Nitric oxide and the control of firefly flashing.

Bioluminescent flashing is essential for firefly reproduction, yet the specific molecular mechanisms that control light production are not well understood. We report that light production by fireflies can be stimulated by nitric oxide (NO) gas in the presence of oxygen and that NO scavengers block bioluminescence induced by the neurotransmitter octopamine. NO synthase is robustly expressed in the firefly lantern in cells interposed between nerve endings and the light-producing photocytes. These results suggest that NO synthesis is a key determinant of flash control in fireflies.

Delocalized lipophilic cations selectively target the mitochondria of carcinoma cells.

Traditional chemotherapies, aimed at DNA replication in rapidly dividing cells, have achieved only limited success in the treatment of carcinomas due largely to their lack of specificity for cells of tumorigenic origin. It is important, therefore, to investigate treatment strategies aimed at novel cellular targets that are sufficiently different between normal cells and cancer cells so as to provide a basis for selective tumor cell killing. Delocalized lipophilic cations (DLCs) are concentrated by cells and into mitochondria in response to negative inside transmembrane potentials. The higher plasma and/or mitochondrial membrane potentials of carcinoma cells compared to normal epithelial cells account for the selective accumulation of DLCs in carcinoma mitochondria. Since most DLCs are toxic to mitochondria at high concentrations, their selective accumulation in carcinoma mitochondria and consequent mitochondrial toxicity provide a basis for selective carcinoma cell killing. Several of these compounds have already displayed some degree of efficacy as chemotherapeutic agents in vitro and in vivo. The effectiveness of DLCs can also be enhanced by their use in photochemotherapy or combination drug therapy. Discovery of the biochemical differences that account for the higher membrane potentials in carcinoma cells is expected to lead to the design of new DLCs targeted specifically to those differences, resulting in even greater selectivity and efficacy for tumor cell killing.

Intramitochondrial protein synthesis is regulated by matrix adenine nucleotide content and requires calcium.

The hypothesis that fluctuations in matrix adenine nucleotide content (ATP + ADP + AMP) may regulate intramitochondrial protein synthesis was investigated in newborn and adult rat liver mitochondria. Protein synthesis in mitochondria from 0-h-old newborns, which contain 3.4 +/- 0.3 nmol adenine nucleotide/mg protein, was > 90% lower than protein synthesis in mitochondria from 4-h-old newborns, which contain 9.1 +/- 0.2 nmol adenine nucleotide/mg protein. If 0-h newborn mitochondria were preincubated to accumulate adenine nucleotides to 16.8 nmol/mg protein in vitro, the protein synthesis rate increased 25-fold compared to control. Adult rat liver mitochondria normally contain 12-14 nmol adenine nucleotide/mg protein and exhibit a brisk rate of protein synthesis. Following a preincubation to deplete adenine nucleotides in vitro down to 3 nmol/mg protein, protein synthesis in adult liver mitochondria was nearly abolished. Conversely, when adult mitochondria were preincubated to superload adenine nucleotides (to 29 nmol/mg protein), the rate of protein synthesis was doubled. Protein synthesis was also inhibited when the matrix ATP/ADP ratio was lowered by adding FCCP or by omitting phosphate. In adult mitochondria, protein synthesis was inhibited by 0.5 mM EGTA and was increased in proportion to buffered free calcium between 0 and 20 microM. The rate of intramitochondrial RNA synthesis was not inhibited by EGTA nor affected by variations in matrix adenine nucleotide content. The results show that intramitochondrial translation requires matrix calcium and is regulated by changes in the matrix adenine nucleotide content that affect the matrix ATP concentration. The matrix adenine nucleotide content is controlled by the ATP-Mg/Pi carrier. In newborns, the matrix adenine nucleotide content increases 3-fold within 2-4 h after birth, stimulating mitochondrial translation 10-fold and probably contributing to the onset of postnatal mitochondrial biogenesis and adaptation to aerobic metabolism.

Mineral content of the diet alters sucrose-induced obesity in rats.

The effects of dietary mineral levels on caloric intake, nutrient choice, body weight, adipose tissue weight, interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT) weight, and thermogenic capacity, and plasma insulin and glucose levels were examined in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. In Experiments 1 and 2, rats were fed a purified diet with zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), and selenium (Se) added, or the same diet without the addition of these minerals. In Experiment 3, the effects of Zn and Cr were examined separately. In all experiments, half of the rats in each diet group were given a 32% sucrose solution in addition to their standard diet and water. Rats given sucrose consumed more calories and gained more weight than rats not given sucrose. However, mineral levels altered the effects of sucrose on these measures. Added minerals increased percent sucrose intake, reduced weight gain and feed efficiency, increased GDP binding in IBAT mitochondria, improved glucose tolerance, and reduced plasma insulin levels. The reduction in weight gain and increased feed efficiency found when Zn alone was added to the diet was independent of sucrose condition. In comparison, the alterations observed in these measures when Cr alone was added to the diet varied as a function of sucrose availability.

Familial recurrence of atypical symptoms in an extended pedigree with the syndrome of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS).

We report a clinically heterogeneous, multigenerational pedigree with the syndrome of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) associated with a mutation at nucleotide 3243 in the mitochondrial DNA tRNA(Leu)(UUR) gene. Our findings suggest that the mutation at nucleotide 3243 is not always associated with the classic MELAS phenotype and that other symptoms (notably cardiac and gastrointestinal abnormalities) should raise the suspicion of a mitochondrial disorder.

The influence of hypoxia and anoxia on distribution of adenine nucleotides in isolated hepatocytes.

Isolated hepatocytes incubated under conditions of "chemical hypoxia" (KCN + iodoacetic acid) exhibited a marked dephosphorylation of the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial adenine nucleotides to AMP. Cytoplasmic adenine nucleotide levels (ATP + ADP + AMP) were decreased by 40%. There was no significant change in the mitochondrial adenine nucleotide pool size. For starved rats, but not for fed rats, addition of KCN to isolated hepatocytes resulted in a shift of the mitochondrial adenine nucleotide species to AMP. This difference was correlated with the maintenance of a substantial level of cytoplasmic ATP in the fed vs starved condition. The addition of fructose (but not glucose) to hepatocytes isolated from a starved rat, prevented the KCN-induced dephosphorylation of mitochondrial adenine nucleotides to AMP. Fructose-treated cells had a significant level of ATP in the cytoplasm, whereas glucose-treated cells did not. Addition of A23187 to fructose-treated (but not glucose-treated) cells resulted in a net loss in the mitochondrial adenine nucleotide content. The results suggest that the shift of matrix adenine nucleotides from ATP and ADP to AMP preserves the mitochondrial adenine nucleotide pool size during transient hypoxia by preventing net adenine nucleotide transport to the cytoplasm via the ATP-Mg/Pi carrier. This effectively protects those adenine nucleotides from the cytoplasmic purine degradation pathway, a strategy that has the potential to facilitate rapid recovery of bioenergetic status by oxidative phosphorylation upon reoxygenation.

Mechanism and regulation of the mitochondrial ATP-Mg/P(i) carrier.

The mitochondrial ATP-Mg/P(i) carrier functions to modulate the matrix adenine nucleotide pool size (ATP + ADP + AMP). Micromolar Ca2+ is required to activate the carrier. Net adenine nucleotide transport occurs as an electroneutral divalent exchange of ATP-Mg2- for HPO4(2-). A steady-state adenine nucleotide pool size is attained when the HPO4(2-) and ATP-Mg2- matrix/cytoplasm concentration ratios are the same. This means that ATP-Mg2- can be accumulated against a concentration gradient in proportion to the [HPO4(2-)] gradient that is normally maintained by the P(i)/OH- carrier. In liver, changes in matrix adenine nucleotide concentrations that are brought about by the ATP-Mg/P(i) carrier can affect the activity of adenine nucleotide-dependent enzymes that are in the mitochondrial compartment. These enzymes in turn contribute to the overall regulation of bioenergetic function, flux through the gluconeogenesis and urea synthesis pathways, and organelle biogenesis. The ATP-Mg/P(i) carrier is distinct from other mitochondrial transport systems with respect to kinetics and to substrate and inhibitor sensitivity. It is the only carrier regulated by Ca2+. This carrier is present in kidney and liver mitochondria, but not in heart.

