scholarly journals In Vitro Import of a Nuclearly Encoded tRNA into the Mitochondrion of Trypanosoma brucei

1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 6253-6259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audra E. Yermovsky-Kammerer ◽  
Stephen L. Hajduk
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Trypanosoma Brucei ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane ◽  
Protein Component ◽  
Proper Function ◽  
Mitochondrial Rna ◽  
Inner Mitochondrial Membrane ◽  
Trna Import ◽  
Trna Substrate

ABSTRACT All of the mitochondrial tRNAs of Trypanosoma bruceihave been shown to be encoded in the nucleus and must be imported into the mitochondrion. The import of nuclearly encoded tRNAs into the mitochondrion has been demonstrated in a variety of organisms and is essential for proper function in the mitochondrion. An in vitro import assay has been developed to study the pathway of tRNA import inT. brucei. The in vitro system utilizes crude isolated trypanosome mitochondria and synthetic RNAs transcribed from a cloned nucleus-encoded tRNA gene cluster. The substrate, composed of tRNASer and tRNALeu, is transcribed in tandem with a 59-nucleotide intergenic region. The tandem tRNA substrate is imported rapidly, while the mature-size tRNALeu fails to be imported in this system. These results suggest that the preferred substrate for tRNA import into trypanosome mitochondria is a precursor molecule composed of tandemly linked tRNAs. Import of the tandem tRNA substrate requires (i) a protein component that is associated with the surface of the mitochondrion, (ii) ATP pools both outside and within the mitochondrion, and (iii) a membrane potential. Dissipation of the proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane by treatment with an uncoupling agent inhibits import of the tandem tRNA substrate. Characterization of the import requirements indicates that mitochondrial RNA import proceeds by a pathway including a protein component associated with the outer mitochondrial membrane, ATP-dependent steps, and a mitochondrial membrane potential.

scholarly journals tRNAs and Proteins Are Imported into Mitochondria ofTrypanosoma brucei by Two Distinct Mechanisms

1999 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 2547-2557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph E. Nabholz ◽  
Elke K. Horn ◽  
André Schneider
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Trypanosoma Brucei ◽  
Matrix Protein ◽  
Mitochondrial Matrix ◽  
Trna Import ◽  
Hydrolysis Of

Import of tRNA into the mitochondrial matrix of Trypanosoma brucei was reconstituted in vitro. Efficient import required the hydrolysis of externally added ATP and was shown to be a carrier-mediated process depending on proteinaceous receptors on the surface of mitochondria. A partly synthetic tRNATyr as well as a physiological tRNALys were imported along the same pathway. Contrary to import of all matrix-localized proteins, tRNA import does not require a membrane potential. Furthermore, addition of an excess of import-competent tRNA had no effect on import of a mitochondrial matrix protein. In summary, these results show that tRNAs and proteins in T. brucei are imported by fundamentally different mechanisms.

107 DIFFERENCES IN THE INNER MITOCHONDRIAL MEMBRANE POTENTIAL BETWEEN NON-CULTURED AND CULTURED PORCINE EMBRYOS

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 159
Author(s):  
M. Romek ◽  
B. Gajda ◽  
M. Rolka ◽  
Z. Smorag
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane Potential ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Critical Event ◽  
Inner Mitochondrial Membrane ◽  
Oxidation Rates

In comparison to in vivo derived pig embryos, in vitro culture conditions produce embryos with altered metabolic rates of carbohydrates and fatty acids (Romek M et al. 2010 Theriogenology 74, 265–276), which may compromise embryo viability. Because various energy substrates are metabolized via several aerobic pathways leading to generation of the inner mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), value of ΔΨm is a key indicator of embryo metabolic activity, closely related to oxygen consumption and cellular energy needs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare ΔΨm between non-cultured and cultured pig embryos during early development. The non-cultured embryos were obtained from 6-month-old gilts, whereas those derived in vitro were cultured from zygotes to the appropriate stage in North Carolina State University 23 (NCSU-23) medium supplemented with 4 mg mL–1 of bovine serum albumin. The ΔΨm measurements were carried out on both non-cultured and cultured 4 to 8 cell embryos, morulae, blastocysts and late blastocysts. For this, embryos were labelled with 0.5 μM Mito Tracker Orange CMTMRos (MtOR) for 30 min at 39°C and then with 0.5 μM Mito Tracker Deep Red (MtDR) for 30 min at 10°C. Using a LSM 510 Meta Zeiss confocal microscope, we measured the amounts of fluorescence (IMtOR and IMtDR) emitted from embryos and values of ΔΨm were estimated as the IMtOR/IMtDR ratios. The results were analysed by ANOVA and Tukey's test. From the zygote to morula stages, ΔΨm remained unchanged and did not differ between developmentally matched non-cultured and cultured embryos (P < 0.001). The value of ΔΨm increased significantly (P < 0.05) from 0.90 ± 0.26 arbitrary units (a.u.) for morulae to 3.92 ± 0.63 and 2.06 ± 0.38 a.u. for non-cultured and cultured early blastocysts, respectively. Whereas the mean value of ΔΨm was almost 2 times higher in non-cultured than in cultured early blastocysts, the mitochondrial membrane potential was statistically similar (P < 0.05) in the in vivo derived (2.10 ± 0.37 a.u.) compared to cultured (1.87 ± 0.30 a.u.) blastocysts. The lower ΔΨm in cultured early blastocysts may be explained by several-fold higher glucose concentration in NCSU-23 medium than in the oviductal fluid. It was reported that high levels of glucose decreases the Krebs cycle metabolism of pyruvate, glutamine, and glucose, and reduces oxidation rates of fatty acids in cultured pig embryos in comparison with in vivo counterparts. Hence, this impaired metabolism reflected by decreased ΔΨm may be responsible for insufficient energy production and reduced developmental competence of cultured early blastocysts. Therefore, because embryo-cavitation is a critical event in pig development, further effort should be focused on proper blastocyst culture. Research was partially supported by Grant NR 12 0036 06 from NCBiR, Poland.

scholarly journals Leishmanicidal Activity of Betulin Derivatives in Leishmania amazonensis; Effect on Plasma and Mitochondrial Membrane Potential, and Macrophage Nitric Oxide and Superoxide Production

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 320
Author(s):  
Wilmer Alcazar ◽  
Sami Alakurtti ◽  
Maritza Padrón-Nieves ◽  
Maija Liisa Tuononen ◽  
Noris Rodríguez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane Potential ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane ◽  
Leishmania Amazonensis ◽  
Superoxide Production ◽  
In Vitro Susceptibility ◽  
Intracellular Parasites ◽  
Betulin Derivatives

Herein, we evaluated in vitro the anti-leishmanial activity of betulin derivatives in Venezuelan isolates of Leishmania amazonensis, isolated from patients with therapeutic failure. Methods: We analyzed promastigote in vitro susceptibility as well as the cytotoxicity and selectivity of the evaluated compounds. Additionally, the activity of selected compounds was determined in intracellular amastigotes. Finally, to gain hints on their potential mechanism of action, the effect of the most promising compounds on plasma and mitochondrial membrane potential, and nitric oxide and superoxide production by infected macrophages was determined. Results: From the tested 28 compounds, those numbered 18 and 22 were chosen for additional studies. Both 18 and 22 were active (GI50 ≤ 2 µM, cytotoxic CC50 > 45 µM, SI > 20) for the reference strain LTB0016 and for patient isolates. The results suggest that 18 significantly depolarized the plasma membrane potential (p < 0.05) and the mitochondrial membrane potential (p < 0.05) when compared to untreated cells. Although neither 18 nor 22 induced nitric oxide production in infected macrophages, 18 induced superoxide production in infected macrophages. Conclusion: Our results suggest that due to their efficacy and selectivity against intracellular parasites and the potential mechanisms underlying their leishmanicidal effect, the compounds 18 and 22 could be used as tools for designing new chemotherapies against leishmaniasis.

scholarly journals Review of T-2307, an Investigational Agent That Causes Collapse of Fungal Mitochondrial Membrane Potential

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 130
Author(s):  
Nathan P. Wiederhold
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane Potential ◽  
Candida Species ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Candida Auris

Invasive infections caused by Candida that are resistant to clinically available antifungals are of increasing concern. Increasing rates of fluconazole resistance in non-albicans Candida species have been documented in multiple countries on several continents. This situation has been further exacerbated over the last several years by Candida auris, as isolates of this emerging pathogen that are often resistant to multiple antifungals. T-2307 is an aromatic diamidine currently in development for the treatment of invasive fungal infections. This agent has been shown to selectively cause the collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential in yeasts when compared to mammalian cells. In vitro activity has been demonstrated against Candida species, including C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C. auris strains, which are resistant to azole and echinocandin antifungals. Activity has also been reported against Cryptococcus species, and this has translated into in vivo efficacy in experimental models of invasive candidiasis and cryptococcosis. However, little is known regarding the clinical efficacy and safety of this agent, as published data from studies involving humans are not currently available.

scholarly journals Meloxicam, a Selective COX-2 Inhibitor, Mediates Hypoxia-Inducible Factor- (HIF-) 1α Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Yinghong Zhou ◽  
Xiaofeng Dong ◽  
Peng Xiu ◽  
Xin Wang ◽  
Jianrong Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane Potential ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Mitochondrial Membrane ◽  
Hypoxia Inducible Factor ◽  
Luciferase Assay ◽  
Cox 2

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is regarded as a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, and its progression is associated with hypoxia and the induction of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). Meloxicam, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, induces cell death in various malignancies. However, the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated in HCC, especially under hypoxic conditions. The alteration of COX-2 and HIF-1α oncogenicity was evaluated in HCC specimens by tissue microarray. Cell viability, angiogenesis assays, and xenografted nude mice were used to evaluate the effects of meloxicam, along with flow cytometry to detect the cell cycle, apoptosis, and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) of HCC. qRT-PCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, luciferase assay, and RNAi were carried out to determine the HIF-1α signaling affected by meloxicam. In this study, we showed that meloxicam exerts antiproliferative and antiangiogenesis efficacy in vitro and in vivo and causes disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), thus leading to caspase-dependent apoptosis under hypoxic environments. Exposure to meloxicam significantly reduced HIF-1α transcriptional activation and expression through sequestering it in the cytoplasm and accelerating degradation via increasing the von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor protein (pVHL) in HCC. These data demonstrated that inhibition of HIF-1α by meloxicam could suppress angiogenesis and enhance apoptosis of HCC cells. This discovery highlights that COX-2 specific inhibitors may be a promising therapy in the treatment of HCC.

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