Reaction of oxygen with the respiratory chain in cells and tissues

Functional hypoxia reduces mitochondrial calcium uptake

Mitochondrial respiration extends beyond ATP generation, with the organelle participating in many cellular and physiological processes. Parallel changes in components of the mitochondrial electron transfer system with respiration render it an appropriate hub for coordinating cellular adaption to changes in oxygen levels. How changes in respiration under functional hypoxia (i.e., when intracellular O2 levels limit mitochondrial respiration) are relayed by the electron transfer system to impact mitochondrial adaption and remodeling after hypoxic exposure remains poorly defined. This is largely due to challenges integrating findings under controlled and defined O2 levels in studies connecting functions of isolated mitochondria to humans during physical exercise. Here we present experiments under conditions of hypoxia in isolated mitochondria, myotubes and exercising humans. Performing steady-state respirometry with isolated mitochondria we found that oxygen limitation of respiration reduced electron flow and oxidative phosphorylation, lowered the mitochondrial membrane potential difference, and decreased mitochondrial calcium influx. Similarly, in myotubes under functional hypoxia mitochondrial calcium uptake decreased in response to sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release for contraction. In both myotubes and human skeletal muscle this blunted mitochondrial adaptive responses and remodeling upon contractions. Our results suggest that by regulating calcium uptake the mitochondrial electron transfer system is a hub for coordinating cellular adaption under functional hypoxia.

Effect of Photobiomodulation on Protein Kinase Cδ, Cytochrome C, and Mitochondria in U87 MG Cells

Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy is a relatively new modality for the combined treatment of cancer. Pre-treatment of certain types of cancer cells with PBM potentiates the treatment efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT). The mechanism of action of this synergetic effect is not yet fully understood. In the present study, we focused on protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ) as a proapoptotic agent that is highly expressed in U87MG cells. The distribution of PKCδ in the cytoplasm was changed and its concentration was increased by PBM using radiation at 808 nm (15 mW/cm², 120 s). This process was accompanied by the organelle specific phosphorylation of PKCδ amino acids (serine/tyrosine). Enhanced phosphorylation of serine 645 in the catalytic domain of PKCδ was found in the cytoplasm, whereas the phosphorylation of tyrosine 311 was mainly localized in the mitochondria. Despite a local increase in the level of oxidative stress, only a small amount of cytochrome c was released from the mitochondria to cytosol. Although a partial inhibition of mitochondrial metabolic activity was induced in PBM-exposed cells, apoptosis was not observed. We hypothesized that PBM-induced photodamage of organelles was neutralized by autophagy maintained in these cells. However, photodynamic therapy may effectively exploit this behaviour to generate apoptosis in cancer treatment, which may increase the treatment efficacy and open up prospects for further applications.

Mitochondria Have Made a Long Evolutionary Path from Ancient Bacteria Immigrants within Eukaryotic Cells to Essential Cellular Hosts and Key Players in Human Health and Disease

Mitochondria have made a long evolutionary path from ancient bacteria immigrants within the eukaryotic cell to become key players for the cell, assuming crucial multitasking skills critical for human health and disease. Traditionally identified as the powerhouses of eukaryotic cells due to their central role in energy metabolism, these chemiosmotic machines that synthesize ATP are known as the only maternally inherited organelles with their own genome, where mutations can cause diseases, opening up the field of mitochondrial medicine. More recently, the omics era has highlighted mitochondria as biosynthetic and signaling organelles influencing the behaviors of cells and organisms, making mitochondria the most studied organelles in the biomedical sciences. In this review, we will especially focus on certain 'novelties' in mitochondrial biology "left in the shadows" because, although they have been discovered for some time, they are still not taken with due consideration. We will focus on certain particularities of these organelles, for example, those relating to their metabolism and energy efficiency. In particular, some of their functions that reflect the type of cell in which they reside will be critically discussed, for example, the role of some carriers that are strictly functional to the typical metabolism of the cell or to the tissue specialization. Furthermore, some diseases in whose pathogenesis, surprisingly, mitochondria are involved will be mentioned.

Spectroscopic identification of the catalytic intermediates of cytochrome c oxidase in respiring heart mitochondria

The catalytic cycle of cytochrome c oxidase (COX) couples the reduction of oxygen to the translocation of protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane and involves several intermediate states of the heme a3-CuB binuclear center with distinct absorbance properties. The absorbance maximum close to 605 nm observed during respiration is commonly assigned to the fully reduced species of hemes a or a3 (R). However, by analyzing the absorbance of isolated enzyme and mitochondria in the Soret (420-450 nm), alpha (560-630 nm) and red (630-700 nm) spectral regions, we demonstrate that the Peroxy (P) and Ferryl (F) intermediates of the binuclear center are observed during respiration, while the R form is only detectable under nearly anoxic conditions in which electrons also accumulate in the higher extinction coefficient low spin a heme. This implies that a large fraction of COX (>50 %) is active, in contrast with assumptions that assign spectral changes only to R and/or reduced heme a. The concentration dependence of the COX chromophores and reduced c-type cytochromes on the transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) was determined in isolated mitochondria during substrate or apyrase titration to hydrolyze ATP. The cytochrome c-type redox levels indicated that soluble cytochrome c is out of equilibrium with respect to both Complex III and COX. Thermodynamic analyses confirmed that reactions involving the chromophores we assign as the P and F species of COX are ΔΨm-dependent, out of equilibrium, and therefore much slower than the ΔΨm-insensitive oxidation of the R intermediate, which is undetectable due to rapid oxygen binding.

The Role of Mitochondrial Enzymes, Succinate-Coupled Signaling Pathways and Mitochondrial Ultrastructure in the Formation of Urgent Adaptation to Acute Hypoxia in the Myocardium

The effect of a single one-hour exposure to three modes of hypobaric hypoxia (HBH) differed in the content of O₂ in inhaled air (FiO₂-14%, 10%, 8%) in the development of mitochondrial-dependent adaptive processes in the myocardium was studied in vivo. The following parameters have been examined: (a) an urgent reaction of catalytic subunits of mitochondrial enzymes (NDUFV2, SDHA, Cyt b, COX2, ATP5A) in the myocardium as an indicator of the state of the respiratory chain electron transport function; (b) an urgent activation of signaling pathways dependent on GPR91, HIF-1α and VEGF, allowing us to assess their role in the formation of urgent mechanisms of adaptation to hypoxia in the myocardium; (c) changes in the ultrastructure of three subpopulations of myocardial mitochondria under these conditions. The studies were conducted on two rat phenotypes: rats with low resistance (LR) and high resistance (HR) to hypoxia. The adaptive and compensatory role of the mitochondrial complex II (MC II) in maintaining the electron transport and energy function of the myocardium in a wide range of reduced O₂ concentrations in the initial period of hypoxic exposure has been established. The features of urgent reciprocal regulatory interaction of NAD- and FAD-dependent oxidation pathways in myocardial mitochondria under these conditions have been revealed. The data indicating the participation of GPR91, HIF-1a and VEGF in this process have been obtained. The ultrastructure of the mitochondrial subpopulations in the myocardium of LR and HR rats differed in normoxic conditions and reacted differently to hypoxia of varying severity. The parameters studied together are highly informative indicators of the quality of cardiac activity and metabolic biomarkers of urgent adaptation in various hypoxic conditions.

