Inhibition of mitochondrial NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase activity and ATP synthesis by tetrahydroisoquinoline.

Effects of tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ) on mitochondrial respiration, NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) activity and on adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis were studied using mitochondria prepared from mouse brains. Tetrahydroisoquinoline significantly inhibited mitochondrial respiration supported by glutamate + malate, pyruvate + malate or alpha-ketoglutarate. Activity of complex I and synthesis of ATP were also significantly inhibited by TIQ. Mitochondrial respiration supported by succinate and subsequent ATP synthesis were not inhibited at all by 5 mM of TIQ. Our study has revealed a novel action of TIQ, which has been proposed as a candidate for an endogenous substance that may induce Parkinson's disease.