Undecanesulfonate does not allosterically activate H+ uniport mediated by uncoupling protein-1 in brown adipose tissue mitochondria

Mitochondrial H+ Leak and Thermogenesis

Mitochondria of all tissues convert various metabolic substrates into two forms of energy: ATP and heat. Historically, the primary focus of research in mitochondrial bioenergetics was on the mechanisms of ATP production, while mitochondrial thermogenesis received significantly less attention. Nevertheless, mitochondrial heat production is crucial for the maintenance of body temperature, regulation of the pace of metabolism, and prevention of oxidative damage to mitochondria and the cell. In addition, mitochondrial thermogenesis has gained significance as a pharmacological target for treating metabolic disorders. Mitochondria produce heat as the result of H⁺ leak across their inner membrane. This review provides a critical assessment of the current field of mitochondrial H⁺ leak and thermogenesis, with a focus on the molecular mechanisms involved in the function and regulation of uncoupling protein 1 and the ADP/ATP carrier, the two proteins that mediate mitochondrial H⁺ leak.

Mitochondrial Uncoupling Proteins: Subtle Regulators of Cellular Redox Signaling

SIGNIFICANCE

Mitochondria are the energetic, metabolic, redox, and information signaling centers of the cell. Substrate pressure, mitochondrial network dynamics, and cristae morphology state are integrated by the protonmotive force Δp or its potential component, ΔΨ, which are attenuated by proton backflux into the matrix, termed uncoupling. The mitochondrial uncoupling proteins (UCP1-5) play an eminent role in the regulation of each of the mentioned aspects, being involved in numerous physiological events including redox signaling. Recent Advances: UCP2 structure, including purine nucleotide and fatty acid (FA) binding sites, strongly support the FA cycling mechanism: UCP2 expels FA anions, whereas uncoupling is achieved by the membrane backflux of protonated FA. Nascent FAs, cleaved by phospholipases, are preferential. The resulting Δp dissipation decreases superoxide formation dependent on Δp. UCP-mediated antioxidant protection and its impairment are expected to play a major role in cell physiology and pathology. Moreover, UCP2-mediated aspartate, oxaloacetate, and malate antiport with phosphate is expected to alter metabolism of cancer cells.

CRITICAL ISSUES

A wide range of UCP antioxidant effects and participations in redox signaling have been reported; however, mechanisms of UCP activation are still debated. Switching off/on the UCP2 protonophoretic function might serve as redox signaling either by employing/releasing the extra capacity of cell antioxidant systems or by directly increasing/decreasing mitochondrial superoxide sources. Rapid UCP2 degradation, FA levels, elevation of purine nucleotides, decreased Mg²⁺, or increased pyruvate accumulation may initiate UCP-mediated redox signaling.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Issues such as UCP2 participation in glucose sensing, neuronal (synaptic) function, and immune cell activation should be elucidated. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 29, 667-714.

Preparation methods prior to PET/CT scanning that decrease uptake of 18F-FDG by myocardium, brown adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle

BACKGROUND

The hypermetabolic environment of the myocardium, brown adipose tissue (BAT), and muscle will have an effect on the diagnostic accuracy of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron-emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT). A low carbohydrate, high fat, and protein-permitted diet before PET/CT scanning can reduce the degree of 18F-FDG uptake by the myocardium, brown adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle.

PURPOSE

To determine the effect of a low carbohydrate, high fat and protein-permitted diet on 18F-FDG uptake by myocardium, BAT, and muscle during PET/CT.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 126 patients who adhered to two meals before PET/CT scanning (that were prepared using a low carbohydrate, high fat, and protein-permitted diet), i.e. the diet group, were compared with 126 patients who fasted for at least 12 h prior to scanning (i.e. the fasting group). The degree of 18F-FDG uptake within the myocardium, BAT, and muscle were stratified into four grades (range, 0-3) with 0 for negligible uptake, and 3 for intense uptake. Correlations between the diet and fasting groups with respect to degree of 18F-FDG uptake within the myocardium, BAT, and muscle were analyzed.

