Relation of mitochondrial phospholipase A activity to mitochondrial swelling

Verapamil attenuates scopolamine induced cognitive deficits by averting oxidative stress and mitochondrial injury - A potential therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial disorder where amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques, Ca2+ dysregulation, excessive oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and synaptic loss operate synergistically to bring about cholinergic deficits and dementia. New therapeutic interventions are gaining prominence as the morbidity and mortality of AD increases exponentially every year. Treating AD with antihypertensive drugs is thought to be a promising intervention; however, its mechanism of action of ameliorating AD needs further investigation. In this context, the present study explores the protective effect of verapamil, an antihypertensive agent of Ca2+ channel blocker (CCB) class against scopolamine-induced in vitro neurotoxicity and in vivo cognitive impairment. Supplementation of verapamil was found to attenuate oxidative stress by preventing mitochondrial injury, and augment the expression of genes involved in the cholinergic function (mACR1), synaptic plasticity (GAP43, SYP) and Ca2+-dependent memory-related genes (CREB1, CREBBP, BDNF). Further, verapamil treatment in mice attenuated the cognitive and behavioural deficits induced by scopolamine as measured by the elevated plus maze and passive avoidance test (P < 0.05). Thus, the present study demonstrates the neuroprotective effect of verapamil against the pathogenesis of AD such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and cognitive decline. These observations emphasize the importance of ‛Ca2+ dysregulation' and ‛mitochondrial dysfunction' theories in AD and recommends the supplementation of compounds that regulate Ca2+ homeostasis and mitochondrial function in susceptible AD individuals.

Regulation of the Ca(2+)-independent phospholipase A2 in liver mitochondria by changes in the energetic state

The effect of electron transport chain redox status on activity of the mitochondrial Ca(2+)-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) has been examined. When oxidizing NAD-linked substrates, the enzyme is not active unless deenergization occurs. Uncoupler, rotenone, antimycin A, and cyanide are equally effective at upregulating the enzyme, while oligomycin is ineffective. Thenoyltrifluoroacetone causes deenergization and activates the enzyme, but only if succinate is the respiratory substrate. These findings show that the mitochondrial iPLA2 responds to the energetic state overall, rather than to the redox status of individual electron transport chain complexes. With NAD-linked substrates, and using rotenone to deenergize, iPLA2 activation can be reversed by adding succinate to reestablish a membrane potential. For this purpose, ascorbate plus N,N,N'N'-tetramethyl-phenylenediamine can be used instead of succinate and is equally effective. With succinate as substrate, the membrane potential can be reduced in a graded and stable fashion by adding increasing concentrations of malonate, which is a competitive inhibitor of succinate utilization. A partial and stable activation of the iPLA2 accompanies partial deenergization. These findings suggest that in addition to the several functions that have been proposed, the mitochondrial iPLA2 may help to coordinate local capillary blood flow with changing energy demands.

Effects of Ca2+ deregulation on mitochondrial membrane potential and cell viability in nucleated cells following lytic complement attack

We have previously shown [Papadimitriou JC. Ramm LE. Drachenberg CB. Trump BF. Shin ML. (1991) J. Immunol., 147, 212-217] that formation of lytic C5b-9 channels on Ehrlich ascites tumor cells induced rapid depletion of adenine nucleotides associated with prelytic leakage preceding cell death. Extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]e) reduction by chelation markedly delayed the onset of cell death, although the adenine nucleotide leakage was enhanced. In the present study, we examined the temporal relationships between ionized cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i), mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi m) and cell death in individual cells by digital imaging fluorescence microscopy (DIFM), during the earliest phase of C5b-9 attack. The results showed an immediate, > 20-fold rise in [Ca2+]i, rapidly followed by dissipation of delta psi m and subsequent acute cell death. These events were markedly delayed by chelation of Ca2+e, but not by nominally Ca2+ free medium. Differing from previous reports indicating propidium iodide labeling of viable cells bearing C5b-9 channels, with DIFM we observed nuclear fluorescence with that marker only in association with cell death. These findings indicate that Ca2+ influx through lytic C5b-9 channels is responsible for the massive increase in [Ca2+]i, as well as for the rapid loss of delta psi m, followed by acute cell death. When this [Ca2+]i increase is prevented, the cell death is probably related to metabolic depletion.

Induction of mitochondrial alterations ex vivo in skeletal muscle

The ultrastructural alterations of mitochondria were studied, following a fixation delay of 45 min, in the normal type II red muscle fibres of pigeon semimetapatagialis muscle. These muscle fibres, were devoid of myofibrillar degeneration; however, their mitochondria showed derangement. The latter included irregular orientation and loss of cristae, and clearing of the matrix. Some mitochondria showed myelin figures of varying complexity in the subsarcolemmal areas as well as in the interior of muscle fibres. These alterations bear striking resemblance to that seen during some lysosomal formation. The significance of these observations is discussed.

Dual localization of the mitochondrial phospholipase A2: outer membrane contact sites and inner membrane

Mitochondria were fractionated according to a procedure which allowed to get free outer and inner membrane plus two distinct contact sites between the two membranes. The data indicate that phospholipase A2 is localized in outer membrane contact sites and in inner membrane. The enzyme activity is twice higher in the contact site fraction than in the free membrane. The major fatty acids released are linoleic and docosahexanoic acids.

Structural requirements of lysophospholipid-regulated mitochondrial Ca2+ transport

Analogues of lysophosphatidylcholine, including PAF (platelet-activating-factor) and HePC (an experimental anticancer drug), were studied for their influence on mitochondrial Ca2+ transport and membrane potential. Lysophospholipids released Ca2+ from mitochondria and reduced the maximal Ca2+ uptake. The structure-activity relations indicate that deprotonated head groups like phosphocholines yield active compounds while partially protonated head groups like phosphoethanolamines are essentially inactive. Structural requirements for the apolar part of the molecules were acyl or alkyl chain lengths of less than 18 carbon atoms at the C1-position of the glycerol backbone and residues of small size and/or low polarity at the C2-position. Choline lysophospholipids, but not ethanolamine lysophospholipids, may therefore induce mitochondrial Ca2+ efflux and become mediators of ischaemic tissue damage where dysregulated phospholipase A2 activity and an impairment of mitochondrial function are supposed to play a crucial role.

The protecting effect of L-carnitine on Ca(2+)-loaded rat liver mitochondria

It is shown that L-carnitine strongly increases the ability of rat liver mitochondria to respond to the train of Ca2+ additions by a transient stimulation of the State-4 respiration rate. Such an effect requires ATP and the L-carnitine efficiency strongly decreases when ATP is omitted. Oleate influences the mitochondria in a fashion opposite to that of L-carnitine. The oleate effect is strongly diminished by L-carnitine. Again, the L-carnitine effect requires ATP, and D-carnitine fails to substitute for L-carnitine. It is suggested that L-carnitine removes, in an ATP-dependent manner, endogenous or added fatty acids, which are involved in oxidative damage of Ca(2+)-loaded mitochondria.

Fast cold-induced activation of the external pathway of NADH oxidation in liver mitochondria of hyperthyroid rats

The exposure of a cold-adapted rat for 15 min at 4 degrees C results in the appearance of measurable oxidation of added NADH via the external amytal- and antimycin-A-resistant pathway in liver mitochondria. This effect increases if the animal has been treated with thyroid gland preparation for 4-5 days. In vitro, the addition of Mg2+ or increase in the tonicity of incubation mixture suppresses external NADH oxidation. Addition of 70 mg X ml-1 serum albumin or 70 mg X ml-1 polyvinylpyrrolidone in the presence of Mg2+ and addition of 20 microM palmitic or 20 microM oleic acids induces to some extent external NADH oxidation in the mitochondria of control (nontreated) and of cold-adapted, thyroidgland-preparation-treated rats. It is concluded that hyperthyroid rats can be used as a model of cold-induced initiation of the external pathway of NADH oxidation. A relation between the increase of exogenous NADH oxidation and phospholipase A2 activity in liver mitochondria is discussed.

Activity of phospholipase A2 in the inner membrane of rat-liver mitochondria

The inner membrane of rat liver mitochondria contains a highly active phospholipase A2 which has alkaline pH optimum and requires Ca2+ in the micromolar range. The phospholipase is particularly active on the endogenous phosphatidylethanolamine and release relatively high amounts of docosahexanoic acid. The phospholipase A2 of mitochondria or mitoplasts is not dependent on calmodulin. Using fluorescamine-labelled mitoplasts there are indications that the enzyme is localized on both sides of the inner membrane.

