Knockdown of uncoupling protein-5 in neuronal SH-SY5Y cells: Effects on MPP+-induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization, ATP deficiency, and oxidative cytotoxicity

J Neurosci Res. 2006 Nov 1;84(6):1358-66. doi: 10.1002/jnr.21034.

Abstract

Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) uncouple oxidative phosphorylation from ATP synthesis by dissipating proton gradient across mitochondrial inner membrane. The physiological role of neuronal specific UCP5 is unknown. We explored the effects of reduced UCP5 expression on mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), oxidative stress, ATP levels, and cell viability, under normal and MPP+-induced cytotoxic conditions, in human catecholaminergic SH-SY5Y cells. UCP5 expression was reduced by 56% by siRNA, compared to scrambled-siRNA controls. UCP5 knockdown induced apoptosis but did not affect basal levels of ATP, oxidative stress and MMP in the cells under normal conditions. However, UCP5 knockdown increased MPP+-induced cytotoxicity by 15% and oxidative stress levels by 40%, and partially restored MPP+-induced mitochondrial depolarization by 57%. UCP2 and UCP4 expression were unaffected by UCP5 knockdown. Exacerbation of cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and modification of MMP with reduced UCP5 expression in the face of MPP+ toxicity suggest that UCP5 might be physiologically important in the pathology of oxidative stress-induced neurodegeneration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium*
  • Adenosine Triphosphate / deficiency*
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Caspase 3 / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival / physiology
  • Down-Regulation / physiology
  • Humans
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / metabolism
  • Membrane Potentials / physiology
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics*
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / physiology
  • Mitochondrial Membranes / physiology*
  • Mitochondrial Uncoupling Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / physiology
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Superoxides / metabolism
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Uncoupling Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • SLC25A14 protein, human
  • Superoxides
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
  • Caspase 3
  • 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium