INCORPORATION OF AN OXYGEN FROM WATER INTO TROGLITAZONE QUINONE BY CYTOCHROME P450 AND MYELOPEROXIDASE

Troglitazone (TGZ) was the first glitazone used for the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus. TGZ undergoes an oxidative chroman ring-opening reaction to form a quinone product. Recently, cytochrome P450 (P450) was shown to be able to catalyze the formation of TGZ quinone. TGZ quinone was the major metabolite formed by dexamethasone-induced rat liver microsomes or myeloperoxidase (MPO) incubated with TGZ. The ultimate source for the quinone carbonyl oxygen atom of TGZ quinone was investigated using (18)O water in both enzyme reaction systems followed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectometry analysis of the TGZ quinone product. The resultant TGZ quinone formed by either liver microsomes or MPO contained a single atom of (18)O. The (18)O atom was determined to be the quinone carbonyl oxygen by collision-induced dissociation fragmentation of the (18)O-labeled TGZ quinone. The formation of TGZ quinone was inhibited approximately 90% by coincubation with ascorbic acid or cysteine in the MPO reaction system but only 10 to 20% in liver microsomes, which might reflect the difference in the mechanism by which TGZ quinone is formed by P450 and peroxidase. These results suggest that P450 catalyze an atypical reaction to form TGZ quinone, involving the incorporation of an oxygen from water into the quinone carbonyl position.

[Antimutagenic activity of plant extracts from Armoracia rusticana, Ficus carica and Zea mays and peroxidase in eukaryotic cells]

Antimutagene activity and high efficiency of antimutagene action of plant extracts from horseradish roots (Armoracia rusticana), fig brunches (Ficus carica) and mays seedlings (Zea mays) and their ability to decrease the frequency of spontaneous and induced by gamma-rays chromosome aberrations in meristematic cells of Vicia faba and marrow cells of mice have been shown. Comparative assessment of genoprotective properties of peroxidase and the studied extracts has revealed higher efficiency of antimutagene action of peroxidase.

Quantitative measurement of estrogen-induced ERK 1 and 2 activation via multiple membrane-initiated signaling pathways

Estradiol (E2) and other steroids have recently been shown to initiate various intracellular signaling cascades from the plasma membrane, including those stimulating mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and particularly extracellular-regulated kinases (ERKs). In this study we demonstrated the ability of E2 to activate ERKs in the GH3/B6/F10 pituitary tumor cell line, originally selected for its enhanced expression of membrane estrogen receptor-alpha (mERalpha). We compared E2 to its cell-impermeable analog (E2 conjugated to peroxidase, E2-P), and to the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES). Time-dependent ERK activation was quantified with a novel fixed cell-based immunoassay developed to efficiently determine activation by multiple compounds over multiple parameters. Both E2 and DES produced bimodal responses, but with distinctly different time courses of enzyme phosphorylation (activation) and inactivation; E2-P induced a monophasic ERK activation. E2 also phosphorylated ERKs in concentration-dependent manner with two concentration optima (10(-14) and 10(-8)M). Inhibitors were employed to determine pathway (ER, EGFR, membrane organization, PI3 kinase, Src kinase, Ca2+) involvement and timing of pathway activations; all affected ERK activation as early as 3-6 min, suggesting simultaneous, not sequential, activation. Therefore, E2 and other estrogenic compounds can produce rapid ERK phosphorylations via nongenomic pathways, using more than one pathway for signal generation.

Selected parameters of immunological response in hop growers during the period of intensive application of pesticides

The aim of the study was determination of selected parameters of immunological response among hop growers and farmers in conditions of intensive exposure to means of plant protection. Survey data was collected from 238 males aged 25-70 living in the area of Wilków near Puławy (Lublin Region). Control group were males from the area of Witoszyn (Lublin Region)--53 people aged 25-70 occupied mainly with land cultivation. Based on an environmental survey conducted among hop growers and farmers, the respondents were divided into 3 age groups: 25-40, 41-55 and 56-70. Laboratory tests covered the determination of selected morphological parameters, phagocytic test, NBT test, and myeloperoxidasis (MPO) concentration in blood serum of hop growers and farmers.A significant decrease was noted in the number of platelets in the general population of hop growers and in individual age groups, compared to the control groups of farmers. Analysis of individual sub-populations of leukocytes showed a significantly higher number statistically of basophils and lymphocytes among hop growers, compared to farmers. A detailed analysis of the degree of phagocytic and bactericidal activity of neutrophils allowed us to presume that during the period of spraying there occurred a mobilisation of the granulocytic system, manifested by the presence of over 90% of neutrophils of intensified phagocytic activity, and 20% of neutrophils of intensified bactericidal activity. The preparations prepared by the routine NBT test method were analysed with the use of LUCIA computer programme (version 4.51). The analysis of the level of MPO in blood serum in the populations examined showed the presence of statistically significant differences. In hop growers, the MPO level was significantly higher statistically (60.0 ng/ml), compared to the control group of farmers (43.4 ng/ml).

Myeloperoxidase-derived hypochlorous acid antagonizes the oxidative stress-mediated activation of iron regulatory protein 1

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a highly reactive product generated by the myeloperoxidase reaction during the oxidative burst of activated neutrophils, which is implicated in many bactericidal and cytotoxic responses. Recent evidence suggests that HOCl may also play a role in the modulation of redox sensitive signaling pathways. The short half-life of HOCl and the requirement for a continuous presence of H2O2 as a substrate for its myeloperoxidase-catalyzed generation make the study of HOCl-mediated responses very difficult. We describe here an enzymatic model consisting of glucose/glucose oxidase, catalase, and myeloperoxidase (GOX/CAT/MPO) that allows the controlled generation of both HOCl and H2O2 and thus, mimics the oxidative burst of activated neutrophils. By employing this model we show that HOCl prevents the H2O2-mediated activation of iron regulatory protein 1 (IRP1), a central post-transcriptional regulator of mammalian iron metabolism. Activated IRP1 binds to (R)iron-responsive elements" (IREs) within the mRNAs encoding proteins of iron metabolism and thereby controls their translation or stability. The inhibitory effect of HOCl is not a result of a direct modification of IRP1 by this oxidant. Kinetics experiments provide evidence that HOCl intervenes with the signaling cascade, which results in the activation of IRP1. We further demonstrate that HOCl antagonizes the H2O2-mediated increase in the levels of transferrin receptor, which is a downstream target of IRP1. Our findings suggest that HOCl can modulate signaling pathways in a concerted action with H2O2. The GOX/CAT/MPO system provides a valuable tool for studying the regulatory function of HOCl.

Bacterial antigen-induced release of white cell- and platelet-derived bioactive substances in vitro

OBJECTIVES

Poor prognosis after resection of primary colorectal cancer may be related to the combination of perioperative blood transfusion and subsequent development of infectious complications. Various white cell- and platelet-derived cancer-growth substances may be involved in this process. Therefore, we studied the in vitro release of substances from white cells and platelets stimulated by bacterial antigens and supernatants from stored red-cell components.

METHODS

Eight units of whole blood (WB) and 8 U of buffy-coat-depleted red-cell (SAGM) blood were donated by healthy blood donors. Subsequently, one-half of each unit was leucocyte-depleted by filtration, and all 32 half-units were stored under standard conditions for 35 d. Just after storage, and on d 7, 21, and 35 during storage, aliquots of the supernatants were removed from the units and frozen at -80 degrees C. WB from other healthy donors was stimulated for 2 h with sodium chloride (controls), with Escherichia coli (E. coli) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) alone, or with LPS plus supernatants from the WB units (diluted 1:10), or from the SAGM units (diluted 1:20) stored for 0, 7, 21, or 35 d, respectively. Similar assays were performed using Staphylococcus aureus-derived protein A as a stimulatory antigen. The concentration of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), histamine (HIS), and plasminogen-activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were determined in supernatants from the stored blood and in assay supernatants by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and radioimmunoassay (RIA) methods.

