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At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Effects of 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosylguanine on mitochondria in CEM T-lymphoblast leukemia cells.

The nucleoside analog 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosylguanine (araG) is presently evaluated in clinical trials for therapy of T-cell lymphoid malignancies. AraG is a substrate for the mitochondrial deoxyguanosine kinase and we have recently shown that araG is predominantly incorporated into mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). In this study we have investigated the effects of araG on mtDNA content and function. Although araG was incorporated into mtDNA, no decrease in mtDNA levels or effect on the expression of the mtDNA encoded cytochrome c oxidase was detected. Cells depleted of mtDNA were resistant to araG, but the mechanism of resistance was not specific for nucleoside analogs incorporated into mtDNA. Furthermore, the results suggest that the cells need to pass the S-phase in order for araG to induce caspase-dependent apoptosis. In summary, our findings suggest that the incorporation of araG into mtDNA does not cause the acute cytotoxicity of araG.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Increased sperm mitochondrial DNA content in male infertility.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) anomalies in sperm may lead to infertility. Point mutations, deletions and the presence of a specific mtDNA haplogroup have been associated with poor sperm quality, but little attention has been paid to the role of mtDNA content. METHODS: Using density gradient separation and swim-up methods, we selected motile sperm from 32 normal and 35 abnormal sperm samples. The mtDNA/beta-globin gene ratio was determined by real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS: The average mtDNA/beta-globin ratio of sperm collected from 100% density layers was 1.4 for normal sperm, 6.1 for sperm samples presenting at least one abnormal criterion [among the three criteria established by World Health Organization (1999), i.e. sperm count, motility and morphology], and 9.1 for sperm samples presenting two or more of these abnormal criteria. These differences are very highly significant (P < 0.0001). The mtDNA numbers were also much greater in sperm collected from the 40% density gradient layers (mean: 17.1, P < 0.001), known to contain the most abnormal sperm of the sperm samples, than in those collected from the 100% layers known to contain sperm with the best fertilizing ability. CONCLUSION: Our results showed significant mtDNA amplification in sperm collected from abnormal sperm samples.

Computer Systems↗

Effects of differentiation of embryonal carcinoma cells (P19) on mitochondrial DNA content in vitro.

The embryonal carcinoma cell line P19 is derived from mouse teratocarcinomas. These pluripotent cells can be induced to differentiate into a variety of cell types by exposure to various drugs. We used retinoic acid to induce embryonal carcinoma cells to differentiate into neuronlike cells. In this study, we show that changes occur in mitochondria during differentiation of embryonal carcinoma cells to neuronlike cells. We found that various morphologic parameters such as mitochondrial fractional area and mitochondrial size decrease as embryonal carcinoma cells differentiate into neuronlike cells. Similar changes were also observed in mitochondrial DNA content. Stereologic analysis of cell preparations provided a measure of mitochondrial fractional area per cell and mtDNA content was assessed by radiolabeled mtDNA probe. This study establishes that mitochondria are regulated as cells differentiate.

Animals↗

Mitochondrial DNA mutations and mitochondrial DNA depletion in gastric cancer.

Gastric carcinoma is one of the most common types of cancer in Taiwan. Somatic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) alteration in gastric carcinoma and its association with clinicopathologic features remain unclear. When we used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing, 15 of the 31 (48%) gastric carcinomas displayed somatic mutations in the D-loop region, a hot spot for mutations in mtDNA of human cancers. Ten (67%) cancers with the somatic mutations in the D-loop had insertion or deletion mutations in nucleotide position (np) 303-309 in the mononucleotide repeat region. One carcinoma carried tandem duplication and triplication flanked by mononucleotide repeats starting at np 311 and 568, respectively, in the D-loop. We also detected the common 4,977-bp deletion in 17 (55%) of the noncancerous tissue samples, but only in three (9%) carcinomas. Moreover, we quantified the mtDNA content using a competitive PCR technique and found that mtDNA depletion occurred in 17 (55%) of the gastric carcinomas. Although no significant association was found between clinicopathologic features and the mtDNA mutations in the D-loop, mtDNA depletion was observed significantly in the ulcerated, infiltrating (Borrmann's type III) and diffusely thick (Borrmann's type IV) types of gastric carcinomas (P = 0.018). Our results suggest that somatic mtDNA mutations and mtDNA depletion occur in gastric cancer and that mtDNA depletion is involved in carcinogenesis and/or cancer progression of gastric carcinoma.

Base Sequence↗

The mitochondrial genome in embryo technologies.

The mammalian mitochondrial genome encodes for 37 genes which are involved in a broad range of cellular functions. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) molecule is commonly assumed to be inherited through oocyte cytoplasm in a clonal manner, and apparently species-specific mechanisms have evolved to eliminate the contribution of sperm mitochondria after natural fertilization. However, recent evidence for paternal mtDNA inheritance in embryos and offspring questions the general validity of this model, particularly in the context of assisted reproduction and embryo biotechnology. In addition to normal mt DNA haplotype variation, oocytes and spermatozoa show remarkable differences in mtDNA content and may be affected by inherited or acquired mtDNA aberrations. All these parameters have been correlated with gamete quality and reproductive success rates. Nuclear transfer (NT) technology provides experimental models for studying interactions between nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. Recent studies demonstrated (i) a significant effect of mtDNA haplotype or other maternal cytoplasmic factors on the efficiency of NT; (ii) phenotypic differences between transmitochondrial clones pointing to functionally relevant nuclear-cytoplasmic interactions; and (iii) neutral or non-neutral selection of mtDNA haplotypes in heteroplasmic conditions. Mitochondria form a dynamic reticulum, enabling complementation of mitochondrial components and possibly mixing of different mtDNA populations in heteroplasmic individuals. Future directions of research on mtDNA in the context of reproductive biotechnology range from the elimination of adverse effects of artificial heteroplasmy, e.g. created by ooplasm transfer, to engineering of optimized constellations of nuclear and cytoplasmic genes for the production of superior livestock.

Animals↗

Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy: evidence of mitochondrial DNA depletion in the small intestine.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy (MNGIE) is an autosomal recessive disease clinically defined by gastrointestinal dysmotility, cachexia, ptosis, ophthalmoparesis, peripheral neuropathy, white-matter changes in brain magnetic resonance imaging, and mitochondrial abnormalities. Loss-of-function mutations in thymidine phosphorylase gene induce pathologic accumulations of thymidine and deoxyuridine that in turn cause mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) defects (depletion, multiple deletions, and point mutations). Our study is aimed to define the molecular basis of gastrointestinal dysmotility in a case of MNGIE. METHODS: By using laser capture microdissection techniques, we correlated histologic features with mtDNA abnormalities in different tissue components of the gastrointestinal wall in a MNGIE patient and ten controls. RESULTS: The patient's small intestine showed marked atrophy and mitochondrial proliferation of the external layer of muscularis propria. Genetic analysis revealed selective depletion of mtDNA in the small intestine compared with esophagus, stomach, and colon, and microdissection analysis revealed that mtDNA depletion was confined to the external layer of muscularis propria. Multiple deletions were detected in the upper esophagus and skeletal muscle. Site-specific somatic point mutations were detected only at low abundance both in the muscle and nervous tissue of the gastrointestinal tract. Analysis of the gastrointestinal tract from 10 controls revealed a non-homogeneous distribution of mtDNA content; the small intestine had the lowest levels of mtDNA. CONCLUSION: Atrophy, mitochondrial proliferation, and mtDNA depletion in the external layer of muscularis propria of small intestine indicate that visceral myopathy is responsible for gastrointestinal dysmotility in this MNGIE patient.

Adult↗

Antisense-mediated decrease in DNA ligase III expression results in reduced mitochondrial DNA integrity.

The human DNA ligase III gene encodes both nuclear and mitochondrial proteins. Abundant evidence supports the conclusion that the nuclear DNA ligase III protein plays an essential role in both base excision repair and homologous recombination. However, the role of DNA ligase III protein in mitochondrial genome dynamics has been obscure. Human tumor-derived HT1080 cells were transfected with an antisense DNA ligase III expression vector and clones with diminished levels of DNA ligase III activity identified. Mitochondrial protein extracts prepared from these clones had decreased levels of DNA ligase III relative to extracts from cells transfected with a control vector. Analysis of these clones revealed that the DNA ligase III antisense mRNA-expressing cells had reduced mtDNA content compared to control cells. In addition, the residual mtDNA present in these cells had numerous single-strand nicks that were not detected in mtDNA from control cells. Cells expressing antisense ligase III also had diminished capacity to restore their mtDNA to pre-irradiation levels following exposure to gamma-irradiation. An antisense-mediated reduction in cellular DNA ligase IV had no effect on the copy number or integrity of mtDNA. This observation, coupled with other evidence, suggests that DNA ligase IV is not present in the mitochondria and does not play a role in maintaining mtDNA integrity. We conclude that DNA ligase III is essential for the proper maintenance of mtDNA in cultured mammalian somatic cells.

DNA Damage↗

Depletion of mitochondrial DNA alters glucose metabolism in SK-Hep1 cells.

Maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been suggested to be a genetic factor for diabetes. Reports have shown a decrease of mtDNA content in tissues of diabetic patients. We investigated the effects of mtDNA depletion on glucose metabolism by use of rho(0) SK-Hep1 human hepatoma cells, whose mtDNA was depleted by long-term exposure to ethidium bromide. The rho(0) cells failed to hyperpolarize mitochondrial membrane potential in response to glucose stimulation. Intracellular ATP content, glucose-stimulated ATP production, glucose uptake, steady-state mRNA and protein levels of glucose transporters, and cellular activities of glucose-metabolizing enzymes were decreased in rho(0) cells compared with parental rho(+) cells. Our results suggest that the quantitative reduction of mtDNA may suppress the expression of nuclear DNA-encoded glucose transporters and enzymes of glucose metabolism. Thus this may lead to diabetic status, such as decreased ATP production and glucose utilization.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PGC-1-related coactivator and targets are upregulated in thyroid oncocytoma.

Thyroid oncocytomas are tumors characterized by dense mitochondrial accumulation, the cause of which is currently unknown. Members of the PGC-1 coactivator family have been identified as important mediators of mitochondrial biogenesis because of their ability to activate nuclear genes encoding mitochondrial proteins. We have investigated the influence of the PGC-1 related coactivator (PRC) on the high mitochondrial content observed in oncocytoma by quantifying the transcripts of PRC, the nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF-1) and the mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), in 30 oncocytic tumors and corresponding normal tissues. The three genes studied were found to be significantly overexpressed in thyroid oncocytomas, concomitantly with an increase in cytochrome oxidase activity and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content. However, no mtDNA variant in the D-loop region appeared to be involved in oncocytic development. We conclude that overexpression of the PRC pathway is responsible for mitochondrial proliferation in the context of thyroid oncocytoma.

Adenoma↗

Resistance exercise training decreases oxidative damage to DNA and increases cytochrome oxidase activity in older adults.

Regular resistance exercise increases muscle strength and induces muscle fibre hypertrophy in older adults. Although the underlying causes of aging remain unclear, like acute exercise, aging is associated with oxidative stress. In ageing, however, oxidative stress is closely associated with mitochondrial dysfunction as proposed by the mitochondrial theory of aging. The effect of regular resistance exercise upon mitochondrial function and oxidative stress in older adults is unknown. Twenty-eight older men and women (approximately 68.5+/-5.1 yr) performed whole-body resistance exercise training for 14 weeks. Muscle biopsies were taken before and 72 h following the last exercise bout from the vastus lateralis. Urine samples were also taken at the time of tissue collection. Resistance exercise training was associated with a decrease in 8-OHdG (Pre: 10783+/-5856, Post: 8897+/-4030 ng g(-1) creatinine; p<0.05). Protein content for CuZnSOD, MnSOD, and catalase, and enzyme activities for citrate synthase, mitochondrial ETC complex I+III, and complex II+III were not significantly different from baseline. However, complex IV activity was significantly higher after training as compared to before training (Pre: 2.2+/-0.5, Post: 2.9+/-0.9 micromol min(-1) g(-1)ww; p<0.05), as was the ratio of complex IV to complex I (Pre: 11.1+/-9.3, Post: 14.5+/-10.3; p<0.05). There were no apparent changes in normal mtDNA content or visible mtDNA deletion products as a function of training. These data suggest that regular resistance exercise decreases oxidative stress, but does not affect mtDNA. Moreover, increases in complex IV of the electron transport chain may have an indirect antioxidant effect in older adults and may improve function in daily activities.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗

Mitochondrial (mt)DNA changes in tissue may not be reflected by depletion of mtDNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in HIV-infected patients.

OBJECTIVES: Most data on mitochondrial toxicity have been derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). However, whether mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content in PBMCs reflects the mitochondrial state in tissues remains elusive. We report herein on mitochondrial toxicity in skeletal muscle in HIV-infected patients naive to antiretroviral treatment (ART [HIV+ART-naive]; n = 10) patients exposed to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs [HIV+NRTI+]; n = 24) and healthy controls (n = 11), and compare these tissue data with mtDNA in PBMCs. METHODS: Muscle biopsies were examined for (i) mtDNA and nuclear DNA (nDNA) content using TaqMan real-time PCR system, (ii) mtDNA deletions using long expand PCR with subsequent gel electrophoresis, and (iii) mitochondrial myopathy expressed as cytochrome c oxidase (COX)-deficient muscle fibres. RESULTS: The mt/n DNA ratio in muscle from HIV+NRTI+ patients was reduced compared with HIV-negative controls (P = 0.028). Moreover, mtDNA deletions were more frequent in HIV+NRTI+ patients than in both HIV-negative controls (P = 0.009) and HIV+ART-naive patients (P = 0.005). HIV+NRTI+ also tended to have more COX-deficient fibres than HIV-negative controls (P = 0.076). COX-deficient fibres were positively correlated with mtDNA deletions in HIV+NRTI+ patients (r = 0.83, P < 0.001). Patients with current use of didanosine (ddl) had more frequent mtDNA deletions and COX-deficient fibres than HIV+NRTI+ not on current treatment with ddl. It should be noted that mitochondrial alterations were not correlated with mtDNA/cell in PBMCs in any group. CONCLUSIONS: In skeletal muscle, HIV+NRTI+ had a reduced mt/n DNA ratio, more frequent mtDNA deletions and possibly more COX-deficient muscle fibres than HIV-negative controls. However, the mtDNA/cell in peripheral blood was decreased in both HIV+NRTI+ and HIV+ART-naive patients. Thus, mtDNA in peripheral blood may not be a relevant marker of mitochondrial toxicity in organ-specific tissue.

Biomarkers↗

Mitochondrial DNA content and 4977 bp deletion in unfertilized oocytes.

Previous studies analysing the incidences of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions and mtDNA content in unfertilized oocytes in relation to donors' age have been controversial. The objective of the study was to compare these two parameters in unfertilized oocytes and relate them to the donors' age. Fifty-two women donated 155 unfertilized metaphase II (MII) oocytes. The incidence of 4977 bp deletion was 34.6%, and the mtDNA copy number was 598 350 +/- 265 862. Women >or=35 years of age had a significantly higher incidence of 4977 bp deletion, lower mtDNA copy number, higher FSH level and poorer ovarian response when compared with younger women. The mtDNA copy number was negatively correlated with the donor's age. The higher incidence of mtDNA deletion and lower mtDNA copy number in older women suggested that these two parameters may reflect ovarian ageing.

