The Tightly Regulated and Compartmentalised Import, Sorting and Folding of Mitochondrial Proteins

Mitochondria are eukaryotic intracellular organelles that still bear the signatures of their prokaryotic ancestor and require nuclear assistance. They generously dispense energy to cells, but are also involved in several biosynthetic processes, as well as in cell signalling pathways and programmed cell death. Mitochondria are partitioned into four intra-organelle compartments: the outer membrane, the inner membrane, the intermembrane space and the matrix. Each compartment contains a unique set of proteins and a personalised system for guaranteeing protein homeostasis. What follows is a survey of the function and topology of the multiple systems that operate the concerted action of protein sorting and folding in the four mitochondrial compartments

Increased mitochondrial fragmentation in polycystic kidney disease acts as a modifier of disease progression.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a common monogenic disorder, characterized by bilateral renal cyst formation. Multiple pathways are de-regulated in cystic epithelia offering good opportunities for therapy. Others and we have previously reported that metabolic reprogramming, including alterations of the TCA cycle, are prominent features of ADPKD. Several lines of evidence suggest that mitochondrial impairment might be responsible for the metabolic alterations. Here, we performed morphologic and morphometric evaluation of mitochondria by TEM in an orthologous mouse model of PKD caused by mutations in the Pkd1 gene (Ksp-Cre;Pkd1flox/- ). Furthermore, we measured mitochondrial respiration by COX and SDH enzymatic activity in situ. We found several alterations including reduced mitochondrial mass, altered structure and fragmentation of the mitochondrial network in cystic epithelia of Ksp-Cre;Pkd1flox/- mice. At the molecular level, we found reduced expression of the pro-fusion proteins OPA1 and MFN1 and up-regulation of the pro-fission protein DRP1. Importantly, administration of Mdivi-1, which interferes with DRP1 rescuing mitochondrial fragmentation, significantly reduced kidney/body weight, cyst formation, and improved renal function in Ksp-Cre;Pkd1flox/- mice. Our data indicate that impaired mitochondrial structure and function play a role in disease progression, and that their improvement can significantly modify the course of the disease

Loss of m-AAA protease in mitochondria causes complex I deficiency and increased sensitivity to oxidative stress in hereditary spastic paraplegia

Mmutations in paraplegin, a putative mitochondrial metallopeptidase of the AAA family, cause an autosomal recessive form of hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP). Here, we analyze the function of paraplegin at the cellular level and characterize the phenotypic defects of HSP patients' cells lacking this protein. We demonstrate that paraplegin coassembles with a homologous protein, AFG3L2, in the mitochondrial inner membrane. These two proteins form a high molecular mass complex, which we show to be aberrant in HSP fibroblasts. The loss of this complex causes a reduced complex I activity in mitochondria and an increased sensitivity to oxidant stress, which can both be rescued by exogenous expression of wild-type paraplegin. Furthermore, complementation studies in yeast demonstrate functional conservation of the human paraplegin–AFG3L2 complex with the yeast m-AAA protease and assign proteolytic activity to this structure. These results shed new light on the molecular pathogenesis of HSP and functionally link AFG3L2 to this neurodegenerative disease

Never say never: successful extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) following a prolonged out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to spontaneous coronary artery dissection

Introduction: Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) may be a life-saving rescue therapy for patients with severe cardiac disease of any origin and circulatory failure. Data in the literature have demonstrated that the use of advanced mechanical circulation has resulted in improvements in both survival and quality of life; despite this, cardiogenic shock and refractory cardiac arrest remain conditions with high mortality. Opportune identification of patients who can benefit from it may improve outcomes. However, the shortage of guidelines on indications often results in a high mortality rate and poor outcome. Due to ethical issues, randomised controlled studies with VA-ECMO have not been conducted so no recommended evidence-based guidelines exist for VA-ECMO patient-selection criteria. Therefore, the indications depend only on expert opinion after reviewing the literature. Case description: We report the case of a young female patient who presented with an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) due to spontaneous coronary dissection. She was treated with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) with excellent results in terms of short and long-term survival, and neurological outcome. This was despite the presence of several clinical and laboratory negative prognostic factors on the basis of the current literature, and the lack of general consensus among the relevant medical personnel. Conclusion: We were able to explain the favourable outcome only on the basis of clinical data. We can conclude that the availability of advanced resources in the area (timeliness of the rescues, quality of the resuscitation, an advanced haemodynamic management centre nearby) has contributed to determining the complete clinical and neurological recovery of the patient

