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Introduction/purpose: Fat metabolism and muscle adaptation was investigated in six older trained men (age, 61 ± 4 yr; V˙O2max, 48 ± 2 mL·kg·min) after repeated prolonged exercise)., Methods: A distance of 2706 km (1681 miles) cycling was performed over 14 d, and a blood sample and a muscle biopsy were obtained at rest after an overnight fast before and 30 h after the completion of the cycling. V˙O2max and maximal fat oxidation were measured using incremental exercise tests. HR was continuously sampled during cycling to estimate exercise intensity., Results: The daily duration of exercise was 10 h and 31 ± 37 min, and the mean intensity was 53% ± 1% of V˙O2max. Body weight remained unchanged. V˙O2max and maximal fat oxidation rate decreased by 6% ± 2% (P = 0.04) and 32% ± 8% (P < 0.01), respectively. The exercise intensity that elicits maximal fat oxidation was not significantly decreased. Plasma free fatty acid (FA) concentration decreased (P < 0.002) from 500 ± 77 μmol·L to 160 ± 38 μmol·L. Plasma glucose concentration as well as muscle glycogen, myoglobin, and triacylglycerol content remained unchanged. Muscle citrate synthase and ß-hydroxy-acyl-CoA-dehydrogenase activities were unchanged, but the protein expression of HKII, GLUT4, and adipose triacylglycerol lipase were significantly increased., Conclusions: Overall, the decreased maximal fat oxidation was probably due to lower exogenous plasma fatty acid availability and the muscle adaptation pattern indicates an increased glucose transport capacity and an increased muscle lipolysis capacity supporting an increased contribution of exogenous glucose and endogenous fat during exercise.

Differences between species in the oxygen (O2) affinity (P50) of myoglobin (Mb) may serve to fine tune O2 supply to cardiac and skeletal muscle in ectotherms. In support of this view, it has been shown that fish Mb O2 affinities differ between species when measured at the same temperature, but are in fact similar when adjusted for in vivo muscle temperatures, most likely to maintain intracellular O2 delivery in species adapted to different environments. It is unknown whether similar adaptations exist in the O2 affinity of Mb from reptiles, despite this group of ectothermic vertebrates displaying great variation in the tolerance to both temperature and hypoxia. In this study, we have purified Mb from muscle tissues of three reptilian species (turtle, tortoise and alligator) with different lifestyles. We have measured O2 binding characteristics and autoxidation rates of the three Mbs and measured the effects of temperature, lactate and blocking of reactive thiols on the O2 affinity of turtle Mb. Our data show that, at a constant temperature, reptilian Mbs have similar O2 affinities that are lower than those of mammalian Mbs, which may optimize intracellular O2 transport at lower body temperatures. Reptilian Mbs have lower autoxidation rates than both mammalian and fish Mbs, which may be beneficial during oxidative stress. Furthermore, the O2 affinity of turtle Mb is without allosteric control and independent of either lactate or thiol covalent modification. This study reveals some common adaptive patterns in the temperature-dependent regulation of Mb oxygenation in vertebrates., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We report the structural and biochemical characterization of GLB-33, a putative neuropeptide receptor that is exclusively expressed in the nervous system of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. This unique chimeric protein is composed of a 7-transmembrane domain (7TM), GLB-33 7TM, typical of a G-protein-coupled receptor, and of a globin domain (GD), GLB-33 GD. Comprehensive sequence similarity searches in the genome of the parasitic nematode, Ascaris suum, revealed a chimeric protein that is similar to a Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-amide neuropeptide receptor. The three-dimensional structures of the separate domains of both species and of the full-length proteins were modeled. The 7TM domains of both proteins appeared very similar, but the globin domain of the A. suum receptor surprisingly seemed to lack several helices, suggesting a novel truncated globin fold. The globin domain of C. elegans GLB-33, however, was very similar to a genuine myoglobin-type molecule. Spectroscopic analysis of the recombinant GLB-33 GD showed that the heme is pentacoordinate when ferrous and in the hydroxide-ligated form when ferric, even at neutral pH. Flash-photolysis experiments showed overall fast biphasic CO rebinding kinetics. In its ferrous deoxy form, GLB-33 GD is capable of reversibly binding O2 with a very high affinity and of reducing nitrite to nitric oxide faster than other globins. Collectively, these properties suggest that the globin domain of GLB-33 may serve as a highly sensitive oxygen sensor and/or as a nitrite reductase. Both properties are potentially able to modulate the neuropeptide sensitivity of the neuronal transmembrane receptor., (© 2015 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.)

The present investigation was performed to elucidate if the non-erythropoietic ergogenic effect of a recombinant erythropoietin treatment results in an impact on skeletal muscle mitochondrial and whole body fatty acid oxidation capacity during exercise, myoglobin concentration and angiogenesis. Recombinant erythropoietin was administered by subcutaneous injections (5000 IU) in six healthy male volunteers (aged 21 ± 2 years; fat mass 18.5 ± 2.3%) over 8 weeks. The participants performed two graded cycle ergometer exercise tests before and after the intervention where VO2max and maximal fat oxidation were measured. Biopsies of the vastus lateralis muscle were obtained before and after the intervention. Recombinant erythropoietin treatment increased mitochondrial O2 flux during ADP stimulated state 3 respiration in the presence of complex I and II substrates (malate, glutamate, pyruvate, succinate) with additional electron input from β-oxidation (octanoylcarnitine) (from 60 ± 13 to 87 ± 24 pmol · s(-1) · mg(-1) P < 0.01). β-hydroxy-acyl-CoA-dehydrogenase activity was higher after treatment (P < 0.05), whereas citrate synthase activity also tended to increase (P = 0.06). Total myoglobin increased by 16.5% (P < 0.05). Capillaries per muscle area tended to increase (P = 0.07), whereas capillaries per fibre as well as the total expression of vascular endothelial growth factor remained unchanged. Whole body maximal fat oxidation was not increased after treatment. Eight weeks of recombinant erythropoietin treatment increases mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation capacity and myoglobin concentration without any effect on whole body maximal fat oxidation.

The Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus, Zuiew 1793) is a facultative air-breathing fish with reduced gills. Previous studies have shown that gas exchange seems to occur across the epithelium of the buccopharyngeal cavity, the esophagus and the integument, resulting in substantial diffusion limitations that must be compensated by adaptations in others steps of the O₂ transport system to secure adequate O₂ delivery to the respiring tissues. We therefore investigated O₂ binding properties of whole blood, stripped hemoglobin (Hb), two major isoHb components and the myoglobin (Mb) from M. albus. Whole blood was sampled using indwelling catheters for blood gas analysis and determination of O₂ equilibrium curves. Hb was purified to assess the effects of endogenous allosteric effectors, and Mb was isolated from heart and skeletal muscle to determine its O₂ binding properties. The blood of M. albus has a high O₂ carrying capacity [hematocrit (Hct) of 42.4±4.5%] and binds O₂ with an unusually high affinity (P₅₀=2.8±0.4mmHg at 27°C and pH7.7), correlating with insensitivity of the Hb to the anionic allosteric effectors that normally decrease Hb-O₂ affinity. In addition, Mb is present at high concentrations in both heart and muscle (5.16±0.99 and 1.08±0.19mg ∙ g wet tissue⁻¹, respectively). We suggest that the high Hct and high blood O₂ affinity serve to overcome the low diffusion capacity in the relatively inefficient respiratory surfaces, while high Hct and Mb concentration aid in increasing the O₂ flux from the blood to the muscles., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The discovery that cysteine (Cys) S-nitrosation of trout myoglobin (Mb) increases heme O2 affinity has revealed a novel allosteric effect that may promote hypoxia-induced nitric oxide (NO) delivery in the trout heart and improve myocardial efficiency. To better understand this allosteric effect, we investigated the functional effects and structural origin of S-nitrosation in selected fish Mbs differing by content and position of reactive cysteine (Cys) residues. The Mbs from the Atlantic salmon and the yellowfin tuna, containing two and one reactive Cys, respectively, were S-nitrosated in vitro by reaction with Cys-NO to generate Mb-SNO to a similar yield (∼0.50 SH/heme), suggesting reaction at a specific Cys residue. As found for trout, salmon Mb showed a low O2 affinity (P50 = 2.7 torr) that was increased by S-nitrosation (P50 = 1.7 torr), whereas in tuna Mb, O2 affinity (P50 = 0.9 torr) was independent of S-nitrosation. O2 dissociation rates (koff) of trout and salmon Mbs were not altered when Cys were in the SNO or N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) forms, suggesting that S-nitrosation should affect O2 affinity by raising the O2 association rate (kon). Taken together, these results indicate that O2-linked S-nitrosation may occur specifically at Cys107, present in salmon and trout Mb but not in tuna Mb, and that it may relieve protein constraints that limit O2 entry to the heme pocket of the unmodified Mb by a yet unknown mechanism. UV-Vis and resonance Raman spectra of the NEM-derivative of trout Mb (functionally equivalent to Mb-SNO and not photolabile) were identical to those of the unmodified Mb, indicating that S-nitrosation does not affect the extent or nature of heme-ligand stabilization of the fully ligated protein. The importance of S-nitrosation of Mb in vivo is confirmed by the observation that Mb-SNO is present in trout hearts and that its level can be significantly reduced by anoxic conditions.

Recent years have witnessed a new round of research on one of the most studied proteins - myoglobin (Mb), the oxygen (O2) carrier of skeletal and heart muscle. Two major discoveries have stimulated research in this field: 1) that Mb has additional protecting functions, such as the regulation of in vivo levels of the signaling molecule nitric oxide (NO) by scavenging and generating NO during normoxia and hypoxia, respectively; and 2) that Mb in vertebrates (particularly fish) is expressed as tissue-specific isoforms in other tissues than heart and skeletal muscle, such as vessel endothelium, liver and brain, as found in cyprinid fish. Furthermore, Mb has also been found to protect against oxidative stress after hypoxia and reoxygenation and to undergo allosteric, O2-linked S-nitrosation, as in rainbow trout. Overall, the emerging evidence, particularly from fish species, indicates that Mb fulfills a broader array of physiological functions in a wider range of different tissues than hitherto appreciated. This new knowledge helps to better understand how variations in Mb structure and function may correlate with differences in animals' lifestyles and hypoxia-tolerance. This review integrates old and new results on Mb expression patterns and functional properties amongst vertebrates and discusses how these may relate to adaptive variations in different species. This article is part of a special issue entitled: Oxygen Binding and Sensing Proteins., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Myoglobin (Mb) plays a well-established role in facilitated O2 diffusion to sustain mitochondrial O2 consumption during hypoxia in the mammalian heart. To better understand the function of Mb in the fish heart, we have measured the effects of adding 20% carbon monoxide (CO), which inhibits Mb function, compared to inert 20% N2 on the O2 consumption and twitch force in hypoxic rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) ventricle ring preparations. Results showed that O2 consumption was significantly reduced upon addition of CO, whereas twitch force was not affected. Control experiments at 40% CO did not decrease O2 consumption further, showing that CO was not inhibiting cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondria. Because myocardial O2 consumption can be depressed by endogenous nitric oxide (NO) in the trout myocardium and because Mb is a scavenger of NO, CO inhibition experiments were also made in the presence of the NO synthase inhibitor, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). O2 consumption decreased to a similar extent upon CO addition, regardless of NO synthase inhibition, indicating that under hypoxic conditions Mb-dependent NO scavenging plays a minor role. Taken together, these results show that O2 consumption of the hypoxic rainbow trout heart is dependent on the function of Mb as intracellular O2 carrier., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Whales show an exceptionally wide range of diving capabilities and many express high amounts of the O(2) carrier protein myoglobin (Mb) in their muscle tissues, which increases their aerobic diving capacity. Although previous studies have mainly focused on the muscle Mb concentration and O(2) carrying capacity as markers of diving behavior in whales, it still remains unexplored whether whale Mbs differ in their O(2) affinities and nitrite reductase and peroxidase enzymatic activities, all functions that could contribute to differences in diving capacities. In this study, we have measured the functional properties of purified Mbs from five toothed whales and two baleen whales and have examined their correlation with average dive duration. Results showed that some variation in functional properties exists among whale Mbs, with toothed whale Mbs having higher O(2) affinities and nitrite reductase activities (similar to those of horse Mb) compared with baleen whale Mbs. However, these differences did not correlate with average dive duration. Instead, a significant correlation was found between whale Mb concentration and average duration and depth of dives, and between O(2) affinity and nitrite reductase activity when including horse Mb. Despite the fact that the functional properties showed little species-specific differences in vitro, they may still contribute to enhancing diving capacity as a result of the increased muscle Mb concentration found in extreme divers. In conclusion, Mb concentration rather than specific functional reactivities may support whale diving performance.

We have generated the Lys67Glu mutant form of neuroglobin. Experimental spectral studies are consistent with a six coordinate heme in which the distal histidine bond is stretched compared to the wild type protein. Carbon monoxide binding to the ferrous form of the mutant follows a hyperbolic concentration dependence limiting at the histidine dissociation rate of 0.7 s(-1). Further analysis indicates a significantly lowered histidine binding constant. Oxygen binding kinetic studies confirm the higher heme ligand dissociation level and indicate a p50 value for oxygen binding<1 mmHg. The ferrous form of the protein yields an oxygenated intermediate on reaction with oxygen. The rate of oxidation, by oxygen, follows a complex concentration dependence, consistent with the presence of two distinct oxidation mechanisms. A quantitative model for the two oxidation processes has been developed, which is consistent with a lowered distal histidine binding constant in the mutant form of the protein. These data suggest that the protein structure surrounding the heme site in neuroglobin limits access to external ligands and provides an energy barrier to the structural changes following ligand binding in this protein. However, the mutation does not appear to affect reactivity with cytochrome c and the anti-apoptotic activity of the mutant in human cells of neuronal origin is increased as compared to the wild type protein., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S), nitric oxide (NO) and nitrite (NO(2)(-)) are formed in vivo and are of crucial importance in the tissue response to hypoxia, particularly in the cardiovascular system, where these signaling molecules are involved in a multitude of processes including the regulation of vascular tone, cellular metabolic function and cytoprotection. This report summarizes current advances on the mechanisms by which these signaling pathways act and may have evolved in animals with different tolerance to hypoxia, as presented and discussed during the scientific sessions of the annual meeting of the Society for Experimental Biology in 2011 in Glasgow. It also highlights the need and potential for a comparative approach of study and collaborative effort to identify potential link(s) between the signaling pathways involving NO, nitrite and H(2)S in the whole-body responses to hypoxia., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Rainbow trout myoglobin (Mb) is characterized by an unusually low affinity for oxygen, having a P(50) of 4.92±0.29 mm Hg at 25 °C which is the highest ever reported for any vertebrate Mb at the same temperature (Helbo and Fago, (2011) Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol. 300, R101-R108). In order to gain insight into the structural factors of the heme pocket that may be important determinants for this atypical oxygen affinity, we have carried out an electronic absorption and resonance Raman characterization of the ferric and ferrous protein with and without exogenous ligands (O(2), CO, F(-)) and compared the results with those of other Mbs. While the ν(Fe-His) stretch appears at a frequency similar to other vertebrate Mbs, the resonance Raman frequencies of the Fe-ligand stretching modes reveal significant variations in the interaction of iron-bound ligands with distal residues. In particular, the spectroscopic characterization highlights two exceptional properties of rainbow trout Mb, a significantly higher level of reversed heme and reduced hydrogen bonding interactions between ligands and the distal HisE7 residue compared with other Mbs. The weakening of the hydrogen bond interaction is proposed to be the primary cause of the significantly reduced oxygen affinity., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Because of a recent whole genome duplication, the hypoxia-tolerant common carp and goldfish are the only vertebrates known to possess two myoglobin (Mb) paralogs. One of these, Mb1, occurs in oxidative muscle but also in several other tissues, including capillary endothelial cells, whereas the other, Mb2, is a unique isoform specific to brain neurons. To help understand the functional roles of these diverged isoforms in the tolerance to severe hypoxia in the carp, we have compared their O(2) equilibria, carbon monoxide (CO) and O(2) binding kinetics, thiol S-nitrosation, nitrite reductase activities, and peroxidase activities. Mb1 has O(2) affinity and nitrite reductase activity comparable to most vertebrate muscle Mbs, consistent with established roles for Mbs in O(2) storage/delivery and in maintaining nitric oxide (NO) homeostasis during hypoxia. Both Mb1 and Mb2 can be S-nitrosated to similar extent, but without oxygenation-linked allosteric control. When compared with Mb1, Mb2 displays faster O(2) and CO kinetics, a lower O(2) affinity, and is slower at converting nitrite into NO. Mb2 is therefore unlikely to be primarily involved in either O(2) supply to mitochondria or the generation of NO from nitrite during hypoxia. However, Mb2 proved to be significantly faster at eliminating H(2)O(2,) a major in vivo reactive oxygen species (ROS), suggesting that this diverged Mb isoform may have a specific protective role against H(2)O(2) in the carp brain. This property might be of particular significance during reoxygenation following extended periods of hypoxia, when production of H(2)O(2) and other ROS is highest.

Myoglobin (Mb) serves in the facilitated diffusion and storage of O₂ in heart and skeletal muscle, where it also regulates O₂ consumption via nitric oxide (NO) scavenging or generation. S-nitrosation at reactive cysteines may generate S-nitroso Mb (Mb-SNO) and contribute further to NO homeostasis. In being a monomer, Mb is commonly believed to lack allosteric control of heme reactivity. Here, we test whether in rainbow trout, a fast swimmer living in well-aerated water, the Mb-O₂ affinity is regulated by ionic cofactors and S-nitrosation. O₂ equilibria showed the lowest O₂ affinity ever reported among vertebrate Mbs (P₅₀ = 4.92 ± 0.29 mmHg, 25°C), a small overall heat of oxygenation (ΔH = -12.03 kcal/mol O₂), and no effect of chloride, pH, or lactate. Although the reaction with 4,4'-dithiodipyridine (4-PDS) showed 1.3-1.9 accessible thiols per heme, the reaction of Mb with S-nitroso cysteine (Cys-NO) and S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) to generate Mb-SNO yielded ∼0.3-0.6 and ∼0.1 SNO/heme, respectively, suggesting S-nitrosation at only one cysteine (likely Cys¹⁰). At ∼60% S-nitrosation, trout Mb-SNO showed a higher O₂ affinity (P₅₀ = 2.23 ± 0.19 mmHg, 20°C) than unmodified Mb (3.36 ± 0.11 mmHg, 20°C). Total SNO levels measured by chemiluminescence in trout myocardial preparations decreased after hypoxia, but not significantly, indicating that transnitrosation reactions between thiols may occur in vivo. Our data reveal a novel, S-nitrosation-dependent allosteric mechanism in this low-affinity Mb that may contribute to targeted O₂-linked SNO release in the hypoxic fish heart and be of importance in preserving cardiac function during intense exercise.

The roles of nitric oxide synthase activity (NOS), nitrite and myoglobin (Mb) in the regulation of myocardial function during hypoxia were examined in trout and goldfish, a hypoxia-intolerant and hypoxia-tolerant species, respectively. We measured the effect of NOS inhibition, adrenaline and nitrite on the O(2) consumption rate and isometric twitch force development in electrically paced ventricular preparations during hypoxia, and measured O(2) affinity and nitrite reductase activity of the purified heart Mbs of both species. Upon hypoxia (9% O(2)), O(2) consumption and developed force decreased in both trout and goldfish myocardium, with trout showing a significant increase in the O(2) utilization efficiency, i.e. the ratio of twitch force to O(2) consumption, suggesting an increased anaerobic metabolism. NOS inhibition enhanced myocardial O(2) consumption and decreased efficiency, indicating that mitochondrial respiration is under a tone of NOS-produced NO. When trout myocardial twitch force and O(2) consumption are enhanced by adrenaline, this NO tone disappears. Consistent with its conversion to NO, nitrite reduced O(2) consumption and increased myocardial efficiency in trout but not in goldfish. Such a difference correlates with the lower O(2) affinity measured for trout Mb that would increase the fraction of deoxygenated heme available to catalyze the reduction of nitrite to NO. Whereas low-affinity trout Mb would favor O(2) diffusion within cardiomyocytes at high in vivo O(2) tensions, goldfish Mb having higher O(2) affinity and higher nitrite reductase activity appears better suited to facilitate O(2) diffusion and nitrite reduction in the heart during severe hypoxia, a condition particularly well tolerated by this species.