Role of mitochondrial DNA in toxic responses to oxidative stress

Mitochondria are at the crossroads of several crucial cellular activities including: adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generation via oxidative phosphorylation; the biosynthesis of heme, pyrimidines and steroids; calcium and iron homeostasis and programmed cell death (apoptosis). Mitochondria also produce considerable quantities of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) that in conjunction with its large iron stores can lead to a witch's brew of reactive intermediates capable of damaging macromolecules. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) represents a critical target for such oxidative damage. Once damaged, mtDNA can amplify oxidative stress by decreased expression of critical proteins important for electron transport leading to a vicious cycle of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and organellar dysregulation that eventually trigger apoptosis. Oxidative stress is associated with many human disorders including: cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, liver disease and neurodegenerative disease. This article reviews the evidence that oxidative damage to mtDNA can culminate in cell death and thus represents an important target for therapeutic intervention in a number of human diseases.     

DJ-1 regulation of mitochondrial function and autophagy through oxidative stress

The dysregulation of mitochondrial function has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease.

Mutations in the parkin, PINK1 and DJ-1 genes all result in recessive parkinsonism. Although the protein products of these genes have not been fully characterized, it has been established that all three contribute to the maintenance of mitochondrial function. PINK1 and parkin act in a common pathway to regulate the selective autophagic removal of depolarized mitochondria, but the relationship between DJ-1 and PINK1- and/or parkin-mediated effects on mitochondria and autophagy is less clear. We have shown that loss of DJ-1 leads to mitochondrial phenotypes including reduced membrane potential, increased fragmentation and accumulation of autophagic markers. Supplementing DJ-1-deficient cells with glutathione reverses both mitochondrial and autophagic changes suggesting that DJ-1 may act to maintain mitochondrial function during oxidative stress and thereby alter mitochondrial dynamics and autophagy indirectly.     

DJ-1 regulation of mitochondrial function and autophagy through oxidative stress

The dysregulation of mitochondrial function has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease. Mutations in the parkin, PINK1 and DJ-1 genes all result in recessive parkinsonism. Although the protein products of these genes have not been fully characterized, it has been established that all three contribute to the maintenance of mitochondrial function. PINK1 and parkin act in a common pathway to regulate the selective autophagic removal of depolarized mitochondria, but the relationship between DJ-1 and PINK1- and/or parkin-mediated effects on mitochondria and autophagy is less clear. We have shown that loss of DJ-1 leads to mitochondrial phenotypes including reduced membrane potential, increased fragmentation and accumulation of autophagic markers. Supplementing DJ-1-deficient cells with glutathione reverses both mitochondrial and autophagic changes suggesting that DJ-1 may act to maintain mitochondrial function during oxidative stress and thereby alter mitochondrial dynamics and autophagy indirectly.     

Role of oxidative stress in alterations of mitochondrial function in ischemic-reperfused hearts

To study the mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction due to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, rat hearts were subjected to 20 or 30 min of global ischemia followed by 30 min of reperfusion. After recording both left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) to monitor the status of cardiac performance, mitochondria from these hearts were isolated to determine respiratory and oxidative phosphorylation activities. Although hearts subjected to 20 min of ischemia failed to generate LVDP and showed a marked increase in LVEDP, no changes in mitochondrial respiration and phosphorylation were observed. Reperfusion of 20-min ischemic hearts depressed mitochondrial function significantly but recovered LVDP completely and lowered the elevated LVEDP. On the other hand, depressed LVDP and elevated LVEDP in 30-min ischemic hearts were associated with depressions in both mitochondrial respiration and oxidative phosphorylation. Reperfusion of 30-min ischemic hearts elevated LVEDP, attenuated LVDP, and decreased mitochondrial state 3 and uncoupled respiration, respiratory control index, ADP-to-O ratio, as well as oxidative phosphorylation rate. Alterations of cardiac performance and mitochondrial function in I/R hearts were attenuated or prevented by pretreatment with oxyradical scavenging mixture (superoxide dismutase and catalase) or antioxidants [N-acetyl-L-cysteine or N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine]. Furthermore, alterations in cardiac performance and mitochondrial function due to I/R were simulated by an oxyradical-generating system (xanthine plus xanthine oxidase) and an oxidant (H(2)O(2)) either upon perfusing the heart or upon incubation with mitochondria. These results support the view that oxidative stress plays an important role in inducing changes in cardiac performance and mitochondrial function due to I/R.     

Role of intramitochondrial pH in the energetics and regulation of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation.

The dependence of ATP synthesis coupled to electron transfer from 3-hydroxy-butyrate (3-OH-B) to cytochrome c on the intramitochondrial pH (pHi) was investigated. Suspensions of isolated rat liver mitochondria were incubated at constant extramitochondrial pH (pHe) with ATP, ADP, Pi, 3-OH-B, and acetoacetate (acac) (the last two were varied to maintain [3-OH-B]/[acac] constant), with or without sodium propionate to change the intramitochondrial pH. Measurements were made of the steady-state water volume of the mitochondrial matrix, transmembrane pH difference, level of cytochrome c reduction, concentration of metabolites and rate of oxygen consumption. For each experiment, conditions were used for which transmembrane pH was near maximal and minimal values and the measured extramitochondrial [ATP], [ADP], and [Pi] were used to calculate log[ATP]/[ADP][Pi]. When [3-OH-B]/[acac] and [cyt c2+]/[cyt c3+] were constant, and pHi was decreased from approx. 7.7 to 7.2, log [ATP]/[ADP][Pi] at high pHi was significantly (P less than 0.02) greater than at low pHi. The mean slope (delta log [ATP]/[ADP][Pi] divided by the change in pHi) was 1.08 +/- 0.15 (mean +/- S.E.). This agrees with the slope of 1.0 predicted if the energy available for ATP synthesis is dependent upon the pH at which 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase operates, that is, on the pH of the matrix space. The steady-state respiratory rate and reduction of cytochrome c were measured at different pHi and pHe values. Plots of respiratory rate vs.% cytochrome c reduction at different intra- and extramitochondrial pH values indicated that the respiratory rate is dependent upon pHi and not on pHe. This implies that the matrix space is the source of protons involved in the reduction of oxygen to water in coupled mitochondria.     

Role of oxidative stress in the ammonia-induced mitochondrial permeability transition in cultured astrocytes

Ammonia is a neurotoxin that has been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and other neurological disorders, and astrocytes are thought to be the principal target of ammonia toxicity. While the precise mechanisms of ammonia neurotoxicity remain to be more clearly defined, altered bioenergetics and oxidative stress appear to be critical factors in its pathogenesis. It has recently been demonstrated that pathophysiological concentrations of ammonia induce the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) in cultured astrocytes, a process associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, and frequently caused by oxidative stress. This study investigated the potential role of oxidative stress in the induction of the MPT by ammonia. Accordingly, the effect of various antioxidants on the induction of the MPT by ammonia in cultured astrocytes was examined. Astrocytes were subjected to NH4Cl (5 mM) treatment for 2 days with or without various antioxidants. The MPT was assessed by quantitative fluorescence imaging for the mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsim), employing the potentiometric dye TMRE; by changes in mitochondrial calcein fluorescence and by 2-deoxyglucose-6-phosphate (2-DG-6-P) changes in mitochondrial permeability. Astrocytes treated with ammonia significantly dissipated the DeltaPsim, which was blocked by the MPT inhibitor, cyclosporin A, caused a decrease in mitochondrial calcein fluorescence and increased 2-DG-6-P permeability into mitochondria. All of these findings are consistent with induction of the MPT. Pretreatment with SOD, catalase, desferroxamine, Vitamin E, PBN and the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), completely blocked the ammonia-induced MPT. These data provide strong evidence that oxidative stress is involved in the induction of the MPT by ammonia, and suggest that oxidative stress and the subsequent induction of the MPT contribute to the pathogenesis of HE and other hyperammonemic disorders.     

Role of reduced lipoic acid in the redox regulation of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH-2) activity. Implications for mitochondrial oxidative stress and nitrate tolerance

Chronic therapy with nitroglycerin results in a rapid development of nitrate tolerance, which is associated with an increased production of reactive oxygen species. We have recently shown that mitochondria are an important source of nitroglycerin-induced oxidants and that the nitroglycerin-bioactivating mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase is oxidatively inactivated in the setting of tolerance. Here we investigated the effect of various oxidants on aldehyde dehydrogenase activity and its restoration by dihydrolipoic acid. In vivo tolerance in Wistar rats was induced by infusion of nitroglycerin (6.6 microg/kg/min, 4 days). Vascular reactivity was measured by isometric tension studies of isolated aortic rings in response to nitroglycerin. Chronic nitroglycerin infusion lead to impaired vascular responses to nitroglycerin and decreased dehydrogenase activity, which was corrected by dihydrolipoic acid co-incubation. Superoxide, peroxynitrite, and nitroglycerin itself were highly efficient in inhibiting mitochondrial and yeast aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, which was restored by dithiol compounds such as dihydrolipoic acid and dithiothreitol. Hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide were rather insensitive inhibitors. Our observations indicate that mitochondrial oxidative stress (especially superoxide and peroxynitrite) in response to organic nitrate treatment may inactivate aldehyde dehydrogenase thereby leading to nitrate tolerance. Glutathionylation obviously amplifies oxidative inactivation of the enzyme providing another regulatory pathway. Furthermore, the present data demonstrate that the mitochondrial dithiol compound dihydrolipoic acid restores mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase activity via reduction of a disulfide at the active site and thereby improves nitrate tolerance.     

Role of AMPK-mediated adaptive responses in human cells with mitochondrial dysfunction to oxidative stress

Background

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations are an important cause of mitochondrial diseases, for which there is no effective treatment due to complex pathophysiology. It has been suggested that mitochondrial dysfunction-elicited reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of mitochondrial diseases, and the expression levels of several clusters of genes are altered in response to the elevated oxidative stress. Recently, we reported that glycolysis in affected cells with mitochondrial dysfunction is upregulated by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and such an adaptive response of metabolic reprogramming plays an important role in the pathophysiology of mitochondrial diseases.

Scope of review

We summarize recent findings regarding the role of AMPK-mediated signaling pathways that are involved in: (1) metabolic reprogramming, (2) alteration of cellular redox status and antioxidant enzyme expression, (3) mitochondrial biogenesis, and (4) autophagy, a master regulator of mitochondrial quality control in skin fibroblasts from patients with mitochondrial diseases.

Major conclusion

Induction of adaptive responses via AMPK–PFK2, AMPK–FOXO3a, AMPK–PGC-1α, and AMPK–mTOR signaling pathways, respectively is modulated for the survival of human cells under oxidative stress induced by mitochondrial dysfunction. We suggest that AMPK may be a potential target for the development of therapeutic agents for the treatment of mitochondrial diseases.

General significance

Elucidation of the adaptive mechanism involved in AMPK activation cascades would lead us to gain a deeper insight into the crosstalk between mitochondria and the nucleus in affected tissue cells from patients with mitochondrial diseases. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Frontiers of Mitochondrial Research.     

Lysosomal membrane permeabilization causes oxidative stress and ferritin induction in macrophages

Moderate lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) is an important inducer of apoptosis. Macrophages are professional scavengers and are rich in hydrolytic enzymes and iron. In the present study, we found that LMP by lysosomotropic detergent MSDH resulted in early up-regulation of lysosomal cathepsins, oxidative stress and ferritin up-regulation, and cell death. Lysosomotropic base NH₄Cl reduced the ferritin induction and oxidative stress in apoptotic cells induced by MSDH. Cysteine cathepsin inhibitors significantly protected cell death and oxidative stress, but had less effect on ferritin induction. We conclude that oxidative stress induced by lysosomal rupture causes ferritin induction with concomitant mitochondrial damage, which are the potential target for prevention of cellular oxidative stress and cell death induced by typical lysosomotropic substances in different disorders.     

Prolonged alpha-tocopherol deficiency decreases oxidative stress and unmasks alpha-tocopherol-dependent regulation of mitochondrial function in the brain