Fibrillin-1-regulated miR-122 has a critical role in thoracic aortic aneurysm formation

Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) in Marfan syndrome, caused by fibrillin-1 mutations, are characterized by elevated cytokines and fragmentated elastic laminae in the aortic wall. This study explored whether and how specific fibrillin-1-regulated miRNAs mediate inflammatory cytokine expression and elastic laminae degradation in TAA. miRNA expression profiling at early and late TAA stages using a severe Marfan mouse model (Fbn1mgR/mgR) revealed a spectrum of differentially regulated miRNAs. Bioinformatic analyses predicted the involvement of these miRNAs in inflammatory and extracellular matrix-related pathways. We demonstrate that upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases is a common characteristic of mouse and human TAA tissues. miR-122, the most downregulated miRNA in the aortae of 10-week-old Fbn1mgR/mgR mice, post-transcriptionally upregulated CCL2, IL-1β and MMP12. Similar data were obtained at 70 weeks of age using Fbn1C1041G/+ mice. Deficient fibrillin-1-smooth muscle cell interaction suppressed miR-122 levels. The marker for tissue hypoxia HIF-1α was upregulated in the aortic wall of Fbn1mgR/mgR mice, and miR-122 was reduced under hypoxic conditions in cell and organ cultures. Reduced miR-122 was partially rescued by HIF-1α inhibitors, digoxin and 2-methoxyestradiol in aortic smooth muscle cells. Digoxin-treated Fbn1mgR/mgR mice demonstrated elevated miR-122 and suppressed CCL2 and MMP12 levels in the ascending aortae, with reduced elastin fragmentation and aortic dilation. In summary, this study demonstrates that miR-122 in the aortic wall inhibits inflammatory responses and matrix remodeling, which is suppressed by deficient fibrillin-1-cell interaction and hypoxia in TAA.

Recent developments in the synthesis of bio-inspired iron porphyrins for small molecule activation

Nature utilizes a diverse set of tetrapyrrole-based macrocycles (referred to as porphyrinoids) for catalyzing various biological processes. Investigation of the differences in electronic structure and reactivity in these reactions have revealed striking differences that lead to diverse reactivity from, apparently, similar looking active sites. Therefore, the role of the different heme cofactors as well as the distal superstructure in the proteins is important to understand. This article summarizes the role of a few synthetic metallo-porphyrinoids towards catalyzing several small molecule activation reactions, such as the ORR, NiRR, CO₂RR, etc. The major focus of the article is to enlighten the synthetic routes to the well-decorated active-site mimic in a tailor-made fashion pursuing a retrosynthetic approach, learning from the biosynthesis of the cofactors. Techniques and the role of the second-sphere residues on the reaction rate, selectivity, etc. are incorporated emulating the basic amino acid residues fencing the active sites. These bioinspired mimics play an important role towards understanding the role of the prosthetic groups as well as the basic residues towards any reaction occurring in Nature.

Modulating Nucleus Oxygen Concentration by Altering Intramembrane Cholesterol Levels: Creating Hypoxic Nucleus in Oxic Conditions

We propose a novel mechanism by which cancer cells can modulate the oxygen concentration within the nucleus, potentially creating low nuclear oxygen conditions without the need of an hypoxic micro-environment and suited for allowing cancer cells to resist chemo- and radio-therapy. The cells ability to alter intra-cellular oxygen conditions depends on the amount of cholesterol present within the cellular membranes, where high levels of cholesterol can yield rigid membranes that slow oxygen diffusion. The proposed mechanism centers on the competition between (1) the diffusion of oxygen within the cell and across cellular membranes that replenishes any consumed oxygen and (2) the consumption of oxygen in the mitochondria, peroxisomes, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), etc. The novelty of our work centers around the assumption that the cholesterol content of a membrane can affect the oxygen diffusion across the membrane, reducing the cell ability to replenish the oxygen consumed within the cell. For these conditions, the effective diffusion rate of oxygen becomes of the same order as the oxygen consumption rate, allowing the cell to reduce the oxygen concentration of the nucleus, with implications to the Warburg Effect. The cellular and nucleus oxygen content is indirectly evaluated experimentally for bladder (T24) cancer cells and during the cell cycle, where the cells are initially synchronized using hydroxeaurea (HU) at the late G1-phase/early S-phase. The analysis of cellular and nucleus oxygen concentration during cell cycle is performed via (i) RT-qPCR gene analysis of hypoxia inducible transcription factors (HIF) and prolyl hydroxylases (PHD) and (ii) radiation clonogenic assay every 2 h, after release from synchronization. The HIF/PHD genes allowed us to correlate cellular oxygen with oxygen concentration in the nucleus that is obtained from the cells radiation response, where the amount DNA damage due to radiation is directly related to the amount of oxygen present in the nucleus. We demonstrate that during the S-phase cells can become hypoxic in the late S-phase/early G2-phase and therefore the radiation resistance increases 2- to 3-fold.

Exploring synthetic biology for the development of a sensor cell line for automated bioprocess control

Unfavorable process conditions lead to adverse cultivation states, limited cell growth and thus hamper biotherapeutic protein production. Oxygen deficiency or hyperosmolality are among the most critical process conditions and therefore require continuous monitoring. We established a novel sensor CHO cell line with the ability to automatically sense and report unwanted process conditions by the expression of destabilized fluorescent proteins. To this end, an inducible real-time system to detect hypoxia by hypoxia response elements (HREs) of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) origin reporting limitations by the expression of destabilized green fluorescent protein (GFP) was created. Additionally, we established a technique for observing hyperosmolality by exploiting osmotic response elements (OREs) for the expression of unstable blue fluorescent protein (BFP, FKBP-BFP), enabling the simultaneous automated supervision of two bioprocess parameters by using a dual sensor CHO cell line transfected with a multiplexable monitoring system. We finally also provided a fully automated in-line fluorescence microscopy-based setup to observe CHO cells and their response to varying culture conditions. In summary, we created the first CHO cell line, reporting unfavorable process parameters to the operator, and provided a novel and promising sensor technology accelerating the implementation of the process analytical technology (PAT) initiative by innovative solutions.

Cell line development for continuous high cell density biomanufacturing: Exploiting hypoxia for improved productivity

Oxygen deficiency (hypoxia) induces adverse effects during biotherapeutic protein production leading to reduced productivity and cell growth. Hypoxic conditions occur during classical batch fermentations using high cell densities or perfusion processes. Here we present an effort to create novel engineered Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines by exploiting encountered hypoxic bioprocess conditions to reinforce cellular production capacities. After verifying the conservation of the hypoxia-responsive pathway in CHO cell lines by analyzing oxygen sensing proteins HIF1a, HIF1β and VDL, hypoxia-response-elements (HREs) were functionally analyzed and used to create hypoxia-responsive expression vectors. Subsequently engineered hypoxia sensitive CHO cell lines significantly induced protein expression (SEAP) during adverse oxygen limitation encountered during batch fermentations as well as high cell density perfusion processes (2.7 fold). We also exploited this novel cell system to establish a highly effective oxygen shift as innovative bioprocessing strategy using hypoxia induction to improve production titers. Thus, substantial improvements can be made to optimize CHO cell productivity for novel bioprocessing challenges as oxygen limitation, providing an avenue to establish better cell systems by exploiting adverse process conditions for optimized biotherapeutic production.

Rates of oxidative ATP synthesis are not augmented beyond the pH threshold in human vastus lateralis muscles during a stepwise contraction protocol

KEY POINTS

The oxygen cost of high-intensity exercise at power outputs above an individual's lactate threshold (LT) is greater than would be predicted by the linear oxygen consumption-power relationship observed below the LT. However, whether these augmentations are caused by an increased ATP cost of force generation (ATP_COST ) or an increased oxygen cost of ATP synthesis is unclear. We used ³¹ P-MRS to measure changes in cytosolic [ADP] (intramyocellular marker of oxidative metabolism), oxidative ATP synthesis (ATP_OX ) and ATP_COST during a 6-stage, stepwise knee extension protocol. ATP_COST was unchanged across stages. The relationship between [ADP] and muscle power output was augmented at workloads above the pH threshold (pH_T ; proxy for LT), whereas increases in ATP_OX were attenuated. These results suggest the greater oxygen cost of contractions at workloads beyond the pH_T is not caused by mechanisms that increase ATP_COST , but rather mechanisms that alter intrinsic mitochondrial function or capacity.

