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 metabolismus   MeSH
• adenosintrifosfát metabolismus   MeSH
• biologický transport MeSH
• iontový transport MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mastné kyseliny * metabolismus   MeSH
• mitochondriální ADP/ATP-translokasy * metabolismus   chemie   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
• adenosintrifosfát MeSH
• mastné kyseliny * MeSH
• mitochondriální ADP/ATP-translokasy * MeSH
• protony * MeSH

Alanine and glutamine are the principal glucogenic amino acids. Most originate from muscles, where branched-chain amino acids (valine, leucine, and isoleucine) are nitrogen donors and, under exceptional circumstances, a source of carbons for glutamate synthesis. Glutamate is a nitrogen source for alanine synthesis from pyruvate and a substrate for glutamine synthesis by glutamine synthetase. The following differences between alanine and glutamine, which can play a role in their use in gluconeogenesis, are shown: (i) glutamine appearance in circulation is higher than that of alanine; (ii) the conversion to oxaloacetate, the starting substance for glucose synthesis, is an ATP-consuming reaction for alanine, which is energetically beneficial for glutamine; (iii) most alanine carbons, but not glutamine carbons, originate from glucose; and (iv) glutamine acts a substrate for gluconeogenesis in the liver, kidneys, and intestine, whereas alanine does so only in the liver. Alanine plays a significant role during early starvation, exposure to high-fat and high-protein diets, and diabetes. Glutamine plays a dominant role in gluconeogenesis in prolonged starvation, acidosis, liver cirrhosis, and severe illnesses like sepsis and acts as a substrate for alanine synthesis in the small intestine. Interactions among muscles and the liver, kidneys, and intestine ensuring optimal alanine and glutamine supply for gluconeogenesis are suggested.

• Klíčová slova
• branched-chain amino acids, cirrhosis, diabetes, glucose, starvation,
• MeSH
• alanin * metabolismus   MeSH
• glukoneogeneze * MeSH
• glukosa metabolismus   MeSH
• glutamin * metabolismus   MeSH
• játra * metabolismus   MeSH
• ledviny * metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• tenké střevo * metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• alanin * MeSH
• glukosa MeSH
• glutamin * MeSH

Aspartic acid exists in L- and D-isoforms (L-Asp and D-Asp). Most L-Asp is synthesized by mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase from oxaloacetate and glutamate acquired by glutamine deamidation, particularly in the liver and tumor cells, and transamination of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), particularly in muscles. The main source of D-Asp is the racemization of L-Asp. L-Asp transported via aspartate-glutamate carrier to the cytosol is used in protein and nucleotide synthesis, gluconeogenesis, urea, and purine-nucleotide cycles, and neurotransmission and via the malate-aspartate shuttle maintains NADH delivery to mitochondria and redox balance. L-Asp released from neurons connects with the glutamate-glutamine cycle and ensures glycolysis and ammonia detoxification in astrocytes. D-Asp has a role in brain development and hypothalamus regulation. The hereditary disorders in L-Asp metabolism include citrullinemia, asparagine synthetase deficiency, Canavan disease, and dicarboxylic aminoaciduria. L-Asp plays a role in the pathogenesis of psychiatric and neurologic disorders and alterations in BCAA levels in diabetes and hyperammonemia. Further research is needed to examine the targeting of L-Asp metabolism as a strategy to fight cancer, the use of L-Asp as a dietary supplement, and the risks of increased L-Asp consumption. The role of D-Asp in the brain warrants studies on its therapeutic potential in psychiatric and neurologic disorders.

• Klíčová slova
• aspartame, aspartate and cell-to-cell interactions, branched-chain amino acids, gluconeogenesis, glutamate–glutamine cycle, malate–aspartate shuttle, neurotransmission, oxaloacetate, purine-nucleotide cycle, urea cycle,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

Mitochondria play an essential role in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Previously, we found that succinate-activated respiration was the most affected mitochondrial parameter in mice with mild NAFLD. In this study, we focused on the role of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) in NAFLD pathogenesis. To induce the progression of NAFLD to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), C57BL/6J mice were fed a Western-style diet (WD) or control diet for 30 weeks. NAFLD severity was evaluated histologically and the expression of selected proteins and genes was assessed. Mitochondrial respiration was measured by high-resolution respirometry. Liver redox status was assessed using glutathione, malondialdehyde, and mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Metabolomic analysis was performed by GC/MS. WD consumption for 30 weeks led to reduced succinate-activated respiration. We also observed decreased SDH activity, decreased expression of the SDH activator sirtuin 3, decreased gene expression of SDH subunits, and increased levels of hepatic succinate, an important signaling molecule. Succinate receptor 1 (SUCNR1) gene and protein expression were reduced in the livers of WD-fed mice. We did not observe signs of oxidative damage compared to the control group. The changes observed in WD-fed mice appear to be adaptive to prevent mitochondrial respiratory chain overload and massive ROS production.

• Klíčová slova
• mitochondria, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, oxidative phosphorylation, respirometry, succinate, succinate dehydrogenase,
• MeSH
• apoptóza MeSH
• biologické markery MeSH
• buněčné dýchání MeSH
• fibróza MeSH
• jaterní mitochondrie metabolismus   MeSH
• kyselina jantarová metabolismus   MeSH
• metabolom MeSH
• metabolomika metody   MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• myši MeSH
• náchylnost k nemoci MeSH
• nealkoholová steatóza jater etiologie   metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• oxidace-redukce * MeSH
• oxidační stres * MeSH
• sukcinátdehydrogenasa metabolismus   MeSH
• západní dieta * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• biologické markery MeSH
• kyselina jantarová MeSH
• sukcinátdehydrogenasa 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