THE ROLE OF THE ARYL HYDROCARBON RECEPTOR IN 2,3,7,8 -TETRACHLORODIBENZO -!-DIOXIN -INDUCED MITOCHONDRIAL DYSFUNCTION IN MOUSE HEPATOMA CELLS By Hye Jin Hwang A DISSERTATION Submitted to Michigan State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology - Doctor of Philosophy 2015 ABSTRACT THE ROLE OF THE ARYL HYDROCARBON RECEPTOR IN 2,3,7,8 -TETRACHLORODIBENZO -!-DIOXIN -INDUCED MITOCHONDRIAL DYSFUNCTION IN MOUSE HEPATOMA CELLS By Hye Jin Hwang The aryl hydrocarbon r eceptor (AHR) is a Per -Arnt -Sim (PAS) domain family protein and ligand -activated transcription factor. The AHR directly re gulates the expression of a large number of genes, including many that encode Phase I and Phase II drug metabolizing enzymes. Environmental contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon or halogenated aryl hydrocarbon act as AHR ligands. The most p otent AHR ligand, 2,3,7,8 -tetrachlorodibenzo -!-dioxin (TCDD), causes various deleterious physiological effects, such as tumor promotion, chloracne, wasting syndrome, and hepatic steatosis. Over the last several decades, the AHR has been the focus of exten sive research. Even with this depth of inquiry, there is a lack of understanding to the mechanism of action for AHR -mediated toxicity. Several possibilities have been proposed. For example, since the AHR is a transcription factor, it has been proposed t hat one, or more, of the genes that is regulated by the AHR leads to toxi city. The cytochrome P450 mono oxygenases (CYPs) and TCDD -inducible poly (ADP -ribose) polymerase (TiPARP) are primary targets of AHR -regulated expression and are capable of promoting oxidative stress. In addition, the AHR can participate in crosstalk with other signaling pathways related to proliferation, development, differentiation, immune suppression, lipid metabolism and apoptosis. Several of these pathways are also involved in me diating the cellular response to oxidative stress. Given that oxidative stress is central to multiple pathwa ys involved in AHR -mediated TCDD -induced toxicity and that the mitochondria, which consume most of cellular oxygen, are the main site generating ox idative stress, the role of the mitochondria in AHR signaling and toxicity was explored. Using the protease protection assay with digitonin extraction, the AHR was localized to the inter -membrane space (IMS) of the mitochondria. TCDD exposure induced a degradation of mitochondrial AHR similar to that of cytosolic AHR. Using siRNA in mouse hepatoma hepa1c1c7 cells, TOM20 and AHR -interacting protein (AIP) knockdown revealed that these two proteins are involved in the import of AHR into the mitochondria. The inhibition of heat shock protein -90kDa (HSP90) activity using an ATPase inhibitor, geldanamycin, also suggested that activity of HSP90 decided the lev el of mitochondrial AHR. TCDD altered the metabolic rate of cells in an AHR -dependent manner as measu red by oxygen consumption rate (OCR) using the XF24 Extracellular Flux Analyzer. 30 nM TCDD exposure in hepa1c1c7 cells caused a significant AHR -dependent decrease in the OCR , but no change in the respiratory control ratio and the enzyme activities in ETC and ATP synthase. On the other hand, 30 nM TCDD exposure in AHR -deficient hepac12 cells caused no significant changes but the increased the respiratory control ratio and the activity of complex I. The mitochondria proteome was investigated using stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC). SILAC identified a battery of proteins that were influenced by TCDD in an AHR -dependent manner. The proteomic data suggested TCDD -induced AHR -mediated regulation in heme metabolism, lipid me tabolism, redox potential, and mitochondrial biogenesis. Collectively, the data suggest the model 1) mitochondrial AHR in the IMS binds to components in the inner -membrane (IM), 2) TCDD induces the loss of interaction of AHR between a component in the IM , possibly causing an alteration in respiratory machinery, 3) AHR might help maintain homeostasis in respiratory efficiency against TCDD via regulating complex I or complex IV activity, and 4) AHR regulates the expression of genes that encode proteins that are important for various mitochondrial metabolic pathway and this regulation can be a result of mitochondrial retrograde signaling. This model supports a role for the mitochondria and possibly mitochondrial localized AHR in TCDD -induced toxicity, includ ing metabolic dysfunction, wasting syndrome and hepatic steatosis. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The graduate school life in the MSU brought me wonderful memories within my life. Those couldnÕt have been made without people whom I have had known, and I would never have achieved a PhD without them. First, I would like to thank Dr. John LaPres, my PI, for his consi stent support, encouragement, and patience . He is a good model of scientist. He has taught me how and what a scientist must think and consider. He was always accessible and provided valuable advice. His guidance made me get through tough challenges fro m experiments and endless learning. Next, I would like to thank my committee members, for their precious time and supportive advice, Drs. Shelagh Ferguson -Miller, Kathy Gallo, Bill Henry, and Jeff MacKeigan. In every committee meeting, I got valuable g uidance and insightful comments. I would especially like to thank Dr. Ferguson -Miller for providing a wealth of knowledge and collaboration regarding mitochondria and experimental techniques. Also, I had luck to work with wonderful people, the members of LaPres lab. I thank Drs. Scott Lynn, Dorothy Tappenden, and Ajith Vengellur for being exceptional colleagues, scientific mentors, and friends. I also thank Dr. Steve Proper for help and friendship. Finally, I want to thank the current members, Peter Dor nbos and Michelle Steidemann, and the past graduate rotation students and undergraduate students, Taylor, Sarah, Mike, Larissa, Kai, for their huge efforts and help in the project. I would like to thank the Biochemistry & Molecular Biology program, and RT SF facility for their assistance. In addition, I also want to thank Dr. Laurie Kaguni for giving me the opportunity to attend the mitochondria summer schools. Lastly, I would like to thank my family for their love, supports and being there. Without you , I could not have done all of mine here. I love you and thank you. v TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................ vii !LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................................... viii !KEY TO SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................ x!CHAPTER 1. LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................................... 1!PER-ARNT -SIM (PAS) DOMAIN PROTEINS ........................................................................... 2!ARYL HYDROCARBON RECEPTOR ...................................................................................... 3!Domains of AHR ................................................................................................................... 4!Transactivation of AHR ......................................................................................................... 8!Deactivation of AHR .............................................................................................................. 9!AHR Chaperones ................................................................................................................ 10!Ligands of AHR ................................................................................................................... 11!Endogenous ligands ....................................................................................................... 11!Xenobiotics ..................................................................................................................... 14!AHR Target Genes ............................................................................................................. 17!Physiological Roles of AHR ................................................................................................ 20!MITOCHONDRIA .................................................................................................................... 23!Structure of Mitochondria .................................................................................................... 23!Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) ............................................................................................... 24!Synthesis of Mitochondrial Proteins .................................................................................... 25!Synthesis of mitochondrial gene encoded proteins ........................................................ 25!Synthesis of nuclear gene encoded mitochondrial proteins ............................................ 26!Nuclear -encoded Mitochondrial Protein Translocation ....................................................... 26!Nuclear Transcription Factors for Mitochondrial Biogenesis ............................................... 28!Mitochondrial Respiration and Reactive Oxygen Species .................................................. 29!TCA Cycle ........................................................................................................................... 33!Fatty Acid !-oxidation and Ketogenesis ............................................................................. 36!TCDD -INDUCED TOXICITIES AND METABOLIC DYSFUNCTION ...................................... 37!CHAPTER 2. HYPOTHESIS AND SPECIFIC AIMS .................................................................. 43!HYPOT HESIS ......................................................................................................................... 44!SPECIFIC AIMS ...................................................................................................................... 45!CHAPTER 3. MATERIALS AND METHODS .............................................................................. 46!CELL CULTURE ..................................................................................................................... 47!PREPERATION OF INTRACELLULAR FRACTIONS ............................................................ 47!TRYPSIN TREATMENT OF DIGITONIN EXTRACTED MITOCHONDRIA ............................ 48!siRNA KNOCKDOWN OF AIP OR TOM20 ............................................................................ 48!HSP90 INHIBITION BY GELDANAMYCIN ............................................................................. 49!WESTERN BLOTTING ........................................................................................................... 49!OXYG EN CONSUMPTION RATE (OCR) MEASUREMENT .................................................. 50! vi STATISTICAL ANALYSIS ....................................................................................................... 51!ENZYMATIC ASSAY OF OXPHOS SYSTEM ........................................................................ 51!Citrate Synthase Assay ....................................................................................................... 52!Complex I Assay ................................................................................................................. 52!Complex II assay ................................................................................................................ 52!Complex II+III assay ........................................................................................................... 53!Complex III assay ............................................................................................................... 53!Complex IV Assay ............................................................................................................... 53!Complex V Assay ................................................................................................................ 54!STABLE ISOTOPIC LABELING BY AMINO ACIDS IN CELL CULTURE (SILAC) AND QUANTITATIVE PROTEOMIC ANALYSIS ............................................................................ 54!Preparation of Mitochondrial Proteins ................................................................................. 54!Mass Spectrometry (MS) .................................................................................................... 55!Data Analysis ...................................................................................................................... 55!PROTEIN CONCENTRATION DETERMINATION ................................................................. 56!CHAPTER 4. RESULTS ............................................................................................................. 58!CHARACTERIZATION OF MITOCHONDRIAL AHR IMPORT ............................................... 59!Identification of a Mitochondrial Compartment of AHR Location ........................................ 59!Prediction of MTS of AHR ................................................................................................... 62!Change in AHR Expression by AIP Knockdown ................................................................. 62!Change in AHR Expression by HSP90 Activity Inhibition ................................................... 69!Change in AHR Expression by TOM20 Knockdown ........................................................... 69!AHR -MEDIATED TCDD -INDUCED MITOCHONDRIAL DYSFUNCTION .............................. 70!Cellular Respiration in Mouse Hepatoma Cell s under TCDD Exposure ............................. 70!Change of OXPHOS Activity in Mouse Hepa Cells upon TCDD Exposure ........................ 75!Identification of Proteins Differently Expressed upon TCDD Exposure .............................. 75!Validation of Proteomic Results .......................................................................................... 76!CHAPTER 5. DISCUSSION ....................................................................................................... 82!CHARACTERIZATION OF MITOCHONDRIAL AHR IMPORT ............................................... 83!AHR -MEDIATED TCDD -INDUCED MITOCHONDRIAL DYSFUNCTI ON .............................. 89!CHAPTER 6. CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE STUDIES .......................................................... 99!MITOCHONDRIAL AHR I N THE IMS ................................................................................... 102!THE ROLE OF THE AHR IN MITOCHODNRIAL METABOLISM AND ITS ROLE IN TCDD -INDUCED TOXICITY ............................................................................................................ 103!APPENDICES ........................................................................................................................... 105!APPENDIX A. SUPPLEMENTAL TABLES ........................................................................... 106!APPENDIX B. HYPOXIA INDUCIBLE FACTORS (HIFs) MODULATE MITOCHONDRIAL OXYGEN CONSUMPTION AND TRANSCRIPTIONAL REGULATION OF NUCLEAR -ENCODED ELECTRON TRANSPORT CHAIN GENES ...................................................... 115!REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................... 146! vii LIST OF TABLES Table 4 -1. The equations for mitochondrial stress parameters by XF mito stress test reporter generator. ................................................................................................................................... 71!Table 4 -2. Identified proteins differentially regulated by 10 nM TCDD exposure for 72 h in an AHR -dependent manner. ............................................................................................................ 78!Table 4 -3. Relationship between MS quantification and Western blot quantification. ................ 79!Table A -1. Identified mitochondrial proteins differentially regulated by 10 nM TCDD exposure for 72 h in an AHR -dependent manner. ......................................................................................... 106!Table A -2. Identified nonmitochondrial proteins differentially regulated by 10 nM TCDD exposure for 72 h in an AHR -dependent manner. .................................................................... 111!Table B -1. Primer pairs. ............................................................................................................ 134!Table B -2. C cO enzyme activity. .............................................................................................. 138! viii LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 -1. Schematic of ligand -activated AHR transcription. ...................................................... 6!Figure 1 -2. Schematic of ligand -activated AHR transcription. ...................................................... 7!Figure 1 -3. Endogenous ligands of AHR. ................................................................................... 13!Figure 1 -4. Xenobiotics of AHR. ................................................................................................. 16!Figure 1 -5. Schematic of Electron transport chain complexes and ATP synthase. .................... 32!Figure 1 -6. TCA cycle. ................................................................................................................ 34!Figure 3. Experimental design for SILAC -based proteomic analysis of TCDD -induced changes to the mitochondrial proteome in mouse hepatoma cell. ............................................................ 57!Figure 4 -1. Mitochondrial sub -compartment analysis. ................................................................ 60!Figure 4 -2. The effects of ligand exposure on protease acce ssibility to digitonin extracted mitochondria. .............................................................................................................................. 61!Figure 4 -3. The effect of AIP knockdown on the levels of the AHR in cellular fractions of hepa1c1c7 cells. ......................................................................................................................... 63!Figure 4 -4. The effect of geldanamycin (GA) -induced HSP90 inhibition on the level of AHR protein within cellular fraction of hepa1c1c7. .............................................................................. 65!Figure 4 -5. The effect of TOM20 knockdown on the level of AHR protein in cellular fractions of hepa1c1c7 cells. ......................................................................................................................... 67!Figure 4 -6. Measurement of oxygen consumption rate (OCR) from hepa1c1c7 cells. ............... 72!Figure 4 -7. Mea surement of oxygen consumption rate (OCR) from hepac12 cells. ................... 73!Figure 4 -8. Activities of ETC complexes and ATP synthase. ..................................................... 74!Figure 4 -9. SILAC analysis of differentially expressed proteins by TCDD. ................................. 77!Figure 4 -10. Western blot analysis of differentially expressed proteins identified by SILAC in hepatoma 1c1c7 and c12 cells ................................................................................................... 80! ix Figure 5 -1. Suggested role of mitochondrial AHR. ..................................................................... 88!Figure 5 -2. AHR -mediated TCDD -induced regulation of protein expression in metabolic pathways. .................................................................................................................................... 98!Figure 6. Summary of AHR -mediated TCDD -induced mitochondrial dysfunction. ................... 101!Figure B -1. Genotype and protein comparisons of Hif1 ! WT and nul l cells. ........................... 139!Figure B -2. Measurement of oxygen consumption rate (OCR) from Hif1 ! WT and null cells. . 140!Figure B -3A. Dendrograms. ...................................................................................................... 141!Figure B -3B. Dendrograms. ...................................................................................................... 142!Figure B -4. Gene expression of control and select mitochondrial genes. ................................ 143!Figure B -5. Comparative amino acid sequences for COX7 A1 and COX7A2 isoforms and a 3D representation of the COX monodimer. .................................................................................... 145! x KEY TO SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS ACOT2 acyl -CoA thioesterase 2 AHR aryl hydrocarbon receptor AIP AHR -interacting protein AHRR AHR represssor ARE antioxidant response elements ARNT aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator ATP adenosine triphosphate BaP benzo[a]pyrene bHLH basic helix -loop -helix BSA bovine serum albumin CcO cytochrome c oxidase CO2 carbon dioxide COX -2 cyclooxygenase -2 COX4 cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4 CoQ 1 coenzyme Q 1 CPOX coproporphyrinogen -III oxidase CYB5 cytochrome b5 CYP cytochrome P450 -dependent monooxygenase cAMP cyclic AMP CCCP carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone DCPIP 2,6 -Dichlorophenol Indophenol DMEM Dulbecco's m odified Eagle Õs Medium DMSO dimethyl sulfoxide xi DRE dioxin -responsive element DTNB 5,5' -dithiobis -(2-nitrobenzoic acid) ! extinction coefficient EDTA ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid EGTA ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid ENTPD2 ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 2 ER endoplasmic reticulum ETC electron transport chai n FAD flavin adenine dinucleotide FCCP carbonyl cyanide -4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone FDR false discovery rate FICZ 6-formylindolo(3,2 -b)carbazole GABP nuclear respiratory factor 2 GST glutathione S -transferase H6PD hexose -6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase HAH halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon HEPES 2-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin -1-yl] ethanesulfonic acid HSP90 heat shock protein of 90 kDa HDAC histone deacetylase HIF hypoxia -inducible factor HRE hypoxia response element HTP qPCR high -throughput quantitative real -time polymerase chain reaction IL interleukin IM inner -membrane IMS inter -membrane space KCl potassium chloride xii KCN potassium cyanide KPO4 potassium phosphate MAPK mitogen -activated protein kinase MEF mouse embryonic fibroblast MgCl 2 magnesium chloride MPTP mitochondrial permeability transition pore MS mass spectrometry MTS mitochondrial targeting signal MRP mitochondrial ribosomal protein NaCl sodiu m chloride NAD nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide NES nuclear export signal NLS nuclear localization signal NRF1 nuclear respiratory factor 1 NRF2 NF-E2 p45 -related factor 2 NQO1 NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 OCR oxygen consumption rate OM outer -membrane OXPHOS oxidative phosphorylation PAH polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon PAS Per -Arnt -Sim PBS phosphate buffered saline PCB polychlorinated biphenyl PCB126 3,3Õ,4,4Õ,5 -pentachlorobiphenyl PDH pyruvate dehydrogenase complex PDK pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase xiii PEPCK phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase PGC -1! peroxisome proliferator -activated receptor -" coactivator -1! PHD prolyl hydroxylase domain -containing proteins PMSF phenylmethanesulfonylfluoride POLRMT bacteriophage -related mtRNA polymerase PPAR peroxisome proliferator -activated receptor QPCR quantitative real -time polymerase chain reaction ROS reactive oxygen species Scd1 stea royl -CoA desaturase 1 SDS -PAGE sodium dodecyl sulfate -polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis SILAC stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture SOD superoxide dismutase SULT sulfotransferase TAD transcriptional activation domain TCA tri carboxylic acid TCDD 2,3,7,8 -tetrachlorodibenzo -#-dioxin TIM translocase of the inner membrane TiPARP TCDD -inducible poly (ADP -ribose) polymerase TGF -$ transforming growth factor -$ TNF -! tumor necrosis factor -! TOM translocase of the outer membrane UGT UDP-glucuronosyl transferase VDAC voltage -dependent anion channel WT wild -type XAP2 hepatitis B viral X -protein interacting protein 1 !! CHAPTER 1. LITERATURE REVIEW 2 PER-ARNT -SIM (PAS) DOMAIN PROTEINS Adaptation to environmental changes is important to maintain homeostasis of a living system . The Per -Arnt -Sim (PAS) domain family proteins are environme ntal sensors , which regulate physiological adaptive responses against stimuli such as xenobiotics , hypoxia, and light/dark cycles .1, 2 The PAS domain proteins use different mechanisms to sense these stimuli and interact with partner proteins in order to regulate transcription. This transcriptional regulation is primarily geared towards coping with changing environment. For instance, in response to environmental toxicants, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) regulate s xenobiotic metaboli c enzymes. Hypoxia, a state of decrease in available oxygen, which contributes to a development of physiological or pathological conditions such as angi ogenesis, embryonic development and tumors, induces the hypoxia -inducible factors (HIFs) signaling pathway. Also, change in light cycling stimulates a circadian clock signal transduction, which is distributed throughout a whole organism, via activation of transcription factors such as CLOCK and BMAL1 and their repressors PER and CRY s. The name, PAS , comes from three proteins, the clock gene period (Per), aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (Arnt), and single -minded (Sim). PAS domain proteins share three distinguished structural domains , PAS domain, basic helix -loop -helix (bHLH) domain, and transactivation domain (TAD). PAS domains consist of two subdomains, PAS-A and PAS -B and their role is interacting between partner proteins. The p rotein:protein interaction of PAS -A domain is homotypic while that of PAS -B is heterotypic. The bHLH resides in the N -terminal to the PAS domain. The bHLH domain interacts with partner proteins as well as a DNA target sequence . The N -terminal region of the PAS family proteins, containing bHLH and PAS domains , has highly conserved sequences through evolution . In contrast, the C -terminal region of the PAS proteins containing TAD has little sequence homology. As a 3 transcription factor, the PAS family p rotein recruits and binds transcription coactivators through TAD. The most well -studied PAS family protein signaling pathways in higher eukaryotes also share common features in regulation mechanisms of those. Hypoxia and xenobiotic signaling have cytopla smic regulation in the absence of stimuli. The levels of the HIF ! isoforms are regulated by post -translational modification under normoxic state , and the AHR resides as a complex with chaperones in cytoplasm without ligand activation . The CLOCK and BMAL1 are translocated in nucleus constitutively, but nuclear translocation of their repressors is regulated by cytoplasmic proteasomal degradation. On the other hand, t he response mechanisms mediated by these PAS family proteins are also re quired for developing organisms. Many studies indicate that AHR signaling pathway s trigger physiological processes involved in proliferation, differentiation, inflammation, and endocrine disrupt. HIF sig naling pathway s also contribute to angiogenesis, proliferation, development and metabolic switches. Finally, circadian clock signaling pathways control not only sleep ing time but also physiological rhythm such as temperature control, blood pressure, heart rate, and metabolic control t hrough a whole body. ARYL HYDROCARBON RECEPTOR Many industrial processes produce different kinds of persistent organic pollutants that accumulate in the environment. 3, 4 These pollutants can be biologically amplified as they are passed up the food chain. Among these, polycyclic a romatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (HAHs) are present in many different areas of the United States and in many different kinds of animals. The hydrophobic nature of these makes them stored in fat tissues and readily bioaccum ulated. Mammals exposed to PAHs or HAHs show pathological effects, such as endocrine disruption, aberrant neuronal development, hepatic 4 steatosis, immunosuppression, and tumor promotion. The environmental pollutant -induced toxicity is primarily mediated by the AHR, one of the PAS domain family members. The AHR is a ligand -activated transcription factor that mediates the toxic response to several prominent environmenta l pollutants, including halogenated biphenols, benzopyrenes and dioxins , such as 2,3,7,8 -tetrachlorodibenzo -"-dioxin (TCDD) . About 4 0 years have passed since Dr. Polan d identified the AHR that has a high affinity of bin ding for TCDD .5 Since then , m any researchers have investigated properties of the AHR as a transcription factor. Previous studies provided evidence that AHR -mediated gene induction requires TCDD -AHR: ARNT comp lexes in the nucleus. 6, 7 The ligand -activated nuclear AHR heterodimerizes with the ARNT and forms a functional transcription factor. The AHR:ARNT heterodimer binds a spec ific nucleotide sequence in regulatory regions of DNA and the co re se quence is now called as dioxin -responsive element (DRE) or xenobiotic -responsive element (XRE). 8, 9 Additional interacting partners of the AHR have also been identified, such as the heat shock protein of 90 kDa (HSP90) and the immunophilin -like protein, AHR -interacting protein (AIP, also known as ARA, or XAP2). 10-12 Since the se initial characterizations , research es have revealed biochemical properties of the AHR, endogenous AHR -mediated physiological effects , as well as AHR -mediated environmental toxicity , upon ex posure to ligands, such as TCDD .1, 13 Domains of AHR The domain structure of mouse AHR protein (mAHR) has been described in many review articles (Figure 1 -1).1, 14-16 The N -terminus contains a nuclear localization signal (NLS), which has positively charged amino acids, and a basic helix -loop -helix ( bHLH ), which has two amphipathic !-helices with conserved amino acids. 2, 14 The bHLH domain is the site for DNA binding, ARNT dimerization, and HSP90 binding. 14 Helix2 of the bHLH domain also has the leucine -rich nuclear export signal (NES) similar to other proteins. 17 The PAS domain is in the 5 cen tral portion of the protein and is comprised of approximately 250 amino acids and contains two subdomains , PAS-A and PAS -B domains. 2, 14 The PAS-A domain is essential for AHR:ARNT interaction stability and PAS -B for ligand binding, and interaction with HSP90 and AIP. 14 In the absence of ligand, the AHR is found in the cytosol bound to AIP and a dimer of HSP90 (Figure 1 -2). This complex stabilizes the AHR and enhances its ligand binding affinity. 14 In the presence of ligand, HSP90 is dissociated from PAS -B domain of the AHR in an ARNT -dependent manner and via structural coordin ation with PAS -A domain. 18 Subsequent change in bHLH structure also enhances stability of AHR:ARNT dimer and recognition of target DNA sequence. 18 The C -terminus of the AHR has the glutamine -rich transcriptional activation domain (TAD). 14, 19, 20 Ligand binding to the AHR induces conformational change s in the TAD, which involves nuclear translocation of the AHR and maintaining AIP binding to a ligand -bound AHR complex. 20-22 For example, in the absence of ligand, human AHR (hAHR) localizes in the cytoplasm regardless of AIP expression level whereas mouse AHR (mAHR), which mainly localizes in nucleus in the absence of ligand, relocalizes to cytoplasm by AIP over -expression. 20 In the presence of ligand, mAHR -HSP90 complex unbound to AIP is translocated to the nucleus while hAHR -HSP90 -AIP complex is translocated to the nucleus. Although molecular mechanisms of ligand -activated AHR conformational change to form AHR:ARNT dimer and association/dissociation of cytosolic chaperones have been revealed through in vit ro studies, the molecular mechanisms of nuclear translocation of the AHR is obscure. 10, 18 While the N -terminal sequences of the AHR are highly conserved among vertebrates, the C -terminal sequences of the protein are less conserved. 20 The studies on TCDD -toxicity in different species suggest that protein sequence variation within the C -terminal TAD of the AHR is a cause of different biochemical properties of the receptor, such as differences in the tertiary structure of the TAD in each species, affecting N -terminal structure for protein binding or 6 Figure 1 -1. Schematic of ligand -activated AHR transcr iption. Ligand and protein binding sites and specific target sequences are indicated as bars. bHLH: basic helix -loop -helix domain, PAS: Per -Arnt -Sim domain, TAD: transactivation domain, NLS: nuclear localization sequence, NES: nuclear export sequence. 7 Figure 1 -2. Schematic of ligand -activated AHR transcription. Cytosolic AHR forms a complex with HSP90 and AIP. Ligand binding to AHR induces translocation of AHR into the nucleus, dissociation of AHR from chaperones, and heterodimer ization of AHR with ARNT. The AHR:ARNT dimer binds to DRE of target genes and recruits transcriptional co -activators and general transcriptional machinery to initiate gene transcription. 8 NLS/NES exposure by ligand activation. 20, 23 Thus, diverse sequences of the TAD can be reflected in different sensitivity to TCDD -induced toxicity. 23 Transactivation of AHR Activation of the AHR depends on ligand -structure, tissue/cell specific contexts, an d tissue/cell specific expression of nuclear cofactors. 24 The interaction of the ligand -bound AHR:ARNT dimer with a DRE, having a core sequence of 5Õ -T/GNGCGTG -3Õ, accompanies chromatin remodeling complex, SWI/SNF, histone modifiers such as SRC -1, CARM -1, BRG -1, and H AT, and transcriptional coactivators, NCOA1 -3 and p300/CBP, to target gene promoters. 13, 14, 25, 26 AHR:ARNT dimers also interact with general transcription factors, TATA -binding protein, TFIIB and TFIIF, which are required for RNA polymerase II reaction. 19, 25 Comparison study wi th several AHR ligands suggests that structurally diverse chemicals are selective AHR modulators, inducing different surface topology of ligand -activated AHR complex. 27, 28 This selective receptor modulation may result in recruitments of different types of coactivators or repressors to DREs in a gene -, cell -, tissue -specific manner. 27 Also, different AHR structures between species can cause differential TCDD toxicity. 29 Analysis of multiple sequence align ment of AHRs in mammals reveals that ligand bindin g domain and TAD domain impact AHR function. 29, 30 For example, amino acid substitutions in the ligand binding do main of the AHR decreased the TCDD sensitivity in the DBA/2 mouse strain compared to C57BL/6 via steric effect. 4 As mentioned in the previous section, the low conservation in glutamine -rich portion of TAD of the AHR also impacts the median lethal doses of TCDD, leading to a decrease in sensitivity in the Han/Wi star ( Kuopio ) rat strain, which has alternative splicing in the TAD domain. 4, 29 9 Deactivat ion of AHR Because the AHR is a stress -responsive nuclear transcription factor , enhancing gene expression related to detoxification and physiology, the level of the AHR and AHR signaling pathway must be regulated. Post -translational modification is the primary mechanism to regulate intracellular AHR level and AHR transactivation. Upon export from the nucleus, the AHR is ubiquinated and s ubsequently degraded in a protea some -dependent manner .17, 31 The C-terminal TAD of the AHR is es sential for ubiquitination as a degron (i.e. , specific structural element for degradation ) and the DNA binding domain also contributes to AHR degradation in concert with heterodimer formation with ARNT. 31 Sumoylation on two lysine residues in the bHLH and TAD inhibits ubiquitination of AHR and consequently stabilizes AHR , but also represses transactivation of the receptor .32 Phosphorylation is important for AHR binding to the DRE and transcripti on. Phosphorylation on two serine residues of NLS abolishes ligand -induced AHR import to nucl eus. The AHR , when dephosphorylated in the NLS , can be transported into nucleus by importin. 33 However, dephosphorylation on both s erine residues inhibits AHR binding to DRE. Phosphorylation on one serine residue of the NLS in the nucleus promotes accumulat ion of the AHR:ARNT dimer and transactivation .33 Negative feedback by AHR targets is another way to regulate AHR transactivation. The AHR represssor ( AHRR ) is an AHR target gene and a member of the bHLH/PAS family . AHRR is similar to the AHR at the amino acid sequence level , having N -terminal bHLH and PAS -A domain and a diverse C -terminal domain but is lacking a ligand -binding domain. 34 This sugges t a model where AHRR might compete with the AHR to form a heterodimer with ARNT and AHRR:ARNT might bind to DRE through N -terminal region for feedback inhibition of AHR transactivation. 35 However, genetic modification of AHRR, AHR or ARNT in mammalian cells suggest s a new model where AHRR:AHR interaction may be more important for repression of AHR. 36, 37 10 TCDD -inducible poly (ADP -ribose) polymerase (TiPARP), a member of PARP family, is another AHR target gene .38 Recent stud ies suggested a model where TiPARP acted as a negative feedback regulator of the AHR .36, 38 In this model, TiPA RP localized to the nucleus in order to bind to AHR target genes or the AHR itself. TiPARP prom oted the ribosylat ions of the AHR or other unidentified factors involv ed AHR transactivation to repress AHR target gene transcription and induce d the proteolysis of the receptor .38 G-protein signaling also regu late s AHR transactivation. Activated G!13 protein interacted with AIP and inhibited AHR:AIP interaction, resulting in AHR destabilization and loss of AHR transactivation. 39 Phosphodiesterase type 2A , which hydrolyze s cyclic AMP ( cAMP ), was found to bind to AIP to inhibit nuclear localization of the AHR induced by cAMP , as well as TCDD. 40 cAMP, a signaling molecule participating in many physiological responses, induced nuclear translocation of the AHR but this nuclear receptor did not form a heterodimer with ARNT. 41 cAMP also interfered with TCDD -induced gene expression in mouse hepa1 cells. 41 Considering the above studies, G -protein, phosphodiesterase type 2A and cAMP act as negative regulators of AHR target gene expression. 40-42 AHR Chaperones The HSP90 is an abundant cellular molecular chaperone and a co-chaperone of the AHR cytosolic compl ex. Many studies have demonstrated that HSP90 is required for the proper function of many different protein. 21, 43-46 The ATPase activity of HSP90 is essential for the interaction between the AHR ligand bindi ng domain and the C terminus of AIP. The C-terminus of HSP90 binds to the TPR domains of AIP and the middle domain of HSP90 binds to the bHLH and PAS domains of AHR. 21, 43 Post -translatio nal modifi cation of the interacting proteins with AHR also affects receptor signaling. For instance, i nhibition of histone deacetylase, HDAC6 , 11 acting on HSP90 , suppress ed AHR transactivation and Hdac6 null mice were resistant to PAH carcinogenic activatio n.47, 48 The AIP is a co -chaperone of nuclear receptors and viral proteins. 49 SetoÕs group identified hepatitis B viral X -protein interacting protein (XAP2), which interferes with X-protein transcriptional activation. 50 XAP2 was later characterized as a component of the AHR complex , AIP .51 The AIP has an N-termin us that shares protein sequence similarity to FK506 -binding protein s and a C-termin us that contain s three t etratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domains . The AIP plays physiological roles in embryonic development and AHR stabilization. 11, 12 In fact, proteins that interact with the AIP are distributed in diverse biological processes , inclu ding nuclear hormone receptors, phosphodiesterases, transmembrane receptors, G proteins, hepatitis B viral X protein , and mitochondrial protein translocators .49 The AIP has an evolutionarily conserved peptide sequence acr oss species and this leads to a hypothesis that AIP may be essential for mammalian physiological function or associated with human diseases. 49, 52 As mentioned in the previous section , a ligand -bound mAHR complex in the nucleus does not have the AIP. However, mouse AIP may be essential for binding of AHR to DRE within some AHR target genes. The gene expression of cytochrome P450 1b1 ( Cyp1b1 ) and Ahrr were decreased un der TCDD exposure in hepatic Aip null mice though the gene expres sion of other AHR targets , Cyp1a1 and Cyp1a2 , were not affected. 53 Hepatic Aip null mice also showed no TCDD -induced pathological changes , supporting th e hypothesis that the AIP has an important role in TCDD -induced hepatotoxicity. 53 Ligands of AHR Endogenous ligands The AHR is known to be expressed in various mammalian tissues and to have a critical role in vasculature, embryonic development, liver development, and immune system. 54 12 Phylogenic analysis of the AHR sequences in vertebrates showed that N -terminal domains are highly conserved, suggesting that the AHR is an ancient protein evolved in structural diversity. 13, 55 Orthologs of AHR in invertebrates are prese rved and have physiological functions related to development and differentiations, but those do not bind to dioxin. 13, 55 Additionally, xenobiotic -independent AHR activation has been reported. 56, 57 These findings support a hypothesis of the existence of endogenous ligands for AHR (Figure 1 -3). Naturally synthesized ligands from plants and mammals have been studied as putative endogenous agonist s or antagonists for the AHR ; however, a definitive endogenous ligand for AHR has still not been identified .13, 58 The strongest case for an endogenous ligand can be made for several t ryptopha n metabolite s. These metabolites hav e varying functions in different cell types and tissues. For example, tryptamine is an AHR agonist in human colorectal adenocarcinoma CaCo2 cells but an AHR antagonist in young adult mouse colonic ( YAMC ) cells. 28 Also, t ryptamine derivative s are selective AHR modulators. For instance, indole -3-acetate is an AHR agonist and indole -3-aldehyde is an AHR antagonist in YAMC cells. 28 In terms of putative endogenous AHR ligands, the most well -studied tr yptophan metabolites are 6-formylindolo(3,2 -b)carbazole (FICZ ) and kynurenine. FICZ, a tryptophan photoproduct, is a potent AHR agonist having an EC 50 in the picomolar range in rat hepatoma cells, but FICZ -induced CYP1A1 quickly converts FICZ to a substrate of sulfotransferase. 13 FICZ also activates mitogen -activated protein kinase ( MAPK ) that mediates induction of cyclooxygenase -2 (COX -2) and bo th CYP1A1 and COX -2 contribute to development of skin carcinogenesis. 14 Also, FICZ stimulate s T helper 17 (Th17) cell differentiation, which produces proinflammatory cytokines to promote immune responses. 14 Kynurenine is a met abolite from tryptophan breakdown by t ryptophan -2, 3 -dioxygenase . It has been hypothesized that the increased expression of tryptophan -2, 3 -dioxygenase in various cancers would potentially drive higher endogenous kynurenine production, which would ultimat ely activate the AHR and promote tumor progression. 59 Unlike FICZ, kynurenine induces the production of FoxP3 + regulatory T cell s (Treg) in mice and suppresse s anti -tumor immune 13 response in an AHR -dependent manner .55, 59 These l igand -dependent AHR -mediated effects on different immune responses suggest that the AHR participates in regulating immune responses via adjusting the balance between Treg and Th17. 14 Figure 1 -3. Endogenous ligands of AHR. 14 Arachidonic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid that is abundant in liver, brain, and muscle. Prostaglandin B 2, D 2, F 3a, G 2, H 1 and H 2, and lipoxin 4A, metabolites of arachidonic acid, activate AHR and induce CYP1A enzymatic activity and inflammator y signals in a mouse hepatoma cell line. 13, 60 Lipoxin 4A has an EC 50 in the nanomolar range. In contrast, prostaglandins are weak ligands of AHR, having EC 50 in the micromolar range. 13 In addition, liver and l ungs from C57BL/6 mice treated with TCDD had higher levels of epoxides of arachidonic acid, linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docasahexaenoic acid for anti -inflammatory response. 60, 61 Considering the above studies, there fore, arachidonic acid metabolism may be potentially linked to AHR signaling. 13 Bilirubin, a breakdown product from the oxidation of heme, has also been suggested as a possible endogenous ligand of AHR. 62 The AHR has been shown to be involved in bilirubin -induced apoptosis. Given that apoptosis is a mitochondrial -dependent pathway, the involvement of the AHR in intrinsic (mitochondrial) apoptotic pathway may not be related to AHR transcriptional activity. 62-64 Biliverdin, a precursor of bilirubin and product of heme oxygenase, has also been suggested to be an AHR agonist, competing with TCDD in vivo and in vitro .13 A recent study suggested a new role of the AHR as a pattern recognition receptor that recognizes bacterial pigmented virulence factors. 65 This new type of AHR ligand, which is a structural analogue of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, activated the gene expression of AHR target genes and proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine genes. 65 Thus, another role of the AHR was explored, as a regulator of antibacterial defense. Xenobiotics Known xenobiotic ligands of the AHR are divided into two structura l groups, PAHs and HAHs (Figure 1 -4). 13 PAHs are released from many different processes including the burning of coal, charbroiling food and smoking of cigarettes. The most studied PAHs, in terms of AHR 15 biology, are benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) a nd 3 -methylcholanthrene. 13 BaP induces AHR signaling and is metabolized by Phase I and Phase II xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes. 26 Metabolized product epoxides are highly reactive with DNA and proteins. 26 BaP and 3 -methylcholanthrene can also activate MAPK signaling, and this implies that AHR signaling may participate in crosstalk with many molecular pathways for physiological functions. 15 HAHs include halogenated dibenzo -"-dioxin, dibenzofuran s, polychlorinated biphenyls and naphthalenes. HAHs, like PAHs, are produced as byproducts of many industrial processes and are products of hydrocarbon incineration. 14 To be potent AHR agonists, these HAHs, must be planar in structure. HAH s with no halogen substitutions in the ortho -positions to the C -C bridge of inter -ring are potent compounds. Among HAHs, TCDD is the most potent AHR agonist. TCDD is a by -product of fungicides and herbicides synthesis, incineration, electronic recycling, and paper bleaching. TCDD is stable, poorly metabolized, and bioaccumulative. TCDD responses vary among tissue types, strains, and species. 3 Across species, AHR -mediated, TCDD -induced toxicity has a broad range of sensitivities and respo nses, including differences in median lethal dose (LD50), gene expression and metabolite profiles, related to multiple signaling pathways. These pathways include immune response pathways, sexual hormone regulation, cell cycle regulation, developmental sig naling, mitochondrial functions, as well as xenobiotic metabolism. 66-69 Researchers have tried to understand TCDD -induced toxicity by studying transcriptomes, proteomics, metabolomes and pathological responses using TCDD -sensitive and TCDD - resistant animal models, such as C57BL/6J mouse (sensitive) vs. DBA/2J mouse (resistant), L -E rat (sensitive) vs. H/W rats (resistant) or mutant cell lines, such as hepa -1 cells vs. mutant hepa -1 deriva tives. 66, 69-72 Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are stable components of many commercial products such as polymeric implants, flame retardants, insulators, and adhesives. 13 The most potent PCB, in terms of AHR activation, is 3,3Õ,4,4Õ,5 -pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 126). Treatment of PCB126 to C57BL/6 mouse and mouse hepatoma cell line showed similar toxicity of TCDD. 13, 27 16 Figure 1 -4. Xenobiotics of AHR. 17 For example, PCB126 -mediated AHR activation caused suppressed phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase ( PEPCK ) induction and gluconeogenesis in mouse primary hepatocytes. 73 Female rats exposed to PCB1 26 via polymeric implants accumulated PCB126 in liver and mammary tissues resulting in induction of CYP1A enzymes, antioxidant enzyme transcripts and DNA adducts. 74 AHR Target G enes PAH or HAH exposure induces a wide battery of detoxifica tion genes involved in xenobiotic metabolism , such as cytochrome P450 -dependent monooxygenases (CYPs), UDP -glucuronosyl transferase (UGTs), and glutathione S -transferase (GSTs). 13, 75 These drug detoxification genes encode prot eins that can be categorized as either Phase I or Phase II enzymes .14, 26 13 genes (Ahrr, Aldh3a1, Cyp1a1, Cyp1a2, Cyp1b1, Cyp2a1, Cyp2s1, Fmo1, Inmt, Nfe2l2, Nqo1, Tiparp and Ugt1a1 ) have been explored as AHR -regulated genes for their potential role in causing AHR -mediated toxicity in many studies with TCDD sensitive and resistant rats. 66 Analysis of time - and dose -dependent gene expression identified that 7 of these genes (Aldh3a1, Cyp1a2, Cyp1b1, Cyp2a1, Fmo1, Nfe2l2 and Nqo1 ) have inter -strain differences in expression and several of the genes ( Ahrr, Aldh3a1, Cyp1b1, Nfe2l2 and Nqo1 ) have biphasic responses . Among these genes, Cyp1a1 , Cyp1a2 and Cyp1b1 are representative genes that have very low basal expressio n in rodent liver and are highly induced upon TCDD exposure in time -dependent manner. 66 Phase I enzymes , such as CYPs, are expressed at the early stage of dioxin -toxicity . CYPs include , CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and CYP1B1, and each of these conta in functional DREs in their enhancer region. CYP1A1 is the best -studied AHR target gene. The human CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 genes are on the chromosome 15 and their transcription start site s are separated from each other by 20 kb. This intergenic region has mu ltiple DREs and acts bidirectionally for both 18 genes. 26 CYP1A1 is located in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondrial inner membrane and t he amount of CYP1A1 in each organelle depends on species, tissues, age, and type of inducer. 76, 77 Using knock -in gene technique s, it has been shown that only CYP1A1 in the ER participated in detoxification of BaP and the absence of CYP1A1 localized in the ER induced the upregulation of the expression of both CYP1A2 and CYP1B1 to compensate for the loss of CYP enzymatic activity in ER. 77 However, the role of mitochondrial CYP1A1 induced by BaP is still not clear . CYP1B1, another AHR -regulated CYP1 enzyme, is highly expressed in hormone -mediated cancers. 78 PAHs challenged mice developed tumor s slowly in Cyp1b1 knockout mice compared to wild -type (WT) mice. 79 However, CYP1B1 induction is expressed approximate ly 100 fold less than Cyp1A1 in the liver. In contrast, CYP1B1 is highly expressed in the lung and uterus , approximately 30 ~ 70 times more than that in liver. 80 PAH exposure to mammalian cells caused CYP1B1 targeting to both ER and mitoch ondria and lung mitochondrial CYP1B1 was more relative to PAH -mediated mitochondrial dysfunction than the microsomal enzyme .78 NAD(P)H:quin one oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), UGTs , such as UGT1A1 and UGT1A6, aldehyde dehydrogenas e (ALDH3A1), glutathione S -transferases (GSTs) and sulfotransferases (SULTs) belong to the Phase II class of enzymes. NQO1 is a flavoprotein that detoxifies quinones to quinols without generating reactive semiquinones. 26 Recent stud ies hav e shown that NQO1 is possib ly localized in the mitochondria and ER , as well as the cytosol. 80 Quinols are conjugated by UGTs or SULTs and excreted via transporters such as multidrug resistance -associated proteins and breast cancer resistance protein. 26 The Human UGT1 gene encodes 9 UGT1 enzyme members, all of which are induced by AHR agonist s. Among these, UGT1A1 and 1A6 are the most well -studied. 14, 26 UGT1A1 is mainly expresse d in the liver and int estine. Functional DRE s have also been identified in the human UGT1A1 gene, but not in murine gene. UGT1A1 catalyzes glucuronidation of bilirubin and !-estradiol. UGT1A6 conjugates a variety of planar phenols such as the neurotransmitter serotonin, 1 -naphthol, acetaminophen and PAHs. 26 19 ALDH3A 1 oxidizes aldehydes , end product s of lipid peroxidation, to ketones and carboxylic acids for detoxification . ALDH3A1 can block oxidative stress and affect the cell cycle. 81 Dysregulation of ALDH3A1 , therefore, is associated with tumorigen esis. 66 The action of GST is coupled with glutathione synthesis. There are both cytosolic and mitochondrial GSTs . GSTs are multifunctional enzymes detoxify ing many epoxide carcinogens. 26 Phase II enzymes have antioxidant response element s (ARE s), as well as DRE s in their enhancer region. 14, 26 NF-E2 p45 -related factor 2 (NRF2) is a basic leucine zipper domain (bZIP) nuclear transcription factor and main regulator of antioxidant defense. NRF2 bind s to ARE s as a complex with small MAF s.82 This nuclear transcription factor is necessary for the expression of AHR -regulated drug metabolizing enzymes such as NQO1, UGTs, and GSTs. 14, 26, 82 AHR and NRF2 display crosstalk in multiple levels. Identification of DRE -like sequence upstream of Nrf2 and AHR binding upstream of Nrf2 in mouse liver cells suggests that TCDD -induced AHR activation increases Nrf2 expression and consequently induces NRF2 -target and P hase II enzymes. 82 NRF2 is considered to be a tightly regulated gene , being activated only in the presence of reactive oxygen species ( ROS ).26, 82 The h uman NQO1 gene contains a functional ARE but not a DRE -like ele ment and the human GSTA2 gene has no functional ARE or DRE. These results suggest that TCDD -induced CYP1 enzymes generate ROS, which directly or indirectly activates NRF2 target gene expression. 26 However, a recent study showed that the AHR - and NRF2 -dependent expression of Nqo1 could occur in the absence of oxidative stress in mouse hepatoma 1c1c7 cells. 83 The same study also suggested that TCDD -induced nuclear AHR physically interacted with NRF2 and KEAP1, a regulator of NR F2 degradation, with a sequentially delayed binding kinetics for target gene elements .83 This suggested a cross talk between AHR and NRF2 signaling via a direct formation of multi -protein complex. 83 The role of NRF2 in TCDD -induced hap atic toxicity was revealed in the study using Nrf2 knockout mice. 84 TCDD -exposed Nrf2 null mice showed alterations in the expressio n of genes that encode proteins involved in inflammation, fibrogenesis, proliferation/apoptosis, lipid 20 metabolism, oxidative stress and DNA repair. TCDD -induced impaired adipogenesis was shown in Nrf2 null mice and this was most likely caused by the down regulation of peroxisome proliferator -activated receptor (PPAR) -!. Thus, NRF2 has a protective role ag ainst TCDD -induced oxidative stress, DNA damage and impaired adipogenesis causing hepatic steatosis. 84 Physiological Role s of AHR Physiological stimuli can activate AHR in the absence of ligand. For example, c ell density can regulate in tracellular AHR localization and transactivation in human keratinocytes through post -translational modification in the form of phosphorylation on serine within the NES by p38 -MAPK. 57 Sparse cell density resulting in loss of cell -to-cell co ntact induced nuclear AHR accumulation and transcription of AHR target genes. Human or rat blood vessel endothelial cells exposed to high glucose -containing media, caused AHR activation. Activated AHR did not bind to DRE s but formed a complex with severa l other transcription factors at the thrombospond in-1 gene promote r.85 Moreo ver, activation of AHR exposed to carotenoids and benzimidazole derivatives induced CYP1A1 as well as heavy metals did in human and mouse hepatocytes. 4 However, these compounds did not act as AHR ligands in terms of AHR:ARNT dimer formation. AHR can also participate in crosstalk with other signaling pathways that might also play an important role in AHR -mediated physiological processes. These physiological effects include proliferation, endocrine disruption, differentiation, inflammation, apoptosis and proteolysis .14 First, AHR can promote or inhibit cellular proliferation depending on types of cell s and species . NF-"B is a pleiotropic transcription factor, consisting of a p65/RelA and a p50/NF -"B-1. In human breast cancer MCF7 cells, AHR interacted with p65/RelA, resulting in the transactivation of c -myc , a proto -oncogene .56 Human lung A549 als o increased proliferation rate via overexpression of AHR. 21 The AHR can also influence steroid signaling pathways within a cell at multiple levels. For example, the ligand -activated AHR:ARNT dimer associates with estrogen receptor -# and Ð!, binds to estro gen responsive elements and recruits co -activator p300 to induce estrogen receptor target genes without a ligand of the estrogen receptor .86 Induction of cathepsin D , a protease and breast cancer marker, by 17 !-estradiol could be inhibite d by TCDD -induced AHR activation in mammary tumor cells .14 Estro n could be metabolized to estradiol by 17 !-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. 87 Estradiol was further metabolized to genotoxic 4 -hydroxylated estrogen by ICZ -activated AHR -induced CYP1B1, and 4 -hydroxylated catecholestrogen induce d estrogen -mediated carcinogensis by being oxidized .87, 88 Inversely, h uman CYP1B1 gene was an estrogen receptor -# target gene expressed differently depending on a p hase of menstrual cycle in endometrial glandu lar epithelial cells .89 Finally, t he l igand -activated AHR mediate d ubiquitin -mediated degradation of the estrogen receptor -# (see below) .90 Thus, AHR signaling affects estro gen signaling by sharing its target gene and vice versa . Next, hierarchical clustering of gene expression profiles in human hematopoietic cells suggest s a possible role of AHR in differentiation of blood cells. 91 This suggested role of the AHR was demonstrated using a potent endogenous AHR ligand, FICZ. FICZ -induced AHR activation induced pluripotent stem cells to become hematopoietic progenitor cells and also contributed to further differentiation into erythroid -lineage cells . In contra st, the inhibition of the AHR by AHRR at the differentiation stage to erythroid -lineage cells stimulated megakaryocyte specification. 91 The expression of AHR and CYP1A1 increase d in human keratinocyte under differentiation -promoting cultur e condition to induce gene expression involving in skin differentiation. 92 TCDD exposure in utero stimulated the formation of the fetal epidermal barrier. This suggests that endogenous ligand s of the AHR may activate AHR signaling to support skin barrier formation. In mouse adipocytes, somewhat differently, TCDD blocks adipocyte differentiation via inflammatory response .93 TCDD induced the expression of COX -2 via induction of NF-"B, and 22 the subsequent increase in interleukin ( IL)-8 and tumor necrosis factor -# (TNF -#) secretion . This ultimately led to the reduction of lipid storage and lipoprotein lipase. In human primary hepatocytes, TNF -# and IL -1! induce d NF-"B and suppresse d CYP1A1 and 1A2 . Similar results we re observed in UVB -sensitive NF -"B in human hepatoma cells .14 In mouse hepatoma 1c1c7 cells, TNF -#-induced NF -"B and ligand -activated AHR reciprocally suppressed each otherÕs transcriptional activity through protein:protein interaction .94 Ligand -activated AHR may enhance apoptotic stimuli, contributing to TCDD -induced immune suppression by NF -"B repression. 94 AHR-knockout mice also showed slow growth, a decrease in liver weight, abnormal vascular development in the liver and eyes, abnormal development and function in the prostate and ovaries, and reduced differentiation and immaturity in blood cells compared to WT.4, 95 Finally, transforming growth factor -! (TGF -!) was expressed in the liver of AHR -knockout mice, which would contribute to fibrosis and lower proliferation. 4, 56 Activation of p rotein kinase signaling mediated AHR -dependent but ARN T-independent inflammatory r esponses . Human breast MCF10A cells exposed to TCDD caused AHR -dependent but ARNT -independent 1) increase in intracellular calcium co ncentration, 2) activation of cytosolic p hospholipase A2 to release arachidonic acid and activation of COX -2 to synthesi ze prostaglandins, and 3) subsequent activation of protein kinas es, such as calcium stimulated protein kinase C, arachidonic acid induced Src kinase and prostaglandin -dependent protein kinase A activation without induction of CYP1A1. 93 Lastly, ligand -activated AHR is the adaptor component of E3 -ubiquitin ligase for for estrogen receptor -#.90 Ste roid hormone receptors such as estrogen receptor -# and !, and androgen receptor are degraded by the ubiquitin -mediated proteasom e system. Similarily, !-catenin is degraded by an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex , which has AHR as a component. 96 Wnt/ !-catenin signaling induce s the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway as well as proliferation depending on cell types .97 These studies suggest that AHR is capable of functioning as a nongenomic mediator of cellular pathways, as well as a ligand -activated transcription. 23 MITOCHONDRIA Mitochondria are considered to have originated as endosymbionts from the engulfmen t of #-proteobacterium by a primitive eukaryotic cell. 98 Mitochondria, therefore, have their own DNA, RNA and protein synthesis system s. Mitochondria l structure and function vary depending on cellular - and tissue -specific needs. 99 Mitochondria are double membrane bound organelles, which produce 90% of cellular energy by oxidation of chemical fuels coupled to the production of high energy intermediates (i.e. , ATP) . The carbon metabolic pathways of these chemical fuels , such as tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and fatty acid oxidation , are at the junction of biomolecul ar metabolism, anabolism and catabolism. Mitochondria occup y a considerable volume of cytoplasm and have evolved to integrate multiple metabolic and signali ng pathways. 