J. Biol. Chem., Vol. 261, Issue 21, 9746-9752, Jul, 1986
Electron transfer across the chromaffin granule membrane. Use of EPR to demonstrate reduction of intravesicular ascorbate radical by the extravesicular mitochondrial NADH:ascorbate radical oxidoreductase
LM Wakefield, AE Cass and GK Radda
A two-compartment electron paramagnetic resonance system has been developed
in which the membrane-impermeable spin probe Ni(en)2+3 is used to
selectively eliminate the EPR signal from extravesicular ascorbate radical,
such that radicals in intra- and extravesicular compartments can be
distinguished. Using this system, we have shown that an increase in
ascorbate radical in the extravesicular medium is reflected by an increase
in ascorbate radical within resealed chromaffin granule ghosts containing
trapped ascorbate but has no effect on radical concentrations inside
liposomes containing ascorbate. This indicates that the chromaffin granule
membrane contains a component, not present in liposomes, that allows
equilibration between the intra- and extravesicular ascorbate/ascorbate
radical couples. This component is probably cytochrome b561. We further
show that activation of the mitochondrial NADH:ascorbate radical
oxidoreductase in the extravesicular medium causes a decrease in
intravesicular ascorbate radical in chromaffin granule ghosts but not in
liposomes. These data provide direct experimental evidence for the
hypothesis that the adrenal medullary mitochondrial NADH:ascorbate radical
oxidoreductase could drive the re-reduction of ascorbate free radical
generated inside the chromaffin granule by the turnover of dopamine
beta-hydroxylase, without the ascorbate radical ever having to leave the
granule.