Energy (and Reactive Oxygen Species Generation) Saving Distribution of Mitochondria for the Activation of ATP Production in Skeletal Muscle

Exercise produces oxidants from a variety of intracellular sources, including NADPH oxidases (NOX) and mitochondria. Exercise-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) are beneficial, and the amount and location of these ROS is important to avoid muscle damage associated with oxidative stress. We discuss here some of the evidence that involves ROS production associated with skeletal muscle contraction and the potential oxidative stress associated with muscle contraction. We also discuss the potential role of H2O2 produced after NOX activation in the regulation of glucose transport in skeletal muscle. Finally, we propose a model based on evidence for the role of different populations of mitochondria in skeletal muscle in the regulation of ATP production upon exercise. The subsarcolemmal population of mitochondria has the enzymatic and metabolic components to establish a high mitochondrial membrane potential when fissioned at rest but lacks the capacity to produce ATP. Calcium entry into the mitochondria will further increase the metabolic input. Upon exercise, subsarcolemmal mitochondria will fuse to intermyofibrillar mitochondria and will transfer the mitochondria membrane potential to them. These mitochondria are rich in ATP synthase and will subsequentially produce the ATP needed for muscle contraction in long-term exercise. These events will optimize energy use and minimize mitochondria ROS production.

The Interplay between Cell-Extracellular Matrix Interaction and Mitochondria Dynamics in Cancer

The tumor microenvironment, in particular the extracellular matrix (ECM), plays a pivotal role in controlling tumor initiation and progression. In particular, the interaction between cancer cells and the ECM promotes cancer cell growth and invasion, leading to the formation of distant metastasis. Alterations in cancer cell metabolism is a key hallmark of cancer, which is often associated with alterations in mitochondrial dynamics. Recent research highlighted that, changes in mitochondrial dynamics are associated with cancer migration and metastasis-these has been extensively reviewed elsewhere. However, less is known about the interplay between the extracellular matrix and mitochondria functions. In this review, we will highlight how ECM remodeling associated with tumorigenesis contribute to the regulation of mitochondrial function, ultimately promoting cancer cell metabolic plasticity, able to fuel cancer invasion and metastasis.

Characterization of Mitochondrial Proteome and Function in Luminal A and Basal-like Breast Cancer Subtypes Reveals Alteration in Mitochondrial Dynamics and Bioenergetics Relevant to Their Diagnosis

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent cancer and the one with the highest mortality among women worldwide. Although the molecular classification of BC has been a helpful tool for diagnosing and predicting the treatment of BC, developments are still being made to improve the diagnosis and find new therapeutic targets. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a crucial feature of cancer, which can be associated with cancer aggressiveness. Although the importance of mitochondrial dynamics in cancer is well recognized, its involvement in the mitochondrial function and bioenergetics context in BC molecular subtypes has been scantly explored. In this study, we combined mitochondrial function and bioenergetics experiments in MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines with statistical and bioinformatics analyses of the mitochondrial proteome of luminal A and basal-like tumors. We demonstrate that basal-like tumors exhibit a vicious cycle between mitochondrial fusion and fission; impaired but not completely inactive mitochondrial function; and the Warburg effect, associated with decreased oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complexes I and III. Together with the results obtained in the cell lines and the mitochondrial proteome analysis, two mitochondrial signatures were proposed: one signature reflecting alterations in mitochondrial functions and a second signature exclusively of OXPHOS, which allow us to distinguish between luminal A and basal-like tumors.

The Imbalance of Mitochondrial Fusion/Fission Drives High-Glucose-Induced Vascular Injury

Emerging evidence shows that mitochondria fusion/fission imbalance is related to the occurrence of hyperglycemia-induced vascular injury. To study the temporal dynamics of mitochondrial fusion and fission, we observed the alteration of mitochondrial fusion/fission proteins in a set of different high-glucose exposure durations, especially in the early stage of hyperglycemia. The in vitro results show that persistent cellular apoptosis and endothelial dysfunction can be induced rapidly within 12 hours’ high-glucose pre-incubation. Our results show that mitochondria maintain normal morphology and function within 4 hours’ high-glucose pre-incubation; with the extended high-glucose exposure, there is a transition to progressive fragmentation; once severe mitochondria fusion/fission imbalance occurs, persistent cellular apoptosis will develop. In vitro and in vivo results consistently suggest that mitochondrial fusion/fission homeostasis alterations trigger high-glucose-induced vascular injury. As the guardian of mitochondria, AMPK is suppressed in response to hyperglycemia, resulting in imbalanced mitochondrial fusion/fission, which can be reversed by AMPK stimulation. Our results suggest that mitochondrial fusion/fission’s staged homeostasis may be a predictive factor of diabetic cardiovascular complications.

