Tributyltin induces mitochondrial fission through NAD-IDH dependent mitofusin degradation in human embryonic carcinoma cells

Metallomics. 2015 Aug;7(8):1240-6. doi: 10.1039/c5mt00033e. Epub 2015 Apr 24.

Abstract

Organotin compounds, such as tributyltin (TBT), are well-known endocrine disruptors. TBT acts at the nanomolar level through genomic pathways via the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)/retinoid X receptor (RXR). We recently reported that TBT inhibits cell growth and the ATP content in the human embryonic carcinoma cell line NT2/D1 via a non-genomic pathway involving NAD(+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (NAD-IDH), which metabolizes isocitrate to α-ketoglutarate. However, the molecular mechanisms by which NAD-IDH mediates TBT toxicity remain unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of TBT on mitochondrial NAD-IDH and energy production. Staining with MitoTracker revealed that nanomolar TBT levels induced mitochondrial fragmentation. TBT also degraded the mitochondrial fusion proteins, mitofusins 1 and 2. Interestingly, apigenin, an inhibitor of NAD-IDH, mimicked the effects of TBT. Incubation with an α-ketoglutarate analogue partially recovered TBT-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, supporting the involvement of NAD-IDH. Our data suggest that nanomolar TBT levels impair mitochondrial quality control via NAD-IDH in NT2/D1 cells. Thus, mitochondrial function in embryonic cells could be used to assess cytotoxicity associated with metal exposure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Embryonal Carcinoma Stem Cells / drug effects*
  • Embryonal Carcinoma Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Embryonal Carcinoma Stem Cells / pathology
  • Endocrine Disruptors / toxicity*
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Ketoglutaric Acids / metabolism
  • Mitochondria / drug effects*
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Mitochondria / pathology
  • Mitochondrial Dynamics / drug effects*
  • Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / metabolism
  • NAD / metabolism*
  • Proteolysis / drug effects
  • Trialkyltin Compounds / toxicity*

Substances

  • Endocrine Disruptors
  • Ketoglutaric Acids
  • Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Trialkyltin Compounds
  • NAD
  • tributyltin
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases
  • MFN2 protein, human
  • Mfn1 protein, human