Mitochondrial Calcium Buffering Research Articles

The Hexokinase 1 5'-UTR Mutation in Charcot-Marie-Tooth 4G Disease Alters Hexokinase 1 Binding to Voltage-Dependent Anion Channel-1 and Leads to Dysfunctional Mitochondrial Calcium Buffering.

Demyelinating Charcot-Marie-Tooth 4G (CMT4G) results from a recessive mutation in the 5'UTR region of the Hexokinase 1 (HK1) gene. HK participates in mitochondrial calcium homeostasis by binding to the Voltage-Dependent Anion Channel (VDAC), through its N-terminal porin-binding domain. Our hypothesis is that CMT4G mutation results in a broken interaction between mutant HK1 and VDAC, disturbing mitochondrial calcium homeostasis. We studied a cohort of 25 CMT4G patients recruited in the French gypsy population. The disease was characterized by a childhood onset, an intermediate demyelinating pattern, and a significant phenotype leading to becoming wheelchair-bound by the fifth decade of life. Co-IP and PLA studies indicated a strong decreased interaction between VDAC and HK1 in the patients' PBMCs and sural nerve. We observed that either wild-type HK1 expression or a peptide comprising the 15 aa of the N-terminal wild-type HK1 administration decreased mitochondrial calcium release in HEK293 cells. However, mutated CMT4G HK1 or the 15 aa of the mutated HK1 was unable to block mitochondrial calcium release. Taken together, these data show that the CMT4G-induced modification of the HK1 N-terminus disrupts HK1-VDAC interaction. This alters mitochondrial calcium buffering that has been shown to be critical for myelin sheath maintenance.

Sirtuins Modulators Counteract Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Cellular Models of Hypoxia: Relevance to Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a neurodevelopmental-associated disorder strongly related to environmental factors, such as hypoxia. Because there is no cure for SZ or any pharmacological approach that could revert hypoxia-induced cellular damages, we evaluated whether modulators of sirtuins could abrogate hypoxia-induced mitochondrial deregulation as a neuroprotective strategy. Firstly, astrocytes from control (Wistar) and Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR), a model of both SZ and neonatal hypoxia, were submitted to chemical hypoxia. Then, cells were exposed to different concentrations of Nicotinamide (NAM), Resveratrol (Resv), and Sirtinol (Sir) for 48hrs. Our data indicate that sirtuins modulation reduces cell death increasing the acetylation of histone 3. This outcome is related to the rescue of loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, changes in mitochondrial calcium buffering capacity, decreased O2−rad levels and increased expression of metabolic regulators (Nrf-1 and Nfe2l2) and mitochondrial content. Such findings are relevant not only for hypoxia-associated conditions, named pre-eclampsia but also for SZ since prenatal hypoxia is a relevant environmental factor related to this burdensome neuropsychiatric disorder.

Astaxanthin Protection against Neuronal Excitotoxicity via Glutamate Receptor Inhibition and Improvement of Mitochondrial Function.

Excitotoxicity is known to associate with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Huntington’s disease, as well as aging, stroke, trauma, ischemia and epilepsy. Excessive release of glutamate, overactivation of glutamate receptors, calcium overload, mitochondrial dysfunction and excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation are a few of the suggested key mechanisms. Astaxanthin (AST), a carotenoid, is known to act as an antioxidant and protect neurons from excitotoxic injuries. However, the exact molecular mechanism of AST neuroprotection is not clear. Thus, in this study, we investigated the role of AST in neuroprotection in excitotoxicity. We utilized primary cortical neuronal culture and live cell fluorescence imaging for the study. Our results suggest that AST prevents neuronal death, reduces ROS formation and decreases the abnormal mitochondrial membrane depolarization induced by excitotoxic glutamate insult. Additionally, AST modulates intracellular calcium levels by inhibiting peak and irreversible secondary sustained calcium levels in neurons. Furthermore, AST regulates the ionotropic glutamate subtype receptors NMDA, AMPA, KA and mitochondrial calcium. Moreover, AST decreases NMDA and AMPA receptor protein expression levels, while KA remains unaffected. Overall, our results indicate that AST protects neurons from excitotoxic neuronal injury by regulating ionotropic glutamate receptors, cytosolic secondary calcium rise and mitochondrial calcium buffering. Hence, AST could be a promising therapeutic agent against excitotoxic insults in neurodegenerative diseases.

