Activation of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation by calcium. Conversion to the energized state

High-throughput identification of calcium-regulated proteins across diverse proteomes

Calcium ions play important roles in nearly every biological process, yet whole-proteome analysis of calcium effectors has been hindered by a lack of high-throughput, unbiased, and quantitative methods to identify protein-calcium engagement. To address this, we adapted protein thermostability assays in budding yeast, human cells, and mouse mitochondria. Based on calcium-dependent thermostability, we identified 2,884 putative calcium-regulated proteins across human, mouse, and yeast proteomes. These data revealed calcium engagement of signaling hubs and cellular processes, including metabolic enzymes and the spliceosome. Cross-species comparison of calcium-protein engagement and mutagenesis experiments identified residue-specific cation engagement, even within well-known EF-hand domains. Additionally, we found that the dienoyl-coenzyme A (CoA) reductase DECR1 binds calcium at physiologically relevant concentrations with substrate-specific affinity, suggesting direct calcium regulation of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. These discovery-based proteomic analyses of calcium effectors establish a key resource to dissect cation engagement and its mechanistic effects across multiple species and diverse biological processes.

High-Throughput Identification of Calcium Regulated Proteins Across Diverse Proteomes

Calcium ions play important roles in nearly every biological process, yet whole-proteome analysis of calcium effectors has been hindered by lack of high-throughput, unbiased, and quantitative methods to identify proteins-calcium engagement. To address this, we adapted protein thermostability assays in the budding yeast, human cells, and mouse mitochondria. Based on calcium-dependent thermostability, we identified 2884 putative calcium-regulated proteins across human, mouse, and yeast proteomes. These data revealed calcium engagement of novel signaling hubs and cellular processes, including metabolic enzymes and the spliceosome. Cross-species comparison of calcium-protein engagement and mutagenesis experiments identified residue-specific cation engagement, even within well-known EF-hand domains. Additionally, we found that the dienoyl-CoA reductase DECR1 binds calcium at physiologically-relevant concentrations with substrate-specific affinity, suggesting direct calcium regulation of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. These unbiased, proteomic analyses of calcium effectors establish a key resource to dissect cation engagement and its mechanistic effects across multiple species and diverse biological processes.

Loss and gain of function of Grp75 or mitofusin 2 distinctly alter cholesterol metabolism, but all promote triglyceride accumulation in hepatocytes

In the liver, contact sites between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria (named MAMs) may be crucial hubs for the regulation of lipid metabolism, thus contributing to the exacerbation or prevention of fatty liver. We hypothesized that tether proteins located at MAMs could play a key role in preventing triglyceride accumulation in hepatocytes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurrence. To test this, we explored the role of two key partners in building MAM integrity and functionality, the glucose-regulated protein 75 (Grp75) and mitofusin 2 (Mfn2), which liver contents are altered in obesity and NAFLD. Grp75 or Mfn2 expression was either silenced using siRNA or overexpressed with adenoviruses in Huh7 cells. Silencing of Grp75 and Mfn2 resulted in decreased ER-mitochondria interactions, mitochondrial network fusion state and mitochondrial oxidative capacity, while overexpression of the two proteins induced mirror impacts on these parameters. Furthermore, Grp75 or Mfn2 silencing decreased cellular cholesterol content and enhanced triglyceride secretion in ApoB100 lipoproteins, while their overexpression led to reverse effects. Cellular phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylethanolamine ratio was decreased only upon overexpression of the proteins, potentially contributing to altered ApoB100 assembly and secretion. Despite the opposite differences, both silencing and overexpression of Grp75 or Mfn2 induced triglyceride storage, although a fatty acid challenge was required to express the alteration upon protein silencing. Among the mechanisms potentially involved in this phenotype, ER stress was closely associated with altered triglyceride metabolism after Grp75 or Mfn2 overexpression, while blunted mitochondrial FA oxidation capacity may be the main defect causing triglyceride accumulation upon Grp75 or Mfn2 silencing. Further studies are required to decipher the link between modulation of Grp75 or Mfn2 expression, change in MAM integrity and alteration of cholesterol content of the cell. In conclusion, Grp75 or Mfn2 silencing and overexpression in Huh7 cells contribute to altering MAM integrity and cholesterol storage in opposite directions, but all promote triglyceride accumulation through distinct cellular pathways. This study also highlights that besides Mfn2, Grp75 could play a central role in hepatic lipid and cholesterol metabolism in obesity and NAFLD.

Mitochondrial morphology regulates organellar Ca2+ uptake and changes cellular Ca2+ homeostasis

Changes in mitochondrial size and shape have been implicated in several physiologic processes, but their role in mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uptake regulation and overall cellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis is largely unknown. Here we show that modulating mitochondrial dynamics toward increased fusion through expression of a dominant negative (DN) form of the fission protein [dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1)] markedly increased both mitochondrial Ca²⁺ retention capacity and Ca²⁺ uptake rates in permeabilized C2C12 cells. Similar results were seen using the pharmacological fusion-promoting M1 molecule. Conversely, promoting a fission phenotype through the knockdown of the fusion protein mitofusin (MFN)-2 strongly reduced the mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uptake speed and capacity in these cells. These changes were not dependent on modifications in mitochondrial calcium uniporter expression, inner membrane potentials, or the mitochondrial permeability transition. Implications of mitochondrial morphology modulation on cellular calcium homeostasis were measured in intact cells; mitochondrial fission promoted lower basal cellular calcium levels and lower endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium stores, as indicated by depletion with thapsigargin. Indeed, mitochondrial fission was associated with ER stress. Additionally, the calcium-replenishing process of store-operated calcium entry was impaired in MFN2 knockdown cells, whereas DRP1-DN-promoted fusion resulted in faster cytosolic Ca²⁺ increase rates. Overall, our results show a novel role for mitochondrial morphology in the regulation of mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uptake, which impacts cellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis.-Kowaltowski, A. J., Menezes-Filho, S. L., Assali, E. A., Gonçalves, I. G., Cabral-Costa, J. V., Abreu, P., Miller, N., Nolasco, P., Laurindo, F. R. M., Bruni-Cardoso, A., Shirihai, O. Mitochondrial morphology regulates organellar Ca²⁺ uptake and changes cellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis.

Novel role of the ER/SR Ca2+ sensor STIM1 in the regulation of cardiac metabolism

The endoplasmic reticulum/sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ sensor stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1), a key mediator of store-operated Ca²⁺ entry, is expressed in cardiomyocytes and has been implicated in regulating multiple cardiac processes, including hypertrophic signaling. Interestingly, cardiomyocyte-restricted deletion of STIM1 (^crSTIM1-KO) results in age-dependent endoplasmic reticulum stress, altered mitochondrial morphology, and dilated cardiomyopathy in mice. Here, we tested the hypothesis that STIM1 deficiency may also impact cardiac metabolism. Hearts isolated from 20-wk-old ^crSTIM1-KO mice exhibited a significant reduction in both oxidative and nonoxidative glucose utilization. Consistent with the reduction in glucose utilization, expression of glucose transporter 4 and AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylation were all reduced, whereas pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 and pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphorylation were increased, in ^crSTIM1-KO hearts. Despite similar rates of fatty acid oxidation in control and ^crSTIM1-KO hearts ex vivo, ^crSTIM1-KO hearts contained increased lipid/triglyceride content as well as increased fatty acid-binding protein 4, fatty acid synthase, acyl-CoA thioesterase 1, hormone-sensitive lipase, and adipose triglyceride lipase expression compared with control hearts, suggestive of a possible imbalance between fatty acid uptake and oxidation. Insulin-mediated alterations in AKT phosphorylation were observed in ^crSTIM1-KO hearts, consistent with cardiac insulin resistance. Interestingly, we observed abnormal mitochondria and increased lipid accumulation in 12-wk ^crSTIM1-KO hearts, suggesting that these changes may initiate the subsequent metabolic dysfunction. These results demonstrate, for the first time, that cardiomyocyte STIM1 may play a key role in regulating cardiac metabolism. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Little is known of the physiological role of stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) in the heart. Here, we demonstrate, for the first time, that hearts lacking cardiomyocyte STIM1 exhibit dysregulation of both cardiac glucose and lipid metabolism. Consequently, these results suggest a potentially novel role for STIM1 in regulating cardiac metabolism.

Seipin promotes adipose tissue fat storage through the ER Ca²⁺-ATPase SERCA

Adipose tissue is central to the regulation of lipid metabolism. Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy type 2 (BSCL2), one of the most severe lipodystrophy diseases, is caused by mutation of the Seipin gene. Seipin plays an important role in adipocyte differentiation and lipid homeostasis, but its exact molecular functions are still unknown. Here, we show that Seipin physically interacts with the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) in both Drosophila and man. SERCA, an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium pump, is solely responsible for transporting cytosolic calcium into the ER lumen. Like dSeipin, dSERCA cell-autonomously promotes lipid storage in Drosophila fat cells. dSeipin affects dSERCA activity and modulates intracellular calcium homeostasis. Adipose tissue-specific knockdown of the ER-to-cytosol calcium release channel ryanodine receptor (RyR) partially restores fat storage in dSeipin mutants. Our results reveal that Seipin promotes adipose tissue fat storage by regulating intracellular calcium homeostasis.

Genetic ablation of calcium-independent phospholipase A(2)γ (iPLA(2)γ) attenuates calcium-induced opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore and resultant cytochrome c release

Herein, we demonstrate that calcium-independent phospholipase A(2)γ (iPLA(2)γ) is a critical mechanistic participant in the calcium-induced opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP). Liver mitochondria from iPLA(2)γ(-/-) mice were markedly resistant to calcium-induced swelling in the presence or absence of phosphate in comparison with wild-type littermates. Furthermore, the iPLA(2)γ enantioselective inhibitor (R)-(E)-6-(bromomethylene)-3-(1-naphthalenyl)-2H-tetrahydropyran-2-one ((R)-BEL) was markedly more potent than (S)-BEL in inhibiting mPTP opening in mitochondria from wild-type liver in comparison with hepatic mitochondria from iPLA(2)γ(-/-) mice. Intriguingly, low micromolar concentrations of long chain fatty acyl-CoAs and the non-hydrolyzable thioether analog of palmitoyl-CoA markedly accelerated Ca(2+)-induced mPTP opening in liver mitochondria from wild-type mice. The addition of l-carnitine enabled the metabolic channeling of acyl-CoA through carnitine palmitoyltransferases (CPT-1/2) and attenuated the palmitoyl-CoA-mediated amplification of calcium-induced mPTP opening. In contrast, mitochondria from iPLA(2)γ(-/-) mice were insensitive to fatty acyl-CoA-mediated augmentation of calcium-induced mPTP opening. Moreover, mitochondria from iPLA(2)γ(-/-) mouse liver were resistant to Ca(2+)/t-butyl hydroperoxide-induced mPTP opening in comparison with wild-type littermates. In support of these findings, cytochrome c release from iPLA(2)γ(-/-) mitochondria was dramatically decreased in response to calcium in the presence or absence of either t-butyl hydroperoxide or phenylarsine oxide in comparison with wild-type littermates. Collectively, these results identify iPLA(2)γ as an important mechanistic component of the mPTP, define its downstream products as potent regulators of mPTP opening, and demonstrate the integrated roles of mitochondrial bioenergetics and lipidomic flux in modulating mPTP opening promoting the activation of necrotic and necroapoptotic pathways of cell death.

Regulation of ATP production by mitochondrial Ca(2+)

Stimulation of mitochondrial oxidative metabolism by Ca(2+) is now generally recognised as important for the control of cellular ATP homeostasis. Here, we review the mechanisms through which Ca(2+) regulates mitochondrial ATP synthesis. We focus on cardiac myocytes and pancreatic β-cells, where tight control of this process is likely to play an important role in the response to rapid changes in workload and to nutrient stimulation, respectively. We also describe a novel approach for imaging the Ca(2+)-dependent regulation of ATP levels dynamically in single cells.

The role of Ca(2+) signaling in the coordination of mitochondrial ATP production with cardiac work

The heart is capable of balancing the rate of mitochondrial ATP production with utilization continuously over a wide range of activity. This results in a constant phosphorylation potential despite a large change in metabolite turnover. The molecular mechanisms responsible for generating this energy homeostasis are poorly understood. The best candidate for a cytosolic signaling molecule reflecting ATP hydrolysis is Ca(2+). Since Ca(2+) initiates and powers muscle contraction as well as serves as the primary substrate for SERCA, Ca(2+) is an ideal feed-forward signal for priming ATP production. With the sarcoplasmic reticulum to cytosolic Ca(2+) gradient near equilibrium with the free energy of ATP, cytosolic Ca(2+) release is exquisitely sensitive to the cellular energy state providing a feedback signal. Thus, Ca(2+) can serve as a feed-forward and feedback regulator of ATP production. Consistent with this notion is the correlation of cytosolic and mitochondrial Ca(2+) with work in numerous preparations as well as the localization of mitochondria near Ca(2+) release sites. How cytosolic Ca(2+) signaling might regulate oxidative phosphorylation is a focus of this review. The relevant Ca(2+) sensitive sites include several dehydrogenases and substrate transporters together with a post-translational modification of F1-FO-ATPase and cytochrome oxidase. Thus, Ca(2+) apparently activates both the generation of the mitochondrial membrane potential as well as utilization to produce ATP. This balanced activation extends the energy homeostasis observed in the cytosol into the mitochondria matrix in the never resting heart.

Ectopic expression of alpha1,6 fucosyltransferase in mice causes steatosis in the liver and kidney accompanied by a modification of lysosomal acid lipase

The alpha1,6 fucosyltransferase (alpha1,6 FucT) catalyzes the transfer of a fucose from GDP-fucose to the innermost GlcNAc residue of N-linked glycans via an alpha1,6 linkage. alpha1,6 FucT was overexpressed in transgenic mice under the control of a combined cytomegalovirus and chicken beta-actin promoter. Histologically numerous small vacuoles, in which lipid droplets had accumulated, were observed in hepatocytes and proximal renal tubular cells. Electron microscopic studies showed that the lipid droplets were membrane-bound and apparently localized within the lysosomes. Cholesterol esters and triglycerides were significantly increased in liver and kidney of the transgenic mice. Liver lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) activity was significantly lower in the transgenic mice compared to the wild mice, whereas LAL protein level, which was detected immunochemically, was increased, indicating that the specific activity of LAL was much lower in the transgenic mice. In all of the transgenic and nontransgenic mice examined, the activity of liver LAL was negatively correlated with the level of alpha1,6 FucT activity. As evidenced by lectin and immunoblot analysis, LAL was found to be more fucosylated in the transgenic mice, suggesting that the aberrant fucosylation of LAL causes an accumulation of inactive LAL in the lysosomes. Such an accumulation of inactive LAL could be a likely cause for a steatosis in the lysosomes of the liver and kidney in the case of the alpha1,6 FucT transgenic mice.

Decreased mitochondrial oxidation of fatty acids in pregnant mice: possible relevance to development of acute fatty liver of pregnancy

Severe impairment of the beta-oxidation of fatty acids, as a consequence of a single factor or a combination of different causes, leads to microvesicular steatosis of the liver. In an effort to understand the mechanism(s) leading to the development of acute fatty liver of pregnancy in some women, we determined the effects of pregnancy on the mitochondrial oxidation of fatty acids in mice. In vivo, the rate of oxidation of the whole fatty-acid chain length was determined by measuring the rate of exhalation of [14C]CO2 after intragastric administration of a tracer dose of [U-14C]palmitic acid. [14C]CO2 exhalation was not significantly decreased at 14 days of gestation, but it had declined by 40% at 18 days of gestation (i.e., 24 to 48 hr before delivery). The rate of first beta-oxidation cycle was assessed by measuring the rate of [14C]CO2 exhalation after administration of [1-14C]octanoic acid, [1-14C]butyric acid or [1-14C]palmitic acid. [14C]CO2 exhalation had declined by 60%, 46%, and 24% after administration of [1-14C]octanoic acid, [1-14C]butyric acid and [1-14C]palmitic acid, respectively, in 18-day-pregnant mice. Total hepatic lipids and triglycerides, expressed per gram of liver, remained unchanged in 18-day-pregnant mice. In vitro, the rate of mitochondrial beta-oxidation (expressed per milligram of protein) had decreased by 47% at 18 days' gestation with [U-14C]palmitic acid as substrate and by 33% with [1-14C]octanoic acid but remained unchanged with [1-14C]palmitic acid. The activity of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, assessed by the formation of [14C]CO2 from [1-14C]acetic acid, had decreased by 24%. We conclude that the mitochondrial oxidation of fatty acids decreased during late-term pregnancy in mice as a consequence of both decreased mitochondrial beta-oxidation of medium-chain fatty acids, and decreased activity of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. We suggest that this effect, in combination with other factors, may contribute to the development of fatty liver of pregnancy in some pregnant women.

The effect of palmitoyl-CoA binding to albumin on the apparent kinetic behavior of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I

Substrate saturation plots of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I activity from isolated rat liver mitochondria vs. palmitoyl-CoA concentration in the presence of bovine serum albumin have been reported to yield sigmoidal kinetics. Under identical assay conditions we have confirmed these observations as reflected by nonlinear Lineweaver-Burke plots (1/vi vs. 1/[S]) an average Hill coefficient of napp. = 1.98 +/- 0.09 (Mean +/- S.E. from four separate experiments). For these determinations the enzyme activity was plotted against the total [palmitoyl-CoA] in the presence of 0.13% bovine serum albumin. Utilizing the total [palmitoyl-CoA] to determine the kinetic properties of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I would be valid only if the relationship between total and free [palmitoyl-CoA] was linear, which is not the case as we have previously shown. When carnitine palmitoyltransferase I substrate saturation kinetics were reanalyzed using the previously determined free [palmitoyl-CoA]'s, the plots revealed a shift to standard hyperbolic kinetics. This observation was confirmed by an average Hill coefficient of napp. = 1.04 +/- 0.10 (Mean +/- S.E.) and linear Lineweaver-Burke plots. The double-reciprocal plots from these analyses yielded an average S0.5 of 2.55 +/- 0.82 microM (Mean +/- S.E.) palmitoyl-CoA and Vmax of 19.69 +/- 5.48 nmol/min per mg protein. These studies clearly demonstrate the importance of defining the free [palmitoyl-CoA] when analyzing the kinetics of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I in the presence of bovine serum albumin.

Biochemical alterations in skeletal muscle induced by 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic butyl ester during chick embryonic development

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic butyl ester (2,4-D b.e.) (3.1 mg/egg) was applied on fertile hen eggs before starting the incubation. Chicks hatched from treated eggs showed motor dysfunctions, postural troubles and edematous muscles. The electromyography revealed muscular weakness, prolonged motor distal latency, and myotonia. The biochemical composition of leg and complexus muscles from 1-day-old chicks was determined. A significant diminution (24%) in the glycogen level of leg muscles was produced by the treatment. There was a small increase (15%) in sarcoplasmic proteins from leg muscles and an increase of a 20 kD protein in the myofibrillar proteins from complexus muscles. Even though total lipid content was not changed, 2,4-D b.e. treatment produced a diminution of sterol esters (20%) and phosphatidylcholine (11%) and an increase of phosphatidylserine (61%), triglycerides (37%) and free fatty acids (FFA) (448%) in leg muscles. Increases of phosphatidylethanolamine (16%), sterols (58%) and FFA (267%) were detected in complexus muscles. A remarkable increase (700-1500%) of unsaturated FFA, e.g. oleic, linoleic and arachidonic acids, was observed. Considering the avian embryo lipid metabolism, it is proposed that FFA and triglycerides were accumulated because they could not be metabolized in the mitochondria. Since FFA are potent cytotoxic compounds, their increase may be a key factor in the 2,4-D b.e. toxic action in muscle and other tissues during embryonic development.

Ca2+ homeostasis alterations induced by 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic butyl ester and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid on avian skeletal muscle

Fertilized hen eggs were treated externally with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic butyl ester (2,4-D b.e.) (3.1 mg/egg) before the start of the incubation. Actomyosin and sarcoplasmic reticulum adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activities from leg and complexus muscles of chicks hatched from treated eggs were measured. No significant variations were detected in the ATPase activities of actomyosin, but the sarcoplasmic reticulum Mg2(+)-activated ATPase and Ca2+, Mg2(+)-activated ATPase were inhibited 50 and 38% respectively. 45Ca2+ uptake into soleus muscle was increased by the 2,4-D b.e. treatment. The compartmental analysis of 45Ca2+ uptake kinetics showed increases in Ca2+ fluxes in sarcolemma and mitochondria and in the mitochondrial calcium pool. Isolated soleus muscles were treated with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or 2,4-D b.e. [14C]2,4-D reached it highest level in these muscles after 1 hr of treatment. The in vitro treatment with 2,4-D or 2,4-D b.e. increased 45Ca2+ uptake into the muscles. 2,4-D b.e. produced greater alterations than 2,4-D. The compartmental analysis of the 45Ca2+ uptake kinetics also showed increases of the mitochondrial Ca2+ pool and Ca2+ fluxes through sarcolemma and mitochondria. These results led to a hypothesis based on Ca2+ permeability alterations for explaining the myopathic actions of these phenoxyherbicides.

Ca2(+)-fatty acid interaction in the control of hepatic gluconeogenesis

Calcium depletion induced by perfusing livers with calcium-free buffer did not alter the rates of basal glucose production from pyruvate or from increasing concentrations of lactate. However, calcium deficiency selectively prevented the fatty acid-induced stimulation of gluconeogenesis from lactate. This effect is not related to the higher NAD redox potential consistently observed in Ca2(+)-deficient livers. On the other hand, octanoate was capable of inducing dose-dependent changes in the [pyruvate]0.5 in calcium-depleted livers perfused with lactate, ruling out that low cellular calcium content could perturb the mitochondrial transport of pyruvate. The observation that the effect of calcium deficiency can be overcome by supraphysiological concentrations of pyruvate supports the proposal that stimulation of the maximal capacity of the gluconeogenic pathway by fatty acid relies largely on the tricarboxylic acid cycle activity, restricted in calcium deficiency conditions.

Inhibition of mitochondrial palmitate oxidation by calmodulin antagonists

1. The effect of calmodulin antagonists on the rate of palmitate oxidation by isolated rat liver mitochondria was studied. 2. In the presence of 100 microM amitriptyline, chlorpromazine, prenylamine, N-(4-aminobutyl)-5-chloro-2-naphthalenesulfonamide or N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide, palmitate oxidation was inhibited by 17, 34, 49, 31 and 37%, respectively. 3. The degree of inhibition of palmitate oxidation exerted by these chemical compounds did not appear to correlate appreciably with changes in mitochondrial membrane fluidity.

Tianeptine, a new tricyclic antidepressant metabolized by beta-oxidation of its heptanoic side chain, inhibits the mitochondrial oxidation of medium and short chain fatty acids in mice

Tianeptine is a new tricyclic antidepressant which is metabolized mainly by beta-oxidation of its heptanoic side chain. We determined the effects of tianeptine on the mitochondrial oxidation of natural fatty acids in mice. In vitro, tianeptine (0.5 mM) inhibited by only 32% the formation of beta-oxidation products from [1-14C]palmitic acid by hepatic mitochondria, but inhibited by 71% that from [1-14C]octanoic acid and by 51% that from [1-14C]butyric acid. The activity of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, assessed as the in vitro formation of [14C]CO2 from [1-14C]acetylcoenzyme A was decreased by 51% in the presence of tianeptine (0.5 mM). The inhibition of both beta-oxidation and the tricarboxylic acid cycle appeared reversible in mitochondria from mice exposed to tianeptine in vivo but incubated in vitro without tianeptine. In vivo, administration of tianeptine (0.0625 mmol/kg i.p.), decreased by 53 and 58%, respectively, the formation of [14C]CO2 from [1-14C]octanoic acid and [1-14C]butyric acid, but did not significantly decrease that from [1-14C]palmitic acid. After administration of high doses of tianeptine, however, formation of [14C]CO2 from [1-14C]palmitic acid became inhibited as well, transiently after 0.25 mmol/kg and durably (greater than 24 hr) after 0.75 mmol/kg i.p. Hepatic triglycerides were increased 24 hr after administration of 0.75 mmol/kg i.p. of tianeptine, but not after 0.25 mmol/kg i.p. Microvesicular steatosis of the liver was observed in some mice after 0.75 mmol/kg i.p., but not after 0.5 mmol/kg i.p. We conclude that tianeptine inhibits the oxidation of medium- and short-chain fatty acids in mice. Microvesicular steatosis, however, requires very large doses in mice (0.75 mmol/kg i.p., i.e. 600-times the oral dose in humans), and is therefore unlikely to occur in humans.

