scholarly journals Intramitochondrial regulation of fatty acid β-oxidation occurs between flavoprotein and ubiquinone A role for changes in the matrix volume

1986 ◽  
Vol 239 (3) ◽  
pp. 559-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
A P Halestrap ◽  
J L Dunlop

Rat liver mitochondria were incubated in media of different osmolarities and in the presence of various substrates. Rates of oxygen consumption and mitochondrial matrix volumes were measured in the presence and absence of ADP and uncoupler. Duroquinol oxidation was insensitive to matrix volume, whereas other substrates tested showed increased rates of oxidation when the matrix volume increased from 1.0 to 1.5 microliter/mg of protein; this is the range of values measured in situ [Quinlan, Thomas, Armston & Halestrap (1983) Biochem. J. 214, 395-404]. Palmitoylcarnitine, octanoate and butyrate oxidations were particularly sensitive to the matrix volume, increasing from negligible rates to maximal rates within this range. Swelling induced by K+ uptake also stimulated palmitoylcarnitine oxidation. A similar effect of volume on substrate oxidation was seen when ferricyanide in the presence or absence of ubiquinone-1 replaced oxygen as terminal electron acceptor. Measurement of flavoprotein reduction (A 460-480) demonstrated that the locus of the effect of matrix volume is between the electron-transfer flavoprotein and ubiquinone. It is suggested that volume-mediated regulation of fatty acid and proline oxidation may be an important component of the hormonal stimulation of their oxidation.

1955 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert F. Witter ◽  
Michael L. Watson ◽  
Mary A. Cottone

Changes in the morphology of rat liver mitochondria brought about by different methods of isolation and the concomitant changes in ATP-ase activity were studied. The morphology was investigated with the electron microscope. It was found that the ATP-ase activity of the isolated mitochondria cannot be readily correlated with the morphology of the mitochondria. The ATP-ase found in these preparations was latent, resembling the enzyme described in mitochondria prepared in 0.25 M sucrose. In confirmation of earlier results the use of 0.88 M sucrose yielded preparations with a higher initial ATP-ase than did other methods. Preparation in 0.25 M sucrose resulted in round, swollen mitochondria of which 30 to 40 per cent appeared to have lost a substantial part of the mitochondrial matrix. Preparations in 0.44 to 0.88 M sucrose contained mainly rod-shaped mitochondria plus a small amount of another type of swollen mitochondria. The matrix of mitochondria isolated in 0.88 M sucrose was highly condensed. By the use of 0.44 M sucrose adjusted to pH 6.2 with citric acid, it was possible to isolate, for the first time, mitochondria closely resembling those in situ and containing latent ATP-ase.


1987 ◽  
Vol 246 (3) ◽  
pp. 715-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
A M Davidson ◽  
A P Halestrap

1. The matrix pyrophosphate (PPi) content of isolated energized rat liver mitochondria incubated in the presence of ATP, Mg2+, Pi and respiratory substrate was about 100 pmol/mg of protein. 2. After incubation with sub-micromolar [Ca2+], this was increased by as much as 300%. There was a correlation between the effects of Ca2+ on PPi and on the increase in matrix volume reported previously [Halestrap, Quinlan, Whipps & Armston (1986) Biochem. J. 236, 779-787]. Half-maximal effects were seen at 0.3 microM-Ca2+. 3. Coincident with these effects, the total adenine nucleotide content increased in a carboxyatractyloside-sensitive manner. 4. Incubation with 0.2-0.5 mM-butyrate induced similar but smaller effects on mitochondrial swelling and matrix PPi and total adenine nucleotide content. Addition of butyrate after Ca2+, or vice versa, caused Ca2+-induced mitochondrial swelling to stop or reverse, while matrix PPi increased 30-fold. 5. Addition of atractyloside or the omission of ATP from incubations greatly enhanced swelling induced by Ca2+ without increasing matrix PPi. 6. Swelling of mitochondria incubated under de-energized conditions in iso-osmotic KSCN was progressively enhanced by the addition of increasing concentrations of PPi (1-20 mM) or valinomycin. 7. In iso-osmotic potassium pyrophosphate swelling was slow initially, but accelerated with time. This acceleration was inhibited by ADP, whereas carboxyatractyloside induced rapid swelling. Swelling in other iso-osmotic PPi salts showed that the rate of entry decreased in the order NH4+ greater than K+ greater than Na+ greater than Li+, whereas choline, tetramethylammonium and Tris did not enter. It is suggested that the adenine nucleotide translocase transports small univalent cations when PPi is bound and that PPi can also be transported when the transporter is in the conformation induced by carboxyatractyloside. 8. It is concluded that Ca2+ and butyrate cause swelling of energized mitochondria through this effect of PPi on K+ permeability of the mitochondrial inner membrane. 9. Freeze-clamped livers from rats treated with glucagon or phenylephrine show 30-50% increases in tissue PPi. It is proposed that Ca2+-mediated increases in mitochondrial PPi are responsible for the increase in matrix volume and total adenine nucleotide content observed after hormone treatment.


