1. Brain Mitochondrial Isolation (Adapted from Brown M.R. et al.9)
<ol>
 <li>Sacrifice the rat using methods approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).</li>
 <li>Cut the head of the animal by decapitation, cut the skin and expose the skull. </li>
 <li>Open the skull gently by cutting with a scissor or rongeur. Remove the brain.</li>
 <li>Mince finely the brain without cerebellum in Isolation Buffer (see Table 1) and transfer it to a 5 ml glass/teflon homogenizer (see equipment list).</li>
 <li>Homogenize tissue gently 10 times (no bubbles), approximately 5 min.</li>
 <li>Centrifuge sample at 1,500 &times; g for 10 min at 4 &deg;C in a bench-top centrifuge.</li>
 <li>Save the supernatant (mitochondrial and synaptosomes) and discard the pellet (nuclear material and cell debris). Centrifuge at 16,000 &times; g for 10 min at 4 &deg;C in a bench-top centrifuge.</li>
 <li>Discard supernatant and re-suspend pellet in 500 &mu;l of Isolation Buffer. Disrupt synaptosomes with a cell disruption vessel (see equipment list). Apply a pressure of 1,200 psi for 10 min, followed by rapid decompression.</li>
 <li>Layer the mixture onto Ficoll gradients (see Table 2), place in SW-50.1 rotor and centrifuge at 126,500 &times; g for 20 min at 4 &deg;C in an ultracentrifuge (see equipment list). The pellet is the purified mitochondria, the layer between the different densities of Ficoll is undisrupted synaptosomes.</li>
 <li>Wash pellet by centrifuging in Isolation Buffer at 16,000 &times; g for 10 min at 4 &deg;C in a bench-top centrifuge.</li>
</ol>
2. Submitochondrial Vesicles (SMV) Isolation (Adapted from Chan et al.10)
<ol>
 <li>Re-suspend mitochondria in 200 &mu;l Isolation Buffer combined with an equal volume of 1% digitonin and allow to sit on ice for 15 min.</li>
 <li>Add more Isolation Buffer and centrifuge at 16,000 &times; g for 10 min at 4 &deg;C in a bench-top centrifuge. Do this twice.</li>
 <li>Re-suspend pellet in 200 &mu;l Isolation Buffer and add 2 &mu;l of 10% Lubrol PX (C12E9). Mix and allow to sit on ice for 15 min.</li>
 <li>Layer mixture onto Isolation Buffer, place in SW-50.1 rotor and centrifuge at 182,000 &times; g at 4 &deg;C for 1 hr.</li>
 <li>Wash final pellet by centrifuging in a desk-top centrifuge in Isolation Buffer at 16,000 &times; g for 10 min at 4 &deg;C.</li>
</ol>
3. Electrophysiological Recording
<ol>
 <li>A typical electrophysiology rig includes an amplifier, a PC computer equipped with a Digidata 1440A analog-to-digital converter interface in conjunction with pClamp10.0 software, manipulators, a microscope, a vibration isolation table, Faraday Cage.</li>
 <li>Borosilicate glass capillary tubes are inserted into a Flaming/Brown Micropipette Puller Model P-87. A pipette-puller program is optimized to generate pipettes with resistances between 80 to 100 M&Omega;. </li>
 <li>SMVs are placed in a physiological intracellular solution (ATP is added at the appropriate time during the recording) (Table 3). Patch clamp pipettes are filled with the same solution (no ATP). Recordings are made by forming a giga-ohm seal onto SMVs at room temperature. Vesicles are visualized by phase-contrast microscopy with a Nikon or Zeiss inverted microscope.</li>
 <li>The membrane potential is maintained at voltages ranging from -100 mV to + 100 mV for periods of 10 seconds. Recordings are filtered at 5 kHz using the amplifier circuitry. Level of stray electrical or non-specific noise of less than 1 pA are desirable for successful recording.</li>
