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Cyclophilin D was recently shown to bind to and decrease the activity of FF-ATP synthase in submitochondrial particles and permeabilized mitochondria [Giorgio V et al. (2009) J Biol Chem, , 33982-33988]. Cyclophilin D binding decreased both ATP synthesis and hydrolysis rates. In the present study, we reaffirm these findings by demonstrating that, in intact mouse liver mitochondria energized by ATP, the absence of cyclophilin D or the presence of cyclosporin A led to a decrease in the extent of uncoupler-induced depolarization. Accordingly, in substrate-energized mitochondria, an increase in FF-ATP synthase activity mediated by a relief of inhibition by cyclophilin D was evident in the form of slightly increased respiration rates during arsenolysis. However, the modulation of FF-ATP synthase by cyclophilin D did not increase the adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT)-mediated ATP efflux rate in energized mitochondria or the ATP influx rate in de-energized mitochondria. The lack of an effect of cyclophilin D on the ANT-mediated adenine nucleotide exchange rate was attributed to the ∼ 2.2-fold lower flux control coefficient of the FF-ATP synthase than that of ANT, as deduced from measurements of adenine nucleotide flux rates in intact mitochondria. These findings were further supported by a recent kinetic model of the mitochondrial phosphorylation system, suggesting that an ∼ 30% change in FF-ATP synthase activity in fully energized or fully de-energized mitochondria affects the ADP-ATP exchange rate mediated by the ANT in the range 1.38-1.7%. We conclude that, in mitochondria exhibiting intact inner membranes, the absence of cyclophilin D or the inhibition of its binding to FF-ATP synthase by cyclosporin A will affect only matrix adenine nucleotides levels. Cyclophilin D binds to the F0F1-ATP synthase and decreases its activity, without altering the the adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT)-mediated ATP flux rates in intact mitochondria. This is attributed to the ∼2.2 times lower flux control coefficient of FF-ATP synthase than that of ANT. Therefore, in intact mitochondria the absence of cyclophilin D or its inhibition by cyclosporin A affects only matrix adenine nucleotides levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Massive amounts of Ca2+ can accumulate in mitochondria, owing to its complexation with matrix phosphate. Under conditions in which the mitochondrial uniporter is the foremost pathway for Ca2+ efflux, the release of sequestered Ca2+ by protonophoric uncouplers is invariably demonstrated. This has been recently ascribed to matrix acidification, which results in the dissociation of the Ca2+–phosphate complex. In the present study, we compared the effect of stepwise depolarization on Ca2+ release induced by either the complex III inhibitor stigmatellin or an uncoupler in energized Ca2+-loaded rat liver mitochondria in the presence of phosphate, at extramitochondrial pH (pHo) 6.8 and pHo 7.8. Both poisons were examined in the presence and absence of oligomycin. Prior to Ca2+ loading, mitochondria were allowed to phosphorylate 0.5 mm ADP. Opening of the permeability transition pore was additionally hampered by cyclosporin A, and was monitored by changes in light scattering. Na+ was excluded from the medium, preventing Na+/Ca2+ exchange. At both pHo values, ΔpH was in the range 0.11–0.15. Complete depolarization by uncoupling with or without oligomycin resulted in an approximately pH 0.05 acidic shift, but there was none in the case of stigmatellin plus oligomycin. At pHo 6.8 and in the presence of oligomycin, the uncoupler-induced Ca2+ release started in the −80 to −50 mV range, whereas in the absence of oligomycin, the release occurred at approximately −15 mV. Stigmatellin induced minor Ca2+ release only in the presence of oligomycin, starting at approximately −4 mV. At pHo 7.8, the uncoupler-induced Ca2+ release started at approximately −11 mV, irrespective of the presence or absence of oligomycin. Unexpectedly, at this alkaline pH and in the presence of oligomycin, stigmatellin induced substantial Ca2+ release, starting at approximately −10 mV. From the above findings, we conclude that matrix acidification cannot be the sole explanation for uncoupler-induced Ca2+ release from mitochondria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Massive amounts of Ca(2+) can accumulate in mitochondria, owing to its complexation with matrix phosphate. Under conditions in which the mitochondrial uniporter is the foremost pathway for Ca(2+) efflux, the release of sequestered Ca(2+) by protonophoric uncouplers is invariably demonstrated. This has been recently ascribed to matrix acidification, which results in the dissociation of the Ca(2+)-phosphate complex. In the present study, we compared the effect of stepwise depolarization on Ca(2+) release induced by either the complex III inhibitor stigmatellin or an uncoupler in energized Ca(2+)-loaded rat liver mitochondria in the presence of phosphate, at extramitochondrial pH (pH(o)) 6.8 and pH(o) 7.8. Both poisons were examined in the presence and absence of oligomycin. Prior to Ca(2+) loading, mitochondria were allowed to phosphorylate 0.5 mm ADP. Opening of the permeability transition pore was additionally hampered by cyclosporin A, and was monitored by changes in light scattering. Na(+) was excluded from the medium, preventing Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange. At both pH(o) values, Delta pH was in the range 0.11-0.15. Complete depolarization by uncoupling with or without oligomycin resulted in an approximately pH 0.05 acidic shift, but there was none in the case of stigmatellin plus oligomycin. At pH(o) 6.8 and in the presence of oligomycin, the uncoupler-induced Ca(2+) release started in the -80 to -50 mV range, whereas in the absence of oligomycin, the release occurred at approximately -15 mV. Stigmatellin induced minor Ca(2+) release only in the presence of oligomycin, starting at approximately -4 mV. At pH(o) 7.8, the uncoupler-induced Ca(2+) release started at approximately -11 mV, irrespective of the presence or absence of oligomycin. Unexpectedly, at this alkaline pH and in the presence of oligomycin, stigmatellin induced substantial Ca(2+) release, starting at approximately -10 mV. From the above findings, we conclude that matrix acidification cannot be the sole explanation for uncoupler-induced Ca(2+) release from mitochondria.