title: The possible role of cytochrome c oxidase in stress-induced apoptosis and degenerative diseases.
abstract: Apoptotic cell death can occur by two different pathways. Type 1 is initiated by the activation of death receptors (Fas, TNF-receptor-family) on the plasma membrane followed by activation of caspase 8. Type 2 involves changes in mitochondrial integrity initiated by various effectors like Ca(2+), reactive oxygen species (ROS), Bax, or ceramide, leading to the release of cytochrome c and activation of caspase 9. The release of cytochrome c is followed by a decrease of the mitochondrial membrane potential DeltaPsi(m). Recent publications have demonstrated, however, that induction of apoptosis by various effectors involves primarily a transient increase of DeltaPsi(m) for unknown reason. Here we propose a new mechanism for the increased DeltaPsi(m) based on experiments on the allosteric ATP-inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase at high matrix ATP/ADP ratios, which was concluded to maintain low levels of DeltaPsi(m) in vivo under relaxed conditions. This regulatory mechanism is based on the potential-dependency of the ATP synthase, which has maximal activity at DeltaPsi(m)=100-120 mV. The mechanism is turned off either through calcium-activated dephosphorylation of cytochrome c oxidase or by 3,5-diiodo-L-thyronine, palmitate, and probably other so far unknown effectors. Consequently, energy metabolism changes to an excited state. We propose that this change causes an increase in DeltaPsi(m), a condition for the formation of ROS and induction of apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Fachbereich Chemie, Philipps-Universität, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse, D-35032 Marburg, Germany. Kadenbach@chemie.uni-marburg.de
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kadenbach
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: Icksoo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Maik
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hüttemann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D004579:Electron Transport; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D019308:Palmitic Acid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000502:physiology; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D019014:fas Receptor; D019308:Palmitic Acid; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV; D002118:Calcium