Muniswamy Madesh

VDAC-dependent permeabilization of the outer mitochondrial membrane by superoxide induces rapid and massive cytochrome c release

Enhanced formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide (O2 ·−), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) may result in either apoptosis or other forms of cell death. Here, we studied the mechanisms underlying activation of the apoptotic machinery by ROS. Exposure of permeabilized HepG2 cells to O2 ·− elicited rapid and massive cytochrome c release (CCR), whereas H2O2 failed to induce any release. Both O2 ·− and H2O2 promoted activation of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore by Ca2+, but Ca2+-dependent pore opening was not required for O2 ·−-induced CCR. Furthermore, O2 ·− alone evoked CCR without damage of the inner mitochondrial membrane barrier, as mitochondrial membrane potential was sustained in the presence of extramitochondrial ATP. Strikingly, pretreatment of the cells with drugs or an antibody, which block the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC), prevented O2 ·−-induced CCR. Furthermore, VDAC-reconstituted liposomes permeated cytochrome c after O2 ·− exposure, and this release was prevented by VDAC blocker. The proapoptotic protein, Bak, was not detected in HepG2 cells and O2 ·−-induced CCR did not depend on Bax translocation to mitochondria. O2 ·−-induced CCR was followed by caspase activation and execution of apoptosis. Thus, O2 ·− triggers apoptosis via VDAC-dependent permeabilization of the mitochondrial outer membrane without apparent contribution of proapoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins.

Calcium signaling and apoptosis.

Ca(2+) is one of the key regulators of cell survival, but Ca(2+) can also induce apoptosis in response to a variety of pathological conditions. The pro-apoptotic effects of Ca(2+) are mediated by a diverse range of Ca(2+)-sensitive factors that are compartmentalized in various intracellular organelles including the ER, cytoplasm, and mitochondria. The Ca(2+) dynamics of these organelles appear to be modulated by the apoptosis-regulating Bcl-2 family proteins. In this paper, the recent progress of research on the mechanisms mediating the apoptosis-regulating effects of Ca(2+) and the interactions of Bcl-2 family proteins with the Ca(2+) storage organelles are discussed.

STIM proteins: dynamic calcium signal transducers

Stromal interaction molecule (STIM) proteins function in cells as dynamic coordinators of cellular calcium (Ca2+) signals. Spanning the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane, they sense tiny changes in the levels of Ca2+ stored within the ER lumen. As ER Ca2+ is released to generate primary Ca2+ signals, STIM proteins undergo an intricate activation reaction and rapidly translocate into junctions formed between the ER and the plasma membrane. There, STIM proteins tether and activate the highly Ca2+-selective Orai channels to mediate finely controlled Ca2+ signals and to homeostatically balance cellular Ca2+. Details are emerging on the remarkable organization within these STIM-induced junctional microdomains and the identification of new regulators and alternative target proteins for STIM.

The endoplasmic reticulum gateway to apoptosis by Bcl-XL modulation of the InsP3R

Members of the Bcl-2 protein family modulate outer mitochondrial membrane permeability to control apoptosis. However, these proteins also localize to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the functional significance of which is controversial. Here we provide evidence that anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins regulate the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R) ER Ca2+ release channel resulting in increased cellular apoptotic resistance and enhanced mitochondrial bioenergetics. Anti-apoptotic Bcl-XL interacts with the carboxyl terminus of the InsP3R and sensitizes single InsP3R channels in ER membranes to low [InsP3], enhancing Ca2+ and InsP3-dependent regulation of channel activity in vitro and in vivo, reducing ER Ca2+ content and stimulating mitochondrial energetics. The pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and tBid antagonize this effect by blocking the biochemical interaction of Bcl-XL with the InsP3R. These data support a novel model in which Bcl-XL is a direct effector of the InsP3R, increasing its sensitivity to InsP3 and enabling ER Ca2+ release to be more sensitively coupled to extracellular signals. As a consequence, cells are protected against apoptosis by a more sensitive and dynamic coupling of ER to mitochondria through Ca2+-dependent signal transduction that enhances cellular bioenergetics and preserves survival.

MICU1 is an Essential Gatekeeper for MCU-Mediated Mitochondrial Ca2+ Uptake That Regulates Cell Survival

Mitochondrial Ca(2+) (Ca(2+)(m)) uptake is mediated by an inner membrane Ca(2+) channel called the uniporter. Ca(2+) uptake is driven by the considerable voltage present across the inner membrane (ΔΨ(m)) generated by proton pumping by the respiratory chain. Mitochondrial matrix Ca(2+) concentration is maintained five to six orders of magnitude lower than its equilibrium level, but the molecular mechanisms for how this is achieved are not clear. Here, we demonstrate that the mitochondrial protein MICU1 is required to preserve normal [Ca(2+)](m) under basal conditions. In its absence, mitochondria become constitutively loaded with Ca(2+), triggering excessive reactive oxygen species generation and sensitivity to apoptotic stress. MICU1 interacts with the uniporter pore-forming subunit MCU and sets a Ca(2+) threshold for Ca(2+)(m) uptake without affecting the kinetic properties of MCU-mediated Ca(2+) uptake. Thus, MICU1 is a gatekeeper of MCU-mediated Ca(2+)(m) uptake that is essential to prevent [Ca(2+)](m) overload and associated stress.

Simultaneous detection of apoptosis and mitochondrial superoxide production in live cells by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy

Annexin V and Sytox Green are widely used markers to evaluate apoptosis in various cell types using flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy. Recently, a novel fluoroprobe MitoSOX Red was introduced for selective detection of superoxide in the mitochondria of live cells and was validated for confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. This protocol describes simultaneous measurements of mitochondrial superoxide generation with apoptotic markers (Annexin V and Sytox Green) by both flow cytometry and confocal microscopy in endothelial cell lines. The advantages of the described flow cytometry method over other cell-based techniques are the tremendous speed (1–2 h), exquisite precision and the possibility of simultaneous quantitative measurements of mitochondrial superoxide generation and apoptotic (and other) markers, with maximal preservation of cellular functions. This method combined with fluorescent microscopy may be very useful to reveal important spatial–temporal changes in mitochondrial superoxide production and execution of programmed cell death in virtually any cell type.

MCUR1 is an essential component of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake that regulates cellular metabolism

The mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) mediates calcium uptake by mitochondria and thus regulates cellular bioenergetics, but how MCU activity is modulated is not fully understood. Madesh, Foskett and colleagues report that the integral mitochondrial membrane protein MCUR1 (mitochondrial calcium uniporter regulator 1) binds to the MCU and promotes MCU-dependent calcium uptake to control ATP production and autophagy.

The machinery of local Ca2+ signalling between sarco-endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria.

Growing evidence suggests that propagation of cytosolic [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]c) spikes and oscillations to the mitochondria is important for the control of fundamental cellular functions. Delivery of [Ca2+]c spikes to the mitochondria may utilize activation of the mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake sites by the large local [Ca2+]c rise occurring in the vicinity of activated sarco‐endoplasmic reticulum (SR/ER) Ca2+ release channels. Although direct measurement of the local [Ca2+]c sensed by the mitochondria has been difficult, recent studies shed some light onto the molecular mechanism of local Ca2+ communication between SR/ER and mitochondria. Subdomains of the SR/ER are in close contact with mitochondria and display a concentration of Ca2+ release sites, providing the conditions for an effective delivery of released Ca2+ to the mitochondrial targets. Furthermore, many functional properties of the signalling between SR/ER Ca2+ release sites and mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake sites, including transient microdomains of high [Ca2+], saturation of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake sites by released Ca2+, connection of multiple release sites to each uptake site and quantal transmission, are analogous to the features of the coupling between neurotransmitter release sites and postsynaptic receptors in synaptic transmission. As such, Ca2+ signal transmission between SR/ER and mitochondria may utilize discrete communication sites and a closely related functional architecture to that used for synaptic signal propagation between cells.

Rapid Kinetics of tBid-induced Cytochrome c and Smac/DIABLO Release and Mitochondrial Depolarization

Cleavage of Bid has been shown to promote apoptosis by inducing mitochondrial membrane permeabilization with the resultant release of apoptosis-inducing proteins from the intermembrane space into the cytosol. However, direct visualization of the Bid-induced release of various proteins from the highly compartmentalized intermembrane space and the changes in the mitochondrial metabolic machinery remain elusive. Using green fluorescent protein fusion proteins and immunostaining in individual permeabilized HepG2 cells, first we demonstrated that truncated Bid (15.5-kDa C-terminal fragment, tBid) evoked a rapid and essentially complete release of cytochrome c and Smac/DIABLO from every mitochondrion. To establish at a resolution of seconds the kinetics of tBid-induced cytochrome c and Smac/DIABLO release and depolarization, we monitored the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) fluorimetrically in permeabilized cells and applied a rapid filtration method to obtain cytosolic fractions for Western blotting. We found that subnanomolar doses of tBid were sufficient to evoke cytochrome c release and mitochondrial depolarization, whereas full-length Bid was 100-fold less effective. Bcl-xL prevented tBid-induced cytochromec release and depolarization. In response to 2.5 nm tBid, cytochrome c release started after a 10 s delay, displayed rapid progression, and was complete at 50–70 s. Release of Smac/DIABLO was synchronized with cytochromec release, whereas the loss of ΔΨmlagged slightly behind cytochrome c release. Furthermore, tBid-induced cytochrome c release was insensitive to changes in substrate composition, but tBid-induced depolarization did not occur in the presence of extramitochondrial ATP supply. Thus, tBid-induced permeabilization of the outer membrane permits rapid release of cytochrome c and Smac/DIABLO from all domains of the intermembrane space. The tBid-induced loss of ΔΨmoccurs after cytochrome c release and reflects impairment of oxidative metabolism.

The Common Inhalational Anesthetic Isoflurane Induces Apoptosis via Activation of Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors

Background:Isoflurane induces cell apoptosis by an unknown mechanism. The authors hypothesized that isoflurane activates inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptors on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane, causing excessive calcium release, triggering apoptosis. Methods:The authors determined isoflurane-induced cytotoxicity by measuring caspase-3 activity, lactate dehydrogenase release, MTS (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt) reduction, and imaging analysis of cell damage markers (annexin V and propidium iodide staining) in different cell types. The authors used the chicken B lymphocyte with a total knock-out of IP3 receptors, PC12 cells with elevated IP3 receptor activity (transfected with L286V presenilin 1), striatal cells with a knock-in of Q111 Huntingtin, and each cell line’s corresponding wild-type controls. The authors also measured the isoflurane-evoked changes of calcium concentration in cytosol and/or mitochondria in these cells. Results:Isoflurane induced apoptosis concentration- and time-dependently, and sequentially elevated cytosolic and then mitochondrial calcium in the chicken B-lymphocyte wild-type but not the IP3 receptor total knock-out cells. Thapsigargin, a calcium adenosine triphosphatase inhibitor on ER membranes, induced apoptosis and elevations of calcium in cytosol and mitochondria in both chicken B-lymphocyte wild-type and IP3 receptor total knock-out cells. Isoflurane induced significantly more neurotoxicity and greater calcium release from the ER in L286V PC12 and Q111 Huntingtin striatal cells than in their corresponding wild-type controls, both of which were significantly inhibited by the IP3 receptor antagonist xestospongin C. Conclusion:These findings suggest that isoflurane activates the ER membrane IP3 receptor, producing excessive calcium release and triggering apoptosis. Neurons with enhanced IP3 receptor activity, as in certain cases of familial Alzheimer or Huntington disease, may be especially vulnerable to isoflurane cytotoxicity.