Ma. Bogoyevitch et al., Intact mitochondrial electron transport function is essential for signalling by hydrogen peroxide in cardiac myocytes, J MOL CEL C, 32(8), 2000, pp. 1469-1480
Oxidative stress has been proposed as a mediator of cardiac injury during i
schemia and reperfusion. We examined the signalling events initiated by sho
rt-term exposure of cardiac myocytes to oxidative stress elicited by hydrog
en peroxide. A potent stimulation of tyrosine phosphorylation was observed
within 1 to 2 min exposure to 1 mM hydrogen peroxide. Within 5 min, the ERK
mitogen-activated protein kinases (ERK MAPKs) were activated. This activat
ion of ERK MAPKs was blocked by N-acetylcysteine (NAC), implicating a role
for free radicals in the signalling events. NAC failed to inhibit ERK MAPK
activation by the hypertrophic agent, phenylephrine, or hyperosmotic shock.
Myxothiazol, an inhibitor of complex III of the mitochondrial electron tra
nsport chain, also inhibited ERK MAPK activation by hydrogen peroxide, but
not by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or hyperosmotic shock. My
xothiazol completely inhibited the increase in tyrosine phosphorylated prot
eins observed with hydrogen peroxide treatment. A variety of inhibitors whi
ch act at different levels of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (r
otenone, theonyltrifluoroacetone, antimycin A, cyanide) also inhibited acti
vation of the ERK MAPKs by hydrogen peroxide but not TPA or hyperosmotic sh
ock. These studies suggest a novel mechanism of regulation of the ERK MAPK
pathway and oxidative stress signalling by hydrogen peroxide. (C) 2000 Acad
emic Press.