The mycotoxin phomoxanthone A disturbs the form and function of the inner mitochondrial membrane.

ABSTRACT: Mitochondria are cellular organelles with crucial functions in the generation and distribution of ATP, the buffering of cytosolic Ca²⁺ and the initiation of apoptosis. Compounds that interfere with these functions are termed mitochondrial toxins, many of which are derived from microbes, such as antimycin A, oligomycin A, and ionomycin. Here, we identify the mycotoxin phomoxanthone A (PXA), derived from the endophytic fungus Phomopsis longicolla, as a mitochondrial toxin. We show that PXA elicits a strong release of Ca²⁺ from the mitochondria but not from the ER. In addition, PXA depolarises the mitochondria similarly to protonophoric uncouplers such as CCCP, yet unlike these, it does not increase but rather inhibits cellular respiration and electron transport chain ac

SUBMITTER: Bohler P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5833434 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature