Life time—circadian clocks,mitochondria and metabolism

A functional circadian clock has long been considered a selective advantage. Accumulating evidence shows that the clock coordinates a variety of physiological processes in order to schedule them to the optimal time of day and thus to synchronize metabolism to changes in external conditions. In mitochondria, both metabolic and cellular defense mechanisms are carefully regulated. Abnormal clock function, might influence mitochondrial function, resulting in decreased fitness of an organism.     

Syntheses and antitumor activities of N′1,N′3-dialkyl-N′1,N′3-di-(alkylcarbonothioyl) malonohydrazide: The discovery of elesclomol

A series of N′¹,N′³-dialkyl-N′¹,N′³-di(alkylcarbonothioyl) malonohydrazides have been designed and synthesized as anticancer agents by targeting oxidative stress and Hsp70 induction. Structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies lead to the discovery of STA-4783 (elesclomol), a novel small molecule that has been evaluated in a number of clinical trials as an anticancer agent in combination with Taxol.     

Synthesis,antiproliferative and mitochondrial impairment activities of bis-alkyl-amino transplatinum complexes

A convenient synthetic route and the characterization of complexes trans-[PtCl₂(L)(PPh₃)] (L = Et₂NH (2), (PhCH₂)₂NH (3), (HOCH₂CH₂)₂NH) (4) are reported. The antiproliferative activity was evaluated on three human tumor cell lines. The investigation on the mechanism of action highlighted for the most active complex 4 the capacity to affect mitochondrial functions. In particular, both the induction of the mitochondrial permeability transition phenomenon and an aspecific membrane damage occurred, depending on concentration.     

N—acetylserotonin对肝缺血再灌注小鼠氧化应激损伤的保护作用

目的探讨NAS对肝缺血再灌注所诱导的脂质过氧化损伤产生的保护作用。方法采用夹闭肝蒂法30min、再灌注6h制作肝缺血再灌注模型,冰冻切片,HE染色,光学显微镜下观察肝细胞形态结构的变化;比色法检测损伤后血清中谷丙转氨酶（ALT）水平及肝组织中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、丙二醛（MDA）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH—Px）的含量。结果夹闭肝蒂30min、再灌注6h后,肝小叶结构紊乱、肝血窦淤血,其间有白细胞浸润、肝细胞出现变性、坏死;血清中ALT水平升高,肝组织中s0D和GSH—Px的含量降低,MDA升高;NAS可减少缺血再灌注后血清ALT的释放,使肝组织中SOD和GSHPx的含量升高,MDA的含量降低;NAS＋Luz可逆转NAS的这一作用。结论NAS对肝缺血再灌注小鼠的氧化应激损伤具有保护作用。     

炎症和氧化应激对内皮祖细胞动员及其功能的影响

内皮祖细胞对于维持血管内皮完整性和血管稳态具有重要作用.增强EPC的数量和功能可使心血管疾病患者获益.炎症、氧化应激对内皮祖细胞动员及其功能发挥具有重要影响,本文着重综述炎症和氧化应激对内皮祖细胞动员的调控,并探讨增进内皮祖细胞数量和功能的相关治疗策略.     

Potent Reversible Inhibition of Myeloperoxidase by Aromatic Hydroxamates

The neutrophil enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) promotes oxidative stress in numerous inflammatory pathologies by producing hypohalous acids. Its inadvertent activity is a prime target for pharmacological control. Previously, salicylhydroxamic acid was reported to be a weak reversible inhibitor of MPO. We aimed to identify related hydroxamates that are good inhibitors of the enzyme. We report on three hydroxamates as the first potent reversible inhibitors of MPO. The chlorination activity of purified MPO was inhibited by 50% by a 5 nm concentration of a trifluoromethyl-substituted aromatic hydroxamate, HX1. The hydroxamates were specific for MPO in neutrophils and more potent toward MPO compared with a broad range of redox enzymes and alternative targets. Surface plasmon resonance measurements showed that the strength of binding of hydroxamates to MPO correlated with the degree of enzyme inhibition. The crystal structure of MPO-HX1 revealed that the inhibitor was bound within the active site cavity above the heme and blocked the substrate channel. HX1 was a mixed-type inhibitor of the halogenation activity of MPO with respect to both hydrogen peroxide and halide. Spectral analyses demonstrated that hydroxamates can act variably as substrates for MPO and convert the enzyme to a nitrosyl ferrous intermediate. This property was unrelated to their ability to inhibit MPO. We propose that aromatic hydroxamates bind tightly to the active site of MPO and prevent it from producing hypohalous acids. This mode of reversible inhibition has potential for blocking the activity of MPO and limiting oxidative stress during inflammation.     

Parkinson Disease Protein DJ-1 Binds Metals and Protects against Metal-induced Cytotoxicity

The progressive loss of motor control due to reduction of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and decreased striatal dopamine levels are the classically described features of Parkinson disease (PD). Neuronal damage also progresses to other regions of the brain, and additional non-motor dysfunctions are common. Accumulation of environmental toxins, such as pesticides and metals, are suggested risk factors for the development of typical late onset PD, although genetic factors seem to be substantial in early onset cases. Mutations of DJ-1 are known to cause a form of recessive early onset Parkinson disease, highlighting an important functional role for DJ-1 in early disease prevention. This study identifies human DJ-1 as a metal-binding protein able to evidently bind copper as well as toxic mercury ions in vitro. The study further characterizes the cytoprotective function of DJ-1 and PD-mutated variants of DJ-1 with respect to induced metal cytotoxicity. The results show that expression of DJ-1 enhances the cells'' protective mechanisms against induced metal toxicity and that this protection is lost for DJ-1 PD mutations A104T and D149A. The study also shows that oxidation site-mutated DJ-1 C106A retains its ability to protect cells. We also show that concomitant addition of dopamine exposure sensitizes cells to metal-induced cytotoxicity. We also confirm that redox-active dopamine adducts enhance metal-catalyzed oxidation of intracellular proteins in vivo by use of live cell imaging of redox-sensitive S3roGFP. The study indicates that even a small genetic alteration can sensitize cells to metal-induced cell death, a finding that may revive the interest in exogenous factors in the etiology of PD.     

hCOA3 Stabilizes Cytochrome c Oxidase 1 (COX1) and Promotes Cytochrome c Oxidase Assembly in Human Mitochondria

Cytochrome c oxidase (COX) or complex IV of the mitochondrial respiratory chain plays a fundamental role in energy production of aerobic cells. In humans, COX deficiency is the most frequent cause of mitochondrial encephalomyopathies. Human COX is composed of 13 subunits of dual genetic origin, whose assembly requires an increasing number of nuclear-encoded accessory proteins known as assembly factors. Here, we have identified and characterized human CCDC56, an 11.7-kDa mitochondrial transmembrane protein, as a new factor essential for COX biogenesis. CCDC56 shares sequence similarity with the yeast COX assembly factor Coa3 and was termed hCOA3. hCOA3-silenced cells display a severe COX functional alteration owing to a decreased stability of newly synthesized COX1 and an impairment in the holoenzyme assembly process. We show that hCOA3 physically interacts with both the mitochondrial translation machinery and COX structural subunits. We conclude that hCOA3 stabilizes COX1 co-translationally and promotes its assembly with COX partner subunits. Finally, our results identify hCOA3 as a new candidate when screening for genes responsible for mitochondrial diseases associated with COX deficiency.     

Alternative oxidase impacts the plant response to biotic stress by influencing the mitochondrial generation of reactive oxygen species

Previously, we showed that inoculation of tobacco with Pseudomonas syringae incompatible pv. maculicola results in a rapid and persistent burst of superoxide (O₂^‐) from mitochondria, no change in amount of mitochondrial alternative oxidase (AOX) and induction of the hypersensitive response (HR). However, inoculation with incompatible pv. phaseolicola resulted in increased AOX, no O₂^‐ burst and no HR. Here, we show that in transgenic plants unable to induce AOX in response to pv. phaseolicola, there is now a strong mitochondrial O₂^‐ burst, similar to that normally seen only with pv. maculicola. This interaction did not however result in a HR. This indicates that AOX amount is a key determinant of the mitochondrial O₂^‐ burst but also that the burst itself is not sufficient to induce the HR. Surprisingly, the O₂^‐ burst normally seen towards pv. maculicola is delayed in plants lacking AOX. This delay is associated with a delayed HR, suggesting that the burst does promote the HR. A O₂^‐ burst can also be induced by the complex III inhibitor antimycin A (AA), but is again delayed in plants lacking AOX. The similar mitochondrial response induced by pv. maculicola and AA suggests that electron transport is a target during HR‐inducing biotic interactions.