The mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier (AAC, ANT), a member of the SLC25 family of solute carriers, plays a critical role in transporting purine nucleotides (ATP and ADP) as well as protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane. However, the precise mechanism and physiological significance of proton transport by ADP/ATP carrier remain unclear. Notably, the presence of uncouplers-such as long-chain fatty acids (FA) or artificial compounds like dinitrophenol (DNP)-is essential for this process. We explore two potential mechanisms that describe ADP/ATP carrier as either (i) a proton carrier that functions in the presence of FA or DNP, or (ii) an anion transporter (FA- or DNP). In the latter case, the proton is translocated by the neutral form of FA, which carries it from the matrix to the intermembrane space (FA-cycling hypothesis). Our recent results support this hypothesis. We describe a four-step mechanism for the "sliding" of the FA anion from the matrix to the mitochondrial intermembrane space and discuss a possible generalization of this mechanism to other SLC25 carriers.

• Klíčová slova
• MD simulations, bilayer lipid membranes, membrane proteins, mitochondrial transporter, reconstituted protein, uncoupling protein,
• MeSH
• 2,4-dinitrofenol farmakologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• iontový transport MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mastné kyseliny metabolismus   MeSH
• mitochondriální ADP/ATP-translokasy * metabolismus   chemie   MeSH
• mitochondriální membrány metabolismus   MeSH
• mitochondrie metabolismus   MeSH
• protony * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• 2,4-dinitrofenol MeSH
• mastné kyseliny MeSH
• mitochondriální ADP/ATP-translokasy * MeSH
• protony * MeSH

Mitochondrial adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) exchanges ADP for ATP to maintain energy production in the cell. Its protonophoric function in the presence of long-chain fatty acids (FA) is also recognized. Our previous results imply that proton/FA transport can be best described with the FA cycling model, in which protonated FA transports the proton to the mitochondrial matrix. The mechanism by which ANT1 transports FA anions back to the intermembrane space remains unclear. Using a combined approach involving measurements of the current through the planar lipid bilayers reconstituted with ANT1, site-directed mutagenesis and molecular dynamics simulations, we show that the FA anion is first attracted by positively charged arginines or lysines on the matrix side of ANT1 before moving along the positively charged protein-lipid interface and binding to R79, where it is protonated. We show that R79 is also critical for the competitive binding of ANT1 substrates (ADP and ATP) and inhibitors (carboxyatractyloside and bongkrekic acid). The binding sites are well conserved in mitochondrial SLC25 members, suggesting a general mechanism for transporting FA anions across the inner mitochondrial membrane.

• Klíčová slova
• AAC, ADP/ATP carrier, arachidonic acid, fatty acid cycling hypothesis, fatty acids anion transport, proton transport, uncoupling proteins,
• MeSH
• adenosintrifosfát metabolismus   MeSH
• anionty metabolismus   MeSH
• lipidové dvojvrstvy * MeSH
• mastné kyseliny metabolismus   MeSH
• mitochondriální ADP/ATP-translokasy metabolismus   MeSH
• protony * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• adenosintrifosfát MeSH
• anionty MeSH
• lipidové dvojvrstvy * MeSH
• mastné kyseliny MeSH
• mitochondriální ADP/ATP-translokasy MeSH
• protony * MeSH

Adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) is a well-known mitochondrial exchanger of ATP against ADP. In contrast, few studies have shown that ANT also mediates proton transport across the inner mitochondrial membrane. The results of these studies are controversial and lead to different hypotheses about molecular transport mechanisms. We hypothesized that the H+-transport mediated by ANT and uncoupling proteins (UCP) has a similar regulation pattern and can be explained by the fatty acid cycling concept. The reconstitution of purified recombinant ANT1 in the planar lipid bilayers allowed us to measure the membrane current after the direct application of transmembrane potential ΔΨ, which would correspond to the mitochondrial states III and IV. Experimental results reveal that ANT1 does not contribute to a basal proton leak. Instead, it mediates H+ transport only in the presence of long-chain fatty acids (FA), as already known for UCPs. It depends on FA chain length and saturation, implying that FA's transport is confined to the lipid-protein interface. Purine nucleotides with the preference for ATP and ADP inhibited H+ transport. Specific inhibitors of ATP/ADP transport, carboxyatractyloside or bongkrekic acid, also decreased proton transport. The H+ turnover number was calculated based on ANT1 concentration determined by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and is equal to 14.6 ± 2.5 s-1. Molecular dynamic simulations revealed a large positively charged area at the protein/lipid interface that might facilitate FA anion's transport across the membrane. ANT's dual function-ADP/ATP and H+ transport in the presence of FA-may be important for the regulation of mitochondrial membrane potential and thus for potential-dependent processes in mitochondria. Moreover, the expansion of proton-transport modulating drug targets to ANT1 may improve the therapy of obesity, cancer, steatosis, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.