Relationships between the NAD(P) redox state, fatty acid oxidation, and inner membrane permeability in rat liver mitochondria

Dysfunction of mitochondria after oxidation of endogenous NAD(P)H, especially after calcium accumulation, has been abundantly reported, but the causes of membrane perturbations did not receive a full explanation. In light of several additional observations reported in this study, we propose a general scheme which shows the sequential processes that are likely involved in the appearance of calcium-induced membrane leakiness. Addition of acetoacetate, oxaloacetate, or ketomalonate to rotenone-treated mitochondria led to a massive oxidation of both NADH and NADPH. Under these conditions, stimulation of fatty acid oxidation could be observed. This process was shown to be accompanied by a reduction of intramitochondrial NADP+. The reduction of NADP+ was inhibited by uncouplers, electron transfer inhibitors and N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. It was thus probably catalyzed by the mitochondrial transhydrogenase. Oxidation of pyridine nucleotides in the presence of acetoacetate induced (i) a slight decrease in the number of sulfhydryl groups reactive with N-ethylmaleimide (but no change in the amount of intramitochondrial reduced glutathione) and (ii) modifications of the kinetics and the orientation of the ADP/ATP carrier. In the presence of calcium ions, acetoacetate-stimulated fatty acid oxidation promoted an extensive swelling of mitochondria. Uptake of calcium ions into the matrix was a critical factor for triggering the swelling. Thiols, if they were added at a sufficiently high concentration, suppressed the swelling. Also ligands of the ADP/ATP carrier which stabilized the m-state conformation of the protein, exerted an efficient protective action. Three essential interacting factors emerge from this study: (i) The crucial role of the ADP/ATP carrier orientation in promoting the calcium-induced membrane destabilization. More precisely, it has been shown that the ADP/ATP carrier adopts the c-state conformation (i.e., nucleotide binding site facing the cytoplasm) during fatty acid oxidation. (ii) The modification of a very small number of sulfhydryl groups of mitochondrial protein. These groups are probably in an oxidized state when the level of reduced pyridine nucleotides is low. (iii) The prevailing role of the transhydrogenase, the function of which is also intimately associated with fatty acid oxidation. After energization, transhydrogenase can hinder thiol oxidation and therefore partially protect the membrane structure.

Verapamil reverses PTH- or CRF-induced abnormal fatty acid oxidation in muscle

Chronic renal failure (CRF) is associated with impaired long chain fatty acids (LCFA) oxidation by skeletal muscle mitochondria. This is due to reduced activity of carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT). These derangements were attributed to the secondary hyperparathyroidism of CRF, since prior parathyroidectomy in CRF rats reversed these abnormalities and PTH administration to normal rats reproduced them. It was proposed that these effects of PTH are mediated by its ionophoric property leading to increased entry of calcium into skeletal muscle. A calcium channel blocker may, therefore, correct these derangements. The present study examined the effects of verapamil on LCFA oxidation, CPT activity by skeletal muscle mitochondria, and 45Ca uptake by skeletal muscle obtained from CRF rats and normal animals treated with PTH with and without verapamil. Both four days of PTH administration and 21 days of CRF produced significant (P less than 0.01) reduction in LCFA oxidation and CPT activity of skeletal muscle mitochondria, and significant (P less than 0.01) increment in 45Ca uptake by skeletal muscle. Simultaneous treatment with verapamil corrected all these derangements. Administration of verapamil alone to normal rats did not cause a significant change in any of these parameters. The data are consistent with the proposition that the alterations in LCFA in CRF or after PTH treatment are related to the ionophoric action of the hormone and could be reversed by a calcium channel blocker.

The effects of glucagon on hepatic mitochondrial metabolism in the pigeon, Columba livia

The effects of glucagon infusion on substrate oxidation by liver mitochondria from the pigeon, Columba livia, were examined. While the response of mammalian liver mitochondria to glucagon involves elevated rates of oxidation of succinate, pyruvate, alpha-ketoglutarate, glutamate, and acyl carnitines, avian hepatic mitochondria demonstrate no change in state 3 rates for the oxidation of succinate, pyruvate, alpha-ketoglutarate, and glutamate upon glucagon infusion. There was a trend toward decreasing the state 3 rate of oxidation of long-chain acyl carnitines compared to other substrates with glucagon treatment. State 4 rates of oxidation of all substrates including acyl carnitines were unaffected by glucagon infusion. The permeability of pigeon liver mitochondria to NADH was not affected by glucagon infusion, indicating no change in the fragility of the mitochondria. The effect of glucagon in elevating oxidation of lipids in mammals and decreasing oxidation in birds correlates with its hyperlipemic action in birds and the hypolipemic action in mammals.

Inhibition of the mitochondrial oxidation of fatty acids by tetracycline in mice and in man: possible role in microvesicular steatosis induced by this antibiotic

Intravenous administration of high doses of tetracycline may produce severe microvesicular steatosis of the liver in man. A similar disease is observed after ingestion of drugs which inhibit hepatic mitochondrial fatty acid beta-oxidation and in subjects with various inborn defects in this metabolic pathway. We therefore determined the effects of tetracycline on the mitochondrial oxidation of fatty acids in mice and in man. In vitro, addition of tetracycline 0.25, 0.5, 1 or 2 mM inhibited by 15, 38, 56 and 65%, respectively, the formation of beta-oxidation products during incubation of palmitic acid with mouse liver mitochondria and the various cofactors necessary for beta-oxidation. Inhibition was reversible. Inhibition appeared even greater with human liver mitochondria. Tricarboxylic acid cycle activity, assessed by the in vitro formation of [14C]CO2 from [1-14C]acetylcoenzyme A by mouse liver mitochondria, was inhibited by 25, 32 and 43%, respectively, in the presence of 0.5, 1 or 2 mM of tetracycline. In vivo, administration of tetracycline, 0.25 or 1 mmole per kg, inhibited by 53 and 84%, respectively, the exhalation of [14C]CO2 during the first 3 hours following the administration of a tracer dose of [U-14C]palmitic acid. Administration of tetracycline, 0.0625, 0.25 or 1 mmole per kg, 6 hr before the measurement, increased hepatic triglycerides by 100, 170 and 250%, respectively. After 1 mmole per kg, accumulation of hepatic triglycerides was maximum at 24 hr, reaching 9-fold the control value; liver histology showed microvesicular steatosis at 6 and 24 hr. We conclude that tetracycline inhibits the mitochondrial oxidation of fatty acids in mice and in man.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of 8-N,N-diethylamino-octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8) HCl and verapamil on the metabolism of free fatty acid by hepatocytes

