Network Clustering Revealed the Systemic Alterations of Mitochondrial Protein Expression

The mitochondrial protein repertoire varies depending on the cellular state. Protein component modifications caused by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) depletion are related to a wide range of human diseases; however, little is known about how nuclear-encoded mitochondrial proteins (mt proteome) changes under such dysfunctional states. In this study, we investigated the systemic alterations of mtDNA-depleted (ρ0) mitochondria by using network analysis of gene expression data. By modularizing the quantified proteomics data into protein functional networks, systemic properties of mitochondrial dysfunction were analyzed. We discovered that up-regulated and down-regulated proteins were organized into two predominant subnetworks that exhibited distinct biological processes. The down-regulated network modules are involved in typical mitochondrial functions, while up-regulated proteins are responsible for mtDNA repair and regulation of mt protein expression and transport. Furthermore, comparisons of proteome and transcriptome data revealed that ρ0 cells attempted to compensate for mtDNA depletion by modulating the coordinated expression/transport of mt proteins. Our results demonstrate that mt protein composition changed to remodel the functional organization of mitochondrial protein networks in response to dysfunctional cellular states. Human mt protein functional networks provide a framework for understanding how cells respond to mitochondrial dysfunctions

Molecular and cell phenotype changes in mitochondrial diseases

Abstract The mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system (OXPHOS) generates energy but also deleterious reactive oxygen species (ROS). Changes in the cytoskeleton, composed mainly of microfilaments, microtubules and intermediate filaments, have been observed in OXPHOS deficiency. The 3243A>G point mutation in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) leads to mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS), which is the most common mitochondrial disease. Interestingly, mitochondrial aberrations have been demonstrated in patients with a mutation in NOTCH3, the genetic cause of cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL). Randomization of vimentin intermediate filament direction and length together with slower population growth was observed in myoblasts with 3243A>G, with no difference in the amount of apoptotic cell death. Upon complex IV inhibition (with or without the microtubule-depolymerizing compound nocodazole) or a lack of mtDNA (ρ0) in osteosarcoma cells the vimentin network collapsed perinuclearly, forming thick bundles, whereas complex I inhibition led to thinner vimentin network bundles. Furthermore, the amount of vimentin was increased in ρ0 cells. Mitochondria accumulated around the nucleus upon complex IV inhibition and in ρ0 cells. Analysis of the total proteome revealed that specific OXPHOS deficiencies led to changes in the expression of cytoskeletal proteins and proteins involved in apoptosis, OXPHOS, glycolysis and oxidative stress response. Muscle histochemical and genetic analysis showed ragged red fibres and cytochrome c oxidase-negative fibres to be associated with 5650G>A in a patient with R133C in NOTCH3 and 5650G>A in MTTA. Immunolabelling of cells with R133C and 5650G>A revealed a sparse tubulin network with asters and less abundant mitochondria by comparison with control cell lines. Comparison of nucleotide diversity between CADASIL pedigrees and controls showed increased mtDNA sequence variation in the CADASIL patients. Also maternal relatives in two CADASIL pedigrees differed from each other in their mtDNA. These findings suggest that defects in OXPHOS lead to selective changes in the vimentin network, which may have a role in the pathophysiology of mitochondrial diseases. They also suggest a relationship between NOTCH3 and mtDNA, and establish the pathogenicity of 5650G>A. The overall results emphasize that a deficiency in the energy converting system together with oxidative stress can lead to cytoskeletal changes

FGF-21 as a biomarker for muscle-manifesting mitochondrial respiratory chain deficiencies: a diagnostic study.

