A human succinate-ubiquinone oxidoreductase CII-3 subunit gene ending in a polymorphic dinucleotide repeat is located within the sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) gene

Modulators of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel affect cytotoxicity of heavy metals: Action on isolated rat liver mitochondria and AS-30D ascites hepatoma cells

Heavy metals are ubiquitous environmental pollutants that are extremely dangerous for public health, but the molecular mechanisms of their cytotoxic action are still not fully understood. In the present work, the possible contribution of the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel (mK(ATP)), which is usually considered protective for the cell, to hepatotoxicity caused by heavy metals was investigated using polarography and swelling techniques as well as flow cytometry. Using isolated liver mitochondria from adult male Wistar rats and various potassium media containing or not containing penetrating anions (KNO₃, KSCN, KAcet, KCl), we studied the effect of mK(ATP) modulators, namely its blockers (5-hydroxydecanoate, glibenclamide, ATP, ADP) and activators (diazoxide, malonate), on respiration and/or membrane permeability in the presence of hepatotoxins such as Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Cu²⁺. It has been shown for the first time that, contrary to Hg²⁺ and depending on media used, the mK(ATP) modulators affect Cd²⁺- and/or Cu²⁺-induced alterations in mitochondrial swelling and respiration rates, although differently, nevertheless, in the ways compatible with mK(ATP) participation in both these cases. On rat AS-30D ascites hepatoma cells, it was found that, unlike Cd²⁺, an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species was observed with the simultaneous use of Cu²⁺ and diazoxide; in addition, there was no protective effect of diazoxide against cell death, which also occurred in the presence of Cu²⁺. In conclusion, the relationships (functional, structural and/or regulatory) between mK(ATP), components of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (CI, CII-CIII and/or ATP synthase, CV) and mitochondrial permeability transition pores were discussed, as well as the role of these molecular structures in the mechanisms of the cytotoxic action of heavy metals.

Cardioprotective mechanisms of mitochondria-targeted S-nitrosating agent and adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel opener are mutually exclusive

Background

Myocytes exposed to stress exhibit significant swelling and reduced contractility. These consequences are ameliorated by adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel opener diazoxide (DZX) via an unknown mechanism. KATP channel openers also provide cardioprotection in multiple animal models. Nitric oxide donors are similarly cardioprotective, and their combination with KATP activation may provide synergistic benefit. We hypothesized that mitochondria-targeted S-nitrosating agent (MitoSNO) would provide synergistic cardioprotection with DZX.

Methods

Myocyte volume and contractility were compared following Tyrode's physiologic solution (20 minutes) and stress (hyperkalemic cardioplegia [CPG] ± DZX; n = 5-20 each; 20 minutes) with or without MitoSNO (n = 5-11 each) at the end of stress, followed by Tyrode's solution (20 minutes). Isolated mouse hearts received CPG ± DZX (n = 8-10 each) before global ischemia (90 minutes) with or without MitoSNO (n = 8 each) at the end of ischemia, followed by reperfusion (30 minutes). Left ventricular (LV) pressures were compared using a linear mixed model to assess the impact of treatment on the outcome, adjusting for baseline and balloon volume.

Results

Stress (CPG) was associated with reduced myocyte contractility that was prevented by DZX and MitoSNO individually; however, their combination was associated with loss of cardioprotection. Similarly, DZX and MitoSNO improved LV function after prolonged ischemia compared with CPG alone, and cardioprotection was lost with their combination.

Conclusions

MitoSNO and DZX provide cardioprotection that is lost with their combination, suggesting mutually exclusive mechanisms of action. The lack of a synergistic beneficial effect informs the current knowledge of the cardioprotective mechanisms of DZX and will aid planning of future clinical trials.

Inhibition of Succinate Dehydrogenase by Diazoxide Is Independent of the ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channel Subunit Sulfonylurea Type 1 Receptor

BACKGROUND

Diazoxide maintains myocyte volume and contractility during stress via an unknown mechanism. The mechanism of action may involve an undefined (genotype unknown) mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel and is dependent on the ATP-sensitive potassium channel subunit sulfonylurea type 1 receptor (SUR1). The ATP-sensitive potassium channel openers have been shown to inhibit succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and a gene for a portion of SDH has been found in the SUR intron. Diazoxide may be cardioprotective via inhibition of SDH, which can form part of an ATP-sensitive potassium channel or share its genetic material. This study investigated the role of inhibition of SDH by diazoxide and its relationship to the SUR1 subunit.

