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Gene expression analysis exposes mitochondrial abnormalities in a mouse model of Rett syndrome.

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurological disorder caused by mutations in the X-linked MECP2 gene, which encodes a methyl-CpG binding transcriptional repressor. Using the Mecp2-null mouse (an animal model for RTT) and differential display, we found that mice with neurological symptoms overexpress the nuclear gene for ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase core protein 1 (Uqcrc1). Chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated that MeCP2 interacts with the Uqcrc1 promoter. Uqcrc1 encodes a subunit of mitochondrial respiratory complex III, and isolated mitochondria from the Mecp2-null brain showed elevated respiration rates associated with respiratory complex III and an overall reduction in coupling. A causal link between Uqcrc1 gene overexpression and enhanced complex III activity was established in neuroblastoma cells. Our findings raise the possibility that mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to pathology of the Mecp2-null mouse and may contribute to the long-known resemblance between Rett syndrome and certain mitochondrial disorders.

Animals↗

Antioxidant enzymes in blood of patients with Friedreich's ataxia.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Increased generation of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial dysfunction may underlie the pathophysiology of Friedreich's ataxia, the most common inherited ataxia, due to GAA expansion in a gene coding for a mitochondrial protein (frataxin), implicated in the regulation of iron metabolism. Because iron overload would cause oxidative stress in Friedreich's ataxia, we investigated the enzyme antioxidant system in the blood of 14 patients by determining superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione transferase catalytic activities. We also studied the glutathione S-transferase genotype polymorphism in order to evaluate its possible influence on enzyme activity. METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from 14 unrelated patients with Friedreich's ataxia and 21 age matched healthy subjects. Antioxidant enzyme determinations were spectrophotometrically assayed using specific substrates; the glutathione S-transferase genotype polymorphism was analysed by endonuclease restriction mapping of exon 5 and 6 amplification products. RESULTS: There was a significant elevation of the superoxide dismutase/glutathione peroxidase activity ratio (0.037 (0.01) v 0.025 (0.008) of controls) and an 83% rise of glutathione transferase specific activity (0.22 (0.1) v 0.12 (0.03) nmol/min/mg protein) in blood of patients with Friedreich's ataxia than in the controls. The genotype polymorphism of glutathione S-transferase enzyme did not show any relevant differences when compared to that of healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Data show an impairment in vivo of antioxidant enzymes in patients with Friedreich's ataxia and provide evidence of an increased sensitivity to oxidative stress, supporting a consistent role of free radical cytotoxicity in the pathophysiology of the disease.

Adolescent↗

P53 mediates amosite asbestos-induced alveolar epithelial cell mitochondria-regulated apoptosis.

Asbestos causes pulmonary toxicity in part by generating reactive oxygen species that cause DNA damage. We previously showed that the mitochondria-regulated (intrinsic) death pathway mediates alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) DNA damage and apoptosis. Because p53 regulates the DNA damage response in part by inducing intrinsic cell death, we determined whether p53-dependent transcriptional activity mediates asbestos-induced AEC mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. We show that inhibitors of p53-dependent transcriptional activation (pifithrin and type 16-E6 protein) block asbestos-induced AEC mitochondrial membrane potential change (DeltaPsim), caspase 9 activation, and apoptosis. We demonstrate that asbestos activates p53 promoter activity, mRNA levels, protein expression, and Bax and p53 mitochondrial translocation. Further, pifithrin, E6, phytic acid, or rho(0)-A549 cells (cells incapable of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production) block asbestos-induced p53 activation. Finally, we show that asbestos augments p53 expression in cells at the bronchoalveolar duct junctions of rat lungs and that phytic acid prevents this. These data suggest that p53-dependent transcription pathways mediate asbestos-induced AEC mitochondria-regulated apoptosis. This suggests an important interactive effect between p53 and the mitochondria in the pathogenesis of asbestos-induced pulmonary toxicity that may have broader implications for our understanding of pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer.

Animals↗

Respirometric Screening Technology for ADME-Tox studies.

Analysis of mitochondrial dysfunction is of particular importance in drug development, as it has been implicated in many common diseases and therapeutic treatments. Here, the markers of mitochondrial function and toxicity are reviewed, as well as current methods of assessment, with particular emphasis on oxygen respirometry. Fluorescence-based Respirometric Screening Technology (RST) allows convenient high-throughput analysis of oxygen consumption by cells, isolated mitochondria, enzymes, tissues and organisms, and is, therefore, of high value for such studies and general absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion and toxicology studies. Various RST assay formats are described and specific applications are discussed. Consideration is also given to the future potential of this analytical approach.

Animals↗

Respiratory-chain enzyme activities in isolated mitochondria of lymphocytes from patients with Parkinson's disease: preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction stimulates the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that promote neural cell death in stroke and in Parkinson's disease. The sites of mitochondrial ROS production are not established but are generally believed to be located within the electron transport chain. AIMS: We studied the mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes function from human circulating lymphocytes. SETTING AND DESIGN: Open study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) with 30 age-matched control subjects were selected in this study. The patients had received no treatment before the study was conducted. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The data from patients and controls were compared using two-tailed student's t-test and values were expressed as means +/- standard deviation (SD). RESULTS: Respiratory complex I + III and IV activities were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in patients than in control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The use of lymphocytes for investigating the respiratory chain enzymes provides an easy, noninvasive method to assess mitochondrial function in patients with PD. Furthermore, our study supports the hypothesis that a biochemical defect in the respiratory chain may be involved in the pathogenesis of PD.

Electron Transport↗

Could mitochondrial DNA quantitation be a surrogate marker for drug mitochondrial toxicity?

Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors have been proven to inhibit mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymerase gamma, resulting in decreased mtDNA synthesis and consequential risk for the development of mitochondrial dysfunction in HIV-infected individuals. The depletion of mtDNA seems to correlate with the development of symptomatic hyperlactatemia and lipoatrophy. A validated quantitative mitochondrial DNA assay could be useful to monitor and prevent mitochondrial damage in HIV-infected patients, especially in those under antiretroviral therapy with nucleoside analogues. This review analyzes the current methods to determine mitochondrial damage and the available data to support their utility in clinical practice.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

Mitochondrial DNA levels of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and subcutaneous adipose tissue from thigh, fat and abdomen of HIV-1 seropositive and negative individuals.

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been demonstrated in subcutaneous adipose tissue from lipoatrophic HIV-1-infected patients treated with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). To further assess mitochondrial toxicity, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copies/cell were measured in subcutaneous fat from various sites. Peripheral adipose tissues were obtained from the abdominal wall near the umbilicus, anterior lateral thigh, and dorsal cervical region of the neck of individuals from four cohorts: 1) seven lipoatrophic HIV-1-infected patients receiving a regimen with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) as part of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for > 6 months; 2) seven non-lipoatrophic HIV-1-infected patients receiving NRTIs-containing HAART; 3) five HIV-1-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy < 2 weeks (naive); 4) and five HIV-1-negative participants. Along with the adipose tissue samples, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were also obtained from each patient for mtDNA depletion examination. Total DNA was isolated and mtDNA copies/cell quantitated by competitive and real-time PCR. MtDNA copies/cell in abdomen, thigh, and neck fat were depleted in lipoatrophic HIV-1 seropositive compared to the seropositive naive and seronegative cohorts. MtDNA copies/cell in thigh and neck fat were also decreased in non-lipoatrophic subjects exposed to NRTIs compared with NRTI-naive and HIV seronegative controls. PBMC values did not differ among the cohorts and there was no correlation with lipoatrophy state or HIV-1 serostatus. Additionally, differences in mtDNA copies/cell were observed in the fat depots from seronegative subjects. Thigh fat mtDNA levels were 45-55% lower than abdomen and neck. These studies help demonstrate that mtDNA levels can vary in different subcutaneous adipose depots suggesting possible metabolic differences.

Adipose Tissue↗

Electron transport-mediated wasteful consumption of NADH promotes the lethal response of U937 cells to tert-butylhydroperoxide.

