ATP analogues induce membrane permeabilization in transformed mouse fibroblasts

The mechanism underlying ATP-induced permeabilization of transformed mouse fibroblasts was studied by using nonhydrolyzable analogues of ATP. Incubation of 3T6 cells with 0.6 mM of either ATP, 5′-adenylyl imidodiphosphate (p[NH]ppA) or adenosine 5′-[β,γ-methylene]triphosphate (p[CH₂]ppA) resulted in an increase of 17-, 8- or 5-times, respectively, in the cell membrane permeability, measured by the efflux of normally impermeant metabolites from the cells. The induced cell permeabilization was preceded by a reduction in the membrane potential (Δψ), determined according to the distribution of the cation tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP⁺) between the cells and the medium. Reduction of 26, 18 and 13 mV in Δψ was exerted by 0.6 mM of either ATP, p[NH]ppA or p[CH₂]ppA, respectively. In 3T3 cells the untransformed counterparts of 3T6 cells, neither reduction of Δψ, nor alterations in membrane permeability were exerted by either ATP or by its analogues. The data indicate that the dissociation of the β,γ-phosphate bond is not essential for membrane permeabilization by external ATP, implying that the binding of ATP to the cell surface of transformed cells is sufficient to initiate the permeabilization process. The data also suggest that Δψ is involved in the control of membrane permeability.     

ATP analogues induce membrane permeabilization in transformed mouse fibroblasts

The mechanism underlying ATP-induced permeabilization of transformed mouse fibroblasts was studied by using nonhydrolyzable analogues of ATP. Incubation of 3T6 cells with 0.6 mM of either ATP, 5'-adenylyl imidodiphosphate (p[NH]ppA) or adenosine 5'-[beta, gamma-methylene]triphosphate (p[CH2]ppA) resulted in an increase of 17-, 8- or 5-times, respectively, in the cell membrane permeability, measured by the efflux of normally impermeant metabolites from the cells. The induced cell permeabilization was preceded by a reduction in the membrane potential (delta psi), determined according to the distribution of the cation tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP+) between the cells and the medium. Reduction of 26, 18 and 13 mV in delta psi was exerted by 0.6 mM of either ATP, p[NH]ppA or p[CH2]ppA, respectively. In 3T3 cells the untransformed counterparts of 3T6 cells, neither reduction of delta psi, nor alterations in membrane permeability were exerted by either ATP or by its analogues. The data indicate that the dissociation of the beta, gamma-phosphate bond is not essential for membrane permeabilization by external ATP, implying that the binding of ATP to the cell surface of transformed cells is sufficient to initiate the permeabilization process. The data also suggest that delta psi is involved in the control of membrane permeability.     

IFN-beta increases listeriolysin O-induced membrane permeabilization and death of macrophages

Type I IFN (IFN-I) signaling is detrimental to cells and mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes. In this study, we investigate the impact of IFN-I on the activity of listeriolysin O (LLO), a pore-forming toxin and virulence protein released by L. monocytogenes. Treatment of macrophages with IFN-beta increased the ability of sublytic LLO concentrations to cause transient permeability of the plasma membrane. At higher LLO concentrations, IFN-beta enhanced the complete breakdown of membrane integrity and cell death. This activity of IFN-beta required Stat1. Perturbation of the plasma membrane by LLO resulted in activation of the p38MAPK pathway. IFN-beta pretreatment enhanced LLO-mediated signaling through this pathway, consistent with its ability to increase membrane damage. p38MAPK activation in response to LLO was independent of TLR4, a putative LLO receptor, and inhibition of p38MAPK neither enhanced nor prevented LLO-induced death. IFN-beta caused cells to express increased amounts of caspase 1 and to produce a detectable caspase 1 cleavage product after LLO treatment. Contrasting recent reports with another pore-forming toxin, this pathway did not aid cell survival as caspase 1-deficient cells were equally sensitive to lysis by LLO. Key lipogenesis enzymes were suppressed in IFN-beta-treated cells, which may exacerbate the membrane damage caused by LLO.     

