In vitro synthesis and posttranslational uptake of cytochrome c into isolated mitochondria: role of a specific addressing signal in the apocytochrome

Mitochondrial cytochrome c biogenesis: no longer an enigma

Cytochromes c (cyt c) and c1 are heme proteins that are essential for aerobic respiration. Release of cyt c from mitochondria is an important signal in apoptosis initiation. Biogenesis of c-type cytochromes involves covalent attachment of heme to two cysteines (at a conserved CXXCH sequence) in the apocytochrome. Heme attachment is catalyzed in most mitochondria by holocytochrome c synthase (HCCS), which is also necessary for the import of apocytochrome c (apocyt c). Thus, HCCS affects cellular levels of cyt c, impacting mitochondrial physiology and cell death. Here, we review the mechanisms of HCCS function and the roles of heme and residues in the CXXCH motif. Additionally, we consider concepts emerging within the two prokaryotic cytochrome c biogenesis pathways.

The role of key residues in structure, function, and stability of cytochrome-c

Cytochrome-c (cyt-c), a multi-functional protein, plays a significant role in the electron transport chain, and thus is indispensable in the energy-production process. Besides being an important component in apoptosis, it detoxifies reactive oxygen species. Two hundred and eighty-five complete amino acid sequences of cyt-c from different species are known. Sequence analysis suggests that the number of amino acid residues in most mitochondrial cyts-c is in the range 104 ± 10, and amino acid residues at only few positions are highly conserved throughout evolution. These highly conserved residues are Cys14, Cys17, His18, Gly29, Pro30, Gly41, Asn52, Trp59, Tyr67, Leu68, Pro71, Pro76, Thr78, Met80, and Phe82. These are also known as "key residues", which contribute significantly to the structure, function, folding, and stability of cyt-c. The three-dimensional structure of cyt-c from ten eukaryotic species have been determined using X-ray diffraction studies. Structure analysis suggests that the tertiary structure of cyt-c is almost preserved along the evolutionary scale. Furthermore, residues of N/C-terminal helices Gly6, Phe10, Leu94, and Tyr97 interact with each other in a specific manner, forming an evolutionary conserved interface. To understand the role of evolutionary conserved residues on structure, stability, and function, numerous studies have been performed in which these residues were substituted with different amino acids. In these studies, structure deals with the effect of mutation on secondary and tertiary structure measured by spectroscopic techniques; stability deals with the effect of mutation on T m (midpoint of heat denaturation), ∆G D (Gibbs free energy change on denaturation) and folding; and function deals with the effect of mutation on electron transport, apoptosis, cell growth, and protein expression. In this review, we have compiled all these studies at one place. This compilation will be useful to biochemists and biophysicists interested in understanding the importance of conservation of certain residues throughout the evolution in preserving the structure, function, and stability in proteins.

Targeting mitochondria

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are closely linked to degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's, neuronal death including ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, acute and chronic degenerative cardiac myocyte death, and cancer. As a byproduct of oxidative phosphorylation, a steady stream of reactive species emerge from our cellular energy plants, the mitochondria. ROS and RNS potentially cause damage to all cellular components. Structure alteration, biomolecule fragmentation, and oxidation of side chains are trade-offs of cellular energy production. ROS and RNS escape results in the activation of cytosolic stress pathways, DNA damage, and the upregulation of JNK, p38, and p53. Incomplete scavenging of ROS and RNS particularly affects the mitochondrial lipid cardiolipin (CL), triggers the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c, and activates the intrinsic death pathway. Due to the active redox environment and the excess of NADH and ATP at the inner mitochondrial membrane, a broad range of agents including electron acceptors, electron donors, and hydride acceptors can be used to influence the biochemical pathways. The key to therapeutic value is to enrich selective redox modulators at the target sites. Our approach is based on conjugating nitroxides to segments of natural products with relatively high affinity for mitochondrial membranes. For example, a modified gramicidin S segment was successfully used for this purpose and proven to be effective in preventing superoxide production in cells and CL oxidation in mitochondria and in protecting cells against a range of pro-apoptotic triggers such as actinomycin D, radiation, and staurosporine. More importantly, these mitochondria-targeted nitroxide/gramicidin conjugates were able to protect against apoptosis in vivo by preventing CL oxidation induced by intestinal hemorrhagic shock. Optimization of nitroxide carriers could lead to a new generation of effective antiapoptotic agents acting at an early mitochondrial stage. Alternative chemistry-based approaches to targeting mitochondria include the use of proteins and peptides, as well as the attachment of payloads to lipophilic cationic compounds, sulfonylureas, anthracyclines, and other agents with proven or hypothetical affinities for mitochondria. Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), SS tetrapeptides with 2',6'-dimethyltyrosine (Dmt) residues, rhodamine, triphenylphosphonium salts, nonopioid analgesics, adriamycin, and diverse electron-rich aromatics and stilbenes were used to influence mitochondrial biochemistry and the biology of aging. Some general structural principles for effective therapeutic agents are now emerging. Among these are the presence of basic or positively charged functional groups, hydrophobic substructures, and, most promising for future selective strategies, classes of compounds that are actively shuttled into mitochondria, bind to mitochondria-specific proteins, or show preferential affinity to mitochondria-specific lipids.

Probing the role of the conserved beta-II turn Pro-76/Gly-77 of mitochondrial cytochrome c

The loop segment comprising residues 70-84 in mitochondrial cytochrome c serves to direct the polypeptide backbone to permit the functionally required heme Fe - S (Met-80) co-ordination. The primary sequence here is highly conserved, which is something rarely observed in surface loop segments and suggests that its purpose is more complex than its obvious structural role. The beta-II turn formed by Pro-76 and Gly-77 is postulated to be key to the redirection of the peptide backbone required to execute the loop. We assessed the importance of Pro-76 and Gly-77 by mutating 1 or both of these residues to alanine such that the range of allowable dihedral angles was altered, and this resulted in significant changes in physicochemical properties and biological activities. We observed structural perturbations using circular dichroism spectroscopy and thermal denaturation studies. Based on these changes, we propose that the Pro-76/Gly-77 beta-II turn precisely orients the 70s loop, not only to maintain the backbone orientation required for the formation of the axial heme ligand, but also to provide a complementary surface to physiological partners.

Study of posttranslational modifications in lenticular αA-Crystallin of mice using proteomic analysis techniques

In the present work the complexity in the 2D-gel protein pattern of murin lenticular alphaA-Crystallin was analyzed. An in depth study of the different protein isoforms was done combining different proteomic tools. Lens proteins of four different ages, from embryo to 100-week-old mice, were separated by large 2D-PAGE, revealing an increase in the number and intensity of the spots of alphaA-Crystallin during the process of aging. For further analyses the oldest mice were chosen. Comparison and evaluation of two different staining methods proved Imidazole-Zinc to be a good alternative to the generally used Coomassie stain. The characterization of the different alphaA-Crystallin protein species was done using nanoLC-ESI-MS/MS (liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry). Data interpretation was done by database searching, manual validation and a new MS/MS-interpretation tool for posttranslational modifications--the PTM-Explorer. Using this way, eight different phosphorylation sites were identified and localized; the identification of four of them was not published so far. Furthermore, quantitative N-terminal acetylation of alphaA-Crystallin and variable C-terminal truncation was observed, also not published in this extent yet. The results of the mass spectrometric analysis were validated by immunoblotting experiments using two different alphaA-Crystallin specific antibodies. In addition, a fluorescent phospho-specific stain was used to detect the protein spots including phosphorylation groups. Re-separation 2D-PAGE was done to round off the present study and explain the appearance of some of the protein spots in the gel as artifacts of the 2D-PAGE separation.

The mitochondrial myopathy encephalopathy, lactic acidosis with stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome: a review of treatment options

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathies are a multisystemic group of disorders that are characterised by a wide range of biochemical and genetic mitochondrial defects and variable modes of inheritance. Among this group of disorders, the mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis with stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome is one of the most frequently occurring, maternally inherited mitochondrial disorders. As the name implies, stroke-like episodes are the defining feature of the MELAS syndrome, often occurring before the age of 15 years. The clinical course of this disorder is highly variable, ranging from asymptomatic, with normal early development, to progressive muscle weakness, lactic acidosis, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, stroke-like episodes, encephalopathy and premature death. This syndrome is associated with a number of point mutations in the mitochondrial DNA, with over 80% of the mutations occurring in the dihydrouridine loop of the mitochondrial transfer RNA(Leu(UUR)) [tRNA(Leu)((UUR))] gene. The pathophysiology of the disease is not completely understood; however, several different mechanisms are proposed to contribute to this disease. These include decreased aminoacylation of mitochondrial tRNA, resulting in decreased mitochondrial protein synthesis; changes in calcium homeostasis; and alterations in nitric oxide metabolism. Currently, no consensus criteria exist for treating the MELAS syndrome or mitochondrial dysfunction in other diseases. Many of the therapeutic strategies used have been adopted as the result of isolated case reports or limited clinical studies that have included a heterogeneous population of patients with the MELAS syndrome, other defects in oxidative phosphorylation or lactic acidosis due to disorders of pyruvate metabolism. Current approaches to the treatment of the MELAS syndrome are based on the use of antioxidants, respiratory chain substrates and cofactors in the form of vitamins; however, no consistent benefits have been observed with these treatments.

Role of N-terminal residues in the ubiquitin-independent degradation of human thymidylate synthase

Thymidylate synthase (TS) catalyses the reductive methylation of dUMP to form dTMP, a reaction that is essential for maintenance of nucleotide pools during cell growth. Because the enzyme is indispensable for DNA replication in actively dividing cells, it is an important target for cytotoxic drugs used in cancer chemotherapy, including fluoropyrimidines (e.g. 5-fluorouracil and 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine) and anti-folates (e.g. raltitrexed, LY231514, ZD9331 and BW1843U89). These drugs generate metabolites that bind to the enzyme's active site and inhibit catalytic activity, leading to thymidylate deprivation and cellular apoptosis. Ligand binding to TS results in stabilization of the enzyme and an increase in its intracellular concentration. Previously, we showed that degradation of the TS polypeptide is carried out by the 26 S proteasome in a ubiquitin-independent manner. Such degradation is directed by the disordered N-terminal region of the TS polypeptide, and is abrogated by ligand binding. In the present study, we have verified the ubiquitin-independent nature of TS proteolysis by showing that a 'lysine-less' polypeptide, in which all lysine residues were replaced by arginine, is still subject to proteasome-mediated degradation. In addition, we have mapped the structural determinants of intracellular TS degradation in more detail and show that residues at the N-terminal end of the molecule, particularly the penultimate amino acid Pro2, play an important role in governing the half-life of the enzyme. This region is capable on its own of destabilizing an evolutionarily distinct TS molecule that normally lacks this domain, indicating that it functions as a degradation signal. Interestingly, degradation of an intrinsically unstable mutant form of TS, containing a Pro-->Leu substitution at residue 303, is directed by C-terminal, rather than N-terminal, sequences. The implications of these findings for the control of TS expression, and for the regulation of protein degradation in general, are discussed.

Critical segment of apocytochrome c for its insertion into membrane

Apocytochrome c has a potent ability to insert spontaneously into membrane. To identify which sequences were critical for this insertion activity, a series of peptides N19, C8, C15 and C21, corresponding to sequences 1-19, 81-88, 74-88 and 68-88 of apocytochrome c, respectively, were synthesized and purified. Insertion ability into phospholipid monolayer, intrinsic fluorescence emission spectra, and the accessibility of peptide C21 to fluorescence quenchers: KI, acrylamide and HB showed that only segment 68-88 could insert into membrane, while other segments did not. CD spectra demonstrated that its interaction with liposomes containing negatively charged phospholipid could induce a partial alpha-helical conformation in peptide C21. It is interesting to note that a cooperation exists between segment 68-88 and 1-19 in the insertion of apocytochrome c and consequently translocation across membrane.

Voltage-dependent anion channels control the release of the superoxide anion from mitochondria to cytosol

Several reactions in biological systems contribute to maintain the steady-state concentrations of superoxide anion (O(2)*-) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). The electron transfer chain of mitochondria is a well documented source of H(2)O(2); however, the release of O(2)*- from mitochondria into cytosol has not been unequivocally established. This study was aimed at validating mitochondria as sources of cytosolic O(2)*-, elucidating the mechanisms underlying the release of O(2)*- from mitochondria into cytosol, and assessing the role of outer membrane voltage-dependent anion channels (VDACs) in this process. Isolated rat heart mitochondria supplemented with complex I or II substrates generate an EPR signal ascribed to O(2)*-. Inhibition of the signal in a concentration-dependent manner by both manganese-superoxide dismutase and cytochrome c proteins that cannot cross the mitochondrial membrane supports the extramitochondrial location of the spin adduct. Basal rates of O(2)*- release from mitochondria were estimated at approximately 0.04 nmol/min/mg protein, a value increased approximately 8-fold by the complex III inhibitor, antimycin A. These estimates, obtained by quantitative spin-trapping EPR, were confirmed by fluorescence techniques, mainly hydroethidine oxidation and horseradish peroxidase-based p-hydroxyphylacetate dimerization. Inhibitors of VDAC, 4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-disulfonic acid stilbene (DIDS), and dextran sulfate (in a voltage-dependent manner) inhibited O(2)*- production from mitochondria by approximately 55%, thus suggesting that a large portion of O(2)*- exited mitochondria via these channels. These findings are discussed in terms of competitive decay pathways for O(2)*- in the intermembrane space and cytosol as well as the implications of these processes for modulating cell signaling pathways in these compartments.

Peptide 68-88 of apocytochrome c plays a crucial role in its insertion into membrane and binding to mitochondria

Apocytochrome c (Apocyt. c) is the precursor of cytochrome c. It is synthesized in the cytosol and posttranslationally imported into mitochondria. In order to determine the crucial sequence in apocyt. c translocation, deleted mutant and chemically synthesized peptides with different length were used. Obtained results showed that sequence 68-88 of apocyt. c plays a critical role in its insertion into membrane and binding to mitochondria.

Change of apocytochrome c translocation across membrane in consequence of hydrophobic segment deletion

Wild-type apocytochrome c and its hydrophobic segment deleted mutants, named delta28-39, delta72-86 and delta28-29/72-86 were constructed, expressed and highly purified respectively. Insertion ability into phospholipid monolayer, inducing leakage of entrapped fluorescent dye fluorescein sulfonate (FS) from liposomes, and translocation across model membrane system showed that the wild-type apoprotein and delta28-39 almost exhibited the same characteristics, while mutants with segment 72-86 deletion did not. Furthermore, CD spectra, intrinsic fluorescence emission spectra, and the accessibility of the protein to the fluorescence quenchers: KI, acrylamide and HB demonstrated that the segment 72-86 deletion has a significant effect on the conformational changes of apocytochrome c following its interaction with phospholipid. On the basis of these results it is postulated that the C-terminal hydrophobic segment 72-86 plays an important role in the translocation of apocytochrome c across membrane.

Cytochrome c heme lyase activity of yeast mitochondria

A highly efficient in vitro system was established for measuring by high performance liquid chromatography the formation of holocytochrome c by yeast mitochondria. Holocytochrome c formation required reducing agents, of which dithiothreitol was the most effective. With biosynthetically made, pure Drosophila melanogaster apocytochrome c and Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondria, the activity of cytochrome c heme lyase amounted to about 800 fmol min-1 mg-1 mitochondrial protein. The kinetics were typical Michaelis-Menten (Km approximately 1 nM), as were those of mitoplasts with broken outer membranes (Km approximately 3 nM). As tested with mitoplasts, holocytochromes c from a range of species were found to be competitive inhibitors of heme lyase at physiological concentrations, providing a mechanism for controlling this concentration in vivo. Apocytochrome c associated with yeast mitochondria in two phases of Kd approximately 2 x 10(-10) and 10(-8) M, respectively, whereas mitoplasts had lost the high affinity binding. A site-directed mutant of apocytochrome c (lysines 5, 7, and 8 replaced by glutamine, glutamic acid, and asparagine) was found to be converted to holocytochrome c (Km approximately 3.3 nM; maximal activity unchanged), even though the mutations completely eliminated the high affinity binding. Thus, the high affinity binding of apocytochrome c to mitochondria is not directly related to holocytochrome c formation.

Loop replacement and random mutagenesis of omega-loop D, residues 70-84, in iso-1-cytochrome c

To study the role of omega loop D, residues 70-84, in the structure and function of yeast iso-1-cytochrome c, this loop was replaced with homologous and heterologous loops. A novel method was developed for rapid insertion of these mutations into the yeast chromosome at the CYC1 locus. The strains containing these loop replacement cytochromes cannot grow on nonfermentable carbon sources, indicating that the proteins are nonfunctional. Whole cell difference spectroscopy shows that no holocytochrome c is present; however, apoprotein is found by immunoblot analysis. Thus, apoprotein is present in these mutant strains, but it cannot bind heme and cannot compete with wild type apoprotein conversion to holoprotein. This is a unique example of a set of loop replacements that do not produce folded protein, and these results suggest that the loop D amino acid sequence in iso-1-cytochrome c plays a significant role in cytochrome c biosynthesis in vivo. To identify the significant amino acids in loop D, random mutagenesis of six highly conserved loop residues, Tyr-74, Ile-75, Pro-76, Gly-77, Thr-78, and Lys-79, was accomplished. Sequencing of the random mutants shows that strict conservation of none of these residues is required to produce a minimally functional cytochrome c. Preferences are found for small, hydrophilic or aromatic residues at position 74, hydrophobic residues at position 75, glycine and arginine at positions 76 and 77, and beta-branched amino acids at position 78. Implications for the role of loop D in the structure and function of iso-1-cytochrome c are discussed.

Orientation of the alpha-helices of apocytochrome c and derived fragments at membrane interfaces, as studied by circular dichroism

The orientation of the different helical regions of the mitochondrial precursor protein apocytochrome c has been studied using circular dichroism on isolated fragments of this protein associated with oriented films composed of various phospholipids [de Jongh, H. H. J., Goormaghtigh, E., & Killian, J. A. (1994) Biochemistry (preceding article in this issue)]. Both the N and C terminus adopt helical structures in a membrane environment. The middle region can also be helical, but only in the presence of the N-terminal domain of the protein. In the presence of the unsaturated lipids dioleoylphosphatidylcholine and dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol, all three helices are found to have a preferred orientation perpendicular to the membrane normal, whereas in the presence of the saturated lipids dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine and dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol, the terminal helices are preferentially oriented parallel to the membrane normal. In films composed of dioleoylphosphatidylserine, it is found that the N-terminal helix is oriented preferentially perpendicular, whereas the C-terminal helix is aligned more parallel to the membrane normal. The differences in preferred orientation between the terminal helices are demonstrated by molecular modeling of the helices at a water-lipid interface. The results are discussed in light of the translocation of apocytochrome c over the outer mitochondrial membrane, an important step in the import process of this protein in mitochondria.

Translocation of alpha-sarcin across the lipid bilayer of asolectin vesicles

alpha-Sarcin is a cytotoxic protein produced by the mould Aspergillus giganteus. Insertion of alpha-sarcin into asolectin membranes has been demonstrated by protein labelling with photoreactive phospholipids. alpha-Sarcin added externally to tRNA-containing asolectin liposomes degrades the entrapped tRNA. Trypsin-containing asolectin liposomes were also prepared. Encapsulated trypsin degrades alpha-sarcin, even in the presence of a large excess of external hen egg-white trypsin inhibitor to prevent any alpha-sarin degradation outside the vesicles. These processes occur only with acidic phospholipids and were not observed when phosphatidylcholine vesicles were used. These results indicate that alpha-sarcin penetrates the lipid bilayer and becomes exposed to the lumen of negatively charged liposomes.

Mitochondrial targeting of yeast apoiso-1-cytochrome c is mediated through functionally independent structural domains

An iso-1-cytochrome c-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase fusion protein (iso-1/CAT) was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and used to delineate two stages in the cytochrome c import pathway in vivo (S. H. Nye and R. C. Scarpulla, Mol. Cell. Biol. 10:5753-5762, 1990 [this issue]). Fusion proteins with the CAT reporter domain in its native conformation were arrested at the initial stage of mitochondrial membrane recognition and insertion. In contrast, those with a deletional disruption of the CAT moiety were relieved of this block and allowed to translocate to the intermembrane space, where they functioned in respiratory electron transfer. In the present study, iso-1/CAT was used to map structural determinants in apoiso-1-cytochrome c involved in the initial step of targeting to the mitochondrial membrane. Carboxy-terminal deletions revealed that one of these determinants consisted of the amino-terminal 68 residues. Deletion mutations either within or at the ends of this determinant destroyed mitochondrial targeting activity, suggesting that functionally important information spans the length of this fragment. Disruption of an alpha-helix near the amino terminus by a helix-breaking proline substitution for leucine 14 also eliminated the targeting activity of the 1 to 68 determinant, suggesting a contribution from this structure. A second, functionally independent targeting determinant was found in the carboxy half of the apoprotein between residues 68 and 85. This determinant coincided with a stretch of 11 residues that are invariant in nearly 100 eucaryotic cytochromes c. Therefore, in lieu of an amino-terminal presequence, apocytochrome c has redundant structural information located in both the amino and carboxy halves of the molecule that can function independently to specify mitochondrial targeting and membrane insertion in vivo.

Mitochondrial targeting of yeast apoiso-1-cytochrome c is mediated through functionally independent structural domains

