Mitochondrial ATP synthase inhibitory factor 1 interacts with the p53–cyclophilin D complex and promotes opening of the permeability transition pore

The mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP) is a Ca²⁺-dependent megachannel that plays an important role in mitochondrial physiology and cell fate. Cyclophilin D (CyPD) is a well-characterized PTP regulator, and its binding to the PTP favors pore opening. It has previously been shown that p53 physically interacts with CyPD and opens the PTP during necrosis. Accumulating studies also suggest that the F-ATP synthase contributes to the regulation and formation of the PTP. F-ATP synthase IF1 (mitochondrial ATP synthase inhibitory factor 1) is a natural inhibitor of F-ATP synthase activity; however, whether IF1 participates in the modulation of PTP opening is basically unknown. Here, we demonstrate using calcium retention capacity assay that IF1 overexpression promotes mitochondrial permeability transition via opening of the PTP. Intriguingly, we show that IF1 can interact with the p53–CyPD complex and facilitate cell death. We also demonstrate that the presence of IF1 is necessary for the formation of p53–CyPD complex. Therefore, we suggest that IF1 regulates the PTP via interaction with the p53–CyPD complex, and that IF1 is necessary for the inducing effect of p53–CyPD complex on PTP opening.     

Channel Formation by Yeast F-ATP Synthase and the Role of Dimerization in the Mitochondrial Permeability Transition

Purified F-ATP synthase dimers of yeast mitochondria display Ca²⁺-dependent channel activity with properties resembling those of the permeability transition pore (PTP) of mammals. After treatment with the Ca²⁺ ionophore ETH129, which allows electrophoretic Ca²⁺ uptake, isolated yeast mitochondria undergo inner membrane permeabilization due to PTP opening. Yeast mutant strains ΔTIM11 and ΔATP20 (lacking the e and g F-ATP synthase subunits, respectively, which are necessary for dimer formation) display a striking resistance to PTP opening. These results show that the yeast PTP originates from F-ATP synthase and indicate that dimerization is required for pore formation in situ.     

Cyclophilin D Modulates Mitochondrial F0F1-ATP Synthase by Interacting with the Lateral Stalk of the Complex

Blue native gel electrophoresis purification and immunoprecipitation of F₀F₁-ATP synthase from bovine heart mitochondria revealed that cyclophilin (CyP) D associates to the complex. Treatment of intact mitochondria with the membrane-permeable bifunctional reagent dimethyl 3,3-dithiobis-propionimidate (DTBP) cross-linked CyPD with the lateral stalk of ATP synthase, whereas no interactions with F₁ sector subunits, the ATP synthase natural inhibitor protein IF1, and the ATP/ADP carrier were observed. The ATP synthase-CyPD interactions have functional consequences on enzyme catalysis and are modulated by phosphate (increased CyPD binding and decreased enzyme activity) and cyclosporin (Cs) A (decreased CyPD binding and increased enzyme activity). Treatment of MgATP submitochondrial particles or intact mitochondria with CsA displaced CyPD from membranes and activated both hydrolysis and synthesis of ATP sustained by the enzyme. No effect of CsA was detected in CyPD-null mitochondria, which displayed a higher specific activity of the ATP synthase than wild-type mitochondria. Modulation by CyPD binding appears to be independent of IF1, whose association to ATP synthase was not affected by CsA treatment. These findings demonstrate that CyPD association to the lateral stalk of ATP synthase modulates the activity of the complex.     

Long-chain ceramide is a potent inhibitor of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore

The sphingolipid ceramide has been implicated in mediating cell death that is accompanied by mitochondrial functional alterations. Moreover, ceramide has been shown to accumulate in mitochondria upon induction of apoptotic processes. In this study, we sought to evaluate the effects of natural, highly hydrophobic long-chain ceramides on mitochondrial function in vitro. Ceramide in a dodecane/ethanol delivery system inhibited the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP) induced by either oxidative stress, SH group cross-linking, or high Ca(2+) load, suggesting that the inhibitory point is at a level at which major PTP regulatory pathways converge. Moreover, ceramide had no effect on well known mitochondrial components that modulate PTP activity, such as cyclophilin D, voltage-dependent anion channel, adenine nucleotide transporter, and ATP synthase. The inhibitory effect of ceramide on PTP was not stereospecific, nor was there a preference for ceramide over dihydroceramide. However, the effect of ceramide on PTP was significantly influenced by the fatty acid moiety chain length. These studies are the first to show that long-chain ceramide can influence PTP at physiologically relevant concentrations, suggesting that it is the only known potent natural inhibitor of PTP. These results suggest a novel mechanism of ceramide regulation of mitochondrial function.     

The unique histidine in OSCP subunit of F‐ATP synthase mediates inhibition of the permeability transition pore by acidic pH

The permeability transition pore (PTP) is a Ca²⁺‐dependent mitochondrial channel whose opening causes a permeability increase in the inner membrane to ions and solutes. The most potent inhibitors are matrix protons, with channel block at pH 6.5. Inhibition is reversible, mediated by histidyl residue(s), and prevented by their carbethoxylation by diethylpyrocarbonate (DPC), but their assignment is unsolved. We show that PTP inhibition by H⁺ is mediated by the highly conserved histidyl residue (H112 in the human mature protein) of oligomycin sensitivity conferral protein (OSCP) subunit of mitochondrial F₁F_O (F)‐ATP synthase, which we also show to undergo carbethoxylation after reaction of mitochondria with DPC. Mitochondrial PTP‐dependent swelling cannot be inhibited by acidic pH in H112Q and H112Y OSCP mutants, and the corresponding megachannels (the electrophysiological counterpart of the PTP) are insensitive to inhibition by acidic pH in patch‐clamp recordings of mitoplasts. Cells harboring the H112Q and H112Y mutations are sensitized to anoxic cell death at acidic pH. These results demonstrate that PTP channel formation and its inhibition by H⁺ are mediated by the F‐ATP synthase.     

Properties of the permeability transition in VDAC1−/− mitochondria

Opening of the permeability transition pore (PTP), a high-conductance mitochondrial channel, causes mitochondrial dysfunction with Ca²⁺ deregulation, ATP depletion, release of pyridine nucleotides and of mitochondrial apoptogenic proteins. Despite major efforts, the molecular nature of the PTP remains elusive. A compound library screening led to the identification of a novel high affinity PTP inhibitor (Ro 68-3400), which labeled a ∼32 kDa protein that was identified as isoform 1 of the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC1) [A.M. Cesura, E. Pinard, R. Schubenel, V. Goetschy, A. Friedlein, H. Langen, P. Polcic, M.A. Forte, P. Bernardi, J.A. Kemp, The voltage-dependent anion channel is the target for a new class of inhibitors of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. J. Biol. Chem. 278 (2003) 49812–49818]. In order to assess the role of VDAC1 in PTP formation and activity, we have studied the properties of mitochondria from VDAC1^−/− mice. The basic properties of the PTP in VDAC1^−/− mitochondria were indistinguishable from those of strain-matched mitochondria from wild-type CD1 mice, including inhibition by Ro 68-3400, which labeled identical proteins of 32 kDa in both wild-type and VDAC1^−/− mitochondria. The labeled protein could be separated from all VDAC isoforms. While these results do not allow to exclude that VDAC is part of the PTP, they suggest that VDAC is not the target for PTP inhibition by Ro 68-3400.     

Curcumin-induced melanoma cell death is associated with mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening

Here we studied the role of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening in curcumin’s cytotoxicity in melanoma cells. In cultured WM-115 melanoma cells, curcumin induced mitochondrial membrane potential (MPP) decrease, cyclophilin-D (CyPD)-adenine nucleotide translocator 1 (ANT-1) (two mPTP components) mitochondrial association and cytochrome C release, indicating mPTP opening. The mPTP blocker sanglifehrin A (SfA) and ANT-1 siRNA-depletion dramatically inhibited curcumin-induced cytochrome C release and WM-115 cell death. CyPD is required for curcumin-induced melanoma cell death. The CyPD inhibitor cyclosporin A (CsA) or CyPD siRNA-depletion inhibited curcumin-induced WM-115 cell death and apoptosis, while WM-115 cells with CyPD over-expression were hyper-sensitive to curcumin. Finally, we found that C6 ceramide enhanced curcumin-induced cytotoxicity probably through facilitating mPTP opening, while CsA and SfA as well as CyPD and ANT-1 siRNAs alleviated C6 ceramide’s effect on curcumin in WM-115 cells. Together, these results suggest that curcumin-induced melanoma cell death is associated with mPTP opening.     

Mitochondrial regulation of insect cell apoptosis: Evidence for permeability transition pore-independent cytochrome-c release in the Lepidopteran Sf9 cells

Role of cytochrome-c in insect cell apoptosis is highly controversial, with many earlier reports suggesting lack of involvement of mitochondrial factors in Drosophila while more recent studies have indicated otherwise, thus warranting more in-depth studies of insect cell apoptosis. In the present study, we investigated mitochondrial involvement during actinomycin-D induced apoptosis in Sf9 Lepidopteran cells. Cytochrome-c was released from mitochondria very early during apoptosis, and was preceded quickly by ROS generation and cardiolipin peroxidation. Albeit cytochrome-c release and apoptosis induction were inhibited by bongkrkicacid (BKA) it appears that the release is independent of permeability transition pore (PTP) as it preceded mitochondrial Ca²⁺ buildup and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) loss. Further, the release was found to be unaffected by PTP inhibitor cyclosporin-A. Bax inhibitory peptide BiP-P5 could effectively block both cytochrome-c release and apoptosis induction indicating dependence on Bax-channel formation. Inhibition of apoptosis by FSBA, a nucleotide analog that inhibits apoptosome formation through Apaf1 binding, suggested activity of apoptosome similar to mammalian cells. Mitochondria isolated from treated cells activated caspases in the cytosolic fraction of untreated cells while mitochondrial lysates of treated or untreated cells had similar effect. Sequestering cytochrome-c in mitochondrial lysates inhibited DEVDase activity, and addition of purified cytochrome-c and dATP to Sf9 cytosolic fraction induced DEVDase activity, suggesting that cytochrome-c may be exclusively required for Lepidopteran apoptosis. This is the first detailed study demonstrating mitochondrial regulation of Lepidopteran insect cell apoptosis, and reiterates its homology with mammalian cell apoptosis while showing distinctive differences from earlier reports in Drosophila.     

Mitochondrial targeted cyclophilin D protects cells from cell death by peptidyl prolyl isomerization

Cyclophilin D (CyPD) is thought to sensitize opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) based on the findings that cyclosporin A (CsA), a pseudo-CyPD substrate, hyperpolarizes the mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi) and inhibits apoptosis. We provide evidence that contrasts with this model. Using live cell imaging and two photon microscopy, we report that overexpression of CyPD desensitizes HEK293 and rat glioma C6 cells to apoptotic stimuli. By site-directed mutagenesis of CyPD that compromises peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) activity, we demonstrate that the mechanism involved in this protective effect requires PPIase activity. Furthermore, we show that, under resting conditions, DeltaPsi is hyperpolarized in CyPD wild type-overexpressing cells but not in cells overexpressing mutant forms of CyPD that lack PPIase activity. Finally, in glutathione S-transferase (GST) pull-down assays, we demonstrate that CyPD binding to the adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT), which is considered to be the core component of the mPTP, is not affected by the loss of PPIase activity. Collectively, our data suggest that CyPD should be viewed as a cell survival-signaling molecule and indicate a protective role of CyPD against apoptosis that is mediated by one or more targets other than the ANT.     

The affinity purification and characterization of ATP synthase complexes from mitochondria

The mitochondrial F₁-ATPase inhibitor protein, IF₁, inhibits the hydrolytic, but not the synthetic activity of the F-ATP synthase, and requires the hydrolysis of ATP to form the inhibited complex. In this complex, the α-helical inhibitory region of the bound IF₁ occupies a deep cleft in one of the three catalytic interfaces of the enzyme. Its N-terminal region penetrates into the central aqueous cavity of the enzyme and interacts with the γ-subunit in the enzyme''s rotor. The intricacy of forming this complex and the binding mode of the inhibitor endow IF₁ with high specificity. This property has been exploited in the development of a highly selective affinity procedure for purifying the intact F-ATP synthase complex from mitochondria in a single chromatographic step by using inhibitor proteins with a C-terminal affinity tag. The inhibited complex was recovered with residues 1–60 of bovine IF₁ with a C-terminal green fluorescent protein followed by a His-tag, and the active enzyme with the same inhibitor with a C-terminal glutathione-S-transferase domain. The wide applicability of the procedure has been demonstrated by purifying the enzyme complex from bovine, ovine, porcine and yeast mitochondria. The subunit compositions of these complexes have been characterized. The catalytic properties of the bovine enzyme have been studied in detail. Its hydrolytic activity is sensitive to inhibition by oligomycin, and the enzyme is capable of synthesizing ATP in vesicles in which the proton-motive force is generated from light by bacteriorhodopsin. The coupled enzyme has been compared by limited trypsinolysis with uncoupled enzyme prepared by affinity chromatography. In the uncoupled enzyme, subunits of the enzyme''s stator are degraded more rapidly than in the coupled enzyme, indicating that uncoupling involves significant structural changes in the stator region.     

Isolation of the protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitory metabolite from the marine-derived fungus Cosmospora sp. SF-5060

In the course of bioassay-guided study on the EtOAc extract of a culture broth of the marine-derived fungus Cosmospora sp. SF-5060, aquastatin A (1) was isolated as a protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitory component produced by the fungus. The compound was isolated by various chromatographic methods, and the structure was determined mainly by analysis of NMR spectroscopic data. Compound 1 exhibited potent inhibitory activity against PTP1B with IC₅₀ value of 0.19 μM, and the kinetic analyses of PTP1B inhibition by compound 1 suggested that the compound is inhibiting PTP1B activity in a competitive manner. Aquastatin A (1) also showed modest but selective inhibitory activity toward PTP1B over other protein tyrosine phosphatases, such as TCPTP, SHP-2, LAR, and CD45. In addition, the result of hydrolyzing aquastatin A (1) suggested that the dihydroxypentadecyl benzoic acid moiety in the molecule is responsible for the inhibitory activity.     

Identification of novel imidazole flavonoids as potent and selective inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatase

A series of imidazole flavonoids as new type of protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors were synthesized and characterized. Most of them gave potent protein phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitory activities. Especially, compound 11a could effectively inhibit PTP1B with an IC₅₀ value of 0.63 μM accompanied with high selectivity ratio (9.5-fold) over T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase (TCPTP). This compound is cell permeable with relatively low cytotoxicity. The high binding affinity and selectivity was disclosed by molecular modeling and dynamics studies. The structural features essential for activity were confirmed by quantum chemical studies.     

New diterpene furanoids from the Antarctic lichen Huea sp

In the course of ongoing research on protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitory compounds from Antarctic lichens, four new diterpene furanoids, hueafuranoids A–D (1–4) have been isolated from the MeOH extract of Antarctic lichen Huea sp. by various chromatographic methods. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by analysis of NMR and MS data, and comparing their spectral data with those in the literature. Compound 1 showed inhibitory activity against therapeutically targeted protein, PTP1B with an IC₅₀ value of 13.9 μM. The kinetic analysis of PTP1B inhibition by hueafuranoid A (1) suggested that the diterpene furanoids encountered in this study inhibited PTP1B activity in a non-competitive manner.     

Protection of pancreatic INS-1 ��-cells from glucose- and fructose-induced cell death by inhibiting mitochondrial permeability transition with cyclosporin A or metformin

Hyperglycemia is detrimental to β-cell viability, playing a major role in the progression of β-cell loss in diabetes mellitus. The permeability transition pore (PTP) is a mitochondrial channel involved in cell death. Recent evidence suggests that PTP inhibitors prevent hyperglycemia-induced cell death in human endothelial cells. In this work, we have examined the involvement of PTP opening in INS-1 cell death induced by high levels of glucose or fructose. PTP regulation was studied by measuring the calcium retention capacity in permeabilized INS-1 cells and by confocal microscopy in intact INS-1 cells. Cell death was analyzed by flow cytometry. We first reported that metformin and cyclosporin A (CsA) prevented Ca²⁺-induced PTP opening in permeabilized and intact INS-1 cells. We then showed that incubation of INS-1 cells in the presence of 30 mM glucose or 2.5 mM fructose induced PTP opening and led to cell death. As both metformin and CsA prevented glucose- and fructose- induced PTP opening, and hampered glucose- and fructose- induced cell death, we conclude that PTP opening is involved in high glucose- and high fructose- induced INS-1 cell death. We therefore suggest that preventing PTP opening might be a new approach to preserve β-cell viability.     

Regulation of the Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore by the Outer Membrane Does Not Involve the Peripheral Benzodiazepine Receptor (Translocator Protein of 18 kDa (TSPO))

Translocator protein of 18 kDa (TSPO) is a highly conserved, ubiquitous protein localized in the outer mitochondrial membrane, where it is thought to play a key role in the mitochondrial transport of cholesterol, a key step in the generation of steroid hormones. However, it was first characterized as the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor because it appears to be responsible for high affinity binding of a number of benzodiazepines to non-neuronal tissues. Ensuing studies have employed natural and synthetic ligands to assess the role of TSPO function in a number of natural and pathological circumstances. Largely through the use of these compounds and biochemical associations, TSPO has been proposed to play a role in the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP), which has been associated with cell death in many human pathological conditions. Here, we critically assess the role of TSPO in the function of the PTP through the generation of mice in which the Tspo gene has been conditionally eliminated. Our results show that 1) TSPO plays no role in the regulation or structure of the PTP, 2) endogenous and synthetic ligands of TSPO do not regulate PTP activity through TSPO, 3) outer mitochondrial membrane regulation of PTP activity occurs though a mechanism that does not require TSPO, and 4) hearts lacking TSPO are as sensitive to ischemia-reperfusion injury as hearts from control mice. These results call into question a wide variety of studies implicating TSPO in a number of pathological processes through its actions on the PTP.     

BH3 mimetics derived from Bim-BH3 domain core region show PTP1B inhibitory activity

A series of our previously described BH3 peptide mimetics derived from Bim-BH3 domain core region were found to exhibit weak to potent PTP1B binding affinity and inhibitory activities via target-based drug screening. Among these compounds, a 12-aa Bim-BH3 core sequence peptide conjugated to palmitic acid (SM-6) displayed good PTP1B binding affinity (K_D?=?8.38?nmol/L), inhibitory activity (IC₅₀?=?1.20?μmol/L) and selectivity against other PTPs (TCPTP, LAR, SHP-1 and SHP-2). Furthermore, SM-6 promoted HepG2 cell glucose uptake and inhibited the expression of PTP1B, indicating that SM-6 could improve the insulin resistance effect in the insulin-resistant HepG2 cell model. These results may indicate a new direction for the application of BH3 peptide mimetics and promising PTP1B peptide inhibitors could be designed and developed based on SM-6.     

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.     

Furanoterpenes,new types of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitors,from two Indonesian marine sponges,Ircinia and Spongia spp.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) 1B negatively regulates the insulin and leptin signaling pathways, and, thus, the clinical application of PTP1B inhibitors to the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity is expected. During our studies on PTP1B inhibitors, two furanosesterterpenes and a C21 furanoterpene were obtained as new types of PTP1B inhibitors from two Indonesian marine sponges. (7E, 12E, 20Z, 18S)-Variabilin (1) and (12E, 20Z, 18S)-8-hydroxyvariabilin (2) from Ircinia sp. and furospongin-1 (3) from Spongia sp. inhibited PTP1B activity with IC₅₀ values of 1.5, 7.1, and 9.9 μM, respectively. The inhibitory activity of compound 1 against T-cell PTP (TCPTP) was approximately 2-fold that against PTP1B, whereas the vaccinia H-1-related phosphatase (VHR) inhibitory effects of 1 were 4-fold weaker than that of its PTP1B inhibitory activity. Compounds 1–3 at 50 μM did not show cytotoxicity against two human cancer cell lines, hepatoma Huh-7 and bladder carcinoma EJ-1. Compound 1 did not enhance the phosphorylation level of Akt, a key downstream effector of the cascade, in Huh-7 cells.