Differentiation of THP-1 monocytes to macrophages increased mitochondrial DNA copy number but did not increase expression of mitochondrial respiratory proteins or mitochondrial transcription factor A

Arch Biochem Biophys. 2021 Oct 15:710:108988. doi: 10.1016/j.abb.2021.108988. Epub 2021 Jul 16.

Abstract

Monocytes are differentiated into macrophages. In this study, mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) levels and downstream events such as the expression of respiratory chain mRNAs were investigated during the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced differentiation of monocytes. Although PMA treatment increased mtDNAcn, the expression levels of mRNAs encoded in mtDNA were decreased. The levels of mitochondrial transcription factor A mRNA and protein were also decreased. The levels of coenzyme Q10 remained unchanged. These results imply that, although mtDNAcn is considered as a health marker, the levels of mtDNAcn may not always be consistent with the parameters of mitochondrial functions.

Keywords: Coenzyme Q10; Macrophage; PMA; TFAM; THP-1; mtDNA copy number.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • DNA Copy Number Variations
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics*
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / metabolism*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Macrophages / cytology*
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Mitochondria / ultrastructure
  • Mitochondrial Precursor Protein Import Complex Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / metabolism
  • Monocytes / cytology*
  • Monocytes / drug effects
  • Monocytes / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism
  • THP-1 Cells
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / pharmacology
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Ubiquinone / analogs & derivatives
  • Ubiquinone / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA, Mitochondrial
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Precursor Protein Import Complex Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • TOMM20 protein, human
  • Transcription Factors
  • mitochondrial transcription factor A
  • Ubiquinone
  • coenzyme Q10
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate