scholarly journals A novel Alex3/Gαq protein complex regulating mitochondrial dynamics, dendritic complexity, and neuronal survival

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ismael Izquierdo-Villalba ◽  
Sere Mirra ◽  
Yasmina Manso ◽  
Antoni Parcerisas ◽  
Javier Rubio ◽  
...  

In neurons, mitochondrial dynamics and trafficking are essential to provide the energy required for neurotransmission and neuronal activity. Recent studies point to GPCR and G proteins as important regulators of mitochondrial dynamics and energy metabolism. Here we show that activation of Gαq negatively regulates mitochondrial dynamics and trafficking in neurons. Gαq interacts with the mitochondrial trafficking protein Alex3. By generating a CNS-specific armcx3 knock-out mouse line, we demonstrate that Alex3 is required for Gαq effects on mitochondrial dynamics and trafficking, and dendritic growth. Armcx3-deficient mice present decreased OXPHOS complex and ER stress response protein levels, which correlate with increased neuronal death, motor neuron and neuromuscular synaptic loss, and severe motor alterations. Finally, we show that Alex3 disassembles from the Miro1/Gαq complex upon calcium rise. These data uncover a novel Alex3/Gαq complex that regulates neuronal mitochondrial dynamics and neuronal death and allows the control of mitochondrial functions by GPCRs.

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Serricchio ◽  
Peter Bütikofer

Mitochondria are essential organelles involved in cellular energy production. The inner mitochondrial membrane protein stomatin-like protein 2 (SLP-2) is a member of the SPFH (stomatin, prohibitin, flotilin, and HflK/C) superfamily and binds to the mitochondrial glycerophospholipid cardiolipin, forming cardiolipin-enriched membrane domains to promote the assembly and/or stabilization of protein complexes involved in oxidative phosphorylation. In addition, human SLP-2 anchors a mitochondrial processing complex required for proteolytic regulation of proteins involved in mitochondrial dynamics and quality control. We now show that deletion of the gene encoding the Trypanosoma brucei homolog TbSlp2 has no effect on respiratory protein complex stability and mitochondrial functions under normal culture conditions and is dispensable for growth of T. brucei parasites. In addition, we demonstrate that TbSlp2 binds to the metalloprotease TbYme1 and together they form a large mitochondrial protein complex. The two proteins negatively regulate each other’s expression levels by accelerating protein turnover. Furthermore, we show that TbYme1 plays a role in heat-stress resistance, as TbYme1 knock-out parasites displayed mitochondrial fragmentation and loss of viability when cultured at elevated temperatures. Unbiased interaction studies uncovered putative TbYme1 substrates, some of which were differentially affected by the absence of TbYme1. Our results support emerging evidence for the presence of mitochondrial quality control pathways in this ancient eukaryote.


Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 232
Author(s):  
Srikanth Elesela ◽  
Nicholas W. Lukacs

Viral diseases account for an increasing proportion of deaths worldwide. Viruses maneuver host cell machinery in an attempt to subvert the intracellular environment favorable for their replication. The mitochondrial network is highly susceptible to physiological and environmental insults, including viral infections. Viruses affect mitochondrial functions and impact mitochondrial metabolism, and innate immune signaling. Resurgence of host-virus interactions in recent literature emphasizes the key role of mitochondria and host metabolism on viral life processes. Mitochondrial dysfunction leads to damage of mitochondria that generate toxic compounds, importantly mitochondrial DNA, inducing systemic toxicity, leading to damage of multiple organs in the body. Mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy are essential for the maintenance of mitochondrial quality control and homeostasis. Therefore, metabolic antagonists may be essential to gain a better understanding of viral diseases and develop effective antiviral therapeutics. This review briefly discusses how viruses exploit mitochondrial dynamics for virus proliferation and induce associated diseases.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xifang Zhu ◽  
Yaqi Dong ◽  
Eric Baranowski ◽  
Xixi Li ◽  
Gang Zhao ◽  
...  

Molecules contributing to microbial cytoadhesion are important virulence factors. In Mycoplasma bovis, a minimal bacterium but an important cattle pathogen, binding to host cells is emerging as a complex process involving a broad range of surface-exposed structures. Here, a new cytoadhesin of M. bovis was identified by producing a collection of individual knock-out mutants and evaluating their binding to embryonic bovine lung cells. The cytoadhesive-properties of this surface-exposed protein, which is encoded by Mbov_0503 in strain HB0801, were demonstrated at both the mycoplasma cell and protein levels using confocal microscopy and ELISA. Although Mbov_0503 disruption was only associated in M. bovis with a partial reduction of its binding capacity, this moderate effect was sufficient to affect M. bovis interaction with the host-cell tight junctions, and to reduce the translocation of this mycoplasma across epithelial cell monolayers. Besides demonstrating the capacity of M. bovis to disrupt tight junctions, these results identified novel properties associated with cytoadhesin that might contribute to virulence and host colonization. These findings provide new insights into the complex interplay taking place between wall-less mycoplasmas and the host-cell surface.


2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (40) ◽  
pp. 10773-10778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seong Su Kang ◽  
Zhentao Zhang ◽  
Xia Liu ◽  
Fredric P. Manfredsson ◽  
Matthew J. Benskey ◽  
...  

BDNF/TrkB neurotrophic signaling is essential for dopaminergic neuronal survival, and the activities are reduced in the substantial nigra (SN) of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, whether α-Syn (alpha-synuclein) aggregation, a hallmark in the remaining SN neurons in PD, accounts for the neurotrophic inhibition remains elusive. Here we show that α-Syn selectively interacts with TrkB receptors and inhibits BDNF/TrkB signaling, leading to dopaminergic neuronal death. α-Syn binds to the kinase domain on TrkB, which is negatively regulated by BDNF or Fyn tyrosine kinase. Interestingly, α-Syn represses TrkB lipid raft distribution, decreases its internalization, and reduces its axonal trafficking. Moreover, α-Syn also reduces TrkB protein levels via up-regulation of TrkB ubiquitination. Remarkably, dopamine’s metabolite 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL) stimulates the interaction between α-Syn and TrkB. Accordingly, MAO-B inhibitor rasagiline disrupts α-Syn/TrkB complex and rescues TrkB neurotrophic signaling, preventing α-Syn–induced dopaminergic neuronal death and restoring motor functions. Hence, our findings demonstrate a noble pathological role of α-Syn in antagonizing neurotrophic signaling, providing a molecular mechanism that accounts for its neurotoxicity in PD.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Qiu ◽  
Zhaohui Zhong ◽  
Shawn Righter ◽  
Yuxue Xu ◽  
Jun Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract FK506-binding protein 51 (encoded by Fkpb51) has been associated with stress-related mental illness. To identify its function, we studied the morphological consequences of Fkbp51 deletion. Artificial Intelligence-assist morphological analysis identified that Fkbp51 knock-out (KO) mice possess more elongated CA and DG but shorter in height in coronal section when compared to WT. Primary cultured Fkbp51 KO hippocampal neurons were shown to exhibit larger dendritic outgrowth than wild-type (WT) controls, pharmacological manipulation experiments suggest that this may occur through regulation of microtubule-associated protein. Both in vitro primary culture and in vivo labeling support that FKBP51 regulates microtubule-associated protein expression. Furthermore, in the absence of differences in mRNA expression, Fkbp51 KO hippocampus exhibited decreases in βIII-tubulin, MAP2, and Tau protein levels, but a greater than 2.5-fold increase in Parkin protein. Overexpression and knock-down FKBP51 demonstrated that FKBP51 negatively regulates Parkin in a dose-dependent and ubiquitin-mediated manner. These results indicate a potential novel post-translational regulatory of Parkin by FKBP51 and significance of their interaction on disease onset.


Cells ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blanca Hernando-Rodríguez ◽  
Marta Artal-Sanz

Mitochondrial functions are essential for life, critical for development, maintenance of stem cells, adaptation to physiological changes, responses to stress, and aging. The complexity of mitochondrial biogenesis requires coordinated nuclear and mitochondrial gene expression, owing to the need of stoichiometrically assemble the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system for ATP production. It requires, in addition, the import of a large number of proteins from the cytosol to keep optimal mitochondrial function and metabolism. Moreover, mitochondria require lipid supply for membrane biogenesis, while it is itself essential for the synthesis of membrane lipids. To achieve mitochondrial homeostasis, multiple mechanisms of quality control have evolved to ensure that mitochondrial function meets cell, tissue, and organismal demands. Herein, we give an overview of mitochondrial mechanisms that are activated in response to stress, including mitochondrial dynamics, mitophagy and the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt). We then discuss the role of these stress responses in aging, with particular focus on Caenorhabditis elegans. Finally, we review observations that point to the mitochondrial prohibitin (PHB) complex as a key player in mitochondrial homeostasis, being essential for mitochondrial biogenesis and degradation, and responding to mitochondrial stress. Understanding how mitochondria responds to stress and how such responses are regulated is pivotal to combat aging and disease.


Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim ◽  
Park ◽  
Choi ◽  
Kong ◽  
Kang

2-Cyano-3,12-dioxo-oleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oic acid methyl ester (CDDO-Me) is a triterpenoid analogue of oleanolic acid that exhibits promising anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective activities. In addition, CDDO-Me affects cellular differentiation and cell cycle arrest, and irreversibly inhibits Lon protease-1 (LONP1). In the present study, we evaluate the effects of CDDO-Me on mitochondrial dynamics and its downstream effectors in order to understand the underlying mechanism of the neuronal death following status epilepticus (SE, a prolonged seizure activity). CDDO-Me increased dynamin-related proteins 1 (DRP1)-serine 616 phosphorylation via activating extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), but not protein kinase A (PKA) or protein phosphatases (PPs). In addition, CDDO-Me facilitated DRP1-mediated mitochondrial fissions, which selectively attenuated SE-induced CA1 neuronal death. Unlike CDDO-Me, LONP1 knockdown led to SE-induced massive degeneration of dentate granule cells, CA1 neurons and hilus interneurons without altering the expression and phosphorylation of DRP1, ERK1/2, JNK and PP2B. LONP1 knockdown could not inhibit SE-induced mitochondrial elongation in CA1 neurons. Co-treatment of CDDO-Me with LONP1 siRNA ameliorated only CA1 neuronal death, concomitant with abrogation of mitochondrial elongation induced by SE. Thus, our findings suggest that CDDO-Me may selectively attenuate SE-induced CA1 neuronal death by rescuing the abnormal mitochondrial machinery, independent of LONP1 activity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 169
Author(s):  
M. Czernik ◽  
D. Winiarczyk ◽  
S. Sampino ◽  
P. Greda ◽  
J. A. Modlinski ◽  
...  

Mitochondria provide the energy for oocyte maturation, fertilisation, and embryo formation via oxidative phosphorylation. Consequently, any adverse influence on mitochondrial function may negatively affect the development of pre-implantation embryos especially because there is no mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replication until post-implantation. Studies in the field of mitochondrial dynamics have identified an intriguing link between energy demand/supply balance and mitochondrial architecture, which may suggest that inappropriate culture conditions may inhibit mitochondrial functions, which may negatively affect embryo development. We wanted to check whether invitro culture (IVC) conditions of mouse embryos affect mitochondrial functionality. The IVC as well as naturally matted (NM) mouse embryos at the 2-cell and blastocyst stage were subjected to mitochondrial analysis (distribution, organisation, and mitochondrial membrane potential), and expression of mRNA and proteins involved in regulation of mitochondria functions, as well as number of mtDNA copies, were evaluated. Significance level was set at 0.05. We observed that the mitochondria in 2-cell IVC embryos were less numerous and localised mainly in the pericortical region of the cytoplasm, whereas mitochondria in NM embryos were numerous and homogeneously distributed in both blastomeres. Drastic differences were observed in blastocysts. Mitochondria in the IVC group were fragmented, rounded, and aggregated mainly in the perinuclear region of the cells, whereas mitochondria of NM blastocysts were numerous and created an elongated mitochondrial network along the cells. Time-lapse analysis showed reduced mitochondrial and mitochondrial membrane activity in IVC blastocysts. Moreover, our results indicate the IVC group had reduced mRNA expression of mitofusin 1, mitofusin 2, and optic atrophy 1 responsible for mitochondrial fusion. Additionally, mtDNA copy number for IVC blastocysts (398 887.45±30 608.65) was significantly lower than that of NM blastocysts (593 367.12±66 540.32; P<0.02). Furthermore, no significant differences were found in mtDNA copy number of IVC 2-cell embryos when compared with NM embryos. The results obtained clearly showed that IVC conditions affect proper mitochondrial functionality and hence embryo development.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (17) ◽  
pp. 4311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arun Kumar Kondadi ◽  
Ruchika Anand ◽  
Andreas S. Reichert

Mitochondria are vital cellular organelles involved in a plethora of cellular processes such as energy conversion, calcium homeostasis, heme biogenesis, regulation of apoptosis and ROS reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Although they are frequently depicted as static bean-shaped structures, our view has markedly changed over the past few decades as many studies have revealed a remarkable dynamicity of mitochondrial shapes and sizes both at the cellular and intra-mitochondrial levels. Aberrant changes in mitochondrial dynamics and cristae structure are associated with ageing and numerous human diseases (e.g., cancer, diabetes, various neurodegenerative diseases, types of neuro- and myopathies). Another unique feature of mitochondria is that they harbor their own genome, the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). MtDNA exists in several hundreds to thousands of copies per cell and is arranged and packaged in the mitochondrial matrix in structures termed mt-nucleoids. Many human diseases are mechanistically linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and alteration of the number and/or the integrity of mtDNA. In particular, several recent studies identified remarkable and partly unexpected links between mitochondrial structure, fusion and fission dynamics, and mtDNA. In this review, we will provide an overview about these recent insights and aim to clarify how mitochondrial dynamics, cristae ultrastructure and mtDNA structure influence each other and determine mitochondrial functions.


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