Inhibition of succinate-linked respiration and complex II activity by hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide produced from electron transport chain derived superoxide is a relatively mild oxidant, and as such, the majority of mitochondrial enzyme activities are impervious to physiological concentrations. Previous studies, however, have suggested that complex II (succinate dehydrogenase) is sensitive to H₂O₂-mediated inhibition. Nevertheless, the effects of H₂O₂ on succinate-linked respiration and complex II activity have not been examined in intact mitochondria. Results presented indicate that H₂O₂ inhibits succinate-linked state 3 mitochondrial respiration in a concentration dependent manner. H₂O₂ has no effect on complex II activity during state 2 respiration, but inhibits activity during state 3. It was found that conditions which prevent oxaloacetate accumulation during state 3 respiration, such as inclusion of rotenone, glutamate, or ATP, blunted the effect of H₂O₂ on succinate-linked respiration and complex II activity. It is concluded that H₂O₂ inhibits succinate-linked respiration indirectly by sustaining and enhancing oxaloacetate-mediated inactivation of complex II.     

Ycf12 is a core subunit in the photosystem II complex

The latest crystallographic model of the cyanobacterial photosystem II (PS II) core complex added one transmembrane low molecular weight (LMW) component to the previous model, suggesting the presence of an unknown transmembrane LMW component in PS II. We have investigated the polypeptide composition in highly purified intact PS II core complexes from Thermosynechococcus elongatus, the species which yielded the PS II crystallographic models described above, to identify the unknown component. Using an electrophoresis system specialized for separation of LMW hydrophobic proteins, a novel protein of approximately 5 kDa was identified as a PS II component. Its N-terminal amino acid sequence was identical to that of Ycf12. The corresponding gene is known as one of the ycf (hypothetical chloroplast reading frame) genes, ycf12, and is widely conserved in chloroplast and cyanobacterial genomes. Nonetheless, the localization and function of the gene product have never been assigned. Our finding shows, for the first time, that ycf12 is actually expressed as a component of the PS II complex in the cell, revealing that a previously unidentified transmembrane protein exists in the PS II core complex.     

Ycf12 is a core subunit in the photosystem II complex

The latest crystallographic model of the cyanobacterial photosystem II (PS II) core complex added one transmembrane low molecular weight (LMW) component to the previous model, suggesting the presence of an unknown transmembrane LMW component in PS II. We have investigated the polypeptide composition in highly purified intact PS II core complexes from Thermosynechococcus elongatus, the species which yielded the PS II crystallographic models described above, to identify the unknown component. Using an electrophoresis system specialized for separation of LMW hydrophobic proteins, a novel protein of ∼ 5 kDa was identified as a PS II component. Its N-terminal amino acid sequence was identical to that of Ycf12. The corresponding gene is known as one of the ycf (hypothetical chloroplast reading frame) genes, ycf12, and is widely conserved in chloroplast and cyanobacterial genomes. Nonetheless, the localization and function of the gene product have never been assigned. Our finding shows, for the first time, that ycf12 is actually expressed as a component of the PS II complex in the cell, revealing that a previously unidentified transmembrane protein exists in the PS II core complex.     

Mitochondrial respiration of complex II is not lower than that of complex I in mouse skeletal muscle

Skeletal muscle (SKM) requires a large amount of energy, which is produced mainly by mitochondria, for their daily functioning. Of the several mitochondrial complexes, it has been reported that the dysfunction of complex II is associated with several diseases, including myopathy. However, the degree to which complex II contributes to ATP production by mitochondria remains unknown. As complex II is not included in supercomplexes, which are formed to produce ATP efficiently, we hypothesized that complex II-linked respiration was lower than that of complex I. In addition, differences in the characteristics of complex I and II activity suggest that different factors might regulate their function. The isolated mitochondria from gastrocnemius muscle was used for mitochondrial respiration measurement and immunoblotting in male C57BL/6J mice. Student paired t-tests were performed to compare means between two groups. A univariate linear regression model was used to determine the correlation between mitochondrial respiration and proteins. Contrary to our hypothesis, complex II-linked respiration was not significantly less than complex I-linked respiration in SKM mitochondria (complex I vs complex II, 3402 vs 2840 pmol/[s × mg]). Complex I-linked respiration correlated with the amount of complex I incorporated in supercomplexes (r = 0.727, p < 0.05), but not with the total amount of complex I subunits. In contrast, complex II-linked respiration correlated with the total amount of complex II (r = 0.883, p < 0.05), but not with the amount of each complex II subunit. We conclude that both complex I and II play important roles in mitochondrial respiration and that the assembly of both supercomplexes and complex II is essential for the normal functioning of complex I and II in mouse SKM mitochondria.     

Distribution of oxidized and HNE-modified proteins in U87 cells

Protein modification is one of the important processes during oxidative stress. This modification of proteins is either due to direct oxidation of proteins by various oxidants or due to secondary modification by lipid peroxidation products, e.g. 4-hydroxynonenal. In the here presented work we compare the intracellular distribution of protein modification products after treatment of human U87 astrocytoma cells with hydrogen peroxide or HNE. The treatment with hydrogen peroxide leads mainly to a cytosolic formation of oxidized proteins whereas HNE treatment is forming HNE-adducts throughout the cell. Therefore, we concluded that HNE diffusion distance in cells enables this lipid peroxidation product to act as a second messenger within the cell and on the other hand is the reason for the genotoxic properties of this compound.     

Analysis of the subunit composition of complex I from bovine heart mitochondria

Complex I purified from bovine heart mitochondria is a multisubunit membrane-bound assembly. In the past, seven of its subunits were shown to be products of the mitochondrial genome, and 35 nuclear encoded subunits were identified. The complex is L-shaped with one arm in the plane of the membrane and the other lying orthogonal to it in the mitochondrial matrix. With mildly chaotropic detergents, the intact complex has been resolved into various subcomplexes. Subcomplex Ilambda represents the extrinsic arm, subcomplex Ialpha consists of subcomplex Ilambda plus part of the membrane arm, and subcomplex Ibeta is another substantial part of the membrane arm. The intact complex and these three subcomplexes have been subjected to extensive reanalysis. Their subunits have been separated by three independent methods (one-dimensional SDS-PAGE, two-dimensional isoelectric focusing/SDS-PAGE, and reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)) and analyzed by tryptic peptide mass fingerprinting and tandem mass spectrometry. The masses of many of the intact subunits have also been measured by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and have provided valuable information about post-translational modifications. The presence of the known 35 nuclear encoded subunits in complex I has been confirmed, and four additional nuclear encoded subunits have been detected. Subunits B16.6, B14.7, and ESSS were discovered in the SDS-PAGE analysis of subcomplex Ilambda, in the two-dimensional gel analysis of the intact complex, and in the HPLC analysis of subcomplex Ibeta, respectively. Despite many attempts, no sequence information has been obtained yet on a fourth new subunit (mass 10,566+/-2 Da) also detected in the HPLC analysis of subcomplex Ibeta. It is unlikely that any more subunits of the bovine complex remain undiscovered. Therefore, the intact enzyme is a complex of 46 subunits, and, assuming there is one copy of each subunit in the complex, its mass is 980 kDa.     

Direct evidence for expression of type II flavoprotein subunit in human complex II (succinate-ubiquinone reductase)

Succinate-ubiquinone reductase (complex II) is an important enzyme complex in aerobic respiration and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. We recently identified two distinct cDNAs for the human flavoprotein subunit (Fp) from a single individual and demonstrated mRNAs of these two isoforms, Type I Fp and Type II Fp, in skeletal muscle, liver, brain, heart, and kidney. Type I Fp was expressed at higher levels than Type II Fp in all cases. In the present study, the biochemical properties of Type II Fp-containing complex II in Raji cells predominantly expressing Type II Fp were investigated. Complex II having Type II Fp was separated from that having Type I Fp by isoelectric focusing in the presence of sucrose monolaurate. Together with the fact that succinate-ubiquinone reductase activity of mitochondria prepared from Raji cell was almost identical to that from human liver, these results clearly indicate the presence of two distinct isoforms of active complex II in human mitochondria.     

Periodicities in respiration and heart rate in newborns

Periodic breathing is common in normal infants, but may be associated with prolonged apnea leading to crib death. The mechanisms of periodic breathing and its relation to normal breathing patterns are unclear. We recorded respiratory and heart rate (HR) patterns of 11 healthy newborn infants during quiet sleep, in both normal and periodic breathing. Spectral analysis of the respiratory pattern revealed a low-frequency (LF) periodicity in normal breathing approximately equal to the frequency of periodic breathing when this occurs. Periodic breathing thus appears to be an exaggeration of an underlying slow amplitude variation which is present in regular breathing. LF periodicity also appeared in the HR pattern in both normal and periodic breathing, suggesting an LF modulation of cardiovascular control as well. The lack of a definite phase relation between HR and ventilation at LF may indicate dominant peripheral, rather than central, interactions between HR and respiration at these frequencies.     

Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide binds to cytochrome b and subunit VIII in soluble complex III from beef heart mitochondria

Incubation of soluble complex III isolated from either yeast or beef heart mitochondria with 25-100 nmol of [14C]dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD)/nmol of cytochrome b followed by centrifugation through 10% sucrose or precipitation with trichloroacetic acid did not result in any changes in the appearance of the subunits of either complex. The [14C]DCCD was bound to cytochrome b and phospholipids in the yeast complex and with similar kinetics to both cytochrome b and subunit VIII (Mr = 4000-8000) plus phospholipids of the beef complex. Subunit VIII of the beef complex was partially extracted with chloroform:methanol; however, no subunit of this mobility was present in the yeast complex. Incubation of the beef complex in phosphate buffer for short times resulted in a doubling of the [14C]DCCD bound to cytochrome b relative to that to subunit VIII. Preincubation of both complexes with venturicidin prior to treatment with DCCD resulted in a 50% decrease in the binding of [14C]DCCD to cytochrome b. Reisolation of the beef complex III by precipitation with (NH4)2SO4 after incubation with [14C]DCCD resulted in the formation of a new band with an apparent molecular weight of 39,000 even in the zero time control. The [14C]DCCD was bound to subunit VIII and the core proteins but not to cytochrome b at all times, suggesting that precipitation with (NH)2SO4 in the presence of DCCD causes cross-linking of the subunits of complex III.     

Decreased RhoA expression in myocardium of diabetic rats

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is 1 of the major causes of death in diabetic patients, but the pathogenesis is unclear. There is evidence that RhoA, a small GTPase, might be involved in cardiac function. This study, therefore, analyzed RhoA expression and activation in hearts of diabetic rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control and diabetic groups of 18 each. Diabetes was induced by intravenous injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg). Rats were studied 3 weeks after induction of diabetes. Heart rate, which was measured 24 h/day, decreased by 93 +/- 7 beats/min in diabetic rats. There was a 62% decrease (p < 0.01) in RhoA mRNA expression in heart tissues (left ventricle) of diabetic rats (38.5 +/- 6.7 x 106 molecules/microg total RNA) compared with controls (101 +/- 10.3 x 106 molecules/microg total RNA). Western blot showed a 33% decrease in total RhoA protein expression in heart tissues of diabetic rats compared with controls (p < 0.05). A reduced RhoA translocation in heart tissues of diabetic rats was determined by a 64% decrease in membrane-bound RhoA (p < 0.01 vs. control group), indicating that the activation of RhoA is markedly reduced in diabetic myocardium. Our data suggest that down-regulated RhoA may be involved in cardiomyopathy in diabetic rats.     

The ND1 subunit constructs the inhibitor binding domain in bovine heart mitochondrial complex I

The inhibitor binding domain in bovine complex I is believed to be constructed by multisubunits, but it remains to be learned how the binding positions of chemically diverse inhibitors relate to each other. To get insight into the inhibitor binding domain in complex I, we synthesized a photoreactive acetogenin [[125I](trifluoromethyl)phenyldiazirinylacetogenin, [125I]TDA], in which an aryldiazirine group serves as both a photoreactive group and a substitute for the gamma-lactone ring that is a common toxophore of numerous natural acetogenins, and carried out photoaffinity labeling to identify the labeled subunit using bovine heart submitochondrial particles (SMP). When SMP were UV-irradiated in the presence of [125I]TDA, radioactivity was predominantly incorporated into an approximately 30 kDa band on a SDS gel. Blue native gel electrophoresis of the [125I]TDA-labeled SMP revealed that the majority of radioactivity was observed in complex I. Analysis of complex I on a SDS gel showed a predominant peak of radioactivity at approximately 30 kDa. Immnoprecipitation of the [125I]TDA-labeled complex I with anti-bovine ND1 antibody indicated that the labeled protein is the ND1 subunit. A variety of complex I inhibitors such as piericidin A and rotenone efficiently suppressed the specific binding of [125I]TDA to ND1, indicating that they share a common binding domain. However, the suppression efficiency of Deltalac-acetogenin, a new type of complex I inhibitor synthesized in our laboratory, was much lower than that of the traditional inhibitors. Our results unequivocally reveal that the ND1 subunit constructs the inhibitor binding domain, though the contribution of this subunit has been challenged. Further, the present study corroborates our previous proposition that the inhibition site of Deltalac-acetogenins differs from that of traditional inhibitors.     

Assembly and processing of subunit II (PsaD) precursor in the isolated photosystem-I complex.

The precursor of photosystem I (PSI) subunit II (pre-subunit II) synthesized in vitro, was found to bind to the holo-PSI complex, both within the thylakoids and outside, after detergent extraction of PSI from the membranes. Chloroplast stromal fraction added to the purified PSI complexes, containing the labeled pre-subunit II, induced the processing of the precursor to the mature form. This implies that processing can occur within the isolated complex, after the integration of the precursor. The results presented suggest that certain aspects of biogenesis of membranal protein complexes can be studied in detergent-extracted purified complexes.     

Isolation and amino acid sequence of the smallest subunit of beef heart bc1 complex

The 11 subunits of beef heart bc1 complex can be separated either by a new SDS-PAGE system or by a series of chromatographic steps involving dissociation of the complex by salt treatment. The amino acid sequence of the smallest subunit was determined by complete solid-phase Edman degradation and was confirmed by sequencing the N-terminal part and the C-terminal tryptic fragment by liquid-phase Edman degradation. The protein consists of 56 amino acid residues; the Mr was calculated to be 6363. The protein ('ISP binding factor') might be entangled in the reassembly of the iron-sulfur protein with the bc1 subcomplex.     

Cheyne-Stokes respiration in congestive heart failure.

Cheyne-Stokes respiration is an abnormal breathing pattern which commonly occurs in patients with decompensated congestive heart failure and neurologic diseases, in whom periods of tachypnea and hyperpnea alternate with periods of apnea. In the majority of these patients, the ventilatory patterns may not be recognized, and the clinical features are generally dominated by the underlying disease process. Cheyne-Stokes respiration may, however, have profound effects on the cardiopulmonary system, causing oxygen desaturation, cardiac arrhythmias, and changes in mental status. Treatment of Cheyne-Stokes respiration in congestive heart failure with supplemental oxygen or nasal continuous positive airway pressure, in addition to conventional therapy, may improve the overall cardiac function and perhaps the patient's prognosis.     

Mitochondrial proteome analysis reveals depression of the Ndufs3 subunit and activity of complex I in diabetic rat brain

Type-1 diabetes resulting from defective insulin secretion and consequent hyperglycemia, is associated with "diabetic encephalopathy." This is characterized by brain neurophysiological and structural changes resulting in impairment of cognitive function. The present proteomic analysis of brain mitochondrial proteins from streptozotocin-induced type-1 diabetic rats, shows a large decrement of the Ndufs3 protein subunit of complex I, decreased level of the mRNA and impaired catalytic activity of the complex in the diabetic rats as compared to controls. The severe depression of the expression and enzymatic activity of complex I can represent a critical contributing factor to the onset of the diabetic encephalopathy in type-1 diabetes.     

Role of complex II in anaerobic respiration of the parasite mitochondria from Ascaris suum and Plasmodium falciparum.

Parasites have developed a variety of physiological functions necessary for existence within the specialized environment of the host. Regarding energy metabolism, which is an essential factor for survival, parasites adapt to low oxygen tension in host mammals using metabolic systems that are very different from that of the host. The majority of parasites do not use the oxygen available within the host, but employ systems other than oxidative phosphorylation for ATP synthesis. In addition, all parasites have a life cycle. In many cases, the parasite employs aerobic metabolism during their free-living stage outside the host. In such systems, parasite mitochondria play diverse roles. In particular, marked changes in the morphology and components of the mitochondria during the life cycle are very interesting elements of biological processes such as developmental control and environmental adaptation. Recent research has shown that the mitochondrial complex II plays an important role in the anaerobic energy metabolism of parasites inhabiting hosts, by acting as quinol-fumarate reductase.     

Decreased phosphofructokinase activity in skeletal muscle of diabetic rats

The activities of phosphofructokinase, aldolase and pyruvate kinase were diminished in extracts from skeletal muscle of streptozotocin diabetic rats, whereas the activities of glucose phosphate isomerase and phosphoglucomutase were not changed. Treatment of diabetic rats with insulin restored the activity of phosphofructokinase to normal. A kinetic study of the partially purified enzyme from normal and diabetic rats showed identical Michaelis constants for ATP and equal sensitivity to inhibition by excess of this substrate. Extracts of quick frozen muscle from diabetic rats had higher levels of citrate (an inhibitor of phosphofructokinase) and lower levels of D-fructose-1,6-bisphosphate and D-glucose-1,6-bisphosphate (activators of this enzyme). The levels of D-fructose-6-phosphate, D-glucose-6-phosphate, ATP, ADP and AMP were the same for the two groups. Our data suggest that the in vivo decrease of phosphofructokinase activity in skeletal muscle of diabetic rats is due to a decrease in the level of the enzymatically active protein as well as to an unfavorable change in the level of several of its allosteric modulators.