Mitochondrial calcium buffering depends upon temperature and is associated with hypothermic neuroprotection against hypoxia-ischemia injury.

Hypothermia (HT) is a standard of care in the management of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HI). However, therapeutic mechanisms of HT are not well understood. We found that at the temperature of 32°C, isolated brain mitochondria exhibited significantly greater resistance to an opening of calcium-induced permeability transition pore (mPTP), compared to 37°C. Mitochondrial calcium buffering capacity (mCBC) was linearly and inversely dependent upon temperature (25°C—37°C). Importantly, at 37°C cyclosporine A did not increase mCBC, but significantly increased mCBC at lower temperature. Because mPTP contributes to reperfusion injury, we hypothesized that HT protects brain by improvement of mitochondrial tolerance to mPTP activation. Immediately after HI-insult, isolated brain mitochondria demonstrated very poor mCBC. At 30 minutes of reperfusion, in mice recovered under normothermia (NT) or HT, mCBC significantly improved. However, at four hours of reperfusion, only NT mice exhibited secondary decline of mCBC. HT-mice maintained their recovered mCBC and this was associated with significant neuroprotection. Direct inverted dependence of mCBC upon temperature in vitro and significantly increased mitochondrial resistance to mPTP activation after therapeutic HT ex vivo suggest that hypothermia-driven inhibition of calcium-induced mitochondrial mPTP activation mechanistically contributes to the neuroprotection associated with hypothermia.

TRPM3-mediated dynamic mitochondrial activity in nerve growth factor–induced latent sensitization of chronic low back pain

The transient receptor potential ion channel TRPM3 is highly prevalent on nociceptive dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, but its functions in neuronal plasticity of chronic pain remain obscure. In an animal model of nonspecific low back pain (LBP), latent spinal sensitization known as nociceptive priming is induced by nerve growth factor (NGF) injection. Here, we address the TRPM3-associated molecular basis of NGF-induced latent spinal sensitization at presynaptic level by studying TRPM3-mediated calcium transients in DRG neurons. By investigating TRPM3-expressing HEK cells, we further show the dynamic mitochondrial activity downstream of TRPM3 activation. NGF enhances TRPM3 function, attenuates TRPM3 tachyphylaxis, and slows intracellular calcium clearance; TRPM3 activation triggers more mitochondrial calcium loading than depolarization does, causing a steady-state mitochondrial calcium elevation and a delayed recovery of cytosolic calcium; mitochondrial calcium buffering accounts for approximately 40% of calcium influx subsequent to TRPM3 activation. TRPM3 activation provokes an outbreak of pulsatile superoxide production (mitoflash) that comes in the form of a surge in frequency being tunable. We suggest that mitoflash pulsations downstream of TRPM3 activation might be an early signaling event initiating pain sensitization. Tuning of mitoflash activity would be a novel bottom-up therapeutic strategy for chronic pain conditions such as LBP and beyond.

The Link between Oxidative Stress, Redox Status, Bioenergetics and Mitochondria in the Pathophysiology of ALS.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common neurodegenerative disease of the motor system. It is characterized by the degeneration of both upper and lower motor neurons, which leads to muscle weakness and paralysis. ALS is incurable and has a bleak prognosis, with median survival of 3–5 years after the initial symptomatology. In ALS, motor neurons gradually degenerate and die. Many features of mitochondrial dysfunction are manifested in neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS. Mitochondria have shown to be an early target in ALS pathophysiology and contribute to disease progression. Disruption of their axonal transport, excessive generation of reactive oxygen species, disruption of the mitochondrial structure, dynamics, mitophagy, energy production, calcium buffering and apoptotic triggering have all been directly involved in disease pathogenesis and extensively reported in ALS patients and animal model systems. Alterations in energy production by motor neurons, which severely limit their survival capacity, are tightly linked to the redox status and mitochondria. The present review focuses on this link. Placing oxidative stress as a main pathophysiological mechanism, the molecular interactions and metabolic flows involved are analyzed. This leads to discussing potential therapeutic approaches targeting mitochondrial biology to slow disease progression.

