The effect of the coupled oxidation of substrate on the permeability of blowfly flight-muscle mitochondria to potassium and other cations

MICU1 occludes the mitochondrial calcium uniporter in divalent-free conditions

Mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake is mediated by the mitochondrial uniporter complex (mtCU) that includes a tetramer of the pore-forming subunit, MCU, a scaffold protein, EMRE, and the EF-hand regulatory subunit, MICU1 either homodimerized or heterodimerized with MICU2/3. MICU1 has been proposed to regulate Ca2+ uptake via the mtCU by physically occluding the pore and preventing Ca2+ flux at resting cytoplasmic [Ca2+] (free calcium concentration) and to increase Ca2+ flux at high [Ca2+] due to cooperative activation of MICUs EF-hands. However, mtCU and MICU1 functioning when its EF-hands are unoccupied by Ca2+ is poorly studied due to technical limitations. To overcome this barrier, we have studied the mtCU in divalent-free conditions by assessing the Ru265-sensitive Na+ influx using fluorescence-based measurement of mitochondrial matrix [Na+] (free sodium concentration) rise and the ensuing depolarization and swelling. We show an increase in all these measures of Na+ uptake in MICU1KO cells as compared to wild-type (WT) and rescued MICU1KO HEK cells. However, mitochondria in WT cells and MICU1 stable-rescued cells still allowed some Ru265-sensitive Na+ influx that was prevented by MICU1 in excess upon acute overexpression. Thus, MICU1 restricts the cation flux across the mtCU in the absence of Ca2+, but even in cells with high endogenous MICU1 expression such as HEK, some mtCU seem to lack MICU1-dependent gating. We also show rearrangement of the mtCU and altered number of functional channels in MICU1KO and different rescues, and loss of MICU1 during mitoplast preparation, that together might have obscured the pore-blocking function of MICU1 in divalent-free conditions in previous studies.

Gene Sequences of Potential Targets of Insecticidal PF2 Lectin Identified from the Larval De Novo Transcriptome of the Mexican Bean Weevil (Zabrotes Subfasciatus; Boheman 1833)

Simple Summary

The Mexican bean weevil Zabrotes subfasciatus is a major insect pest of stored beans. We have previously reported that the PF2 lectin, which is a protein found in the desert wild legume Olneya tesota (Palo Fierro), is toxic to Z. subfasciatus by inhibiting its early larval development. The use of proteomic means allowed us to identify PF2 targets in the midgut of Z. subfasciatus larvae. However, efforts to completely elucidate the insecticidal mechanism of PF2, as well as novel potential targets for insecticidal compounds, have been hindered by the lack of available genomic and proteomic information of non-model insects. Therefore, in this work we massively sequenced and analyzed the transcripts expressed in the larval stage of Z. subfasciatus, which is the first transcriptome reported for this insect. A total of 29,029 transcript sequences were identified, of which 30 sequences encode putative targets of PF2. The functional characteristics and biochemical, biological, or molecular roles for 15,124 sequences were established by means of bioinformatics tools. This study significantly increased the available genetic resources for Zabrotes and related insect species and will be helpful for any kind of future study that requires information on genes or protein sequences.

Abstract

The available genomic and proteomic information of non-model organisms is often underrepresented in public databases hindering their study at molecular, cellular, and physiological levels. Information on Zabrotes subfasciatus (Mexican bean weevil) is poorly represented in databases, yet it is a major pest of common beans. We report the transcriptome of Z. subfasciatus larvae; transcripts were sequenced using an Illumina RNA-Seq technology and assembled de novo identifying 29,029 unigenes with an average size of 1168 bp and an N50 value of 2196 bp. About 15,124 unigenes (52%) were functionally annotated and categorized. Further analysis revealed 30 unigene sequences encoding putative targets of the insecticidal PF2 lectin. The complete deduced amino acid sequences of eight selected proteins potentially related to insecticidal mechanism of Palo Fierro 2 (PF2) were used for predicting probable N-glycosylation sites and analyzing phylogenetic relationships with insect sequences. This work provides a dramatic increase in the genetic resources available for Coleopterans and set the basis for developing future studies on biological aspects and potential control strategies for Z. subfasciatus.