RESULTS

The extracellular concentration of ECP, MPO, and HIS increased significantly in a storage-time-dependent manner in nonfiltered WB and SAGM blood, and the increase was abrogated by prestorage leukofiltration. Similarly, PA-1 increased significantly in nonfiltered WB, and the increase was abrogated by prestorage leukofiltration. The supernatant concentrations of the four substances were significantly increased in LPS-stimulated (0.5-4 fold) and in protein A-stimulated (0.5-13.5-fold) assays compared with controls. The addition of supernatants from stored nonfiltered WB or SAGM blood significantly increased the assay supernatant of ECP, MPO, HIS, and PAU-1 concentrations storage-time-dependently in LPS-stimulated assays. Prestorage leukofiltration abrogated the additional effect of supernatants from stored blood. Similar results were observed for ECP and HIS through the addition of supernatants from stored blood to protein A-stimulated assays. Protein A stimulation did not lead to increased PA-1 release in assays diluted by supernatants from stored blood. However, the MPO concentrations were significantly (p = 0.004), and independent of storage time and leukofiltration, increased in protein A-stimulated assays diluted by supernatants from stored blood compared with sodium chloride dilution.

CONCLUSION

Extracellular ECP, MPO, HIS, and PA-1 accumulate during storage of nonfiltered red-cell components, but the accumulation can be prevented by prestorage leukofiltration. In addition, bacterial antigens appear to induce significant release of the substances from white cells and platelets. Addition of supernatants from stored, nonfiltered WB and SAGM blood may increase the substance levels in a storage-time-dependent manner, and prestorage leukofiltration may prevent further increase by supernatants, except for MPO.

Peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in fig leaves in response to ambient air pollution in a subtropical city

Urban air pollution is a serious problem in both developing and developed countries, and antioxidant enzyme activities in plants have been suggested as a useful bioindicator of air pollution. In this study, the seasonal and spatial variability of peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were measured in leaves of Ficus microcarpa at eight sampling sites in the Taipei metropolitan area and one background site in rural area at each month for a year. The spatial pattern of peroxidase activity in figs collected from the Taipei metropolitan area was similar to the spatial pattern of O3 concentration in the Taipei metropolitan area. The peroxidase activities of Ficus microcarpa were significantly higher at sampling sites from the outer zone of the metropolitan area than those from the inner zone of the metropolitan area in spring and summer. On the other hand, the spatial pattern of superoxide dismutase activity in fig leaves did not show significant differences between the inner and outer zones of the Taipei metropolitan area. In addition, peroxidase activities, but not superoxide dismutase activities, of Ficus microcarpa were significantly higher in sites with high traffic density than those in low traffic density sites. Even though peroxidase activities in Ficus microcarpa tended to be higher in high traffic density sites or some sites with high ozone concentration, site-specific changes of peroxidase activity in Ficus microcarpa due to O3 pollution were not clearly observed in this study. Based on these results, neither peroxidase nor superoxide dismutase in Ficus microcarpa is a sensitive bioindicator for O3 pollution, although peroxidase shows some potential to be used as a general bioindicator of air quality.

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluids of ventilated patients with acute lung injury activate NF-κB in alveolar epithelial cell line: role of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species and cytokines

