FURTHER OBSERVATIONS ON THE GROWTH AND HISTOCHEMISTRY OF LEYDIG TISSUE IN THE POSTNATAL PREPUBERTAL MOUSE TESTIS.
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Cytochromes c6 from three cyanobacteria were tested as substrates for membranous cyt. c oxidase(aa3) of Anacystis and Synechocystis using intact spheroplasts or isolated plasma(CM) and thylakoid(ICM) membranes. Neither spheroplasts nor CM/ICM gave significant O2 uptake rates with NADH without added cyt. c. Horse cyt. c (at low ionic strength) or cyt. c6 from Anacystis, Synechocystis or Microcystis (at high ionic strength) supported substantial HCN- & CO-sensitive NADH oxidase activity, consistent with in vivo O2 uptake. Cyanobacterial respiratory electron transport involves NADH dehydrogenase(fpN), plastoquinone, cyt. b/c(f), cyt. c6 & cyt. aa3, in both CM & ICM. In ICM, fpN and cyt. aa3 are functionally replaced in the light by PS II and PS I, respectively. In both membranes, cyt. c6 is an obligatory electron donor to cyt. aa3 &/or to P700. Respiratory action of acidic cyt. c6 (in unicellular species) may be unmasked only under conditions of elevated ionic strength.
The effect of temperature on the electronic structure of cytochromes a and a3 has been determined at two different concentrations of the solubilizing detergent, N-dodecyl beta-D-maltoside. In each case, an incubation temperature of 40 degrees C resulted in a 20-30% increase in the 430-nm conformer of cytochrome a3 when compared with a 20 degrees C control, but the higher detergent concentration led to additional formation of a new charge transfer band at 630 nm. Induction of this new feature was correlated with a loss of alpha-band intensity, a blue shift in the Soret absorbance, and a decrease in the Soret magnetic circular dichroism. The absorbance changes were associated with isosbestic wavelengths at 613, 581, 563, 453, and 416 nm, indicating a two-state electronic conversion. The loss of magnetic circular dichroism intensity and the lack of an isosbestic point between 630 and 655 nm were consistent with a selective effect on the electronic structure of ferricytochrome a. Comparison of these spectral changes with the model heme a studies of Carter and Palmer (Carter, K., and Palmer, G. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 13507-13514) provides evidence for a low to high spin transition in cytochrome a in which one of the axial Fe-N bonds is either broken or sterically strained. This selective effect on cytochrome a and the associated thermal resistance of the a3-CuB domain are discussed in terms of the 4-helix bundle motif that has been recently proposed for the catalytic site of cytochrome c oxidase.
Mitochondrial respiratory complexes such as cytochrome oxidase (CO) contain both mitochondrial- and nuclear-encoded subunits. To determine whether mitochondrial and nuclear gene expression are regulated proportionately in neurons, we analyzed CO subunit mRNA and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) levels by in situ hybridization and grain counting in the visual system of normal and monocular TTX-treated monkeys. We compared the regulation of these molecules with the regulation of CO activity and CO protein, analyzed by histochemistry and immunohistochemistry, respectively. In normal animals, CO activity was in general related more closely to mtDNA and CO subunit I (COI) (mitochondrial-encoded) mRNA levels than to COIV or COVIII (nuclear-encoded) mRNA levels. For example, puffs (also known as blobs) of high CO activity in striate cortex were enriched in mtDNA and COI mRNA, but not COIV or COVIII mRNA. In 3-7 d TTX-treated animals, proportionate decreases in CO activity and CO protein were observed in specific visual centers; these changes were accompanied by disproportionate decreases in COI, COIV, and COVIII mRNA levels. After 7 d of TTX, COI mRNA fell by 49 +/- 3% (mean +/- SEM) in LGN neurons, while COIV and COVIII mRNAs fell by only 18 +/- 3% and 29 +/- 3%, respectively. In comparison, CO activity decreased by 23 +/- 2%, and mtDNA by 26 +/- 4%. Qualitative observations in striate cortex also indicated that COI mRNA changed more than COIV mRNA, COVIII mRNA, mtDNA, or CO activity. Our results suggest that the local distribution of CO within neurons, and acute regulatory changes in CO activity occurring over periods of days are controlled mainly by regulation of the mitochondrial genes that encode the catalytic subunits of the enzyme.
