Mitochondrial Signal Sequence Research Articles

Dual-localization signals enhance mitochondrial targeted presentation of engineered proteins.

Effective delivery of engineered proteins into mitochondria is of great significance for developing efficient mitochondrial DNA editing tools and realizing accurate treatment of mitochondrial diseases. Here, the candidate genes, eGFP and Cas9, were engineered with different mitochondrial localization signal (MLS) sequences introduced at their up- or/and down-streams. The corresponding expression vectors for the engineered proteins were constructed respectively, and HEK293T cells were transfected with these vectors. The fluorescence colocalization and Western blotting assays were used to analyze the mitochondrial targeting presentation effect of different engineered proteins. The results demonstrated that the daul-MLS modification of the eGFP and Cas9 proteins significantly improved the efficiency of mitochondrial targeted presentation, compared with the engineered proteins with single MLS added. Hence, it is speculated that dual MLS strategy can enhance the mitochondrial targeting of engineered proteins, which lays a theoretical foundation for the future development of efficient mitochondrial DNA editing tools.

Deletion of mitochondrial DNA methyltransferase 1 contributes the development of murine heart failure under pressure overloaded

Abstract Background Mitochondrial DNA (mitDNA) has similarities to bacterial DNA, which contains inflammatogenic unmethylated CpG motifs. We found that mitDNA that escapes from autophagy causes inflammatory response and heart failure under pressure overload. DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) maintains methylation patterns in somatic cells. Deletion of DNMT1 results in embryonic lethality in mice and mitotic catastrophe in cultured cells. Additional possible translational start sites (ATG1, ATG2) are located upstream of the commonly accepted nuclear DNMT1 translational start site (ATG3) and there is a conserved mitochondrial translocation signal sequence between ATG1 and ATG3. The role of mitochondrial DNMT1 in the development of heart failure remains to be elucidated. Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the in vivo role of mitochondrial DNMT1 in the heart under pressure overload. Methods We generated HA-tagged DNMT1 constructs, 1) starting from ATG1 (termed as whole) 2) from ATG3 (nuclear) and 3) from ATG3 and mutated in the nuclear translocation sequence (mitochondrial) and transfected HEK293 cells with the constructs. Localization of HA-tagged proteins was assessed by immunocytochemistry. We also generated mitochondrial DNMT1-deficient mice by inserting mutations into the ATG1 and ATG2. The mice were subjected to pressure overload by means of transverse aortic constriction (TAC) to induce heart failure. Cardiac remodelling was assessed by echocardiography as well as histological analyses 4 weeks after operation. Results Whole, nuclear and mitochondrial DMNT1 translocated to both mitochondria and nuclei, only nucleus and only mitochondria, respectively. Mitochondrial DNMT1-deficient mice were born at Mendelian frequency and grew to adulthood. Those showed no cardiac phenotypes under baseline conditions. However, the mice exhibited severe systolic dysfunction, indicated by left ventricular fractional shortening, 2 weeks after surgery compared with control littermates (control littermates 47.9% versus Mitochondrial DNMT1-deficient mice 32.3%, p<0.05). Intermuscular cell infiltration was observed in TAC-operated mitochondrial DNMT1-deficient hearts. Conclusions Mitochondrial DNA methyltransferase 1 plays a protective role in failing hearts and mitDNA methylation might be a therapeutic target to treat patients with heart failure.

