Design syntheses and mitochondrial complex I inhibitory activity of novel acetogenin mimics.

Some natural acetogenins are the most potent inhibitors of mitochondrial complex I. These compounds are characterized by two functional units [i.e. hydroxylated tetrahydrofuran (THF) and alpha, beta-unsaturated gamma-lactone ring moieties] separated by a long alkyl spacer. To elucidate which structural factors of acetogenins, including their active conformation, are crucial for the potent inhibitory activity we synthesized a novel bis-acetogenin and its analogues possessing two gamma-lactone rings connected to bis-THF rings by flexible alkyl spacers. The inhibitory potency of the bis-acetogenin with bovine heart mitochondrial complex I was identical to that of bullatacin, one of the most potent natural acetogenins. This result indicated that one molecule of the bis-acetogenin does not work as two reactive inhibitors, suggesting that a gamma-lactone and the THF ring moieties act in a cooperative manner on the enzyme. In support of this, either of the two ring moieties synthesized individually showed no or very weak inhibitory effects. Moreover, combined use of the two ring moieties at various molar ratios exhibited no synergistic enhancement of the inhibitory potency. These observations indicate that both functional units work efficiently only when they are directly linked by a flexible alkyl spacer. Therefore, some specific conformation of the spacer must be important for optimal positioning of the two units in the enzyme. Furthermore, the alpha,beta-unsaturated gamma-lactone, the 4-OH group in the spacer region, the long alkyl tail attached to the THF unit and the stereochemistry surrounding the hydroxylated bis-THF rings were not crucial for the activity, although these are the most common structural features of natural acetogenins. The present study provided useful guiding principles not only for simplification of complicated acetogenin structure, but also for further wide structural modifications of these molecules.     

Selective action of acetogenin mitochondrial complex I inhibitors

Five annonaceous acetogenins, rolliniastatin-1 [structure: see text], rolliniastatin-2 [structure: see text], laherradurin [structure: see text], squamocin [structure: see text], annonacin [structure: see text], and rotenone as a reference, differing in their NADH oxidase inhibition activity, have been evaluated for antifeedant, insecticidal, trypanocidal and cytotoxic effects on insect, mammalian and tumor cells. All the test compounds were toxic to Leptinotarsa decemlineata, demonstrated selective cytotoxicity to insect Sf9 cells and a panel of tumor cell lines with the multidrug-resistant SW480 (P-glycoprotein+, Pgp+) being the most sensitive one. Compounds [structure: see text] and rotenone had post-ingestive effects against Spodoptera littoralis larvae while [structure: see text] and rotenone were active against Trypanosoma cruzi. Based on their biochemical properties (inhibition of the mitochondrial NADH oxidase activity), the in vivo effects of these compounds on S. littoralis and their cytotoxic effects on Sf9 and tumor cells were more predictable than their effect on T. cruzi and mammalian cells.     

Synthesis, determination of the absolute configuration of tonkinelin, and inhibitory action with bovine heart mitochondrial complex I

The first synthesis of two possible diastereomers of tonkinelin was achieved. By comparison of the optical rotation of two candidates of tonkinelin and the natural compound, it is suggested that the absolute configuration of natural tonkinelin is likely to be (17S,18S). The inhibitory activity of these compounds was examined with bovine heart mitochondrial NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase. These compounds showed remarkably weak inhibitory activity compared to ordinary acetogenins such as bullatacin.     

Synthesis and inhibitory activity of ubiquinone-acetogenin hybrid inhibitor with bovine mitochondrial complex I

To elucidate the inhibitory action of acetogenins, the most potent inhibitors of mitochondrial complex I, we synthesized an acetogenin analogue which possesses a ubiquinone ring (i.e., the physiological substrate of complex I) in place of the alpha,beta-unsaturated gamma-lactone ring of natural acetogenins, and named it Q-acetogenin. Our results indicate that the gamma-lactone ring of acetogenins is completely substitutable with the ubiquinone ring. This fact is discussed in light of the inhibitory action of acetogenins.     

