Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Mitochondrial Depolarization (mitochondrial + depolarization)
Selected AbstractsCalcium signaling leads to mitochondrial depolarization in impact-induced chondrocyte death in equine articular cartilage explantsARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 7 2007C. A. M. Huser Objective Chondrocyte apoptosis is an important factor in the progression of osteoarthritis. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms involved upstream of caspase 9 activation and, in particular, calcium signaling and mitochondrial depolarization. Methods Articular cartilage explants obtained from healthy horses were subjected to a single impact load (500-gm weight dropped from a height of 50 mm) and cultured in vitro for up to 48 hours. Chondrocyte death was quantified by the TUNEL method. Release of proteoglycans was determined by the dimethylmethylene blue assay. Weight change was measured, and mitochondrial depolarization was determined using JC-1 staining. To assess the role of calcium signaling in impact-induced chondrocyte death, explants were preincubated in culture medium containing various concentrations of calcium. Inhibitors were used to assess the role of individual signaling components in impact-induced chondrocyte death. Results Calcium quenching, inhibitors of calpains, calcium/calmodulin-regulated kinase II (CaMKII), and mitochondrial depolarization reduced impact-induced chondrocyte death after 48 hours in culture. Transient mitochondrial depolarization was observed 3,6 hours following a single impact load. Mitochondrial depolarization was prevented by calcium quenching, inhibitors of calpain, CaMKII, permeability transition pore formation, ryanodine receptor, and the mitochondrial uniport transporter. Cathepsin B did not appear to be involved in impact-induced chondrocyte death. The calpain inhibitor prevented proteoglycan loss, but the percentage weight gain and proteoglycan loss were unaffected by all treatments used. Conclusion Following a single impact load, calcium is released from the endoplasmic reticulum via the ryanodine receptor and is taken up by the mitochondria via the uniport transporter, causing mitochondrial depolarization and caspase 9 activation. In addition, calpains and CaMKII play important roles in causing mitochondrial depolarization. [source] Acute effects of the sigma-2 receptor agonist siramesine on lens epithelial cellsACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2007JO KARLSSON Purpose: Experiments were carried out to study the effects of siramesine on markers for apoptosis, oxidative damage and mitochondrial function in primary cultures of human lens epithelial cells (HLEC). Methods: HLEC were incubated with 25 ,M siramesine for 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 hours. Caspase-3 was assayed in cell extracts with DEVD-AMC. Mitochondrial depolarization was assayed with JC-1. Peroxide production was studied with DCF-DA and superoxide levels with hydroethidium. Glutathione levels were assayed with monochlorobimane. Results: Siramesine induced a significant increase of caspase-3 activity after 6h exposure to 25 ,M siramesine. Nuclear morphology examined with Hoechst 33342 showed signs of apoptosis after the same time intervals. A significant increase in the production of peroxide and superoxide were found up to 4 -8 hours after administration of siramesine. Conclusions: Siramesine, a piperidine analogue, was developed for the treatment of psychiatric disorders and is considered to be relatively nontoxic. This study, and others, indicate effects on cell growth, apoptosis and production of ROS. The sigma-2 receptor may be a regulator of HLEC growth and apoptosis. [source] Apoptosis via the B cell antigen receptor requires Bax translocation and involves mitochondrial depolarization, cytochrome C release, and caspase-9 activationEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 7 2004Eric Eldering Abstract Various routes to apoptosis can be active during B cell development. In a model system of mature B cells, differences in caspase-3 processing have suggested that antigen receptor (BCR)-mediated apoptosis may involve a zVAD-insensitive initiator protease(s). In search of the events leading to caspase-3 activation, we now establish that both CD95- and BCR-mediated apoptosis depend on Bax activation and cytochrome C (cytC) release. Nevertheless, the timing and caspase-dependence of mitochondrial membrane depolarization differed considerably after CD95- or BCR-triggering. To delineate events subsequent to cytC release, we compared apoptosis induced via BCR triggering and via direct mitochondrial depolarization by CCCP. In both cases, partial processing of caspase-3 was observed in the presence of zVAD. By expression in 293 cells we addressed the potential of candidate initiator caspases to function in the presence of zVAD, and found that caspase-9 efficiently processed caspase-3, while caspase-2 or ,8 were inactive. Finally, retroviral expression of dominant-negative caspase-9 inhibited both CD95- and BCR-mediated apoptosis. In conclusion, we obtained no evidence for involvement of a BCR-specific protease. Instead, our data show for the first time that the BCR-signal causes Bax translocation, followed by mitochondrial depolarization, and cytC release. Subsequent caspase-9 activation can solely account for events further downstream. [source] Acute action of rotenone on nigral dopaminergic neurons , involvement of reactive oxygen species and disruption of Ca2+ homeostasisEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 10 2009Peter S. Freestone Abstract Rotenone is a toxin used to generate animal models of Parkinson's disease; however, the mechanisms of toxicity in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) neurons have not been well characterized. We have investigated rotenone (0.05,1 ,m) effects on SNc neurons in acute rat midbrain slices, using whole-cell patch-clamp recording combined with microfluorometry. Rotenone evoked a tolbutamide-sensitive outward current (94 ± 15 pA) associated with increases in intracellular [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i) (73.8 ± 7.7 nm) and intracellular [Na+] (3.1 ± 0.6 mm) (all with 1 ,m). The outward current was not affected by a high ATP level (10 mm) in the patch pipette but was decreased by Trolox. The [Ca2+]i rise was abolished by removing extracellular Ca2+, and attenuated by Trolox and a transient receptor potential M2 (TRPM2) channel blocker, N -(p -amylcinnamoyl) anthranilic acid. Other effects included mitochondrial depolarization (rhodamine-123) and increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production (MitoSox), which was also abolished by Trolox. A low concentration of rotenone (5 nm) that, by itself, did not evoke a [Ca2+]i rise resulted in a large (46.6 ± 25.3 nm) Ca2+ response when baseline [Ca2+]i was increased by a ,priming' protocol that activated voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. There was also a positive correlation between ,naturally' occurring variations in baseline [Ca2+]i and the rotenone-induced [Ca2+]i rise. This correlation was not seen in non-dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr). Our results show that mitochondrial ROS production is a key element in the effect of rotenone on ATP-gated K+ channels and TRPM2-like channels in SNc neurons, and demonstrate, in these neurons (but not in the SNr), a large potentiation of rotenone-induced [Ca2+]i rise by a small increase in baseline [Ca2+]i. [source] Glial-derived arginine, the nitric oxide precursor, protects neurons from NMDA-induced excitotoxicityEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 11 2001Gilbert Grima Abstract Excitotoxic neuronal cell death is characterized by an overactivation of glutamate receptors, in particular of the NMDA subtype, and the stimulation of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), which catalyses the formation of nitric oxide (NO) from l -arginine (L-Arg). At low L-Arg concentrations, nNOS generates NO and superoxide (O2,,), favouring the production of the toxin peroxynitrite (ONOO,). Here we report that NMDA application for five minutes in the absence of added L-Arg induces neuronal cell death, and that the presence of L-Arg during NMDA application prevents cell loss by blocking O2,, and ONOO, formation and by inhibiting mitochondrial depolarization. Because L-Arg is transferred from glial cells to neurons upon activation of glial glutamate receptors, we hypothesized that glial cells play an important modulator role in excitotoxicity by releasing L-Arg. Indeed, as we further show, glial-derived L-Arg inhibits NMDA-induced toxic radical formation, mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. Glial cells thus may protect neurons from excitotoxicity by supplying L-Arg. This potential neuroprotective mechanism may lead to an alternative approach for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases involving excitotoxic processes, such as ischemia. [source] COX-2 inhibits Fas-mediated apoptosis in cholangiocarcinoma cellsHEPATOLOGY, Issue 3 2002Ugochukwu C. Nzeako Fas expression has been shown to negatively regulate the progression of cholangiocarcinoma cells in xenografts. However, many human cholangiocarcinomas express Fas, suggesting these cancers have developed mechanisms to inhibit Fas-mediated apoptosis. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which generates prostanoids, is expressed by many cholangiocarcinomas. Therefore, our aim was to determine whether COX-2 expression inhibits death receptor,mediated apoptosis in KMBC cells, a cholangiocarcinoma cell line. These cells express messenger RNA for the death receptors Fas, tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNF-R1), death receptor 4 (DR4), and DR5. Agonists for these death receptors, CH-11, TNF-,, and TRAIL all induced apoptosis. However, COX-2, whether induced by proinflammatory cytokines or transient transfection, only significantly inhibited Fas-mediated apoptosis. The COX-2 inhibitor NS-398 restored Fas-mediated apoptosis in COX-2 transfected cells. Prostaglandin E2 reduced apoptosis and mitochondrial depolarization after treatment with the Fas agonist CH-11. Of a variety of antiapoptotic proteins examined, COX-2/prostaglandin E2 only increased expression of Mcl-1, an antiapoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family. In conclusion, these data suggest that prostanoid generation by COX-2 specifically inhibits Fas-mediated apoptosis, likely by up-regulating Mcl-1 expression. Pharmacologic inhibition of COX-2 may be useful in augmenting Fas-mediated apoptosis of cholangiocarcinoma cells. [source] Critical Role of Reactive Oxygen Species and Mitochondrial Permeability Transition in Microcystin-Induced Rapid Apoptosis in Rat HepatocytesHEPATOLOGY, Issue 3 2000Wen-Xing Ding Microcystin-LR (M-LR) is a specific hepatotoxin. At present, the exact toxic mechanism of its action remains unclear though apoptosis is believed to be involved. This study was designed to investigate the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) in the M-LR,induced apoptotic process. Morphologic changes such as cell shrinkage, externalization of cell membrane phosphatidylserine, DNA fragmentation, and nuclear condensation suggest that M-LR causes rapid apoptosis in hepatocytes. Confocal microscopy revealed that M-LR exposure led to the onset of MPT and mitochondrial depolarization, evidenced by (1) redistribution of calcein fluorescence from cytosol to mitochondria, and (2) loss of mitochondrial tetramethyrhodamine methyl ester (TMRM) fluorescence; both occurred before apoptosis. Moreover, there was a significant and rapid increase of ROS level before the onset of MPT and loss of MMP, indicating a critical role of ROS in M-LR,induced apoptosis. Deferoxamine (DFO), an iron chelator, prevented the increase of ROS production, delayed the onset of MPT, and, subsequently, cell death. In addition, a specific MPT inhibitor, cyclosporin A (CsA), blocked the M-LR,induced ROS formation, onset of MPT, and mitochondrial depolarization as well as cell death. Thus, we conclude that the M-LR,induced ROS formation leads to the onset of MPT and apoptosis. [source] Age-Dependent Changes in the Calcium Sensitivity of Striatal Mitochondria in Mouse Models of Huntington's DiseaseJOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 6 2005N. Brustovetsky Abstract Striatal and cortical mitochondria from knock-in and transgenic mutant huntingtin mice were examined for their sensitivity to calcium induction of the permeability transition, a cause of mitochondrial depolarization and ATP loss. The permeability transition has been suggested to contribute to cell death in Huntington's Disease. Mitochondria were examined from slowly progressing knock-in mouse models with different length polyglutarnine expansions (Q20, Q50, Q92, Q111) and from the rapidly progressing transgenic R6/2 mice overexpressing exon I of human huntingtin with more than 110 polyglutamines. As previously observed in rats, striatal mitochondria from background strain CD1 and C57BL/6 control mice were more sensitive to calcium than cortical mitochondria. Between 5 and 12 months in knock-in Q92 mice and between 8 and 12 weeks in knock-in Q111 mice, striatal mitochondria developed resistance, becoming equally sensitive to calcium as cortical mitochondria, while those from Q50 mice were unchanged. Cortical mitochondrial calcium sensitivity did not change. In R6/2 mice striatal and cortical mitochondria were equally resistant to Ca2+ while striatal mitochondria from littermate controls were more susceptible. No increases in calcium sensitivity were observed in the mitochondria from Huntington's Disease (HD) mice compared to controls. Neither motor abnormalities, nor expression of cyclophilin D corresponded to the changes in mitochondrial sensitivity. Polyglutamine expansions in huntingtin produced an early increased resistance to calcium in striatal mitochondria suggesting mitochondria undergo compensatory changes in calcium sensitivity in response to the many cellular changes wrought by polyglutamine expansion. [source] P2Y receptor-activating nucleotides modulate cellular reactive oxygen species production in dissociated hippocampal astrocytes and neurons in culture independent of parallel cytosolic Ca2+ rise and change in mitochondrial potentialJOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH, Issue 15 2007Stefan Kahlert Abstract With mixed cultures of hippocampal astrocytes and neurons, we investigated the influence of nucleotides on cytosolic Ca2+ level, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial potential. We employed ATP and four purine/pyrimidine derivates, which are P2Y receptor subtype-preferring agonists. Stimulation with ATP, a P2Y1/2/4 receptor agonist in rat, caused a large cytosolic Ca2+ increase in astrocytes and a considerably smaller Ca2+ response in neighboring neurons. The P2Y1 receptor antagonist MRS2179 completely blocked the ATP-induced Ca2+ response in astrocytes and neurons. Application of ATP significantly reduced the mitochondrial potential in neurons, which was not inhibited by MRS2179. Interestingly, MRS2179 mediated a mitochondrial depolarization without affecting the cytosolic Ca2+ level. Stimulation with UDP, a P2Y6 receptor agonist; UTP, a P2Y2/4 receptor agonist; 2MeSATP, a P2Y1 receptor agonist; or 2MeSADP, a P2Y1/12/13 receptor agonist, evoked significant Ca2+ responses in astrocytes but small Ca2+ responses in neurons. In astrocytes, there was an inverse relationship between the amplitude of the cytosolic Ca2+ peak and the rate of ROS generation in response to nucleotide application. Activation with UDP resulted in the highest ROS generation that we detected, whereas 2MeSADP and 2MeSATP reduced the ROS generation below the basal level. 2MeSADP and UDP caused mitochondrial depolarization of comparable size. Thus, neither in astrocytes nor in neurons did the degree of mitochondrial depolarization correlate with ROS generation. Nucleotides acting via P2Y receptors can modulate ROS generation of hippocampal neurons without acutely changing the cytosolic Ca2+ level. Thus, ROS might function as a signaling molecule upon nucleotide-induced P2Y receptor activation in brain. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Isoflurane-induced depolarization of neural mitochondria increases with ageACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 1 2009RAVI BAINS Background and objectives: The mitochondrial membrane potential (,,m) drives the three fundamental functions of mitochondria, namely adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generation, Ca2+ uptake/storage, and generation/detoxification of ROS. Isoflurane depolarizes neural mitochondria. The sensitivity for general anesthetics increases with age, but the mechanism for this age-related sensitivity is still unknown. We compared the effect of isoflurane on [Ca2+]i and ,,m in isolated pre-synaptic terminals (synaptosomes) from neonatal, adolescent, and adult rats and the influence of interventions in the respiratory chain was assessed. Methods: Synaptosomes were loaded with the fluorescent probes fura-2 ([Ca2+]i) and JC-1 (,,m) and exposed to isoflurane 1 and 2 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC). The effect on the electron transport chain was investigated by blocking complexes I and V. Results: In neonatal rats isoflurane had no significant effect on ,,m. In adolescent and adult synaptosomes, however, isoflurane 1 and 2 MAC decreased ,,m. Isoflurane 2 MAC increased [Ca2+]i in neonatal and adolescent rats, but not in adult synaptosomes. In Ca2+ -depleted medium, isoflurane still decreased ,,m, while [Ca2+]i remained unaltered. By blocking complex V of the respiratory chain, the isoflurane-induced mitochondrial depolarization was enhanced in all age groups. Blocking complex I depolarized the mitochondria to the same extent as isoflurane 2 MAC, but without any additive effect. Conclusions: The depolarizing effect of isoflurane on neural mitochondria is more pronounced in the adolescent and adult than in neonatal synaptosomes. The increased mitochondrial sensitivity with age seems to be related to the reversed function of the ATP synthase of the electron transport chain. [source] Volatile anaesthetics depolarize neural mitochondria by inhibiton of the electron transport chainACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2006R. Bains Background:, The mitochondrial membrane potential (,,m) controls the generation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and reactive oxygen species, and sequesteration of intracellular Ca2+[Ca2+]i. Clinical concentrations of sevoflurane affect the ,,m in neural mitochondria, but the mechanisms remain elusive. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of isoflurane and sevoflurane on ,,m in rat pre-synaptic terminals (synaptosomes), and to investigate whether these agents affect ,,m by inhibiting the respiratory chain. Methods:, Synaptosomes were loaded with the fluorescent probes JC-1 (,,m) and Fura-2 ([Ca2+]i) and exposed to isoflurane or sevoflurane. The effect of the anaesthetics on the electron transport chain was investigated by blocking complex I and complex V. Results:, Isoflurane 1 and 2 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) decreased the normalized JC-1 ratio from 0.92 ± 0.03 in control to 0.86 ± 0.02 and 0.81 ± 0.01, respectively, reflecting a depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane (n = 9). Isoflurane 2 MAC increased [Ca2+]i. In Ca2+ -depleted medium, isoflurane still decreased ,,m while [Ca2+]i remained unaltered. The effect of isoflurane was more pronounced than for sevoflurane. Blocking complex V of the respiratory chain enhanced the isoflurane- and sevoflurane-induced mitochondrial depolarization, whereas blocking complex I and V decreased ,,m to the same extent in control, isoflurane and sevoflurane experiments. Conclusions:, Isoflurane and sevoflurane may act as metabolic inhibitors by depolarizing pre-synaptic mitochondria through inhibition of the electron transport chain, although isoflurane seems to inhibit mitochondrial function more significantly than sevoflurane. Both agents inhibit the respiratory chain sufficiently to cause ATP synthase reversal. [source] Mitochondrial modulation of Ca2+ sparks and transient KCa currents in smooth muscle cells of rat cerebral arteriesTHE JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2004Serguei Y. Cheranov Mitochondria sequester and release calcium (Ca2+) and regulate intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in eukaryotic cells. However, the regulation of different Ca2+ signalling modalities by mitochondria in smooth muscle cells is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the regulation of Ca2+ sparks, Ca2+ waves and global [Ca2+]i by mitochondria in cerebral artery smooth muscle cells. CCCP (a protonophore; 1 ,m) and rotenone (an electron transport chain complex I inhibitor; 10 ,m) depolarized mitochondria, reduced Ca2+ spark and wave frequency, and elevated global [Ca2+]i in smooth muscle cells of intact arteries. In voltage-clamped (,40 mV) cells, mitochondrial depolarization elevated global [Ca2+]i, reduced Ca2+ spark amplitude, spatial spread and the effective coupling of sparks to large-conductance Ca2+ -activated potassium (KCa) channels, and decreased transient KCa current frequency and amplitude. Inhibition of Ca2+ sparks and transient KCa currents by mitochondrial depolarization could not be explained by a decrease in intracellular ATP or a reduction in sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ load, and occurred in the presence of diltiazem, a voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel blocker. Ru360 (10 ,m), a mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake blocker, and lonidamine (100 ,m), a permeability transition pore (PTP) opener, inhibited transient KCa currents similarly to mitochondrial depolarization. In contrast, CGP37157 (10 ,m), a mitochondrial Na+,Ca2+ exchange blocker, activated these events. The PTP blockers bongkrekic acid and cyclosporin A both reduced inhibition of transient KCa currents by mitochondrial depolarization. These results indicate that mitochondrial depolarization leads to a voltage-independent elevation in global [Ca2+]i and Ca2+ spark and transient KCa current inhibition. Data also suggest that mitochondrial depolarization inhibits Ca2+ sparks and transient KCa currents via PTP opening and a decrease in intramitochondrial [Ca2+]. [source] FK506 is neuroprotective in a model of antiretroviral toxic neuropathyANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 1 2003MRCP, Sanjay C. Keswani MBBS Antiretroviral toxic neuropathy is the most common neurological complication of human immunodeficiency virus infection. This painful neuropathy not only affects the quality of life of human immunodeficiency virus,infected patients but also severely limits viral suppression strategies. We have developed an in vitro model of this toxic neuropathy to better understand the mechanism of neurotoxicity and to test potential neuroprotective compounds. We show that among the dideoxynucleosides, ddC appears to be the most neurotoxic, followed by ddI and then d4T. This reflects their potency in causing neuropathy. AZT, which does not cause a peripheral neuropathy in patients, does not cause significant neurotoxicity in our model. Furthermore, in this model, we show that the immunophilin ligand FK506 but not cyclosporin A prevents the development of neurotoxicity by ddC, as judged by amelioration of ddC-induced "neuritic pruning," neuronal mitochondrial depolarization, and neuronal necrotic death. This finding suggests a calcineurin-independent mechanism of neuroprotection. As calcineurin inhibition underlies the immunosuppressive properties of these clinically used immunophilin ligands, this holds promise for the neuroprotective efficacy of nonimmunosuppressive analogs of FK506 in the prevention or treatment of antiretroviral toxic neuropathy. Ann Neurol 2003;53:000,000 [source] Calcium signaling leads to mitochondrial depolarization in impact-induced chondrocyte death in equine articular cartilage explantsARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 7 2007C. A. M. Huser Objective Chondrocyte apoptosis is an important factor in the progression of osteoarthritis. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms involved upstream of caspase 9 activation and, in particular, calcium signaling and mitochondrial depolarization. Methods Articular cartilage explants obtained from healthy horses were subjected to a single impact load (500-gm weight dropped from a height of 50 mm) and cultured in vitro for up to 48 hours. Chondrocyte death was quantified by the TUNEL method. Release of proteoglycans was determined by the dimethylmethylene blue assay. Weight change was measured, and mitochondrial depolarization was determined using JC-1 staining. To assess the role of calcium signaling in impact-induced chondrocyte death, explants were preincubated in culture medium containing various concentrations of calcium. Inhibitors were used to assess the role of individual signaling components in impact-induced chondrocyte death. Results Calcium quenching, inhibitors of calpains, calcium/calmodulin-regulated kinase II (CaMKII), and mitochondrial depolarization reduced impact-induced chondrocyte death after 48 hours in culture. Transient mitochondrial depolarization was observed 3,6 hours following a single impact load. Mitochondrial depolarization was prevented by calcium quenching, inhibitors of calpain, CaMKII, permeability transition pore formation, ryanodine receptor, and the mitochondrial uniport transporter. Cathepsin B did not appear to be involved in impact-induced chondrocyte death. The calpain inhibitor prevented proteoglycan loss, but the percentage weight gain and proteoglycan loss were unaffected by all treatments used. Conclusion Following a single impact load, calcium is released from the endoplasmic reticulum via the ryanodine receptor and is taken up by the mitochondria via the uniport transporter, causing mitochondrial depolarization and caspase 9 activation. In addition, calpains and CaMKII play important roles in causing mitochondrial depolarization. [source] Diazoxide acts more as a PKC- , activator, and indirectly activates the mitochondrial KATP channel conferring cardioprotection against hypoxic injuryBRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 8 2006M-Y Kim Background and purpose: Diazoxide, a well-known opener of the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (mitoKATP) channel, has been demonstrated to exert cardioprotective effect against ischemic injury through the mitoKATP channel and protein kinase C (PKC). We aimed to clarify the role of PKC isoforms and the relationship between the PKC isoforms and the mitoKATP channel in diazoxide-induced cardioprotection. Experimental approach: In H9c2 cells and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, PKC-, activation was examined by Western blotting and kinase assay. Flavoprotein fluorescence, mitochondrial Ca2+ and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured by confocal microscopy. Cell death was determined by TUNEL assay. Key results: Diazoxide (100 ,M) induced translocation of PKC-, from the cytosolic to the mitochondrial fraction. Specific blockade of PKC-, by either ,V1-2 or dominant negative mutant PKC-, (PKC-, KR) abolished the anti-apoptotic effect of diazoxide. Diazoxide-induced flavoprotein oxidation was inhibited by either ,V1-2 or PKC-, KR transfection. Treatment with 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD) did not affect translocation and activation of PKC-, induced by diazoxide. Transfection with wild type PKC-, mimicked the flavoprotein-oxidizing effect of diazoxide, and this effect was completely blocked by ,V1-2 or 5-HD. Diazoxide prevented the increase in mitochondrial Ca2+, mitochondrial depolarization and cytochrome c release induced by hypoxia and all these effects of diazoxide were blocked by ,V1-2 or 5-HD. Conclusions and Implications: Diazoxide induced isoform-specific translocation of PKC-, as an upstream signaling molecule for the mitoKATP channel, rendering cardiomyocytes resistant to hypoxic injury through inhibition of the mitochondrial death pathway. British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 149, 1059,1070. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706922 [source] | |||||||||||||