Cytochrome C oxidase activity and oxygen tolerance

Most cultured cells and intact animals die under hyperoxic conditions. However, a strain of HeLa cells that proliferates under 80% O(2), termed "HeLa-80," has been derived from wildtype HeLa cells ("HeLa-20") by selection for resistance to stepwise increases of oxygen partial pressure. The tolerance of HeLa-80 cells to hyperoxia is not associated with changes in antioxidant defenses or susceptibility to oxidant-mediated killing. Rather, under both 20 and 80% O(2), mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is approximately 2-fold less in HeLa-80 cells, likely related to a significantly higher cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity ( approximately 2-fold), which may act to deplete upstream electron-rich intermediates responsible for ROS generation. We now report that in HeLa-80 cells elevated COX activity is associated with a >2-fold increase in the regulatory subunit COX Vb, whereas expression levels of other subunits are very close to wild type. Small interfering RNA against Vb selectively lowers COX Vb expression in HeLa-80 cells, increases mitochondrial ROS generation, decreases COX activity 60-80%, and diminishes viability under 80% (but not 20%) O(2). In addition, overexpression of subunit Vb increases COX activity and decreases ROS production in wild-type HeLa-20 cells, along with some increase in tolerance to hyperoxia. Overall, our results indicate that it is possible to make cells tolerant of hyperoxia by manipulation of mitochondrial electron transport. These observations may suggest new pharmaceutical strategies to diminish oxygen-mediated cellular damage.     

Chromosomal instability and progressive loss of chromosomes in HeLa cells during adaptation to hyperoxic growth conditions

By sequential selection for resistance to stepwise increased levels of atmospheric O2, a genetic variant of HeLa cells was obtained capable of stable proliferation under an atmosphere containing 80% O2 (HeLa-80). This cell strain has previously been characterized in terms of growth characteristics, morphology and antioxidant status (Joenje et al., 1985). In an attempt to find cytogenetic clues possibly related to the O2-tolerant character, metaphases of HeLa-80 cells were analyzed and compared to the parental (HeLa-20) strain. Numerical analysis revealed a progressive decrease in the number of chromosomes per cell during selection for O2 resistance, from a modal number of 112 in HeLa-20 cells to 84 in HeLa-80 cells. Cytogenetic endpoints for genetic damage revealed increased frequencies in HeLa-80 cells of both chromosomal aberrations (29.7 versus 6.9% aberrant cells) and sister-chromatid exchanges (0.46 +/- 0.13 versus 0.31 +/- 0.10 SCE/chromosome). G-banded metaphases failed to reveal cytogenetic evidence of gene amplification (homogeneously staining regions, double minutes) in the karyotype of HeLa-80 cells.     

Inhibition of oxidative stress produced by plasma membrane NADH oxidase delays low-potassium-induced apoptosis of cerebellar granule cells

From 1 to 3 h after the onset of cerebellar granule cells (CGC) apoptosis in a low-K+(5 mm KCl) medium there was a large decay of NADH and a 2.5-fold increase of the rate of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production (measured using CGC loaded with dichlorodihydrofluorescein). During the same time period, the ascorbate-dependent NADH oxidase activity, which accounted for more than 90% of both total NADH oxidase activity and NADH-dependent *O2- production of CGC lysates, increased 2.5- to threefold. The stimulation of the ascorbate-dependent NADH oxidase activity by oxidized cytochrome c, 2.5-fold at saturation with a K(0.5) of 4-5 microm cytochrome c, can at least partially explain this activation. The plasma membrane ascorbate-dependent NADH oxidase activity accounted for more than 70% of the total activity (both in terms of NADH oxidase and *O2- release) of CGC lysates. 4-Hydroxyquinazoline (4-HQ), which was found to block this apoptotic process, prevented the increase of ROS production. 4-HQ protection against cell viability loss and DNA fragmentation correlated with the inhibition by 4-HQ of the ascorbate-dependent NADH oxidase activity of CGC lysates, showing the same K(0.5)-value (4-5 mm 4-HQ). The efficient blockade of CGC apoptosis by addition of superoxide dismutase to the medium further supports the neurotoxic role of *O2- overproduction by the plasma membrane ascorbate-dependent NADH oxidase.     

