Opposite effects of metallothionein I and spermine on mitochondrial function.
Previously, we reported that the stress-induced protein metallothionein I (MT) modulated the oxygen consumption (VO2) of isolated rat liver mitochondria [Life Sci. 55 221-226, 1994]. We now present confirmation of this finding, and the additional observations that in rat liver mitochondria, MT caused swelling and depolarization. These actions of MT were inhibited by the aliphatic polyamine, spermine. Our findings suggest that mitochondrial function could be influenced by the balance between MT and spermine.
Simpkins
C O
CO
State University of New York at Buffalo, Erie County Medical Center, NY 14215, USA.
Zhao
H L
HL
Gebrehiwot
R
R
Tyndall
J A
JA
Torrence
C A
CA
Fonong
T
T
Balderman
S
S
Mensah
E
E
Sokolove
P M
PM
D000818:Animals; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008930:Mitochondria, Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D008933:Mitochondrial Swelling / Q000187:drug effects; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013096:Spermine / Q000494:pharmacology*
D013096:Spermine; D008668:Metallothionein