Synergistic effect of Ca2+ and peroxidized cardiolipin in the induction of permeability transition and cytochrome c release in rat heart mitochondria.

The effect of peroxidized cardiolipin on the mitochondrial pore transition (MPT) induction and cytochrome c release in rat heart mitochondria was studied. Treatment of mitochondria with cardiolipin hydroperoxide (CLOOH) promoted matrix swelling and release of cytochrome c. Both these processes were inhibited by cyclosporine A and bongkrekic acid, indicating that peroxidized cardiolipin behaves as an inducer of MPT. Ca2+ accumulation was required for this effect. ANT (ADP/ATP carrier) is involved in the CLOOH-dependent MPT induction as suggested by the modulation by ligands and inhibitors of ANT. These results indicate that CLOOH lowers the threshold of Ca2+ for MPT induction. This synergistic effect of Ca2+ and CLOOH on MPT induction and cytochrome c release in mitochondria might have important implications in the apoptotic process as well as in several pathophysiological situations.