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Oxidative stress causes reversible changes in mitochondrial permeability and structure

Nelson B Cole1, Mathew P Daniels, Rodney L Levine

  • 1Laboratory of Biochemistry, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-8012, USA. ncole@nhlbi.nih.gov

Experimental Gerontology
|January 26, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Reactive oxygen species alter mitochondrial permeability, making matrix proteins detectable. This rapid, reversible change suggests a role in cell communication.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Mitochondrial Research
  • Oxidative Stress

Background:

  • Mitochondria are central players in cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and are also targets of ROS.
  • Mitochondrial matrix proteins are typically inaccessible to antibodies in fixed cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of oxidative stress on mitochondrial permeability and protein accessibility.
  • To explore the structural and permeability changes in mitochondria induced by ROS.

Main Methods:

  • Immunofluorescence microscopy was used to detect mitochondrial matrix proteins.
  • Cells were subjected to oxidative stress before fixation and permeabilization with saponin.
  • Electron microscopy was employed to examine mitochondrial structure.

Main Results:

  • Oxidative stress rendered normally undetectable mitochondrial matrix proteins accessible.
  • Electron microscopy showed loss of matrix density and disorganized inner membrane cristae upon oxidative stress.
  • These structural and permeability changes were rapidly reversible upon removal of oxidative stress.

Conclusions:

  • Reactive oxygen species can reversibly alter mitochondrial membrane permeability.
  • This reversible permeability change may serve as a communication mechanism within the cell, potentially linking nuclear and mitochondrial functions.

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