In human alveolar epithelial cell line, we investigated the binding activity of NF-kappaB induced by the bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALs) from ventilated patients with acute lung injury (ALI), in correlation with the concentrations of inflammatory cytokines, RNOS, and the severity of the ALI. In BALs obtained in 67 patients (16 bronchopneumonia, 14 infected ARDS, 20 ARDS, and 17 ALI patients without bronchopneumonia and no ARDS), we measured endotoxin, IL-1beta, IL-8, and nitrated proteins (NTP), the activity of myeloperoxidase, and the capacity to activate the NF-kappaB in alveolar A549 cells by electrophoretic mobility shift and supershift assays. The neutrophil counts and mean IL-1beta, IL-8, myeloperoxidase, and NTP values were increased in bronchopneumonia and infected ARDS groups compared to ARDS and ALI without bronchopneumonia and no ARDS groups (P<0.001). The number of neutrophils was correlated to those of IL-1beta, IL-8, myeloperoxidase, NTP, and endotoxin in all groups (P<0.0001). NF-kappaB activity was induced in alveolar like cells by BALs in all groups, was higher in bronchopneumonia and infected ARDS groups (P<0.02), and was correlated to IL-1beta (P=0.0002), IL-8 (P=0.02), NTP (P=0.014), myeloperoxidase (P=0.016), and neutrophil counts (P=0.003). BALs of bronchopneumonia and infected ARDS patients had increased inflammatory mediators (compared to ARDS and ALI without bronchopneumonia and no ARDS patients) that correlated to neutrophil counts and to the NF-kappaB-binding activity. These mediators and NF-kappaB activation may induce an amplification of inflammatory phenomena. By in vitro studies, we confirmed that NO-derived species (10(-6) to 10(-5)M peroxynitrite and 10(-5)M nitrites) and myeloperoxidase (at concentration equivalent to that found in BALs) can participate in the NF-kappaB activation.

Low leucocyte myeloperoxidase activity in patients with multiple sclerosis

The gene for myeloperoxidase (MPO) has been implicated in multiple sclerosis (MS). By measuring H(2)O(2) dependent oxidation of 3,3'5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine with spectrophotometry the authors investigated MPO activity in peripheral blood leucocytes from 42 patients with MS (12 with secondary progressive MS, 17 with primary progressive MS, and 13 with relapsing remitting benign MS) and 32 healthy controls. Leucocyte MPO activity was significantly lower in patients with benign MS (mean (SEM) 0.086 (0.029) U/mg protein; p<0.01), secondary progressive MS (0.038 (0.009) U/mg protein; p<0.001), and primary progressive MS (0.057 (0.016) U/mg protein; p<0.001) compared with healthy controls (0.322 (0.053) U/mg protein). These data suggest that low MPO, which may be genetically determined, plays a part in MS pathogenesis.

Effects of human mast cell tryptase and eosinophil granule proteins on the kinetics of blood clotting

Hypereosinophilic syndromes are often associated with thrombosis through unclear mechanisms, and mastocytosis has been associated with a variety of bleeding disorders. The present studies were aimed at defining the roles and interactions of eosinophil and mast cell constituents on the kinetics of blood clotting as measured by thromboelastograms. Eosinophil granule proteins and purified eosinophil peroxidase markedly reduced the anticoagulant properties of the mast cell tryptase/heparin complex. Moreover, eosinophil peroxidase by itself functioned as a powerful procoagulant and also inhibited the anticoagulant actions of heparin in a chromogenic assay for antithrombin III/factor Xa activity. The anticoagulant activity of the tryptase/heparin complex was attributable exclusively to the associated heparin and not to the intrinsic enzymatic activity of tryptase. Eosinophil granule proteins also strongly inhibited the enzymatic activity of tryptase in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, thus implicating a critical role for eosinophil peroxidase. We conclude that eosinophil granule proteins and eosinophil peroxidase both function as powerful procoagulants and also inhibit the anticoagulant and enzymatic activities of mast cell tryptase. The present results thus provide a mechanistic rationale for the well-established link between certain eosinophilic inflammatory disorders and hypercoagulant states. They also suggest that eosinophils may play an important role in neutralizing the anticoagulant activity of mast cell tryptase/heparin in various diseases.

