On the role of coupling factor B in the mitochondrial Pi-ATP exchange reaction

The Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore: Channel Formation by F-ATP Synthase, Integration in Signal Transduction, and Role in Pathophysiology

The mitochondrial permeability transition (PT) is a permeability increase of the inner mitochondrial membrane mediated by a channel, the permeability transition pore (PTP). After a brief historical introduction, we cover the key regulatory features of the PTP and provide a critical assessment of putative protein components that have been tested by genetic analysis. The discovery that under conditions of oxidative stress the F-ATP synthases of mammals, yeast, and Drosophila can be turned into Ca(2+)-dependent channels, whose electrophysiological properties match those of the corresponding PTPs, opens new perspectives to the field. We discuss structural and functional features of F-ATP synthases that may provide clues to its transition from an energy-conserving into an energy-dissipating device as well as recent advances on signal transduction to the PTP and on its role in cellular pathophysiology.

Crystal structure of bovine mitochondrial factor B at 0.96-A resolution

Coupling factor B (FB) is a mitochondrial inner membrane polypeptide that facilitates the energy-driven catalysis of ATP synthesis in animal mitochondria by blocking a proton leak across the membrane. Here, we report the crystal structure of the bovine mitochondrial FB mutant with Gly-3-Glu substitution determined at a resolution of 0.96 A and that of the WT polypeptide at a resolution of 2.9 A. The structure reveals an oblong, oval-shaped molecule with a unique globular N-terminal domain that is proposed to be the membrane anchor domain and the capping region to the C-terminal leucine-rich repeats domain. A short N-terminal alpha-helix, which extends away from the molecule's body, is suggestive of functioning as an anchor for FB to the matrix side of the mitochondrial inner membrane. Identification of a bound Mg(2+) ion reveals that FB is a metalloprotein. We also report the cocrystal structures of FB bound with phenylarsine oxide and Cd(2+), two known inhibitors of the FB coupling activity.

Factor B and the mitochondrial ATP synthase complex

Factor B is a subunit of the mammalian ATP synthase complex, whose existence has been controversial. This paper describes the molecular and functional properties of a recombinant human factor B, which when added to bovine submitochondrial particles depleted of their factor B restores the energy coupling activity of the ATP synthase complexes. The mature human factor B has 175 amino acids and a molecular mass of 20,341 Da. The preparation is water-soluble, monomeric, and is inactivated by monothiol- and especially dithiol-modifying reagents, probably reacting at its cysteine residues Cys-92 and Cys-94. A likely factor B gene composed of 5 exons has been identified on chromosome 14q21.3, and the functional role of factor B in the mammalian ATP synthase complex has been discussed.

Role of F0 and F1 subunits in the gating and coupling function of mitochondrial H(+)-ATP synthase. The effect of dithiol reagents

A study is presented on the role of F0 and F1 subunits in oligomycin-sensitive H+ conduction and energy transfer reactions of bovine heart mitochondrial F0F1 H(+)-ATP synthase. Mild treatment with azodicarboxylic acid bis(dimethylamide) (diamide) enhanced oligomycin-sensitive H+ conduction in submitochondrial particles containing F1 attached to F0. This effect was associated with stimulation of the ATPase activity, with no effect on its inhibition by oligomycin, and depression of the 32Pi-ATP exchange. The stimulatory effect of diamide on H+ conduction decreased in particles from which F1 subunits were partially removed by urea. The stimulatory effect exerted by diamide in the submitochondrial particles with F1 attached to F0 was directly correlated with a decrease of the original electrophoretic bands of a subunit of F0 (F0I-PVP protein) and the gamma subunit of F1, with corresponding formation of their cross-linking product. In F0 liposomes, devoid of gamma subunit, diamide failed to stimulate H+ conduction and to cause disappearance of F0I-PVP protein, unless purified gamma subunit was added back. The addition to F0 liposomes of gamma subunit, but not that of alpha and beta subunits, caused per se inhibition of H+ conduction. It is concluded that F0I-PVP and gamma subunits are directly involved in the gate of the F0F1 H(+)-ATP synthase. Data are also presented indicating contribution to the gate of oligomycin-sensitivity conferral protein and of another protein subunit of F0, F6.

H(+)-ATP synthase from rat liver mitochondria. A simple, rapid purification method of the functional complex and its characterization

A novel, simple, and rapid preparative method for purification of rat liver H(+)-ATP synthase by anion-exchange HPLC was developed. The H(+)-ATP synthase purified had higher ATPase activity in the absence of added phospholipids than any preparation reported previously, and this activity was completely inhibited by oligomycin. When reconstituted into proteoliposomes, the H(+)-ATP synthase showed an ATP-dependent 8-anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonate response and ATP-Pi exchange activity, both of which were also completely inhibited by oligomycin and an uncoupler, indicating the intactness of the H(+)-ATP synthase. An immunochemical study and a labeling experiment with N,N'-[14C]dicyclohexylcarbodiimide ([14C]DCCD) demonstrated the presence of chargerin II ( a product of mitochondrial A6L DNA) and DCCD-binding protein (subunit c) in the complex. The subunits of the complex were separated into 11 main fractions by reverse-phase HPLC, and 3 of them and the delta subunit in F1 were partially sequenced. A search for sequence homologies indicated that these components were subunit b, coupling factor 6, subunit delta, and subunit epsilon. This is the first report of the existence of subunit b, factor 6, and chargerin II in H(+)-ATP synthase purified from rat liver mitochondria.

The F0 subunits of bovine mitochondrial ATP synthase complex: purification, antibody production, and interspecies cross-immunoreactivity

The known subunits of the membrane sector F0 of the bovine mitochondrial ATP synthase complex are subunits b, d, 6, F6, OSCP (oligomycin sensitivity-conferring protein), the DCCD (dicyclohexylcarbodiimide) binding proteolipid, and A6L. The first six subunits were purified from SMP or preparations of the ATP synthase complex, and monospecific antibodies were raised against each. The antisera were shown to be competent for immuno-blotting, and each antiserum recognized a single polypeptide of the expected Mr in preparations of the ATP synthase complex. Immunoblots utilizing antibodies to OSCP and subunits d and 6, which exhibit the same Mr on dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, showed clearly that these polypeptides are immunologically distinct. Immunological cross-reactivity was demonstrated between bovine, human, rat, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Paracoccus denitrificans, and Escherichia coli for subunit 6; between bovine, human, and rat for subunits b, d, OSCP, and F6; and between bovine and rat for the DCCD binding proteolipid. Anti-subunit 6 antiserum, before or after immunopurification against the ATP synthase complex, recognized a single polypeptide in the bovine ATP synthase complex and S. cerevisiae mitochondria, but two polypeptides of different Mr in bovine SMP, human, and rat mitochondria, and Paracoccus and E. coli membranes.

Amino-terminal amino acid sequence of beef heart mitochondrial coupling factor B

Bovine heart mitochondrial coupling factor B was isolated and purified to homogeneity in its active form. The amino-terminal amino acid sequence of the alkylated protein was determined. Two chains with exactly the same sequence except for the presence of an additional Phe at the amino-terminus on one of them were obtained. The 55 amino acid sequence appears to be largely hydrophilic with several charged amino acid residues. This sequence showed no homology with the E. coli unc operon, oligomycin sensitivity conferring protein, or coupling factor 6 or any protein in the data base.

Cross-linking of bovine mitochondrial H+-ATPase by copper--o-phenanthroline. Interaction of the oligomycin-sensitivity-conferring protein with a 24-kDa protein

The nearest neighbor relationships between the Fo subunits of bovine mitochondrial H+-ATPase were studied by using copper-o-phenanthroline, an SH-oxidizing cross-linking reagent. The cross-linked samples of purified H+-ATPase, F1-ATPase or Fo were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and the disulfide cross-linked polypeptides were identified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblot transfer using subunit specific antisera. SDS-PAGE of H+-ATPase showed several cross-links, although none involved subunits of Fo sector linked to those of F1. Both H+-ATPase and Fo showed formation of a 45-kDa product. Upon reduction, the 45-kDa component gave rise to a 21-kDa band, identified as oligomycin-sensitivity-conferring protein (OSCP), and a 24-kDa band. These two proteins thus appear to be near neighbors with their cysteine residues in close proximity with each other. Under the conditions of cross-linking, there was a concentration-dependent decrease in the Pi-ATP exchange activity of the intact H+-ATPase as well as of H+-ATPase reconstituted with copper-o-phenanthroline-treated Fo and untreated F1. The site of inhibition appeared to residue in the Fo sector. Loss of Pi-ATP exchange occurred at the same time as formation of the 45-kDa product. Our present data showing copper-o-phenanthroline-induced interactions of the 24-kDa protein with the OSCP and simultaneous inactivation of Pi-ATP exchange activity of the complex strengthen earlier suggestions [Hadikusumo, R.G., Hertzog, P.J. & Marzuki, S. (1984) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 765,258-267] that the 24-kDa protein may be a bona fide subunit of Fo.

A rapid and efficient procedure for the purification of mitochondrial beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase

A new, rapid and efficient procedure for the purification of the mitochondrial enzyme beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.30) to homogeneity is described. It involves the following steps. The mitochondria are solubilized with potassium cholate and the 100 000 X g supernate is fractionated with ammonium sulfate. This is followed by precipitation of the enzyme at pH 5.2 and then selective solubilization at pH 8.8. This key step removes eighty percent of the contaminating proteins and allows subsequent DEAE-Sepharose and glass bead column chromatography to be performed in the absence of detergents. The overall yield is consistently around 35% and the purified protein is homogeneous on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified enzyme is absolutely dependent upon phosphatidylcholine for activity.

Resolution and reconstitution of H+ -ATPase complex from beef heart mitochondria

Mitochondrial H+ -ATPase complex, purified by the lysolecithin extraction procedure, has been resolved into a "membrane" (NaBr-F0) and a "soluble" fraction by treatment with 3.5 M sodium bromide. The NaBr-F0 fraction is completely devoid of beta, delta, and epsilon subunits of the F, ATPase and largely devoid of alpha and gamma subunits of F1, where F0 is used to denote the membrane fraction and F1, coupling factor 1. This is confirmed by complete loss of ATPase and Pi-ATP exchange activities. The addition of F1 (400 micrograms X mg-1 F0) results in complete restoration of oligomycin sensitivity without any reduction in the F1-ATPase activity. Presumably, this is due to release of ATPase inhibitor protein from the F1-F0 complex consequent to sodium bromide extraction. Restoration of Pi-ATP exchange and H+ -pumping activities require coupling factor B in addition to F1-ATPase. The oligomycin-sensitive ATPase and 32Pi-ATP exchange activities in reconstituted F1-F0 have the same sensitivity to uncouplers and energy transfer inhibitors as in starting submitochondrial particles from the heavy layer of mitochondria and F1-F0 complex. The data suggest that the altered properties of NaBr-F0 observed in other laboratories are probably inherent to their F1-F0 preparations rather than to sodium bromide treatment itself. The H+ -ATPase (F1-F0) complex of all known prokaryotic (3, 8, 9, 10, 21, 32, 34) and eukaryotic (11, 26, 30, 33, 35-37) phosphorylating membranes contain two functionally and structurally distinct entities. The hydrophilic component F1, composed of five unlike subunits, shows ATPase activity that is cold labile as well as uncoupler- and oligomycin-insensitive. The membrane-bound hydrophobic component F0, having no energy-linked catalytic activity of its own, is indirectly assayed by its ability to regain oligomycin sensitive ATPase and Pi-ATP exchange activities on binding to F1-ATPase (33). The purest preparations of bovine heart mitochondrial F0 show seven or eight major components in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate or SDS-PAGE (1, 2, 12, 14), ranging from 6 to 54 ku in molecular weight (12). The precise structure and polypeptide composition of mitochondrial F0 is not known. The F0 preparations from bovine heart reported so far have been derived from H+ -ATPase preparations isolated in the presence of cholate and deoxycholate (11, 33, 36, 37).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Environment of the sulfhydryl groups in bovine heart mitochondrial H+-ATPase

Electron transport particles and purified H+-ATPase (F1-F0) vesicles from beef heart mitochondria have been treated with two classes of thiol reagent, viz. membrane-impermeable organomercurials and a homologous series of N-polymethylene carboxymaleimides (Mal-(CH2)x-COOH or AMx). The effect of such treatment on ATP-driven reactions (ATP-Pi exchange and proton translocation) has been examined and compared to the effects on rates of ATP hydrolysis. The organomercurials inhibited ATP-Pi exchange and one of them (p-chloromercuribenzoate) inhibited ATPase activity. Of the maleimide series (AMx), AM10 and AM11 inhibited both ATP-Pi exchange and ATP-driven membrane potential, but not ATPase activity. The other members of the series were essentially inactive. N-Ethylmaleimide was intermediate in its efficacy. Passive H+ conductance through the membrane sector F0 was 50% blocked by AM10, slightly blocked by AM2 and N-ethylmaleimide, and unaffected by the other members of the AMx series. The data imply that one -SH near the membrane surface and one -SH about 12 A from the surface are functional in proton translocation through the H+-ATPase.

Effects of Cd2+ on ATP-driven membrane potential in beef heart mitochondrial H+-ATPase: a study using the voltage-sensitive probe oxonol VI

Beef heart mitochondrial H+-ATPase (F1-F0) vesicles were prepared by lysolecithin extraction of ETPH. ATP-driven membrane potential was monitored indirectly by following absorbance changes of the potential-sensitive dye oxonol VI. The steady-state potential was discharged by oligomycin and/or Cd2+ (a dithiol reagent). At 13 degrees C, the agents appeared to act synergistically; at 24 degrees C the data were equivocal. When Cd2+ was added before energization, the membrane potential was markedly attenuated. Both effects of Cd2+ were inhibited by dithiothreitol. The activation energy for oligomycin-sensitive ATPase exhibited a discontinuity at 16 degrees C. However, the temperature dependence of the rate of potential discharge by oligomycin showed no such discontinuity. The results are discussed in terms of the involvement of thiol groups in proton translocation and the thermotropic behavior of the membrane vesicles.

Isolation of a highly active H+-ATPase from beef heart mitochondria

The lysolecithin extraction procedure originally described by Sadler et al. (1974) has been modified to yield a H+-ATPase with high levels of Pi-ATP exchange activity (400-600 nmol x min-1 x mg-1). This activity is further enhanced (1400-1600 nmol x min-1 x mg-1) following sucrose density gradient centrifugation in the presence of asolectin. This enhancement results in part from a lipid-dependent activation and in part from removal of inactive complexes. The H+ translocating activity of the complex has been determined spectrophotometrically using binding of oxonol VI as an indicator of membrane potential. Pi-ATP exchange, ATP hydrolysis, and oxonol binding are sensitive to energy-transfer inhibitors (oligomycin, rutamycin) and/or uncouplers (DNP, FCCP).

Vesicular preparation of a highly coupled ATPase-ATP synthase complex from pig heart mitochondria

1. A method is described to prepare an ATPase-ATP synthase complex from pig heart mitochondria exhibiting a very high ATP-32Pi exchange activity (1.6 mumol/min per mag protein in optimal conditions). 2. The preparation is virtually devoid of nucleoside diphosphokinase and adenylate kinase activities. 3. Freeze-fracture studies show that the ATPase-ATP synthase complex is integrated in lipid vesicles of 400-600 A in diameter. 4. It contains the endogenous natural proteic inhibitor which seems to behave as a coupling factor. 5. The rate of ATP hydrolysis catalyzed by the ATPase-ATP synthase complex is competitively inhibited by ADP, while the presence of ADP increases the initial rate of 32Pi incorporation into ATP. 6. The 32Pi incorporation into ATP can occur at a rate almost equal to that of nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) hydrolysis provided that the rate of NTP hydrolysis is kept low and that the ADP concentration is high enough. In these conditions, a very high coupling between NTP hydrolysis and ATP synthesis can be demonstrated.