24 Antioxidant, reactive oxygen species, and Coenzyme Q10 concentrations and expression of electron transfer proteins in thoroughbreds with recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis

In the mitochondria, complexes I and III of the electron transport system (ETS) generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) during exercise that are reduced by antioxidants to mitigate oxidative stress. Among these antioxidants are thiol-based antioxidants such as glutathione as well as Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which also transports electrons from complex I and II to complex III. Recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER) is associated with aberrant calcium regulation with the potential for excessive mitochondrial calcium uptake impacting mitochondria and ROS. We hypothesized that there would be a decrease in CoQ10 concentrations, as well as an increase in ROS and peptide subunits of ETS complexes in thoroughbreds with RER. Concentrations of CoQ10 (LC/MS/MS), thiol-based antioxidants (LC/MS/MS), ROS (OxiSelect, Cell Biolabs), and citrate synthase activity (CS fluorometry) were determined in gluteal muscle biopsie from thoroughbred mares with a history of, but not currently experiencing, rhabdomyolysis (n = 20, RER; mean ± SD age 3.3 ± 1.3 yr), compared with healthy race trained mares at the same facility (n = 8, control; age 2.9 ± 0.8 yr). RER and control were compared by unpaired t -test. Subunit peptide components of the ETS were analyzed in 5 RER and 5 control mares using tandem mass tag proteomic analysis (FDR < 0.05). CoQ10 ( P = 0.36), ROS ( P = 0.36), and thiol ( P = 0.99) concentrations were not significantly different between RER and controls. CS activity, a marker for mitochondrial volume density, did not differ between RER and controls ( P = 0.39). ETS subunits were, however, differentially expressed in RER versus controls, with decreased expression of 11 complex I, 2 complex II, 2 complex III, 4 complex IV and 9 ATP synthase peptide subunits ( P < 0.01). In conclusion, antioxidant concentrations and mitochondrial volume density did not differ in control versus RER mares between episodes of rhabdomyolysis. Expression, however, of specific peptide subunits within ETS complexes was consistently decreased in RER mares, which could be related to impacts from mitochondrial calcium buffering. Further investigation into ETS function in RER racehorses is warranted.

Dynamin-related protein 1 inhibition reduces hepatic PCSK9 secretion.

Proteostasis maintains protein homeostasis and participates in regulating critical cardiometabolic disease risk factors including proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) remodeling through release and incorporation of trafficking vesicles mediates protein secretion and degradation. We hypothesized that ER remodeling that drives mitochondrial fission participates in cardiometabolic proteostasis. We used in vitro and in vivo hepatocyte inhibition of a protein involved in mitochondrial fission, dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1). Here, we show that DRP1 promotes remodeling of select ER microdomains by tethering vesicles at ER. A DRP1 inhibitor, mitochondrial division inhibitor 1 (mdivi-1) reduced ER localization of a DRP1 receptor, mitochondrial fission factor, suppressing ER remodeling-driven mitochondrial fission, autophagy, and increased mitochondrial calcium buffering and PCSK9 proteasomal degradation. DRP1 inhibition by CRISPR/Cas9 deletion or mdivi-1 alone or in combination with statin incubation in human hepatocytes and hepatocyte-specific Drp1-deficiency in mice reduced PCSK9 secretion (-78.5%). In HepG2 cells, mdivi-1 increased low-density lipoprotein receptor via c-Jun transcription and reduced PCSK9 mRNA levels via suppressed sterol regulatory binding protein-1c. Additionally, mdivi-1 reduced macrophage burden, oxidative stress, and advanced calcified atherosclerotic plaque in aortic roots of diabetic Apoe-deficient mice and inflammatory cytokine production in human macrophages. We propose a novel tethering function of DRP1 beyond its established fission function, with DRP1-mediated ER remodeling likely contributing to ER constriction of mitochondria that drives mitochondrial fission. We report that DRP1-driven remodeling of select ER micro-domains may critically regulate hepatic proteostasis and identify mdivi-1 as a novel small molecule PCSK9 inhibitor.

Geranylgeranyl acetone prevents glutamate-induced cell death in HT-22 cells by increasing mitochondrial membrane potential

Geranylgeranyl acetone (GGA) protects against various types of cell damages by upregulating heat shock proteins. We investigated whether GGA protects neuronal cells from cell death induced by oxidative stress. Glutamate exposure was lethal to HT-22 cells which comprise a neuronal line derived from mouse hippocampus. This configuration is often used as a model for hippocampus neurodegeneration in vitro. In the present study, GGA protected HT-22 cells from glutamate-induced oxidative stress. GGA pretreatment did not induce heat shock proteins (Hsps). Moreover, reactive oxygen species increased to the same extent in both GGA-pretreated and untreated cells exposed to glutamate. In contrast, glutamate exposure and GGA pretreatment increased mitochondrial membrane potential. However, increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration were inhibited by GGA pretreatment. In addition, the increase of phosphorylated ERKs by the glutamate exposure was inhibited by GGA pretreatment. These findings suggest that GGA protects HT-22 cells from glutamate-provoked cell death without Hsp induction and that the mitochondrial calcium buffering capacity plays an important role in this protective effect.

Impairment of Mitochondrial Calcium Buffering Links Mutations in C9ORF72 and TARDBP in iPS-Derived Motor Neurons from Patients with ALS/FTD.

SummaryTDP-43 dysfunction is common to 97% of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cases, including those with mutations in C9orf72. To investigate how C9ORF72 mutations drive cellular pathology in ALS and to identify convergent mechanisms between C9ORF72 and TARDBP mutations, we analyzed motor neurons (MNs) derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from patients with ALS. C9ORF72 iPSC-MNs have higher Ca2+ release after depolarization, delayed recovery to baseline after glutamate stimulation, and lower levels of calbindin compared with CRISPR/Cas9 genome-edited controls. TARDBP iPS-derived MNs show high glutamate-induced Ca2+ release. We identify here, by RNA sequencing, that both C9ORF72 and TARDBP iPSC-MNs have upregulation of Ca2+-permeable AMPA and NMDA subunits and impairment of mitochondrial Ca2+ buffering due to an imbalance of MICU1 and MICU2 on the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter, indicating that impaired mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake contributes to glutamate excitotoxicity and is a shared feature of MNs with C9ORF72 or TARDBP mutations.

Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake Is Instrumental to Alternative Macrophage Polarization and Phagocytic Activity.

Macrophages are highly plastic and dynamic cells that exert much of their function through phagocytosis. Phagocytosis depends on a coordinated, finely tuned, and compartmentalized regulation of calcium concentrations. We examined the role of mitochondrial calcium uptake and mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) in macrophage polarization and function. In primary cultures of human monocyte-derived macrophages, calcium uptake in mitochondria was instrumental for alternative (M2) macrophage polarization. Mitochondrial calcium uniporter inhibition with KB-R7943 or MCU knockdown, which prevented mitochondrial calcium uptake, reduced M2 polarization, while not affecting classical (M1) polarization. Challenging macrophages with E. coli fragments induced spikes of mitochondrial calcium concentrations, which were prevented by MCU inhibition or silencing. In addition, mitochondria remodelled in M2 macrophages during phagocytosis, especially close to sites of E. coli internalization. Remarkably, inhibition or knockdown of MCU significantly reduced the phagocytic capacity of M2 macrophages. KB-R7943, which also inhibits the membrane sodium/calcium exchanger and Complex I, reduced mitochondria energization and cellular ATP levels, but such effects were not observed with MCU silencing. Therefore, phagocytosis inhibition by MCU knockdown depended on the impaired mitochondrial calcium buffering rather than changes in mitochondrial and cellular energy status. These data uncover a new role for MCU in alternative macrophage polarization and phagocytic activity.

Cell-type-specific profiling of brain mitochondria reveals functional and molecular diversity.

Mitochondria vary in morphology and function in different tissues; however, little is known about their molecular diversity among cell types. Here we engineered MitoTag mice, which express a Cre recombinase-dependent green fluorescent protein targeted to the outer mitochondrial membrane, and developed an isolation approach to profile tagged mitochondria from defined cell types. We determined the mitochondrial proteome of the three major cerebellar cell types (Purkinje cells, granule cells and astrocytes) and identified hundreds of mitochondrial proteins that are differentially regulated. Thus, we provide markers of cell-type-specific mitochondria for the healthy and diseased mouse and human central nervous systems, including in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. Based on proteomic predictions, we demonstrate that astrocytic mitochondria metabolize long-chain fatty acids more efficiently than neuronal mitochondria. We also characterize cell-type differences in mitochondrial calcium buffering via the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (Mcu) and identify regulator of microtubule dynamics protein 3 (Rmdn3) as a determinant of endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria proximity in Purkinje cells. Our approach enables exploring mitochondrial diversity in many in vivo contexts.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α regulates mitochondrial calcium homeostasis, sarcoplasmic reticulum stress, and cell death to mitigate skeletal muscle aging.