Myeloperoxidase-induced formation of chlorohydrins and lysophospholipids from unsaturated phosphatidylcholines

The formation of lysophosphatidylcholines and chlorohydrins from unsaturated phosphatidylcholines upon the treatment with the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-chloride system was evaluated by means of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Lyso-products were primarily found in phosphatidylcholine samples containing highly unsaturated fatty acid residues such as arachidonic or docosahexenoic acid. On the other hand, chlorohydrins dominate in mono- or bis-unsaturated phosphatidylcholines. No formation of these products was detected in the absence of one of the components of the MPO-H(2)O(2)-Cl(-) system or in the presence of MPO inhibitors (sodium azide) or scavengers of hypochlorous acid (taurine, methionine). Thus, hypochlorous acid formed by the MPO-H(2)O(2)-Cl(-) system is responsible for the observed modification in unsaturated phosphatidylcholines. In the presence of the complete MPO system, lyso-products and chlorohydrins were only formed at pH values lower than pH 6.0 with an optimum at pH 4.3. In contrast, the reagent hypochlorous acid caused the formation of these products even at neutral pH values, indicating a clear dependence of the yield of products on the presence of undissociated HOCl. We conclude that the formation of lysophospholipids and chlorohydrins from unsaturated phosphatidylcholines by myeloperoxidase can be relevant in vivo under acute inflammatory conditions.

Mechanism of melatonin-induced oscillations in the peroxidase-oxidase reaction

Melatonin induces oscillations in the peroxidase-oxidase (PO) reaction catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase. We present here studies of the effect of pH, enzyme concentration, and concentration of melatonin on the oscillation frequency. We also present a mechanistic model to explain the experimentally observed changes in oscillation frequency. Using the data obtained here we are able to predict that oscillations will also occur in the PO reaction catalyzed by myeloperoxidase. Myeloperoxidase is an important protein in activated neutrophils and we provide evidence that the oscillations of NAD(P)H, superoxide and hydrogen peroxide in these cells may involve this enzyme. Thus, our experimental system can be considered a model system for the nonrespiratory oxygen metabolism in activated neutrophils and other similar cells participating in the defence against invading pathogens.

Human eosinophil peroxidase induces surface alteration, killing, and lysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The antimycobacterial role of eosinophil peroxidase (EPO), one of the most abundant granule proteins in human eosinophils, was investigated. Our data indicate that purified EPO shows significant inhibitory activity towards Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. On a molar basis, this activity was similar to that exhibited by neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO) and was both dose and time dependent. In contrast to the activity of MPO, which requires H(2)O(2), EPO also exhibited anti-M. tuberculosis activity in the absence of exogenously added peroxide. Morphological evidence confirmed that the mechanism of action of EPO against mycobacteria differs from that of MPO. While MPO kills M. tuberculosis H37Rv exclusively in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, it does not induce morphological changes in the pathogen. In contrast, EPO-treated bacteria frequently had cell wall lesions and eventually underwent lysis, either in the presence or in the absence of H(2)O(2).

Effects of rogar and endosulfan on the metabolism of fresh water sponge (Spongilla lacustris)

Spongilla lacustris were exposed to sub lethal concentrations of pesticides, rogar and endosulfan for one month period. Metabolites like carbohydrates, protein and enzymes like those that peroxidase and carbonic anhydrase were estimated in the experimental and control animals. The results show, depletion of carbohydrates while protein elevated as the days progressed. Similarly an enzyme activity found to be decreased in exposed Spongilla lacustris.

Efficacy of repifermin (keratinocyte growth factor-2) against abnormalities in gastrointestinal mucosal transport in a murine model of colitis

Human keratinocyte growth factor-2 (KGF-2) is a member of the fibroblast growth factor family that promotes healing of experimental small intestinal ulceration and colitis. The aim of this study was to determine whether repifermin, a truncated form of recombinant human KGF-2, reverses abnormalities in colonic mucosal transport in a murine model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Male Swiss-Webster mice were given 4% DSS in drinking water for 7 days and then normal drinking water for 3 days. Repifermin (5 mg kg(-1), i.p.) or vehicle was administered daily for 7 days starting on Day 4 of DSS exposure. On Day 10, net ion transport was measured electrophysiologically in colonic mucosal sheets. Repifermin significantly reduced DSS-induced colonic inflammation measured by tissue myeloperoxidase activity. Concurrently, in colonic tissue taken from mice treated with repifermin, there was a normalization of basal potential difference and short circuit current, and an improvement in the secretory responses to stimulation of muscarinic and ganglionic cholinoceptors. In control mice, repifermin did not interact directly with colonic epithelial cells or intramural neurones to induce immediate changes in net electrogenic transport. The results suggest that repifermin therapy may improve the mucosal electrogenic transport that is impaired during colitis.