Microtubule-Based Mitochondrial Dynamics as a Valuable Therapeutic Target in Cancer

Mitochondria constitute an ever-reorganizing dynamic network that plays a key role in several fundamental cellular functions, including the regulation of metabolism, energy production, calcium homeostasis, production of reactive oxygen species, and programmed cell death. Each of these activities can be found to be impaired in cancer cells. It has been reported that mitochondrial dynamics are actively involved in both tumorigenesis and metabolic plasticity, allowing cancer cells to adapt to unfavorable environmental conditions and, thus, contributing to tumor progression. The mitochondrial dynamics include fusion, fragmentation, intracellular trafficking responsible for redistributing the organelle within the cell, biogenesis, and mitophagy. Although the mitochondrial dynamics are driven by the cytoskeleton-particularly by the microtubules and the microtubule-associated motor proteins dynein and kinesin-the molecular mechanisms regulating these complex processes are not yet fully understood. More recently, an exchange of mitochondria between stromal and cancer cells has also been described. The advantage of mitochondrial transfer in tumor cells results in benefits to cell survival, proliferation, and spreading. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate mitochondrial trafficking can potentially be important for identifying new molecular targets in cancer therapy to interfere specifically with tumor dissemination processes.

Protective mitochondrial fission induced by stress-responsive protein GJA1-20k

The Connexin43 gap junction gene GJA1 has one coding exon, but its mRNA undergoes internal translation to generate N-terminal truncated isoforms of Connexin43 with the predominant isoform being only 20 kDa in size (GJA1-20k). Endogenous GJA1-20k protein is not membrane bound and has been found to increase in response to ischemic stress, localize to mitochondria, and mimic ischemic preconditioning protection in the heart. However, it is not known how GJA1-20k benefits mitochondria to provide this protection. Here, using human cells and mice, we identify that GJA1-20k polymerizes actin around mitochondria which induces focal constriction sites. Mitochondrial fission events occur within about 45 s of GJA1-20k recruitment of actin. Interestingly, GJA1-20k mediated fission is independent of canonical Dynamin-Related Protein 1 (DRP1). We find that GJA1-20k-induced smaller mitochondria have decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and, in hearts, provide potent protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury. The results indicate that stress responsive internally translated GJA1-20k stabilizes polymerized actin filaments to stimulate non-canonical mitochondrial fission which limits ischemic-reperfusion induced myocardial infarction.

LC3A-mediated autophagy regulates lung cancer cell plasticity

ABBREVIATIONS

ATG14: autophagy related 14; CDH2: cadherin 2; ChIP-qPCR: chromatin immunoprecipitation quantitative polymerase chain reaction; CQ: chloroquine; ECAR: extracellular acidification rate; EMT: epithelial-mesenchymal transition; EPCAM: epithelial cell adhesion molecule; MAP1LC3A/LC3A: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 alpha; MAP1LC3B/LC3B: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta; MAP1LC3C/LC3C: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 gamma; NDUFV2: NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase core subunit V2; OCR: oxygen consumption rate; ROS: reactive oxygen species; RT-qPCR: reverse-transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction; SC: scrambled control; shRNA: short hairpin RNA; SNAI2: snail family transcriptional repressor 2; SOX2: SRY-box transcription factor 2; SQSTM1/p62: sequestosome 1; TGFB/TGF-β: transforming growth factor beta; TOMM20: translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 20; ZEB1: zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1.

Low abundance of Mfn2 protein correlates with reduced mitochondria-SR juxtaposition and mitochondrial cristae density in human men skeletal muscle: Examining organelle measurements from TEM images

The role of mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) in the regulation of skeletal muscle (SM) mitochondria-sarcoplasmic (SR) juxtaposition, mitochondrial morphology, mitochondrial cristae density (MCD), and SM quality has not been studied in humans. In in vitro studies, whether Mfn2 increases or decreases mitochondria-SR juxtaposition remains controversial. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images are commonly used to measure the organelle juxtaposition, but the measurements are performed "by-hand," thus potentially leading to between-rater differences. The purposes of this study were to: (1) examine the repeatability and reproducibility of mitochondrial-SR juxtaposition measurement from TEM images of human SM between three raters with different experience and (2) compare the mitochondrial-SR juxtaposition, mitochondrial morphology, MCD (stereological-method), and SM quality (cross-sectional area [CSA] and the maximum voluntary contraction [MVC]) between subjects with high abundance (Mfn2-HA; n = 6) and low abundance (Mfn2-LA; n = 6) of Mfn2 protein. The mitochondria-SR juxtaposition had moderate repeatability and reproducibility, with the most experienced raters showing the best values. There were no differences between Mfn2-HA and Mfn2-LA groups in mitochondrial size, distance from mitochondria to SR, CSA, or MVC. Nevertheless, the Mfn2-LA group showed lower mitochondria-SR interaction, MCD, and VO_2max . In conclusion, mitochondrial-SR juxtaposition measurement depends on the experience of the rater, and Mfn2 protein seems to play a role in the metabolic control of human men SM, by regulating the mitochondria-SR interaction.

Nicotine Causes Mitochondrial Dynamics Imbalance and Apoptosis Through ROS Mediated Mitophagy Impairment in Cardiomyocytes

Nicotine contained in traditional cigarettes, hookahs, and e-cigarettes is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Our previous study showed that macroautophagic flux impairment occurred under nicotine stimulation. However, whether nicotine influences mitochondrial dynamics in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs) is unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects and potential mechanism of nicotine on mitophagy, mitochondrial dynamics, apoptosis, and the relationship between these processes in NRVMs. Our results showed that nicotine exposure increased mitochondria-derived superoxide production, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and impaired PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagic flux in NRVMs. Interestingly, nicotine significantly promoted dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1)-mediated mitochondrial fission and suppressed mitofusin (MFN)-mediated fusion, which was also observed in the bafilomycin A1-treated group. These results suggest that mitophagic flux impairment may contribute to Drp-1-mediated mitochondrial fission. Finally, nicotine caused excessive mitochondrial fission and contributed to apoptosis, which could be alleviated by mdivi-1, an inhibitor of Drp1. In addition to CTSB, as we previously reported, the enzyme activity of cathepsin L (CTSL) was also decreased in lysosomes after stimulation with nicotine, which may be the main cause of the hindered mitophagic flux induced by nicotine in NRVMs. Pretreatment with Torin 1, which is an inhibitor of mTOR, activated CTSL and ameliorated nicotine-induced mTOR activation and mitophagy impairment, decreased mitochondria-derived superoxide production, and blunted mitochondrial fission and apoptosis. Pretreatment with the ROS scavenger N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) or inhibitors of p38 and JNK, which could also alleviate mitophagy impairment, exhibited similar effects as Torin1 on mitochondria. Taken together, our study demonstrated that nicotine treatment may lead to an increase in Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission by blocking mitophagic flux by weakening the enzyme activity of CTSL and activating the ROS/p38/JNK signaling pathway. Excessive mitochondrial fission induced by nicotine ultimately leads to apoptosis. Torin1 restored the decreased CTSL enzyme activity by removing excessive ROS and alleviated the effects of nicotine on mitophagic flux, mitochondrial dynamics, and apoptosis. These results may provide new evidence on the relationship between mitophagic flux and mitochondrial dynamics and new perspectives on nicotine’s effects on mitochondrial dynamics in cardiomyocytes.

VPS35 D620N knockin mice recapitulate cardinal features of Parkinson's disease

D620N mutation in the vacuolarproteinsorting35ortholog (VPS35) gene causes late‐onset, autosomal dominant familial Parkinson's disease (PD) and contributes to idiopathic PD. However, how D620N mutation leads to PD‐related deficits in vivo remains unclear. In the present study, we thoroughly characterized the biochemical, pathological, and behavioral changes of a VPS35 D620N knockin (KI) mouse model with chronic aging. We reported that this VPS35 D620N KI model recapitulated a spectrum of cardinal features of PD at 14 months of age which included age‐dependent progressive motor deficits, significant changes in the levels of dopamine (DA) and DA metabolites in the striatum, and robust neurodegeneration of the DA neurons in the SNpc and DA terminals in the striatum, accompanied by increased neuroinflammation, and accumulation and aggregation of α‐synuclein in DA neurons. Mechanistically, D620N mutation induced mitochondrial fragmentation and dysfunction in aged mice likely through enhanced VPS35‐DLP1 interaction and increased turnover of mitochondrial DLP1 complexes in vivo. Finally, the VPS35 D620N KI mice displayed greater susceptibility to MPTP‐mediated degeneration of nigrostriatal pathway, indicating that VPS35 D620N mutation increased vulnerability of DA neurons to environmental toxins. Overall, this VPS35 D620N KI mouse model provides a powerful tool for future disease modeling and pharmacological studies of PD. Our data support the involvement of VPS35 in the development of α‐synuclein pathology in vivo and revealed the important role of mitochondrial fragmentation/dysfunction in the pathogenesis of VPS35 D620N mutation‐associated PD in vivo.

Dl-3-n-Butylphthalide Alleviates Demyelination and Improves Cognitive Function by Promoting Mitochondrial Dynamics in White Matter Lesions