ABSTRACT

Increases in skeletal muscle metabolism and oxygen consumption are linearly related to muscle power output for workloads below the lactate threshold (LT), but are augmented (i.e. greater rate of increase relative to workload) thereafter. Presently, it is unclear whether these metabolic augmentations are caused by increases in the ATP cost of force generation (ATP_COST ) or changes in the efficiency of mitochondrial oxygen consumption and oxidative ATP synthesis (ATP_OX ). To partition these two hypotheses in vivo, we used ³¹ P-MRS to calculate slopes relating step-changes in muscle work to concurrent changes in cytosolic phosphates and ATP_OX before and after the pH threshold (pH_T ; used here as a proxy for LT) within the vastus lateralis muscle of eight young adults during a stepwise knee extension test. Changes in muscle phosphates and ATP_OX were linearly related to workload below the pH_T . However, slopes above the pH_T were greater for muscle phosphates (P < 0.05) and lower for ATP_OX (P < 0.05) than were the slopes observed below the pH_T . The maximal capacity for ATP_OX ( V ̇ max ) and ADP-specific ATP_OX also declined beyond the pH_T (P < 0.05), whereas ATP_COST was unchanged (P = 0.10). These results oppose the hypothesis that high-intensity contractions increase ATP_COST and suggest that greater oxidative metabolism at workloads beyond the pH_T is caused by mechanisms that affect intrinsic mitochondrial function or capacity, such as alterations in substrate selection or electron entry into the electron transport chain, temperature-mediated changes in mitochondrial permeability to protons, or stimulation of mitochondrial uncoupling by reactive oxygen species generation.

Validity and accuracy of calculating oxidative ATP synthesis in vivo during high-intensity skeletal muscle contractions

Several methods have been developed for using ³¹ P-MRS to calculate rates of oxidative ATP synthesis (ATP_OX ) during muscular contractions based on assumptions that (1) the ATP cost of force generation (ATP_COST ) remains constant or (2) Michaelis-Menten coupling between cytosolic ADP and ATP_OX does not change. However, growing evidence suggests that one, or both, of these assumptions are invalid during high-intensity fatigue protocols. Consequently, there is a need to examine the validity and accuracy of traditional ATP_OX calculation methods under these conditions. To address this gap, we measured phosphate concentrations and pH in the vastus lateralis muscle of nine young adults during four rest-contraction-recovery trials lasting 24, 60, 120, and 240 s. The initial velocity of phosphocreatine resynthesis (V_iPCr ) following each trial served as the criterion measure of ATP_OX because this method makes no assumptions of constant ATP_COST or Michaelis-Menten coupling between changes in cytosolic ADP and ATP_OX . Subsequently, we calculated ATP_OX throughout the 240 s trial using several traditional calculation methods and compared estimations of ATP_OX from each method with time-matched measurements of V_iPCr . Method 1, which assumes that ATP_COST does not change, was able to model changes in V_iPCr over time, but showed poor accuracy for predicting V_iPCr across a wide range of ATP_OX values. In contrast, Michaelis-Menten methods, which assume that the relationship between changes in cytosolic ADP and ATP_OX remains constant, were invalid because they could not model the decline in V_iPCr . However, adjusting these Michaelis-Menten methods for observed changes in maximal ATP_OX capacity (i.e., V_max ) permitted modeling of the decline in V_iPCr and markedly improved accuracy. The results of these comprehensive analyses demonstrate that valid, accurate measurements of ATP_OX can be obtained during high-intensity contractions by adjusting Michaelis-Menten ATP_OX calculations for changes in V_max observed from baseline to post-fatigue.

Mitophagy and Its Contribution to Metabolic and Aging-Associated Disorders

Significance: Mitochondria are the cellular powerhouses for ATP synthesis through oxidative phosphorylation, and the centers for fatty acid β-oxidation, metabolite synthesis, reactive oxygen species production, innate immunity, and apoptosis. To fulfill these critical functions, mitochondrial quality and homeostasis must be well maintained. Abnormal mitochondrial quality contributes to aging and age-related disorders, such as metabolic syndrome, cancers, and neurodegenerative diseases. Recent Advances: Mitophagy is a cellular process that selectively removes damaged or superfluous mitochondria by autolysosomal degradation and is regarded as one of the major mechanisms responsible for mitochondrial quality control. Critical Issues: To date, distinct mitophagy pathways have been discovered, including receptor-mediated mitophagy and ubiquitin-dependent mitophagy. Emerging knowledge of these pathways shows that they play important roles in sensing mitochondrial stress and signaling for metabolic adaptations. Future Directions: Here, we provide a review on the molecular mechanisms for mitophagy and its interplay with cellular metabolism, with a particular focus on its role in metabolic and age-related disorders.

Oxidative ATP synthesis in human quadriceps declines during 4 minutes of maximal contractions

KEY POINTS

During maximal exercise, skeletal muscle metabolism and oxygen consumption remain elevated despite precipitous declines in power. Presently, it is unclear whether these responses are caused by an increased ATP cost of force generation (ATP_COST ) or mitochondrial uncoupling; a process that reduces the efficiency of oxidative ATP synthesis (ATP_OX ). To address this gap, we used 31-phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure changes in ATP_COST and ATP_OX in human quadriceps during repeated trials of maximal intensity knee extensions lasting up to 4 min. ATP_COST remained unchanged. In contrast, ATP_OX plateaued by ∼2 min and then declined (∼15%) over the final 2 min. The maximal capacity for ATP_OX (V_max ), as well as ADP-specific rates of ATP_OX , were also significantly diminished. Collectively, these results suggest that mitochondrial uncoupling, and not increased ATP_COST , is responsible for altering the regulation of skeletal muscle metabolism and oxygen consumption during maximal exercise.

ABSTRACT

The relationship between skeletal muscle oxygen consumption and power output is augmented during exercise at workloads above the lactate threshold. Potential mechanisms for this response have been hypothesized, including increased ATP cost of force generation (ATP_COST ) and mitochondrial uncoupling, a process that reduces the efficiency of oxidative ATP synthesis (ATP_OX ). To test these hypotheses, we used phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy to non-invasively measure changes in phosphate concentrations and pH in the vastus lateralis muscle of nine young adults during repeated trials of maximal, all-out dynamic knee extensions (120°s^-1 , 1 every 2 s) lasting 24, 60, 120, and 240 s. ATP_OX was measured at each time point from the initial velocity of PCr resynthesis, and ATP_COST was calculated as the sum of ATP synthesized by the creatine and adenylate kinase reactions, non-oxidative glycolysis, ATP_OX and net changes in [ATP]. Power output declined in a reproducible manner for all four trials. ATP_COST did not change over time (main effect P = 0.45). ATP_OX plateaued from 60 to 120 s and then decreased over the final 120 s (main effect P = 0.001). The maximal capacity for oxidative ATP synthesis (V_max ), as well as ADP-specific rates of ATP_OX , also decreased over time (main effect P = 0.001, both). Collectively, these results demonstrate that prolonged maximal contraction protocols impair oxidative energetics and implicate mitochondrial uncoupling as the mechanism for this response. The causes of mitochondrial uncoupling are presently unknown but may offer a potential explanation for the dissociation between skeletal muscle power output and oxygen consumption during maximal, all-out exercise protocols.

