185
Views
32
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original

Mitochondria produce reactive nitrogen species via an arginine-independent pathway

, , , , , , , , & show all
Pages 369-378 | Received 26 Aug 2005, Published online: 07 Jul 2009
 

Abstract

We measured the contribution of mitochondrial nitric oxide synthase (mtNOS) and respiratory chain enzymes to reactive nitrogen species (RNS) production. Diaminofluorescein (DAF) was applied for the assessment of RNS production in isolated mouse brain, heart and liver mitochondria and also in a cultured neuroblastoma cell line by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. Mitochondria produced RNS, which was inhibited by catalysts of peroxynitrite decomposition but not by nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitors. Disrupting the organelles or withdrawing respiratory substrates markedly reduced RNS production. Inhibition of complex I abolished the DAF signal, which was restored by complex II substrates. Inhibition of the respiratory complexes downstream from the ubiquinone/ubiquinol cycle or dissipating the proton gradient had no effect on DAF fluorescence. We conclude that mitochondria from brain, heart and liver are capable of significant RNS production via the respiratory chain rather than through an arginine-dependent mtNOS.

Abbreviations
3-NPA=

3-nitropropionic acid

DAF2–DA=

4,5-diaminofluorescein diacetate

DAF–FM=

4-amino-5-methylamino–2′7′-difluorofluorescein

DMEM=

Dulbecco's Modified Eagles Medium

DMSO=

dimethyl-sulfoxide

eNOS=

endothelial nitric oxide synthase

FCCP=

carbonyl cyanide 4-(trifluoromethoxy) phenylhydrazone

FeTPPS=

5,10,15,20-tetrakis (4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrinato iron (III) chloride

FP15=

tetrakis 2-triethylene glycol monomethyl ether (pyridil porphyrin (2-T(PEG3)PyP)

iNOS=

inducible nitric oxide synthase

l-NAME=

l-nitroarginine-methyl-esther

L-N-monomethylarginine=

l-N-methylarginine

mtNOS=

mitochondrial nitric oxide synthase

nNOS=

neuronal nitric oxide synthase

NO=

nitric oxide

Abbreviations
3-NPA=

3-nitropropionic acid

DAF2–DA=

4,5-diaminofluorescein diacetate

DAF–FM=

4-amino-5-methylamino–2′7′-difluorofluorescein

DMEM=

Dulbecco's Modified Eagles Medium

DMSO=

dimethyl-sulfoxide

eNOS=

endothelial nitric oxide synthase

FCCP=

carbonyl cyanide 4-(trifluoromethoxy) phenylhydrazone

FeTPPS=

5,10,15,20-tetrakis (4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrinato iron (III) chloride

FP15=

tetrakis 2-triethylene glycol monomethyl ether (pyridil porphyrin (2-T(PEG3)PyP)

iNOS=

inducible nitric oxide synthase

l-NAME=

l-nitroarginine-methyl-esther

L-N-monomethylarginine=

l-N-methylarginine

mtNOS=

mitochondrial nitric oxide synthase

nNOS=

neuronal nitric oxide synthase

NO=

nitric oxide

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.