Inhibition of fatty acid-supported mitochondrial respiration by cyclosporine

We have shown that, in addition to inhibition of the succinate-supported energy pathway (5), CS inhibition of mitochondrial Complex II activity also limits fatty acid oxidation. These results are consistent with the participation of altered lipid metabolism in CS nephrotoxicity.     

BMCP1: a mitochondrial uncoupling protein in neurons which regulates mitochondrial function and oxidant production

Outside the nervous system, members of the mitochondrial uncoupling protein (UCP) family have been proposed to contribute to control of body temperature and energy metabolism, and regulation of mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the function of brain mitochondrial carrier protein 1 (BMCP1), which is highly expressed in brain, remains to be determined. To study BMCP1 expression and function in the nervous system, a high-affinity antibody to BMCP1 was generated and used to analyze tissue expression of BMCP1 protein in mouse. BMCP1 protein was highly expressed in heart and kidney, but not liver or lung. In the nervous system, BMCP1 was present in cortex, basal ganglia, substantia nigra, cerebellum, and spinal cord. Both BMCP1 mRNA and protein expression was almost exclusively neuronal. To study the effect of BMCP1 expression on mitochondrial function, neuronal (GT1-1) cell lines with stable overexpression of BMCP1 were generated. Transfected cells had higher State 4 respiration and lower mitochondrial membrane potential (psi(m)), consistent with greater mitochondrial uncoupling. BMCP1 expression also decreased mitochondrial production of ROS. These data suggest that BMCP1 can modify mitochondrial respiratory efficiency and mitochondrial oxidant production, and raise the possibility that BMCP1 might alter the vulnerability of brain to both acute injury and to neurodegenerative conditions.     

Production of endogenous matrix superoxide from mitochondrial complex I leads to activation of uncoupling protein 3

Superoxide generated using exogenous xanthine oxidase indirectly activates an uncoupling protein (UCP)-mediated proton conductance of the mitochondrial inner membrane. We investigated whether endogenous mitochondrial superoxide production could also activate proton conductance. When respiring on succinate, rat skeletal muscle mitochondria produced large amounts of matrix superoxide. Addition of GDP to inhibit UCP3 markedly inhibited proton conductance and increased superoxide production. Both superoxide production and the GDP-sensitive proton conductance were suppressed by rotenone plus an antioxidant. Thus, endogenous superoxide can activate the proton conductance of UCP3, which in turn limits mitochondrial superoxide production. These observations provide a departure point for studies under more physiological conditions.     

Hydroperoxy fatty acid cycling mediated by mitochondrial uncoupling protein UCP2

Functional activation of mitochondrial uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) is proposed to decrease reactive oxygen species production. Skulachev and Goglia (Skulachev, V. P., and Goglia, F. (2003) FASEB J. 17, 1585-1591) hypothesized that hydroperoxy fatty acid anions are translocated by UCPs but cannot flip-flop across the membrane. We found that the second aspect is otherwise; the addition of synthesized linoleic acid hydroperoxides (LAOOH, a mix of four isomers) caused a fast flip-flop-dependent acidification of liposomes, comparable with the linoleic acid (LA)-dependent acidification. Using Escherichia coli-expressed UCP2 reconstituted into liposomes we found that LAOOH induced purine nucleotide-sensitive H(+) uniport in UCP2-proteoliposomes with higher affinity than LA (K(m) values 97 microM for LAOOH and 275 microM for LA). In UCP2-proteoliposomes LAOOH also induced purine nucleotide-sensitive K(+) influx balanced by anionic charge transfer, indicating that LAOOH was also transported as an anion with higher affinity than linoleate anion, the K(m) values being 90 and 350 microM, respectively. These data suggest that hydroperoxy fatty acids are transported via UCP2 by a fatty acid cycling mechanism. This may alternatively explain the observed activation of UCP2 by the externally generated superoxide. The ability of LAOOH to induce UCP2-mediated H(+) uniport points to the essential role of superoxide reaction products, such as hydroperoxyl radical, hydroxyl radical, or peroxynitrite, initiating lipoperoxidation, the released products of which support the UCP2-mediated uncoupling and promote the feedback down-regulation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production.     

