Marco A.M. Videira

Bio: Marco A.M. Videira is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Respiratory chain & Oxidoreductase. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 6 publications receiving 82 citations.

The aerobic respiratory chain of Escherichia coli: from genes to supercomplexes.

Abstract: In spite of the large number of reports on the aerobic respiratory chain of Escherichia coli, from gene transcription regulation to enzyme kinetics and structural studies, an integrative perspective of this pathway is yet to be produced. Here, a multi-level analysis of the aerobic respiratory chain of E. coli was performed to find correlations between gene transcription, enzyme activity, growth dynamics, and supercomplex formation and composition. The transcription level of all genes encoding the aerobic respiratory chain of E. coli varied significantly in response to bacterial growth. Coordinated expression patterns were observed between the genes encoding NADH : quinone oxidoreductase and complex I (NDH-1), alternative NADH : quinone oxidoreductase (NDH-2) and cytochrome bdI, and also between sdhA and appC, encoding succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome bdII, respectively. In general, the rates of the respiratory chain activities increased from mid-exponential to late-stationary phase, with no significant further variation occurring until the mid-stationary phase. Multi-level correlations between gene transcription, enzyme activity and growth dynamics were also found in this study. The previously reported NADH dehydrogenase and formate : oxygen oxidoreductase supercomplexes of E. coli were already assembled at mid-exponential phase and remained throughout growth. A new succinate oxidase supercomplex composed of succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome bdII was identified, in agreement with the suggestion provided by the coordinated transcription of sdhA and appC.

The bc:caa3 supercomplexes from the Gram positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis respiratory chain: A megacomplex organization?

Abstract: The respiratory chain of some prokaryotes was shown to be organized in supercomplexes. This association has been proposed to improve enzyme stability and the overall efficiency of the oxidative phosphorylation process. Here, we have revisited recent data on the supercomplexes of Bacillus subtilis respiratory chain, by means of 1D and 2D-BN-PAGE, sucrose gradient fractionation of solubilized membranes, and mass spectrometry analysis of BN-PAGE bands detected in gel for succinate and cytochrome c oxidoreductase activities. The cytochrome bc:caa3 oxygen oxidoreductase supercomplex was observed in different stoichiometries, (bc)4:(caa3)2, (bc)2:(caa3)4 and 2[(bc)2:(caa3)4], suggesting for the first time the string association model of supercomplexes in a Gram positive bacterium. In addition, the presence of a succinate:quinone oxidoreductase:nitrate reductase supercomplex was confirmed by the co-localized succinate:nitroblue tetrazolium and methylviologen:nitrate oxidoreductase activities detected in gel and corroborated by LC-MS/MS analysis.

The formate:oxygen oxidoreductase supercomplex of Escherichia coli aerobic respiratory chain

Abstract: The Escherichia coli formate:oxygen oxidoreductase supercomplex (FdOx) was investigated with respect to function and composition. Formate oxidoreductase activity was detected in blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN-PAGE) resolved membranes of E. coli, which were also capable of cyanide sensitive formate:oxygen oxidoreductase activity. The latter was compromised in strains devoid of specific oxygen reductases, particularly, in those devoid of cytochrome bo3 or bdI. A principal component analysis (PCA) integrating E. coli aerobic respiratory chain gene transcription, enzyme activity and growth dynamics was performed, correlating formate:oxygen oxidoreductase activity and the transcription of the genes encoding cytochromes bo3 and bdI, and corroborating previous evidence that associated these complexes in FdOx.

The novel NhaE-type Na(+)/H (+) antiporter of the pathogenic bacterium Neisseria meningitidis.

Abstract: Neisseria meningitidis is a pathogenic bacterium responsible for meningitis. The mechanisms underlying the control of Na+ transmembrane movement, presumably important to pathogenicity, have been barely addressed. To elucidate the function of the components of the Na+ transport system in N. meningitidis, an open reading frame from the genome of this bacterium displaying similarity with the NhaE type of Na+/H+ antiporters was expressed in Escherichia coli and characterized for sodium transport ability. The N. meningitidis antiporter (NmNhaE) was able to complement an E. coli strain devoid of Na+/H+ antiporters (KNabc) respecting the ability to grow in the presence of NaCl and LiCl. Ion transport assays in everted vesicles prepared from KNabc expressing NmNhaE from a plasmid confirmed its ability to translocate Na+ and Li+. Here is presented the characterization of the first NhaE from a pathogen, an important contribution to the comprehension of sodium ion metabolism in this kind of microorganisms.

Defenses of multidrug resistant pathogens against reactive nitrogen species produced in infected hosts.

Abstract: Bacterial pathogens have sophisticated systems that allow them to survive in hosts in which innate immunity is the frontline of defense. One of the substances produced by infected hosts is nitric oxide (NO) that together with its derived species leads to the so-called nitrosative stress, which has antimicrobial properties. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on targets and protective systems that bacteria have to survive host-generated nitrosative stress. We focus on bacterial pathogens that pose serious health concerns due to the growing increase in resistance to currently available antimicrobials. We describe the role of nitrosative stress as a weapon for pathogen eradication, the detoxification enzymes, protein/DNA repair systems and metabolic strategies that contribute to limiting NO damage and ultimately allow survival of the pathogen in the host. Additionally, this systematization highlights the lack of available data for some of the most important human pathogens, a gap that urgently needs to be addressed.

Architecture of Human Mitochondrial Respiratory Megacomplex I2III2IV2.

Abstract: The respiratory megacomplex represents the highest-order assembly of respiratory chain complexes, and it allows mitochondria to respond to energy-requiring conditions. To understand its architecture, we examined the human respiratory chain megacomplex-I2III2IV2 (MCI2III2IV2) with 140 subunits and a subset of associated cofactors using cryo-electron microscopy. The MCI2III2IV2 forms a circular structure with the dimeric CIII located in the center, where it is surrounded by two copies each of CI and CIV. Two cytochrome c (Cyt.c) molecules are positioned to accept electrons on the surface of the c1 state CIII dimer. Analyses indicate that CII could insert into the gaps between CI and CIV to form a closed ring, which we termed the electron transport chain supercomplex. The structure not only reveals the precise assignment of individual subunits of human CI and CIII, but also enables future in-depth analysis of the electron transport chain as a whole.

Mitochondrial respiratory supercomplex association limits production of reactive oxygen species from complex I.

Abstract: Aims: The mitochondrial respiratory chain is recognized today to be arranged in supramolecular assemblies (supercomplexes). Besides conferring a kinetic advantage (substrate channeling) and being required for the assembly and stability of Complex I, indirect considerations support the view that supercomplexes may also prevent excessive formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from the respiratory chain. In the present study, we have directly addressed this issue by testing the ROS generation by Complex I in two experimental systems in which the supramolecular organization of the respiratory assemblies is impaired by: (i) treatment either of bovine heart mitochondria or liposome-reconstituted supercomplex I-III with dodecyl maltoside; (ii) reconstitution of Complexes I and III at high phospholipids to protein ratio. Results: The results of our investigation provide experimental evidence that the production of ROS is strongly increased in either model, supporting the view that disruption or preve...

Na á /H á antiporters

Abstract: Na a /H a antiporters are membrane proteins that play a major role in pH and Na a homeostasis of cells throughout the biological kingdom, from bacteria to humans and higher plants. The emerging genomic sequence projects already have started to reveal that the Na a /H a antiporters cluster in several families. Structure and function studies of a purified antiporter protein have as yet been conducted mainly with NhaA, the key Na a /H a antiporter of Escherichia coli. This antiporter has been overexpressed, purified and reconstituted in a functional form in proteoliposomes. It has recently been crystallized in both 3D as well as 2D crystals. The NhaA 2D crystals were analyzed by cryoelectron microscopy and a density map at 4 A O resolution was obtained and a 3D map was reconstructed. NhaA is shown to exist in the 2D crystals as a dimer of monomers each composed of 12 transmembrane segments with an asymmetric helix packing. This is the first insight into the structure of a polytopic membrane protein. Many Na a /H a antiporters are characterized by very dramatic sensitivity to pH, a property that corroborates their role in pH homeostasis. The molecular mechanism underlying this pH sensitivity has been studied in NhaA. Amino acid residues involved in the pH response have been identified. Conformational changes transducing the pH change into a change in activity were found in loop VIII^IX and at the N-terminus by probing trypsin digestion or binding of a specific monoclonal antibody respectively. Regulation by pH of the eukaryotic Na a /H a antiporters involves an intricate signal transduction pathway (recently reviewed by Yun et al., Am. J. Physiol. 269 (1995) G1^G11). The transcription of NhaA has been shown to be regulated by a novel Na a -specific regulatory network. It is envisaged that interdisciplinary approaches combining structure, molecular and cell biology as well as genomics should be applied in the future to the study of this important group of transporters. fl 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Supramolecular structure of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system. VOLUME 282 (2007) PAGES 1-4

Abstract: The protein complexes of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system were recently reported to form supramolecular assemblies termed respiratory supercomplexes or respirasomes. These supercomplexes are considered to be of great functional importance. Here we review new insights into supercomplex structure and physiology.

Development of a commercial scale process for production of 1,4-butanediol from sugar.

Abstract: A sustainable bioprocess for the production of 1,4-butanediol (BDO) from carbohydrate feedstocks was developed. BDO is a chemical intermediate that goes into a variety of products including automotive parts, electronics, and apparel, and is currently manufactured commercially through energy-intensive petrochemical processes using fossil raw materials. This review highlights the development of an Escherichia coli strain and an overall process that successfully performed at commercial scale for direct production of bio-BDO from dextrose. Achieving such high level performance required an integrated technology platform enabling detailed engineering of enzyme, pathway, metabolic network, and organism, as well as development of effective fermentation and downstream recovery processes.