Liver mitochondrial respiratory plasticity and oxygen uptake evoked by cobalt chloride in rats with low and high resistance to extreme hypobaric hypoxia

High-altitude intolerance and consequently high-altitude sickness, is difficult to predict. Liver is an essential organ in glucose and lipid metabolism, and may play key role in the adaptation to high altitude. In response to extreme high altitude, mitochondrial respiration exhibits changes in substrate metabolism, mitochondrial electron transport chain activity, and respiratory coupling. We determined the cobalt chloride (CoCl₂) effects on liver mitochondrial plasticity and oxygen uptake in rats with low resistance (LR) and high resistance (HR) to extreme hypobaric hypoxia. The polarographic method proposed by Chance and Williams was used as a simple and effective tool to trace mitochondrial functionality and oxygen consumption. HR rats had more efficient processes of NADH- and FAD-generated mitochondrial oxidation. CoCl₂ promoted more efficient NADH-generated and diminished less efficient FAD-generated mitochondrial respiratory reactions in HR rats. CoCl₂ diminished both aerobic and anaerobic processes in LR rats. Glutamate and pyruvate substrates of NADH-generated mitochondrial pathways were highly affected by CoCl₂. Red blood cells acted as cobalt depots in HR and LR rats. We have unveiled several mechanisms leading to differentiated mitochondrial respiratory responses to hypobaric hypoxia in LR and HR rats. Our study strongly supports the existence of adaptive liver mitochondrial plasticity to extreme hypoxia.

Essential roles of mitochondrial and heme function in lung cancer bioenergetics and tumorigenesis

Contrary to Warburg’s hypothesis, mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) contributes significantly to fueling cancer cells. Several recent studies have demonstrated that radiotherapy-resistant and chemotherapy-resistant cancer cells depend on OXPHOS for survival and progression. Several cancers exhibit an increased risk in association with heme intake. Mitochondria are widely known to carry out oxidative phosphorylation. In addition, mitochondria are also involved in heme synthesis. Heme serves as a prosthetic group for several proteins that constitute the complexes of mitochondrial electron transport chain. Therefore, heme plays a pivotal role in OXPHOS and oxygen consumption. Further, lung cancer cells exhibit heme accumulation and require heme for proliferation and invasion in vitro. Abnormalities in mitochondrial biogenesis and mutations are implicated in cancer. This review delves into mitochondrial OXPHOS and lesser explored area of heme metabolism in lung cancer.

Rational Design of Mononuclear Iron Porphyrins for Facile and Selective 4e-/4H+ O2 Reduction: Activation of O-O Bond by 2nd Sphere Hydrogen Bonding

Facile and selective 4e^-/4H⁺ electrochemical reduction of O₂ to H₂O in aqueous medium has been a sought-after goal for several decades. Elegant but synthetically demanding cytochrome c oxidase mimics have demonstrated selective 4e^-/4H⁺ electrochemical O₂ reduction to H₂O is possible with rate constants as fast as 10⁵ M^-1 s^-1 under heterogeneous conditions in aqueous media. Over the past few years, in situ mechanistic investigations on iron porphyrin complexes adsorbed on electrodes have revealed that the rate and selectivity of this multielectron and multiproton process is governed by the reactivity of a ferric hydroperoxide intermediate. The barrier of O-O bond cleavage determines the overall rate of O₂ reduction and the site of protonation determines the selectivity. In this report, a series of mononuclear iron porphyrin complexes are rationally designed to achieve efficient O-O bond activation and site-selective proton transfer to effect facile and selective electrochemical reduction of O₂ to water. Indeed, these crystallographically characterized complexes accomplish facile and selective reduction of O₂ with rate constants >10⁷ M^-1 s^-1 while retaining >95% selectivity when adsorbed on electrode surfaces (EPG) in water. These oxygen reduction reaction rate constants are 2 orders of magnitude faster than all known heme/Cu complexes and these complexes retain >90% selectivity even under rate determining electron transfer conditions that generally can only be achieved by installing additional redox active groups in the catalyst.

Cardiac performance is limited by oxygen delivery to the mitochondria in the crystalloid-perfused working heart

The left ventricular working, crystalloid-perfused heart is used extensively to evaluate basic cardiac function, pathophysiology, and pharmacology. Crystalloid-perfused hearts may be limited by oxygen delivery, as adding oxygen carriers increases myoglobin oxygenation and improves myocardial function. However, whether decreased myoglobin oxygen saturation impacts oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) is unresolved, since myoglobin has a much lower affinity for oxygen than cytochrome c oxidase (COX). In the present study, a laboratory-based synthesis of an affordable perfluorocarbon (PFC) emulsion was developed to increase perfusate oxygen carrying capacity without impeding optical absorbance assessments. In left ventricular working hearts, along with conventional measurements of cardiac function and metabolic rate, myoglobin oxygenation and cytochrome redox state were monitored using a novel transmural illumination approach. Hearts were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit (KH) or KH supplemented with PFC, increasing perfusate oxygen carrying capacity by 3.6-fold. In KH-perfused hearts, myoglobin was deoxygenated, consistent with cytoplasmic hypoxia, and the mitochondrial cytochromes, including COX, exhibited a high reduction state, consistent with OxPhos hypoxia. PFC perfusate increased aortic output from 76 ± 6 to 142 ± 4 ml/min and increased oxygen consumption while also increasing myoglobin oxygenation and oxidizing the mitochondrial cytochromes. These results are consistent with limited delivery of oxygen to OxPhos resulting in an adapted lower cardiac performance with KH. Consistent with this, PFCs increased myocardial oxygenation, and cardiac work was higher over a wider range of perfusate Po₂. In summary, heart mitochondria are limited by oxygen delivery with KH; supplementation of KH with PFC reverses mitochondrial hypoxia and improves cardiac performance, creating a more physiological tissue oxygen delivery. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Optical absorbance spectroscopy of intrinsic chromophores reveals that the commonly used crystalloid-perfused working heart is oxygen limited for oxidative phosphorylation and associated cardiac work. Oxygen-carrying perfluorocarbons increase myocardial oxygen delivery and improve cardiac function, providing a more physiological mitochondrial redox state and emphasizing cardiac work is modulated by myocardial oxygen delivery.

Enzyme-dependent fluorescence recovery of NADH after photobleaching to assess dehydrogenase activity of isolated perfused hearts

Reduction of NAD⁺ by dehydrogenase enzymes to form NADH is a key component of cellular metabolism. In cellular preparations and isolated mitochondria suspensions, enzyme-dependent fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (ED-FRAP) of NADH has been shown to be an effective approach for measuring the rate of NADH production to assess dehydrogenase enzyme activity. Our objective was to demonstrate how dehydrogenase activity could be assessed within the myocardium of perfused hearts using NADH ED-FRAP. This was accomplished using a combination of high intensity UV pulses to photobleach epicardial NADH. Replenishment of epicardial NADH fluorescence was then imaged using low intensity UV illumination. NADH ED-FRAP parameters were optimized to deliver 23.8 mJ of photobleaching light energy at a pulse width of 6 msec and a duty cycle of 50%. These parameters provided repeatable measurements of NADH production rate during multiple metabolic perturbations, including changes in perfusate temperature, electromechanical uncoupling, and acute ischemia/reperfusion injury. NADH production rate was significantly higher in every perturbation where the energy demand was either higher or uncompromised. We also found that NADH production rate remained significantly impaired after 10 min of reperfusion after global ischemia. Overall, our results indicate that myocardial NADH ED-FRAP is a useful optical non-destructive approach for assessing dehydrogenase activity.

MRI of brain tissue oxygen tension under hyperbaric conditions

The brain depends on a continuous supply of oxygen to maintain its structural and functional integrity. This study measured T1 from MRI under normobaric air, normobaric oxygen, hyperbaric air, and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) conditions as a marker of tissue pO2 since dissolved molecular oxygen acts as an endogenous contrast agent. Brain tissue T1 decreased corresponding to increased pO2 with increasing inhaled oxygen concentrations, and tissue oxygenation was estimated from the T1 changes between different inhaled oxygen levels. Tissue pO2 difference maps between different oxygen conditions showed heterogeneous pO2 changes in the brain. MRI-derived tissue pO2 was markedly lower than the arterial pO2 but was slightly higher than venous pO2. Additionally, for comparison with published extracellular tissue pO2 data obtained using oxygen electrodes and other invasive techniques, a model was used to estimate extracellular and intracellular pO2 from the MRI-derived mean tissue pO2. This required multiple assumptions, and so the effects of the assumptions and parameters used in modeling brain pO2 were evaluated. MRI-derived pO2 values were strongly dependent on assumptions about the extra- and intracellular compartments but were relatively less sensitive to variations in the relaxivity constant of oxygen and contribution from oxygen in the cerebral blood compartment. This approach may prove useful in evaluating tissue oxygenation in disease states such as stroke.