The toxicity of a short-term exposure to tert-butylhydroperoxide in U937 cells was markedly reduced by chemically or experimentally induced respiratory deficiency. Rotenone mitigated the lethal effects of the hydroperoxide over the same concentration-range in which the complex I inhibitor inhibited oxygen utilization. U937 cells that were made respiration deficient by growing them in the presence of either chloramphenicol or ethidium bromide, were in both circumstances highly resistant to tert-butylhydroperoxide. The improved survival was not a direct consequence of the absence of electron transport, but rather was attributable to the large amounts of NADH which accumulate in the mitochondria of chemically hypoxic or respiration-deficient cells. Indeed, the toxicity elicited by tert-butylhydroperoxide was also abolished by supplementation with either of two different NADH-linked substrates, namely pyruvate or beta-hydroxybutyrate. Accumulation of intramitochondrial NADH, and the resulting cytoprotective effects, was associated with prevention of the loss of nonprotein sulphydryls and mitochondrial membrane potential. Neither rotenone nor pyruvate reduced the toxicity of tert-butylhydroperoxide in thiol-depleted cells. Taken together, these results indicate that depletion of mitochondrial NADH is a critical event in the cytotoxic response to tert-butylhydroperoxide since this pyridine nucleotide prevents mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death caused by the hydroperoxide. As a consequence, in hydroperoxide-treated cells electron transport is highly detrimental since it consumes mitochondrial NADH.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

High-throughput profiling of the mitochondrial proteome using affinity fractionation and automation.

Recent studies have demonstrated the need for complementing cellular genomic information with specific information on expressed proteins, or proteomics, since the correlation between the two is poor. Typically, proteomic information is gathered by analyzing samples on two-dimensional gels with the subsequent identification of specific proteins of interest by using trypsin digestion and mass spectrometry in a process termed peptide mass fingerprinting. These procedures have, as a rule, been labor-intensive and manual, and therefore of low throughput. The development of automated proteomic technology for processing large numbers of samples simultaneously has made the concept of profiling entire proteomes feasible at last. In this study, we report the initiation of the (eventual) complete profile of the rat mitochondrial proteome by using high-throughput automated equipment in combination with a novel fractionation technique using minispin affinity columns. Using these technologies, approximately one hundred proteins could be identified in several days. In addition, separate profiles of calcium binding proteins, glycoproteins, and hydrophobic or membrane proteins could be generated. Because mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in numerous diseases, such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease and diabetes, it is probable that the identification of the majority of mitochondrial proteins will be a beneficial tool for developing drug and diagnostic targets for associated diseases.

Animals↗

A case of mitochondrial myopathy, lactic acidosis and complex I deficiency.

A 34-year-old man affected by exercise intolerance, mild proximal weakness and severe lactic acidosis is described. Muscle biopsy revealed mitochondrial abnormalities and an increase of cytochrome c oxidase histochemical reaction. Biochemical investigations on isolated muscle mitochondria as well as polarographic studies revealed a mitochondrial NADH-CoQ reductase (complex I) deficiency. Mitochondrial dysfunction was confirmed by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Immunological investigation showed a generalized reduction of all complex I polypeptides. Genetic analysis did not reveal mitochondrial DNA deletions. The biochemical defect was not present in the patient's muscle tissue culture. Metabolic measurements and functional evaluation showed a reduced mechanical efficiency during exercise.

Acidosis, Lactic↗

Muscle mitochondrial DNA in encephalomyopathy and ragged red fibres: a Southern blot analysis and literature review.

Various mitochondrial DNA abnormalities have been described in patients with encephalomyopathies. We performed Southern blot analysis of skeletal muscle mitochondrial DNA in nine adult patients with clinical features and ragged red fibres suggesting mitochondrial dysfunction. Two patients with encephalomyopathy and two with the MERRF syndrome (myoclonus epilepsy with ragged red fibres) had the normal PvuII restriction pattern of muscle mitochondrial DNA. In contrast, mitochondrial DNA deletion was observed in two of six patients with ophthalmoplegia. One suffered from typical Kearns-Sayre syndrome and the other from isolated external ophthalmoplegia. None of these patients had affected relatives. The detection of mitochondrial DNA deletion in external ophthalmoplegia and their site and size support previously reported data.

Blotting, Southern↗

Anaesthetic management of labour and delivery in the parturient with mitochondrial myopathy.