Effect of lipid peroxidation on phospholipase A2 activity of rat liver mitochondria

Effect of lipid peroxidation on phospholipase A1 activity was examined in rat liver mitochondria. Content of lipid peroxides in rat liver mitochondria was markedly increased in the presence of ascorbic acid (0.1 mM) and ferrous ion (40 muM, as compared to the control. Phospholipase A2 activity in mitochondria was activated by approximately 60% after lipid peroxidation. Mg2+-activated ATPase activity in mitochondria was markedly stimulated by about 200% following treatment with ascorbic acid and ferrous ion. There was no difference in calcium content of mitochondria before and after lipid peroxidation.

Enzymes of phospholipid synthesis in Bacillus Calmette-Guerin induced rabbit alveolar macrophage. Characterization and localization of cytidine diphosphocholine phosphotransferase and monoacylphospholipid acyltransferase

The rabbit alveolar macrophage is capable of renewing its plasma membrane by at least two metabolic pathways. It contains (1) a monoacylphospholipid acyltransferase, which catalyzes the synthesis of diacylphospholipids by recycling monoacylphospholipids produced by the action of phospholipases and (2) a cytidine diphosphocholine phosphotransferase (CDPcholine phosphotransferase), which catalyzes the last step in the synthesis de novo of diacylglycerophosphocholine. These activities have been characterized in the cell homogenate with respect to time, protein, pH optimum (for CDPcholine phosphotransferase), substrate specificity (for monoacylphospholipid acyltransferase) and cation requirement ( for CDPcholine phosphotransferase). Monoacylphospholipid acyltransferase activity is localized solely in the endoplasmic reticulum. On the other hand, the CDPcholine phosphotransferase activity can be measured in the endoplasmic reticulum and in the plasma membrane, characterized by both differential and gradient sedimentation techniques. In addition to the normal route of phospholipid synthesis in the endoplasmic reticulum, the rabbit alveolar macrophage may thus possess the capacity for in situ synthesis of phospholipids of plasma membrane as a mechanism for membrane renewal following phagocytosis.

Properties of microsomal phospholipases in rat liver and hepatoma

Phospholipase A1, A2 and lysophospholipase activities in microsomes of Novikoff hepatoma host rat liver and regenerating rat liver were compared using 1-[9', 10'-3H2]palmitoyl-2-[1'-14C] linoleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine, 1-[1' -3H-]hexadecyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine, and 1-[9', 10'-3H2]palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine as substrates. 1. Microsomes of all three tissues showed two pH dependent peaks of hydrolytic activity, one at pH 7.5 and another at pH 9.5. 2. Phospholipid hydrolytic activity in microsomes from host liver and regenerating liver require Ca2+ for hydrolysis at pH 9.5, but not at pH 7.5. Hepatoma microsomes require Ca2+ for activity at both pH values. 3. Phospholipase A1 activity, stimulated by addition of Triton X-100 to the incubation mixtures, was detected in both host liver and regenerating liver microsomes. There was no evidence of phospholipase A1 activity in hepatoma microsomes. 4. Phospholipase A2 was detected in microsomes of all three tissues using 1-[1'-3H] hexadecyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine as a substrate. The activity required calcium and was inhibited by Triton X-100. 5. Lysophospholipase activity was evident in the microsomes from all three tissues. The activity was inhibited by both Ca2+ and Triton X-100. 6. Differences were also detected between host liver and hepatoma microsomal phospholipid hydrolase activities with respect to the effect of increasing protein concentration, apparent Michaelis-Menten constants, and time course of the reaction.

Mechanism for increased production of prostaglandins in labour

It is proposed that uterine hypoxia, beginning initially with the uterine contractions in late pregnancy, leads to the increased formation of free fatty acids. The liberated fatty acids are then used to form prostaglandins and they can also act on mitochondria to release calcium. The released calcium can directly activate contractile proteins and/or can further stimulate phospholipase A (active at neutral pH) and thereby reinforce the progressive production of prostaglandins.

The biochemical modes of action of vitamin e and selenium: A hypothesis

In this paper recent experimental work on rat liver is discussed which is considered to indicate that a primary function of vitamin E in vivo may be to inhibit the oxidation of selenide-containing proteins present in mitochondria and in smooth endoplasmic reticulum. On the basis of molecular model building studies, it is also suggested that the well-known nutritional relationships between vitamin E and dietary polyunsaturated lipids may be due to the occurrence within normal membranes of specific complexes between the vitamin and some of the molecules of polyunsaturated phospholipids. Without the vitamin, membranes may have an abnormally high permeability and they may be subject to degradation by endogenous phospholipases in vivo, as well as being abnormally susceptible to damage in vitro by dialuric acid and hydrogen peroxide.