Redox state of endogenous coenzyme q modulates the inhibition of linoleic acid-induced uncoupling by guanosine triphosphate in isolated skeletal muscle mitochondria

Understanding coenzyme Q

Coenzyme Q (CoQ), also known as ubiquinone, comprises a benzoquinone head group and a long isoprenoid side chain. It is thus extremely hydrophobic and resides in membranes. It is best known for its complex function as an electron transporter in the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) but is also required for several other crucial cellular processes. In fact, CoQ appears to be central to the entire redox balance of the cell. Remarkably, its structure and therefore its properties have not changed from bacteria to vertebrates. In metazoans, it is synthesized in all cells and is found in most, and maybe all, biological membranes. CoQ is also known as a nutritional supplement, mostly because of its involvement with antioxidant defenses. However, whether there is any health benefit from oral consumption of CoQ is not well established. Here we review the function of CoQ as a redox-active molecule in the ETC and other enzymatic systems, its role as a prooxidant in reactive oxygen species generation, and its separate involvement in antioxidant mechanisms. We also review CoQ biosynthesis, which is particularly complex because of its extreme hydrophobicity, as well as the biological consequences of primary and secondary CoQ deficiency, including in human patients. Primary CoQ deficiency is a rare inborn condition due to mutation in CoQ biosynthetic genes. Secondary CoQ deficiency is much more common, as it accompanies a variety of pathological conditions, including mitochondrial disorders as well as aging. In this context, we discuss the importance, but also the great difficulty, of alleviating CoQ deficiency by CoQ supplementation.

Acanthamoeba castellanii Uncoupling Protein: A Complete Sequence, Activity, and Role in Response to Oxidative Stress

Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are mitochondrial inner membrane transporters that mediate free-fatty-acid-induced, purine-nucleotide-inhibited proton leak into the mitochondrial matrix, thereby uncoupling respiratory substrate oxidation from ATP synthesis. The aim of this study was to provide functional evidence that the putative Acucp gene of the free-living protozoan amoeba, A. castellanii, encodes the mitochondrial protein with uncoupling activity characteristic of UCPs and to investigate its role during oxidative stress. We report the sequencing and cloning of a complete Acucp coding sequence, its phylogenetic analysis, and the heterologous expression of AcUCP in the S. cerevisiae strain InvSc1. Measurements of mitochondrial respiratory activity and membrane potential indicate that the heterologous expression of AcUCP causes AcUCP-mediated uncoupling activity. In addition, in a model of oxidative stress with increased reactive oxygen species levels (superoxide dismutase 1 knockout yeasts), AcUCP expression strongly promotes cell survival and growth. The level of superoxide anion radicals is greatly reduced in the ΔSOD1 strain expressing AcUCP. These results suggest that AcUCP targeted to yeast mitochondria causes uncoupling and may act as an antioxidant system. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the A. castellanii UCP diverges very early from other UCPs, but clearly locates within the UCP subfamily rather than among other mitochondrial anion carrier proteins.

Lung mitochondria adaptation to endurance training in rats

We elucidated the impact of eight weeks of endurance training on the oxidative metabolism of rat lungs. Adult 3.5-month-old male rats were randomly allocated to a treadmill training group or a sedentary group as control. In the lungs, endurance training raised the expression level of the oxygen sensors hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) and lysine-specific demethylase 6A (KDM6A) as well as stimulated mitochondrial oxidative capacity and mitochondrial biogenesis, while lactate dehydrogenase activity was reduced. Endurance training enhanced antioxidant systems (the coenzyme Q content and superoxide dismutase) in lung tissue but decreased them (and uncoupling protein 2) in lung mitochondria. In the lung mitochondria of trained rats, the decreased Q content and Complex I (CI) activity and the enhanced cytochrome pathway activity (CIII + CIV) may account for the diminished Q reduction level, resulting in a general decrease in H₂O₂ formation by mitochondria. Endurance training enhanced oxidation of glutamate and fatty acids and caused opposite effects in functional mitochondrial properties during malate and succinate oxidation, which were related to reduced activity of CI and increased activity of CII, respectively. In addition, endurance training downregulated CI in supercomplexes and upregulated CIII in the CIII₂+CIV supercomplex in the oxidative phosphorylation system. We concluded that the adaptive lung responses observed could be due to hypoxia and oxidative stress induced by strenuous endurance training.

Being right on Q: shaping eukaryotic evolution

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation by mitochondria is an incompletely understood eukaryotic process. I proposed a kinetic model [BioEssays (2011) 33, 88–94] in which the ratio between electrons entering the respiratory chain via FADH₂ or NADH (the F/N ratio) is a crucial determinant of ROS formation. During glucose breakdown, the ratio is low, while during fatty acid breakdown, the ratio is high (the longer the fatty acid, the higher is the ratio), leading to higher ROS levels. Thus, breakdown of (very-long-chain) fatty acids should occur without generating extra FADH₂ in mitochondria. This explains peroxisome evolution. A potential ROS increase could also explain the absence of fatty acid oxidation in long-lived cells (neurons) as well as other eukaryotic adaptations, such as dynamic supercomplex formation. Effective combinations of metabolic pathways from the host and the endosymbiont (mitochondrion) allowed larger varieties of substrates (with different F/N ratios) to be oxidized, but high F/N ratios increase ROS formation. This might have led to carnitine shuttles, uncoupling proteins, and multiple antioxidant mechanisms, especially linked to fatty acid oxidation [BioEssays (2014) 36, 634–643]. Recent data regarding peroxisome evolution and their relationships with mitochondria, ROS formation by Complex I during ischaemia/reperfusion injury, and supercomplex formation adjustment to F/N ratios strongly support the model. I will further discuss the model in the light of experimental findings regarding mitochondrial ROS formation.

The conserved regulation of mitochondrial uncoupling proteins: From unicellular eukaryotes to mammals

Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) belong to the mitochondrial anion carrier protein family and mediate regulated proton leak across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Free fatty acids, aldehydes such as hydroxynonenal, and retinoids activate UCPs. However, there are some controversies about the effective action of retinoids and aldehydes alone; thus, only free fatty acids are commonly accepted positive effectors of UCPs. Purine nucleotides such as GTP inhibit UCP-mediated mitochondrial proton leak. In turn, membranous coenzyme Q may play a role as a redox state-dependent metabolic sensor that modulates the complete activation/inhibition of UCPs. Such regulation has been observed for UCPs in microorganisms, plant and animal UCP1 homologues, and UCP1 in mammalian brown adipose tissue. The origin of UCPs is still under debate, but UCP homologues have been identified in all systematic groups of eukaryotes. Despite the differing levels of amino acid/DNA sequence similarities, functional studies in unicellular and multicellular organisms, from amoebae to mammals, suggest that the mechanistic regulation of UCP activity is evolutionarily well conserved. This review focuses on the regulatory feedback loops of UCPs involving free fatty acids, aldehydes, retinoids, purine nucleotides, and coenzyme Q (particularly its reduction level), which may derive from the early stages of evolution as UCP first emerged.