PURPOSE: We describe the anaesthetic management for Caesarean section in a parturient with a defect in complex III of the respiratory chain who had increased lactate concentrations at rest and with exercise. CLINICAL FEATURES: We administered effective epidural anaesthesia with lidocaine for Caesarean delivery. The serum lactate concentration was less than the preoperative value both during and after surgery. Shivering during the perioperative period was avoided by administering warm i.v. fluids, warm local anaesthetic solution and epidural meperidine. Pain relief after surgery was provided with i.v. PCA morphine augmented by local infiltration with bupivacaine to fascia and skin edges and epidural injection with meperidine. CONCLUSION: Mitochondrial myopathies are an uncommon group of disorders in which mitochondrial dysfunction leads to clinical disease of muscle and sometimes of other organs with high energy requirements. The management of labour and delivery in women with mitochondrial myopathies should be individualized according to severity of disease and formulated by consultation between attending physicians and the anaesthetist. Epidural analgesia reduces stress and work associated with labour and reduces oxygen demand during labour. However, parturients with defects of the respiratory chain with documented increased lactate concentrations at rest and with exercise are best managed with elective Caesarean delivery with regional anaesthesia to prevent life-threatening lactic acidosis during labour. The association between malignant hyperthermia and these disorders has not been proved, but it appears prudent to consider these women as MH susceptible until definitive data regarding this possible relationship are available.

Adult↗

Role of nitric oxide in the functional response to ischemia-reperfusion of heart mitochondria from hyperthyroid rats.

We investigated the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the mitochondrial derangement associated with the functional response to ischemia-reperfusion of hyperthyroid rat hearts. Mitochondria were isolated at 3000 g from hearts subjected to ischemia-reperfusion, with or without N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, an NO synthase inhibitor). During reperfusion, hyperthyroid hearts displayed tachycardia and low functional recovery. Their mitochondria exhibited O(2) consumption similar to euthyroid controls, while H(2)O(2) production, hydroperoxide, protein-bound carbonyl and nitrotyrosine levels, and susceptibility to swelling were higher. L-NNA blocked the reperfusion tachycardic response and increased inotropic recovery in hyperthyroid hearts. L-NNA decreased mitochondrial H(2)O(2) production and oxidative damage, and increased respiration and tolerance to swelling. Such effects were higher in hyperthyroid preparations. These results confirm the role of mitochondria in ischemia-reperfusion damage, and strongly suggest that NO overproduction is involved in the high mitochondrial dysfunction and the low recovery of hyperthyroid hearts from ischemia-reperfusion. L-NNA also decreased protein content and cytochrome oxidase activity of a mitochondrial fraction isolated at 8000 g. This and previous results suggest that the above fraction contains, together with light mitochondria, damaged mitochondria coming from the heaviest fraction, which has the highest cytochrome oxidase activity and capacity to produce H(2)O(2). Therefore, we propose that the high mitochondrial susceptibility to swelling, favoring mitochondrial population purification from H(2)O(2)-overproducing mitochondria, limits hyperthyroid heart oxidative stress.

Animals↗

Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia deafness and narcolepsy.

A new autosomal dominant syndrome in a Swedish pedigree is described. Five patients were affected with cerebellar ataxia and sensorineural deafness. Four of these patients had symptoms of narcolepsy. Optic atrophy, other neurological abnormalities and psychiatric symptoms developed with increasing disease duration. Three patients had non-neurological disease in addition, including diabetes mellitus in two and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in one. Autopsy with neuropathological examination was performed in one case. Molecular studies focused on the short arm of chromosome 6, including the HLA DR2 locus associated with narcolepsy and the (CAG)n repeat at the spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) locus. Biochemical investigation of muscle biopsy of one case indicated mitochondrial dysfunction with selective decrease in ATP production for substrates that normally give the highest rates. The activity of glutamate dehydrogenase was reduced, indicating a low mitochondrial density. We postulate an autosomal dominant genetic factor responsible for this syndrome. Linkage was excluded to HLA DR2, and a normal sized SCA1 repeat was observed. We conclude that a locus predisposing to ataxia, deafness and narcolepsy exists outside this region of chromosome 6.

Adolescent↗

Increased sensitivity of striatal dopamine release to H2O2 upon chronic rotenone treatment.

