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R F Castilho

Publications and source records attributed to R F Castilho.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Role of Fe(III) in Fe(II)citrate-mediated peroxidation of mitochondrial membrane lipids.

In this report we study the effect of Fe(III) on lipid peroxidation induced by Fe(II)citrate in mitochondrial membranes, as assessed by the production of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and antimycin A-insensitive oxygen uptake. The presence of Fe(III) stimulates initiation of lipid peroxidation when low citrate:Fe(II) ratios are used (< or = 4:1). For a citrate:total iron ratio of 1:1 the maximal stimulation of lipid peroxidation by Fe(III) was observed when the Fe(II):Fe(III) ratio was in the range of 1:1 to 1:2. The lag phase that accompanies oxygen uptake was greatly diminished by increasing concentrations of Fe(III) when the citrate:total iron ratio was 1:1, but not when this ratio was higher. It is concluded that the increase of lipid peroxidation by Fe(III) is observed only when low citrate:Fe(II) ratios were used. Similar results were obtained using ATP as a ligand of iron. Monitoring the rate of spontaneous Fe(II) oxidation by measuring oxygen uptake in buffered medium, in the absence of mitochondria, Fe(III)-stimulated oxygen consumption was observed only when a low citrate:Fe(II) ratio was used. This result suggests that Fe(III) may facilitate the initiation and/or propagation of lipid peroxidation by increasing the rate of Fe(II)citrate-generated reactive oxygen species.

Animals↗

Mitochondrial control of acute glutamate excitotoxicity in cultured cerebellar granule cells.

Mitochondria within cultured rat cerebellar granule cells have a complex influence on cytoplasmic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]c) responses to glutamate. A decreased initial [Ca2+]c elevation in cells whose mitochondria are depolarized by inhibition of the ATP synthase and respiratory chain (conditions which avoid ATP depletion) was attributed to enhanced Ca2+ extrusion from the cell rather than inhibited Ca2+ entry via the NMDA receptor. Even in the presence of elevated extracellular Ca2+, when [Ca2+]c responses were restored to control values, such cells showed resistance to acute excitotoxicity, defined as a delayed cytoplasmic Ca2+ deregulation (DCD) during glutamate exposure. DCD was a function of the duration of mitochondrial polarization in the presence of glutamate rather than the total period of glutamate exposure. Once initiated, DCD could not be reversed by NMDA receptor inhibition. In the absence of ATP synthase inhibition, respiratory chain inhibitors produced an immediate Ca2+ deregulation (ICD), ascribed to an ATP deficit. In contrast to DCD, ICD could be reversed by subsequent ATP synthase inhibition with or without additional NMDA receptor blockade. DCD could not be ascribed to the failure of an ATP yielding metabolic pathway. It is concluded that mitochondria can control Ca2+ extrusion from glutamate-exposed granule cells by the plasma membrane in three ways: by competing with efflux pathways for Ca2+, by restricting ATP supply, and by inducing a delayed failure of Ca2+ extrusion. Inhibitors of the mitochondrial permeability transition only marginally delayed the onset of DCD.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Ca2+-stimulated mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation and permeability transition are inhibited by dibucaine or Mg2+.

Mitochondrial swelling and membrane protein thiol oxidation associated with mitochondrial permeability transition induced by Ca2+ and t-butyl hydroperoxide or inorganic phosphate, but not 4, 4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid or phenylarsine oxide, are inhibited by the local anesthetic dibucaine. Dibucaine promotes an inhibition of the Ca2+-induced increase in mitochondrial H2O2 generation measured by the oxidation of scopoletin in the presence of horseradish peroxidase. This decrease in mitochondrial H2O2 generation may be attributed to the reduction of Ca2+ binding to the membrane induced by dibucaine, as assessed by measuring 45Ca2+ binding to the mitochondrial membrane. Mg2+ also inhibited Ca2+ binding to the mitochondrial membrane, mitochondrial swelling, membrane protein thiol oxidation, and H2O2 generation induced by Ca2+. Together, these results demonstrate that the mechanism by which dibucaine and Mg2+ inhibit mitochondrial permeability transition is related to the decrease in reactive oxygen species generation induced by Ca2+-promoted alterations of inner mitochondrial membrane properties.

Animals↗

3,5,3'-triiodothyronine induces mitochondrial permeability transition mediated by reactive oxygen species and membrane protein thiol oxidation.

Ca(2+)-loaded rat liver mitochondria treated with 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) undergo nonspecific inner membrane permeabilization, as evidenced by mitochondrial swelling, a decrease in membrane potential (delta psi), and an increase in the rate of oxygen uptake. T3 analogues thyroxine (T4), 3',5'-diiodothyronine (T2), and 3,5',3'-triiodothyronine (reverse T3), in decreasing order of potency, resulted in a similar but less extensive effect. Permeabilization induced by T3 is dependent on Ca2+ (1 microM) and T3 (0.5-25 microM) concentrations and is inhibited by cyclosporin A, a known inhibitor of mitochondrial permeability transition. Catalase or dithiothreitol also prevents membrane permeabilization, suggesting the participation of membrane protein thiol group oxidation induced by reactive oxygen species. The determination of the mitochondrial membrane protein thiol group content after treatment with Ca2+ and T3 shows a significant decrease, due to thiol oxidation. When mitochondria are incubated in the presence of inorganic phosphate and the protonophore carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, mitochondrial swelling still occurs after treatment with T3 and high Ca2+ concentrations, suggesting that mitochondrial permeabilization is not dependent on T3-induced delta psi or matrix pH alterations. Under these experimental conditions, when no oxygen is present in the incubation medium, no permeabilization occurs, suggesting that the permeabilization is dependent on mitochondrial-generated reactive oxygen species. Confirming this hypothesis, superoxide generation in a suspension of submitochondrial particles is increased when T3 is present. Our results lead to the conclusion that T3 induces a situation of oxidative stress in isolated liver mitochondria, with Ca(2+)-mediated membrane protein thiol oxidation and nonspecific inner membrane permeabilization.

Animals↗

Oxidative damage to sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase AT submicromolar iron concentrations: evidence for metal-catalyzed oxidation.

The sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium ATPase carries out active Ca2+ pumping at the expense of ATP hydrolysis. We have previously described the inhibition of SR ATPase by oxidative stress induced by the Fenton reaction (Fe2+ + H2O2 --> HO. + HO- + Fe3+). Inhibition was not related to peroxidation of the SR membrane nor to oxidation of ATPase thiols, and involved fragmentation of the ATPase polypeptide chain. The present study aims at further characterizing the mechanism of inhibition of the Ca2+-ATPase by oxygen reactive species at Fe2+ concentrations possibly found in pathological conditions of iron overload. ATP hydrolysis by SR vesicles was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by micromolar concentrations of Fe2+, H2O2, and ascorbate. Measuring the rate constants of inactivation (k inact) at different Fe2+ concentrations in the presence of saturating concentrations of H2O2 and ascorbate (100 microM each) revealed a saturation profile with half-maximal inactivation rate at ca. 2 microM Fe2+. Inhibition was not affected by addition of 200 microM Ca2+ to the medium, indicating that it was not related to iron binding to the high affinity Ca2+ binding sites in the ATPase. Furthermore, inhibition was not prevented by the water-soluble hydroxyl radical scavengers mannitol or dimethylsulfoxide, nor by butylated hydroxytoluene (a lipid peroxidation blocker) or dithiothreitol (DTT). However, when Cu2+ was used instead of Fe2+ in the Fenton reaction, ATPase inhibition could be prevented by DTT. We propose that functional impairment of the Ca2+-pump may be related to oxidative protein fragmentation mediated by site-specific Fe2+ binding at submicromolar or low micromolar concentrations, which may occur in pathological conditions of iron overload.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Inhibition of membrane lipid peroxidation by a radical scavenging mechanism: a novel function for hydroxyl-containing ionophores.

In the present study we show that K+/H+ hydroxyl-containing ionophores lasalocid-A (LAS) and nigericin (NIG) in the nanomolar concentration range, inhibit Fe2+-citrate and 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (ABAP)-induced lipid peroxidation in intact rat liver mitochondria and in egg phosphatidylcholine (PC) liposomes containing negatively charged lipids--dicetyl phosphate (DCP) or cardiolipin (CL)--and KCl as the osmotic support. In addition, monensin (MON), a hydroxyl-containing ionophore with higher affinity for Na+ than for K+, promotes a similar effect when NaCl is the osmotic support. The protective effect of the ionophores is not observed when the osmolyte is sucrose. Lipid peroxidation was evidenced by mitochondrial swelling, antimycin A-insensitive O2 consumption, formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), conjugated dienes, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of an incorporated lipid spin probe. A time-dependent decay of spin label EPR signal is observed as a consequence of lipid peroxidation induced by both inductor systems in liposomes. Nitroxide destruction is inhibited by butylated hydroxytoluene, a known antioxidant, and by the hydroxyl-containing ionophores. In contrast, valinomycin (VAL), which does not possess alcoholic groups, does not display this protective effect. Effective order parameters (Seff), determined from the spectra of an incorporated spin label are larger in the presence of salt and display a small increase upon addition of the ionophores, as a result of the increase of counter ion concentration at the negatively charged bilayer surface. This condition leads to increased formation of the ion-ionophore complex, the membrane binding (uncharged) species. The membrane-incorporated complex is the active species in the lipid peroxidation inhibiting process. Studies in aqueous solution (in the absence of membranes) showed that NIG and LAS, but not VAL, decrease the Fe2+-citrate-induced production of radicals derived from piperazine-based buffers, demonstrating their property as radical scavengers. Both Fe2+-citrate and ABAP promote a much more pronounced decrease of LAS fluorescence in PC/CL liposomes than in dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC, saturated phospholipid)-DCP liposomes, indicating that the ionophore also scavenges lipid peroxyl radicals. A slow decrease of fluorescence is observed in the latter system, for all lipid compositions in sucrose medium, and in the absence of membranes, indicating that the primary radicals stemming from both inductors also attack the ionophore. Altogether, the data lead to the conclusion that the membrane-incorporated cation complexes of NIG, LAS and MON inhibit lipid peroxidation by blocking initiation and propagation reactions in the lipid phase via a free radical scavenging mechanism, very likely due to the presence of alcoholic hydroxyl groups in all three molecules and to the attack of the aromatic moiety of LAS.

Amidines↗

Ca2+ acting at the external side of the inner mitochondrial membrane can stimulate mitochondrial permeability transition induced by phenylarsine oxide.

Mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) induced by the thiol cross-linker phenylarsine oxide (PhAsO) in Ca(2+)-depleted mitochondria incubated in the presence of ruthenium red, an inhibitor of the Ca2+ uniporter, is stimulated by the addition of extramitochondrial Ca2+. The presence of extramitochondrial Ca2+ stimulates the reaction of mitochondrial membrane protein thiol groups with PhAsO. Both Ca(2+)-induced increase in mitochondrial membrane permeabilization and protein thiol group reaction with PhAsO are dependent on time (5-10 min to be complete) and the concentration of Ca2+ (1-25 microM). Mitochondrial permeabilization induced by PhAsO (15 microM) and extramitochondrial Ca2+ is inhibited by ADP, cyclosporin A, dibucaine and Mg2+, while mitochondrial permeabilization induced by high concentrations of PhAsO (60 microM) in the absence of Ca2+ is inhibited only by ADP and cyclosporin A. These results suggest that dibucaine and Mg2+ can inhibit mitochondrial permeabilization by antagonizing the effect of Ca2+ on the mitochondrial membrane. Once mitochondrial permeabilization induced by 15 microM PhAsO and extramitochondrial Ca2+ has already occurred, the addition of the Ca2+ chelator EGTA restores mitochondrial membrane potential (MPT pore closure), suggesting that the presence of Ca2+ is essential for the maintenance of the permeability of the mitochondrial membrane to protons (MPT pore opening). In conclusion, the results presented indicate that low Ca2+ concentrations acting at the external side of the inner mitochondrial membrane can stimulate mitochondrial permeability transition induced by PhAsO, due to increased accessibility of protein thiol groups to the reaction with PhAsO and increased probability of MPT pore opening.

Animals↗

Mitochondrial membrane potential and hydroethidine-monitored superoxide generation in cultured cerebellar granule cells.

Mitochondrial depolarisation has been reported to enhance the generation of superoxide anion (O2.-) in a number of cell preparations while an inhibition has been observed with isolated mitochondria. Cerebellar granule cells equilibrated with > 1 microM hydroethidine (dihydroethidium) which is oxidised to the fluorescent ethidium cation by O2.- showed a large increase in fluorescence on protonophore addition. However, controls showed the fluorescent enhancement to be a consequence of release of unbound preformed ethidium from the mitochondrial matrix within the cell with resultant fluorescent enhancement. This ambiguity was removed by the use of low (1 microM) concentrations of dye in which case generated ethidium remained bound within the mitochondria. Under these conditions antimycin A, but not protonophore addition, produced an increase in fluorescence. It is concluded that excess ethidium acts as an indicator of mitochondrial membrane potential obscuring the monitoring of O2.- and that certain experiments employing this indicator in cells may require re-evaluation.

Animals↗

Mitochondrial membrane protein thiol reactivity with N-ethylmaleimide or mersalyl is modified by Ca2+: correlation with mitochondrial permeability transition.

The content of mitochondrial membrane protein thiol groups accessible to react with the monofunctional thiol reagents mersalyl or N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) was determined using Ellman's reagent. Deenergized mitochondria incubated in the presence of Ca2+ (0-500 microM) undergo a very significant decrease in the content of membrane protein thiols accessible to NEM, and an increase in the content of thiols accessible to mersalyl. This process is time-dependent and inhibited by Mg2+, ruthenium red and ADP, but not by cyclosporin A. This suggests that Ca2+ binding to the inner mitochondrial membrane promotes extensive alterations in the conformation of membrane proteins that result in location changes of thiol groups. The relationship between these alterations and mitochondrial membrane permeability transition was studied through the effect of NEM and mersalyl on mitochondrial swelling induced by Ca2+ plus t-butyl hydroperoxide (t-bOOH) or Ca2+ plus the thiol cross-linkers 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) or phenylarsine oxide (PhAsO). We observed that the hydrophobic thiol reagent NEM inhibits the effects of t-bOOH, DIDS and PhAsO, while the hydrophilic thiol reagent mersalyl inhibits only the effect of DIDS. Permeability transition in all the situations studied is accompanied by a significant decrease in the total membrane protein thiol content. In addition, mitochondrial membrane permeabilization induced by PhAsO is inhibited by EGTA, but not by ruthenium red. This result suggests that PhAsO leads to permeability transition through a mechanism independent of intramitochondrial Ca2(+)-induced alterations of thiol group reactivity, but dependent on Ca2+ binding to an extramitochondrial site. This site is sensitive to extramitochondrial Ca2+ concentrations in range of 1-50 microM.

Animals↗

4,6-Dinitro-o-cresol uncouples oxidative phosphorylation and induces membrane permeability transition in rat liver mitochondria.

The effect of the herbicide 4,6-dinitro-o-cresol (DNOC), a structural analogue of the classical protonophore 2,4-dinitrophenol, on the bioenergetics and inner membrane permeability of isolated rat liver mitochondria was studied. We observed that DNOC (10-50 microM) acts as a classical uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation in rat liver mitochondria, promoting both an increase in succinate-supported mitochondrial respiration in the presence or absence of ADP and a decrease in transmembrane potential. The protonophoric activity of DNOC was evidenced by the induction of mitochondrial swelling in hyposmotic K(+)-acetate medium, in the presence of valinomycin. At higher concentrations (> 50 microM), DNOC also induces an inhibition of succinate-supported respiration, and a decrease in the activity of the succinate dehydrogenase can be observed. The addition of uncoupling concentrations of DNOC to Ca(2+)-loaded mitochondria treated with Ruthenium Red results in non-specific membrane permeabilization, as evidenced by mitochondrial swelling in isosmotic sucrose medium. Cyclosporin A, which inhibits mitochondrial permeability transition, prevented DNOC-induced mitochondrial swelling in the presence of Ca2+, which was accompanied by a decrease in mitochondrial membrane protein thiol content, owing to protein thiol oxidation. Catalase partially inhibits mitochondrial swelling and protein thiol oxidation, indicating the participation of mitochondrial-generated reactive oxygen species in this process. It is concluded that DNOC is a potent potent protonophore acting as a classical uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation in rat liver mitochondria by dissipating the proton electrochemical gradient. Treatment of Ca(2+)-loaded mitochondria with uncoupling concentrations of DNOC results in mitochondrial permeability transition, associated with membrane protein thiol oxidation by reactive oxygen species.

2,4-Dinitrophenol↗

The role of reactive oxygen species in mitochondrial permeability transition.

We have provided evidence that mitochondrial membrane permeability transition induced by inorganic phosphate, uncouplers or prooxidants such as t-butyl hydroperoxide and diamide is caused by a Ca(2+)-stimulated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the respiratory chain, at the level of the coenzyme Q. The ROS attack to membrane protein thiols produces cross-linkage reactions, that may open membrane pores upon Ca2+ binding. Studies with submitochondrial particles have demonstrated that the binding of Ca2+ to these particles (possibly to cardiolipin) induces lipid lateral phase separation detected by electron paramagnetic resonance experiments exploying stearic acids spin labels. This condition leads to a disorganization of respiratory chain components, favoring ROS production and consequent protein and lipid oxidation.

Animals↗

Oxidative damage to sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-pump induced by Fe2+/H2O2/ascorbate is not mediated by lipid peroxidation or thiol oxidation and leads to protein fragmentation.

The major protein in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane is the Ca2+ transporting ATPase which carries out active Ca2+ pumping at the expense of ATP hydrolysis. The aim of this work was to elucidate the mechanisms by which oxidative stress induced by Fenton's reaction (Fe(2+)+H2O2-->HO.+OH-+Fe3+) alters the function of SR. ATP hydrolysis by both SR vesicles (SRV) and purified ATPase was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of 0-1.5 mM H2O2 plus 50 microM Fe2+ and 6 mM ascorbate. Ca2+ uptake carried out by the Ca(2+)-ATPase in SRV was also inhibited in parallel. The inhibition of hydrolysis and Ca2+ uptake was not prevented by butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) at concentrations which significantly blocked formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), suggesting that inhibition of the ATPase was not due to lipid peroxidation of the SR membrane. In addition, dithiothreitol (DTT) did not prevent inhibition of either ATPase activity or Ca2+ uptake, suggesting that inhibition was not related to oxidation of ATPase thiols. The passive efflux of 45Ca2+ from pre-loaded SR vesicles was greatly increased by oxidative stress and this effect could be only partially prevented (ca 20%) by addition of BHT or DTT. Trifluoperazine (which specifically binds to the Ca(2+)-ATPase, causing conformational changes in the enzyme) fully protected the ATPase activity against oxidative damage. These results suggest that the alterations in function observed upon oxidation of SRV are mainly due to direct effects on the Ca(2+)-ATPase. Electrophoretic analysis of oxidized Ca(2+)-ATPase revealed a decrease in intensity of the silver-stained 110 kDa Ca(2+)-ATPase band and the appearance of low molecular weight peptides (MW < 100 kDa) and high molecular weight protein aggregates. Presence of DTT during oxidation prevented the appearance of protein aggregates and caused a simultaneous increase in the amount of low molecular weight peptides. We propose that impairment of function of the Ca(2+)-pump may be related to aminoacid oxidation and fragmentation of the protein.

