Mathematical modeling of mitochondrial adenine nucleotide translocase

We have developed a mathematical model of adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) function on the basis of the structural and kinetic properties of the transporter. The model takes into account the effect of membrane potential, pH, and magnesium concentration on ATP and ADP exchange velocity. The parameters of the model have been estimated from experimental data. A satisfactory model should take into account the influence of the electric potential difference on both ternary complex formation and translocation processes. To describe the dependence of translocation constants on electric potential we have supposed that ANT molecules carry charged groups. These groups are shifted during the translocation. Using the model we have evaluated the translocator efficiency and predicted the behavior of ANT under physiological conditions.     

Dependence of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation on activity of the adenine nucleotide translocase

The coupled reactions of electron transport and ATP synthesis for the first two sites of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation have been previously reported to be near equilibrium in isolated respiring pigeon heart (Erecińska, M., Veech, R. L., and Wilson, D. F. (1974) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 160, 412-421) and rat liver mitochondria (Forman, N. G., and Wilson, D. F. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 12908-12915). Measurements are presented in this paper which demonstrate that the same relationship exists for both forward and reverse electron transport in rat heart mitochondria. This conclusion implies that adenine nucleotide translocation, a partial reaction of the system, is also near equilibrium, contrasting with proposals that the translocase is rate-limiting for oxidative phosphorylation. To resolve this controversy, the respiratory rates of suspensions of isolated rat liver and rat heart mitochondria were controlled by varying either the added [ATP]/[ADP][Pi] ratios ratios or [ADP] (by varying hexokinase in a regenerating system). Titrations with carboxyatractyloside, a high affinity inhibitor of the translocase which is noncompetitive with ADP, were carried out to assess the dependence of the respiratory rate on translocase activity. Plots of respiratory rate versus [carboxyatractyloside] were all strongly sigmoidal. In liver mitochondria, 40%-70% and in heart mitochondria 66% of the sites could be blocked with carboxyatractyloside before a 10% decrease in the respiratory rate was observed. Further analysis showed that liver and heart mitochondria have translocase/cytochrome a ratios of 1.52 and 3.20, respectively, and that at 23 degrees C the maximal turnover numbers for the translocases were 65 s-1 and 23 s-1. In all states of controlled respiration (no added inhibitor), a substantial excess of translocase activity was present, suggesting that the translocase was not normally rate-limiting in oxidative phosphorylation.     

31P NMR visibility and characterization of rat liver mitochondrial matrix adenine nucleotides

Compartmentation and NMR visibility of mitochondrial adenine nucleotides were quantitated in isolated rat liver mitochondria respiring on succinate and glutamate in vitro at 8 and 25 degrees C. Intra- and extramitochondrial nucleotides were discriminated by adding the chelator trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (CDTA). T1 values of about 0.2-0.3 s for magnesium-bound matrix nucleotides were determined. Adenine nucleotide T1 values were influenced by the ionic environment; only magnesium-free ATP T1's were affected by temperature. Intra- and extramitochondrial adenine nucleotide ratios were varied in ATP-loaded mitochondria with added ATP and phosphate using the mitochondrial inhibitors oligomycin and carboxyatractyloside, and adenine nucleotides were quantitated by using NMR and enzymatic analysis. There was good agreement between matrix ATP concentrations (magnesium-bound ATP) calculated by using NMR and standard biochemical techniques. Although matrix ADP could be detected by NMR, it was difficult to quantitate accurately by NMR. The data indicate that mitochondrial ATP is NMR-visible in isolated mitochondria in vitro.     

Assessment of membrane-bound mammal mitochondrial adenine nucleotide translocase topography by experimental antibodies

To gain insight into the immunogenicity of mitochondrial adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT), we raised antibodies against purified bovine heart ANT by induction of ascitic fluid in male Balb/c mice. We identified the antigenic determinants detected by these antibodies by (1) immunodetection of GST-ANT fusion proteins and selected partial constructs of ANT, (2) immunodetection of chemically synthesized overlapping peptides on solid support, and (3) back-titration ELISA. Results revealed a short epitope spreading of the antibodies, resulting in a small number of antigenic determinants. Thus, each antibody detects one or two major epitopes located in the putative hydrophilic loops M2 and M3. No evidence for the antigenicity of the first 133 amino acids of ANT was obtained. These well-characterized antibodies were used to study the topography of the membrane-bound ANT by back-titration ELISA with mitochondrial membranes. We demonstrated that amino acids 145-150 and 230-237 are fully accessible to the antibodies in native ANT, whereas regions 133-140 and 244-251 are not. Furthermore, we used mitochondria devoid of the outer membrane (mitoplasts) and inside-out submitochondrial particles (SMP) to establish the matrix or cytosolic orientation of loops M2 and M3. The results clearly show that these loops have a matrix orientation and thus support the six transmembrane segment model of ANT topography in the inner mitochondrial membrane.     

