Sex-dependent differences in macaque brain mitochondria

Biochim Biophys Acta Bioenerg. 2024 Nov 1;1865(4):149494. doi: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2024.149494. Epub 2024 Jul 1.

Abstract

Mitochondrial bioenergetics in females and males is different. However, whether mitochondria from male and female brains display differences in enzymes of oxidative phosphorylation remains unknown. Therefore, we characterized mitochondrial complexes from the brains of male and female macaques (Macaca mulatta). Cerebral tissue from male macaques exhibits elevated content and activity of mitochondrial complex I (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase) and higher activity of complex II (succinate dehydrogenase) compared to females. No significant differences between sexes were found in the content of α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase or in the activities of cytochrome c oxidase and F1Fo ATPase. Our results underscore the need for further investigations to elucidate sex-related mitochondrial differences in humans.

Keywords: ATPase; Cytochrome c oxidase; Mitochondria; Mitochondrial complex I; NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase; Primates; Sex; Succinate dehydrogenase; TCA cycle; α-Ketoglutarate dehydrogenase.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain* / metabolism
  • Electron Transport Complex I / metabolism
  • Electron Transport Complex IV / metabolism
  • Energy Metabolism
  • Female
  • Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase Complex / metabolism
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Male
  • Mitochondria* / metabolism
  • Oxidative Phosphorylation
  • Sex Characteristics

Substances

  • Electron Transport Complex IV
  • Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase Complex
  • Electron Transport Complex I