title: Metallothionein 2A affects the cell respiration by suppressing the expression of mitochondrial protein cytochrome c oxidase subunit II.
abstract: Metallothioneins (MT) are involved in a broad range of cellular processes and play a major role in protection of cells towards various stressors. Two functions of MTs, namely the maintaining of the homeostasis of transition metal ions and the redox balance, are directly linked to the functioning of mitochondria. Dyshomeostasis of MTs is often related with malfunctioning of mitochondria; however, the mechanism by which MTs affect the mitochondrial respiratory chain is still unknown. We demonstrated that overexpression of MT-2A in HEK cell line decreased the oxidative phosphorylation capacity of the cells. HEK cells overexpressing MT-2A demonstrated reduced oxygen consumption and lower cellular ATP levels. MT-2A did not affect the number of mitochondria, but reduced specifically the level of cytochrome c oxidase subunit II protein, which resulted in lower activity of the complex IV.
authors: Department of Gene Technology, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia tee 15, Tallinn, 12618, Estonia, olga.bragina@ttu.ee.
authors: Olga
authors: O
authors: Bragina
authors: Karina
authors: K
authors: Gurjanova
authors: Jekaterina
authors: J
authors: Krishtal
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Kulp
authors: Niina
authors: N
authors: Karro
authors: Vello
authors: V
authors: Tõugu
authors: Peep
authors: P
authors: Palumaa
mesh_terms: D015153:Blotting, Western; D002452:Cell Count; D019069:Cell Respiration / Q000187:drug effects*; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000378:metabolism*; D005453:Fluorescence; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000502:physiology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: C491053:MT2A protein, human; D008668:Metallothionein; C117108:cytochrome C oxidase subunit II; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV