Mitochondrial matrix-localized Src kinase regulates mitochondrial morphology.

The architecture of mitochondria adapts to physiological contexts: while mitochondrial fragmentation is usually associated to quality control and cell death, mitochondrial elongation often enhances cell survival during stress. Understanding how these events are regulated is important to elucidate how mitochondrial dynamics control cell fate. Here, we show that the tyrosine kinase Src regulates mitochondrial morphology. Deletion of Src increased mitochondrial size and reduced cellular respiration independently of mitochondrial mass, mitochondrial membrane potential or ATP levels. Re-expression of Src targeted to the mitochondrial matrix, but not of Src targeted to the plasma membrane, rescued mitochondrial morphology in a kinase activity-dependent manner. These findings highlight a novel function for Src in the control of mitochondrial dynamics.

Characterization of the interactome of c-Src within the mitochondrial matrix by proximity-dependent biotin identification.

C-Src kinase is localized in several subcellular compartments, including mitochondria where it is involved in the regulation of organelle functions and overall metabolism. Surprisingly, the characterization of the intramitochondrial Src interactome has never been fully determined. Using in vitro proximity-dependent biotin identification (BioID) coupled to mass spectrometry, we identified 51 candidate proteins that may interact directly or indirectly with c-Src within the mitochondrial matrix. Pathway analysis suggests that these proteins are involved in a large array of mitochondrial functions such as protein folding and import, mitochondrial organization and transport, oxidative phosphorylation, tricarboxylic acid cycle and metabolism of amino and fatty acids. Among these proteins, we identified 24 tyrosine phosphorylation sites in 17 mitochondrial proteins (AKAP1, VDAC1, VDAC2, VDAC3, LonP1, Hsp90, SLP2, PHB2, MIC60, UBA1, EF-Tu, LRPPRC, ACO2, OAT, ACAT1, ETFß and ATP5ß) as potential substrates for intramitochondrial Src using in silico prediction of tyrosine phospho-sites. Interaction of c-Src with SLP2 and ATP5ß was confirmed using coimmunoprecipitation. This study suggests that the intramitochondrial Src could target several proteins and regulate different mitochondrial functions.

Multi-omics Reveal that c-Src Modulates the Mitochondrial Phosphotyrosine Proteome and Metabolism According to Nutrient Availability.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Src kinase family members, including c-Src, are involved in numerous signaling pathways and have been observed inside different cellular compartments. Notably, c-Src modulates carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism and is involved in the metabolic rewiring of cancer cells. This kinase is found within mitochondria where it targets different proteins to impact on the organelle functions and overall metabolism. Surprisingly, no global metabolic characterization of Src has been performed although c-Src knock-out mice have been available for 30 years. Considering that c-Src is sensitive to various metabolites, c-Src might represent a crucial player in metabolic adjustments induced by nutrient stress. The aim of this work was to characterize the impact of c-Src on mitochondrial activity and overall metabolism using multi-omic characterization. METHODS: Src+/+ and Src-/- mice were fed ad libitum or fasted during 24h and were then analyzed using multi-omics. RESULTS: We observed that deletion of c-Src is linked to lower phosphorylation of Y412-NDUFA8, inhibition of oxygen consumption and accumulation of metabolites involved in glycolysis, TCA cycle and amino acid metabolism in mice fed ad libitum. Finally, metabolomics and (phosphotyrosine) proteomics are differently impacted by Src according to nutrient availability. CONCLUSION: The findings presented here highlight that c-Src reduces mitochondrial metabolism and impacts the metabolic adjustment induced by nutrient stress.

S29434, a Quinone Reductase 2 Inhibitor: Main Biochemical and Cellular Characterization.

Quinone reductase 2 (QR2, E.C. 1.10.5.1) is an enzyme with a feature that has attracted attention for several decades: in standard conditions, instead of recognizing NAD(P)H as an electron donor, it recognizes putative metabolites of NADH, such as N-methyl- and N-ribosyl-dihydronicotinamide. QR2 has been particularly associated with reactive oxygen species and memory, strongly suggesting a link among QR2 (as a possible key element in pro-oxidation), autophagy, and neurodegeneration. In molecular and cellular pharmacology, understanding physiopathological associations can be difficult because of a lack of specific and powerful tools. Here, we present a thorough description of the potent, nanomolar inhibitor [2-(2-methoxy-5H-1,4b,9-triaza(indeno[2,1-a]inden-10-yl)ethyl]-2-furamide (S29434 or NMDPEF; IC50 = 5-16 nM) of QR2 at different organizational levels. We provide full detailed syntheses, describe its cocrystallization with and behavior at QR2 on a millisecond timeline, show that it penetrates cell membranes and inhibits QR2-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production within the 100 nM range, and describe its actions in several in vivo models and lack of actions in various ROS-producing systems. The inhibitor is fairly stable in vivo, penetrates cells, specifically inhibits QR2, and shows activities that suggest a key role for this enzyme in different pathologic conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases.

Sirtuin 5 protects mitochondria from fragmentation and degradation during starvation.

During starvation, intra-mitochondrial sirtuins, NAD+ sensitive deacylating enzymes that modulate metabolic homeostasis and survival, directly adjust mitochondrial function to nutrient availability; concomitantly, mitochondria elongate to escape autophagic degradation. However, whether sirtuins also impinge on mitochondrial dynamics is still uncharacterized. Here we show that the mitochondrial Sirtuin 5 (Sirt5) is essential for starvation induced mitochondrial elongation. Deletion of Sirt5 in mouse embryonic fibroblasts increased levels of mitochondrial dynamics of 51kDa protein and mitochondrial fission protein 1, leading to mitochondrial accumulation of the pro-fission dynamin related protein 1 and to mitochondrial fragmentation. During starvation, Sirt5 deletion blunted mitochondrial elongation, resulting in increased mitophagy. Our results indicate that starvation induced mitochondrial elongation and evasion from autophagic degradation requires the energy sensor Sirt5.