Mode of inhibitory action of Deltalac-acetogenins, a new class of inhibitors of bovine heart mitochondrial complex I

We have revealed that Deltalac-acetogenins, a new class of inhibitors of bovine heart mitochondrial complex I (NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase), act differently from ordinary inhibitors such as rotenone and piericidin A [Ichimaru et al. (2005) Biochemistry 44, 816-825]. Since a detailed study of these unique inhibitors might provide new insight into the terminal electron transfer step of the enzyme, we further characterized their inhibitory action using the most potent Deltalac-acetogenin derivative (compound 1). Unlike ordinary complex I inhibitors, 1 had a dose-response curve for inhibition of the reduction of exogenous short-chain ubiquinones that was difficult to explain with a simple bimolecular association model. The inhibitory effect of 1 on ubiquinol-NAD(+) oxidoreductase activity (reverse electron transfer) was much weaker than that on NADH oxidase activity (forward electron transfer), indicating a direction-specific effect. These results suggest that the binding site of 1 is not identical to that of ubiquinone and the binding of 1 to the enzyme secondarily (or indirectly) disturbs the redox reaction of ubiquinone. Using endogenous and exogenous ubiquinone as an electron acceptor of complex I, we investigated the effect of 1 in combination with different ordinary inhibitors on the superoxide production from the enzyme. The results indicated that the level of superoxide production induced by 1 is significantly lower than that induced by ordinary inhibitors probably because of fewer electron leaks from the ubisemiquinone radical to molecular oxygen and that the site of inhibition by 1 is downstream of that by ordinary inhibitors. The unique inhibitory action of hydrophobic Deltalac-acetogenins may be closely associated with the dynamic function of the membrane domain of complex I.     

Synthesis and mitochondrial complex I inhibition of dihydroxy-cohibin A, non-THF annonaceous acetogenin analogue

To elucidate the inhibitory action of acetogenins, we synthesized an acetogenin derivative which possesses tetraol in place of the tetrahydrofuran ring and examined its inhibitory activity against bovine heart mitochondrial complex I. Our results indicate that these hydroxy groups are an essential structural factor though it is not effective as bis-THF hydroxy groups combination.     

Synthesis and inhibition mechanism of Delta lac-acetogenins, a novel type of inhibitor of bovine heart mitochondrial complex I

We have synthesized Deltalac-acetogenins that are new acetogenin mimics possessing two n-alkyl tails without an alpha,beta-unsaturated gamma-lactone ring and suggested that their inhibition mechanism may be different from that of common acetogenins [Hamada et al. (2004) Biochemistry 43, 3651-3658]. To elucidate the inhibition mechanism of Deltalac-acetogenins in more detail, we carried out wide structural modifications of original Deltalac-acetogenins and characterized the inhibitory action with bovine heart mitochondrial complex I. In contrast to common acetogenins, both the presence of adjacent bis-THF rings and the stereochemistry around the hydroxylated bis-THF rings are important structural factors required for potent inhibition. The inhibitory potency of a derivative possessing an n-butylphenyl ether structure (compound 7) appeared to be superior to that of the original Deltalac-acetogenins and equivalent to that of bullatacin, one of the most potent natural acetogenins. Double-inhibitor titration of steady-state complex I activity showed that the extent of inhibition of compound 7 and bullatacin is not additive, suggesting that the binding sites of the two inhibitors are not identical. Competition tests using a fluorescent ligand indicated that the binding site of compound 7 does not overlap with that of other complex I inhibitors. The effects of compound 7 on superoxide production from complex I are also different from those of other complex I inhibitors. Our results clearly demonstrate that Deltalac-acetogenins are a novel type of inhibitor acting at the terminal electron-transfer step of bovine complex I.     

Exploring the binding site of acetogenin in the ND1 subunit of bovine mitochondrial complex I

¹²⁵I-labeled (trifluoromethyl)phenyldiazirinyl acetogenin, [¹²⁵I]TDA, a photoaffinity labeling probe of acetogenin, photo-cross-links to the ND1 subunit of bovine heart mitochondrial NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) with high specificity [M. Murai, A. Ishihara, T. Nishioka, T. Yagi, and H. Miyoshi, (2007) The ND1 subunit constructs the inhibitor binding domain in bovine heart mitochondrial complex I, Biochemistry 46 6409-6416.]. To identify the binding site of [¹²⁵I]TDA in the ND1 subunit, we carried out limited proteolysis of the subunit cross-linked by [¹²⁵I]TDA using various proteases and carefully analyzed the fragmentation patterns. Our results revealed that the cross-linked residue is located within the region of the 4th to 5th transmembrane helices (Val144-Glu192) of the subunit. It is worth noting that an excess amount of short-chain ubiquinones such as ubiquinone-2 (Q₂) and 2-azido-Q₂ suppressed the cross-linking by [¹²⁵I]TDA in a concentration-dependent way. Although the question of whether the binding sites for ubiquinone and different inhibitors in complex I are identical remains to be answered, the present study provided, for the first time, direct evidence that an inhibitor (acetogenin) and ubiquinone competitively bind to the enzyme. Considering the present results along with earlier photoaffinity labeling studies, we propose that not all inhibitors acting at the terminal electron transfer step of complex I necessarily bind to the ubiquinone binding site itself.     

