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Epilepsia partialis continua associated with a homoplasmic mitochondrial tRNA(Ser(UCN)) mutation.

Epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) is a rare epileptic syndrome characterized by continuous focal seizures. We report on a 16-year-old girl who died of prolonged pharmacoresistant EPC in whom we identified a 7472insC mutation within the mitochondrial transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA)(ser(UCN)). Additional symptoms included ataxia, lactic acidosis, myopathy, sensorineural hearing loss, severe headaches, and mental retardation. Quantification revealed 100% mutant mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in the patient, 4% in her mother, and none in her half-sister. This highly skewed mtDNA distribution is most improbable (approximately 3 x 10(-30)) if only explained by random genetic drift. Clustering of dysfunctional mitochondria and replicatory advantage of mutant mtDNA may play a role in the rapid segregation towards homoplasmy within one generation.

Base Sequence↗

Evidence for a protective role of trimetazidine during cold ischemia: targeting inflammation and nephron mass.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is associated with an increased risk of acute rejection, delayed graft function, or chronic graft dysfunction. Mitochondria plays a central role in this process. Using an autotransplant pig kidney model, changes in renal function and morphology were determined after different periods of cold ischemia in kidneys preserved in the University of Wisconsin solution (UW), high-Na(+) version of UW (HEH) or Celsior (CEL) a newly developed high-Na(+) solution, with or without trimetazidine (TMZ). Kidney function was better preserved in HEH after 24 hr and particularly 48- and 72-hr cold storage than in CEL and UW. TMZ improved the preservation quality when added to the different solutions tested, particularly after 48- and 72-hr cold storage. Interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy were reduced in HEH with TMZ. CD4(+) T-cell infiltration was also modulated by the preservation conditions. Peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) positive cells infiltration was also modulated by preservation conditions. TMZ was efficient to reduce IRI when added in the various preservation solutions. These results suggest that protection of the mitochondrial function should be a major target to limit IRI. In addition, this study outlines the role of CD4(+) T cells and PBR expression in inflammatory responses after IRI.

Animals↗

Quercetin, but not rutin and quercitrin, prevention of H2O2-induced apoptosis via anti-oxidant activity and heme oxygenase 1 gene expression in macrophages.

In the present study, we examine the protective mechanism of quercetin (QE) on oxidative stress-induced cytotoxic effect in RAW264.7 macrophages. Results of Western blotting show that QE but not its glycoside rutin (RUT) and quicitrin-induced HO-1 protein expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner, and HO-1 protein induced by QE was blocked by an addition of cycloheximide or actinomycin D. Induction of HO-1 gene expression by QE was accompanied by inducing ERKs, but not JNKs or p38, proteins phosphorylation. Addition of PD98059, but not SB203580 or SP600125, significantly attenuates QE-induced HO-1 protein and mRNA expression associated with blocking the expression of phosphorylated ERKs proteins. H(2)O(2) addition reduces the viability of cells by MTT assay, and appearance of DNA ladders, hypodiploid cells, and an increase in intracellular peroxide level was detected. Addition of QE, but not QI or RUT, significantly reduced the cytotoxic effect induced by H(2)O(2) associated with blocking the production of intracellular peroxide, DNA ladders, and hypodiploid cells. QE protection of cells from H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis was significantly suppressed by adding HO inhibitor SnPP or ERKs inhibitor PD98059. Additionally, QE protects cells from H(2)O(2)-induced a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential and a release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol by DiOC6 and Western blotting assay, respectively. Activation of apoptotic proteins including the caspase 3, caspase 9, PARP, D4-GDI proteins was identified in H(2)O(2)-treated cells by Western blotting and enzyme activity assay, and that was significantly blocked by an addition of QE, but not RUT and QI. Furthermore, HO-1 catalytic metabolites carbon monoxide (CO), but not Fe(2+), Fe(3+), biliverdin or bilirubin, performed protective effect on cells from H(2)O(2)-induced cell death with an increase in HO-1 protein expression and ERKs protein phosphorylation. These data suggest that induction of HO-1 protein may participate in the protective mechanism of QE on oxidative stress (H(2)O(2))-induced apoptosis, and reduction of intracellular ROS production and mitochondria dysfunction with blocking apoptotic events were involved. Differential anti-apoptotic effect between QE and its glycosides RUT and QI via distinct HO-1 protein induction was also delineated.

Animals↗

SUMOylation controls Hu antigen R posttranscriptional activity in liver cancer.

The posttranslational modification of proteins critically influences many biological processes and is a key mechanism that regulates the function of the RNA-binding protein Hu antigen R (HuR), a hub in liver cancer. Here, we show that HuR is SUMOylated in the tumor sections of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in contrast to the surrounding tissue, as well as in human cell line and mouse models of the disease. SUMOylation of HuR promotes major cancer hallmarks, namely proliferation and invasion, whereas the absence of HuR SUMOylation results in a senescent phenotype with dysfunctional mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. Mechanistically, SUMOylation induces a structural rearrangement of the RNA recognition motifs that modulates HuR binding affinity to its target RNAs, further modifying the transcriptomic profile toward hepatic tumor progression. Overall, SUMOylation constitutes a mechanism of HuR regulation that could be potentially exploited as a therapeutic strategy for liver cancer.

Animals↗

Accumulation of the common mitochondrial DNA deletion induced by ionizing radiation.

Point mutations and deletions in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) accumulate as a result of oxidative stress, including ionizing radiation. As a result, dysfunctional mitochondria suffer from a decline in oxidative phosphorylation and increased release of superoxides and other reactive oxygen species (ROS). Through this mechanism, mitochondria have been implicated in a host of degenerative diseases. Associated with this type of damage, and serving as a marker of total mtDNA mutations and deletions, the accumulation of a specific 4977-bp deletion, known as the common deletion (Delta-mtDNA(4977)), takes place. The Delta-mtDNA(4977) has been reported to increase with age and during the progression of mitochondrial degeneration. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether ionizing radiation induces the formation of the common deletion in a variety of human cell lines and to determine if it is associated with cellular radiosensitivity. Cell lines used included eight normal human skin fibroblast lines, a radiosensitive non-transformed and an SV40 transformed ataxia telangiectasia (AT) homozygous fibroblast line, a Kearns Sayre Syndrome (KSS) line known to contain mitochondrial deletions, and five human tumor lines. The Delta-mtDNA(4977) was assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Significant levels of Delta-mtDNA(4977) accumulated 72 h after irradiation doses of 2, 5, 10 or 20 Gy in all of the normal lines with lower response in tumor cell lines, but the absolute amounts of the induced deletion were variable. There was no consistent dose-response relationship. SV40 transformed and non-transformed AT cell lines both showed significant induction of the deletion. However, the five tumor cell lines showed only a modest induction of the deletion, including the one line that was deficient in DNA damage repair. No relationship was found between sensitivity to radiation-induced deletions and sensitivity to cell killing by radiation.

Adolescent↗

Mitochondrial dysfunction enhances Gal4-dependent transcription.

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been shown to elicit broad effects on nuclear gene expression. We show here that transcription dependent on the prototypical acidic activator Gal4 is responsive to mitochondrial dysfunction. In cells with no mitochondrial DNA, Gal4-dependent gene expression is elevated. A minimal Gal4 activator containing the DNA binding and activation domain is sufficient for this response. Transcription dependent on a fusion of Gal4 to a heterologous DNA binding domain is similarly elevated in a mitochondrial mutant. Analysis of different Gal4-dependent promoters and gel mobility shift assays suggest that the effect of mitochondrial dysfunction on Gal4 activity is related to increased DNA binding to the cognate Gal4 element. Given that fermentation is the only means to obtain energy in respiratory deficient cells, it is possible that higher Gal4 activity in cells with dysfunctional mitochondria works to promote more efficient fermentation of galactose.

DNA, Bacterial↗

Mutations in yeast mt tRNAs: specific and general suppression by nuclear encoded tRNA interactors.

Mutations in mitochondrial tRNA genes can produce alterations in tRNA structure resulting in defective mitochondrial protein synthesis and hence respiratory defects. Such defects are often at the origin of neurodegenerative diseases in humans and can be easily studied in yeast since respiratory deficient mutants are viable. Several nuclear encoded tRNA interactors have been shown to rescue the mitochondrial defects due to mutations in mitochondrial tRNAs. Among these, we have identified the gene for the mitochondrial protein synthesis elongation factor EF-Tu and the specific mt aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. We also observed that the respiratory defects and the effect of the TUF1 over-expression were strongly strain dependent. The importance of the nuclear background in which the mitochondrial mutation is expressed was investigated by changing the nuclear context. Finally, we demonstrated, using the RT-PCR method, the existence of significantly variable levels of the TUF1 transcript among strains with functional and dysfunctional mitochondria.

Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases↗

Molecular targets for pharmacological cytoprotection.

Cell death is common to many pathological conditions. In the past two decades, research into the mechanism of cell death has characterized the cardinal features of apoptosis and necrosis, the two distinct forms of cell death. Studies using in vivo disease models have provided evidence that apoptosis is induced by an array of pathological stimuli. Thus, molecular components of the machinery of apoptosis are potential pharmacological targets. The mechanism of apoptosis can be dissected into: (i) the initiation and signaling phase, (ii) the signal amplification phase, and (iii) the execution phase. Reflecting on the diversity of apoptotic stimuli, the initiation and signaling phase utilizes a variety of molecules: free radicals, ions, plasma membrane receptors, members of the signaling kinase cascades, transcription factors, and signaling caspases. In most of the apoptotic scenarios, impairment of mitochondrial function is an early event. Dysfunctioning mitochondria release more free radicals and hydrolytic enzymes (proteases and nucleases), amplifying the primary death signal. In the final phase of apoptosis, executioner caspases are activated. Substrates of the executioner caspases include nucleases, members of the cellular repair apparatus, and cytoskeletal proteins. Partial proteolysis of these substrates leads to distinctive morphological and biochemical changes, the hallmarks of apoptosis. The first steps toward pharmacological utilization of specific modifiers of apoptosis have been promising. However, since the potential molecular targets of cytoprotective therapy play important roles in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis, specificity (diseased versus healthy tissue) of pharmacological modulation is the key to success.

Animals↗

Beneficial effects of L-carnitine in myoblastic C2C12 cells. Interaction with zidovudine.

L-Carnitine is a key molecule in the transfer of fatty acid across mitochondrial membranes. Bioavailable L-carnitine is either provided by an endogeneous biosynthesis or after intestinal absorption of dietary items containing L-carnitine. After intestinal absorption or hepatic biosynthesis, L-carnitine is transferred to organs whose metabolism is dependent upon fatty acid oxidation, such as skeletal muscle. To cross the muscle plasma membrane, there are several transporters involved. Among those transporters, OCTN2 is actually the only one to have been clearly characterized. Zidovudine is a commonly used inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication. Zidovudine has many side effects, including induction of myopathy characterized by a metabolic mitochondria dysfunction and a diminution of the muscle L-carnitine content. In this study, we described the characteristics of L-carnitine transport in C2C12 cells. We also demonstrated that zidovudine inhibited the L-carnitine transporter. This inhibition led to a significant reduction of the muscle cell growth. In C2C12 cells, the supplementation of L-carnitine prevented the effects of zidovudine and restored the normal cell growth.

Animals↗

Metabolic control and ageing.

There appear to be multiple processes that are limiting for longevity and the associated mechanisms of ageing. Among these processes, metabolic control is coming to the forefront, because it has surfaced in studies in several model systems and because of its relevance to mammalian ageing. The genetic and molecular dissection of ageing in yeast points to mechanisms involving three aspects of metabolism. First, dysfunctional mitochondria signal many changes in nuclear gene expression that result in metabolic adjustments that extend life span. Second, manipulation of nutritional status can also increase longevity in a separate caloric-restriction pathway. Finally, protein synthesis is a third aspect, which depends on the transcriptional state of chromatin and the histone deacetylases that modulate it.

Aging↗

Glutamate-mediated inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation in cultured retinal cells.

Glutamate is an excitotoxin responsible for causing neuronal damage associated with mitochondria dysfunction. We have analyzed the relationship between the mitochondrial respiratory rate, the membrane potential (delta psi) and the activity of mitochondrial complexes in retinal cells in culture, used as neuronal models. Glutamate (10 microM-10 mM) dose-dependently decreased the O2 consumption and the membrane potential. A linear correlation was found between these parameters, suggesting that the mitochondrial respiratory function was affected. Exposure to glutamate (100 microM) for 10 min, in the absence of Mg2+, inhibited the activity of complex I (26.3%), complexes II/III (22.2%) and complex IV (26.7%). MK-801 ((+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]-cyclohepten-5,10-imine hydrogen maleate), a non-competitive antagonist of the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors, completely reversed the effect exerted by 100 microM glutamate at the level of complexes I, II/III and IV. These results suggest that NMDA receptor-mediated inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes may be responsible for the alteration in the respiratory rate of chick retinal cells submitted to glutamate.

Animals↗

Histological changes in the hypofunctional pituitary gland following conventional radiotherapy for adenoma.

AIMS: Although delayed hypopituitarism is a common complication of conventional radiotherapy of sellar tumours, histological changes that may account for it have been rarely reported. To elucidate the changes, hypofunctional pituitary glands following irradiation were studied. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two pituitary glands obtained at autopsy from patients who had been irradiated for adenoma and exhibited hypopituitarism were examined. In both cases diffuse fibrosis was observed in the adenohypophysis, whereas the neurohypophysis remained unchanged. Immunohistochemistry showed that stellate-shaped S100 protein-positive cells were increased in number and distributed among the endocrine cells. Some irradiated endocrine cells showed dense granular immunoreactivity for mitochondrial protein, cytochrome oxidase and manganese-superoxide dismutase. In addition to faint reactivity with anti-cytokeratin 8, 18 antibody, many cells were densely positive with anti-cytokeratin 1, 5, 10, 14 antibody. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that radiation- induced fibrosis is associated with an increased number of folliculo-stellate cells and the presence of metabolic dysfunctional mitochondria resembling mitochondria in oncocytes. Squamous metaplasia in the irradiated endocrine cells was also noted. Various intracellular changes may participate in delayed pituitary hypofunction following radiotherapy.

Adenoma↗

Rtg3p, a basic helix-loop-helix/leucine zipper protein that functions in mitochondrial-induced changes in gene expression, contains independent activation domains.

Rtg3p and Rtg1p are basic helix-loop-helix/leucine zipper protein transcription factors in yeast that interact and bind to sites in an upstream activation sequence element in the 5'-flanking region of CIT2, a gene encoding a peroxisomal isoform of citrate synthase. These factors are required both for basal expression of CIT2 and its elevated expression in cells with dysfunctional mitochondria, such as in respiratory-deficient petite cells lacking mitochondrial DNA (rho degrees ). This elevated expression of CIT2 is called the retrograde response. Here we show that fusion constructs between the Gal4p DNA binding domain and Rtg3p transactivate the expression of a LacZ reporter gene under the control of a GAL1 promoter element. We have identified two activation domains in Rtg3p: a strong carboxyl-terminal domain from amino acids 375-486, and a weaker amino-terminal domain from amino acids 1-175; neither of these activation domains contain the bHLH/Zip motif. We have also identified a serine/threonine-rich domain of Rtg3p within amino acids 176-282 that is inhibitory to transactivation. In addition, the transcriptional activity of the Gal4-Rtg3p fusion proteins does not require either Rtg1p or Rtg2p; the latter is a protein containing an hsp70-like ATP binding domain that is also necessary for CIT2 expression. In contrast, transcriptional activation by Gal4-Rtg1p fusion proteins requires the Rtg1p basic helix-loop-helix/leucine zipper protein domain, as well as Rtg3p and Rtg2p. These data suggest that transcriptional activation by the Rtg1p-Rtg3p complex is largely the function of Rtg3p. Experiments are also presented suggesting that Rtg3p is limiting for gene expression in respiratory-competent (rho+) cells.

Antigens, Fungal↗

Inhibition of axotomy-induced neuronal apoptosis by extracellular delivery of a Bcl-XL fusion protein.

Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL prevent neuronal apoptosis during development, neurodegenerative disease, and trauma. To test a new anti-apoptosis strategy for neuroprotection, we engineered nontoxic components of anthrax toxin into a Bcl-XL delivery system. Delivery of Bcl-XL by this system prevented apoptosis of cultured rat cerebellar granule cells and macrophages, and the prevention depended on both the Bcl-XL and the anthrax toxin receptor binding/translocation moieties. Furthermore, neuronal death in vivo in a retinal ganglion cell model of axotomy-induced apoptosis was inhibited by administration of this fusion protein. Thus, Bcl-XL protein can be delivered into cells from the medium or interstitial space, offering a new way to block apoptosis upstream of many caspases and the mitochondria dysfunction phase of apoptosis.

Animals↗

Cystamine inhibits caspase activity. Implications for the treatment of polyglutamine disorders.

Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by an abnormally expended polyglutamine domain. There is no effective treatment for HD; however, inhibition of caspase activity or prevention of mitochondria dysfunction delays disease progression in HD mouse models. Similarly administration of cystamine, which can inhibit transglutaminase, prolonged survival of HD mice, suggesting that inhibition of transglutaminase might provide a new treatment strategy. However, it has been suggested that cystamine may inhibit other thiol-dependent enzymes in addition to transglutaminase. In this study we show that cystamine inhibits recombinant active caspase-3 in a concentration-dependent manner. At low concentrations cystamine is an uncompetitive inhibitor of caspase-3 activity, becoming a non-competitive inhibitor at higher concentrations. The IC(50) for cystamine-mediated inhibition of caspase-3 activity in vitro was 23.6 microm. In situ cystamine inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner the activation of caspase-3 by different pro-apoptotic agents. Additionally, cystamine inhibited caspase-3 activity to the same extent in cell lines stably overexpressing wild type tissue transglutaminase (tTG), a mutant inactive tTG, or an antisense for tTG, demonstrating that cystamine inhibits caspase activity independently of any effects it may have on the transamidating activity of tTG. Finally, treatment with cystamine resulted in a robust increase in the levels of glutathione. These findings demonstrate that cystamine may prolong neuronal survival and delay the onset of HD by inhibiting caspases and increasing the level of antioxidants such as glutathione.