Bilirubin and amyloid-beta peptide induce cytochrome c release through mitochondrial membrane permeabilization

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of bilirubin encephalopathy and Alzheimer's disease appears to result from accumulation of unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) and amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptide, respectively, which may cause apoptosis. Permeabilization of the mitochondrial membrane, with release of intermembrane proteins, has been strongly implicated in cell death. Inhibition of the mitochondrial permeability is one pathway by which ursodeoxycholate (UDC) and tauroursodeoxycholate (TUDC) protect against apoptosis in hepatic and nonhepatic cells. In this study, we further characterize UCB- and Abeta-induced cytotoxicty in isolated neural cells, and investigate membrane perturbation during incubation of isolated mitochondria with both agents. In addition, we evaluate whether the anti-apoptotic drugs UDC and TUDC prevent any changes from occurring. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary rat neuron and astrocyte cultures were incubated with UCB or Abeta peptide, either alone or in the presence of UDC. Apoptosis was assessed by DNA fragmentation and nuclear morphological changes. Isolated mitochondria were treated with each toxic, either alone or in combination with UDC, TUDC, or cyclosporine A. Mitochondrial swelling was measured spectrophotometrically and cytochrome c protein levels determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Incubation of neural cells with both UCB and Abeta induced apoptosis (p < 0.01). Coincubation with UDC reduced apoptosis by > 50% (p < 0.05). Both toxins caused membrane permeabilization in isolated mitochondria (p < 0.001); whereas, pretreatment with UDC was protective (p < 0.05). TUDC was even more effective at preventing matrix swelling mediated by Abeta (p < 0.01). UDC and TUDC markedly reduced cytochrome c release associated with mitochondrial permeabilization induced by UCB and Abeta, respectively (p < 0.05). Moreover, cyclosporine A significantly inhibited mitochondrial swelling and cytochrome c efflux mediated by UCB (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: UCB and Abeta peptide activate the apoptotic machinery in neural cells. Toxicity occurs through a mitochondrial-dependent pathway, which in part involves opening of the permeability transition pore. Furthermore, membrane permeabilization is required for cytochrome c release from mitochondria and can be prevented by UDC or TUDC. These data suggest that the mitochondria is a pharmacological target for cytoprotection during unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia and neurodegenerative disorders, and that UDC or TUDC may be potential therapeutic agents.     

Cholesterol and peroxidized cardiolipin in mitochondrial membrane properties,permeabilization and cell death

Mitochondria are known to actively regulate cell death with the final phenotype of demise being determined by the metabolic and energetic status of the cell. Mitochondrial membrane permeabilization (MMP) is a critical event in cell death, as it regulates the degree of mitochondrial dysfunction and the release of intermembrane proteins that function in the activation and assembly of caspases. In addition to the crucial role of proapoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family, the lipid composition of the mitochondrial membranes is increasingly recognized to modulate MMP and hence cell death. The unphysiological accumulation of cholesterol in mitochondrial membranes regulates their physical properties, facilitating or impairing MMP during Bax and death ligand-induced cell death depending on the level of mitochondrial GSH (mGSH), which in turn regulates the oxidation status of cardiolipin. Cholesterol-mediated mGSH depletion stimulates TNF-induced reactive oxygen species and subsequent cardiolipin peroxidation, which destabilizes the lipid bilayer and potentiates Bax-induced membrane permeabilization. These data suggest that the balance of mitochondrial cholesterol to peroxidized cardiolipin regulates mitochondrial membrane properties and permeabilization, emerging as a rheostat in cell death.     

Induction of unspecific permeabilization of mitochondrial membrane and its role in cell death

Mitochondria participate in various vital cellular processes. Violation of their functions can lead to the development of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and malignancies. One of the key events responsible for mitochondrial damage—induction of Ca²⁺-dependent mitochondrial permeability transition, due to the opening of a nonspecific pore in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Despite active studies of pore components, its detailed structure has not yet been established. This review analyzes possible constituents and regulators of the pore, the role of the pore in various pathologies, and hypotheses that explain the organization of the pores. Elucidation of these questions can help developing strategies for the treatment of a wide range of pathologies—from Alzheimer and Parkinson’s disease to cancer.     

Lipofuscins and sclerotial differentiation in phytopathogenic fungi

Lipofuscins of lipidic and proteinaceous origin were identified by their excitation and emission spectra in phytopathogenic fungal representatives of different sclerotial differentiation types. Lipofuscin pigments in Sclerotium rolfsii, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotinia minor and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum showed similar excitation and emission maxima (ex-em 330–450, 330–450, 330–470 and 3307–470 nm, respectively). Sclerotial differentiation of these fungi was proceeded by a 4.2, 2.5, 2.7, 2.5 and 6, 2.9, 3.8, 3.1 fold increase of lipofuscin accumulation (per lipid and protein content), per respective fungus, as compared to their undifferentiated stage. Lipofuscin levels were higher in older than in younger mycelia and this phenomenon was more profound in S. rolfsii. Since lipofuscins are considered as indicators of oxidative stress, these data are in accordance with the hypothesis that suggests oxidative stress to be a common underlying factor in sclerotial differentiation of sclerotia-forming filamentous phytopathogenic fungi. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Mitochondrial membrane permeabilization: the sine qua non for cell death

Mitochondria are essential for maintaining cell life but they also play a role in regulating cell death, which occurs when their membranes become permeabilized. Mitochondria possess two distinct membrane systems including an outer membrane in close communication with the cytosol and an inner membrane involved in energy transduction. Outer membrane permeabilization is regulated by Bcl-2 family proteins, which control the release of proteins from the mitochondrial intermembrane space; these proteins then activate apoptosis. Inner membrane permeabilization is regulated by the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), which is activated by calcium and oxidative stress and leads to bioenergetic failure and necrosis. The purpose of this review is to discuss the biochemical mechanisms regulating mitochondrial membrane permeabilization; this is crucial to our understanding of the role of cell death in diseases such as cancer and the neurodegenerative diseases.     

Phosphatidic acid mediates the targeting of tBid to induce lysosomal membrane permeabilization and apoptosis

Upon apoptotic stimuli, lysosomal proteases, including cathepsins and chymotrypsin, are released into cytosol due to lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP), where they trigger apoptosis via the lysosomal-mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Herein, the mechanism of LMP was investigated. We found that caspase 8-cleaved Bid (tBid) could result in LMP directly. Although Bax or Bak might modestly enhance tBid-triggered LMP, they are not necessary for LMP. To study this further, large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs), model membranes mimicking the lipid constitution of lysosomes, were used to reconstitute the membrane permeabilization process in vitro. We found that phosphatidic acid (PA), one of the major acidic phospholipids found in lysosome membrane, is essential for tBid-induced LMP. PA facilitates the insertion of tBid deeply into lipid bilayers, where it undergoes homo-oligomerization and triggers the formation of highly curved nonbilayer lipid phases. These events induce LMP via pore formation mechanisms because encapsulated fluorescein-conjugated dextran (FD)-20 was released more significantly than FD-70 or FD-250 from LUVs due to its smaller molecular size. On the basis of these data, we proposed tBid-PA interactions in the lysosomal membranes form lipidic pores and result in LMP. We further noted that chymotrypsin-cleaved Bid is more potent than tBid at binding to PA, inserting into the lipid bilayer, and promoting LMP. This amplification mechanism likely contributes to the culmination of apoptotic signaling.     

Biosynthetic arginine decarboxylase in phytopathogenic fungi

It has been reported that while bacteria and higher plants possess two different pathways for the biosynthesis of putrescine, via ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and arginine decarboxylase (ADC); the fungi, like animals, only use the former pathway. We found that contrary to the earlier reports, two of the phytopathogenic fungi (Ceratocystis minor and Verticillium dahliae) contain significant levels of ADC activity with very little ODC. The ADC in these fungi has high pH optimum (8.4) and low Km (0.237 mM for C. minor, 0.103 mM for V. dahliae), and is strongly inhibited by alpha-difluoromethylarginine (DFMA), putrescine and spermidine, further showing that this enzyme is probably involved in the biosynthesis of polyamines and not in the catabolism of arginine as in Escherichia coli. The growth of these fungi is strongly inhibited by DFMA while alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) has little effect.     