The influence of calcium antagonists on hepatic lipid metabolism was investigated in freshly dispersed rat hepatocytes incubated with [1-14C]oleate and verapamil or 8-N,N-diethylamino-octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8). Synthesis of triglyceride was calculated from the specific radioactivity of [1-14C]oleate in extracted total lipid, after separation of each lipid class by thin-layer chromatography. Ketogenesis was measured enzymatically or as the amount of radioactivity incorporated into neutralized acid-soluble extracts. Neither verapamil nor TMB-8 affected triglyceride synthesis. In contrast, TMB-8 and verapamil exerted a concentration-dependent inhibition of ketogenesis, with TMB-8 being more potent than verapamil (inhibition by 50 microM TMB-8 was 73 +/- 9% versus 38 +/- 2% inhibition by 50 microM verapamil). Increasing the concentrations of calcium (0 to 4.2 mM) or oleate (0 to 2.0 mM) increased the rate of ketogenesis but did not alter the antiketogenic potency of TMB-8 or verapamil, indicating that inhibition of ketogenesis by these drugs was not calcium dependent. Since the calcium antagonists did not affect ketogenesis from octanoic acid, and since carnitine stimulated ketogenesis from [1-14C]oleate by 25% and reversed the antiketogenic effects of TMB-8 and verapamil, it appeared that the two calcium antagonists inhibited ketogenesis by interfering with the activity of the outer mitochondrial carnitine palmitoyltransferase. In assays of the outer carnitine palmitoyltransferase in isolated mitochondria, both TMB-8 and verapamil were inhibitory. TMB-8 was the more potent inhibitor of this enzyme, and carnitine was able to overcome inhibition by each of the inhibitors. These results suggest that verapamil and TMB-8 may inhibit ketogenesis by mechanisms independent of their well known effects on cellular calcium concentrations, and that inhibition may be competitive with respect to carnitine concentration. However, direct inhibition of carnitine palmitoyltransferase may not explain completely the inhibition of ketogenesis by these drugs, since concentrations required for enzyme inhibition were greater than those required for inhibition of ketogenesis in isolated hepatocytes.

Labeled oxidation products from [1-14C], [U-14C] and [16-14C]-palmitate in hepatocytes and mitochondria

When [1-14C], [U-14C], and [16-14C]palmitate were oxidized by isolated rat hepatocytes, there was a differential distribution of label as a percent of total oxidized products, such that 14CO2 from [1-14C] greater than [U-14C] greater than [16-14C]palmitate and acid-soluble radioactivity from [16-14C] greater than [U-14C] greater than [1-14C]palmitate. The oxidation of [2,3-14C]succinate to 14CO2 by isolated hepatocytes was only 9.1% of that from [1,4-14C]succinate, demonstrating that the differences in distribution of labeled products are in part due to less 14CO2 production from label in the even carbon positions entering the citric acid cycle. Apparent total ketone body production from [16-14C]palmitate was markedly higher than [1-14C] and [U-14C]palmitate. In addition, the 14C-acetone:14CO2 ratio derived from decarboxylation of labeled acetoacetate from [1-14C]palmitate was less than 1 and positively correlated to the rate of fatty acid oxidation in hepatocytes. These findings indicate that the known preferential incorporation of the omega-C2 unit of fatty acids into 14C-ketone bodies also contributed to the differential distribution of labeled products and that this contribution was greatest at the lower rates of fatty acid oxidation. In isolated mitochondria, the distribution of label to 14CO2 and acid-soluble radioactivity from [1-14C], [U-14C] and [16-14C]palmitate was qualitatively similar to that seen with hepatocytes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Activities of liver mitochondrial and peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation enzymes in rats fed trans fat

The effect of trans fat on the activities of liver mitochondrial and peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation enzymes was examined in various strains of rats. When Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats were fed for 30 days diets containing either olive oil or partially hydrogenated corn oil as a source of cis- or trans-octadecenoate, respectively, the activities of various enzymes of mitochondrial and peroxisomal beta-oxidation measured with cis- and trans-9-octadecenoic acid as substrates showed little dietary fat-dependent change. In Fischer 344 rats, feeding trans fat for 15 mo increased only moderately various enzymes of beta-oxidation except for carnitine acyltransferase. The rate of mitochondrial ketogenesis and the activity of carnitine acyltransferase measured with trans-9-octadecenoic acid as a substrate were about half those with the cis-counterpart. Peroxisomes oxidized trans-9-octadecenoyl-CoA at a rate comparable to the cis-counterpart. It was concluded from this study and previous ones that the difference in the geometry of dietary fatty acid had only a marginal effect in modulating the hepatic fatty acid oxidation system, in spite of marked differences in the metabolic behavior of cis- and trans fatty acid in cell-free preparations and perfused liver.

Strain dependence of the metabolism of cis- and trans-isomers of 9-octadecenoic acid in perfused liver and cell-free preparation in rats

Hepatic metabolism of cis- and trans-9-octadecenoic acid was compared in various strains of rats and under different nutritional states. In Wistar rats triacylglycerol secretion was consistently higher in livers perfused with the cis isomer than with the trans isomer, while the difference was considerably attenuated in Sprague-Dawley rats. The difference in the hepatic triacylglycerol secretion disappeared when rats were fasted for 2 days. The rate of oxidation of trans fatty acid to ketone bodies was remarkably much higher than the cis isomer in Wistar but not in Sprague-Dawley rats. After fasting, the difference in the ketone body production disappeared in Wistar rats, whereas the oxidation rate was rather lower in the trans isomer than in the cis isomer in Sprague-Dawley rats. In isolated mitochondria, ketogenesis from trans-9-octadecenoic acid was markedly lower than that from the cis counterpart, irrespective of the nutritional states or strains of rats, and correlated well with the substrate specificity of carnitine acyltransferase. The molar concentration of malonyl-CoA to cause 50% inhibition of ketogenesis, the rate of peroxisomal beta-oxidation and the activity of acyl-CoA oxidase were all comparable, irrespective of the substrate sources. The Km value for acyl-CoA oxidase to the trans-acyl-CoA was 2-times higher than that of the cis counterpart in both strains of rats. Thus, peroxisomal as well as mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation systems apparently discriminated between the geometrical differences of the fatty acid substrate.

Reciprocal effects of 5-(tetradecyloxy)-2-furoic acid on fatty acid oxidation

Under certain incubation conditions 5-(tetradecyloxy)-2-furoic acid (TOFA) stimulated the oxidation of palmitate by hepatocytes, as observed by others. A decrease in malonyl-CoA concentration accompanied the stimulation of oxidation. Under other conditions, however, TOFA inhibited fatty acid oxidation. The observed effects of TOFA depended on the TOFA and fatty acid concentrations, the cell concentration, the time of TOFA addition relative to the addition of fatty acid, and the nutritional state of the animal (fed or starved). The data indicate that only under limited incubation conditions may TOFA be used as an inhibitor of fatty acid synthesis without inhibition of fatty acid oxidation. When rat liver mitochondria were preincubated with TOFA, ketogenesis from palmitate was slightly inhibited (up to 20%) at TOFA concentrations that were less than that of CoA, but the inhibition became almost complete (up to 90%) when TOFA was greater than or equal to the CoA concentration. TOFA had only slight or no inhibitory effects on the oxidation of palmitoyl-CoA, palmitoyl(-)carnitine, or butyrate. Since TOFA can be converted to TOFyl-CoA, the data suggest that the inhibition of fatty acid oxidation from palmitate results from the decreased availability of CoA for extramitochondrial activation of fatty acids. These data, along with previous data of others, indicate that inhibition of fatty acid oxidation by CoA sequestration is a common mechanism of a group of carboxylic acid inhibitors. A general caution is appropriate with regard to the interpretation of results when using TOFA in studies of fatty acid oxidation.

Varying effects of calcium on the oxidation of palmitate and alpha-ketoglutarate in isolated rat liver mitochondria incubated in KCl-based and sucrose-based media

Isolated mitochondria from rat liver were incubated in the presence of [U-14C]palmitate, ATP, CoA, carnitine, EGTA (ethylene glycol bis (beta-aminoethyl ether) N,N'-tetraacetic acid) and varying amounts of calcium. When a KC1-based incubation medium was used, the oxidation of palmitate was inhibited when the concentration of free calcium was increased from about 0.1-10 microM. When a sucrose-based incubation medium was used, the basal rate of palmitate oxidation was about half of that observed with the KC1-medium and calcium had a stimulatory effect. With the KC1-medium the rate of oxygen consumption was inhibited by calcium with alpha-ketoglutarate as well as palmitate as the respiratory substrate. No inhibitory effect of calcium was observed with succinate or beta-hydroxybutyrate. With the KC1-medium and with alpha-ketoglutarate as the respiratory substrate, state 3 respiration but not state 4 respiration was inhibited by calcium. When the sucrose-medium was used, state 3 respiration was first inhibited by calcium, but this inhibition was gradually relieved and the respiratory rate finally became higher than it was before calcium addition.

Dual effects of calcium on the oxidation of fatty acids to ketone bodies in liver mitochondria

The addition of calcium ions (Ca2+) to rat liver mitochondria, under conditions of rapid accumulation of 10-40 nmol Ca2+/mg protein, inhibited the oxidation of long and medium chain fatty acids to ketone bodies, whereas higher quantities of Ca2+ activated the process. The mitochondrial NADH:NAD ratio exhibited corresponding depression and elevation. Both inhibitory and stimulatory actions of Ca2+ were operative in liver mitochondria from fed and fasted rats and appear to be localized in the mitochondrial inner membrane-matrix region. These observations may signify involvement of Ca2+ in the regulation of fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis.

Effect of clofibrate on the metabolism of oleate in the perfused rat liver

The effect of clofibrate on the metabolism of [1-14C]- and [U-14C]oleate was examined in the perfused rat liver. Clofibrate feeding severely reduced hepatic triglyceride secretion and enhanced ketone body production. The increase in the rate of incorporation of labeled tracers into perfusate oxidation products and ketone bodies due to the clofibrate treatment was demonstrated only with [U-14C]oleate. Clofibrate strongly reduced the rate of incorporation of oleate into perfusate triglyceride, whereas that into the phospholipid fraction of the post-perfused liver doubled. In consequence, the sum of the radioactivities in esterified lipids in the perfusate and the post-perfused liver was not altered by clofibrate. A clofibrate-dependent increase in phospholipid synthesis may restrict the amount of exogenous fatty acid which is available for the formation of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins.

Calcium modulates fatty acid dynamics in rat liver plasma membranes

Modulation of free fatty acid binding in isolated rat liver plasma membranes was evaluated using the fluorescent fatty acids trans-parinaric and cis-parinaric acid as analogues for saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, respectively. Binding of trans-parinarate but not cis-parinarate was inhibited by physiological levels of Ca2+. The effect was reversed by addition of excess EGTA. Calcium decreased the aqueous to lipid partition coefficient, Kp, of trans-parinaric acid for liver plasma membranes while increasing the Kp for cis-parinaric acid. In addition, Ca2+ also altered the fluorescence lifetime, the quantum yield, and the relative partitioning of trans-parinaric and cis-parinaric acid into fluid and solid phases. Calcium and EGTA did not affect the binding of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene. The effect of Ca2+ on the liver plasma membrane structure was to increase the rigidity of the membrane, primarily the solid domain. The fluorescence polarization of trans-parinarate, cis-parinarate, and 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene at 24 degrees C in liver plasma membranes in the absence of Ca2+ was 0.295 +/- 0.008, 0.253 +/- 0.007, and 0.284 +/- 0.005, respectively. Calcium (2.4 mM) increased the polarization of these probe molecules in liver plasma membranes by 8-10%. EGTA (3.4 mM) reversed or abolished the increase in polarization. Thus, the fluorescent fatty acids trans-parinarate and cis-parinarate may be used to monitor fatty acid binding by isolated membranes, to evaluate factors such as Ca2+ which modulate fatty acid binding, and to investigate the microenvironment in which the fatty acids residue. The data suggest that Ca2+ may be an important regulator of fatty acid uptake by the liver plasma membrane, and thereby interact with intermediary metabolism of lipids at a step not involving lipolytic or synthetic enzymes.

The action of vasopressin and calcium on palmitate metabolism in hepatocytes and isolated mitochondria from rat liver

Vasopressin inhibits fatty acid oxidation and stimulates fatty acid esterification, glycogenolysis, and lactate production in hepatocytes from fed rats. In cells from fasted rats, the effect of the hormone on palmitate oxidation was absent, while gluconeogenesis was stimulated. The inhibitory action of vasopressin on palmitate oxidation was not due to the increased lactate production. Neither was it correlated to glycogen content or stimulation of glycogenolysis, which were restored earlier than the vasopressin effect on palmitate oxidation when previously fasted rats were refed a carbohydrate diet. The level of malonyl-CoA was moderately increased by vasopressin. Isolated mitochondria from rat liver were incubated in the presence of [U-14C]palmitate, ATP, CoA carnitine, glycerophosphate, ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether) N,N'-tetraacetic acid, and varying amounts of calcium. The oxidation of palmitate was inhibited when the concentration of free calcium was increased from about 0.1 to 10 microM. Simultaneously, palmitate esterification was stimulated. This effect of calcium was observed also with mitochondria from fasted rats and with octanoate as well as palmitate as the substrate. Carnitine acylation was not affected by calcium. The possibility that the observed effects of calcium on mitochondrial fatty acid utilization is part of the mechanism of action of vasopressin on hepatocyte fatty acid metabolism is discussed.

