Spermine binding to liver mitochondria deenergized by ruthenium red plus either FCCP or antimycin A

Inhibition of cation channels in human erythrocytes by spermine

In erythrocytes, spermine concentration decreases gradually with age, which is paralleled by increases of cytosolic Ca²+ concentration, with subsequent cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling. Cytosolic Ca²+ was estimated from fluo-3 fluorescence, cell volume from forward scatter, cell membrane scrambling from annexin V binding and cation channel activity with whole-cell patch-clamp in human erythrocytes. Extracellular spermine exerted a dual effect on erythrocyte survival. At 200 μM spermine blunted the increase of intracellular Ca²+, cell shrinkage and annexin V binding following 48 h exposure of cells at +37 °C. In contrast, short exposure (10-30 min) of cells to 2 mM spermine was accompanied by increased cytosolic Ca²+ and annexin binding. Intracellular addition of spermine at subphysiological concentration (0.2 μM) significantly decreased the conductance of monovalent cations (Na+, K+, NMDG+) and of Ca²+. Moreover, spermine (0.2 μM) blunted the stimulation of voltage-independent cation channels by Cl⁻ removal. Spermine (0.2 and 200 μM) added to the extracellular bath solution similarly inhibited the cation conductance in Cl⁻-containing bath solution. The effect of 0.2 μM spermine, but not the effect of 200 μM, was rapidly reversible. Acute addition (250 μM) of a naphthyl acetyl derivative of spermine (200 μM) again significantly decreased basal cation conductance in NaCl bath solution and inhibited voltage-independent cation channels. Spermine is a powerful regulator of erythrocyte cation channel cytosolic Ca²+ activity and, thus, cell survival.

Membrane binding and transport of N-aminoethyl-1,2-diamino ethane (dien) and N-aminopropyl-1,3-diamino propane (propen) by rat liver mitochondria and their effects on membrane permeability transition

This investigation is aimed at defining the structural requirements for aliphatic polyamines to interact with mitochondrial binding sites, which are relevant for the regulation of the permeability transition and for mitochondrial polyamine uptake. The triamines N-aminoethyl-1,2-diaminoethane (dien) and N-aminopropyl-1,3-diaminopropane (propen), both symmetric polyamines, are accumulated to differing extents by an energy-dependent mechanism in liver mitochondria. Propen is also able completely to inhibit the permeability transition of mitochondria, induced by Ca2+ plus phosphate, with the same efficacy as the asymmetric ubiquitary triamine spermidine, whereas dien fails to exhibit this effect. The competitive inhibition of both triamines on spermidine transport demonstrates that they bind to the same site(s) of this polyamine and exploit its transport system. The binding of dien and propen to mitochondrial membrane was studied by applying a thermodynamic model of ligand-receptor interactions developed both for equilibrium and far-from-equilibrium binding processes. Results show the presence of two mono-coordinated binding sites, S1 and S2, for propen, and one monocoordinated binding site for dien, all exhibiting high capacity and low affinity. Comparisons of the binding parameters of these polyamines with those of other natural polyamines reveal that, besides flexibility and hydrophilicity, as previously suggested, protonation of the imino group and the symmetry of the molecules for S1, and the presence of an aminobutyl group for S2, also contribute to the polyamine interactions observed in the two sites.

Esterification Prevents Induction of the Mitochondrial Permeability Transition by N-Acetyl Perfluorooctane Sulfonamides