1989 ◽  
Vol 257 (1) ◽  
pp. 285-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
J D Johnston ◽  
M D Brand

1. In the presence of physiological concentrations of Na+ and Mg2+, the rate of citrulline synthesis by isolated rat liver mitochondria respiring on a range of substrates was stimulated by up to 60% when the extramitochondrial Ca2+ concentration was raised from 130 pM to 770 nM. 2. Our findings suggest that hormonal stimulation of the urea cycle may be mediated by Ca2+.


1992 ◽  
Vol 283 (2) ◽  
pp. 435-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Jois ◽  
H S Ewart ◽  
J T Brosnan

1. The catabolism of glycine was studied in isolated rat liver mitochondria by measuring release of 14CO2 from [1-14C]-glycine. Incubation of mitochondria in a medium containing 0.5 microM free Ca2+ resulted in an 8-fold increase in the rate of degradation of glycine. Intraperitoneal injection of glucagon (33 or 100 micrograms/100 g body wt.) 25 min before killing of rats also resulted in a 3-fold or 10-fold (depending on dosage) increase in the rate of catabolism of glycine. 2. Both the stimulation by free Ca2+ and that by injection of glucagon in vivo were dependent on phosphate in the incubation medium. This requirement for phosphate was specific, as replacement of phosphate by other permeant anions such as thiocyanate and acetate did not permit the stimulation. The phosphate-dependent stimulation of glycine catabolism by Ca2+ was also evident when mitochondria were incubated in the absence of K+. 3. Mitochondria isolated from rats previously injected with glucagon showed elevated rates of degradation of glycine even in the presence of rotenone, provided that regeneration of NAD+ was affected by providing acetoacetate. 4. Hypo-osmolarity of the medium markedly stimulated the rate of degradation of glycine by mitochondria. Although hypo-osmolarity-induced stimulation of glycine degradation was accompanied by parallel changes in mitochondrial matrix volume, no measurable changes in matrix volume were observed in mitochondria stimulated either by free Ca2+ (0.5 microM) or by injection of glucagon in vivo. Furthermore, Ca2+ stimulated glycine decarboxylation in mitochondria exposed to either hyper-osmolar (410 mosmol) or hypo-osmolar (210 mosmol) conditions. Although hyper-osmolarity decreased and hypo-osmolarity increased matrix volume, stimulation of glycine degradation by Ca2+ was not associated with any further changes in matrix volume. 5. These data demonstrate that the regulation of hepatic glycine oxidation by glucagon and by free Ca2+ is largely independent of changes in mitochondrial matrix volume.


1992 ◽  
Vol 282 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
N S Cohen ◽  
C W Cheung ◽  
E Sijuwade ◽  
L Raijman

Previous studies using intact rat liver mitochondria have shown that the soluble matrix enzymes carbamoyl-phosphate synthase (ammonia) (CPS) and ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OCT) display some kinetic properties which would not be observed if they were homogeneously distributed in the matrix. In the present work we have extended these studies, using toluene-treated mitochondria which are fully permeable to substrates and inhibitors, yet retain 90% of their soluble enzymes. The results provide evidence of functional organization of CPS and OCT in situ. The major findings are as follows. (1) The apparent Km values of matrix OCT for carbamoyl phosphate and ornithine are respectively 8 and 2 times those measured for the soluble enzyme. delta-N-Phosphonacetyl-L-ornithine inhibits OCT in situ less than in solution, especially when carbamoyl phosphate is synthesized in the mitochondria rather than added to the medium. (2) During citrulline synthesis from endogenously generated carbamoyl phosphate, the concentration of the latter in permeabilized mitochondria is more than 10 times that in the medium, although the mitochondria are freely permeable to added molecules of this size. (3) Endogenously formed carbamoyl phosphate is used preferentially by OCT in situ; addition of a 200-fold excess of unlabelled carbamoyl phosphate has little effect on the conversion of labelled endogenously formed carbamoyl phosphate into citrulline by matrix OCT. (4) The synthesis de novo of carbamoyl phosphate from NH3, HCO3- and ATPMg is the same in the presence and absence of ornithine. (5) Studies with co-immobilized CPS and OCT gave results concordant with some of the above observations and with previous ones with intact mitochondria.


Author(s):  
E. A. Elfont ◽  
R. B. Tobin ◽  
D. G. Colton ◽  
M. A. Mehlman

Summary5,-5'-diphenyl-2-thiohydantoin (DPTH) is an effective inhibitor of thyroxine (T4) stimulation of α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase in rat liver mitochondria. Because this finding indicated a possible tool for future study of the mode of action of thyroxine, the ultrastructural and biochemical effects of DPTH and/or thyroxine on rat liver mere investigated.Rats were fed either standard or DPTH (0.06%) diet for 30 days before T4 (250 ug/kg/day) was injected. Injection of T4 occurred daily for 10 days prior to sacrifice. After removal of the liver and kidneys, part of the tissue was frozen at -50°C for later biocheailcal analyses, while the rest was prefixed in buffered 3.5X glutaraldehyde (390 mOs) and post-fixed in buffered 1Z OsO4 (376 mOs). Tissues were embedded in Araldlte 502 and the sections examined in a Zeiss EM 9S.Hepatocytes from hyperthyroid rats (Fig. 2) demonstrated enlarged and more numerous mitochondria than those of controls (Fig. 1). Glycogen was almost totally absent from the cytoplasm of the T4-treated rats.


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