Search

Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) are central to physiology. While excess mROS production has been associated with several disease states, its precise sources, regulation, and mechanism of generationin vivoremain unknown, limiting translational efforts. Here we show that in obesity, hepatic ubiquinone (Q) synthesis is impaired, which raises the QH2/Q ratio, driving excessive mROS production via reverse electron transport (RET) from site IQin complex I. Using multiple complementary genetic and pharmacological modelsin vivowe demonstrated that RET is critical for metabolic health. In patients with steatosis, the hepatic Q biosynthetic program is also suppressed, and the QH2/Q ratio positively correlates with disease severity. Our data identify a highly selective mechanism for pathological mROS production in obesity, which can be targeted to protect metabolic homeostasis.

Barth syndrome (BTHS) is a rare X-linked genetic disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding the transacylase tafazzin and characterized by loss of cardiolipin and severe cardiomyopathy. Mitochondrial oxidants have been implicated in the cardiomyopathy in BTHS. Eleven mitochondrial sites produce superoxide/hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) at significant rates. Which of these sites generate oxidants at excessive rates in BTHS is unknown. Here, we measured the maximum capacity of superoxide/H2 O2 production from each site and the ex vivo rate of superoxide/H2 O2 production in the heart and skeletal muscle mitochondria of the tafazzin knockdown mice (tazkd) from 3 to 12 months of age. Despite reduced oxidative capacity, superoxide/H2 O2 production was indistinguishable between tazkd mice and wild-type littermates. These observations raise questions about the involvement of mitochondrial oxidants in BTHS pathology.

Cells utilize multiple mechanisms to support endoplasmic reticulum (ER) function. The unfolded protein response, UPRER, is engaged during proteotoxic challenges to either mitigate ER stress or promote apoptosis. In a CRISPR-based genetic screen, Schinzel et al. (2019) identified TMEM2 as a mediator of ER stress tolerance independent of the individual branches of the canonical UPRER and linked this path to nematode longevity.

Flight dispersal represents a key aspect of the evolutionary and ecological success of insects, allowing escape from predators, mating, and colonization of new niches. The huge energy demand posed by flight activity is essentially met by oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in flight muscle mitochondria. In insects, mitochondrial ATP supply and oxidant production are regulated by several factors, including the energy demand exerted by changes in adenylate balance. Indeed, adenylate directly regulates OXPHOS by targeting both chemiosmotic ATP production and the activities of specific mitochondrial enzymes. In several organisms, cytochrome c oxidase (COX) is regulated at transcriptional, post-translational, and allosteric levels, impacting mitochondrial energy metabolism, and redox balance. This review will present the concepts on how COX function contributes to flying insect biology, focusing on the existing examples in the literature where its structure and activity are regulated not only by physiological and environmental factors but also how changes in its activity impacts insect biology. We also performed in silico sequence analyses and determined the structure models of three COX subunits (IV, VIa, and VIc) from different insect species to compare with mammalian orthologs. We observed that the sequences and structure models of COXIV, COXVIa, and COXVIc were quite similar to their mammalian counterparts. Remarkably, specific substitutions to phosphomimetic amino acids at critical phosphorylation sites emerge as hallmarks on insect COX sequences, suggesting a new regulatory mechanism of COX activity. Therefore, by providing a physiological and bioenergetic framework of COX regulation in such metabolically extreme models, we hope to expand the knowledge of this critical enzyme complex and the potential consequences for insect dispersal.

Barth Syndrome (BTHS) is a rare X-linked genetic disorder caused by mutations in tafazzin and characterized by loss of cardiolipin and severe cardiomyopathy. Mitochondrial superoxide/H2O2production has been implicated in the cardiomyopathy observed in different BTHS models. There are at least 11 mitochondrial sites that produce superoxide/H2O2at significant rates. Which of these sites generate oxidants at excessive rates in BTHS is unknown. Here, we measured the maximum capacity of superoxide/H2O2production from each site in mitochondria isolated from heart and skeletal muscle of the tafazzin knockdown mice (tazkd) at 3, 7 and 12 months of age. Strikingly, the superoxide/H2O2production capacities of these sites were overall indistinguishable between tazkd mice and their wildtype littermates across the time points analyzed. The only exception was site GQin glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase, which was increased in the skeletal muscle of 7 months old tazkd mice. Mitochondrial superoxide/H2O2production was also measuredex vivoduring the oxidation of a complex mixture of substrates mimicking either heart or skeletal muscle cytosol and was found to be indistinguishable between wildtype and tazkd mice. However, we consistently measured decreased FAD-linked respiration in mitochondria isolated from tazkd mice. We conclude that the maximum capacity andex vivorates of superoxide/H2O2production were not increased in mitochondria isolated from heart and skeletal muscle of tazkd mice, despite reduced oxidative capacity. Therefore, it seems unlikely that mitochondrial oxidants contribute to the development of cardiomyopathy in tazkd mice. These observations raise questions about the involvement of mitochondrial oxidants in BTHS pathology.