We have used a combination of site-directed mutagenesis and spectroscopic techniques to investigate electron-transfer reactions between hemes a and a3 in cytochrome c oxidase. A state of the enzyme was prepared in which heme a/CuA are oxidized and heme a3/CuB are reduced with CO bound to heme a3, which stabilizes the reduced state of the binuclear center. In addition, in this state the pKs of protonatable groups in the vicinity of the binuclear center, interacting electrostatically with heme a3, are larger than with oxidized heme a3. Upon flash photolysis of CO from the two-electron reduced enzyme electrons at heme a3 equilibrate rapidly with heme a. In the R. sphaeroides enzyme the electron-transfer rates from heme a to a3 and from heme a3 to a were, deconvoluted and were found to be approximately 1.5.10(5) s-1 and approximately 1.4.10(5) s-1, respectively. After this rapid electron equilibration between hemes a and a3, protons are released from groups interacting electrostatically with heme a3, which is associated with additional electron transfer from heme a3 to heme a. The proton-coupled electron transfer displays a pH dependent extent and rate. In addition, it displays a deuterium-isotope effect of a factor of about three. The reaction sequence is compatible with the three-dimensional cytochrome c oxidase structure, which shows that more protonatable groups are found around heme a3 than around heme a and supports the involvement of the binuclear center in proton pumping. Proton uptake/release upon reduction/oxidation of heme a3 takes place through a proton pathway including residues Thr(I-359) and Lys(I-362) (K-pathway), but not through the pathway including residues Asp(I-132) and Glu(I-286) (D-pathway). During reaction of the reduced enzyme with O2, both substrate and pumped protons are taken up through the D-pathway.
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.
Metabolic mapping of discrete brain regions using cytochrome oxidase histochemistry was used as a marker for alterations in mitochondrial function and cytochrome oxidase enzymatic activity in response to high doses of amphetamine derivatives. The activity of cytochrome oxidase, complex IV of the electron transport chain, was determined at three different time-points following administration of high doses of methamphetamine or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) (four injections of 10-15 mg/kg administered over 8 h). There was a rapid decrease in cytochrome oxidase staining in the striatum (23-29%), nucleus accumbens (29-30%) and substantia nigra (31-43%), 2 h following administration of either methamphetamine and MDMA. This decrease in cytochrome oxidase activity was transient and returned to control levels within 24 h. Since the methamphetamine and MDMA-induced decrease in cytochrome oxidase activity was localized to dopamine-rich regions, increased extracellular concentrations of dopamine may contribute to the inhibition of metabolic function via its metabolism to form quinones or other reactive oxygen species. These results support previous studies demonstrating that psychostimulants induce a rapid and transient decrease in striatal ATP stores and provide further evidence that these drugs of abuse can disrupt mitochondrial function.
Respiratory activity and NADH CoQ reductase (complex I) and cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV) activities were measured in free (non-synaptosomal) mitochondria isolated from cerebral cortex of male Balb/c mice exposed to intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (450 Torr; 4300 m) for 21 days and compared to normoxic (sea level) controls. In the hypoxic we found a 47% reduction of oxygen uptake during state 3 (ADP and substrate present), 12% reduction during state 4 (no ADP present) and 20% reduction in the uncoupled respiration rate with pyruvate plus malate as substrates. Respiratory control ratio (RCR) decreased by 24%. No change in the ADP/O ratio was seen. NADH CoQ reductase activity decreased by 30% and cytochrome c oxidase by 17%, suggesting that under conditions of chronic hypoxia, the reductions of mitochondrial respiratory activities are caused, at least in part, by enzymatic alterations of the electron transport chain (complex I and complex IV). The decreased activity of these enzymes could contribute to alterations in neuronal activity by reducing brain energy metabolism during development under conditions of chronic hypoxia.
BACKGROUND: Dietary copper overload in the rat is associated with morphological abnormalities and lipid peroxidation of hepatic mitochondria. This study was designed to determine if copper hepatotoxicity was associated with functional alterations in mitochondrial respiration in conjunction with lipid peroxidation. METHODS: Weanling male rats were pair-fed for 8 weeks on diets containing normal or high levels of copper in combination with sufficient vitamin E. Serum and liver samples were obtained, and hepatic mitochondria were isolated by differential centrifugation. RESULTS: Oxidant injury (decreased levels of hepatic glutathione and alpha tocopherol and increased levels of mitochondrial thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances) was present in the copper-overloaded rats. Serum aminotransferase levels correlated with concentrations of mitochondrial copper and thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances. Copper overload caused a decrease in state 3 respiration and the respiratory control ratio in hepatic mitochondria when several electron donors were used. Analysis of the oxidoreductase activities of the four mitochondrial electron transport protein complexes showed that complex IV (cytochrome C oxidase) activity was reduced by 60% in copper overload. CONCLUSIONS: Functional abnormalities of mitochondria accompany lipid peroxidation and the morphological alterations caused by copper overload, supporting the hypothesis that the mitochondrion is one of the major intracellular targets in copper hepatotoxicity.
Mitochondrial energogenesis plays key role in the vital activity of cells. Regulation of its intensity is especially important for the maintenance of function of tissues and body internal organs under different pathological conditions. There are numerous studies demonstrating modulator effect of domestic preparation, plaferon LB (USA patent number WO02/ 12444 A2) on the intensity of mitochondrial respiration in vivo at different pathological processes. In order to determine the mechanism of modulator effect of plaferon LB we have studied effectiveness of its effect on the intensity of electron transport in mitochondrial respiratory chain, inhibited by different toxins, in isolated myocardial sections in vitro. Isolated sections (100mg) of myocardium of white rats were placed in the buffer solution with glutamate and DNF. Obtained dredge was distributed in equal portions to the different cells, where amital -- inhibitor of I complex of mitochondrial electron transport chain or potassium cyanide, inhibitor of IV complex of mitochondrial electron transport chain, or plaferon LB have been added in different consecution with 2 min intervals (USA patent number WO02/ 12444 A2). We discovered that plaferon LB rehabilitates electron transport on the sites of I and IV complexes of mitochondrial chain that leads to a decrease in free radical production and normalization of cell redox status. This is the mechanism through which the preparation regulates the intensity of mitochondrial respiration and tissues energogenesis.
Cytochrome oxidase (C.O.) was histochemically localized in the cat striate cortex at the light and electron microscopic levels. The results indicate that the oxidative metabolic activity within the cat striate cortex may vary between (1) different laminae, (2) neurons and glia, (3) different neuron types, (4) dendrite and soma of the same cell, (5) different types of dendrites, (6) different segments of the same dendrite, and (7) different classes of symmetric and asymmetric axon terminals. Maximal laminar C.O. staining was localized within geniculoreceptive layer IV. Darkly reactive neurons include the large (presumed corticotectal) pyramids of layer V, and various classes of large and medium-sized presumed GABAergic nonpyramidal cells sparsely distributed throughout layers II-VI. The small and medium-sized pyramids of layers II, III, V, and VI, as well as many of the smaller presumed GABAergic neurons, were only lightly or moderately reactive. The darkly reactive neurons tended to be those that received convergent or proximally localized asymmetric axosomatic synapses, implying that they are strongly driven by excitatory synaptic input. The darkly reactive nonpyramids resembled those that form GAD+, symmetric axosomatic synapses with pyramidal cells. The dark reactivity of the symmetric synaptic terminals indicates that they mediate strong inhibition of neuronal discharge. The dark reactivity of a class of large asymmetric terminals in layer IV is likely to represent highly active geniculocortical terminals. The predominant distribution of elevated C.O. reactivity in dendrites is correlated with reported sites of (1) convergent excitatory synaptic input, (2) maximal field potentials, (3) highly active ion transport, and (4) Na+, K+-ATPase.
Cytochemically evidenced cytochrome oxidase activity was morphometrically measured in the cerebellar cortex of adult and old rats. The ratio (R) between the area of the precipitate due to the cytochemical reaction and the overall area of each mitochondrion was calculated. While in adult rats an inverse correlation between mitochondrial size and R values (r = -.905) was envisaged, in old animals increasing values of R were paired by increases in mitochondrial area (r =.561). Paired-quartile comparisons of the R values from adult and old animals documented a marked age-related impairment of the mitochondrial metabolic competence in small (I quartile: -31.6%) and medium-sized (II quartile: -26.4; III quartile: -16.4) mitochondria, while large organelles showed the lowest age-related decrease (IV quartile: -3.0%). The present findings support that a marked dysfunction of small and medium-sized mitochondria contributes to the significant decay of energy metabolism currently reported in physiological aging.
The drug-resistant leukemic cell lines, CEM/VLB100 and K/DAU600, are more sensitive to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha)-mediated cytotoxicity compared with their parental cell lines, CCRF-CEM and K562 cl.6. Drug-resistant leukemic cell lines have more active mitochondrial function, which is associated with a greater susceptibility to TNFalpha-induced respiratory inhibition. TNFalpha blocked electron transfer at three sites, NADH dehydrogenase (complex I), succinate dehydrogenase (complex II), and cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV). Respiratory rate and electron transport chain enzyme activities were significantly inhibited in the drug-resistant, TNF-sensitive cell lines. Respiratory inhibition preceded cell death by at least 5 to 8 hours. The respiratory failure was not compensated for by appropriate up-regulation of the glycolytic pathway. Increasing mitochondrial respiratory rate and enzyme activities by long-term culture with 2 mmol/L adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) and Pi sensitized both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant cells to TNFalpha-induced cytolysis. Intramitochondrial free radicals generated by paraquat only had a limited and delayed effect on respiratory inhibition and cytolysis in comparison with the effect of TNFalpha. We conclude that TNFalpha-induced cytotoxicity in leukemic cells is, at least in part, mediated by inhibition of mitochondrial respiration. Free radical generation by TNFalpha may not directly lead to the observed inhibition of the mitochondrial electron transport and other mechanisms must be involved.