Mitochondrial metabolism underlies hyperoxic cell damage

Exposure of mammals to hyperoxia causes pulmonary and ocular pathology. Hyperoxic damage and cell death may derive from enhanced intracellular formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), probably of mitochondrial origin. There is, however, controversy on this point. When wild-type and respiration-deficient (rho(o)) HeLa cells were cultured in 80% O2, wild-type cells stopped growing after 5 days and died thereafter whereas rho(o) cells survived and grew to confluence. This tolerance of rho(o) cells for hyperoxia was not associated with greater resistance to oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide and t-butyl hydroperoxide. Under both 20% and 80% O2, rho(o) cells exhibited substantially decreased ROS production, and, under 80% O2, rho(o) cells showed no suppression of aconitase activity or mitochondrial protein carbonyl formation. Replacement of normal mitochondria in rho(o) cells restored ROS production and susceptibility to hyperoxia. Two other approaches that diminished mitochondrial ROS generation also increased tolerance for hyperoxia. HeLa cells constantly exposed to the protonophoric uncoupler carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, which enhances respiration but decreases ROS production, showed preferential survival under 80% O2, as did HeLa cells treated with chloramphenicol, which suppresses both respiration and mitochondrial ROS production. We conclude that interactions between respiring mitochondria and O2 are primarily responsible for hyperoxic cell damage.     

Characterization of an oxygen-tolerant cell line derived from Chinese hamster ovary

To study the cellular defense mechanism against oxygen toxicity, an oxygen-tolerant cell line from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) was obtained by multistep adaptation to increased O2 levels. The hyperoxia-adapted (HA) cells were able to proliferate under an atmosphere of 99% O2/1% CO2, an O2 tension lethal to the parental (control) cells. When grown under normoxic conditions (20% O2/1% CO2/79% N2) the cells remained tolerant for at least 8 weeks, suggesting a genetic basis for the oxygen tolerance. Compared to the parental cells, the HA cells were irregularly shaped, had larger mitochondria, contained more lipid droplets and showed a reduced growth rate. Ultrastructural morphometry revealed a 1.8-fold (p less than 0.001) increase of the mitochondrial volume fraction in the HA cells, resulting from an increase in both number and average volume of the mitochondria. The volume fraction of peroxisomes was increased over two-fold in the HA cells, as appeared from a approximately 1.9-fold (p less than 0.001) increase in number and a 1.2-fold (p less than 0.025) increase in size. There was no evidence for ultrastructural damage in the HA cells. Specific activities of antioxygenic enzymes were considerably higher in the HA cells compared to controls: CuZn-superoxide dismutase, X 2.5; Mn-superoxide dismutase, X 2.1; catalase, X 4.0; glutathione peroxidase, X 1.9. Oxygen tolerance in CHO cells is therefore associated with increased levels of antioxygenic enzymes, confirming the proposed important role of these enzymes in the defense against oxygen toxicity.     

Intracellular GSH levels rather than ROS levels are tightly related to AMA-induced HeLa cell death

Antimycin A (AMA) inhibits succinate oxidase and NADH oxidase, and also inhibits mitochondrial electron transport between cytochromes b and c. We investigated the involvement of ROS and GSH in AMA-induced HeLa cell death. AMA increased the intracellular H(2)O(2) and O(2)(*-) levels and reduced the intracellular GSH content. ROS scavengers (Tempol, Tiron, Trimetazidine and NAC) did not down-regulate the production of ROS and inhibit apoptosis in AMA-treated cells. Treatment with NAC and N-propylgallate showing the enhancement of GSH depletion in AMA-treated cells significantly intensified the levels of apoptosis. Calpain inhibitors I and II (calpain inhibitor III) and Ca(2+)-chelating agent (EGTA/AM) significantly reduced H(2)O(2) levels in AMA-treated HeLa cells. However, treatment with calpain inhibitor III intensified the levels of O(2)(*-) in AMA-treated cells. In addition, calpain inhibitor III strongly depleted GSH content with an enhancement of apoptosis in AMA-treated cells. Conclusively, the changes of ROS by AMA were not tightly correlated with apoptosis in HeLa cells. However, intracellular GSH levels are tightly related to AMA-induced cell death.     

Fatty acids as modulators of the cellular production of reactive oxygen species

Long-chain nonesterified ("free") fatty acids (FFA) and some of their derivatives and metabolites can modify intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), in particular O(2)(-) and H(2)O(2). In mitochondria, FFA exert a dual effect on ROS production. Because of slowing down the rate of electron flow through Complexes I and III of the respiratory chain due to interaction within the complex subunit structure, and between Complexes III and IV due to release of cytochrome c from the inner membrane, FFA increase the rate of ROS generation in the forward mode of electron transport. On the other hand, due to their protonophoric action on the inner mitochondrial membrane ("mild uncoupling effect"), FFA strongly decrease ROS generation in the reverse mode of electron transport. In the plasma membrane of phagocytic neutrophils and a number of other types of cells, polyunsaturated FFA stimulate O(2)(-) generation by NADPH oxidase. These effects of FFA can modulate signaling functions of ROS and be, at least partly, responsible for their proapoptotic effects in several types of cells.     

Bioenergetic remodeling during cellular differentiation: changes in cytochrome c oxidase regulation do not affect the metabolic phenotype.

Myogenesis induces mitochondrial proliferation, a decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and an increased reliance upon oxidative phosphorylation. While muscles typically possess 20%-40% excess capacity of cytochrome c oxidase (COX), undifferentiated myoblasts have only 5%-20% of the mitochondrial content of myotubes and muscles. We used two muscle lines (C2C12, Sol8) and 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes to examine if changes in COX regulation or activity with differentiation cause a shift in metabolic phenotype (i.e., more oxidative, less glycolytic, less ROS). COX activity in vivo can be suppressed by its inhibitor, nitric oxide, or sub-optimal substrate (cytochrome c) concentrations. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase via L-NAME had no effect on the respiration of adherent undifferentiated cells, although it did stimulate respiration of myoblasts in suspension. While cytochrome c content increased during differentiation, there was no correlation with respiratory rate or reliance on oxidative metabolism. There was no correlation between COX specific activity and oxidative metabolism between cell type or in relation to differentiation. These studies show that, despite the very low activities of COX, undifferentiated myoblasts and pre-adipocytes possess a reserve of COX capacity and changes in COX with differentiation do not trigger the shift in metabolic phenotype.     

Effect of phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene treatment on NADPH- and NADH-dependent production of reactive oxygen intermediates by rat liver nuclei.

The effect of inducing the rat liver nuclear mixed-function oxidase system by phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene on NADPH- and NADH-dependent production of reactive oxygen intermediates was evaluated. The inducing agents produced a 2-fold increase in cytochrome P-450, a 50 to 70% increase in NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity, and a 20 to 30% increase in NADH-cytochrome c reductase activity. Associated with these increases was a corresponding increase in NADPH- and NADH-dependent production of hydroxyl radical (.OH)-like species and of H2O2. Rates of .OH production were inhibited by catalase and partially sensitive to superoxide dismutase. The increase in nuclear production of .OH-like species after drug treatment appears to be due a corresponding increase in H2O2 generation. In contrast to H2O2 and .OH generation, production of thiobarbituric acid-reactive material by nuclei was not increased by the phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene treatment. Redox cycling agents such as menadione and paraquat increased oxygen radical generation to similar extents in the control and the induced nuclei. These results indicate that induction of the nuclear mixed-function oxidase system by phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene can result in a subsequent increase in production of reactive oxygen intermediates in the presence of either NADPH or NADH.     

Difference in superoxide toxicity between 4,7-dicyanobenzofurazan and paraquat.

The O2-. production by aerobically cultured Escherichia coli in the presence of benzofurazan (1), 4,7-dimethylbenzofurazan (2), 4,7-dibromobenzofurazan (3), 4-bromo-6-cyanobenzofurazan (4), and 4,7-dicyanobenzofurazan (5) was examined by using the cytochrome c reduction method in order to elucidate the mechanism of cytotoxicity of benzofurazans. Adding compound 5 to E. coli cell suspension caused cytochrome c reduction, which was completely inhibited by superoxide dismutase. The rate of cytochrome c reduction was in the order of 1 = 2 = 3 less than 4 less than 5, which correlates well with that of the reduction potentials of these benzofurazans. Adding glucose to the E. coli cell suspension-compound 5-cytochrome c system accelerated the rate of cytochrome c reduction. The formation of 4,7-dicyanobenzofurazan anion radical in the cell suspension-compound 5-glucose system in the absence of O2 was followed by ESR spectroscopy. The ESR signal of the anion radical disappeared when O2 was added. Compound 5 was shown to have an approximately 10-fold greater increasing effect on the flux of O2-. by E. coli than paraquat (PQ) by the cytochrome c reduction method. The results were confirmed by the electrochemical method with an oxygen electrode. However, compound 5 had a bacteriostatic, but not lethal, effect, while PQ had both effects. The effect of compound 5 and PQ on lethality of E. coli showed a dramatic difference when E. coli was exposed to these two compounds and washed prior to testing the effects of that exposure. This difference probably arose because compound 5 readily leaked from the cells during dilution and plating. Also, the reduced form of compound 5 exits from the cells more readily than the reduced form of PQ and then generates O2-. in the medium by autoxidation. This suggests the importance of the intracellular production of O2-., rather than the extracellular production of O2-., for lethal effect.     

Mitochondrial respiration at low levels of oxygen and cytochrome c

In the intracellular microenvironment of active muscle tissue, high rates of respiration are maintained at near-limiting oxygen concentrations. The respiration of isolated heart mitochondria is a hyperbolic function of oxygen concentration and half-maximal rates were obtained at 0.4 and 0.7 microM O(2) with substrates for the respiratory chain (succinate) and cytochrome c oxidase [N,N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride (TMPD)+ascorbate] respectively at 30 degrees C and with maximum ADP stimulation (State 3). The respiratory response of cytochrome c-depleted mitoplasts to external cytochrome c was biphasic with TMPD, but showed a monophasic hyperbolic function with succinate. Half-maximal stimulation of respiration was obtained at 0.4 microM cytochrome c, which was nearly identical to the high-affinity K(')(m) for cytochrome c of cytochrome c oxidase supplied with TMPD. The capacity of cytochrome c oxidase in the presence of TMPD was 2-fold higher than the capacity of the respiratory chain with succinate, measured at environmental normoxic levels. This apparent excess capacity, however, is significantly decreased under physiological intracellular oxygen conditions and declines steeply under hypoxic conditions. Similarly, the excess capacity of cytochrome c oxidase declines with progressive cytochrome c depletion. The flux control coefficient of cytochrome c oxidase, therefore, increases as a function of substrate limitation of oxygen and cytochrome c, which suggests a direct functional role for the apparent excess capacity of cytochrome c oxidase in hypoxia and under conditions of intracellular accumulation of cytochrome c after its release from mitochondria.     

Kinetic investigations of the reactions of cytochrome c oxidase with hydrogen peroxide

The reaction of H2O2 with reduced cytochrome c oxidase was investigated with rapid-scan/stopped-flow techniques. The results show that the oxidation rate of cytochrome a3 was dependent upon the peroxide concentration (k = 2 X 10(4) M-1 X s-1). Cytochrome a and CuA were oxidised with a maximal rate of approx. 20 s-1, indicating that the rate of internal electron transfer was much slower with H2O2 as the electron acceptor than with O2 (k greater than or equal to 700 s-1). Although other explanations are possible, this result strongly suggests that in the catalytic cycle with oxygen as a substrate the internal electron-transfer rate is enhanced by the formation of a peroxo-intermediate at the cytochrome a3-CuB site. It is shown that H2O2 took up two electrons per molecule. The reaction of H2O2 with oxidised cytochrome c oxidase was also studied. It is shown that pulsed oxidase readily reacted with H2O2 (k approximately 700 M-1 X s-1). Peroxide binding is followed by an H2O2-independent conformational change (k = 0.9 s-1). Resting oxidase partially bound H2O2 with a rate similar to that of pulsed oxidase; after H2O2 binding the resting enzyme was converted into the pulsed conformation in a peroxide-independent step (k = 0.2 s-1). Within 5 min, 55% of the resting enzyme reacted in a slower process. We conclude from the results that oxygenated cytochrome c oxidase probably is an enzyme-peroxide complex.     

Reoxygenation after hypoxia and glucose depletion causes reactive oxygen species production by mitochondria in HUVEC

In hemorrhagic shock, local hypoxia is present and followed by reoxygenation during the therapeutic process. In endothelium, reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been identified as a cause of inflammatory reactions and tissular lesions in ischemic territory during reoxygenation. This study was designed to identify the enzymatic mechanisms of ROS formation during reoxygenation after hypoxia. Because severe shock, in vivo, can affect both O2 and nutriments, we combined hypoxia at a level close to that found in terminal vessels during shock, with glucose depletion, which induces a relevant additional stress. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) underwent 2 h of hypoxia (Po2 approximately 20 mmHg) without glucose and 1 h of reoxygenation (Po2 approximately 120 mmHg) with glucose. ROS production was measured by the fluorescent marker 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, and cell death by propidium iodide. After 1 h of reoxygenation, fluorescence had risen by 143 +/- 17%. Cell death was equal to 8.6 +/- 2.4%. Antimycin A and stigmatellin, which inhibits the type III mitochondrial respiratory chain complex, reduced ROS production to values of 61 +/- 10 and 59 +/- 7%, respectively, but inhibitors of other chain complexes did not affect it. In addition, the increase in fluorescence was not affected by inhibition of NADPH oxidase, xanthine oxidase, NOS, cyclooxygenase, cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase, or monoamine oxidase. We did not observe any increase in cell death. These results show that, in HUVEC, mitochondria are responsible for ROS production after hypoxia and reoxygenation and suggest that a ROS release site is activated in the cytochrome b of the type III respiratory chain complex.     

Direct effect of Taxol on free radical formation and mitochondrial permeability transition

To elucidate the potential role of mitochondria in Taxol-induced cytotoxicity, we studied its direct mitochondrial effects. In Percoll-gradient purified liver mitochondria, Taxol induced large amplitude swelling in a concentration-dependent manner in the microM range. Opening of the permeability pore was also confirmed by the access of mitochondrial matrix enzymes for membrane impermeable substrates in Taxol-treated mitochondria. Taxol induced the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi) determined by Rhodamine123 release and induced the release of cytochrome c from the intermembrane space. All these effects were inhibited by 2.5 microM cyclosporine A. Taxol significantly increased the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in both the aqueous and the lipid phase as determined by dihydrorhodamine123 and resorufin derivative. Cytochrome oxidase inhibitor CN(-), azide, and NO abrogated the Taxol-induced mitochondrial ROS formation while inhibitors of the other respiratory complexes and cyclosporine A had no effect. We confirmed that the Taxol-induced collapse of DeltaPsi and the induction of ROS production occurs in BRL-3A cells. In conclusion, Taxol-induced adenine nucleotide translocase-cyclophilin complex mediated permeability transition, and cytochrome oxidase mediated ROS production. Because both cytochrome c release and mitochondrial ROS production can induce suicide pathways, the direct mitochondrial effects of Taxol may contribute to its cytotoxicity.     

Alternative oxidase present in procyclic Trypanosoma brucei may act to lower the mitochondrial production of superoxide

The mitochondrial electron transfer chain present in the procyclic form of the African trypanosome Trypanosoma brucei contains both cytochrome c oxidase and an alternative oxidase (TAO) as terminal oxidases that reduce oxygen to water. By contrast, the electron transfer chain of the primitive mitochondrion present in the bloodstream form of T. brucei contains only TAO as the terminal oxidase. TAO functions in the bloodstream forms to oxidize the ubiquinol produced by the glycerol-3-phosphate shuttle that results in the oxidation of the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate produced by glycolysis. The function, however, of TAO in the procyclic forms is unknown. In this study, we found that inhibition of TAO by the specific inhibitor salicylhydroxamic acid stimulates the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in trypanosome mitochondria, resulting in mitochondrial alteration and increased oxidation of cellular proteins. Moreover, the activity and protein content of TAO in procyclic trypanosomes were increased when cells were incubated in the presence of hydrogen peroxide or antimycin A, the cytochrome bc1 complex inhibitor, which also results in increased ROS production. We suggest that one function of TAO in procyclic cells may be to prevent ROS production by removing excess reducing equivalents and transferring them to oxygen.     

17beta-estradiol suppresses ROS-induced apoptosis of CHO cells through inhibition of lipid peroxidation-coupled membrane permeability transition

Oxidative stress-induced apoptotic cell death has been implicated to play a critical role in the mechanism of corpus luteum regression and follicular atresia. Recent studies suggests that reactive oxygen species (ROS) might play important roles in the regulation of luteal function. The present work describes the inhibitory effect of 17beta-estradiol (E2) on ROS-induced mitochondrial membrane permeability transition (MPT) and apoptosis of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. ROS generated by Fe2+ and H2O2 induced mitochondrial lipid peroxidation, depolarization, activation of caspase-3 and DNA fragmentation in CHO cells by some E2-inhibitable mechanism. E2 suppressed the Fe2+/H2O2-induced lipid peroxidation and MPT of isolated mitochondria that was characterized by cyclosporin A-inhibitable swelling, depolarization and cytochrome c release. Furthermore, E2 scavenged the xanthine oxidase generated ROS. These results suggests that Fe2+/H2O2 induced MPT and apoptosis of CHO cells by a mechanism that could be suppressed by antioxidant properties of E2.     

Molecular ordering of ROS production,mitochondrial changes,and caspase activation during sodium salicylate-induced apoptosis

Salicylates and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) induce apoptosis in a variety of cancer cells, including those of colon, prostate, breast, and leukemia. We examined the effects of sodium salicylate (NaSal) on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the association of these effects with apoptotic tumor cell death. We demonstrate that NaSal mediates ROS production followed by a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (deltapsi(m)), release of cytochrome c, and activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. However, expression of Bcl-2 or Bcl-x(L) prevents ROS production and subsequent loss of deltapsi(m), thereby inhibiting apoptotic cell death. The presence of ROS scavengers and an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase or expression of a dominant negative form of Rac1 blocks ROS production, deltapsi(m) collapse, and the subsequent activation of caspases. These observations indicate that NaSal mediates ROS production critical in the triggering of apoptotic tumor cell death through a Rac1-NADPH oxidase-dependent pathway. Our data collectively imply that NaSal-induced ROS are key mediators of deltapsi(m) collapse, which leads to the release of cytochrome c followed by caspase activation, culminating in tumor apoptosis.     

Endogenous and endobiotic induced reactive oxygen species formation by isolated hepatocytes.