White matter lesions (WMLs) are a type of cerebrovascular disorder accompanied by demyelination and cognitive decline. Dl-3-n-butylphthalide (D1-NBP) is a neuroprotective drug used for the treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases, although the function of DI-NBP on WML is still not clear. This study aims to investigate whether DI-NBP affects cognitive function and ameliorates demyelination in a model of WML. The bilateral carotid artery stenosis (BCAS) mouse model and in vitro brain slice cultures with low glucose and low oxygen (LGLO) treatment were adopted. The Dl-NBP was administered intragastrically for 28 days after BCAS or added at a dose of 50 μm for 48 h after LGLO. Spatial learning and memory were evaluated by an eight-arm radial maze. Demyelination was detected using a TEM. Mitochondrial dynamics were assessed by time-lapse imaging in the cultured brain slices. The function of the synapse was evaluated by the patch clamp technique. In BCAS mice, obvious demyelination and cognitive decline were observed, while both were significantly relieved by a high-dose D1-NBP treatment (100 mg/kg). Along with demyelination, mitochondrial accumulation in the axons was significantly increased in the BCAS mice model, but with the treatment of a high-dose D1-NBP, mitochondrial accumulation was mitigated, and the anterograde/retrograde transport of mitochondria was increased. Following the improved anterograde/retrograde transport of mitochondria, the synapse activity was significantly upregulated while the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was remarkably decreased in the cultured brain slices. In addition, we identified syntaphilin (SNPH) as the downstream target of D1-NBP. The overexpression of SNPH mediated the effects of D1-NBP in mitigating axonal mitochondrial accumulation. In conclusion, the D1-NBP treatment significantly relieved demyelination and improved spatial learning and memory in the WML model by promoting mitochondrial dynamics. These neuroprotective effects of D1-NBP were mediated by inhibiting the mitochondrial arching protein, SNPH, which provided a potential therapeutic target for WML.

Phenoxythiophene sulfonamide compound B355252 protects neuronal cells against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity by attenuating mitochondrial fission and the nuclear translocation of AIF

Glutamate neurotoxicity has been implicated in the initiation and progression of various neurological and neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, it is necessary to develop therapeutics for the treatment of patients with these devastating diseases. Mitochondrial fission plays an import role in the mediation of cell death and survival. The objective of the present study was to determine whether B355252, a phenoxythiophene sulfonamide derivative, reduces glutamate-induced cell death by inhibiting mitochondrial fission and the nuclear translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) in glutamate-challenged HT22 neuronal cells. The results revealed that glutamate treatment led to large increases in the mitochondrial levels of the major fission proteins dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and mitochondrial fission 1 protein (Fis1), but only small elevations in the fusion proteins mitofusin 1 and 2 (Mfn1/2) and optic atrophy 1 (Opa1). In addition, glutamate toxicity disrupted mitochondrial reticular networks and increased the translocation of AIF to the nucleus. Pretreatment with B35525 reduced glutamate-induced cell death and prevented the increases in the protein levels of Drp1, Fis1, Mfn1/2 and Opa1 in the mitochondrial fraction. More importantly, the architecture of the mitochondria was protected and nuclear translocation of AIF was completely inhibited by B35525. These findings suggest that the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics is central to the neuroprotective properties of B355252, and presents an attractive opportunity for potential development as a therapy for neurodegenerative disorders associated with mitochondria dysfunction.

Mice born to females with oocyte-specific deletion of mitofusin 2 have increased weight gain and impaired glucose homeostasis

Offspring born to obese and diabetic mothers are prone to metabolic diseases, a phenotype that has been linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in oocytes. In addition, metabolic diseases impact the architecture and function of mitochondria-ER contact sites (MERCs), changes which associate with mitofusin 2 (MFN2) repression in muscle, liver and hypothalamic neurons. MFN2 is a potent modulator of mitochondrial metabolism and insulin signaling, with a key role in mitochondrial dynamics and tethering with the ER. Here, we investigated whether offspring born to mice with MFN2-deficient oocytes are prone to obesity and diabetes. Deletion of Mfn2 in oocytes resulted in a profound transcriptomic change, with evidence of impaired mitochondrial and ER function. Moreover, offspring born to females with oocyte-specific deletion of Mfn2 presented increased weight gain and glucose intolerance. This abnormal phenotype was linked to decreased insulinemia and defective insulin signaling, but not mitochondrial and ER defects in offspring liver and skeletal muscle. In conclusion, this study suggests a link between disrupted mitochondrial/ER function in oocytes and increased risk of metabolic diseases in the progeny. Future studies should determine whether MERC architecture and function are altered in oocytes from obese females, which might contribute toward transgenerational transmission of metabolic diseases.

The ubiquitous role of mitochondria in Parkinson and other neurodegenerative diseases

Orderly mitochondrial life cycle, plays a key role in the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases. Mitochondria are ubiquitous in neurons as they respond to an ever-changing demand for energy supply. Mitochondria constantly change in shape and location, feature of their dynamic nature, which facilitates a quality control mechanism. Biological studies in mitochondria dynamics are unveiling the mechanisms of fission and fusion, which essentially arrange morphology and motility of these organelles. Control of mitochondrial network homeostasis is a critical factor for the proper function of neurons. Disease-related genes have been reported to be implicated in mitochondrial dysfunction. Increasing evidence implicate mitochondrial perturbation in neuronal diseases, such as AD, PD, HD, and ALS. The intricacy involved in neurodegenerative diseases and the dynamic nature of mitochondria point to the idea that, despite progress toward detecting the biology underlying mitochondrial disorders, its link to these diseases is difficult to be identified in the laboratory. Considering the need to model signaling pathways, both in spatial and temporal level, there is a challenge to use a multiscale modeling framework, which is essential for understanding the dynamics of a complex biological system. The use of computational models in order to represent both a qualitative and a quantitative structure of mitochondrial homeostasis, allows to perform simulation experiments so as to monitor the conformational changes, as well as the intersection of form and function.