N-Alkyl perfluorooctane sulfonamides have been widely used as surfactants on fabrics and papers, fire retardants, and anticorrosion agents, among many other commercial applications. The broad use, global distribution, and environmental persistence of these compounds has generated considerable interest regarding potentially toxic effects. We have previously reported that perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetate (FOSAA) and N-ethylperfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetate (N-EtFOSAA) induce the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) in vitro, resulting in cytochrome c release, inhibition of respiration, and generation of reactive oxygen species. By synthesizing the corresponding methyl esters of FOSAA and N-EtFOSAA (methyl perlfuorinated sulfonamide acetates), we tested the hypothesis that the N-acetate moiety of FOSAA and N-EtFOSAA is the functional group responsible for induction of the MPT. Swelling of freshly isolated liver mitochondria from Sprague-Dawley rats was monitored spectrophotometrically and membrane potential (DeltaPsi) was measured using a tetraphenylphosphonium-selective (TPP(+)) electrode. In the presence of calcium, 40 microM FOSAA and 7 microM N-EtFOSAA each induced mitochondrial swelling and a biphasic depolarization of membrane potential. Mitochondrial swelling and the second-phase depolarization were inhibited by cyclosporin-A or the catalyst of K(+)/H(+) exchange nigericin, whereas the first-phase depolarization was not affected by either. In contrast, the methyl esters of FOSAA and N-EtFOSAA exhibited no depolarizing or MPT inducing activity. Results of this investigation demonstrate that the carboxylic acid moiety of the N-acetates is the active functional group, which triggers the MPT by perfluorinated sulfonamides.

Comparison of three cytotoxicity tests in the evaluation of the cytotoxicity of a spermine analogue on human breast cancer cell lines

Using three cytotoxicity assays, we have investigated the effect of the spermine analogue N1,N11-diethylnorspermine (DENSPM) on four human breast cancer cell lines with different known genetic lesions. Cells were seeded in 96 well plates and DENSPM was added 24 h later to give final concentrations from 0.1 to 100 microM. At 24, 48 and 72 h of treatment, the protein content was determined with a modified Lowry assay. Mitochondrial activity was determined with the AlamarBlue and MTT assays. These two assays differ with respect to where in the electron transport chain the reduction of the substrate takes place. Treatment with increasing concentrations of DENSPM resulted in differential responses in the four cell lines. There was a good of agreement between the protein content and the MTT assay showing increased negative effect with increased dose of DENSPM. The AlamarBlue assay on the other hand showed a stimulation of substrate reduction compared to control at DENSPM concentrations that were inhibitory according to the protein content and MTT assay. Thus, the data clearly show that the MTT and AlamarBlue assays are not equivalent. Importantly, the AlamarBlue assay presumably also reflects cytoplasmic reduction of the substrate through DENSPM-induced mechanisms.

Effects of polyamines on mitochondrial Ca2+ transport

Mammalian mitochondria are able to enhance Ca(2+) accumulation in the presence of polyamines by activating the saturable systems of Ca(2+) inward transport and buffering extramitochondrial Ca(2+) concentrations to levels similar to those in the cytosol of resting cells. This effect renders them responsive to regulate free Ca(2+) concentrations in the physioloical range. The mechanism involved is due to a rise in the affinity of the Ca(2+) transport system, induced by polyamines, most probably exhibiting allosteric behaviour. The regulatory site of this mechanism is the so-called S(1) binding site of polyamines, which operates in physiological conditions and is located in the energy well between the two peaks present in the energy profile of mitochondrial spermine transport. Spermine is bidirectionally transported across teh inner membrane by cycling, in which influx and efflux are driven by electrical and pH gradients, respectively. Most probably, polyamine affects the Ca(2+) transport system when it acts from the outside-that is, in the direction of its uniporter channel, in order to reach the S(1) site. Important physiological functions are related to activation of Ca(2+) transport systems by polyamines and their interactions with the S(1) site. These functions include a rise in the metabolic rate for energy supply and modulation of mitochondrial permeability transition induction, with consequent effects on the triggering of the apoptotic pathway.

Kinetics and free energy profiles of spermine transport in liver mitochondria

In the present study, the voltage-dependent mechanism of spermine transport in liver mitochondria [Toninello, A., Dalla Via, L., Siliprandi, D., and Garlid, K. D. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 18393-18397] was further characterized by determining the rate constants J(max) and K(m) as functions of membrane potential. An increase in mitochondrial membrane potential from 150 to 210 mV promoted spermine transport, as reflected by an approximate 4-fold increase in J(max) and 25% decrease in K(m). The mechanism for the voltage dependence of transport was examined using the beta value, i. e., the slope of ln(flux) vs FDeltaPsi/RT plots. Flux-voltage analyses performed at very high and very low spermine concentrations yielded beta values of 0.125 and 0.25, for J(max) and J(max)/K(m), respectively. The physical significance of these beta values was analyzed by means of a theory relating the enzyme reaction rate to the free energy profiles [Yagisawa, S. (1985) Biochem. J. 303, 305-311]. Depending on the nature of K(m), two possible models could be proposed to describe the location and shape of the barriers in the membrane. Analysis of previous data concerning spermine binding [Dalla Via, L., Di Noto, V., Siliprandi, D., and Toninello, A. (1996) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1284, 247-252] by a new rationale provided evidence for an asymmetrical energy profile composed of two peaks with the binding site near the membrane surface followed by a rate-determining energy barrier for the movement of the bound spermine toward the internal region of the membrane.

The effects of methylglyoxal-bis(guanylhydrazone) on spermine binding and transport in liver mitochondria

This study evaluated the effect of the anticancer drug methylglyoxal-bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG) on the binding of the polyamine spermine to the mitochondrial membrane and its transport into the inner compartment of this organelle. Spermine binding was studied by applying a new thermodynamic treatment of ligand-receptor interactions (Di Noto et al., Macromol Theory Simul 5: 165-181, 1996). Results showed that MGBG inhibited the binding of spermine to the site competent for the first step in polyamine transport; the interaction of spermine with this site, termed S1, also mediates the inhibitory effect of the polyamine on the mitochondrial permeability transition (Dalla Via et al., Biochim Biophys Acta 1284: 247-252, 1996). In the presence of 1 mM MGBG, the binding capacity and affinity of this site were reduced by about 2.6-fold; on the contrary, the binding capacity of the S2 site, which is most likely responsible for the internalization of cytoplasmic proteins (see Dalla Via et al., reference cited above), increased by about 1.3-fold, and its binding affinity remained unaffected. MGBG also inhibited the initial rate of spermine transport in a dose-dependent manner by establishing apparently sigmoidal kinetics. Consequently, the total extent of spermine accumulation inside mitochondria was inhibited. This inhibition in transport seems to reflect a conformational change at the level of the channel protein constituting the polyamine transport system, rather than competitive inhibition at the inner active site of the channel, thereby excluding the possibility that the polyamine and drug use the same transport pathway. Furthermore, it is suggested that, in the presence of MGBG, the S2 site is able to participate in residual spermine transport. MGBG also strongly inhibits deltapH-dependent spermine efflux, resulting in a complete block in the bidirectional flux of the polyamine and its sequestration inside the matrix space. The effects of MGBG on spermine accumulation are consistent with in vivo disruption of the regulator of energy metabolism and replication of the mitochondrial genome.

Binding of spermidine and putrescine to energized liver mitochondria

The binding of spermidine and putrescine to mitochondrial membranes was studied by applying a thermodynamic model of ligand-receptor interactions developed both for equilibrium and far-from-equilibrium binding processes (V. Di Noto, L. Dalla Via, A. Toninello, and M. Vidali Macromol. Theory Simul. 5, 165-181, 1996). Results demonstrate the presence of two monocoordinated binding sites (S1 and S2) for spermidine and one monocoordinated binding site (S2) for putrescine, all exhibiting high capacity and low affinity. It is proposed that differences in the polyamines' flexibility and hydrophilicity perhaps contributes to the observed variations in their interactions with the two sites. A comparison of the binding parameters of these polyamines with those of spermine reveals differences in the specific function of the S1 and S2 sites, identified in studies of spermine binding (L. Dalla Via, V. Di Noto, D. Siliprandi, and A. Toninello Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1284, 247-252, 1996).

Studies on human porin XVIII: the multicompartment effector ruthenium red reduces the voltage dependence of human VDAC in planar lipid bilayers

The initial data on the effect of ruthenium red on mature human type-1 VDAC are presented. Highly enriched human type-1 porin in planar lipid bilayers shows lowered voltage-dependence whenever a commercially available ruthenium red preparation is applied. The hexavalent polycationic dye ruthenium red affects different functions in varying cell compartments. Concerning the plasma membrane of cells the actual data, together with our former measurements on the interaction of VDAC and the polycationic synthetic polyamine Compound 48/80, refer to a second VDAC opener, which is relevant for studies on the stimulation of exocytotic processes of different cell types.