Vitamin E is the major lipid-soluble chain-breaking antioxidant in mammals and plays an important role in normal development and physiology. Deficiency (whether dietary or genetic) results in primarily nervous system pathology, including cerebellar neurodegeneration and progressive ataxia (abnormal gait). However, despite the widely acknowledged antioxidant properties of vitamin E, only a few studies have directly correlated levels of reactive oxygen species with vitamin E availability in animal models. We explored the relationship between vitamin E and reactive oxygen species in two mouse models of vitamin E deficiency: dietary deficiency and a genetic model (tocopherol transfer protein, Ttp-/- mice). Both groups of mice developed nearly complete depletion of alpha-tocopherol (the major tocopherol in vitamin E) in most organs, but not in the brain, which was relatively resistant to loss of alpha-tocopherol. F4-neuroprostanes, an index of lipid peroxidation, were unexpectedly lower in brains of deficient mice compared with controls. In vivo oxidation of dihydroethidium by superoxide radical was also significantly lower in brains of deficient animals. Superoxide production by brain mitochondria isolated from vitamin E-deficient and Ttp-/- mice, measured by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, demonstrated a biphasic dependence on exogenously added alpha-tocopherol. At low concentrations, alpha-tocopherol enhanced superoxide flux from mitochondria, a response that was reversed at higher concentrations. Here we propose a mechanism, supported by molecular modeling, to explain decreased superoxide production during alpha-tocopherol deficiency and speculate that this could be a beneficial response under conditions of alpha-tocopherol deficiency.     

Role of hexokinase in the regulation of erythrocyte hexose monophosphate pathway under oxidative stress

Human erythrocytes overloaded with homogeneous human hexokinase (up to 15-times the activity of normal RBC) show almost unmodified rates of glucose metabolized in the HMP, however hexokinase-loaded RBC are able to metabolize 1.5 fold more glucose than controls through the HMP when an oxidizing agent like methylene blue (5 to 100 microM) is present. Similarly, RBC loaded with inactivating anti-hexokinase IgG (12 +/- 3% residual hexokinase activity) show HMP rates unchanged under resting conditions, but only 12% of the HMP rate found in normal controls under oxidative stress. These data provide clear evidence that the HMP rate under conditions of oxidative stress is controlled by hexokinase activity and suggest that RBC from patients with hexokinase deficiency are not able to increase the HMP rate under oxidative stress like erythrocytes from individuals with G6PD deficiency.     

Disruption of mitochondrial redox circuitry in oxidative stress

The present review and commentary considers oxidative stress as a disruption of mitochondrial redox circuitry rather than an imbalance of oxidants and antioxidants. Mitochondria contain two types of redox circuits, high-flux pathways that are central to mechanisms for ATP production and low-flux pathways that utilize sulfur switches of proteins for metabolic regulation and cell signaling. The superoxide anion radical (hereafter termed "superoxide", O2*-), a well known free radical product of the high-flux mitochondrial electron transfer chain, provides a link between the high-flux and low-flux pathways. Disruption of electron flow and increased superoxide production occurs due to inhibition of electron transfer in the high-flux pathway, and this creates aberrant "short-circuit" pathways between otherwise non-interacting components. A hypothesis is presented that superoxide is not merely a byproduct of electron transfer but rather is generated by the mitochondrial respiratory apparatus to serve as a positive signal to coordinate energy metabolism. Electron mediators such as free Fe(3+) and redox-cycling agents, or potentially free radical scavenging agents, could therefore cause oxidative stress by disrupting this normal superoxide signal. Methods to map the regulatory redox circuitry involving sulfur switches (e.g., redox-western blotting of thioredoxin-2, redox proteomics) are briefly presented. Use of these approaches to identify sites of disruption in the mitochondrial redox circuitry can be expected to generate new strategies to prevent toxicity and, in particular, promote efforts to re-establish proper electron flow as a means to counteract pathologic effects of oxidative stress.     

Role of glutaredoxin in metabolic oxidative stress. Glutaredoxin as a sensor of oxidative stress mediated by H2O2

Epitope-tagged glutaredoxin (GRX) was utilized to determine the role of GRX in oxidative stress-induced signaling and cytotoxicity in glucose-deprived human cancer cells (MCF-7/ADR and DU-145). GRX-overexpressing cells demonstrated resistance to glucose deprivation-induced cytotoxicity and decreased activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK1). Deletion mutants showed the C-terminal portion of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) bound GRX, and glucose deprivation disrupted binding. Treatment with l-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine reduced glutathione content by 99% and prevented glucose deprivation-induced dissociation of GRX from ASK1. A thiol antioxidant, N-acetyl-l-cysteine, or overexpression of an H(2)O(2) scavenger, catalase, inhibited glucose deprivation-induced dissociation of GRX from ASK1. GRX active site cysteine residues (Cys(22) and Cys(25)) were required for dissociation of GRX from ASK1 during glucose deprivation. Kinase assays revealed that SEK1 and JNK1 were regulated in an ASK1-dependent fashion during glucose deprivation. Overexpression of GRX or catalase inhibited activation of ASK1-SEK1-JNK1 signaling during glucose deprivation. These results demonstrate that GRX is a negative regulator of ASK1 and dissociation of GRX from ASK1 activates ASK1-SEK1-JNK1 signaling leading to cytotoxicity during glucose deprivation. These results support the hypothesis that the GRX-ASK1 interaction is redox sensitive and regulated in a glutathione-dependent fashion by H(2)O(2).     

