BCL-2 Family Proteins Effect on Mitochondrial-Mimicking Membrane Structure by Solid State NMR

• Mitochondria are not only the cells' powerhouse, but also involved in their suicide via apoptosis. Key regulators of this pathway are members of the Bcl-2 protein family which interact with the outer mitochondrial membrane to modulate permeability and enable the release of apoptotic stimuli like cytochrome c. For a long time the mitochondrial membrane forming lipids have been seen as merely structural building units with proteins doing the actual work. This view changed in recent years, since lipids were shown to be also directly involved in apoptotic events e.g. under intracellular oxidative stress. Oxidized phospholipids (OxPls) generated under these stress conditions might trigger mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. Their presence in mitochondrial membranes can severely alter the properties of these membranes with yet unknown consequences regarding the formation of pores through membrane-mediated interplay with apoptotic Bax protein. We therefore devised a model system that embodies oxidative stress conditions by incorporating OxPls into mitochondria mimicking model membranes composed of phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and cardiolipin (CL) to study the impact of OxPls on apoptotic Bax-membrane interactions. To obtain molecular insight into hydrophobic fatty acid regions of membranes and their hydrophilic interface which is responsible for first protein-membrane contacts, we used differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and solid state NMR spectroscopy. Upon incorporating OxPls with carboxyl (PoxnoPC) or aldehyde (PazePC) groups at their truncated sn-2-chains into our mitochondria model membranes, calorimetric and NMR measurements showed dramatic changes. 31P NMR experiments revealed major perturbation effects in these membranes; an effect which presumably elevates the membrane binding of apoptotic Bax to the charged membranes and its partial penetration, being a prerequisite for its final formation of pores which enable cytochrome c release from the mitochondrial interior. Currently structural studies of various Bax-lipid assemblies are ongoing.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Biofysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Biophysics (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

art (subject category)