A phosphodiesterase 2A isoform localized to mitochondria regulates respiration

J Biol Chem. 2011 Sep 2;286(35):30423-30432. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M111.266379. Epub 2011 Jul 1.

Abstract

Mitochondria are central organelles in cellular energy metabolism, apoptosis, and aging processes. A signaling network regulating these functions was recently shown to include soluble adenylyl cyclase as a local source of the second messenger cAMP in the mitochondrial matrix. However, a mitochondrial cAMP-degrading phosphodiesterase (PDE) necessary for switching off this cAMP signal has not yet been identified. Here, we describe the identification and characterization of a PDE2A isoform in mitochondria from rodent liver and brain. We find that mitochondrial PDE2A is located in the matrix and that the unique N terminus of PDE2A isoform 2 specifically leads to mitochondrial localization of this isoform. Functional assays show that mitochondrial PDE2A forms a local signaling system with soluble adenylyl cyclase in the matrix, which regulates the activity of the respiratory chain. Our findings complete a cAMP signaling cascade in mitochondria and have implications for understanding the regulation of mitochondrial processes and for their pharmacological modulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Cell Respiration
  • Cyclic GMP / metabolism
  • Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 2 / biosynthesis
  • Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 2 / physiology*
  • Endopeptidase K / chemistry
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Microscopy, Confocal / methods
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Rats
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Protein Isoforms
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • 3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases
  • Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 2
  • PDE2A protein, human
  • Pde2a protein, rat
  • Endopeptidase K
  • Cyclic GMP