MiRNA-137-mediated modulation of mitochondrial dynamics regulates human neural stem cell fate

The role of miRNAs in determining human neural stem cell (NSC) fate remains elusive despite their high expression in the developing nervous system. In this study, we investigate the role of miR‐137, a brain‐enriched miRNA, in determining the fate of human induced pluripotent stem cells‐derived NSCs (hiNSCs). We show that ectopic expression of miR‐137 in hiNSCs reduces proliferation and accelerates neuronal differentiation and migration. TargetScan and MicroT‐CDS predict myocyte enhancer factor‐2A (MEF2A), a transcription factor that regulates peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐gamma coactivator (PGC1α) transcription, as a target of miR‐137. Using a reporter assay, we validate MEF2A as a downstream target of miR‐137. Our results indicate that reduced levels of MEF2A reduce the transcription of PGC1α, which in turn impacts mitochondrial dynamics. Notably, miR‐137 accelerates mitochondrial biogenesis in a PGC1α independent manner by upregulating nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NFE2)‐related factor 2 (NRF2) and transcription factor A of mitochondria (TFAM). In addition, miR‐137 modulates mitochondrial dynamics by inducing mitochondrial fusion and fission events, resulting in increased mitochondrial content and activation of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and oxygen consumption rate. Pluripotency transcription factors OCT4 and SOX2 are known to have binding sites in the promoter region of miR‐137 gene. Ectopic expression of miR‐137 elevates the expression levels of OCT4 and SOX2 in hiNSCs which establishes a feed‐forward self‐regulatory loop between miR‐137 and OCT4/SOX2. Our study provides novel molecular insights into NSC fate determination by miR‐137.

p53 regulates mitochondrial dynamics by inhibiting Drp1 translocation into mitochondria during cellular senescence

Cellular senescence acts as an important barrier to tumorigenesis by eliminating precancerous cells. Previous studies have shown an essential role of the tumor suppressor p53 in cellular senescence, but how p53 induces cellular senescence is not fully understood. We found that p53 promoted the formation of highly interconnected and elongated mitochondria prior to the onset of cellular senescence. The inhibition of mitochondrial elongation upon p53 expression suppressed cellular senescence, suggesting that mitochondrial elongation is required for the induction of p53-dependent senescence. p53-induced mitochondrial elongation resulted in mitochondrial dysfunction and subsequent increases in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, an important mediator of cellular senescence. Mechanistically, the inhibitory phosphorylation of Drp1 Ser637 increased upon p53 expression, suppressing the translocation of Drp1 into mitochondria. The transcriptional function of p53 was crucial for controlling the inhibitory phosphorylation of Drp1, whereas p21 was nonessential. Protein kinase A (PKA) activity was responsible for p53-mediated Drp1 Ser637 phosphorylation and mitochondrial dysfunction. Taken together, these results suggest that p53 regulates mitochondrial dynamics through the PKA-Drp1 pathway to induce cellular senescence.

Vascular progenitor cell senescence in patients with Marfan syndrome

Vascular progenitor cells (VPCs) present in the adventitia of the vessel wall play a critical role in the regulation of vascular repair following injury. This study aimed to assess the function of VPCs isolated from patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS). VPCs were isolated from control and MFS donors and characterized. Compared with control‐VPCs, MFS‐VPCs exhibited cellular senescence as demonstrated by increased cell size, higher SA‐β‐gal activity and elevated levels of p53 and p21. RNA sequencing showed that several cellular process‐related pathways including cell cycle and cellular senescence were significantly enriched in MFP‐VPCs. Notably, the expression level of TGF‐β1 was much higher in MFS‐VPCs than control‐VPCs. Treatment of control‐VPCs with TGF‐β1 significantly enhanced mitochondrial reactive oxidative species (ROS) and induced cellular senescence whereas inhibition of ROS reversed these effects. MFS‐VPCs displayed increased mitochondrial fusion and decreased mitochondrial fission. Treatment of control‐VPCs with TGF‐β1 increased mitochondrial fusion and reduced mitochondrial fission. Nonetheless, treatment of mitofusin2 (Mfn2)‐siRNA inhibited TGF‐β1‐induced mitochondrial fusion and cellular senescence. Furthermore, TGF‐β1‐induced mitochondrial fusion was mediated by the AMPK signalling pathway. Our study shows that TGF‐β1 induces VPC senescence in patients with MFS by mediating mitochondrial dynamics via the AMPK signalling pathway.