Cytochrome redox states and respiratory control in mouse and beef heart mitochondria at steady-state levels of hypoxia

Mitochondrial control of cellular redox states is a fundamental component of cell signaling in the coordination of core energy metabolism and homeostasis during normoxia and hypoxia. We investigated the relationship between cytochrome redox states and mitochondrial oxygen consumption at steady-state levels of hypoxia in mitochondria isolated from beef and mouse heart (BHImt, MHImt), comparing two species with different cardiac dynamics and local oxygen demands. A low-noise, rapid spectrophotometric system using visible light for the measurement of cytochrome redox states was combined with high-resolution respirometry. Monophasic hyperbolic relationships were observed between oxygen consumption, JO2, and oxygen partial pressure, Po2, within the range <1.1 kPa (8.3 mmHg; 13 μM). P50j (Po2 at 0.5·Jmax) was 0.015 ± 0.0004 and 0.021 ± 0.003 kPa (0.11 and 0.16 mmHg) for BHImt and MHImt, respectively. Maximum oxygen consumption, Jmax, was measured at saturating ADP levels (OXPHOS capacity) with Complex I-linked substrate supply. Redox states of cytochromes aa3 and c were biphasic hyperbolic functions of Po2. The relationship between cytochrome oxidation state and oxygen consumption revealed a separation of distinct phases from mild to severe and deep hypoxia. When cytochrome c oxidation increased from fully reduced to 45% oxidized at 0.1 Jmax, Po2 was as low as 0.002 kPa (0.02 μM), and trace amounts of oxygen are sufficient to partially oxidize the cytochromes. At higher Po2 under severe hypoxia, respiration increases steeply, whereas redox changes are small. Under mild hypoxia, the steep slope of oxidation of cytochrome c when flux remains more stable represents a cushioning mechanism that helps to maintain respiration high at the onset of hypoxia.

Tuning the thermodynamic onset potential of electrocatalytic O2 reduction reaction by synthetic iron–porphyrin complexes

A porphyrin ligand with two β-pyrrolic electron withdrawing ester groups is synthesized and its Co complex is crystallographically characterized.

Ischemic preconditioning results in an ATP-dependent inhibition of cytochrome C oxidase

PURPOSE

This study addresses the effect of short myocardial ischemia on inhibitory effect of ATP for mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (CytOx) activity in myocardium and subsequent hemodynamic alterations. The activity of CytOx is inhibited by ATP (primary substrate control). This additional mechanism was proposed to be switched off at higher mitochondrial membrane potential values in case of stress. The ATP-dependent allosteric enzyme inhibition (second respiratory control) is suggested to reduce the formation of reactive oxygen species and thus is pivotal for cytoprotection. This report addresses the possible involvement of this mechanism in case of myocardial preconditioning.

METHODS

Rat hearts were perfused in a Langendorff system (n = 5 each group). The first two groups underwent short recurrent ischemic periods (three times 5 min) and subsequent high or low reperfusion for 40 min. Besides four control groups, hearts were exposed to an ischemia of 15 min and high flow reperfused for 30 min, in addition. Hemodynamic data were evaluated in parallel. Mitochondria were separated for the polarographic respiration measurements in the presence of ADP or ATP, respectively. Phosphorylation patterns of the CytOx subunits were studied by immunoblotting with P-Ser, P-Thr, and P-Tyr antibodies.

RESULTS

Short recurrent episodes of ischemia result in an ATP-dependent inhibition of CytOx. Electrophoretic analysis and blotting techniques reveal different phosphorylation patterns of the enzyme. Frequent short-lasting ischemic impacts and subsequent increased coronary flow seem to be essential for this effect.

CONCLUSION

The procedure of preconditioning is likely to be dependent on the mechanism of ATP-dependent inhibition of CytOx activity.

Enhanced heme function and mitochondrial respiration promote the progression of lung cancer cells

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality, and about 85% of the cases are non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Importantly, recent advance in cancer research suggests that altering cancer cell bioenergetics can provide an effective way to target such advanced cancer cells that have acquired mutations in multiple cellular regulators. This study aims to identify bioenergetic alterations in lung cancer cells by directly measuring and comparing key metabolic activities in a pair of cell lines representing normal and NSCLC cells developed from the same patient. We found that the rates of oxygen consumption and heme biosynthesis were intensified in NSCLC cells. Additionally, the NSCLC cells exhibited substantially increased levels in an array of proteins promoting heme synthesis, uptake and function. These proteins include the rate-limiting heme biosynthetic enzyme ALAS, transporter proteins HRG1 and HCP1 that are involved in heme uptake, and various types of oxygen-utilizing hemoproteins such as cytoglobin and cytochromes. Several types of human tumor xenografts also displayed increased levels of such proteins. Furthermore, we found that lowering heme biosynthesis and uptake, like lowering mitochondrial respiration, effectively reduced oxygen consumption, cancer cell proliferation, migration and colony formation. In contrast, lowering heme degradation does not have an effect on lung cancer cells. These results show that increased heme flux and function are a key feature of NSCLC cells. Further, increased generation and supply of heme and oxygen-utilizing hemoproteins in cancer cells will lead to intensified oxygen consumption and cellular energy production by mitochondrial respiration, which would fuel cancer cell proliferation and progression. The results show that inhibiting heme and respiratory function can effectively arrest the progression of lung cancer cells. Hence, understanding heme function can positively impact on research in lung cancer biology and therapeutics.

Maintenance of mitochondrial oxygen homeostasis by cosubstrate compensation

Mitochondria maintain a constant rate of aerobic respiration over a wide range of oxygen levels. However, the control strategies underlying oxygen homeostasis are still unclear. Using mathematical modeling, we found that the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) responds to oxygen level changes by undergoing compensatory changes in reduced electron carrier levels. This emergent behavior, which we named cosubstrate compensation (CSC), enables the ETC to maintain homeostasis over a wide of oxygen levels. When performing CSC, our ETC models recapitulated a classic scaling relationship discovered by Chance [Chance B (1965) J. Gen. Physiol. 49:163-165] relating the extent of oxygen homeostasis to the kinetics of mitochondrial electron transport. Analysis of an in silico mitochondrial respiratory system further showed evidence that CSC constitutes the dominant control strategy for mitochondrial oxygen homeostasis during active respiration. Our findings indicate that CSC constitutes a robust control strategy for homeostasis and adaptation in cellular biochemical networks.

The Chemical Interplay between Nitric Oxide and Mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase: Reactions, Effectors and Pathophysiology

Nitric oxide (NO) reacts with Complex I and cytochrome c oxidase (CcOX, Complex IV), inducing detrimental or cytoprotective effects. Two alternative reaction pathways (PWs) have been described whereby NO reacts with CcOX, producing either a relatively labile nitrite-bound derivative (CcOX-NO₂  ⁻, PW1) or a more stable nitrosyl-derivative (CcOX-NO, PW2). The two derivatives are both inhibited, displaying different persistency and O₂ competitiveness. In the mitochondrion, during turnover with O₂, one pathway prevails over the other one depending on NO, cytochrome c²⁺ and O₂ concentration. High cytochrome c²⁺, and low O₂ proved to be crucial in favoring CcOX nitrosylation, whereas under-standard cell-culture conditions formation of the nitrite derivative prevails. All together, these findings suggest that NO can modulate physiologically the mitochondrial respiratory/OXPHOS efficiency, eventually being converted to nitrite by CcOX, without cell detrimental effects. It is worthy to point out that nitrite, far from being a simple oxidation byproduct, represents a source of NO particularly important in view of the NO cell homeostasis, the NO production depends on the NO synthases whose activity is controlled by different stimuli/effectors; relevant to its bioavailability, NO is also produced by recycling cell/body nitrite. Bioenergetic parameters, such as mitochondrial ΔΨ, lactate, and ATP production, have been assayed in several cell lines, in the presence of endogenous or exogenous NO and the evidence collected suggests a crucial interplay between CcOX and NO with important energetic implications.