Regulation of mitochondrial uncoupling respiration during exercise in rat heart: role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and uncoupling protein 2

The physiological significance of cardiac mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2)-mediated uncoupling respiration in exercise is unknown. In the current study, mitochondrial respiratory function, UCP2 mRNA level, UCP2-mediated respiration (UCR), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, as well as manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) activity were determined in rat heart with or without endurance training after an acute bout of exercise of different duration. In the untrained rats, state 4 respiration and UCR-independent respiration rates were progressively increased with exercise time and were 64 and 70% higher, respectively, than resting rate at 150 min, whereas UCR was elevated by 86% with no significant change in state 3 respiration. UCP2 mRNA level showed a 5- and 4-fold increase, respectively, after 45 and 90 min of exercise, but returned to resting level at 120 and 150 min. Mitochondrial ROS production and membrane potential (Deltapsi) increased progressively until 120 min, followed by a decrease to the resting level at 150 min. MnSOD mRNA abundance showed a 2-fold increase at 120 min but MnSOD activity did not change with exercise. Training significantly increased mitochondrial ATP synthetase activity, ADP to oxygen consumption (P/O) ratio, respiratory control ratio, and MnSOD activity, whereas exercise-induced state 4 respiration, UCR, ROS production, and Deltapsi were attenuated in the trained rats. We conclude that (1) UCP2 mRNA expression and activity in rat heart can be upregulated during prolonged exercise, which may reduce cross-membrane Deltapsi and thus ROS production; and (2) endurance training can blunt exercise-induced UCP2 and UCR, and improve mitochondrial efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation due to increased removal of ROS.     

Skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration of malignant hyperthermia-susceptible patients. Ca2+-induced uncoupling and free fatty acids

1. Skeletal muscle mitochondria of malignant hyperthermia (MH)-susceptible patients showed normal oxidative phosphorylation but were more easily uncoupled than normal by exogenous Ca2+. 2. Fatty acids, in stimulating the mitochondrial ATPase activity, are responsible for the enhanced State 4 respiration in MH-susceptible patients. 3. These results imply that skeletal muscle mitochondria and free fatty acids are associated with the development of MH syndrome.     

Lipotoxicity,fatty acid uncoupling and mitochondrial carrier function

Diseases like obesity, diabetes or generalized lipodystrophy cause a chronic elevation of circulating fatty acids that can become cytotoxic, a condition known as lipotoxicity. Fatty acids cause oxidative stress and alterations in mitochondrial structure and function. The uncoupling of the oxidative phosphorylation is one of the most recognized deleterious fatty acid effects and several metabolite transporters are known to mediate in their action. The fatty acid interaction with the carriers leads to membrane depolarization and/or the conversion of the carrier into a pore. The result is the opening of the permeability transition pore and the initiation of apoptosis. Unlike the other members of the mitochondrial carrier superfamily, the eutherian uncoupling protein UCP1 has evolved to achieve its heat-generating capacity in the physiological context provided by the brown adipocyte and therefore it is activated by the low fatty acid concentrations generated by the noradrenaline-stimulated lipolysis.     

Temperature dependence of rat liver mitochondrial respiration with uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation by fatty acids. Influence of inorganic phosphate

The respiration rate of liver mitochondria in the course of succinate oxidation depends on temperature in the presence of palmitate more strongly than in its absence (in state 4). In the Arrhenius plot, the temperature dependence of the palmitate-induced stimulation of respiration has a bend at 22°C which is characterized by transition of the activation energy from 120 to 60 kJ/mol. However, a similar dependence of respiration in state 4 is linear over the whole temperature range and corresponds to the activation energy of 17 kJ/mol. Phosphate partially inhibits the uncoupling effect of palmitate. This effect of phosphate is increased on decrease in temperature. In the presence of phosphate the temperature dependence in the Arrhenius plot also has a bend at 22°C, and the activation energy increases from 128 to 208 kJ/mol in the range from 13 to 22°C and from 56 to 67 kJ/mol in the range from 22 to 37°C. Mersalyl (10 nmol/mg protein), an inhibitor of the phosphate carrier, similarly to phosphate, suppresses the uncoupling effect of laurate, and the effects of mersalyl and phosphate are not additive. The recoupling effects of phosphate and mersalyl seem to show involvement of the phosphate carrier in the uncoupling effect of fatty acids in liver mitochondria. Possible mechanisms of involvement of the phosphate carrier in the uncoupling effect of fatty acids are discussed.     

线粒体内膜解偶联蛋白UCP1在大肠杆菌中的活性表达

线粒体的呼吸耗氧偶联着ATP的合成,而位于线粒体内膜上的跨膜蛋白解偶联蛋白(uncoupling protein,UCP)能够破坏这种偶联关系.在大肠杆菌中表达了有生物活性的鼠源解偶联蛋白1(rUCP1).重组rUCP1的表达导致大肠杆菌宿主细胞生长变慢;在电子显微镜下观察免疫标记的结果显示,重组rUCP1主要表达在细菌膜上;同时将rUCP1重构到脂质体中也能够测到质子转运活性.这些结果说明,真核生物UCP1能够在原核生物中表达出有生物活性的形式,且能纯化得到足量的rUCP1蛋白用于进一步的结构生物学研究.     

Proton re-uptake partitioning between uncoupling protein and ATP synthase during benzohydroxamic acid-resistant state 3 respiration in tomato fruit mitochondria

The yield of oxidative phosphorylation in isolated tomato fruit mitochondria depleted of free fatty acids remains constant when respiratory rates are decreased by a factor of 3 by the addition of n-butyl malonate. This constancy makes the determination of the contribution of the linoleic acid-induced energy-dissipating pathway by the ADP/O method possible. No decrease in membrane potential is observed in state 3 respiration with increasing concentration of n-butyl malonate, indicating that the rate of ATP synthesis is steeply dependent on membrane potential. Linoleic acid decreases the yield of oxidative phosphorylation in a concentration-dependent manner by a pure protonophoric process like that in the presence of FCCP. ADP/O measurements allow calculation of the part of respiration leading to ATP synthesis and the part of respiration sustained by the dissipative H(+) re-uptake induced by linoleic acid. Respiration sustained by this energy-dissipating process remains constant at a given LA concentration until more than 50% inhibition of state 3 respiration by n-butyl malonate is achieved. The energy dissipative contribution to oxygen consumption is proposed to be equal to the protonophoric activity of plant uncoupling protein divided by the intrinsic H(+)/O of the cytochrome pathway. It increases with linoleic acid concentration, taking place at the expense of ADP phosphorylation without an increase in the respiration.     

Substitutional mutations in the uncoupling protein-specific sequences of mitochondrial uncoupling protein UCP1 lead to the reduction of fatty acid-induced H+ uniport

Mutants were constructed for mitochondrial uncoupling protein UCP1, with single or multiple substitutions within or nearby the UCP-signatures located in the first alpha-helix and second matrix-segment, using the QuickChange site directed mutagenesis protocol (Stratagene), and were assayed fluorometrically for kinetics of fatty acid (FA)-induced H+ uniport and for Cl- uniport. Their ability to bind 3H-GTP was also evaluated. The wild type UCP1 was associated with the FA-induced H+ uniport proportional to the added protein with a Km for lauric acid of 43 micro M and Vmax of 18 micro molmin(-1)(mg protein)(-1). Neutralization of Arg152 (in the second matrix-segment UCP-signature) led to approximately 50% reduction of FA affinity (reciprocal Km) and of Vmax for FA-induced H+ uniport. Halved FA affinity and 70% reduction of Vmax was found for the double His substitution outside the signature (H145L and H147L mutant). Neutralization of Asp27 in the first alpha-helix UCP-signature (D27V mutant) resulted in 75% reduction of FA affinity and approximately 50% reduction of Vmax, whereas the triple C24A and D27V and T30A mutant was fully non-functional (Vmax reduced by 90%). Interestingly, the T30A mutant exhibited only the approximately 50% reduced FA affinity but not Vmax. Cl- uniport and 3H-GTP binding were preserved in all studied mutants. We conclude that amino acid residues of the first alpha-helix UCP signature may be required to hold the intact UCP1 transport conformation. This could be valid also for the positive charge of Arg152 (second matrix-segment UCP signature), which may alternatively mediate FA interaction with the native protein.     

Fast kinase domain-containing protein 3 is a mitochondrial protein essential for cellular respiration

Fas-activated serine/threonine phosphoprotein (FAST) is the founding member of the FAST kinase domain-containing protein (FASTKD) family that includes FASTKD1-5. FAST is a sensor of mitochondrial stress that modulates protein translation to promote the survival of cells exposed to adverse conditions. Mutations in FASTKD2 have been linked to a mitochondrial encephalomyopathy that is associated with reduced cytochrome c oxidase activity, an essential component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. We have confirmed the mitochondrial localization of FASTKD2 and shown that all FASTKD family members are found in mitochondria. Although human and mouse FASTKD1-5 genes are expressed ubiquitously, some of them are most abundantly expressed in mitochondria-enriched tissues. We have found that RNA interference-mediated knockdown of FASTKD3 severely blunts basal and stress-induced mitochondrial oxygen consumption without disrupting the assembly of respiratory chain complexes. Tandem affinity purification reveals that FASTKD3 interacts with components of mitochondrial respiratory and translation machineries. Our results introduce FASTKD3 as an essential component of mitochondrial respiration that may modulate energy balance in cells exposed to adverse conditions by functionally coupling mitochondrial protein synthesis to respiration.     

Hepatic antioxidant-sensitive respiration. Effect of ethanol, iron and mitochondrial uncoupling.

The addition of the antioxidants (+)-cyanidanol-3, butylated hydroxyanisole and ascorbate to the perfused rat liver resulted in a decrease in the rate of oxygen consumption. This basal antioxidant-sensitive respiration of 110-130nmol X min-1 X (g of liver)-1 represents 5-7% of total respiration. Increased antioxidant-sensitive respiratory rates are found after the infusion of increasing concentrations of ethanol (1.8-72.2mM) or iron (35.5-248.5 microM). This respiratory component exhibits a dependence on ethanol or iron concentration, with maximal rates of 200-255 and 330nmol X min-1 X (g of liver)-1 respectively. After the addition of 100 microM-2,4-dinitriphenol, an antioxidant-sensitive respiratory component of 230nmol X min-1 X (g of liver)-1 is found, which is not observed at lower concentrations of the uncoupler (5-50 microM). The lack of effect of the antioxidants used on mitochondrial respiration [the preceding paper, Videla, Villena, Donoso, Giulivi & Boveris (1984) Biochem. J. 223, 879-883] and on the glycolytic rate of the perfused liver suggests that the basal and chemically induced antioxidant-sensitive respiration observed are related to oxygen required for one-electron transfer reactions associated with the generation of active species of oxygen and lipid peroxidation in the liver cell.     

Differential interaction of fatty acids and fatty acyl CoA esters with the purified/reconstituted brown adipose tissue mitochondrial uncoupling protein

Proteoliposomes containing highly purified uncoupling protein generated by a modified purification/reconstitution procedure carried out active GDP dependent proton conductance. It was further established that long chain acyl CoA esters as well as fatty acids stimulated proton influx by the uncoupling protein, and, moreover, that the acyl CoA esters were partially effective in overcoming the inhibition by GDP. GDP binding to the purified uncoupling protein was inhibited by acyl CoA esters but not fatty acids. Phenylglyoxal which prevents GDP binding to the uncoupling protein eliminated the acyl CoA but not the fatty acid effect on proton conductance. These results substantiate the fact that nucleotides and acyl CoA esters act at the same regulatory site on the uncoupling protein, whereas, fatty acids act at a separate site. The properties of the purified/reconstituted uncoupling protein confirm they are identical to those inherent in brown adipose tissue mitochondria.     

Mutational analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana plant uncoupling mitochondrial protein

In this study, point mutations were introduced in plant uncoupling mitochondrial protein AtUCP1, a typical member of the plant uncoupling protein (UCP) gene subfamily, in amino acid residues Lys147, Arg155 and Tyr269, located inside the so-called UCP-signatures, and in two more residues, Cys28 and His83, specific for plant UCPs. The effects of amino acid replacements on AtUCP1 biochemical properties were examined using reconstituted proteoliposomes. Residue Arg155 appears to be crucial for AtUCP1 affinity to linoleic acid (LA) whereas His83 plays an important role in AtUCP1 transport activity. Residues Cys28, Lys147, and also Tyr269 are probably essential for correct protein function, as their substitutions affected either the AtUCP1 affinity to LA and its transport activity, or sensitivity to inhibitors (purine nucleotides). Interestingly, Cys28 substitution reduced ATP inhibitory effect on AtUCP1, while Tyr269Phe mutant exhibited 2.8-fold increase in sensitivity to ATP, in accordance with the reverse mutation Phe267Tyr of mammalian UCP1.     