Inhibitory effects on mitochondrial complex I of semisynthetic mono-tetrahydrofuran acetogenin derivatives

Modifications in the terminal alpha,beta-unsaturated gamma-methyl-gamma-lactone moiety or in the alkyl chain that links this terminal gamma-lactone with the alpha,alpha'-dihydroxylated THF system of the natural mono-tetrahydrofuranic acetogenins, annonacin and annonacinone, led to the preparation of eight semisynthetic derivatives. Their inhibitory effects on mitochondrial complex I is discussed and compared with that of the classical complex I inhibitor, rotenone.     

The ND1 subunit constructs the inhibitor binding domain in bovine heart mitochondrial complex I

The inhibitor binding domain in bovine complex I is believed to be constructed by multisubunits, but it remains to be learned how the binding positions of chemically diverse inhibitors relate to each other. To get insight into the inhibitor binding domain in complex I, we synthesized a photoreactive acetogenin [[125I](trifluoromethyl)phenyldiazirinylacetogenin, [125I]TDA], in which an aryldiazirine group serves as both a photoreactive group and a substitute for the gamma-lactone ring that is a common toxophore of numerous natural acetogenins, and carried out photoaffinity labeling to identify the labeled subunit using bovine heart submitochondrial particles (SMP). When SMP were UV-irradiated in the presence of [125I]TDA, radioactivity was predominantly incorporated into an approximately 30 kDa band on a SDS gel. Blue native gel electrophoresis of the [125I]TDA-labeled SMP revealed that the majority of radioactivity was observed in complex I. Analysis of complex I on a SDS gel showed a predominant peak of radioactivity at approximately 30 kDa. Immnoprecipitation of the [125I]TDA-labeled complex I with anti-bovine ND1 antibody indicated that the labeled protein is the ND1 subunit. A variety of complex I inhibitors such as piericidin A and rotenone efficiently suppressed the specific binding of [125I]TDA to ND1, indicating that they share a common binding domain. However, the suppression efficiency of Deltalac-acetogenin, a new type of complex I inhibitor synthesized in our laboratory, was much lower than that of the traditional inhibitors. Our results unequivocally reveal that the ND1 subunit constructs the inhibitor binding domain, though the contribution of this subunit has been challenged. Further, the present study corroborates our previous proposition that the inhibition site of Deltalac-acetogenins differs from that of traditional inhibitors.     

Dynamic function of the alkyl spacer of acetogenins in their inhibitory action with mitochondrial complex I (NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase)

Studies on the inhibitory mechanism of acetogenins, the most potent inhibitors of mitochondrial complex I (NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase), are useful for elucidating the structural and functional features of the terminal electron transfer step of this enzyme. Previous studies of the structure-activity relationship revealed that except for the alkyl spacer linking the two toxophores (i.e., the hydroxylated THF and the gamma-lactone rings), none of the multiple functional groups of these inhibitors is essential for potent inhibition. To elucidate the function of the alkyl spacer, two sets of systematically selected analogues were synthesized. First, the length of the spacer was varied widely. Second, the local flexibility of the spacer was specifically reduced by introducing multiple bond(s) into different regions of the spacer. The optimal length of the spacer for inhibition was approximately 13 carbon atoms. The decrease in the strength of the inhibitory effect caused by elongating the spacer from 13 carbons was much more drastic than that caused by shortening. Local flexibility in a specific region of the spacer was not important for the inhibition. These observations indicate that the active conformation of the spacer is not an extended form, and is not necessarily restricted to a certain rigid shape. Moreover, an analogue in which a spacer covering 10 carbon atoms was hardened into a rodlike shape still maintained a potent inhibitory effect. Our results strongly suggest that the spacer portion is free from steric congestion arising from the putative binding site probably because there is no cavity-like binding site for the spacer portion. The manner of acetogenin binding to the enzyme may not be explained by a simple "key and keyhole" analogy.     