Adult↗

Apoptosis in mitochondrial myopathies is linked to mitochondrial proliferation.

Increased susceptibility to apoptosis has been shown in many models of mitochondrial defects but its relevance to human diseases is still discussed. We addressed the presence of apoptosis in muscle from patients with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) disorders. Taking advantage of the mosaic pattern of muscle morphological anomalies associated with heteroplasmic mtDNA alterations, we have used an in situ approach to address the relationship between apoptosis and respiratory defect, mitochondrial proliferation and mutation load. Different patterns of mitochondrial morphological alterations were provided by the analysis of muscles with large mtDNA deletion (16 cases) or with the MELAS mutation (4 cases). The patient's age at biopsy ranged from 0.4 to 66 years and the muscle mutant mtDNA proportion from 32 to 82%. Apoptotic muscle fibres were observed in a small proportion of muscle fibres of 16 out of the 20 biopsies by three different detection methods for different steps of apoptosis: caspase 3 activation, fragmentation of nuclear DNA [terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay] or overexpression of the pro-apoptotic factor Bax. Analysis of apoptotic features in parallel to cytochrome c oxidase (COX) and succinate dehydrogenase activity of more than 34,000 individual muscle fibres showed that apoptosis occurred only in muscle fibres with mitochondrial proliferation (ragged red fibres, RRF) irrespective of their COX activity. Molecular analyses of single muscle fibres evidenced that, as expected, the presence of COX defect was associated with higher proportion of mutant mtDNA and lower amount of normal mtDNA. Within COX-defective fibres, the presence of mitochondrial proliferation was associated with increase of the mtDNA content but without change in the ratio between normal and mutant mtDNA molecules, thus showing that mitochondrial proliferation was accompanied by similar amplification of normal and mutant mtDNA molecules. Within RRF, apoptosis was associated with higher mutation proportion, suggesting that it was provoked by severe respiratory defect in the same time as increased mitochondrial mass. In conclusion, apoptosis most probably contributes to mitochondrial pathology. It is tightly linked to mitochondrial proliferation and high mutation load. When considering training therapeutics, one will have to take into account the possibility to induce apoptosis in parallel to mitochondrial proliferation.

Adolescent↗

Mitochondrial DNA copy number and mitochondrial DNA deletion in adult and senescent rats.

In order to understand the cause of the reduced mitochondrial DNA transcription in heart and brain of senescent rat previously reported, we focused our attention on the content and structure of rat mitochondrial DNA in adult and senescent rats. The estimate of the mtDNA copy number in liver, heart and brain of adult and senescent rats showed that in all organs examined the senescent individuals have a mtDNA content higher than the adult counterparts. The analysis of mtDNA structural changes involved the search for point mutations and large deletions. As for the first case, the determination of the nucleotide sequence of many independent clones containing two mtDNA restriction fragments isolated from rat cerebral hemispheres did not show any sequence difference between adult and senescent individuals. However, analysis of mtDNA deletions by the polymerase chain reaction in liver and brain of adult and senescent rats identified a small population of mtDNA molecules harboring a deletion of 4834 bp. The estimate of the proportion of deleted molecules in the liver showed that they represent 0.02% and 0.0005% of total mtDNA in senescent and adult rat liver respectively. Therefore, a mtDNA deletion also accumulates in the rat during aging. This result supports the hypothesis of the accumulation of deleted mtDNA molecules in aging. However, the low percentage of deleted mtDNA molecules already found and the reversibility of the reduced mitochondrial DNA transcription in senescent rat raise doubts on the primary role of the irreversibly damaged mtDNA molecules in aging. Deleted mtDNA molecules along with changes caused by lipid peroxidation of mitochondrial membranes might contribute to the overall decline of mitochondrial function.

Aging↗

Oxidative stress-induced depolymerization of microtubules and alteration of mitochondrial mass in human cells.

Mitochondrial biogenesis is a biological process that has been intensively studied over the past few years. However, the detailed molecular mechanism underlying this increase in mitochondria remains unclear. To investigate the mechanism of such a mitochondrial proliferation, we examined alterations in mitochondria of human osteosarcoma 143B cells that had been treated with 100 to 500 microM hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for 48 h. The results showed that mitochondrial mass of the cell was increased with the increase of the concentration of H2O2. On the other hand, by using real-time PCR techniques, we observed the changes of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content in the cells exposed to oxidative stress. The copy number of mtDNA was increased by treatment with a low dose of H2O2 but was drastically decreased after treatment with H2O2 higher than 300 microM. Transmission electron microscopic images revealed that mitochondria were abnormally proliferated in cells exposed to oxidative stress. Moreover, we found that the percentage of 143B cells arrested at the G2/M phase increased upon treatment with H2O2. Immunostaining and microtubule fractionation assay revealed that microtubules were depolymerized in the cells that had been treated with H2O2. To understand the effect of microtubules depolymerization on the mitochondrial mass, we treated the cells with several kinds of microtubule-active drugs, which arrest cultured cells at the G2/M phase. The results showed that mitochondrial mass and mtDNA copy number all were increased after such treatments. Taking these findings together, we suggest that oxidative stress-induced microtubule derangement is one of the molecular events involved in the increase of mitochondrial mass upon treatment of human cells with H2O2.

Cell Cycle↗

Mitochondrial genome content is regulated during nematode development.

Growth and development rely on the mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) as the major source of ATP. We measured the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number of each of the Caenorhabditis elegans developmental stages. Embryos, L1, L2, and L3 larvae all have approximately 25,000 copies of maternally derived mtDNA. The copy number increases fivefold in L4 larvae and a further sixfold in adult hermaphrodites, but only twofold in adult males. The majority of mtDNA in adult worms is germline associated, and germline-deficient mutants show markedly reduced mtDNA contents. With sperm-deficient or oocyte-deficient mutants, we confirm that mtDNA amplification is primarily associated with oocyte production. When mtDNA replication is inhibited, a quantitative and homogeneous arrest as L3 larvae occurs. Thus, mtDNA amplification is a necessary component of normal development and its regulation may involve an energy-sensing decision or checkpoint that can be invoked when mitochondrial energy generation is impaired.

Animals↗

Depletion of mitochondrial DNA in the skeletal muscle of two cirrhotic patients with severe asthenia.

Qualitative and quantitative alterations of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in the skeletal muscle from two patients with cirrhosis and severe asthenia have been studied. The 4977 bp (mtDNA(4977)) and the 7436 bp (mtDNA(7436)) mtDNA deletions, as well as other mtDNA deletions, revealed by long extension PCR (LX-PCR), were found in the two patients, whereas the 10,422 bp (mtDNA(10,422)) mtDNA deletion was absent. Altogether, the qualitative alterations of mtDNA in cirrhotic patients with severe asthenia were comparable to those of age-matched healthy individuals. The mtDNA content, on the contrary, was substantially decreased in both patients with respect to control. Such mtDNA depletion might be explained by an increased, disease-related, oxidative damage to mtDNA, which probably affects the replication of the mitochondrial genome as already suggested in other oxidative stress-associated diseases.

Asthenia↗

Quantification of human ooplasmic mitochondria.

It is likely that there is an association between the fitness of mitochondria and their ability to support normal cellular function. Oocytes are greatly enriched in the number of mitochondria as they support essential developmental processes such as oocyte maturation and embryonic development, while their replication is deferred until gastrulation. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in 87 human oocytes from 29 patients was evaluated after DNA extraction and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The average mtDNA copy number was 795,000 (+/- 243,000) in metaphase II oocytes. mtDNA content varied considerably between oocytes, even within the same patient. No relationship was found between mtDNA copy number and maternal age. The findings suggest that mtDNA replication is fully accomplished by the germinal vesicle stage in the fully developed oocyte.

DNA, Mitochondrial↗