Oxidative Phosphorylation Enzymes Research Articles

A systems view of epithelial–mesenchymal transition signaling states

AbtractEpithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important contributor to the invasion and metastasis of epithelial-derived cancers. While considerable effort has focused in the regulators involved in the transition process, we have focused on consequences of EMT to prosurvival signaling. Changes in distinct metastable and ‘epigentically-fixed’ EMT states were measured by correlation of protein, phosphoprotein, phosphopeptide and RNA transcript abundance. The assembly of 1167 modulated components into functional systems or machines simplified biological understanding and increased prediction confidence highlighting four functional groups: cell adhesion and migration, metabolism, transcription nodes and proliferation/survival networks. A coordinate metabolic reduction in a cluster of 17 free-radical stress pathway components was observed and correlated with reduced glycolytic and increased oxidative phosphorylation enzyme capacity, consistent with reduced cell cycling and reduced need for macromolecular biosynthesis in the mesenchymal state. An attenuation of EGFR autophosphorylation and a switch from autocrine to paracrine-competent EGFR signaling was implicated in the enablement of tumor cell chemotaxis. A similar attenuation of IGF1R, MET and RON signaling with EMT was observed. In contrast, EMT increased prosurvival autocrine IL11/IL6-JAK2-STAT signaling, autocrine fibronectin-integrin α5β1 activation, autocrine Axl/Tyro3/PDGFR/FGFR RTK signaling and autocrine TGFβR signaling. A relatively uniform loss of polarity and cell–cell junction linkages to actin cytoskeleton and intermediate filaments was measured at a systems level. A more heterogeneous gain of ECM remodeling and associated with invasion and migration was observed. Correlation to stem cell, EMT, invasion and metastasis datasets revealed the greatest similarity with normal and cancerous breast stem cell populations, CD49fhi/EpCAM-/lo and CD44hi/CD24lo, respectively.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10585-010-9367-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Development of Impaired Cytochrome C Oxidase Activity In Apheresis Platelets During Storage

AbstractAbstract 3347 Background:With current storage requirements, the shelf life of platelet (PLT) products is largely limited by the development of deleterious in vitro changes associated with overall reduction in therapeutic efficacy collectively known as the “Platelet Storage Lesion” (PSL). PSL is characterized by a number of biochemical changes including lactate accumulation, bicarbonate depletion and a fall in pH. We hypothesize that these changes reflect a state of impaired oxidative phosphorylation associated with increased reliance on anaerobic glycolysis that evolves during PLT storage. In this study we evaluated the function and expression of “Cytochrome C Oxidase” (COX), a key mitochondrial enzyme in oxidative phosphorylation, with relation to several in vitro markers of PSL. The studies were performed in apheresis PLT stored for up to 7 days under standard blood bank conditions. Methods:Apheresis PLT concentrates were collected in 100% plasma using a Trima Cell Separator (CaridianBCT, Lakewood CO) to provide products with at least 3 × 1011 PLT. All products were collected in Trima® storage bags and were stored in a flatbed reciprocal agitator at 22 ± 2°C for 7 days. Multiple standard in vitro assays were performed on Days 0 (baseline measurement), 2, 4 and 7 of storage including PLT count, mean PLT volume, pH, pO2, pCO2, bicarbonate, lactate & glucose levels, aggregation and ATP release studies (ADP/Collagen), soluble CD40 ligand levels (supernatant) and total intracellular PLT ATP content. In addition, steady state COX kinetics and protein immunoblotting for COX subunits I and IV, were performed using isolated PLT mitochondria from simultaneously collected samples. Data are reported as mean ± 2 SD (n =10 experiments). One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc Tukey's range test were used to compare data obtained at different time points. Differences were considered statistically significant only if the p value was <0.001 taking into the account that performing such large number of tests in the study increased the probability that a significant p value was incorrectly obtained by random chance. Results:PLT COX function declined significantly throughout storage (Table). Steady-state levels of COX I and IV remained essentially unchanged. This decrease in COX function paralleled progressive ATP depletion and time-dependent changes that were consistent with the development of the PSL. Conclusion:During storage of apheresis PLT for 7 days, COX function decreased progressively in association with ATP depletion indicating acquired impairment in oxidative phosphorylation. These findings suggest that bioenergetic failure is associated with PSL. Further studies are required to determine if mitochondrial dysfunction is a cause of PSL, and if it can be prevented or is amenable to therapeutic intervention. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Differential expression, phosphorylation of COX subunit 1 and COX activity during diapause phase in the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera

Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) is an important agricultural pest with a pupal diapause. Cytochrome c oxidase (COX) is a key speed-limited enzyme of oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria for ATP production. A differentially expressed cDNA fragment encoding COX subunit 1 (cox1) was cloned by differential display-PCR from the pupal brain at diapause termination with an injection of ecdysone. We then obtained the full length of H. armigera cox1 (Hea-cox1) cDNA which has an open reading frame of 1530 nucleotides encoding a putative protein of 510 amino acid residues, with CGA as a start codon. To evaluate the response to different energy demands during pupal development and at diapause termination, we assessed the expression of Hea-cox1 mRNA and protein, COX activity and its phosphorylation. The results show that Hea-cox1 expression at the mRNA and protein levels is associated with COX activity, and high levels of Hea-cox1 expression and COX activity are present in nondiapause pupae, suggesting that low energy metabolism provided by oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria in diapause individuals is necessary. After diapause is broken by injection of 20-hydroxyecdysone, expression of Hea-cox1 mRNA and protein increases gradually and COX activity increases significantly. Furthermore, Hea-cox1 phosphorylation is closely correlated with COX activity, suggesting that reversible protein phosphorylation may play a key role in insect diapause by suppressing the rate of energy production.

Does adiponectin mimic exercise?

Does adiponectin mimic exercise?

Progressive mitochondrial compromise in brains and livers of primates exposed in utero to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs).

Mitochondrial compromise has been documented in infants born to women infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) who received nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) therapy during pregnancy. To model these human exposures, we examined mitochondrial integrity at birth and 1 year in brain cortex and liver from offspring of retroviral-free Erythrocebus patas dams-administered human-equivalent NRTI doses for the last half (10 weeks) of gestation. Additional infants, followed for 1 year, were given the same drugs as their mothers for the first 6 weeks of life. Exposures included: no drug, Zidovudine (AZT), Lamivudine (3TC), AZT/3TC, AZT/Didanosine (ddI), and Stavudine (d4T)/3TC. In brain and liver, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) enzyme activities (complexes I, II, and IV) showed minimal differences between unexposed and NRTI-exposed offspring at both times. Brain and liver mitochondria from most NRTI-exposed patas, both at birth and 1 year of age, contained significant (p < 0.05) morphological damage observed by electron microscopy (EM), based on scoring of coded photomicrographs. Brain and liver mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) levels in NRTI-exposed patas were depleted significantly in the 3TC and d4T/3TC groups at birth and were depleted significantly (p < 0.05) at 1 year in all NRTI-exposed groups. In 1-year-old infants exposed in utero to NRTIs, mtDNA depletion was 28.8-51.8% in brain and 37.4-56.5% in liver. These investigations suggest that some NRTI-exposed human infants may sustain similar mitochondrial compromise in brain and liver and should be followed long term for cognitive integrity and liver function.

Annual Symposium of the Society for the Study of Inborn Errors of Metabolism

Background: Recently, TMEM70 was identified as a novel ancillary factor essential in biogenesis of mammalian complex V. We report clinical, biochemical and genetic data of two unrelated patients with pathogenic mutations in TMEM70. The two patients presented with remarkable difference in age of onset and severity of clinical symptoms.Material and Methods: Oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) enzyme activities were measured using spectrophotometrical analysis. Functional integrity of the five complexes was evaluated using BN-PAGE followed by in-gel activity staining. Western blotting was performed to document amounts of residual protein in the OXPHOS complexes. All coding exons and part of flanking introns of TMEM70 were PCR amplified and sequenced.Results: In one patient, who presented with severe neonatal phenotype, sequencing of TMEM70 showed a homozygous splice site mutation (c.317-2A>G). The adolescent patient with milder symptoms was found to be compound heterozygote for the c.317-2A>G mutation and c.251delC deletion. In the adolescent patient, 3-methylglutaconic acid was detected in urine. Almost complete absence of functional holocomplex V was demonstrated in several tissues from both patients.Conclusions: Complex V deficiency caused by mutations in TMEM70 is apparently not extremely rare. Patients can present with a severe neonatal form, as well as with milder non progressive encephalopathy.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction in NnaD Mutant Flies and Purkinje Cell Degeneration Mice Reveals a Role for Nna Proteins in Neuronal Bioenergetics

The Purkinje cell degeneration (pcd) mouse is a recessive model of neurodegeneration, involving cerebellum and retina. Purkinje cell death in pcd is dramatic, as >99% of Purkinje neurons are lost in 3 weeks. Loss of function of Nna1 causes pcd, and Nna1 is a highly conserved zinc carboxypeptidase. To determine the basis of pcd, we implemented a two-pronged approach, combining characterization of loss-of-function phenotypes of the Drosophila Nna1 ortholog (NnaD) with proteomics analysis of pcd mice. Reduced NnaD function yielded larval lethality, with survivors displaying phenotypes that mirror disease in pcd. Quantitative proteomics revealed expression alterations for glycolytic and oxidative phosphorylation enzymes. Nna proteins localize to mitochondria, loss of NnaD/Nna1 produces mitochondrial abnormalities, and pcd mice display altered proteolytic processing of Nna1 interacting proteins. Our studies indicate that Nna1 loss of function results in altered bioenergetics and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Enhancing T3 and cAMP responsive gene participation in the thermogenic regulation of fuel oxidation pathways

We sought to identify glycolysis, glycogenolysis, lipolysis, Krebs cycle, respiratory chain, and oxidative phosphorylation enzymes simultaneously regulated by T3 and cAMP. We performed in silico analysis of 56 promoters to search for cis-cAMP (CREB) and cis-thyroid (TRE) response elements, considering UCP1, SERCA2 and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase as reference. Only regulatory regions with prior in vitro validation were selected. 29/56 enzymes presented potential TREs in their regulatory sequence, and some scored over 0.80 (better predictive value 1): citrate synthase, phosphoglucose isomerase, succinate dehydrogenases A/C, UCP3, UCP2, UCP4, UCP5, phosphoglycerate mutase, glyceraldehyde 3-P dehydrogenase, glucokinase, malate dehydrogenase, acyl-CoA transferase (thiolase), cytochrome a3, and lactate dehydrogenase. Moreover, some enzymes have not yet been described in the literature as genomically regulated by T3. Our results point to other enzymes which may possibly be regulated by T3 and CREB, and speculate their joint roles in contributing to the optimal thermogenic acclimation.

Biochemical diagnosis of mitochondrial disorders

Establishing a diagnosis in patients with a suspected mitochondrial disorder is often a challenge. Both knowledge of the clinical spectrum of mitochondrial disorders and the number of identified disease-causing molecular genetic defects are continuously expanding. The diagnostic examination of patients requires a multi-disciplinary clinical and laboratory evaluation in which the biochemical examination of the mitochondrial functional state often plays a central role. In most cases, a muscle biopsy provides the best opportunity to examine mitochondrial function. In addition to activity measurements of individual oxidative phosphorylation enzymes, analysis of mitochondrial respiration, substrate oxidation, and ATP production rates is performed to obtain a detailed picture of the mitochondrial energy-generating system. On the basis of the compilation of clinical, biochemical, and other laboratory test results, candidate genes are selected for molecular genetic testing. In patients in whom an unknown genetic variant is identified, a compatible biochemical phenotype is often required to firmly establish the diagnosis. In addition to the current role of the biochemical analysis in the diagnostic examination of patients with a suspected mitochondria disorder, this report gives a future perspective on the biochemical diagnosis in view of both the expanding genotypes of mitochondrial disorders and the possibilities for high throughput molecular genetic diagnosis.

Gender Dimorphism in the Exercise‐naïve Murine Skeletal Muscle Proteome

Skeletal muscle is a plastic tissue with known gender dimorphism, especially at the metabolic level. A proteomic comparison of male (n=5) and female (n=5) murine (C57BL/10ScSnJ000476 +/+) biceps brachii was undertaken, resolving an average of 600 protein spots of MW 15–150 kDa and pI 5–8. 24 unique full‐length proteins spanning 11 KOG groups demonstrated statistically significant (p&lt;.05) abundance differences between genders; the majority of these proteins have metabolic functions. Identified glycolytic enzymes demonstrated decreased abundance in females, while identified oxidative phosphorylation enzyme abundance differences were specific to the proteins rather than to the function group as a whole. Myoglobin and GRP78 showed the largest abundance increases of 3.9 and 5.8‐fold, respectively, whereas dihydrolipoamide S‐succinyltransferase showed the largest decrease of 5.9‐fold in the females. All three phosphorylation states of creatine kinase were decreased in females. Expression differences were significant but many subtle, usually 2‐fold or less. We conclude that while gender dimorphism is present in non‐exercised murine skeletal muscle, the proteome comparison of male and female biceps brachii in exercise‐naïve mice does not indicate any apparent hormonal regulatory basis for the dimorphism. Supported by NSF 0420971, the Smith College Blakeslee Fund and HHMI.

Stepwise Assembly of Dimeric F1Fo-ATP Synthase in Mitochondria Involves the Small Fo-Subunits k and i

F(1)F(o)-ATP synthase is a key enzyme of oxidative phosphorylation that is localized in the inner membrane of mitochondria. It uses the energy stored in the proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane to catalyze the synthesis of ATP from ADP and phosphate. Dimeric and higher oligomeric forms of ATP synthase have been observed in mitochondria from various organisms. Oligomerization of ATP synthase is critical for the morphology of the inner mitochondrial membrane because it supports the generation of tubular cristae membrane domains. Association of individual F(1)F(o)-ATP synthase complexes is mediated by the membrane-embedded F(o)-part. Several subunits were mapped to monomer-monomer-interfaces of yeast ATP synthase complexes, but only Su e (Atp21) and Su g (Atp20) have so far been identified as crucial for the formation of stable dimers. We show that two other small F(o)-components, Su k (Atp19) and Su i (Atp18) are involved in the stepwise assembly of F(1)F(o)-ATP synthase dimers and oligomers. We have identified an intermediate form of the ATP synthase dimer, which accumulates in the absence of Su i. Moreover, our data indicate that Su i facilitates the incorporation of newly synthesized subunits into ATP synthase complexes.

In utero exposure of female CD-1 mice to AZT and/or 3TC: II. Persistence of functional alterations in cardiac tissue.

To delineate temporal changes in the integrity and function of mitochondria/cardiomyocytes in hearts from mice exposed in utero to commonly used nucleoside analogs (NRTIs), CD-1 mice were exposed in utero to 80 mg AZT/kg, 40 mg 3TC/kg, 80 mg AZT/kg plus 40 mg 3TC/kg, or vehicle alone during days 12-18 of gestation and hearts from female mouse offspring were examined at 13 and 26 weeks postpartum. Alterations in cardiac mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) enzyme activities, mtDNA mutations, and echocardiography of NRTI-exposed mice were assessed and compared with findings in vehicle-exposed control mice. A hybrid capture-chemiluminescence assay showed significant twofold increases in mtDNA levels in hearts from AZT- and AZT/3TC-exposed mice at 13 and 26 weeks postpartum, consistent with near doubling in mitochondrial numbers over time compared with vehicle-exposed mice. Echocardiographic measurements at 13 and 26 weeks postpartum indicated progressive thinning of the left ventricular posterior wall in NRTI-exposed mice, relative to controls, with differences becoming statistically significant by 26 weeks. Overall, progressive functional changes occurred in mouse mitochondria and cardiac tissue several months after in utero NRTI exposures; AZT and 3TC acted in concert to cause additive cardiotoxic effects of AZT/3TC compared with either drug alone.

