Spiropiperidine-Based Oligomycin-Analog Ligands To Counteract the Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in a Renal Cell Model

Finding a therapy for ischemia-reperfusion injury, which consists of cell death following restoration of blood flowing into the artery affected by ischemia, is a strong medical need. Nowadays, only the use of broad-spectrum molecular therapies has demonstrated a partial efficacy in protecting the organs following reperfusion, while randomized clinical trials focused on more specific drug targets have failed. In order to overcome this problem, we applied a combination of molecular modeling and chemical synthesis to identify novel spiropiperidine-based structures active in mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening inhibition as a key process to enhance cell survival after blood flow restoration. Our results were confirmed by biological assay on an in vitro cell model on HeLa and human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells and pave the way to further investigation on an in vivo model system.

Leukemic cells resist lysosomal inhibition through the mitochondria-dependent reduction of intracellular pH and oxidants

Acidic lysosomes are indispensable for cancer development and linked to chemotherapy resistance. Chloroquine (CQ) and functional analogues have been considered as a potential solution to overcome the cancer progression and chemoresistance by inhibiting the lysosome-mediated autophagy and multidrug exocytosis. However, their anti-cancer efficacy in most clinical trials demonstrated modest improvement. In this study, we investigated the detailed mechanisms underlying the acquired resistance of K562 leukemic cells to CQ treatment. In response to 5-80 μM CQ, the lumen pH of endosomal-lysosomal system immediately increased and gradually reached dynamic equilibrium within 24 h. Leukemic cells produced more acidic organelles to tolerate 5-10 μM CQ. CQ (20-80 μM) concentration-dependently triggered cytosolic pH (pHi) rise, G0/G1 arrest, mitochondrial depolarization/fragmentation, and necrotic/apoptotic cell death. Oxidant induction by CQ was responsible for the mitochondria-dependent cytotoxicity and partial pHi elevation. Cells that survived the CQ cytotoxicity were accompanied with increased mitochondria. Under the 80 μM CQ challenge, co-treatment with the inhibitor of F₀ part of mitochondrial H⁺-ATP synthase, oligomycin (40 nM), prevented the elevation of oxidants as well as pHi, and attenuated stresses on mitochondria, cell survival, and cell proliferation. Besides, oligomycin-treated cells obviously displayed the lysosomal peripheralization and plasma membrane blebbing, suggesting that these cells were in process of lysosomal exocytosis and microvesicle release. Enhanced motion of these secretory processes allowed the cells to exclude CQ and repair necrotic injury. Together, the oxidant production and the proton dynamic interconnection among lysosomes, mitochondria, and cytosol are crucial for leukemic susceptibility to lysosomotropic chemotherapeutics.

Cytotoxicity Models in Chromaffin Cells to Evaluate Neuroprotective Compounds

Primary cultures of bovine chromaffin cells are considered a good model to evaluate potential neuroprotective compounds for two major reasons: (i) they share many common features to neurons as they synthesize, store, and release neurotransmitters; they are excitable cells that express voltage-dependent calcium, potassium, and sodium channels; they express different neuronal receptor subtypes; and (ii) they can be easily cultured in high quantities from adult animals; as adult para-neurons, they can be used to reproduce different neurodegenerative-like cytotoxicity models. In this chapter, we describe protocols to mimic calcium overload (veratridine and thapsigargin) and oxidative stress (rotenone plus oligomycin-A and 6-hydroxydopamine) to evaluate potential neuroprotective compounds.

Modulation of ATP Production Influences Inorganic Polyphosphate Levels in Non-Athletes’ Platelets at the Resting State

Platelets produce inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) upon activation to stimulate blood coagulation. Some researchers have linked polyP metabolism to ATP production, although the metabolic linkage is yet to be elucidated. We found evidence for this possibility in our previous study on professional athletes (versus non-athletes), and proposed that the regulatory mechanism might be different for these two groups. To explore this aspect further, we investigated the effects of modulated ATP production on polyP levels. Blood samples were obtained from Japanese healthy, non-athletes in the presence of acid-citrate-dextrose. The platelets in the plasma were treated with oligomycin, rotenone, and GlutaMAX to modulate ATP production. PolyP level was quantified fluorometrically and visualized using 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole. Correlations between polyP and ATP or NADH were then calculated. Contrary to the hypothesis, inhibitors of ATP production increased polyP levels, whereas amino acid supplementation produced the opposite effect. In general, however, polyP levels were positively correlated with ATP levels and negatively correlated with NADH levels. Since platelets are metabolically active, they exhibit high levels of ATP turnover rate. Therefore, these findings suggest that ATP may be involved in polyP production in the resting platelets of non-athletes.