98 Because of the central role of the mitochondria in metabolism, they are also linked to normal cellular processes, such as aging, differentiation and cell death. This also means that mitochondrial defects can result in disea ses such as encephalopathy, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic diseases and cancer. 100 Structure of M itochondria The shape of mitochondria is flexible and can range from spherical to rod -like shape. Mitochondria have a double -layered membrane structure. The two membranes, the outer -membrane (OM) and inner -membrane (IM), separate the organelle into distinct compartments, including the matrix space and inter -membrane space (IMS). The OM is ion permeable membrane. 101 Like bacterial OM, the mitochondrial OM has a porin, an aqueous channel which is permeable to less than 5 kDa molecules. Because of this permeability, chemical composition of the IMS is similar to the cytosol regarding small molecules. The OM also has the mit ochondrial transport machinery for delivery of proteins targeted to IMS, IM, and matrix space. On the other hand, the IM is a highly selective layer that is folded , forming cristae that serve to 24 further compartmentalize the organelle and increase the tota l amount of the IM . The IM contains the enzymes for the electron transport chain (ETC) , ATP synthesis and specific transport systems for matrix proteins and metabolites. 101 Mitochondria cannot replicate on their own . Fusion and fission mecha nism s and the import of synthesized macromolecules like proteins and lipids maintain orientation and distribution of mitochondria according to cell types and cellular status. 102 Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) A mitochondrion contains 2 -10 copie s of its DNA and there can be as many as 1000 mitochondria per cell. Many genes from the endosymbionts were transferred to nuclear chromosomes . It is estimated that approximately 1500 genes are scattered throughout the chromosomal DNA. 98 Human mtDNA is 16.6kb of a closed circular double strand molecule. mtDNA has no introns and little of no intergenic regions between genes. 103 The genes for 13 polypeptides, 22 tRNAs, and 2 small rRNAs are included in mtDNA. The 13 p olypeptides are compo nents of the ETC and ATP synthase complexes, including ND1, 2, 3, 4L, 4, 5, and 6 (subunits of complex I), cytochrome b (subunit of complex III), CO1, 2, and 3 (subunits of complex IV), and ATP6 and 8 (subunits of complex V). 103 mtDNA is maternally inherited and has regional genetic variances. Because mitochondria have multiple copies of their genome, an individual may be heteroplasmic (i.e. , having more than one sequence of organellar genome within an individual). In yeast, mtDNA nucleoids are associated with proteins in four functional groups: (I) mtDNA maintenance and gene expression; (II) protein import and mitochondrial biogenesis; (III) energy metabolism; and (IV) amino acid metabolism. 104 For example, aconitase, a TCA cycle enzyme, can replace ABF2, a mtDNA packaging protein. 104 LON protease is also identified as a component of the mitochond rial nucleoids, though LON protein level may not be essential for 25 mtDNA function. 105 The factors discussed in other sections, such as mitochondrial translation related factors, SLS1 and mitochondrial ribosomal protein L12 (MRPL12), or mitochondrial chaperones, mtHSP70, are also associated with mtDNA nucleoids. 104 Thus, mitochondria seem to utilize the pools of proteins diversely to maintain the ir own integrity. Synthesis of Mitochondrial Proteins Among identified ~ 1500 nuclear genes that encode mitochondrial proteins , a portion of these genes are thought to have been transferred from endosymbionts to the nucleus and the other part would have arisen during the evolutionary process. 98 To maintain mitochondrial function and morphology, mitochondria need nuclear -encoded proteins. 100 Analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondrial proteome assigned functional classification of the proteins; 12% of the proteins are involved directly in mitochondrial genome maintenance and mitochondrial gene expression, 15% in energy metabolism , such as respiratory chain complexes and TCA cycle, 25% in proteostasis, and 25% in other known functions such as lipid metabolism, iron metabolism, amino acids metabolism, redox regulation, signaling, and morphology. Still, the function of 20% of the pr oteins ha s not been assigned. 98 Synthesis of mitochondrial gene encoded proteins Mitochondrial ribosomes are bound to the IM for co -translational protein assembly. Three yeast IM proteins, OXA1, MBA1 and Mdm38p, bind to large mitochondr ial ribosome subunits and function to promote mitochondrial protein export via their translocase/insertase activity. Mitochondrial transcription occurs near the IM and mRNAs can be channeled to mitochondrial translation machinery. Rpo41p, yeast RNA polym erase, interacts with NAM1 through N -terminus and delivers mRNA to NAM1. NAM1 delivers mRNA to the activator, Pet309 or Pet111, in the IM surface, which binds mRNA 5Õ -UTR and mitochondrial ribosomes, 26 with membrane -associated proteins, SLS1 and Rmd9p. 101 Newly synthesized components of the respiratory chain form pre -assembly intermediates with a help of assembly factors in the IM. 101, 106 Synthesis of nuclear gene encoded mitochondrial proteins There are two modes of nuclear gene encoded mitochondrial protein synthesis, protein synthesis machinery (polysomes) bound to the OM of the mitochondria and free polysomes in the cytosol. 101 In yeast, 3Õ -untranslated regions (3Õ -UTRs) of mRNA and N -terminal sequen ces of precursors act as signals for mitochondrial membrane binding of polysomes. 107 Puf3p, an RNA binding protein that induces deadenylation and degradation of mRNA, binds to the 3Õ -UTRs and guides the mRNA at the mitochondrial surface nea r sites associated with ER. 101, 107 The role of Puf3p and existence of other factors involved in mRNA stabilization or localization at the surface of mitochondria is not completely clear. It is expected, however, that a regulatory mechanism that maintains the ratio of protein synthesis at mitochondria bound polysome vs. free polysomes exists. The co -translational protein import into mitochondria does not seem to be the only purpose of translation at the mitochondrial surface becau se fully synthesized precursors were detected at the OM of the mitochondria. It is not clear whether attenuated import of precursors at the OM is destined to degradation or import. 101 Nuclear -encoded Mitochondrial Protein Translocation After being synthesized in the cytosol, nuclear -encoded mitochondrial protein precursors are imported via a mitochondrial targeting signal (MTS). These MTSs usually contain positively charged amphipathic helices. Mitochondrial protein import mac hinery has fou r major complexes; the translocase of the outer membrane (TOM), the translocase of the inner membrane (TIM), the presequence translocase -associated motor (PAM), and the outer 27 membrane sorting and assembly machinery (SAM). The translocases have multiple ch annels. Though a role of multiple channels is not clearly identified, it is suggest that they may increase transport efficiency or may recruit target proteins as well as regulatory factors. 108 The translocation of proteins into the mitochond ria begins with the interaction between a target protein and the TOM complex. 46, 108 TOM has two recognition receptors outside of the mitochondria, TOM20 and TOM70. TOM20 binds to the N-terminal MTS and TOM70 binds to hydrophobic internal sequences of transmembrane proteins. Mitochondrial precursors recognized by TOM20 or TOM70 are transferred to the common TOM22/TOM40 translocation pore. In mammals, cytosolic HSP90 and HSP70 interact to TOM70 in order to transfer mitochondrial preproteins to TOM70 core domain. 46, 109 Mitochondrial proteins targeting to TOM20 are also transferred by cytosolic chaperones such as HSP90 and AIP. 45, 110, 111 A Recent model sug gested another role of TOM20. In this model, TOM20 displaces HSP90/HSP70 bound to TOM70 when ATP hydrolysis by HSP90/HSP70 occurs and the displacement would facilitate a release of the target protein from TOM70 and a delivery to common translocation pore. 112 According to the destination of target proteins, SAM sorts pore -forming !-barrel proteins to the OM. MIM1, interacting with SAM, identifies and inserts #-helical proteins to the OM. TIM23 sorts matrix proteins by coordinating with PAM or IM proteins with the help of TIM21, and TIM22 sorts IMS proteins delivered from TOM. 98, 108 Mitochondrial membrane potential that is coupled with ATP production and mitochondrial matrix HSP70 (mtHSP70) drives further process sing of protein import into matrix from TIM23. 113 mtHSP70 translocates matrix protein precursors from TIM23 to the matrix. 108 Matrix targeting signals are cleaved by mitochondrial -processing peptidase upon entering the ma trix. TIM21, a subunit of TIM23 complex, facilitates protein localization into the IM. 108, 113 In vitro studies using yeast and Escherichia coli cells showed that TIM21 reduced the regional mitochondrial membrane potential by interacting with subunits of complex III and IV in the respiratory chain. 113 However, there is no clear mechanism 28 identified to explain a relationship between membrane potential and protein import to the inner membrane. 108 Some precursors destined for the IMS have a Òbipartite presequence consisting of a positively charged matrix targeting signal and a hydrophobic sorting signalÓ. 98 Mitochondrial -processing peptidase removes the matrix targeting sign al and the inner membrane peptidase cleaves a hydrophobic sorting signal, subsequently the mature protein is released from the IM into the IMS. 98 Small TIM family members deliver precursors targeted to the IM from TOM complex to TIM22 ac ross the IMS. One proposed transport mechanism for small proteins into the IMS is a folding mechanism involving disulfide -bond formation within a protein, maintaining a complex structure. Mia40 (TIM40) and Erv1 are known IM proteins that utilize disulfid e-bond formation in their mitochondrial IMS import and assembly (MIA) pathway. 108, 114 Nuclear Transcription Factors for Mitochondrial Biogenesis Several transcription factors are important for the expression of nuclear ge nes that encode proteins destined for the mitochondria. For example, nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1) regulate s gene expressions of mtDNA replication and maintenance factors. 115 NRF1 is a transcription factor that binds to DNA as a ho modimer, specifically at the promoter of cytochrome c, mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM ), and mtTFB, as well as other genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation ( OXPHOS ), heme synthesis, ion channel synthesis, mitochondrial protein import, assem bly, and shuttling. 103 NRF1 target genes are not only involved in mitochondrial function but also related to metabolic enzymes and growth regulatory E2F target genes. 103 Nuclear respiratory factor 2 (GABP), binding t o DNA as a heterotetramer, activates transcription of subunits of cytochrome c oxidase. 116 Both NRF1 and GABP regulate gene expression of all 4 subunits of succinate dehydrogenase. 103, 117 PPAR-$ coactivator -1# (PGC -1#) is a coactivator and binds several nuclear hormone receptors, NRF1, GABP, and 29 PPAR-# and -$. NRF1 and GABP genes have hormone responsive elements and are also target genes of PGC -1#.103, 118 PGC -1# is well studied with regard to mitochondrial biogenesis and function. 119-122 PGC -1# associates with various nuclear transcription factors, as well as induces expression of nuclear transcr iption factors in response to extracellular signals. 103, 119, 122 Steroid/thyroid hormone receptors , such as glucocorticoid, estrogen, androgen and thyroid receptors are localized in both nucleus and mitochond rial matrix and induce transcription of OXPHOS genes and mitochondrial transcription factors in liver, heart, skeletal muscle, kidney, and brain. 118 Estrogen -related receptor , an orphan receptor, and PPAR -# and Ð$, regulate fatty acid oxida tion. 103 Also, mitochondrial glucocorticoid receptor induce s apoptotic pathways in immune cells. In contrast, mitochondrial estrogen receptor induce s anti -apoptotic effects in breast cancer cells. Finally, Sp1, CREB, p53, NF -"B, AP -1, and c -MYC have also been investigated as regulators of mitochondrial function. 103, 118 Mitochondrial Respiration and Reactive Oxygen Species Aerobic respiration is the main process by which the mitochondria produce energy. Aerobic respiration involves three distinct phases: oxida tion of substrates (e.g. , glucose , fatty acid ), electron transport, and ATP synthesis . In this process, reducing equivalents, primarily derived from the TCA cycle, are transferred to the ETC and ul timately to O 2. The energetically favorable movement of electrons within the ETC is coupled to the production of an electrochemical gradient across the IM of the mitochondria, which is used to drive ATP synthesis (Figure 1 -5). The respiratory chain in th e IM contains four enzyme complexes (I, II, III and IV) through which electrons pass on their way to reducing O 2 to w ater. Complex I is referred to as NADH dehydrogenase consisting of 46 polypeptides and reduces ubiquinone at the expense of NADH, resultin g in the net transfer of four protons across the IM. Complex II , also known as succinate dehydrogenase, consists of only four peptides and is thus the simplest 30 of all the complexes of the ETC. Complex II is also a TCA cycle enzyme and directly links the oxidation of succinate to fumarate with the reduction of ubiquinone to ubiquinol but does not translocate protons ac ross the IM. Complex III ( aka bc1 complex, or ubiquinol -cytochrome -c oxidoreductase) consists of 11 polypeptides and enzymatically couples proton transfer to the oxidization of ubiquinol and the reduction of cytochrome c. Finally, Complex IV , cytochrome c oxidase consisting of 13 polypeptides , completes the ETC by transferring the electrons from cytochrome c to O 2 and utilizing the exergonic oxygen reduction reaction to pump protons. Complex V , ATP synthase also known as F 1F0-ATPase , couples the generated proton motive force through ETC to ATP synthesis . Complex V , consisting of 16 polypeptides , transports protons back to the matrix through the F0 channel and synthesizes ATP at the F 1 catalytic site. The production of mitochondrial ROS is affected by the redox state of the ETC and the proton motive force. 120 Inhibition of the ETC results in more reduced electron carriers, whi ch have more tendency to generate ROS. The proton pump driven by the ETC contributes to the proton motive force, and increased proton motive force induces more mitochondrial ROS accumulation. ROS generated in the mitochondria ar e mainly produced by compl ex I and III.123, 124 The flavin site (IF) of complex I, consisting of flavin mononucleotide and 8 Fe -S clusters, produces ROS when the site IF is fully reduced. When pyruvate and malate drive the forward electron transport of complex I and downstream of electron transport is blocked, the site I F significantly generates ROS. Succinate or glycerol -3-phosphate converts ubiquinone to ubiquinol of the Q -binding site (IQ) of complex I , which delivers electrons to NAD + through comple x II to complex I by a high membrane potential . During this reverse electron transfer, superoxide is generated at the site IQ, which is a bridge point between flavin, 8 iron -sulf ur clusters, and ubiquinone of complex I. However, there is a controversy if both two sites of complex I rather than one generate ROS under physiological condition . Superoxide generation from complex I is the highest portion of mitochondrial ROS. The ubiquinone -oxidation site of the Q-cycle in complex III is also a superoxide prod uction site (IIIQo). When electron transfer from 31 cytochrome b to the ubiquinone is inhibited, semiubiquinone is accumulated and reduces oxygen to superoxide. Superoxide produced by complex I is distributed to the matrix and that produced by complex III i s distributed mainly to IMS. ROS generated by complex I damages macromolecules irreversibly. In contrast, ROS generated by complex III has selectivity in their targets for redox signaling. 124 For instance, thiol oxidation of mitochondria l proteins occurred differentially depending on the source of ROS generation. ROS production by complex III is required for cardioprotection under ischemic preconditioning and for stabilization of HIF1 # under hypoxia. 120 Moreover, there is a suggestion that assembly subunit of complex III may control ROS production at the site IIIQo .125 Other IM proteins, electron transferring flavor protein Q oxidoreductase, pyruvate dehydrogenase, #-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, glycerol 3 -phosphate dehydrogenase and complex II and IV, are considered ROS producing sites in mitochondria. 123 However, the production ra tes of these are negligible compared to complex I and III and very little information on characteristics of those is established. 120 ROS oxidizes macromolecules and this damage causes impaired cellular functions or aging related diseases. 123 Biological system developed a defense system having a broad range of scavengers for oxidizing radicals. One of those, superoxide dismutase (SOD) converts superoxide to hydrogen peroxide, which can diffuse out of the membrane. 123 SOD1 (Cu/Zn -SOD) is in the mitochondrial IMS and SOD2 (Mn -SOD) is found in mitochondrial matrix. 120 Peroxiredoxin, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase convert hydrogen peroxide to water. Mitochondria have isoforms of peroxiredoxin an d glutathione peroxidase. 120 Cytosolic or nonmitochondrial enzymes can catalyze a conversion of mitochondrially generated ROS that diffuse out of the organelle. Glutathione peroxidase 1 utilizes GSH to convert hydrogen peroxide to water and glutathione reductase converts an oxidized glutathione to a reduced form, GSH. Even though antioxidant defense systems exist, mitochondria have a limited ability to protect a 32 Figure 1 -5. Schematic of Electron transport chain complexes and ATP synthase. Complex I (CI), III (CIII), IV (CIV), and V (CV) are composed of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encoded subunits and nuclear DNA (nuDNA) encoded subunits. Complex II (CII) is composed of nuDNA encoded subu nits. Another name for each complex is described below the scheme . Red arrows indicate electron flow from CI or CII to CIV. 33 cell from oxidative damage. Recent research has reported that low levels of ROS, which might be residual after d etoxification by ROS scavengers, might function as a signaling molecule to adapt to stress by crosstalk with other cellular pathways such as autophagy, hypoxia, differentiation and immune response. 120 Therefore, both defense system against oxidative stress and regulations of cellular processes by ROS are important to maintain mitochondrial integrity and function. 121 TCA C ycle The tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle (a lso known as Krebs cycle or citric acid cycle) in the mitochondria is the major site that provides biomolecular precursors and reducing equivalents that can be used by the ETC to conserves energy for ATP generation (Figure 1-6).126 The TCA cycle oxidizes acetyl -CoA to two CO 2 through the reactions of 8 enzymes and generates 3 moles of NADH, 1 mole of FADH 2, 1 GTP molecule and intermediates for other metabolic pathways. Liver cells, for example, utilize the electron carriers, NADH and FADH 2 in the ETC and intermediates of the TCA cycle in the part of synthesis of glucose , fatty acids, cholesterol, amino acids and porphyrins. The cytosolic isoforms of some enzymes in the TCA cycle and active carriers for metabolites in mitochondrial IM create an interconnection between the TCA cycle and other metabolic pathways. Oxaloace tate, the substrate of citrate synthase, can be converted to phosphoenolpyruvate for gluconeogenesis. Acetyl -CoA, another substrate of citrate synthase, can be utilized for fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis. !-ketoglutarate, succinyl -CoA, fumarate and oxaloacetate are converted from amino acids and !-ketoglutarate and oxaloacetate can also be converted to amino acids. Because of these amphibolic characteristic s, the TCA cycle is an important metabolic hub. The flux of the TCA cycle is modulated by cellular metabolic demand. The TCA cycle is regulated by availability of substrates and enzymatic activities and this is related to hormone 34 Figure 1 -6. TCA cycl e. signaling, calcium as a secondary signaling molecule, phosphorylation modification on enzymes, and energy sta tus. The ratios of [CoA]/[Acetyl -CoA], [ADP]/[ATP] and [NAD +]/[NADH] regulate the flow of the TCA cycle via their role as substrates/products for various reactions and as allosteric effectors. Acetyl -CoA is provided from fatty acid oxidation or oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate via pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDH), whose activity is regulated by PDH kinase (PDK). PDK, a HIF1 target gene, phosphorylates E1 subunit of PDH for inactivation. Inactivation of PDH by PDK reduces influx of acetyl -CoA in to TCA cycle and stimulates 35 glycolysis under specific circumstances such as hypoxic stress or in cancer. 127 On the other hand, high glucose concentration in blood stimulates insulin secretion and calcium release, and activates PDH phosphata se to activate PDH. Caenorhabditis elegans exposed to !-ket ogluarate displays an extended life span .128 This was thought to be caused by ATP synthase inhibition upon a -ketoglutarate binding of ATP synthase " subunit, resulting in decreased respiration and activity of the target of rapamycin (TOR) and induc ing autophagy. 128 Endogenous level s of !-ketoglutarate under dietary restriction can be increased through activation of gluconeogenesis. This suggests that !-ketoglutarate m ay be a key metabolite that can be a target for aging or therapeutics for aging -related disease. Mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase catalyzes the conversion of !-ketoglutarate to 2 -hydroxyglutarate, a competitive inhibitor of !-ketoglutarate utilizing enzyme s such as !-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase and !-ketoglutarate -dependent dioxygenase. 129, 130 The enzymes inhibited by accumulated 2 -hydroxyglutarate are related to regulation of histone and DNA methylation and HIF1 ! stabilization, whic h may promote tumorigenesis. 130 Structural analog s of !-ketoglutarate in the TCA cycle , such as fumarate, succinate and citrate , are competitive inhibitors of prolyl hydroxylase domain proteins. 131 Treatment of cell lines wi th derivatives of fumarate and succinate induced HIF1 ! stabilization and expressions of HIF1 target genes . Fumarase and succinate dehydrogenase are considered to be tumor suppressors. 132 Mutations in subunits of succinate dehydrogenase (B, C, and D) developed paraganglioma or phaeochromocytoma and mutations in fumarase developed leiomyoma, leiomyosarcoma or renal cell carcinoma. 132 Mutation or deficiency of fumarase and succinate dehydrogenase cause accumulation of fumarate an d succinate in mitochondria, and consequently these metabolites are leaked into cytosol and react with other enzymes. A new role of metabolites of the TCA cycle has been discovered as substrate s of post -translational modification. 133 Prot eomic analysis with human liver tissues showed that all of the enzymes participating in the TCA cycle and fatty acid oxidation are targets for acetyl 36 modification. 134 Sirtuin (SIRT) , an NAD -dependent protein deacetylase , is involv ed in many cellular metabolic processes. Deacetylation on lysine residue s by SIRT3 -5 is a representative example for post -translational modification of mitochondrial protein s.133 Human SIRT3 deacetylates and activates glutamate dehydrogenase and isoc itrate dehydrogenase. Mouse SIRT5 localized in the IMS deacetylates cytochrome c, which regulates respiration and apoptosis. 135 Succinylation on lysine residue s or succination on cysteine residue s is also related to tumor formation .133 Succinylation on lysine residue of SOD1 in the IMS has a positive relationship with tumor cell growth. 136 Renal cell cancer syndrome associated with germ line mutations in the fumarase gene is associated with aberrant succina ted cysteine -containing proteins. 133 Post -translational modification by metabolites of the TCA cycle also occurs in nonmitochondrial sites. Succination on KEAP1, a regulator of NRF2 stabilization, induce NRF2 signaling against stress. 133 Hydroxylation on proline residues of HIF ! by !-ketog lutarate -dependent dioxygenase induced degradation of HIF ! subunits. 137 Fatty Acid !-oxidation and Ketogenesis Fatty acid "-oxidation is another metabolic pathway that occurs within the mitochondrial matrix and generates acet yl-CoA, NADH and FADH 2.138 Fatty acid in cytosol must be primed with CoA by thiokinase in an energy dependent process. The acyl -CoA is then transferred to mitochondria by forming acyl -carnitine and being transported by the carnitine carri er protein. In the oxidation process, t hiolysis at the "-carbon of acyl group releases the 2 units of carbon component as an acetyl -CoA. Propionyl -CoA is the end product of odd -chain fatty acid oxidation. Propionyl -CoA can be carboxylated to succinyl -CoA, which can be further metabolized for other metabolic pathways. Acetyl -CoA can be utilized in TCA cycle or ketone body formation and electron carriers can be utilized in ETC and ATP synthase . Skeletal muscle and heart utilize fatty acid s as their primary energy source. The l iver utilizes fatty acid s for 37 energy production when there are low levels of blood glucose , such as during starvation. Accumulated acetyl -CoA in liver mitochondria is converted to ketone bodies, acetoacetate and "-hydroxybutyrate , important fuels for extrahepatic or gans under starvation or glucose depletion . It is important to note that acidosis can occur if the blood lev els of ketone bodies get higher than the demand of peripheral tissue. Hormonal regulation stimulated by nutrient state activates transcriptional regulators such as sterol regulatory element -binding protein 1c and carbohyd rate responsive element -binding protein (i.e. , by insulin) , and PPAR -! (i.e. , by glucagon) to regulate de novo lipogenesis, fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis. Insulin resistance in white adipose tissue and muscle causes lysis of triacylglycerol and increases translocation of nonesterified fatty acid into the liver. 139 Insulin resistance also activates sterol regulatory element -binding protein 1c. Hyperglycemia during type 2 -diabetes activates carbohydrate responsive element -binding protein and contributes to fatty liver. Hyperglycemia and ketoacidosi s that can also occur during type -2 diabetes increases CYP2E1 expression and promotes ROS production within the liver causing lipotoxicity. 139 Deletion of SIRT1 in liver impairs PPAR -! signaling, which results in decrease in fatty acid "-oxidation and ketogenesis. 138 Deacetylation of PGC -1!, another co -activator for transcription, by SIRT1 and phosphorylation by p38MAPK activates PGC -1!.138 Liver -specific deletion of PGC -1! in mice cause s hepatic steatosis and overexpression of PGC -1! in liver induce s increase in fatty acid "-oxidation through regulation of mitochondrial contents and function. 138 Mitochondrial SIRT3 also regulates fatty acid "-oxidation as well as SOD2 activation. 138 TCDD -INDUCED TOXICITIES AND METABOLIC DYSFUNCTION The various deleterious physiological effects by TCDD exposure are tumor promotion, chloracne, wast ing syndrome, and hepatic steatosis .140 In 1997, t he International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) define d TCDD as a human carcinogen. 141 The studies about the 38 cohort in Soveso, Italy related to the accident in 1976 , dioxin exposure from a chemical production plant operated by Roche group, revealed high mortality in lung cancer, lymphopoietic neoplasms and rectal cancer in men, and increased incidence of breast cancer and liver cancer in women. 141 Dioxin influences the thyroid hormone metabolism as an endocrine disruptor. 140 Thyroid hormone is essential for brain development and a low level of thyroid hormone in early pregnancy is related to low childrenÕs intellectual ability. 140 Chloracne , a non inflammatory skin disorder characterized by metaplasia and hyperkeratosis, is a representative human dioxin -induced toxicity .140 Wome n exposed to high dose s of TCDD in their workplace in Vienna in 1997 suffere d from severe chloracne. 4 In 2004, Ukrainian presidential candidate , Viktor Yushchenko , was poisoned with TCDD and suffered from severe chloracne. 4 The mechanism of developing chloracne is not clear. The suggested mec hanism is that keratinocyte terminal differentiation is accelerated via expression of filaggrin, a differentiation -specific protein produced in keratinocytes by AHR activation .60 Interestingly , o verexpression of constitutively active AHR i n keratino cytes leads to dermatitis, skin inflammation that is phenotypically different from dioxin -induced chloracne. 60 Moreover, A HR-null mice showed hyperkeratosis and dermal fibrosis. Why hyperkeratosis happens in both sustained AHR ac tivation and lack of AHR is not understood. AHR -null mice also display accelerated skin-wound healing than WT mice potentially caused by increased epithelial cell migration rate . Interestingly, migration rate of endothelial cells and fibroblasts were dec reased. 92 This is considered to be due to reduced inflammation. This suggests that AHR has an important role in tightly controlling cytokine secretion from skin immune cells, which protects the organism against extracellular invade. 60 The severe loss of body weight, wasting syndrome , accompanies hyperlip idemia in serum, accumulation of fat in the liver , decrease in the adipose tissue weight, downregulation of PEPCK in liver and loss of appetite. 93, 142, 143 Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling is related to TCDD -induced symptoms. EGF R signaling can be activated by protein kinases , 39 including Src. Src -null mice are less susceptible to TCDD -induced wasting syndrome than WT mice . In addition, AHR target genes that regulate metaboli sm can also be mediator s of wasting syndrome. 68, 142, 144-146 TCDD -induced hepatotoxicity r elated to metabolic pathways is mediated by the direct regulation of gene expression of key enzymes or secondary signaling by metabolites .143 TCDD exposure to C57BL/6 mice downregulates gene expression s of enzymes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis , fatty acid synthesis and glucose metabolism in liver depending on AHR expression. 147 The study using human hapatoma cells suggested that this AHR -dependent repression of cholesterol biosynthesis might be a result from nongenomic AHR activation. 148 TCDD also induces increased levels of unsaturated fatty acid in liver and decreased levels of serum cholest erol and lipoproteins, and this suggests that dietary lipids cause the AHR -mediated hepatic steatosis rather than lipid de novo synthesis. 149 Ste atosis is defined as an abnormal accumulation of lipids within a cell. During TCDD -elicited steatosis , hepatocytes display increased triglycerides, free fatty acids, alterations in fatty acid composition, lipid metabolizing enzymes and transporters , vacuolization and inflammation .143, 146, 149 Many of these changes are dependent upon Stearoyl -CoA desaturase 1 ( Scd1 ) gene expression, which is the rate -limiting step in monounsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis. 146 TiPARP, another AHR target gene, suppresses gluconeogenesis by regulation of posttranslational modification of PGC -1! and PEPCK .142, 145 Decreased gluconeogenesis is a dioxin -induced response, which can lead to hypoglycemia. 81 TiPARP induction deplet es NAD +, deactivates SIRT 3, decreases SOD2 activity, and, consequently, induces oxid ative stress that trigger s liver injury with lipid accumulation. 150 Another TCDD -induced metabolic dysfunction is disruption in tryptophan homeostasis. 151 TCDD cause s inhibition of liver tryptophan pyrrolase and, conversely, increase of free tryptophan level s in blood plasma in TCDD -susceptible Long -Evans rat strain . It should als o be noted that tryptophan metabolites have been proposed to be endogenous ligands for the AHR (see Ligands of AHR ). 40 Many studies have been reported that oxidative stress is a main dioxin -induced response. 84, 152-154 CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 produce reactive oxygenat e metabolites and this can cause oxidative stress, which consequently would elevate protein amounts and enzymatic activities of SOD and GSH and NADPH producing enzymes. 61, 81 Upregulation of Phase II detoxification enzyme by the AHR and NRF2 is also a respo nse of oxidative stress. 84 UGT1 -knockout rats have elevated CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 and GSTM1 -knockout also caused increas es in Cyp1a1 transcript. 81 Antioxidant treatment attenuates NF -#B activation, which may induce TCDD toxicity .154 The relationship between oxidative stress and cytokine production has been studied in several metabolic dysfunctions and metal toxic responses. 155-157 Reactive oxidative metabolites ca n activate transcription factors , such as NF -#B and AP -1, which induce gene expression of cytokines , such as ILs , TNF -! and TGF -". As mentioned previously, gene expression of CYP1A1 and 1A2 are also regulated by cytokines, which induce NF -#B in human and mouse primary hepatocytes. 14, 94 Recent studies using human dendritic cells and mouse thymus revealed that RelA, a subunit of NF -kB, is critical to regulate TCDD -induced AHR signaling or to enhance AHR induction when stimulated with both TCDD and inflammatory sti muli like LPS. 158 Mitochondria are also considerable sites for oxidative stress induced by TCDD. Livers from C57BL/6 mice exposed to dioxin produced succinate -dependent mitochondrial ROS at complex II and III in a mitochondrial respiration -dependent manner, by decreasing complex IV activity and ATP production. 159 Mitochondrial antioxidant protein, SOD2 does not change in protein levels or enzymatic activities in C57BL/6 mice liver exposed to TCDD. 160 Rather, enzy me activities of mitochondrial glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase and the ratio of mitochondrial GSH/GSSG were increased upon TCDD exposure. Interestingly, TCDD caused an AHR -mediated increase in the ratio of mitochondrial GSH/GSSG and a decr ease in cytosolic GSH/GSSG ratio due to increased ROS in C57BL6J. 152 Thus, TCDD -induced mitochondrial ROS production and glutathione redox state were AHR -dependent. 152, 159, 160 41 Additionally, the study using knockout mice revealed that TCDD -induced mitochondrial oxidative stress in liver is AHR -dependent, but does not require CYP1A1 or CYP1A2. 160 These previous research es led researchers to propose the ÒTCDD -induced mitochondrial thiol oxidativ e stressÓ to ex plain TCDD -mediated pathologies .152 This model considers the mitochondrial reduction potential by glutathione as a primary driving force for ROS production. The ratio of GSH/GSSG acts as a switch to open/close the mitochondria l permeability transition pore (MPTP) through glutathione reduction potential. More negative reduction potential (i.e. , high GSH/GSSG ratio) closes MPTP and causes mitochondrial hyperpolarization resulting in more electron flow in Q cycle in complex III a nd reverse electron flow in complex I, which generates more superoxides. Activities of antioxidative enzymes, SOD, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase, were decreased in a time -dependent and TCDD dose -dependent manner in rat hepatoc ytes. 161 Corresponding to the enzyme activities, superoxide production and lipid peroxidation were increased with decreased enzyme acti vities of complex II and IV of ETC and mitochondrial membrane potential. 161 The recent study with C57BL/6 mice lung showed that induction of CYP1B1 by TCDD exposure increased mitochondrial ROS production and suppressed complex I and IV activities and these changes were accompan ied by mitochondrial DNA loss. 78 In addition, cigarett e sm oke extract exposure for 6 h to lung fibroblast and epithelial cells showed that AHR protected cells from apoptotic cell death by regulating the expression of SOD rather than other ant ioxidant proteins such as GSH, heme oxygenase 1 and NRF2. 162 As shown in these several studies, AHR -mediated oxidative stress upon TCDD exposure can be mediated by different molecular mechanisms depending on tissue types. TCDD is considered to be a nongenotoxic carcinogen, but loss of functional NRF2 causes severe oxidative stress resulting in DNA damage in C57BL/6 mice liver. 84 In addition, previous reports have shown that TCDD -induced oxidative stress can also cause both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA damage in C57BL/6 mouse liver. 152 In fact, a h igher degree of mitochondrial DNA damage was observed compared to that of nuclear DNA damage following 42 TCDD exposure and this occurred together with increased GSH/GSSG ratio and mitochondrial membrane hyperpolarization. 152 It should also be noted that some of the TCDD -induced mitochondrial toxicities might be independent of AHR -mediated transcription . ARNT knockdown in m ouse skeletal myoblast C2C12 cells, which causes a lack TCDD -induced AHR -mediated transcription , sh owed TCDD -induced disruption of mi tochondrial membrane potential, reduction in mtDNA gene expression, induction in nuclear Cox4i1 gene expression, stimulation of calcium -dependent phosphatase -mediated NF -#B pathway and increase of invasiveness .163 These responses were related to mitochondrial stress signals and inhibition of mitochondrial transcription . Therefore, TCDD may cause tumor progression through blocking mitochondrial transcription and inducing mitochondrial stress signals. 43 CHAPTER 2. HYPOTHESIS AND SPECIFIC AIMS 44 TCDD -induced metabolic disorders such as hepatic steatosis and wasting syndrome suggest that AHR -mediated pathology involves mitochondrial dys func tion. To support this hypothesis, r ecent stud ies using high -throughput quantitative real -time PCR have shown that TCDD induce s changes in the expression of nuclear genes that encode subunits of the ETC and ATP synthase complexes .164 Anothe r study demonstrated that the AHR can induce changes in metabolic flux independent of transcription. 165 TCDD exposure for 6 hrs caused AHR -dependent, but transcription -independent , hyperpolarization of the inner membrane of the mitochondr ia without a change in ATP production. This suggests the possibility that the ATP synthase becomes less efficient following TCDD exposure and requires a higher membrane polarization to maintain ATP levels. In addition, the high -throughput proteomic analy sis showed an interaction between the AHR and ATP5 !1, an ATP synthase subunit, and between the AHR and MRPL40, a mitochondrial ribosomal protein . Interestingly, these interact ions were lost upon exposure to TCDD. 165, 166 The cytosolic binding partners of the AHR (i.e. , AIP and HSP90 ) can bind the mitochondrial translocase complex , TOM , and facilitate mitochondrial import of proteins lacking classic MTS , such as the AHR . Moreover, AIP can also interact with other mitochond rial -targeted proteins such as survivin, preornithine transcarbamylase, preaspartate aminotransferase, preserine:pyruvate aminotransferase, and enoyl -CoA hydratase 1.111, 167 Given this preliminary data and literature documenting a link between TCDD exposure and metabolic dysfunction, this study has focused on elucidating a mechanism of AHR import into mitochondria and evaluation of TCDD -induced AHR -dependent effects on mitochondrial dysfunction. HYPOTHESIS The AHR can impact mitoch ondria l function via direct interaction with the mitochondrial respiratory system and transcriptional regulation of genes that involves in key metabolic pathways. To test this hypothesis, three specific aims have been proposed: 45 SPECIFIC AIMS Specific Aim 1. Characterize the mechanism by which the AHR translocates into the mitochondria and determine it localization within the organelle . Specific Aim 2. Determine AHR -mediated TCDD -induced changes in respiratory efficiency. Specific Aim 3. Determine the ro le of AHR in TCDD -induced mitochondrial dysfunction through quantitative analysis of mitochondrial proteomics. 46 CHAPTER 3. MATERIALS AND METHODS 47 CELL CULTURE Mouse hepatoma cell line, hepa1c1c7 , were grown in Dulbecco's modified EagleÕs Medium (DMEM ) (#11965, Gibco , Life Technologies, Grand Island, NY ) supplemented with 10% cosmic calf serum (Hyclones , GE, Logan, UT ), 1 mM sodium pyruvate ( #11360, Gibco), 100 U/mL penicillin and 100 !g/mL streptomycin ( #15140, Gibco). Mouse hepatoma cell line, C12 , were grown in DMEM ( #11965, Gibco) supplemented with 10% cosmic calf serum (Hyclones) and 1 mM sodium pyruvate ( #11360, Gibco). All cell culture work was performed under standard cell culture conditions (5% CO 2, 35% humidity and 37 ¡C) in a NAPCO 700 0 incubator (NAPCO, Winchester, VA) unless specified. PREPERATION OF INTRACELLULAR FRACTION S Nuclear, cytosolic, and mitochondrial fractions were isolated using protocols adapted from previous reports. 168-170 Cells were washed with cold PBS (4 ¡C) and removed from the plate surface by being scrap ed in mitochondrial buffer A (250 mM sucrose, 20 mM HEPES, 1 mM EDTA, 1 mM EGTA, 1 mM dithiothreitol , and 0.1 mM PMSF). Each sample was then homogenized with 100 stro kes in a dounce homogenizer on ice. A 50 µL aliquot was saved and represents a whole cell lysate. Insoluble material was removed by centrifugation (400 x g for 10 min at 4 ¡C) , and the pellet was collected for further preparation of a nuclear fraction (see below) . The supernatant was cleared by centrifugation (10 000g for 1 0 min at 4 ¡C). The subsequent supernatant was collected as a cytosolic fraction, and the pellet was resuspended in mitochondrial buffer A. The remaining insoluble material was remove d by centrifugation (400 x g for 10 min at 4 ¡C). The supernatant was furthe r cleared by centrifugation (10000 g for 1 0 min at 4 ¡C) and aspirated , and the mitochondrial pellet was obtained for further analysis. The nuclear pellet was suspended with nucle ar extraction buffer [ 10 mM Tris (pH 7.5 ), 1.5 mM 48 MgCl 2, 10 mM KCl, 2 mM dithiothreitol , 1 mM sodium orthovanadate , and 0.4 mM PMSF and Complete -mini EDTA -free protease in hibitor (Roche Applied Science, Indianapolis, IN)] , incubated for 30 min at 4 ¡C, and , then, cleared by centrifugation (17000g for 30 min at 4 ¡C). The supernatant was collected for nuclear fraction. Each intracellular fraction was stored at -80¡C until appropriate assays were performed. TRYPSIN TREATMENT OF DIGITONIN EXTRACTED MITOCHOND RIA Protease protection in combination with digitonin extraction of mitochondria was adapted from the previous report. 171 Briefly, purified mitochondria, which were washed with mitochondrial buffer A without dithiothreitol and PMSF and d iluted to 1 µg/µL, were treated with different concentrations of digitonin (final concentration = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 mg digitonin/mg protein) and 100 µg trypsin/mL . Samples were ro tated in a cold room for 30 min and digestion was sto pped with the additio n of 266 µL of cold 20% trichloroacetic acid for 400 µg of mitochondria . After vortexing immediately, samples were incubated at 65 ¡C for 5 min , and then on ice for 1 h . Samples were pelleted by centrifugation (17000g for 10 min ) and washed with 1 mL of c old acetone. A fter centrifugation at 17000 g for 5 min , pelle ts were dried on ice for 10 min and dissolved in 80 µL of 1X Laemmli sample buffer. 1 µL of 1 M Tris was added to adjust sample pH and 35 µL of each sample was loaded on 4~12% NuPAGE gel (Invitr ogen, Life Technologies) for W estern blot analysis. siRNA KNOCKDOWN OF AIP OR TOM20 Hepa1c1c7 cells were grown in 15 cm plates. When cells were 50% confluent, the siRNAs specific for AIP (Ambion s62179 (siAIP1) and s62181 (siAIP2) , Life Technologies ) an d the Silencer¨ Select Negative Control no. 1 siRNA (Ambion) were transfected into hepa1c1c7 49 cells using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen) following the manufacture rÕs protocol. For TOM20 knockdown, the siRNA for TOM20 proteins (Tom20 ON -TARGET plus, SMARTp ool L -006487-01-0005, Dharmacon, GE) and the non targeting siRNA (Dharmacon, GE) were transfected into hepa1c1c7 cells. After a 72 h incubation, cells were harvested with 1 mL of mitochondrial buffer A per 15 cm plate after being washed with cold PBS (4 ¡C ) three times. Cells were stored at -80 ¡C until purification of nuclear, cytosolic, and mitochondrial fractions was performed. HSP90 INHIBITION BY GELDANAMYCIN Hepa1c1c7 cells were grown in 15 cm plates. When cells were 50% confluent, they were treate d with geldanamycin (GA, 32 nM or 100 nM) or DMSO. After incubation (72 h ), cells were harvested with 1 mL of mitochondrial buffer A per 15 cm plate after being washed with cold PBS (4 ¡C) three times. Cells were stored at -80 ¡C until purification of nu clear, cytosolic, and mitochondrial fractions was performed. WESTERN BLOT TING The same amount of protein from each sample was separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate -polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS -PAGE ) and transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane. The nitrocellulose membrane was probed with one of the following antibodies: rabbit polyclonal anti -AHR BEAR3 (generous gift from Dr. Christopher Bradfield, University of Wisconsin -Madison) for the samples from AIP and TOM20 knockdown, HSP90 inhibition an d digitonin/trypsin treatment to hepa1c1c7 cells, r abbit anti -AHR ( BML -SA210, Enzo Life Sciences Inc. , Farmingdale, NY ) for digitonin/trypsin treatment to hepa1c1c7 cells exposed to TCDD, goat polyclonal anti -AIP (# 115588, Abcam , Cambridge, MA ), rabbit pol yclonal anti -LDH (a generous gift from Dr. John Wang, Michigan State University ), rabbit anti -histone H3 ( ab1791, Abcam), 50 mouse monoclonal anti -ATP5 ! (ab14748, Abcam), rab bit polyclonal anti -HSP90 ( ab19021, Abcam), m ouse monoclonal anti -COX4 ( A21348, Invit rogen), m ouse monoclonal !-tubulin (ab28439, Abcam), rab bit polyclonal anti -TOM20 ( sc-11415, Santa Cruz Biotechnology , Dallas, TX), mouse mono clonal anti -SMAC (NB500 -213, Novus Biologicals , Inc., Littleton, CO ), rabbit polyclonal anti -ENTPD2 ( ABIN1385820, Antibodies -online , Inc. , Atlanta, GA ), rab bit polyclonal anti -ACOT2 ( ABIN405459 , Antibodies -online Inc. ), ra bbit polyclonal anti -H6PD ( ab170895, Abcam) , ra bbit polyclonal anti -CPOX ( ab102938, Abcam) , rabb it polyclonal anti -COX4I1 (ABIN310391 , Antibodies -online Inc.) , rab bit polyclonal anti -CYB5A ( ABIN1529444, Antibodies -online Inc.), horseradish peroxidase -conjug ated donkey anti -goat IgG ( sc-2033, Santa Cruz Biotechnolo gy), goat anti -rabbit IgG ( sc-2004, Santa Cruz Biotechnology ), or goat anti -mouse IgG ( sc-2005, Santa Cruz Biotechnology). The western blot was visualized with an ECL Western blot system (Pierce). OXYGEN CONSUMPTION RATE (OCR) MEASUREMENT OCR was measured using an XF24 Extracellular Flux Analyzer (Seahorse Bioscience , Billerica, MA ) as desc ribed in the manufacturerÕs instruction. Briefly, hepa1c1c7 cells we re plated in growth medium at 20 000 cells/well and c12 cells at 40 000 cells/well. After 24 h , the culture medium was then replace d with specific XF24 assay medium containing TCDD (10 nM or 30 nM) or 0.03% DMSO (ve hicle control). XF24 assay medium consisted of DMEM base (#D5030, Sigma -Aldrich , St. Louis, MO ) supplemented with 25 mM glucose , 31 mM NaCl, 1 mM sodium pyruvate (#11360, Gibco), 2 mM GlutaMAX (#35050, Gibco) , and 15 mg/L phenol red (#P3532, Sigma -Aldrich). Measur ement of OCR was started 90 min aft er switching to XF24 assay medium containing TCDD or DMSO and the inhibitors of ETC and OXPHOS system were injected in the following order: oligomycin A (0.5 !M), FCCP (1.0 !M for 1c1c7 and 0.5 !M for c12 cells), and antimycin A (0.5 !M). The concentrations of inhibitors for each cell line were 51 optimized by measuring OCR in XF24 assay medium . The OCR (picomole s per minute ) was divided by the number of cells plated for each well and para meters related to mitochondrial function were calculated by the manufactureÕs software, XF Mito Stress Test Report Generator , and the equation in the previous study .172 STATISTICAL ANALYSIS The result of respiratory parameters was analyzed for significant differences by analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by TukeyÕs post hoc test. ENZYMATIC ASSAY OF OXPHOS SYSTEM The activities of the individual ETC complexes, ATP synthase and ci trate synthase were determined as previously described with slight modifications. 173, 174 Hepa1c1c7 and c12 cells were exposed to 30 nM TCDD or 0.01% DM SO as a vehicle control for 6 or 24 h when cells had reached 70% confluency. Cells were washed with cold PBS (4 ¡C) and removed fro m the plate surface by being scrap ed in mitochondrial buffer A. Mitochondria were prepared from each treated cells as described above. Each enzyme solution was prepared by suspension of mitochondrial pellet s either in a hypotonic buffer [ 25 mM KPO 4 (pH 7.4) and 5 mM MgCl 2] for citrate synthase, complex I , complex II, complex IV , and complex V or in mitochondrial buffer A for complex II+III and complex III. After three cycles of freezing/thawing, protein concentrations were determined . The enzyme activit ies were determined at 37 ¡C for complex I and V and at 30 ¡C for the other ETC complexes and citrate synthase . The enzyme activity was calculated by ($Abs/min) %(total assay volume)/[ &%(mitochondrial volume )%(mitochondrial concentration)] 52 with units of micromoles per min per milligram ( &: extinction coefficient). The enzymatic activity was calculated as a ratio, dividing each activity in micromoles per min per milligram protein by the citrate synthase activity. The a bsorbance for each enzymatic activity was measured using a SpectraMax M2 spectrophotometer (Molecular Devices , S unnyvale, C A). Cytochrome c was bovine heart cytochrome c. Citrate Synthase A ssay 5 µg of each enzyme solution was incubated with citrate synthase buffer [ 50 mM KPO 4 (pH 7.4 ), an d 0.1 mM DTNB] containing 100 µM acetyl CoA , in a cuvette for 5 min . The change of absorbance was measured at 412 nm for 2 min for reference. After addition of 100 µM oxaloacetate, the change in absorbance a t 412 nm was recorded for 3 min . Enzyme activi ty was calculated with & for the thionitrobenzoate anion (13.6 mM -1cm-1). Complex I A ssay 50 µg of each enzyme solution was mixed with complex I buffer [ 50 mM KPO 4 (pH 7.4 ), 140 µM NADH, 1 mM KCN, 10 µM antimy cin A, 0.1% BSA , and 50 µM DCPIP] with 1% etha nol and 50 µM Coenzyme Q 1 (CoQ 1) in a cuvette. The change in absorbance a t 340 nm was recorded for 3 min . Reference was measured in the presence of 2.5 µM rotenone (dissolved in ethanol ). Enzyme activity was calculated with & for the NADH (6.22 mM -1cm-1). Complex II assay 10 µg of each enzy me solution was incubated with complex II buffer [ 50 mM KPO 4 (pH 7.4 ), 10 mM succinate, 1 mM KCN, 2.5 µM rotenone , and 10 µM antimycin A] for 10 min in a cuvette. After addition of 50 µM DCPIP, the change in absorbanc e at 600 nm was recorded for 2 53 min for reference. The change in absorbance at 600 nm was then recorded for 3min in the presence of 50 µM CoQ 1. Enzyme activity was calculated with & for the DCPIP (19.1 mM -1cm-1). Complex II+III assay 10 µg of each enzyme solut ion was incubated with complex II+III buffer [ 50 mM KPO 4 (pH 7.4 ), 10 mM succinate, 1 mM KCN, 2.5 µM rotenone, 0.1% BSA, 0.075% EDTA , and 1 mM ATP] in a cuvette for 5 min . Upon addition of 32 µM cytochrome c, absorbance at 550 nm was recorded for 5 min. The r eference was measured in the absence of cytochrome c. Enzyme activity was calculated with & for the reduced cytochrome c (19.6 mM -1cm-1). Complex III assay 5 µg of each enzyme solution was mixed with complex III buffer [ 50 mM KPO 4 (pH 7.4 ), 1 mM n -dodecyl maltoside, 1 mM KCN, 2.5 µM rotenone, and 0.1% BSA] with 100 µM decylbenzolquinol and 30 µM cytochrome c in a cuvette. The change in absorbance a t 550 nm was recorded for 3 min . Cytochrome c was fully reduced at the end of the measurement wi th dithionite. The r eference was measured without enzyme solution. Enzyme activity was calculated with & for the reduced cyto chr ome c (19.6 mM -1cm-1). Complex IV A ssay Reduced cytochrome c was prepared using sodium dithionite. 10 µg of each enzyme solut ion was mixed with complex IV buffer [ 40 mM KPO 4 buffer (pH 6.8), 0.5% Tween 80 , and 0.4 mg/mL reduced cytochrome c] in a cuvette. The change in absorbance a t 550 nm was recorded for 2 min . 5 mM potassium ferricyanide was added to fully oxidized cytochro me c at the end of the measurement. The reference was measured without enzyme solution. Enzyme activity was calcula ted with & for the reduced cytoc hrome c (19.6 mM -1cm-1). 54 Complex V A ssay Complex V buffer [ 40 mM Tris -HCO3 (pH 8.0 ), 1 mM EGTA, 5 mM MgCl 2, 0.2 mM NADH, 2.5 mM phosphoenolpyruvate, 0.5 µM antimycin A, 15 µM CCCP, 50 µg/mL lactate dehydrogena se, and 50 µg/mL pyruvate kinase] was incu bated with 2.5 mM ATP for 2 min in a cuvette. After 10 µg of each enzyme solution was added to the above mixture, the change in absorbance at 340 nm was recorded for 5 min . The r eference was measured in the presence of 2 µM ol igomycin for 5min . Enzyme activity was calculated with & for the NADH (6.22 mM -1cm-1). STABLE ISOTOPIC LABELING BY AMINO ACIDS IN CELL CULTURE (SILAC ) AND QUANTITATIVE PROTEOMIC ANALYSIS Preparation of M itoch ondrial P roteins Cells were grown in SILAC TM-DMEM supplemented with 10% dialyzed fetal bovine serum , 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 2 mM L -glutamine, 100 µg/mL L -arginine, and 100 µg/mL L -lysine (light L -lysine HCl /L-arginine, medium 13C6L-lysine HCl/ 15N4-L-arginin, or heavy 13C615N2L-lysine HCl/ 13C615N4L-argi nine (SILAC TM media kit, Invitrogen and Cambridge Isotope Laboratories)) for 5 cell doubling s to insure full incorporation of labeled amino acids into cellular proteins. Cells were then treated with 10 nM TCDD or 0.01% DMSO (vehicle control) for 72 h as d escribed in Figure 3 . Each treated cells were harvested and mitochondrial fractions were isolated as described above. After protein quantification, equal amount of proteins (35 µg) labeled with light, medium, or heavy amino acids within one experimental set were combined . When samples from the four independent experimental were collected, proteins were separated by SDS -PAGE. 55 Mass S pectrometry (MS) SDS -PAGE gels were divided i nto 10 equal slices, and each slice was digested with trypsin by in -gel digestion according to Shevchenko, et al. with modifications. 175 Peptides were extracted from the gel and dissolved in 2% acetonitrile/0.1% trifluoroacetic acid . Peptides were automatically injected by a Thermo EASYnLC 1000 onto a Thermo Acclaim PepMap RSLC 0.075mm x 250mm C18 column (Buffer A = 99.9% Water/0.1% Formic Acid, Buffer B = 99.9% Acetonitrile/0.1% Formic Acid) and eluted over 90 min with a gradient of 2 %B to 30%B in 79 min, ramping to 100%B at 80 min and held at 100%B for the duration of the run. Eluted peptides were sprayed into a ThermoFisher Q -Exactive mass spectrometer using a FlexSpray spray ion source. Survey scans were taken in the Orbi trap (70 000 resolution, determined at m/z 200) and the top ten ions in each survey scan were then subjected to automatic higher energy collision induced dissociation (HCD) with fragment spectra acquired at 17 500 resolution. Data A nalysis The resulting MS/MS sp ectra were converted to peak lists using MaxQuant, v1.4.1.2 (www.maxquant.org), and searched against a database containing Uniprot Mouse protein sequences (www.uniprot.org) and appended with common laboratory contaminants using the Andromeda search algorit hm, a part of the MaxQuant environment. 176, 177 Assignments validated using the MaxQuant maximum 1% false discovery rate (FDR) confidence filter are considered true. Andromeda parameters for all databases were as follows: quantificati on triple SILAC labeling: light (Arg0, Lys0), medium (Arg4, Lys6), heavy (Arg10, Lys8); allowing maximum 2 missed trypsin sites, fixed modification of carbamidomethyl cysteine, variable modification of oxidation of methionine; peptide tolerance of +/ - 5ppm, fragment ion tolerance of 0.3 Da and FDR calculated using randomized database search. From each quantified SILAC labeling, three isotope ratios were calculated in each independent experiment. To ensure that 56 each independent set provided similar results, ratios from identical treatments and the same cell lines between each independent set were compared with a PearsonÕs Correlation Coefficient (r). Briefly, the ratios of an identical protein were matched from two independent sets for the same cell type, 1 c1c7 or c12, exposed to the same treatment and undetected proteins in both independent sets were removed prior to correlation analysis. Data from the matched independent sets were log -transformed and checked with a histogram and QQ plot prior to correlati on to ensure comparison of normal distributions. PearsonÕs Correlation Coefficients were ' 0.5 in comparing each identical treatment between the 4 independent samples sets. Subsequently, data were combined and averaged across all independent sets to obta in triplicate for each treatment and each cell type. The triplicate ratios were averaged to obtain mean fold changes for all detected proteins and mean |fold changes | ' 2 were considered significant. Significant mean fold changes of identical proteins fr om differing treatments were matched and, subsequently, compared with a StudentÕs t -test with the Benjamini -Hochberg multiple comparison correction to assess type I error. Adjusted p -values ( 0.05 were considered significant. Python version 2.7.6 was used for all data processing and R version 3.1.2 was used for all statistical analyses . PROTEIN CONCENTRATION DETERMINATION Protein concentrations for samples used for the SILAC experiments were determined using Pierce TM BCA protein assay kit (Thermo Scientifi c, Waltham, MA ). Protein concentrations for samples used for all other experiments were determined using Bio -Rad (Hercules, CA) Bradford assay kit and BSA standards. 178 57 Figure 3. Experimental design for SILAC -based proteomic analysis of TCDD -induced changes to the mitochondrial proteome in mouse hepatoma cell . 58 CHAPTER 4. RESULTS 59 CHARACTERIZATION OF MITOCHONDRIAL AHR IMPORT Identification of a Mitochondrial Compartment of AHR L ocation To examine the sub -compartmental localiza tion of AHR within the mitochondria, protease protection and digitonin extraction assays were performed. Mitochondria from hepa1c1c7 cells were treated with trypsin in the absence and presence of increasing concentrations of digitonin , and W estern blot an alysis was performed to detect proteins that remained in mitochondrial pellets (Figure 4 -1). In the presence of trypsin alone, the OM protein TOM20 was lost from the mitochondrial pellet, while AHR remained, suggesting that the AHR is not bound to the mit ochondria non specifically. Upon the addition of increasing amounts of digitonin, the AHR was lost from the pellet in a similar pattern as the IMS marker, SMAC, suggesting that most of the AHR is found within this compartment. To further explore the mito chondrial localization of the AHR, hepa1c1c7 cells were treated with DMSO (vehicle control) or TCDD (10 nM). In the presence of DMSO, the AHR was localized to the IMS, confirming the results from naŁve cells (Figur e 4 -2). TCDD exposure for 6 h decreased the level of AHR with in the IMS compared to the DMSO -treated controls, suggesting that AHR ligands can impact the mitochondrial localization of the receptor. Similar result s were observed following 24 h of TCDD exposure (Figure 4 -2). In addition, the ove rall level of AHR within the mitochondria was also decreased by TCDD exposure (compare lane 1 and 4, Figure 4 -2). This corresponded to the decreased level of cellular AHR isolated from the same cells exposed to TCDD (compare lane 7 and 8, Figure 4 -2)). Th us, TCDD exposure induced both cytosolic and mitochondrial proteolysis of the AHR. 60 Figure 4 -1. Mitochondrial sub -compartment analysis. Accessibility of trypsin to proteins within isolated mitochondria of hepa1c1c7 cells following exposure to incre asing concentration of digitonin (mg of digitonin/mg of protein) was evaluated. Proteins that remained in mitochon drial pellets were analyzed by W estern bl otting. TOM20 was used as an outer -membrane (OM) marker. SMAC was an inter -membrane space (IMS) -loc alized protein. COX4 was a mitochondrial inner -membrane (IM) protein and ATP5 ! was a mitochondrial matrix protein . Results shown are representative of 3 independent experiments. 61 Figure 4 -2. The effects of ligand exposure on protease accessibility to digitonin extracted mitochondria. Hepa1c1c7 were exposed to 0.01% DM SO or 10 nM TCDD for 6 or 24 h . Isolated mitochondria were trypsinized (lane 2, 3, 5 and 6) in the absence (Lane 1, 2, 4, and 5) or presence of digitonin (0.4 mg of digitonin/mg of protein, lane 3 and 6). Proteins th at remained in mito chondrial pellets w ere analyzed by W estern bl otting. TOM20 was used as an OM marker. SMAC was an IMS -localized protein. ATP5 ! was a mitochondrial matrix protein . !-tubulin was a cytosolic marker. Cytosolic proteins (lane 7 and 8) were included to assess level of TCDD -induced AHR degradation. D: DMSO, T: 10 nM TCDD. Results shown are representative of 3 independent experiments. 62 Prediction of MTS of AHR To predict a MTS in AHR, the MitoProtII, a web -system for prediction of N -terminal MTS was used (http://ihg.gsf.de/ihg/mitoprot.html). 179 The MitoProtII predicted 17 amino acids N -terminal targeting of the mouse AHR (NP_038492.1) with a probability of 0.74 and 18 amino acids of the human AHR (NP_001612.1) with a probability of 0.81. The predicted cleavage sequence for the mouse AHR was ÒMSSGANITYASRKRRKÓ and for human was ÒMNSSSANITYASRKRRK.Ó Both sequence s partly overlapped with the sequence for a nuclear localization signal. Another web -system for prediction of N -terminal MTS and cleavage site, MitoFates predicted TOM20 recognition motif at 4 6-50 amino acid s and a cleavage site of mitochondrial -processin g peptid ase at 3 8 histidine in mouse AHR .180 Change in AHR Expression by AIP K nockdown The AIP is known to interact with TOM 20. To test whether it is involved in mitochondrial AHR import, AIP was knocked down in hepa1c1c7 cells using siRNA. AHR expression in each subcel lular fraction was analyzed by Western blotting (Figure 4 -3). The level of AIP expression was decreased approximately 80 and 65% by siAip1 and siAip2, respectiv ely, when compared to a lipomock control (transfectant control) in whole cell lysate. The AIP knockdown by siAip2 was less efficient than siAip1, which, subsequently, caused different degrees in AHR destabilization in cellular fractions. The level of AHR exp ression in whole cell lysate was decreased by 80% by siAIP1 and 40% by siAip2, respectively. The levels of c ytosolic and nuclear AHR were also decreased by 40 -60% upon transfection of siAip1 and siAip2. The level of m itochondrial AHR was decreased to approximately 20% expression by siAip1 and 60% expression by siAip2. These results suggest that the AHR in all cellular fractions was destabilized by knockdown of the AIP. 63 A B Figure 4 -3. The effect of AIP knockdown on the level s of th e AHR in cellular fractions of h epa1c1c7 cells. 64 Figure 4 -3. (c ontÕd) siRNA was used to knockdown AIP in Hepa1c1c7 cells. Western blot analysis for AIP and AHR expression was performed from whole cell lysate, and nuclear, cytosolic , and mitochondrial fractions. !-tubulin was used as a loading control for the whole cell lysate , histone H3 (H3) was a loading control for the nuclear fraction, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was a loading control for the cytosolic fraction , and cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV (COX4) was a loading control for the mitochondrial fr action. (A) Results shown are representative of 3 independent experiments. Lane 1: lipofectamine treatment (Lipomock), lane 2: 10 nM Silencer¨ Select Negative Control #1 siRNA (siCtrl), lane 3: 10 nM siRNA1 for AIP (siAIP1), lane4: 10 nM siRNA2 for AIP (s iAIP2). (B) Densitometry was determined with a Fuji Image analyzer. The levels of expressions of AIP and AHR protein were normalized to each loading control. The normalized protein expression levels were compared with each other by re -normalization with the protein expression from which cells were affected by lipofectamine only (Lipomock). The bars represent mean ± the standard errors (n=3). 65 A B Figure 4 -4. The effect of geldanamycin (GA) -induced HSP90 inhibition on the l evel of AHR protein within cellular fraction of hepa1c1c7. GA treatment to hepa1c1c7 cells was performed for 72 h. Western blot analysis for AHR expression was performed from whole cell lysate, and nuclear, cytosolic and mitochondrial fraction. !-tubulin was used as a loading control for the whole cell lysate , histone H3 (H3) was a loading control for the nuclear fraction, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was a loading control for the cytosolic fraction , and cytoch rome c oxidase subunit IV (COX4) was a loading control for the 66 Figure 4 -4. (c ontÕd) mitochondrial fractions. (A) Results shown are representative of 3 independent experiments. Lane 1: DMSO treated (DMSO), lane 2: 32 nM GA treated, lane 3: 100 nM GA treated. (B) Densitometry was determined with a Fuji Image analyzer. AIP and AHR protein expression was normalized to each loading control. The normalized protein expre ssion levels were compared each other by re -normalization with the protein expression from which cells were affected by DMSO. The bars rep resent mean ± the standard errors (n=3). 67 A B Figure 4 -5. The effect of TOM20 knockdown on the level of AHR pr otein in cellular fractions of h epa1c1c7 cells. 68 Figure 4 -5. (c ontÕd) siRNA was used to knockdown TOM20 in Hepa1c1 c7 cells. Western blot analysis for TOM20 and AHR expression was performed from whole cell lysate, and nuclear, cytosolic and mitochondrial fractions. !-tubulin was used as a loading control for the whole cell lysate , histone H3 (H3) was a loading contro l for the nuclear fraction, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was a loading control for the cytosolic fraction and ATP5 ! was a loading control for the mitochondrial fraction. (A) Results shown are representative of 3 independent experiments. Lane 1: lipofectami ne treatmen t (Lipomock), lane 2: 10 nM non targeting siRNA (siCtrl), lane 3: 10 nM siRNA for TOM20 (siTOM20). (B) Densitometry was determined with a Fuji Image analyzer. The expression s of TOM20 and AHR protein were normalized to each loading control. Th e normalized protein expression levels were compared each other by re -normalization with the protein expression from which cells were affected by lipofectamine only (Lipomock). The bars represent mean ± the standard errors (n=3). 69 Change in AHR Expressio n by HSP90 Activity I nhibition HSP90 is involved in the trafficking of proteins into the mitocho ndria, especially those that lack a classic MTS. To test whether HSP90, one of the cytosolic co -chaperone of AHR, is involved in AHR translocation into the mi tochondria, the ATPase activity of HSP90 in hepa1c1c7 cells was inhibited by geldanamycin . The level of AHR expression in each cellular fraction except the whole cell lysate was decreased wi th 40~60% expression by 32 nM geldanamycin treatment compared to that of DMSO control. 90% of AHR expression was observed in a whole cell lysate treated with 32 nM geldanamycin compared to that in cells treated with DMSO. However, Inhibition of HSP90 ATPase by 100 nM geldanamycin decreased the level of AHR expression by 50% in whole cell lysate compared to that of DMSO control. The levels of cytosolic and mitochondrial AHR protein were also decreased by 100 nM geldanamycin , showing 9% AHR expression in cytosol and 18% in mitochondria compared to that of DMSO control. However, the nuclear AHR expressio n of cells treated with 100 nM geldanamycin (41%) was the same as that of 30 nM geldanamycin (38%) (Figure 4 -4). Change in AHR Expression by TOM20 K nockdown To test whether TOM20 is involved in import of the AHR into t he mitochondria, it was knocked down in hepa1c1c7 cells using siRNA. Following knockdown, the level of expression of AHR in each subcel lular fraction was examined by W estern blot analysis . The level of TOM20 expression in the mitochondria was decreased b y approximately 70% in the siTom20 -transfected cells compared to a lipomock control (transfectant control) (Figure 4 -5). The amount of AHR found within the mitochondria was also decreased by approximately 70% following siTOM20 transfection compared to a l ipomock control (Figure 4 -5B). In contrast, there was no change in the level of AHR in the cytosol or nuclear fractions or whole cell lysate, following 70 knockdown of TOM20. These results suggest that TOM20 is involved in mitochondrial AHR localization. AHR-MEDIATED TCDD -INDUCED MITOCHONDRIAL DYSFUNCTION Cellular Respiration in Mouse Hepatoma Cells under TCDD E xposure The results presented suggest that a fraction of intracellular AHR can be found within the mitochondria and probably within the IMS . Previo us published research has demonstrated that AHR ligands can impact mitochondrial function. To further explore the role of the AHR and AHR ligands in mitochondrial homeostasis, the oxygen consumption rates (OCRs) of two mouse hepatoma cell lines, 1c1c7 (AH R-expressing) and c12 (AHR -deficient), under TCDD exposure were measured. The two cell lines were treated with TCDD (10 or 30 nM) or DMSO (0.01%, vehicle control) , and OCR was monitored in the presence of ATP synthase inhibitor , oligomycin A (A), and ETC inhibitors, FCCP (B) and antimycin A (C) (Figure 4 -6A and 7A). The key parameters of mitochondrial function, basal respi ration, maximal respiration, spare respiratory capacity, and respiratory control ratio were calculated as described in table 4-1. Hep a1c1c7 displayed a TCDD -dose -dependent decrease in basal and maximal respiration that reached significance at 30 nM (Figure 4 -6). The hepac12 cells displayed no difference in basal respiration rates following TCDD exposure (Figure 4 -7). The hepac12 cells exposed to 10 nM or 30 nM TCDD showed a slight increase in maximal respiration rates following TCDD exposure, but these were not significant when compared to that of the DMSO -treated cells . This induced a significant increase in respiratory control ratio at 30 nM TCDD exposure to hepac12 cells (Figure 4 -7). There was no significant difference in spare respiratory capacity in either cell line exposed to TCDD (data not shown). 71 Table 4 -1. The equations for mitochondrial stress parameters by XF mito stress test reporter generator. Parameters Definition Basal Respiration (Last rate measurement before first injection) Ð (Minimum rate measurement after antimycin -A injection) Maximal Respiration (Maximum rate measurement after FCCP injection) Ð (Minimum rat e measurement after antimycin -A injection) Spare Respiratory Capacity (Maximal Respiration) Ð (Basal Respiration) Respiratory Control Ratio (state3u/state4o) (Maximal Respiration)/(Proton Leak) Note: table was adapted from the companyÕs manual and publ ished article. 172 State3u: state 3 achieved by adding FCCP State4o: state 4 achieved by adding oligomycin 72 A B Figure 4 -6. Measurement of oxygen consumption rate (OCR) from hepa1c1c7 cells. (A) OCR, calculated as (pmole/min/10 4 cells) in hepa1c1c7 cells exposed to 10 nM or 30 nM TCDD or v ehicle control (DMSO 0.01%) was measured basally or following addition o f (a) oligomycin (0.5 !M), (b) F CCP (1 !M), and (c) antimycin A (0.5 !M). Lines indicate av erage values ± the standard errors (n=3). (B) Basal respira tion and maximal respiration were calculated by manufacture rÕs software, the XF Mito Stress Test Report Generator. RCR was calculated by the e quation mentioned in the t able 4 -1. Data were analyze d for significant difference s by ANOVA followed by Tukey Õs post hoc test. A star indicates significant differences at p< 0.05 when compared to vehicle control. 73 A B Figure 4 -7. Measurement of oxygen consumption rate (OCR) from he pac12 cells. (A) OCR, calculated as (pmole/min/10 4 cells) in hepac12 cells exposed to 10 nM or 30 nM TCDD or v ehicle control (DMSO 0.01%) was measured basally or following addition o f (a) oligomycin (0.5 !M), (b) F CCP (0.5 !M), and (c) antimycin A (0.5 !M). Lines indicate average values ± the standard errors (n=3). ( B) Basal respiration and maximal respiration w ere calculated by manufacture rÕs software, the XF Mito Stress Test Report Generator. RCR was calculated by the e quation mentioned in the table 4 -1. Data were analyzed for significant difference s by ANOVA followed by Tukey Õs post hoc test. A star indicates significant differences at p< 0.05 when compared to vehicle control. 74 Figure 4 -8. Activities of ETC complexes and ATP synthase. The activities of the ETC complexes and ATP synthase were measured with isolated mitochondria from hepa1c1c7 and c12 cells exposed to 30 nM TCDD or vehicle contr ol (DMSO 0.01%) for 6 and 24 h . The activity of each complex was normalized with the activity of citrate synthase (CS). The fold change was calculated by re -normalization of enzyme activity from cells exposed t o TCDD with the activity relative to time -matched vehicle control. The bars represent mean ± the standard errors (n=4). 75 Change of OXPHOS Activity in Mouse Hepa C ells upon TCDD E xposure Change in TCDD -induced enzyme activity was calculated as a fold change via comparison to the activity relative to time -matched vehicle control (Figure 4 -8). The enzyme activity of each ETC complex and ATP synthase was normalized with citrate synthase activity, which represents an assessment of mitochondrial amount and integrity of each sample. TCDD exposure did not change in the activity of complex I from hepa1c1c7 cells, but caused a change in th e activity of complex I from hepac12 cells showing over 1.5 fold changes for both 6 h (fold change=1.6) and 24 h (fold change=1.5) though these values were not signifi cant. TCDD exposure for 24 h to hepa1c1c7 cells caused an approximate 2 -fold increase in complex II activity. TCDD exposure for 6 h caused a slight decrease in complex V activity in both cells and this decrease was recovered at 24 h exposures. However, the changes in TCDD -induced enzyme activity mentioned above were not significant. TCDD d id not cause any changes in activities of the complex III, (II + III), and IV. Identification of Proteins Differently Expressed upon TCDD E xposure Previous reports and the OCR and ETC complex results presented above suggest that the AHR can impact mitoc hondrial function directly. To determine the role of the AHR in modulating mitochondrial function, a stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) experiment was performed. SILAC -labeled hepa1c1c7 cells and c12 cells that had been expose d to DMSO (0.01%, vehicle control) or TCDD (10 nM) for 72 h were fractionated to isolate mitocho ndria. Proteins from these purified mitochondria were resolved by 4 -12% gradient SDS -PAGE and MS analysis was performed on gel slices as described in the Mater ials and methods. MaxQuant analysis identified approximately 2,500 proteins. Comparison between hepa1c1c7 TCDD/1c1c7 DMSO (C7T/C7D) and C12 TCDD/C12 DMSO (C12T/C12D) identified about 1,200 proteins. Of these, 164 proteins were differentially regulated (Benjamini - 76 Hochberg corrected p ! 0.05) . 95 were established mitochondrial proteins, 69 were previously assigned to different organelles (Figure 4 -9 and table A-1 and A-2). This ratio of mitochondrial proteins versus other organelles Õ is similar to previo us published reports looking at the yeast mitochondrial proteome. 181 The identification of these proteins from other cellular compartments was attributed to various reasons, including misrepresentation due to overexpression, homologous p roteins from different organelles, dual localization, and contamination of the mitochondrial preparation. To further prioritize the data, proteins with a mean fold change equal to or above 2 in hepa1c1c7 cells were considered (|fold cha nge|"2). 17 proteins met this criterion for the comparison between 1c1c7TCDD/1c1c7DMSO ( C7T/C7D ) and c12TCDD/c12DMSO ( C12T/C12D ) (Table 4-2). Of these differentially expressed proteins, 9 proteins were upregulated and 8 proteins in hepa1c1c7 were downreg ulated. The upregulated proteins included those involved in metabolic pathways (e.g. , H6PD, CPOX and CYB5) and the downregulated proteins included those involved in mitochondrial biogenesis (e.g. , WARS2 and MRPS28 ). Validation of Proteomic R esults To verify the SILAC -based proteomic quantificatio n, 6 proteins were measured by Western blot analysis (Figure 4 -10). Four upregulated proteins ( i.e. , H6PD, CPOX and CYB5, ENTPD2), which were identified by (|fold change| "2) cut -offs, were tested (Table 4-2). In addition, two other proteins were assessed (ACOT2and COX4I1). These proteins were chosen because of their identification in mRNA expression studies and for their potential role in TCDD -induced changes in mitochon drial function (COX4I1) and dyslipidemia (ACOT2). 164 Density of each western signal was measured and normalized to the density of the control, VDAC1. Western blot analysis was performed three times independently. The density measured f or H6PD, CPOX, CYB5, COX4I1 and ACOT2 expression corresponded to the 77 quantificati on of MS (Table 4-2 and Figure 4 -10). The W estern blot analysis of ENTPD2 expression did not agree to the MS data (Figure 4 -10). The relation ship between three independent W estern blot analysis and MS data was summarized in table 4-3. Figure 4 -9. SILAC analysis of differentially expressed proteins by TCDD. The data were filtered for differentially expressed by mean |fold changes| "2 and Benjamini -Hochber g multiple comparison corrected p ! 0.05. Datasets were compared to identify AHR -dependently expressed proteins by TCDD exposure. 78 Table 4 -2. Identified proteins differentially regulated b y 10 nM TCDD exposure for 72 h in an AH R-dependent manner. Protein Name Gene Name Entrez number C7T/C7D VS C12T/C12D C7T/C7D Mean Ratio C12T/C12D Mean Ratio Adjusted P-value * Ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 2 Entpd2 12496 7.413 1.196 0.029 Tyrosine -protein kinase receptor UFO Axl 26362 4.569 0.772 0.106 Tenascin XB Tnxb 81877 3.416 1.273 0.034 Retinol -binding protein 4 Rbp4 19662 2.859 0.926 0.004 * Coproporphyrinogen -III oxidase, mitochondrial Cpox 12892 2.433 1.229 0.017 * Cytochrome b5 Cyb5; Cyb5a 109672 2.289 0.997 0.003 V-type proton ATPase subunit D Atp6v1d 73834 2.139 1.669 0.661 Dehydrogenase/reductase SDR family member 1 Dhrs1 52585 2.051 1.117 0.141 * GDH/6PGL endoplasmic bifunctionalprotein;Glucose 1 -dehydrogenase;6 -phosphogluconolactonase H6pd 100198 2.025 1.252 0.051 Collagen alpha -1(XII) chain Col12a1 12816 0.448 0.989 0.039 Tryptophan --tRNA ligase, mitochondrial Wars2 70560 0.440 1.056 0.141 Thioredoxin reductase 1, cytoplasmic Txnrd1 50493 0.401 0.704 0.051 Serine (or cysteine) peptidase inhibitor, clade B, member 9b Serpinb9b 20706 0.396 1.274 0.088 28S ribosomal protein S28, mitochondrial Mrps28 66230 0.384 0.969 0.385 Leukocyte surface antigen CD47 Cd47 16423 0.334 1.042 0.017 Myosin -14 Myh14 71960 0.262 1.007 0.033 FYVE, RhoGEF and PH domain -containing protein 5 Fgd5 232237 0.016 0.387 0.385 Note: Proteins included meet fold change (|fold change| !2) cut -offs. *. validated by W estern blot analysis. 79 Table 4 -3. Relationship between MS quantification and W estern blot quantification . Protein Western #1 Western #2 Western #3 H6PD + + + CPOX + + + CYB5 + + + ACOT2 + + NA COX4I1 + - + ENTPD2 - - - Note: +. positive relationship -. negative relationship NA. not applicable due to failure in detection of western signals. 80 A B Figure 4 -10. Western blot analysis of differentially expressed proteins identified by SILAC in hepatoma 1c1c7 and c12 cells 81 Figure 4 -10 (contÕd) exposed to DMSO or TCDD. Western blot was performed on mitochondrial fractions prepared from the two cell lines fol lowing exposure to DMSO (0.01%) or TCDD (10 nM). VDAC1 was used as a loading control. (A) Results shown are representative of 3 independent experiments. (B) Densitometry was determined with a Bio -Rad ChemiDoc MP System Image analyzer. Each protein expres sion was normalized to the loading control. The normalized protein expression levels were compared with each other by re -normalization with the protein expression from hepa1c1c7 cells exposed to DMSO. The bars represent mean ± the standard errors (n=3). 82 CHAPTER 5. DISCUSSION 83 CHARACTERIZATION OF MITOCHONDRIAL AHR IMPORT AHR is a transcription factor, which resides as a complex with molecular chaperones in the cytosol in the absence of ligand. In the presence of ligand, AHR is translocated into the nucleus and activates its target gene expressions including CYPs and TiPARP . Because CYPs stimulate ROS production during their xenobiotic metabolizing reactions and TiPARP does through downstream targets , TCDD -induced oxidative stress such as lipid peroxidation, regulation of antioxidant enzymes, DNA damage, and control of glutathione levels has been investigated as a potential mechanism for TCDD -induced toxicity. 145, 152 Accumulated research data have suggested that AHR-dependent oxidative stress would be from not only transc ription activation but also non transcription al responses and TCDD -induced oxidative stress happened through not only microsomal superoxide molecules or nuclear damage but also mitochondrial superox ide or mitochondrial DNA damages. 152, 153 In addition, because mitochon dria are the amphibolic sites having the TCA cycle and main site s for energy production , research es have targeted TCDD -induced mitochondrial dysfunction as a potential player in TCDD -induced toxic symptoms. 77, 80, 161 Thus, herein it was investigated how the AHR impacts mitochondrial function and AHR -mediated mitochondrial changes affect TCDD -toxicity. Previous studies from our lab identified that the AHR could be localized in mitochondria, as well as interacting with mitochondrial matrix proteins, ATP5 !1 and MRPL40. 165, 166 The probability of mitochondrial localization of the AHR was furthe r supported by MTS prediction programs such as MitoProtII and MitoFates. 179, 180 Finally, and most convincingly, the mitochondrial localization of the AHR was supported by protease protection assay for mitochondrial compartm ents. These experiments clearly demonstrate that the AHR is localized in the IMS of the mitochondria (Figure 4 -1). A combination of protease treatment and digitonin extraction of mitochondrial protein provided a more clear view for a location of mitochon drial AHR. 84 The previous study utilized confocal microscopy and co -immunoprecipitation to detect mitochondrial AHR. 165 Considering the size of mitochondria (0.5 - 1 µm), the structure of mitochondrial IM, which is baffled, therefore, no t easily separating the IMS from the matrix, and the resolution of the confocal microscropy (400 nm), distinguishing the mitochondrial compartments would be ambiguous. Also, considering the experimental condition for the co -immunoprecipitation, such as ut ilizing the whole cell lysate rather than the mitochondrial fraction for protein solution and utilizing the mitochondrial buffer without detergent dissolving membrane components, the interaction between AHR and matrix proteins might not occur under a physi ological environment. Another possibility is that the AHR interacts indirectly with matrix proteins in vivo . In this case, the AHR would be bound to proteins within the IM that are directly bound to ATP5 !1 or MRPL40. Finally, it is possible that , like the AH R, a pool of these proteins can be found within the IM. Cytochrome c heme lyase is known as an IMS protein, where it is bound to the outer surface of the IM. 182 The translocation of heme lyase into mitochondria is a distinct featu re compared to other internal proteins because it is independent of TIM complex, mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP availability. In addition, this protein has no N -terminal MTS but 60 amino acids length of MTS in third quarter of the sequence, whic h is amphiphilic and conserved through species. When AHR sequence is compared to the MTS of heme lyase using the SIM, a protein sequence alignment tool, a possibility was suggested that AHR might have the internal sequence for mitochondrial localization ( data not shown). 183 Protease protection assay also confirmed that mitochondrial AHR is also a target for the AHR degradation pathway activated by TCDD, which means that mitochondrial AHR may also be involved in TCDD -induced toxicity signali ng. The AHR localized in the IMS was decreased by TCDD, similar to the TCDD -induced cytosolic AHR decrease (Figure 4 -2). One of the negative feedbacks that regulate AHR signaling is dioxin -induced receptor proteolysis. Thus, TCDD exposure may induce a p roteolysis mechanism for both cytosolic and mitochondrial AHR 85 or trigger mitochondrial AHR export to the cytosol for proteolysis. The half -life of the unliganded and cytoplasmic AHR in hepa1c1c7 cells is 28 h , but tha t of TCDD -activated AHR is 3 h .31 TCDD -induced AHR degradation by ubiquitin -mediated proteasome system is a fast reaction. The study using hepa1c1c7 cells showed that a majority of cytosolic AHR was tr ansferred to the nucleus within 1 h after ligand exposure and over 80% of intra cellul ar AHR was degraded within 4 h . It should be noted that the 20% of remaining AHR reside d in cells even more than 24 h after ligand exposure. 184 Another study also showed that a small portion of AHR was resistant to ligand -activated degradation. 23 Our measurement of AHR amount in a cell after TCDD exposure to compare to that in the mitochondrial fraction was performed only in the cytosolic fraction, which neglected a comparison of nuclear AHR amount between the trea tments, TCDD and vehicle control, DMSO. In these experiments, the intracellular AHR distribution under normal condition was cytosolic, 94%, nuclear, 5%, and mitochondrial, 1% (data not shown). Because of the abundance of AHR in the cytosol of hepa1c1c7 c ells in our system, a change in the level of AHR expression in cytosol would reflects a representative amount for remained AHR after proteolysis in cells. Because the AIP contributes to mitochondrial protein localization via interacting with TOM20 and TOM 20 is known to recognize N -terminal target sequences of mitochondrial proteins, 111, 167 the probability of an N -terminal MTS and TOM20 recognition site in the AHR based on computer prediction suggested that the AIP might have a role in mitochondrial AHR import. In addition, Hsp90 has a documented role in assisting the translocations of proteins into the mitochondria. The decreased expression of mitochondrial AHR by AIP knockdown and inhibition of HSP90 activity suggest that stabilit y of the AHR, both cytosolic and mitochondrial, depends on the amount and activity of both cytosolic chaperones. As previously mentioned, AIP status in cells is critical for stabilization of cytosolic AHR in mice. 23, 185 HSP90 is one of major cellular chaperones involved in protein folding, degradation, transport into organelles and cell signaling. 21, 47, 109 Considering together other studies and our data here, AIP and HSP90 are 86 imp ortant for mitochondrial AHR import as well as maintenance of cellular level of AHR. In vitro studies suggest a model that AIP plays a role of chaperone to maintain stability of unfolded mitochondrial preprotein and to transfer mitochondrial target protei n to TOM20. 111, 167 In addition, TOM20 mediates a delivery of mitochondrial -targeted protein by HSP90/HSP70 to TOM70. 112 The decreased expression of mitochondrial AHR by TOM20 knockdown but no changes in expression of nu clear and cytosolic AHR corresponds to the prediction of existence of MTS in AHR and suggests that TOM20 may be the recognition protein for mitochondrial AHR import. One possible function for mitochondrial AHR is as a recognition component for ubiquitin -mediated degradation of mitochondrial proteins to regulate mitochondrial respiratory efficiency. One possible model of ubiquitin -mediated degradation of mitochondrial proteins has been suggested as a model of UCP2. 186 In fact, the mouse Ucp2 gene contains DREs and is induced by TCDD temporal and dose dependently. 143, 164 UCP2 expression and activity is up -regulated in metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes. UCP2 is a metabolic switch regulated by fatty acid and purine metabolism and a ROS production attenuator, regulated by superoxide and lipid peroxide to dissipate mitochondrial proton motive force. 187 In addition, ATP production and proton motive force is important in UCP2 degradation. 186 Thus, UCP2 might be a new candidate of AHR -mediated ubiquitin degradation. As suggested in the model for UCP2 degradation and the model for cytosolic steroid hormone receptor degradation by AHR, 90, 186 mitochon drial steroid/thyroid hormone receptors may be targeted by AHR component of E3 ubiquitin ligase to regulate mitochondrial respiration and lipid oxidation. The other possible role of mitochondrial AHR is a controller of respiratory efficiency as an early r esponder to TCDD toxicity but not as a transcription factor. ATP5 !1 is a component of ATP synthase and MRPL40 acts as a supporter in assembling the supercomplex. TCDD exposure caused a decrease in the interaction between AHR and ATP5 !1.165 The interaction between AHR and MRPL40 was identified under both vehicle control and TCDD exposure, but decreased levels of mitochondrial MRPL40 by TCDD ex posure for 6 h was observed. 166 These 87 observations suggest that AHR can affe ct stability or structure of the supercomplex via direct protein:protein interaction with critical subunits at the surface of the IM. TCDD -induced loss of mitochondrial AHR from this site may cause alteration in chemical gradients or respiratory efficienc y. Moreover, the loss of mitochondrial AHR from the IM site may cause TCDD -induced oxidative stre ss, resulting in turning on non genomic AHR -mediated TCDD toxicity. AHR is not only a ligand -activated transcription factor, but might also be a ligand -activat ed mitochondrial regulator. The evidence supporting the exact role of mitochondrial AHR is limited, however, the results do suggest ability to directly impact mitochondrial function. Simply, two possible roles are suggested here. One is an E3 ubiquitin ligase component in ubiquitin -mediated proteolysis for detecting and exporting a target mitochondrial protein. The other is a regulator of respiratory machinery to maintain efficiency by interacting with the supercomplex or to stimulate xenobiotic signali ng by losing an interaction with the supercomplex. The previous study confirmed that TCDD -induced AHR mediated mitochondrial hyperpolarization is independent of AHR transcriptional activity. 165 In addition, here, AHR is found to localiz e in the IMS not in the matrix. Therefore, the role of mitochondria l AHR must be considered as non transcriptional factor (Figure 5 -1). 88 A B Figure 5-1. Suggested role of mitochondrial AHR. (A) Mitochondri al AHR resides in the IMS and is bound to the component interacting with ATP5a1 or MRPL40 in the IM. (B) TCDD -activated mitochondrial AHR is dissociated from the interacting protein in the IM. The possible role of the dissociated TCDD -bound AHR is 1) rec ognizing the target proteins that are destined for the ubiquitin -mediated degradation and 2) dissociating from the supercomplex that subsequently would have the altered efficiency in proton pumping and respiration. 89 AHR -MEDIATED TCDD -INDUCED MITOCHONDRIAL DYSFUNCTION TCDD -induc ed oxidative stress has been extensively studied. 81, 84, 146, 150, 152, 159, 160, 163 Considering that mitochondria are the organelles that utilize most of the c ellular oxygen and main source of ROS, it is tempting to hypothesize that AHR -mediated TCDD -induced toxicity involves mitochondrial dysfunction. TCDD -induced mitochondrial hyperpolarization and changes in enzyme activity of ETC complexes were observed in s everal studies, but those studies did not investigate whether the TCDD -induced mitochondrial respiratory change were AHR -dependent. 152, 161, 188 The previous study from our lab showed that the TCDD -induced hyperpolariza tion across the mitochondrial IM and caused no corresponding change in cellular ATP levels in murine hepat oma and B cell lines expressing AHR. 165 Also, TCDD caused differential expression of nuclear -encoded ETC genes in C57BL/6 mice. 164 In addition, TCDD -induced changes in OCR and activities of ETC and ATP synthase complexes were determined. 30 nM TCDD exposure to hepa1c1c7 cells caused a significant decrease in basal respiration and maximal respiration whereas no change in hepac12 cells was observed (Figure 4 -6B and 4 -7B). This led us to speculate that cytochrome c oxidase, CIV, may have a decreased efficiency under TCDD exposure and this might be caused by AHR -mediated TCDD -induced oxidative stress. Interestingly, 30 nM TCDD exposure to hepa1c1c7 cells did not significantly alter the activities of ETC complexes or ATP synthase though several trended towards modulation (Figure 4 -8). This suggests that decreased cellular OCR in hepa1c1c7 cells by TCDD may not be c aused by lack of efficiency in compl ex IV or other individual component of the ETC and ATP synthase. In vitro assays of ETC complex and ATP synthase were performed under sufficient amount of substrates and cofactors for each enzyme complex to evaluate an indiv idual enzyme activity. However, a real -time measurement of cellular OCR was performed under nutrients similar to cell culture, which would have more complicated supply and demand requirements for 90 the reactions that compromise the ETC and ATP synthase. In addition, the interaction of these components and the cytosol would remain intact. Discrepancies between the individual complex data and the OCR might be caused by changes in the regulation in supply of electron carriers in cells or a disruption of the n ormal cellular signaling between these two cellular compartments. The main source of electron carriers for the ETC is fatty acid oxidation and TCA cycle. As discussed earlier, TCDD upregula ted lipid biosynthesis and fatty acid "-oxidation in liver and skeletal muscle in both AHR responsive and nonresponsive mice , and irregular lipid and fatty acid uptake are signs of TCDD -induced metabolic perturbation in skeletal muscle in C57BL/6 mice. 71 TCDD also led to an increase in fatty acid uptake and downreugulated de novo lipogenesis and gluconeogenesis in C57BL/6 mice liver. 68, 143, 146 Analysis of AHR -mediated TCDD -induced gene expressio ns changes indicated alterations in the expression of genes that encode mitochondrial metabolic enzymes involved in the generation of electron carriers including the TCA cycle. 27, 143, 146, 189 Consi dering that TCA cycle is stimulated by acetyl -CoA from fatty acid "-oxidation and TCDD decreases TCA cycle activity, mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation might not be completed or not efficient enough to provide the necessary acetyl CoA for TCA cycle and sub sequently reducing equivalents for OXPHOS. Drug metabolizing enzymes, CYPs , are highly expressed in both mitochondria and ER by TCDD -activated AHR , and produce oxidative stress, which affects cellular redox potential. These may cause AHR -mediated TCDD -induced lack of reducing equivalents in mitochondria, which can be one of contributors for the changes observed in OCR, OXPHOS activity and mitochondrial membrane potential. Studies analyzing succinate -stimulated mitochondrial hyperpolarization showed AHR -dependent increased mitochondrial thiol redox potential. This increased thiol redox potential can cause mitochondrial hyperpolarization by closing MPTP and generate more superoxides through Q cycle in complex III and reverse electron flow in complex I. 152 TCDD treated C57BL/6J mice had enhanced succinate level in the liver. 71 Similar to this, glutamine in 91 hepatoma cell culture media might also elevate succinate levels via the reactions of the TCA cycle and this could accelerat e the electron flow through complex II, succinate dehydrogenase, and create mitochondrial hyperpolarization and ROS that can ultimately inhibit respiration efficiency. Spare respiratory capacity was not affected by TCDD exposure in either hepa1c1c7 or hepaC12. However, respiratory control ratio achieved by addition of uncoupler and complex V inhibitor, oligomycin was increased in the hepaC12 cells following 30 nM TCDD exposure. Interestingly, respiratory control ratio was not changed by TCDD in either WT and AHR knockout mice in a previous study. 160 Considering that cellular ATP levels was not changed in AHR expressing cells in the previous study and that respiratory control ratio was not changed by TCDD exposure to hepa1c1c7 , a cell lin e that expresses AHR, the efficiency of mitochondrial ETC complex and ATP production may be maintained by AHR for a certain amount of time until TCDD -induced oxidative stress is accumulated enough to damage cellular context. On the other hand, TCDD exposu re to hepac12 cells caused no changes in activities of ETC and ATP synthase except in complex I and V though these changes were not significant (Figure 4 -8). This AHR -independent enzyme activity changes and increased respiratory control ratio by 30 nM TC DD in hepac12 cells may support the above idea that the decreased OCR and mitochondrial hyperpolarization in hepa1c1c7 may have a link to AHR -dependent homeostasis in the regulation of respiratory control ratio , (e .g. , mitochondrial coupling efficiency) . This means that AHR might have a role in cellular ability to cope with TCDD -induced lack of electron carriers via regulation of ETC. Because ETC com plexes consist of multiple nuclear - and mitochondrial -encoded subunits, it is hard to define whether the re gulation of ETC is AHR -mediated TCDD -induced regulation of gene expression or indirect regulation via allosteric regulation of enzymes. However, considering that the pools of electron carriers are generated in the metabolic pathways regulated by AHR and c ellular redox potential homeostasis was dependent on AHR expression, 152 it cannot be ruled out that AHR may be a regulator of the 92 influx of electrons into ETC to maintain cellular respiration capacity. Given the observed AHR -dependent TCDD -induced changes in mitochondrial respiration, the role of the AHR in modulating mitochondrial function was investigated further using the proteomic analysis. Proteomic analysis with adult zebrafish heart exposed to TCDD revealed that TCDD caused significan tly different protein expression related to calcium handling, energy metabolism and the cellular redox state. 190 Proteomic analysis with 5L hepatoma rat cells exposed to TCDD revealed that TCDD upregulated voltage -dependent anion channel -selective protein 2 (VDAC2) as an adaptive response to TCDD -induced oxidative stress to inhibit the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. 191 Phosphoprotein quantification using SILAC with 5L rat hepatoma cells identified TCDD -induced alteration in phosphorylation modification in the ARNT, transcriptional coregulators, small GTPase regulators and oncoproteins. 192 The above stud ies utilized short (1 to 8 h ) TCDD exposure. Considering the effect of retrograde signaling (mitochondr ia-to-nuclear stress signaling), the SILAC -based proteomic analysis was perform ed with TCDD exposure for 72 h to identify novel TCDD -induced changes in the mitochondrial proteome and to develop our understanding of AHR signaling for toxic effects. We iden tified 17 protei ns with a mean |fold change| #2 (Table 2), and proteins involved in metabolic pathways were further investigated (Figure 4 -10). H6PD, CPOX, and CYB5 were induced with 2.0 -2.5 fold by TCDD exposure in hepa1c1c7 cells but not in hepac12 cells . All these proteins are involve d in anabolic pathways and H6PD and CYB5 are involved in the regulation of reducing equivalents. H6PD is a bifunctional enzyme, which has glucose 1-dehydrogenase and 6 -phosphogluconolactonase activity. H6PD isoforms resid e in different intracellular and extracellular locations . H6PD in the ER performs the first reaction, a rate -limiting step in the pentose phosphate pathway. H6PD produces NADPH as a by -product that can be utilized to maintain cellular redox state via glu tathione levels under oxidative stress. Because the pentose phosphate pathway is a main source of NADPH in cells, cellular oxidative stress may affect H6PD enzymatic activity and 93 protein expression. 193 It was observed in mouse embryo fibr oblast derived from extrahepatic tissue that TCDD induced cytosolic H6PD and glycerol -3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and also induced Acyl -CoA oxidase that performs the first step of the peroxisoma l "-oxidation. 144 Because NADH produced from the proxisomal "-oxidation is usually utilized in lipids oxidation and fatty acid synthesis, not in mitochondrial ATP production, it is suggested that TCDD -induced proxisomal "-oxidation migh t contribute to the wasting syndrome. 144 Recently, H6PD was found to localize in mitochondrial matrix and its suggested role is to produce NADPH pool for antioxidant defense or for a possible conversion between NADH/NADPH. 194 Another suggested role of H6PD in the mitochondria is interaction with hexokinase at the mitochondrial OM to manage glucose -6 phosphate, which can increase ROS level and apoptosis. This suggestion is supported by the observation that the level of mitochondrial H6PD was regulated by nutrient status .194 TCDD -induced restricted mitochondrial respiration may affect upregulation of both cytosolic and mitochondrial H6PD to produce reducing power against oxidative stress and correspondi ng to demand for lipid metabolism. Coproporphyrinogen -III oxidase (CPOX) found in the IMS of mitochondria is the key enzyme in heme biosynthesis. It catalyzes oxidative decarboxylation of coproporphyrinogen III to protoporphyrinogen IX, a precursor of he me. 195 Heme is essential for many biological reactions such as oxygen transport, energy metabolism, and drug metabolism. CYP families and cytochromes have a heme group as a cofactor. When xenobiotics induce CYP1 family members, heme biosy nthesis would also be accelerated to generate functional CYP s. The rate -limiting steps of heme biosynthesis are a reaction of 5 -aminolevulinic acid ( ALA) synthase, which catalyzes condensation of glycine and succinyl -CoA to produce ALA and a transport of CPOX substrate from cytosol to mitochondria. 196 The substrate of CPOX, coproporphyrinogen III, is synthesized in the cytosol and transported into the mitochondria by the mitochondrial ATP binding cassette transporter, ABCB6, which is also a n AHR target gene. 196 In addition to that AHR Global Chip -Chip analysis identified AHR enrichment region in the Cpox gene,197 94 increased protein expression of CPOX and ABCB6 would be required by CYP1 family induction and other electron transfer reactions that utilize cytochromes. TCDD -elicited CPOX induction might also contribute to hepatocarcinoma development in a similar manner of that of ABCB6. 196 TCDD -inducible CYPs accumulates porphyrins, which may cause hepatic fibrosis resulting in malignant tumor. 198 High dose of TCDD exposure to mice is known to cause porphyria, inducing CYP1A enzymes oxidizing porphyrinogens and aberrant iron metabolism. 199 Heme oxidase, another heme met abolizing enzyme, which is up -regulated by other transcription factors, such as NRF2, AP -1, and NF $B, is generally induced by TCDD, converts heme to bilirubin and induces mitochondrial -dependent apoptosis although HO -1 regulation by TCDD was not clearly ob served here. 62, 200 Cytochrome b5 (CYB5) is a n ER membrane bound heme protein, which functions as an electron carrier for several membrane bound oxygenases, such as NADH -cytochrome b5 reductase (CYB5R). CYB5R reduces methemog lobin to normal hemoglobin. During the reaction, electrons are transferred from electron carriers to CYB5, and these electrons are utilized in desaturation of fatty acids by SCD1. TCDD -elicited steatosis depends on AHR -mediated Scd1 and Tiparp induction, which result in the accumulation of lipids, and increases in oxidative stress, fibrosis and inflammation in liver .146, 150 Acyl -CoA thioesterase 2 (ACOT2) catalyzes the hydrolysis of long -chain acyl -CoA to the free fatty acid an d coenzyme A to facilitate fatty acid "-oxidation. 201 This protein did not meet the cut -off for the 2 -fold change in the MS data, but its expression was reduced by 1.7 -fold by TCDD exposure in hepa1c1c7 cells but not in hepac12 cells (data not sho wn), and this was confirmed by W estern blot analysis (Figure 4 -10). Accelerated ACOT2 activity accumulates and release free fatty acid from mitochondria. Returning free fatty acid to the mitochondria to utilize for fatty acid oxidation promotes p roton back and subsequent proton leak occurs. 201 This phenomenon uncouples respiration and may drive lipid consumption for energy compensation. 201 TCDD suppressed ACOT2 expression in an AHR -dependent manner. Lower 95 activit y of fatty acid "-oxidation would result in decreased supply of reducing equivalents for ETC complex and ATP synth ase , and this may result in reduced respiration and ATP production . ENTPD2, ecto -nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase, is a plasma memb rane protein and hydrolyzes nucleoside triphosphates and nucleoside diphosphates in the presence of divalent cofactors, Mg 2+ or Ca 2+. ENTPD2 is involved in physiological pathways that use ATP as an intracellular signal, such as eye and brain development, t aste bud function. 202, 203 ENTPD2 is also involved in the inflammatory response and IL -6, a marker of biliary cirrhosis, downregulated Entpd2 gene expression. 204, 205 TCDD activated ENTPD2 expressio n in mouse hepa1c1c7 cells. 206, 207 SILAC analysis showed 7.4 -fold induction of ENTPD2, but this induc tion was not detected by W estern blot analysis , which might be due to a lack of proper antibodies detecting a molecule residing in intracellular organelles (Table 2 and Figure 4 -10). So far, ENTPD2 localized in intracellular organelles was confirmed in only human species. 205 While human ENTPD2 alpha is an active enzyme and found in plasma membranes, ENTPD2 beta and g amma have no catalytic activity and are found in the ER membrane. The beta and gamma isoforms are alternative splicing variants having partial loss of exon 8, which has a critical Cys residue for disulfide bond, and are not being fully glycosylated. The study of human ENTPD2 cloning suggested that l oss of disulfide bond sites and lacking full glycosylation in the alternative splice variants might inhibit correct folding and oligomerization that are critical for enzyme function. 205 The auth ors also suggested that ENTPD2 beta/gamma would have a role in purinergic signaling termination by formation of hetero -oligomer with the alpha form. 205 On the other hand, rat ENTPD2 also has alternative splice variants, but both are active enzymes and the subcellular localization of these isoforms, except for the plasma membrane, has not been confirmed. 208 The isoforms of ENTPD2 in human and rat and unknown functions of these isoforms raises a question about the intracell ular localization and the role of ENTPD2 induced by TCDD. Because ENTPD2 regulates liver cell growth and IL -6, which is important in liver 96 fibrosis, downregulates ENTPD2 expression, TCDD -induced ENTPD2 expression might be a response against liver fibrosis .204 Cox4i1 was induced by TCDD -exposure in C57BL/6 mice liver. 164 However, other studies analyzing gene expression using microarray did not show upregulated Cox4i1 .27, 206 Here, MS data did not show a ny changes in COX4I1 proteins expression by TCDD exposure. Two Western blot anal ysis agreed to MS data while one Western blot analysis showed the increased level of COX4I1 in hepa1c1c7 cells exposed to TCDD. Considering that Cox4i1 is regulated by hypoxi a, TCDD -induced COX4I1 expression might be temporal and dose -dependent, ultimately relying on oxidative stress signaling .209, 210 WARS2 is the mitochondrial tryptophan -tRNA ligase, which was decreased 2-fold by TCDD exposure in hepa1c1c7 cells (Table 2). TCDD caus ed the downregulation in the expression of genes that encode proteins related to amino acid metabolism and purin e metabolism was observed. 27, 143 Metabolomic analysis using C57BL/6J, AHR -responsive and DBA/2J, AHR -nonresponsive mice exposed to TCDD showed decreased levels of amino acids including tryptophan and purines, as well as decreased TCA cycle activities. 71 MRPS28, which was decreased more than 2 -fold in the expressi on by TCDD exposure in hepa1c1c7 cells, was previously named as MRPS35. MRP consists of MRPS28 and MRPL39. Given the published metabolomic data, the decreased WARS2 and MRPS28 protein levels observed in the MS of our study suggest a TCDD -mediated suppres sion of mitochondrial biogenesis. Collectively, the mitochondrial proteins identified with significant AHR -mediated changes in expression following TCDD challenge are related to redox potential regulation (H6PD), redox related enzyme reaction (CYB5), heme metabolism (CPOX), lipid metabolism (ACOT2), and mitochondrial biogenesi s (WARS2 and MRPS28) (Figure 5 -2). Our results support previous suggestions of AHR -mediated energy metabolic alterations and hepatosteatosis and consequently TCDD -induced toxicity. T hough the experimental conditions for the TCDD -induced effects on mitochondrial respiration and mitochondrial protein expression were not identical, it is 97 certain that the main factors in mitochondria affected by TCDD exposure are related to redox potentia l and lipid metabolism, which also affect energy maintenance. The ability of the AHR to crosstalk with other signaling pathway s and mitochondrial retrograde signaling may orchestrate temporally different cellular responses upon TCDD exposure. The effort t o find a connection between early and later mitochondrial response s against TCDD needs to be considered in any future study of AHR -mediated TCDD -induced liver diseases. 98 Figure 5-2. AHR -mediated TCDD -induced regulation of protein expression in metabolic pathways. TCDD -activated AHR upregulates or downregulates its target protein expressions. TCDD -induced AHR target proteins are related to heme metabolism, lipid metabolism, redox potential regulation , mitochondrial biogenesis, and unknown functions. Red indicates upregulated proteins, green indicates downregulated protei ns, and blue indicates metabolic pathways and its targets. 99 CHAPTER 6. CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE STUDIES 100 The AHR is a well -studied ligand -activated transcri ption factor. TCDD is the most potent agonist of the AHR and the physiological effects by TCDD have been researched focusing on metabolic syndromes. For example, major AHR target genes include the cytochrome P450 enzymes that are capable of producing TCD D-induced oxidative stress, which causes detrimental effects on mitochondria. To further explore the role of the mitochondria in TCDD -induced AHR -mediated toxicity, the research within this dissertation explores the possibility that a pool of cellular AHR can be found within the mitochondria. In addition, it characterizes the impact of TCDD -induced changes to mitochondrial function and proteome. The research shows that the AHR localizes in the IMS of the mitochondria and describes AHR -mediated changes to oxygen consumption and regulation in protein expression. First, mitochondrial AHR is localized in the IMS by recognition of TOM20 in concert with the cytosolic chaperones, AIP and HSP90. The possible MTSs were predicted in the N -terminus and internal seq uences of the AHR . The level of mitochondrial AHR is also regulated by TCDD -induced proteolysis and this suggests that mitochondrial AHR may participate in TCDD -induced toxic responses. Two possible roles of mitochondrial AHR were suggested; 1) AHR acts as E3 ubiquitin ligase for mitochondrial steroid hormones or other possible factors related to regulation in respiratory machinery, and 2) AHR acts as a regulator for respiratory machinery via interacting with a factor that might be localized in the IM. The role of mitochondrial AHR would be independent of transcription activation. Next, mitochondrial AHR contributes to make a balance between mitochondrial hyperpolarization and reduced respiration. This was reflected in constant respiratory control ratio a nd efficiency of enzymatic activities of the individual ETC complex and ATP synthase following TCDD exposure in AHR -expressing cells. Moreover, this observation supports the suggested roles of mitochondrial AHR mentioned above, as a controller for respira tory 101 Figure 6. Summary of AHR -mediated TCDD -induced mitochondrial dysf unction. Red arrows indicate the functions of TCDD -activated mitochondrial AHR. Black arrows indicate canonical TCDD -activated AHR -mediated gene expression. Red indicates upregulated proteins, green indicates down regulated proteins, and blue indicates metabolic pathways and its targets. 102 machinery, with the observation from the previous study, the TCDD -induced loss of AHR interaction between ATP5 !1 or MRPL40. Unchanged mitochondrial coupling may cause oxidative stress due to reduced activity of the downstream factor in the ETC, oxygen con sumption. This oxidative stress would cause accumulated stress and beco me responsible for TCDD -induced toxicity in a certain amount of time. Finally, TCDD -induced AHR -mediated changes to the mitochondrial proteome identified the proteins which expressi ons were significantly changed AHR -dependently. The activities of mitochondrial ETC and ATP synthase mentioned above were measured for up to 24 h after TCDD exposure while the mitochondrial proteome was analyzed with sa mples exposed to TCDD for 72 h . Mito chondrial proteome was performed considering time for the effect of mitochondrial retrograde signaling to the nucleus. Identified differentially expressed proteins implicate that TCDD -induced signaling is involved in regulation of redox potential, heme biosynthesis, lipid metabolism, and mitochondrial biogenesis . These pathways are reflected in the TCDD -induced pathological effects, hepatic steatosis, antioxidant defense, and wasting syndrome. Thus, TCDD -induced metabolic dysfunction is achieved by the a ction of both nuclear transcription activity and mitochondrial non transcription activity (Figure 6). MITOCHONDRIAL AHR IN THE IMS The localization of mitochondrial AHR in the IMS by TOM20 was identified and the possible MTS was suggested. However, the r ole of mitochondrial AHR has not been identified and the exact AHR localization in the IMS is obscure . W hether the AHR is bound to the IM, bound to the OM or free form in the IMS still needs to be determined . Identifying the exact AHR location will provi de more clues to help determine the role of mitochondrial AHR. Thus, establishing the MTS in the AHR must be achieved by a sequence deletion studies . 103 The limitation in studying mitochondrial AHR is that mitochondrial AHR exist as very small pool compare d to cytosolic AHR. To overcome this limitation , creating cell strains that express different functional forms of the AHR would be an important first step. Once the MTS is identified, it will be possible to create mutant AHRs that are incapable of enteri ng the mitochondria, as well as, those with inability to enter the nucleus or are engineered to increase the amount within the mitochondria . This genetic engineering would make it possible to generate AHR signaling simpler or magnify the effect from the A HR signaling more specialized. Because cytosolic AHR is observed as a complex form with molecular chaperones and destabilized without chaperones, it is assumed that AHR would exist as a bound form in the mitochondria not as a free form . Once, mit ochondri al AHR can be obtained the amount enough to identify its partner proteins , clues can be found for the role of the ligand -activated AHR in mitochondria. The hypothesis on the role of AHR mentioned above regarding mitochondrial respiration can be evaluated. To clearly examine the role of AHR in mitochondria, it is necessary to test the hypothesis in other cell types, which have differing mitochondrial respiration activity , such as skeletal muscle and heart in addition to kidney , adipose tissues and s kin , which are frequently used to study TCDD -toxicity . If the existence of AHR in the mitochondria is critical for mitochondrial respiratory function especially , the AHR -mediated effect would be more clearly observed in those cells having more active mito chondria. THE ROLE OF THE AHR IN MITOCHODNRIAL METABOLISM AND ITS ROLE IN TCDD -INDUCED TOXICITY The constant respiratory control ratio and efficiency of ETC capacity under TCDD exposure was dependent on AHR expression. The comparison of OCR and enzyme a ctivities of OXPHOS between hepa1c1c7 and c12 cells has limitation to explain AHR -mediated effect 104 because hepa1c1c7 and c12 cells may have other cellular differences other than AHR dominance/deficiency. Human B cell SKW6.4 is an AHR null cell line and Dr. KaminskiÕs lab at the Michigan State University estab lished SKW6.4 that overexpress the AHR. Because of identical cellular context, performing the same experiments with SKW6.4 cells with/ without expression of AHR would confirm the effect of AHR on homeo stasis on respiratory control and efficiency of ETC and ATP synthase enzyme activities, which were observed in mouse hepatoma cells. One of identified metabolic pathway from SILAC analysis was redox regulation by increased levels of H6PD, which could aff ect mitochondrial GSH/GSSG ratio and S OD activity . Decreased levels of ACOT2 suggested alterations in fatty acid oxidation. Gene expression analysis by other researches identified increased fatty acid uptake in liver but has not identified decreased enzy me expression levels involved in fatty acid oxidation clearly. Identification of activities of suggested metabolic pathways could advance our understanding of metabolic switches by AHR -mediated TCDD toxicity. In addition, another interesting protein ident ified from SILAC analysis is ENTPD2. Although mitochondrial ENTPD2 cannot be identified due to lack of a proper antibody, characterization of mitochondrial ENTPD2 against TCDD exposure would be a novel finding since a role for mitochondrial -localized ENTP D2 has not been revealed so far. Lastly, several of the proposed endogenous ligand s for the AHR, such as steroids and heme and tryptophan metabolites have direct links to mitochondria function. The role of these metabolites on modulating AHR function with in the mitochondria has interesting implications. These metabolites might alter their own flux via changes in AHR signaling within the organelle that regulates their production without having a signal to the nucleus. Considering that mitochondri a are central intracellular organelles for energy production and the numbers or state of mitochondria are critical factors for cellular development, proliferation, and survival, the physiological effects of AHR signaling activated by endogenous ligands lin king to mitochondrial function can be studied to shed light on AHR biology. 105 APPENDI CES 106 APPENDIX A . SUPPLEMENTAL TABLES Table A -1. Identified m itochondria l proteins differentially regulated b y 10 nM TCDD exposure for 72 h in an AHR -dependent manner. Protein Name Gene Name C7(T/ D) Mean C12 (T/D ) Mean P-value Intracellular Location Retinol -binding protein 4 Rbp4 2.859 0.926 0.001 Possibly in mitochondria Coproporphyrinogen -III oxidase, Mitochondria Cpox 2.433 1.229 0.001 Mitochondria Cytochrome b5 Cyb5;Cyb5a 2.289 0.997 0.000 Mitochondria GDH/6PGL endoplasmic bifunctional protein;Glucose 1 -dehydrogenase;6 -phosphogluconolactonase H6pd 2.025 1.252 0.035 Mitochondria Prostaglandin G/H synthase 1 Ptgs1 1.787 1.302 0.012 Possibly in mitochondria C-Jun -amino -terminal k inase -interacting protein 4 Spag9 1.521 0.642 0.043 Possibly in mitochondria NADPH --cytochrome P450 reductase Por 1.447 1.095 0.004 Possibly in mitochondria NADH -ubiquinone oxidoreductase chain 4 mt-Nd4;ND4; Mtnd4;Nd4 1.447 0.730 0.004 Mitochondria HIG1 domain family member 1A, Mitochondria Higd1a;Gm9790 1.428 0.965 0.018 Mitochondria CD109 antigen Cd109 1.378 0.813 0.006 Possibly in mitochondria Lanosterol synthase Lss 1.367 0.954 0.007 Possibly in mitochondria Thioredoxin domain -containing protein 5 Txndc5 1.358 0.931 0.012 Possibly in mitochondria Sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2 Atp2a2 1.326 1.114 0.007 Possibly in mitochondria Rapamycin -insensitive companion of mTOR Rictor 1.305 0.841 0.028 Possibly in mitochondria Cytoskelet on-associated protein 4 Ckap4 1.293 1.033 0.006 Possibly in mitochondria Cytochrome c oxidase assembly protein COX11, Mitochondria Cox11 1.280 1.036 0.000 Mitochondria MAGUK p55 subfamily member 6 Mpp6 1.269 0.755 0.015 Possibly in mitochondria 107 Table A -1 (c ontÕd). Protein Name Gene Name C7(T/ D) Mean C12 (T/D ) Mean P-value Intracellular Location Low-density lipoprotein receptor Ldlr 1.233 0.907 0.037 Possibly in mitochondria [3-methyl -2-oxobutanoate dehydrogenase [lipoamide]] kinase, Mitochondria Bckdk 1.231 0.802 0.031 Mitochondria Peptidyl -prolyl cis -trans isomerase FKBP8 Fkbp8 1.227 0.929 0.000 Mitochondria Proteasomal ubiquitin receptor ADRM1 Adrm1 1.208 0.748 0.003 Possibly in mitochondria Sphingolipid delta(4) -desaturase DES1 Degs1 1.204 0.929 0.008 Mitochondria B-cell receptor -associated protein 31 Bcap31 1.203 1.091 0.023 Possibly in mitochondria Transmembrane emp24 domain -containing protein 10 Tmed10 1.195 0.971 0.003 Possibly in mitochondria KN motif and ankyrin repeat domain -containing protein 2 Kank2 1.183 0.847 0.021 Mitochondria Tensin 1 Tns1 1.176 0.858 0.015 Possibly in mitochondria LYR motif -containing protein 4 Lyrm4 1.173 0.899 0.046 Mitochondria Cystatin -B Cstb 1.165 0.894 0.009 Possibly in mitochondria Long-chain fatty acid transpo rt protein 4 Slc27a4 1.155 0.933 0.047 Possibly in mitochondria NAD kinase domain -containing protein 1, Mitochondria Nadkd1 1.152 0.970 0.035 Mitochondria Transmembrane protein 176A Tmem176a 1.150 0.639 0.005 Possibly in mitochondria EH domain -containin g protein 1 Ehd1 1.145 0.890 0.002 Possibly in mitochondria CCR4-NOT transcription complex subunit 1 Cnot1 1.137 0.976 0.039 Possibly in mitochondria Proteasome activator complex subunit 2 Psme2 1.119 0.896 0.036 Possibly in mitochondria Dolichyl -diphos phooligosaccharide Ñprotein glycosyltransferase subunit DAD1 Dad1 1.116 0.866 0.027 Possibly in mitochondria Clusterin;Clusterin;Clusterin beta chain;Clusterin alpha chain Clu 1.100 0.538 0.012 Mitochondria 108 Table A -1 (c ontÕd). Protein Name Gene Name C7(T /D) Mean C12 (T/D ) Mean P-value Intracellular Location Heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein Hspa8 1.070 0.958 0.039 Possibly in mitochondria Kinectin Ktn1 1.066 1.154 0.012 Possibly in mitochondria Fatty acid synthase;[Acyl -carrier -protein] S -acetyltransfer ase;[Acyl -carrier -protein] S -malonyltransferase;3 -oxoacyl -[acyl -carrier -protein] synthase;3 -oxoacyl -[acyl -carrier -protein] reductase Fasn 1.063 0.855 0.003 Possibly in mitochondria Syntaxin -4 Stx4 1.052 0.885 0.021 Possibly in mitochondria ATP synthase s ubunit f, Mitochondria Atp5j2 1.041 0.808 0.004 Mitochondria Serine/threonine -protein phosphatase PP1 -alpha catalytic subunit Ppp1ca 1.041 0.869 0.042 Possibly in mitochondria Mimitin, Mitochondria Ndufaf2 1.010 0.830 0.023 Mitochondria Succinate dehydr ogenase [ubiquinone] iron -sulfur subunit, Mitochondria Sdhb 1.006 1.095 0.010 Mitochondria NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) flavoprotein 3, 10kDa Ndufv3 1.001 1.199 0.024 Mitochondria Transmembrane protein 11, Mitochondria Tmem11 0.993 0.760 0.039 Mitocho ndria Cytochrome c oxidase assembly protein COX15 homolog Cox15 0.990 0.721 0.001 Mitochondria Hypoxia up -regulated protein 1 Hyou1 0.981 1.100 0.048 Possibly in mitochondria NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] 1 alpha subcomplex subunit 9, Mitochondria Ndu fa9 0.974 0.951 0.020 Mitochondria Guanine nucleotide -binding protein subunit alpha -11 Gna11 0.966 0.760 0.010 Possibly in mitochondria Cytochrome c, somatic Cycs;Gm10108 0.966 1.344 0.045 Mitochondria 28S ribosomal protein S15, Mitochondria Mrps15 0.96 6 0.749 0.040 Mitochondria Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 7A2, Mitochondria Cox7a2 0.964 1.100 0.012 Mitochondria Mitochondria translocator assembly and maintenance protein 41 homolog Tamm41 0.958 1.098 0.048 Mitochondria Glycerol -3-phosphate dehydrogenas e, Mitochondria Gpd2 0.943 1.103 0.028 Mitochondria Twinfilin -1 Twf1 0.942 0.687 0.030 Possibly in mitochondria 109 Table A -1 (c ontÕd). Protein Name Gene Name C7(T/ D) Mean C12 (T/D ) Mean P-value Intracellular Location Acetolactate synthase -like protein Ilvb l 0.939 1.171 0.003 Possibly in mitochondria Pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 component subunit alpha, somatic form, Mitochondria Pdha1 0.936 1.196 0.036 Mitochondria G-rich sequence factor 1 Grsf1 0.935 0.716 0.014 Mitochondria Serine/threonine -protein phosph atase;Serine/threonine -protein phosphatase 2A catalytic subunit alpha isoform;Serine/threonine -protein phosphatase 2A catalytic subunit beta isoform Ppp2cb;Ppp2ca 0.915 1.120 0.041 Mitochondria Voltage -dependent anion -selective channel protein 2 Vdac2 0.9 15 1.052 0.042 Mitochondria Saccharopine dehydrogenase -like oxidoreductase Sccpdh 0.908 1.126 0.001 Mitochondria Mitochondria import inner membrane translocase subunit Tim8 A Timm8a1 0.904 1.193 0.039 Mitochondria ATP -binding cassette sub -family B membe r 7, Mitochondria Abcb7 0.893 1.102 0.003 Mitochondria Bcl -2-like protein 1 Bcl2l1 0.884 1.128 0.005 Mitochondria Reactive oxygen species modulator 1 Romo1 0.876 0.457 0.025 Mitochondria Lon protease homolog, Mitochondria Lonp1 0.874 1.036 0.024 Mitocho ndria Stomatin -like protein 2, Mitochondria Stoml2 0.870 1.055 0.016 Mitochondria Adenylate kinase 2, Mitochondria Ak2 0.856 1.338 0.033 Mitochondria ATPase family AAA domain -containing protein 3 Atad3 0.847 1.098 0.001 Mitochondria Monofunctional C1 -tetrahydrofolate synthase, Mitochondria Mthfd1l 0.844 0.963 0.013 Mitochondria GTPase Era, Mitochondria Eral1 0.840 0.610 0.029 Mitochondria DnaJ homolog subfamily C member 5 Dnajc5 0.838 1.106 0.007 Mitochondria Apoptosis -inducing factor 1, Mitochondria Aifm1 0.837 1.032 0.032 Mitochondria GTP:AMP phosphotransferase AK4, Mitochondria Ak4 0.823 1.116 0.018 Mitochondria Alpha -enolase;Enolase Eno1 0.806 0.958 0.008 Possibly in mitochondria Mitochondria genome maintenance exonuclease 1 Mgme1 0.805 1.049 0.024 Mitochondria Estradiol 17 -beta -dehydrogenase 8 Hsd17b8;H2 -Ke6 0.783 1.116 0.008 Mitochondria 110 Table A -1 (c ontÕd). Protein Name Gene Name C7(T/ D) Mean C12 (T/D ) Mean P-value Intracellular Location Thioredoxin -like protein 1 Txnl1 0.778 0.936 0.011 Possibly in mitochondria 4F2 cell -surface antigen heavy chain Slc3a2 0.743 0.937 0.015 Possibly in mitochondria Amine oxidase [flavin -containing] A Maoa 0.734 1.042 0.046 Mitochondria Mitochondria 10 -formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase Aldh1l2 0.703 0.9 73 0.003 Mitochondria Bcl -2-like protein 11 Bcl2l11 0.682 0.978 0.002 Mitochondria Retinal dehydrogenase 1 Aldh1a1 0.680 0.919 0.011 Possibly in mitochondria Mitochondria 2 -oxodicarboxylate carrier Slc25a21 0.673 0.917 0.001 Mitochondria Vesicle -associ ated membrane protein 4 Vamp4 0.664 1.178 0.018 Possibly in mitochondria Formin -like protein 2 Fmnl2 0.654 0.471 0.034 Possibly in mitochondria Bifunctional methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase/cyclohydrolase, Mitochondria;NAD -dependent methylenetetra hydrofolate dehydrogenase;Methenyltetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase Mthfd2 0.642 0.926 0.012 Mitochondria Acyl -coenzyme A thioesterase 2, Mitochondria;Acyl -coenzyme A thioesterase 1 Acot2;Acot1 0.581 1.266 0.038 Mitochondria Tumor necrosis factor receptor type 1 -associated DEATH domain protein Tradd 0.566 1.046 0.049 Possibly in mitochondria Mitochondria import inner membrane translocase subunit Tim17 -B Timm17b 0.543 2.026 0.005 Mitochondria Adenine phosphoribosyltransferase Aprt 0.530 0.785 0.022 Possibl y in mitochondria Thioredoxin reductase 1, cytoplasmic Txnrd1 0.401 0.704 0.045 Possibly in mitochondria Leukocyte surface antigen CD47 Cd47 0.334 1.042 0.001 Possibly in mitochondria Myosin -14 Myh14 0.262 1.007 0.049 Possibly in mitochondria 111 Table A-2. Ide ntified nonm itochondria l proteins differentially regulated by 10 nM TCDD exposure for 72 h in an AHR -dependent manner. Protein Name Gene Name C7(T/ D) Mean C12 (T/D) Mean P-value Intracellular Location Ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 2 Entpd2 7.413 1.196 0.027 ER Tenascin XB Tnxb 3.416 1.273 0.016 Extracellular Poly (ADP -ribose) polymerase family, member 3 Parp3 1.945 0.934 0.029 Cytoskeletal Myoferlin Myof 1.813 1.043 0.024 Plasma membrane Tetraspanin -8 Tspan8 1.758 1.182 0.037 Lyso some Endophilin -B2 Sh3glb2 1.594 1.079 0.007 Nucleus Protein MON2 homolog Mon2 1.533 1.000 0.033 cDNA sequence BC094435 ENSMUSG0000 0073624; BC094435 1.501 0.891 0.004 IST1 homolog Ist1 1.498 0.845 0.016 ER Peroxisomal 2,4 -dienoyl -CoA reductase Decr2 1.357 0.841 0.038 Peroxisome UDP-glucose 6 -dehydrogenase Ugdh 1.353 1.009 0.002 Cytosol ER membrane protein complex subunit 7 Emc7 1.345 0.973 0.025 Laminin subunit beta -2 Lamb2 1.307 1.025 0.004 Cartilage -associated protein Crtap 1.300 1.100 0.012 Unconventional myosin -XVIIIa Myo18a 1.264 1.030 0.012 Putative RNA -binding protein 3 Rbm3 1.258 0.749 0.010 Nucleus SEC23 -interacting protein Sec23ip 1.249 1.035 0.036 ER Protein SEC13 homolog Sec13 1.246 0.683 0.045 ER Surfeit locus protein 4 Surf4 1.237 1.081 0.023 ER Nicalin Ncln 1.216 0.957 0.027 ER Dynactin subunit 4 Dctn4 1.184 0.819 0.041 112 Table A -2 (c ontÕd). Protein Name Gene Name C7(T/ D) Mean C12 (T/D) Mean P-value Intracellular Location caldesmon 1 Cald1 1.174 0.804 0.007 Cytoskeletal Laminin subunit gamma -1 Lamc1 1.155 0.998 0.006 Extracellular Triple functional domain protein Trio 1.153 0.871 0.041 Cytosol 60S acidic ribosomal protein P0 Rplp0;Gm8730 1.148 0.953 0.020 Baculoviral IAP repeat -containing protein 6 Birc6 1.139 0.976 0.009 Protein VAC14 homolog Vac14 1.132 0.932 0.048 ER Guanine nucleotide -binding protein G(q) subunit alpha Gnaq 1.130 0.837 0.028 Dynamin -2 Dnm2 1.106 0.896 0.004 Protein RER1 Rer1 1.104 0.933 0.014 Golgi Proteasome subunit beta type -6 Psmb6 1.09 9 0.858 0.020 Cytosol ADP -ribosyl cyclase 2 Bst1 1.090 0.900 0.047 Plasma membrane CD9 antigen Cd9 1.047 0.868 0.000 CD2-associated protein Cd2ap 1.046 0.719 0.008 Cytoskeletal 26S proteasome non -ATPase regulatory subunit 11 Psmd11 1.036 0.887 0.048 Tetraspanin -9 Tspan9 1.031 0.660 0.026 Plasma membrane Protein FAM49B Fam49b 1.029 0.745 0.027 Beta -2-microglobulin B2m 1.025 0.545 0.000 Extracellular GPI transamidase component PIG -S Pigs 1.001 1.468 0.005 ER 40S ribosomal protein S20 Rps20 0.996 0.692 0.024 Stress -induced -phosphoprotein 1 Stip1 0.995 0.856 0.026 Golgi, Nucleus Integrin alpha -3;Integrin alpha -3 heavy chain;Integrin alpha -3 light chain Itga3 0.988 0.804 0.020 Proteasome subunit alpha type -6 Psma6 0.979 0.829 0.042 Collectin -12 Colec12 0.970 0.478 0.008 Extracellular 113 Table A -2 (c ontÕd). Protein Name Gene Name C7(T/ D) Mean C12 (T/D) Mean P-value Intracellular Location Transmembrane protein 126A Tmem126a 0.967 0.672 0.026 60S ribosomal protein L29 Gm17669;Rpl29 ;Gm10709;Gm5 218 0.964 0.695 0.024 Basal cell adhesion molecule Bcam 0.962 0.718 0.031 BAG family molecular chaperone regulator 2 Bag2 0.946 1.263 0.039 Cytosol X-ray repair cross -complementing protein 5 Xrcc5 0.944 1.295 0.032 Nucleus Kalirin Kalrn 0.939 1.065 0.027 Cytoskeletal Peroxisomal membrane protein PEX14 Pex14 0.939 1.197 0.001 Nucleus/Peroxis ome 40S ribosomal protein S15 Rps15 0.925 0.674 0.032 60S ribosomal protein L27a Rpl27a 0.894 0.777 0.036 Multidrug resistance -associated protein 5 Abcc5 0.892 1.055 0.019 Plasma membrane Histone H1.4 Hist1h1e 0.873 1.339 0.034 Nucleus 60S ribosomal protein L36 Rpl36 0.868 0.682 0.001 Vasodilator -stimulated phosphoprotein Vasp 0.855 0.659 0.024 Cytoskeletal Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A/B Hnrnpab 0.852 1.090 0.006 Nucleus Vacuolar ATPase assembly integral membrane protein VMA21 Vma21 0.839 0.518 0.030 ER Reticulon 4 Rtn4 0.817 1.167 0.019 ER WASH complex subunit strumpellin Kiaa0196; E430025E21Rik 0.799 1.057 0.000 Endosome Lactadherin Mfge8 0.7 83 1.044 0.026 Extracellular Annexin;Annexin A3 Anxa3 0.734 0.970 0.041 Plasma membrane Integrin alpha -6;Integrin alpha -6 heavy chain;Integrin alpha -6 light chain Itga6 0.734 0.838 0.039 Extracellular 114 Table A -2 (c ontÕd). Protein Name Gene Name C7(T/ D) Mean C12 (T/D) Mean P-value Intracellular Location High affinity cationic amino acid transporter 1 Slc7a1; SLC7A1 0.650 0.814 0.004 Plasma membrane Protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 7 Ppp1r7 0.649 1.028 0.024 Cytosol Dimethylaniline monooxygenase [N-oxide -forming] 1 Fmo1 0.632 2.507 0.029 ER Collagen alpha -1(XII) chain Col12a1 0.448 0.989 0.031 Extracellular 115 APPENDIX B . HYPOXIA INDUCIBLE FACTORS (HIFs) MODULATE MITOCHONDRIAL OXYGEN CONSUMPTION AND TRANSCRIPTIONAL REGULATION OF NUCLEAR -ENCODED ELECTRON TRANSPORT CHAIN GENES Authors: Hye Jin Hwang, Scott G. Lynn, Ajith Vengellur, Yogesh Saini, Elizabeth A. Grier, Shelagh M. Ferguson -Miller, and John J. LaPres This chapter is adapted with permission from Biochemistry , 2015, 54 (24), 3739Ð3748. Copyright 2015 American Chemical Society. 116 Abstract Hypoxia inducible factor -1 (HIF1) is a stress -responsive nuclear transcription factor that is activated with a decrease in oxygen availability. HIF1 regulates the expression of genes involved in a cellÕs adaptation to hypoxic stress, including those with mitochondrial specific function. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the role of HIF1 in mitochondrial homeostasis, we studied the link between hypoxia, HIF1 transactivation, and electron trans port chain (ETC) function. We established immortalized mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) for HIF1 ! wild -type (WT) and null cells and tested whether HIF1 ! regulates mitochondrial respiration by modulating gene expressions of nuclear encoded ETC components . High -throughput quantitative real -time polymerase chain reaction was performed to screen nuclear encoded mitochondrial genes related to the ETC to identify those whose regulation was HIF1 !-dependent. Our data suggest that HIF1 ! regulates transcription of cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) heart/muscle isoform 7a1 ( Cox7a1 ) under hypoxia where it is induced 1.5 -2.5 fold, whereas Cox4i2 hypoxic induction was HIF1 !-independent. We propose that adaptation to hypoxic stress of C cO as the main cellular oxygen consumer is mediated by induction of hypoxia -sensitive tissue -specific isoforms. We suggest that HIF1 plays a central role in maintaining homeostasis in cellular respiration during hypoxic stress via regulation of C cO activity. 117 Introduction Hypoxia is defined as a state in which the level of oxygen drops below normal in cells or tissues. 211 Hypoxia causes stress within a cell that disrupts homeostasis and these hypoxia -induced disruptions are associated with all of the leading causes of death in the United States, including cardiovascular disease, strokes, and cancer. 169, 212 Because of the detrimental effects of decreased oxygen tension, primarily at the level of energetics, organisms have developed a programm ed response to this condition. 213 This response is predominantly aimed at increasing the level of glucose utilization at the cellular level and the stimulation of erythropoiesis and angiogenesis at organismal levels. 212 This oc curs primarily through the transcriptional regulation of genes involved in these processes, such as those for glycolytic enzymes and transporters ( Gapdh and Slc2a1 ), erythropoietin ( Epo ), and vascular endothelial growth factor (Vegfa ). The transcriptional response to hypoxia is primarily regulated by a subset of the PAS superfamily of proteins, the hypoxia inducible factors. 211, 212 Hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs), which include HIF1 !, HIF2 !, HIF3 !, aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT, also known as HIF1b) and ARNT2, are transcriptional regulators whose activity is sensitive to decreases in oxygen availability. 169, 212 HIF1 !, HIF2 !, and HIF3 ! are primarily cytoplasmic and, under normal oxygen tension conditions, are quickly degraded by the ubiquitin pathway. This degradation is dependent upon protein motifs, termed oxygen -dependent degradati on domains (ODDs), found near the carboxy terminus of the protein. 212 The hydroxylation of conserved residues within the ODD by oxygen -requiring prolyl hydroxylase domain -containing proteins (PHDs) targets HIFs for proteasomal degradati on. Under hypoxic conditions, HIFs are stabilized and translocate to the nucleus where they are free to form dimers with ARNT or ARNT2. These heterodimers bind genomic DNA at sites called hypoxia response elements (HREs) to modulate transcription. 212 Though HIFs are the primary mediators of the cellular response to hypoxic stress, HIF -independent signaling pathways also play a significant role following exposure to low levels of oxygen. 214, 215 118 Hypoxia directly i mpacts mitochondrial function by limiting the availability of oxygen necessary to complete the electron transport chain (ETC). Mitochondria utilize approximately 90% of cellular oxygen and, in return, generate approximately 90% of the total cellular energy (ATP) in normal tissues. 216, 217 Aerobic respiration involves three distinct phases: oxidation of substrates (e.g., glucose), electron transport, and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). In this process, reducing equivalents, primarily derived from the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, are transferred to the ETC and ultimately to O 2. The energetically favorable movement of electrons within the ETC is coupled to the production of an electrochemical gradient across the inner membrane of th e mitochondria, which is used to drive ATP synthesis. The critical role of oxygen in this process makes the ability to cope with changes in oxygen tension a metabolic priority. To maintain necessary energy levels under hypoxic stress, eukaryotic cells ad apt by switching to anaerobic metabolism and substrate level phosphorylation. Most of the regulation necessary to make this metabolic switch is provided by HIF1 via transcriptional regulation of a battery of genes, including glycolytic enzymes, glucose tr ansporters, and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase. 218 HIF1 also impacts mitochondrial function via transcriptional regulation of Bcl -2/adenovirus E1B 19 kDa -interacting protein3 (Bnip3 ) expression. 219, 220 In addit ion, HIF1 negatively regulates mitochondrial biogenesis and O 2 consumption by activating the transcription of genes that regulate c -Myc and by suppressing mitochondrial gene expression nontranscriptionally. 218, 221 The respiratory chain in the inner mitochondrial membrane contains four enzyme complexes (I -IV) through which electrons pass on their way to reducing O 2 to water. Complex IV, cytochrome c oxidase (C cO), transfers the electrons from cytochrome c to O 2 for the exergonic oxygen reduction reaction, which is utilized for the proton pump. Mammalian C cO crystallizes as a dimer, with each monomer containing 13 subunits, where subunits 1 -3 are encoded by the mitochondrial genome. The other 10 subunits are nuclear -encoded proteins with COX4, COX6A, COX6B, COX7A, and COX8 having tissue - and species -specific 119 isoforms. 210, 222-224 COX4, specifically isoform 1 ( Cox4i1 ), has been implicated in the allosteric inhibiti on of CcO via binding of ATP to the matrix domain. 116, 225 Hypoxia was shown to upregulate Cox4i2 isoform expression in liver and lung, which can alter C cO activity, ATP levels, and ROS production and is proposed as a mechanism for protecting tissues from oxidative damage. 226, 227 Cox6a isoforms are postulated to participate in mammalian thermogenesis by decreasing H +/e- ratios and increasing respiration and heat production. 116 Cox7a1 is expressed tissue -specifically in heart and skeletal muscle, and Cox7a2 , a liver -type isoform, is expressed ubiquitously. Though it has been suggested that Cox7a isoforms are associated with glucose uptake, total body aerobic capacity, StAR expression, and steroidogenesis, very little is known about the function of this isoform pair. 228, 229 To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the link between hypoxic stress, HIF1 ! activation, and mitochondrial function, we generated two immortal ized cell lines [ Hif1 !, wild -type (WT) and null] and measured extracellular oxygen levels (indicative of oxygen consumption rates) after exposure to mitochondrial modulators. Following challenge, the cells were also assessed for changes in mitochondrial f unction and the expression of genes that encode proteins that are important for ETC and OXPHOS via a comprehensive qPCR screen. The results revealed HIF1 !-responsive genes within the ETC, especially in complex IV, subunit 7a1 of cytochrome c oxidase ( Cox7 a1). Finally, the results suggest that Hif1a plays a central role in regulating the specific activity of CcO under various experimental conditions. This most likely involves various mechanisms, such as allosteric regulation, the redox status of the cell, and, in cells that express both subunits, complex composition. 120 Materials and Methods Mouse Embryonic Fibroblast (MEF) Isolation Hif1 !flox/flox transgenic mice were generous gifts from R. Johnson (University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K.). Mice used in this study were kept at the animal housing facility under strict hygienic and pathogen -free conditions approved by the University Laboratory Animal Resource regulatory unit. All procedures were performed with the approval of the Michigan State University Committee on Animals Use and Care. Genotype -specific homozygous male and female mice were mated, and the females were kept isolated until day 14 of gestation (vaginal plug detection day was considered as day 0). Dams were anesthetized in a CO 2 chamber f or 90 s and then sacrificed using cervical dislocation. Embryos were surgically removed from the uterine horns and processed for fibroblast isolation using a protocol adapted from previous reports. 230 Briefly, after surgical excision, embryos we re transferred to a sterile cell culture hood, washed with 70% ethanol and PBS, cleaned (removal of liver, limbs and head), diced, incubated with trypsin/EDTA at 37 ¡C for 30 min and then passed through a 22 gauge needle onto a 10 cm plate and placed in a 37 ¡C incubator. Cell Culture High -glucose (Glc) MEF medium was Dulbeco's modified EagleÕs medium (DMEM) (#11965, Gibco, Grand Island, NY) containing glucose (4500 mg/L) supplemented with 10% heat inactivated fetal bovine serum (FBS), 100 U/mL penicilli n, 100 "g/mL streptomycin, 2mM L -glutamine, 0.1 mM nonessential amino acids, and 10 mM HEPES (pH 7.8). Galactose (Gal) MEF medium was glucose -free DMEM (#11966, Gibco) supplemented with 10 mM galactose and all additives described above. All cell culture work, unless otherwise specified, was performed under standard cell culture conditions (5% CO 2, 35% humidity, and 37 ¡C) in a NAPCO 7000 incubator (NAPCO, Winchester, VA) for normoxic conditions (21% O 2) or in an O 2 121 Controlled Glove Box (Coy Laboratory Pro ducts Inc., Grass Lake, MI) for hypoxic conditions (1% O 2). MEF Cell Line Generation and Genotyping Freshly isolated MEF cells were plated in 10 cm plates at ~70% confluency with Glc medium changed daily. Cells were then immortalized by transfection wi th a plasmid construct (pRNS) containing the SV -40 large T antigen (a generous gift from C.C. Chang, Michigan State University) using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) following the manufacturerÕs instructions. Positive stable integrants were selected with 300 "g/mL of G418 (Gibco). G418 resistant cells were split and infected with either LacZ recombinant (Ad -CMV -b-Gal) or Cre recombinase (Ad -CMV -Cre) adenovirus ( Vector BioLabs , Philadelphia, PA) at 4000 multiplicity of infection for 48 h . Ce lls were then plated at very low densities (100 cells/15 cm plate) and when individual colonies became visible, clones were isolated and genotyped. Four WT and four null clones for Hif1 ! were pooled in equal numbers to generate two cell lines, Hif1 ! WT an d Hif1 ! null. For genotyping, cell lines were grown to confluency in a 6 cm plate, rinsed and scraped with cold PBS (4 ¡C), and collected by centrifugation. Genomic DNA extraction and genotyping were performed on the cell pellet as previously described (p rimers F, TTG GGG ATG AAA ACA TCT GC ; primer R, GCA GTT AAG AGC ACT AGT TG ).231 The size of the amplified gene for Hif1 ! WT was 962 bp. Nuclear Protein Preparation MEF cells were grown in 15 cm plates to confluency under normoxic (21% O 2) or hypoxic (1% O 2) conditions or with 150 "M CoCl 2 for 24 h, and protein extracts were prepared as described previously. 169 Briefly, cells were washed with cold PBS (4 ¡C) and removed from the plate surface by being scraped in cold (4 ¡C) PBS and collected by centrifugation. Nuclear 122 fractions were prepared by lysing the cells in 10 mM Tris (pH 7.5), 1.5 mM MgCl 2, 10 mM KCl supplemented with Complete -mini EDTA -free protease inhibitor tablets (Roche Applied Science, Indianapolis, IN), 2 mM DTT, 1 mM Na3VO4, and 0.4 mM PMSF and kept on ice for 10 min. Nuclei were collected by centrifugation (12000g for 10 min) and resuspended in 20 mM Tris (pH 7.5), 0.42 M KCl, 20% glycerol, and 1.5 mM MgCl 2 supplemented as dscribed above and rotated for 45 min at 4 ¡C. Insoluble material was removed by centrifugation (20000g for 10 min), and the protein concentrations of the supernatant were determined using the Bio -Rad (Hercules, CA) Bradford assay kit and BSA standards. 178 Protein samples were analy zed for HIF1 ! stabilization through Western blotting. Mitochondrial Protein Preparation MEF cells were grown in 15 cm plates to confluency under normoxic (21% O 2) or hypoxic (1% O 2) conditions for 24 h, and mitochondria were isolated using a protocol ada pted from a previous report. 168 Briefly, cells were washed with cold PBS (4 ¡C) and removed from the plate surface by being scraped in solution A (0.25 M sucrose, 20 mM HEPES, 10 mM KCl, 1.5 mM MgCl 2, 1 mM EDTA, 1 mM EGTA, 1 mM DTT, and 0.1 m M PMSF). Samples were then subjected to three freeze/thaw cycles with mixing by pipet for each thaw, and insoluble material was removed by centrifugation (700g for 10 min at 4 ¡C). The supernatant was further cleared by centrifugation (10000g for 1 5 min at 4 ¡C) and aspirated, and the pellet was resuspended in solution A. Mitochondrial protein concentrations were determined using Bio -Rad Bradford assay kit and BSA standards. 178 Protein samples were analyzed for C cO enzyme activity. Western B lotting Protein samples were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate "polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS -PAGE) and transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane. Western blots were 123 performed with rabbit antibodies against HIF1 ! (NB100 -479, Novus Biologicals, Inc., Lit tleton, CO) and #-actin (SC -7210, Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc., Dallas, TX). Proteins were visualized with horseradish peroxidase -conjugated goat anti -rabbit IgG (sc -2004, Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc.) and an ECL Western blot system (Pierce, Rockford, IL). Oxygen Consumption Rate (OCR) Measurements OCR was measured using an XF24 Extracellular Flux Analyzer (Seahorse Bioscience, Billerica, MA) as described in the manufacturerÕs instructions. Hif1 ! WT and null cells, preadapted to medium glucose leve ls for 24 h, were plated in Glc or Gal medium at a density of 40000 cells/well and were allowed to adhere to the plate for 24 h. The culture medium was then replaced with specific XF24 assay medium. Glc XF24 assay medium consisted of DMEM base (#D5030, Si gma -Aldrich, St. Louis, MO) supplemented with 25 mM glucose, 31 mM NaCl, 1 mM sodium pyruvate (Atlanta Biologicals, Inc., Flowery Branch, GA), 2 mM GlutaMAX (Gibco) and 15 mg/L phenol red (Sigma -Aldrich). Gal XF24 assay medium consisted of DMEM base (#D50 30, Sigma -Aldrich) supplemented with 10 mM galactose instead of glucose and all additives described above. Measurement of OCR was started 90 min after switching XF24 assay medium and the inhibitors of ETC and OXPHOS system were injected in the following order: oligomycin A (1 "M), CCCP (1.5 "M for WT and 0.75 "M for null cells), and rotenone (0.5 "M)/antimycin A (0.5 "M). The concentration of CCCP for each cell line was optimized by measuring OCR in different nutrient environments, Glc or Gal XF24 assay m edium. After OCR had been measured, cells were washed with cold PBS and lysed in buffer [10 mM Tris -HCl (pH 7.5) and 0.1% Triton X -100] by being frozen and thawed. The total protein amounts in each well were determined using a Bio -Rad Bradford assay kit and BSA standards. 178 The OCR (picomoles per minute) was divided by total protein amounts for each well, and spare respiratory capacity was calculated by manufacturerÕs software, the XF Mito Stress Test Report Generator. 124 RNA Isolation and Quantitative Real -Time PCR (qPCR) RNA was isolated from the two different cell strains cultured in different carbon sources and at different oxygen tensions using TRIzol reagent via the manufacturerÕs instructions (Invitrogen). RNA pellets were resuspende d in ddH 2O and quantified spectrophotometrically (260 nm). Total RNA (2 "g) was reverse transcribed by SuperScript III using an anchored oligo -(dT) 20 primer as described by the manufacturer (Invitrogen). The resulting cDNA was diluted in ddH2O and used a s a template for high -throughput qPCR (HTP qPCR) and manual qPCR. Primer pairs were designed to amplify 104 nuclear genes that encode specific mitochondrially related proteins (table B -1). In total, 40 ETC complex I, 4 ETC complex II, 16 ETC complex III, 15 ETC complex IV, an d 19 ETC complex V genes were assayed. Five uncoupling proteins, three chaperone, three housekeeping reference, and five control genes (one stress responsive gene and four HIF1 !-responsive genes) were also examined. HTP qPCR mixtures consisting of 2 "L of cDNA, 0.3 "M of each primer and 2X Power SYBR Green PCR Master Mix (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA) were aliquoted into 384 -well plates using a Biomeck 2000 Laboratory Automation Workstation (Beckman Coulter Inc., Fullerton, CA). Amplification was conducted using an Applied Biosystems PRISM 7900HT Sequence Detection System. Quantification was determined using the comparative CT method ($$CT) (Applied Biosystems). The geometric mean of the expression of three housekeeping genes ( Actb , Hprt , and Ppia ) was used to control for differences in RNA loading, quality, and cDNA synthesis. Fold changes in expression were calculated with HTP qPCR results using the $$CT method with the WT Glc control (WT Glc Ctrl) group for each time point (4 and 24 h) being scaled to equal 1. Cluster version 3.0 software was used to generate average linkage files, and Maple Tree version 0.2.3.2 BETA (http ://sourceforge.net/projects/mapletree/) was used to create colored dendrograms from the linkage files, where red indicates upregulation and green indicates downregulation. 232 125 Manual qPCR was performed with 25 "L reactions (5 "L of cDNA templat e, each primer at 0.3 "M, 3 mM MgCl 2, 200 "M dNTPs, 0.6 unit of AmpliTaq Gold and 10X SYBR Green PCR Buffer) and amplified using an Applied Biosystems PRISM 7000 Sequence Detection System. The Hprt housekeeping gene was a reference and expression levels o f key genes ( Slc2a1 , Vegfa , Cox4i1 , Cox4i2 , Bnip3 , Cox6a1 , Cox6a2, Cox7a1, and Cox7a2 ) were calculated using the $$CT method. Fold changes of Slc2a1 , Vegfa , and Bnip3 were calculated compared to the WT Glc control group (WT Glc Ctrl) for 24 h being scaled to equal 1. Fold changes of Cox4i1 , Cox4i2 , Cox6a1 , Cox6a2, Cox7a1, and Cox7a2 were expressed compared to the WT Glc Ctrl of one isoform of each Cox subunit for 24 h being scaled to equal 1. Measurement of CcO Enzyme Activity CcO activity was determin ed as previously described with slight modifications. 233 Bovine heart cytochrome c was dissolved in assay buffer (40 mM phosphate buffer and 0.5% Tween 80) at 0.4 mg/mL and was reduced using sodium dithionite. The fully reduced cytochrome c was confirmed by the ratio of absorbance at 550 and 565 nm, and the change in absorbance at 550 nm was recorded as a function of time for the C cO assay. After the absorbance at 550 nm of reduced cytochrome c (A red ) had been recorded, isolated mitochondria were added and the absorbance at 550 nm was recorded every 5 s for 3 min. The CcO activity was calculated using the expression ($Abs 550/min) %(total assay volume) /[19.6 mM -1%(mitochondrial volume) %(mitochondrial concentration)] with units of micromoles per min per milligram. The specific activity was calculated as a turnover number in inverse minutes, dividing C cO activity in mic romoles per min per milligram protein by mitochondrial C cO concentration in micromoles per milligram protein. The 126 absorbance for C cO activity was measured using a SpectraMax M2 spectrophotometer (Molecular Devices, S unnyvale, C A). Mitochondrial CcO Measu rement The concentration of cytochrome aa3 (CcO) was determined as previously described 234 by measuring the visible difference spectra (dithionite -reduced minus ferricyanide -oxidized) of the detergent solubilized mitochondria from 500 to 700 nm. The peak at 605 nm represented the reduced minus oxidized peak of cytochrome a. The concentration of C cO was calculated using the extinction coefficient for reduced -oxidized C cO of 24 mM -1cm-1 at 605 -630 nm. Statistical Analysis The result of sp are respiratory capacity was analyzed for significant differences by analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by TukeyÕs post hoc test. Results Creation of Hif1 ! WT and Null Cells The genotype of the Hif1 ! WT and Hif1 ! null cells was confirmed by PCR, and the extent of recombination was approximately 100% in the nulls (Figure B-1A). To confirm the functional deletion of the Hif1 ! gene, HIF1 ! pro tein levels following exposure to control conditions (Ctrl), 150 "M CoCl 2 (Co) or hypoxia (1% O 2, Hyp) for 24 h were examined by Western blot analysis (Figure B -1B). Hif1 ! null cells did not express HIF1 ! protein under CoCl 2 or hypoxia, confirming that rec ombination -induced functional deletion of Hif1 ! gene was approximately 100%. 127 Cellular Respiration in Hif1 ! WT and Null Cells under Different Energy Sources To determine the role of HIF1 ! in cellular respiration, the extracellular oxygen flux of each cel l line in different nutrients was measured to calculate OCR (Figure B -2). OCR was monitored in the presence of ETC and OXPHOS inhibitors, oligomycin (a), CCCP (b), and rotenone/antimycin (c), in Hif1 ! WT and null cells in Glc and Gal media (Figure B -2A). It is important to note that spare respiratory capacity was described as maximal respiration [i.e., the OCR in presence of CCCP ( 44.9 min in Figure B -2A)] divided by a basal respiration (OCR at 9.9 min in Figure B -2A) times 100 (Figure B -2B). The Hif1 ! WT cells in both Glc and Gal media had spare respiratory capacities significantly higher than those of Hif1 ! null cells in the Gal media (WT Glc, 182%; WT Gal, 222 %; null Gal, 100 %). The Hif1 ! null cells in the Glc media showed a spare respiratory capaci ty of 158 %, but this was not significant when compared to that of null cells in the Gal media. Similar results were also observed in the two cell types and under different conditions when pericellular oxygen consumption was measured using a SensorDish ¨ Reader (PreSens Precision Sensing GmbH, Regensburg, Germany) 235 (data not shown). Screening HIF1 -Dependent mRNA Expression of Nucl ear-Encoded Mitochondrial Genes The oxygen consumption data suggest that the cellular respiration efficiency in th e two cell types is inherently different. To further elucidate the role of HIF1 ! in mitochondrial function, HTP qPCR was utilized to screen the expression levels of 104 nuclear -encoded genes associated with the ETC and mitochondrial function. Hif1 ! WT an d null cells were exposed to control (Ctrl) conditions or 1% O 2 (Hyp) in both Glc and Gal media for 4 and 24 h (Figure B -3A). Compared to the 24 h time point, the 4 h time point showed a high percentage of downregulated genes. Five groupings of different ially expressed genes are indicated in Figure B -3A. Group 1 has many genes that were upregulated at 4 h and downregulated at 24 h , including the complex 128 I genes Ndufc2 , Ndufs4 , and Ndufb3 . Group 2 contains the positive control HIF1 !-regulated genes ( Bnip3 , Slc2a1 , and Vegfa ) along with Cyb5r2 , Cox6a2 , and Cox7a1, which, in particular, show a classic HIF1 !-regulated expression pattern (Figure B -3B). Most of the group 3 genes were downregu lated at 4 h and upregulated at 24 h without showing a distinct HIF1 !-regulated expression pattern, such as Lonp1, Cox4i2, and Cyb5r1 . There was a small group of genes (group 4) that showed greater upregulation in the null than in the WT cell line at both 4 and 24 h time points. This group includes the mitochondrial uncoupling protein (UCP4) gene, Slc25a27, and ATP synthase subunits Atp5j2 and Atp5c1 . Finally, group 5 is primarily composed of genes whose expression was downregulated at both 4 and 24 h re gardless of cell type, in particular the ETC complex II genes Sdha , Sdhc , and Sdhd . HIF1 -Dependent Gene Expression of Nuclear -Encoded Mitochondrial CcO Genes Manual qPCR was performed on select genes that were dependent upon HIF 1!-mediated regulation in HTP qPCR. Classic HIF1 ! regulated genes Slc2a1, Vegfa , and Bnip3 showed the expected higher level of expression in the Hif1 ! WT cells in response to a 24 h hypoxia treatment compared to control and Hif1 ! null cells (Figure B -4A). Several genes associated with C cO showed differential patterns of gene expression among the different isoforms (Figure B -4B-D). Cox4i1 had a higher level of expression when cells were exposed to Gal media and hypoxia. Cox4i2 had a higher level of expre ssion in Hif1 ! null cells under hypoxia than in WT cells regardless of sugar sources. The level of Cox6a1 expression was higher in Hif1 ! null cells regardless of nutrient type, while the level of Cox6a2 expression was higher in Gal media regardless of cell type (W T and null cells). In agreement with Figure 3, Cox7a1 displayed a classic HIF1 !-dependent expression pattern being upregulated by hypoxia in the Hif1 ! WT, especially an increase in Glc media, but not the Hif1 ! null cells. Cox7a2 expression did not change between cell types or in response to treatments. 129 HIF1 !-Dependent Regulation of CcO Activity The results of transcriptional C cO subunit expressions suggest that HIF1 ! plays a role in modulating the expression of Cox7a1 and, potentially, other critical sub units. A biochemical assessment of the C cO activity was performed to determine if its activity was influenced by changes in Hif1 ! genotype. Hif1 ! WT and null cell lines were exposed to control conditions and 1% O 2 for 24 h in both Glc and Gal media, and mitochondria were isolated. C cO activity and quantity were assessed in these isolated mitochondria (Table B -2). The specific activity of C cO remained fairly constant in both cell strains and different treatment paradigms, with two exceptions. The WT cel ls showed a decrease in C cO activity following hypoxic exposure in Glc -containing media that was not evident in Gal -containing media. In addition, the null cells grown in Gal media showed an almost 3 -fold increase in C cO specific activity under hypoxic st ress. This increase reflects both an increase in enzyme activity and a decrease in enzyme concentration under these conditions. These data suggest that loss of HIF1 ! signaling removes the cellÕs ability to regulate C cO activity under hypoxic stress and t hat maintenance of this activity below a given threshold is important for mitochondrial viability. However, the observed changes in C cO activity under some conditions may not be explained by changes in C cO isoform composition because Cox7a1 transcripts co nstitute <1% of total subunit 7a transcripts in our cell lines (Figure B -4D) even after hypoxic induction (see Discussion). COX7A Subunit and CcO Protein Structure The hypoxia -induced expression of Cox7a1 appears to b e HIF1a -dependent, and loss of HIF1a signaling affects the capacity of mitochondria to regulate oxygen consumption and C cO specific activity following hypoxic stress. In cells that express significant amounts of both isoforms, HIF1a might alter subunit co mposition of C cO upon hypoxia exposure to maintain 130 CcO activity within acceptable limits to sustain mitochondrial viability. To begin to gain a mechanistic understanding of this role, protein sequence alignment and structural visualization were performed. COX7A1 and COX7A2 are highly conserved across multiple species (e.g., human, 59.7% identical and 79.1% similar; mouse, 58.4% identical and 72.7% similar). The structure of bovine C cO, a 13 -subunit enzyme that is highly homologous to that of the mouse, shows the location of the L -shaped COX7A subunit in blue and an associated cardiolipin molecule in green (Figure B -5). This membrane -embedded face of C cO is an area that appears to interact with complex III (cytochrome bc1) when they associate with complex I to form a supercomplex. 236 Part of the interaction appears to be mediated by cardiolipin and COX7A, and thus, the sequence variation between the 7A1 and 7A2 isoforms might well be expected to influence this interaction. The region of most sequence divergence is the N -terminus, at the bottom of the L and not completely resolved in the crystal structure. In addition, the protein sequences show distinct differences at specific residues along the surface of the helix comprising most of th e subunit (i.e., R 127K2, A 129P2, N 152A2, V 157A2, C 162T2, C 169A2, and C172E2). COX4, COX6A, COX7A, and COX8 are also rendered and these subunits impact the conformation for interaction with cytochrome bc1 (not shown). Given these sequence differences and hypoxic -responsive gene COX4 localization at the same side with COX7A, switching COX7A subunits under hypoxic stress might allow C cO to alter its interactions with other ETC complexes during the formation of supercomplexes. 237, 238 In addition, because a number of these residues are cysteines, the switch from COX7A2 to COX7A1 might render the CcO more redox sensitive or serve to protect it from oxidative damage while under hypoxic stress. 224, 239 131 Discussion In this study, we demonstrate a role of HIF1 ! in the basal oxygen utilization rate and the ETC function of MEF cells and establish HIF1 ! regulation of genes associated with cytochrome c oxidase (C cO). Gene expression changes for C cO component s occur in response to hypoxia, and the extracellular oxygen concentrations (oxygen consumption rate data) support an apparent constitutive modulation of mitochondrial function by HIF1 !. This study adds to the growing body of evidence that the hypoxia sig naling system (especially HIF1 !) regulates ETC biogenesis and processes associated with mitochondrial function, such as energy production, reactive oxygen species homeostasis, autophagy/apoptosis, and oxygen consumption. Addition of exogenous glucose to cu ltured cells will increase the rate of glycolysis and inhibit OXPHOS, a phenomenon known as the Crabtree effect. 240 A change from Glc to Gal in culture media increases the respiration rate and cytosolic pH, increases the rate of cell ular oxygen consumption and results in mitochondrial remodeling. 240, 241 In human primary myotubes, Gal medium enhances aerobic metabolism and decreases the rate of anaerobic glycolysis. 242 Our results suppo rt these observations with an increased spare respiratory capacity in the Hif1 ! WT cells (Figure B -2B) and dramatic changes in ETC gene expression profiles in response to Gal (Figure B -3). 164, 243, 244 For examp le, after 24 h, expression profiles show genes upregulated in response to Gal only in the presence of HIF1 ! (e.g., Ndufa10 ), in the absence of HIF1 ! (e.g., Atp5l ), and regardless of HIF1 ! status (e.g., Surf1 ). Cox8a showed upregulation in response to gluc ose only when HIF1 ! was present, while Ucp1 conversely showed upregulation only in Hif1 ! null cells. Rossignol et al. found no greater levels of mitochondria in HeLa cells grown with galactose than those grown with glucose; however, there were significant galactose -induced changes in mitochondrial protein expression in both HeLa and MRC5 fibroblast cells. 241 MRC5 fibroblast cells had significantly increased protein quantities for complex I, II, and IV subunits, while complex III protein leve ls were not increased. In our 24 h study, the complex III genes were almost all downregulated in the HIF1 ! null cells 132 with mixed responses in regard to Gal (e.g. , Uqcrc1, Uqcrh, and Uqcrq ). The uniqueness of the complex III response to Gal is a point of interest as the role of ROS generated at complex III has been implicated in HIF stabilization and signaling, though this is debated. 217, 245, 246 Clearly, there is a complex interaction between HIF1 ! and carbon substrate availabi lity on mitochondrial function, OXPHOS, and gene expression of ETC components. There is ample evidence that hypoxia alters mitochondrial function and oxygen utilization. 217, 218, 247 HIF1 influences mitochond rial function by suppressing both the TCA cycle and respiration and controls mitochondrial biogenesis and autophagy. 217, 247 Few studies, however, have examined HIF1 -dependent changes in the expression of specific ETC genes. A Cox 4 isoform exchange ( Cox4i1 to Cox4i2 ) in response to hypoxia was reported to be coordinated by HIF1. HIF1 upregulates Cox4i2 mRNA expression and concurrently increases the level of Cox4i1 degradation through an increased level of expression of Lonp1, a mitochondrial protease. 227 Our results show an upregulation of Lonp1 and Cox4i2, but the increased level of Cox4i2 was observed in Hif1 ! null, as well as, WT cells (Figures B -3 and B -4). These results are in agreement with a previously published report that also found that Cox4i2 is upregulated under hypoxia via a novel oxygen -responsive element (ORE) separate from an HRE. 226, 248 We observed a higher level of expression of Cox4i1 in both WT and Hif1 ! null cells grown with Gal, supporting the idea that Cox4i1 expression is independent of HIF1 !. There is some indication that Cox4i2 is expressed in only certain tissues, while Cox4i1 is ubiquitously expressed and is the isoform responsible for ATP regulation of C cO activity. 116, 210, 225 Our results indicate that Cox7a1 is a HIF1 -regulated gene (Figures B -3 and B -4), and the 5000 bp sequence on the mouse Cox7a1 gene (NC_00073.5: 30964250 to 30969250 bp) prior to the start codon reveals at least six possible HREs. 227 One of these HREs (5Õ -GCGTG -3Õ) occurs within the 92 bp segment immediately upstream of the major transcription start site ( -80 bp), which in the bovine Cox7a1 gene is considered to be the basal promoter region 133 responsible for most of the gene expression and activity. 249 Evidence indicates that the level of Cox7a1 mRNA expression in human skeletal muscle decreases significantly with age and is positively related with glucose uptake, total body aer obic capacity, and PGC -1! mRNA expression. 228 Cox7a1 knockout male mice displayed tissue -specific differences in resting ATP levels and reduced C cO specific activity and respiratory control ratio in skeletal muscle from WT mice. 239, 250 In addition, a significant increase in ROS production has been observed in response to Cox7a2 overexpression similar to the increased ROS production observed with the Cox4i2 replacement of Cox4i1 under nonhypoxic conditions. 227 Because ROS is produced by the transfer of an electron to O 2 at complex I or complex III, changes in C cO structure that produce ROS are most probably manifested by limitations in C cO activity. 251 Moreover, cardiolipin, which interacts with COX7A near the site of the cytochrome bc1 interface, is critical for C cO assembly and organizing components in supercomplexes and consequently improves C cO function. 116 Taken together, this i nformation shows a potential link among Cox7a subunits, C cO activity, and hypoxia, but further experimentation is needed to determine the impact of Cox7a subunit switching on supercomplex formation, ETC efficiency, and cellular energetics under various oxy gen tensions in cell systems that express measurably levels of both Cox7a isoforms. The C cO activity (Table B -2) and cellular respiration (Figure B -2) in Hif1 ! null cells suggest that HIF1 ! stabilization under hypoxia is necessary to maintain homeostasis i n cellular oxidative metabolism. As previously described, cellular respiration was measured under non -hypoxic condition and the respiration capacity in Hif1 ! null cells was not changed by a mitochondrial uncoupler with either carbon source while WT cells adapted to each nutrient type. CcO activity, however, was increased almost three -fold in Hif1 ! null cells grown in Gal media following hypoxic stress. This increase was not observed in Hif1 ! WT cells. These results suggest two things. First, the Hif1a null cells are at maximal respiration normally. This inability to maintain spare respiratory capacity suggests the Hif1a null cells are partially uncoupled or lack the necessary regulatory mitochondria -to-nuclear signaling to maintain reserve respiratory 134 capacity. This might be partially explained by the upregulation of UCP4 in the null cells (Figure 2). This loss of spare respiratory capacity might also help explain why these cells lose mitochondrial mass under stress (i.e., hypoxia + GAL media). Seco nd, HIF1 ! plays a role in regulating overall C cO activity to maintain optimal efficiency and limit ROS generation. Galactose forces the cells to become more reliant on oxidative phosphorylation to meet energy demands, and hypoxia limits the cellÕs ability to produce ATP through complex IV. Under these conditions (i.e., hypoxia + GAL media), cells must modulate the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation to maintain cellular energetics and limit oxidative stress. The results suggest that this adaptation i s dependent upon HIF1 !, and in its absence, C cO activity becomes unregulated and damages the mitochondria. This is evident from the increase in specific activity and the decrease in mitochondrial mass under these conditions. This might stem from the cell Õs inability to upregulate glycolytic capacity in the absence of HIF1a. Therefore, the higher C cO activity in Hif1 ! null cells in Gal media under hypoxia shows an adapted response to cope with a stronger dependence on energy production via oxidative phosp horylation. In conclusion, our study indicates a significant difference in oxygen utilization by Hif1 ! WT and Hif1 ! null MEF cells in response to a mitochondrial uncoupler. These cell lines show differences in ETC gene expression profiles under different nutrient types and oxygen concentrations . Most importantly, we have identified HIF1 ! as a regulator of C cO activity and Cox7a1 gene expression. Given their location within the crystal structure, we suggest a possible role for these hypoxia -induced isofo rm changes to translate into structural changes in a supercomplex formation depending on redox state or oxidative stress. Altogether, this study indicates that HIF1 ! is critical for mitochondrial respiration control and transcriptional regulation of C cO c omponents to achieve cellular adaptation in an oxygen -limiting environment. 135 Table B -1. Primer pairs. Gene name ETC complex Gene ID Reference sequences Forward primer Reverse primer Amp size Ndufa1 Complex I 54405 NM_019443 catccacaaattcaccaacg caggccct tggacacatagt 124 Ndufa10 Complex I 67273 NM_024197 ccaaccaaggtggtagagga ccggaatggtcgtgtaattc 139 Ndufa11 Complex I 239760 XM_358948 ccagatgaccccctgaacta agcttgccgatcttgaacag 140 Ndufa12 Complex I 66414 NM_025551 accgatgggtcatctacacc gcagtcggtggattagtcgt 139 Ndufa12l Complex I 75597 XM_001476048 ctccacccactatggaggaa tgcagtaggtgaaggcaaga 134 Ndufa13 Complex I 67184 NM_023312 tcttccaggcagagaaggac cccatcgtgtggtatggaac 129 Ndufa2 Complex I 17991 NM_010885 aggtaaccagagccatgcag gacccaaagcacacatttcc 125 Nduf a3 Complex I 66091 NM_025348 catgatcaacaaggccacac gttcttcagccagtccaagc 121 Ndufa4 Complex I 17992 NM_010886 cagatgtcagctgggacaga gtctgggccttctttcttca 122 Ndufa4l2 Complex I 407790 NM_001098789 cctgagtcccaatgaccagt gcagggagcagaaagagtga 122 Ndufa5 Complex I 68202 NM_026614 ttgcttcagggtggtgaagt tattggccacttccactggt 138 Ndufa6 Complex I 67130 NM_025987 gtcacagaccccagagtggt agaaatcctttggccttggt 139 Ndufa7 Complex I 66416 NM_023202 gttgtgcctccctcaatcat gacagctcccacctcttcat 134 Ndufa8 Complex I 68375 NM_0267 03 catgcagctgtttcgtcact tctctggcaaaggacgatct 140 Ndufa9 Complex I 66108 NM_025358 caaaccggtacctgctcttc tggactcagcccaaagagtt 125 Ndufab1 Complex I 70316 NM_028177 gatccagaaaagctctccgtaa tcaggaatttcaaacccaaa 116 Ndufaf1 Complex I 69702 NM_027175 ggaagggtacgagatgtcca gggctggatcagtaaacaca 133 Ndufb10 Complex I 68342 NM_026684 tggagcagttcaccaaagtg gccttcctttcttccagcat 121 Ndufb11 Complex I 104130 NM_019435 ttttccatcgtcctggtctt aggccattgacttctcggta 119 Ndufb2 Complex I 68198 NM_026612 tcacccgtctggt acctttc tgtaccggggctgaatatgt 123 Ndufb3 Complex I 66495 NM_025597 agaaacggtgcagaagaagc acccccatttgaatcctttt 137 Ndufb4 Complex I 68194 NM_026610 ttcagtacaacgaccccaaa cctgccacagctcctaaaag 116 Ndufb5 Complex I 66046 NM_025316 accctggctatcctccagat ccttttca ggggttggaaat 124 Ndufb6 Complex I 230075 NM_001033305 tcgctgtttctcatgtgctt tctccagtctccagaattgtatca 136 Ndufb7 Complex I 66916 NM_025843 ctgaagtgcaagcgagacag cgctcacgttcaaactcctt 119 Ndufb8 Complex I 67264 NM_026061 ggccgccaagaagtataaca tgataccacggatccc tctc 123 Ndufb9 Complex I 66218 NM_023172 gtggaagaagctgaggatgg gcaagtcaccttcccttctg 119 Ndufc1 Complex I 66377 NM_025523 cctcggttttcatgtggatt tccagaggaaggactgtgat 137 Ndufc2 Complex I 68197 NM_024220 tttgtatgctgtgaaggacca tgaaaacttcaacgcactgg 129 Ndufs 1 Complex I 227197 NM_145518 cttcagggaggcattcattc gttggacacagctgcaagaa 119 Ndufs2 Complex I 226646 NM_153064 cacatgttggcagatgtcgt ttgtctcccaccagacacag 140 Ndufs3 Complex I 68349 NM_026688 ttatggcttcgagggacatc attcttgtgccagctccact 119 Ndufs4 Complex I 17993 NM_010887 ttctgaccttcagtgccaaa tccaagaaaagtttgcacca 126 Ndufs5 Complex I 595136 NM_001030274 gcgaaaaaggagtgcaagat tgaggtggaggggtgtattt 137 Ndufs6 Complex I 407785 NM_010888 cacaacagcctgtgaacgag catgtccccgtttttgtttc 118 Ndufs7 Complex I 75406 NM_0292 72 ggcggtggctactaccacta cagctgcaagatgccataaa 126 Ndufs8 Complex I 225887 NM_144870 cgacacgctatgacatcgac cagcaactcctcgtgtgtct 128 Ndufv1 Complex I 17995 NM_133666 gactccctgtgggagatcag aatcgttgcatccgatcct 131 Ndufv2 Complex I 72900 NM_028388 ctggaaaagttcc caaacca caagttaaaggcctgcttgc 126 Ndufv3 Complex I 78330 NM_030087 gacagcaaagaagccaggtc cgctttcctttcctgtcttg 127 Sdha Complex II 66945 NM_023281 acatgcagaagtcgatgcag cattcccctgtcgaatgtct 128 Sdhb Complex II 67680 NM_023374 agctactggtggaacggaga gcagcggtag acagagaagg 138 Sdhc Complex II 66052 NM_025321 cctttgggaaccacagctaa acggacagtgccataggaag 122 Sdhd Complex II 66925 NM_025848 ggtcagacccgcttatgtgt gagagatgcagccttggaac 118 Cyb5a Complex III 109672 NM_025797 gggcagtcagacaaggatgt ttctccaccaggatgctctt 138 Cyb5b Complex III 66427 NM_025558 gtcacctactaccggctgga gcttgttccagcagaacctc 140 Cyb5r1 Complex III 72017 NM_028057 ccttacacccctgtcaccag cccaatcttcaggctatcca 135 Cyb5r2 Complex III 320635 NM_177216 aatgagccaggaaccctttt agctgtagcatgggcgtaat 116 Cyb5r3 Com plex III 109754 NM_029787 acatcctgggccttcctatt ttgaccaccaagtccacaaa 127 Cyb5r4 Complex III 266690 NM_024195 ggcctcagttctccaagcta ggagtcatcctggaggtcaa 120 Cyc1 Complex III 66445 NM_025567 gcatcagaaccagagcatga ccagctttcgactcttcagg 130 136 Table B -1 (ContÕd). Gene name ETC complex Gene ID Reference sequences Forward primer Reverse primer Amp size Rieske Complex III 66694 NM_025710 ccacctgttctggatgtgaa aaaacggacagaagcaggaa 117 Ucrc Complex III 66152 NM_197979 gcgatctacgagcacatcaa actccaggcaaacagctgac 129 Uqcc Complex III 226849 NM_018888 agaagccatgggattcactg tgaatgtatcgggcatctga 140 Uqcr Complex III 66594 NM_025650 gccttacatcaacggcaagt ctccagtgtccagcttcctc 136 Uqcrb Complex III 432822 XM_484346 taagagagccctggacctga gcccactcctctctctcctt 138 Uqcrc1 Complex III 22273 NM_025407 aagctttgccagagtttcca ggtacataggcgcatccact 138 Uqcrc2 Complex III 67003 NM_025899 ccaccttctaccgtccttca actcgtcgagaaaaggcgta 136 Uqcrh Complex III 66576 NM_025641 tactctggttgcgcttgttg gggggtccactagttcttcc 123 Uqcrq Complex III 22272 NM_025352 cgccttcccaagctatttc gccccatgtgtagatcaggt 115 Cox10 Complex IV 70383 NM_178379 gatgatctgcctggcatttt gaagcaggaccagtcgaaag 117 Cox11 Complex IV 69802 NM_199008 gagaacatggtgcctgtcaa atgccagtgcagtctctcct 133 Cox15 Complex IV 226139 NM_144874 cagtctgt ggacctccctgt cacaaaagcccctgagagag 136 Cox4i1 Complex IV 12857 NM_009941 agtgttgtgaagagtgaagac gcggtacaactgaactttctc 173 Cox4i2 Complex IV 84682 NM_053091 gttgactgctacgcccagcgc ccggtacaaggccaccttctc 143 Cox5b Complex IV 12859 NM_009942 cagaagggactggacc cata ttcacagatgcagcccacta 117 Cox6a1 Complex IV 12861 NM_007748 gagggttcagctcggatgt ggggtctctcgtgctcttc 115 Cox6a2 Complex IV 12862 NM_009943 ttcctagcctccctttgaca gaagagccagcacaaaggtc 132 Cox6b1 Complex IV 110323 NM_025628 ccccaaccagaaccagacta gacttgtac acacgccggta 126 Cox6c Complex IV 12864 NM_053071 cacagatgcgtggtcttctg gcatacgccttctttcttgg 124 Cox7a1 Complex IV 12865 NM_009944 ccgacaatgacctcccagta ccagcccaagcagtataagc 116 Cox7a2 Complex IV 12866 NM_009945 aagatgttgcggaatctgct gcatcccattatcctcctga 127 Cox7b Complex IV 66142 NM_025379 ctaagccgtctccaagttcg aagatggctccacctgctaa 119 Cox7c Complex IV 12867 NM_007749 ccagagtatccggaggttca ggtcatcatagccagcaacc 118 Cox8a Complex IV 12868 NM_007750 atgtctgtcctgacgccact gaagtgagcccaatggtgat 137 Atp5a1 Comple x V 11946 NM_007505 ttatcccccgaatctctgtg gcaatcgatgttttcccagt 130 Atp5b Complex V 11947 NM_016774 gaggtcttcacgggtcacat atgggtcccaccatgtagaa 125 Atp5c1 Complex V 11949 NM_001112738 acaatctggccaacctcatc gtgcggttgaaagtcaaggt 139 Atp5d Complex V 66043 NM_02 5313 aggggttcacacagaagacg agcatgtccagtgtcacagc 120 Atp5e Complex V 67126 NM_025983 ccggtttgaggctactctga cctcactgcttttgcacaga 134 Atp5f1 Complex V 11950 NM_009725 atcgcctggactaccacatc ttggcaatggtctccttttc 130 Atp5g1 Complex V 11951 NM_007506 aaaaatgcagac caccaagg caggaaggctgcttagatgg 129 Atp5g2 Complex V 67942 NM_026468 tgggactgtttttgggagtc tgagaaaggccaccattagg 137 Atp5g3 Complex V 228033 NM_175015 cccagaatggtgtgtgtcag caccagaaccagcaactcct 126 Atp5h Complex V 71679 NM_027862 gaaaccacctgcgattgact gtccacc agggctgtgtatt 133 Atp5i Complex V 27425 NM_013795 actacgccaaggttgagctg aaccattcagcacagcttcc 138 Atp5j Complex V 11957 NM_016755 gtccttcggtcagcagtctc agatgcctgtcgctttgatt 138 Atp5j2 Complex V 57423 NM_020582 tggataatgatgcgggattt ctgccaggaccatgctaatc 130 Atp5k Complex V 11958 NM_007507 cggttcaggtctctccactc cttcttttcctccgctgcta 137 Atp5o Complex V 28080 NM_138597 ctatgcaaccgccctgtact gtgcgcttgatgtagggatt 138 Atp5s Complex V 68055 NM_026536 ccatggtcatgtgactccag cacaccgaagtagccactca 124 Atpaf1 Complex V 230649 NM_181040 agacaaaactgcggaggaaa aaatgttgggcaggactgag 130 Atpaf2 Complex V 246782 NM_145427 ggtgcttaccagccacttgt gaagcacagcttgttccaca 137 LOC1000 40708 Complex V 100040708 NM_001111335 agaccatggccaagttcatc aaccagctcaaccttggtgt 123 Ucp1 UCP 22227 NM_0 09463 ggcctctacgactcagtcca ccttcacgacctctgtaggc 136 Ucp2 UCP 22228 NM_011671 ctcaaagcagcctccagaac acatctgtggccttgaaacc 140 Ucp3 UCP 22229 NM_009464 cggtggatgtggtaaagacc aaaggagggcacaaatcctt 131 Ucp4 UCP 74011 NM_028711 aggtcggatggtcacctatg gtcagtggggttg gctaaaa 139 Ucp5 UCP 20523 NM_011398 ggaatgctgggagacacaat gtcccactattgccctctga 130 137 Table B -1 (ContÕd). Gene name ETC complex Gene ID Reference sequences Forward primer Reverse primer Amp size Sco1 Chaperone 52892 NM_001040026 ccaccctgttcagagacgtt ttccttgaccttagcgcagt 121 Sco2 Chaperone 100126824 NM_001111288 ctgctcaaccctgatggtct acagggcctaggcaataggt 139 Surf1 Chaperone 20930 NM_013677 acttgggagtcaccatcctg gggcttcctgttttctgtga 137 Actb Reference 11461 NM_007393 ctaaggccaaccgtgaaaag ccatcacaatgcctgtg gta 126 Hprt Reference 15452 NM_013556 gccccaaaatggttaaggtt caagggcatatccaacaaca 120 Ppia Reference 268373 NM_008907 agcatacaggtcctggcatc ttcaccttcccaaagaccac 127 Lonp1 Control 74132 NM_028782 acacatccaaggaggtgctc gagggttcaaggcgatgata 132 Vegfa Control 22339 NM_001025257 caggctgctgtaacgatgaa gcattcacatctgctgtgct 140 Bnip3 Control 12176 NM_009760 gcttggggatctacattgga ccaaggaccatgctagctct 140 Gapdh Control 14433 NM_008084 aactttggcattgtggaagg ggatgcagggatgatgttct 132 Slc2a1 Control 20525 NM_011400 agca gctgtcgggtatcaat acagcgacaccacagtgaag 132 138 Table B -2. CcO enzyme activity . CcO activity CcO protein concentration Nutrient MEF Oxygen oxidation of cyt ochrome c [CcO] [Protein] [CcO] Specific activity (µmole/min/mg protein) mM mg/mL µmol/mg (sec^ -1) Glucose WT Ctrl 0.0435 2.7E -04 5.7 4.71E -05 15.4 Hyp 0.0320 3.7E -04 6.0 6.11E -05 8.7 Hif1 !-/- Ctrl 0.0409 3.1E -04 5.6 5.55E -05 12.3 Hyp 0.0391 2.5E -04 5.2 4.80E -05 13.6 Galactose WT Ctrl 0.0476 2.1E -04 4.7 4.54E -05 17.5 Hyp 0.0520 1.7E -04 3.6 4.67E -05 18.5 Hif1 !-/- Ctrl 0.0418 2.4E -04 4.4 5.49E -05 12.7 Hyp 0.0944 9.1E -05 2.5 3.68E -05 42.7 139 Figure B -1. Genotype and protein comparisons of Hif1 ! WT and null cells. (A) Hif1 ! WT and null cells were harvested, DNA was extracted, and PCR -based genotyping was performed using Hif1 ! primers described in Methods and Materials. ( B) Hif1 ! WT and null cells were exposed to control conditions (Ctrl), 150 "M CoCl 2 (Co 2+) or 1% O 2 (Hyp) for 24 h . Nuclear protein was extracted and separated by SDS -PAGE, transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane, and probed with a HIF1 !-specific (top) or !-acti -specific (bottom) specific antibody (n=2). 140 Figure B -2. Measurement of oxygen consumpti on rate (OCR) from Hif1 ! WT and null cells. (A) OCR, calculated as picomoles per min per protein amount in the XF24 assay medium of Hif1 ! WT and null cells grown in Glc or Gal media, were measured exposing to (a) oligomycin (1 "M), (b) CCCP (1.5 "M for WT and 0.75 "M for null cells), and (c) rotenone (0.5 "M)/ antimycin A (0.5 "M). Lines indicate average values ± standard errors (n=3). ( B) Spare respiratory capacity as a percentage was calculated with maximal respiration (OCR at 44.9 min) and basal resp iration (OCR at 9.9 min) by the manufacturerÕs software, the XF Mito Stress Test Report Generator. Data were analyzed for significant differences by ANOVA followed by TukeyÕs post hoc test. A number sign indicates significant differences at p< 0.05. 141 Figure B -3A. Dendrograms. 142 Figure B -3B. Dendrograms. Gene expression fold changes calculated with HTP qPCR results using the !!CT method for Hif1 ! WT and null cells exposed to control conditions (C) and 1% O 2 (H) in high -glucose media (Glc) or galactose media (Gal) at 4 and 24 h. The cell and medium control group (e.g., WT Glc) at each time point was scaled to 1. Red indicates upregulation, green indicates downregulation, and black indicates no data. (A) Genes are separated into five groups based on clustering and expression profiles. (B) Group 2 contains the known HIF1 "-regulated genes of Slc2a1 , Bnip3, and Vegfa . 143 Figure B -4. Gene expression of control and select mitochondrial genes. Known HIF1 ! target genes ( A) and selected C cO subunit genes ( B-D) were assesse d by manual qPCR of Hif1 ! WT and null cells after exposure to treatment for 24 h. Treatment designations include high -glucose media (Glc), galactose media (Gal), control conditions (Ctrl), and 1% O 2 (Hyp). The y -axis indicates fold change that was calcul ated using the 2 (-""CT) . ( A) The fold change for 144 Figure B -4. (contÕd) !Slc2a1 , Bnip3, and Vegfa was a comparison to the fold of WT Glc Ctrl being scaled to one within each gene. (B) The Fold change of Cox4 was a comparison to the fold of WT Glc Ctrl of Cox4i1 scaled to 1. ( C) The Fold change of Cox6 was a comparison to the fold of WT Glc Ctrl of Cox6a1 scaled to 1. ( D) The Fold change of Cox7 was a comparison to the fold of WT Glc Ctrl of Cox7a1 scaled to 1. Bars indicate average values ± standard error s of the mean except the gene expression of Slc2a1 (n=3 for Vegfa , Cox4i1 and Cox4i2 ; n=4 for Bnip3 , Cox6a1, and Cox6a2 ; n=5 for Cox7a2 ; n=7 for Cox7a1 ). Bars for Slc2a1 expression indicate average values ± standard deviation (n=1). 145 Figure B -5. Comparative amino acid sequences for COX7 A1 and COX7A2 isoforms and a 3D representation of the COX monodimer. The residues that are altered between 7A1 and 7A2 are listed to the right of the model, with subscripts indi cating the isoform and their locations highlighted in red or yellow in the structure. The whole CcO structure is in grey and COX7A1 in purple. A molecule of cardiolipin, CL, is shown in green. The top of the figure is the inte -membrane side, the bottom is the matrix side. The COX7A1 structure is not completely resolved in the bovine crystal structure: it starts at phenylalanine 24 on the bottom (N -terminal, matrix side). The figure was made in PyMOL from the coordinates of bovine cytochrome c oxidase PDB 2d yr. 146 !!!!!!!!REFERENC ES 147 REFERENCES (1) McIntosh, B. E., Hoge nesch, J. B., and Bradfield, C. A. (2010) Mammalian Per -Arnt -Sim proteins in environmental adaptation, Annu. Rev. Physiol. 72, 625 -645. (2) Gu, Y. Z., Hogenesch, J. B., and Bradfield, C. A. 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