Polygalacturonase-inhibiting proteins in defense against phytopathogenic fungi

Polygalacturonase-inhibiting proteins (PGIPs) are ubiquitous plant cell wall proteins that are directed against fungal polygalacturonases (PGs), which are important pathogenicity factors. The inhibiting activity of PGIPs directly reduces the aggressive potential of PGs. In addition, it causes PGs to form more long-chain oligogalacturonides that are able to induce defense responses, thereby indirectly contributing to the plant defense. Recent evidence demonstrates that PGIPs are efficient defense proteins and limit fungal invasion. PGIPs and the products of many plant resistance genes share a leucine-rich repeat (LRR) structure, which provides specific recognition of pathogen-derived molecules. The high level of polymorphism of both PGIPs and polygalacturonases is an invaluable tool for deciphering the structure, function and evolution of plant LRR proteins and their ligands. Furthermore, information about PGIP structure and evolution paves the way to the development of efficient strategies for crop protection.     

Vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) promotes vacuolar membrane permeabilization and nonapoptotic death in stressed yeast

Stress in the endoplasmic reticulum caused by tunicamycin, dithiothreitol, and azole-class antifungal drugs can induce nonapoptotic cell death in yeasts that can be blocked by the action of calcineurin (Cn), a Ca(2+)-dependent serine/threonine protein phosphatase. To identify additional factors that regulate nonapoptotic cell death in yeast, a collection of gene knock-out mutants was screened for mutants exhibiting altered survival rates. The screen revealed an endocytic protein (Ede1) that can function upstream of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase 2 (Cmk2) to suppress cell death in parallel to Cn. The screen also revealed the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase (V-ATPase), which acidifies the lysosome-like vacuole. The V-ATPase performed its death-promoting functions very soon after imposition of the stress and was not required for later stages of the cell death program. Cn did not inhibit V-ATPase activities but did block vacuole membrane permeabilization (VMP), which occurred at late stages of the cell death program. All of the other nondying mutants identified in the screens blocked steps before VMP. These findings suggest that VMP is the lethal event in dying yeast cells and that fungi may employ a mechanism of cell death similar to the necrosis-like cell death of degenerating neurons.     

Nanoelectropulse-driven membrane perturbation and small molecule permeabilization

Background  

Nanosecond, megavolt-per-meter pulsed electric fields scramble membrane phospholipids, release intracellular calcium, and induce apoptosis. Flow cytometric and fluorescence microscopy evidence has associated phospholipid rearrangement directly with nanoelectropulse exposure and supports the hypothesis that the potential that develops across the lipid bilayer during an electric pulse drives phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization.     

Cold adaptation in the phytopathogenic fungi causing snow molds

Snow molds are psychrophilic or psychrotrophic fungal pathogens of forage crops, winter cereals, and conifer seedlings. These fungi can grow and attack dormant plants at low temperatures under snow cover. In this review, we describe the biodiversity and physiological and biochemical characteristics of snow molds that belong to various taxa. Cold tolerance is one of the important factors related to their geographic distribution, because snow molds develop mycelia under snow cover and because they should produce intra- and extracellular enzymes active at low temperatures for growth and infection. Basidiomycetous snow molds produce extracellular antifreeze proteins. Their physiological significance is to keep the extracellular environment unfrozen. The psychrophilic ascomycete Sclerotia borealis shows normal mycelial growth under frozen conditions, which is faster than that on unfrozen media at optimal growth temperature. This fungus does not produce extracellular antifreeze proteins, but osmotic stress tolerance enables the fungus to grow at subzero temperatures. In conclusion, different taxa of snow molds have different strategies to adapt under snow cover.