Biology subjects

Caldeira da Silva, C. C.

Publications and source records attributed to Caldeira da Silva, C. C..

8 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Mitochondrial Metabolism and Calcium Handling in Parkinsons Disease hiPSC-derived Astrocytes

Parkinsons disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide, and mutations in the LRRK2 and PRKN genes are among the most common familial causes of the disease. In neurodegenerative diseases such as PD, disturbances in Ca{superscript 2} homeostasis and cellular bioenergetics impair the function of neurons and glial cells, contributing to disease progression. These changes are not limited to neurons; mitochondrial dysfunction and disrupted Ca2+ homeostasis in astrocytes are increasingly recognized as key contributors to PD, impairing bioenergetics, redox balance, neuroinflammatory responses, and metabolic support essential for dopaminergic neuron survival. In this study, we investigated mitochondrial calcium homeostasis, mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, morphology and distribution in human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived astrocytes with mutations in the PD genes LRRK2 (G2019S) and PRKN (c.155delA; Ex3-4del) and wild-type controls. Intracellular calcium dynamics were assessed using Fura-2 AM. Compared with control astrocytes, LRRK2-related PD patient-derived mutant astrocytes exhibited lower intracellular calcium levels, and slower calcium extrusion following stimulation with ATP. Mitochondrial morphology was analyzed using MitoTracker Deep Red, revealing increased mitochondrial fragmentation and redistribution of mitochondria toward the cell periphery in both PD mutant cell types. Because oxidative phosphorylation is tightly regulated by mitochondrial morphology and calcium homeostasis, we next assessed oxygen consumption rates using a continuous metabolic monitoring system (Resipher) and quantified the expression of genes (RT-qPCR) and proteins (capillary electrophoresis-based western detection) involved in mitochondrial calcium transport and bioenergetics. These analyses showed that PRKN mutant astrocytes exhibit a more oxidative bioenergetic phenotype than LRRK2 mutant astrocytes, while both mutant lines displayed altered phosphorylation of mitochondrial morphology regulator DRP1 as well as decreased levels of respiratory complexes relative to control astrocytes. In summary, this study identifies astrocyte-specific mitochondrial dysfunctions and calcium dysregulation as key features of LRRK2- and PRKN-related pathology, providing new insights into how glial metabolic alterations contribute to neurodegeneration in PD.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2026

Caloric Restriction Promotes Ischemia/Reperfusion Cardioprotection Through Increased Mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ Exchange

Caloric restriction (CR) protects against cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Since mitochondrial Ca2+ overload and redox imbalance is a major driver of cardiac damage during reperfusion, we investigated if enhanced mitochondrial Ca2+ efflux contributes toward CR-induced cardioprotection. Rats were subjected to 16 weeks of ad libitum (AL) feeding or 40% caloric restriction. CR significantly increased mitochondrial Ca2+ retention capacity when Na+ ions were present, reduced H2O2 release, and increased the expression of proteins related to mitochondrial Ca2+ extrusion. In cardiomyocytes exposed to serum from CR rats, Ca2+ retention capacity also markedly increased, as well as Ca2+ efflux and the expression of extrusion proteins NCLX and TMEM65. Following I/R, CR hearts exhibited improved functional recovery accompanied by enhanced retention and increased mitochondrial Ca2+ efflux activity, as well as reduced H2O2 release compared to AL controls. Inhibition of mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchange abolished the mitochondrial adaptive effects of CR, eliminating its protection against damage in cardiomyocytes and perfused hearts. These findings demonstrate that CR protects the heart from I/R injury by enhancing CGP-sensitive Na+-dependent mitochondrial Ca2+ efflux, preserving mitochondrial function, limiting redox imbalance, and improving post-ischemic cardiac recovery.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2025

Mitochondrial ATP-Sensitive K+ Channels (MitoKATP) Regulate Brown Adipocyte Differentiation and Metabolism

