Renewal of mitochondrial DNA in the liver of rats of different ages

The rate of mitochondrial DNA turnover was studied in the liver of adult and old rats. It was shown to decrease with aging in both the whole mitochondrial population and its heavy and light fractions. This decrease reflects the deceleration of the rate of liver mitochondrial biogenesis in old age and is considered to be a cause of energy deficiency of an old body.     

Correlative links between superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities in mouse liver

Qualitative and quantitative differences in correlative and regressive links between superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase were assessed in the mice liver by two- and three-dimensional statistical methods. Paired linear correlation analysis indicated SOD-CAT tandem as the correlatively acting enzymatic pair. Three-dimensional analysis revealed uniform response surfaces which exhibited higher activities at disproportional values of the other two and lower activities at proportional activities of the other two enzymes. The direct effect of the enzymes on each other was positive [table: see text] while the effect of their product was always negative.     

ATP-synthase--intracellular molecular turbine

Literature data on molecular and functional organization of ATP synthase as turbine-like rotary motor are reviewed. These data now provide the first experimental evidence that ATP synthases from different sources are able to reversibly couple the proton-motive force (proton electrochemical potential) with the synthesis/hydrolysis of ATP by the mechanical rotation of the rotor component of enzyme relative to the its stator part.     

Effect of ethanol on the DNA-polymerase activity in the liver subcellular fractions of adult and old rats

The effect of 5% ethanol on DNA polymerase activity in nuclei, mitochondria, microsomes and cytosol of intact and regenerating liver of adult and old rats has been studied. No changes in DNA polymerase activity were detected in subcellular fractions of adult rat liver. On the contrary, the increased activity of intact liver nuclei and decreased activity of regenerating liver microsomes was observed with ageing. These age-dependent peculiarities of DNA polymerase activity in response to 5% ethanol may be related to changes in the enzyme molecules or microenvironment associated with ageing.     

Evolution of mitochondria

Until recently, the origin and evolution of mitochondria was explained by the serial endosymbiosis hypothesis. This hypothesis posits that contemporary mitochondria are the direct descendants of a bacterial endosymbiont, which was settled in a nucleus-containing amitochondriate host cell. Results of the mitochondrial gene sequences support a monophyletic origin of the mitochondria from a single eubacterial ancestor shared with a subdivision of the alpha-proteobacteria. In recent years, the complete sequences of the vast variety of mitochondrial and eubacterial genomes were determined. These data indicate that the mitochondrial genome evolved from a common ancestor of all extant eukaryotes and assume a possibility that the mitochondrial and nuclear constituents of the eukaryotic cell originated simultaneously.     

Pair-wise linear and 3D nonlinear relationships between the liver antioxidant enzyme activities and the rate of body oxygen consumption in mice

Relationships between the rate of body oxygen consumption (VO₂) and the liver key antioxidant enzyme activities were assessed in female CBA mice. The pair-wise linear regression and correlation demonstrated significant correlative links between VO₂ and activity of catalase (CAT). Nonlinear 3D plotting revealed a complementary pattern of CAT and glutathione peroxidase (GP) relation. CAT activity was elevated in mice with proportionally high VO₂ and superoxide dismutase (SOD), whereas GP activity was high in animals with low or disproportional VO₂ and SOD.     

Age-dependent changes in the DNA-polymerase activity of nuclei and mitochondria of the regenerating rat liver

The DNA polymerase activity in nuclei and mitochondria of adult and old rat liver was determined. No age-dependent changes in the DNA polymerase activity have been found in the intact rat liver. On the contrary, after partial hepatectomy the DNA polymerase activity was higher in nuclei of the adult rat liver and in mitochondria of the old one. These peculiarities of the DNA polymerase activity with ageing may depend on changes in molecular properties of DNA polymerases, their synthesis and intracellular concentration.     

Correlative Interrelations between the Oxygen Consumption Rate, Body Temperature and Activities of the Key Antioxidant Enzymes of Liver of Mus musculus

Using one-, two-, and three-dimensional statistical methods, there were analyzed peculiarities of distribution and the degree of the correlative-regressional dependence between the parameters characterizing the oxygen consumption rate (V _O2), body temperature (BT), activities of three key enzymes of the antioxidant system - superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CL), and glutathion peroxidase (GP) in 15 females of the laboratory population of Mus musculus. The performed studies have shown that the three-dimensional non-linear models better correspond to the actual data and clearly demonstrate specificity of the antioxidant enzymes, as regulatory targets. Changes of the SOD and CL activities depend mainly on V _O2, whereas GP can be the target equally accessible for the regulatory factors of oxidative processes and thermoregulation.