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Estrogens prevent calcium‐induced release of cytochrome c from heart mitochondria
Author(s) -
Morkuniene Ramune,
Jekabsone Aiste,
Borutaite Vilmante
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(02)02820-x
Subject(s) - mitochondrion , calcium , cytochrome c , respiration , cytochrome , membrane potential , inner mitochondrial membrane , chemistry , respiration rate , biology , biochemistry , endocrinology , biophysics , medicine , anatomy , organic chemistry , enzyme
We investigated the effect of estrogens on heart mitochondrial functions and whether estrogens can prevent calcium‐induced release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. 10 nM–10 μM 17β‐estradiol or 4‐hydroxytamoxifen did not affect mitochondrial respiration rate and membrane potential in state 3 and state 4. Higher concentrations of both agents decreased state 3 respiration rate and membrane potential. 100 nM 17β‐estradiol and 4‐hydroxytamoxifen blocked high calcium‐induced cytochrome c release from mitochondria but not mitochondrial swelling. Thus, at physiological concentrations estrogens do not affect mitochondrial respiratory functions but protect heart mitochondria from high calcium‐induced release of cytochrome c .