Atrazine binds to F1F0-ATP synthase and inhibits mitochondrial function in sperm

Atrazine is a widely used triazine herbicide. Although controversy still exists, a number of recent studies have described its adverse effects on various animals including humans. Of particular interest is its effects on reproductive capacity. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the adverse effects of atrazine, with a focus on its effects on sperm. Here we show evidence that mitochondrial F₁F₀-ATP synthase is a molecular target of atrazine. A series of experiments with sperm and isolated mitochondria suggest that atrazine inhibits mitochondrial function through F₁F₀-ATP synthase. Moreover, affinity purification using atrazine as a ligand demonstrates that F₁F₀-ATP synthase is a major atrazine-binding protein in cells. The inhibitory activity against mitochondria and F₁F₀-ATP synthase is not limited to atrazine but is likely to be applicable to other triazine-based compounds. Thus, our findings may have wide relevance to pharmacology and toxicology.     

Improved purification for thermophilic F1F0 ATP synthase using n-dodecyl beta-D-maltoside

Here we report a fast, simple purification for thermophilic F1F0 ATP synthase (TF1F0) that utilizes a cocktail of stabilizing reagents and the detergent n-dodecyl beta-D-maltoside to yield enzyme with an ATPase activity of 41 micromol/min/mg, 2.5-fold higher than that previously reported. ATPase activity was 80% inhibited by the F0-reactive reagent dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, indicating that F1-F0 interactions were largely intact. To measure ATP-driven proton pumping activity, purified TF1F0 was incorporated into liposomes, and the ATP-induced change in internal pH was measured using the fluorescent probe pyranine. In the presence of valinomycin, a maximum ATP-driven deltapH of 0.8 units was obtained. To measure ATP synthesis activity, TF1F0 was incorporated into liposomes with the light-dependent proton pump bacteriorhodopsin. Proteoliposomes were illuminated to generate an electrochemical gradient, after which ADP and inorganic phosphate were added to initiate ATP synthesis. A steady state ATP synthesis activity of 490 nmol/min/mg was achieved after an initial approximately 30-min lag phase.     

F0F1 ATP synthase of Streptomycetes: Modulation of activity and oligomycin resistance by protein Ser/Thr kinases

Inverted membrane vesicles of Gram-positive actinobacteria Streptomyces fradiae, S. lividans, and S. avermitilis have been prepared and membrane-bound F₀F₁ ATP synthase has been biochemically characterized. It has been shown that the ATPase activity of membrane-bound F₀F₁ complex is Mg²⁺-dependent and moderately stimulated by high concentrations of Ca²⁺ ions (10–20 mM). The ATPase activity is inhibited by N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and oligomycin A, typical F₀F₁ ATPase inhibitors that react with the membrane-bound F₀ complex. The assay of biochemical properties of the F₀F₁ ATPases of Streptomycetes in all cases showed the presence of ATPase populations highly susceptible and insensitive to oligomycin A. The in vitro labeling and inhibitory assay showed that the inverted phospholipid vesicles of S. fradiae contained active membrane-bound Ser/Thr protein kinase(s) phosphorylating the proteins of the F₀F₁ complex. Inhibition of phosphorylation leads to decrease of the ATPase activity and increase of its susceptibility to oligomycin. The in vivo assay confirmed the enhancement of actinobacteria cell sensitivity to oligomycin after inhibition of endogenous phosphorylation. The sequencing of the S. fradiae genes encoding oligomycin-binding A and C subunits of F₀F₁ ATP synthase revealed their close phylogenetic relation to the genes of S. lividans and S. avermitilis.     

F1F0 ATP synthase subunit c is a substrate of the novel YidC pathway for membrane protein biogenesis

The Escherichia coli YidC protein belongs to the Oxa1 family of membrane proteins that have been suggested to facilitate the insertion and assembly of membrane proteins either in cooperation with the Sec translocase or as a separate entity. Recently, we have shown that depletion of YidC causes a specific defect in the functional assembly of F1F0 ATP synthase and cytochrome o oxidase. We now demonstrate that the insertion of in vitro-synthesized F1F0 ATP synthase subunit c (F0c) into inner membrane vesicles requires YidC. Insertion is independent of the proton motive force, and proteoliposomes containing only YidC catalyze the membrane insertion of F0c in its native transmembrane topology whereupon it assembles into large oligomers. Co-reconstituted SecYEG has no significant effect on the insertion efficiency. Remarkably, signal recognition particle and its membrane-bound receptor FtsY are not required for the membrane insertion of F0c. In conclusion, a novel membrane protein insertion pathway in E. coli is described in which YidC plays an exclusive role.     

Myocardial ischemic preconditioning and mitochondrial F1F0-ATPase activity

A short period of ischemia followed by reperfusion (ischemic preconditioning) is known to trigger mechanisms that contribute to the prevention of ATP depletion. In ischemic conditions, most of the ATP hydrolysis can be attributed to mitochondrial F₁F₀-ATPase (ATP synthase). The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of myocardial ischemic preconditioning on the kinetics of ATP hydrolysis by F₁F₀-ATPase. Preconditioning was accomplished by three 3-min periods of global ischemia separated by 3 min of reperfusion. Steady state ATP hydrolysis rates in both control and preconditioned mitochondria were not significantly different. This suggests that a large influence of the enzyme on the preconditioning mechanism may be excluded. However, the time required by the reaction to reach the steady state rate was increased in the preconditioned group before sustained ischemia, and it was even more enhanced in the first 5 min of reperfusion (101 ± 3.0 sec in preconditioned vs. 83.4 ± 4.4 sec in controls, p 0.05). These results suggest that this transient increase in activation time may contribute to the cardioprotection by slowing the ATP depletion in the very critical early phase of post-ischemic reperfusion.     

Probing conformations of the beta subunit of F0F1-ATP synthase in catalysis

A subcomplex of F0F1-ATP synthase (F0F1), alpha3beta3gamma, was shown to undergo the conformation(s) during ATP hydrolysis in which two of the three beta subunits have the "Closed" conformation simultaneously (CC conformation) [S.P. Tsunoda, E. Muneyuki, T. Amano, M. Yoshida, H. Noji, Cross-linking of two beta subunits in the closed conformation in F1-ATPase, J. Biol. Chem. 274 (1999) 5701-5706]. This was examined by the inter-subunit disulfide cross-linking between two mutant beta(I386C)s that was formed readily only when the enzyme was in the CC conformation. Here, we adopted the same method for the holoenzyme F0F1 from Bacillus PS3 and found that the CC conformation was generated during ATP hydrolysis but barely during ATP synthesis. The experiments using F0F1 with the epsilon subunit lacking C-terminal helices further suggest that this difference is related to dynamic nature of the epsilon subunit and that ATP synthesis is accelerated when it takes the pathway involving the CC conformation.     

Mutagenesis Studies of the F1F0 ATP Synthase b Subunit Membrane Domain

A homodimer of b subunits constitutes the peripheral stalk linking the F₁ and F₀ sectors of the Escherichia coli ATP synthase. Each b subunit has a single-membrane domain. The constraints on the membrane domain have been studied by systematic mutagenesis. Replacement of a segment proximal to the cytoplasmic side of the membrane had minimal impact on F₁F₀ ATP synthase. However, multiple substitutions on the periplasmic side resulted in defects in assembly of the enzyme complex. These mutants had insufficient oxidative phosphorylation to support growth, and biochemical studies showed little F₁F₀ ATPase and no detectable ATP-driven proton pumping activity. Expression of the b _N2A,T6A,Q10A subunit was also oxidative phosphorylation deficient, but the b _N2A,T6A,Q10A protein was incorporated into an F₁F₀ complex. Single amino acid substitutions had minimal reductions in F₁F₀ ATP synthase function. The evidence suggests that the b subunit membrane domain has several sites of interaction contributing to assembly of F₀, and that these interactions are strongest on the periplasmic side of the bilayer.     