Characterization of the reaction of decoupling ubiquinone with bovine mitochondrial respiratory complex I

We previously produced the unique ubiquinone QT (“decoupling” quinone), the catalytic reduction of which in NADH-quinone oxidoreduction with bovine heart mitochondrial NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) is completely decoupled from proton translocation across the membrane domain. This feature is markedly distinct from those of typical short-chain quinones such as ubiquinone-1. To further characterize the features of the QT reaction with complex I, we herein synthesized three QT analogs, QT2–QT4, and characterized their electron transfer reactions. We found that all aspects of electron transfer (e.g. electron-accepting activity and membrane potential formation) vary significantly among these analogs. The features of QT2 as decoupling quinone were slightly superior to those of original QT. Based on these results, we conclude that the bound positions of QTs within the quinone binding cavity susceptibly change depending on their side-chain structures, and the positions, in turn, govern the behavior of QTs as electron acceptors.     

The phosphorylation pattern of bovine heart complex I subunits

The phosphoproteome of bovine heart complex I of the respiratory chain has been analysed with a procedure based on nondenaturing gel electrophoretic separation of complex I from small quantities of mitochondria samples, in-gel digestion, in combination with phosphopeptide enrichment by titanium dioxide and MS. The results, complemented by analyses of purified samples of complex I, showed phosphorylation of five subunits of the complex, 42 kDa (human gene NDUFA10), ESSS, B14.5a (human gene NDUFA7), B14.5b (human gene NDUFC2) and B16.6 (GRIM-19). MS also revealed the presence of phosphorylated programmed cell death protein 8(AIF) in native and purified samples of complex I analysed. The possible physiological relevance of these findings is discussed.     

Hybrid ubiquinone: novel inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I

We synthesized novel ubiquinone analogs by hybridizing the natural ubiquinone ring (2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone) and hydrophobic phenoxybenzamide unit, and named them hybrid ubiquinones (HUs). The HUs worked as electron transfer substrates with bovine heart mitochondrial succinate-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex II) and ubiquinol-cytochrome c oxidoreductase (complex III), but not with NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I). With complex I, they acted as inhibitors in a noncompetitive manner against exogenous short-chain ubiquinones irrespective of the presence of the natural ubiquinone ring. Elongation of the distance between the ubiquinone ring and the phenoxybenzamide unit did not recover the electron accepting activity. The structure/activity study showed that high structural specificity of the phenoxybenzamide moiety is required to act as a potent inhibitor of complex I. These findings indicate that binding of the HUs to complex I is mainly decided by some specific interaction of the phenoxybenzamide moiety with the enzyme. It is of interest that an analogous bulky and hydrophobic substructure can be commonly found in recently registered synthetic pesticides the action site of which is mitochondrial complex I.     

The multiple nicotinamide nucleotide-binding subunits of bovine heart mitochondrial NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I).

Direct photoaffinity labeling of purified bovine heart NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) with 32P-labeled NAD(H), NADP(H) and ADP has shown that five polypeptides become labeled, with molecular masses of 51, 42, 39, 30, and 18-20 kDa. The 51 and the 30-kDa polypeptides were labeled with either [32P]NAD(H), [32P]NADP(H) or [beta-32P]ADP. The 42-kDa polypeptide was labeled with [32P]NAD(H) and to a small extent with [beta-32P]ADP. It was not labeled with [32P]NADP(H). The 39-kDa polypeptide was labeled with [32P]NADPH and to a small extent with [beta-32P]ADP. Our previous studies had shown that this subunit also binds NADP, but not NAD(H) [Yamaguchi, M., Belogrudov, G.I. & Hatefi, Y. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 8094-8098]. The 18-20-kDa polypeptide was labeled only with [32P]NADPH. Among these polypeptides, the 51-kDa subunit is known to contain FMN and a [4Fe-4S] cluster, and is the NAD(P)H-binding subunit of the primary dehydrogenase domain of complex I. The possible roles of the other nucleotide-binding subunits of complex I have been discussed.     

Mass spectrometric identification of a novel phosphorylation site in subunit NDUFA10 of bovine mitochondrial complex I

Mitochondrial Complex I (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase) consists of at least 46 subunits. Phosphorylation of the 42-kDa subunit NDUFA10 was recently reported using a novel phosphoprotein stain [Schulenberg et al. (2003) Analysis of steady-state protein phosphorylation in mitochondria using a novel fluorescent phosphosensor dye. J. Biol. Chem. 278, 27251]. Two smaller Complex I phosphoproteins, ESSS and MWFE, and their sites of modification, have since been determined [Chen et al. (2004) The phosphorylation of subunits of complex I from bovine heart mitochondria. J. Biol. Chem. 279, 26036]. Here we identify the site of phosphorylation in NDUFA10 from bovine heart mitochondria by tandem mass spectrometry. A single phosphopeptide spanning residues 47-60 was identified and confirmed by synthesis to be (47)LITVDGNICSGKpSK(60), establishing serine-59 as the site of phosphorylation.     

