Inorganic polyphosphate and energy metabolism in mammalian cells

Evgeny Pavlov, Roozbeh Aschar-Sobbi, Michelangelo Campanella, Raymond J. Turner, María R. Gómez-García, Andrey Y. Abramov

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Inorganic polyphosphate (poly P) is a polymer made from as few as 10 to several hundred phosphate molecules linked by phosphoanhydride bonds similar to ATP. Poly P is ubiquitous in all mammalian organisms, where it plays multiple physiological roles. The metabolism of poly P in mammalian organisms is not well understood. We have examined the mechanism of poly P production and the role of this polymer in cell energy metabolism. Poly P levels in mitochondria and intact cells were estimated using a fluorescent molecular probe, 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole. Poly P levels were dependent on the metabolic state of the mitochondria. Poly P levels were increased by substrates of respiration and in turn reduced by mitochondrial inhibitor (rotenone) or an uncoupler (carbonylcyanidep-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone). Oligomycin, an inhibitor of mitochondrial ATP-synthase, blocked the production of poly P. Enzymatic depletion of poly P from cells significantly altered the rate of ATP metabolism. We propose the existence of a feedback mechanism where poly P production and cell energy metabolism regulate each other.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)9420-9428
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume285
Issue number13
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 26 2010

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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