Activity Of Succinate Cytochrome Research Articles

Abstract 476: Attenuated Activities of Mitochondria in Vascular Endothelial Cells Exposed to Oxidized or Glycated Low Density Lipoprotein

Hyperglycemia and dyslipoproteinemia are two major biochemical markers of diabetes. Elevated low density lipoprotein (LDL) is a classical risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Our previous studies demonstrated that oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) and glycated LDL (gly-LDL) increased the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vascular endothelial cells. ROS is implicated in endothelial dysfunction and diabetic vascular complications. Mitochondria are an important source of ROS in the body. We hypothesize that ox-LDL or gly-LDL might affect the activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain. We evaluated the activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes in porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAEC) using OROBORS oxygraph. The oxygraph was used as a highly sensitive tool to evaluate mitochondrial complex activity in freshly harvested and digitonin-permeabilized PAEC (for Complex I, the rotenone-sensitive oxidation of glutamate + malate in the presence of ADP; Complex II, antimycin A-sensitive oxidation of succinate; Complex IV, potassium cyanide-sensitive oxidation of ascorbate + TMPD). The oxygen consumption in Complex I, II and IV of PAEC was significantly decreased by >12 h of incubation with LDL, ox-LDL or gly-LDL compared to control cultures. Attenuated activity of succinate cytochrome C reductase was detected in EC treated with LDL, ox-LDL or gly-LDL for 24 h. Decreased levels of respiratory control ratio were detected in EC treated with LDL or ox-LDL for 6 h, but not for 2 h, compared to control. Impaired activity of mitochondrial complexes can cause electron leakage in the respiratory chain and substantially increase ROS formation. The findings suggest that oxidized or glycated LDL attenuates mitochondrial activities in vascular EC, which may contribute to increased ROS generation and endothelial dysfunction induced by the atherogenic lipoproteins (supported by operating grants from Canadian Institute of Health Research and Canadian Diabetes Association).

COENZYME Q10 CONFERS CARDIOVASCULAR PROTECTION AGAINST ACUTE MEVINPHOS INTOXICATION BY AMELIORATING BIOENERGETIC FAILURE AND HYPOXIA IN THE ROSTRAL VENTROLATERAL MEDULLA OF THE RAT

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10, ubiquinone) is a highly mobile electron carrier in the mitochondrial respiratory chain that also acts as an antioxidant. We evaluated the cardiovascular protective efficacy of CoQ10 at the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), a medullary site where sympathetic vasomotor tone originates and where the organophosphate poison mevinphos (Mev) acts to elicit cardiovascular intoxication. Experiments were carried out in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats that were maintained under propofol anesthesia. Microinjection bilaterally of Mev (10 nmol) into the RVLM induced progressive hypotension and minor bradycardia, alongside significant depression of the activity of NADH cytochrome c reductase (enzyme marker for Complexes I and III) or cytochrome c oxidase (enzyme marker for Complex IV) in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, reduction in ATP concentration, or tissue hypoxia in the RVLM. On the other hand, the activity of succinate cytochrome c reductase (enzyme marker for Complexes II and III) remained unaltered. The Mev-induced hypotension, bioenergetic failure, or hypoxia was significantly reversed when CoQ10 (4 microg) was coadministered bilaterally into the RVLM with the organophosphate poison. We conclude that CoQ10 confers cardiovascular protection against acute Mev intoxication by acting on the RVLM, whose neuronal activity is intimately related to the "life-and-death" process. We also showed that amelioration of the selective dysfunction of respiratory enzyme Complexes I and IV in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, the reduced ATP level, and the induced tissue hypoxia in the RVLM are among some of the underlying mechanisms for the elicited protection.

Mitochondrial dysfunction and ultrastructural damage in the hippocampus during kainic acid-induced status epilepticus in the rat.

Prolonged and continuous epileptic seizure (status epilepticus) results in cellular changes that lead to neuronal damage. We investigated whether these cellular changes entail mitochondrial dysfunction and ultrastructural damage in the hippocampus, by using a kainic acid (KA)-induced experimental status epilepticus model. In Sprague-Dawley rats maintained under chloral hydrate anesthesia, KA (0.5 nmol) was microinjected unilaterally into the CA3 subfield of the hippocampus to induce seizure-like hippocampal EEG activity. The activity of key mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes in the dentate gyrus (DG), or CA1 or CA3 subfield of the hippocampus was measured 30 or 180 min after application of KA. Ultrastructure of mitochondria in those three hippocampal subfields during KA-induced status epilepticus also was examined with electron microscopy. Microinjection of KA into the CA3 subfield of the hippocampus elicited progressive build-up of seizure-like hippocampal EEG activity. Enzyme assay revealed significant depression of the activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide cytochrome c reductase (marker for Complexes I+III) in the DG, or CA1 or CA3 subfields 180 min after KA-elicited temporal lobe status epilepticus. Conversely, the activities of succinate cytochrome c reductase (marker for Complexes II+III) and cytochrome c oxidase (marker for Complex IV) remained unaltered. Discernible mitochondrial ultrastructural damage, varying from swelling to disruption of membrane integrity, also was observed in the hippocampus 180 min after hippocampal application of KA. Our results demonstrated that dysfunction of Complex I respiratory chain enzyme and mitochondrial ultrastructural damage in the hippocampus are associated with prolonged seizure during experimental temporal lobe status epilepticus.

Depression of mitochondrial respiratory enzyme activity in rostral ventrolateral medulla during acute mevinphos intoxication in the rat.

We investigated possible changes in bioenergetics at the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), a medullary site where sympathetic vasomotor tone originates and where the organophosphate poison mevinphos (Mev) acts to elicit cardiovascular intoxication. In Sprague-Dawley rats maintained under propofol anesthesia, microinjection bilaterally of Mev (10 nmol) into the RVLM induced progressive hypotension that was accompanied by an early augmentation (80-100 min post-Mev; Phase I), followed by a decrease (>100 min post-Mev; Phase II) in the power density of the vasomotor components (0-0.8 Hz) in systemic arterial pressure (SAP) signals. Enzyme assay revealed that local application of Mev into the RVLM also significantly and progressively depressed the activity of NADH cytochrome c reductase (marker for Complexes I and III) and cytochrome c oxidase (marker for Complex IV) in the mitochondrial respiratory chain of the RVLM, but not the heart. On the other hand, the activity of succinate cytochrome c reductase (marker for Complexes II and III) remained unaltered. Both the cardiovascular consequences and depression of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes elicited by Mev were significantly antagonized on comicroinjection of atropine (3.5 or 7 nmol) bilaterally into the RVLM. We conclude that Mev adversely effects cardiovascular control by acting as a cholinesterase inhibitor in the RVLM, whose neuronal activity is intimately related to the death process. The resulting accumulation of acetylcholine and prolonged activation of muscarinic receptors in the RVLM is manifested by a selective dysfunction of respiratory enzyme Complexes I and IV in the mitochondrial respiratory chain that underlies cardiovascular toxicity associated with organophosphate poisons such as Mev.

Dysfunction of the Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain in the Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla during Experimental Endotoxemia in the Rat

We investigated the functional changes in the mitochondrial respiratory chain at the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), the medullary origin of sympathetic vasomotor tone, in an experimental model of endotoxemia that mimics systemic inflammatory response syndrome. In Sprague-Dawley rats maintained under propofol anesthesia, intravenous administration of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 30 mg/kg) induced a reduction (Phase I), followed by an augmentation (Phase II) and a secondary decrease (Phase III) in the power density of vasomotor components (0–0.8 Hz) in systemic arterial pressure signals. LPS also elicited progressive hypotension, and death ensued within 4 h. Enzyme assay revealed significant depression of the activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide cytochrome c reductase (Complexes I + III) and cytochrome c oxidase (Complex IV) in the RVLM during all three phases of endotoxemia. On the other hand, the activity of succinate cytochrome c reductase (Complexes II + III) remained unaltered. We conclude that selective dysfunction of respiratory enzyme Complexes I and IV in the mitochondrial respiratory chain at the RVLM, whose neuronal activity is intimately related to the death process, is closely associated with fatal endotoxemia in the rat.

CLK-1 controls respiration, behavior and aging in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

Mutations in the clk-1 gene of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans result in an average slowing of a variety of developmental and physiological processes, including the cell cycle, embryogenesis, post-embryonic growth, rhythmic behaviors and aging. In yeast, a CLK-1 homologue is absolutely required for ubiquinone biosynthesis and thus respiration. Here we show that CLK-1 is fully active when fused to green fluorescent protein and is found in the mitochondria of all somatic cells. The activity of mutant mitochondria, however, is only very slightly impaired, as measured in vivo by a dye-uptake assay, and in vitro by the activity of succinate cytochrome c reductase. Overexpression of CLK-1 activity in wild-type worms can increase mitochondrial activity, accelerate behavioral rates during aging and shorten life span, indicating that clk-1 regulates and controls these processes. These observations also provide strong genetic evidence that mitochondria are causally involved in aging. Furthermore, the reduced respiration of the long-lived clk-1 mutants suggests that longevity is promoted by the age-dependent decrease in mitochondrial function that is observed in most species.

Photoactivation of NADH cytochrome c reductase in mitochondria isolated from sperm, eggs and viscera of sea urchin, oyster, abalone and echiuroid

In mitochondria fraction isolated from sperm, eggs and viscera of sea urchin, oyster, abalone and echiuroid, the activity of NADH cytochome c reductase, as well as the activity of succinate cytochrome c reductase, was evidently enhanced by light irradiation with peaks of photoactivation at 430, 530 and 570 nm at the fluence rate of above 10 μmol/m 2·sec. Action spectra for photoactivation of these enzymes in mitochondria of examined invertebrate species are very alike in their profile to absorption spectrum of reduced cytochrome b. Probably, the redox reaction by cytochrome b is augmented by light irradiation to result in an activation of these enzymes in mitochondria of examined species. These enzyme activities were appreciably enhanced by TMPD, and TMPD-augmented activities were not enhanced further by light irradiation. Probably, oxidation of reduced cytochrome b, due to electron transport to cytochrome c, is enhanced by absorption of photon energy in reduced cytochrome b to cause an increase in overall reaction rates in the complex enzymes. In mitochondria isolated from sperm of several teleost species, the activities of NADH cytochrome c reductase and succinate cytochrome c reductase were not appreciably enhanced by light irradiation at all examined wavelengths between 400 and 600 nm even at such a high fluence rate as about 150 μmol/m 2·sec.

Indices of oxidative stress and mitochondrial function in individuals with incidental Lewy body disease

Brain tissue from normal individuals with incidental Lewy bodies and cell loss in pigmented substantia nigra neurons (asymptomatic Parkinson's disease) and age-matched control subjects without nigral Lewy bodies was examined biochemically. There was no difference in dopamine levels or dopamine turnover in the caudate and putamen of individuals with incidental Lewy body disease compared to control subjects. There were no differences in levels of iron, copper, manganese, or zinc in the substantia nigra or other brain regions from the individuals with incidental Lewy body disease compared to those from control subjects. Similarly, ferritin levels in the substantia nigra and other brain areas were unaltered. There was no difference in the activity of succinate cytochrome c reductase (complexes II and III) or cytochrome oxidase (complex IV) between incidental Lewy body subjects and control subjects. Rotenone-sensitive NADH coenzyme Q1 reductase activity (complex I) was reduced to levels intermediate between those in control subjects and those in patients with overt Parkinson's disease, but this change did not reach statistical significance. The levels of reduced glutathione in substantia nigra were reduced by 35% in patients with incidental Lewy body disease compared to control subjects. Reduced glutathione levels in other brain regions were unaffected and there were no changes in oxidized glutathione levels in any brain region. Altered iron metabolism is not detectable in the early stages of nigral dopamine cell degeneration. There may be some impairment of mitochondrial complex I activity in the substantia nigra in Parkinson's disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Freezing injury in the yeast respiratory system

The effect of freeze-thawing on the yeast respiratory system was studied at rapid rates of cooling. Freezing of whole cells with liquid nitrogen induced decrease of respiratory activity to under 20% of that of original cells. Mitochondria harvested from freeze-thawed cells have markedly decreased succinate oxidizing activity. Activity of succinate cytochrome c reductase was reduced significantly after freeze-thawing of whole cells while activities of succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome c oxidase were reduced slightly. By spectrophotometric analysis it was found that about one-half the amount of cytochrome c + c 1 was eluted from mitochondria to cytosol after freeze-thawing of cells. The activities of succinate oxidation in mitochondria from freeze-thawed cells were restored to normal levels by the addition of cytochrome c. Freeze-thawing of isolated mitochondria did not induce deactivation of succinate oxidizing activities and succinate cytochrome c reductase, and no elution of cytochrome c was observed. It was concluded that the decreased respiratory activities of yeast cells by freezing of cells with liquid nitrogen can be attributed primarily to the elution of cytochrome c from mitochondria.

Mutations releasing mitochondrial biogenesis from glucose repression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Mutants which exhibit a constitutive glucose-insensitive expression of respiratory activity were selected by use of a triphenyltetrazolium staining technique. These mutants lack carbon catabolite repression, as was demonstrated by measuring cytochromes, the activity of succinate cytochrome c reduction, total cellular respiration, mitochondrial protein, and DNA synthesis. High growth rates of mutant cells in glucose medium and normal fermentative CO2 production exclude the possibility that this carbon catabolite insensitivity of mitochondrial functions is merely due to a decreased utilization of glucose. Accordingly, the activities of the two cytoplasmic enzymes measured, maltase and malate synthase, were glucose repressible to the same extent in the mutants as in the wild type. The mutations are dominant and showed nuclear inheritance. The results are discussed in terms of carbon catabolite-regulated expression of genes involved in the biogenesis of mitochondria.

Isolation of plasma membranes from ram spermatozoa by a two-phase polymer system.

The plasma membranes of ram spermatozoa were disrupted in a hypotonic EDTA medium and isolated by using a two-phase polymer system of dextran--polyethyleneglycol. The plasma membranes obtained were of a relatively high degree of purity (approximately 70%) as judged by electron microscopy observations and measurements of the marker enzymes alkaline phosphatase, ATPase and AMPase. The activity of succinate cytochrome C reductase, a marker of mitochondrial membranes, was very low.

Oxidative phosphorylation reactions and cholesterol hydroxylation mechanisms in human term placental mitochondria

A simple and rapid method is described for the preparation of mitochondria of human term placenta. Phosphorylative oxidation properties were determined by polarography. Respiratory control values were higher than 3, showing that mitochondria are tightly coupled, but ADP/O ratios were lower than theoretical values due to ATPase activity. The activity of several specific mitochondrial marker enzymes was measured. In the outer membrane, rotenone-insensitive NADH-cytochrome c reductase and monoamine oxidase exhibited activities of 331 nmol of cytochrome c reduced/min/mg protein and 26.7 nmol of tyramine consumed/min/mg protein respectively. No kynurenine hydroxylase activity was detected. In the inner membrane, activities of succinate cytochrome c reductase and cytochrome oxidase were 15.3 nmol of cytochrome c reduced/min/mg protein and 21.6 nmol O 2 utilized/min/mg protein respectively. Glutamate, malate and succinate oxidases had low activities of about 1 to 3 nmol O 2 used/min/mg protein. In the matrix, glutamate dehydrogenase activity was very slight. Mitochondrial proteins were analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of phenol, urea and acetic arid. Mitochondria contained at least 20 components with mol. wt. ranging from 15,000 to 150,000. A component which probably contained cytochrome P450 subunits was characterized with a mol. wt. of 52,000. The concentration of the phosphorylating respiratory chain cytochromes was determined; the latter were in a similar range to that reported for adrenal cortex mitochondria, but their concentration was lower. The content of cytochrome P450 was lower than in other endocrine tissues. Oxygen consumption rate was stimulated by addition of (20α)-hydroxycholesterol and (22R)-hydroxycholesterol but not by (22S)-hydroxycholesterol. The placental cholesterol hydroxylating mechanism appeared to follow a pathway similar to that of adrenal cortex mitochondria.

On the significance of electron transport systems for growth of Rhodospirillum rubrum

The inhibitory effects of 2-hydroxybiphenyl on various electron transport reactions of isolated membranes and growth in the presence of malate of either phototrophic or chemotrophic cells of Rhodospirillum rubrum were studied. 50% inhibition of both oxygen uptake of whole cells and growth under chemotrophic conditions (i.e. aerobiosis in the dark) was achieved in the presence of 0.09 mM 2-hydroxybiphenyl. With isolated membranes the same effect on NADH oxidase was obtained with 0.08 mM of inhibitor. Succinate dependent respiratory reactions were inhibited by 50% at a concentration of 0.36 mM. Growth under phototrophic conditions (i.e. anaerobiosis in the light) was inhibited by 50% in the presence of 0.17 mM (wild type strain) or 0.21 mM (blue-green mutant, strain VI) of 2-hydroxybiphenyl. Photophosphorylation and light dependent NAD+ reduction by succinate were inhibited by 50% at concentrations of 0.21 mM and 0.03 mM of inhibitor, respectively. After phototrophic growth of the organisms for about five doublings of cell mass in the presence of 0.18 mM of 2-hydroxybiphenyl coloured carotenoids could no longer be detected. Membrane fractions of such cultures exhibited normal activities of succinate cytochrome c reductase but activities of NADH cytochrome c reductase were decreased by 80%. In comparison with a blue green mutant, strain VI, of R. rubrum light induced absorbance changes at 865 nm as well as activities of photophosphorylation were unaffected. However, no activity of light dependent NAD+ reduction with succinate could be detected. The data indicate that cellular respiration as well as chemotrophic growth depend largely on NADH dependent respiration. Phototrophic growth, on the other hand, is limited by photophosphorylation while energy dependent reversed electron flow to NAD+, if at all, is of rathe minor importance.

Respiratory Characteristics of Mitochondria Isolated from Squamous Epithelium of the Hamster Cheek Pouch

SummaryA procedure is described for the preparation of sheets of squamous epithelium from the cheek pouch of the Syrian golden hamster. The use of these sheets for the isolation of a mitochondrial fraction capable of coupled respiration is demonstrated. These mitochondria were compared to hamster liver mitochondria with respect to respiratory capacity, enzymatic activity, and cytochrome content. Squamous epithelial mitochondria exhibited increased rote-none-insensitive NADH cytochrome c re-ductase activity, while the activities of succi-nate cytochrome c reductase, oligomycin-sensitive ATPase, and cytochrome oxidase decreased. The ratios of cytochromes c/a + a3 and b/a + a3 were lower in squamous epithelial mitochondria.The uncoupler, dinitrophenol (DNP), stimulated oxygen consumption of both mitochondrial preparations. In contrast to liver mitochondria, the ATPase of squamous epithelial mitochondria was not stimulated by DNP.The author wishes to thank Dr. Ernst L. Wynder for bringing his attention to thi...