Myoglobin and mitochondria: a relationship bound by oxygen and nitric oxide

Since their initial discovery over a century ago, our knowledge of the functions of myoglobin and the mitochondrion has gradually evolved. The mitochondrion, once thought to be solely responsible for energy production, is now known to be an integral redox and apoptotic signal transducer within the cell. Likewise, myoglobin, traditionally thought of only as an oxygen store, has emerged as a physiological catalyst that can modulate reactive oxygen species levels, facilitate oxygen diffusion and scavenge or generate nitric oxide (NO) depending on oxygen tensions within the cell. By virtue of its unique ability to regulate O(2) and NO levels within the cell, myoglobin can modulate mitochondrial function in energy-demanding tissues such as the beating heart and exercising muscle. In this review, we present the conventional functions of myoglobin and mitochondria, and describe how these roles have been reassessed and advanced, particularly in the context of NO and nitrite signaling. We present the mechanisms by which mitochondria and myoglobin regulate one another within the cell through their interactions with NO and oxygen and discuss the implications of these interactions in terms of health and disease.

Prediction of muscle energy states at low metabolic rates requires feedback control of mitochondrial respiratory chain activity by inorganic phosphate

The regulation of the 100-fold dynamic range of mitochondrial ATP synthesis flux in skeletal muscle was investigated. Hypotheses of key control mechanisms were included in a biophysical model of oxidative phosphorylation and tested against metabolite dynamics recorded by (31)P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((31)P MRS). Simulations of the initial model featuring only ADP and Pi feedback control of flux failed in reproducing the experimentally sampled relation between myoplasmic free energy of ATP hydrolysis (ΔG(p) = ΔG(p)(o')+RT ln ([ADP][Pi]/[ATP]) and the rate of mitochondrial ATP synthesis at low fluxes (<0.2 mM/s). Model analyses including Monte Carlo simulation approaches and metabolic control analysis (MCA) showed that this problem could not be amended by model re-parameterization, but instead required reformulation of ADP and Pi feedback control or introduction of additional control mechanisms (feed forward activation), specifically at respiratory Complex III. Both hypotheses were implemented and tested against time course data of phosphocreatine (PCr), Pi and ATP dynamics during post-exercise recovery and validation data obtained by (31)P MRS of sedentary subjects and track athletes. The results rejected the hypothesis of regulation by feed forward activation. Instead, it was concluded that feedback control of respiratory chain complexes by inorganic phosphate is essential to explain the regulation of mitochondrial ATP synthesis flux in skeletal muscle throughout its full dynamic range.

Mitochondria and nitric oxide: chemistry and pathophysiology

Cell respiration is controlled by nitric oxide (NO) reacting with respiratory chain complexes, particularly with Complex I and IV. The functional implication of these reactions is different owing to involvement of different mechanisms. Inhibition of complex IV is rapid (milliseconds) and reversible, and occurs at nanomolar NO concentrations, whereas inhibition of complex I occurs after a prolonged exposure to higher NO concentrations. The inhibition of Complex I involves the reversible S-nitrosation of a key cysteine residue on the ND3 subunit. The reaction of NO with cytochrome c oxidase (CcOX) directly involves the active site of the enzyme: two mechanisms have been described leading to formation of either a relatively stable nitrosyl-derivative (CcOX-NO) or a more labile nitrite-derivative (CcOX-NO (2) (-) ). Both adducts are inhibited, though with different K(I); one mechanism prevails on the other depending on the turnover conditions and availability of substrates, cytochrome c and O(2). SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells or lymphoid cells, cultured under standard O(2) tension, proved to follow the mechanism leading to degradation of NO to nitrite. Formation of CcOX-NO occurred upon rising the electron flux level at this site, artificially or in the presence of higher amounts of endogenous reduced cytochrome c. Taken together, the observations suggest that the expression level of mitochondrial cytochrome c may be crucial to determine the respiratory chain NO inhibition pathway prevailing in vivo under nitrosative stress conditions. The putative patho-physiological relevance of the interaction between NO and the respiratory complexes is addressed.

Cytochrome c oxidase and nitric oxide in action: molecular mechanisms and pathophysiological implications

BACKGROUND

The reactions between Complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase, CcOX) and nitric oxide (NO) were described in the early 60's. The perception, however, that NO could be responsible for physiological or pathological effects, including those on mitochondria, lags behind the 80's, when the identity of the endothelial derived relaxing factor (EDRF) and NO synthesis by the NO synthases were discovered. NO controls mitochondrial respiration, and cytotoxic as well as cytoprotective effects have been described. The depression of OXPHOS ATP synthesis has been observed, attributed to the inhibition of mitochondrial Complex I and IV particularly, found responsible of major effects.

SCOPE OF REVIEW

The review is focused on CcOX and NO with some hints about pathophysiological implications. The reactions of interest are reviewed, with special attention to the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of NO observed on cytochrome c oxidase, particularly during turnover with oxygen and reductants.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS AND GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

The NO inhibition of CcOX is rapid and reversible and may occur in competition with oxygen. Inhibition takes place following two pathways leading to formation of either a relatively stable nitrosyl-derivative (CcOX-NO) of the enzyme reduced, or a more labile nitrite-derivative (CcOX-NO(2)(-)) of the enzyme oxidized, and during turnover. The pathway that prevails depends on the turnover conditions and concentration of NO and physiological substrates, cytochrome c and O(2). All evidence suggests that these parameters are crucial in determining the CcOX vs NO reaction pathway prevailing in vivo, with interesting physiological and pathological consequences for cells.

Metabolic profiling of hypoxic cells revealed a catabolic signature required for cell survival

Hypoxia is one of the features of poorly vascularised areas of solid tumours but cancer cells can survive in these areas despite the low oxygen tension. The adaptation to hypoxia requires both biochemical and genetic responses that culminate in a metabolic rearrangement to counter-balance the decrease in energy supply from mitochondrial respiration. The understanding of metabolic adaptations under hypoxia could reveal novel pathways that, if targeted, would lead to specific death of hypoxic regions. In this study, we developed biochemical and metabolomic analyses to assess the effects of hypoxia on cellular metabolism of HCT116 cancer cell line. We utilized an oxygen fluorescent probe in anaerobic cuvettes to study oxygen consumption rates under hypoxic conditions without the need to re-oxygenate the cells and demonstrated that hypoxic cells can maintain active, though diminished, oxidative phosphorylation even at 1% oxygen. These results were further supported by in situ microscopy analysis of mitochondrial NADH oxidation under hypoxia. We then used metabolomic methodologies, utilizing liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS), to determine the metabolic profile of hypoxic cells. This approach revealed the importance of synchronized and regulated catabolism as a mechanism of adaptation to bioenergetic stress. We then confirmed the presence of autophagy under hypoxic conditions and demonstrated that the inhibition of this catabolic process dramatically reduced the ATP levels in hypoxic cells and stimulated hypoxia-induced cell death. These results suggest that under hypoxia, autophagy is required to support ATP production, in addition to glycolysis, and that the inhibition of autophagy might be used to selectively target hypoxic regions of tumours, the most notoriously resistant areas of solid tumours.

Changes in redox states of respiratory pigments recorded from the eyes of live blowflies exposed to light stimuli and hypoxia

Time courses of mitochondrial responses to illumination-induced physiological loads and to hypoxia, were recorded optically from eyes of blowflies Calliphora vicina chalky. We isolated changes in redox states of haems a(3), a, c, and b. Two types of responses to light stimulation were observed. Haems b and a(3) responded with transient oxidation and haems a and c with reduction. The same two groups emerged in response to anoxic exposure. The onset of reduction of haems a and c had virtually no latency, while haems a(3) and b exhibited a transient oxidation followed by reduction only after 10-20 s. The dependence of the steady-state reduction level on [Formula: see text] produced the same groups. Haems a and c were significantly reduced at [Formula: see text] levels around 10 kPa while with haems b and a(3) load-induced oxidation was only replaced by reduction below 2 kPa. We propose haems respond to physiological loads in accordance with their steady-state reduction, which in turn depends largely on barriers for electron transport imposed by the mitochondrial membrane potential. We also propose it may be possible to assess the values of tissue [Formula: see text] and O(2) consumption by monitoring haems that are highly oxidized at rest such as haem a.

Cell respiration under hypoxia: facts and artefacts in mitochondrial oxygen kinetics

When oxygen supply to tissues is limiting, mitochondrial respiration and ATP production are compromised. To assess the bioenergetic consequences under normoxia and hypoxia, quantitative evaluation of mitochondrial oxygen kinetics is required. Using high-resolution respirometry, the "apparent K (m)" for oxygen or p (50) of respiration in 32D cells was determined at 0.05 +/- 0.01 kPa (0.4 mmHg, 0.5 microM, 0.25% air saturation). Close agreement with p (50) of isolated mitochondria indicates that intracellular gradients are small in small cells at routine activity. At intracellular p (O2) <2 kPa (15 mmHg, 10% air saturation) in various tissues under normoxia, respiration is limited by >2% with a p (50) of 0.05 kPa. Over-estimation of p (50) at 0.4 kPa (3 mmHg) would imply significant (>17%) oxygen limitation of respiration under intracellular normoxia. Based on a critical review, we conclude that p (50) ranges from 0.01 to 0.10 kPa in mitochondria and small cells in the absence of inhibitors of cytochrome c oxidase, whereas experimental artefacts explain the controversial >200-fold range of p (50) in the literature on mitochondrial oxygen kinetics.

Magnitude and control of mitochondrial sensitivity to ADP

The transduction function for ADP stimulation of mitochondrial ATP synthesis in skeletal muscle was reconstructed in vivo and in silico to investigate the magnitude and origin of mitochondrial sensitivity to cytoplasmic ADP concentration changes. Dynamic in vivo measurements of human leg muscle phosphocreatine (PCr) content during metabolic recovery from contractions were performed by (31)P-NMR spectroscopy. The cytoplasmic ADP concentration ([ADP]) and rate of oxidative ATP synthesis (Jp) at each time point were calculated from creatine kinase equilibrium and the derivative of a monoexponential fit to the PCr recovery data, respectively. Reconstructed [ADP]-Jp relations for individual muscles containing more than 100 data points were kinetically characterized by nonlinear curve fitting yielding an apparent kinetic order and ADP affinity of 1.9 +/- 0.2 and 0.022 +/- 0.003 mM, respectively (means +/- SD; n = 6). Next, in silico [ADP]-Jp relations for skeletal muscle were generated using a computational model of muscle oxidative ATP metabolism whereby model parameters corresponding to mitochondrial enzymes were randomly changed by 50-150% to determine control of mitochondrial ADP sensitivity. The multiparametric sensitivity analysis showed that mitochondrial ADP ultrasensitivity is an emergent property of the integrated mitochondrial enzyme network controlled primarily by kinetic properties of the adenine nucleotide translocator.

The steady-state mechanism of cytochrome c oxidase: redox interactions between metal centres

The steady-state behaviour of isolated mammalian cytochrome c oxidase was examined by increasing the rate of reduction of cytochrome c. Under these conditions the enzyme's 605 (haem a), 655 (haem a3/CuB) and 830 (CuA) nm spectral features behaved as if they were at near equilibrium with cytochrome c (550 nm). This has implications for non-invasive tissue measurements using visible (550, 605 and 655 nm) and near-IR (830 nm) light. The oxidized species represented by the 655 nm band is bleached by the presence of oxygen intermediates P and F (where P is characterized by an absorbance spectrum at 607 nm relative to the oxidized enzyme and F is characterized by an absorbance spectrum at 580 nm relative to the oxidized enzyme) or by reduction of haem a3 or CuB. However, at these ambient oxygen levels (far above the enzyme Km), the populations of reduced haem a3 and the oxygen intermediates were very low (<10%). We therefore interpret 655 nm changes as reduction of the otherwise spectrally invisible CuB centre. We present a model where small anti-cooperative redox interactions occur between haem a–CuA–CuB (steady-state potential ranges: CuA, 212–258 mV; haem a, 254–281 mV; CuB, 227–272 mV). Contrary to static equilibrium measurements, in the catalytic steady state there are no high potential redox centres (>300 mV). We find that the overall reaction is correctly described by the classical model in which the Michaelis intermediate is a ferrocytochrome c–enzyme complex. However, the oxidation of ferrocytochrome c in this complex is not the sole rate-determining step. Turnover is instead dependent upon electron transfer from haem a to haem a3, but the haem a potential closely matches cytochrome c at all times.

Oxygen sensitivity of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation depends on metabolic conditions

The mitochondrial generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a central role in many cell signaling pathways, but debate still surrounds its regulation by factors, such as substrate availability, [O2] and metabolic state. Previously, we showed that in isolated mitochondria respiring on succinate, ROS generation was a hyperbolic function of [O2]. In the current study, we used a wide variety of substrates and inhibitors to probe the O2 sensitivity of mitochondrial ROS generation under different metabolic conditions. From such data, the apparent Km for O2 of putative ROS-generating sites within mitochondria was estimated as follows: 0.2, 0.9, 2.0, and 5.0 microM O2 for the complex I flavin site, complex I electron backflow, complex III QO site, and electron transfer flavoprotein quinone oxidoreductase of beta-oxidation, respectively. Differential effects of respiratory inhibitors on ROS generation were also observed at varying [O2]. Based on these data, we hypothesize that at physiological [O2], complex I is a significant source of ROS, whereas the electron transfer flavoprotein quinone oxidoreductase may only contribute to ROS generation at very high [O2]. Furthermore, we suggest that previous discrepancies in the assignment of effects of inhibitors on ROS may be due to differences in experimental [O2]. Finally, the data set (see supplemental material) may be useful in the mathematical modeling of mitochondrial metabolism.

Cardioprotection by metabolic shut-down and gradual wake-up

Mitochondria play a critical role in cardiac function, and are also increasingly recognized as end effectors for various cardioprotective signaling pathways. Mitochondria use oxygen as a substrate, so by default their respiration is inhibited during hypoxia/ischemia. However, at reperfusion a surge of oxygen and metabolic substrates into the cell is thought to lead to rapid reestablishment of respiration, a burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and mitochondrial Ca(2+) overload. Subsequently these events precipitate opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition (PT) pore, which leads to myocardial cell death and dysfunction. Given that mitochondrial respiration is already inhibited during hypoxia/ischemia, it is somewhat surprising that many respiratory inhibitors can improve recovery from ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. In addition ischemic preconditioning (IPC), in which short non-lethal cycles of IR can protect against subsequent prolonged IR injury, is known to lead to endogenous inhibition of several respiratory complexes and glycolysis. This has led to a hypothesis that the wash-out of inhibitors or reversal of endogenous inhibition at reperfusion may afford protection by facilitating a more gradual wake-up of mitochondrial function, thereby avoiding a burst of ROS and Ca(2+) overload. This paper will review the evidence in support of this hypothesis, with a focus on inhibition of each of the mitochondrial respiratory complexes.

Regulation of mitochondrial respiration by inorganic phosphate; comparing permeabilized muscle fibers and isolated mitochondria prepared from type-1 and type-2 rat skeletal muscle

ADP is generally accepted as a key regulator of oxygen consumption both in isolated mitochondria and in permeabilized fibers from skeletal muscle. The present study explored inorganic phosphate in a similar regulatory role. Saponin permeabilized fibers and isolated mitochondria from type-I and type-II muscle from male Wistar rats were prepared. Respiration was measured while the medium P(i) concentration was gradually increased. The apparent K(m) values for P(i) were 607 +/- 17 microM and 405 +/- 15 microM (P < 0.0001) for type-I and type-II fibers, respectively. For isolated mitochondria the values were significantly lower than type-1 permeabilized fibers, 338 +/- 130 microM and 235 +/- 30 microM (P < 0.05), but not different with respect to fiber type. The reason for this difference in K(m) values in the permeabilized muscle is unknown, but a similar pattern has been observed for K(m) of ADP. Our data indicate that phosphate may play a role in regulation of oxygen consumption in vitro and in vivo.

A model of brain circulation and metabolism: NIRS signal changes during physiological challenges

We construct a model of brain circulation and energy metabolism. The model is designed to explain experimental data and predict the response of the circulation and metabolism to a variety of stimuli, in particular, changes in arterial blood pressure, CO(2) levels, O(2) levels, and functional activation. Significant model outputs are predictions about blood flow, metabolic rate, and quantities measurable noninvasively using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), including cerebral blood volume and oxygenation and the redox state of the Cu(A) centre in cytochrome c oxidase. These quantities are now frequently measured in clinical settings; however the relationship between the measurements and the underlying physiological events is in general complex. We anticipate that the model will play an important role in helping to understand the NIRS signals, in particular, the cytochrome signal, which has been hard to interpret. A range of model simulations are presented, and model outputs are compared to published data obtained from both in vivo and in vitro settings. The comparisons are encouraging, showing that the model is able to reproduce observed behaviour in response to various stimuli.

Toward a chemical mechanism of proton pumping by the B-type cytochrome c oxidases: application of density functional theory to cytochrome ba3 of Thermus thermophilus

A mechanism for proton pumping by the B-type cytochrome c oxidases is presented in which one proton is pumped in conjunction with the weakly exergonic, two-electron reduction of Fe-bound O 2 to the Fe-Cu bridging peroxodianion and three protons are pumped in conjunction with the highly exergonic, two-electron reduction of Fe(III)- (-)O-O (-)-Cu(II) to form water and the active oxidized enzyme, Fe(III)- (-)OH,Cu(II). The scheme is based on the active-site structure of cytochrome ba 3 from Thermus thermophilus, which is considered to be both necessary and sufficient for coupled O 2 reduction and proton pumping when appropriate gates are in place (not included in the model). Fourteen detailed structures obtained from density functional theory (DFT) geometry optimization are presented that are reasonably thought to occur during the four-electron reduction of O 2. Each proton-pumping step takes place when a proton resides on the imidazole ring of I-His376 and the large active-site cluster has a net charge of +1 due to an uncompensated, positive charge formally associated with Cu B. Four types of DFT were applied to determine the energy of each intermediate, and standard thermochemical approaches were used to obtain the reaction free energies for each step in the catalytic cycle. This application of DFT generally conforms with previously suggested criteria for a valid model (Siegbahn, P. E. M.; Blomberg, M. A. R. Chem. Rev. 2000, 100, 421-437) and shows how the chemistry of O 2 reduction in the heme a 3 -Cu B dinuclear center can be harnessed to generate an electrochemical proton gradient across the lipid bilayer.

The inhibition of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase by the gases carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen sulfide: chemical mechanism and physiological significance

The four gases, nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) all readily inhibit oxygen consumption by mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase. This inhibition is responsible for much of their toxicity when they are applied externally to the body. However, recently these gases have all been implicated, to greater or lesser extents, in normal cellular signalling events. In this review we analyse the chemistry of this inhibition, comparing and contrasting mechanism and discussing physiological consequences. The inhibition by NO and CO is dependent on oxygen concentration, but that of HCN and H(2)S is not. NO and H(2)S are readily metabolised by oxidative processes within cytochrome oxidase. In these cases the enzyme may act as a physiological detoxifier of these gases. CO oxidation is much slower and unlikely to be as physiologically important. The evidence for normal physiological levels of these gases interacting with cytochrome oxidase is equivocal, in part because there is little robust data about their steady state concentrations. A reasonable case can be made for NO, and perhaps CO and H(2)S, inhibiting cytochrome oxidase in vivo, but endogenous levels of HCN seem unlikely to be high enough.

A dynamic model of nitric oxide inhibition of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase

Nitric oxide can inhibit mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase in both oxygen competitive and uncompetitive modes. A previous model described these interactions assuming equilibrium binding to the reduced and oxidised enzyme respectively (Mason, et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U S A 103 (2006) 708-713). Here we demonstrate that the equilibrium assumption is inappropriate as it requires unfeasibly high association constants for NO to the oxidised enzyme. Instead we develop a model which explicitly includes NO binding and its enzyme-bound conversion to nitrite. Removal of the nitrite complex requires electron transfer to the binuclear centre from haem a. This revised model fits the inhibition constants at any value of substrate concentration (ferrocytochrome c or oxygen). It predicts that the inhibited steady state should be a mixture of the reduced haem nitrosyl complex and the oxidized-nitrite complex. Unlike the previous model, binding to the oxidase is always proportional to the degree of inhibition of oxygen consumption. The model is consistent with data and models from a recent paper suggesting that the primary effect of NO binding to the oxidised enzyme is to convert NO to nitrite, rather than to inhibit enzyme activity (Antunes et al. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 9 (2007) 1569-1579).

Crystallographic studies of Xe and Kr binding within the large internal cavity of cytochrome ba3 from Thermus thermophilus: structural analysis and role of oxygen transport channels in the heme-Cu oxidases

Cytochrome ba3 is a cytochrome c oxidase from the plasma membrane of Thermus thermophilus and is the preferred terminal enzyme of cellular respiration at low dioxygen tensions. Using cytochrome ba 3 crystals pressurized at varying conditions under Xe or Kr gas, and X-ray data for six crystals, we identify the relative affinities of Xe and Kr atoms for as many as seven distinct binding sites. These sites track a continuous, Y-shaped channel, 18-20 A in length, lined by hydrophobic residues, which leads from the surface of the protein where two entrance holes, representing the top of the Y, connect the bilayer to the a3-CuB center at the base of the Y. Considering the increased affinity of O2 for hydrophobic environments, the hydrophobic nature of the channel, its orientation within the bilayer, its connection to the active site, its uniform diameter, its virtually complete occupation by Xe, and its isomorphous presence in the native enzyme, we infer that the channel is a diffusion pathway for O2 into the dinuclear center of cytochrome ba3. These observations provide a basis for analyzing similar channels in other oxidases of known structure, and these structures are discussed in terms of mechanisms of O2 transport in biological systems, details of CO binding to and egress from the dinuclear center, the bifurcation of the oxygen-in and water-out pathways, and the possible role of the oxygen channel in aerobic thermophily.

Calcium and morphogenetic fields

Experiments on polarizing fucoid eggs indicate that they drive a steady calcium ion current through themselves as they establish a developmental axis. Moreover, the experiments strongly suggest that this current establishes a pCa gradient within the egg which is part of the mechanism which establishes this axis. It is suggested that Child's 'metabolic gradients' (as well as Bünning's unequal plant cell divisions) likewise include pCa gradients with Child's 'high' ends and Bünning's antimeristemoid ends being regions of low pCa. Evidence for other developmental calcium currents (obtained with a vibrating extracellular voltage electrode) is reviewed, and the development of a vibrating extracellular pCa electrode is proposed. Finally, progress towards direct observations of intracellular pCa gradients is reviewed. This includes visualization of an apparent steady high calcium cap at the vegetal (and perhaps, too, the animal) pole of medaka fish eggs with the aid of aequorin.