Role of astrocytes and glutamate transporter EAAT2 / GLT1 in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Daniel Castro: Estudiante de Medicina, Ciclo de Metodología Científica II, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Uruguay. La contribución en la realización del trabajo fue equivalente a la de los demás estudiantes.-- Elke Díaz: Estudiante de Medicina, Ciclo de Metodología Científica II, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Uruguay. La contribución en la realización del trabajo fue equivalente a la de los demás estudiantes.-- Irma Lombardo: Estudiante de Medicina, Ciclo de Metodología Científica II, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Uruguay. La contribución en la realización del trabajo fue equivalente a la de los demás estudiantes.-- Patricia Cassina: Docente supervisor. Departamento de Histología y Embriología de la Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay. Contacto: Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Avda. Gral. Flores 2125, 11800 Montevideo, Uruguay. Tel. (5982) 924 2703. Email: [email protected] Laura Martínez-Palma: Docente supervisor. Departamento de Histología y Embriología de la Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.La Esclerosis Lateral Amiotrófica (ELA) es una enfermedad neurodegenerativa fatal, progresiva que afecta las motoneuronas superiores e inferiores del sistema nervioso central y se acompaña de reactividad glial. La patogenia de esta enfermedad no está del todo clara. Se han postulado diferentes mecanismos dentro de los cuales se destacan las alteraciones en el procesamiento del ARN, en el metabolismo proteico, en el transporte axonal y en la función mitocondrial, aumento del estrés oxidativo y excitotoxicidad. Los astrocitos presentan prolongaciones que rodean la sinapsis, donde se localizan los transportadores de glutamato que captan el exceso del neurotransmisor durante la actividad sináptica. En la ELA se han encontrado alteraciones en este mecanismo lo cual ha resaltado la participación de la glía en la progresión de la enfermedad. El glutamato actúa sobre dos familias de receptores: NMDA y no NMDA, cuyas alteraciones se vinculan con la patogenia de la enfermedad. Además, se ha probado que existe una alteración en la función y disponibilidad del transportador de glutamato EAAT2/GLT1, que contribuye al aumento de la concentración de glutamato extracelular. En este trabajo, el objetivo fue revisar la bibliografía sobre el rol de los astrocitos y el transportador de glutamato EAAT2/GLT1 en la patogenia de la ELA, con el fi n de identificar algunos interrogantes aún no dilucidados para dirigir nuevas investigaciones que puedan mejorar el tratamiento de estos pacientes.Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, progressive neurodegenerative disease aff ecting upper and lower motor neurons of the central nervous system that is associated to glial reactivity. The pathogenesis of this disease is not entirely clear. Different mechanisms have been postulated, inclu-ding alterations in RNA processing, protein metabolism, axonal transport and mitochondrial function, increased oxidative stress and excitotoxicity. Astrocytes exhibit processes surrounding the synapse, where glutamate transporters are located to uptake the excess of neurotransmitter during synaptic activity. Alterations in this mechanism have been found in ALS and have highlighted the role of glia in the progression of ALS. Glutamate acts on two receptor families: NMDA and non-NMDA. There is evidence that links glutamate transporters dysfunction to the pathogenesis of the disease. In addition, it has been proven that alteration in the function and availability of the glutamate transporter EAAT2 / GLT1 contributes to the increase of extracellular glutamate concentration. In this work, we aim to review the literature on the role of astrocytes and the glutamate transporter EAAT2 / GLT1 in the pathogenesis of ALS, to identify unsolved questions that may guide further research to improve the treatment of these patients

Absence of R-Ras1 and R-Ras2 causes mitochondrial alterations that trigger axonal degeneration in a hypomyelinating disease model

Fast synaptic transmission in vertebrates is critically dependent on myelin for insulation and metabolic support. Myelin is produced by oligodendrocytes (OLs) that maintain multilayered membrane compartments that wrap around axonal fibers. Alterations in myelination can therefore lead to severe pathologies such as multiple sclerosis. Given that hypomyelination disorders have complex etiologies, reproducing clinical symptoms of myelin diseases from a neurological perspective in animal models has been difficult. We recently reported that R-Ras1 and/or R-Ras2 mice, which lack GTPases essential for OL survival and differentiation processes, present different degrees of hypomyelination in the central nervous system with a compounded hypomyelination in double knockout (DKO) mice. Here, we discovered that the loss of R-Ras1 and/or R-Ras2 function is associated with aberrant myelinated axons with increased numbers of mitochondria, and a disrupted mitochondrial respiration that leads to increased reactive oxygen species levels. Consequently, aberrant myelinated axons are thinner with cytoskeletal phosphorylation patterns typical of axonal degeneration processes, characteristic of myelin diseases. Although we observed different levels of hypomyelination in a single mutant mouse, the combined loss of function in DKO mice lead to a compromised axonal integrity, triggering the loss of visual function. Our findings demonstrate that the loss of R-Ras function reproduces several characteristics of hypomyelinating diseases, and we therefore propose that R-Ras1 and R-Ras2 neurological models are valuable approaches for the study of these myelin pathologies.Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (RTI2018-096303B-C33) to B. C., (RTI2018-096303B-C31) to F. W., and RTI2018-095166B-I00 to C. G. R. and P. L. and Instituto de Salud Carlos III and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) within the “Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica y Técnica y de Innovación 2017–2020” (RD16/0008/0020; FIS/PI 18-00754

Mitofusins modulate the increase in mitochondrial length, bioenergetics and secretory phenotype in therapy-induced senescent melanoma cells

Cellular senescence is an endpoint of chemotherapy, and targeted therapies in melanoma and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) can affect tumor growth and microenvironment, influencing treatment outcomes. Metabolic interventions can modulate the SASP, and an enhanced mitochondrial energy metabolism supports resistance to therapy in melanoma cells. Herein, we assessed the mitochondrial function of therapy-induced senescent melanoma cells obtained after exposing the cells to temozolomide (TMZ), a methylating chemotherapeutic agent. Senescence induction in melanoma was accompanied by a substantial increase in mitochondrial basal, ATP-linked, and maximum respiration rates and in coupling efficiency, spare respiratory capacity, and respiratory control ratio. Further examinations revealed an increase in mitochondrial mass and length. Alterations in mitochondrial function and morphology were confirmed in isolated senescent cells, obtained by cell-size sorting. An increase in mitofusin 1 and 2 (MFN1 and 2) expression and levels was observed in senescent cells, pointing to alterations in mitochondrial fusion. Silencing mitofusin expression with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) prevented the increase in mitochondrial length, oxygen consumption rate and secretion of interleukin 6 (IL-6), a component of the SASP, in melanoma senescent cells. Our results represent the first in-depth study of mitochondrial function in therapy-induced senescence in melanoma. They indicate that senescence increases mitochondrial mass, length and energy metabolism; and highlight mitochondria as potential pharmacological targets to modulate senescence and the SASP.Agencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovación FCE_1_2017_1_13602

Post-paralysis tyrosine kinase inhibition with masitinib abrogates neuroinflammation and slows disease progression in inherited amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Background: In the SOD1G93A mutant rat model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), neuronal death and rapid paralysis progression are associated with the emergence of activated aberrant glial cells that proliferate in the degenerating spinal cord. Whether pharmacological downregulation of such aberrant glial cells will decrease motor neuron death and prolong survival is unknown. We hypothesized that proliferation of aberrant glial cells is dependent on kinase receptor activation, and therefore, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor masitinib (AB1010) could potentially control neuroinflammation in the rat model of ALS. Methods: The cellular effects of pharmacological inhibition of tyrosine kinases with masitinib were analyzed in cell cultures of microglia isolated from aged symptomatic SOD1G93A rats. To determine whether masitinib prevented the appearance of aberrant glial cells or modified post-paralysis survival, the drug was orally administered at 30 mg/kg/day starting after paralysis onset. Results: We found that masitinib selectively inhibited the tyrosine kinase receptor colony-stimulating factor 1R (CSF-1R) at nanomolar concentrations. In microglia cultures from symptomatic SOD1G93A spinal cords, masitinib prevented CSF-induced proliferation, cell migration, and the expression of inflammatory mediators. Oral administration of masitinib to SOD1G93A rats starting after paralysis onset decreased the number of aberrant glial cells, microgliosis, and motor neuron pathology in the degenerating spinal cord, relative to vehicle-treated rats. Masitinib treatment initiated 7 days after paralysis onset prolonged post-paralysis survival by 40 %. Conclusions: These data show that masitinib is capable of controlling microgliosis and the emergence/expansion of aberrant glial cells, thus providing a strong biological rationale for its use to control neuroinflammation in ALS. Remarkably, masitinib significantly prolonged survival when delivered after paralysis onset, an unprecedented effect in preclinical models of ALS, and therefore appears well-suited for treating ALS.Agencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovació

Modulation of Astrocytic Mitochondrial Function by Dichloroacetate Improves Survival and Motor Performance in Inherited Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the pathogenic mechanisms that lead to neurodegeneration in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Astrocytes expressing the ALS-linked SOD1G93A mutation display a decreased mitochondrial respiratory capacity associated to phenotypic changes that cause them to induce motor neuron death. Astrocyte-mediated toxicity can be prevented by mitochondria-targeted antioxidants, indicating a critical role of mitochondria in the neurotoxic phenotype. However, it is presently unknown whether drugs currently used to stimulate mitochondrial metabolism can also modulate ALS progression. Here, we tested the disease-modifying effect of dichloroacetate (DCA), an orphan drug that improves the functional status of mitochondria through the stimulation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex activity (PDH). Applied to astrocyte cultures isolated from rats expressing the SOD1G93A mutation, DCA reduced phosphorylation of PDH and improved mitochondrial coupling as expressed by the respiratory control ratio (RCR). Notably, DCA completely prevented the toxicity of SOD1G93A astrocytes to motor neurons in coculture conditions. Chronic administration of DCA (500 mg/L) in the drinking water of mice expressing the SOD1G93A mutation increased survival by 2 weeks compared to untreated mice. Systemic DCA also normalized the reduced RCR value measured in lumbar spinal cord tissue of diseased SOD1G93A mice. A remarkable effect of DCA was the improvement of grip strength performance at the end stage of the disease, which correlated with a recovery of the neuromuscular junction area in extensor digitorum longus muscles. Systemic DCA also decreased astrocyte reactivity and prevented motor neuron loss in SOD1G93A mice. Taken together, our results indicate that improvement of the mitochondrial redox status by DCA leads to a disease-modifying effect, further supporting the therapeutic potential of mitochondria-targeted drugs in ALS