On the mechanism of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 function

Native uncoupling protein 1 (UCP 1) was purified from rat mitochondria by hydroxyapatite chromatography and identified by peptide mass mapping and tandem mass spectrometry. Native and expressed UCP 1 were reconstituted into liposomes, and proton flux through UCP 1 was shown to be fatty acid-dependent and GDP-sensitive. To investigate the mechanism of action of UCP 1, we determined whether hydrophilic modification of the omega-carbon of palmitate effected its transport function. We show that proton flux was greater through native UCP 1-containing proteoliposomes when facilitated by less hydrophilically modified palmitate (palmitate > omega-methoxypalmitate > omega-hydroxypalmitate with little or no proton flux due to glucose-O-omega-palmitate or undecanesulfonate). We show that non-proton-dependent charge transfer was greater when facilitated by less hydrophilically modified palmitate (palmitate/undecanesulfonate > omega-methoxypalmitate > omega-hydroxypalmitate, with no non-proton-dependent charge transfer flux due to glucose-O-omega-palmitate). We show that the GDP-inhibitable oxygen consumption rate in brown adipose tissue mitochondria was reversed by palmitate (as expected) but not by glucose-O-omega-palmitate. Our data are consistent with the model that UCP 1 flips long-chain fatty acid anions and contradict the "cofactor" model of UCP 1 function.     

Activation and function of mitochondrial uncoupling protein in plants

Plant mitochondrial uncoupling protein (UCP) is activated by superoxide suggesting that it may function to minimize mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. However, the precise mechanism of superoxide activation and the exact function of UCP in plants are not known. We demonstrate that 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), a product of lipid peroxidation, and a structurally related compound, trans-retinal, stimulate a proton conductance in potato mitochondria that is inhibitable by GTP (a characteristic of UCP). Proof that the effects of HNE and trans-retinal are mediated by UCP is provided by examination of proton conductance in transgenic plants overexpressing UCP. These experiments demonstrate that the mechanism of activation of UCP is conserved between animals and plants and imply a conservation of function. Mitochondria from transgenic plants overexpressing UCP were further studied to provide insight into function. Experimental conditions were designed to mimic a bioenergetic state that might be found in vivo (mitochondria were supplied with pyruvate as well as tricarboxylic cycle acids at in vivo cytosolic concentrations and an exogenous ATP sink was established). Under such conditions, an increase in UCP protein content resulted in a modest but significant decrease in the rate of superoxide production. In addition, 13C-labeling experiments revealed an increase in the conversion of pyruvate to citrate as a result of increased UCP protein content. These results demonstrate that under simulated in vivo conditions, UCP is active and suggest that UCP may influence not only mitochondrial ROS production but also tricarboxylic acid cycle flux.     

Identification of serine phosphorylation in mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1

Native uncoupling protein 1 was purified from rat brown adipose tissue of cold-acclimated rats and rats kept at room temperature, in the presence of phosphatase inhibitors. The purified protein from cold-acclimated animals was digested with trypsin and immobilized metal affinity chromatography was used to select for phosphopeptides. Tandem mass spectroscopic analysis of the peptides derived from uncoupling protein 1, suggests phosphorylation of serine 3 or 4 and identified phosphorylation of serine 51. Furthermore, we were able to demonstrate that antibodies to phosphoserine detect full-length UCP 1 and that the proportion of phosphoserine on UCP1, purified from cold-acclimated rats, was significantly greater than that on UCP 1 from rats kept at room temperature (90+/-4% compared to 62+/-8%, p=0.013), respectively). We conclude that uncoupling protein 1 is a phosphoprotein and that cold-acclimation increases the proportion of UCP1 that is serine phosphorylated.     

线粒体解偶联蛋白UCP2的研究进展

本文综述了线粒体解偶联蛋白2（uncoupling protein2,UCP2）研究方面的进展。UCP2定位于线粒体内膜上,通过消散线粒体内膜的质子梯度调节线粒体的功能,包括线粒体内膜电位、ATP合成、呼吸链ROS产生、线粒体钙库的存储和释放等。目前,UCP2的质子漏机理并不清楚,但体内实验表明UCP2活性可被过氧化物激活。特别是近年来UCP2调控胰岛素分泌方面的研究取得了重要进展。