Opsin knockdown specifically slows phototransduction in broadband and UV-sensitive photoreceptors in Periplaneta americana.

Photoreceptors with different spectral sensitivities serve different physiological and behavioral roles. We hypothesized that such functional evolutionary optimization could also include differences in phototransduction dynamics. We recorded elementary responses to light, quantum bumps (QBs), of broadband green-sensitive and ultraviolet (UV)-sensitive photoreceptors in the cockroach, Periplaneta americana, compound eyes using intracellular recordings.

[TOPOGRAPHIC ANATOMY OF ASCENDING AND DESCENDING NEURONS OF SUPRAESOPHAGEAL, MESO- AND METATHORACIC GANGLIA IN PALEO- AND NEOPTEROUS INSECTS].

Topographic anatomy of ascending (AN) and descending (DN) neurons of the supraesophageal and thoracic ganglia in the nervous system of winged insects (Pterygota) - representatives of infraclasses Plaeoptera (Odonata, Aeschna grandis, dragonfly) and Neoptera (Blattoptera, Periplaneta americana, cockroach) was studied. These insects are different in ecological niches, lifestyles, sets of behavioral complexes, levels of locomotor system development, evolutionary age and systematic position. Neuronal bodies and processes of ANs and DNs were stained with nickel chloride (NiC2), their topography was studied on total prerapations of the supraesophageal and thoracic ganglia.

[Potentiation of activation of soluble guanylate cyclase by YC-1, NO-donors and increase of the synergistic effect of YC-1 on NO-dependent activation of the enzyme by 1,2,3-triazolyl-1,2,5-oxadiazole derivatives].

The influence of (1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-1,2,5-oxadiazole derivatives: 4-amino-3-(5-methyl-4- ethoxycarbonyl-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-1,2,5-oxadiazole (TF4CH3) and 4,4'-bis(5-methel-4-ethoxycarbonyl-1H- 1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-3,3'-azo-1,2,5-oxadiazole (2TF4CH3) on stimulation of human platelet soluble guanylate cyclase by YC-1, NO-donors (sodium nitroprusside, SNP, and spermine NONO) and on a synergistic increase of NO-dependent enzyme activation in the presence of YC-1 has been investigated. Both compounds increased guanylate cyclase activation by YC-1, potentiated guanylate cyclase stimulation by NO-donors and increased the synergistic effect of YC-1 on NO-dependent activation of soluble guanylate cyclase. The similarity in the properties of the examined TF4CH3 and 2TF4CH3 with that of YC-1 and the possible mechanism underlying the revealed properties of compounds used are discussed.

[The history of renalase from amine oxidase to a a-NAD(P)H-oxidase/anomerase].

Renalase is a recently discovered secretory protein, which plays a certain (still poorly understood) role in regulation of blood pressure. The review summarizes own and literature data accumulated since the first publication on relanase (2005). Initial reports on FAD-dependent amine oxidase activity of this protein were not confirmed in independent experiments performed in different laboratories.

Cytochrome cbb3 of Thioalkalivibrio is a Na+-pumping cytochrome oxidase.

Cytochrome c oxidases (Coxs) are the basic energy transducers in the respiratory chain of the majority of aerobic organisms. Coxs studied to date are redox-driven proton-pumping enzymes belonging to one of three subfamilies: A-, B-, and C-type oxidases. The C-type oxidases (cbb3 cytochromes), which are widespread among pathogenic bacteria, are the least understood.

A short-chain alkyl derivative of Rhodamine 19 acts as a mild uncoupler of mitochondria and a neuroprotector.

Limited uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation is known to be beneficial in various laboratory models of diseases. The search for cationic uncouplers is promising as their protonophorous effect is self-limiting because these uncouplers lower membrane potential which is the driving force for their accumulation in mitochondria. In this work, the penetrating cation Rhodamine 19 butyl ester (C4R1) was found to decrease membrane potential and to stimulate respiration of mitochondria, appearing to be a stronger uncoupler than its more hydrophobic analog Rhodamine 19 dodecyl ester (C12R1).

[Potentiation of NO-dependent activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase by 5-nitroisatin and antiviral preparatation arbidol].

Isatin (indole-dione) is an endogenous indole that exibits a wide range of biological and physiological activity. The influence of isatin derivatives 5-nitroisatin and arbidol (an antiviral preparatation) on spermine NONO-induced activation of human platelet soluble guanylyl cyclase was investigated. 5-nitroistnin and arbidol had no effect on basal activity, but synergistically increased in a concentration-dependent manner the spermine NONO-induced activation of this enzyme.

In search of novel highly active mitochondria-targeted antioxidants: thymoquinone and its cationic derivatives.

Since the times of the Bible, an extract of black cumin seeds was used as a medicine to treat many human pathologies. Thymoquinone (2-demethylplastoquinone derivative) was identified as an active antioxidant component of this extract. Recently, it was shown that conjugates of plastoquinone and penetrating cations are potent mitochondria-targeted antioxidants effective in treating a large number of age-related pathologies.