Adipocytes possess remarkable adaptive capacity to respond to nutrient excess, fasting or cold exposure, and they are thus an important cell type for the maintenance of proper metabolic health. Although the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a critical organelle for cellular homeostasis, the mechanisms that mediate adaptation of the ER to metabolic challenges in adipocytes are unclear. Here we show that brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenic function requires an adaptive increase in proteasomal activity to secure cellular protein quality control, and we identify the ER-localized transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 1 (Nfe2l1, also known as Nrf1) as a critical driver of this process. We show that cold adaptation induces Nrf1 in BAT to increase proteasomal activity and that this is crucial for maintaining ER homeostasis and cellular integrity, specifically when the cells are in a state of high thermogenic activity. In mice, under thermogenic conditions, brown-adipocyte-specific deletion of Nfe2l1 (Nrf1) resulted in ER stress, tissue inflammation, markedly diminished mitochondrial function and whitening of the BAT. In mouse models of both genetic and dietary obesity, stimulation of proteasomal activity by exogenously expressing Nrf1 or by treatment with the proteasome activator PA28α in BAT resulted in improved insulin sensitivity. In conclusion, Nrf1 emerges as a novel guardian of brown adipocyte function, providing increased proteometabolic quality control for adapting to cold or to obesity.

In humans, mutations in dehydrogenase E1 and transketolase domain containing 1 (DHTKD1) are associated with neurological abnormalities and accumulation of 2-oxoadipate, 2-aminoadipate, and reactive oxygen species. The protein encoded by DHTKD1 has sequence and structural similarities to 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase, and the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex can produce superoxide/H2O2 at high rates. The DHTKD1 enzyme is hypothesized to catalyze the oxidative decarboxylation of 2-oxoadipate, a shared intermediate of the degradative pathways for tryptophan, lysine and hydroxylysine. Here, we show that rat skeletal muscle mitochondria can produce superoxide/H2O2 at high rates when given 2-oxoadipate. We identify the putative mitochondrial 2-oxoadipate dehydrogenase complex as one of the sources and characterize the conditions that favor its superoxide/H2O2 production. Rates increased at higher NAD(P)H/NAD(P)(+) ratios and were higher at each NAD(P)H/NAD(P)(+) ratio when 2-oxoadipate was present, showing that superoxide/H2O2 was produced during the forward reaction from 2-oxoadipate, but not in the reverse reaction from NADH in the absence of 2-oxoadipate. The maximum capacity of the 2-oxoadipate dehydrogenase complex for production of superoxide/H2O2 is comparable to that of site IF of complex I, and seven, four and almost two-fold lower than the capacities of the 2-oxoglutarate, pyruvate and branched-chain 2-oxoacid dehydrogenase complexes, respectively. Regulation by ADP and ATP of H2O2 production driven by 2-oxoadipate was very different from that driven by 2-oxoglutarate, suggesting that site AF of the 2-oxoadipate dehydrogenase complex is a new source of superoxide/H2O2 associated with the NADH isopotential pool in mitochondria.

The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHC) and its phosphorylation are considered essential for oncotransformation, but it is unclear whether cancer cells require PDHC to be functional or silenced. We used specific inhibition of PDHC by synthetic structural analogs of pyruvate to resolve this question. With isolated and intramitochondrial PDHC, acetyl phosphinate (AcPH, KiAcPH = 0.1 μM) was a much more potent competitive inhibitor than the methyl ester of acetyl phosphonate (AcPMe, KiAcPMe = 40 μM). When preincubated with the complex, AcPH also irreversibly inactivated PDHC. Pyruvate prevented, but did not reverse the inactivation. The pyruvate analogs did not significantly inhibit other 2-oxo acid dehydrogenases. Different cell lines were exposed to the inhibitors and a membrane-permeable precursor of AcPMe, dimethyl acetyl phosphonate, which did not inhibit isolated PDHC. Using an ATP-based assay, dependence of cellular viability on the concentration of the pyruvate analogs was followed. The highest toxicity of the membrane-permeable precursor suggested that the cellular action of charged AcPH and AcPMe requires monocarboxylate transporters. The relevant cell-specific transcripts extracted from Gene Expression Omnibus database indicated that cell lines with higher expression of monocarboxylate transporters and PDHC components were more sensitive to the PDHC inhibitors. Prior to a detectable antiproliferative action, AcPH significantly changed metabolic profiles of the investigated glioblastoma cell lines. We conclude that catalytic transformation of pyruvate by pyruvate dehydrogenase is essential for the metabolism and viability of glioblastoma cell lines, although metabolic heterogeneity causes different cellular sensitivities and/or abilities to cope with PDHC inhibition.

Reactive oxygen species are important signaling molecules crucial for muscle differentiation and adaptation to exercise. However, their uncontrolled generation is associated with an array of pathological conditions. To identify and quantify the sources of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide in skeletal muscle we used site-specific suppressors (S1QELs, S3QELs and NADPH oxidase inhibitors). We measured the rates of hydrogen peroxide release from isolated rat muscle mitochondria incubated in media mimicking the cytosol of intact muscle. By measuring the extent of inhibition caused by the addition of different site-specific suppressors of mitochondrial superoxide/hydrogen peroxide production (S1QELs for site IQ and S3QELs for site IIIQo), we determined the contributions of these sites to the total signal. In media mimicking resting muscle, their contributions were each 12–18%, consistent with a previous method. In C2C12 myoblasts, site IQ contributed 12% of cellular hydrogen peroxide production and site IIIQo contributed about 30%. When C2C12 myoblasts were differentiated to myotubes, hydrogen peroxide release increased five-fold, and the proportional contribution of site IQ doubled. The use of S1QELs and S3QELs is a powerful new way to measure the relative contributions of different mitochondrial sites to muscle hydrogen peroxide production under different conditions. Our results show that mitochondrial sites IQ and IIIQo make a substantial contribution to superoxide/hydrogen peroxide production in muscle mitochondria and C2C12 myoblasts. The total hydrogen peroxide release rate and the relative contribution of site IQ both increase substantially upon differentiation to myotubes., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • S1QELs, S3QELs and NOX inhibitors report sites of superoxide/H2O2 generation. • Mitochondria and NOXs are the major sources of H2O2 in C2C12 cells. • H2O2 release increases 5-fold during differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts to myotubes. • The relative contribution of site IQ doubles during differentiation. • The relative contributions of site IIIQo and NOXs remain the same.

Defective Ca2+ handling is a key mechanism underlying hepatic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dysfunction in obesity. ER Ca2+ level is in part monitored by the store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) system, an adaptive mechanism that senses ER luminal Ca2+ concentrations through the STIM proteins and facilitates import of the ion from the extracellular space. Here, we show that hepatocytes from obese mice displayed significantly diminished SOCE as a result of impaired STIM1 translocation, which was associated with aberrant STIM1 O-GlycNAcylation. Primary hepatocytes deficient in STIM1 exhibited elevated cellular stress as well as impaired insulin action, increased glucose production and lipid droplet accumulation. Additionally, mice with acute liver deletion of STIM1 displayed systemic glucose intolerance. Conversely, over-expression of STIM1 in obese mice led to increased SOCE, which was sufficient to improve systemic glucose tolerance. These findings demonstrate that SOCE is an important mechanism for healthy hepatic Ca2+ balance and systemic metabolic control.

Mitochondrial network remodeling between fused and fragmented states facilitates mitophagy, interaction with other organelles, and metabolic flexibility. Aging is associated with a loss of mitochondrial network homeostasis, but cellular processes causally linking these changes to organismal senescence remain unclear. Here, we show that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and dietary restriction (DR) promote longevity in C. elegans via maintaining mitochondrial network homeostasis and functional coordination with peroxisomes to increase fatty acid oxidation (FAO). Inhibiting fusion or fission specifically blocks AMPK- and DR-mediated longevity. Strikingly, however, preserving mitochondrial network homeostasis during aging by co-inhibition of fusion and fission is sufficient itself to increase lifespan, while dynamic network remodeling is required for intermittent fasting-mediated longevity. Finally, we show that increasing lifespan via maintaining mitochondrial network homeostasis requires FAO and peroxisomal function. Together, these data demonstrate that mechanisms that promote mitochondrial homeostasis and plasticity can be targeted to promote healthy aging.

Background The rate at which cells acidify the extracellular medium is frequently used to report glycolytic rate, with the implicit assumption that conversion of uncharged glucose or glycogen to lactate − + H + is the only significant source of acidification. However, another potential source of extracellular protons is the production of CO 2 during substrate oxidation: CO 2 is hydrated to H 2 CO 3 , which then dissociates to HCO 3 − + H + . Methods O 2 consumption and pH were monitored in a popular platform for measuring extracellular acidification (the Seahorse XF Analyzer). Results We found that CO 2 produced during respiration caused almost stoichiometric release of H + into the medium. With C2C12 myoblasts given glucose, respiration-derived CO 2 contributed 34% of the total extracellular acidification. When glucose was omitted or replaced by palmitate or pyruvate, this value was 67–100%. Analysis of primary cells, cancer cell lines, stem cell lines, and isolated synaptosomes revealed contributions of CO 2 -produced acidification that were usually substantial, ranging from 3% to 100% of the total acidification rate. Conclusion Measurement of glycolytic rate using extracellular acidification requires differentiation between respiratory and glycolytic acid production. General significance The data presented here demonstrate the importance of this correction when extracellular acidification is used for quantitative measurement of glycolytic flux to lactate. We describe a simple way to correct the measured extracellular acidification rate for respiratory acid production, using simultaneous measurement of oxygen consumption rate. Summary statement Extracellular acidification is often assumed to result solely from glycolytic lactate production, but respiratory CO 2 also contributes. We demonstrate that extracellular acidification by myoblasts given glucose is 66% glycolytic and 34% respiratory and describe a method to differentiate these sources.

The sites and rates of mitochondrial production of superoxide and H2O2 in vivo are not yet defined. At least 10 different mitochondrial sites can generate these species. Each site has a different maximum capacity (e.g. the outer quinol site in complex III (site IIIQo) has a very high capacity in rat skeletal muscle mitochondria, whereas the flavin site in complex I (site IF) has a very low capacity). The maximum capacities can greatly exceed the actual rates observed in the absence of electron transport chain inhibitors, so maximum capacities are a poor guide to actual rates. Here, we use new approaches to measure the rates at which different mitochondrial sites produce superoxide/H2O2 using isolated muscle mitochondria incubated in media mimicking the cytoplasmic substrate and effector mix of skeletal muscle during rest and exercise. We find that four or five sites dominate during rest in this ex vivo system. Remarkably, the quinol site in complex I (site IQ) and the flavin site in complex II (site IIF) each account for about a quarter of the total measured rate of H2O2 production. Site IF, site IIIQo, and perhaps site EF in the β-oxidation pathway account for most of the remainder. Under conditions mimicking mild and intense aerobic exercise, total production is much less, and the low capacity site IF dominates. These results give novel insights into which mitochondrial sites may produce superoxide/H2O2 in vivo.

Background Digestion of blood in the midgut of Aedes aegypti results in the release of pro-oxidant molecules that can be toxic to the mosquito. We hypothesized that after a blood meal, the antioxidant capacity of the midgut is increased to protect cells against oxidative stress. Concomitantly, pathogens present in the blood ingested by mosquitoes, such as the arboviruses Dengue and Zika, also have to overcome the same oxidative challenge, and the antioxidant program induced by the insect is likely to influence infection status of the mosquito and its vectorial competence. Methodology/Principal findings We found that blood-induced catalase mRNA and activity in the midgut peaked 24 h after feeding and returned to basal levels after the completion of digestion. RNAi-mediated silencing of catalase (AAEL013407-RB) reduced enzyme activity in the midgut epithelia, increased H2O2 leakage and decreased fecundity and lifespan when mosquitoes were fed H2O2. When infected with Dengue 4 and Zika virus, catalase-silenced mosquitoes showed no alteration in infection intensity (number of plaque forming units/midgut) 7 days after the infectious meal. However, catalase knockdown reduced Dengue 4, but not Zika, infection prevalence (percent of infected midguts). Conclusion/Significance Here, we showed that blood ingestion triggers an antioxidant response in the midgut through the induction of catalase. This protection facilitates the establishment of Dengue virus in the midgut. Importantly, this mechanism appears to be specific for Dengue because catalase silencing did not change Zika virus prevalence. In summary, our data suggest that redox balance in the midgut modulates mosquito vectorial competence to arboviral infections., Author summary Mosquitoes ingest large amounts of blood, a rich and abundant source of energy to sustain egg production. Blood digestion offers challenges to the insect, like managing high concentrations of heme and iron, pro-oxidant and potentially toxic molecules derived from hemoglobin. Mosquitoes and other blood-feeding arthropods have evolved adaptations to overcome this problem, such as the activation of catalase, an antioxidant enzyme that protect tissues against toxic free radicals. Mosquitoes act as important vectors of human diseases because during a blood meal they might also ingest microorganism circulating in our blood, such as dengue and zika virus. The adaptive antioxidant program that protects mosquito tissues against the oxidative challenge imposed by a blood meal might also influences the ability of virus to establish infection and disseminate from the midgut to the salivary glands. We show here that catalase differentially influences the number of infected midguts after mosquitoes were challenged with blood contaminated with virus, being beneficial to Dengue-4 but neutral do Zika, suggesting that redox metabolism may have distinct roles on mosquito vector competence towards different arbovirus.

Several flavin-dependent enzymes of the mitochondrial matrix utilize NAD(+) or NADH at about the same operating redox potential as the NADH/NAD(+) pool and comprise the NADH/NAD(+) isopotential enzyme group. Complex I (specifically the flavin, site IF) is often regarded as the major source of matrix superoxide/H2O2 production at this redox potential. However, the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH), branched-chain 2-oxoacid dehydrogenase (BCKDH), and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complexes are also capable of considerable superoxide/H2O2 production. To differentiate the superoxide/H2O2-producing capacities of these different mitochondrial sites in situ, we compared the observed rates of H2O2 production over a range of different NAD(P)H reduction levels in isolated skeletal muscle mitochondria under conditions that favored superoxide/H2O2 production from complex I, the OGDH complex, the BCKDH complex, or the PDH complex. The rates from all four complexes increased at higher NAD(P)H/NAD(P)(+) ratios, although the 2-oxoacid dehydrogenase complexes produced superoxide/H2O2 at high rates only when oxidizing their specific 2-oxoacid substrates and not in the reverse reaction from NADH. At optimal conditions for each system, superoxide/H2O2 was produced by the OGDH complex at about twice the rate from the PDH complex, four times the rate from the BCKDH complex, and eight times the rate from site IF of complex I. Depending on the substrates present, the dominant sites of superoxide/H2O2 production at the level of NADH may be the OGDH and PDH complexes, but these activities may often be misattributed to complex I.

p53 Inducible gene 6 (PIG6) encodes mitochondrial proline dehydrogenase (PRODH) and is up-regulated several fold upon p53 activation. Proline dehydrogenase is proposed to generate radicals that contribute to cancer cell apoptosis. However, there are at least 10 mitochondrial sites that can produce superoxide and/or H2O2, and it is unclear whether proline dehydrogenase generates these species directly, or instead drives production by other sites. Amongst six cancer cell lines, ZR75-30 human breast cancer cells had the highest basal proline dehydrogenase levels, and mitochondria isolated from ZR75-30 cells consumed oxygen and produced H2O2 with proline as sole substrate. Insects use proline oxidation to fuel flight, and mitochondria isolated from Drosophila melanogaster were even more active with proline as sole substrate than ZR75-30 mitochondria. Using mitochondria from these two models we identified the sites involved in formation of superoxide/H2O2 during proline oxidation. In mitochondria from Drosophila the main sites were respiratory complexes I and II. In mitochondria from ZR75-30 breast cancer cells the main sites were complex I and the oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex. Even with combinations of substrates and respiratory chain inhibitors designed to minimize the contributions of other sites and maximize any superoxide/H2O2 production from proline dehydrogenase itself, there was no significant direct contribution of proline dehydrogenase to the observed H2O2 production. Thus proline oxidation by proline dehydrogenase drives superoxide/H2O2 production, but it does so mainly or exclusively by providing anaplerotic carbon for other mitochondrial dehydrogenases and not by producing superoxide/H2O2 directly., Graphical abstract, Highlights • Proline dehydrogenase is thought to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer cells and to promote apoptosis. • Isolated mitochondria from Drosophila melanogaster and from a human breast cancer cell line oxidize proline producing superoxide/H2O2 at measurable rates. • Proline oxidation drives superoxide/H2O2 production indirectly at other sites and it is unlikely that proline dehydrogenase produces superoxide/H2O2 itself. • In Drosophila, superoxide/H2O2 arises from sites IF and IIF (the flavin sites from complexes I and II, respectively). • In the breast cancer cell line the main sites are IF and OF (from the oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex).

The heme molecule is the prosthetic group of many hemeproteins involved in essential physiological processes, such as electron transfer, transport of gases, signal transduction, and gene expression modulation. However, heme is a pro-oxidant molecule capable of propagating reactions leading to the generation of reactive oxygen species. The blood-feeding insect Rhodnius prolixus releases enormous amounts of heme during host blood digestion in the midgut lumen when it is exposed to a physiological oxidative challenge. Additionally, this organism produces a hemolymphatic heme-binding protein (RHBP) that transports heme to pericardial cells for detoxification and to growing oocytes for yolk granules and as a source of heme for embryo development. Here, we show that silencing of RHBP expression in female fat bodies reduced total RHBP circulating in the hemolymph, promoting oxidative damage to hemolymphatic proteins. Moreover, RHBP knockdown did not cause reduction in oviposition but led to the production of heme-depleted eggs (white eggs). A lack of RHBP did not alter oocyte fecundation. However, produced white eggs were nonviable. Embryo development cellularization and vitellin yolk protein degradation, processes that normally occur in early stages of embryogenesis, were compromised in white eggs. Total cytochrome c content, cytochrome c oxidase activity, citrate synthase activity, and oxygen consumption, parameters that indicate mitochondrial function, were significantly reduced in white eggs compared with normal dark red eggs. Our results showed that reduction of heme transport from females to growing oocytes by RHBP leads to embryonic mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired embryogenesis.

Despite ongoing efforts, the current treatment for Chagas disease is still unsatisfactory, mainly because of the severe side effects and variable efficacy of the available nitroheterocycles. Our group has been assaying natural quinones isolated from Brazilian flora, and their derivatives, as alternative chemotherapeutic agents against Trypanosoma cruzi. From C-allyl lawsone three naphthofuranquinones were synthesized, which were active against trypomastigotes and epimastigotes. Here, we further investigated the activity and the mechanisms of action of these quinones. They exhibited powerful effects on intracellular amastigotes, presenting low toxicity to the host cells. Ultrastructural analyses of treated epimastigotes and trypomastigotes indicated a potent effect of the three naphthofuranquinones on the parasite mitochondrion, which appeared drastically swollen and with a washed-out matrix profile. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis of rhodamine 123-stained T. cruzi showed that the three naphthofuranquinones caused a potent dose-dependent collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential, especially in the epimastigote form. Naphthofuranquinones also decreased specifically mitochondrial complex I–III activity in both epimastigotes and trypomastigotes, parallel to a reduction in succinate-induced oxygen consumption. Mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide formation was also increased in epimastigotes after treatment with the naphthofuranquinones. Our results indicate that the trypanocidal action of the naphthofuranquinones is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to increased reactive oxygen species generation and parasite death.

Rhodnius prolixus midgut redox balance is regulated by a signalling pathway involving amino-acids/TORC/mitochondrial ROS to protect the midgut from oxidative damage., Sensing incoming nutrients is an important and critical event for intestinal cells to sustain life of the whole organism. The TORC is a major protein complex involved in monitoring the nutritional status and is activated by elevated amino acid concentrations. An important feature of haematophagy is that huge amounts of blood are ingested in a single meal, which results in the release of large quantities of amino acids, together with the haemoglobin prosthetic group, haem, which decomposes hydroperoxides and propagates oxygen-derived free radicals. Our previous studies demonstrated that reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were diminished in the mitochondria and midgut of the Dengue fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, immediately after a blood meal. We proposed that this mechanism serves to avoid oxidative damage that would otherwise be induced by haem following a blood meal. Studies also performed in mosquitoes have shown that blood or amino acids controls protein synthesis through TORC activation. It was already proposed, in different models, a link between ROS and TOR, however, little is known about TOR signalling in insect midgut nor about the involvement of ROS in this pathway. Here, we studied the effect of a blood meal on ROS production in the midgut of Rhodnius prolixus. We observed that blood meal amino acids decreased ROS levels in the R. prolixus midgut immediately after feeding, via lowering mitochondrial superoxide production and involving the amino acid-sensing TORC pathway.

Mitochondrial electron transport drives ATP synthesis but also generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are both cellular signals and damaging oxidants. Superoxide production by respiratory complex III is implicated in diverse signaling events and pathologies but its role remains controversial. Using high-throughput screening we identified compounds that selectively eliminate superoxide production by complex III without altering oxidative phosphorylation; they modulate retrograde signaling including cellular responses to hypoxic and oxidative stress.

SummaryBrown adipose tissue (BAT) possesses the inherent ability to dissipate metabolic energy as heat through uncoupled mitochondrial respiration. An essential component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain is coenzyme Q (CoQ). While cells synthesize CoQ mostly endogenously, exogenous supplementation with CoQ has been successful as a therapy for patients with CoQ deficiency. However, which tissues depend on exogenous CoQ uptake as well as the mechanism by which CoQ is taken up by cells and the role of this process in BAT function are not well understood. Here, we report that the scavenger receptor CD36 drives the uptake of CoQ by BAT and is required for normal BAT function. BAT from mice lacking CD36 displays CoQ deficiency, impaired CoQ uptake, hypertrophy, altered lipid metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunction, and defective nonshivering thermogenesis. Together, these data reveal an important new role for the systemic transport of CoQ to BAT and its function in thermogenesis.

The bloodsucking hemipteran Rhodnius prolixus is a vector of Chagas' disease, which affects 7-8 million people today in Latin America. In contrast to other hematophagous insects, the triatomine gut is compartmentalized into three segments that perform different functions during blood digestion. Here we report analysis of transcriptomes for each of the segments using pyrosequencing technology. Comparison of transcript frequency in digestive libraries with a whole-body library was used to evaluate expression levels. All classes of digestive enzymes were highly expressed, with a predominance of cysteine and aspartic proteinases, the latter showing a significant expansion through gene duplication. Although no protein digestion is known to occur in the anterior midgut (AM), protease transcripts were found, suggesting secretion as pro-enzymes, being possibly activated in the posterior midgut (PM). As expected, genes related to cytoskeleton, protein synthesis apparatus, protein traffic, and secretion were abundantly transcribed. Despite the absence of a chitinous peritrophic membrane in hemipterans - which have instead a lipidic perimicrovillar membrane lining over midgut epithelia - several gut-specific peritrophin transcripts were found, suggesting that these proteins perform functions other than being a structural component of the peritrophic membrane. Among immunity-related transcripts, while lysozymes and lectins were the most highly expressed, several genes belonging to the Toll pathway - found at low levels in the gut of most insects - were identified, contrasting with a low abundance of transcripts from IMD and STAT pathways. Analysis of transcripts related to lipid metabolism indicates that lipids play multiple roles, being a major energy source, a substrate for perimicrovillar membrane formation, and a source for hydrocarbons possibly to produce the wax layer of the hindgut. Transcripts related to amino acid metabolism showed an unanticipated priority for degradation of tyrosine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan. Analysis of transcripts related to signaling pathways suggested a role for MAP kinases, GTPases, and LKBP1/AMP kinases related to control of cell shape and polarity, possibly in connection with regulation of cell survival, response of pathogens and nutrients. Together, our findings present a new view of the triatomine digestive apparatus and will help us understand trypanosome interaction and allow insights into hemipteran metabolic adaptations to a blood-based diet., Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H. Intramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) are widely implicated in physiological and pathological pathways. We propose that it is critical to understand the specific sites of mitochondrial ROS production and their mechanisms of action. Mitochondria possess at least eight distinct sites of ROS production in the electron transport chain and matrix compartment. In this chapter, we describe the nature of the mitochondrial ROS-producing machinery and the relative capacities of each site. We provide detailed methods for the measurement of H2O2 release and the conditions under which maximal rates from each site can be achieved in intact skeletal muscle mitochondria.

Table S1 does not appear. Please view Table S1 here: Click here for additional data file.(11K, xlsx)

Background Mitochondria perform multiple roles in cell biology, acting as the site of aerobic energy-transducing pathways and as an important source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that modulate redox metabolism. Methodology/Principal Findings We demonstrate that a novel member of the mitochondrial transporter protein family, Anopheles gambiae mitochondrial carrier 1 (AgMC1), is required to maintain mitochondrial membrane potential in mosquito midgut cells and modulates epithelial responses to Plasmodium infection. AgMC1 silencing reduces mitochondrial membrane potential, resulting in increased proton-leak and uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation. These metabolic changes reduce midgut ROS generation and increase A. gambiae susceptibility to Plasmodium infection. Conclusion We provide direct experimental evidence indicating that ROS derived from mitochondria can modulate mosquito epithelial responses to Plasmodium infection.

Heme is a ubiquitous molecule that has a number of physiological roles. The toxic effects of this molecule have been demonstrated in various models, based on both its pro-oxidant nature and through a detergent mechanism. It is estimated that about 10 mM of heme is released during blood digestion in the blood-sucking bug's midgut. The parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas' disease, proliferates in the midgut of the insect vector; however, heme metabolism in trypanosomatids remains to be elucidated. Here we provide a mechanistic explanation for the proliferative effects of heme on trypanosomatids. Heme, but not other porphyrins, induced T. cruzi proliferation, and this phenomenon was accompanied by a marked increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in epimastigotes when monitored by ROS-sensitive fluorescent probes. Heme-induced ROS production was time- and concentration-dependent. In addition, lipid peroxidation and the formation of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) adducts with parasite proteins were increased in epimastigotes in the presence of heme. Conversely, the antioxidants urate and GSH reversed the heme-induced ROS. Urate also decreased parasite proliferation. Among several protein kinase inhibitors tested only specific inhibitors of CaMKII, KN93 and Myr-AIP, were able to abolish heme-induced ROS formation in epimastigotes leading to parasite growth impairment. Taken together, these data provide new insight into T. cruzi- insect vector interactions: heme, a molecule from the blood digestion, triggers epimastigote proliferation through a redox-sensitive signalling mechanism.

Trypanosoma cruzi is a hemoflagellate protozoan that causes Chagas' disease. The life cycle of T. cruzi is complex and involves different evolutive forms that have to encounter different environmental conditions provided by the host. Herein, we performed a functional assessment of mitochondrial metabolism in the following two distinct evolutive forms of T. cruzi: the insect stage epimastigote and the freshly isolated bloodstream trypomastigote. We observed that in comparison to epimastigotes, bloodstream trypomastigotes facilitate the entry of electrons into the electron transport chain by increasing complex II-III activity. Interestingly, cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) activity and the expression of CCO subunit IV were reduced in bloodstream forms, creating an "electron bottleneck" that favored an increase in electron leakage and H(2)O(2) formation. We propose that the oxidative preconditioning provided by this mechanism confers protection to bloodstream trypomastigotes against the host immune system. In this scenario, mitochondrial remodeling during the T. cruzi life cycle may represent a key metabolic adaptation for parasite survival in different hosts.

The presence of bacteria in the midgut of mosquitoes antagonizes infectious agents, such as Dengue and Plasmodium, acting as a negative factor in the vectorial competence of the mosquito. Therefore, knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in the control of midgut microbiota could help in the development of new tools to reduce transmission. We hypothesized that toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by epithelial cells control bacterial growth in the midgut of Aedes aegypti, the vector of Yellow fever and Dengue viruses. We show that ROS are continuously present in the midgut of sugar-fed (SF) mosquitoes and a blood-meal immediately decreased ROS through a mechanism involving heme-mediated activation of PKC. This event occurred in parallel with an expansion of gut bacteria. Treatment of sugar-fed mosquitoes with increased concentrations of heme led to a dose dependent decrease in ROS levels and a consequent increase in midgut endogenous bacteria. In addition, gene silencing of dual oxidase (Duox) reduced ROS levels and also increased gut flora. Using a model of bacterial oral infection in the gut, we show that the absence of ROS resulted in decreased mosquito resistance to infection, increased midgut epithelial damage, transcriptional modulation of immune-related genes and mortality. As heme is a pro-oxidant molecule released in large amounts upon hemoglobin degradation, oxidative killing of bacteria in the gut would represent a burden to the insect, thereby creating an extra oxidative challenge to the mosquito. We propose that a controlled decrease in ROS levels in the midgut of Aedes aegypti is an adaptation to compensate for the ingestion of heme., Author Summary Mosquitoes are vectors of human pathogens, such as Dengue virus and Malaria parasites, which profoundly affect health worldwide, killing millions of people annually. Recent studies have demonstrated that the presence of bacteria in the gut of mosquitoes is able to antagonize the establishment of pathogens. Therefore, mechanisms with the potential to regulate bacterial growth in the digestive tract of mosquitoes may hamper disease transmission. Here, we show that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are present in the gut epithelia of sugar-fed mosquitoes and are drastically reduced after blood feeding through a mechanism that involves activation of protein kinase C by heme. ROS levels are inversely correlated with the presence of bacteria in the midgut and therefore we investigated if ROS are involved in fighting bacterial infections in the gut. We discovered that mosquitoes producing low levels of ROS challenged with an oral bacterial infection exhibited increased mortality due to intense bacterial proliferation and epithelial cell damage. We propose that reduction in ROS levels after blood feeding is an adaptation to compensate for the ingestion of blood, a pro-oxidant meal. This finding has consequences for the understanding of disease transmission due to the ability of ROS to modulate the gut bacterial levels.

Previous studies showed that Anopheles gambiae L3-5 females, which are refractory (R) to Plasmodium infection, express higher levels of genes involved in redox-metabolism and mitochondrial respiration than susceptible (S) G3 females. Our studies revealed that R females have reduced longevity, faster utilization of lipid reserves, impaired mitochondrial state-3 respiration, increased rate of mitochondrial electron leak and higher expression levels of several glycolytic enzyme genes. Furthermore, when state-3 respiration was reduced in S females by silencing expression of the adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT), hydrogen peroxide generation was higher and the mRNA levels of lactate dehydrogenase increased in the midgut, while the prevalence and intensity of Plasmodium berghei infection were significantly reduced. We conclude that there are broad metabolic differences between R and S An. gambiae mosquitoes that influence their susceptibility to Plasmodium infection.

Background: Hematophagy poses a challenge to blood-feeding organisms since products of blood digestion can exert cellular deleterious effects. Mitochondria perform multiple roles in cell biology acting as the site of aerobic energytransducing pathways, and also an important source of reactive oxygen species (ROS), modulating redox metabolism. Therefore, regulation of mitochondrial function should be relevant for hematophagous arthropods. Here, we investigated the effects of blood-feeding on flight muscle (FM) mitochondria from the mosquito Aedes aegypti, a vector of dengue and yellow fever. Methodology/Principal Findings: Blood-feeding caused a reversible reduction in mitochondrial oxygen consumption, an event that was parallel to blood digestion. These changes were most intense at 24 h after blood meal (ABM), the peak of blood digestion, when oxygen consumption was inhibited by 68%. Cytochromes c and a+a3 levels and cytochrome c oxidase activity of the electron transport chain were all reduced at 24 h ABM. Ultrastructural and molecular analyses of FM revealed that mitochondria fuse upon blood meal, a condition related to reduced ROS generation. Consistently, BF induced a reversible decrease in mitochondrial H2O2 formation during blood digestion, reaching their lowest values at 24 h ABM where a reduction of 51% was observed. Conclusion: Blood-feeding triggers functional and structural changes in hematophagous insect mitochondria, which may represent an important adaptation to blood feeding

Mechanisms regulating NADPH oxidase remain open and include the redox chaperone protein disulfide isomerase (PDI). We described previously that PDI transient overexpression in VSMC enhances basal Nox1 mRNA expression and activity, without any further response for AngII stimulus in ROS production. Here we investigated whether Nox1 activation mediated by PDI overexpression may involve AngII receptor (AT1R).We developed rabbit aortic VSMC with doxicycline inducible system for rat PDI (VSMC-PDI), which showed 3,5 fold increased total PDI expression after 48h of doxicycline addition. VSMC-PDI showed increased superoxide production by NADPH-triggered enriched membrane fraction (1 vs. 2,5 ± 0,03 RLU/mg protein, lucigenin reduction), which was totally inhibited by Nox1/4 inhibitor (GKT136901, 100uM). VSMC-PDI showed higher migration trajectories vs. VSMC with no stimulus (1 vs. 1,75 ± 0,04 pixels, end distance from origin by single cell migration assay for 16h). Although inhibitors of AT1R (losartan and candesartan, 10-100nM for 16h) decreased intracellular superoxide (2-hydroxyethidium quantification by HPLC) or extracellular H2O2 (AmplexRed assay) productions mediated by PDI transient overexpression, there is no direct PDI interaction with AT1R, based on several confocal microscopy analyzes in both VSMC and HEK293 cells transfected with AT1R-GFP. Since AT1R activates β-arrestin1/2 signaling, we silenced β-arrestin1/2 with further PDI induction in VSMC-PDI. Preliminary results suggest no changes in Nox1 NADPH activity. Finally, chronic VSMC-PDI (obtained after antibiotic selection of VSMC transiently transfected, 4 fold increased PDI expression) showed no more increased intracellular superoxide or Nox1 NADPH oxidase activation compared to basal VSMC. The mechanisms underlying Nox1 acute activation by PDI overexpression in VSMC does not involve direct interaction with AT1R, and might not involve β-arrestin1/2. Chronic PDI overexpression may induce VSMC redox adaptations, since Nox1 NADPH oxidase activity is decayed to basal levels.

We have previously demonstrated that inoculation of BALB/c mice with trypomastigotes of CL-14, an avirulent Trypanosoma cruzi clone, prevents the development of parasitemia and mortality after challenge with virulent CL strain. In this report, we investigated the cytokine and antibody profiles induced by inoculation with CL-14 clone. Groups of mice were inoculated with trypomastigotes of CL-14 clone and challenged with infective CL strain. Challenged CL-14-inoculated mice had lower levels of IFN-g and higher production of IgG1 antibodies as compared to CL strain-infected mice. Previous inoculation with CL-14 clone partially prevented the suppression of IL-2 production caused by CL strain infection. No significant differences were found regarding IL-4 production by splenocytes from CL-14-inoculated or control groups after challenge with CL-strain. Our results show that protection against acute T. cruzi infection induced by CL-14 inoculation correlates with a balanced T1/T2 cytokine production, a profile likely to be beneficial for the host.Inoculação de camundongos BALB/c com tripomastigotas do clone avirulento de Trypanosoma cruzi CL-14 protege contra o desenvolvimento de parasitemia e mortalidade após desafio com a cepa virulenta CL. No presente trabalho, investigamos os perfis de produção de citocinas e anticorpos induzidos por inoculação com CL-14. Grupos de camundongos foram inoculados com tripomastigotas do clone CL-14 e desafiados com a cepa CL. Camundongos inoculados com o clone CL-14 desenvolveram níveis significativamente mais baixos de IFN-g e níveis mais elevados de IgG1 após desafio com a cepa CL, em comparação com animais controles infectados com a cepa CL. Inoculação prévia com o clone CL-14 preveniu parcialmente a supressão da produção de IL-2 causada pela infecção por CL. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas quanto à produção de IL-4 por esplenócitos de camundongos inoculados com CL-14 ou controles, após desafio com a cepa CL. Os resultados indicam que a proteção contra a fase aguda da infecção por T. cruzi induzida pela inoculação com o clone CL-14 está correlacionada a um padrão de resposta T1/T2 misto, o que pode ser benéfico para o hospedeiro.

Immunization with CL-14-trypomastigotes generates efficient humoral and cellular responses against infective challenge. Herein, we investigated the relevance of these mechanisms in vivo. Immunization with live CL-14-trypomastigotes protected only part of β2m −/− mice but efficiently protected perforin-knockout mice. Fixed CL-14-trypomastigotes could successfully immunize BALB/c, though live trypomastigotes lowered the requirements for doses and time intervals. Post-immune depletion of CD4 or CD8 subsets did not affect protection conferred by immunization, but switched the production of anti- Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies to IgG2a. Sublethal irradiation partially broke the resistance of immune mice, leading to development of late parasitemia. Passive serum transfer from immune mice conferred protection to naive mice. Our results indicate that presentation of cytosolic antigens by MHC class I molecules is involved in the generation of immunity and suggest that the humoral response contributes to a great extent to keep CL-14-immunized mice protected against infective challenge.

Dehydrogenases that use ubiquinone as an electron acceptor, including complex I of the respiratory chain, complex II, and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, are known to be direct generators of superoxide and/or H2O2. Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase oxidizes dihydroorotate to orotate and reduces ubiquinone to ubiquinol during pyrimidine metabolism, but it is unclear whether it produces superoxide and/or H2O2 directly or does so only indirectly from other sites in the electron transport chain. Using mitochondria isolated from rat skeletal muscle we establish that dihydroorotate oxidation leads to superoxide/H2O2 production at a fairly high rate of about 300pmol H2O2·min(-1)·mg protein(-1) when oxidation of ubiquinol is prevented and complex II is uninhibited. This H2O2 production is abolished by brequinar or leflunomide, known inhibitors of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase. Eighty percent of this rate is indirect, originating from site IIF of complex II, because it can be prevented by malonate or atpenin A5, inhibitors of complex II. In the presence of inhibitors of all known sites of superoxide/H2O2 production (rotenone to inhibit sites in complex I (site IQ and, indirectly, site IF), myxothiazol to inhibit site IIIQo in complex III, and malonate plus atpenin A5 to inhibit site IIF in complex II), dihydroorotate dehydrogenase generates superoxide/H2O2, at a small but significant rate (23pmol H2O2·min(-1)·mg protein(-1)), from the ubiquinone-binding site. We conclude that dihydroorotate dehydrogenase can generate superoxide and/or H2O2 directly at low rates and is also capable of indirect production at higher rates from other sites through its ability to reduce the ubiquinone pool.