Structure-function relations between fatty acid oxidation and the mitochondrial inner-membrane--matrix region

Decreasing the osmolarity of the incubation media for rat liver mitochondria, by lowering the KCl or sucrose content, greatly increased the oxidation of palmitate, palmitoyl-CoA, palmitoyl-(-)-carnitine, octanoate and butyrate, but only slightly affected the oxidation of succinate, glutamate plus malate, and 3-hydroxybutyrate. Kinetic studies indicated that the increased rate of fatty acid oxidation commenced at the onset of incubation in the hypotonic media and remained relatively constant. This was accompanied by an increase in the 3-hydroxybutyrate: acetoacetate ratio, a higher rate of oxygen consumption, an increase in the extramitochondrial adenine-nucleotide phosphorylation-state ratio, and a greater state of reduction of the respiratory chain cytochromes b, c, and oxidase. Incubation of mitochondria in the hypotonic media caused a rapid decrease in the intermembrane and intracrystal spaces and concurrent expansion of the matrix, without changing the volume of the mitochondria. These observations indicate that expansion of the inner-membrane-matrix compartment of mitochondria in vitro specifically activates fatty acid oxidation at the site of beta-oxidation or at the site of its interaction with the respiratory chain, with a consequent increase in the states of reduction and phosphorylation of the mitochondria. Evidence is also presented which suggests that the activation of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation by Ca2+ is initiated by a Ca2+-induced alteration of the structure or volume of the inner-membrane-matrix region.

Intracellular origin and regulation of endogenous lipolysis in rat heart

The rate of glycerol release from isolated, perfused rat hearts was used as an index for endogenous lipolysis. Pharmacological and metabolic interventions were performed in order to obtain information about the intracellular site of action and regulation of tissue triglyceride (TG) hydrolysis in heart. It proved that endogenous lipolysis probably is of lysosomal origin. The activity of tissue lipolysis is dependent on the amount of stored TG and on the contractile status of the heart and is subject to feedback inhibition by production of fatty acids. Evidence is presented that Ca2+ plays an important role in the regulation and hormonal modification of lipolysis since all mechanisms inducing alterations in Ca2+ homeostasis influence myocardial lipolysis. Our experimental data and current knowledge are discussed in the light of a new hypothesis which relates intracellular Ca2+ and the rate of fatty acid utilization to the activity (activities) of tissue lipase(s). It is proposed that inhibition of endogenous lipolysis may be the main mechanism of action of antiarrhythmic agents (lidocaine, quinidine, phenothiazines).

The identification of calmodulin-binding sites on mitochondria in cultured 3T3 cells

We have uniformly labeled calmodulin with tetramethyl rhodamine isothiocyanate (CaM-RITC) and used the derivative as a molecular probe in order to identify available, unoccupied calmodulin-binding sites. In mildly fixed (3% formalin) cultured 3T3 cells, the biologically active CaM-RITC bound predominantly to mitochondria. Binding was markedly reduced in the presence of 1 mM EGTA. Stelazine, a phenothiozine which binds to calmodulin, prevented the interaction of CaM-RITC with mitochondrial sites. A 10 fold excess of unlabeled CaM competitively inhibited binding. Fluorescently labeled troponin C and parvalbumin did not bind to mitochondria on any other cellular organelle. Rhodamine (TMRITC) alone did not bind to 3T3 mitochondria. Similar results were obtained using 125I-calmodulin binding to isolated rat liver mitochondria. When solubilized mitochondrial proteins were subjected to calmodulin-Sepharose affinity chromatography and eluted with 1 mM EGTA, there were two major polypeptides 120,000 and 67,000 daltons and at least three minor species (100,000, 60,000 and 40,000 daltons). The interaction required an active Ca2+-CaM complex and is specific for CaM. Double fluorescent staining with CaM-RITC and fluorescein-labeled antibodies to tubulin and DNAase I revealed a mitochondrial distribution pattern similar to that of microtubule arrays but unrelated to actin cabling. There was no evidence that CaM-RITC directly interacted with either microtubules or microfilaments.

Calcium uptake and release by rat liver mitochondria in the presence of rat liver cytosol or the components of cytosol

A study has been made of factors present in rat liver cytosol that might regulate the calcium content of mitochondria. A cytosol preparation containing all the components of molecular weight greater than 10,000 prevented uptake and caused early release of accumulated calcium. These effects were due to free long-chain fatty acids and their coenzyme A derivatives present in the cytosol, and these inhibitory effects were controlled by inclusion of Mg2+, carnitine, and adenosine triphosphate at physiological levels in the incubation medium. Palmitoyl carnitine was a good substrate for calcium uptake and did not cause release of calcium from mitochondria. A specific fatty acid-binding protein was found in cytosol which may be the intracellular transport protein for fatty acids.

Function and energy metabolism of isolated rats hearts as influenced by Sr++

Effects of Sr++ and isoproterenol were studied in rat hearts perfused with red cell containing media. Sr++ in the presence of Ca++ causes a positive inotropic effect without corresponding metabolic changes. Without Ca++ 0.5 mM Sr++ causes an immediate arrest, 2 mM Sr++ a complete contracture (14 min) and 5 mM a contracture after about 44 min. At a level of 10 mM Sr++ phasic contractions are maintained (60 min). Occurring phasic contractions are prolonged 3 to 6fold. Administration of isoproterenol (ISO) at a level of 0.5 mM Sr++ causes a delayed occurrence of cardiac arrest and incomplete contracture. At a concentration of 2 and 5 mM Sr++ positive inotropic responses proceed to a contracture (7 min, 50 min resp.). VO2 is reduced by 0.5 mM Sr++ initially by 2 mM Sr++ with delay. 5 and 10 mM Sr++ induce an initial increase. Subsequent decrease is smallest at 10 mM Sr++ ISO at all Sr++ concentrations induces an increase in VO2 initially and strong reduction finally. During 10 min administration, high energy phosphate stores (HEP) are reduced at all Sr++ concentrations, but to the smallest extent at 10 mM Sr++, ISO at levels of 0.5 and 2 mM Sr++ induces a partial recovery of HEP, but at 5 and 10 mM a further reduction. Finally, under the influence of ISO the metabolic state is similar to that without ISO. Sr++ at high concentrations in absence of Ca++ seems to be capable of substituting in principle for Ca++ also concerning metabolism. Severe metabolic disturbances at low Sr++ concentrations indicate a failure of regulation of oxidative phosphorylation.