Caspase 3↗

Reduction of oxidative stress in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis following pramipexole treatment.

Oxidative abnormalities have been identified both in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) and the more prevalent sporadic ALS (SALS). Mitochondria dysfunction and toxic free radicals may play a role in this disease process, although the exact pathogenesis of both forms of ALS remains unknown. 2,3-DHBA is a hydroxylated salicylate by product that has been shown to be a reliable marker of increased free radical activity and is reliably assayed by HPLC. Following an oral salicylate load, we found elevated serum levels of 2, 3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,3-DHBA) and DHBA/salicylate in SALS subjects. Pramipexole has been shown to reduce oxidative stress and be neuroprotective in cell and animal models of neurodegeneration. We studied 12 SALS patients to determine the levels of 2,3-DHBA both before and after treatment with pramipexole. We found that pramipexole treatment up to 6 mg/day was well tolerated. The mean 2,3-DHBA serum levels were reduced by 45% and DHBA/salicylate ratios declined by 59% following treatment with pramipexole. SALS patients show apparent increases in systemic oxygen radical production that are reduced by pramipexole treatment at conventional doses, suggesting that pramipexole or related compounds may interrupt free radical production in SALS.

Aged↗

Different effects of amino acid-based and glucose-based dialysate from peritoneal dialysis patients on mesothelial cell ultrastructure and function.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis fluid (PDF) containing amino acids has been introduced recently aiming to improve the nutritional status of PD patients. Dextrose-based PDFs have been implicated in progressive functional and structural deterioration of the peritoneal membrane. Limited data are currently available regarding the effect of amino acid-based PDF on the function and ultrastructure of human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs), which play a critical role in peritoneal membrane pathophysiology. METHODS: We investigated the effects of two commercially available PDFs, which utilized dextrose (1.5% Dianeal) or amino acids (1.1% Nutrineal) as the osmotic agent, obtained from patients after a 4 h dwell, on HPMC proliferation (MTT assay and cell counting) and viability [lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)release], interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion (commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and ultrastructure (scanning and transmission electron microscopy). RESULTS: Exposure of HPMCs to 1.5% Dianeal reduced cell proliferation, total cellular protein synthesis, IL-6 secretion and cell attachment, but prolonged the cell doubling time on recovery, and increased LDH release (P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.0001, P<0.0001, P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). The 1.1% Nutrineal reduced HPMC proliferation (P<0.001) and increased IL-6 secretion (P<0.0001), but did not affect cell attachment, LDH release, protein synthesis or cell doubling time. Ultrastructural studies of HPMCs exposed to Dianeal showed cell flattening, increased cell surface area, reduced microvilli, and intracellular organelles compatible with dysfunctional mitochondria. In contrast, the ultrastructural morphology of HPMCs was relatively preserved after incubation with Nutrineal. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that HPMC ultrastructure, viability and protein synthesis were better preserved with amino acid-based PDF, compared with conventional dextrose-based PDF. The significance of IL-6 induction by Nutrineal remains to be elucidated.

Adult↗

Modulation of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor levels in a reperfusion injury pig kidney-graft model.

BACKGROUND: Ischemia-reperfusion injury is associated with an increased risk of acute rejection, delayed graft function, or chronic graft dysfunction. Mitochondria play a central role in this process. METHODS: Using an autotransplantation pig kidney model, both early (40 min and 7 days) and late (2-16 weeks) changes in renal function and morphology were determined after different periods of cold ischemia in University of Wisconsin or Euro-Collins solutions. We have also investigated the expression of the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), which is also critical in maintaining outer mitochondrial membrane stability. RESULTS: Function of the kidneys was better preserved after 1 hr and 24 hr than after 48 hr and 72 hr in Euro-Collins and University of Wisconsin solutions. Medulla injury was reduced in 1 hr-preserved and 24 hr-preserved groups. PBR was found to be present in epithelial cells of the deep cortical and outer medulla in both normal human and well-preserved pig kidneys. PBR expression was modulated by ischemia-reperfusion injury and the concurrent tubular injury and repair processes. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that PBR expression correlates with the quality of kidney preservation and might serve as an index of kidney and mitochondria viability. Moreover, these data suggest that PBR might be involved in membrane biogenesis during reperfusion. In addition, considering the identical localization of PBR in human and pig kidneys, these findings could have a direct application in human clinical settings of kidney pathology.

Animals↗