Distinct patterns of skeletal muscle mitochondria fusion, fission and mitophagy upon duration of exercise training

AIM

Healthy ageing interventions encompass regular exercise to prevent mitochondrial dysfunction, key player in sarcopenia pathogenesis. Mitochondrial biogenesis has been well documented, but mitochondrial remodelling in response to exercise training is poorly understood. Here we investigated fusion, fission and mitophagy before and after an exercise intervention in older adults.

METHODS

Skeletal muscle biopsies were collected from 22 healthy sedentary men and women before and after 4 months of supervised training. Eight lifelong trained age- and gender-matched volunteers served as positive controls. Transmission electron microscopy was used to estimate mitochondrial content. Western blotting and qRT-PCR were used to detect changes in specific proteins and transcripts.

RESULTS

After intervention, mitochondrial content increased to levels of controls. While enhancement of fusion was prevalent after intervention, inhibition of fission and increased mitophagy were dominant in controls. Similarly to PARKIN, BCL2L13 content was higher in controls. The observed molecular adaptations paralleled long-term effects of training on physical fitness, exercise efficiency and oxidative capacity.

CONCLUSIONS

This study describes distinct patterns of molecular adaptations in human skeletal muscle under chronic exercise training. After 16 weeks of exercise, the pattern was dominated by fusion to increase mitochondrial content to the metabolic demands of exercise. In lifelong exercise, the pattern was dominated by mitophagy synchronized with increased fusion and decreased fission, indicating an increased mitochondrial turnover. In addition to these temporally distinct adaptive mechanisms, this study suggests for the first time a specific role of BCL2L13 in chronic exercise that requires constant maintenance of mitochondrial quality.

Chronic Energy Depletion due to Iron Deficiency Impairs Dendritic Mitochondrial Motility during Hippocampal Neuron Development

During development, neurons require highly integrated metabolic machinery to meet the large energy demands of growth, differentiation, and synaptic activity within their complex cellular architecture. Dendrites/axons require anterograde trafficking of mitochondria for local ATP synthesis to support these processes. Acute energy depletion impairs mitochondrial dynamics, but how chronic energy insufficiency affects mitochondrial trafficking and quality control during neuronal development is unknown. Because iron deficiency impairs mitochondrial respiration/ATP production, we treated mixed-sex embryonic mouse hippocampal neuron cultures with the iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO) to model chronic energetic insufficiency and its effects on mitochondrial dynamics during neuronal development. At 11 days in vitro (DIV), DFO reduced average mitochondrial speed by increasing the pause frequency of individual dendritic mitochondria. Time spent in anterograde motion was reduced; retrograde motion was spared. The average size of moving mitochondria was reduced, and the expression of fusion and fission genes was altered, indicating impaired mitochondrial quality control. Mitochondrial density was not altered, suggesting that respiratory capacity and not location is the key factor for mitochondrial regulation of early dendritic growth/branching. At 18 DIV, the overall density of mitochondria within terminal dendritic branches was reduced in DFO-treated neurons, which may contribute to the long-term deficits in connectivity and synaptic function following early-life iron deficiency. The study provides new insights into the cross-regulation between energy production and dendritic mitochondrial dynamics during neuronal development and may be particularly relevant to neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases, many of which are characterized by impaired brain iron homeostasis, energy metabolism and mitochondrial trafficking.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This study uses a primary neuronal culture model of iron deficiency to address a gap in understanding of how dendritic mitochondrial dynamics are regulated when energy depletion occurs during a critical period of neuronal maturation. At the beginning of peak dendritic growth/branching, iron deficiency reduces mitochondrial speed through increased pause frequency, decreases mitochondrial size, and alters fusion/fission gene expression. At this stage, mitochondrial density in terminal dendrites is not altered, suggesting that total mitochondrial oxidative capacity and not trafficking is the main mechanism underlying dendritic complexity deficits in iron-deficient neurons. Our findings provide foundational support for future studies exploring the mechanistic role of developmental mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodevelopmental, psychiatric, and neurodegenerative disorders characterized by mitochondrial energy production and trafficking deficits.

Circadian Rhythms and Mitochondria: Connecting the Dots

Circadian rhythms provide a selective advantage by anticipating organismal nutrient needs and guaranteeing optimal metabolic capacity during active hours. Impairment of circadian rhythms is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes and emerging evidence suggests that metabolic diseases are linked to perturbed clock machinery. The circadian clock regulates many transcriptional–translational processes influencing whole cell metabolism and particularly mitochondrial activity. In this review, we survey the current literature related to cross-talks between mitochondria and the circadian clock and unravel putative molecular links. Understanding the mechanisms that link metabolism and circadian responses to transcriptional modifications will provide valuable insights toward innovative therapeutic strategies to combat the development of metabolic disease.