Developmental and hormone-induced changes of mitochondrial electron transport chain enzyme activities during the last instar larval development of maize stem borer, Chilo partellus (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

The energy demand for structural remodelling in holometabolous insects is met by cellular mitochondria. Developmental and hormone-induced changes in the mitochondrial respiratory activity during insect metamorphosis are not well documented. The present study investigates activities of enzymes of mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) namely, NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase or complex I, Succinate: ubiquinone oxidoreductase or complex II, Ubiquinol:ferricytochrome c oxidoreductase or complex III, cytochrome c oxidase or complex IV and F₁F₀ATPase (ATPase), during Chilo partellus development. Further, the effect of juvenile hormone (JH) analog, methoprene, and brain and corpora-allata-corpora-cardiaca (CC-CA) homogenates that represent neurohormones, on the ETC enzyme activities was monitored. The enzymatic activities increased from penultimate to last larval stage and thereafter declined during pupal development with an exception of ATPase which showed high enzyme activity during last larval and pupal stages compared to the penultimate stage. JH analog, methoprene differentially modulated ETC enzyme activities. It stimulated complex I and IV enzyme activities, but did not alter the activities of complex II, III and ATPase. On the other hand, brain homogenate declined the ATPase activity while the injected CC-CA homogenate stimulated complex I and IV enzyme activities. Cumulatively, the present study is the first to show that mitochondrial ETC enzyme system is under hormone control, particularly of JH and neurohormones during insect development.

Cytoprotective role of Ca2+- activated K+ channels in the cardiac inner mitochondrial membrane

Ion channels on the mitochondrial inner membrane influence cell function in specific ways that can be detrimental or beneficial to cell survival. At least one type of potassium (K+) channel, the mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate-sensitive K+ channel (mitoKATP), is an important effector of protection against necrotic and apoptotic cell injury after ischemia. Here another channel with properties similar to the surface membrane calcium-activated K+ channel was found on the mitochondrial inner membrane (mitoKCa) of guinea pig ventricular cells. MitoKCa significantly contributed to mitochondrial K+ uptake of the myocyte, and an opener of mitoKCa protected hearts against infarction.

On the nature of ion leaks in energy-transducing membranes

Diffusion is the implicit null hypothesis for ion transport across biological membranes. A proper model of ionic diffusion across the permeability barrier is needed to distinguish among leaks, channels and carriers and to determine whether changes in flux reflect changes in permeability (regulation) or merely changes in the driving force. These issues arise in all biomembranes, but they are particularly confounding in energy-transducing membranes on account of their characteristically high electrical gradients. This paper examines the nature of the barrier to ion leaks, using the classical Eyring rate theory. We introduce new practical procedures for estimating permeability coefficients from ion flux data. We also reach some general conclusions regarding ion leaks across energy-transducing membranes. (1) The dependence of ion flux on the electrical membrane potential is invariably non-linear (non-ohmic). (2) Non-ohmic behavior does not imply variable permeability. (3) Ohmic behavior is exceptional and its occurrence should alert us to the possibility of an underlying carrier or channel. (4) Leak pathways are very likely localized to protein-lipid interfaces and will exhibit quasi-specific properties such as saturation and competition. (5) The inherent non-ohmicity of leaks and the requirement for efficient energy transduction impose constraints upon the magnitude of allowable Gibbs free-energy changes in biological systems. (6) Nature adapts to these constraints by devising mechanisms for step-wise splitting of the partial reactions of energy transduction.

Changes in permeability to protons and other cations at high proton motive force in rat liver mitochondria

We have confirmed that the respiration rate of rat liver mitochondria can be substantially inhibited with only a small drop in proton motive force. We have directly measured the passive proton permeability as a function of delta psi by using K+ diffusion potentials and have shown that there is a large increase in proton permeability at high delta psi. This can quantitatively account for the inhibitor titrations of respiration. delta psi and delta pH were shown to have roughly equal effects on the relatively high respiration rate in static head. The permeabilities to K+, tetramethylammonium+ and choline+ were shown to increase greatly at high delta psi, in a similar way to proton permeability, indicating a similar mechanism of entry.