Animals↗

Effect of inorganic phosphate concentration on the nature of inner mitochondrial membrane alterations mediated by Ca2+ ions. A proposed model for phosphate-stimulated lipid peroxidation.

Addition of high concentrations (>1 mm) of inorganic phosphate (Pi) or arsenate to Ca2+-loaded mitochondria was followed by increased rates of H2O2 production, membrane lipid peroxidation, and swelling. Mitochondrial swelling was only partially prevented either by butylhydroxytoluene, an inhibitor of lipid peroxidation, or cyclosporin A, an inhibitor of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. This swelling was totally prevented by the simultaneous presence of these compounds. At lower Pi concentrations (1 mm), mitochondrial swelling is reversible and prevented by cyclosporin A, but not by butylhydroxytoluene. In any case (low or high phosphate concentration) exogenous catalase prevented mitochondrial swelling, suggesting that reactive oxygen species (ROS) participate in these mechanisms. Altogether, the data suggest that, at low Pi concentrations, membrane permeabilization is reversible and mediated by opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, whereas at high Pi concentrations, membrane permeabilization is irreversible because lipid peroxidation also takes place. Under these conditions, lipid peroxidation is strongly inhibited by sorbate, a putative quencher of triplet carbonyl species. This suggests that high Pi or arsenate concentrations stimulate propagation of the peroxidative reactions initiated by mitochondrial-generated ROS because these anions are able to catalyze Cn-aldehyde tautomerization producing enols, which can be oxidized by hemeproteins to yield the lower Cn - 1-aldehyde in the triplet state. This proposition was also supported by experiments using a model system consisting of phosphatidylcholine/dicethylphosphate liposomes and the triplet acetone-generating system isobutanal/horseradish peroxidase, where phosphate and Ca2+ cooperate to increase the yield of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances.

Acetates↗

Opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore by uncoupling or inorganic phosphate in the presence of Ca2+ is dependent on mitochondrial-generated reactive oxygen species.

In this study, we show that mitochondrial membrane permeability transition in Ca(2+)-loaded mitochondria treated with carbonyl cyanide p-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone (FCCP) or inorganic phosphate (P(i)) is preceded by enhanced production of H2O2. This production is inhibited either by ethylene glycobis(b-aminoethyl ether)N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) or Mg2+, but not by cyclosporin A. Permeability transition is prevented either by EGTA, catalase or dithiothreitol, suggesting the involvement of Ca2+, H2O2 and oxidation of membrane protein thiols in this mechanism. When mitochondria are incubated under anaerobiosis, no permeabilization or H2O2 production occurs. Based on these results we conclude that mitochondrial permeability transition induced by P(i) or FCCP-uncoupling is dependent on mitochondrial-generated reactive oxygen species.

Animals↗

The irreversibility of inner mitochondrial membrane permeabilization by Ca2+ plus prooxidants is determined by the extent of membrane protein thiol cross-linking.

We have previously shown that mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi) drop promoted by prooxidants and Ca2+ can be reversed but not sustained by ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) unless dithiothreitol (DTT), a disulfide reductant, is also added [Valle, V. G. R., Fagian, M. M., Parentoni, L. S., Meinicke, A. R., and Vercesi, A. E. (1993). Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 307, 1-7]. In this study we show that catalase or ADP are also able to potentiate this EGTA effect. When EGTA is added long after (12 min) the completion of swelling or delta psi elimination, no membrane resealing occurs unless the EGTA addition was preceded by the inclusion of DTT, ADP, or catalase soon after delta psi was collapsed. Total delta psi recovery by EGTA is obtained only in the presence of ADP. The sensitivity of the ADP effect to carboxyatractyloside strongly supports the involvement of the ADP/ATP carrier in this mechanism. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of solubilized membrane proteins shows that protein aggregation due to thiol cross-linkage formed during delta psi drop continues even after delta psi is already eliminated. Titration with 5,5'-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) supports the data indicating that the formation of protein aggregates is paralleled by a decrease in the content of membrane protein thiols. Since the presence of ADP and EGTA prevents the progress of protein aggregation, we conclude that this process is responsible for both increased permeability to larger molecules and the irreversibility of delta psi drop. The protective effect of catalase suggests that the continuous production of protein thiol cross-linking is mediated by mitochondrial generated reactive oxygen species.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Characteristics of Fe(II)ATP complex-induced damage to the rat liver mitochondrial membrane.

It is well established that several iron complexes can induce oxidative damage in hepatic mitochondrial membranes by catalyzing the formation of OH radicals and/or by promoting lipid peroxidation. This is a relevant process for the molecular basis of iron overload diseases. The present work demonstrates that Fe(II)ATP complexes (5-50 microM) promote an oxygen consumption burst in a suspension of isolated rat liver mitochondria (either in the absence or presence of Antimycin A), caused mainly by lipid peroxidation. Fe(II)ATP alone induced small levels of oxygen uptake but no burst. The time course of Fe(II)ATP oxidation to Fe(II)ATP in the extramitochondrial media also reveals a simultaneous 'burst phase'. The iron chelator Desferal (DFO) or the chain-break antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) fully prevented both lipid peroxidation (quantified as oxygen uptake burst) and mitochondrial swelling. DFO and BHT were capable of stopping the ongoing process of peroxidation at any point of their addition to the mitochondrial suspension. Conversely, DFO and BHT only halted the Fe(II)ATP-induced mitochondrial swelling at the onset of the process. Fe(II)ATP could also cause the collapse of mitochondrial potential, which was protected by BHT if added at the onset of the damaging process. These results, as well as correlation studies between peroxidation and mitochondrial swelling, suggest that a two phase process is occurring during Fe(II)ATP-induced mitochondrial damage: one dependent and another independent of lipid peroxidation. The involvement of lipid peroxidation in the overall process of mitochondrial membrane injury is discussed.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Oxidative damage of mitochondria induced by Fe(II)citrate or t-butyl hydroperoxide in the presence of Ca2+: effect of coenzyme Q redox state.

The role of coenzyme Q on the process of mitochondrial membrane damage associated with oxidative stress was studied in a suspension of uncoupled mitochondria exposed to Ca2+ in the presence of Fe(II)citrate or t-butyl hydroperoxide. Reduction of coenzyme Q by succinate was shown to inhibit both inner membrane lipid peroxidation and permeabilization induced by Fe(II)citrate. In contrast, the inner membrane permeabilization induced by Ca2+ alone or Ca2+ plus t-butyl hydroperoxide was potentiated by the presence of succinate. These results support our previous proposition that the mitochondrial damage associated with oxidative stress generated by these pro-oxidants in the presence of Ca2+ is mediated by different mechanisms.

Animals↗

Permeabilization of the inner mitochondrial membrane by Ca2+ ions is stimulated by t-butyl hydroperoxide and mediated by reactive oxygen species generated by mitochondria.

The extent of swelling undergone by deenergized mitochondria incubated in KCl/sucrose medium in the presence of Ca2+ alone or Ca2+ and t-butyl hydroperoxide decreases by decreasing molecular oxygen concentration in the reaction medium; under anaerobiosis no swelling occurs. This swelling is also inhibited by the presence of exogenous catalase or by the Fe2+ chelator o-phenanthroline in a time-dependent manner. The production of protein thiol cross-linking that leads to the formation of protein aggregates induced by Ca2+ and t-butyl hydroperoxide does not occur when mitochondria are incubated in anaerobic medium or in the presence of o-phenanthroline. In addition, it is also shown that the yield of stable methyl radical adducts, obtained from rat liver mitochondria treated with t-butyl hydroperoxide and the spin trap DMPO, is reduced by addition of EGTA and increases by addition of Ca2+ ions. These data support the hypothesis that Ca2+ ions stimulate electron leakage from the respiratory chain, increasing the mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