On the role of microsomal aldehyde dehydrogenase in metabolism of aldehydic products of lipid peroxidation

AbstractTo elucidate a possible role of membrane-bound aldehyde dehydrogenase in the detoxication of aldehydic products of lipd peroxidation, the substrate specificity of the highly purified microsomal enzyme was investigated. The aldehyde dehydrogenase was active with different aliphatic aldehydes including 4-hydroxyalkenals, but did not react with malonic dialdehyde. When Fe/ADP-ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation of arachidonic acid was carried out in an in vitro system, the formation of products which react with microsomal aldehyde dehydrogenase was observed parallel with malonic dialdehyde accumulation

The human mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome gene MPV17 encodes a non-selective channel that modulates membrane potential

Abstract The human MPV17-related mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome is an inherited autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the inner mitochondrial membrane protein MPV17. Although more than 30 MPV17 gene mutations were shown to be associated with mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, the function of MPV17 is still unknown. Mice deficient in Mpv17 show signs of premature aging. In the present study, we used electrophysiological measurements with recombinant MPV17 to reveal that this protein forms a non-selective channel with a pore diameter of 1.8 nm and located the channel’s selectivity filter. The channel was weakly cation-selective and showed several subconductance states. Voltage-dependent gating of the channel was regulated by redox conditions and pH and was affected also in mutants mimicking a phosphorylated state. Likewise, the mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and the cellular production of reactive oxygen species were higher in embryonic fibroblasts from Mpv17−/− mice. However, despite the elevated Δψm, the Mpv17-deficient mitochondria showed signs of accelerated fission. Together, these observations uncover the role of MPV17 as a Δψm-modulating channel that apparently contributes to mitochondrial homeostasis under different conditions

Multi-localized proteins: the peroxisome-mitochondria connection

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Springer via the link in this recordPeroxisomes and mitochondria are dynamic, multifunctional organelles that play pivotal cooperative roles in the metabolism of cellular lipids and reactive oxygen species. Their functional interplay, the “peroxisome-mitochondria connection”, also includes cooperation in anti-viral signalling and defence, as well as coordinated biogenesis by sharing key division proteins. In this review, we focus on multi-localised proteins which are shared by peroxisomes and mitochondria in mammals. We first outline the targeting and sharing of matrix proteins which are involved in metabolic cooperation. Next, we discuss shared components of peroxisomal and mitochondrial dynamics and division, and we present novel insights into the dual targeting of tail-anchored membrane proteins. Finally, we provide an overview of what is currently known about the role of shared membrane proteins in disease. What emerges is that sharing of proteins between these two organelles plays a key role in their cooperative functions which, based on new findings, may be more extensive than originally envisaged. Gaining a better insight into organelle interplay and the targeting of shared proteins is pivotal to understanding how organelle cooperation contributes to human health and disease.This work was supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BB/K006231/1, BB/N01541X/1 to M.S.). M.I. is supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG 397476530) and MEAMEDMA Anschubförderung, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg. J.P. is supported by CLES, University of Exeter