The F(1)F(0) ATP synthase and mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes are present on the plasma membrane of an osteosarcoma cell line: An immunocytochemical study

F(1)F(0) ATP synthase is ectopically expressed on the surface of several cell types, including endothelium and cancer cells. This study uses immunocytochemical detection methods via highly specific monoclonal antibodies to explore the possibility of plasma membrane localization of other mitochondrial proteins using an osteosarcoma cell line in which the location of the mitochondrial reticulum can be clearly traced by green fluorescent protein tagging of the organelle. We found that subunits of three of the four respiratory chain complexes were present on the surface of these cells. Additionally, we show for the first time that F(0) subunits d and OSCP of the ATP synthase are ectopically expressed. In all cases the OXPHOS proteins show a punctate distribution, consistent with data from proteome analysis of isolated lipid rafts that place the various mitochondrial proteins in plasma membrane microdomains. We also examined the cell surface for marker membrane proteins from several other intracellular organelles including ER, golgi and nuclear envelope. They were not found on the surface of the osteosarcoma cells. We conclude that mitochondrial membrane proteins are ectopically expressed, but not proteins from other cellular organelles. A specific mechanism by which the mitochondrion and plasma membrane fuse to deliver organellar proteins is suggested.     

gammaepsilon Sub-complex of thermophilic ATP synthase has the ability to bind ATP

The isolated epsilon subunit of F(1)-ATPase from thermophilic Bacillus PS3 (TF(1)) binds ATP [Y. Kato-Yamada, M. Yoshida, J. Biol. Chem. 278 (2003) 36013]. The obvious question is whether the ATP binding concern with the regulation of ATP synthase activity or not. If so, the epsilon subunit even in the ATP synthase complex should have the ability to bind ATP. To check if the ATP binding to the epsilon subunit within the ATP synthase complex may occur, the gammaepsilon sub-complex of TF(1) was prepared and ATP binding was examined. The results clearly showed that the gammaepsilon sub-complex can bind ATP.     

Mitochondrial F1FO ATP synthase determines the local proton motive force at cristae rims

The classical view of oxidative phosphorylation is that a proton motive force (PMF) generated by the respiratory chain complexes fuels ATP synthesis via ATP synthase. Yet, under glycolytic conditions, ATP synthase in its reverse mode also can contribute to the PMF. Here, we dissected these two functions of ATP synthase and the role of its inhibitory factor 1 (IF1) under different metabolic conditions. pH profiles of mitochondrial sub‐compartments were recorded with high spatial resolution in live mammalian cells by positioning a pH sensor directly at ATP synthase’s F₁ and F_O subunits, complex IV and in the matrix. Our results clearly show that ATP synthase activity substantially controls the PMF and that IF1 is essential under OXPHOS conditions to prevent reverse ATP synthase activity due to an almost negligible ΔpH. In addition, we show how this changes lateral, transmembrane, and radial pH gradients in glycolytic and respiratory cells.     

The native F0F1-inhibitor protein complex from beef heart mitochondria and its reconstitution in liposomes

A functional F₀F₁ ATP synthase that contains the endogenous inhibitor protein (F₀F₁I) was isolated by the use of two combined techniques [Adolfsen, R., McClung, J.A., and Moudrianakis, E. N. (1975).Biochemistry 14, 1727–1735; Dreyfus, G., Celis, H., and Ramirez, J. (1984).Anal. Biochem. 142, 215–220]. The preparation is composed of 18 subunits as judged by SDS-PAGE. A steady-state kinetic analysis of the latent ATP synthase complex at various concentrations of ATP showed aV _max of 1.28mol min^–1 mg^–1, whereas theV _max of the complex without the inhibitor was 8.3mol min^–1 mg^–1. In contrast, theK _m for Mg-ATP of F₀F₁ I was 148M, comparable to theK _m value of 142M of the F₀F₁ complex devoid of IF₁. The hydrolytic activity of the F₀F₁I increased severalfold by incubation at 60C at pH 6.8, reaching a maximal ATPase activity of 9.5mol min^–1 mg^–1; at pH 9.0 a rapid increase in the specific activity of hydrolysis was followed by a sharp drop in activity. The latent ATP synthase was reconstituted into liposomes by means of a column filtration method. The proteoliposomes showed ATP-Pi exchange activity which responded to phosphate concentration and was sensitive to energy transfer inhibitors like oligomycin and the uncouplerp-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone.     

H+ transport and coupling by the F0 sector of the ATP synthase: Insights into the molecular mechanism of function

The F₀ sector of the ATP synthase complex facilitates proton translocation through the membrane, and via interaction with the F₁ sector, couples proton transport to ATP synthesis. The molecular mechanism of function is being probed by a combination of mutant analysis and structural biochemistry, and recent progress on theEscherichia coli F₀ sector is reviewed here. TheE. coli F₀ is composed of three types of subunits (a, b, andc) and current information on their folding and organization in F₀ is reviewed. The structure of purified subunitc in chloroform-methanol-H₂O resembles that in native F₀, and progress in determining the structure by NMR methods is reviewed. Genetic experiments suggest that the two helices of subunitc must interact as a functional unit around an essential carboxyl group as protons are transported. In addition, a unique class of suppressor mutations identify a transmembrane helix of subunita that is proposed to interact with the bihelical unit of subunitc during proton transport. The role of multiple units of subunitc in coupling proton translocation to ATP synthesis is considered. The special roles of Asp61 of subunitc and Arg210 of subunita in proton translocation are also discussed.     

Caenorhabditis elegans MAI-1 protein, which is similar to mitochondrial ATPase inhibitor (IF1), can inhibit yeast F0F1-ATPase but cannot be transported to yeast mitochondria

In Caenorhabditis elegans, two proteins that are similar to mitochondrial ATPase inhibitor protein (IF₁) have been found and named MAI-1 and MAI-2. In this study, we overexpressed and purified both the proteins and examined their properties. Circular dichroism spectra indicated that both the MAI-1 and MAI-2 predominantly consisted of β- and random structure, and in contrast to mammalian IF₁, α-helixes were barely detected. Both MAI-1 and MAI-2 could inhibit yeast F₀F₁-ATPase, but the inhibition by MAI-1 was pH-independent. MAI-2-GFP fusion protein was transported to yeast mitochondria, but MAI-1-GFP was not. These results indicate that the MAI-2 is _{C. elegans} IF₁. MAI-1 seems to be a cytosolic protein and may regulate cytosolic ATPase(s).     

Kinetic studies of ATP synthase: The case for the positional change mechanism

The mitochondrial ATP synthases shares many structural and kinetic properties with bacterial and chloroplast ATP synthases. These enzymes transduce the energy contained in the membrane's electrochemical proton gradients into the energy required for synthesis of high-energy phosphate bonds. The unusual three-fold symmetry of the hydrophilic domain, F₁, of all these synthases is striking. Each F₁ has three identical subunits and three identical subunits as well as three additional subunits present as single copies. The catalytic site for synthesis is undoubtedly contained in the subunit or an , interface, and thus each enzyme appears to contain three identical catalytic sites. This review summarizes recent isotopic and kinetic evidence in favour of the concept, originally proposed by Boyer and coworkers, that energy from the proton gradient is exerted not directly for the reaction at the catalytic site, but rather to release product from a single catalytic site. A modification of this binding change hypotheses is favored by recent data which suggest that the binding change is due to a positional change in all three subunits relative to the remaining subunits of F₁ and F₀ and that the vector of rotation is influenced by energy. The positional change, or rotation, appears to be the slow step in the process of catalysis and it is accelerated in all F₁F₀ ATPases studied by substrate binding and by the proton gradient. However, in the mammalian mitochondrial enzyme, other types of allosteric rate regulation not yet fully elucidated seem important as well.     

Activation and Deactivation of F0F1-ATPase in Yeast Mitochrondia

The regulation of membrane-bound proton F₀F₁ATPase by the protonmotive force and nucleotides was studied in yeastmitochondria. Activation occurred in whole mitochondria and the ATPaseactivity was measured just after disrupting the membranes with Triton X-100.Deactivation occurred either in whole mitochondria uncoupled with FCCP, or indisrupted membranes. No effect of Triton X-100 on the ATPase was observed,except a slow reactivation observed only in the absence of MgADP. BothAMPPNP and ATP increased the ATPase deactivation rate, thus indicating thatoccupancy of nucleotidic sites by ATP is more decisive than catalyticturnover for this process. ADP was found to stimulate the energy-dependentATPase activation. ATPase deactivated at the same rate in uncoupled anddisrupted mitochondria. This suggests that deactivation is not controlled byrebinding of some soluble factor, like IF1, but rather by the conversion ofthe F₁.IF1 complex into an inactive form.     