Some effects of dibutylchloromethyltin chloride and other reagents on mitochondrial K+ flux

Respiration-dependent K+ fluxes across the limiting membranes of isolated rat liver mitochondria, measured by means of 42K, are stimulated by the oxidative phosphorylation inhibitor dibutylchloromethyltin chloride (DBCT). A lack of effect of Cl- concentration indicates that the stimulation of K+ flux by DBCT is not attributable to Cl-/OH- exchange activity. The mercurial mersalyl was previously shown to stimulate respiration-dependent K+ influx. The combined presence of mersalyl plus DBCT results in a greater stimulation of K4 influx than is caused by either DBCT or mersalyl alone. The oxidative phosphorylation inhibitor oligomycin, which alone has no effect on respiration-dependent K+ influx, enhances the stimulatory effect of mersalyl on K+ influx. The data are consistent with, although not proof of, a direct interaction of the K+ transport mechanism with the mitochondrial energy transduction apparatus.

Extraction of mitochondrial protein-lipid complexes into organic solvents: an approach to study the interaction between the ATPase and the mitochondrial ATPase-inhibitor protein

Protein-lipid complexes were transferred directly from mitochondria and submitochondrial particles into hexane and ether. The protein-lipid residue left after solvent removal from these extracts was used to form liposomes which display low-temperature-resistant ATPase activity. Centrifugation experiments indicate that the ATPase activity is associated to the vesicles. Most of the F1-ATPases appear to be accessible to the external water phase of the liposomes. The ATPase activity of these particles was insensitive to dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and oligomycin. Incubation of these vesicles at room temperature activated (4--10-fold) the ATPase through a process that is partially sensitive to phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. The results with purified ATPase-inhibitor protein and (F1--ATPase)-inhibitor complex indicate that the activation process in the liposomes is due to the abolition of the inhibitory action of the inhibitor protein bound to a large fraction of the extracted ATPases. Liposomes prepared from hexane extracts obtained from submitochondrial particles having different levels of ATPase activity displayed an activation ratio which correlated with the number of ATPases that are inhibited by the inhibitor protein in the submitochondrial particles. The extraction of mitochondrial ATPase and its incorporation into liposomes followed by activity measurements may be used to judge the number of ATPases that in a given preparation contain the inhibitor protein in its inhibiting site.

Occurrence of proteins immunoreactive with anti-coupling factor B in phosphorylating membrane preparations

Coupling factor B has been isolated from beef heart mitochondria, apparently in multiple forms which differ in molecular weight and specific activity. Since it has no known intrinsic catalytic activity, detection and quantitation have been based upon the factor B-dependent stimulation of ATP-linked activities in factor B-deficient sub-mitochondrial particles. This communication reports the development of a reliable and more universally applicable enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection and quantitation of factor B in soluble or membranous preparations. The assay requires nanoliter volumes of rabbit antiserum raised against purified factor B and will detect nanogram amounts of the coupling factor. Analysis of beef heart submitochondrial particles using a competitive binding ELISA indicated a factor B content of 0.27 nmol/mg protein, making factor B stoichiometric with F1 (0.3--0.6 nmol/mg). Furthermore, application of the factor B ELISA has indicated the presence of material cross-reacting with the beef heart factor B-antiserum in phosphorylating membranes from chloroplasts, Escherichia coli, Paracoccus denitrificans and the thermophilic bacterium, PS3. Negative results were obtained with mitochondria and microsomes from rat liver, purple membranes from Halobium halobacterium and sarcoplasmic reticulum from rabbit skeletal muscle.