• Klíčová slova
• ADP/ATP carrier protein, arachidonic acid, fatty acid anion transport, long-chain fatty acids, mitochondrial transporter, proton transport,
• MeSH
• iontový transport MeSH
• konformace proteinů MeSH
• mastné kyseliny metabolismus   MeSH
• membránový potenciál mitochondrií MeSH
• mitochondrie metabolismus   MeSH
• myši MeSH
• protony * MeSH
• translokátor adeninových nukleotidů 1 chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• mastné kyseliny MeSH
• protony * MeSH
• translokátor adeninových nukleotidů 1 MeSH

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of uncoupling proteins (UCP), a class of transmembrane proteins relevant for proton transport across inner mitochondrial membranes, represent a complicated task due to the lack of available structural data. In this work, we use a combination of homology modelling and subsequent microsecond molecular dynamics simulations of UCP2 in the DOPC phospholipid bilayer, starting from the structure of the mitochondrial ATP/ADP carrier (ANT) as a template. We show that this protocol leads to a structure that is impermeable to water, in contrast to MD simulations of UCP2 structures based on the experimental NMR structure. We also show that ATP binding in the UCP2 cavity is tight in the homology modelled structure of UCP2 in agreement with experimental observations. Finally, we corroborate our results with conductance measurements in model membranes, which further suggest that the UCP2 structure modeled from ANT protein possesses additional key functional elements, such as a fatty acid-binding site at the R60 region of the protein, directly related to the proton transport mechanism across inner mitochondrial membranes.

• Klíčová slova
• conductance measurements in model membranes, long-chain fatty acid, membrane protein, proton transfer, purine nucleotide, uncoupling,
• MeSH
• adenosintrifosfát chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• iontový transport MeSH
• konformace proteinů * MeSH
• mastné kyseliny chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• membránové proteiny chemie   MeSH
• mitochondriální proteiny chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• myši MeSH
• sekvence aminokyselin MeSH
• simulace molekulární dynamiky * MeSH
• stabilita proteinů MeSH
• uncoupling protein 2 chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• vazba proteinů MeSH
• vztahy mezi strukturou a aktivitou MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• adenosintrifosfát MeSH
• mastné kyseliny MeSH
• membránové proteiny MeSH
• mitochondriální proteiny MeSH
• uncoupling protein 2 MeSH

SIGNIFICANCE: Mitochondria are the energetic, metabolic, redox, and information signaling centers of the cell. Substrate pressure, mitochondrial network dynamics, and cristae morphology state are integrated by the protonmotive force Δp or its potential component, ΔΨ, which are attenuated by proton backflux into the matrix, termed uncoupling. The mitochondrial uncoupling proteins (UCP1-5) play an eminent role in the regulation of each of the mentioned aspects, being involved in numerous physiological events including redox signaling. Recent Advances: UCP2 structure, including purine nucleotide and fatty acid (FA) binding sites, strongly support the FA cycling mechanism: UCP2 expels FA anions, whereas uncoupling is achieved by the membrane backflux of protonated FA. Nascent FAs, cleaved by phospholipases, are preferential. The resulting Δp dissipation decreases superoxide formation dependent on Δp. UCP-mediated antioxidant protection and its impairment are expected to play a major role in cell physiology and pathology. Moreover, UCP2-mediated aspartate, oxaloacetate, and malate antiport with phosphate is expected to alter metabolism of cancer cells. CRITICAL ISSUES: A wide range of UCP antioxidant effects and participations in redox signaling have been reported; however, mechanisms of UCP activation are still debated. Switching off/on the UCP2 protonophoretic function might serve as redox signaling either by employing/releasing the extra capacity of cell antioxidant systems or by directly increasing/decreasing mitochondrial superoxide sources. Rapid UCP2 degradation, FA levels, elevation of purine nucleotides, decreased Mg2+, or increased pyruvate accumulation may initiate UCP-mediated redox signaling. FUTURE DIRECTIONS: Issues such as UCP2 participation in glucose sensing, neuronal (synaptic) function, and immune cell activation should be elucidated. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 29, 667-714.

• Klíčová slova
• UCP2, anion transport, attenuation of superoxide formation, fatty acid cycling, mitochondrial uncoupling proteins, redox signaling,
• MeSH
• antioxidancia metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mitochondriální odpřahující proteiny metabolismus   MeSH
• oxidace-redukce MeSH
• signální transdukce * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antioxidancia MeSH
• mitochondriální odpřahující proteiny MeSH

Distribution and activity of mitochondria are key factors in neuronal development, synaptic plasticity and axogenesis. The majority of energy sources, necessary for cellular functions, originate from oxidative phosphorylation located in the inner mitochondrial membrane. The adenosine-5'- triphosphate production is regulated by many control mechanism-firstly by oxygen, substrate level, adenosine-5'-diphosphate level, mitochondrial membrane potential, and rate of coupling and proton leak. Recently, these mechanisms have been implemented by "second control mechanisms," such as reversible phosphorylation of the tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes and electron transport chain complexes, allosteric inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase, thyroid hormones, effects of fatty acids and uncoupling proteins. Impaired function of mitochondria is implicated in many diseases ranging from mitochondrial myopathies to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Mitochondrial dysfunctions are usually related to the ability of mitochondria to generate adenosine-5'-triphosphate in response to energy demands. Large amounts of reactive oxygen species are released by defective mitochondria, similarly, decline of antioxidative enzyme activities (e.g. in the elderly) enhances reactive oxygen species production. We reviewed data concerning neuroplasticity, physiology, and control of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and reactive oxygen species production.

• Klíčová slova
• calcium, electron transport chain complex, fatty acid, membrane potential, metabolic pathway, mitochondria, neural regeneration, neuroregeneration, oxidative phosphorylation, reactive oxygen species, respiratory state, reviews, uncoupling protein,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH