Evidence that the blockade of mitochondrial respiration by the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) involves binding at the same site as the respiratory inhibitor, rotenone

Neural degeneration and the transport of neurotransmitters

A number of neurodegenerative diseases selectively affect distinct neuronal populations, but the mechanisms responsible for selective cell vulnerability have generally remained unclear. The toxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) reproduces the selective degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra characteristic of Parkinson's disease. The plasma membrane dopamine transporter mediates this selective toxicity through accumulation of the active metabolite N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+). In contrast, the vesicular amine transporter protects against this form of injury by sequestering the toxin from its primary site of action in mitochondria. Together with the identification of defects in glutamate transport from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, these observations suggest that neurotransmitter transport may have a major role in neurodegenerative disease. The recent cloning of cDNAs encoding these transport proteins will help to explore this hypothesis.

Protection from 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) toxicity and stimulation of regrowth of MPP(+)-damaged dopaminergic fibers by treatment of mesencephalic cultures with EGF and basic FGF

Several peptide growth factors can maintain survival or promote recovery of injured central neurons. In the present study, the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the toxicity produced by the dopaminergic neurotoxin, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), were investigated in rat mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons in culture. High affinity [3H]DA uptake and morphometric analyses of tyrosine hydroxylase immunostained neurons were used to assess the extent of MPP+ toxicity, dopaminergic neuronal survival and growth of neurites. Consistent with previous reports, EGF and bFGF treatments stimulated neuritic outgrowth in dopaminergic neurons, increased DA uptake and enhanced their long-term survival in vitro. These growth factors also stimulated proliferation of astrocytes. The time course of EGF and bFGF effects on dopaminergic neurons coincided with the increase in glial cell density, suggesting that proliferation of glia mediates their trophic effects. Several findings from our study support this possibility. When MPP+ was applied to cultures at 4 days in vitro, before glial cells had proliferated, the damage to dopaminergic neurons was not affected by EGF or bFGF pretreatments. However, when cultures maintained in the presence of the growth factors for 10 days were exposed to MPP+, after they had become confluent with dividing glial cells, the MPP(+)-induced decreases in DA uptake and cell survival were significantly attenuated. Furthermore, when glial cell proliferation was inhibited by 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine, the protective effects of EGF and bFGF against MPP+ toxicity were abolished. Continuous treatment of MPP(+)-exposed cultures with EGF or bFGF resulted in the stimulation of process regrowth of damaged dopaminergic neurons with concomitant recovery of DA uptake, suggesting that the injured neurons are able to respond to the trophic effects of EGF and bFGF. In summary, our study shows that the trophic effects of EGF and bFGF on mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons include protection from the toxicity produced by MPP+ and promotion of recovery of MPP(+)-damaged neurons. Stimulation of glial cell proliferation is necessary for these effects.

Neurotoxins and monoamine oxidase inhibition: new aspects

Recent clinical studies suggest that selegiline (L-deprenyl) is useful in retarding the progress of Parkinson's disease, an effect that may be related to its inhibition of monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B). Selegiline is also reported to prevent the toxic effects of the noradrenergic neurotoxin, N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine (DSP-4). This article reviews recent studies on the role of MAO-B and its inhibition in this neuroprotective action of selegiline. Male C57Bl/6 mice were given DSP-4 (50 mg/kg) 1 h, 24 h, or 4 days after the administration of selegiline (10 mg/kg) or the selective MAO-B inhibitor MDL 72974 (1.25 mg/kg) and then killed 1 week later for the assay of norepinephrine in the hippocampus. The MAO-B-inhibiting effects of selegiline or MDL 72974 were also determined after these same intervals. Selegiline and MDL 72974 produced comparable degrees of enzyme inhibition 1 h (> 95%), 24 h (> 90%), or 4 days (> 70%) after their administration. Given 1 h before, selegiline totally blocked the norepinephrine-depleting effects of DSP-4, but this protection declined sharply when 24 h or 4 days was allowed to elapse between selegiline and DSP-4 administration. MDL 72974 failed to protect at any time point. In vitro, no activity was observed when DSP-4 was used as a substrate for MAO. All of these findings suggest that the ability of selegiline to protect against DSP-4-induced neuronal degeneration does not depend on its inhibition of MAO-B.