RESULTS

The degree of 18F-FDG uptake within the myocardium, BAT, and muscle in the diet group was significantly lower compared with the 18F-FDG uptake within myocardium, BAT, and muscle in the fasting group (P < 0.001, P = 0.001, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

A low carbohydrate/high fat diet before 18F-FDG injection can suppress uptake of 18F-FDG within the myocardium, BAT, and skeletal muscle.

UCPs, at the interface between bioenergetics and metabolism

The first member of the uncoupling protein (UCP) family, brown adipose tissue uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), was identified in 1976. Twenty years later, two closely related proteins, UCP2 and UCP3, were described in mammals. Homologs of these proteins exist in other organisms, including plants. Uncoupling refers to a deterioration of energy conservation between substrate oxidation and ADP phosphorylation. Complete energy conservation loss would be fatal but fine-tuning can be beneficial for processes such as thermogenesis, redox control, and prevention of mitochondrial ROS release. The coupled/uncoupled state of mitochondria is related to the permeability of the inner membrane and the proton transport mediated by activated UCPs underlies the uncoupling activity of these proteins. Proton transport by UCP1 is activated by fatty acids and this ensures thermogenesis. In vivo in absence of this activation UCP1 remains inhibited with no transport activity. A similar situation now seems unlikely for UCP2 and UCP3 and while activation of their proton transport has been described its physiological relevance remains uncertain and their influence can be envisaged as a result of another transport pathway that takes place in the absence of activation. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Mitochondrial Channels edited by Pierre Sonveaux, Pierre Maechler and Jean-Claude Martinou.

Metabolically inert perfluorinated fatty acids directly activate uncoupling protein 1 in brown-fat mitochondria

The metabolically inert perfluorinated fatty acids perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) can display fatty acid-like activity in biological systems. The uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in brown adipose tissue is physiologically (re)activated by fatty acids, including octanoate. This leads to bioenergetically uncoupled energy dissipation (heat production, thermogenesis). We have examined here the possibility that PFOA/PFOS can directly (re)activate UCP1 in isolated mouse brown-fat mitochondria. In wild-type brown-fat mitochondria, PFOS and PFOA overcame GDP-inhibited thermogenesis, leading to increased oxygen consumption and dissipated membrane potential. The absence of this effect in brown-fat mitochondria from UCP1-ablated mice indicated that it occurred through activation of UCP1. A competitive type of inhibition by increased GDP concentrations indicated interaction with the same mechanistic site as that utilized by fatty acids. No effect was observed in heart mitochondria, i.e., in mitochondria without UCP1. The stimulatory effect of PFOA/PFOS was not secondary to non-specific mitochondrial membrane permeabilization or to ROS production. Thus, metabolic effects of perfluorinated fatty acids could include direct brown adipose tissue (UCP1) activation. The possibility that this may lead to unwarranted extra heat production and thus extra utilization of food resources, leading to decreased fitness in mammalian wildlife, is discussed, as well as possible negative effects in humans. However, a possibility to utilize PFOA-/PFOS-like substances for activating UCP1 therapeutically in obesity-prone humans may also be envisaged.

Uncoupling effect of lauryl sulfate on mitochondria can be mediated by release of bound endogenous fatty acids

The mechanism of uncoupling by lauryl sulfate (LS) has been studied. The very fact that uncoupling by low concentration of LS (a strong acid) resembles very much that by fatty acids (weak acids) was used as an argument against the fatty acid cycling scheme of uncoupling where protonated fatty acids operate as a protonophore. We have found that rat liver and heart muscle mitochondria can be uncoupled by low (70 microM) LS concentration in a fashion completely arrested by the ATP/ADP antiporter inhibitor carboxyatractylate (CAtr). On the other hand, uncoupling by two-fold higher LS concentration is not sensitive to CAtr. Addition of oleate desensitizes mitochondria to low LS so that addition of bovine serum albumin becomes necessary to recouple mitochondria. The data are accounted for assuming that low LS releases endogenous fatty acids from some mitochondrial depots, and these fatty acids are responsible for uncoupling. As to high LS, it causes a nonspecific (CAtr-insensitive) damage to the mitochondrial membrane.