Endurance training increases the efficiency of rat skeletal muscle mitochondria

Endurance training enhances mitochondrial oxidative capacity, but its effect on mitochondria functioning is poorly understood. In the present study, the influence of an 8-week endurance training on the bioenergetic functioning of rat skeletal muscle mitochondria under different assay temperatures (25, 35, and 42 °C) was investigated. The study was performed on 24 adult 4-month-old male Wistar rats, which were randomly assigned to either a treadmill training group (n = 12) or a sedentary control group (n = 12). In skeletal muscles, endurance training stimulated mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative capacity. In isolated mitochondria, endurance training increased the phosphorylation rate and elevated levels of coenzyme Q. Moreover, a decrease in mitochondrial uncoupling, including uncoupling protein-mediated proton leak, was observed after training, which could explain the increased reactive oxygen species production (in nonphosphorylating mitochondria) and enhanced oxidative phosphorylation efficiency. At all studied temperatures, endurance training significantly augmented H₂O₂ production (and coenzyme Q reduction level) in nonphosphorylating mitochondria and decreased H₂O₂ production (and coenzyme Q reduction level) in phosphorylating mitochondria. Endurance training magnified the hyperthermia-induced increase in oxidative capacity and attenuated the hyperthermia-induced decline in oxidative phosphorylation efficiency and reactive oxygen species formation of nonphosphorylating mitochondria via proton leak enhancement. Thus, endurance training induces both quantitative and qualitative changes in muscle mitochondria that are important for cell signaling as well as for maintaining muscle energy homeostasis, especially at high temperatures.

Temperature controls oxidative phosphorylation and reactive oxygen species production through uncoupling in rat skeletal muscle mitochondria

Mitochondrial respiratory and phosphorylation activities, mitochondrial uncoupling, and hydrogen peroxide formation were studied in isolated rat skeletal muscle mitochondria during experimentally induced hypothermia (25 °C) and hyperthermia (42 °C) compared to the physiological temperature of resting muscle (35 °C). For nonphosphorylating mitochondria, increasing the temperature from 25 to 42 °C led to a decrease in membrane potential, hydrogen peroxide production, and quinone reduction levels. For phosphorylating mitochondria, no temperature-dependent changes in these mitochondrial functions were observed. However, the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation decreased, whereas the oxidation and phosphorylation rates and oxidative capacities of the mitochondria increased, with increasing assay temperature. An increase in proton leak, including uncoupling protein-mediated proton leak, was observed with increasing assay temperature, which could explain the reduced oxidative phosphorylation efficiency and reactive oxygen species production.

Sensitivity of the aldehyde-induced and free fatty acid-induced activities of plant uncoupling protein to GTP is regulated by the ubiquinone reduction level

Using isolated potato tuber mitochondria possessing uncoupling protein (StUCP), we found that, under non-phosphorylating conditions, the sensitivity of aldehyde (all trans-retinal or 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal)-induced and fatty acid (linoleic acid)-induced StUCP-mediated proton leaks to GTP is controlled by the endogenous ubiquinone (Q) reduction level. The action of StUCP activators was abolished by GTP only when Q was sufficiently oxidized, but no inhibitory effect was observed when Q was highly reduced. Thus, the Q reduction level-dependent regulation of StUCP inhibition functions independently of the type of UCP activation and could be an important physiological factor affecting the efficiency of UCP-catalyzed uncoupling in plant mitochondria.

How the mitochondrion was shaped by radical differences in substrates: what carnitine shuttles and uncoupling tell us about mitochondrial evolution in response to ROS

As free-living organisms, alpha-proteobacteria produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) that diffuse into the surroundings; once constrained inside the archaeal ancestor of eukaryotes, however, ROS production presented evolutionary pressures - especially because the alpha-proteobacterial symbiont made more ROS, from a variety of substrates. I previously proposed that ratios of electrons coming from FADH2 and NADH (F/N ratios) correlate with ROS production levels during respiration, glucose breakdown having a much lower F/N ratio than longer fatty acid (FA) breakdown. Evidently, higher endogenous ROS formation did not hinder eukaryotic evolution, so how were its disadvantages mitigated? I propose that the resulting selection pressures favoured the evolution of a variety of eukaryotic 'innovations': peroxisomes for FA breakdown, carnitine shuttles, the linkage of beta-oxidation to antioxidant properties, uncoupling proteins (UCPs) and using mitochondrial uncoupling during beta-oxidation to reduce ROS. Recently observed relationships between peroxisomes and mitochondria further support the model.

Novel therapeutic strategies for traumatic brain injury: acute antioxidant reinforcement

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the most important cause of disability in individuals under the age of 45 years and thus represents a significant social and economic burden. Evidence strongly suggests that oxidative stress is a cornerstone event leading to and propagating secondary injury mechanisms such as excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, autophagy, brain edema, and inflammation. TBI has defied conventional approaches to diagnosis and therapy development because of its heterogeneity and complexity. Therefore, it is necessary to explore alternative approaches to therapy development for TBI. The aim of this review is to present a therapeutic approach for TBI, taking into account the evidence supporting the role for oxidative stress in the pathophysiological processes of secondary brain injury. The role of agents such as mitochondria-targeted antioxidants (melatonin and new mitochondria-targeted antioxidants), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) inhibitors (antioxidant vitamins and apocynin), and other compounds having mainly antioxidant properties (hydrogen-rich saline, sulforaphane, U-83836E, omega-3, and polyphenols) is covered. The rationale for innovative antioxidant therapies based on current knowledge and particularly the most recent studies regarding this field is discussed. Particular considerations and translational potential of new TBI treatments are examined and a novel therapeutic proposal for TBI is presented.

Mitochondria as a source of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species: from molecular mechanisms to human health

Mitochondrially generated reactive oxygen species are involved in a myriad of signaling and damaging pathways in different tissues. In addition, mitochondria are an important target of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Here, we discuss basic mechanisms of mitochondrial oxidant generation and removal and the main factors affecting mitochondrial redox balance. We also discuss the interaction between mitochondrial reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, and the involvement of these oxidants in mitochondrial diseases, cancer, neurological, and cardiovascular disorders.

