Farnesol-induced generation of reactive oxygen species dependent on mitochondrial transmembrane potential hyperpolarization mediated by F0F1-ATPase in yeast

An isoprenoid farnesol (FOH) inhibited cellular oxygen consumption and induced mitochondrial generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in correlation with hyperpolarization of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (mt Delta Psi ). The FOH-induced events were coordinately abolished with the F-1-ATPase inhibitor sodium azide as well as the F0F1-ATPase inhibitor oligomycin, suggesting the dependence of ROS generation on mt Delta Psi hyperpolarization mediated by the proton pumping function of F0F1-ATPase as a result of ATP hydrolysis. The role of F-1-ATPase activity in mt Delta Psi hyperpolarization was supported by the intracellular depletion of ATP in FOH-treated cells and its protection with sodium azide, An indirect mechanism was suggested to exist in the regulation of F0F1-ATPase by FOH to accelerate its ATP-hydrolyzing activity, (C) 1999 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.