NDUFB7

Abstract: Deficiency of NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase, the first enzyme complex of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, is one of the most frequent causes of human mitochondrial encephalomyopathies. A relatively small percentage of human complex I deficiency is associated with mitochondrial DNA mutations. cDNA characterization and mutational analysis of the structural complex I genes in 19 complex I-deficient patients, in whom common mtDNA mutations have been excluded, has so far revealed five patients with alterations in evolutionary conserved nuclear-encoded proteins. In order to complete our knowledge about the expected 36 structural nuclear complex I genes, we characterized the NDUFB7 and the 17.2-kDa cDNA sequences of the hydrophobic (HP) fraction of the complex. Subsequently, we screened all subunits of this fraction for the presence of mutations in those 14 patients of our initial patient cohort in whom the underlying genetic cause had not been elucidated. Strikingly, no pathogenic mutations were found in the HP subunits that would explain the complex I deficiency in our patients. Other strategies are needed to unravel proteins involved in the pathogenesis of the complicated cellular network of transcription until correct assemblage of complex I.

Abstract: Skin pigmentation is caused by various physical and chemical factors. It might also be influenced by changes in the physiological function of skin with aging. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) dehydrogenase is an enzyme related to the mitochondrial electron transport system and plays a key role in cellular energy production. It has been reported that the functional decrease in this system causes Parkinson's disease. Another study reports that the amount of NADH dehydrogenase in heart and skeletal muscle decreases with aging. A similar decrease in the skin would probably affect its physiological function. However, no reports have examined the age-related change in levels of NADH dehydrogenase in human skin. In this study, we investigated this change and its effect on skin pigmentation using cultured human epidermal keratinocytes. The mRNA expression of NDUFA1, NDUFB7, and NDUFS2, subunits of NADH dehydrogenase, and its activity were significantly decreased in late passage keratinocytes compared to early passage cells. Conversely, the mRNA expression of melanocyte-stimulating cytokines, interleukin-1 alpha and endothelin 1, was increased in late passage cells. On the other hand, the inhibition of NADH dehydrogenase upregulated the mRNA expression of melanocyte-stimulating cytokines. Moreover, the level of NDUFB7 mRNA was lower in pigmented than in nonpigmented regions of skin in vivo. These results suggest the decrease in NADH dehydrogenase with aging to be involved in skin pigmentation.