability transition without overt changes in mitochondrial morphology. The mechanism of the release may involve formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of calcium-independent phospholipase A(2) (iPLA(2)). Indeed, increased ROS production and activated iPLA(2) were observed prior to massive Cyt c release. Furthermore, the extent of inhibition of Cyt c release correlated with the degree of suppression of iPLA(2) by the inhibitors propranolol, dibucaine, 4-bromophenacyl bromide, and bromenol lactone. Consistent with a requirement for iPLA(2) in Cyt c release from brain mitochondria, synthetic liposomes composed of lipids mimicking the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) but lacing iPLA(2) failed to release 10 kDa fluorescent dextran (FD-10) in response to tBID plus BAX. We propose that tBID plus BAX activate ROS generation, which subsequently augments iPLA(2) activity leading to changes in the OMM that allow translocation of certain mitochondrial proteins from the intermembrane space.

Metabolic changes induced by cold stress in rat liver mitochondria

The mechanisms involved in the metabolic changes induced by cold stress in isolated rat liver mitochondria were studied. Respiration, ATP synthesis, and membrane potential as well as the contents of several metabolites were determined in liver mitochondria from cold-exposed rats. At different times of cold exposure, the force-flux relationships showed net variation in flux (enhanced respiration, diminished ATP synthesis) with no associated variation in force (H+ gradient); this suggested that decoupling rather than classical uncoupling was involved in the effects of cold stress. The flux control coefficient of the H+ leak on basal respiration was slightly increased by 380 h of cold exposure. Cold stress also induced a diminution in total membrane fatty acids, Zn2+, Fe3+, ATP, and ADP/O ratios; the content of cytochromes c + c1 and b oscillated. The contents of Ca2+, Na+, Pi, and cytochromes a + a3 were not affected, whereas matrix ADP, AMP, K+, and Mg2+ were markedly increased. Basal and oleic acid-stimulated respiration of mitochondria from cold-stressed rats was inhibited by GDP, carboxyatractyloside, or albumin. These agents did not affect basal respiration in control mitochondria. Western blot analysis showed enhanced expression of a protein of about 35 kDa, presumably the uncoupling protein 2, induced by long-term cold exposure. The overall data suggest that cold stress promoted decoupling of oxidative phosphorylation, and hence, changes in several matrix metabolites, by increasing free fatty acids and the UCP2 content.

Arachidonic acid interaction with the mitochondrial electron transport chain promotes reactive oxygen species generation

A study has been carried out on the interaction of arachidonic acid and other long chain free fatty acids with bovine heart mitochondria. It is shown that arachidonic acid causes an uncoupling effect under state 4 respiration of intact mitochondria as well as a marked inhibition of uncoupled respiration. While, under our conditions, the uncoupling effect is independent of the fatty acid species considered, the inhibition is stronger for unsaturated acids. Experiments carried out with mitochondrial particles indicated that the arachidonic acid dependent decrease of the respiratory activity is caused by a selective inhibition of Complex I and III. It is also shown that arachidonic acid causes a remarkable increase of hydrogen peroxide production when added to mitochondria respiring with either pyruvate+malate or succinate as substrate. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) at the coupling site II was almost double than that at site I. The results obtained are discussed with regard to the impairment of the mitochondrial respiratory activity as occurring during the heart ischemia/reperfusion process.

Fatty acids induced uncoupling of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondria requires an intact ADP/ATP carrier

Fatty acids stimulate the oxidation rate of mitochondria isolated from the wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but do not affect significantly the respiration of mitochondria isolated from mutants, in which the ADP/ATP carrier (AAC) was either modified (R96H) or deleted (delta aac2). Similarly as in mammalian mitochondria, the transmembrane electrical potential difference (delta psi) in the wild-type yeast mitochondria was dissipated by low concentrations of free fatty acids, and this was partially inhibited by bongkrecate. In contrast to the wild-type mitochondria, the addition of increasing concentrations of fatty acids to the op1 (R96H) mutant mitochondria abolished only a small portion of delta psi, as compared to the change induced by classical uncouplers. The different effects of fatty acids on both, the respiration and the delta psi of mitochondria isolated from the wild-type and the aac mutants, respectively, demonstrates that the intact AAC is essential for the fatty acids induced H+ permeability of mitochondrial membrane.

Effect of fatty acids on energy coupling processes in mitochondria

Long-chain fatty acids are natural uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria. The protonophoric mechanism of this action is due to transbilayer movement of undissociated fatty acid in one direction and the passage of its anion in the opposite direction. The transfer of the dissociated form of fatty acid can be, at least in some kinds of mitochondrion, facilitated by adenine nucleotide translocase. Apart from dissipating the electrochemical proton gradient, long-chain fatty acids decrease the activity of the respiratory chain by mechanism(s) not fully understood. In intact cells and tissues fatty acids operate mostly as excellent respiratory substrates, providing electrons to the respiratory chain. This function masks their potential uncoupling effect which becomes apparent only under special physiological or pathological conditions characterized by unusual fatty acid accumulation. Short- and medium-chain fatty acids do not have protonophoric properties. Nevertheless, they contribute to energy dissipation because of slow intramitochondrial hydrolysis of their activation products, acyl-AMP and acyl-CoA. Long-chain fatty acids increase permeability of mitochondrial membranes to alkali metal cations. This is due to their ionophoric mechanism of action. Regulatory function of fatty acids with respect to specific cation channels has been postulated for the plasma membrane of muscle cells, but not demonstrated in mitochondria. Under cold stress, cold acclimation and arousal from hibernation the uncoupling effect of fatty acids may contribute to increased thermogenesis, especially in the muscle tissue. In brown adipose tissue, the special thermogenic organ of mammals, long-chain fatty acids promote operation of the unique natural uncoupling protein, thermogenin. As anionic amphiphiles, long-chain fatty acids increase the negative surface charge of biomembranes, thus interfering in their enzymic and transporting functions.

Cyclosporin A suppression of uncoupling in liver mitochondria of ground squirrel during arousal from hibernation

Energy coupling parameters were studied in liver mitochondria of ground squirrel during arousal from hibernation. It was found that such mitochondria become uncoupled during incubation with phosphate in a salt medium. The uncoupling was revealed by respiration rate increase and membrane potential decrease in the presence of oligomycin. Both effects were reversed by addition of cyclosporin A. Under the same in vitro conditions, mitochondria from aroused (active) animals showed no uncoupling but could be uncoupled by addition of palmitate in the cyclosporin A-sensitive fashion. It is proposed that formation of cyclosporin A-sensitive pores can be involved in urgent heat production in arousing hibernators.

Thermoregulatory, carboxyatractylate-sensitive uncoupling in heart and skeletal muscle mitochondria of the ground squirrel correlates with the level of free fatty acids

Thermoregulatory uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation has been studied in heart and skeletal muscle mitochondria of ground squirrels. The respiratory rate of mitochondria in the presence of oligomycin was found to be much higher in winter (in hibernating, arousing, or aroused animals) than in summer. This additional respiration is strongly (arousing animals) or completely (hibernating and aroused animals) inhibited by carboxyatractylate (CAtr) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). The CAtr- and BSA-induced decreases in the rate of respiration are accompanied by membrane potential increases. The rate of the CAtr- and BSA-sensitive respiration is proportional to the content of free fatty acids which, in the heart, decreases in the order: arousing greater than aroused = hibernating greater than summer animals. Maximal respiratory rates observed in the presence of dinitrophenol (arousing greater than aroused greater than summer greater than hibernating animals) do not parallel the fatty acid level. It is assumed that some heat production in the winter animals is due to fatty acid-induced, ATP/ADP-antiporter-mediated uncoupling in heart and skeletal muscle mitochondria. The peak of heat production during arousal after hibernation also includes some other stimulatory effect on mitochondrial respiration.