Streptomyces sp. FX13 inhibits fungicide-resistant Botrytis cinerea in vitro and in vivo by producing oligomycin A

Botrytis cinerea is one of the most destructive fungal pathogens which can cause gray mold diseases of numerous plant species, while the frequent applications of fungicides also result in the fungicide-resistances of B. cinerea. In this study, a new Streptomyces strain FX13 was obtained to show biocontrol potentials against fungicide-resistant B. cinerea B3-4. Its in vitro and in vivo antifungal mechanisms were further investigated. The results showed that the culture extract of strain FX13 could significantly inhibit the mycelia growth of B. cinerea B3-4 with the EC₅₀ value of 5.40 mg L^-1, which was greatly lower than those of pyrisoxazole, boscalid and azoxystrobin. Further bioassay-guided isolation of the extract had yielded the antifungal component SA1, which was elucidated as a 26-membered polyene macrolide of oligomycin A. SA1 could inhibit the mycelia growth, spore germination, germ tube elongation and sporogenesis of B. cinerea B3-4 in vitro, and also showed significant curative and protective effects against gray mold on grapes in vivo. Moreover, SA1 could result in the loss of membrane integrity and the leakage of cytoplasmic contents, which might be related to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and membrane lipid peroxidation. Besides, intracellular adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content of B. cinerea B3-4 decreased after SA1-treatment. Overall, the oligomycin A-producing strain FX13 could inhibit fungicide-resistant B. cinerea B3-4 in vitro and in vivo, also highlighting its biocontrol potential against gray mold.

Nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of the ecdysteroid receptor (EcR) and of ultraspiracle (Usp) from Drosophila melanogaster in mammalian cells: energy requirement and interaction with exportin

The small G protein Ran, which is important for nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of proteins is present, but does not interact with EcR, Usp, and EcR/Usp. As shown by oligomycin treatment, EcR, Usp, and EcR/Usp import is energy dependent. Export of EcR and EcR/Usp is mediated by exportin-1 (CRM-1) as shown by the inhibiting effect of leptomycin B (LMB). Usp remains in the nucleus for more than 24 h. Nuclear retainment of EcR and Usp is energy dependent as shown by treatment with oligomycin. No export signal could be identified for Usp. The data confirm that EcR and Usp can enter the nucleus independently and that intracellular localization is regulated individually for each receptor. It is also demonstrated that the export signal of EcR is inaccessible after heterodimerization with Usp.

Stable Transformation of CHO Cells and Human NARP Cybrids Confers Oligomycin Resistance (olir) Following Transfer of a Mitochondrial DNA–Encoded olirATPase6 Gene to the Nuclear Genome: A Model System for mtDNA Gene Therapy

Point and deletion mutations and a general depletion of mammalian mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) give rise to a wide variety of medical syndromes that are refractory to treatment, possibly including aging itself. While gene therapy directed at correcting such deficits in the mitochondrial genome may offer some therapeutic benefits, there are inherent problems associated with a direct approach. These problems are primarily due to the high mitochondrial genome copy number in each cell and the mitochondrial genome being "protected" inside the double-membrane mitochondrial organelle. In an alternative approach there is evidence that genes normally present in the mitochondrial genome can be incorporated into the nuclear genome. To extend such studies, we modified the Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) mtDNA-located ATPase6 gene (possessing a mutation which confers oligomycin resistance- oli(r)) by altering the mtDNA code to the universal code (U-code) to permit the correct translation of its mRNA in the cytoplasm. The U-code construct was inserted into the nuclear genome (nucDNA) of a wild type CHO cell. The expressed transgene products enabled the transformed CHO cell lines to grow in up to 1000 ng mL(-1) oligomycin, while untransformed sensitive CHO cells were eliminated in 1 ng mL(-1) oligomycin. This approach, termed allotopic expression, provides a model that may make possible the transfer of all 13 mtDNA mammalian protein-encoding genes to the nucDNA, for treatments of mtDNA disorders. The CHO mtATPase6 protein is 85% identical to both the mouse and human mtATPase6 protein; these proteins are highly conserved in the region of the oligomycin resistance mutation. They are also well conserved in the regions of the oligomycin resistance mutation of the mouse, and in the region of a mutation found in Leigh's syndrome (T8993G), also called NARP (neurogenic weakness, ataxia, retinitis pigmentosum). It is likely that the CHO oli(r) mtATPase6 Ucode construct could impart oligomycin-resistance in human and mouse cells, as well as function in place of the mutant ATPase subunit in a NARP cell line. Preliminary experiments on human cybrids homoplasmic for the NARP mutation (kindly supplied by D.C. Wallace), transformed with our construct, display an increased oligomycin resistance that supports these suppositions.

Cell-permeable GPNA with appropriate backbone stereochemistry and spacing binds sequence-specifically to RNA

Guanidine-based peptide nucleic acid (GPNA) with a d-backbone configuration and alternate spacing binds sequence-specifically to RNA and is readily taken up by both human somatic and embryonic stem (ES) cells.