Analysis of functional coupling: mitochondrial creatine kinase and adenine nucleotide translocase

The mechanism of functional coupling between mitochondrial creatine kinase (MiCK) and adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) in isolated heart mitochondria is analyzed. Two alternative mechanisms are studied: 1), dynamic compartmentation of ATP and ADP, which assumes the differences in concentrations of the substrates between intermembrane space and surrounding solution due to some diffusion restriction and 2), direct transfer of the substrates between MiCK and ANT. The mathematical models based on these possible mechanisms were composed and simulation results were compared with the available experimental data. The first model, based on a dynamic compartmentation mechanism, was not sufficient to reproduce the measured values of apparent dissociation constants of MiCK reaction coupled to oxidative phosphorylation. The second model, which assumes the direct transfer of substrates between MiCK and ANT, is shown to be in good agreement with experiments—i.e., the second model reproduced the measured constants and the estimated ADP flux, entering mitochondria after the MiCK reaction. This model is thermodynamically consistent, utilizing the free energy profiles of reactions. The analysis revealed the minimal changes in the free energy profile of the MiCK-ANT interaction required to reproduce the experimental data. A possible free energy profile of the coupled MiCK-ANT system is presented.     

The flavonoid quercetin induces changes in mitochondrial permeability by inhibiting adenine nucleotide translocase

This study shows the effects of the flavonoid quercetin on diverse mitochondrial functions, among them membrane permeability. Our findings indicate that the addition of 50 μM quercetin did not produce reactive oxygen derived species; however, it inhibited the oxidative stress induced after the addition of Fe²/H₂O₂ by about 38%. At this concentration, quercetin also promoted a fast calcium release, inhibited oxidative phosphorylation, stimulated oxygen consumption, and decreased membrane potential. In addition 50 μM quercetin inhibited the adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) by 46%. These effects induced the opening of the permeability transition pore and release of cytochrome c, by its interaction with a component of the non-specific pore complex, fixed to the carrier in the conformation c, as carboxyatractyloside does. Quercetin-induced permeability transition pore opening was inhibited by 0.5 μM cyclosporin A, but, interestingly, the release of cytochrome c was not inhibited by the immunosuppressor, as quercetin was found to disrupt the outer membrane.     

Analysis of mechanism of work of mitochondrial adenine nucleotide translocase using mathematical models

The kinetics of exchange of adenine nucleotides in a system with reconstituted mitochondrial adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) was simulated mathematically to analyze the basic mechanisms of ANT functioning. Two known alternative kinetic schemes were analyzed, the ping-pong type scheme with single-center substrate binding and the scheme of sequential two-center substrate binding at opposite sides of ANT. According to our modeling, both schemes can explain the experimental data on the adenine nucleotide exchange in the reconstituted ANT system. However, the characteristic kinetic pattern of ADP exchanges in the mono exchange mode was reproduced only by the sequential binding scheme. This scheme is consistent with the data on the tetrameric structure of ANT. On the other hand, only the single-center binding scheme was compatible with recent data on possible translocation of ATP and ADP by the carrier that has no bound adenine nucleotide on its opposite side. Based on the analysis of the literature data on ANT properties, a compromise scheme of ANT operation was proposed. In the framework of this scheme, the ANT dimers function by the single-center binding mechanism: however, in tetramers they are integrated into a substructure with two oppositely oriented binding centers working by the mechanism of sequential substrate binding. Labile bonds between the ANT-forming dimers could allow conformational rearrangements of ANT induced by various influences on mitochondrial membrane structure, including those leading to the induction of permeability transition pores in apoptosis.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of creatine kinase and adenine nucleotide translocase in mitochondrial membrane patch

Interaction between mitochondrial creatine kinase (MtCK) and adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) can play an important role in determining energy transfer pathways in the cell. Although the functional coupling between MtCK and ANT has been demonstrated, the precise mechanism of the coupling is not clear. To study the details of the coupling, we turned to molecular dynamics simulations. We introduce a new coarse-grained molecular dynamics model of a patch of the mitochondrial inner membrane containing a transmembrane ANT and an MtCK above the membrane. The membrane model consists of three major types of lipids (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and cardiolipin) in a roughly 2:1:1 molar ratio. A thermodynamics-based coarse-grained force field, termed MARTINI, has been used together with the GROMACS molecular dynamics package for all simulated systems in this work. Several physical properties of the system are reproduced by the model and are in agreement with known data. This includes membrane thickness, dimension of the proteins, and diffusion constants. We have studied the binding of MtCK to the membrane and demonstrated the effect of cardiolipin on the stabilization of the binding. In addition, our simulations predict which part of the MtCK protein sequence interacts with the membrane. Taken together, the model has been verified by dynamical and structural data and can be used as the basis for further studies.     

Once again about the functional coupling between mitochondrial creatine kinase and adenine nucleotide translocase

The synthesis of creatine phosphate (CP) by mitochondrial creatine kinase during oxidative phosphorylation was terminated when the mass action ratio of the creatine kinase reaction = [ADP]·[CP][ATP]·[Cr] became equal to the apparent equilibrium constant (K _eq ^app) of this reaction. Subsequent excess of over the K _eq ^app was due to an increase in the ADP concentration in the medium. A comparable increase in the ADP concentration also occurred in the absence of creatine (Cr) in the incubation medium. Increase in the ADP concentration was shown to be associated with a decrease in the rate of oxidative phosphorylation and with a relative increase in the ATPase activity of mitochondria during the incubation. A low concentration of ADP (<30 M) and relatively high concentrations (1-6 mM) of other components of the creatine kinase reaction prevented the detection of the reverse reaction within 10 min after exceeded the K _eq ^app, but the reverse reaction became evident on more prolonged incubation. The reverse reaction was accompanied by a further increase in . Low ADP concentration in the medium was also responsible for the lack of an immediate conversion of the excess creatine phosphate added although > K _eq ^app. The findings are concluded to be in contradiction with the concept of microcompartment formation between mitochondrial creatine kinase and adenine nucleotide translocase.     

An adenine nucleotide translocase in the procaryote Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum

ATP synthesis, ATP hydrolysis and ADP uptake by membrane vesicles of Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum are inhibited by inhibitors of mitochondrial $\text{ADP}\text{ATP}$ translocases. Atractyloside binds to one of the membrane proteins. These data demonstrate the presence of an eucaryotic type of $\text{ADP}\text{ATP}$ translocase in a procaryotic microorganism and stress the unique position of methanogenic bacteria in evolution.     

High membrane potential promotes alkenal-induced mitochondrial uncoupling and influences adenine nucleotide translocase conformation

Mitochondria generate reactive oxygen species, whose downstream lipid peroxidation products, such as 4-hydroxynonenal, induce uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation by increasing proton leak through mitochondrial inner membrane proteins such as the uncoupling proteins and adenine nucleotide translocase. Using mitochondria from rat liver, which lack uncoupling proteins, in the present study we show that energization (specifically, high membrane potential) is required for 4-hydroxynonenal to activate proton conductance mediated by adenine nucleotide translocase. Prolonging the time at high membrane potential promotes greater uncoupling. 4-Hydroxynonenal-induced uncoupling via adenine nucleotide translocase is prevented but not readily reversed by addition of carboxyatractylate, suggesting a permanent change (such as adduct formation) that renders the translocase leaky to protons. In contrast with the irreversibility of proton conductance, carboxyatractylate added after 4-hydroxynonenal still inhibits nucleotide translocation, implying that the proton conductance and nucleotide translocation pathways are different. We propose a model to relate adenine nucleotide translocase conformation to proton conductance in the presence or absence of 4-hydroxynonenal and/or carboxyatractylate.     

Interaction of adenine nucleotides with the adenine nucleotide translocase regulates the developmental changes in proton conductance of the inner mitochondrial membrane.

2-h-old neonatal liver mitochondria, when depleted of adenine nucleotides, showed an 'ohmic' current-voltage relationship and a higher passive proton permeability of the membrane, resembling fetal mitochondrial behaviors for the proton conductance. Incubation of fetal mitochondria with ATP, GDP or carboxyatractyloside promoted a significant reduction in the passive proton permeability of the membrane and the appearance of the characteristic biphasic behavior for the proton conductance. It is concluded that the postnatal increase in intramitochondrial adenine nucleotide concentration promotes, by the interaction of the nucleotides with the adenine nucleotide translocase, the reduction in the passive proton permeability of the mitochondrial membrane, allowing efficient energy conservation in the neonatal liver.     

Effect of pH and inorganic phosphate on creatine kinase inactivation: an in vitro 31P NMR saturation-transfer study.

The pseudo-first-order rate constant of rabbit muscle creatine kinase (CK), in the direction of ATP synthesis (kf), was determined by saturation-transfer 31P NMR. When pH was varied between 6.0 and 7.4, kf increased linearly at both 20 degrees C and 37 degrees c. The corresponding flux is very small between pH 6.0 and 6.5, in contrast to previous studies. Up to 50 h exposure of the CK enzyme to high concentrations of inorganic phosphate (Pi), a known inhibitor in certain situations, had negligible effect on enzymatic flux in the physiological pH range. Thus under in vivo conditions, such as in stroke, where pH falls as low as 6.2 and Pi rises to high levels, the rate of the CK reaction may be severely reduced due to pH but not due to high Pi concentrations.     

ATP synthesis kinetics and mitochondrial function in the postischemic myocardium as studied by 31P NMR

The effects of ischemia on mitochondrial function and the unidirectional rate of ATP synthesis (Pi----ATP rate) were studied using a Langendorff-perfused heart preparation and 31P NMR spectroscopy. There was significant postischemic depression of mechanical function assessed as the heart rate pressure product, and the myocardial oxygen consumption rate at a given rate pressure product was elevated. Experiments performed on glucose- and pyruvate-perfused hearts demonstrated the presence of a large contribution to the unidirectional Pi----ATP rate catalyzed by glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and phosphoglycerate kinase. This rate was much greater than the maximal glucose utilization rate in the myocardium, demonstrating that the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase/phosphoglycerate kinase reactions are near equilibrium both before and after ischemia. In the pyruvate-perfused postischemic hearts, the glycolytic contribution was eliminated and the net rate of ATP synthesis by oxidative phosphorylation was measurable. Despite the reduced mechanical function and increased myocardial oxygen consumption rate, the ratio of the net rate of ATP synthesis by oxidative phosphorylation to oxygen consumption rate (the P:O ratio) was not altered subsequent to ischemia (2.34 +/- 0.12 and 2.36 +/- 0.09 in normal and postischemic hearts, respectively). Therefore, mitochondrial uncoupling cannot be the cause of postischemic depression in mechanical function; instead, the data suggest the existence of ischemia-induced inefficiency in ATP utilization.     

Developmental changes in the adenine nucleotide translocase in the guinea pig

Investigations of developmental changes in energy metabolism in guinea pig liver mitochondria showed that mitochondria from the newborn were well coupled, with respiratory control ratios and membrane energy potentials similar to those obtained with mitochondria from the 1-day-old and the adult. In contrast, there was a 3-fold increase in the rate of mitochondrial respiration and a 2-fold increase in adenine nucleotide content during the first 24 h of extrauterine life. There was no significant change in the ATP/ADP ratio and only a 30% increase in the uncoupled rate of respiration during this same time period. Titrations of the adenine nucleotide translocase with the specific inhibitor, carboxyatractyloside, showed that the newborn had only 50% of the adenine nucleotide translocase activity of the adult. Furthermore, by applying flux control theory to these inhibitor titrations, it was possible to demonstrate that the adenine nucleotide translocase exerted greater control over respiration in the newborn than in the adult, and at maximal rates of coupled respiration the translocase had a control strength of 0.98. The consequences of this finding on cellular energy metabolism are discussed in relation to adaptation of the newborn to extrauterine life.     

Evidence against direct transfer of the adenine nucleotides by the heart mitochondrial creatine kinase-adenine nucleotide translocase complex

Adenine nucleotide translocase inhibitors, atractyloside and carboxyatractyloside, added to respiration inhibited rat heart mitochondria had no significant effects on the apparent Km's for ATP and ADP and Vmax's of the creatine kinase reaction. The results suggest that there is no sequential, mandatory, direct transfer of the nucleotides between the translocase and the creatine kinase active site. The reaction was run in both the forward and reverse directions in media containing either 0.25 M sucrose or 0.13 M KCl. The apparent Km's, however, were found to be 2–3 times higher in the KCl medium than in sucrose, suggesting the use of the more physiological medium for meaningful kinetic studies.     

31P NMR saturation-transfer and 13C NMR kinetic studies of glycolytic regulation during anaerobic and aerobic glycolysis

31P NMR saturation-transfer techniques have been employed in glucose-grown derepressed yeast to determine unidirectional fluxes in the upper part of the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway. The experiments were performed during anaerobic and aerobic glycolysis by saturating the ATP gamma resonances and monitoring changes in the phosphomonoester signals from glucose 6-phosphate and fructose 1,6-bis-phosphate. These experiments were supplemented with 13C NMR measurements of glucose utilization rates and 13C NMR label distribution studies. Combined with data obtained previously from radioisotope measurements, these 31P and 13C NMR kinetic studies allowed estimation of the net glycolytic flow in addition to relative flows through phosphofructokinase (PFK) and Fru-1,6-P2ase during anaerobic and aerobic glycolysis. The 31P NMR saturation-transfer results are consistent with previous results obtained from measurements of metabolite levels, radioisotope data, and 13C NMR studies [den Hollander, J.A., Ugurbil, K., Brown, T.R., Bednar, M., Redfield, C., & Shulman, R.G. (1986a) Biochemistry 25, 203-211], providing additional support for in vivo measurement of the flows during glycolysis.