Uncoupling effect of fatty acids on heart muscle mitochondria and submitochondrial particles

The effect of ATP/ADP-antiporter inhibitors on palmitate-induced uncoupling was studied in heart muscle mitochondria and inside-out submitochondrial particles. In both systems palmitate is found to decrease the respiration-generated membrane potential. In mitochondria, this effect is specifically abolished by carboxyatractylate (CAtr) a non-penetrating inhibitor of antiporter. In submitochondrial particles, CAtr does not abolish the palmitate-induced potential decrease. At the same time, bongkrekic acid, a penetrating inhibitor of the antiporter, suppresses the palmitate effect on the potential both in mitochondria and particles. Palmitoyl-CoA which is known to inhibit the antiporter in mitochondria as well as in particles decreases the palmitate uncoupling efficiency in both these systems. These data are in agreement with the hypothesis that the ATP/ADP-antiporter is involved in the action of free fatty acids as natural uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation.

Interaction of adenine nucleotides with the adenine nucleotide translocase regulates the developmental changes in proton conductance of the inner mitochondrial membrane

2-h-old neonatal liver mitochondria, when depleted of adenine nucleotides, showed an 'ohmic' current-voltage relationship and a higher passive proton permeability of the membrane, resembling fetal mitochondrial behaviors for the proton conductance. Incubation of fetal mitochondria with ATP, GDP or carboxyatractyloside promoted a significant reduction in the passive proton permeability of the membrane and the appearance of the characteristic biphasic behavior for the proton conductance. It is concluded that the postnatal increase in intramitochondrial adenine nucleotide concentration promotes, by the interaction of the nucleotides with the adenine nucleotide translocase, the reduction in the passive proton permeability of the mitochondrial membrane, allowing efficient energy conservation in the neonatal liver.

Fatty acid circuit as a physiological mechanism of uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation

Free fatty acids, natural uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation, are shown to differ from artificial ones in that they fail to increase conductance of phospholipid bilayers which are permeable for the protonated form of fatty acids but impermeable for their anionic form. Recent studies have revealed that uncoupling by fatty acids in mitochondria is mediated by the ATP/ADP antiporter and, in brown fat, by thermogenin which is structurally very similar to the antiporter. It is suggested that both the ATP/ADP antiporter and thermogenin facilitate translocation of the fatty anions through the mitochondrial membrane.

Chemiosmotic systems in bioenergetics: H(+)-cycles and Na(+)-cycles

The development of membrane bioenergetic studies during the last 25 years has clearly demonstrated the validity of the Mitchellian chemiosmotic H+ cycle concept. The circulation of H+ ions was shown to couple respiration-dependent or light-dependent energy-releasing reactions to ATP formation and performance of other types of membrane-linked work in mitochondria, chloroplasts, some bacteria, tonoplasts, secretory granules and plant and fungal outer cell membranes. A concrete version of the direct chemiosmotic mechanism, in which H+ potential formation is a simple consequence of the chemistry of the energy-releasing reaction, is already proved for the photosynthetic reaction centre complexes. Recent progress in the studies on chemiosmotic systems has made it possible to extend the coupling-ion principle to an ion other than H+. It was found that, in certain bacteria, as well as in the outer membrane of the animal cell, Na+ effectively substitutes for H+ as the coupling ion (the chemiosmotic Na+ cycle). A precedent is set when the Na+ cycle appears to be the only mechanism of energy production in the bacterial cell. In the more typical case, however, the H+ and Na+ cycles coexist in one and the same membrane (bacteria) or in two different membranes of one and the same cell (animals). The sets of delta mu H+ and delta mu Na+ generators as well as delta mu H+ and delta mu Na+ consumers found in different types of biomembranes, are listed and discussed.