Mitochondria in traumatic brain injury and mitochondrial-targeted multipotential therapeutic strategies

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major health and socioeconomic problem throughout the world. It is a complicated pathological process that consists of primary insults and a secondary insult characterized by a set of biochemical cascades. The imbalance between a higher energy demand for repair of cell damage and decreased energy production led by mitochondrial dysfunction aggravates cell damage. At the cellular level, the main cause of the secondary deleterious cascades is cell damage that is centred in the mitochondria. Excitotoxicity, Ca(2+) overload, reactive oxygen species (ROS), Bcl-2 family, caspases and apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) are the main participants in mitochondria-centred cell damage following TBI. Some preclinical and clinical results of mitochondria-targeted therapy show promise. Mitochondria- targeted multipotential therapeutic strategies offer new hope for the successful treatment of TBI and other acute brain injuries.

Hydroxynonenal, a lipid peroxidation end product, stimulates uncoupling protein activity in Acanthamoeba castellanii mitochondria; the sensitivity of the inducible activity to purine nucleotides depends on the membranous ubiquinone redox state

We studied the influence of exogenously generated superoxide and exogenous 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), a lipid peroxidation end product, on the activity of the Acanthamoeba castellanii uncoupling protein (AcUCP). The superoxide-generating xanthine/xanthine oxidase system was insufficient to induce mitochondrial uncoupling. In contrast, exogenously added HNE induced GTP-sensitive AcUCP-mediated mitochondrial uncoupling. In non-phosphorylating mitochondria, AcUCP activation by HNE was demonstrated by increased oxygen consumption accompanied by a decreased membrane potential and ubiquinone (Q) reduction level. The HNE-induced GTP-sensitive proton conductance was similar to that observed with linoleic acid. In phosphorylating mitochondria, the HNE-induced AcUCP-mediated uncoupling decreased the yield of oxidative phosphorylation. We demonstrated that the efficiency of GTP to inhibit HNE-induced AcUCP-mediated uncoupling was regulated by the endogenous Q redox state. A high Q reduction level activated AcUCP by relieving the inhibition caused by GTP while a low Q reduction level favoured the inhibition. We propose that the regulation of UCP activity involves a rapid response through the endogenous Q redox state that modulates the inhibition of UCP by purine nucleotides, followed by a late response through lipid peroxidation products resulting from an increase in the formation of reactive oxygen species that modulate the UCP activation.

Uncoupling proteins: molecular, functional, regulatory, physiological and pathological aspects

Uncoupling proteins are a subfamily of the mitochondrial anion carrier family. They are widespread in the whole eukaryotic world with a few exceptions and present tissue specific isoforms in higher organisms. They mediate purine nucleotide-sensitive free fatty acid-activated proton inward flux through the inner mitochondrial membrane. This proton flux occurs at the expense of the proton motive force build up by the respiration and weakens the coupling between respiration and ATP synthesis. In this chapter we describe current and reliable knowledge of uncoupling proteins. A new methodology allowing study of their activity and regulation during phosphorylating respiration is described. It has entitled us to assert that all uncoupling proteins share common mechanisms of activation and regulation. This is of the utmost importance in order to understand the physiological roles of UCPs as well as their participation in pathological processes since every role of the UCPs in every cell is an integral part of their function and regulation. The central role of reduction level of ubiquinone in the control of their regulation is well-argued. Their potential and reliable roles in thermogenesis, reactive oxygen species prevention and energy flow are discussed as well as their role in some pathological disorders.

Identification and characterization of uncoupling protein 4 in fat body and muscle mitochondria from the cockroach Gromphadorhina cocquereliana

We have identified and characterized an uncoupling protein in mitochondria isolated from leg muscle and from fat body, an insect analogue tissue of mammalian liver and adipose tissue, of the cockroach Gromphadorhina coquereliana (GcUCP). This is the first functional characterization of UCP activity in isolated insect mitochondria. Bioenergetic studies clearly indicate UCP function in both insect tissues. In resting (non-phosphorylating) mitochondria, cockroach GcUCP activity was stimulated by the addition of micromolar concentrations of palmitic acid and inhibited by the purine nucleotide GTP. Moreover, in phosphorylating mitochondria, GcUCP activity was able to divert energy from oxidative phosphorylation. Functional studies indicate a higher activity of GcUCP-mediated uncoupling in cockroach muscle mitochondria compared to fat body mitochondria. GcUCP activation by palmitic acid resulted in a decrease in superoxide anion production, suggesting that protection against mitochondrial oxidative stress may be a physiological role of UCPs in insects. GcUCP protein was immunodetected using antibodies raised against human UCP4 as a single band of around 36 kDa. GcUCP protein expression in cockroach muscle mitochondria was significantly higher compared to mitochondria isolated from fat body. LC-MS/MS analyses revealed 100% sequence identities for peptides obtained from GcUCP to UCP4 isoforms from D. melanogaster (the highest homology), human, rat or other insect mitochondria. Therefore, it can be proposed that cockroach GcUCP corresponds to the UCP4 isoforms of other animals.

Short-term increase of plasma free fatty acids does not interfere with intrinsic mitochondrial function in healthy young men

Free fatty acid (FFA)- and obesity-induced insulin resistance has been associated with disturbed mitochondrial function. Elevated plasma FFA can impair insulin-induced increase of adenosine triphosphate synthesis and downregulate the expression of genes important in the biogenesis of mitochondria in human skeletal muscle. Whether FAs have a direct effect on intrinsic mitochondrial capacity remains to be established. Therefore, we measured ex vivo mitochondrial respiratory capacity in human skeletal muscle after exposure to hyperinsulinemia and high levels of plasma FFA. Nine healthy lean men were studied during a 6-hour hyperinsulinemic (600 pmol/L) euglycemic clamp with concomitant infusion of Intralipid (Fresensius Kabi Nederland, Den Bosch, the Netherlands) (FFA clamped at 0.5 mmol/L) or saline. Mitochondrial respiratory capacity was measured by high-resolution respirometry in permeabilized muscle fibers using an Oxygraph (OROBOROS Instruments, Innsbruck, Austria). Each participant served as his own control. Peripheral glucose uptake (rate of disappearance) was significantly lower during infusion of the lipid emulsion compared with the control saline infusion (68 μmol/kg·min [saline] vs 40 μmol/kg·min [lipid], P = .008). However, adenosine diphosphate-stimulated and maximal carbonylcyanide-4-(trifluoromethoxy)-phenylhydrazone-stimulated uncoupled respiration rates were not different in permeabilized skeletal muscle fibers after exposure to high levels of FFA compared with the control condition. We conclude that short-term elevation of FFA within the physiological range induces insulin resistance but does not affect intrinsic mitochondrial capacity in skeletal muscle in humans.

Calorie restriction modifies ubiquinone and COQ transcript levels in mouse tissues

We studied ubiquinone (Q), Q homologue ratio, and steady-state levels of mCOQ transcripts in tissues from mice fed ad libitum or under calorie restriction. Maximum ubiquinone levels on a protein basis were found in kidney and heart, followed by liver, brain, and skeletal muscle. Liver and skeletal muscle showed the highest Q(9)/Q(10) ratios with significant interindividual variability. Heart, kidney, and particularly brain exhibited lower Q(9)/Q(10) ratios and interindividual variability. In skeletal muscle and heart, the most abundant mCOQ transcript was mCOQ7, followed by mCOQ8, mCOQ2, mPDSS2, mPDSS1, and mCOQ3. In nonmuscular tissues (liver, kidney, and brain) the most abundant mCOQ transcript was mCOQ2, followed by mCOQ7, mCOQ8, mPDSS1, mPDSS2, and mCOQ3. Calorie restriction increased both ubiquinone homologues and mPDSS2 mRNA in skeletal muscle, but mCOQ7 was decreased. In contrast, Q(9) and most mCOQ transcripts were decreased in heart. Calorie restriction also modified the Q(9)/Q(10) ratio, which was increased in kidney and decreased in heart without alterations in mPDSS1 or mPDSS2 transcripts. We demonstrate for the first time that unique patterns of mCOQ transcripts exist in muscular and nonmuscular tissues and that Q and COQ genes are targets of calorie restriction in a tissue-specific way.

Metabolic manipulators: a well founded strategy to combat mitochondrial dysfunction

Whilst the pathophysiology and genetics of mitochondrial disease are slowly being unraveled, currently no effective remedy for mitochondrial disorders is available. One particular strategy in mitochondrial medicine presently under study is metabolic manipulation. This approach is aimed at counteracting the deranged cell biological homeostasis caused by mitochondrial dysfunction, using dietary modifications or small molecule therapy. Cell biological alterations caused by mitochondrial dysfunction include increased reactive oxygen species production, enhanced lipid peroxidation and altered cellular calcium homeostasis. This review covers the five principles of metabolic manipulation: (1) prevention of oxidative damage by reactive oxygen species, (2) amelioration of lipid peroxidation, (3) correction of altered membrane potential, (4) restoration of calcium homeostasis, and (5) transcription regulation interference. We hypothesize that a combination of compounds targeting different metabolic pathways will abolish cellular disturbance arising as a consequences of mitochondrial dysfunction, and thereby improve or stabilize clinical features. However, only a handful of compounds have reached efficacy testing in mammals, and it remains unknown to what extent metabolic manipulation will affect the whole organism. Until a potent remedy is found, patients will remain dependent on supportive, not curative, interventions.

Ubiquinol (QH(2)) functions as a negative regulator of purine nucleotide inhibition of Acanthamoeba castellanii mitochondrial uncoupling protein

We compared the influence of different adenine and guanine nucleotides on the free fatty acid-induced uncoupling protein (UCP) activity in non-phosphorylating Acanthamoeba castellanii mitochondria when the membranous ubiquinone (Q) redox state was varied. The purine nucleotides exhibit an inhibitory effect in the following descending order: GTP>ATP>GDP>ADP≫GMP>AMP. The efficiency of guanine and adenine nucleotides to inhibit UCP-sustained uncoupling in A. castellanii mitochondria depends on the Q redox state. Inhibition by purine nucleotides can be increased with decreasing Q reduction level (thereby ubiquinol, QH₂ concentration) even with nucleoside monophosphates that are very weak inhibitors at the initial respiration. On the other hand, the inhibition can be alleviated with increasing Q reduction level (thereby QH₂ concentration). The most important finding was that ubiquinol (QH₂) but not oxidised Q functions as a negative regulator of UCP inhibition by purine nucleotides. For a given concentration of QH₂, the linoleic acid-induced GTP-inhibited H(+) leak was the same for two types of A. castellanii mitochondria that differ in the endogenous Q content. When availability of the inhibitor (GTP) or the negative inhibition modulator (QH₂) was changed, a competitive influence on the UCP activity was observed. QH₂ decreases the affinity of UCP for GTP and, vice versa, GTP decreases the affinity of UCP for QH₂. These results describe the kinetic mechanism of regulation of UCP affinity for purine nucleotides by endogenous QH₂ in the mitochondria of a unicellular eukaryote.

3-nitropropionic acid-induced mitochondrial permeability transition: comparative study of mitochondria from different tissues and brain regions

The adult rat striatum is particularly vulnerable to systemic administration of the succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor 3-nitropropionic acid (3NP), which is known to induce degeneration of the caudate-putamen, as occurs in Huntington's disease. The aim of the present study was to compare the susceptibility of isolated mitochondria from different rat brain regions (striatum, cortex, and cerebellum) as well as from the liver, kidney, and heart to mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) induced by 3NP and Ca(2+). In the presence of micromolar Ca(2+) concentrations, 3NP induces MPT in a dose-dependent manner, as estimated by mitochondrial swelling and a decrease in the transmembrane electrical potential. A 3NP concentration capable of promoting a 10% inhibition of ADP-stimulated, succinate-supported respiration was sufficient to stimulate Ca(2+)-induced MPT. Brain and heart mitochondria were generally more sensitive to 3NP and Ca(2+)-induced MPT than mitochondria from liver and kidney. In addition, a partial inhibition of mitochondrial respiration by 3NP resulted in more pronounced MPT in striatal mitochondria than in cortical or cerebellar organelles. A similar inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase activity was observed in rat tissue homogenates obtained from various brain regions as well as from liver, kidney, and heart 24 hr after a single i.p. 3NP dose. Mitochondria isolated from forebrains of 3NP-treated rats were also more susceptible to Ca(2+)-induced MPT than those of control rats. We propose that the increased susceptibility of the striatum to 3NP-induced neurodegeneration may be partially explained by its susceptibility to MPT, together with the greater vulnerability of this brain region to glutamate receptor-mediated Ca(2+) influx.

Mitochondrial uncoupling proteins in unicellular eukaryotes

Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are members of the mitochondrial anion carrier protein family that are present in the mitochondrial inner membrane and mediate free fatty acid (FFA)-activated, purine nucleotide (PN)-inhibited proton conductance. Since 1999, the presence of UCPs has been demonstrated in some non-photosynthesising unicellular eukaryotes, including amoeboid and parasite protists, as well as in non-fermentative yeast and filamentous fungi. In the mitochondria of these organisms, UCP activity is revealed upon FFA-induced, PN-inhibited stimulation of resting respiration and a decrease in membrane potential, which are accompanied by a decrease in membranous ubiquinone (Q) reduction level. UCPs in unicellular eukaryotes are able to divert energy from oxidative phosphorylation and thus compete for a proton electrochemical gradient with ATP synthase. Our recent work indicates that membranous Q is a metabolic sensor that might utilise its redox state to release the PN inhibition of UCP-mediated mitochondrial uncoupling under conditions of phosphorylation and resting respiration. The action of reduced Q (QH2) could allow higher or complete activation of UCP. As this regulatory feature was demonstrated for microorganism UCPs (A. castellanii UCP), plant and mammalian UCP1 analogues, and UCP1 in brown adipose tissue, the process could involve all UCPs. Here, we discuss the functional connection and physiological role of UCP and alternative oxidase, two main energy-dissipating systems in the plant-type mitochondrial respiratory chain of unicellular eukaryotes, including the control of cellular energy balance as well as preventive action against the production of reactive oxygen species.

Uncoupling protein 1 inhibition by purine nucleotides is under the control of the endogenous ubiquinone redox state

We studied non-esterified fatty acid-induced uncoupling of heterologously expressed rat UCP1 (uncoupling protein 1) in yeast mitochondria, as well as UCP1 in rat BAT (brown adipose tissue) mitochondria. The proton-conductance curves and the relationship between the ubiquinone reduction level and membrane potential were determined in non-phosphorylating BAT and yeast mitochondria. The ADP/O method was applied to determine the ADP phosphorylation rate and the relationship between the ubiquinone reduction level and respiration rate in yeast mitochondria. Our studies of the membranous ubiquinone reduction level in mitochondria demonstrate that activation of UCP1 leads to a purine nucleotide-sensitive decrease in the ubiquinone redox state. Results obtained for non-phosphorylating and phosphorylating mitochondria, as the endogenous ubiquinone redox state was gradually varied by a lowering rate of the ubiquinone-reducing or ubiquinol-oxidizing pathways, indicate that the endogenous ubiquinone redox state has no effect on non-esterified fatty acid-induced UCP1 activity in the absence of GTP, and can only regulate this activity through sensitivity to inhibition by the purine nucleotide. At a given oleic acid concentration, inhibition by GTP diminishes when ubiquinone is reduced sufficiently. The ubiquinone redox state-dependent alleviation of UCP1 inhibition by the purine nucleotide was observed at a high ubiquinone reduction level, when it exceeded 85-88%.

Tissue-, substrate-, and site-specific characteristics of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation

Reactive oxygen species are a by-product of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, derived from a small quantity of superoxide radicals generated during electron transport. We conducted a comprehensive and quantitative study of oxygen consumption, inner membrane potentials, and H(2)O(2) release in mitochondria isolated from rat brain, heart, kidney, liver, and skeletal muscle, using various respiratory substrates (alpha-ketoglutarate, glutamate, succinate, glycerol phosphate, and palmitoyl carnitine). The locations and properties of reactive oxygen species formation were determined using oxidative phosphorylation and the respiratory chain modulators oligomycin, rotenone, myxothiazol, and antimycin A and the uncoupler CCCP. We found that in mitochondria isolated from most tissues incubated under physiologically relevant conditions, reactive oxygen release accounts for 0.1-0.2% of O(2) consumed. Our findings support an important participation of flavoenzymes and complex III and a substantial role for reverse electron transport to complex I as reactive oxygen species sources. Our results also indicate that succinate is an important substrate for isolated mitochondrial reactive oxygen production in brain, heart, kidney, and skeletal muscle, whereas fatty acids generate significant quantities of oxidants in kidney and liver. Finally, we found that increasing respiratory rates is an effective way to prevent mitochondrial oxidant release under many, but not all, conditions. Altogether, our data uncover and quantify many tissue-, substrate-, and site-specific characteristics of mitochondrial ROS release.

Updating the effects of fatty acids on skeletal muscle

In this review we updated the fatty acid (FA) effects on skeletal muscle metabolism. Abnormal FA availability induces insulin resistance and accounts for several of its symptoms and complications. Efforts to understand the pathogenesis of insulin resistance are focused on disordered lipid metabolism and consequently its effect on insulin signaling pathway. We reviewed herein the FA effects on metabolism, signaling, regulation of gene expression and oxidative stress in insulin resistance. The elevated IMTG content has been associated with increased intracellular content of diacylglycerol (DAG), ceramides and long-chain acyl-coenzyme A (LCA-CoA). This condition has been shown to promote insulin resistance by interfering with phosphorylation of proteins of the insulin pathway including insulin receptor substrate-1/2 (IRS), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase, (PI3-kinase) and protein kinase C. Although the molecular mechanism is not completely understood, elevated reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS) are involved in this process. Elevated ROS/RNS activates nuclear factor-kappaB (NFkB), which promotes the transcription of proinflammatory tumoral necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), decreasing the insulin response. Therefore, oxidative stress induced by elevated FA availability may constitute one of the major causes of insulin resistance in skeletal muscle.

Redox state of quinone affects sensitivity of Acanthamoeba castellanii mitochondrial uncoupling protein to purine nucleotides

We studied FFA (free fatty acid)-induced uncoupling activity in Acanthamoeba castellanii mitochondria in the non-phosphorylating state. Either succinate or external NADH was used as a respiratory substrate to determine the proton conductance curves and the relationships between respiratory rate and the quinone reduction level. Our determinations of the membranous quinone reduction level in non-phosphorylating mitochondria show that activation of UCP (uncoupling protein) activity leads to a PN (purine nucleotide)-sensitive decrease in the quinone redox state. The gradual decrease in the rate of quinone-reducing pathways (using titration of dehydrogenase activities) progressively leads to a full inhibitory effect of GDP on LA (linoleic acid) induced proton conductance. This inhibition cannot be attributed to changes in the membrane potential. Indeed, the lack of GDP inhibitory effect observed when the decrease in respiratory rate is accompanied by an increase in the quinone reduction level (using titration of the quinol-oxidizing pathway) proves that the inhibition by nucleotides can be revealed only for a low quinone redox state. It must be underlined that, in A. castellanii non-phosphorylating mitochondria, the transition of the inhibitory effect of GDP on LA-induced UCP-mediated uncoupling is observed for the same range of quinone reduction levels (between 50% and 40%) as that observed previously for phosphorylating conditions. This observation, drawn from the two different metabolic states of mitochondria, indicates that quinone could affect UCP activity through sensitivity to PNs.

The evolution of coenzyme Q

In the 50 years since the identification of coenzyme Q as an electron carrier in mitochondria, it has been identified with diverse and unexpected functions in cells. Its discovery came as a result of a search for electron carriers in mitochondria following the identification of flavin and cytochromes by Warburg, Keilin, Chance and others. As a result of investigation of membrane lipids at D.E. Green's laboratory at University of Wisconsin coenzyme Q was identified as the electron carrier between primary flavoprotein dehydrogenases and the cytochromes. Then Peter Mitchell identified the role of transmembrane proton transfer as a basis for ATP synthesis. The general distribution of coenzyme Q in all cell membranes then led to the recognition of a role as a primary antioxidant. The protonophoric function was extended to acidification of Golgi and lysosomal vericles. A further role in proton release through the plasma membrane and its relation to cell proliferation has not been fully developed. A role in generation of H202 as a messenger for hormone and cytokine action is indicated as well as prevention of apoptosis by inhibition of ceramide release. Identification of the genes and proteins required for coenzyme Q synthesis has led to a basis for defining deficiency. For 50 years Karl Folkers has led the search for deficiency and therapeutic application. The development of large scale production, better formulation for uptake, and better methods for analysis have furthered this search. The story isn't over yet. Questions remain about effects on membrane structure, breakdown and control of cellular synthesis and uptake and the basis for therapeutic action.

Fatty acid efficiency profile in uncoupling of Acanthamoeba castellanii mitochondria

A profile of free fatty acid (FFA) specificity in Acanthamoeba castellanii mitochondrial uncoupling is described. The FFA uncoupling specificity was observed as different abilities to stimulate resting respiration, to decrease resting membrane potential, and to decrease oxidative phosphorylation efficiency. Tested unsaturated FFA (C18-20) were more effective as uncouplers and protonophores when compared to tested saturated FFA (C8-18), with palmitic acid (C16:0) as the most active. As FFA efficiency in mitochondrial uncoupling is related to physiological changes of fatty acid composition (and thereby FFA availability) during growth of amoeba cells, it could be a way to regulate the activity of an uncoupling protein and thereby the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation during a cell life of this unicellular organism.

Proton leak induced by reactive oxygen species produced during in vitro anoxia/reoxygenation in rat skeletal muscle mitochondria

Superoxide anion generation and the impairment of oxidative phosphorylation yield were studied in rat skeletal muscle mitochondria submitted to anoxia/reoxygenation in vitro. Production of superoxide anion was detected after several cycles of anoxia/reoxygenation. Concomitantly, a decrease of state 3 respiration and phosphorylation yield (ADP/O) were observed. The latter resulted from a proton leak. The presence of palmitic acid during anoxia/reoxygenation cycles led to a dose-dependent inhibition of superoxide anion production together with a partial protection of the ADP/O ratio measured after anoxia/reoxygenation. The ADP/O decrease was shown to be due to a permeability transition pore-sustained proton leak, as it was suppressed by cyclosporine A. The permeability transition pore activation was induced during anoxia/reoxygenation by superoxide anion, as it was cancelled by the spin trap (POBN), which scavenges superoxide anion and by palmitic acid, which induces mitochondrial uncoupling. It can be proposed that the palmitic acid-induced proton leak cancels the production of superoxide anion by mitochondria during anoxia/reoxygenation and therefore prevents the occurrence of the superoxide anion-induced permeability transition pore-mediated proton leak after anoxia/reoxygenation.

Mitochondrial UCPs: New insights into regulation and impact

Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are mitochondrial inner membrane proteins sustaining an inducible proton conductance. They weaken the proton electrochemical gradient built up by the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Brown fat UCP1 sustains a free fatty acid (FA)-induced purine nucleotide (PN)-inhibited proton conductance. Inhibition of the proton conductance by PN has been considered as a diagnostic of UCP activity. However, conflicting results have been obtained in isolated mitochondria for UCP homologues (i.e., UCP2, UCP3, plant UCP, and protist UCP) where the FFA-activated proton conductance is poorly sensitive to PN under resting respiration conditions. Our recent work clearly indicates that the membranous coenzyme Q, through its redox state, represents a regulator of the inhibition by PN of FFA-activated UCP1 homologues under phosphorylating respiration conditions. Several physiological roles of UCPs have been suggested, including a control of the cellular energy balance as well as the preventive action against oxidative stress. In this paper, we discuss new information emerging from comparative proteomics about the impact of UCPs on mitochondrial physiology, when recombinant UCP1 is expressed in yeast and when UCP2 is over-expressed in hepatic mitochondria during steatosis.

ZmPUMP encodes a fully functional monocot plant uncoupling mitochondrial protein whose affinity to fatty acid is increased with the introduction of a His pair at the second matrix loop

Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are specialized mitochondrial transporter proteins that uncouple respiration from ATP synthesis. In this study, cDNA encoding maize uncoupling protein (ZmPUMP) was expressed in Escherichia coli and recombinant ZmPUMP reconstituted in liposomes. ZmPUMP activity was associated with a linoleic acid (LA)-mediated H(+) efflux with K(m) of 56.36+/-0.27microM and V(max) of 66.9micromolH(+)min(-1)(mgprot)(-1). LA-mediated H(+) fluxes were sensitive to ATP inhibition with K(i) of 2.61+/-0.36mM (at pH 7.2), a value similar to those for dicot UCPs. ZmPUMP was also used to investigate the importance of a histidine pair present in the second matrix loop of mammalian UCP1 and absent in plant UCPs. ZmPUMP with introduced His pair (Lys155His and Ala157His) displayed a 1.55-fold increase in LA-affinity while its activity remained unchanged. Our data indicate conserved properties of plant UCPs and suggest an enhancing but not essential role of the histidine pair in proton transport mechanism.

Mitochondrial uncoupling proteins: new insights from functional and proteomic studies

Mitochondria are the major sites of ATP synthesis through oxidative phosphorylation, a process that is weakened by proton leak. Uncoupling proteins are mitochondrial membrane proteins specialized in inducible proton conductance. They dissipate the proton electrochemical gradient established by the respiratory chain at the expense of reducing substrates. Several physiological roles have been suggested for uncoupling proteins, including roles in the control of the cellular energy balance and in preventive action against oxidative stress. This review focuses on new leads emerging from comparative proteomics about the involvement of uncoupling protein in the mitochondrial physiology. A brief overview on uncoupling proteins and on proteomics applied to mitochondria is also presented herein.

