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SDF-1α (stromal cell–derived factor-1α) is a CXCR4-receptor agonist and DPP4 (dipeptidyl peptidase 4) substrate. SDF-1α, particularly when combined with sitagliptin to block the metabolism of SDF-1α by DPP4, stimulates proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts via the CXCR4 receptor; this effect is greater in cells from spontaneously hypertensive rats versus Wistar-Kyoto normotensive rats. Emerging evidence indicates that ubiquitin(1–76) exists in plasma and is a potent CXCR4-receptor agonist. Therefore, we hypothesized that ubiquitin(1–76), similar to SDF-1α, should increase proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts. Contrary to our working hypothesis, ubiquitin(1–76) did not stimulate cardiac fibroblast proliferation, yet unexpectedly antagonized the proproliferative effects of SDF-1α combined with sitagliptin. In this regard, ubiquitin(1–76) was more potent in spontaneously hypertensive versus Wistar-Kyoto cells. In the presence of 6bk (selective inhibitor of insulin-degrading enzyme [IDE]; an enzyme known to convert ubiquitin(1–76) to ubiquitin(1–74)), ubiquitin(1–76) no longer antagonized the proproliferative effects of SDF-1α/sitagliptin. Ubiquitin(1–74) also antagonized the proproliferative effects of SDF-1α/sitagliptin, and this effect of ubiquitin(1–74) was not blocked by 6bk and was >10-fold more potent compared with ubiquitin(1–76). Neither ubiquitin(1–76) nor ubiquitin(1–74) inhibited the proproliferative effects of the non-CXCR4 receptor agonist neuropeptide Y (activates Y 1 receptors). Cardiac fibroblasts expressed IDE mRNA, protein, and activity and converted ubiquitin(1–76) to ubiquitin(1–74). Spontaneously hypertensive fibroblasts expressed greater IDE activity. Extracellular ubiquitin(1–76) blocks the proproliferative effects of SDF-1α/sitagliptin via its conversion by IDE to ubiquitin(1–74), a potent CXCR4 antagonist. Thus, IDE inhibitors, particularly when combined with DPP4 inhibitors or hypertension, could increase the risk of cardiac fibrosis.

Kidney proximal tubule cells cultured under shear stress become remarkably well differentiated and endocytic capacity is rapidly tuned in response to acute changes in shear stress. The results have implications for understanding how proximal tubule function is regulated acutely by daily variations in glomerular filtration rate., Cells lining the proximal tubule (PT) have unique membrane specializations that are required to maintain the high-capacity ion transport and endocytic functions of this nephron segment. PT cells in vivo acutely regulate ion transport in response to changes in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) to maintain glomerulotubular balance. PT cells in culture up-regulate endocytic capacity in response to acute changes in fluid shear stress (FSS); however, it is not known whether GFR modulates PT endocytosis to enable maximally efficient uptake of filtered proteins in vivo. Here, we show that cells cultured under continuous FSS develop an expanded apical endocytic pathway and increased endocytic capacity and lysosomal biogenesis. Furthermore, endocytic capacity in fully differentiated cells is rapidly modulated by changes in FSS. PT cells exposed to continuous FSS also acquired an extensive brush border and basolateral membrane invaginations resembling those observed in vivo. Culture under suboptimal levels of FSS led to intermediate phenotypes, suggesting a threshold effect. Cells exposed to FSS expressed higher levels of key proteins necessary for PT function, including ion transporters, receptors, and membrane-trafficking machinery, and increased adenine nucleotide levels. Inhibition of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) using rapamycin prevented the increase in cellular energy levels, lysosomal biogenesis, and endocytic uptake, suggesting that these represent a coordinated differentiation program. In contrast, rapamycin did not prevent the FSS-induced increase in Na+/K+-ATPase levels. Our data suggest that rapid tuning of the endocytic response by changes in FSS may contribute to glomerulotubular balance in vivo. Moreover, FSS provides an essential stimulus in the differentiation of PT cells via separate pathways that up-regulate endocytosis and ion transport capacity. Variations in FSS may also contribute to the maturation of PT cells during kidney development and during repair after kidney injury.

Enigmatic lipid peroxidation products have been claimed as the proximate executioners of ferroptosis-a specialized death program triggered by insufficiency of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Using quantitative redox lipidomics, reverse genetics, bioinformatics and systems biology, we discovered that ferroptosis involves a highly organized oxygenation center, wherein oxidation in endoplasmic-reticulum-associated compartments occurs on only one class of phospholipids (phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs)) and is specific toward two fatty acyls-arachidonoyl (AA) and adrenoyl (AdA). Suppression of AA or AdA esterification into PE by genetic or pharmacological inhibition of acyl-CoA synthase 4 (ACSL4) acts as a specific antiferroptotic rescue pathway. Lipoxygenase (LOX) generates doubly and triply-oxygenated (15-hydroperoxy)-diacylated PE species, which act as death signals, and tocopherols and tocotrienols (vitamin E) suppress LOX and protect against ferroptosis, suggesting a homeostatic physiological role for vitamin E. This oxidative PE death pathway may also represent a target for drug discovery.

Skeletal muscle insulin resistance and reduced mitochondrial capacity have both been reported to be affected by aging. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of calorie restriction-induced weight loss and exercise on insulin resistance, skeletal muscle mitochondrial content, and mitochondrial enzyme activities in older overweight to obese individuals. Insulin-stimulated rates of glucose disposal (Rd) were determined using the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp before and after completing 16 weeks of either calorie restriction to induce weight loss (N = 7) or moderate exercise (N = 10). Mitochondrial volume density, mitochondria membrane content (cardiolipin), and activities of electron transport chain (rotenone-sensitive NADH-oxidase), tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle (citrate synthase) and β-oxidation pathway (β-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase; β-HAD) were measured in percutaneous biopsies of the vastus lateralis before and after the interventions. Rd improved similarly (18.2% ± 9.0%, p < .04) with both weight loss and exercise. Moderate exercise significantly increased mitochondrial volume density (14.5% ± 2.0%, p < .05), cardiolipin content (22.5% ± 13.4%, p < .05), rotenone-sensitive NADH-oxidase (65.7% ± 13.2%, p = .02) and β-HAD (30.7% ± 6.8%, p ≤ .03) activity, but not citrate synthase activity (10.1% ± 4.0%). In contrast, calorie restriction-induced weight loss did not affect mitochondrial content, NADH-oxidase or β-HAD, yet increased citrate synthase activity (44.1% ± 21.1%, p ≤ .04). Exercise (increase) or weight loss (decrease) induced a remodeling of cardiolipin with a small (2%-3%), but significant change in the relative content of tetralinoleoyl cardiolipin. Exercise increases both mitochondria content and mitochondrial electron transport chain and fatty acid oxidation enzyme activities within skeletal muscle, while calorie restriction-induced weight loss did not, despite similar improvements in insulin sensitivity in overweight older adults.

Interleukin (IL)-6 is a pleiotropic hormone that has both proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory actions. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a fuel-sensing enzyme that among its other actions responds to decreases in cellular energy state by enhancing processes that generate ATP and inhibiting others that consume ATP but are not acutely necessary for survival. IL-6 is synthesized and released from skeletal muscle in large amounts during exercise, and in rodents, the resultant increase in its concentration correlates temporally with increases in AMPK activity in multiple tissues. That IL-6 may be responsible in great measure for these increases in AMPK is suggested by the fact it increases AMPK activity both in muscle and adipose tissue in vivo and in incubated muscles and cultured adipocytes. In addition, we have found that AMPK activity is diminished in muscle and adipose tissue of 3-month-old IL-6 knockout (KO) mice at rest and that the absolute increases in AMPK activity in these tissues caused by exercise is diminished compared with control mice. Except for an impaired ability to exercise and to oxidize fatty acids, the IL-6 KO mouse appears normal at 3 months of age. On the other hand, by age 9 months, it manifests many of the abnormalities of the metabolic syndrome including obesity, dyslipidemia, and impaired glucose tolerance. This, plus the association of decreased AMPK activity with similar abnormalities in a number of other rodents, suggests that a decrease in AMPK activity may be a causal factor. Whether increases in IL-6, by virtue of their effects on AMPK, contribute to the reported ability of exercise to diminish the prevalence of type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and other disorders associated with the metabolic syndrome remains to be determined.

Skeletal muscle is strongly dependent on oxidative phosphorylation for energy production. Because the insulin resistance of skeletal muscle in type 2 diabetes and obesity entails dysregulation of the oxidation of both carbohydrate and lipid fuels, the current study was undertaken to examine the potential contribution of perturbation of mitochondrial function. Vastus lateralis muscle was obtained by percutaneous biopsy during fasting conditions from lean (n = 10) and obese (n = 10) nondiabetic volunteers and from volunteers with type 2 diabetes (n = 10). The activity of rotenone-sensitive NADH:O2 oxidoreductase, reflecting the overall activity of the respiratory chain, was measured in a mitochondrial fraction by a novel method based on providing access for NADH to intact mitochondria via alamethicin, a channel-forming antibiotic. Creatine kinase and citrate synthase activities were measured as markers of myocyte and mitochondria content, respectively. Activity of rotenone-sensitive NADH:O2 oxidoreductase was normalized to creatine kinase activity, as was citrate synthase activity. NADH:O2 oxidoreductase activity was lowest in type 2 diabetic subjects and highest in the lean volunteers (lean 0.95 ± 0.17, obese 0.76 ± 0.30, type 2 diabetes 0.56 ± 0.14 units/mU creatine kinase; P < 0.005). Also, citrate synthase activity was reduced in type 2 diabetic patients (lean 3.10 ± 0.74, obese 3.24 ± 0.82, type 2 diabetes 2.48 ± 0.47 units/mU creatine kinase; P < 0.005). As measured by electron microscopy, skeletal muscle mitochondria were smaller in type 2 diabetic and obese subjects than in muscle from lean volunteers (P < 0.01). We conclude that there is an impaired bioenergetic capacity of skeletal muscle mitochondria in type 2 diabetes, with some impairment also present in obesity.

Various types of cancer occur in peroxidase-rich target tissues of animals exposed to aryl alcohols and amines. Unlike biotransformation by cytochrome P450 enzymes, peroxidases activate most substrates by one-electron oxidation via radical intermediates. This work analyzed the peroxidase-dependent formation of phenoxyl radicals in HL-60 cells and its contribution to cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. The results showed that myeloperoxidase-catalyzed redox cycling of phenol in HL-60 cells led to intracellular formation of glutathionyl radicals detected as GS-DMPO nitrone. Formation of thiyl radicals was accompanied by rapid oxidation of glutathione and protein-thiols. Analysis of protein sulfhydryls by SDS-PAGE revealed a significant oxidation of protein SH-groups in HL-60 cells incubated in the presence of phenol/H2O2 that was inhibited by cyanide and azide. Additionally, cyanide- and azide-sensitive generation of EPR-detectable ascorbate radicals was observed during incubation of HL-60 cell homogenates in the presence of ascorbate and H2O2. Oxidation of thiols required addition of H2O2 and was inhibited by pretreatment of cells with the inhibitor of heme synthesis, succinylacetone. Radical-driven oxidation of thiols was accompanied by a trend toward increased content of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine in the DNA of HL-60 cells. Membrane phospholipids were also sensitive to radical-driven oxidation as evidenced by a sensitive fluorescence HPLC-assay based on metabolic labeling of phospholipids with oxidation-sensitive cis-parinaric acid. Phenol enhanced H2O2-dependent oxidation of all classes of phospholipids including cardiolipin, but did not oxidize parinaric acid–labeled lipids without addition of H2O2. Induction of a significant hypodiploid cell population, an indication of apoptosis, was detected after exposure to H2O2 and was slightly but consistently and significantly higher after exposure to H2O2/phenol. The clonogenicity of HL-60 cells decreased to the same extent after exposure to H2O2 or H2O2/phenol. Treatment of HL-60 cells with either H2O2 or H2O2/phenol at concentrations adequate for lipid peroxidation did not cause a detectable increase in chromosomal breaks. Detection of thiyl radicals as well as rapid oxidation of thiols and phospholipids in viable HL-60 cells provide strong evidence for redox cycling of phenol in this bone marrow-derived cell line.

The antifungal activity of amphotericin B (AmB) and its side-effects (e.g. nephrotoxicity and hemolytic action) are suggested to be associated with its prooxidant effects in target cells. To test this hypothesis, we have undertaken studies to examine the role of AmB in oxidative stress in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC) incubated in the absence or in the presence of a lipid-soluble azo-initiator of peroxyl radicals, 2,2'-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) (AMVN). No changes in the pattern of membrane phospholipids could be detected by two-dimensional high performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) after oxidative stress induced by AMVN in which the cells remained viable, as judged by trypan blue exclusion. To improve the sensitivity of detection of oxidative stress in the cells, cis-parinaric acid (PnA) was incorporated biosynthetically into the membrane phospholipids [using PnA-human serum albumin (hSA) complex]. Incubation of the cells under aerobic conditions in the presence of up to 10 μM AmB showed no significant change in the pattern of PnA-labeled phospholipids, suggesting that AmB was not affecting the oxidative state of the cells. In contrast, treatment with AMVN (0.5 mM, incubation in the dark for 2 hr at 37 ° — conditions in which the viability of the cells was maintained) caused a significant reduction of all fluorescently labeled phospholipid fractions separated by HPLC. When PnA-labeled cells were subjected to oxidative stress by incubation with 0.5 mM AMVN in the presence of AmB, the loss of fluorescent phospholipids was reduced in a concentration-dependent manner over a concentration range of 0.25 to 10 μM. Thus, AmB does not produce any prooxidant effect but rather acts as an intracellular antioxidant.

Recent work has identified changes in the metabolism of the aromatic amino acid tyrosine as a risk factor for diabetes and a contributor to the development of liver cancer. While these findings could suggest a role for tyrosine as a direct regulator of the behavior of cells and tissues, evidence for this model is currently lacking. Through the use of RNAi and genetic mutants, we identify tatn-1, which is the worm ortholog of tyrosine aminotransferase and catalyzes the first step of the conserved tyrosine degradation pathway, as a novel regulator of the dauer decision and modulator of the daf-2 insulin/IGF-1-like (IGFR) signaling pathway in Caenorhabditis elegans. Mutations affecting tatn-1 elevate tyrosine levels in the animal, and enhance the effects of mutations in genes that lie within the daf-2/insulin signaling pathway or are otherwise upstream of daf-16/FOXO on both dauer formation and worm longevity. These effects are mediated by elevated tyrosine levels as supplemental dietary tyrosine mimics the phenotypes produced by a tatn-1 mutation, and the effects still occur when the enzymes needed to convert tyrosine into catecholamine neurotransmitters are missing. The effects on dauer formation and lifespan require the aak-2/AMPK gene, and tatn-1 mutations increase phospho-AAK-2 levels. In contrast, the daf-16/FOXO transcription factor is only partially required for the effects on dauer formation and not required for increased longevity. We also find that the controlled metabolism of tyrosine by tatn-1 may function normally in dauer formation because the expression of the TATN-1 protein is regulated both by daf-2/IGFR signaling and also by the same dietary and environmental cues which influence dauer formation. Our findings point to a novel role for tyrosine as a developmental regulator and modulator of longevity, and support a model where elevated tyrosine levels play a causal role in the development of diabetes and cancer in people., Author Summary In people, elevated blood levels of the amino acid tyrosine are seen in obese individuals, and these elevations represent a novel risk factor for the development of diabetes. The enzyme tyrosine aminotransferase, which removes tyrosine from the body, has also been identified as a tumor suppressor gene, and this enzyme normally acts to prevent the development of liver cancer. In our work, we identify tyrosine aminotransferase as a regulator of larval development and adult longevity in the non-parasitic worm Caenorhabditis elegans. Worms with mutations impairing tyrosine aminotransferase activity show elevated levels of tyrosine, are prone to arresting development in a larval stage called a dauer, and show increased longevity. Part of the effect of tyrosine aminotransferase is due to inhibitory effects on an insulin-like signaling pathway in the worms. Our work suggests that levels of the amino acid tyrosine are sensed and can lead to changes in cell signaling. These results may provide insights into how tyrosine could be involved in obesity, diabetes, and cancer in people.

The liver plays a central role in ethanol metabolism, and oxidative stress is implicated in alcohol-mediated liver injury. β-Catenin regulates hepatic metabolic zonation and adaptive response to oxidative stress. We hypothesized that β-catenin regulates the hepatic response to ethanol ingestion. Female liver-specific β-catenin knockout (KO) mice and wild-type (WT) littermates were fed the Lieber-Decarli liquid diet (5% ethanol) in a pairwise fashion. Liver histology, biochemistry, and gene-expression studies were performed. Plasma alcohol and ammonia levels were measured using standard assays. Ethanol-fed (EtOH) KO mice exhibited systemic toxicity and early mortality. KO mice exhibited severe macrovesicular steatosis and 5 to 6-fold higher serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels. KO mice had a modest increase in hepatic oxidative stress, lower expression of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (SOD2), and lower citrate synthase activity, the first step in the tricarboxylic acid cycle. N-Acetylcysteine did not prevent ethanol-induced mortality in KO mice. In WT livers, β-catenin was found to coprecipitate with forkhead box O3, the upstream regulator of SOD2. Hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase activities and expression were lower in KO mice. Hepatic cytochrome P450 2E1 protein levels were up-regulated in EtOH WT mice, but were nearly undetectable in KO mice. These changes in ethanol-metabolizing enzymes were associated with 30-fold higher blood alcohol levels in KO mice. Conclusion: β-Catenin is essential for hepatic ethanol metabolism and plays a protective role in alcohol-mediated liver steatosis. Our results strongly suggest that integration of these functions by β-catenin is critical for adaptation to ethanol ingestion in vivo. (HEPATOLOGY 2012;)

Insulin resistance in skeletal muscle in obesity and T2DM is associated with reduced muscle oxidative capacity, reduced expression in nuclear genes responsible for oxidative metabolism, and reduced activity of mitochondrial electron transport chain. The presented study was undertaken to analyze mitochondrial content and mitochondrial enzyme profile in skeletal muscle of sedentary lean individuals and to compare that with our previous data on obese or obese T2DM group. Frozen skeletal muscle biopsies obtained from lean volunteers were used to estimate cardiolipin content, mtDNA (markers of mitochondrial mass), NADH oxidase activity of mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC), and activity of citrate synthase and β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (β-HAD), key enzymes of TCA cycle and β-oxidation pathway, respectively. Frozen biopsies collected from obese or T2DM individuals in our previous studies were used to estimate activity of β-HAD. The obtained data were complemented by data from our previous studies and statistically analyzed to compare mitochondrial content and mitochondrial enzyme profile in lean, obese, or T2DM cohort. The total activity of NADH oxidase was reduced significantly in obese or T2DM subjects. The cardiolipin content for lean or obese group was similar, and although for T2DM group cardiolipin showed a tendency to decline, it was statistically insignificant. The total activity of citrate synthase for lean and T2DM group was similar; however, it was increased significantly in the obese group. Activity of β-HAD and mtDNA content was similar for all three groups. We conclude that the total activity of NADH oxidase in biopsy for lean group is significantly higher than corresponding activity for obese or T2DM cohort. The specific activity of NADH oxidase (per mg cardiolipin) and NADH oxidase/citrate synthase and NADH oxidase/β-HAD ratios are reduced two- to threefold in both T2DM and obesity.

Upon interaction with anionic phospholipids, particularly mitochondria-specific cardiolipin (CL), cytochrome c (cyt c) loses its tertiary structure and its peroxidase activity dramatically increases. CL induced peroxidase activity of cyt c has been found to be important for selective CL oxidation in cells undergoing programmed death. During apoptosis, the peroxidase activity and the fraction of CL-bound cyt c markedly increases suggesting that CL may act as a switch to regulate cyt c’s mitochondrial functions. Using cyclic voltammetry and equilibrium redox-titrations, we show that the redox potential of cyt c shifts negatively by 350–400 mV upon binding to CL-containing membranes. Consequently, functions of cyt c as an electron transporter and cyt c reduction by Complex III are strongly inhibited. Further, CL/cyt c complexes are not effective in scavenging superoxide anions and are not effectively reduced by ascorbate. Thus, both redox properties and functions of cyt c change upon interaction with CL in the mitochondrial membrane, diminishing cyt c’s electron donor/acceptor role and stimulating its peroxidase activity.

Skeletal muscle mitochondria are implicated with age-related loss of function and insulin resistance. We examined the effects of exercise on skeletal muscle mitochondria in older (age = 67.3 +/- 0.6 years) men (n = 5) and women (n = 3). Similar increases in (p.01) cardiolipin (88.2 +/- 9.0 to 130.6 +/- 7.5 microg/mU creatine kinase activity [CK]) and the total mitochondrial DNA (1264 +/- 170 to 1895 +/- 273 copies per diploid of nuclear genome) reflected increased mitochondria content. Succinate oxidase activity, complexes 2-4 of the electron transport chain (ETC), increased from 0.13 +/- 0.02 to 0.20 +/- 0.02 U/mU CK (p.01). This improvement was more pronounced (p.05) in subsarcolemmal (127 +/- 48%) compared to intermyofibrillar (56 +/- 12%) mitochondria. NADH oxidase activity, representing total ETC activity, increased from 0.51 +/- 0.09 to 1.00 +/- 0.09 U/mU CK (p.01). In conclusion, exercise enhances mitochondria ETC activity in older human skeletal muscle, particularly in subsarcolemmal mitochondria, which is likely related to the concomitant increases in mitochondrial biogenesis.

Programmed death (apoptosis) is turned on in damaged or unwanted cells to secure their clean and safe self-elimination. The initial apoptotic events are coordinated in mitochondria, whereby several proapoptotic factors, including cytochrome c, are released into the cytosol to trigger caspase cascades. The release mechanisms include interactions of B-cell/lymphoma 2 family proteins with a mitochondria-specific phospholipid, cardiolipin, to cause permeabilization of the outer mitochondrial membrane. Using oxidative lipidomics, we showed that cardiolipin is the only phospholipid in mitochondria that undergoes early oxidation during apoptosis. The oxidation is catalyzed by a cardiolipin-specific peroxidase activity of cardiolipin-bound cytochrome c. In a previously undescribed step in apoptosis, we showed that oxidized cardiolipin is required for the release of proapoptotic factors. These results provide insight into the role of reactive oxygen species in triggering the cell-death pathway and describe an early role for cytochrome c before caspase activation.

The current study addresses a novel hypothesis of subcellular distribution of mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle in type 2 diabetes. Vastus lateralis muscle was obtained by percutaneous biopsy from 11 volunteers with type 2 diabetes; 12 age-, sex-, and weight-matched obese sedentary nondiabetic volunteers; and 8 lean volunteers. Subsarcolemmal and intermyofibrillar mitochondrial fractions were isolated by differential centrifugation and digestion techniques. Overall electron transport chain activity was similar in type 2 diabetic and obese subjects, but subsarcolemmal mitochondria electron transport chain activity was reduced in type 2 diabetic subjects (0.017 ± 0.003 vs. 0.034 ± 0.007 units/mU creatine kinase [CK], P = 0.01) and sevenfold reduced compared with lean subjects (P < 0.01). Electron transport chain activity in intermyofibrillar mitochondria was similar in type 2 diabetic and obese subjects, though reduced compared with lean subjects. A reduction in subsarcolemmal mitochondria was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Although mtDNA was lower in type 2 diabetic and obese subjects, the decrement in electron transport chain activity was proportionately greater, indicating functional impairment. Because of the potential importance of subsarcolemmal mitochondria for signal transduction and substrate transport, this deficit may contribute to the pathogenesis of muscle insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes.

This study addresses an application of pyridine nucleotide enzymatic analyses to evaluate the activity of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) oxidase) and Complexes I and II in samples of human muscle as small as approximately 10 mg wet weight. Key aspects in this adaptation are the use of high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection of NADH and use of alamethicin, a channel-forming antibiotic that enables an unrestricted access of substrates into the mitochondrial matrix. The procedure includes disintegration of tissue by Polytron homogenizer, extraction of myosin from myofibrillar fragments by KCl/pyrophosphate to facilitate release of mitochondria, and preparation of fractions of subsarcolemmal and intermyofibrillar mitochondria. Oxidation of NADH or succinate is assayed in the presence of 40 microg/ml alamethicin and the reaction is terminated by H(2)SO(4), which also destroys the remaining NADH. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) or fumarate concentrations are measured using alcohol dehydrogenase or fumarase plus malic dehydrogenase reactions, respectively. Generation of NADH, assessed in auxiliary reactions in the presence of hydrazine, is strictly proportional to NAD or fumarate content across a concentration range of 1-20 microM. NADH is quantitatively analyzed with a detection limit of 3-5 pmol by HPLC using a reverse-phase Hypersil ODS column connected to a fluorescence detector.

Two isoforms of hexokinase (type I and type II) are expressed in skeletal muscle; however, the intracellular distribution of these hexokinase isoforms in human skeletal muscle is unclear. The current study was undertaken to assess this issue because binding of hexokinase to subcellular structures is considered to be an important mechanism in the regulation of glucose phosphorylation. Vastus lateralis muscle was obtained from healthy lean individuals. Muscle homogenate was separated at 45,000g into particulate and cytosolic fractions. The activity and subcellular distribution of hexokinase isozymes in human skeletal muscle was determined using ion-exchange chromatography and a highly sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography–based hexokinase assay. This criterion method was used to validate a modified thermal inactivation method for distinguishing type I and type II isoforms. Mean hexokinase activity was 3.88 ± 0.65 U/g wet wt or 0.64 ± 0.11 U/mU creatine kinase (CrK) in the particulate fraction and 0.45 ± 0.22 U/g wet wt or 0.07 ± 0.03 U/mU CrK in the cytosolic fraction. Hexokinase I and II accounted for 70–75 and 25–30% of total hexokinase activity, respectively. Nearly all (95%) of hexokinase I activity (0.52 ± 0.09 U/mU CrK) was found in the particulate fraction, consistent with the known high affinity of hexokinase I for mitochondria. Hexokinase II activity was also largely bound to the particulate fraction (72%), but 28% was found within the cytosolic fraction. Thus, within the particulate fraction, the relative contributions of hexokinase I and hexokinase II were 81 and 19%, whereas within the cytosolic fraction, the relative contributions for hexokinase I and hexokinase II were 37 and 63%.

Reactivity of phenoxyl radicals towards biomolecules (proteins, nucleic acids and lipids) is essential for antioxidant (protective) versus prooxidant (cytotoxic) effects of phenolic compounds (antioxidants, phytochemicals, environmental pollutants and toxic chemicals). The present study demonstrates for the first time that phenoxyl radicals formed by peroxidase/H 2 O 2 -catalyzed oxidation of phenol can directly oxidize a natural polyunsaturated fatty acid, cK-parinaric acid (PnA) both in model systems and in membrane phospholipids of HL-60 cells. Endogenous antioxidants — ascorbate and glutathione — can act as one-electron reductants of phenoxyl radicals and provide effective protection against phenoxyl radical-induced oxidation of PnA.

Exaggerated oxygen radical production by airway cells may contribute to increased airway responsiveness and heightened smooth muscle constriction in asthmatic lungs. Smooth muscle cell contractility in the lung is regulated by Ca2+ homeostasis. The contribution of inflammatory cells to these events is unclear. A murine model of allergic pulmonary hypersensitivity was developed to study the role of Ca2+ transport in allergic pulmonary reactions. Sensitization of mice was accomplished by injection with ovalbumin (OA) (1 or 50 micrograms) or OA (1 microgram) plus Al(OH)3. Pulmonary responses were elicited by inhalation provocation challenge with OA aerosol and quantified by the extent of inflammatory cell infiltrate at 24 h. Increased Ca2+ transport was found in microsomes and homogenates of the lung after antigen challenge. Activation of Ca2+ transport was correlated with the severity of the allergic pulmonary response as evidenced from specific antibody production and inflammatory cell infiltrate. The greatest increase in Ca2+ transport was noted in microsomes from mice sensitized with OA plus adjuvant. Ca2+ transport in sensitized, but not in control mice, was responsive to oxidative stress induced by addition of phenol and hydrogen peroxide. Lung homogenates from both groups of animals responded similarly to phenoxyl radical-induced oxidative stress induced by phenol plus exogenous tyrosinase. These results are the first to indicate heightened Ca2+ transport in pulmonary microsomes following an allergic lung response and emphasize the role of aluminum hydroxide in enhancing allergic reactions in the lung. The responsiveness of the system to oxidative stress suggests that oxidative mechanisms may contribute to the physiologic and pathologic manifestations, such as airway hyperreactivity, associated with allergic pulmonary disease.

The channel-forming antibiotic peptide alamethicin was used in measurements of Ca-ATPase activity in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles, proteoliposomes containing Ca(2+)-ATPase from SR, and native human platelets. Alamethicin was used as a permeabilizing agent providing for a free access of the whole cells or sealed vesicles interiors for ions, ATP, and other reactants. The experiments were carried out with the use of alamethicin preparations obtained in our laboratory and that purchased from the Upjohn Company (antibiotic U-22,324). A comparative study of the effects of Ca(2+)-ionophore A23187 and alamethicin was performed on native SR vesicles containing Ca(2+)-ATPase molecules with right orientation and SR vesicles treated with cholate in order to randomize Ca(2+)-ATPase molecules orientation in the membrane. It was found out that alamethicin, like A-23187, prevents the ATP-dependent Ca2+ accumulation by the vesicles and therefore activates the Ca(2+)-ATPase. Maximal specific activities of the Ca(2+)-ATPase in native SR vesicles in the presence of either alamethicin, or A23187, or both of them, are equal in all cases to 20 activity units (mumol Pi per min per mg protein). The operative range of alamethicin concentrations is 5-25 micrograms/ml and is a little wider than that for A23187. The ATPase activity of the SR vesicles treated with cholate reached 20 units in the presence of alamethicin while in the presence of A23187 it was only 10 units. These data suggest that alamethicin unlike A23187 allows ATP to reach the ATPase's active centers from the inside of the SR vesicles with 'randomized' membranes, the ATP transport through the membrane not being the rate-limiting stage of ATP hydrolysis. It was shown that diffusion flux of ATP through a BLM in the presence of alamethicin may reach 10% of the flux through the hole without the BLM. With the use of alamethicin it was found out that the quality of randomization of the ATPase molecules orientation in the membrane depends on the proteoliposome preparation technique. The ATP transport through the alamethicin pores makes possible the use of alamethicin in accurate measurements of Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in whole cells. A method was developed for determination of the activity of human platelets was found to be 90-100 nmol Pi per min per mg protein.