The rat hepatocyte catalyzed oxidation of 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin to form the fluorescent 2,7'-dichlorofluorescein was used to measure endogenous and xenobiotic-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation by intact isolated rat hepatocytes. Various oxidase substrates and inhibitors were then used to identify the intracellular oxidases responsible. Endogenous ROS formation was markedly increased in catalase-inhibited or GSH-depleted hepatocytes, and was inhibited by ROS scavengers or desferoxamine. Endogenous ROS formation was also inhibited by cytochrome P450 inhibitors, but was not affected by oxypurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, or phenelzine, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. Mitochondrial respiratory chain inhibitors or hypoxia, on the other hand, markedly increased ROS formation before cytotoxicity ensued. Furthermore, uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation inhibited endogenous ROS formation. This suggests endogenous ROS formation can largely be attributed to oxygen reduction by reduced mitochondrial electron transport components and reduced cytochrome P450 isozymes. Addition of monoamine oxidase substrates increased antimycin A-resistant respiration and ROS formation before cytotoxicity ensued. Addition of peroxisomal substrates also increased antimycin A-resistant respiration but they were less effective at inducing ROS formation and were not cytotoxic. However, peroxisomal substrates readily induced ROS formation and were cytotoxic towards catalase-inhibited hepatocytes, which suggests that peroxisomal catalase removes endogenous H(2)O(2) formed in the peroxisomes. Hepatocyte catalyzed dichlorofluorescin oxidation induced by oxidase substrates, e.g., benzylamine, was correlated with the cytotoxicity induced in catalase-inhibited hepatocytes.     

Effect of normobaric hyperoxia on antioxidant defenses of HeLa and CHO cells

The effect of increased intracellular oxygen activation on cellular antioxidant defenses in CHO and HeLa cells was studied. In both cell types, hyperoxic exposure (up to 4 days, 600-700 mm Hg O2) and in CHO cells menadione (up to 3 days, 15 microM) failed to affect the enzymatic antioxidant defenses Mn-containing superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), CuZn-SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. The markedly increased antioxidant enzyme activities observed in a recently obtained oxygen-tolerant CHO variant persisted under normoxia. These data suggest that the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes is constitutive. Glutathione levels of HeLa cells did not respond to hyperoxia whereas in CHO cells hyperoxia and menadione exposure resulted in a 2- and 7-fold increase in glutathione contents, respectively. However, considering the large variations in glutathione contents observed under normal culture conditions, it is uncertain whether this increase is to be considered as a true adaptive response.     

Inhibition of Oxidative Phosphorylation Induces a Rapid Death of GA-Pretreated Aleurone Cells,But Not of ABA-Pretreated Aleurone Cells

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediate programmed cell death in aleurone cells, which is promoted by gibberellic acid (GA) and prevented by abscisic acid (ABA). Plant mitochondria contain two distinct respiratory pathways: respiration through cytochrome c oxidase increases ROS production, whereas respiration through the alternative oxidase pathway lowers it. While studying the effects of GA and ABA on partitioning of respiration between those two pathways during the germinating process, we discovered that oxidative phosphorylation inhibitors like sodium azide and 2, 4-dinitrophenol induce rapid death of GA-pretreated aleurone cells but not of ABA-pretreated cells. Functional aerobic respiration was required for GA signaling, and 6 to 12 hours of GA signaling altered the cellular state of aleurone cells to be extremely susceptible to inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation. Anaerobic conditions were also able to mimic the effects of respiratory inhibitors in specifically inducing cell death in GA-treated cells, but cell death was provoked much more slowly. Cotreatment with various antioxidants did not prevent this process at all, suggesting that no ROS are responsible for this respiratory inhibitor-induced cell death. Our observation implicates that GA may partition all the electrons produced during mitochondrial respiration only to the cytochrome oxidase pathway, which would at least partly contribute to cellular accumulation of ROS.