Expression and purification of the mitochondrial transmembrane protein FAM210A in Escherichia coli

The protein Family with sequence similarity 210 member A (FAM210A) is a mitochondrial inner membrane protein that regulates the protein synthesis of mitochondrial DNA encoded genes. However, how it functions in this process is not well understood. Developing and optimizing a protein purification strategy will facilitate biochemical and structural studies of FAM210A. Here, we developed a method to purify human FAM210A with deleted mitochondrial targeting signal sequence using the MBP-His10 fusion in Escherichia coli. The recombinant FAM210A protein was inserted into the E. coli cell membrane and purified from isolated bacterial cell membranes, followed by a two-step process using Ni-NTA resin-based immobilized-metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) and ion exchange purification. A pulldown assay validated the functionality of purified FAM210A protein interacting with human mitochondrial elongation factor EF-Tu in HEK293T cell lysates. Taken together, this study developed a method for purification of the mitochondrial transmembrane protein FAM210A partially complexed with E.coli derived EF-Tu and provides an opportunity for future potential biochemical and structural studies of recombinant FAM210A protein.

Imaging of mtHyPer7, a Ratiometric Biosensor for Mitochondrial Peroxide, in Living Yeast Cells.

Mitochondrial dysfunction, or functional alteration, is found in many diseases and conditions, including neurodegenerative and musculoskeletal disorders, cancer, and normal aging. Here, an approach is described to assess mitochondrial function in living yeast cells at cellular and subcellular resolutions using a genetically encoded, minimally invasive, ratiometric biosensor. The biosensor, mitochondria-targeted HyPer7 (mtHyPer7), detects hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in mitochondria. It consists of a mitochondrial signal sequence fused to a circularly permuted fluorescent protein and the H2O2-responsive domain of a bacterial OxyR protein. The biosensor is generated and integrated into the yeast genome using a CRISPR-Cas9 marker-free system, formore consistent expression compared to plasmid-borne constructs. mtHyPer7 is quantitatively targeted to mitochondria, has no detectable effect on yeast growth rate or mitochondrial morphology, and provides a quantitative readout for mitochondrial H2O2 under normal growth conditions and upon exposure to oxidative stress. This protocol explains how to optimize imaging conditions using a spinning-disk confocal microscope system and perform quantitative analysis using freely available software. These tools make it possible to collect rich spatiotemporal information on mitochondria both within cells and among cells in a population. Moreover, the workflow described here can be used to validate other biosensors.

Differences in Formation Mechanisms of Phenolic Off-Flavor Compounds among Yeast Species

Phenolic off-flavor compounds such as 4-vinylguaiacol (4-VG) affect the quality of fermented foods. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, 4-VG production requires prenylated FMN (flavin mononucleotide) produced by the mitochondrial protein Pad1. To examine this mechanism further, we expressed Escherichia coli ubiX, whose gene product prenylates FMN in E. coli, in an S. cerevisiae Δpad1 strain, which recovered the ability to produce 4-VG. Because E. coli UbiX is expected to localize to the cytoplasm in the transformed yeast, next, we expressed a truncated Pad1 (tPad1) variant lacking the mitochondrial translocation signal sequence in S. cerevisiae Δpad1. The transformed strain also recovered the ability to produce 4-VG; furthermore, it produced a larger amount of 4-VG than wild-type S. cerevisiae, indicating that 4-VG production in S. cerevisiae may be mediated by the partial mislocalization of Pad1 to the cytoplasm. We also expressed the gene encoding Dekkera (Brettanomyces) bruxellensis phenolic acid decarboxylase (DbPAD) in S. cerevisiae Δpad1. The transformed yeast recovered the ability to produce 4-VG, indicating that the D. bruxellensis phenolic acid decarboxylation reaction does not require prenylated FMN. Sequencing of the cloned DbPAD gene showed that the translation start codon differs from previous reports; therefore, we recloned the DbPAD gene from the position predicted to be the translation initiation point (designated DbPADs). Transformation of S. cerevisiae Δpad1 with DbPADs further increased the amount of 4-VG produced. Collectively, these findings provide insight into the mechanism of off-flavor production by different yeast species.

