Mitochondrial function is dependent upon mitochondrial protein import (MPI), a complex process that transports nuclear-encoded proteins into mitochondria. Little is known about MPI in neurons. We examined the effects of Resveratrol (RSV), a polyphenolic antioxidant compound from grapes, on MPI in a neuronal cell model, differentiated PC12 cells. RSV (50µM, 24h) increased levels of mtGFP, a nuclear encoded mitochondrially targeted green fluorescent protein, and mtHsp70, a physiological mitochondrial heat shock protein, in mitochondria. In addition RSV also increased levels of Tom20, a key translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane. The RSV mediated increases in mitochondrial proteins were independent of increases in mitochondrial mass or changes in intramitochondrial degradation. RSV also reduced mitochondria membrane potential and decreased basal levels of reactive oxygen species. Taken together, these findings show that RSV increases MPI and that this effect may be an important mechanism in the reported neuroprotective effects of RSV.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:TORONTO/oai:tspace.library.utoronto.ca:1807/26323 |
| Date | 22 February 2011 |
| Creators | Jougheh Doust, Soghra |
| Contributors | Mills, Linda |
| Source Sets | University of Toronto |
| Language | en_ca |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis, Dataset, Image |
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