It is believed that both mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress play important roles in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). We studied the effect of chronic systemic exposure to the mitochondrial inhibitor rotenone on the uptake, content, and release of striatal neurotransmitters upon neuronal activity and oxidative stress, the latter simulated by H(2)O(2) perfusion. The dopamine content in the rat striatum is decreased simultaneously with the progressive loss of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity in response to chronic intravenous rotenone infusion. However, surviving dopaminergic neurons take up and release only a slightly lower amount of dopamine (DA) in response to electrical stimulation. Striatal dopaminergic neurons showed increased susceptibility to oxidative stress by H(2)O(2), responding with enhanced release of DA and with formation of an unidentified metabolite, which is most likely the toxic dopamine quinone (DAQ). In contrast, the uptake of [(3)H]choline and the electrically induced release of acetylcholine increased, in coincidence with a decline in its D(2) receptor-mediated dopaminergic control. Thus, oxidative stress-induced dysregulation of DA release/uptake based on a mitochondrial deficit might underlie the selective vulnerability of dopaminergic transmission in PD, causing a self-amplifying production of reactive oxygen species, and thereby contributing to the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons.

Acetylcholine↗

Role of mitochondrial membrane permeability transition in p-hydroxybenzoate ester-induced cytotoxicity in rat hepatocytes.

The relationship between mitochondrial membrane permeability transition (MPT) and the toxic effects of the alkyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (parabens) has been studied in mitochondria and hepatocytes isolated from rat liver. MPT has been proposed as a common final pathway in acute cell death through mitochondrial dysfunction. In isolated mitochondria, propyl-paraben (0.1 to 0.5 mM) in the presence of Ca2+ (50 microM) elicited a concentration-dependent induction of mitochondrial swelling dependent on MPT. This was prevented by pretreatment with a specific inhibitor of MPT, cyclosporin A (0.2 microM). For the other parabens tested, the induction of MPT depended on the relative elongation of alkyl side-chains in their molecular structure and was associated with the partition coefficients. In contrast, the induction caused by p-hydroxybenzoic acid was more potent than that of methyl- or ethyl-paraben. The pretreatment of freshly isolated hepatocytes with cyclosporin A (5 microM) and trifluoperazine (10 microM), which inhibit MPT in a synergistic manner, partially but not completely prevented propyl-paraben (1 mM; plus diazinon, 100 microM)-induced cell death, ATP loss, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. These results suggest that the onset of paraben-induced cytotoxicity is linked to mitochondrial failure dependent upon induction of MPT accompanied by the mitochondrial depolarization and depletion of cellular ATP through uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation.

Animals↗

Decreased platelet cytochrome c oxidase activity is accompanied by increased blood lactate concentration during exercise in patients with Alzheimer disease.

Increasing evidence indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction occurs in the central nervous system as well as in the peripheral tissues from Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. We have recently shown that mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity is significantly reduced in brain and platelets from AD patients compared to controls. In the present study we investigated whether impaired COX activity could have functional consequences on energy metabolism. Blood lactate concentration was monitored at rest and during incremental exercise in 22 AD patients in whom COX activity in platelets was decreased compared to controls (35.7 +/- 11.4 vs 48.4 +/- 1.4 nmol/min/mg, P < 0.01). In both resting and exercising conditions, blood lactate was significantly higher in AD patients than in controls. Although the magnitude of exercise-related lactate accumulation was not different between the two groups, an anticipated anaerobic lactate threshold during the incremental forearm exercise was found in AD patients (50% of maximal voluntary contraction MVC compared to 60% in controls). COX activity was inversely related to lactate at a significant level for resting condition (r = -0.65) and borderline for anaerobic threshold exercise level. These results support the hypothesis of a systemic impairment of the mitochondrial function in AD and indicate that decreased COX activity could have functional consequences on metabolism.

Aged↗

Pre-treatment with R-lipoic acid alleviates the effects of GSH depletion in PC12 cells: implications for Parkinson's disease therapy.

Oxidative stress is believed to play a key role in the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. An important biochemical feature of PD is a significant early depletion in levels of the thiol antioxidant compound glutathione (GSH) which may lead to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial dysfunction, and ultimately to subsequent neuronal cell death. In earlier work from our laboratory, we demonstrated that depletion of GSH in dopaminergic PC12 cells affects mitochondrial integrity and specifically impairs the activity of mitochondrial complex I. Here we report that pre-treatment of PC12 cells with R-lipoic acid acts to prevent depletion of GSH content and preserves the mitochondrial complex I activity which normally is impaired as a consequence of GSH loss.

Animals↗