Mitochondrial metabolic suppression in fasting and daily torpor: consequences for reactive oxygen species production

Abstract Daily torpor results in an ～70% decrease in metabolic rate (MR) and a 20%-70% decrease in state 3 (phosphorylating) respiration rate of isolated liver mitochondria in both dwarf Siberian hamsters and mice even when measured at 37°C. This study investigated whether mitochondrial metabolic suppression also occurs in these species during euthermic fasting, when MR decreases significantly but torpor is not observed. State 3 respiration rate measured at 37°C was 20%-30% lower in euthermic fasted animals when glutamate but not succinate was used as a substrate. This suggests that electron transport chain complex I is inhibited during fasting. We also investigated whether mitochondrial metabolic suppression alters mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In both torpor and euthermic fasting, ROS production (measured as H(2)O(2) release rate) was lower with glutamate in the presence (but not absence) of rotenone when measured at 37°C, likely reflecting inhibition at or upstream of the complex I ROS-producing site. ROS production with succinate (with rotenone) increased in torpor but not euthermic fasting, reflecting complex II inhibition during torpor only. Finally, mitochondrial ROS production was twofold more temperature sensitive than mitochondrial respiration (as reflected by Q(10) values). These data suggest that electron leak from the mitochondrial electron transport chain, which leads to ROS production, is avoided more efficiently at the lower body temperatures experienced during torpor.     

Rotenone induces reductive stress and triacylglycerol deposition in C2C12 cells

Environmental rotenone is associated with Parkinson's disease due to its inhibitory property to the complex I of mitochondrial respiration chain. Although environmental pollution has been postulated as a causal factor for the increasing prevalence of obesity, the role of rotenone in the pathogenesis of obesity has not been studied. We employed muscle-derived cell C2C12 as a model and shotgun lipidomics as a tool for lipid analysis and found that treatment with rotenone led to the profound deposition of intracellular triacylglycerol (TAG) in a time- and dose-dependent fashion. The TAG deposition resulted from complex I inhibition. Further studies revealed that rotenone induced mitochondrial stress as shown by decreased mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate, increased NADH/NAD+ ratio (i.e., reductive stress) and mitochondrial metabolites. We demonstrated that rotenone activated fatty acid de novo synthesis and TAG synthesis and ultimately resulted in intracellular TAG deposition. These studies suggested that increased mitochondrial stresses might be an underlying mechanism responsible for TAG accumulation manifest in obesity.     

Inhibition of complex I regulates the mitochondrial permeability transition through a phosphate-sensitive inhibitory site masked by cyclophilin D

Inhibition of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP) has proved to be an effective strategy for preventing oxidative stress-induced cell death, and the pore represents a viable cellular target for drugs. Here, we report that inhibition of complex I by rotenone is more effective at PTP inhibition than cyclosporin A in tissues that express low levels of the cyclosporin A mitochondrial target, cyclophilin D; and, conversely, that tissues in which rotenone does not affect the PTP are characterized by high levels of expression of cyclophilin D and sensitivity to cyclosporin A. Consistent with a regulatory role of complex I in the PTP-inhibiting effects of rotenone, the concentrations of the latter required for PTP inhibition precisely match those required to inhibit respiration; and a similar effect is seen with the antidiabetic drug metformin, which partially inhibits complex I. Remarkably (i) genetic ablation of cyclophilin D or its displacement with cyclosporin A restored PTP inhibition by rotenone in tissues that are otherwise resistant to its effects; and (ii) rotenone did not inhibit the PTP unless phosphate was present, in striking analogy with the phosphate requirement for the inhibitory effects of cyclosporin A [Basso et al. (2008) J. Biol. Chem. 283, 26307-26311]. These results indicate that inhibition of complex I by rotenone or metformin and displacement of cyclophilin D by cyclosporin A affect the PTP through a common mechanism; and that cells can modulate their PTP response to complex I inhibition by modifying the expression of cyclophilin D, a finding that has major implications for pore modulation in vivo.     

Mechanism of toxicity of pesticides acting at complex I: relevance to environmental etiologies of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) has been linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and pesticide exposure. The pesticide rotenone (ROT) inhibits complex I and reproduces features of PD in animal models, suggesting that environmental agents that inhibit complex I may contribute to PD. We have previously demonstrated that ROT toxicity is dependent upon complex I inhibition and that oxidative stress is the primary mechanism of toxicity. In this study, we examined the in vitro toxicity and mechanism of action of several putative complex I inhibitors that are commonly used as pesticides. The rank order of toxicity of pesticides to neuroblastoma cells was pyridaben > rotenone > fenpyroximate > fenazaquin > tebunfenpyrad. A similar order of potency was observed for reduction of ATP levels and competition for (3)H-dihydrorotenone (DHR) binding to complex I, with the exception of pyridaben (PYR). Neuroblastoma cells stably expressing the ROT-insensitive NADH dehydrogenase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (NDI1) were resistant to these pesticides, demonstrating the requirement of complex I inhibition for toxicity. We further found that PYR was a more potent inhibitor of mitochondrial respiration and caused more oxidative damage than ROT. The oxidative damage could be attenuated by NDI1 or by the antioxidants alpha-tocopherol and coenzyme Q(10). PYR was also highly toxic to midbrain organotypic slices. These data demonstrate that, in addition to ROT, several commercially used pesticides directly inhibit complex I, cause oxidative damage, and suggest that further study is warranted into environmental agents that inhibit complex I for their potential role in PD.     

Vitamin E succinate protects hepatocytes against the toxic effect of reactive oxygen species generated at mitochondrial complexes I and III by alkylating agents.

The mechanism of alpha-tocopheryl succinate (TS) cytoprotection against mitochondria-derived oxidative stress was investigated. Incubation of isolated rat hepatocytes with ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), a mitochondrial alkylating toxicant caused mitochondrial dysfunction and necrotic cell death that was dependent on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation. Mitochondria isolated from these cells showed a 3-fold increase in lipid hydroperoxides and a selective depletion of alpha-tocopherol (T), which preceded cell death. The pretreatment of hepatocytes with TS dramatically enriched cells and mitochondria with alpha-tocopherol and provided these membranes with complete protection against EMS-induced oxidative damage. TS pretreatment suppressed EMS-induced cellular ROS production, generated from mitochondrial complex I and III sites. In addition, the treatment with either rotenone (ROT, a complex I inhibitor) or antimycin A (AA, a complex III inhibitor) potentiated EMS-induced lipid peroxidation and necrotic cell death which were again completely prevented by TS treatment. Surprisingly, TS did not protect hepatocytes against thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA), a complex II inhibitor-induced enhancement of EMS-induced toxic oxidative damage. We conclude that the inhibition of mitochondrial ROS production and lipid peroxidation by T released from TS, are the critical events responsible for TS-mediated cytoprotection against toxic oxidative stress derived from both mitochondrial complexes I and III. Our findings suggest that TS treatment may prove useful in combating diseases associated with mitochondrial-derived oxidative stress.     

Titrating the effects of mitochondrial complex I impairment in the cell physiology.

The mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system consists of five multimeric enzymes (complexes I-V). NADH dehydrogenase or complex I (CI) is affected in most of the mitochondrial diseases and in some neurodegenerative disorders. We have studied the physiological consequences of a partial CI inhibition at the cellular level. We used a genetic model (40% CI-inhibited human-ape xenomitochondrial cybrids) and a drug-induced model (0-100% CI-inhibited cells using different concentrations of rotenone). We observed a quantitative correlation between the level of CI impairment and cell respiration, cell growth, free radical production, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial membrane potential, and apoptosis. We showed that cell death was quantitatively associated with free radical production rather than with a decrease in respiratory chain function. The results obtained with human xenomitochondrial cybrid cells were compatible with those observed in rotenone-induced 40% CI-inhibited cells. At high concentrations (5-6-fold higher than the concentration necessary for 100% CI inhibition), rotenone showed a second toxic effect at the level of microtubule assembly, which also led to apoptosis. The correlation found among all the parameters studied helped clarify the physiological consequences of partial CI inhibitions at the cellular level.     

Depressant Effect of Mitochondrial Respiratory Complex Inhibitors on Proteasome Inhibitor-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Cell Death in PC12 Cells

The addition of rotenone (inhibitor of respiratory complex I), 3-nitropropionic acid (complex II inhibitor), harmine (inhibitor of complexes I and II) and cyclosporin A (CsA, an inhibitor of the mitochondrial permeability transition) reduced the nuclear damage, loss in the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, cytosolic accumulation of cytochrome c, activation of caspase-3, increase in the formation of reactive oxygen species and depletion of GSH in differentiated PC12 cells treated with MG132, a proteasome inhibitor. Meanwhile, rotenone, 3-nitropropionic acid and harmine did not affect the inhibitory effect of CsA or trifluoperazine (an inhibitor of the mitochondrial permeability transition and calmodulin antagonist) on the cytotoxicity of MG132. The results suggest that proteasome inhibition-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and cell injury may be attenuated by the inhibitions of respiratory chain complex I and II. The cytoprotective effect of the mitochondrial permeability transition prevention not appears to be modulated by respiratory complex inhibition.     

Carvedilol inhibits mitochondrial complex I and induces resistance to H2O2-mediated oxidative insult in H9C2 myocardial cells

Carvedilol, a β-adrenoreceptor antagonist with strong antioxidant activity, produces a high degree of cardioprotection in a variety of experimental models of ischemic cardiac injury. Although growing evidences suggest specific effects on mitochondrial metabolism, how carvedilol would exert its overall activity has not been completely disclosed. In the present work we have investigated the impact of carvedilol-treatment on mitochondrial bioenergetic functions and ROS metabolism in H9C2 cells. This analysis has revealed a dose-dependent decrease in respiratory fluxes by NAD-dependent substrates associated with a consistent decline of mitochondrial complex I activity. These changes were associated with an increase in mitochondrial H₂O₂ production, total glutathione and protein thiols content. To evaluate the antioxidant activity of carvedilol, the effect of the exposure of control and carvedilol-pretreated H9C2 cells to H₂O₂ were investigated. The H₂O₂-mediated oxidative insult resulted in a significant decrease of mitochondrial respiration, glutathione and protein thiol content and in an increased level of GSSG. These changes were prevented by carvedilol-pretreatment. A similar protective effect on mitochondrial respiration could be obtained by pre-treatment of the cells with a sub-saturating amount of rotenone, a complex I inhibitor.We therefore suggest that carvedilol exerts its protective antioxidant action both by a direct antioxidant effect and by a preconditioning-like mechanism, via inhibition of mitochondrial complex I.     

Mitochondrial bioenergetic alterations in mouse neuroblastoma cells infected with Sindbis virus: implications to viral replication and neuronal death

The metabolic resources crucial for viral replication are provided by the host. Details of the mechanisms by which viruses interact with host metabolism, altering and recruiting high free-energy molecules for their own replication, remain unknown. Sindbis virus, the prototype of and most widespread alphavirus, causes outbreaks of arthritis in humans and serves as a model for the study of the pathogenesis of neurological diseases induced by alphaviruses in mice. In this work, respirometric analysis was used to evaluate the effects of Sindbis virus infection on mitochondrial bioenergetics of a mouse neuroblastoma cell lineage, Neuro 2a. The modulation of mitochondrial functions affected cellular ATP content and this was synchronous with Sindbis virus replication cycle and cell death. At 15 h, irrespective of effects on cell viability, viral replication induced a decrease in oxygen consumption uncoupled to ATP synthesis and a 36% decrease in maximum uncoupled respiration, which led to an increase of 30% in the fraction of oxygen consumption used for ATP synthesis. Decreased proton leak associated to complex I respiration contributed to the apparent improvement of mitochondrial function. Cellular ATP content was not affected by infection. After 24 h, mitochondria dysfunction was clearly observed as maximum uncoupled respiration reduced 65%, along with a decrease in the fraction of oxygen consumption used for ATP synthesis. Suppressed respiration driven by complexes I- and II-related substrates seemed to play a role in mitochondrial dysfunction. Despite the increase in glucose uptake and glycolytic flux, these changes were followed by a 30% decrease in ATP content and neuronal death. Taken together, mitochondrial bioenergetics is modulated during Sindbis virus infection in such a way as to favor ATP synthesis required to support active viral replication. These early changes in metabolism of Neuro 2a cells may form the molecular basis of neuronal dysfunction and Sindbis virus-induced encephalitis.     

Carvedilol inhibits mitochondrial complex I and induces resistance to H2O2 -mediated oxidative insult in H9C2 myocardial cells

Carvedilol, a beta-adrenoreceptor antagonist with strong antioxidant activity, produces a high degree of cardioprotection in a variety of experimental models of ischemic cardiac injury. Although growing evidences suggest specific effects on mitochondrial metabolism, how carvedilol would exert its overall activity has not been completely disclosed. In the present work we have investigated the impact of carvedilol-treatment on mitochondrial bioenergetic functions and ROS metabolism in H9C2 cells. This analysis has revealed a dose-dependent decrease in respiratory fluxes by NAD-dependent substrates associated with a consistent decline of mitochondrial complex I activity. These changes were associated with an increase in mitochondrial H(2)O(2) production, total glutathione and protein thiols content. To evaluate the antioxidant activity of carvedilol, the effect of the exposure of control and carvedilol-pretreated H9C2 cells to H(2)O(2) were investigated. The H(2)O(2)-mediated oxidative insult resulted in a significant decrease of mitochondrial respiration, glutathione and protein thiol content and in an increased level of GSSG. These changes were prevented by carvedilol-pretreatment. A similar protective effect on mitochondrial respiration could be obtained by pre-treatment of the cells with a sub-saturating amount of rotenone, a complex I inhibitor. We therefore suggest that carvedilol exerts its protective antioxidant action both by a direct antioxidant effect and by a preconditioning-like mechanism, via inhibition of mitochondrial complex I.     

Glycolytic enzymes associate dynamically with mitochondria in response to respiratory demand and support substrate channeling

In Arabidopsis thaliana, enzymes of glycolysis are present on the surface of mitochondria and free in the cytosol. The functional significance of this dual localization has now been established by demonstrating that the extent of mitochondrial association is dependent on respiration rate in both Arabidopsis cells and potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers. Thus, inhibition of respiration with KCN led to a proportional decrease in the degree of association, whereas stimulation of respiration by uncoupling, tissue ageing, or overexpression of invertase led to increased mitochondrial association. In all treatments, the total activity of the glycolytic enzymes in the cell was unaltered, indicating that the existing pools of each enzyme repartitioned between the cytosol and the mitochondria. Isotope dilution experiments on isolated mitochondria, using (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to monitor the impact of unlabeled glycolytic intermediates on the production of downstream intermediates derived from (13)C-labeled precursors, provided direct evidence for the occurrence of variable levels of substrate channeling. Pull-down experiments suggest that interaction with the outer mitochondrial membrane protein, VDAC, anchors glycolytic enzymes to the mitochondrial surface. It appears that glycolytic enzymes associate dynamically with mitochondria to support respiration and that substrate channeling restricts the use of intermediates by competing metabolic pathways.     

鱼藤酮诱导线粒体轻度损伤细胞氧化应激时硫氧还蛋白转录水平降低

观察鱼藤酮诱导的线粒体轻度损伤细胞氧化应激时硫氧还蛋白转录水平的变化,探讨细胞氧化损伤的可能机制。通过荧光素发光法检测ATP生成、细胞内活性氧(ROS)水平的变化,流式细胞术检测线粒体膜电位,了解低剂量鱼藤酮对线粒体功能的影响;继而用H2O2诱导细胞氧化损伤,MTT法检测细胞活性,观察正常及线粒体缺陷细胞氧化应激时,胞内硫氧还蛋白(Trx)mRNA水平的变化。结果表明,鱼藤酮以剂量依赖方式抑制线粒体ATP的产生、降低线粒体膜电位,而细胞内ROS水平增高;当线粒体损伤细胞氧化应激时胞内Trx mRNA水平降低,提示鱼藤酮诱导线粒体轻度损伤细胞抗氧化能力降低与Trx转录受到抑制有关。     

Distinct mechanisms of neurodegeneration induced by chronic complex I inhibition in dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic cells

Chronic mitochondrial dysfunction, in particular of complex I, has been strongly implicated in the dopaminergic neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease. To elucidate the mechanisms of chronic complex I disruption-induced neurodegeneration, we induced differentiation of immortalized midbrain dopaminergic (MN9D) and non-dopaminergic (MN9X) neuronal cells, to maintain them in culture without significant cell proliferation and compared their survivals following chronic exposure to nanomolar rotenone, an irreversible complex I inhibitor. Rotenone killed more dopaminergic MN9D cells than non-dopaminergic MN9X cells. Oxidative stress played an important role in rotenone-induced neurodegeneration of MN9X cells, but not MN9D cells: rotenone oxidatively modified proteins more in MN9X cells than in MN9D cells and antioxidants decreased rotenone toxicity only in MN9X cells. MN9X cells were also more sensitive to exogenous oxidants than MN9D cells. In contrast, disruption of bioenergetics played a more important role in MN9D cells: rotenone decreased mitochondrial membrane protential and ATP levels in MN9D cells more than in MN9X cells. Supplementation of cellular energy with a ketone body, D-beta-hydroxybutyrate, decreased rotenone toxicity in MN9D cells, but not in MN9X cells. MN9D cells were also more susceptible to disruption of oxidative phosphorylation or glycolysis than MN9X cells. These findings indicate that, during chronic rotenone exposure, MN9D cells die primarily through mitochondrial energy disruption, whereas MN9X cells die primarily via oxidative stress. Thus, intrinsic properties of individual cell types play important roles in determining the predominant mechanism of complex I inhibition-induced neurodegeneration.     

Ca2+-induced oxidative stress in brain mitochondria treated with the respiratory chain inhibitor rotenone

In this study we show that micromolar Ca(2+) concentrations (>10 microM) strongly stimulate the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in rotenone-treated isolated rat forebrain mitochondria. Ca(2+)-stimulated mitochondrial ROS release was associated with membrane lipid peroxidation and was directly correlated with the degree of complex I inhibition by rotenone. On the other hand, Ca(2+) did not increase mitochondrial ROS release in the presence of the complex I inhibitor 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium. Cyclosporin A had no effect on Ca(2+)-stimulated mitochondrial ROS release in the presence of rotenone, indicating that mitochondrial permeability transition is not involved in this process. We hypothesized that Ca(2+)-induced mitochondrial oxidative stress associated with partial inhibition of complex I may be an important factor in neuronal cell death observed in the neurodegenerative disorder Parkinson's disease.