In addition to ATP generation, mitochondria are essential in various cellular processes ranging from biosynthetic pathways, apoptosis, cell cycle progression, and calcium buffering. Studies in living cells have now firmly established that mitochondria exist as a dynamic network sculpted by fission and fusion reactions, rather than separated, individual organelles. Not surprisingly, mutations in genes involved in mitochondrial dynamics and quality control lead to human diseases such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2A, Optic atrophy, and autosomal recessive Parkinson disease. I have designed a high-throughput protocol to permit genome-wide screening for novel genes that are required for normal mitochondrial morphology. I have executed a genome-wide RNA interference screen and identified several novel genes required for mitochondrial dynamics in addition to known regulators of mitochondrial dynamics. A detailed high-throughput genome-wide screening protocol is presented. I have shown that TID1, a gene identified from the screen, has a dual-role in maintaining the integrity of mitochondrial DNA and preventing the aggregation of complex I subunits. My analysis of the mitochondrial role of TID1 supports the existence of a TID1- mediated stress response to ATP synthase inhibition. The genome screen also identified the novel gene ROMO1 as essential for normal mitochondrial morphology. I have shown that ROMO1 may have an additional role in maintaining mitochondrial spare respiratory capacity, possibly by affecting cellular substrate availability. Finally, in a collaborative effort, we have shown that homozygous mutations in the mitochondrial fusion gene MFN2 lead to multiple symmetric lipomatosis (MSL) associated with neuropathy. Mechanistically, this mutation reduces MFN2 homocomplex formation. Taken together, these results show the utility of genome-wide screening in identifying genes involved in mitochondrial quality control.

No description available.

Mitochondria are usually considered simply as the “powerhouses of the cell”, however in recent years it has become apparent that mitochondria are also of fundamental importance in programmed cell death (PCD), which refers to cell death resulting from a controlled, genetically defined pathway. In Arabidopsis, PCD induced by either heat shock or treatment with strong oxidants is found to be correlated with an early and irreversible change in mitochondrial morphology which manifests as an increase in the size of individual mitochondria. In addition, PCD causes a clustering of mitochondria and loss of motility. In this study, I have used two arginase negative mutant Arabidopsis lines (argah1-1 and argah2-1) which have elevated cellular NO concentrations to examine the effect of nitrosative stress on mitochondria undergoing PCD. Another three different Arabidopsis lines (mito-GFP/mTalin-mCherry, mito-GFP/MAP4-mCherry, mito- mCherry/EB1b-GFP) were used to visualize cytoskeletal elements alongside mitochondria to examine the mechanisms responsible for the mitochondrial morphology transition, clustering and motility inhibition. Results indicate that the elevated concentration of NO found in arginase negative mutants is not sufficient to induce PCD. There was no significant mitochondrial morphology or dynamic change detected between arginase negative mutants and wild type plants, with or without a heat shock. Disruption of either actin or microtubule (MT) cytoskeletal elements leads to the formation of mitochondrial clusters, although they showed different cluster morphology and sizes. Mitochondrial clusters were observed to be moving along the remaining actin cables after a mild heat treatment or cytoskeletal depolymerizing drug treatment. Intact microtubules or MT plus ends visualized with EB1b did not show any interaction with mitochondria under normal conditions. However, after a mild heat stress, EB1b appeared to be associated with clusters of enlarged, possibly swollen mitochondria.

<p>Mitochondria are the primary energy producers of the cell and play key roles in cellular signaling, apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Mitochondria are the only organelles that contain their own genome which encodes for a small subset of electron transport chain (ETC) proteins as well as the necessary tRNAs and ribosomal subunits to translate these proteins. Over 300 pathogenic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations have been shown to cause a number of mitochondrial diseases emphasizing the importance of mtDNA maintenance and integrity to human health. Additionally, mitochondrial dysfunction and mtDNA instability are linked to many wide-spread diseases associated with aging including cancer and neurodegeneration. Mitochondria lack the ability to repair certain helix-distorting lesions that are induced at high levels in mtDNA by important environmental genotoxins including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, ultraviolet C radiation (UVC) and mycotoxins. These lesions are irreparable and persistent in the short term, but their long-term fate is unknown. Degradation of mitochondria and mtDNA is carried out by autophagy. Autophagy is protective against cell stress and apoptosis resulting from exposure to mitochondrial toxicants suggesting that it plays an important role in removal of unstable mitochondria that can serve as a source of ROS or initiate apoptotic cell death. Furthermore, dysfunctional mitochondria can be specifically targeted for degradation by the more specific process of mitophagy influenced in part by the processes of mitochondrial dynamics (i.e., fusion and fission). </p><p>The goals of this dissertation were to investigate the long-term fate of helix-distorting mtDNA damage and determine the significance of autophagy and mitochondrial dynamics in removal of and recovery from persistent mtDNA damage. Removal of irreparable mtDNA damage and the necessity of autophagy, mitophagy, fusion and fission genes in removal of this damage were examined using genetic approaches in adult <italic>Caenorhabditis elegans</italic>. In order to investigate the significance of autophagy, fusion and fission genes in recovery from mtDNA damage-induced mitochondrial dysfunction <italic>in vivo</italic>, an experimental method was developed to specifically induce persistent mtDNA damage and mitochondrial dysfunction without persistent nDNA damage in developing <italic>C. elegans</italic>. Additionally, the effect of persistent helix-distorting DNA damage on mitochondrial morphology, mitochondrial function and autophagy was investigated in <italic>C. elegans</italic> and in mammalian cell culture. The rate and specificity of mitochondrial degradation was further examined in cell culture using live-cell fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. </p><p>Removal of UVC-induced mtDNA damage was detectable by 72 hours in <italic>C. elegans</italic> and mammalian cell culture, and required mitochondrial fusion, fission and autophagy, providing genetic evidence for a novel mtDNA damage removal pathway. UVC exposure induced autophagy with no detectable effect on mitochondrial morphology in both systems; mitochondrial function was inhibited in the <italic>C. elegans</italic> system but not in the cell culture system in which the degree of mtDNA damage induced was less. Furthermore, mutations in genes involved in these processes as well as pharmacological inhibition of autophagy exacerbated mtDNA damage-mediated larval arrest, illustrating the <italic>in vivo</italic> relevance of removal of persistent mtDNA damage. Mutations in genes in these pathways exist in the human population, demonstrating the potential for important gene-environment interactions affecting mitochondrial health after genotoxin exposure.</p> / Dissertation

Thesis (MScMedSC)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / Bibliography / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative movement disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the midbrain. Although the aetiology of PD is still not fully understood, it is thought to involve a combination of environmental (such as exposure to pesticides and neurotoxins) and genetic factors. A number of PD-causing genes have been found including SNCA, LRRK2, EIF4G1 and VPS35 (for autosomal dominant forms of PD) and parkin, PINK1, DJ-1 and ATP13A2 (for autosomal recessive forms of PD – arPD). Mutations in the parkin gene are the predominant cause of arPD. Parkin plays a role in the ubiquitin-proteasomal system which degrades damaged and unwanted proteins in the cell and it is also thought to be involved in maintaining healthy mitochondria. Numerous studies have implicated mitochondrial function in the pathogenesis of PD. Therefore the aim of the present study was to investigate the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in PD patients with parkin-null mutations. Four South African PD patients, each harbouring two parkin-null mutations, were recruited for this study. A muscle biopsy was performed for analysis of mitochondrial morphology using histology and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Skin biopsies were taken, from which fibroblasts were cultured. These fibroblasts were used in i) mitochondrial morphological assessments using TEM, ii) mitochondrial network analysis, iii) functional studies via ROS measurement and iv) analysis of the proteome using a LTQ Orbitrap Velos mass spectrometer. In addition, RNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples for gene expression studies using the RT² Profiler PCR Array (SABiosciences, USA) and the RT² PCR Primer Assay (SABiosciences, USA). Heterozygous family members (carriers) and wild-type controls were also recruited for this study. Results from the histological and TEM analysis from the muscle biopsy observed subtle mitochondrial changes including the presence of type II fibres, atrophic fibres, the presence of lipids, and wrinkling of the sarcolemmal membrane. Enlarged mitochondria were also observed in one patient. TEM analysis on the patient’s fibroblasts observed an increase in the number of electron dense vacuoles, speculated to be autolysosomes. The mitochondrial network in two of the patients’ fibroblasts showed fragmented and dot-like networks which are indicative of damaged mitochondria. An increase in mitochondrial ROS levels was observed in three of the four patients. Expression studies found down-regulation of 14 genes from four of the five mitochondrial complexes and a total of 688 proteins were found only in the control and not in the patient fibroblasts. Some of these proteins are known to be part of the ‘mitochondrial dysfunction’ pathway. Taken together, these results indicate that the absence of parkin results in a number of mitochondrial alterations. Based on these findings, a model of PD was proposed: It is speculated that when parkin is absent, electron transport chain complex genes are down-regulated. This results in impaired oxidative phosphorylation, causing an increase in the production of mitochondrial ROS and subsequent oxidative stress. Mitochondria are then damaged; resulting in the fragmentation of the mitochondrial network. The impaired mitochondria are thus tagged for degradation, causing the recruitment of autolysosomes which engulf the mitochondria via mitophagy. Ultimately, as the compensatory mechanisms fail, this triggers the consequential cascade of cellular apoptotic events. This study has elucidated the effect of parkin on the mitochondria, and can act as a ‘stepping stone’ towards future development of therapeutic strategies and/or biochemical markers that will benefit not only patients with PD but also other neurodegenerative disorders. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Parkinson se siekte (PS) is ‘n neurodegeneratiewe bewegings-afwyking gedefineer deur die verlies van dopaminergiese neurone in die substantia nigra van die midde brein. Alhoewel die spesifieke oorsprong van die afwyking nog nie ten volle begryp is nie, word bydraes van beide omgewings faktore (bv. blootstelling aan plaagdoders en neurotoksienes) asook genetiese faktore gespekuleer. Vanuit ‘n genetiese aspek is ‘n aantal gene al geassosieer met PS. Hierdie gene sluit in SNCA, LRRK2, EIF4G1 en VPS35 (vir outosomale dominante vorms van PS) en parkin, PINK1, DJ-1, en ATP13A2 (vir outosomale resessiewe vorms van PS - orPS). Mutasies in die parkin geen is aangedui as die hoof oorsaak van orPS. Parkin speel ‘n rol in die ubiquitine-proteasomale sisteem wat beskadige en ongewensde proteïne binne in die sel verwyder en is verdink om by te dra tot die instandhouding van gesonde mitokondria. Mitokondriese wanfunksionering is ook deur talle studies gewys as ‘n bydraende faktor in die patologie van PS. Die doel van die studie is om ondersoek in te stel tot die spesifieke rol wat mitokondriese wanfunsionering speel in PS pasiënte met parkin-nul mutasies. Vier Suid-Afrikaanse PS-pasiënte, elk met twee parkin-nul mutasies, is gebruik vir die studie. Deur middel van spierbiopsies is monsters verkry vir mitokondriese morfologiese analises met behulp van histologiese en elektron-oordrag mikroskopie tegnieke (TEM). Vel biopsies is ook geneem en fibroblaste is gekweek vir die gebruik in: i) mitokondriese morfologiese assesering; ii) mitokondriese netwerk analiese; iii) funksionele studies waar vlakke van reaktiewe suurstof spesies (ROS) gemeet is; iv) proteoom analiese met behup van ‘n LTQ Orbitrap Velos massa spektrometer. RNA is ook geisoleer vanaf perifere bloedmonsters vir die gebruik in geen-uitdrukkings studies met behulp van ‘n RT² Profiler PCR Array en ‘n RT² Primer Assay. Selle vanaf famielie lede wat heterosigotiese draers is van die mutasie, asook normale (geen parkin mutasie) selle is gebruik as kontroles in die studie. TEM resultate