Synthesis of (4R,15R,16R,21S)- and (4R,15S,16S,21S)-rollicosin, squamostolide, and their inhibitory action with bovine heart mitochondrial complex I

A convergent stereoselective synthesis of (4R,15R,16R,21S)- and (4R,15S,16S,21S)-rollicosin and squamostolide was accomplished via a Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction. The inhibitory activity of these compounds was examined with bovine heart mitochondrial NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase. These compounds showed a remarkably weak inhibitory activity compared to ordinary acetogenins such as bullatacin. Our results indicate that to maintain potent inhibitory effect, the hydroxylated lactone cannot substitute for the hydroxylated mono- or bis-THF rings with a long alkyl chain that can be seen in ordinary acetogenins.     

Modification of bovine heart mitochondrial transhydrogenase with tetranitromethane

Modification of pyridine dinucleotide transhydrogenase with tetranitromethane resulted in inhibition of its activity. Development of a membrane potential in submitochondrial particles during the reduction of 3-acetylpyridine adenine dinucleotide (AcPyAD⁺) by NADPH decreased to nearly the same extent as the transhydrogenase rate on tetranitromethane treatment of the membrane. Kinetics of the inactivation of homogeneous transhydrogenase and the enzyme reconstituted into phosphatidylcholine liposomes indicate that a single essential residue was modified per active monomer. NADP⁺, NADPH and NADH gave substantial protection against tetranitromethane inactivation of both the nonenergy-linked and energy-linked transhydrogenase reactions of submitochondrial particles and the NADPH → AcPyAD⁺ reaction of reconstituted enzyme. NAD⁺ had no effect on inactivation. Tetranitromethane modification of reconstituted transhydrogenase resulted in a decrease in the rate of coupled H⁺ translocation that was comparable to the decrease in the rate of NADPH → AcPyAD⁺ transhydrogenation. It is concluded that tetranitromethane modification controls the H⁺ translocation process solely through its effect on catalytic activity, rather than through alteration of a separate H⁺-binding domain. Nitrotyrosine was not found in tetranitromethane-treated transhydrogenase. Both 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate)-accessible and buried sulfhydryl groups were modified with tetranitromethane. NADH and NADPH prevented sulfhydryl reactivity toward tetranitromethane. These data indicate that the inhibition seen with tetranitromethane results from the modification of a cysteine residue.     

Definition of the nuclear encoded protein composition of bovine heart mitochondrial complex I. Identification of two new subunits

Mitochondrial NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) from bovine heart is a complicated multisubunit, membrane-bound assembly. Seven subunits are encoded by mitochondrial DNA, and the sequences of 36 nuclear encoded subunits have been described. The subunits of complex I and two subcomplexes (Ialpha and Ibeta) were resolved on one- and two-dimensional gels and by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Mass spectrometric analysis revealed two previously unknown subunits in complex I, named B14.7 and ESSS, one in each subcomplex. Coding sequences for each protein were identified in data bases and were confirmed by cDNA cloning and sequencing. Subunit B14.7 has an acetylated N terminus, no presequence, and contains four potential transmembrane helices. It is homologous to subunit 21.3b from complex I in Neurospora crassa and is related to Tim17, Tim22, and Tim23, which are involved in protein translocation across the inner membrane. Subunit ESSS has a cleaved mitochondrial import sequence and one potential transmembrane helix. A total of 45 different subunits of bovine complex I have now been characterized.     

Synthesis and evaluation of verticipyrone analogues as mitochondrial complex I inhibitors

Verticipyrone has recently been isolated from the culture broth of Verticillium sp. and shown to inhibit NADH fumarate reductase, as well as NADH oxidoreductase (complex I) of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. In order to assess the structural elements in verticipyrone essential for complex I inhibitor, 15 structural analogues were prepared and analyzed for their effects on mitochondrial NADH oxidoreductase and NADH oxidase activities. Also measured were the abilities of several of the analogues to inhibit respiration as judged by a shift to glycolysis, and to inhibit the growth of several mammalian cell lines. The nature of the pyrone ring was shown to be important to potency of inhibition, as was the length and nature of substituents in the side chain of the analogues.