scholarly journals C‐terminal regulatory domain of the ε subunit of F o F 1 ATP synthase enhances the ATP‐dependent H + pumping that is involved in the maintenance of cellular membrane potential in Bacillus subtilis

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Genki Akanuma ◽  
Tomoaki Tagana ◽  
Maho Sawada ◽  
Shota Suzuki ◽  
Tomohiro Shimada ◽  
...  
2019 ◽  
Vol 201 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lydia J. Kreuter ◽  
Andrea Weinfurtner ◽  
Alexander Ziegler ◽  
Julia Weigl ◽  
Jan Hoffmann ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTIn this study, the ATP synthase ofIgnicoccus hospitaliswas purified, characterized, and structurally compared to the respective enzymes of the otherIgnicoccusspecies, to shed light on energy conservation in this unique group of archaea. The crenarchaeal genusIgnicoccuscomprises three described species, i.e.,I. hospitalisandIgnicoccus islandicusfrom hot marine sediments near Iceland andIgnicoccus pacificusfrom a hydrothermal vent system in the Pacific Ocean. This genus is unique among all archaea due to the unusual cell envelope, consisting of two membranes that enclose a large intermembrane compartment (IMC).I. hospitalisis the best studied member of this genus, mainly because it is the only known host for the potentially parasitic archaeonNanoarchaeum equitans.I. hospitalisgrows chemolithoautotrophically, and its sole energy-yielding reaction is the reduction of elemental sulfur with molecular hydrogen, forming large amounts of hydrogen sulfide. This reaction generates an electrochemical gradient, which is used by the ATP synthase, located in the outer cellular membrane, to generate ATP inside the IMC. The genome ofI. hospitalisencodes nine subunits of an A-type ATP synthase, which we could identify in the purified complex. Although the maximalin vitroactivity of theI. hospitalisenzyme was measured around pH 6, the optimal stability of the A1AOcomplex seemed to be at pH 9. Interestingly, the soluble A1subcomplexes of the differentIgnicoccusspecies exhibited significant differences in their apparent molecular masses in native electrophoresis, although their behaviors in gel filtration and chromatography-mass spectrometry were very similar.IMPORTANCETheCrenarchaeotarepresent one of the major phyla within theArchaeadomain. This study describes the successful purification of a crenarchaeal ATP synthase. To date, all information about A-type ATP synthases is from euryarchaeal enzymes. The fact that it has not been possible to purify this enzyme complex from a member of theCrenarchaeotauntil now points to significant differences in stability, possibly caused by structural alterations. Furthermore, the study subjectI. hospitalishas a particular importance among crenarchaeotes, since it is the only known host ofN. equitans. The energy metabolism in this system is still poorly understood, and our results can help elucidate the unique relationship between these two microbes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 703-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athena Rafieepour ◽  
Mansour R Azari ◽  
Habibollah Peirovi ◽  
Fariba Khodagholi ◽  
Jalal Pourahmad Jaktaji ◽  
...  

Introduction: Magnetite as iron oxide is widely used in various industries, in the pharmaceutical industry in particular where it is used for its magnetic properties. The environmental and occupational exposure to airborne nanoparticles and microparticles of iron oxide compounds have been reported. Since authors have reported contradictory results, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of particles’ size in their toxicities. Methods: The human cell line A549 was exposed with magnetite iron oxide in two size categories of micro (≥5 µm) and nano (<100 nm), with four concentrations of 10, 50, 100, and 250 µg/ml at two time periods of 24 and 72 h. The cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS), changes in mitochondrial membrane potential, and incidence of apoptosis were studied. Results: Nano and micro magnetite particles demonstrated diverse toxicity effects on the A549 cell line at the 24- and 72-h exposure periods; however, the effects produced were time- and concentration-dependent. Nano magnetite particles produced greater cellular toxicities in forms of decreased viabilities at concentration exposures greater than 50 µg/ml ( p < 0.05), along with increased ROS ( p < 0.05), decreased cellular membrane potential ( p < 0.05), and reduced rate of apoptosis ( p < 0.05). Discussion: The results of this study demonstrated that magnetite iron in nano-range sizes had a greater absorbability for the A549 cell line compared to micro sizes, and at the same time, nanoparticles were more toxic than microparticles, demonstrating higher production of ROS and decreased viabilities. Considering the greater toxicity of nanoparticles of magnetite iron in this study, thorough precautionary control measures must be taken before they can be used in various industries.


Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 227-227
Author(s):  
Katja G. Weinacht

Reticular Dysgenesis (RD) is one of the most serious forms of severe combined immune deficiency (SCID). It is characterized by complete absence of circulating lymphocytes and neutrophils. In addition, patients suffer from sensorineural hearing loss. Before newborn screening for SCID was implemented, the majority of patients succumbed to infection long before hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) could be attempted. To this date, the prognosis for RD remains grim. RD is caused by mutations in the mitochondrial ADP-generator Adenylate Kinase 2 (AK2). AK1 is a cytosolic protein that may compensate in various tissues for the lack of AK2. However, AK1 is not expressed in leukocytes and the stria vascularis of the inner ear [1]. While this observation may explain where AK2 defects manifest, the molecular mechanisms how AK2 defects take effect, remain largely obscure. Significant obstacles to elucidating disease pathology have been the lack of a suitable animal models and the unavailability of patient specimens. Using skin fibroblasts from an RD-patient we have recently identified at Boston Children’s Hospital [2], we have generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) with homozygous loss of function mutation in AK2. In-vitro myeloid differentiation of AK2-mutated iPSCs recapitulates the characteristic maturation arrest at the promyelocyte stage observed in-vivo in patients with this condition. AK2 is expressed in the intermitochondrial space and serves as primary mitochondrial ADP generator by promoting the reversible reaction AMP + ATP = 2 ADP. Maintenance of adequate levels of ADP is critical to support ATP synthase activity. Using Mass Spectrometry, we have shown that decreased AK2 activity leads to an increase in the AMP/ADP ratio in iPS-derived myeloid cells, indicating that AK2 is indispensable in maintaining ADP supply in the myeloid lineage. We have also performed transcriptome analysis of AK2- mutated myeloid cells compared to control and found a significant down regulation of ATP-dependant transporters. Based on this data, we hypothesized that in patients with RD, ADP-depletion in myeloid progenitors leads to stage 4 respiration, a well defined state in mitochondrial biology, in which the ATP-synthase lacks substrate and decreases its activity. This causes a reduction in proton flux from the intermitochondrial space back into the matrix, transient rise in membrane potential, and an escalation in the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The cell responds by activating “inducible uncoupling”, the opening of alternative proton pores, which allows proton flux back into the matrix, bypassing the ATP-synthase and foregoing the use of energy stored in the proton gradient. While this represents a cellular rescue mechanism in response to acute oxidative stress, extended oxidative-stress-induced uncoupling eventually leads to a decline in proton gradient and membrane potential and ultimately in demise of the cell. To test this hypothesis, we have added Glutathione, the primary endogenous cellular antioxidant, to the culture conditions. We also tested G-CSF and all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), agents known to promote promyelocyte differentiation to mature neutrophils in other conditions. While G-CSF had no, and ATRA clearly deleterious effects on myeloid maturation in AK2-mutated cells, Glutathione led to a significant improvement in differentiation, allowing development of mature neutrophils in-vitro. Our results suggest that cell fate in RD is linked to oxidative stress and identify antioxidants as a possible therapeutic approach that may help reduce early mortality due to severe infections in patients with RD. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia J Harris ◽  
David Attwell

It has been hypothesized that myelin acts like a mitochondrion, generating ATP across the membranes of its sheath. By calculating the proton motive force across the myelin membrane based on known values for the pH and membrane potential of the oligodendrocyte, we find that insufficient energy could be harvested from proton flow across the myelin membrane to synthesize ATP. In fact, if the respiratory chain were present in the myelin membrane, then the ATP synthase would function in reverse, hydrolyzing rather than synthesizing ATP. This calculation places the hypothesis of an energy-producing role for myelin in considerable doubt.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin R. Silic ◽  
GuangJun Zhang

Cellular electronic activity plays an essential role in neuronal communication. Manipulation and visualization of cellular membrane potential remain essential tasks in order to study electrical signaling in living organisms. Light-controlled optogenetic and designed chemical-controlled chemogenetic tools were developed to manipulate cellular electric activities for neuroscience research. One of the most common chemogenetic tools is DREADD (designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs). It has been extensively utilized due to its convenience and long-lasting effects in murine and primate models, but not in zebrafish, a leading model organism in various research fields. Here, we first establish multiple tissue-specific transgenic zebrafish lines that express two different DREADDs with a genetically encoded voltage indicator, ASAP2s. We observed voltage changes in zebrafish melanophores, epidermis, and neurons by hM4DGi or rM3DGs receptors measured by ASAP2s fluorescence intensity. Alteration to melanophore bioelectricity by DREADD generated dynamic electric signals and resulted in morphological alterations to pigment cells. We also tested a few agonists and found that the latest generation performs better than clozapine N-oxide (CNO). Collectively, our experiments demonstrate that DREADD can be utilized to manipulate cell-specific membrane potential in the zebrafish model. The availability of this tool in zebrafish will offer a new resource for a variety of bioelectricity research fields such as neuroscience, cardiology, and developmental biology.


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