The repertoire of serine rhomboid proteases of piroplasmids of importance to animal and human health

Babesia, Theileria and Cytauxzoon are tick-borne apicomplexan protozoans of the order Piroplasmida, notorious for the diseases they cause in livestock, pets and humans. Host cell invasion is their Achilles heel, allowing for the development of drug or vaccine-based therapies. In other apicomplexans, cleavage of the transmembrane domain of adhesins by the serine rhomboid proteinase ROM4 is required for successful completion of invasion. In this study, we record and classify the rhomboid repertoire encoded in the genomes of 10 piroplasmid species pertaining to the lineages Babesia sensu stricto (s.s., Clade VI), Theileria sensu stricto (Clade IV), Theileria equi (Clade IV), Cytauxzoon felis (Clade IIIb) and Babesia microti (Clade I), as defined by Schnittger et al. (2012). Fifty-six piroplasmid rhomboid-like proteins were assigned by phylogenetic analysis and bidirectional best hit to the ROM4, ROM6, ROM7 or ROM8 groups, and their crucial motifs for conformation and function were identified. Forty-four of these rhomboids had either been incorrectly classified or misannotated. Babesia s.s. encode five or three ROM4 proteinase paralogs, whereas the remaining piroplasmids encode two ROM4 paralogs. All piroplasmids encode a single ROM6, ROM7 and ROM8. Thus, an increased paralog number of ROM4 is the only feature distinguishing Babesia s.s. from other piroplasmid lineages. Piroplasmid ROM6 is related to the mammalian mitochondrial rhomboid and, accordingly, N-terminal mitochondrial targeting signal sequences was found in some cases. ROM6 is the only rhomboid encoded by piroplasmids that is ubiquitous in other organisms. ROM8 represents a pseudoproteinase that is highly conserved between studied piroplasmids, suggesting that it is important in regulatory functions. ROM4, ROM6, ROM7 and ROM8 are exclusively present in Aconoidasida, which comprises piroplasmids and Plasmodium, suggesting a relevant functional role in erythrocyte invasion. The correct classification and designation of piroplasmid rhomboids presented in this study facilitates an informed choice for future in-depth study of their functions.

Systems-based Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain design for improved squalene synthesis

Constraint-based flux balance analysis of S. cerevisiae has led to the identification of a novel gene deletion targets, LYS1 and ADK1, for enhancement of squalene flux. LYS1 deletion resulted in 2-fold improvement in squalene when compared to reference strain BY4741 with a maximum yield of 33.1 mg/g DCW. A double mutant of ADK1 and LYS1 genes has increased the squalene yield to 38 mg/g DW which is 2.38-fold higher over the control strain. Furthermore, single copies of tHMG1 and POS5 (with mitochondrial signal sequence) genes have been integrated into this double mutant in order to enhance the precursor pool and the cofactor regeneration capacity, respectively, for enhanced squalene synthesis. The improved strain, SK22 has resulted in squalene yield of 65 mg/g DW which is 4-folds higher than the control strain. Finally, the engineered strain was cultivated in a bioreactor using fed-batch strategy to improve the titer and productivity of squalene. Exponential feeding (open-loop strategy) using high residual glucose (˜40–60 g/L) has increased the squalene titer to a maximum of 1.9 g/L with a yield of 0.15 g/g DCW, which is several folds higher than the shake-flask results. Redirecting the lysine synthesis by external supplementation could potentially improve squalene flux in S. cerevisiae.

Gram-Positive Bacteria-Like DNA Binding Machineries Involved in Replication Initiation and Termination Mechanisms of Mimivirus.

The detailed mechanisms of replication initiation, termination and segregation events were not yet known in Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus (APMV). Here, we show detailed bioinformatics-based analyses of chromosomal replication in APMV from initiation to termination mediated by proteins bound to specific DNA sequences. Using GC/AT skew and coding sequence skew analysis, we estimated that the replication origin is located at 382 kb in the APMV genome. We performed homology-modeling analysis of the gamma domain of APMV-FtsK (DNA translocase coordinating chromosome segregation) related to FtsK-orienting polar sequences (KOPS) binding, suggesting that there was an insertion in the gamma domain which maintains the structure of the DNA binding motif. Furthermore, UvrD/Rep-like helicase in APMV was homologous to Bacillus subtilis AddA, while the chi-like quartet sequence 5′-CCGC-3′ was frequently found in the estimated ori region, suggesting that chromosomal replication of APMV is initiated via chi-like sequence recognition by UvrD/Rep-like helicase. Therefore, the replication initiation, termination and segregation of APMV are presumably mediated by DNA repair machineries derived from gram-positive bacteria. Moreover, the other frequently observed quartet sequence 5′-CGGC-3′ in the ori region was homologous to the mitochondrial signal sequence of replication initiation, while the comparison of quartet sequence composition in APMV/Rickettsia-genome showed significantly similar values, suggesting that APMV also conserves the mitochondrial replication system acquired from an ancestral genome of mitochondria during eukaryogenesis.

α-MHC MitoTimer mouse: In vivo mitochondrial turnover model reveals remarkable mitochondrial heterogeneity in the heart

In order to maintain an efficient, energy-producing network in the heart, dysfunctional mitochondria are cleared through the mechanism of autophagy, which is closely linked with mitochondrial biogenesis; these, together with fusion and fission comprise a crucial process known as mitochondrial turnover. Until recently, the lack of molecular tools and methods available to researchers has impeded in vivo investigations of turnover. To investigate the process at the level of a single mitochondrion, our laboratory has developed the MitoTimer protein. Timer is a mutant of DsRed fluorescent protein characterized by transition from green fluorescence to a more stable red conformation over 48h, and its rate of maturation is stable under physiological conditions. We fused the Timer cDNA with the inner mitochondrial membrane signal sequence and placed it under the control of a cardiac-restricted promoter. This construct was used to create the alpha-MHC-MitoTimer mice. Surprisingly, initial analysis of the hearts from these mice demonstrated a high degree of heterogeneity in the ratio of red-to-green fluorescence of MitoTimer in cardiac tissue. Further, scattered solitary mitochondria within cardiomyocytes display a much higher red-to-green fluorescence (red-shifted) relative to other mitochondria in the cell, implying a block in import of newly synthesized MitoTimer likely due to lower membrane potential. These red-shifted mitochondria may represent older, senescent mitochondria. Concurrently, the cardiomyocytes also contain a subpopulation of mitochondria that display a lower red-to-green fluorescence (green-shifted) relative to other mitochondria, indicative of germinal mitochondria that are actively engaged in import of newly-synthesized mito-targeted proteins. These mitochondria can be isolated and sorted from the heart by flow cytometry for further analysis. Initial studies suggest that these mice represent an elegant tool for the investigation of mitochondrial turnover in the heart.

Abstract 15584: Mitotimer Protein Reveals Remarkable Macro and Micro Heterogeneity in the Heart; A Novel Tool for Determining Mitochondrial Turnover in the Heart

In order to study mitochondrial turnover at the level of a single mitochondrion, our laboratory has developed the MitoTimer protein. Timer is a mutant of DsRed fluorescent protein developed by Terskikh et al. The Timer protein transitions from green fluorescence to a more stable red conformation as it matures over a span of 48 h. Furthermore, the protein is very stable under physiological conditions, insensitive to variations in ionic strength, and changes in pH between 7.0 and 8.0. Notably, Timer maturation from green to red is significantly slowed in deoxygenated buffer, suggesting that molecular oxygen plays a part in fluorophore maturation. We created a construct that fused the Timer protein cDNA with the inner mitochondrial membrane signal sequence and placed it under the control of the cardiac-restricted α-myosin heavy chain promoter. This construct was used to create the α-MHC MitoTimer mice. Surprisingly, initial analysis of the hearts from these mice demonstrated a high degree of heterogeneity in the ratio of red-to-green fluorescence of MitoTimer in cardiac tissue, revealing regions of high and low oxygen tension. Further, individual mitochondria within cardiomyocytes display a higher red-to-green fluorescence relative to fluorescence of the other mitochondria in the cell, implying a block in import of newly synthesized MitoTimer caused by the lack of a high membrane potential, indicative of older, dysfunctional mitochondria. These mitochondria can be isolated and sorted from the heart by flow cytometry for further analysis. Initial studies suggest that these mice represent an elegant tool for the investigation of mitochondrial turnover in the heart.

Abstract 89: MitoTimer Mouse: a Novel Tool for the Study of Mitochondrial Turnover in vivo

In order to study mitochondrial turnover at the level of a single mitochondrion, our laboratory has developed the MitoTimer protein. Timer is a mutant of DsRed fluorescent protein developed by Terskikh et al. The Timer protein transitions from green fluorescence to a more stable red conformation as it matures over a span of 48 h. Furthermore, the protein is very stable under physiological conditions, insensitive to variations in ionic strength, and changes in pH between 7.0 and 8.0. Notably, Timer maturation from green to red is significantly slowed in deoxygenated buffer, suggesting that molecular oxygen plays a part in fluorophore maturation. We fused the Timer protein with the mitochondrial signal sequence from the cytochrome c oxidase subunit VIII (COX8) to target the protein to the inner membrane of the mitochondria, and further cloned the protein into a construct with a cardiac-restricted α-myosin heavy chain promoter. This construct was used to create the α-MHC MitoTimer mice. Surprisingly, initial analysis of the hearts from these mice reveals a remarkable degree of heterogeneity in the ratio of red-to- green fluorescence of MitoTimer in cardiac tissue. Furthermore, individual mitochondria within cardiomyocytes display a higher red-to-green fluorescence, implying a block in import of newly synthesized MitoTimer that would be caused by the lack of a high membrane potential, indicative of older, dysfunctional mitochondria. Initial studies suggest that these mice represent an elegant tool for the investigation of mitochondrial turnover in the heart.

Transport of rice cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer photolyase into mitochondria relies on a targeting sequence located in its C-terminal internal region.

The cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD), which represents a major type of DNA damage induced by ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation, is a principal cause of UVB-induced growth inhibition in plants. CPD photolyase is the primary enzyme for repairing CPDs and is crucial for determining the sensitivity of Oryza sativa (rice) to UVB radiation. CPD photolyase is widely distributed among species ranging from eubacteria to eukaryotes, and is classified into classI or II based on its primary structure. We previously demonstrated that rice CPD photolyase (OsPHR), which belongs to classII and is encoded by a single-copy gene, is a unique nuclear/mitochondrial/chloroplast triple-targeting protein; however, the location and nature of the organellar targeting information contained within OsPHR are unknown. Here, the nuclear and mitochondrial targeting signal sequences of OsPHR were identified by systematic deletion analysis. The nuclear and mitochondrial targeting sequences are harbored within residues 487-489 and 391-401 in the C-terminal region of OsPHR (506 amino acid residues), respectively. The mitochondrial targeting signal represents a distinct topogenic sequence that differs structurally and functionally from classical N-terminal pre-sequences, and this region, in addition to its role in localization to the mitochondria, is essential for the proper functioning of the CPD photolyase. Furthermore, the mitochondrial targeting sequence, which is characteristic of class-II CPD photolyases, was acquired before the divergence of class-II CPD photolyases in eukaryotes. These results indicate that rice plants have evolved a CPD photolyase that functions in mitochondria to protect cells from the harmful effects of UVB radiation.

Beta-nodavirus B2 protein induces hydrogen peroxide production, leading to Drp1-recruited mitochondrial fragmentation and cell death via mitochondrial targeting.

Because the role of the viral B2 protein in the pathogenesis of nervous necrosis virus infection remains unknown, the aim of the present study was to determine the effects of B2 protein on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-mediated cell death via mitochondrial targeting. Using a B2 deletion mutant, the B2 mitochondrial targeting signal sequence (41RTFVISAHAA50) correlated with mitochondrial free radical production and cell death in fish cells, embryonic zebrafish, and human cancer cells. After treatment of grouper fin cells (GF-1) overexpressing B2 protein with the anti-oxidant drug, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and overexpression of the antioxidant enzymes, zfCu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) and zfCatalase, decreased H2O2 production and cell death were observed. To investigate the correlation between B2 cytotoxicity and H2O2 production in vivo, B2 was injected into zebrafish embryos. Cell damage, as assessed by the acridine orange assay, gradually increased over 24 h post-fertilization, and was accompanied by marked increases in H2O2 production and embryonic death. Increased oxidative stress, as evidenced by the up-regulation of Mn SOD, catalase, and Nrf2, was also observed during this period. Finally, B2-induced dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1)-mediated mitochondrial fragmentation and cell death could be reversed by NAC and inhibitors of Drp1 and Mdivi in GF-1 cells. Taken together, betanodavirus B2 induces H2O2 production via targeting the mitochondria, where it inhibits complex II function. H2O2 activates Drp1, resulting in its association with the mitochondria, mitochondrial fission and cell death in vitro and in vivo.

Component co-expression and purification of recombinant human pyruvate dehydrogenase complex from baculovirus infected SF9 cells

The mammalian pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) is a multi-component mitochondrial enzyme that plays a key role in the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA connecting glycolysis to the citric acid cycle. Recent studies indicate that targeting the regulation of PDC enzymatic activity might offer therapeutic opportunities by inhibiting cancer cell metabolism. To facilitate drug discovery in this area, a well defined PDC sample is needed. Here, we report a new method of producing functional, recombinant, high quality human PDC complex. All five components were co-expressed in the cytoplasm of baculovirus-infected SF9 cells by deletion of the mitochondrial localization signal sequences of all the components and E1a was FLAG-tagged to facilitate purification. The protein FLAG tagged E1a complex was purified using FLAG-M2 affinity resin, followed by Superdex 200 sizing chromatography. The E2 and E3BP components were then Lipoylated using an enzyme based in vitro process. The resulting PDC is over 90% pure and homogenous. This non-phosphorylated, lipoylated human PDC was demonstrated to produce a robust detection window when used to develop an enzyme coupled assay of PDHK.

Human Brown Fat Inducible Thioesterase Variant 2 Cellular Localization and Catalytic Function

The mammalian brown fat inducible thioesterase variant 2 (BFIT2), also known as ACOT11, is a multimodular protein containing two consecutive hotdog-fold domains and a C-terminal steroidogenic acute regulatory protein-related lipid transfer domain (StarD14). In this study, we demonstrate that the N-terminal region of human BFIT2 (hBFIT2) constitutes a mitochondrial location signal sequence, which undergoes mitochondrion-dependent posttranslational cleavage. The mature hBFIT2 is shown to be located in the mitochondrial matrix, whereas the paralog "cytoplasmic acetyl-CoA hydrolase" (CACH, also known as ACOT12) was found in the cytoplasm. In vitro activity analysis of full-length hBFIT2 isolated from stably transfected HEK293 cells demonstrates selective thioesterase activity directed toward long chain fatty acyl-CoA thioesters, thus distinguishing the catalytic function of BFIT2 from that of CACH. The results from a protein-lipid overlay test indicate that the hBFIT2 StarD14 domain binds phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate.

Characterization of Nme6-like gene/protein from marine sponge Suberites domuncula

Nucleoside diphosphate kinases (NDPKs) are evolutionarily conserved enzymes involved in many biological processes such as metastasis, proliferation, development, differentiation, ciliary functions, vesicle transport and apoptosis in vertebrates. Biochemical mechanisms of these processes are still largely unknown. Sponges (Porifera) are simple metazoans without tissues, closest to the common ancestor of all animals. They changed little during evolution and probably provide the best insight into the metazoan ancestors' genomic features. The purpose of this study was to address structural and functional properties of group II Nme6 gene/protein ortholog from the marine sponge Suberites domuncula, Nme6, in order to elucidate its evolutionary history. Sponge Nme6 gene and promoter were sequenced and analysed with various bioinformatical tools. Nme6 and Nme6Δ31 proteins were produced in E. coli strain BL21 and NDPK activity was measured using a coupled pyruvate kinase-lactate dehydrogenase assay. Subcellular localization in human tumour cells was examined by confocal scanning microscopy. Our results show that the sponge Nme6 compared to human Nme6 does not possess NDPK activity, does not localize in mitochondria at least in human cells although it has a putative mitochondrial signal sequence, lacks two recent introns that comprise miRNAs and have different transcriptional binding sites in the promoter region. Therefore, we conclude that the structure of Nme6 gene has changed during metazoan evolution possibly in correlation with the function of the protein.

Quantification of Mitochondrial Calcium Dynamic Changes During Voltage-Induced Calcium Release in Mammalian Skeletal Muscle

Mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake regulates mitochondrial metabolism and synthesis of ATP to meet demands of muscle contraction. In a recent study, we found that mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake also plays a critical role in modifying rapid Ca2+ transients in skeletal muscle of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis transgenic mice (Zhou 2010). To better understand how mitochondria are involved in the control of Ca2+ transients in healthy and diseased conditions, we need to trace dynamic changes of Ca2+ inside mitochondria during contractile activation. Rudolf (2004) first demonstrated mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake in skeletal muscle during contraction using the cameleon YC2. The maximal ratio change, however, was not more than 0.4, and Ca2+ uptake was not quantified. We have now used the improved biosensor YC3.6 (Nagai 2004) with a dynamic range close to 6 (in in-situ calibration) to monitor changes of free [Ca2+] inside mitochondria during voltage clamp-induced Ca2+ release (VICR). We targeted YC3.6 to mitochondria by adding a mitochondrial signal sequence at 5’ of the cDNA to obtain mt11-YC3.6. One week after FDB muscles of adult mice were transfected by electroporation, enzyme-isolated single FDB fibers expressing mt11-YC3.6 were patch-clamped. Following a depolarizing pulse, the cytosolic Ca2+ transient (monitored by x-rhod-1) and the change of Ca2+ inside mitochondria were simultaneously recorded in a confocal microscope. We found that the maximal ratio change of mt11-YC3.6 reached 3.25 following a membrane depolarization. The free [Ca2+] inside mitochondria during VICR was calculated using parameters from an in-situ calibration. [Ca2+]mito increased to 200 nM during a 10 ms pulse and reached 3 μM during a 800 ms pulse. These results and similar measurements in progress will allow us to evaluate the uptake of Ca2+ by mitochondria during single twitches and tetanic contraction. Supported by MDA/NIAMS.

Dynamic subcellular localization of isoforms of the folate pathway enzyme serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) through the erythrocytic cycle of Plasmodium falciparum

BackgroundThe folate pathway enzyme serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) converts serine to glycine and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate and is essential for the acquisition of one-carbon units for subsequent transfer reactions. 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate is used by thymidylate synthase to convert dUMP to dTMP for DNA synthesis. In Plasmodium falciparum an enzymatically functional SHMT (PfSHMTc) and a related, apparently inactive isoform (PfSHMTm) are found, encoded by different genes. Here, patterns of localization of the two isoforms during the parasite erythrocytic cycle are investigated.MethodsPolyclonal antibodies were raised to PfSHMTc and PfSHMTm, and, together with specific markers for the mitochondrion and apicoplast, were employed in quantitative confocal fluorescence microscopy of blood-stage parasites.ResultsAs well as the expected cytoplasmic occupancy of PfSHMTc during all stages, localization into the mitochondrion and apicoplast occurred in a stage-specific manner. Although early trophozoites lacked visible organellar PfSHMTc, a significant percentage of parasites showed such fluorescence during the mid-to-late trophozoite and schizont stages. In the case of the mitochondrion, the majority of parasites in these stages at any given time showed no marked PfSHMTc fluorescence, suggesting that its occupancy of this organelle is of limited duration. PfSHMTm showed a distinctly more pronounced mitochondrial location through most of the erythrocytic cycle and GFP-tagging of its N-terminal region confirmed the predicted presence of a mitochondrial signal sequence. Within the apicoplast, a majority of mitotic schizonts showed a marked concentration of PfSHMTc, whose localization in this organelle was less restricted than for the mitochondrion and persisted from the late trophozoite to the post-mitotic stages. PfSHMTm showed a broadly similar distribution across the cycle, but with a distinctive punctate accumulation towards the ends of elongating apicoplasts. In very late post-mitotic schizonts, both PfSHMTc and PfSHMTm were concentrated in the central region of the parasite that becomes the residual body on erythrocyte lysis and merozoite release.ConclusionsBoth PfSHMTc and PfSHMTm show dynamic, stage-dependent localization among the different compartments of the parasite and sequence analysis suggests they may also reversibly associate with each other, a factor that may be critical to folate cofactor function, given the apparent lack of enzymic activity of PfSHMTm.

Identification and Characterization of Mitochondrial Targeting Sequence of Human Apurinic/Apyrimidinic Endonuclease 1

Dually targeted mitochondrial proteins usually possess an unconventional mitochondrial targeting sequence (MTS), which makes them difficult to predict by current bioinformatics approaches. Human apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (APE1) plays a central role in the cellular response to oxidative stress. It is a dually targeted protein preferentially residing in the nucleus with conditional distribution in the mitochondria. However, the mitochondrial translocation mechanism of APE1 is not well characterized because it harbors an unconventional MTS that is difficult to predict by bioinformatics analysis. Two experimental approaches were combined in this study to identify the MTS of APE1. First, the interactions between the peptides from APE1 and the three purified translocase receptors of the outer mitochondrial membrane (Tom) were evaluated using a peptide array screen. Consequently, the intracellular distribution of green fluorescent protein-tagged, truncated, or mutated APE1 proteins was traced by tag detection. The results demonstrated that the only MTS of APE1 is harbored within residues 289-318 in the C terminus, which is normally masked by the intact N-terminal structure. As a dually targeted mitochondrial protein, APE1 possesses a special distribution pattern of different subcellular targeting signals, the identification of which sheds light on future prediction of MTSs.

Metabolic Impact of Increased NADH Availability in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Engineering the level of metabolic cofactors to manipulate metabolic flux is emerging as an attractive strategy for bioprocess applications. We present the metabolic consequences of increasing NADH in the cytosol and the mitochondria of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In a strain that was disabled in formate metabolism, we either overexpressed the native NAD(+)-dependent formate dehydrogenase in the cytosol or directed it into the mitochondria by fusing it with the mitochondrial signal sequence encoded by the CYB2 gene. Upon exposure to formate, the mutant strains readily consumed formate and induced fermentative metabolism even under conditions of glucose derepression. Cytosolic overexpression of formate dehydrogenase resulted in the production of glycerol, while when this enzyme was directed into the mitochondria, we observed glycerol and ethanol production. Clearly, these results point toward different patterns of compartmental regulation of redox homeostasis. When pulsed with formate, S. cerevisiae cells growing in a steady state on glucose immediately consumed formate. However, formate consumption ceased after 20 min. Our analysis revealed that metabolites at key branch points of metabolic pathways were affected the most by the genetic perturbations and that the intracellular concentrations of sugar phosphates were specifically affected by time. In conclusion, the results have implications for the design of metabolic networks in yeast for industrial applications.