Generation of superoxide anion by mitochondria and impairment of their functions during anoxia and reoxygenation in vitro

A small portion of the oxygen consumed by aerobic cells is converted to superoxide anion at the level of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. If produced in excess, this harmful radical is considered to impair cellular structures and functions. Damage at the level of mitochondria have been reported after ischemia and reperfusion of organs. However, the complexity of the in vivo system prevents from understanding and describing precise mechanisms and locations of mitochondrial impairment. An in vitro model of isolated-mitochondria anoxia-reoxygenation is used to investigate superoxide anion generation together with specific damage at the level of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Superoxide anion is detected by electron paramagnetic resonance spin trapping with POBN-ethanol. Mitochondrial respiratory parameters are calculated from oxygen consumption traces recorded with a Clark electrode. Respiring mitochondria produce superoxide anion in unstressed conditions, however, the production is raised during postanoxic reoxygenation. Several respiratory parameters are impaired after reoxygenation, as shown by decreases of phosphorylating and uncoupled respiration rates and of ADP/O ratio and by increase of resting respiration. Partial protection of mitochondrial function by POBN suggests that functional damage is related and secondary to superoxide anion production by the mitochondria in vitro.     

Ascorbate reduces superoxide production and improves mitochondrial respiratory chain function in human fibroblasts with electron transport chain deficiencies

The present paper attempts to ascertain the role of ascorbate on the generation of superoxide radicals in skin fibroblasts of patients with deficiency of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes. Fibroblast cell lines were grown with or without ascorbate for the last 48 h of their growth period. The amount of superoxide radical production in cells was measured by the reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium and the activities of respiratory chain enzymes were examined in isolated fibroblast mitochondria. The results indicated a significant inverse correlation between the amount of superoxide radicals and the specific activities of complexes I-III and II-III of the respiratory chain. The ascorbate treatment of fibroblasts from control subjects did not show any effect on either superoxide radical production or respiratory chain enzymes' activities. While in patient's fibroblasts, this vitamin significantly decreased the superoxide radicals and increased the specific activities of I-III and II-III complexes but not complex IV. These observations indicate that superoxide radicals are increased in patients with deficient respiratory chain enzymes in their fibroblasts and ascorbate can prevent the loss of these enzymes by acting on the selected sites in the respiratory chain, which are related to the production of free radicals.     

The effect of phosphate deficiency on mitochondrial activity and adenylate levels in bean roots

Bean plants ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) were grown for 16–20 days with or without phosphate in Knop nutrient medium. It was found in previous experiments that for roots grown on a P_i-deficient medium respiration is mainly carried out by the cyanide-insensitive pathway. Mitochondria isolated from—P_i, roots had poor respiratory control and their respiration exhibited 62% inhibition by cyanide and was inhibited (30%) by salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM). In contrast, mitochondria obtained with control (+P_i) roots had respiratory control and ADP/O ratios typical for succinate as the substrate; their respiration was inhibited to 95% by cyanide and insensitive to SHAM. The integrity of mitochondrial membranes was similar in both types of mitochondria. Cytochrome oxidase activity, however, was about 20% lower in -P_i mitochondria, but the cytochrome composition was the same in both types of mitochondria. The cytochrorae pathway was not operating at full capacity in mitochondria isolated from—P_i roots but the alternative oxidation pathway participated in a great part in mitochondrial respiration, similar to in vivo whole roots. The participation of the non-phosphorylating., alternative pathway decreased the respiratory control ratio in mitochondria and had an effect on the total adenine nucleotide pool and energy charge values which were lower (16 and 13% respectively) in -P_i roots. About 50% lower ADP and 20% lower ATP levels were observed whereas AMP levels were several times higher.     

Antioxidative defense to lead stress in subcellular compartments of pea root cells

Lead, similar to other heavy metals and abiotic factors, causes many unfavorable changes at the subcellular and molecular levels in plant cells. An increased level of superoxide anion in Pisum sativum root cells treated with 1 mM Pb(NO3)2 evidenced oxidative stress conditions. We found increased activities of enzymatic components of the antioxidative system (catalase and superoxide dismutase) in the cytosol, mitochondrial and peroxisomal fractions isolated from root cells of Pisum sativum grown in modified Hoagland medium in the presence of lead ions (0.5 or 1 mM). Two isoenzyme forms of superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD) found in different subcellular compartments of pea roots were more active in Pb-treated plants than in control. Increased amount of alternative oxidase accompanied by an increased activity of this enzyme was found in mitochondria isolated from lead-treated roots. These results show that plants storing excessive amounts of lead in roots defend themselves against the harmful oxidative stress caused by this heavy metal.     

Analysis of age-associated changes in mitochondrial free radical generation by rat testis

Throughout spermatogenesis, mitochondria undergo a morphological and functional differentiation. Mitochondria are involved in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), considered one of the mediators of ageing. Particularly, lipid peroxidation is regarded as a major phenomenon by which ROS can impair cellular function. In the present study, we examined the production of superoxide anion, superoxide dismutase activity and the effect of Fe²⁺/ascorbate induced-lipid peroxidation on the respiratory chain activities of testis mitochondria throughout the process of spermatogenesis and ageing. Mitochondria from rat testes generated superoxide anion, mainly using NADH as substrate, which increased according to age. The activity of SOD is age-dependent and greatly stimulated during the first wave of spermatogenesis, but decreases in adulthood and old age. TBARS concentration was also markedly increased by ageing. The activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes is differentially affected by oxidative stress induced by iron/ascorbate, succinate-dehydrogenase activity being less vulnerable than that of NADH-dehydrogenase and cytochrome c oxidase. The data suggest that ageing is accompanied by reduced activity of SOD, leading to excessive oxidative stress and enhanced lipid peroxidation that compromises the functionality of the electron transport chain. The data support the concept that mitochondrial function is an important determinant in ageing.     

Characterization of superoxide-producing sites in isolated brain mitochondria

Mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I and III have been shown to produce superoxide but the exact contribution and localization of individual sites have remained unclear. We approached this question investigating the effects of oxygen, substrates, inhibitors, and of the NAD+/NADH redox couple on H2O2 and superoxide production of isolated mitochondria from rat and human brain. Although rat brain mitochondria in the presence of glutamate+malate alone do generate only small amounts of H2O2 (0.04 +/- 0.02 nmol H2O2/min/mg), a substantial production is observed after the addition of the complex I inhibitor rotenone (0.68 +/- 0.25 nmol H2O2/min/mg) or in the presence of the respiratory substrate succinate alone (0.80 +/- 0.27 nmol H2O2/min/mg). The maximal rate of H2O2 generation by respiratory chain complex III observed in the presence of antimycin A was considerably lower (0.14 +/- 0.07 nmol H2O2/min/mg). Similar observations were made for mitochondria isolated from human parahippocampal gyrus. This is an indication that most of the superoxide radicals are produced at complex I and that high rates of production of reactive oxygen species are features of respiratory chain-inhibited mitochondria and of reversed electron flow, respectively. We determined the redox potential of the superoxide production site at complex I to be equal to -295 mV. This and the sensitivity to inhibitors suggest that the site of superoxide generation at complex I is most likely the flavine mononucleotide moiety. Because short-term incubation of rat brain mitochondria with H2O2 induced increased H2O2 production at this site we propose that reactive oxygen species can activate a self-accelerating vicious cycle causing mitochondrial damage and neuronal cell death.     

Analysis of the pathways of nitric oxide utilization in mitochondria

The regulatory role that mitochondria play in cell dysfunction and cell-death pathways involves the concept of a complex and multisite regulation of cellular respiration and energy production signaled by cellular and intercellular messengers. Hence, the role of nitric oxide, as a physiological regulator acting directly on the mitochondrial respiratory chain acquires further relevance. This article provides a survey of the major regulatory roles of nitric oxide on mitochondrial functions as an expression of two major metabolic pathways for nitric oxide consumption: a reductive pathway, involving mitochondrial ubiquinol and yielding nitroxyl anion and an oxidative pathway involving superoxide anion and yielding peroxynitrite. The modulation of the decay pathways for nitrogen-and oxygen-centered radicals is further analyzed as a function of the redox transitions of mitochondrial ubiquinol. The interplay among these redox processes and its implications for mitochondrial function is discussed in terms of the mitochondrial steady-state levels (and gradients) of nitric oxide and superoxide anion.     

Analysis of the pathways of nitric oxide utilization in mitochondria

The regulatory role that mitochondria play in cell dysfunction and cell-death pathways involves the concept of a complex and multisite regulation of cellular respiration and energy production signaled by cellular and intercellular messengers. Hence, the role of nitric oxide, as a physiological regulator acting directly on the mitochondrial respiratory chain acquires further relevance. This article provides a survey of the major regulatory roles of nitric oxide on mitochondrial functions as an expression of two major metabolic pathways for nitric oxide consumption: a reductive pathway, involving mitochondrial ubiquinol and yielding nitroxyl anion and an oxidative pathway involving superoxide anion and yielding peroxynitrite. The modulation of the decay pathways for nitrogen-and oxygen-centered radicals is further analyzed as a function of the redox transitions of mitochondrial ubiquinol. The interplay among these redox processes and its implications for mitochondrial function is discussed in terms of the mitochondrial steady-state levels (and gradients) of nitric oxide and superoxide anion.     

Production of superoxide anions in Paracoccus denitrificans

Like mitochondria, plasma membranes of the free-living bacterium Paracoccus denitrificans are able to produce superoxide ions. The production of superoxide ions was observed during the initial stages of electron transfer from the respiratory substrates to oxygen, even when the bacteria had been grown anaerobically on nitrate as oxidant. Generation of Superoxide anions was supported by NADH or succinate and occurred before the antimycin-sensitive site of the respiratory chain, presumably at the level of a low potential redox component. Superoxide anion formation was pH and substrate dependent; it was inhibited by cyanide and by exogenous superoxide dismutase.     

Complex I generated, mitochondrial matrix-directed superoxide is released from the mitochondria through voltage dependent anion channels

Mitochondrial complex I has previously been shown to release superoxide exclusively towards the mitochondrial matrix, whereas complex III releases superoxide to both the matrix and the cytosol. Superoxide produced at complex III has been shown to exit the mitochondria through voltage dependent anion channels (VDAC). To test whether complex I-derived, mitochondrial matrix-directed superoxide can be released to the cytosol, we measured superoxide generation in mitochondria isolated from wild type and from mice genetically altered to be deficient in MnSOD activity (TnIFastCreSod2(fl/fl)). Under experimental conditions that produce superoxide primarily by complex I (glutamate/malate plus rotenone, GM+R), MnSOD-deficient mitochondria release ～4-fold more superoxide than mitochondria isolated from wild type mice. Exogenous CuZnSOD completely abolished the EPR-derived GM+R signal in mitochondria isolated from both genotypes, evidence that confirms mitochondrial superoxide release. Addition of the VDAC inhibitor DIDS significantly reduced mitochondrial superoxide release (～75%) in mitochondria from either genotype respiring on GM+R. Conversely, inhibition of potential inner membrane sites of superoxide exit, including the matrix face of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore and the inner membrane anion channel did not reduce mitochondrial superoxide release in the presence of GM+R in mitochondria isolated from either genotype. These data support the concept that complex I-derived mitochondrial superoxide release does indeed occur and that the majority of this release occurs through VDACs.     

Hyperglycemic switch from mitochondrial nitric oxide to superoxide production in endothelial cells

The accumulated ultrastructural and biochemical evidence is highly suggestive of the existence of mitochondrial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (mtNOS), where local production of NO regulates the electron transport along the respiratory chain. Here, the functional competence of mtNOS in situ in a living cell was examined using an intravital fluorescent NO indicator, 4,5-diaminofluorescein, employing a new procedure for loading it into the mitochondria to demonstrate local NO generation in undisrupted endothelial cells and in isolated mitochondria as well as in human embryonic kidney cells stably expressing endothelial NOS. With the use of this approach, we showed that endothelial cells incubated in the presence of high concentration of D-glucose (but not L-glucose) are characterized by the reduced NO synthetic function of mitochondria despite the unaltered abundance of the enzyme. In parallel, mitochondrial generation of superoxide was augmented in endothelial cells incubated in the presence of a high concentration of D-glucose. Both the NO generation and superoxide production in hyperglycemic environment could be restored to control levels by treating cells with a cell-permeable superoxide dismutase mimetic. In addition, enhanced mitochondrial superoxide production could be suppressed with an inhibitor of NOS in stimulated endothelial cells. In conclusion, the data 1) provide direct evidence of mitochondrial NO production in endothelial cells, 2) demonstrate its suppression and enhanced superoxide generation in hyperglycemic environment, and 3) provide evidence that "uncoupled" mtNOS represents an important source of superoxide anions in endothelial cells incubated in high glucose-containing medium.     

Changes of Respiratory Chain Activity in Mitochondrial and Synaptosomal Fractions Isolated from the Gerbil Brain After Graded Ischaemia

Abstract: In this study we have examined (1) the integrated function of the mitochondrial respiratory chain by polarographic measurements and (2) the activities of the respiratory chain complexes I, II–III, and IV as well as the ATP synthase (complex V) in free mitochondria and synaptosomes isolated from gerbil brain, after a 30-min period of graded cerebral ischaemia. These data have been correlated with cerebral blood flow (CBF) values as measured by the hydrogen clearance technique. Integrated functioning of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, using both NAD-linked and FAD-linked substrates, was initially affected at CBF values of ∼35 ml 100 g⁻¹ min⁻¹, and declined further as the CBF was reduced. The individual mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes, however, showed differences in sensitivity to graded cerebral ischaemia. Complex I activities decreased sharply at blood flows below ∼30 ml 100 g⁻¹ min⁻¹ (mitochondria and synaptosomes) and complex II–III activities decreased at blood flows below 20 ml 100 g⁻¹ min⁻¹ (mitochondria) and 35–30 ml 100 g⁻¹ min⁻¹ (synaptosomes). Activities declined further as CBF was reduced below these levels. Complex V activity was significantly affected only when the blood flow was reduced below 15–10 ml 100 g⁻¹ min⁻¹ (mitochondria and synaptosomes). In contrast, complex IV activity was unaffected by graded cerebral ischaemia, even at very low CBF levels.     

Selective superoxide generation within mitochondria by the targeted redox cycler MitoParaquat

Superoxide is the proximal reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by the mitochondrial respiratory chain and plays a major role in pathological oxidative stress and redox signaling. While there are tools to detect or decrease mitochondrial superoxide, none can rapidly and specifically increase superoxide production within the mitochondrial matrix. This lack impedes progress, making it challenging to assess accurately the roles of mitochondrial superoxide in cells and in vivo. To address this unmet need, we synthesized and characterized a mitochondria-targeted redox cycler, MitoParaquat (MitoPQ) that comprises a triphenylphosphonium lipophilic cation conjugated to the redox cycler paraquat. MitoPQ accumulates selectively in the mitochondrial matrix driven by the membrane potential. Within the matrix, MitoPQ produces superoxide by redox cycling at the flavin site of complex I, selectively increasing superoxide production within mitochondria. MitoPQ increased mitochondrial superoxide in isolated mitochondria and cells in culture ~a thousand-fold more effectively than untargeted paraquat. MitoPQ was also more toxic than paraquat in the isolated perfused heart and in Drosophila in vivo. MitoPQ enables the selective generation of superoxide within mitochondria and is a useful tool to investigate the many roles of mitochondrial superoxide in pathology and redox signaling in cells and in vivo.     

CLA对急性缺氧大鼠肝脏线粒体呼吸链酶活性及氧化应激的影响

目的:观察共轭亚油酸(CLA)对急性缺氧大鼠肝脏线粒体呼吸链酶活性及肝脏内氧化应激(OS)的影响。方法:将60只SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组,模拟海拔5000米高原环境连续缺氧暴露3d的急性缺氧组,急性缺氧CLA干预组。生化法测定肝脏组织中丙二醛(MDA)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性,Clark氧电极法观察大鼠肝脏线粒体呼吸链酶活性。结果:成功诱导大鼠急性缺氧模型。与对照组比,急性缺氧组大鼠肝脏MDA含量明显升高(P<0.05),同时肝脏线粒体呼吸链酶活性以及抗氧化酶活性(SOD,CAT)及GSH显著降低(P<0.05),与急性缺氧相比,CLA治疗组大鼠以上各项指标均有改善,并存在一定的剂量效应关系。结论:CLA通过抑制氧化应激增强大鼠肝脏线粒体呼吸链酶活性改善了急性缺氧大鼠肝脏的能量代谢障碍,对急性缺氧引起的氧化损伤有保护作用。     

Generation of free oxygen radicals in heart mitochondria: Effect of hypoxia-reoxygenation

The relationship between the rate of generation of superoxide radicals and the duration of hypoxia has been studied in isolated heart mitochondria with the use of the spin trap sodium 4,5dihydroxybenzene-1,3-disulfonate. The EPR spectra were recorded from a mitochondrial suspension placed in a gas-permeable capillary under conditions of regulated partial oxygen pressure. Earlier we have shown that the mitochondria isolated from perfused hearts after 30-min ischemia display a higher rate of superoxide generation than those from controls. However, in isolated mitochondria the EPR signal from 4,5-dihydroxybenzene-1,3-disulfonate increased already after 10-min hypoxia, but its intensity remained the same in the mitochondria subjected to 30-, 45-, and 60-min hypoxia. Thus, the isolated mitochondria in the incubation medium are less sensitive to hypoxia than the mitochondria from cardiomyocytes of an ischemic heart.     

Reduction of nifurtimox and nitrofurantoin to free radical metabolites by rat liver mitochondria. Evidence of an outer membrane-located nitroreductase

Nifurtimox and nitrofurantoin are reduced by intact rat liver mitochondria to nitro anion radicals whose autoxidation generates superoxide anion as detected by direct electron spin resonance spectroscopy and by spin-trapping experiments, respectively. Although nitroreduction occurred in the presence of respiratory substrates such as beta-hydroxybutyrate, malate-glutamate, succinate, or endogenous substrates, nitro anion radical formation activity was much greater on addition of exogenous reduced pyridine nucleotides. NAD(P)H generated from endogenous mitochondrial NAD(P)+ by intramitochondrial reactions could not be used for the NAD(P)H nitroreductase reactions unless the mitochondria were solubilized by detergent. In addition, NAD(P)H nitroreductase activity was detected in the crude mitochondrial outer membrane fraction, with a higher activity than in mitoplasts and intact mitochondria. These results provide direct evidence of a nitrofuran reductase activity associated with the mitochondrial outer membrane that is far more important than that of respiratory chain enzymes.     

Response of the ascorbate-glutathione cycle to re-aeration following hypoxia in lupine roots.

The response of the enzymes and metabolites of the ascorbate-glutathione pathway to oxidative stress caused by re-aeration following hypoxia was studied in roots of hydroponically grown lupine (Lupinus luteus L. cv. Juno) seedlings. Lupine roots were deprived of oxygen by subjecting them to hypoxia for 48 and 72 h and then re-aerated for up to 4 h. An increased content of total ascorbate was observed in lupine roots immediately after hypoxia, whereas total glutathione level decreased. However, a significant increase in the reduced forms of both metabolites was found directly after hypoxia. Re-admission of oxygen caused the decrease of the ratios of reduced to oxidized forms of ascorbate and glutathione, indicating oxidative stress. While monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR, EC 1.6.5.4) activity remained unaltered during re-aeration the increase in activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.11) and glutathione reductase (GR, EC 1.6.4.2) was observed 30 min after transfer from hypoxic condition. Dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR, EC 1.8.5.1) activity approached the control level during a whole re-aeration period. Native gel electrophoresis combined with specific activity staining revealed seven isoforms of APX, five isoforms of GR and three different proteins with DHA reductase activity in roots extracts. However, immediately after hypoxic treatment APX-5 isoform and GR-1 isoform were not observed in roots. This experimental system was also used to investigate superoxide anion level in roots utilizing the superoxide anion-specific indicator dihydroethidium (DHE). Intense DHE-derived fluorescence was found in re-aerated root tips as compared to control roots, indicating that re-aeration induced superoxide anion production in hypoxically pretreated roots.     

A defect in the cytochrome b large subunit in complex II causes both superoxide anion overproduction and abnormal energy metabolism in Caenorhabditis elegans

A mev-1(kn1) mutant of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is defective in the cytochrome b large subunit (Cyt-1/ceSDHC) in complex II of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. We have previously shown that a mutation in mev-1 causes shortened life span and rapid accumulation of aging markers such as fluorescent materials and protein carbonyls in an oxygen-dependent fashion. However, it remains unclear as to whether this hypersensitivity is caused by direct toxicity of the exogenous oxygen or by the damage of endogenous reactive oxygen species derived from mitochondria. Here we report important biochemical changes in mev-1 animals that serve to explain their abnormalities under normoxic conditions: (i) an overproduction of superoxide anion from mitochondria; and (ii) a reciprocal reduction in glutathione content even under atmospheric oxygen. In addition, unlike wild type, the levels of superoxide anion production from mev-1 mitochondria were significantly elevated under hyperoxia. Under normal circumstances, it is well known that superoxide anion is produced at complexes I and III in the electron transport system. Our data suggest that the mev-1(kn1) mutation increases superoxide anion production at complex II itself rather than at complexes I and III. The mev-1 mutant also had a lactate level 2-fold higher than wild type, indicative of lactic acidosis, a hallmark of human mitochondrial diseases. These data indicate that Cyt-1/ceSDHC plays an important role not only in energy metabolism but also in superoxide anion production that is critically involved in sensitivity to atmospheric oxygen.