The transport of neurotransmitters into synaptic vesicles

As investigations identify additional plasma membrane neurotransmitter transporters, attention has focused on the molecular basis of neurotransmitter transport into synaptic vesicles. The transport of biogenic amines into chromaffin granules has served as the paradigm for understanding vesicular transport. Recent work now describes the vesicular transport of other classical neurotransmitters, which occur by distinct but related mechanisms. To determine their biochemical basis, several of the transporters have been functionally reconstituted in liposomes. The ability of vesicular amine transport to protect against the neurotoxin MPP+ has permitted the isolation of the first cDNA clone for a member of this family, and the sequence establishes a relationship with drug-resistance transporters in bacteria.

Gene transfer of a reserpine-sensitive mechanism of resistance to N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium

The toxin N-methyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine produces a model of neural degeneration very similar to idiopathic Parkinson disease. To understand the cellular mechanisms that modulate susceptibility to its active metabolite N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), we have transfected a cDNA expression library from the relatively MPP(+)-resistant rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells into MPP(+)-sensitive Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) fibroblasts. Selection of the stable transformants in high concentrations of MPP+ has yielded a clone extremely resistant to the toxin. Reserpine reverses the resistance to MPP+, suggesting that a transport activity protects against this form of toxicity, perhaps by sequestering the toxin within an intracellular compartment. In support of this hypothesis, dopamine loaded into the CHO transformant shows a localized distribution that is distinct from the pattern observed in wild-type cells and is also reversed by reserpine.

Quantitative autoradiography of dihydrorotenone binding to complex I of the electron transport chain

Defective complex I activity has been linked to Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease, but little is known of the regional distribution of this enzyme in the brain. We have developed a quantitative autoradiographic assay using [3H]dihydrorotenone ([3H]DHR) to label and localize complex I in brain tissue sections. Binding was specific and saturable and in the cerebellar molecular layer had a KD of 11.5 +/- 1.3 nM and a Bmax of 11.0 +/- 0.4 nCi/mg of tissue. Unlabeled rotenone and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion competed effectively for DHR binding sites. Binding was markedly enhanced by 100 microM NADH. The distribution of complex I in brain, as revealed by DHR autoradiography, is unique but somewhat similar to that of cytochrome oxidase (complex IV). This assay may provide new insight into the roles of complex I in brain function and neurodegeneration.

The acridones, new inhibitors of mitochondrial NADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I)

Acridones (9-azaanthracen-10-ones) were found to be powerful inhibitors of mitochondrial NADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase. Their inhibitory activity was best if an alkyl or alkyloxy substituent resided in the 4-position. Biological activity reached a maximum at a chain length of 9-10 A. Halogen substitution in position 7, but not in positions 6 and 7, further enhanced activity. 2-Alkylacridones were much less active. Inhibitory activity in a Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) could be correlated to Verloop's STERIMOL parameters L and L2 (Verloop, A., Hoogenstraten, W. and Tipker, J. (1976) in Drug Design (Ariens, E.J., ed.), Vol. 7, pp. 165-207, Academic Press, New York). The QSAR could be further improved by inclusion of the lipophilicity parameter pi.

Adaptation of mitochondrial metabolism in liver cirrhosis. Different strategies to maintain a vital function

Mitochondrial function and structure in cirrhotic livers from humans or rats show a variety of changes as compared to control livers. Mitochondrial ATP production is reduced in rats with CCl4- or thioacetamide-induced liver cirrhosis and in rats with secondary biliary cirrhosis. Activity of the electron transport chain is decreased in rats with secondary biliary cirrhosis. In rats with CCl4-induced cirrhosis, the mitochondrial content of certain constituents of the respiratory chain (cytochrome a + a3, cytochrome b and ubiquinone) is increased and activities of cytochrome c oxidase and ATPase are elevated. Similarly, in humans with liver cirrhosis, mitochondrial cytochrome a + a3 content is elevated and has been used to assess the risk for hepatectomy. In rats with secondary biliary cirrhosis, compensatory strategies include increased mitochondrial volume per hepatocyte and possibly increased extramitochondrial ATP production (increased glycolysis). Thus, a variety of adaptive mechanisms are used to maintain mitochondrial function in cirrhotic livers.

MPTP mechanisms of neurotoxicity and their implications for Parkinson's disease

Systemic administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) gives rise to motor deficits in humans and other primates which closely resemble those seen in patients with Parkinson's disease. These deficits are associated with a relatively selective loss of cells in the pars compacta of the substantia nigra and severe reductions in the concentrations of dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin in the striatum. Similarly, in mice of various different strains the administration of MPTP also induces a marked loss of dopaminergic cells with severe depletion of biogenic amines, but higher doses of MPTP are required to produce these effects in mice than in primates. This review summarises advances made in understanding the biochemical events which underlie the remarkable neurotoxic action of MPTP. Major steps in the expression of neurotoxicity involve the conversion of MPTP to the toxic agent 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) by type B monoamine oxidase (MAO-B) in the glia, specific uptake of MPP+ into the nigro-striatal dopaminergic neurones, the intraneuronal accumulation of MPP+, and the neurotoxic action of MPP+. This is exerted mainly through the inhibition of the enzymes of the respiratory chain (Complex I), the disturbance of Ca2+ homeostasis, and possibly by the formation of free radicals. The relevance of the MPTP model to idiopathic Parkinson's disease is discussed.

Interaction of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) and its analogs with the rotenone/piericidin binding site of NADH dehydrogenase

Nigrostriatal cell death in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced Parkinson's disease results from the inhibition of mitochondrial respiration by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+). MPP+ blocks electron flow from NADH dehydrogenase to coenzyme Q at or near the same site as do rotenone and piericidin and protects against binding of and loss of activity due to these inhibitors. The 4'-analogs of MPP+ showed increasing affinity for the site with increasing length of alkyl chain, with the lowest Ki, for 4'-heptyl-MPP+, being 6 microM. The 4'-analogs compete with rotenone for the binding site in a concentration-dependent manner. They protect the activity of the enzyme from inhibition by piericidin in parallel to preventing its binding, indicating that the analogs and piericidin bind at the same inhibitory site(s). The optimum protection, however, was afforded by 4'-propyl-MPP+. The lesser protection by the more lipophilic MPP+ analogs with longer alkyl chains may involve a different orientation in the hydrophobic cleft, allowing rotenone and piericidin to still bind even when the pyridinium cation is in a position to interrupt electron flow from NADH to coenzyme Q.

Evidence that the inhibition sites of the neurotoxic amine 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) and of the respiratory chain inhibitor piericidin A are the same

1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), the neurotoxic bioactivation product of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), interrupts mitochondrial electron transfer at the NADH dehydrogenase-ubiquinone junction, as do the respiratory chain inhibitors rotenone, piericidin A and barbiturates. Proof that these classical respiratory chain inhibitors and MPP+ react at the same site in the complex NADH dehydrogenase molecule has been difficult to obtain because none of these compounds bind covalently to the target. The 4'-alkyl derivatives of MPP+ inhibit NADH oxidation in submitochondrial particles at much lower concentrations than does MPP+ itself, but still dissociate on washing the membrane preparations, with consequent re-activation of the enzyme. The MPP+ analogues with short alkyl chains prevent the binding of 14C-labelled piericidin A to the membrane and thus must act at the same site, but analogues with alkyl chains longer than heptyl do not prevent binding of [14C]piericidin.

A new class of powerful inhibitors of monamine oxidase A

It is well established that 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP), the neurotoxic bioactivation product of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and most of its analogs are good competitive inhibitors of monoamine oxidase A, with Ki values in the micromolar range, but they inhibit monoamine oxidase B only at much higher concentrations. We report here the finding that alkyl derivatives of MPP+ substituted at the 4' position of the aromatic ring are considerably more effective reversible inhibitors of the A type enzyme, with Ki values in the nanomolar range (0.075-1.6 microM). They inhibit the B type enzyme only at 2 to 3 orders of magnitude higher concentrations (32-374 microM).

Mechanism of the neurotoxicity of MPTP. An update

This review summarizes advances in our understanding of the biochemical events which underlie the remarkable neurotoxic action of MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) and the parkinsonian symptoms it causes in primates. The initial biochemical event is a two-step oxidation by monoamine oxidase B in glial cells to MPP+ (1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium). A large number of MPTP analogs substituted in the aromatic (but not in the pyridine) ring are also oxidized by monoamine oxidase A or B, is in some cases faster than any previously recognized substrate. Alkyl substitution at the 2'-position changes MPTP, a predominantly B type substrate, to an A substrate. Following concentration in the dopamine neurons by the synaptic system, which has a high affinity for the carrier, MPP+ and its positively charged neurotoxic analogs are further concentrated by the electrical gradient of the inner membrane and then more slowly penetrate the hydrophobic reaction site on NADH dehydrogenase. Both of the latter events are accelerated by the tetraphenylboron anion, which forms ion pairs with MPP+ and its analogs. Mitochondrial damage is now widely accepted as the primary cause of the MPTP induced death of the nigrostriatal cells. The molecular target of MPP+, its neurotoxic product, is NADH dehydrogenase. Recent experiments suggest that the binding site is at or near the combining site of the classical respiratory inhibitors, rotenone and piericidin A.