The ND2 subunit is labeled by a photoaffinity analogue of asimicin, a potent complex I inhibitor

NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) is the entry enzyme of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. To obtain the structural information on inhibitor/quinone binding sites, we synthesized [ 3H]benzophenone-asimicin ([ 3H]BPA), a photoaffinity analogue of asimicin, which belongs to the acetogenin family known as the most potent complex I inhibitor. We found that [ 3H]BPA was photo-crosslinked to ND2, ND1 and ND5 subunits, by the three dimensional separation (blue-native/doubled SDS–PAGE) of [ 3H]BPA-treated bovine heart submitochondrial particles. The cross-linking was blocked by rotenone. This is the first finding that ND2 was photo-crosslinked with a potent complex I inhibitor, suggesting its involvement in the inhibitor/quinone-binding.

Gender dimorphism in the exercise-naïve murine skeletal muscle proteome.

Skeletal muscle is a plastic tissue with known gender dimorphism, especially at the metabolic level. A proteomic comparison of male and female murine biceps brachii was undertaken, resolving an average of 600 protein spots of MW 15–150 kDa and pI 5–8. Twenty-six unique full-length proteins spanning 11 KOG groups demonstrated statistically significant (p<0.05) abundance differences between genders; the majority of these proteins have metabolic functions. Identified glycolytic enzymes demonstrated decreased abundance in females, while abundance differences in identified oxidative phosphorylation enzymes were specific to the proteins rather than to the functional group as a whole. Certain cytoskeletal and stress proteins showed specific expression differences, and all three phosphorylation states of creatine kinase showed significant decreased abundance in females. Expression differences were significant but many were subtle (≤ 2-fold), and known hormonally-regulated proteins were not identified. We conclude that while gender dimorphism is present in non-exercised murine skeletal muscle, the proteome comparison of male and female biceps brachii in exercise-naive mice indicates subtle differences rather than a large or obviously hormonal dimorphism.

Heterogeneous levels of oxidative phosphorylation enzymes in rat adrenal glands

Mitochondria are organelles that produce ATP and reactive oxygen species, which are thought to be responsible for a decline in physiological function with aging. In this study, we morphologically and biochemically examined mitochondria in the rat adrenal gland. Immunohistochemistry showed that the rank order for intensity of immunolabelling for complex IV was zona reticularis > zona fasciculata ⪢ adrenal medulla, whereas for complex V α and β subunits, it was zona fasciculata > zona reticularis and adrenal medulla. The immunolabelling for complex I was homogeneous in the adrenal gland. The difference in immunolabelling between complexes I and IV indicates that the ratio of levels of complex I to that of complex IV in the zona reticularis was smaller than that in the zona fasciculata and the adrenal medulla. Electron microscopy revealed that aging rats had zona reticularis cells with many lysosomes and irregular nuclei. The result suggests that the level of proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation is coordinated within the complex, but differs between the complexes. This might be responsible for degeneration of zona reticularis cells with aging.

CAMP response element‐binding protein (CREB) is imported into mitochondria and promotes protein synthesis

The cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) is a ubiquitous transcription factor in the higher eukaryotes that, once phosphorylated, promotes transcription of cAMP response element-regulated genes. We have studied the mitochondrial import of CREB and its effect on the expression of mtDNA-encoded proteins. [(35)S]Methionine-labelled CREB, synthesized in vitro in the Rabbit Reticulocyte Lysate system using a construct of the human cDNA, was imported into the matrix of isolated rat liver mitochondria by a membrane potential and TOM complex-dependent process. The imported CREB caused cAMP-dependent promotion of the synthesis of mitochondrially encoded subunits of oxidative phosphorylation enzyme complexes. Thus, CREB moves from the cytosol to mitochondria, in addition to the nucleus, and, when phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase, promotes the expression of mitochondrial genes.