vanaf die spier monsters het subtiele mitokondriese veranderinge getoon. Hierdie sluit in die teenwoordigheid van tipe II vesels, atrofiese vesels, teenwoordigheid van lipiedes, assook waarnemings van rimpeling van die sarcolemmal membraan. Vergrote mitokondrias is ook in een van die pasiënte opgelet. TEM resultate vanaf die fibroblaste het toename in die aantal elektron-digte vakuole vertoon, moontlik geidentifiseer as autolisosome. Gefragmenteerde en onderbreekte mitokondria netwerke is gelet tydens netwerk analiese van die fibroblaste, ‘n indikasie van beskadigde mitokondria. ‘n Toename in mitokondriese ROS vlakke is gevind in drie van die vier pasiënte. Af-regulering van 14 gene, geassosieerd met vier uit die vyf mitokondria komplekse, is verneem tydens die geen-uitdrukkings studie. Saam met dit is ‘n totaal van 688 proteïene geidentifiseer wat slegs teenwoordig is in die kontrole monsters en nie in die pasiënt monsters nie. Hierdie proteïene is almal uitgedruk en betrokke in die mitokondriese wanfunsionerings-weë. Hierdie resultate dui dat die afwesigheid van parkin mitokondriese afwykings tot gevolg het wat kan lei tot die afsterwing van selle. Dit dra ook by tot die vorming van ‘n beter-verstaande siekte-model vir PS: Mutasies in parkin (wat lei tot die afwesigheid van parkin) kan dus moontlik lei tot die af-regulasie van gene geassosieerd met die elektron-vervoer ketting komplekse in die mitokondria. Dit lei tot gebrekkige oksidatiewe fosforilering en veroorsaak ‘n toename in die vorming van ROS, wat dan ‘n toename in oksidatiewe stres binne in die sel tot gevolg het. Uiteindelik lei dit dus tot die beskadiging van die mitokondria wat gepaard gaan met fragmentering van die mitokondriese netwerk. Beskadigde mitokondrias word geetiketeer vir afbraking. Hierdie etiketering aktiveer omringende autophagosome wat die beskadigde mitokondrias dan verwyder deur middel van ‘n verswelgende proses genaamd mitophagy. Dit veroorsaak die aktivering van ‘n aantal gekorreleerde sellulêre prosesse wat lei tot apoptose (afsterwing van die sel). Hierdie studie dra by tot die verklaring van die spesifieke effek wat parkin mutasies het op die funksionering van die mitokondria. Resultate hier lê ook die grondslag vir toekomstige studies met die doel tot die ontwikkeling van terapeutiese strategeë en biochemiese merkers wat kan bydrae tot die genesing van beide pasiënte met PS, asook pasiënte met ander neurodegeneratiewe afwykings.

No description available.

No description available.

L’ADOA-1 (Autosomal dominant optic atrophy) est une maladie neurologique pouvant être causée par la mutation de la protéine mitochondriale OPA1 (Optic atrophy type 1) et pouvant conduire à une cécité. Certains patients peuvent présenter un dysfonctionnement mitochondrial plus généralisé, et développer d'autres complications neuromusculaires (ADOA-1+). La protéine OPA1 est une dynamine GTPasique impliquée dans la dynamique mitochondriale en modulant la fusion des membranes internes, et plus largement dans le maintien des fonctions mitochondriales. Le rôle de cette protéine a été étudié dans beaucoup de types cellulaires, mais peu d’études se sont intéressées à la cellule cardiaque qui pourtant possède de nombreuses mitochondries.La 1ère question soulevée par cette thèse était de déterminer l’implication de la protéine OPA1 dans l’organisation du réseau mitochondrial et dans le fonctionnement de la cellule cardiaque en condition physiologique ou pathologique. Pour répondre à cela, nous avons utilisé un modèle murin hétérozygote pour Opa1 (Opa1+/-). Nous avons montré que dans le cardiomyocyte adulte, la diminution d’expression d’OPA1 induisait un déséquilibre de la balance fusion/fission, qui se traduisait par une désorganisation du réseau mitochondrial, ainsi qu’une altération de la morphologie des mitochondries. Cependant, ces modifications n’engendraient pas d’altération des capacités oxydatives des mitochondries, mais conduisaient à une perturbation des propriétés d’ouverture du PTP. En outre, la déficience en OPA1 n’influençait pas la fonction cardiaque en condition physiologique, mais était associée à son altération plus sévère en condition pathologique. La 2nde question de cette thèse était de savoir l’implication d’OPA1 dans la réponse à un stress physiologique des cellules musculaires squelettiques, et ainsi étudier le lien éventuel entre OPA1 et la mise en place de la biogénèse mitochondriale. Nous avons donc soumis nos souris Opa1+/- à un exercice d’endurance. Nos résultats ont révélé que nos deux groupes d’animaux disposaient des mêmes capacités physiques à l’entraînement. L’adaptation des souris Opa1+/- à l’entrainement s’effectuait par un remodelage métabolique, vraisemblablement pour contrer un défaut d’adaptation de la biogénèse mitochondriale. En conclusion, nos résultats ont permis de mieux définir le rôle de la protéine OPA1 dans les muscles striés et son implication dans l’adaptation à un stress. Ce travail nous ouvre des perspectives sur le rôle de la dynamique mitochondriale dans l’adaptation à un stress. / ADOA-1 (Autosomal dominant optic atrophy) is a neurological disease that can be caused by mutations in mitochondrial protein OPA1 (Optic atrophy type 1) and can lead to blindness. Some patients with OPA1 mutations may have a generalized mitochondrial dysfunction, and may develop additional neuromuscular complications (ADOA-1+). OPA1 protein is a GTPase dynamin involved in mitochondrial dynamics by controlling the fusion of inner membranes, and also in the maintenance of mitochondrial functions. The role of this protein has been studied in many cell types, but only few studies have been done on cardiac cell, which nevertheless has many mitochondria.The first question raised by this thesis was to determine the involvement of OPA1 protein in mitochondrial network organization and the functioning of the cardiac cell in physiological or pathological condition. To answer this, we used a mouse model heterozygous for Opa1 (Opa1+/-). We have shown that in adult cardiomyocytes, a decrease expression of OPA1 induces an imbalance fusion/fission, which results in a disruption of mitochondrial network, as well as alteration of the morphology of mitochondria. However, these changes did not alter oxidative capacities, but leads to a disturbance of PTP opening. Additionally, OPA1 deficiency did not affect cardiac function under physiological conditions, but it is associated with a stronger impairment of cardiac function in pathological condition.The 2nd part of this thesis was to determine the involvement of OPA1 in response to physiological stress in cells of skeletal muscle, and thus to study the possible link between OPA1 and mitochondrial biogenesis activation. For this, we submitted our Opa1+/- mice to an exercise training. Our results showed that both groups of animals were able to perform the same physical activity. The adaptation of Opa1+/- mice to training did not involve mitochondrial biogenesis and led to a specific response involving a metabolic remodelling towards higher fatty acids utilization.In conclusion, our results allowed us a better understanding of OPA1 role in striated muscle and its involvement for adaptation to a stress. This work opens new perspectives on the role of mitochondrial dynamics in cardiac and muscle cells and during adaptation to a stress

La stabilité métabolique des cellules cardiaques est dépendante d'une organisation fonctionnelle qui favorise le transfert des liaisons phosphate depuis les sites de synthèse de l'ATP (mitochondries) jusqu'aux sites d'utilisation de l'énergie. Au niveau mitochondrial, cette fonction est principalement assurée par l'Interactosome Mitochondrial, comprenant les complexes respiratoires, l'ATP synthasome fonctionnellement couplé à la créatine kinase mitochondriale et le pore de la membrane mitochondriale externe VDAC qui régit la diffusion des nucléotides adényliques sous le contrôle de protéines du cytosquelette. Il est communément admis que la situation d'ischémie/reperfusion (IR) du myocarde affecte l'organisation intracellulaire des cardiomyocytes, les phosphorylations oxydatives (OxPhos), ainsi que le transfert de l'énergie cellulaire.L'objectif de ce travail était d'étudier les mécanismes de régulation de la fonction mitochondriale par les interactions entre la tubuline BII et la membrane mitochondriale externe (MME) d'une part et l'organisation de supercomplexes respiratoires (SCR) d'autre part. Différents types de muscles striés (cardiaque et squelettique) ont été utilisés pour étudier le lien entre la tubuline BII et la perméabilité de la MME pour les nucléotides adényliques. De plus, le rôle de la tubuline BII et de l'organisation des SCR ont été étudiés dans la situation physiopathologique de l'IR cardiaque.Dans les cardiomyocytes, comme dans les cellules issues de muscles squelettiques oxydatifs de rats adultes, la tubuline BII est colocalisée avec les mitochondries et la perméabilité de la MME pour l'ADP est faible. A l'aide du système pyruvate kinase/phosphoénolpyruvate, destiné à piéger l'ADP extramitochondrial, nous avons montré que l'affinité apparente d'OxPhos pour l'ADP est directement liée à la perméabilité de la MME. Ainsi, dans le muscle cardiaque comme dans les muscles squelettiques oxydatifs, un fort Km apparent pour l'ADP est associé à une faible perméabilité de la MME à l'ADP et à une forte expression de tubuline BII, présente sous une forme non-polymérisée. A l'inverse, dans les muscles glycolytiques, la très faible teneur en tubuline BII non-polymérisée est associée à une forte perméabilité de la MME aux nucléotides adényliques (faible Km apparent pour l'ADP).Les effets de l'ischémie (20 ou 45 minutes) et de la reperfusion cardiaque (30 minutes) ont été étudiés sur un modèle de coeur isolé perfusé de rat. Les principaux résultats sont que la séquence d'IR induit