Respiration rate of hepatocytes varies with body mass in birds

Hepatocytes were isolated from eight species of birds ranging from 13 g zebra finches to 35 kg emus. This represents a 2800-fold range of body mass (Mb). Liver mass (g) was allometrically related to species body mass by the equation: liver mass=19.6 x Mb(0.91). There was a significant allometric decline in hepatocyte respiration rate (HRR; nmol O2 mg(-1) dry mass min(-1)) with species body mass (kg) described by the relationship: HRR=5.27 x Mb(-0.10). The proportions of hepatocyte oxygen consumption devoted to (i) mitochondrial ATP production, (ii) mitochondrial proton leak and (iii) non-mitochondrial processes were estimated by using excess amounts of appropriate inhibitors. It was found that although hepatocyte respiration rate varied with body mass in birds, these processes constitute a relatively constant proportion of hepatocyte metabolic rate irrespective of the size of the bird species. The respective percentages were 54%, 21% and 25%. The portion of hepatocyte respiration devoted to ATP production for use by the sodium pump was estimated and found to be a relatively constant 24% of hepatocyte respiration and 45% of mitochondrial ATP production in different-sized bird species. These results are discussed in the context of competing theories to explain the metabolism-body size allometry, and are found to support the 'allometric cascade' model.

Food restriction affects energy metabolism in rat liver mitochondria

To examine the effect of 50% food restriction over a period of 3 days on mitochondrial energy metabolism, liver mitochondria were isolated from ad libitum and food-restricted rats. Mitochondrial enzyme activities and oxygen consumption were assessed spectrophotometrically and polarographically. With regard to body weight loss (-5%), food restriction decreased the liver to body mass ratio by 7%. Moreover, in food-restricted rats, liver mitochondria displayed diminished state 3 (-30%), state 4-oligomycin (-26%) and uncoupled state (-24%) respiration rates in the presence of succinate. Furthermore, "top-down" elasticity showed that these decreases were due to an inactivation of reactions involved in substrate oxidation. Therefore, it appears that rats not only adapt to food restriction through simple passive mechanisms, such as liver mass loss, but also through decreased mitochondrial energetic metabolism.

Mitochondrial ATP synthasome. Cristae-enriched membranes and a multiwell detergent screening assay yield dispersed single complexes containing the ATP synthase and carriers for Pi and ADP/ATP

The terminal step of ATP synthesis in intact mitochondria is catalyzed by the ATP synthase (F(0)F(1)) that works in close synchrony with the P(i) and ADP/ATP carriers. Each carrier consists of only a single polypeptide chain in dimeric form, while the ATP synthase is highly complex consisting in animals of 17 known subunit types and more than 30 total subunits. Although structures at high resolution have been obtained for the water-soluble F(1) part of the ATP synthase consisting of only five subunit types, such structures have not been obtained for either the complete ATP synthase or the P(i) and ADP/ATP carriers. Here, we report that all three proteins are localized in highly purified cristae-like vesicles obtained by extensive subfractionation of the mitochondrial inner membrane. Moreover, using a multiwell detergent screening assay, 4 nonionic detergents out of 80 tested were found to disperse these cristae-like vesicles into single soluble complexes or "ATP synthasomes" that contain the ATP synthase in association with the P(i) and ADP/ATP carriers. These studies offer new mechanistic insights into the terminal steps of oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria and set the stage for future structural efforts designed to visualize in atomic detail the entire complex involved. They also provide evidence that the cristae are a subcompartment of the inner membrane.

Characterization and location of Src-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation in rat brain mitochondria

Analysis of protein phosphorylation in highly purified rat brain mitochondria revealed the presence of several alkali-stable phosphoproteins whose phosphorylation markedly increases upon treatment with peroxovanadate and Mn(2+), a property indicating tyrosine phosphorylation. These include three prominent bands, with apparent sizes of 50, 60, and 75 kDa, which are detectable by anti-phosphotyrosine. Tyrosine phosphorylation disappears when mitochondria are treated with PP2, an inhibitor of the Src kinase family, suggesting the presence of members of this family in rat brain mitochondria. Immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation assays of mitochondrial lysates confirmed the presence of Fyn, Src and Lyn kinases, as well as Csk, a protein kinase which negatively controls the activity of the Src kinase family. Results show that tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins are membrane-bound and that they are located on the inner surface of the outer membrane and/or the external surface of the inner membrane. Instead, Src tyrosine kinases are mainly located in the intermembrane space - in particular, as revealed by immunogold experiments for Lyn kinase, in the cristal lumen. Rat brain mitochondria were also found to possess a marked level of tyrosine phosphatase activity, strongly inhibited by peroxovanadate.

Comparative study on uncoupling effects of laurate and lauryl sulfate on rat liver and skeletal muscle mitochondria

Uncoupling effects of laurate and lauryl sulfate have been studied in the isolated rat liver and skeletal muscle mitochondria. In the oligomycin-treated liver mitochondria, 0.02 mM laurate or 0.16 mM lauryl sulfate caused a two-fold stimulation of respiration, accompanied by a membrane potential decrease. Carboxyatractylate (CAtr) and glutamate (or aspartate) strongly decrease the effect of laurate and lauryl sulfate on respiratory rate and membrane potential (the recoupling effect). With both uncouplers, this effect is maximal for CAtr and glutamate (aspartate) at pH 7.8 and 7.0, respectively. Tetraphenyl phosphonium cations, which decrease negative membrane charges, cause an alkaline shift of these pH dependences. Small amounts of lauryl sulfate, which increase the membrane negative charge, induce the opposite shift when laurate is used as an uncoupler. ADP, but not GDP, partially recouple with both laurate and lauryl sulfate. We conclude that lauryl sulfate-induced uncoupling in rat liver, like the uncoupling induced by laurate, is mediated by the ATP/ ADP and glutamate/aspartate antiporters. In skeletal muscle mitochondria uncoupled by laurate, 200 microM GDP causes partial recoupling which can be enhanced by a subsequent additions of CAtr, glutamate and serum albumin. CAtr added before GDP promotes a larger recoupling than when added after GDP and prevents the subsequent effect of GDP. ADP is effective as recoupler at lower concentrations that GDP, whereas CDP is without influence. Lauryl sulfate uncoupling of skeletal muscle mitochondria is GDP-resistant but is sensitive to ADP, CAtr, glutamate and serum albumin. Our data suggest that in skeletal muscle mitochondria a GDP-sensitive mechanism is involved in uncoupling induced by laurate. This mechanism is absent in liver mitochondria. Possible mechanisms of laurate and lauryl sulfate-induced uncoupling are discussed.

Calphostin C-mediated translocation and integration of Bax into mitochondria induces cytochrome c release before mitochondrial dysfunction

Calphostin C-mediated apoptosis in glioma cells was reported previously to be associated with down-regulation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. In this study, we report that 100 nM calphostin C also induces translocation and integration of monomeric Bax into mitochondrial membrane, followed by cytochrome c release into cytosol and subsequent decrease of mitochondrial inner membrane potential (DeltaPsim) before activation of caspase-3. The integration of monomeric Bax was associated with acquirement of alkali-resistance. The translocated monomeric Bax was partly homodimerized after cytochrome c release and decrease of DeltaPsim. The translocation and homodimerization of Bax, cytochrome c release, and decrease of DeltaPsim were not blocked by 100 microM z-VAD.fmk, a pan-caspase inhibitor, but the homodimerization of Bax and decrease of DeltaPsim were inhibited by 10 microM oligomycin, a mitochondrial F0F1-ATPase inhibitor. Therefore, it would be assumed that mitochondrial release of cytochrome c results from translocation and integration of Bax and is independent of permeability transition of mitochondria and caspase activation, representing a critical step in calphostin C-induced cell death.

Characterization of the bile acid sensitive methotrexate carrier of rat liver cells

The chemotherapeutic agent methotrexate is widely used in tumor therapy for different forms of leukemia and for the therapy of arthritis. Methotrexate is eliminated from systemic blood circulation by the liver and its transport into hepatocytes is therefore described in detail in this paper. Methotrexate uptake is energy- and sodium-dependent. The Km and the Vmax are 23 microM and 36 pmol/mg protein min, respectively. The apparent activation energy (E(app)) of methotrexate uptake (5 microM [3H]methotrexate) is 53.73 kJ/mol, which indicates an energy-dependent carrier-mediated process. Although methotrexate is a folate derivative, folate itself does not inhibit methotrexate uptake, whereas the reduced folates, dihydrofolate and tetrahydrofolate are weak uncompetitive inhibitors. In contrast, the bile acids taurocholate and cholate are effective competitive inhibitors of methotrexate uptake into hepatocytes. Further strong inhibitors are the loop diuretic bumetanide, the mycotoxin ochratoxin A and bromosulfophthalein. Because tumor patients develop drug resistance during methotrexate therapy, the uptake of methotrexate was tested in different hepatoma cell lines. In HepG2-cells and Reuber hepatoma Fao-cells the transport was non-existent or very small. However, the hepatocytoma fusion cell line HPCT-1E3, a hybrid cell line between primary rat hepatocytes and rat Reuber Fao-cells, shows an intermediate transport activity with a threefold increase of the methotrexate uptake. These results indicate the presence of a bile acid sensitive methotrexate carrier in hepatocytes which is absent in dedifferentiated hepatoma cells. The carrier differs from previously described transporters for the uptake of organic anions.

Evidence of a subunit 4 (subunit b) dimer in favor of the proximity of ATP synthase complexes in yeast inner mitochondrial membrane

Yeast mitochondria having either the D54C or E55C mutations in subunit 4 (subunit b), which is a component of the ATP synthase stator, displayed a spontaneous disulfide bridge between two subunits 4. This dimer was not soluble upon Triton X-100 extraction either at concentrations which extract the yeast ATP synthase or at higher concentrations. Increasing detergent concentrations led to a lack of the oligomycin-sensitive ATPase activity, thus showing an uncoupling between the two sectors of the mutated enzymes due to the dissociation of the subunit 4 dimer from the mutant enzyme. There is only one subunit 4 (subunit b) per eukaryotic ATP synthase. As a consequence, the results are interpreted as the proximity of ATP synthase complexes within the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Coupling between cytosolic and mitochondrial calcium oscillations: role in the regulation of hepatic metabolism

Mitochondria are strategically localized at sites of Ca2+ release, such that increases in cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]c) from either internal Ca2+ stores or Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane can be rapidly transported into the mitochondrial matrix. The consequent elevation in mitochondrial Ca2+ ([Ca2+]m) stimulates the Ca2+-sensitive intramitochondrial dehydrogenases, resulting in elevation of NAD(P)H. The preferential coupling between increases in [Ca2+]c and [Ca2+]m is one proposed mechanism to coordinate mitochondrial ATP production with cellular energy demand. In liver cells, hormones that act through the second messenger inositol 1,4, 5-trisphosphate (IP3) generate oscillatory [Ca2+]c signals, which result from a periodic Ca2+- and IP3-mediated activation/deactivation of intracellular Ca2+ release channels. The [Ca2+]c spiking frequency increases with agonist dose, whereas the amplitude of each [Ca2+]c spike is constant. This frequency modulation of [Ca2+]c spiking encodes the signal from the extracellular agonist, which is then decoded by the internal Ca2+-sensitive proteins such as the Ca2+-sensitive intramitochondrial dehydrogenases. Our studies have investigated the relationship between IP3-dependent [Ca2+]c signals and [Ca2+]m in primary cultured hepatocytes. In addition, the changes in cellular [Ca2+] levels have been correlated with the regulation of intramitochondrial NAD(P)H levels, pyruvate dehydrogenase activity and the magnitude of the mitochondrial proton motive force.

CALCIUM ION ACCUMULATION AND VOLUME CHANGES OF ISOLATED LIVER MITOCHONDRIA. REVERSAL OF CALCIUM ION-INDUCED SWELLING

1. The excessive accumulation of Ca(2+) by mitochondria suspended in an iso-osmotic buffered potassium chloride medium containing oxidizable substrate and phosphate led to extensive swelling and release of accumulated Ca(2+) from the mitochondria. When the Ca(2+) was removed from the medium by chelation with ethylene glycol bis(aminoethyl)tetra-acetate, the swelling was reversed in a respiration-dependent contraction. The contracted mitochondria were shown to have regained some degree of respiratory control. 2. The respiration-dependent contraction could be supported by electron transport through a restricted portion of the respiratory chain, and by substrates donating electrons at different levels in the respiratory chain. 3. Respiratory inhibitors appropriate to the substrate present completely inhibited the contraction. Uncoupling agents, and the inhibitors oligomycin and atractyloside, were without effect. 4. When the reversal of swelling had been prevented by respiratory inhibitors, the addition of ATP induced a contraction of the mitochondria. In the absence of added chelating agent the contraction was very slow. The ATP-induced contraction was completely inhibited by oligomycin and atractyloside, was incomplete in the presence of uncoupling agents and was unaffected by respiratory inhibitors. 5. The relationship between the energy requirements of respiration-dependent contraction and the requirements of ion transport and other contractile systems are discussed.

CALCIUM ION ACCUMULATION AND VOLUME CHANGES OF ISOLATED LIVER MITOCHONDRIA. CALCIUM ION-INDUCED SWELLING

1. Liver mitochondria suspended in an iso-osmotic buffered potassium chloride medium containing an oxidizable substrate and phosphate accumulated added Ca(2+). During this process H(+) appeared in the medium and the mitochondrial suspension showed increased light-scattering. Respiration was markedly stimulated. 2. The addition of excess of Ca(2+), respiratory inhibitors or uncoupling agents caused extensive mitochondrial swelling associated with release of Ca(2+) into the suspending medium. When the suspension became anaerobic extensive swelling also occurred. Only under conditions when the addition of uncoupling agents would have produced high rates of electron transport, e.g. in the presence of succinate, was the structural integrity of the mitochondrion maintained after Ca(2+) accumulation. 3. Conditions that prevented respiration-dependent Ca(2+) accumulation also prevented Ca(2+)-induced swelling. Bovine plasma albumin was without effect, indicating that U-factor was not involved. Oligomycin together with ADP or ATP partially stabilized the mitochondria against Ca(2+)-induced swelling. 4. It is suggested that a ;high-energy' intermediate generated by coupled electron transport is required to prevent the mitochondrial swelling that results as a consequence of Ca(2+) accumulation.

THE EFFECT OF ATRACTYLATE AND OLIGOMYCIN ON THE BEHAVIOUR OF MITOCHONDRIA TOWARDS ADENINE NUCLEOTIDES

1. Investigation of a number of reactions involving both internal and externally added adenine nucleotides of isolated liver mitochondria has revealed that atractylate and oligomycin differ markedly in the site of their inhibitory action. 2. Both atractylate and oligomycin inhibited the respiratory-chain-level phosphorylation of added ADP. Neither compound inhibited the substrate-level phosphorylation of internal (endogenous) ADP or the respiration-dependent accumulation of bivalent metal ions (Ca(2+), Sr(2+) or Mn(2+)). 3. Atractylate, but not oligomycin, inhibited the substrate-level phosphorylation of externally added ADP, the ATP- and carnitine-dependent reduction of nicotinamide nucleotide by palmitate and the ATP-induced activation of succinate oxidation. 4. Oligomycin, but not atractylate, inhibited the respiratory-chain-linked phosphorylation of internal ADP, and the dephosphorylation of internal ATP that occurred on the addition of antimycin. 5. The enhancement of arsenate-stimulated respiration by ADP was prevented by atractylate added either before or after the ADP. Oligomycin abolished both the arsenate and ADP stimulation. 6. It is suggested that atractylate prevents the passage of adenine nucleotides across the mitochondrial membrane, whereas oligomycin interferes with the formation of a ;high-energy' phosphorylated intermediate.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae OXA1 gene is required for the correct assembly of cytochrome c oxidase and oligomycin-sensitive ATP synthase

