bims-cytox1 2022-08-21 papers

Issue of 2022‒08‒21
three papers selected by
Gavin McStay
Liverpool John Moores University

Cell Rep. 2022 Aug 16. pii: S2211-1247(22)01021-X. [Epub ahead of print]40(7): 111204

Mitochondrial microproteins link metabolic cues to respiratory chain biogenesis.

Chao Liang, Shan Zhang, David Robinson, Matthew Vander Ploeg, Rebecca Wilson, Jiemin Nah, Dale Taylor, Sheryl Beh, Radiance Lim, Lei Sun, Deborah M Muoio, David A Stroud, Lena Ho.

Electron transport chain (ETC) biogenesis is tightly coupled to energy levels and availability of ETC subunits. Complex III (CIII), controlling ubiquinol:ubiquinone ratio in ETC, is an attractive node for modulating ETC levels during metabolic stress. Here, we report the discovery of mammalian Co-ordinator of mitochondrial CYTB (COM) complexes that regulate the stepwise CIII biogenesis in response to nutrient and nuclear-encoded ETC subunit availability. The COMA complex, consisting of UQCC1/2 and membrane anchor C16ORF91, facilitates translation of CIII enzymatic core subunit CYTB. Subsequently, microproteins SMIM4 and BRAWNIN together with COMA subunits form the COMB complex to stabilize nascent CYTB. Finally, UQCC3-containing COMC facilitates CYTB hemylation and association with downstream CIII subunits. Furthermore, when nuclear CIII subunits are limiting, COMB is required to chaperone nascent CYTB to prevent OXPHOS collapse. Our studies highlight CYTB synthesis as a key regulatory node of ETC biogenesis and uncover the roles of microproteins in maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis.

Keywords: CP: Metabolism; CYTB; SEPs; SMIM4; UQCC1; UQCC2; complex III; electron transport chain; microproteins; nuclear-mitochondrial coordination; smORFs

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111204

Life Sci Alliance. 2022 Nov;pii: e202201413. [Epub ahead of print]5(11):

FKBP4 regulates 5-fluorouracil sensitivity in colon cancer by controlling mitochondrial respiration.

Zhenyu Zhu, Qingsheng Hou, Bishi Wang, Changhao Li, Luguang Liu, Weipeng Gong, Jie Chai, Hongliang Guo, Yanhan Jia.

Mitochondrial respiration and metabolism play a key role in the pathogenesis and progression of colon adenocarcinoma (COAD). Here, we report a functional pool of FKBP4, a co-chaperone protein, in the mitochondrial intermembrane space (IMS) of colon cancer cells. We found that IMS-localized FKBP4 is essential for the maintenance of mitochondrial respiration, thus contributing to the sensitivity of COAD cells to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Mechanistically, FKBP4 interacts with COA6 and controls the assembly of the mitochondrial COA6/SCO1/SCO2 complex, thereby governing COA6-regulated biogenesis and activity of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV). Thus, our data reveal IMS-localized FKBP4 as a novel regulator of 5-FU sensitivity in COAD, linking mitochondrial respiration to 5-FU sensitivity in COAD.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26508/lsa.202201413

Nat Metab. 2022 Aug 15.

A practical guide for the analysis, standardization and interpretation of oxygen consumption measurements.

Ajit S Divakaruni, Martin Jastroch.

Measurement of oxygen consumption is a powerful and uniquely informative experimental technique. It can help identify mitochondrial mechanisms of action following pharmacologic and genetic interventions, and characterize energy metabolism in physiology and disease. The conceptual and practical benefits of respirometry have made it a frontline technique to understand how mitochondrial function can interface with-and in some cases control-cell physiology. Nonetheless, an appreciation of the complexity and challenges involved with such measurements is required to avoid common experimental and analytical pitfalls. Here we provide a practical guide to oxygen consumption measurements covering the selection of experimental models and instrumentation, as well as recommendations for the collection, interpretation and normalization of data. These guidelines are provided with the intention of aiding experimental design and enhancing the overall reputability, transparency and reliability of oxygen consumption measurements.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-022-00619-4