An iso-1-cytochrome c-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase fusion protein (iso-1/CAT) was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and used to delineate two stages in the cytochrome c import pathway in vivo (S. H. Nye and R. C. Scarpulla, Mol. Cell. Biol. 10:5753-5762, 1990 [this issue]). Fusion proteins with the CAT reporter domain in its native conformation were arrested at the initial stage of mitochondrial membrane recognition and insertion. In contrast, those with a deletional disruption of the CAT moiety were relieved of this block and allowed to translocate to the intermembrane space, where they functioned in respiratory electron transfer. In the present study, iso-1/CAT was used to map structural determinants in apoiso-1-cytochrome c involved in the initial step of targeting to the mitochondrial membrane. Carboxy-terminal deletions revealed that one of these determinants consisted of the amino-terminal 68 residues. Deletion mutations either within or at the ends of this determinant destroyed mitochondrial targeting activity, suggesting that functionally important information spans the length of this fragment. Disruption of an alpha-helix near the amino terminus by a helix-breaking proline substitution for leucine 14 also eliminated the targeting activity of the 1 to 68 determinant, suggesting a contribution from this structure. A second, functionally independent targeting determinant was found in the carboxy half of the apoprotein between residues 68 and 85. This determinant coincided with a stretch of 11 residues that are invariant in nearly 100 eucaryotic cytochromes c. Therefore, in lieu of an amino-terminal presequence, apocytochrome c has redundant structural information located in both the amino and carboxy halves of the molecule that can function independently to specify mitochondrial targeting and membrane insertion in vivo.

Amino acid sequence requirements for the association of apocytochrome c with mitochondria

To examine the amino acid sequence requirements for the biphasic association of Drosophila melanogaster apocytochrome c with mouse liver mitochondria in vitro, recombinant constructs of the protein were prepared. Removal of the C-terminal sequence to residue 58 had little influence, but truncation to residue 50 decreased the association to low levels and removal to residue 36 was even more effective. However, a mutant missing the segment between residues 35 and 66 was fully functional, but, when the C-terminal segment from residue 36 was replaced with a noncytochrome c sequence, the high-affinity phase of the association was lost. A mutant in which residues 90, 91, 92, 96, and 100 were replaced by lysine, leucine, proline, proline, and proline, respectively, to prevent the possible formation of the C-terminal alpha-helix and another mutant in which the C-terminal segment from residue 90 to residue 120 was a noncytochrome c sequence had normal association. In contrast, replacing lysine-5, -7, and -8 by glutamine, glutamic acid, and asparagine, respectively, resulted in loss of the high-affinity phase. The same mutations in the apoprotein lacking the segment between residues 35 and 66 caused, in addition, a decrease of the low-affinity phase association. Thus, the N-terminal region is most critical for apocytochrome c association, but alternative segments of the central and/or C-terminal region can be utilized, where noncytochrome c sequences are ineffective. These results emphasize the wide disparity between the structural requirements for association with mitochondria and for the production of a functional holoprotein.

Import of cytochrome c into mitochondria: reduction of heme, mediated by NADH and flavin nucleotides, is obligatory for its covalent linkage to apocytochrome c

The covalent attachment of heme to apocytochrome c, and therefore the import of cytochrome c into mitochondria, is dependent on both NADH plus a cytosolic cofactor that has been identified to be FMN or FAD. NADH in concert with flavin nucleotides mediates the reduction of heme. Heme in the reduced state is a prerequisite for its covalent attachment to apocytochrome c by the enzyme cytochrome c heme lyase and thus for subsequent translocation of cytochrome c across the outer mitochondrial membrane during import.

Posttranscriptional regulation of cytochrome c expression during the developmental cycle of Trypanosoma brucei

We examined the expression of a nucleus-encoded mitochondrial protein, cytochrome c, during the life cycle of Trypanosoma brucei. The bloodstream forms of T. brucei, the long slender and short stumpy trypanosomes, have inactive mitochondria with no detectable cytochrome-mediated respiration. The insect form of T. brucei, the procyclic trypanosomes, has fully functional mitochondria. Cytochrome c is spectrally undetectable in the bloodstream forms of trypanosomes, but during differentiation to the procyclic form, spectrally detected holo-cytochrome c accumulates rapidly. We have purified T. brucei cytochrome c and raised antibodies that react to both holo- and apo-cytochrome c. In addition, we isolated a partial cDNA to trypanosome cytochrome c. An examination of protein expression and steady-state mRNA levels in T. brucei indicated that bloodstream trypanosomes did not express cytochrome c but maintained significant steady-state levels of cytochrome c mRNA. The results suggest that in T. brucei, cytochrome c is developmentally regulated by a posttranscriptional mechanism which prevents either translation or accumulation of cytochrome c in the bloodstream trypanosomes.

cDNA and deduced amino acid sequences of cytochrome c from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: unexpected functional and phylogenetic implications

We have isolated complementary DNA (cDNA) clones for apocytochrome c from the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and shown that they are encoded by a single nuclear gene termed cyc. Cyc mRNA levels are found to depend primarily on the presence of acetate as a reduced carbon source in the culture medium. The deduced amino acid sequence shows that, apart from the probable removal of the initiating methionine, C. reinhardtii apocytochrome c is synthesized in its mature form. Its structure is generally similar to that of cytochromes c from higher plants. Several punctual deviations from the general pattern of cytochrome c sequences that is found in other organisms have interesting structural and functional implications. These include, in particular, valines 19 and 39, asparagine 78, and alanine 83. A phylogenetic tree was constructed by the matrix method from cytochrome c data for a representative range of species. The results suggest that C. reinhardtii diverged from higher plants approximately 700-750 million years ago; they also are not easy to reconcile with the current attribution of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Enteromorpha intestinalis to a unique phylum, because these two species probably diverged from one another at about the same time as they diverged from the line leading to higher plants.

Posttranscriptional regulation of cytochrome c expression during the developmental cycle of Trypanosoma brucei

We examined the expression of a nucleus-encoded mitochondrial protein, cytochrome c, during the life cycle of Trypanosoma brucei. The bloodstream forms of T. brucei, the long slender and short stumpy trypanosomes, have inactive mitochondria with no detectable cytochrome-mediated respiration. The insect form of T. brucei, the procyclic trypanosomes, has fully functional mitochondria. Cytochrome c is spectrally undetectable in the bloodstream forms of trypanosomes, but during differentiation to the procyclic form, spectrally detected holo-cytochrome c accumulates rapidly. We have purified T. brucei cytochrome c and raised antibodies that react to both holo- and apo-cytochrome c. In addition, we isolated a partial cDNA to trypanosome cytochrome c. An examination of protein expression and steady-state mRNA levels in T. brucei indicated that bloodstream trypanosomes did not express cytochrome c but maintained significant steady-state levels of cytochrome c mRNA. The results suggest that in T. brucei, cytochrome c is developmentally regulated by a posttranscriptional mechanism which prevents either translation or accumulation of cytochrome c in the bloodstream trypanosomes.

Import of cytochrome c into mitochondria. Cytochrome c heme lyase

The import of cytochrome c into mitochondria can be resolved into a number of discrete steps. Here we report on the covalent attachment of heme to apocytochrome c by the enzyme cytochrome c heme lyase in mitochondria from Neurospora crassa. A new method was developed to measure directly the linkage of heme to apocytochrome c. This method is independent of conformational changes in the protein accompanying heme attachment. Tryptic peptides of [35S]cysteine-labelled apocytochrome c, and of enzymatically formed holocytochrome c, were resolved by reverse-phase HPLC. The cysteine-containing peptide to which heme was attached eluted later than the corresponding peptide from apocytochrome c and could be quantified by counting 35S radioactivity as a measure of holocytochrome c formation. Using this procedure, the covalent attachment of heme to apocytochrome c, which is dependent on the enzyme cytochrome c heme lyase, could be measured. Activity required heme (as hemin) and could be reversibly inhibited by the analogue deuterohemin. Holocytochrome c formation was stimulated 5--10-fold by NADH greater than NADPH greater than glutathione and was independent of a potential across the inner mitochondrial membrane. NADH was not required for the binding of apocytochrome c to mitochondria and was not involved in the reduction of the cysteine thiols prior to heme attachment. Holocytochrome c formation was also dependent on a cytosolic factor that was necessary for the heme attaching step of cytochrome c import. The factor was a heat-stable, protease-insensitive, low-molecular-mass component of unknown function. Cytochrome c heme lyase appeared to be a soluble protein located in the mitochondrial intermembrane space and was distinct from the previously identified apocytochrome c binding protein having a similar location. A model is presented in which the covalent attachment of heme by cytochrome c heme lyase also plays an essential role in the import pathway of cytochrome c.

Disulfide bonds and the translocation of proteins across membranes

We are concerned with the mechanisms whereby hydrophilic proteins synthesized in the cytoplasm are translocated across one or two membranes into different cellular organelles. On the basis of a model of the translocation process to be described elsewhere, we propose an explanation of previous findings that the in vitro translocation across the endoplasmic reticulum of secretory proteins of higher eukaryotic cells appears to be obligatorily co-translational (i.e., occurs only while the polypeptide chain is being synthesized on the ribosome). We suggest that in vitro the intrachain disulfide bonds of the polypeptide rapidly form after it is released from the ribosome; the three-dimensional conformation of the chain is thereby stabilized and cannot undergo the unfolding that is required for post-translational translocation. In accord with this proposal, we show that the secretory preprotein human preprolactin, after translation and release from the ribosome, can indeed undergo translocation across endoplasmic reticulum membranes in vitro if the medium is sufficiently reducing. Those polypeptides that, in the absence of reducing agents, can be post-translationally translocated in vitro across bacterial, mitochondrial, and other types of membranes may generally lack intrachain disulfide bonds.

Phospholipids as a possible instrument for translocation of nascent proteins across biological membranes

The interaction of phospholipids with precursor proteins, particularly with the mitochondrial precursor protein apocytochrome c is reviewed and integrated with other aspects of protein insertion and translocation, leading to a model for (apo)cytochrome c import into mitochondria, in which phospholipids play a dominant role.

Translocation of proteins into rat liver mitochondria. The precursor polypeptides of a large subunit of succinate dehydrogenase and ornithine aminotransferase and their imports into their own locations of mitochondria

The precursor polypeptides of a large subunit of succinate dehydrogenase and ornithine aminotransferase (the enzymes which are located in the mitochondrial inner membrane and matrix respectively) were synthesized as a larger molecular mass than their mature subunits, when rat liver RNA was translated in vitro. These precursor polypeptides were also detected in vivo in ascites hepatoma cells (AH-130 cells). When the 35S-labeled precursor polypeptides were incubated with isolated rat liver mitochondria at 30 degrees C in the presence of an energy-generating system, these two precursors were converted to their mature size and the 35S-labeled mature-size polypeptides associated with mitochondria. Furthermore, these mature-size polypeptides were recovered from their own locations, the inner mitochondrial membrane and the matrix. The precursor of ornithine aminotransferase incubated with rat liver mitochondria at 0 degree C was specifically and tightly bound to the surface of the mitochondria even in the presence of an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation. This precursor, bound to the mitochondria, was imported into the matrix when the mitochondria were reisolated and incubated at 30 degrees C in the presence of an energy-generating system, suggesting that a specific receptor may be involved in the binding of the precursor. The processing enzyme for both precursor polypeptides seemed to be located in the mitochondrial matrix and was partially purified from the mitochondria. A metal-chelating agent strongly inhibited the processing enzyme and the inhibition was recovered by the addition of Mn2+ or Co2+.

Protein translocation across and integration into membranes

This review concentrates mainly on the translocation of proteins across the endoplasmic reticulum membrane and cytoplasmic membrane in bacteria. It will start with a short historical review and will pinpoint the crucial questions in the field. Special emphasis will be given to the present knowledge on the molecular details of the first steps, i.e., on the function of the signal recognition particle and its receptor. The knowledge on the signal peptidase and the ribosome receptor(s) will also be summarized. The various models for the translocation of proteins across and the integration of proteins into membranes will be critically discussed. In particular, the function of signal, stop-transfer, and insertion sequences will be dealt with and molecular differences discussed. The cotranslational mode of membrane transfer will be compared with the post-translational transport found for mitochondria and chloroplasts. This review will conclude with open questions and an outlook.

Expression and intracellular transport of microvillus membrane hydrolases in human intestinal epithelial cells

A panel of monoclonal antibodies was produced against purified microvillus membranes of human small intestinal enterocytes. By means of these probes three disaccharidases (sucrase-isomaltase, lactase-phlorizin hydrolase, and maltase-glucoamylase) and four peptidases (aminopeptidase N, dipeptidylpeptidase IV, angiotension I-converting enzyme, and p-aminobenzoic acid peptide hydrolase) were successfully identified as individual entities by SDS PAGE and localized in the microvillus border of the enterocytes by immunofluorescence microscopy. The antibodies were used to study the expression of small intestinal hydrolases in the colonic adenocarcinoma cell line Caco 2. This cell line was found to express sucrase-isomaltase, lactase-phlorizin hydrolase, aminopeptidase N, and dipeptidylpeptidase IV, but not the other three enzymes. Pulse-chase studies with [35S]methionine and analysis by subunit-specific monoclonal antibodies revealed that sucrase-isomaltase was synthesized and persisted as a single-chain protein comprising both subunits. Similarly, lactase-phlorizin hydrolase was synthesized as a large precursor about twice the size of the lactase subunits found in the human intestine. Aminopeptidase N and dipeptidylpeptidase IV, known to be dimeric enzymes in most mammals, were synthesized as monomers. Transport from the rough endoplasmic reticulum to the trans-Golgi apparatus was considerably faster for the peptidases than for the disaccharidases, as probed by endoglycosidase H sensitivity. These results suggest that the major disaccharidases share a common biosynthetic mechanism that differs from that for peptidases. Furthermore, the data indicate that the transport of microvillus membrane proteins to and through the Golgi apparatus is a selective process that may be mediated by transport receptors.