Age‐related impairment of muscle function severely affects the health of an increasing elderly population. While causality and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood, exercise is an efficient intervention to blunt these aging effects. We thus investigated the role of the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC‐1α), a potent regulator of mitochondrial function and exercise adaptation, in skeletal muscle during aging. We demonstrate that PGC‐1α overexpression improves mitochondrial dynamics and calcium buffering in an estrogen‐related receptor α‐dependent manner. Moreover, we show that sarcoplasmic reticulum stress is attenuated by PGC‐1α. As a result, PGC‐1α prevents tubular aggregate formation and cell death pathway activation in old muscle. Similarly, the pro‐apoptotic effects of ceramide and thapsigargin were blunted by PGC‐1α in muscle cells. Accordingly, mice with muscle‐specific gain‐of‐function and loss‐of‐function of PGC‐1α exhibit a delayed and premature aging phenotype, respectively. Together, our data reveal a key protective effect of PGC‐1α on muscle function and overall health span in aging.

Mitochondrial ultrastructure, function, and calcium buffering by massive calcium loading observed using advanced cryo‐electron microscopy, high‐resolution respirometry and spectrofluorimetry

Excessive calcium accumulation is the main cause of cardiac tissue and cell death after a myocardial infarction. As a result of calcium overload, mitochondria become dysfunctional, produce excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), cannot support the cellular energetic demand, and activate the cyclosporine A‐sensitive mitochondrial permeability transition pore. To discern the molecular, bioenergetic, and structural events associated with this phenomenon, we collected and analyzed a time‐course series of images obtained by utilizing recent advances in electron cryo‐microscopy methods. Energized mitochondria exposed to high calcium boluses, sufficient to elicit mitochondrial permeability transition, resulted in the formation of calcium phosphate granules. Under high calcium loading, the size of the calcium‐phosphate granules ranged from 50–120 nm causing OMM/IMM rupture. CsA treatment resulted in mitochondria with aberrant morphologies, increased cristae density and number, and with larger calcium‐phosphate granules ranging from 40–200 nm. The OMM was partially or completely lost; however, the mitochondria were fully functional and capable of synthesizing ATP. Our tomographic reconstruction placed these granules in close vicinity to the IMM and cristae. In addition, CsA treatment increases the calcium buffering power at greater calcium concentrations, whereas untreated mitochondria had much lower calcium buffering. Our results demonstrate that these granules form an intricate part of the mitochondrial calcium sequestration system. Overall, these results suggest CsA may interact with IMM components to: 1) modulate calcium buffering by facilitating more abundant and larger calcium phosphate granules and 2) preserve the cristae shape and number which avoids cytochrome c loss and mitochondrial permeability transition. Our data reveal that drugs capable of modulating cristae shape and number may be an effective strategy to prevent mitochondrial dysfunction stemming from calcium overload.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by NIH grant R00‐HL121160.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Neuroprotective potential of GDF11 in experimental intracerebral hemorrhage in elderly rats

The occurrence of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) costs long-standing neurologic deficits in ICH survivors, elderly ones in particular. Recent researches have proved rejuvenating effect of Growth Differentiation Factor 11 (GDF11) in improving multiple systemic diseases on old individuals. Thus, we designed this study to explore the neuroprotective effect and mechanisms of GDF11 in elderly ICH. 45 aged male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham + vehicle, ICH + vehicle and ICH + rGDF11 groups. ICH models were induced via injection of autologous whole blood into right basal ganglia of rats. ICH rats were given a daily injection of either recombinant (r) GDF11 at 0.1 mg/kg or vehicle for 28 days prior to operation and continued till the experiment completed. Neurological deficits, brain edema, cell apoptosis, microglial activation and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) positive cells were compared among each group. In addition, cytochrome c release, mitochondrial calcium buffering capacity and ATP level were monitored to explore the level of mitochondrial injury. Seen in the result, behavior disorders, severe perihematomal edema, inflammation, apoptosis, oxidative stress and mitochondria damage indicated a significant increase in ICH + vehicle group. While in ICH + rGDF11 group, administration of rGDF11 successfully reduced neurological deficits and alleviated ICH-induced edema, inflammation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and mitochondria damage in perihematomal tissues. Collectively, our study showed that GDF11 ameliorated ICH-induced neurological deficits in elderly individuals via reducing perihematomal edema, apoptosis, inflammatory reaction, oxidative stress and improving mitochondrial dysfunction, indicating neuroprotective effect of GDF11 in elderly ICH.

