A novel neurological phenotype in mice lacking mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in a wide range of degenerative processes including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ischemic heart disease, Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease and aging. ROS are generated by mitochondria as the toxic by-products of oxidative phosphorylation, their energy generating pathway. Genetic inactivation of the mitochondrial form of superoxide dismutase in mice results in dilated cardiomyopathy, hepatic lipid accumulation and early neonatal death. We report that treatment with the superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic Manganese 5, 10, 15, 20-tetrakis (4-benzoic acid) porphyrin (MnTBAP) rescues these Sod2tm1Cje(-/-) mutant mice from this systemic pathology and dramatically prolongs their survival. The animals instead develop a pronounced movement disorder progressing to total debilitation by three weeks of age. Neuropathologic evaluation reveals a striking spongiform degeneration of the cortex and specific brain stem nuclei associated with gliosis and intramyelinic vacuolization similar to that observed in cytotoxic edema and disorders associated with mitochondrial abnormalities such as Leighs disease and Canavans disease. We believe that due to the failure of MnTBAP to cross the blood brain barrier progressive neuropathology is caused by excessive mitochondrial production of ROS. Consequently, MnTBAP-treated Sod2tm1Cje(-/-) mice may provide an excellent model for examining the relationship between free radicals and neurodegenerative diseases and for screening new drugs to treat these disorders.

Lifespan extension and rescue of spongiform encephalopathy in superoxide dismutase 2 nullizygous mice treated with superoxide dismutase-catalase mimetics.

Superoxide is produced as a result of normal energy metabolism within the mitochondria and is scavenged by the mitochondrial form of superoxide dismutase (sod2). Mice with inactivated SOD2 (sod2 nullizygous mice) die prematurely, exhibiting several metabolic and mitochondrial defects and severe tissue pathologies, including a lethal spongiform neurodegenerative disorder (Li et al., 1995; Melov et al., 1998, 1999). We show that treatment of sod2 nullizygous mice with synthetic superoxide dismutase (SOD)-catalase mimetics extends their lifespan by threefold, rescues the spongiform encephalopathy, and attenuates mitochondrial defects. This class of antioxidant compounds has been shown previously to extend lifespan in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (Melov et al., 2000). These new findings in mice suggest novel therapeutic approaches to neurodegenerative diseases associated with oxidative stress such as Friedreich ataxia, spongiform encephalopathies, and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, in which chronic oxidative damage to the brain has been implicated.

Mitochondrial DNA rearrangements in aging human brain and in situ PCR of mtDNA.

Deletions of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been shown to accumulate with age in a variety of species regardless of mean or maximal life span. This implies that such mutations are either a molecular biomarker of senescence or that they are more causally linked to senescence itself. One assay that can be used to detect these mtDNA mutations is the long-extension polymerase chain reaction assay. This assay amplifies approximately 16 kb of the mtDNA in mammalian mitochondria and preferentially amplifies mtDNAs that are either deleted or duplicated. We have applied this assay to the aging human brain and found a heterogeneous array of rearranged mtDNAs. In addition, we have developed in situ polymerase chain reaction to detect mtDNA within individual cells of both the mouse and the human brain as a first step in identifying and enumerating cells containing mutant mtDNAs in situ.

Mouse models of mitochondrial disease, oxidative stress, and senescence.

During the course of normal respiration, reactive oxygen species are produced which are particularly detrimental to mitochondrial function. This is shown by recent studies with a mouse that lacks the mitochondrial form of superoxide dismutase (Sod2). Tissues that are heavily dependent on mitochondrial function such as the brain and heart are most severely affected in the Sod2 mutant mouse. Recent work with a mouse mutant for the heart/muscle specific isoform of the mitochondrial adenine nuclear translocator (Ant1) demonstrates a potential link between mitochondrial oxidative stress and mitochondrial DNA mutations. These mutations can be detected by Long-extension PCR, a method for detecting a wide variety of mutations of the mitochondrial genome. Such mutations have also been observed in the mitochondrial genome with senescence regardless of the mean or maximal lifespan of the organism being studied. Mutations have been detected with age in Caenorhabditis elegans, mice, chimpanzees, and humans. This implies that a causal relationship may exist between mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production, and the senescence specific occurrence of mitochondrial DNA mutations.

Adeno-associated virus-mediated gene transfer of the heart/muscle adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT) in mouse.

Mitochondrial myopathy, associated with muscle weakness and progressive external ophthalmoplegia, is caused by mutations in mitochondria oxidative phosphorylation genes including the heart-muscle isoform of the mitochondrial adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT1). To develop therapies for mitochondrial disease, we have prepared a recombinant adeno-associated viral vector (rAAV) carrying the mouse Ant1 cDNA. This vector has been used to transduce muscle cells and muscle from Ant1 mutant mice, which manifest mitochondrial myopathy. AAV-ANT1 transduction resulted in long-term, stable expression of the Ant1 transgene in muscle precursor cells as well as differentiated muscle fibers. The transgene ANT1 protein was targeted to the mitochondrion, was inserted into the mitochondrial inner membrane, formed a functional ADP/ATP carrier, increased the mitochondrial export of ATP and reversed the histopathological changes associated with the mitochondrial myopathy. Thus, AAV transduction has the potential of providing symptomatic relief for the ophthalmoplegia and ptosis resulting from paralysis of the extraocular eye muscles cause by mutations in the Ant1 gene.

Increased mitochondrial oxidative stress in the Sod2 (+/-) mouse results in the age-related decline of mitochondrial function culminating in increased apoptosis.

To determine the importance of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species toxicity in aging and senescence, we analyzed changes in mitochondrial function with age in mice with partial or complete deficiencies in the mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). Liver mitochondria from homozygous mutant mice, with a complete deficiency in MnSOD, exhibited substantial respiration inhibition and marked sensitization of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. Mitochondria from heterozygous mice, with a partial deficiency in MnSOD, showed evidence of increased proton leak, inhibition of respiration, and early and rapid accumulation of mitochondrial oxidative damage. Furthermore, chronic oxidative stress in the heterozygous mice resulted in an increased sensitization of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore and the premature induction of apoptosis, which presumably eliminates the cells with damaged mitochondria. Mice with normal MnSOD levels show the same age-related mitochondrial decline as the heterozygotes but occurring later in life. The premature decline in mitochondrial function in the heterozygote was associated with the compensatory up-regulation of oxidative phosphorylation enzyme activity. Thus mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production, oxidative stress, functional decline, and the initiation of apoptosis appear to be central components of the aging process.

Mitochondrial disease in superoxide dismutase 2 mutant mice.

Oxidative stress has been implicated in many diseases. The chief source of reactive oxygen species within the cell is the mitochondrion. We have characterized a variety of the biochemical and metabolic effects of inactivation of the mouse gene for the mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (CD1-Sod2(tm1Cje)). The Sod2 mutant mice exhibit a tissue-specific inhibition of the respiratory chain enzymes NADH-dehydrogenase (complex I) and succinate dehydrogenase (complex II), inactivation of the tricarboxylic acid cycle enzyme aconitase, development of a urine organic aciduria in conjunction with a partial defect in 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA lyase, and accumulation of oxidative DNA damage. These results indicate that the increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species can result in biochemical aberrations with features reminiscent of mitochondrial myopathy, Friedreich ataxia, and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA lyase deficiency.