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays a central role in mammalian non-shivering thermogenesis, dissipating mitochondrial membrane potentials through the activity of uncoupling protein UCP1 to release heat. Inner membranes of mitochondria are known to be permeable to potassium ions (K+), which enter the matrix either through ATP-sensitive channels (MitoKATP) or leakage across the bilayer driven by inner membrane potentials. Mitochondrial K+ influx is associated with increased osmotic pressure, promoting water influx and increasing matrix volume. Since BAT mitochondria have lower inner membrane potentials due to uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) activity, we hypothesized this could involve compensatory changes in MitoKATP activity, and thus tested MitoKATP involvement in brown adipocyte activities under basal and stimulated conditions. We find that cold exposure and adrenergic stimulation in mice modulate BAT MitoK levels, the channel portion of MitoKATP. Genetic ablation of the gene that codes for the pore-forming subunit of MitoKATP in human pre-adipocytes decreased cellular respiration and proliferation, compromising differentiation into mature adipocytes. In mouse cell lines, the absence of the protein limited cellular oxygen consumption in the precursor stage, but not in mature adipocytes. Interestingly, inhibition of MitoKATP in mature adipocytes increased adrenergic-stimulated oxygen consumption, indicating that shutdown of this pathway is important for full BAT thermogenesis. Similarly, MitoKATP inhibition increased oxygen consumption in BAT mitochondria isolated from mice treated with beta 3 adrenergic receptor agonist CL316,243. Overall, our results suggest that the activity of MitoKATP regulates differentiation and metabolism of brown adipocytes, impacting on thermogenesis. New and NoteworthyBrown fat cells are important to maintain healthy body weight by promoting mitochondrial uncoupling. Here, we demonstrate that mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels (MitoKATP) have important roles both in the differentiation of brown fat cells and in the activation of energy-dissipating uncoupling in this tissue.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2024

Mitochondrial Fatty Acid Oxidation is Stimulated by Red Light Irradiation

Keratinocytes are the primary constituents of sunlight-exposed epidermis. In these cells, UVA completely inhibited oxidative phosphorylation, while equivalent doses of blue and green light preserved metabolic fluxes, but reduced viability. In contrast, red light enhanced proliferation and elevated basal and maximal oxygen consumption rates for 48 h, without altering protein levels of the electron transport chain. Targeted flux analysis revealed that red light specifically activates AMPK-dependent mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. This was accompanied by reduced the levels of free fatty acids and increased acetyl CoA carboxylase phosphorylation. Together, our results characterize wavelength- selective regulation of keratinocyte metabolism: UV/visible wavelengths induce damage, while red light triggers AMPK-dependent fatty acid oxidation, providing a mechanistic explanation for photobiomodulation in epidermal cells. HighlightsUVA (365 nm) abolishes oxidative phosphorylation, while blue/green light (450/517 nm) induce photosensitized toxicity, without metabolic disruption. Red light (660 nm) boosts keratinocyte proliferation and sustains elevated mitochondrial respiration for 48 h. Permeabilized cell electron transport remains unchanged, implicating cytosolic (not mitochondrial) regulation of fuel utilization. Red light activates AMPK and phosphorylates/inhibits acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC). Photobiomodulation with red light occurs through AMPK/ACC-mediated lipid oxidation, not direct respiratory chain modulation.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2022

Adiponectin Promotes Glucose-Sensitive Insulin Secretion and Prevents β-Cell Damage by Obesity

Obesity significantly decreases life expectancy and increases the incidence of age-related dysfunctions, including {beta}-cell dysregulation leading to inadequate insulin secretion. Here, we show that diluted plasma from obese human donors acutely impairs {beta}-cell integrity and insulin secretion relative to plasma from lean subjects. Similar results were observed with diluted sera from obese rats fed ad libitum, when compared to sera from lean, calorically-restricted, animals. The damaging effects of obese circulating factors on {beta}-cells occurs in the absence of nutrient overload, and mechanistically involves mitochondrial dysfunction, limiting glucose-supported oxidative phosphorylation and ATP production. We demonstrate that increased levels of adiponectin, as found in lean plasma, are the protective characteristic preserving {beta}-cell function; indeed, sera from adiponectin knockout mice limits {beta}-cell metabolic fluxes relative to controls. Furthermore, oxidative phosphorylation and glucose-sensitive insulin secretion, which are completely abrogated in the absence of this hormone, are restored by the presence of adiponectin alone, surprisingly even in the absence of other serological components, for both the insulin-secreting INS1 cell line and primary islets. The addition of adiponectin to cells treated with plasma from obese donors completely restored {beta}-cell functional integrity, indicating the lack of this hormone was causative of the dysfunction. Overall, our results demonstrate that low circulating adiponectin is a key damaging element for {beta}-cells, and suggest strong therapeutic potential for the modulation of the adiponectin signaling pathway in the prevention of age-related {beta}-cell dysfunction. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=154 SRC="FIGDIR/small/501128v3_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (40K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1df5041org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@e066borg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@c79132org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@d89d1_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG Graphical Abstract: Incubation of -cells with sera or plasma from obese rats and humans hampers mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) relative to sera and plasma from lean rats and humans. Adiponectin, found at elevated levels in lean subjects, supports -cell function on its own, in the absence of sera, and also reverses the effects of obese plasma. Prepared using Biorender.com. C_FIG

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2022

Goldilocks calcium and the mitochondrial respiratory chain: too much, too little, just right

Calcium (Ca2+) is a key regulator in diverse intracellular signaling pathways, and has long been implicated in metabolic control and mitochondrial function. Mitochondria can actively take up large amounts of Ca2+, thereby acting as important intracellular Ca2+ buffers and affecting cytosolic Ca2+ transients. Excessive mitochondrial matrix Ca2+ is known to be deleterious due to opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) and consequent membrane potential dissipation, leading to mitochondrial swelling, rupture, and cell death. Moderate Ca2+ within the organelle, on the other hand, can directly or indirectly activate mitochondrial matrix enzymes, possibly impacting on ATP production. Here, we aimed to determine in a quantitative manner if extra or intramitochondrial Ca2+ modulate oxidative phosphorylation in mouse liver mitochondria and intact hepatocyte cell lines. To do so, we monitored the effects of more modest versus supra-physiological increases in cytosolic and mitochondrial Ca2+ on oxygen consumption rates. Isolated mitochondria present increased respiratory control ratios (a measure of oxidative phosphorylation efficiency) when incubated with low (2.4 {+/-} 0.6 M) and medium (22.0 {+/-} 2.4 M) Ca2+ concentrations in the presence of complex I-linked substrates pyruvate plus malate and -ketoglutarate, respectively, but not complex II-linked succinate. In intact cells, both low and high cytosolic Ca2+ led to decreased respiratory rates, while ideal rates were present under physiological conditions. High Ca2+ decreased mitochondrial respiration in a substrate-dependent manner, mediated by mPTP. Overall, our results uncover a Goldilocks effect of Ca2+ on liver mitochondria, with specific "just right" concentrations that activate oxidative phosphorylation.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2021

Regulation of Kidney Mitochondrial Function by Caloric Restriction

Caloric restriction (CR) prevents obesity, promotes healthy aging, and increases resilience against several pathological stimuli in laboratory rodents. At the mitochondrial level, protection promoted by CR in the brain and liver is related to higher calcium uptake rates and capacities, avoiding Ca2+-induced mitochondrial permeability transition. Dietary restriction has also been shown to increase kidney resistance against damaging stimuli such as ischemia/reperfusion, but if these effects are related to similar mitochondrial adaptations had not yet been uncovered. Here, we characterized changes in mitochondrial function in response to six months of CR in rats, measuring bioenergetic parameters, redox balance and calcium homeostasis. CR promoted an increase in mitochondrial oxygen consumption rates under non-phosphorylating and uncoupled conditions. While CR prevents mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production in many tissues, in kidney we found that mitochondrial H2O2 release was enhanced, although levels of carbonylated proteins and methionine sulfoxide were unchanged. Surprisingly, and opposite to the effects observed in brain and liver, mitochondria from CR animals are more prone to Ca2+-induced mitochondrial permeability transition. CR mitochondria also displayed higher calcium uptake rates, which were not accompanied by changes in calcium efflux rates, nor related to altered inner mitochondrial membrane potentials or the amounts of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU). Instead, increased mitochondrial calcium uptake rates in CR kidneys correlate with a loss of MICU2, an MCU modulator. Interestingly, MICU2 is also modulated by CR in liver, suggesting it has a broader diet-sensitive regulatory role controlling mitochondrial calcium homeostasis. Together, our results highlight the organ-specific bioenergetic, redox, and ionic transport effects of CR. Specifically, we describe the regulation of the expression of MICU2 and its effects on mitochondrial calcium transport as a novel and interesting aspect of the metabolic responses to dietary interventions.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2020

Functional Changes Induced by Short Term Caloric Restriction in Cardiac and Skeletal Muscle Mitochondria

Caloric restriction (CR) is widely known to increase life span and resistance against different types of injuries in several organisms. We have previously shown that mitochondria from livers or brains of CR animals exhibit higher calcium uptake rates and lower sensitivity to calcium-induced mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT), an event related to the resilient phenotype exhibited by these organs. Given the importance of calcium in metabolic control and cell homeostasis, we aimed here to uncover possible changes in mitochondrial calcium handling, redox balance and bioenergetics in cardiac and skeletal muscle mitochondria. Unexpectedly, we found that CR does not alter the susceptibility to mPT in muscle (cardiac or skeletal), nor calcium uptake rates. Despite the lack in changes in calcium transport properties, CR consistently decreased respiration in the presence of ATP synthesis in heart and soleus muscle. In heart, such changes were accompanied by a decrease in respiration in the absence of ATP synthesis, lower maximal respiratory rates and a reduced rate of hydrogen peroxide release. Hydrogen peroxide release was unaltered by CR in skeletal muscle. No changes were observed in inner membrane potentials and respiratory control ratios. Together, these results highlight the tissue-specific bioenergetic and ion transport effects induced by CR, demonstrating that resilience against calcium-induced mPT is not present in all tissues.

biochemistry↗