Effect Of Membrane Sealing Copolymer Poloxamer188 On Cardiac Mitochondrial Subpopulations In A Porcine Model Of Acute Myocardial Infarction

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is characterized by the sudden loss of blood supply to the coronary arteries, leading to permanent cell death if left untreated. Every year, around 800,000 Americans are affected by AMI. Currently, the only successful treatment for AMI is the restoration of blood flow using angioplasty and fibrinolytic drugs. In spite of a higher success rate post treatment, AMI greatly increases the risk of future arrhythmia, stroke and cardiac arrest. Additionally, the abrupt reintroduction of oxygen to the ischemic tissue causes reperfusion injury (RI). In the mitochondria, RI leads to calcium overload, increased ROS production, opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) and release of caspases, all contributing to cell death. Hence, mitochondria offer a promising target in reducing reperfusion injury post AMI. Previously, we showed that the administration of the membrane sealing copolymer Poloxamer188 (P188) post ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) reperfusion reduced infarct size and improved cardiac myocardial and mixed mitochondrial function in pigs. In this current study, our aim was to identify the specific effects of P188 in improving the mitochondrial function post STEMI of the two cardiac mitochondrial subpopulations‐subsarcolemmal (SSM) and interfibrillar (IFM) mitochondria. Female pigs that underwent 45 minutes of partial left anterior descending artery (LAD) occlusion were randomized to be reperfused with P188 (250 mg/kg, n=5) or saline(n=5). Each of these animals received an initial intracoronary bolus of either drug for 30 minutes, followed by an intravenous drip of the same dose for 3 hours. At 4 hours post reperfusion, the hearts were harvested and cardiac SSM and IFM were isolated from both the ischemic (LAD) and healthy circumflex (Circ) area through differential centrifugation. Their functions were assessed by measuring mitochondrial oxygen consumption and calcium buffering capacity. Initial results show that P188 likely improved complex 1 mediated mitochondrial oxygen consumption in the SSM (not significant) while there was no effect on IFM. P188 also improved the calcium buffering capacity of cardiac SSM and IFM (p=0.009 for SSM and p=0.03 for IFM) in the ischemic area. Together these results show a potential treatment benefit of P188 on cardiac SSM. Future studies include measurement of the levels of reactive oxygen species and total calcium content in the mitochondria, assessment of mitochondrial damage through electron microscopy as well as investigation of the mechanism of benefit conferred by P188 in the mitochondria. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the effect of P188 in cardiac mitochondrial subpopulations. Results from this study will help in the development of better targeted compounds with greater accuracy for the treatment of heart disease.Support or Funding InformationSource of funding: National Institutes of Heath, RO1 HL122323‐01A1This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Measurement and Analysis of the Mitochondrial Calcium Sequestration and Effects on the Buffering System

Calcium is a key signaling molecule found to regulate many cellular processes, including but not limited to, cellular physiology, bioenergetics, transcriptional events, signal transduction, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. While mitochondrial calcium dynamics have been extensively studied, it is yet unclear how calcium is sequestered and buffered in a quantitatively and mechanistic manner. Mitochondrial‐calcium homeostasis plays a crucial role in cell fate by a tightly‐regulated buffering system that maintains sub‐lethal levels of free calcium. If the calcium buffering capacity is exceeded mitochondrial dysfunction can result in excessive ROS production, initiating cell death signaling pathways, and catastrophic energy failure. In this study, we quantitatively characterized the mitochondrial calcium buffering power under a variety of experimental conditions and two calcium loading protocols. This was done with isolated cardiac mitochondria from guinea pigs using calcium‐sensitive molecular dyes. The mitochondrial calcium buffering power was quantified by monitoring the calcium flux from both outside and inside the mitochondria. Here, we report the changes in calcium buffering power caused by oxidative stress and under conditions that promote calcium uptake and retention. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the buffering power is also affected by the way calcium is loaded into the mitochondria. These data provide further insights on the mitochondrial calcium loading capacity and raises the question as to what are the components that regulate free calcium in the system.Support or Funding InformationThis research is supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R00‐HL121160).This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Cyclosporin A: New Insights into its Potential Role in Mitochondrial Calcium Buffering

Mitochondria Ca2+ handling is important to cellular function. However, excess matrix Ca2+ induces opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP). Cyclosporin A (CsA), a specific inhibitor of the mPTP, is thought to suppress pore opening by binding to cyclophilin D (CypD) and inhibiting its peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) activity. This process facilitates high matrix free Ca2+-induced conformational change of the pore. In the present study, we tested a novel hypothesis that CsA impacts matrix calcium buffering and, consequently modulates mPTP opening. To test this hypothesis, we determined the effect of CsA on matrix Ca2+ buffering and Ca2+-mediated mPTP opening by monitoring mitochondrial Ca2+ retention capacity (CRC) during boluses of CaCl2 challenges in isolated energized cardiac mitochondria. In addition, we measured redox state (NADH) and membrane potential (αΨm). During extra and intra matrix Ca2+ measurements, addition of CsA increased the driving force for Ca2+ uptake, possibly by sequestering the added Ca2+ as indicated by maintenance of matrix [Ca2+] constant. In the absence of CsA, a gradual increase in free matrix [Ca2+] led to gradual depolarization of αΨm and oxidation of NADH. In contrast, the CsA mediated increase in Ca2+ uptake was associated with preserved αΨm and NADH. In other experiments, CsA added just when pore was about to open restored free matrix [Ca2+] to basal levels while increasing Ca2+ uptake. Our data suggest that CsA may have two modes of preventing mPTP opening: by directly modulating the mitochondrial calcium buffering system, and by inhibiting CypD-PPIase activity. We propose that CsA-mediates enhanced matrix Ca2+ buffering and so decreases matrix free [Ca2+] and preserves αΨm and NADH; this in turn contributes to more Ca2+ uptake and buffering, and a delay mPTP opening.

Brain mitochondrial bioenergetics change with rapid and prolonged shifts in aggression in the honey bee, Apis mellifera

Neuronal function demands high-level energy production, and as such, a decline in mitochondrial respiration characterizes brain injury and disease. A growing number of studies, however, link brain mitochondrial function to behavioral modulation in non-diseased contexts. In the honey bee, we show for the first time that an acute social interaction, which invokes an aggressive response, may also cause a rapid decline in brain mitochondrial bioenergetics. The degree and speed of this decline has only been previously observed in the context of brain injury. Furthermore, in the honey bee, age-related increases in aggressive tendency are associated with increased baseline brain mitochondrial respiration, as well as increased plasticity in response to metabolic fuel type in vitro Similarly, diet restriction and ketone body feeding, which commonly enhance mammalian brain mitochondrial function in vivo, cause increased aggression. Thus, even in normal behavioral contexts, brain mitochondria show a surprising degree of variation in function over both rapid and prolonged time scales, with age predicting both baseline function and plasticity in function. These results suggest that mitochondrial function is integral to modulating aggression-related neuronal signaling. We hypothesize that variation in function reflects mitochondrial calcium buffering activity, and that shifts in mitochondrial function signal to the neuronal soma to regulate gene expression and neural energetic state. Modulating brain energetic state is emerging as a critical component of the regulation of behavior in non-diseased contexts.

Mfn2-Mediated Preservation of Mitochondrial Function Contributes to the Protective Effects of BHAPI in Response to Ischemia.

Disturbances in intracellular iron homeostasis are associated with neuronal injury after stroke. However, exposure of cells to classical chelators may interfere with physiological iron functions. BHAPI is an iron prochelator that exerts strong iron binding capacity only under oxidative stress conditions. This study investigated the protective effects of N'-(1-(2-((4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,2,3-dioxoborolan-2-yl)benzyl)oxy)phenyl)ethylidene (BHAPI) on an in vitro ischemia model mimicked by oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) in neuronal HT22 cells. The results showed that BHAPI significantly increased cell viability and decreased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release after OGD. BHAPI treatment also reduced apoptosis, as measured by flow cytometry, and suppressed caspase-3 activation. These protective effects were accompanied by preserved mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), reduced mitochondrial swelling, promoted mitochondrial calcium buffering capacity, and increased mitochondrial respiration. The results of MitoTracker staining showed that BHAPI partially prevented the OGD-induced changes in mitochondrial morphology. Furthermore, BHAPI selectively increased the expression of mitochondrial dynamic protein Mfn2, with no effect on Mfn1 expression. Knockdown of Mfn2 with specific siRNA partially reversed the protective effects of BHAPI. In summary, the iron prochelator BHAPI protects HT22 cells against ischemic injury through preservation of mitochondrial function and Mfn2 signaling.