 <li>Data are analyzed with Clampfit 10.0 software for example to determine frequency and amplitude of single channel events. Voltage dependence is determined by plotting a current voltage relationship.</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Cheng, W. C., Berman, S. B., Ivanovska, I., Jonas, E. A., Lee, S. J., Chen, Y., Kaczmarek, L. K., Pineda, F., Hardwick, J. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mitochondrial+factors+with+dual+roles+in+death+and+survival.">Mitochondrial factors with dual roles in death and survival.</a> Oncogene. 25, 4697-4705 (2006).</li><li>Duchen, M. R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mitochondria+and+calcium+in+health+and+disease.">Mitochondria and calcium in health and disease.</a> Cell Calcium. 44, 1-5 (2008).</li><li>Lemasters, J. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Modulation+of+mitochondrial+membrane+permeability+in+pathogenesis,+autophagy+and+control+of+metabolism.">Modulation of mitochondrial membrane permeability in pathogenesis, autophagy and control of metabolism.</a> J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 22, S31-S37 (2007).</li><li>Cox, G. B., Jans, D. A., Fimmel, A. L., Gibson, F., Hatch, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hypothesis.+The+mechanism+of+ATP+synthase.+Conformational+change+by+rotation+of+the+beta-subunit.">Hypothesis. The mechanism of ATP synthase. Conformational change by rotation of the beta-subunit.</a> Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 768, 201-208 (1984).</li><li>Cox, G. B., Fimmel, A. L., Gibson, F., Hatch, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+mechanism+of+ATP+synthase:+a+reassessment+of+the+functions+of+the+b+and+a+subunits.">The mechanism of ATP synthase: a reassessment of the functions of the b and a subunits.</a> Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 849, 62-69 (1986).</li><li>Cory, S., Huang, D. C., Adams, J. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Bcl-2+family:+roles+in+cell+survival+and+oncogenesis.">The Bcl-2 family: roles in cell survival and oncogenesis.</a> Oncogene. 22, 8590-8607 (2003).</li><li>Vander Heiden, M. G., Thompson, C. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bcl-2+proteins:+regulators+of+apoptosis+or+of+mitochondrial+homeostasis.">Bcl-2 proteins: regulators of apoptosis or of mitochondrial homeostasis.</a> Nat. Cell Biol. 1, 209-216 (1999).</li><li>Alavian, K. N., Li, H., Collis, L., Bonanni, L., Zeng, L., Sacchetti, S., Lazrove, E., Nabili, P., Flaherty, B., Graham, M., Chen, Y., Messerli, S. M., Mariggio, M. A., Rahner, C., McNay, E., Shore, G. C., Smith, P. J. S., Hardwick, J. M., Jonas, E. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bcl-xL+regulates+metabolic+efficiency+of+neurons+through+interaction+with+the+mitochondrial+F1FO+ATP+synthase.">Bcl-xL regulates metabolic efficiency of neurons through interaction with the mitochondrial F1FO ATP synthase.</a> Nat. Cell Biol. 13 (10), 1224-1233 (2011).</li><li>Brown, M. R., Sullivan, P. G., Dorenbos, K. A., Modafferi, E. A., Geddes, J. W., Steward, O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nitrogen+disruption+of+synaptoneurosomes:+an+alternative+method+to+isolate+brain+mitochondria.">Nitrogen disruption of synaptoneurosomes: an alternative method to isolate brain mitochondria.</a> Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 137, 299-303 (2004).</li><li>Chan, T. L., Greenawalt, J. W., Pedersen, P. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Biochemical+and+ultrastructural+properties+of+a+mitochondrial+inner+membrane+fraction+deficient+in+outer+membrane+and+matrix+activities.">Biochemical and ultrastructural properties of a mitochondrial inner membrane fraction deficient in outer membrane and matrix activities.</a> J. Cell Biol. 45 (2), 291-305 (1970).</li><li>Young, H. K. o., Delannoy, M., Hullihen, J., Chiu, W., Pedersen, P. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mitochondrial+ATP+Synthasomes.">Mitochondrial ATP Synthasomes.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 278 (14), 12305-12309 (2003).</li></ol>

No conflicts of interest declared.

The methods described herein enable the isolation of pure mitochondria at the end of step 1 and submitochondrial vesicles (SMVs) after step 2 from whole brain without distinction of cell phenotypes.SMVspurified by this method are essentially free of contamination by other subcellular organelles as shown in Figure 1 and our previous work (Alavian KN et al.8) and retain their structural and functional integrity prior to freezing. After freezing and thawing, isolated mitochondria o...

<table><tbody><tr><td>Potter-Elvehjem Tissue Grinder withPTFEPestle</td><td>Krackeler Scientific, Inc.</td><td>1-7725T-5</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Eppendorf Centrifuge 5424 </td><td>Eppendorf</td><td>5424 000.410</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>4639 Cell Disruption Vessel</td><td>Parr Instrument Company</td><td>4639</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ficoll</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>F5415</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Polycarbonate centrifuge tubes</td><td>Beckman Coulter</td><td>P20314</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>SW-50.1 rotor </td><td>Beckman Coulter</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>L8-70M Ultracentrifuge</td><td>Beckman Coulter</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Digitonin</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>D5628</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Lubrol PX (C12E9) </td><td>Calbiochem</td><td>205534</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Axopatch 200B </td><td>Axon Instruments</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Digidata 1440A </td><td>Molecular Device</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>pClamp10.0</td><td>Molecular Device</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Manipulator</td><td>Sutter Instrument</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Borosilicate glass capillary</td><td>World Precision Instruments</td><td>1308325</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Flaming/Brown Micropipette Puller Model P-87</td><td>Sutter Instrument</td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

f1fo atpase vesicle preparation and technique for performing patch clamp recordings of submitochondrial vesicle membranes

Mitochondria are involved in many important cellular functions including metabolism, survival1, development and, calcium signaling2. Two of the most important mitochondrial functions are related to the efficient production of ATP, the energy currency of the cell, by oxidative phosphorylation, and the mediation of signals for programmed cell death3.
The enzyme primarily responsible for the production of ATP is the F1FO-ATP synthase, also called ATP synthase4-5. In recent years, the role of mitochondria in apoptotic and necrotic cell death has received considerable attention. In apoptotic cell death, BCL-2 family proteins such as Bax enter the mitochondrial outer membrane, oligomerize and permeabilize the outer membrane, releasing pro-apoptotic factors into the cytosol6. In classic necrotic cell death, such as that produced by ischemia or excitotoxicity in neurons, a large, poorly regulated increase in matrix calcium contributes to the opening of an inner membrane pore, the mitochondrial permeability transition pore or mPTP. This depolarizes the inner membrane and causes osmotic shifts, contributing to outer membrane rupture, release of pro-apoptotic factors, and metabolic dysfunction. Many proteins including Bcl-xL7 interact with F1FO ATP synthase, modulating its function. Bcl-xL interacts directly with the beta subunit of F1FO ATP synthase, and this interaction decreases a leak conductance within the F1FOATPasecomplex, increasing the net transport of H+ by F1FO during F1FO ATPase activity8 and thereby increasing mitochondrial efficiency. To study the activity and modulation of the ATP synthase, we isolated from rodent brain submitochondrial vesicles (SMVs) containing F1FO ATPase. The SMVs retain the structural and functional integrity of the F1FO ATPase as shown in Alavian et al. Here, we describe a method that we have used successfully for the isolation of SMVs from rat brain and we delineate the patch clamp technique to analyze channel activity (ion leak conductance) of the SMVs.

The first step of our protocol allows for isolation of purified mitochondria as shown by Western blot in Figure 1. In Figure 2 is shown an example of a brain-derived submitochondrial vesicle patch recording. Using the inside-out patch configuration we demonstrate channel activity modulated by ATP. The control (CTL) recording (left) shows multi-conductance channel activity with a peak conductance of 600 pS on average. that was immediately decreased upon addition of 1 mM ATP to the ba...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about F1FO ATPase Vesicle Preparation and Technique for Performing Patch Clamp Recordings of Submitochondrial Vesicle Membranes at JoVE.com

F1FO ATPase Vesicle Preparation and Technique for Performing Patch Clamp Recordings of Submitochondrial Vesicle Membranes

A method to isolate submitochondrial vesicles enriched in F1FO ATP synthase complexes from rat brain is described. These vesicles allow the study of the activity of F1FO ATPase complex and its modulation using the technique of patch clamp recording.

F1FO ATPase Vesicle Preparation and Technique for Performing Patch Clamp Recordings of Submitochondrial Vesicle Membranes

Mitochondria are involved in many important cellular  functions including metabolism, survival1, development and, calcium signaling2. Two of the most ...

f1fo-atpase-vesicle-preparation-technique-for-performing-patch-clamp

Universidad de Cartagena UDEC

Research

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Neuroscience

10.2K Views.  Yale University. A method to isolate submitochondrial vesicles enriched in F1FO ATP synthase complexes from rat brain is described. These vesicles allow the study of the activity of F1FO ATPase complex and its modulation using the technique of patch clamp recording.

Video: F1FO ATPase Vesicle Preparation and Technique for Performing Patch Clamp Recordings of Submitochondrial Vesicle Membranes

Detergent-free Ultrafast Reconstitution of Membrane Proteins into Lipid Bilayers Using Fusogenic Complementary-charged Proteoliposomes.

Detergents are indispensable for delivery of membrane proteins into 30-100 nm small unilamellar vesicles, while more complex, larger model lipid bilayers are less compatible with detergents.
Here we describe a strategy for bypassing this fundamental limitation using fusogenic oppositely charged liposomes bearing a membrane protein of interest. Fusion between such vesicles occurs within 5 min in a low ionic strength buffer. Positively charged fusogenic liposomes can be used as simple shuttle vectors for detergent-free delivery of membrane proteins into biomimetic target lipid bilayers, which are negatively charged. We also show how to reconstitute membrane proteins into fusogenic proteoliposomes with a fast 30-min protocol.
Combining these two approaches, we demonstrate a fast assembly of an electron transport chain consisting of two membrane proteins from E. coli, a primary proton pump bo3-oxidase and F1Fo ATP synthase, in membranes of vesicles of various sizes, ranging from 0.1 to &#62;10 microns, as well as ATP production by this chain.

Here we present two ultrafast protocols for reconstitution of membrane proteins into fusogenic proteoliposomes, and fusion of such proteoliposomes with target lipid bilayers for detergent-free delivery of these membrane proteins into the postfusion bilayer. The combination of these approaches enables fast and easily controlled assembly of complex multi-component membrane systems.

Detergents are indispensable for delivery of membrane proteins into 30-100 nm small unilamellar vesicles, while more complex, larger model lipid bilayers ...

Biochemistry

Isolation of F1-ATPase from the Parasitic Protist Trypanosoma brucei

F1-ATPase is a membrane-extrinsic catalytic subcomplex of F-type ATP synthase, an enzyme that uses the proton motive force across biological membranes to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The isolation of the intact F1-ATPase from its native source is an essential prerequisite to characterize the enzyme&#39;s protein composition, kinetic parameters, and sensitivity to inhibitors. A highly pure and homogeneous F1-ATPase can be used for structural studies, which provide insight into molecular mechanisms of ATP synthesis and hydrolysis. This article describes a procedure for the purification of the F1-ATPase from Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of African trypanosomiases. The F1-ATPase is isolated from mitochondrial vesicles, which are obtained by hypotonic lysis from in vitro cultured trypanosomes. The vesicles are mechanically fragmented by sonication and the F1-ATPase is released from the inner mitochondrial membrane by the chloroform extraction. The enzymatic complex is further purified by consecutive anion exchange and size-exclusion chromatography. Sensitive mass spectrometry techniques showed that the purified complex is devoid of virtually any protein contaminants and, therefore, represents suitable material for structure determination by X-ray crystallography or cryo-electron microscopy. The isolated F1-ATPase exhibits ATP hydrolytic activity, which can be inhibited fully by sodium azide, a potent inhibitor of F-type ATP synthases. The purified complex remains stable and active for at least three days at room temperature. Precipitation by ammonium sulfate is used for long-term storage. Similar procedures have been used for the purification of F1-ATPases from mammalian and plant tissues, yeasts, or bacteria. Thus, the presented protocol can serve as a guideline for the F1-ATPase isolation from other organisms.

Isolation of F1-ATPase from the Parasitic Protist Trypanosoma brucei

This protocol describes the purification of F1-ATPase from the cultured insect stage of Trypanosoma brucei. The procedure yields a highly pure, homogeneous, and active complex suitable for structural and enzymatic studies.

F1-ATPase is a membrane-extrinsic catalytic subcomplex of F-type ATP synthase, an enzyme that uses the proton motive force across biological membranes to ...

Membrane Remodeling of Giant Vesicles in Response to Localized Calcium Ion Gradients

In a wide variety of fundamental cell processes, such as membrane trafficking and apoptosis, cell membrane shape transitions occur concurrently with local variations in calcium ion concentration. The main molecular components involved in these processes have been identified; however, the specific interplay between calcium ion gradients and the lipids within the cell membrane is far less known, mainly due to the complex nature of biological cells and the difficultly of observation schemes. To bridge this gap, a synthetic approach is successfully implemented to reveal the localized effect of calcium ions on cell membrane mimics. Establishing a mimic to resemble the conditions within a cell is a severalfold problem. First, an adequate biomimetic model with appropriate dimensions and membrane composition is required to capture the physical properties of cells. Second, a micromanipulation setup is needed to deliver a small amount of calcium ions to a particular membrane location. Finally, an observation scheme is required to detect and record the response of the lipid membrane to the external stimulation. This article offers a detailed biomimetic approach for studying the calcium ion-membrane interaction, where a lipid vesicle system, consisting of a giant unilamellar vesicle (GUV) connected to a multilamellar vesicle (MLV), is exposed to a localized calcium gradient formed using a microinjection system. The dynamics of the ionic influence on the membrane were observed using fluorescence microscopy and recorded at video frame rates. As a result of the membrane stimulation, highly curved membrane tubular protrusions (MTPs) formed inside the GUV, oriented away from the membrane. The described approach induces the remodeling of the lipid membrane and MTP production in an entirely contactless and controlled manner. This approach introduces a means to address the details of calcium ion-membrane interactions, providing new avenues to study the mechanisms of cell membrane reshaping.

We present a technique for contactless micromanipulation of vesicles, using localized calcium ion gradients. Microinjection of a calcium ion solution, in the vicinity of a giant lipid vesicle, is utilized to remodel the lipid membrane, resulting in the production of membrane tubular protrusions.

In a wide variety of fundamental cell processes, such as membrane trafficking and apoptosis, cell membrane shape transitions occur concurrently with local ...

Chemistry

A Model Membrane Platform for Reconstituting Mitochondrial Membrane Dynamics

Mitochondrial dynamics is essential for the organelle&#8217;s diverse functions and cellular responses. The crowded, spatially complex, mitochondrial membrane is a challenging environment to distinguish regulatory factors. Experimental control of protein and lipid components can help answer specific questions of regulation. Yet, quantitative manipulation of these factors is challenging in cellular assays. To investigate the molecular mechanism of mitochondria inner-membrane fusion, we introduced an in vitro reconstitution platform that mimics the lipid environment of the mitochondrial inner-membrane. Here we describe detailed steps for preparing lipid bilayers and reconstituting mitochondrial membrane proteins. The platform allowed analysis of intermediates in mitochondrial inner-membrane fusion, and the kinetics for individual transitions, in a quantitative manner. This protocol describes the fabrication of bilayers with asymmetric lipid composition and describes general considerations for reconstituting transmembrane proteins into a cushioned bilayer. The method may be applied to study other membrane systems.

Mitochondrial fusion is an important homeostatic reaction underlying mitochondrial dynamics. Described here is an in vitro reconstitution system to study mitochondrial inner-membrane fusion that can resolve membrane tethering, docking, hemifusion, and pore opening. The versatility of this approach in exploring cell membrane systems is discussed.

Mitochondrial dynamics is essential for the organelle&#8217;s diverse functions and cellular responses. The crowded, spatially complex, mitochondrial ...

Assessment of Submitochondrial Protein Localization in Budding Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Despite recent advances in the characterization of yeast mitochondrial proteome, the submitochondrial localization of a significant number of proteins remains elusive. Here, we describe a robust and effective method for determining the suborganellar localization of yeast mitochondrial proteins, which is considered a fundamental step during mitochondrial protein function elucidation. This method involves an initial step that consists of obtaining highly pure intact mitochondria. These mitochondrial preparations are then subjected to a subfractionation protocol consisting of hypotonic shock (swelling) and incubation with proteinase K (protease). During swelling, the outer mitochondrial membrane is selectively disrupted, allowing the proteinase K to digest proteins of the intermembrane space compartment. In parallel, to obtain information about the topology of membrane proteins, the mitochondrial preparations are initially sonicated, and then subjected to alkaline extraction with sodium carbonate. Finally, after centrifugation, the pellet and supernatant fractions from these different treatments are analyzed by SDS-PAGE and western blot. The submitochondrial localization as well as the membrane topology of the protein of interest is obtained by comparing its western blot profile with known standards.

