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Homocysteine is a potent modulator of plasma membrane electron transport systems

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Abstract

The deregulation of homocysteine metabolism leads to hyperhomocysteinemia, a condition described as an independent cardiovascular disease risk factor. Ubiquitous plasma membrane redox systems can play a dual pro-oxidant and anti-oxidant role in defense. In this study, we test the hypothesis that homocysteine, as a redox active compound, could modulate the endothelial plasma membrane redox system. We show that homocysteine behaves as a very potent stimulator of this activity. Furthermore, we show that this inducing effect is also produced on tumor cells and that it can be observed at both the activity and protein levels. On the other hand, homocysteine treatment decreases the activity of the specific ectocellular tumor NADH oxidase. Taken together, these results underscore a potential antitumoral action of homocysteine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Procel Lab, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain

    Javier Rodríguez-Alonso, Raúl Montañez, Luis Rodríguez-Caso & Miguel Ángel Medina

  2. CIBERER, Málaga, Spain

    Raúl Montañez & Miguel Ángel Medina

  3. Departamento de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, 29071, Málaga, Spain

    Miguel Ángel Medina

Authors
  1. Javier Rodríguez-Alonso
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  2. Raúl Montañez
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  3. Luis Rodríguez-Caso
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  4. Miguel Ángel Medina
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Miguel Ángel Medina.

Additional information

Javier Rodríguez-Alonso and Raúl Montañez equally contributed to this work.

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Rodríguez-Alonso, J., Montañez, R., Rodríguez-Caso, L. et al. Homocysteine is a potent modulator of plasma membrane electron transport systems. J Bioenerg Biomembr 40, 45–51 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10863-008-9127-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10863-008-9127-0

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