Permeability of inner mitochondrial membrane and oxidative stress

The mechanism of increase in the inner membrane permeability induced by Ca2+ plus Pi, diamide and hydroperoxides has been analyzed. (1) The permeability increase is antagonized by oligomycin and favoured by atractyloside. The promoting effect of atractyloside is strongly reduced if the mitochondria are simultaneously treated with oligomycin. (2) Addition of the free-radical scavenger, butylhydroxytoluene, results in a complete protection of the membrane with respect to the permeability increase. (3) Although membrane damage and depression of the GSH concentration are often associated, there is no direct correlation between extent of membrane damage and concentration of reduced glutathione. Abolition of the permeability increase by butylhydroxytoluene or by oligomycin is not accompanied by maintenance of a high GSH concentration in the presence of diamide or hydroperoxides. The membrane damage induced by Ca2+ plus Pi is not accompanied by a depression of the GSH concentration. (4) It is proposed that a variety of processes causing an increased permeability of the inner mitochondrial membrane merge into some ultimate common steps involving the action of oxygen radicals.     

Role of oxidative stress in female reproduction

In a healthy body, ROS (reactive oxygen species) and antioxidants remain in balance. When the balance is disrupted towards an overabundance of ROS, oxidative stress (OS) occurs. OS influences the entire reproductive lifespan of a woman and even thereafter (i.e. menopause). OS results from an imbalance between prooxidants (free radical species) and the body's scavenging ability (antioxidants). ROS are a double-edged sword – they serve as key signal molecules in physiological processes but also have a role in pathological processes involving the female reproductive tract. ROS affect multiple physiological processes from oocyte maturation to fertilization, embryo development and pregnancy. It has been suggested that OS modulates the age-related decline in fertility. It plays a role during pregnancy and normal parturition and in initiation of preterm labor. Most ovarian cancers appear in the surface epithelium, and repetitive ovulation has been thought to be a causative factor. Ovulation-induced oxidative base damage and damage to DNA of the ovarian epithelium can be prevented by antioxidants. There is growing literature on the effects of OS in female reproduction with involvement in the pathophsiology of preeclampsia, hydatidiform mole, free radical-induced birth defects and other situations such as abortions. Numerous studies have shown that OS plays a role in the pathoysiology of infertility and assisted fertility. There is some evidence of its role in endometriosis, tubal and peritoneal factor infertility and unexplained infertility. This article reviews the role OS plays in normal cycling ovaries, follicular development and cyclical endometrial changes. It also discusses OS-related female infertility and how it influences the outcomes of assisted reproductive techniques. The review comprehensively explores the literature for evidence of the role of oxidative stress in conditions such as abortions, preeclampsia, hydatidiform mole, fetal embryopathies, preterm labour and preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. The review also addresses the growing literature on the role of nitric oxide species in female reproduction. The involvement of nitric oxide species in regulation of endometrial and ovarian function, etiopathogenesis of endometriosis, and maintenance of uterine quiescence, initiation of labour and ripening of cervix at parturition is discussed. Complex interplay between cytokines and oxidative stress in the etiology of female reproductive disorders is discussed. Oxidant status of the cell modulates angiogenesis, which is critical for follicular growth, corpus luteum formation endometrial differentiation and embryonic growth is also highlighted in the review. Strategies to overcome oxidative stress and enhance fertility, both natural and assisted are delineated. Early interventions being investigated for prevention of preeclampsia are enumerated. Trials investigating combination intervention strategy of vitamin E and vitamin C supplementation in preventing preeclampsia are highlighted. Antioxidants are powerful and there are few trials investigating antioxidant supplementation in female reproduction. However, before clinicians recommend antioxidants, randomized controlled trials with sufficient power are necessary to prove the efficacy of antioxidant supplementation in disorders of female reproduction. Serial measurement of oxidative stress biomarkers in longitudinal studies may help delineate the etiology of some of the diosorders in female reproduction such as preeclampsia.