SUMMARY Mitochondrial dysfunction is pervasive in human pathologies such as neurodegeneration, diabetes, cancer and pathogen infections as well as during normal aging. Cells sense and respond to mitochondrial dysfunction by activating a protective transcriptional program known as the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt), which includes genes that promote mitochondrial protein homeostasis and the recovery of defective organelles [1, 2]. Work in C. elegans has shown that the UPRmt is regulated by the transcription factor ATFS-1, which is regulated by organelle partitioning. Normally, ATFS-1 accumulates within mitochondria, but during respiratory chain dysfunction, high levels of ROS or mitochondrial protein folding stress, a percentage of ATFS-1 accumulates in the cytosol and traffics to the nucleus where it activates the UPRmt [2]. While similar transcriptional responses have been described in mammals [3, 4], how the UPRmt is regulated remains unclear. Here, we describe a mammalian transcription factor, ATF5, which is regulated similarly to ATFS-1 and induces a similar transcriptional response. ATF5 expression can rescue UPRmt signaling in atfs-1-deficient worms requiring the same UPRmt promoter element identified in C. elegans. Furthermore, mammalian cells require ATF5 to maintain mitochondrial activity during mitochondrial stress and to promote organelle recovery. Combined, these data suggest that regulation of the UPRmt is conserved from worms to mammals.

Mitochondrial genomes (mtDNA) encode essential oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) components. Because hundreds of mtDNAs exist per cell, the presence of a deletion in a single mtDNA has little impact. However, if the deletion genome is enriched, OxPhos declines resulting in cellular dysfunction. For example, Kearns-Sayre syndrome is caused by a single heteroplasmic mtDNA deletion. More broadly, mtDNA deletion accumulation has been observed in individual muscle cells1 and dopamine neurons2 during aging. It is unclear how mtDNA deletions are tolerated or how they are propagated in somatic cells. One mechanism by which cells respond to OxPhos dysfunction is by activating the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt), a transcriptional response mediated by the transcription factor ATFS-1 that promotes the recovery and regeneration of defective mitochondria3,4. Here, we investigated the role of ATFS-1 in the maintenance and propagation of a deleterious mtDNA in a heteroplasmic C. elegans strain that stably harbors wildtype mtDNA and mtDNA with a 3.1 kilobase deletion (ΔmtDNA) lacking four essential genes5. The heteroplasmic strain, which has 60% ΔmtDNA, displayed modest mitochondrial dysfunction and constitutive UPRmt activation. Impressively, ATFS-1 impairment reduced the ΔmtDNA 10-fold, reducing the total percentage to 7%. We propose that in the context of mtDNA heteroplasmy, UPRmt activation caused by OxPhos defects propagates or maintains the deleterious mtDNA in an attempt to recover OxPhos activity by promoting mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics.

Time or age-dependent accumulation of mitochondrial damage and dysfunction is strongly associated with aging [1]. Thus, a major biomedical goal is to identify and therapeutically manipulate those inherent programs that protect against mitochondrial dysfunction to promote cell survival and organismal health. The mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) is such a protective transcriptional response mediated by mitochondrial-to-nuclear signaling that includes mitochondrial proteostasis genes to stabilize mitochondrial function, metabolic adaptations, as well as an innate immunity program. Here, we review the UPRmt and its role during a variety of forms of mitochondrial dysfunction including those caused by mutations in respiratory chain genes as well as upon exposure to pathogens that produce mitochondrial toxins. We also review recent data in support of and against the emerging role of the UPRmt during aging and longevity.

Patients with both major forms of diabetes would benefit from therapies that increase β-cell mass. Glucose, a natural mitogen, drives adaptive expansion of β-cell mass by promoting β-cell proliferation. We previously demonstrated that a carbohydrate response element-binding protein (ChREBPα) is required for glucose-stimulated β-cell proliferation and that overexpression of ChREBPα amplifies the proliferative effect of glucose. Here we found that ChREBPα reprogrammed anabolic metabolism to promote proliferation. ChREBPα increased mitochondrial biogenesis, oxygen consumption rates, and ATP production. Proliferation augmentation by ChREBPα required the presence of ChREBPβ. ChREBPα increased the expression and activity of Nrf2, initiating antioxidant and mitochondrial biogenic programs. The induction of Nrf2 was required for ChREBPα-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis and for glucose-stimulated and ChREBPα-augmented β-cell proliferation. Overexpression of Nrf2 was sufficient to drive human β-cell proliferation in vitro; this confirms the importance of this pathway. Our results reveal a novel pathway necessary for β-cell proliferation that may be exploited for therapeutic β-cell regeneration.

BackgroundAngiotensin II acts as a peptide hormone and component of renin-angiotensin- system (RAS) regulating the blood pressure, and seems to be involved in renal and vascular disorders. There is no reliable quantification method for angiotensin II available until now and the angiotensin II plasma levels described in the literature are correspondingly strongly divergent. Therefore, we developed and validated a sensitive, selective and reliable LC-ESI-MS/MS method for absolute quantification of angiotensin II concentration in human plasma based on the AQUA strategy.MethodsPlasma samples were extracted using MAX Oasis cartridges and were subjected to a further immunoaffinity-purification using immobilized anti-angiotensin II antibodies in order to isolate endogenous angiotensin II. Stable isotope (13C- and 15 N-) labeled angiotensin II was used as an internal standard. The fractionated samples were analysed using LC-ESI-MS/MS.ResultsThe calibration curve was established in plasma in the concentration range 6–240 pM (r2 > 0.999). The developed and validated method was successfully applied for quantification of endogenous angiotensin II in human plasma of healthy volunteers and chronic kidney disease (CKD-5D) patients. The mean plasma angiotensin II levels were found to be 18.4 ± 3.3 pM in healthy subjects and 64.5 ± 32.4 pM in CKD-5D patients (each n =9).ConclusionThe LC-ESI-MS/MS-based method for quantification of angiotensin II levels in human plasma was successfully evaluated within the study. This method is applicable for clinical applications aiming at the validation of the impact of highly physiologically and pathophysiologically active angiotensin II.