• BMB Reports
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.24-27
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• 2002

Apoptotic cell death is an active process mediated by various signaling pathways, which include the caspase cascade and the stress-activated protein kinase pathways. The caspase cascade is activated by two distinct routes: one from cell surface and the other from mitochondria. Activation of the route from cell surface requires the cellular components that include membrane receptors, adaptor proteins such as TRADD and FADD, and caspase-8, while activation of the other from mitochondria requires Apaf-1, caspase-9, and cytosolic cytochrome c. On the other hand, persistent stimulation of the stress-activated protein kinase pathway is also shown to mediate apoptosis in many cell types. Gene-targeting studies with jnk- or jip-null mice, in particular, strongly suggest that this signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in the cellular machinery for apoptosis.

• BMB Reports
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.280-285
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• 2014

Cancer cells undergo uncontrolled proliferation, and aberrant mitochondrial alterations. Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated protein 1 (TRAP1) is a mitochondrial heat shock protein. TRAP1 mRNA is highly expressed in some cancer cell lines and tumor tissues. However, the effects of its overexpression on mitochondria are unclear. In this study, we assessed mitochondrial changes accompanying TRAP1 overexpression, in a mouse cell line, NIH/3T3. We found that overexpression of TRAP1 leads to a series of mitochondrial aberrations, including increase in basal ROS levels, and decrease in mitochondrial biogenesis, together with a decrease in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-$1{\alpha}$ (PGC-$1{\alpha}$) mRNA levels. We also observed increased extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, and enhanced proliferation of TRAP1 overexpressing cells. This study suggests that overexpression of TRAP1 might be a critical link between mitochondrial disturbances and carcinogenesis.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.196-199
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• 2007

The spermatozoa of Leiocassis nitidus are relatively simple cells composed of a spherical head, a short midpiece, and a tail, as in most Siluriformes. The ultrastructure is characterized by the following features: Acrosome absent, as in most teleosts; around nucleus about $1.8\;{\mu}m$ long, with a deep nuclear fossa containing the proximal and distal centrioles and mitochondria. Two centrioles approximately $180^{\circ}$ from each other; 10 or more mitochondria surrounding the axoneme (with a 9+2 microtubular pattern), arranged in two layers in the postnuclear cytoplasm and separated from the axoneme by the cytoplasmic canal. Two lateral fins on the same plane as the two central microtubules; doublets 3 and 8, which are ultrastructural characteristics of the sperma tail unlike other siluroids laking the lateral fins.

• BMB Reports
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2012

Phospholipase D (PLD), a superfamily of signaling enzymes that most commonly generate the lipid second messenger Phosphatidic Acid (PA), is found in diverse organisms from bacteria to man and functions in multiple cellular pathways. A fascinating member of the family, MitoPLD, is anchored to the mitochondrial surface and has two reported roles. In the first role, MitoPLD-generated PA regulates mitochondrial shape through facilitating mitochondrial fusion. In the second role, MitoPLD performs a critical function in a pathway that creates a specialized form of RNAi required by developing spermatocytes to suppress transposon mobilization during meiosis. This spermatocyte-specific RNAi, known as piRNA, is generated in the nuage, an electron-dense accumulation of RNA templates and processing proteins that localize adjacent to mitochondria in a structure also called intermitochondrial cement. In this review, we summarize recent findings on these roles for MitoPLD functions, highlighting directions that need to be pursued to define the underlying mechanisms.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.115-123
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• 1995

This study was carried out to observe the functional ultrastructures of photoreceptor cells in frog(Rana catesbeiana) retina using transmission electron microscope. The photoreceptor cells are divided into two types-rod and cone cells-consist of outer and inner segment. The long outer segment of rod cell contains dense stacks of membrane and formed vertical and horizontal folds. The outer segment of cone cell is small, and vertical and horizontal folds are not exist. The electron dense cytoplasm of rod cell contains compact mitochondria, Golgi complexes, and endoplasmic reticula. The inner segment of cone cell shows low electron density and contains a large lipid droplet in the upper part of inner segment. In addition, cone cell contains many mitochondria, Golgi complexes. rough endoplasmic reticula, ribosomes and numerous glycogen particles. It is believed that these ultrastructural characteristics are closely associated with photoreceptive function of photoreceptor cells in frog retina.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.37-40
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• 1988

A great deal of attention has been directed recently at the roles played by lipidperoxides in the mediation of pathogenesis and complications of various disease. In view of the strong inhibitory activity of Brazilin on the lipidperoxidation, we examined the effect of Brazilin on the lipidperoxidation in diabetic states. Brazilin inhibited the lipidperoxidation of liver mitochondrial and microsomal fraction in alloxan-induced diabetic ICR mice in the dose and time dependent manner. In the light of the present results, further elucidation of the inhibitory activities of Brazilin on the liver and blood plasma is warrented.

• BMB Reports
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.515-521
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• 2004

The tricarboxylate (or citrate) carrier was purified from eel liver mitochondria and functionally reconstituted into liposomes. Incubation of the proteoliposomes with various sulfhydryl reagents led to inhibition of the reconstituted citrate transport activity. Preincubation of the proteoliposomes with reversible SH reagents, such as mercurials and methanethiosulfonates, protected the eel liver tricarboxylate carrier against inactivation by the irreversible reagent N-(1-pyrenyl)maleimide (PM). Citrate and L-malate, two substrates of the tricarboxylate carrier, protected the protein against inactivation by sulfhydryl reagents and decreased the fluorescent PM bound to the purified protein. These results suggest that the eel liver tricarboxylate carrier requires a single population of free cysteine(s) in order to manifest catalytic activity. The reactive cysteine(s) is most probably located at or near the substrate binding site of the carrier protein.

• BMB Reports
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.391-394
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• 2001

The balance between life and death of a cell regulates essential developmental processes in multicellular organisms. Apoptotic cell death is a complex, stepwise program involving multiple protein components that trigger and execute the demise of the cell. Of the many triggers of apoptosis, most are not well understood, but some key components have been identified, such as those of the Bcl-2 family, which function as anti-apoptotic or proapoptotic factors. Bax, a pro-apoptotic member of this family, has been shown to serve as a component of many apoptotic triggering cascades and its mechanism of action is the focus of intense study. Herein we discuss current, differing ideas on the function of Bax and its structure, and suggest novel mechanisms for how this death protein targets mitochondria, triggering apoptosis.

• BMB Reports
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.299-307
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• 2017

Mitophagy is a process of selective removal of damaged or unnecessary mitochondria using autophagic machinery. Mitophagy plays an essential role in maintaining mitochondrial quality control and homeostasis. Mitochondrial dysfunctions and defective mitophagy in neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and metabolic diseases indicate a close link between human disease and mitophagy. Furthermore, recent studies showing the involvement of mitophagy in differentiation and development, suggest that mitophagy may play a more active role in controlling cellular functions. A better understanding of mitophagy will provide insights about human disease and offer novel chance for treatment. This review mainly focuses on the recent implications for mitophagy in human diseases and normal physiology.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.15-24
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• 1987

To study effects of heated oil on lipid peroxidation in rat liver, rats were fed 3 and 6 weeks by intubating oils heated for l1(HA group) and 24 hours (HB group) at 18$0^{\circ}C$. The contents of lipid peroxides and vitamin E, and the activities of super oxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in liver were measured. Histological changes of the liver tissue were observed. In both HA and HE groups, the contents of lipid peroxides and the activities of superoxide dismutase were increased, but the activities of glutathione peroxidase and the contents of vitamin E in liver were decreased when compared to the control group which was fed fresh cora oils. During the oil feeding period, the activities of superoxide dismutase and the contents of vitamin E were not significantly changed, but the activities of glutathione peroxidase were decreased, and lipid peroxides were increased in the 3 weeks than in 6 weeks. In HB liver, the heterochromatin of nucleus increased, mitochondria swellen, cristae in mitochondria disappeared, fat droplet and secondary lysosome increased and lumen of rough endoplasmic reticulum enlarged, compared with that of the control group. These phenomena in HA group were less pronounced.