Construction and evaluation of an ORFeome-based Brucella whole-genome DNA microarray

The genus Brucella contains bacteria producing a zoonosis of large sanitary and economical impact. The complete nucleotide sequence of eight Brucella isolates is currently available. This information can be used for high throughput approaches to the biology of this genus such as the construction of comprehensive collections of ORF clones or ORFeomes. The ORFeome of Brucella melitensis was a first contribution to this goal. Using the Brucella ORFeome as starting material we have amplified each ORF and printed them in duplicate onto coated glass slides along with the appropriate positive and negative controls. Quality control of the microarray was performed by image analysis after ethidium bromide staining. This Brucella DNA microarray was used to determine the global transcriptional profile of Brucella abortus grown under laboratory conditions. Two sets of genes representing strongly and poorly expressed genes have been defined. The occurrence of several genes of the same operon in the same data set has been taken as additional proof of the significance of the results. The two sets have been validated by RT-PCR of retrotranscribed RNA. Among the more abundant transcripts we found ribosomal proteins, Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation enzymes. virB, flagellar components and other genes related with virulence and intracellular growth were in the poorly transcribed set. This report demonstrated the usefulness of the ORFeome for the construction of a PCR product microarray for the analysis of global gene expression in Brucella and also applicable to other microorganisms. The results provided here represent a comprehensive description of the global transcriptional profile of B. abortus grown under laboratory conditions and, at the same time, validate the use of this Brucella microarray for the study of the biology and pathogenesis of Brucella through the analysis of gene expression under any experimental conditions.

Evidence of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunctions in the testis of prepubertal diabetic rats

Earlier, we have shown the occurrence of oxidative impairments and their progression in the testis of diabetic adult rats. This study investigated the vulnerability of immature testis to oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunctions in a prepubertal (PP) diabetic rat model. PP male rats (4/6-week-old) rendered diabetic by an acute dose of streptozotocin were monitored for induction of oxidative stress in testis cytosol/mitochondria. Diabetic rats of both age groups showed severe hyperglycemia, testicular atrophy and marked oxidative damage as evidenced by enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species, hydroperoxide and malondialdehyde levels (4 week > 6 week). Mitochondrial dysfunctions manifested as reduction in the activities of aldehyde dehydrogenase, tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes, enhanced activities of oxidative phosphorylation enzymes, perturbations in calcium homeostasis and membrane potential. These evidences suggest that an immature testis is vulnerable to oxidative stress under diabetes, which may play a significant role in the development of testicular degeneration, leading to impaired fertility in adulthood.

Point: The kinetics of oxygen uptake during muscular exercise do manifest time-delayed phases

Modeling a physiological system's response to a stressor, such as muscular exercise, demands more than a mathematically adequate characterization of its transient response profile: adequacy and appropriateness are not synonymous. The model constituents should be reflective of the system's

Screening for the Metabolic Basis of Neurodegeneration

Metabolism is controlled by a complex system of transcriptional events and posttranslational modifications stimulated by substrate and metabolite availability. It is becoming clear that neurodegenerative diseases are a symptom of a deficiency in the regulation or execution of metabolic reactions. Mitochondria, as the central organelles in metabolic regulation as well as the chief generators of reactive species, clearly have a role to play in the etiology of neurodegenerative conditions. We are developing antibody-based capture arrays to determine multiple parameters of key mitochondrial proteins. Parameters include enzyme activity, quantity, oxidative modification (including nitrative and oxidative stress), and regulation (phosphorylation and acetylation). At this time the core of this array focuses on the enzymes of oxidative phosphorylation. We continue to expand this array as antibodies for enzyme isolation and modification detection become available. Here we demonstrate the use of this array by analyzing the proteomic differences in oxidative phosphorylation enzymes between human heart and liver tissues, cells grown in media promoting aerobic versus anaerobic metabolism, and the catalytic/proteomic effects of mitochondria exposed to oxidative stress.