STUDY DESIGN

Mitochondria were isolated from wild-type and SUR1 knockout mice. Succinate dehydrogenase activity was measured by spectrophotometric analysis of 2,6-dichloroindophenol reduction for 20 minutes as the relative change in absorbance over time. Mitochondria were treated with succinate (20 mM), succinate + 1% dimethylsulfoxide, succinate + malonate (8 mM) (competitive inhibitor of SDH), or succinate + diazoxide (100 μM).

RESULTS

Both malonate and diazoxide inhibit SDH activity in mitochondria of wild-type mice and in mice lacking the SUR1 subunit (p < 0.05 vs control).

CONCLUSIONS

The ability of DZX to inhibit SDH persists even after deletion of the SUR1 gene. Therefore, the enzyme complex SDH is not dependent on the SUR1 gene. The inhibition of SDH by DZX can play a role in the cardioprotection afforded by DZX; however, this role is independent of the ATP-sensitive potassium channel subunit SUR1.

The complex II inhibitor atpenin A5 protects against cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury via activation of mitochondrial KATP channels

The cardioprotective effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) can be mimicked or blocked by pharmacologic agents, which modulate the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (mK(ATP)) channel, thereby implicating this channel in the mechanism of IPC. Cardioprotection can also be achieved via inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory complex II, and significant pharmacologic overlap exists between complex II inhibitors and mK(ATP) channel agonists. However, the relationship between complex II and the mK(ATP) channel remains unclear. Atpenin A5 (AA5) is a potent and specific complex II inhibitor, and herein we report that AA5 (1 nM) also activates the mK(ATP) channel and protects against simulated ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in isolated cardiomyocytes. Similar to known mK(ATP) agonists, AA5-mediated protection was sensitive to the mK(ATP) antagonists 5-hydroxydecanoate (5HD) and glyburide. Notably, the optimal mK(ATP) opening and protective concentration of AA5 had no effect on complex II enzymatic activity, suggesting an interaction of AA5 with complex II, but not inhibition of the complex per se, is necessary for protection. A cardioprotective effect of AA5 was also observed in isolated perfused hearts, wherein AA5 increased post-IR contractile function and decreased infarct size, in a 5HD-sensitive manner. In conclusion, the specific complex II inhibitor AA5 is the most potent mK(ATP) activator discovered to date, and provides a novel method of activating mK(ATP) channels and protecting the heart from IR injury.

The endogenous mitochondrial complex II inhibitor malonate regulates mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels: implications for ischemic preconditioning

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) affords cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury, and while the molecular mechanisms of IPC are debated, the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K(+) channel (mK(ATP)) has emerged as a candidate effector for several IPC signaling pathways. The molecular identity of this channel is unknown, but significant pharmacologic overlap exists between mK(ATP) and mitochondrial respiratory complex II (succinate dehydrogenase). In this investigation, we utilized isolated cardiac mitochondria, Langendorff perfused hearts, and a variety of biochemical methods, to make the following observations: (i) The competitive complex II inhibitor malonate is formed in mitochondria under conditions resembling IPC. (ii) IPC leads to a reversible inhibition of complex II that has likely been missed in previous investigations due to the use of saturating concentrations of succinate. (iii) Malonate opens mK(ATP) channels even when mitochondria are respiring on complex I-linked substrates, suggesting an effect of this inhibitor on the mK(ATP) channel independent of complex II inhibition. Together, these observations suggest that complex II inhibition by endogenously formed malonate may represent an important activation pathway for mK(ATP) channels during IPC.

Targeting nucleotide-requiring enzymes: implications for diazoxide-induced cardioprotection

Modulation of mitochondrial respiratory chain, dehydrogenase, and nucleotide-metabolizing enzyme activities is fundamental to cellular protection. Here, we demonstrate that the potassium channel opener diazoxide, within its cardioprotective concentration range, modulated the activity of flavin adenine dinucleotide-dependent succinate dehydrogenase with an IC50 of 32 microM and reduced the rate of succinate-supported generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in heart mitochondria. 5-Hydroxydecanoic fatty acid circumvented diazoxide-inhibited succinate dehydrogenase-driven electron flow, indicating a metabolism-dependent supply of redox equivalents to the respiratory chain. In perfused rat hearts, diazoxide diminished the generation of malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative stress, which, however, increased on diazoxide washout. This effect of diazoxide mimicked ischemic preconditioning and was associated with reduced oxidative damage on ischemia-reperfusion. Diazoxide reduced cellular and mitochondrial ATPase activities, along with nucleotide degradation, contributing to preservation of myocardial ATP levels during ischemia. Thus, by targeting nucleotide-requiring enzymes, particularly mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase and cellular ATPases, diazoxide reduces ROS generation and nucleotide degradation, resulting in preservation of myocardial energetics under stress.