Mitochondrial Quality Control in COPD and IPF

Mitochondria play important roles in the maintenance of intracellular homeostasis; hence, the quality control of mitochondria is crucial for cell fate determination. Mitochondria dynamics and mitochondria-specific autophagy, known as mitophagy, are two main quality control systems in cells. Mitochondria fuse to increase energy production in response to stress, and damaged mitochondria are segregated by fission and degraded by mitophagy. Once these systems are disrupted, dysfunctional mitochondria with decreased adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production accumulate, affecting cell fate. Recently, increasing evidence suggests that the dysregulation of mitochondria quality control is pathogenic in several age-related diseases. In this review, we outlined the role of mitochondria quality control systems in the pathogenesis of age-associated lung diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

LASS2 regulates invasion and chemoresistance via ERK/Drp1 modulated mitochondrial dynamics in bladder cancer cells

Mitochondria coordinated a lot of vital cellular processes of energy production and distribution. Change of mitochondrial functions has been implicated in cancer progression. The present study aims to investigate the involvement of mitochondria dynamics in LASS2 induced invasion and chemoresistance of bladder cancer cells. J82 and BIU87 cell lines were used for LASS2 plasmid transfection while siRNA knockdown was carried out in 5637 cell line. Matrigel invasion assay and Annexin V/PI staining demonstrated that LASS2 negatively regulated cancer cell invasion and chemoresistance. JC-1 staining suggested that LASS2 overexpression downregulated mitochondrial membrane potential. Mitotracker staining showed that LASS2 induced mitochondrial fusion and inhibited mitochondrial fission. In addition, LASS2 overexpression downregulated expression of mitochondrial fission protein p-Drp1 Drp1 and Fis1. While depletion of LASS2 exhibited the opposite effects. Drp1 inhibitor Mdivi abolished invasion and chemoresistance induced by LASS2 siRNA. Furthermore, we found that LASS2 overexpression could inhibit phosphorylation of ERK, which act upstream of Drp1. ERK inhibitor PD98059 suppressed Drp1 phosphorylation and abrogated the effects of LASS2 depletion. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that LASS2 inhibits bladder cancer invasion and chemoresistance through regulation of ERK-Drp1 induced mitochondrial dynamics.

Disrupted in schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) inhibits glioblastoma development by regulating mitochondria dynamics

Glioblastoma(GBM) is one of the most common and aggressive malignant primary tumors of the central nervous system and mitochondria have been proposed to participate in GBM tumorigenesis. Previous studies have identified a potential role of Disrupted in Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1), a multi-compartmentalized protein, in mitochondria. But whether DISC1 could regulate GBM tumorigenesis via mitochondria is still unknown. We determined the expression level of DISC1 by both bioinformatics analysis and tissue analysis, and found that DISC1 was highly expressed in GBM. Knocking down of DISC1 by shRNA in GBM cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, down-regulation of DISC1 decreased cell migration and invasion of GBM and self renewal capacity of glioblastoma stem-like cells. Furthermore, multiple independent rings or spheres could be observed in mitochondria in GBM depleted of DISC1, while normal filamentous morphology was observed in control cells, demonstrating that DISC1 affected the mitochondrial dynamic. Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) was reported to contribute to mitochondrial dynamic regulation and influence glioma cells proliferation and invasion by RHOA/ ROCK1 pathway. Our data showed a significant decrease of Drp1 both in mRNA and protein level in GBM lack of DISC1, indicating that DISC1 maybe affect the mitochondrial dynamic by regulating Drp1. Taken together, our findings reveal that DISC1 affects glioblastoma cell development via mitochondria dynamics partly by down regulation of Drp1.

The Truncated C-terminal Fragment of Mutant ATXN3 Disrupts Mitochondria Dynamics in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 Models

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), known as Machado-Joseph disease, is an autosomal dominant disease caused by an abnormal expansion of polyglutamine in ATXN3 gene, leading to neurodegeneration in SCA3 patients. Similar to other neurodegenerative diseases, the dysfunction of mitochondria is observed to cause neuronal death in SCA3 patients. Based on previous studies, proteolytic cleavage of mutant ATXN3 is found to produce truncated C-terminal fragments in SCA3 models. However, whether these truncated mutant fragments disturb mitochondrial functions and result in pathological death is still unclear. Here, we used neuroblastoma cell and transgenic mouse models to examine the effects of truncated mutant ATXN3 on mitochondria functions. In different models, we observed truncated mutant ATXN3 accelerated the formation of aggregates, which translocated into the nucleus to form intranuclear aggregates. In addition, truncated mutant ATXN3 caused more mitochondrial fission, and decreased the expression of mitochondrial fusion markers, including Mfn-1 and Mfn-2. Furthermore, truncated mutant ATXN3 decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential, increased reactive oxygen species and finally increased cell death rate. In transgenic mouse models, truncated mutant ATXN3 also led to more mitochondrial dysfunction, neurodegeneration and cell death in the cerebellums. This study supports the toxic fragment hypothesis in SCA3, and also provides evidence that truncated mutant ATXN3 is severer than full-length mutant one in vitro and in vivo.

Mitochondrial translocation of EGFR regulates mitochondria dynamics and promotes metastasis in NSCLC

Dysfunction of the mitochondria is well-known for being associated with cancer progression. In the present study, we analyzed the mitochondria proteomics of lung cancer cell lines with different invasion abilities and found that EGFR is highly expressed in the mitochondria of highly invasive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. EGF induces the mitochondrial translocation of EGFR; further, it leads to mitochondrial fission and redistribution in the lamellipodia, upregulates cellular ATP production, and enhances motility in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, EGFR can regulate mitochondrial dynamics by interacting with Mfn1 and disturbing Mfn1 polymerization. Overexpression of Mfn1 reverses the phenotypes resulting from EGFR mitochondrial translocation. We show that the mitochondrial EGFR expressions are higher in paired samples of the metastatic lymph node as compared with primary lung tumor and are inversely correlated with the overall survival in NSCLC patients. Therefore, our results demonstrate that besides the canonical role of EGFR as a receptor tyrosine, the mitochondrial translocation of EGFR may enhance cancer invasion and metastasis through regulating mitochondria dynamics.

Carboxylic Acid Fullerene (C60) Derivatives Attenuated Neuroinflammatory Responses by Modulating Mitochondrial Dynamics

Fullerene (C60) derivatives, a unique class of compounds with potent antioxidant properties, have been reported to exert a wide variety of biological activities including neuroprotective properties. Mitochondrial dynamics are an important constituent of cellular quality control and function, and an imbalance of the dynamics eventually leads to mitochondria disruption and cell dysfunctions. This study aimed to assess the effects of carboxylic acid C60 derivatives (C60-COOH) on mitochondrial dynamics and elucidate its associated mechanisms in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 microglial cell model. Using a cell-based functional screening system labeled with DsRed2-mito in BV-2 cells, we showed that LPS stimulation led to excessive mitochondrial fission, increased mitochondrial localization of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), both of which were markedly suppressed by C60-COOH pretreatment. LPS-induced mitochondria reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) were also significantly inhibited by C60-COOH. Moreover, we also found that C60-COOH pretreatment resulted in the attenuation of LPS-mediated activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, as well as the production of pro-inflammatory mediators. Taken together, these findings demonstrated that carboxylic acid C60 derivatives may exert neuroprotective effects through regulating mitochondrial dynamics and functions in microglial cells, thus providing novel insights into the mechanisms of the neuroprotective properties of carboxylic acid C60 derivatives.

Morphological and bioenergetic demands underlying the mitophagy in post-mitotic neurons: the pink-parkin pathway

Evidence suggests a striking causal relationship between changes in quality control of neuronal mitochondria and numerous devastating human neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Contrary to replicating mammalian cells with a metabolism essentially glycolytic, post-mitotic neurons are distinctive owing to (i) their exclusive energetic dependence from mitochondrial metabolism and (ii) their polarized shape, which entails compartmentalized and distinct energetic needs. Here, we review the recent findings on mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy in differentiated neurons focusing on how the exceptional characteristics of neuronal populations in their morphology and bioenergetics needs make them quite different to other cells in controlling the intracellular turnover of these organelles.

Mitochondrial fragmentation in cigarette smoke-induced bronchial epithelial cell senescence

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that continuously change their shape through fission and fusion. Disruption of mitochondrial dynamics is involved in disease pathology through excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Accelerated cellular senescence resulting from cigarette smoke exposure with excessive ROS production has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Hence, we investigated the involvement of mitochondrial dynamics and ROS production in terms of cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced cellular senescence in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC). Mitochondrial morphology was examined by electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining and p21 Western blotting of primary HBEC were performed to evaluate cellular senescence. Mitochondrial-specific superoxide production was measured by MitoSOX staining. Mitochondrial fragmentation was induced by knockdown of mitochondrial fusion proteins (OPA1 or Mitofusins) by small-interfering RNA transfection. N-acetylcysteine and Mito-TEMPO were used as antioxidants. Mitochondria in bronchial epithelial cells were prone to be more fragmented in COPD lung tissues. CSE induced mitochondrial fragmentation and mitochondrial ROS production, which were responsible for acceleration of cellular senescence in HBEC. Mitochondrial fragmentation induced by knockdown of fusion proteins also increased mitochondrial ROS production and percentages of senescent cells. HBEC senescence and mitochondria fragmentation in response to CSE treatment were inhibited in the presence of antioxidants. CSE-induced mitochondrial fragmentation is involved in cellular senescence through the mechanism of mitochondrial ROS production. Hence, disruption of mitochondrial dynamics may be a part of the pathogenic sequence of COPD development.