Contains fulltext : 95893.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)BACKGROUND: Muscle biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis of mitochondrial disorders because of the lack of sensitive biomarkers in serum. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) is a growth factor with regulatory roles in lipid metabolism and the starvation response, and concentrations are raised in skeletal muscle and serum in mice with mitochondrial respiratory chain deficiencies. We investigated in a retrospective diagnostic study whether FGF-21 could be a biomarker for human mitochondrial disorders. METHODS: We assessed samples from adults and children with mitochondrial disorders or non-mitochondrial neurological disorders (disease controls) from seven study centres in Europe and the USA, and recruited healthy volunteers (healthy controls), matched for age where possible, from the same centres. We used ELISA to measure FGF-21 concentrations in serum or plasma samples (abnormal values were defined as >200 pg/mL). We compared these concentrations with values for lactate, pyruvate, lactate-to-pyruvate ratio, and creatine kinase in serum or plasma and calculated sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for all biomarkers. FINDINGS: We analysed serum or plasma from 67 patients (41 adults and 26 children) with mitochondrial disorders, 34 disease controls (22 adults and 12 children), and 74 healthy controls. Mean FGF-21 concentrations in serum were 820 (SD 1151) pg/mL in adult and 1983 (1550) pg/mL in child patients with respiratory chain deficiencies and 76 (58) pg/mL in healthy controls. FGF-21 concentrations were high in patients with mitochondrial disorders affecting skeletal muscle but not in disease controls, including those with dystrophies. In patients with abnormal FGF-21 concentrations in serum, the odds ratio of having a muscle-manifesting mitochondrial disease was 132.0 (95% CI 38.7-450.3). For the identification of muscle-manifesting mitochondrial disease, the sensitivity was 92.3% (95% CI 81.5-97.9%) and specificity was 91.7% (84.8-96.1%). The positive and negative predictive values for FGF-21 were 84.2% (95% CI 72.1-92.5%) and 96.1 (90.4-98.9%). The accuracy of FGF-21 to correctly identify muscle-manifesting respiratory chain disorders was better than that for all conventional biomarkers. The area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve for FGF-21 was 0.95; by comparison, the values for other biomarkers were 0.83 lactate (p=0.037, 0.83 for pyruvate (p=0.015), 0.72 for the lactate-to-pyruvate ratio (p=0.0002), and 0.77 for creatine kinase (p=0.013). INTERPRETATION: Measurement of FGF-21 concentrations in serum identified primary muscle-manifesting respiratory chain deficiencies in adults and children and might be feasible as a first-line diagnostic test for these disorders to reduce the need for muscle biopsy. FUNDING: Sigrid Juselius Foundation, Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation, Molecular Medicine Institute of Finland, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Academy of Finland, Novo Nordisk, Arvo and Lea Ylppo Foundation.1 september 201

Fluorescence imaging of mitochondria in cultured skin fibroblasts: a useful method for detection of oxidative phosphorylation defects

BACKGROUND: Protons are pumped from the mitochondrial matrix via oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) into the intermembrane space, creating an electric membrane potential (Delta psi) that is used for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. Defects in one or more of the OXPHOS complexes are associated with a variety of clinical symptoms, often making it difficult to pinpoint the causal mutation. METHODS: In this article, a microscopic method for the quantitative evaluation of Delta psi in cultured skin fibroblasts is described. The method using 5,5',6,6'-tetraethylbenzimidazolyl-carbocyanine iodide (JC-1) fluorescence staining was tested in a selection of OXPHOS-deficient cell lines. RESULTS: A significant reduction of Delta psi was found in the cell lines of patients with either an isolated defect in complex I, II, or IV or a combined defect (complex I + complex IV). Delta psi was not reduced in the fibroblasts of two patients with severe complex V deficiency. Addition of the complex I inhibitor rotenone induced a significant reduction of ALP and perinuclear relocalization of the mitochondria. In cells with a heteroplasmic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) defect, a more heterogeneous reduction of Delta psi was detected. CONCLUSION: Our data show that imaging of Delta psi in cultured skin fibroblasts is a useful method for the evaluation of OXPHOS functioning in cultured cell lines

Comparative proteomic analysis of plasma membrane proteins between human osteosarcoma and normal osteoblastic cell lines

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignant tumor of bone in children and adolescents. However, the knowledge in diagnostic modalities has progressed less. To identify new biomarkers for the early diagnosis of OS as well as for potential novel therapeutic candidates, we performed a sub-cellular comparative proteomic research.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An osteosarcoma cell line (MG-63) and human osteoblastic cells (hFOB1.19) were used as our comparative model. Plasma membrane (PM) was obtained by aqueous two-phase partition. Proteins were analyzed through iTRAQ-based quantitative differential LC/MS/MS. The location and function of differential proteins were analyzed through GO database. Protein-protein interaction was examined through String software. One of differentially expressed proteins was verified by immunohistochemistry.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>342 non-redundant proteins were identified, 68 of which were differentially expressed with 1.5-fold difference, with 25 up-regulated and 43 down-regulated. Among those differential proteins, 69% ware plasma membrane, which are related to the biological processes of binding, cell structure, signal transduction, cell adhesion, etc., and interaction with each other. One protein--CD151 located in net nodes was verified to be over-expressed in osteosarcoma tissue by immunohistochemistry.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>It is the first time to use plasma membrane proteomics for studying the OS membrane proteins according to our knowledge. We generated preliminary but comprehensive data about membrane protein of osteosarcoma. Among these, CD151 was further validated in patient samples, and this small molecule membrane might be a new target for OS research. The plasma membrane proteins identified in this study may provide new insight into osteosarcoma biology and potential diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers.</p