The nuclear gene OXA1 was first isolated in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and found to be required at a post-translational step in cytochrome c oxidase biogenesis, probably at the level of assembly. Mutations in OXA1 lead to a complete respiratory deficiency. The protein Oxa1p is conserved through evolution and a human homolog has been isolated by functional complementation of a yeast oxa1- mutant. In order to further our understanding of the role of Oxa1p, we have constructed two yeast strains in which the OXA1 open reading frame was almost totally deleted. Cytochrome spectra and enzymatic activity measurements show the absence of heme aa3 and of a cytochrome c oxido-reductase activity and dramatic decrease of the oligomycin sensitive ATPase activity. Analysis of the respiratory complexes in non-denaturing gels reveals that Oxa1p is necessary for the correct assembly of the cytochrome c oxidase and the ATP synthase complex.

The carbohydrate moieties of the beta-subunit of Na+, K(+)-ATPase: their lateral motions and proximity to the cardiac glycoside site

The beta-subunit associated with the catalytic (alpha) subunit of the mammalian Na+, K(+) -ATPase is a transmembrane glycoprotein with three extracellularly located N-glycosylation sites. Although beta appears to be essential for a functional enzyme, the role of beta and its sugars remains unknown. In these studies, steady-state and dynamic fluorescence measurements of the fluorophore lucifer yellow (LY) covalently linked to the carbohydrate chains of beta have demonstrated that the bound probes are highly solvent exposed but restricted in their diffusional motions. Furthermore, the probes' environments on beta were not altered by Na+ or K+ or ouabain-induced enzyme conformational changes, but both divalent cation and oligomycin addition evoked modest changes in LY fluorescence. Frequency domain measurements reflecting the Förster fluorescence energy transfer (FET) occurring between anthroylouabain (AO) bound to the cardiac glycoside receptor site on alpha and the carbohydrate-linked LY demonstrated their close proximity (18 A). Additional FET determinations made between LY as donor and erythrosin-5-isothiocyanate, covalently bound at the enzyme's putative ATP binding site domain, indicated that a distance of about 85 A separates these two regions and that this distance is reduced upon divalent cation binding and increased upon the Na+E1-->K+E2 conformational transition. These data suggest a model for the localization of the terminal moieties of the oligosaccharides that places them, on average, about 18 A from the AO binding site and this distance or less from the extracellular membrane surface.

Increased Na+/K(+)-pump activity and adenosine triphosphate utilization after compound 48/80-induced histamine secretion from rat mast cells

The Na+/K(+)-pump activity and the utilization of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were studied in rat peritoneal mast cells after histamine secretion induced by compound 48/80. We measured the ouabain-sensitive K(+)-uptake by a radioactive technique (86Rb+). The ATP content and the glycolytic ATP-production were measured by the bioluminescence technique (firefly lantern) and by measurement of the lactate production under anaerobic conditions (antimycin A, oligomycin), respectively. There was an increased requirement for ATP after the secretory response associated with an increased activity of the Na+/K(+)-pump. The anaerobic, but not the aerobic, pathway for ATP-synthesis was able to respond to the increased ATP-requirement. The ATP-requirement of the Na+/K(+)-pump was only partly satisfied when ATP was supplied from either the glycolytic or the oxidative pathway. This may indicate that the availability of ATP was the limiting factor for the activity of the Na+/K(+)-pump following histamine secretion under these conditions. It is concluded that the large increase in Na+/K(+)-pump activity after a secretory response is a likely explanation for the long lasting ATP-decrease in mast cells that follows histamine secretion.

Tri-Calciphor (16,16-dimethyl-15-dehydroprostaglandin B1 trimer)-mediated mitochondrial Ca2+ movements: modulation by phosphate

The trimeric derivative of 16,16-dimethyl-15-dehydroprostaglandin B1 (termed tri-Calciphor), which protects tissues against ischemic damage, induced Ca2+ efflux and swelling in mitochondria in the absence of phosphate, Mg2+ and ATP. When glutamate/malate rather than succinate was the substrate, higher tri-Calciphor concentrations were required for the ionophoretic activity. Ca2+ efflux and mitochondrial swelling induced by tri-Calciphor were completely inhibited by ATP, phosphate and Mg2+ added together, and partially inhibited with phosphate plus either ATP or Mg2+. Between 0 and 7 microM added Ca2+ and in the presence of phosphate, ATP and Mg2+, tri-Calciphor stimulated the uptake of Ca2+ by mitochondria and increased the efficiency of buffering of extramitochondrial Ca2+. Thus, depending on the assay conditions, two different effects involving Ca2+ movements and mitochondria are observed with tri-Calciphor.

The proton pumping activity of H(+)-ATPases: an improved fluorescence assay

A new method for the estimation of steady-state delta pH, and the rate of acidification, by H(+)-ATPases (and other proton transporters) in inverted membrane vesicles is described. The method is based on a combination of two widely used fluorescent delta pH probes, 9-aminoacridine and 9-amino-6-chloro-2-methoxyacridine. It is demonstrated that 9-amino-6-chloro-2-methoxyacridine fluorescence quenching, which is very sensitive to small pH gradients, is not sensitive to the magnitude of large pH gradient, while 9-aminoacridine, which does not sense small gradients, is very sensitive to large pH gradients. A proper mixture of the two probes provides a method which is equally sensitive to pH gradients from very small values up to 3.5 pH units. The probe response was evaluated by titrations of the fluorescence signal with nigericin and adjusted by changing the concentration ratio and the emission wavelength. In liposomes, submitochondrial particles and bacterial vesicles an almost linear dependence of quenching on delta pH over the entire range can be obtained with this method. It is demonstrated that the new method can be used to obtain more reliable estimates of the rate of acidification as well as the magnitude of delta pH, whereas each of these and similar probes, by themselves are not as reliable. A determination of the ratio delta Gp/delta muH over a wide range of values reveal that this ratio is not constant but decreases with delta Gp. This finding should be taken into consideration when attempting to estimate the H+/ATP ratio form the measurement of delta Gp/delta muH.

Molecular cloning and sequence of cDNAs for the import precursors of oligomycin sensitivity conferring protein, ATPase inhibitor protein, and subunit c of H(+)-ATP synthase in rat mitochondria

Four cDNAs for the import precursors of oligomycin sensitivity conferring protein (OSCP), ATPase inhibitor protein (IF1) and subunit cs (encoded by P1 and P2 genes) of rat mitochondrial H(+)-ATP synthase have been cloned from a rat cDNA library. The import precursors and the mature polypeptides of rat OSCP, IF1, subunit c (P1) and subunit c (P2) consisted of 23/190, 25/82, 61/75 and 66/75 amino acids, respectively.

Effects of diarylsulfonylurea antitumor agents on the function of mitochondria isolated from rat liver and GC3/c1 cells

Diarylsulfonylureas, such as N-(4-chlorophenyl)aminocarbonyl-2,3-dihydro-1-indene-5-sulfonamide (LY186641, Sulofenur) and N-(4-chlorophenyl)aminocarbonyl-4-methylbenzene sulfonamide (LY181984), have been shown to be effective antitumor agents in a variety of in vivo and in vitro animal models. Their mechanism of action is unknown but does not appear to be the result of nonselective destruction of actively dividing cell populations. Mitochondria have been shown to accumulate Sulofenur and therefore may be targets of drug action. The purpose of these investigations was to examine the effects of a variety of diarylsulfonylureas in mitochondria and attempt to determine the relevance of these changes to antitumor activity. Many of the diarylsulfonylureas which were effective antitumor agents in animal models were also uncouplers of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. They increased state 4 respiration and dissipated the mitochondrial membrane potential in a concentration-related fashion. The mechanism of uncoupling appeared to be related to a dissociable hydrogen ion as these molecules had pKa values that ranged from 6.0 to 6.2 and were highly lipophilic. Thus, the uncoupling action appears to be the result of hydrogen ion translocation. The mechanism of antitumor activity does not appear to be the result of uncoupling as no correlation was evident between inhibition of cell growth and uncoupling action of a variety of active and inactive diarylsulfonylureas. In vitro, Sulofenur is cytotoxic at high concentrations and inhibits cell growth at lower concentrations in the absence of any overt cell kill. The inhibition of cell growth also did not appear to be related to the uncoupling action of these drugs. In contrast, uncoupling may have played a partial role in the early, high exposure cell kill that can occur with these compounds.

Epitope of OSCP oligomycin sensitivity conferring protein exposed at the surface of the mitochondrial ATPase-ATPsynthase complex

Immunological studies were designed to study the structure of the oligomycin sensitivity conferring protein (OSCP) integrated in the mitochondrial ATPase-ATPsynthase complex. The monoclonal antibody 2B1B1 used in this study could bind as well to purified or membrane bound OSCP as shown previously by Protein A-gold immunocytochemistry and by competitive immunotitration. In this paper, it is shown that 2B1B1 can also immunoprecipitate the F0F1 complex from a Triton X-100 extract. This means that not only, 2B1B1 binds to the surface of OSCP but also that the binding of 2B1B1 did not destroy the interactions between F0 and F1 and further demonstrates the external location of the 2B1B1 binding site in the ATPase-ATPsynthase complex. This antigenic site was located on the N-terminal sequence of OSCP, between residues 1 and 72, as demonstrated after chemical cleavage of OSCP with formic acid, hydroxylamine and partial cleavage with cyanogen bromide. The proximity of Tyr and Arg to the epitope was suggested by the lack of 2B1B1 binding to iodinated OSCP and by the susceptibility of this binding to trypsin or to endoproteinase Arg-C treatments of OSCP, respectively. A more precise location of the epitope has been attempted by using the method of synthesis of overlapping octapeptides on solid support. It was found that 2 groups of octapeptides could bind 2B1B1. The first group contained in common the sequence Pro7-Pro8-Val9-Gln10-Ile11-Tyr12- and the second group of peptides contained the sequence Arg62-Ser63-Val64-Lys65. Another monoclonal antibody, AF4H7, which competes with 2B1B1, also recognized the first group of peptides. The possible involvement of these 2 fragments in the epitope localized at the surface of OSCP is discussed. In addition, secondary structure theoretical analysis predicts that these 2 domains should be in a beta-strand configuration.

The oliC3 gene of Aspergillus niger: isolation, sequence and use as a selectable marker for transformation

The oliC3 gene of Aspergillus niger has been isolated and sequenced. This gene encodes an oligomycin-resistant variant of the mitochondrial ATP synthase subunit 9. In transformation experiments the gene can serve as a semi-dominant selectable marker for A. niger. It was possible to recognize transformants in which oliC3 had integrated at the homologous oliC locus, as opposed to elsewhere in the genome, by observation of phenotypes on medium containing oligomycin. DNA sequencing has allowed comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence with subunit 9 proteins from other species and comparison of 5' untranslated sequences with those from other fungi.

Increased free intrasynaptosomal Ca2+ by neurotoxic organometals: distinctive mechanisms

Effects of several alkylmetals on free intrasynaptosomal Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]i, were studied in vitro using the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fura-2. Neurotoxic alkylmetals methylmercury (Met-Hg), triethyllead (TEL), triethyltin (TET), and trimethyltin (TMT) (at 2.5-30 microM) increased [Ca2+]i to different degrees. Met-Hg was the most potent, elevating [Ca2+]i 100-800 nM, dose dependently and significantly more than high K+ (150 nM) or veratridine (350 nM). The effect of Met-Hg could not be inhibited with a Ca2+ channel blocker, verapamil, nor with a Na+ channel blocker, tetrodotoxin. Inhibition of the mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake in situ with rotenone + oligomycin decreased the potency of Met-Hg to elevate [Ca2+]i but did not change the resting [Ca2+]i. Met-Hg also slightly decreased synaptosomal ATP. TEL and TET elevated [Ca2+]i by 100-200 nM. The effect of TEL, but not that of TET, could be blocked with verapamil (36%) and veratridine (67%). TEL was less efficient in the presence of ouabain. Neither TEL nor TET had significant mitochondrial effects in situ contributing to [Ca2+]i. TMT increased [Ca2+]i less than TET while dimethyltin and methyltin were inactive. These results indicate that neurotoxic derivatives of alkylmetals studied increase [Ca2+]i. This occurs mainly either by nonspecific increase (Met-Hg, TET) of Ca2+ leakage through the plasma membrane and/or specific interference with the mechanisms regulating Ca2+ fluxes through the plasma membrane (TEL).

The resonance Raman spectrum of carotenoids as an intrinsic probe for membrane potential. Oscillatory changes in the spectrum of neurosporene in the chromatophores of Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides

The resonance Raman spectrum of the carotenoid neurosporene is shown to be a sensitive monitor of absorption shifts, and thus changes in membrane potential, in chromatophores of the GlC mutant of Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides. For a Raman excitation wavelength at 472.7 nm, the intensities of the two most prominent resonance Raman features (v1 and v2) respond very differently to small shifts in the absorption maxima. Thus, the ratio intensity v1/intensity v2 is a sensitive probe for absorption shifts. Changes in this ratio of approximately 20% were observed during a valinomycin induced diffusion potential. At 5 degrees C changes in the average intensity ratio of +6, -4 and -14% were brought about by oligomycin, FCCP and sodium deoxycholate, respectively. The changes in intensity ratio were temperature dependent and, in addition, effects due to the laser beam acting as an actinic light could be detected. Oscillatory changes were observed in absolute Raman and Rayleigh scattering intensities for chromatophores at 5 degrees C and for intact cells under growing conditions.

On the pathogenesis of mitochondrial myopathies. An experimental study

The intra-arterial injection of 2-4 dinitrophenol, an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation, resulted in the production of ragged red fibers. The ultrastructure of these fibers showed intramitochondrial paracrystalline inclusions, laminar and fingerprint bodies. Antimycin A and oligomycin injection (which inhibit mitochondrial respiration) only caused swelling and disruption of the mitochondria. An increase in muscle lactic acid, decrease in ATP, glycogen and phosphocreatine was observed after the injection of all these agents. This indicates that lactic acidosis has no significant role in the pathogenesis of mitochondrial pathology. It is concluded that mitochondrial changes are a morphological expression of uncoupled but intact mitochondrial respiration.