Modulation of the mitochondrial permeability transition by nitric oxide.

The influence of nitric oxide on mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) phenomenon was studied. NO was generated by photolysis of S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine, AcCys(NO), with green light (lambda = 550 nm). Two distinct effects of nitric oxide on rat liver mitochondria were identified. First, NO accelerated an onset of swelling in Ca2(+)-loaded mitochondria in a cyclosporin-A-sensitive manner acting as an inducer of permeability transition. This was, apparently, a result of irreversible alteration of mitochondrial function accompanying the inhibition of respiratory chain in the presence of calcium. Formation of ESR-visible iron-sulfur dinitrosyl complexes (g = 2.041) could also contribute to the irreversible changes resulting in MPT induction. Second, NO changed significantly the response of mitochondria to Ca2+/phosphate-induced MPT, acting as a regulator of permeability transition. In this case the action of nitric oxide led to division of the mitochondria into two subpopulations: one which underwent the rapid permeability transition and another in which the MPT was inhibited. The effect of NO on Ca2+/Pi-induced MPT was transient and resulted from reversible inhibition of cytochrome oxidase followed by the changes in transmembrane potential and Ca2+ distribution. The characteristic time of duration of these NO modulated effects depended on nitric oxide as well as on oxygen concentrations. With increasing NO at fixed oxygen concentrations, this time levelled off to reach a maximum value which was inversely related to the oxygen concentration. It is concluded that under physiological condition the duration of reversible NO effects on mitochondrial function could be determined by oxygen concentration.