The nature of controlled respiration and its relationship to protonmotive force and proton conductance in blowfly flight-muscle mitochondria

1. To determine whether controlled (State 4) pyruvate oxidation can support a high energy state, measurements of the redox span NAD-cytochrome c, phosphorylation potential and protonmotive force (the gradient in electrochemical activity of protons across the mitochondrial inner membrane) were made as indices of energy status. For comparison, these three measurements were also made with glycerol 3-phosphate, an alternative substrate. The two substrates gave essentially identical values for the redox span NAD-cytochrome c in State 4, and the phosphorylation potential was of sufficient magnitude to be considered in equilibrium with the redox span over the first two phosphorylation sites. The magnitude of the protonmotive force in State 4 was much less and the implications of this finding are discussed. 2. Measurements made during the controlled (State 4) to active (State 3) transition indicated that with glycerol 3-phosphate as substrate, both the redox span NAD-cytochrome c and the protonmotive force were diminished; the State 4 --> State 3 transition with pyruvate as substrate was accompanied by an increase in the redox span but a decrease in protonmotive force. The contrary behaviour of these two energetic parameters in the presence of pyruvate was ascribed to a transient excess in the flux of protons through the adenosine triphosphatase relative to the protonpumping respiratory chain, in spite of the increased dehydrogenase activity. 3. The lower protonmotive force seen in State 3 relative to State 4 with pyruvate as substrate was due to a diminution of both the electrical (DeltaPsi) and the chemical (DeltapH) components; with glycerol 3-phosphate, the magnitude of the decrease in protonmotive force during the State 4 --> State 3 transition was similar to that seen with pyruvate, but was due to a large decrease in the electrical component (DeltaPsi) and a small rise in the chemical component (DeltapH). The reason for the difference seen in the behaviour of the components of the protonmotive force was investigated but not established. 4. In the presence of oligomycin and ADP, oxidation of pyruvate, but not of glycerol 3-phosphate, supported a greater protonmotive force than in State 4, in keeping with the dehydrogenase activation and increased redox span NAD-cytochrome c found under these conditions. 5. Experiments involving the use of uncoupling agent to stimulate respiration are compared with those in which limiting concentrations of ADP were used. Estimates of the proton conductance of the inner membrane indicate a similar non-linear dependence on uncoupler concentration with the two substrates. 6. A model is proposed as an explanation of the high rates of controlled glycerol 3-phosphate oxidation. The model relies on a high permeability of the inner membrane to protons and other ions being induced by glycerol 3-phosphate oxidation in State 4.

The control of tricarboxylate-cycle oxidations in blowfly flight muscle. The oxidized and reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide content of flight muscle and isolated mitochondria, the adenosine triphosphate and adenosine diphosphate content of mitochondria, and the energy status of the mitochondria during controlled respiration

1. A study is presented of the mitochondrial NADH content during controlled (state 4) and active (state 3) pyruvate oxidation by blowfly flight-muscle mitochondria. The results confirm and extend those of an earlier study (Hansford, 1972), which indicated an increased reduction in state 3. Nicotinamide nucleotide is normally highly oxidized during state 4; however, there can be substantial reduction in the presence of carnitine or high concentrations of proline, or on lengthy incubation in the presence of either of the systems used to generate intramitochondrial tricarboxylate-cycle intermediate. 2. Omission of phosphate leads to substantial reduction and this can be reversed by adding phosphate or acetate. 3. Estimations of NAD-+ and NADH in fly thoraces show a marked increase in NADH on flight, tending to corroborate the results of mitochondrial experiments and testifying to the importance of dehydrogenase activation in this tissue. 4. Determination of intramitochondrial adenine nucleotides reveals a total of 4-5 nmol/mg of protein, and an ADP content of less than 0.1 nmol/mg during state 4 oxidation of pyruvate and proline. ATP content is found to increase slowly during state 4 and this is attributed to the net phosphorylation of AMP. 5. The uncoupling agent carbonyl cyanide p=trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone leads to hydrolysis of some, but not all, of the mitochondrial ATP. Studies of mitochondrial ATPase (adenosine triphosphatase), measured by external pH change, show that it is inactive unless the mitochondria are allowed to respire for several minutes in state 4 in the presence of phosphate before the addition of carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone. It is suggested that phosphate uptake is essential for maximal ATPase activity. 6. Studies of the fluorescence of the fluorochrome 8-anilino-1-naphthalensulphonic acid suggest that the energy status of the mitochondrion is high during state 4-pyruvate oxidattion, and decrease slightly in state 3. The implications of these findings are discussed.

The control of tricarboxylate-cycle of oxidations in blowfly flight muscle. The steady-state concentrations of coenzyme A, acetyl-coenzyme A and succinyl-coenzyme A in flight muscle and isolated mitochondria

(1) A ;cycling' method involving citrate synthase (EC 4.1.3.7) and malate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.37) was modified by the inclusion of succinyl-CoA synthetase (EC 6.2.1.5) and hexokinase (EC 2.7.1.1) to permit the determination of very small amounts of succinyl-CoA in addition to CoA and acetyl-CoA. (2) Application of this technique to blowfly (Phormia regina) flight-muscle extracts reveals no change in acetyl-CoA concentration, a slight fall in CoA concentration and a rise in succinyl-CoA concentration during flight. (3) Extraction of isolated mitochondria during controlled (state 4) pyruvate oxidation reveals essentially only acetyl-CoA. Activation of respiration by ADP (state 3) or uncoupling agents leads to a fall in acetyl-CoA and a rise in CoA and succinyl-CoA content. (4) The presence of glycerol phosphate in addition to pyruvate results in a lower acetyl-CoA content in state 4. (5) It is contended that these results are consistent with a primary control of one of the reactions of the tricarboxylate cycle, rather than of pyruvate dehydrogenase, during the state 4 oxidation of pyruvate by isolated mitochondria, and that the modulation of citrate synthase activity by the ratio of acetyl-CoA/succinyl-CoA is unimportant under these conditions.

Ca2+ transport by mitochondria from L1210 mouse ascites tumor cells

Mitochondria isolated from the ascites form of L1210 mouse leukemia cells readily accumulate Ca(2+) from the suspending medium and eject H(+) during oxidation of succinate in the presence of phosphate and Mg(2+), with normal stoichiometry between Ca(2+) uptake and electron transport. Ca(2+) loads up to 1600 ng-atoms per mg of protein are attained. As is the case in mitochondria from normal tissues, Ca(2+) uptake takes precedence over oxidative phosphorylation. However, Ca(2+) transport by the L-1210 mitochondria is unusual in other respects, which may possibly have general significance in tumor cells. The apparent affinity of the L1210 mitochondria for Ca(2+) in stimulation of oxygen uptake is about 3-fold greater than in normal liver mitochondria; moreover, the maximal rate of Ca(2+) transport is also considerably higher. Furthermore, when Ca(2+) pulses are added to L1210 mitochondria in the absence of phosphate or other permeant anions, much larger amounts of Ca(2+) are bound and H(+) ejected per atom of oxygen consumed than in the presence of phosphate; up to 7 Ca(2+) ions are bound per pair of electrons passing each energy-conserving site of the electron-transport chain. Such "superstoichiometry" of Ca(2+) uptake can be accounted for by two distinct types of respiration-dependent interaction of Ca(2+) with the L1210 mitochondria. One is the stimulation of oxygen consumption, which is achieved by relatively low concentrations of Ca(2+) (K(m) congruent with 8 muM) and is accompanied by binding of Ca(2+) up to 40 ng-atoms per mg of protein. The second process, also dependent on electron transport, is the binding of further Ca(2+) from the medium in exchange with previously stored membrane-bound protons, in which the affinity for Ca(2+) is much lower (K(m) congruent with 120 muM).

Some properties of pyruvate and 2-oxoglutarate oxidation by blowfly flight-muscle mitochondria

1. High rates of state 3 pyruvate oxidation are dependent on high concentrations of inorganic phosphate and a predominance of ADP in the intramitochondrial pool of adenine nucleotides. The latter requirement is most marked at alkaline pH values, where ATP is profoundly inhibitory. 2. Addition of CaCl(2) during state 4, state 3 (Chance & Williams, 1955) or uncoupled pyruvate oxidation causes a marked inhibition in the rate of oxygen uptake when low concentrations of mitochondria are employed, but may lead to an enhancement of state 4 oxygen uptake when very high concentrations of mitochondria are used. 3. These properties are consistent with the kinetics of the NAD-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.41) from this tissue, which is activated by isocitrate, citrate, ADP, phosphate and H(+) ions, and inhibited by ATP, NADH and Ca(2+). 4. Studies of the redox state of NAD and cytochrome c show that addition of ADP during pyruvate oxidation causes a slight reduction, whereas addition during glycerol phosphate oxidation causes a ;classical' oxidation. Nevertheless, it is concluded that pyruvate oxidation is probably limited by the respiratory chain in state 4 and by the NAD-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase in state 3. 5. The oxidation of 2-oxoglutarate by swollen mitochondria is also stimulated by high concentrations of ADP and phosphate, and is not uncoupled by arsenate.