Proton Pumping of Mitochondrial Complex I: Differential Activation by Analogs of Ubiquinone

As part of the ongoing studies aimed at elucidating the mechanism of the energy conserving function of mitochondrial complex I, NADH: ubiquinone (Q) reductase, we have investigated how short-chain Q analogs activate the proton pumping function of this complex. Using a pH-sensitive fluorescent dye we have monitored both the extent and initial velocity of proton pumping of complex I in submitochondrial particles. The results are consistent with two sites of interaction of Q analogs with complex I, each having different proton pumping capacity. One is the physiological site which leads to a rapid proton pumping and a stoichiometric consumption of NADH associated with the reduction of the most hydrophobic Q analogs. Of these, heptyl-Q appears to be the most efficient substrate in the assay of proton pumping. Q analogs with a short-chain of less than six carbons interact with a second site which drives a slow proton pumping activity associated with NADH oxidation that is overstoichiometric to the reduced quinone acceptor. This activity is also nonphysiological, since hydrophilic Q analogs show little or no respiratory control ratio of their NADH:Q reductase activity, contrary to hydrophobic Q analogs.     

Mitochondrial complex I: new insights from inhibitor assays

Summary The NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) of the mitochondrial respiratory chain is by far the most complicated of the proton-translocating enzymes involved in the oxidative phosphorylation. Many clues regarding both electron transfer and proton translocation are still unknown. In this sense, inhibitor assays are relevant and useful pieces for elaborating a suitable model to explain the elusive bioenergetic mechanism of this enzyme. This short review presents the most recent advances in inhibitor studies and highlights the major controversies.Abbreviations ACG annonaceous acetogenin - MPP⁺ methylphenyl-pyridinium     

Effects of Decreasing Mitochondrial Volume on the Regulation of the Permeability Transition Pore

The permeability transition pore (PTP) is a Ca²⁺-sensitive mitochondrial inner membrane channel involved in several models of cell death. Because the matrix concentration of PTP regulatory factors depends on matrix volume, we have investigated the role of the mitochondrial volume in PTP regulation. By incubating rat liver mitochondria in media of different osmolarity, we found that the Ca²⁺ threshold required for PTP opening dramatically increased when mitochondrial volume decreased relative to the standard condition. This shrinkage-induced PTP inhibition was not related to the observed changes in protonmotive force, or pyridine nucleotide redox state and persisted when mitochondria were depleted of adenine nucleotides. On the other hand, mitochondrial volume did not affect PTP regulation when mitochondria were depleted of Mg²⁺. By studying the effects of Mg²⁺, cyclosporin A (CsA) and ubiquinone 0 (Ub₀) on PTP regulation, we found that mitochondrial shrinkage increased the efficacy of Mg²⁺ and Ub₀ at PTP inhibition, whereas it decreased that of CsA. The ability of mitochondrial volume to alter the activity of several PTP regulators represents a hitherto unrecognized characteristic of the pore that might lead to a new approach for its pharmacological modulation.     

Probing the Ubiquinone Reduction Site in Bovine Mitochondrial Complex I Using a Series of Synthetic Ubiquinones and Inhibitors

Studies of the structure–activity relationships of ubiquinones and specific inhibitors are helpful to probe the structural and functional features of the ubiquinone reduction site of bovine heart mitochondrial complex I. Bulky exogenous short-chain ubiquinones serve as sufficient electron acceptors from the physiological ubiquinone reduction site of bovine complex I. This feature is in marked contrast to other respiratory enzymes such as mitochondrial complexes II and III. For various complex I inhibitors, including the most potent inhibitors, acetogenins, the essential structural factors that markedly affect the inhibitory potency are not necessarily obvious. Thus, the loose recognition by the enzyme of substrate and inhibitor structures may reflect the large cavitylike structure of the ubiquinone (or inhibitor) binding domain in the enzyme. On the other hand, several phenomena are difficult to explain by a simple one-catalytic site model for ubiquinone.     

鱼藤酮帕金森大鼠呼吸链复合酶Ⅰ、Ⅳ的改变

目的研究鱼藤酮帕金森模型大鼠呼吸链复合酶Ⅰ、Ⅳ的变化。方法雄性Wistar大鼠每日颈背部皮下注射鱼藤酮葵花油乳化液2 mg/（kg.d）连续3～5周制备鱼藤酮帕金森模型大鼠;按行为学评分标准记分。模型动物分成高分组、低分组、模型4周组。分光光度法测定呼吸链复合酶Ⅰ、Ⅳ。结果模型低分组肌肉呼吸链复合酶Ⅰ受到明显抑制,停给鱼藤酮4周后肌肉和黑质呼吸链复合酶Ⅰ显著低于正常。而模型高分组肌肉呼吸链复合酶Ⅰ升高,模型各组肌肉呼吸链复合酶Ⅳ均见升高,但黑质未见升高。结论鱼藤酮帕金森模型大鼠肌肉和黑质呼吸链复合酶Ⅰ明显抑制。肌肉见呼吸链复合酶Ⅳ代偿性升高而黑质未见。     

On the Role of the Respiratory Complex I on Membrane Permeability Transition

In this work we studied permeability transition by incubating mitochondria in the presence of 50 M Ca²⁺ and malate/glutamate as substrates. This condition, besides inducing the release of pyridine nucleotides, promotes the generation of reactive oxygen-derived species by the complex I of the respiratory chain. The latter leads to the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. Ca²⁺ release, mitochondrial swelling and collapse of the transmembrane electric potential, were analyzed to assess this process. We propose that the mechanism for pore opening, in addition to the oxidative stress, involves the uncoupling effect of fatty acids providing activation of phospholipase A2, lipid peroxidation, and the oxidation of membrane thiols. This proposal emerges from the data indicating the protective effect of bovine serum albumin and N-ethylmaleimide. The key role of reactive oxygen species was implied based on the fact that the scavenger -phenyl-tert-butyl nitrone inhibited pore opening.     

Role of the Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore in Apoptosis

Mitochondrial permeability transition (PT) involves the formation of proteaceous, regulated pores, probably by apposition of inner and outer mitochondrial membrane proteins which cooperate to form the mitochondrial megachannel (=mitochondrial PT pore). PT has important metabolic consequences, namely the collapse of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, uncoupling of the respiratory chain, hyperproduction of superoxide anions, disruption of mitochondrial biogenesis, outflow of matrix calcium and glutathione, and release of soluble intermembrane proteins. Recent evidence suggests that PT is a critical, rate limiting event of apoptosis (programmed cell death): (i) induction of PT suffices to cause apoptosis; (ii) one of the immediate consequences of PT, disruption of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (_m), is a constant feature of early apoptosis; (iii) prevention of PT impedes the _m collapse as well as all other features of apoptosis at the levels of the cytoplasma, the nucleus, and the plasma membrane; (iv) PT is modulated by members of the apoptosis-regulatory bcl-2 gene family. Recent data suggest that the acquisition of the apoptotic phenotype, including characteristic changes in nuclear morphology and biochemistry (chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation), depends on the action of apoptogenic proteins released from the mitochondrial intermembrane space.     

On Complex I and Other NADH:Ubiquinone Reductases of Neurospora crassa Mitochondria

The mitochondrial complex I is the first component of the respiratory chain coupling electron transfer from NADH to ubiquinone to proton translocation across the inner membrane of the organelle. The enzyme from the fungus Neurospora crassa is similar to that of other organisms in terms of protein and prosthetic group composition, structure, and function. It contains a high number of polypeptide subunits of dual genetic origin. Most of its subunits were cloned, including those binding redox groups. Extensive gene disruption experiments were conducted, revealing many aspects of the structure, function, and biogenesis of complex I. Complex I is essential for the sexual phase of the life cycle of N. crassa, but not for the asexual stage. In addition to complex I, the fungal mitochondria contain at least three nonproton-pumping alternative NAD(P)H dehydrogenases feeding electrons to the respiratory chain from either matrix or cytosolic substrates.     

Gating of the Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore by Long Chain Fatty Acyl Analogs in Vivo

The role played by long chain fatty acids (LCFA) in promoting energy expenditure is confounded by their dual function as substrates for oxidation and as putative classic uncouplers of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. LCFA analogs of the MEDICA (MEthyl-substituted DICarboxylic Acids) series are neither esterified into lipids nor β-oxidized and may thus simulate the uncoupling activity of natural LCFA in vivo, independently of their substrate role. Treatment of rats or cell lines with MEDICA analogs results in low conductance gating of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP), with 10–40% decrease in the inner mitochondrial membrane potential. PTP gating by MEDICA analogs is accounted for by inhibition of Raf1 expression and kinase activity, resulting in suppression of the MAPK/RSK1 and the adenylate cyclase/PKA transduction pathways. Suppression of RSK1 and PKA results in a decrease in phosphorylation of their respective downstream targets, Bad(Ser-112) and Bad(Ser-155). Decrease in Bad(Ser-112, Ser-155) phosphorylation results in increased binding of Bad to mitochondrial Bcl2 with concomitant displacement of Bax, followed by PTP gating induced by free mitochondrial Bax. Low conductance PTP gating by LCFA/MEDICA may account for their thyromimetic calorigenic activity in vivo.     

Normal Mitochondrial Genome in Brain from Patients with Parkinson''s Disease and Complex I Defect

The mitochondrial genome codes for 13 proteins which are located in the respiratory chain. In postmortem brain of patients with Parkinson's disease, decreased activity of complex I of the respiratory chain could be demonstrated. Because seven subunits of complex I are coded by the mitochondrial genome, we analyzed the mitochondrial DNA of human postmortem substantia nigra, putamen, and frontal cortex by the Southern blot technique. No deletions of the mitochondrial genome could be demonstrated, thus indicating that either subunits which are encoded by the nuclear genome are decreased or enzyme activity is diminished by metabolites, toxins, or increase of Fe3+.     

Absence of Complex I Implicates Rearrangement of the Respiratory Chain in European Mistletoe

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线粒体通透性转换孔在缺血预处理脑保护中的作用及机制

目的：线粒体通透性转换孔通透性改变是导致缺血再灌注损伤的原因,线粒体功能的致命性改变最终引起细胞凋亡,本研究旨在观察线粒体通透性转换孔（mitochondrial permeability transition pore,MPTP）在缺血再灌注及缺血预处理脑保护中的作用;方法：将体外培养8天的海马神经元细胞分为五组,正常对照组（A组）,缺血再灌注组（B组）,缺血预处理＋缺血再灌注组（C组）,苍术苷＋缺血再灌注组（D组）,缺血预处理＋苍术苷＋缺血再灌注组（E组）。使用流式细胞术检测各组细胞凋亡率,罗丹明123染色流式细胞术检测线粒体膜电位,Western-blot检测Bcl-2,Bax的表达。结果：与A组比较,其余四组线粒体膜电位均降低,神经元凋亡率升高（P〈0．05）;与B组比较,c组线粒体膜电位升高,神经元凋亡率升高,Bcl-2表达上调,Bax表达下调（P〈0．05）;与c组比较,E组粒体膜电位降低,神经元凋亡率升高,Bcl．2表达下调,Bax表达上调（P〈0．05）。结论：我们在细胞及分子生物学水平对MPTP及缺血预处理的研究后发现,缺血预处理能有效减轻海马神经元缺血再灌注损伤,抑制缺血再灌注后神经细胞凋亡,其机制与抑制MPTP的开放有关。     

Modulation of the Permeability Transition Pore by Inhibition of the Mitochondrial KATP Channel in Liver vs. Brain Mitochondria

Inhibition of the mitochondrial K_ATP (mitoK_ATP) channel abrogates the beneficial effects of preconditioning induced by a brief episode of sublethal ischemia. We studied the effect of 5-hydroxydecanoate, a well-known inhibitor of the mitoK_ATP channel, on swelling of isolated liver and brain mitochondria. Volume changes were determined by measurement of light absorbance at 540 nm. Mitochondrial swelling induced by adding Ca²⁺ ions correlated with opening of the permeability transition pore as shown by modulation by 1 μM cyclosporin A. In brain mitochondria, 5-hydroxydecanoate did not significantly affect Ca²⁺-induced swelling. In contrast, 50 or 500 μM 5-hydroxydecanoate increased swelling of liver mitochondria by 9.7 ± 5.1% (n = 6, P = 0.057) and 29.4 ± 1.4% (n = 5, P < 0.0001), respectively. The effect of 5-hydroxydecanoate was blocked by cyclosporin A and was dependent on the presence of potassium in the medium. In medium containing 200 μM ATP to inhibit the mitoK_ATP channel, 5–hydroxydecanoate did not further increase Ca²⁺-induced swelling. We conclude that inhibition of the mitoK_ATP channel exerts its detrimental effect by facilitation of permeability transition pore opening.     

Supernumerary subunits NDUFA3, NDUFA5 and NDUFA12 are required for the formation of the extramembrane arm of human mitochondrial complex I

Mammalian complex I is composed of fourteen highly conserved core subunits and additional thirty subunits acquired in the course of evolution. At present, the function of the majority of these supernumerary subunits is poorly understood. In this work, we have studied NDUFA3, NDUFA5 and NDUFA12 supernumerary subunits to gain insight into their role in CI activity and biogenesis. Using human cell lines in which the expression of these subunits was knocked down with miRNAs, we showed that they are necessary for the formation of a functional holoenzyme. Analysis of the assembly intermediates in mitochondria depleted for these subunits further suggested that they are required for assembly and/or stability of the electron transferring Q module in the peripheral arm of the CI.     

Nature of Inhibition of Mitochondrial Respiratory Complex I by 6-Hydroxydopamine

Abstract: The catecholaminergic neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine causes parkinsonian symptoms in animals and it has been proposed that reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress, enhanced by iron, may play a key role in its toxicity. The present results demonstrate that 6-hydroxydopamine reversibly inhibits complex I (NADH dehydrogenase) of brain mitochondrial respiratory chain in isolated mitochondria. 6-Hydroxydopamine itself, rather than its oxidative products, was responsible for the inhibition. Iron(III) did not enhance inhibition but decreased it by stimulating the nonenzyme oxidation of 6-hydroxydopamine. Inhibition was potentiated to some extent by calcium ion. Desferrioxamine protected complex I activity against the inhibition, but it was not due to its chelator or antioxidative properties. Desferrioxamine was also shown to activate NADH dehydrogenase in the absence of 6-hydroxydopamine. Activation of mitochondrial respiration by desferrioxamine may contribute to the enhanced neuron survival in the presence of desferrioxamine in some neurodegenerative conditions.     

Apoptosis-inducing Factor (AIF) and Its Family Member Protein,AMID, Are Rotenone-sensitive NADH:Ubiquinone Oxidoreductases (NDH-2)

Apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) and AMID (AIF-homologous mitochondrion-associated inducer of death) are flavoproteins. Although AIF was originally discovered as a caspase-independent cell death effector, bioenergetic roles of AIF, particularly relating to complex I functions, have since emerged. However, the role of AIF in mitochondrial respiration and redox metabolism has remained unknown. Here, we investigated the redox properties of human AIF and AMID by comparing them with yeast Ndi1, a type 2 NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (NDH-2) regarded as alternative complex I. Isolated AIF and AMID containing naturally incorporated FAD displayed no NADH oxidase activities. However, after reconstituting isolated AIF or AMID into bacterial or mitochondrial membranes, N-terminally tagged AIF and AMID displayed substantial NADH:O₂ activities and supported NADH-linked proton pumping activities in the host membranes almost as efficiently as Ndi1. NADH:ubiquinone-1 activities in the reconstituted membranes were highly sensitive to 2-n-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide (IC₅₀ = ∼1 μm), a quinone-binding inhibitor. Overexpressing N-terminally tagged AIF and AMID enhanced the growth of a double knock-out Escherichia coli strain lacking complex I and NDH-2. In contrast, C-terminally tagged AIF and NADH-binding site mutants of N-terminally tagged AIF and AMID failed to show both NADH:O₂ activity and the growth-enhancing effect. The disease mutant AIFΔR201 showed decreased NADH:O₂ activity and growth-enhancing effect. Furthermore, we surprisingly found that the redox activities of N-terminally tagged AIF and AMID were sensitive to rotenone, a well known complex I inhibitor. We propose that AIF and AMID are previously unidentified mammalian NDH-2 enzymes, whose bioenergetic function could be supplemental NADH oxidation in cells.     

Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species by Mitochondrial Complex I: Implications in Neurodegeneration

Mitochondrial Complex I [NADH Coenzyme Q (CoQ) oxidoreductase] is the least understood of respiratory complexes. In this review we emphasize some novel findings on this enzyme that are of relevance to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Besides CoQ, also oxygen may be an electron acceptor from the enzyme, with generation of superoxide radical in the mitochondrial matrix. The site of superoxide generation is debated: we present evidence based on the rational use of several inhibitors that the one-electron donor to oxygen is an iron-sulphur cluster, presumably N2. On this assumption we present a novel mechanism of electron transfer to the acceptor, CoQ. Complex I is deeply involved in pathological changes, including neurodegeneration. Complex I changes are involved in common neurological diseases of the adult and old ages. Mitochondrial cytopathies due to mutations of either nuclear or mitochondrial DNA may represent a useful model of neurodegeneration. In this review we discuss Parkinson’s disease, where the pathogenic involvement of Complex I is better understood; the accumulated evidence on the mode of action of Complex I inhibitors and their effect on oxygen radical generation is discussed in terms of the aetiology and pathogenesis of the disease. Special issue article in honor of Dr. Anna Maria Giuffrida-Stella.     

Generation of superoxide-radical by the NADH: Ubiquinone oxidoreductase of heart mitochondria

Besides major NADH-, succinate-, and other substrate oxidase reactions resulting in four-electron reduction of oxygen to water, the mitochondrial respiratory chain catalyzes one-electron reduction of oxygen to superoxide radical followed by formation of hydrogen peroxide. In this paper the superoxide generation by Complex I in tightly coupled bovine heart submitochondrial particles is quantitatively characterized.The rate of superoxide formation during -controlled respiration with succinate depends linearly on oxygen concentration and contributes approximately 0.4% of the overall oxidase activity at saturating (0.25 mM) oxygen. The major part of one-electron oxygen reduction during succinate oxidation (80%) proceeds via Complex I at the expense of its -dependent reduction (reverse electron transfer). At saturating NADH the rate of formation is substantially smaller than that with succinate as the substrate. In contrast to NADH oxidase,the rate-substrate concentration dependence for the superoxide production shows a maximum at low (50 µM)concentrations of NADH. NAD⁺ and NADH inhibit the succinate-supported superoxide generation. Deactivation of Complex I results in almost complete loss of its NADH-ubiquinone reductase activity and in increase in NADH-dependent superoxide generation. A model is proposed according to which complex I has two redox active nucleotide binding sites.One site (F) serves as an entry for the NADH oxidation and the other one (R) serves as an exit during either the succinate-supported NAD⁺ reduction or superoxide generation or NADH-ferricyanide reductase reaction.Translated from Biokhimiya, Vol. 70, No. 2, 2005, pp. 150–159.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Vinogradov, Grivennikova.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with corrections to the post codes.