Penetrating cations enhance uncoupling activity of anionic protonophores in mitochondria.

Protonophorous uncouplers causing a partial decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential are promising candidates for therapeutic applications. Here we showed that hydrophobic penetrating cations specifically targeted to mitochondria in a membrane potential-driven fashion increased proton-translocating activity of the anionic uncouplers 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) and carbonylcyanide-p-trifluorophenylhydrazone (FCCP). In planar bilayer lipid membranes (BLM) separating two compartments with different pH values, DNP-mediated diffusion potential of H(+) ions was enhanced in the presence of dodecyltriphenylphosphonium cation (C12TPP).

Electrogenic proton transport across lipid bilayer membranes mediated by cationic derivatives of rhodamine 19: comparison with anionic protonophores.

Protonophores can be considered as candidates for anti-obesity drugs and tools to prevent excessive reactive oxygen species production in mitochondria by means of a limited decrease in the mitochondrial potential. Experimentally used protonophores are weak acids that can carry protons across a membrane in a neutral (protonated) form, and they come back in an anionic (deprotonated) form. A cationic derivative of rhodamine 19 and plastoquinone (SkQR1) was recently shown to possess uncoupling activity in mitochondria and in intact cells.

[Functional role of dragonfly legs before and after hatching: reorganization of coordinating interactions].

The characteristics of a structure-functional organization of leg apparatus were examined in the dragonfly Aeshna grandis: larvae of the final stadium, which legs perform a locomotion function and adults (imago) rising on a wing, which legs lose a locomotion function and are used mainly for catching a prey in the air. It has been demonstrated that legs of the imago practically do not differ from those of the larva either in shape or in proportion of segments of the leg and all changes in the functional role of legs of the imago are implemented due to modifications of mechanisms of limb muscle control and an appropriate reorganization or coordinating interactions. As it is proved by the obtained data, this reorganization concerns mechanisms of the generation of motor commands as well as close coordination of the activity of wing and leg apparatus and some others.

[Functional role of leg receptors of the cockroach Periplaneta americana in the system of walking control].

This work deals with study of role of the hair plate (HP) and of the campaniform sensilla (CS) on legs of the cockroach Periplaneta americana in the system of walking control. These receptors were shown to induce their regulatory, correctional effect on the rhythm of the cockroach steps depending on the external circumstances. These effects are mainly realized only at slow walking.

Substitution of ether linkage for ester bond in phospholipids increases permeability of bilayer lipid membrane for SkQ1-type penetrating cations.

Using dialkylphospholipid (diphytanyl phosphatidylcholine) instead of the conventional diacylphospholipid (diphytanoyl phosphatidylcholine) in planar lipid bilayer membranes (BLM) led to an increase in the diffusion potential of the penetrating cation plastoquinonyl-decyl-triphenylphosphonium (SkQ1), making it close to the Nernst value, and accelerated translocation of SkQ1 across the BLM as monitored by the kinetics of a decrease in the transmembrane electric current after applying a voltage (current relaxation). The consequences of changing from an ester to an ether linkage between the head groups and the hydrocarbon chains are associated with a substantial reduction in the membrane dipole potential known to originate from dipoles of tightly bound water molecules and carbonyl groups in ester bonds. The difference in the dipole potential between BLM formed of the ester phospholipid and that of the ether phospholipid was estimated to be 100 mV.

Interaction of tetraphenylphosphonium and dodecyltriphenylphosphonium with lipid membranes and mitochondria.

The permeability of a planar lipid membrane (composed of diphytanoylphosphatidylcholine) for tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP) was investigated. The observed level of the diffusion potential generated as a function of the TPP concentration gradient differed from the theoretically expected value, possibly due to proton leakage of the membrane mediated by the traces of fatty acids in the phospholipid forming the membrane. Using the molecular dynamics approach to study movement of TPP and dodecyltriphenylphosphonium (C(12)TPP) with different affinity to the lipid bilayer through a bilayer lipid membrane, it was found that C(12)TPP has a greater affinity to the membrane surface than TPP.

Novel mitochondria-targeted compounds composed of natural constituents: conjugates of plant alkaloids berberine and palmatine with plastoquinone.

Novel mitochondria-targeted compounds composed entirely of natural constituents have been synthesized and tested in model lipid membranes, in isolated mitochondria, and in living human cells in culture. Berberine and palmatine, penetrating cations of plant origin, were conjugated by nonyloxycarbonylmethyl residue with the plant electron carrier and antioxidant plastoquinone. These conjugates (SkQBerb, SkQPalm) and their analogs lacking the plastoquinol moiety (C10Berb and C10Palm) penetrated across planar bilayer phospholipid membrane in their cationic forms and accumulated in isolated mitochondria or in mitochondria in living human cells in culture.

Novel penetrating cations for targeting mitochondria.

Novel penetrating cations were used for the design of mitochondria-targeted compounds and tested in model lipid membranes, in isolated mitochondria and in living human cells in culture. Rhodamine-19, berberine and palmatine were conjugated by aliphatic linkers with plastoquinone possessing antioxidant activity. These conjugates (SkQR1,SkQBerb, SkQPalm) and their analogs lacking plastoquinol moiety (C12R1,C10Berb and C10Palm) penetrated bilayer phospholipid membrane in their cationic forms and accumulated in isolated mitochondria or in mitochondria of living cells due to membrane potential negative inside.

Derivatives of the cationic plant alkaloids berberine and palmatine amplify protonophorous activity of fatty acids in model membranes and mitochondria.

Previously it has been shown by our group that berberine and palmatine, penetrating cations of plant origin, when conjugated with plastoquinone (SkQBerb and SkQPalm), can accumulate in isolated mitochondria or in mitochondria of living cells and effectively protect them from oxidative damage. In the present work, we demonstrate that SkQBerb, SkQPalm, and their analogs lacking the plastoquinone moiety (C10Berb and C10Palm) operate as mitochondria-targeted compounds facilitating protonophorous effect of free fatty acids. These compounds induce proton transport mediated by small concentrations of added fatty acids both in planar and liposomal model lipid membranes.

[Soluble guanylate cyclase in the molecular mechanism underlying the therapeutic action of drugs].

The influence of ambroxol--a mucolytic drug--on the activity of human platelet soluble guanylate cyclase and rat lung soluble guanylate cyclase and activation of both enzymes by NO-donors (sodium nitroprusside and Sin-1) were investigated. Ambroxol in the concentration range from 0.1 to 10 microM had no effect on the basal activity of both enzymes.

[Inhibition of no-dependent soluble human platelet guanylate cyclase by isatin].

Isatin (indole-dione-2,3) is an endogenous indole that exhibits a wide spectrum of biological and pharmacological activities. Physiologically relevant concentrations of isatin (ranged from 1 nM to 10 M) did not influence basal activity of soluble human platelet guanylate cyclase (sGC), but caused a bell-shaped inhibition of the NO-activated enzyme. Inhibition of the NO-dependent activation by isatin did not depend on a chemical nature of the NO donors.

Novel mitochondria-targeted antioxidants: plastoquinone conjugated with cationic plant alkaloids berberine and palmatine.

Purpose: To develop effective mitochondria-targeted antioxidants composed entirely of natural constituents.

Methods: Novel mitochondria-targeted antioxidants were synthesized containing plant electron carrier and antioxidant plastoquinone conjugated by nonyloxycarbonylmethyl residue with berberine or palmatine, penetrating cations of plant origin. These compounds, SkQBerb and SkQPalm, were tested in model planar phospholipid membranes and micelles, liposomes, isolated mitochondria and living cells.

Derivatives of rhodamine 19 as mild mitochondria-targeted cationic uncouplers.

A limited decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential can be beneficial for cells, especially under some pathological conditions, suggesting that mild uncouplers (protonophores) causing such an effect are promising candidates for therapeutic uses. The great majority of protonophores are weak acids capable of permeating across membranes in their neutral and anionic forms. In the present study, protonophorous activity of a series of derivatives of cationic rhodamine 19, including dodecylrhodamine (C(12)R1) and its conjugate with plastoquinone (SkQR1), was revealed using a variety of assays.

Mitochondrial-targeted plastoquinone derivatives. Effect on senescence and acute age-related pathologies.

Plastoquinone, a very effective electron carrier and antioxidant of chloroplasts, was conjugated with decyltriphenylphosphonium to obtain a cation easily penetrating through membranes. This cation, called SkQ1, is specifically targeted to mitochondria by electrophoresis in the electric field formed by the mitochondrial respiratory chain. The respiratory chain also regenerates reduced SkQ1H(2) from its oxidized form that appears as a result of the antioxidant activity of SkQ1H(2).

Prevention of cardiolipin oxidation and fatty acid cycling as two antioxidant mechanisms of cationic derivatives of plastoquinone (SkQs).

The present state of the art in studies on the mechanisms of antioxidant activities of mitochondria-targeted cationic plastoquinone derivatives (SkQs) is reviewed. Our experiments showed that these compounds can operate as antioxidants in two quite different ways, i.e.

Penetrating cation/fatty acid anion pair as a mitochondria-targeted protonophore.

A unique phenomenon of mitochondria-targeted protonophores is described. It consists in a transmembrane H(+)-conducting fatty acid cycling mediated by penetrating cations such as 10-(6'-plastoquinonyl)decyltriphenylphosphonium (SkQ1) or dodecyltriphenylphosphonium (C(12)TPP). The phenomenon has been modeled by molecular dynamics and directly proved by experiments on bilayer planar phospholipid membrane, liposomes, isolated mitochondria, and yeast cells.