un réarrangement de la tubuline BII, associé à une réduction du Km apparent pour l'ADP, une baisse du contrôle de la respiration par la créatine et une diminution de la capacité d'OxPhos. Les modifications observées étaient dépendantes de la durée de l'ischémie et variables d'un cœur à l'autre. De plus, le groupe soumis à 20 minutes d'ischémie était caractérisé par la présence de SCR incluant le complexe I et l'absence de perte de cytochrome c (suggérant l'absence d'apoptose cellulaire). A l'inverse, 45 minutes d'ischémie suivies de reperfusion ont conduit à une perte de cytochrome c et à un remodelage de l'ultrastructure mitochondriale, sans modification de l'organisation des SCR.En conclusion, nos résultats soulignent l'importance des interactions mitochondrie-cytosquelette, et plus particulièrement celles impliquant la tubuline BII, dans la compartimentation intracellulaire des nucléotides adényliques et les transferts d'énergie dans les muscles striés oxydatifs. Par ailleurs, la séquence d'IR myocardique induit une désorganisation de la tubuline BII, qui contribue à la dysfonction mitochondriale. Enfin, l'absence de réorganisation des SCR quand la lésion d'IR est irréversible (45 minutes d'ischémie) suggère que le réarrangement des SCR observé après 20 minutes d'ischémie pourrait être l'un des mécanismes adaptatifs mis en jeu pour prévenir la dysfonction mitochondriale à la suite d'une séquence d'IR. / Cardiac metabolic stability is highly dependent on the intracellular functional organization which favors compartmentalized phosphoryl flux transfer between sites of mitochondrial ATP synthesis and sites of ATP hydrolysis (mainly myofibrillar ATPases). At the level of mitochondria, this function is provided by Mitochonrial Interactosom (IM) which includes respiratory complexes, ATP Synthasom coupled functionally to Mitochondrial Creatine Kinase (MtCK) and Voltage-Dependent Anion Channel (VDAC) regulating ATP/ADP diffusion through its interaction with cytoskeleton proteins. Cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury alters intracellular organization, oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) and compartmentalized intracellular phosphoryl flux transfer.The aim of this work was to study the regulation of mitochondrial activity by B tubulin II interaction with MOM and by respiratory supercomplex (RSC) organization, under physiological conditions as well as in ischemia/reperfusion in striated muscles. For this purpose, different types of striated muscles (cardiac and skeletal) were used for studying the link between B tubulin II and MOM permeability to adenine nucleotides. In addition, the role of B tubulin II and RSC organization was studied in the pathophysiological context of cardiac ischemia/reperfusion.In cardiac and oxidative skeletal muscles from adult Wistar rats, B tubulin II is colocalized with mitochondria and associated with low MOM permeability to ADP. Using pyruvate kinase and phosphoenolpyruvate trapping system for ADP, we show that the apparent affinity of OxPhos for ADP can be directly linked to the permeability of MOM. High apparent Km for ADP in cardiac and oxidative skeletal muscle is associated with low MOM permeability to ADP and high expression of non-polymerized B tubulin II. Very low expression of non-polymerized B tubulin II in glycolytic muscles is associated with high MOM permeability for adenine nucleotides (low apparent Km for ADP).The effect of the IR-injury was studied by subjecting isolated and perfused Wistar rat hearts to total ischemia (for 20 min and 45 min) followed by 30 min of reperfusion (I20R and I45R groups, respectively). The IR-injury induced intracellular rearrangement of B tubulin II was associated with decreased apparent Km for ADP, creatine-control of respiration and reduced OxPhos capacity. Observed changes were dependent on the duration of ischemia and were heterogeneously present across hearts. Additionally, in the I20R group we evidenced an increase in the content of the RSC embodying complex I in the absence of cytochrome c release (evidencing the absence of apoptosis). Forty five minutes of ischemia followed by reperfusion resulted in increased cytochrome c release and mitochondrial cristae remodeling without alteration of RSC organization.The results of this study highlight the importance of cytoskeleton-mitochondria interactions, and particularly that of B tubulin II, for adenine nucleotide intracellular compartmentalization and phosphoryl flux transfer in oxidative striated muscles. In addition, cardiac IR was shown to induce B tubulin II disorganization contributing to mitochondrial dysfunction. The absence of the RSC reorganization after irreversible IR injury (45 minutes of ischemia) suggests that the rearrangement of RSC observed after 20 minutes of ischemia could be an adaptive mechanism to overcome the IR-induced alterations of mitochondrial function.

No description available.