The molecular mechanism of ATP synthesis by F1F0-ATP synthase

ATP synthesis by oxidative phosphorylation and photophosphorylation, catalyzed by F₁F₀-ATP synthase, is the fundamental means of cell energy production. Earlier mutagenesis studies had gone some way to describing the mechanism. More recently, several X-ray structures at atomic resolution have pictured the catalytic sites, and real-time video recordings of subunit rotation have left no doubt of the nature of energy coupling between the transmembrane proton gradient and the catalytic sites in this extraordinary molecular motor. Nonetheless, the molecular events that are required to accomplish the chemical synthesis of ATP remain undefined. In this review we summarize current state of knowledge and present a hypothesis for the molecular mechanism of ATP synthesis.     

Evolutionary relationship between Enterobacteriaceae: comparison of the ATP synthases (F1F0) of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae

The ATP synthase complex of Klebsiella pneumoniae (KF₁F₀) has been purified and characterized. SDS-gel electrophoresis of the purified F₁F₀ complexes revealed an identical subunit pattern for E. coli (EF₁F₀) and K. pneumoniae. Antibodies raised against EF₁ complex and purified EF₀ subunits recognized the corresponding polypeptides of EF₁F₀ and KF₁F₀ in immunoblot analysis. Protease digestion of the individual subunits generated an identical cleavage pattern for subunits , , , , a, and c of both enzymes. Only for subunit different cleavage products were obtained. The isolated subunit c of both organisms showed only a slight deviation in the amino acid composition. These data suggest that extensive homologies exist in primary and secondary structure of both ATP synthase complexes reflecting a close phylogenetic relationship between the two enterobacteric tribes.Abbreviations ACMA 9-amino-6-chloro-2-methoxyacridine - DCCD N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide - FITC fluorescein isothiocyanate - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate - TTFB 4,5,6,7-tetrachloro-2-trifluoromethylbenzimidazole     

Functional and stoichiometric analysis of subunit e in bovine heart mitochondrial F<Subscript>0</Subscript>F<Subscript>1</Subscript>ATP synthase

The role of the integral inner membrane subunit e in self-association of F₀F₁ATP synthase from bovine heart mitochondria was analyzed by in situ limited proteolysis, blue native PAGE/iterative SDS-PAGE, and LC-MS/MS. Selective degradation of subunit e, without disrupting membrane integrity or ATPase capacity, altered the oligomeric distribution of F₀F₁ATP synthase, by eliminating oligomers and reducing dimers in favor of monomers. The stoichiometry of subunit e was determined by a quantitative MS-based proteomics approach, using synthetic isotope-labelled reference peptides IAQL*EEVK, VYGVGSL*ALYEK, and ELAEAQEDTIL*K to quantify the b, γ and e subunits, respectively. Accuracy of the method was demonstrated by confirming the 1:1 stoichiometry of subunits γ and b. Altogether, the results indicate that the integrity of a unique copy of subunit e is essential for self-association of mammalian F₀F₁ATP synthase. Elena Bisetto and Paola Picotti contributed equally to this work.     

Molecular switch of F0F1-ATP synthase,G-protein,and other ATP-driven enzymes

Exchange-out of amide tritium from labeled -subunit of ₃₃ complex of F₀F₁-ATP synthase was not accelerated by ATP, suggesting that hemagglutinin-type transition of coiled-coil structure did not occur in -subunit. Local topology of nucleotide binding site and switch II region of G-protein resemble those of F₁- subunit and other proteins which catalyze ATP-triggered reactions. Probably, binding of nucleotide to F₀F₁-ATP synthase induces conformational change of the switch II-like region with transforming subunit structure from open to closed form and this transformation results in loss of hydrogen bonds with the subunit, thus enabling the subunit to move.     

Biochemical and electron microscopic characterization of the F1F0 ATP synthase from the hyperthermophilic eubacterium Aquifex aeolicus

The F(1)F(0) ATP synthase has been purified from the hyperthermophilic eubacterium Aquifex aeolicus and characterized. Its subunits have been identified by MALDI-mass spectrometry through peptide mass fingerprinting and MS/MS. It contains the canonical subunits alpha, beta, gamma, delta and epsilon of F(1) and subunits a and c of F(0). Two versions of the b subunit were found, which show a low sequence homology to each other. Most likely they form a heterodimer. An electron microscopic single particle analysis revealed clear structural details, including two stalks connecting F(1) and F(0). In several orientations the central stalk appears to be tilted and/or kinked. It is unclear whether there is a direct connection between the peripheral stalk and the delta subunit.