Cycling efficiency in humans is related to low UCP3 content and to type I fibres but not to mitochondrial efficiency

The purpose of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that cycling efficiency in vivo is related to mitochondrial efficiency measured in vitro and to investigate the effect of training status on these parameters. Nine endurance trained and nine untrained male subjects (V(O2peak) = 60.4 +/- 1.4 and 37.0 +/- 2.0 ml kg(-1) min(-1), respectively) completed an incremental submaximal efficiency test for determination of cycling efficiency (gross efficiency, work efficiency (WE) and delta efficiency). Muscle biopsies were taken from m. vastus lateralis and analysed for mitochondrial respiration, mitochondrial efficiency (MEff; i.e. P/O ratio), UCP3 protein content and fibre type composition (% MHC I). MEff was determined in isolated mitochondria during maximal (state 3) and submaximal (constant rate of ADP infusion) rates of respiration with pyruvate. The rates of mitochondrial respiration and oxidative phosphorylation per muscle mass were about 40% higher in trained subjects but were not different when expressed per unit citrate synthase (CS) activity (a marker of mitochondrial density). Training status had no influence on WE (trained 28.0 +/- 0.5, untrained 27.7 +/- 0.8%, N.S.). Muscle UCP3 was 52% higher in untrained subjects, when expressed per muscle mass (P < 0.05 versus trained). WE was inversely correlated to UCP3 (r = -0.57, P < 0.05) and positively correlated to percentage MHC I (r = 0.58, P < 0.05). MEff was lower (P < 0.05) at submaximal respiration rates (2.39 +/- 0.01 at 50% V(O2max)) than at state 3 (2.48 +/- 0.01) but was neither influenced by training status nor correlated to cycling efficiency. In conclusion cycling efficiency was not influenced by training status and not correlated to MEff, but was related to type I fibres and inversely related to UCP3. The inverse correlation between WE and UCP3 indicates that extrinsic factors may influence UCP3 activity and thus MEff in vivo.

Uncoupling protein 1 affects the yeast mitoproteome and oxygen free radical production

Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) is a mitochondrial inner membrane protein that dissipates the proton electrochemical gradient built up by the respiratory chain. Its activity is stimulated by free fatty acids and inhibited by purine nucleotides. Here we investigated how active and regulated recombinant UCP1 expressed in yeast at approximately 1 and approximately 10 microg/mg of total mitochondrial proteins induced changes in the mitochondrial proteome and in oxygen free radical production. Using two-dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE), we found that most of the proteins involved in the response to ectopically expressed UCP1 are related to energy metabolism. We also quantified the cellular H(2)O(2) release in the absence or in the presence of UCP1. Our results suggest that UCP1 has a dual influence on free radical generation. On one side, FFA-activated UCP1 was able to decrease the superoxide anion production, demonstrating that a decrease in the generation of reactive oxygen species is an obligatory outcome of UCP1 activity even in a heterologous context. On the other side, an increase in UCP1 content was concomitant with an increase in the basal release of superoxide anion by mitochondria as a side consequence of the overall increase in oxidative metabolism.

Role of fatty acids in the transition from anaerobic to aerobic metabolism in skeletal muscle during exercise

In moderate physical exercise, the transition from predominantly anaerobic towards predominantly aerobic metabolism is a key step to improve performance. Increase in the supply of oxygen and nutrients, such as free fatty acids (FFA) and glucose, which accompanies high blood flow, is required for this transition. The mechanisms involved in the vasodilation in skeletal muscle during physical activity are not completely known yet. In this article, we postulate a role of FFA and heat production in this process. The presence of uncoupling protein-2 and -3 (UCP-2 and -3) in skeletal muscle, whose activity is dependent on FFA, suggests that these metabolites can act as mitochondrial uncouplers in this tissue. Evidence indicates however that UCPs act as uncouplers only when coenzyme Q is predominantly in the reduced state (i.e. under nonphosphorylation conditions or state 4 respiration) as is observed in resting muscles and in the beginning of physical activity (predominantly anaerobic metabolism). The increase in the lipolytic activity in adipose tissue in the beginning of physical activity results in elevated plasma FFA levels. The FFA can then act on the UCPs, increasing the local heat production. We propose that this calorigenic effect of FFA is important to activate nitric oxide synthase, resulting in nitric oxide production and consequent vasodilation. Therefore, FFA would be important mediators for the changes that occur in muscle metabolism during prolonged physical activity, ensuring the appropriate supply of oxygen and nutrients by increasing blood flow at the beginning of exercise in the contracting skeletal muscles.

The plant energy-dissipating mitochondrial systems: depicting the genomic structure and the expression profiles of the gene families of uncoupling protein and alternative oxidase in monocots and dicots

The simultaneous existence of alternative oxidases and uncoupling proteins in plants has raised the question as to why plants need two energy-dissipating systems with apparently similar physiological functions. A probably complete plant uncoupling protein gene family is described and the expression profiles of this family compared with the multigene family of alternative oxidases in Arabidopsis thaliana and sugarcane (Saccharum sp.) employed as dicot and monocot models, respectively. In total, six uncoupling protein genes, AtPUMP1-6, were recognized within the Arabidopsis genome and five (SsPUMP1-5) in a sugarcane EST database. The recombinant AtPUMP5 protein displayed similar biochemical properties as AtPUMP1. Sugarcane possessed four Arabidopsis AOx1-type orthologues (SsAOx1a-1d); no sugarcane orthologue corresponding to Arabidopsis AOx2-type genes was identified. Phylogenetic and expression analyses suggested that AtAOx1d does not belong to the AOx1-type family but forms a new (AOx3-type) family. Tissue-enriched expression profiling revealed that uncoupling protein genes were expressed more ubiquitously than the alternative oxidase genes. Distinct expression patterns among gene family members were observed between monocots and dicots and during chilling stress. These findings suggest that the members of each energy-dissipating system are subject to different cell or tissue/organ transcriptional regulation. As a result, plants may respond more flexibly to adverse biotic and abiotic conditions, in which oxidative stress is involved.

Plant uncoupling mitochondrial proteins

Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are membrane proteins that mediate purine nucleotide-sensitive free fatty acid-activated H(+) flux through the inner mitochondrial membrane. After the discovery of UCP in higher plants in 1995, it was acknowledged that these proteins are widely distributed in eukaryotic organisms. The widespread presence of UCPs in eukaryotes implies that these proteins may have functions other than thermogenesis. In this review, we describe the current knowledge of plant UCPs, including their discovery, biochemical properties, distribution, gene family, gene expression profiles, regulation of gene expression, and evolutionary aspects. Expression analyses and functional studies on the plant UCPs under normal and stressful conditions suggest that UCPs regulate energy metabolism in the cellular responses to stress through regulation of the electrochemical proton potential (Deltamu(H)+) and production of reactive oxygen species.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mitoproteome Plasticity in Response to Recombinant Alternative Ubiquinol Oxidase

The energy-dissipating alternative oxidase (AOX) from Hansenula anomala was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The recombinant AOX was functional. A comparative analysis by two-dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) of mitochondrial protein patterns found in wild-type and recombinant AOX strains was performed. 60 proteins exhibiting a significant difference in their abundance were identified. Interestingly, proteins implicated in major metabolic pathways such as Krebs cycle and amino acid biosynthesis were up-regulated. Surprisingly, an up-regulation of the respiratory-chain complex III was associated with a down-regulation of the ATP synthase complex.

Acute effect of fatty acids on metabolism and mitochondrial coupling in skeletal muscle

Acute effects of free fatty acids (FFA) were investigated on: (1) glucose oxidation, and UCP-2 and -3 mRNA and protein levels in 1 h incubated rat soleus and extensor digitorium longus (EDL) muscles, (2) mitochondrial membrane potential in cultured skeletal muscle cells, (3) respiratory activity and transmembrane electrical potential in mitochondria isolated from rat skeletal muscle, and (4) oxygen consumption by anesthetized rats. Long-chain FFA increased both basal and insulin-stimulated glucose oxidation in incubated rat soleus and EDL muscles and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential in C2C12 myotubes and rat skeletal muscle cells. Caprylic, palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acid increased O(2) consumption and decreased electrical membrane potential in isolated mitochondria from rat skeletal muscles. FFA did not alter UCP-2 and -3 mRNA and protein levels in rat soleus and EDL muscles. Palmitic acid increased oxygen consumption by anesthetized rats. These results suggest that long-chain FFA acutely lead to mitochondrial uncoupling in skeletal muscle.

In phosphorylating Acanthamoeba castellanii mitochondria the sensitivity of uncoupling protein activity to GTP depends on the redox state of quinone

In isolated Acanthamoeba castellanii mitochondria respiring in state 3 with external NADH or succinate, the linoleic acid-induced purine nucleotide-sensitive uncoupling protein activity is able to uncouple oxidative phosphorylation. The linoleic acid-induced uncoupling can be inhibited by a purine nucleotide (GTP) when quinone (Q) is sufficiently oxidized, indicating that in A. castellanii mitochondria respiring in state 3, the sensitivity of uncoupling protein activity to GTP depends on the redox state of the membranous Q. Namely, the inhibition of the linoleic acid-induced uncoupling by GTP is not observed in uninhibited state 3 respiration as well as in state 3 respiration progressively inhibited by complex III inhibitors, i.e., when the rate of quinol (QH(2))-oxidizing pathway is decreased. On the contrary, the progressive decrease of state 3 respiration by declining respiratory substrate availability (by succinate uptake limitation or by decreasing external NADH concentration), i.e., when the rate of Q-reducing pathways is decreased, progressively leads to a full inhibitory effect of GTP. Moreover, in A. castellanii mitochondria isolated from cold-treated cells, where a higher uncoupling protein activity is observed, the inhibition of the linoleic acid-induced proton leak by GTP is revealed for the same low values of the Q reduction level.

Ubiquinol: A potential biomarker for tissue energy requirements and oxidative stress

BACKGROUND

Coenzyme Q (CoQ) has been suggested as a biomarker for tissue redox status. The aims are (1) to compare ubiquinol-9, ubiquinol-10, ubiquinone-9, ubiquinone-10, total CoQ content and CoQ redox ratio in quadriceps muscle, heart, brain and liver tissues of mdx mice with wild-type controls; and (2) to determine if ubiquinol content and CoQ redox ratio changes are associated with pathological findings in mdx mouse.

METHODS

CoQ contents were determined in homogenized quadriceps muscle, heart, liver and brain of age-matched mdx and wild-type control mice by HPLC-EC. Light and electron microscopy studies were conducted using standard pathology methods.

RESULTS

Ubiquinol-9 and ubiquinol-10 concentrations are significantly increased in quadriceps and heart muscle of mdx mouse. Increased redox ratios of coenzyme Q(9) and coenzyme Q(10) are also evident in quadriceps, heart and liver tissues in mdx mouse, but not brain. Pathological examination shows marked myofiber regeneration and evidence of mitochondrial proliferation for mdx muscle.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence that changes in ubiquinol content and CoQ redox ratio are related to pathological features in mdx skeletal and heart myofibers suggests that tissue ubiquinol content and CoQ redox ratio may be useful biomarkers for evaluating muscle disorders associated with mitochondrial proliferation and defects in oxidative phosphorylation.

Regulation of uncoupling protein activity in phosphorylating potato tuber mitochondria

In isolated potato tuber mitochondria, palmitic acid (PA) can induce a H+ leak inhibited by GTP in the phosphorylating (state 3) respiration but not in the resting (state 4) respiration. The PA-induced H+ leak is constant when state 3 respiration is decreased by an inhibition of the succinate uptake with n-butyl malonate (nBM). We show that the efficiency of inhibition by GTP is decreased when state 3 respiration is progressively inhibited by antimycin A (AA) and is restored following subsequent addition of nBM. We propose that in phosphorylating potato tuber mitochondria, the redox state of ubiquinone, which can antagonistically be varied with AA and nBM, modulates inhibition of the PA-activated UCP-sustained H+ leak by GTP.

Plant Uncoupling Mitochondrial Protein and Alternative Oxidase: Energy Metabolism and Stress

Energy-dissipation in plant mitochondria can be mediated by inner membrane proteins via two processes: redox potential-dissipation or proton electrochemical potential-dissipation. Alternative oxidases (AOx) and the plant uncoupling mitochondrial proteins (PUMP) perform a type of intrinsic and extrinsic regulation of the coupling between respiration and phosphorylation, respectively. Expression analyses and functional studies on AOx and PUMP under normal and stress conditions suggest that the physiological role of both systems lies most likely in tuning up the mitochondrial energy metabolism in response of cells to stress situations. Indeed, the expression and function of these proteins in non-thermogenic tissues suggest that their primary functions are not related to heat production.

Muscle coenzyme Q: a potential test for mitochondrial activity and redox status

The aim of this study is to determine whether coenzyme Q (CoQ) muscle concentrations and redox state are associated with pathologic changes in muscle biopsy specimens. Skeletal muscle biopsies were collected (January 2002-February 2004) and underwent pathologic evaluation. Quadriceps specimens (n = 47) were stratified accordingly: Group 1, controls without evidence of pathologic abnormalities; Group 2, type I myofiber predominance; Group 3, type II myofiber atrophy; Group 4, lower motor unit disease; and Group 5, muscular dystrophy. Ubiquinol-10, ubiquinone-10, total coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), coenzyme Q9 (CoQ9), total CoQ (CoQ9+CoQ10) concentrations were analyzed in biopsy muscle by high-performance liquid chromatography. Ubiquinone-10, total CoQ10, and total CoQ concentrations were significantly decreased in Group 5. Significant positive correlations (r congruent with 0.40) were found between muscle ubiquinone-10, total CoQ10, and total CoQ concentrations vs the percentage of myofibers having subsarcolemmal mitochondrial aggregates. CoQ redox ratio and the fraction CoQ9/total CoQ were negatively correlated with subsarcolemmal mitochondrial aggregates. A significant correlation (r = 0.328) also occurred between ubiquinol-10 concentration and citrate synthase activity. This study suggests that total CoQ concentration provides a new method for estimating mitochondrial activity in biopsy muscle; and that the muscle CoQ test is feasible and potentially useful for diagnosing CoQ deficiency states.