Net adenine nucleotide transport in rat kidney mitochondria.

This study investigated the hypothesis that changes in the adenine nucleotide (ATP + ADP + AMP) content of kidney mitochondria can occur by a transport mechanism that catalyzes net transfer of adenine nucleotides across the inner mitochondrial membrane. The adenine nucleotide content of isolated kidney mitochondria was 8.23 +/- 0.85 nmol/mg mitochondrial protein. This amount increased or decreased as a function of the external [ATP-Mg] when mitochondria were incubated in phosphate-containing medium. The increases and decreases were inhibited to different extents by 100 microM EGTA (ethylene glycol bis (beta-aminoethyl ether) N,N'-tetraacetic acid) or 5 microM carboxyatractyloside (CAT), suggesting two transport mechanisms. The unidirectional components (influx and efflux) of net flux were examined separately for the CAT-insensitive (EGTA-sensitive) and CAT-sensitive (EGTA-insensitive) mechanisms. CAT-insensitive adenine nucleotide influx and efflux were stimulated by [Ca2+]free up to 2 microM; for ATP influx, Km was 1.7 mM, Vmax was 3.5 nmol/min/mg protein, and Mg2+ was required. Efflux varied as a function of both the external and matrix [ATP] and was completely inhibited by mersalyl. ATP was a better substrate than ADP, and ADP transport did not require Mg2+. The CAT-sensitive mechanism was characterized by studying phosphate-induced adenine nucleotide efflux. Efflux varied with external [Pi] and with matrix [ATP] and was not inhibited by cyclosporin. The amount of CAT required for maximal inhibition was 800 pmol/mg protein. In contrast to CAT-insensitive efflux, this pathway was only partially inhibited by mersalyl and showed no preference for ATP vs ADP. In conclusion, two distinct mechanisms for net adenine nucleotide transport were demonstrated. Both exchange adenine nucleotides (ATP-Mg or ADP) for Pi. One mechanism is identical to the CAT-insensitive ATP-Mg/Pi carrier known in liver mitochondria; the other is a CAT-sensitive mechanism that is not present in liver and may represent a novel function of the ADP/ATP translocase or another CAT-sensitive carrier.

Mitochondrial disorder associated with newborn cardiopulmonary arrest.

A female infant who died 2.5 d after birth with hypoglycemia, lactic acidosis, and sudden multisystem failure was studied. Biochemical studies showed complex III and IV deficiency in liver, kidney, and muscle, with muscle most severely affected. Southern blot analysis of the patient's mitochondrial DNA did not reveal any deletions. Denaturing gradient gel analysis, which detects single base changes by differences in melting behavior, showed an extra band that was not seen in mitochondrial DNA from the mother, the mother's identical twin sister, or an unrelated normal subject. This extra band indicated heteroplasmy for a restriction fragment containing the apocytochrome b and transfer RNA(thr) genes. Sequencing revealed an A to G mutation at nucleotide 15923, the last base of the anticodon loop of the transfer RNA(thr) gene. The mutation lengthens the anticodon stem by added pairing and reduces the anticodon loop size from 7 to 5 nucleotides, potentially compromising transfer RNA(thr) function in translation and/or in processing the polycistronic RNA transcript. The patient's mother previously had a male infant who also died at 1.5 d postnatal, and both the mother and her twin have had multiple miscarriages. Amniocentesis for a genetic screen was performed on the mother's twin sister during a recent pregnancy; some of the cultured cells were made available for this study. The mutation was not found in the amniocytes or in umbilical cord blood obtained at birth; the baby was normal at birth and remains healthy. It is concluded that the mutation at nucleotide 15923 was most likely the cause of the fatal disease in the index case.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Regulation of the mitochondrial ATP-Mg/Pi carrier in isolated hepatocytes.

This study investigated the cellular regulation of net adenine nucleotide movements between the cytoplasm and mitochondria in intact cells. Such movements are presumed to occur primarily by ATP-Mg exchange with Pi via the mitochondrial ATP-Mg/Pi carrier. Vasopressin, A23187, and thapsigargin all elevate intracellular free [Ca2+] and all caused dose-dependent increases in the mitochondrial adenine nucleotide content (29, 63, and 39%, respectively). Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate had no effect. The effect of vasopressin was abolished when cytoplasmic [ATP] was decreased (by 43%) and [Pi] was increased (3-fold) by addition of carboxyatractyloside. The effect of thapsigargin was abolished by addition of xylulose to deplete cytoplasmic [ATP] (by 50%) and [Pi] (> 4-fold). The results indicate that in intact cells Ca2+ activates the mitochondrial ATP-Mg/Pi carrier to enable changes in the subcellular distribution of adenine nucleotides and that the relative [ATP] and [Pi] gradients govern the direction and magnitude of net adenine nucleotide movements between the cytoplasm and mitochondria.

The ATP-Mg/Pi carrier of rat liver mitochondria catalyzes a divalent electroneutral exchange.

Net transport of ATP-Mg or ADP in exchange for phosphate in isolated rat liver mitochondria has been shown to be an electroneutral process mediated by the ATP-Mg/Pi carrier. We compared the steady state distribution ratios of phosphate, ATP-Mg, and ADP at a pH of 7.4 to determine whether the divalent or monovalent form of these anions is the transported substrate. The log of the divalent ATP-Mg distribution ratio (in/out) approached the log of the divalent phosphate distribution ratio (approximately 0.85), which was approximately twice the value of the delta pH (approximately 0.40) across the inner mitochondrial membrane. This steady state relationship held under several different conditions, e.g. when the medium ATP concentration was varied or if the phosphate gradient was modified by partial uncoupling with the proton ionophore, carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone. Unidirectional ADP efflux in exchange for external ADP or ATP-Mg was stimulated by an increase in matrix H+. The log of the trivalent ADP distribution ratio (approximately 1.20) approached 3 times the value of delta pH. All these data are consistent with the model of an electroneutral exchange of divalent phosphate (HPO2-4) for divalent ATP-Mg (ATP-Mg2-) or for divalent protonated ADP (HADP2-). We conclude that this transport mechanism accounts for the adenine nucleotide concentration gradient that normally exists between the matrix and external medium.

ATP-Mg/Pi carrier activity in rat liver mitochondria.

The ATP-Mg/Pi carrier in liver mitochondria is activated by micromolar Ca2+ and mediates net adenine nucleotide transport into and out of the mitochondrial matrix. The purpose of this study was to characterize certain features of ATP-Mg/Pi carrier activity that are essential for understanding how the mitochondrial adenine nucleotide content is regulated. The relative importance of ATP and ADP as transport substrates was investigated using specific trap assays to measure their separate rates of carrier-mediated efflux with Pi as the external counterion. Under energized conditions ATP efflux accounted for 88% of total ATP+ADP efflux. With oligomycin present to lower the matrix ATP/ADP ratio, ATP efflux was eliminated and ADP efflux was relatively unaffected. Mg2+ was stoichiometrically required for ATP influx and is probably transported simultaneously with ATP. Ca2+ and Mn2+ could substitute for the stoichiometric Mg2+ requirement. ADP influx and Pi-induced adenine nucleotide efflux were unaffected by external Mg2+. Experiments with Pi analogues suggested that Pi is transported as the divalent anion, HPO4(2-). The results show that ATP-Mg and divalent Pi are the major transport substrates; the most probable transport mechanism for the ATP-Mg/Pi carrier is an electroneutral exchange. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the direction and magnitude of net adenine nucleotide movements are determined mainly by the (ATP-Mg)2- and HPO4(2-) concentration gradients across the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Denaturing gradient gel method for mapping single base changes in human mitochondrial DNA.

A denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) method is described that detects even single base pair changes in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). In this method, restriction fragments of mtDNA are electrophoresed in a urea/formamide gradient gel at 60 degrees C. Migration distance of each mtDNA fragment in the gel depends on melting behavior which reflects base composition. Fragments are located by Southern blotting with specific mtDNA probes. With just four carefully chosen restriction enzymes and as little as 50-100 ng of mtDNA, the method covers almost the entire human mitochondrial genome. To demonstrate the method, human mtDNA was analyzed. In six normal individuals, DGGE revealed melting behavior polymorphisms (MBPs) in mtDNA fragments that were not detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis in agarose gels. Another individual, shown to have a melting behavior polymorphism in the cytochrome b coding region, was studied in detail. By mapping, the mutation was deduced to lie between nt 14905 and 15370. The affected fragment was amplified by PCR and sequenced. Specific base changes were identified in the region predicted by the gel result. This method will be especially useful as a diagnostic tool in mitochondrial disease for rapid localization of mtDNA mutations to specific regions of the genome, but DGGE also could complement RFLP analysis as a more sensitive method to follow maternal lineage in human and animal populations in a variety of research fields.

Mitochondrial tRNA(thr) mutation in fatal infantile respiratory enzyme deficiency.

The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of two unrelated infants with lethal respiratory chain defects was studied using denaturing gradient gel analysis. This analysis revealed melting behavior differences suggesting a point mutation(s) in a restriction fragment containing the apocytochrome b and tRNA(thr) genes. Sequencing revealed that patient 1 had an A to G mutation at nt 15924 which is the last base pair of the anticodon stem adjacent to the anticodon loop of tRNA(thr). Patient 2 had an A to G mutation at nt 15923 which is the last base of the anticodon loop. The results suggest that mtDNA mutations affecting the anticodon loop structure of tRNA(thr) cause mitochondrial disease that is fatal in infancy.

mtDNA depletion with variable tissue expression: a novel genetic abnormality in mitochondrial diseases.

We studied two related infants with a fatal mitochondrial disease, affecting muscle in one and liver in the other. Quantitative analysis revealed a severe depletion of mtDNA in affected tissues. This genetic abnormality was also observed in muscle of an unrelated infant with myopathy and in muscle and kidney of a fourth child with myopathy and nephropathy. Biochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization showed that the depletion of mtDNA in muscle fibers was correlated with a respiratory chain defect and with lack of mitochondrially translated proteins. Although the differential tissue involvement in these infants suggests mtDNA heteroplasmy, sequence analysis of mtDNA replication origins did not reveal any abnormality that could account for the low copy number.

Deficiency of complex III of the mitochondrial respiratory chain in a patient with facioscapulohumeral disease.

Facioscapulohumeral disease (FSHD), an inherited neuromuscular disorder, is characterized by progressive wasting of specific muscle groups, particularly the proximal musculature of the upper limbs; the primary defect in this disorder is unknown. We studied a patient with FSHD to determine whether the mitochondrial respiratory chain was functionally abnormal. Muscle biopsy revealed fiber atrophy with patchy staining for oxidative enzymes. Electron microscopy of a liver section showed many enlarged mitochondria with paracrystalline inclusions. Decreased oxidation of the respiratory substrates-alanine and succinate-in skin fibroblasts suggested a deficiency of complex III of the electron-transport chain; cytochrome c oxidase activity (complex IV) was in the normal range. Biochemical analysis of liver supported the fibroblast data, since succinate oxidase activity (electron-transport activity through complexes II-IV) was reduced, whereas complex IV activity was normal. Furthermore, analysis of the cytochrome spectrum in liver revealed typical peaks for cytochromes cc1 and aa3, whereas cytochrome b (a component of complex III) was undetectable. Southern blot analysis of fibroblast mtDNA revealed no major deletions or rearrangements. Our study provides the first documentation of a specific enzyme-complex deficiency associated with FSHD.

Mitochondrial toxicity of cationic photosensitizers for photochemotherapy.

The triarylmethane derivative Victoria Blue-BO (VB-BO) and the chalcogenapyrylium (CP) dyes have potential for use in photochemotherapy, because they are taken up by the mitochondria of malignant cells and cause cell death. To clarify the mechanism of cell killing we examined the phototoxic effects of VB-BO and a series of three CP dyes on bioenergetic function in isolated rat liver mitochondria. Without photoirradiation, and irrespective of the respiratory substrate used, each of the compounds tested induced some uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation. Visible irradiation of VB-BO produced an inhibition of mitochondrial respiration when glutamate plus malate, but not succinate, was used as the respiratory substrate. With photoirradiation VB-BO was also shown to inhibit rotenone-sensitive NADH-cytochrome c reductase activity, but it had no effect on succinate-cytochrome c reductase activity. These data indicate that photoactivation of VB-BO produces selective inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory complex I. Photoirradiation of the CP dyes inhibited both complex I and complex II initiated respiratory activity. With photoirradiation, the CP dyes also inhibited both NADH- and succinate-cytochrome c reductase activities, as well as other membrane-bound enzymes, cytochrome c oxidase and succinate dehydrogenase, but not the mitochondrial matrix enzyme, citrate synthetase, or the cytosolic enzyme, lactate dehydrogenase. alpha-Tocopherol protected bioenergetic activities against CP dye photodamage. These results suggest that mitochondrial photosensitization by CP compounds is mediated by the production of membrane-damaging singlet oxygen which causes nonspecific damage to membranes and membrane-bound enzymes.

Calcium stimulates ATP-Mg/Pi carrier activity in rat liver mitochondria.

Adenine nucleotide transport over the carboxyatractyloside-insensitive ATP-Mg/Pi carrier was assayed in isolated rat liver mitochondria with the aim of investigating a possible regulatory role for Ca2+ on carrier activity. Net changes in the matrix adenine nucleotide content (ATP + ADP + AMP) occur when ATP-Mg exchanges for Pi over this carrier. The rates of net accumulation and net loss of adenine nucleotides were inhibited when free Ca2+ was chelated with EGTA and stimulated when buffered [Ca2+]free was increased from 1.0 to 4.0 microM. The unidirectional components of net change were similarly dependent on Ca2+; ATP influx and efflux were inhibited by EGTA in a concentration-dependent manner and stimulated by buffered free Ca2+ in the range 0.6-2.0 microM. For ATP influx, increasing the medium [Ca2+]free from 1.0 to 2.0 microM lowered the apparent Km for ATP from 4.44 to 2.44 mM with no effect on the apparent Vmax (3.55 and 3.76 nmol/min/mg with 1.0 and 2.0 microM [Ca2+]free, respectively). Stimulation of influx and efflux by [Ca2+]free was unaffected by either ruthenium red or the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. Calmodulin antagonists inhibited transport activity. In isolated hepatocytes, glucagon or vasopressin promoted an increased mitochondrial adenine nucleotide content. The effect of both hormones was blocked by EGTA, and for vasopressin, the effect was blocked also by neomycin. The results suggest that the increase in mitochondrial adenine nucleotide content that follows hormonal stimulation of hepatocytes is mediated by an increase in cytosolic [Ca2+]free that activates the ATP-Mg/Pi carrier.

Regulation of the mitochondrial adenine nucleotide pool size in liver: mechanism and metabolic role.

The ATP-Mg/Pi carrier in liver mitochondria can catalyze the exchange of ATP-Mg on one side of the inner membrane for Pi on the other. This mechanism allows for net uptake or release of ATP-Mg from mitochondria and thus regulates the matrix ATP + ADP + AMP pool size. In isolated mitochondria, carrier activity is stimulated by submicromolar concentrations of calcium, suggesting that calcium may regulate transport rates in vivo. Whenever the carrier is active, the direction of any net changes in the matrix adenine nucleotide pool size is determined mainly by the extent to which the prevailing ATP-Mg concentration gradient deviates from an equilibrium related to delta pH through the phosphate concentration gradient. Thus it seems that in the cell, energy status (reflected by ATP:ADP ratios in the cytoplasm and matrix) determines whether calcium-mediated hormone activation of the carrier will produce an increase or a decrease in the matrix adenine nucleotide content. Consequent variations in the absolute concentrations of ATP, ADP, and AMP in the matrix may contribute to the selective regulation of those metabolic activities in the cell that have adenine nucleotide dependent steps localized to the mitochondrial compartment (gluconeogenesis, urea synthesis, mitochondrial biogenesis, and even oxidative phosphorylation).