Assessment of Submitochondrial Protein Localization in Budding Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Despite recent advances, many yeast mitochondrial proteins still remain with their functions completely unknown. This protocol provides a simple and reliable method to determine the submitochondrial localization of proteins, which has been fundamental for the elucidation of their molecular functions.

Despite recent advances in the characterization of yeast mitochondrial proteome, the submitochondrial localization of a significant number of proteins ...

Isolation of Mitochondrial Contact Sites

An Improved Method to Isolate Mitochondrial Contact Sites

Mitochondria are present in virtually all eukaryotic cells and perform essential functions that go far beyond energy production, for instance, the synthesis of iron-sulfur clusters, lipids, or proteins, Ca2+ buffering, and the induction of apoptosis. Likewise, mitochondrial dysfunction results in severe human diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and neurodegeneration. In order to perform these functions, mitochondria have to communicate with the rest of the cell across their envelope, which consists of two membranes. Therefore, these two membranes have to interact constantly. Proteinaceous contact sites between the mitochondrial inner and outer membranes are essential in this respect. So far, several contact sites have been identified. In the method described here, Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondria are used to isolate contact sites and, thus, identify candidates that qualify for contact site proteins. We used this method to identify the mitochondrial contact site and cristae organizing system (MICOS) complex, one of the major contact site-forming complexes in the mitochondrial inner membrane, which is conserved from yeast to humans. Recently, we further improved this method to identify a novel contact site consisting of Cqd1 and the Por1-Om14 complex.

Author Spotlight: Unveiling Mitochondrial Contact Sites and Architectural Insights 

Mitochondrial contact sites are protein complexes that interact with mitochondrial inner and outer membrane proteins. These sites are essential for the communication between the mitochondrial membranes and, thus, between the cytosol and the mitochondrial matrix. Here, we describe a method to identify candidates qualifying for this specific class of proteins.

Mitochondria are present in virtually all eukaryotic cells and perform essential functions that go far beyond energy production, for instance, the ...

Preparation, Purification, and Use of Fatty Acid-containing Liposomes

Liposomes containing single-chain amphiphiles, particularly fatty acids, exhibit distinct properties compared to those containing diacylphospholipids due to the unique chemical properties of these amphiphiles. In particular, fatty acid liposomes enhance dynamic character, due to the relatively high solubility of single-chain amphiphiles. Similarly, liposomes containing free fatty acids are more sensitive to salt and divalent cations, due to the strong interactions between the carboxylic acid head groups and metal ions. Here we illustrate techniques for preparation, purification, and use of liposomes comprised in part or whole of single chain amphiphiles (e.g., oleic acids).

Liposomes containing single-chain amphiphiles, particularly fatty acids, exhibit distinct properties compared to those containing diacylphospholipids due to the unique chemical properties of single chain amphiphiles. Here we describe techniques for the preparation, purification, and use of liposomes comprised in part or whole of these amphiphiles.

Liposomes containing single-chain amphiphiles, particularly fatty acids, exhibit distinct properties compared to those containing diacylphospholipids due ...

Bioengineering

Reconstitution of a Kv Channel into Lipid Membranes for Structural and Functional Studies

To study the lipid-protein interaction in a reductionistic fashion, it is necessary to incorporate the membrane proteins into membranes of well-defined lipid composition. We are studying the lipid-dependent gating effects in a prototype voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channel, and have worked out detailed procedures to reconstitute the channels into different membrane systems. Our reconstitution procedures take consideration of both detergent-induced fusion of vesicles and the fusion of protein/detergent micelles with the lipid/detergent mixed micelles as well as the importance of reaching an equilibrium distribution of lipids among the protein/detergent/lipid and the detergent/lipid mixed micelles. Our data suggested that the insertion of the channels in the lipid vesicles is relatively random in orientations, and the reconstitution efficiency is so high that no detectable protein aggregates were seen in fractionation experiments. We have utilized the reconstituted channels to determine the conformational states of the channels in different lipids, record electrical activities of a small number of channels incorporated in planar lipid bilayers, screen for conformation-specific ligands from a phage-displayed peptide library, and support the growth of 2D crystals of the channels in membranes. The reconstitution procedures described here may be adapted for studying other membrane proteins in lipid bilayers, especially for the investigation of the lipid effects on the eukaryotic voltage-gated ion channels.

Procedures for complete reconstitution of a prototype voltage-gated potassium channel into lipid membranes are described. The reconstituted channels are suitable for biochemical assays, electrical recordings, ligand screening and electron crystallographic studies. These methods may have general applications to the structural and functional studies of other membrane proteins.

To study the lipid-protein interaction in a reductionistic fashion, it is necessary to incorporate the membrane proteins into membranes of well-defined ...

Biology

Reconstitution of a Transmembrane Protein, the Voltage-gated Ion Channel, KvAP, into Giant Unilamellar Vesicles for Microscopy and Patch Clamp Studies

Giant Unilamellar Vesicles (GUVs) are a popular biomimetic system for studying membrane associated phenomena. However, commonly used protocols to grow GUVs must be modified in order to form GUVs containing functional transmembrane proteins. This article describes two dehydration-rehydration methods &#8212; electroformation and gel-assisted swelling &#8212; to form GUVs containing the voltage-gated potassium channel, KvAP. In both methods, a solution of protein-containing small unilamellar vesicles is partially dehydrated to form a stack of membranes, which is then allowed to swell in a rehydration buffer. For the electroformation method, the film is deposited on platinum electrodes so that an AC field can be applied during film rehydration. In contrast, the gel-assisted swelling method uses an agarose gel substrate to enhance film rehydration. Both methods can produce GUVs in low (e.g., 5 mM) and physiological (e.g., 100 mM) salt concentrations. The resulting GUVs are characterized via fluorescence microscopy, and the function of reconstituted channels measured using the inside-out patch-clamp configuration. While swelling in the presence of an alternating electric field (electroformation) gives a high yield of defect-free GUVs, the gel-assisted swelling method produces a more homogeneous protein distribution and requires no special equipment.

The reconstitution of the transmembrane protein, KvAP, into giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) is demonstrated for two dehydration-rehydration methods &#8212; electroformation, and gel-assisted swelling. In both methods, small unilamellar vesicles containing the protein are fused together to form GUVs that can then be studied by fluorescence microscopy and patch-clamp electrophysiology.

Giant Unilamellar Vesicles (GUVs) are a popular biomimetic system for studying membrane associated phenomena. However, commonly used protocols to grow ...

The Use of the Patch-Clamp Technique to Study the Thermogenic Capacity of Mitochondria

Mitochondrial thermogenesis (also known as mitochondrial uncoupling) is one of the most promising targets for increasing energy expenditure to combat metabolic syndrome. Thermogenic tissues such as brown and beige fats develop highly specialized mitochondria for heat production. Mitochondria of other tissues, which primarily produce ATP, also convert up to 25% of the total mitochondrial energy production into heat and can, therefore, have a considerable impact on the physiology of the whole body. Mitochondrial thermogenesis is not only essential for maintaining the body temperature, but also prevents diet-induced obesity and reduces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to protect cells from oxidative damage. Since mitochondrial thermogenesis is a key regulator of cellular metabolism, a mechanistic understanding of this fundamental process will help in the development of therapeutic strategies to combat many pathologies associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Importantly, the precise molecular mechanisms that control acute activation of thermogenesis in mitochondria are poorly defined. This lack of information is largely due to a dearth of methods for the direct measurement of uncoupling proteins. The recent development of patch-clamp methodology applied to mitochondria enabled, for the first time, the direct study of the phenomenon at the origin of mitochondrial thermogenesis, H+ leak through the IMM, and the first biophysical characterization of mitochondrial transporters responsible for it, the uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), specific of brown and beige fats, and the ADP/ATP transporter (AAC) for all other tissues. This unique approach will provide new insights into the mechanisms that control H+ leak and mitochondrial thermogenesis and how they can be targeted to combat metabolic syndrome. This paper describes the patch-clamp methodology applied to mitochondria to study their thermogenic capacity by directly measuring H+ currents through the IMM.

This method article details the main steps in measuring H+ leak across the inner mitochondrial membrane with the patch-clamp technique, a new approach to study the thermogenic capacity of mitochondria.

Mitochondrial thermogenesis (also known as mitochondrial uncoupling) is one of the most promising targets for increasing energy expenditure to combat ...

F₁F_O ATPase Vesicle Preparation and Technique for Performing Patch Clamp Recordings of Submitochondrial Vesicle Membranes

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