Cadmium toxicity induced changes in plant water relations and oxidative metabolism of Brassica juncea L. plants

Excess of cadmium (Cd) induced changes in oxidative scenario and water status of plants viz.., total water content, specific water content, water saturation deficit (WSD) and transpiration of Brassica juncea plants grown in soil pot culture. Although lower and marginal levels of excess cadmium (100 and 250 ppm) improved growth but higher levels (500 ppm) caused significant suppression. Significant accumulation of proline, an indicator of water stress, occurred at higher level of Cd. Gradual increases in activities of certain antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and peroxidase along with increased lipid peroxidation are suggestive of disturbed oxidative metabolism. Taking together, the deleterious effects of Cd and its effects on oxidative metabolism clearly indicate enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to be instrumental in producing toxic effects of Cd. The excess levels of Cd also decreased the concentrations of soluble protein and chlorophylls and increased the ratio of chlorophyll a/b.

Environmental stress-induced extracellular isoperoxidase RC3 from rice

Effects of various environmental stresses such as heavy metals, salts and low (high) temperature on the secretion of peroxidase isozyme into the medium were examined in rice (Oryza sativa cv. Nak-Dong) suspension culture. The major extracellular peroxidases secreted into the medium by various stresses were cationic isoperoxidases. A far migrating cationic isoperoxidase RC3 was isolated from the medium after application of CaCl2, the effective stimulator for peroxidase secretion. Isolation of extracellular isoperoxidase RC3 was accomplished by ammonium sulfate fractionation, CM-cellulose cation-exchange chromatography, and Sephacryl S-100 gel filtration. The enzyme was a glycoprotein having molecular weight of approximately 34 KDa as determined by SDS-PAGE and 38 KDa by Sephacryl S-100 gel filtration. The pI value of the enzyme was 8.9. Kinetic studies revealed that the optimum pH of the enzyme was 6.0 for guaiacol and H2O2, and the Km values for guaiacol and H2O2 were 10.5 mM and 3.2 mM, respectively.

Screening of Coprinus species for the production of extracellular peroxidase and evaluation of the enzyme for the treatment of aqueous phenol

The production of extracellular peroxidase by twenty-five strains of Coprinus species was investigated for the purpose of its application to the removal of phenolic and other aromatic compounds from industrial waste streams. After initial screening experiments, the production of peroxidase by three superior strains of C cinererus UAMH 4103, UAMH 7907 and IFO 30116 was monitored over a 15-day period. Peroxidase activity was detected after 3 days of growth and had reached itspeak another 6 days later. The peroxidase activity appeared to increase with a corresponding depletion of glucose concentration and rapidly declined immediately after the exhaustion of glucose. The effectiveness of the cultivated C. cinereus peroxidase (CIP) for the removal of aqueous phenol was evaluated in the presence and in the absence of additives including polyethylene glycol (PEG) and chitosan, and compared with those of purified horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and Arthromyces ramosus peroxidase (ARP). The addition of PEG and chitosan enhanced the efficiency of phenol transformation catalyzed by CIP by the factor of 1.5 and 1.3, respectively. Although the efficiency of phenol transformation was higher with CIP than those with purified HRP and ARP in the absence of addtives, its superiority diminished in the presence of PEG. This suggests that the by-products of fungal culture in the crude CIP solution, presumably polycarbohydrates and proteins, have protective effects on the enzyme against inactivation during catalytic transformation of phenol, and the addition of PEG provides small effects on further protection.

The transcriptional regulator AlgR is essential for Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogenesis

Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. One P. aeruginosa virulence factor unique to CF isolates is overproduction of alginate, phenotypically termed mucoidy. Mucoidy is the result of increased transcription from the algD gene and is activated by the transcriptional regulator AlgR. Mutations in algR result in a nonmucoid phenotype and loss of twitching motility. Additionally, AlgR controls transcription of algC, encoding a dual-function enzyme necessary for both lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and alginate production. Therefore, to determine the effect of algR on P. aeruginosa virulence, an algR mutant was examined for sensitivity to reactive oxygen intermediates, killing by phagocytes, systemic virulence, and the ability to maintain a murine lung infection. We found that P. aeruginosa PAO700 (algR::Gm(r)) was less lethal than PAO1, as tested in an acute septicemia infection mouse model, and was cleared more efficiently in a mouse pneumonia model. Additionally, the algR mutant (PAO700) was more sensitive to hypochlorite. However, PAO700 was more resistant to hydrogen peroxide and killed less readily in an acellular myeloperoxidase assay than PAO1. There was little difference in killing between PAO1 and PAO700 with macrophage-like J774 cells and human polymorhonuclear leukocytes. Two-dimensional gel analysis of P. aeruginosa algR mutant and wild-type protein extracts revealed 47 differentially regulated proteins, suggesting that AlgR plays both a positive role and a negative role in gene expression. Together, these results imply that AlgR is necessary for virulence and regulates genes in addition to the genes associated with alginate and LPS production and pilus function.

Oxidation of Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase by the myeloperoxidase/hydrogen peroxide/chloride system: functional and structural effects

This study investigated the functional and structural effects of bovine Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu, Zn-SOD) oxidation by the myeloperoxidase (MPO)/hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)/chloride system and reagent hypochlorous acid (HOCl). Exposure to HOCl led to a fast inactivation accompanied by structural alterations. The residual SOD activity depended on the reactants concentration ratio and on the exposure time. The concomitant high consumption of HOCl indicated the presence of multiple targets on the protein. As assessed by SDS/PAGE, HOCl caused the dissociation of the protein into protomers at 16 kDa stable to both SDS and reducing conditions. Results from isoelectric focusing gels showed that exposure to HOCl induced the formation of modified protein derivatives, with a more acidic net electric charge than the parent molecule, consistent with the presence of additional ions observed in the electrospray ionization mass spectra. The reaction of protein with HOCl resulted in changes in protein conformation as assessed by the UV fluorescence and oxidation of the unique methionine and tyrosine, chlorination of several lysines with formation of chloramines. There was no significant formation of dityrosine and carbonyl groups. Exposure to high levels of HOCl resulted in complete enzyme inactivation, loss of additional lysine, histidine and arginine residues and coincident detection of weakly bound zinc and copper using 4-pyridylazaresorcinol. Collectively, the results suggest that the decrease of the dismutase activity is probably related to both dissociation into protomers and unfolding due to extensive oxidative modifications of amino acids.

Formation of reactive nitrogen species at biologic heme centers: a potential mechanism of nitric oxide-dependent toxicity

The peroxidase-catalyzed nitration of tyrosine derivatives by nitrite and hydrogen peroxide has been studied in detail using the enzymes lactoperoxidase (LPO) from bovine milk and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The results indicate the existence of two competing pathways, in which the nitrating species is either nitrogen dioxide or peroxynitrite. The first pathway involves one-electron oxidation of nitrite by the classical peroxidase intermediates compound I and compound II, whereas in the second pathway peroxynitrite is generated by reaction between enzyme-bound nitrite and hydrogen peroxide. The two mechanisms can be simultaneously operative, and their relative importance depends on the reagent concentrations. With HRP the peroxynitrite pathway contributes significantly only at relatively high nitrite concentrations, but for LPO this represents the main pathway even at relatively low (pathophysiological) nitrite concentrations and explains the high efficiency of the enzyme in the nitration. Myoglobin and hemoglobin are also active in the nitration of phenolic compounds, albeit with lower efficiency compared with peroxidases. In the case of myoglobin, endogenous nitration of the protein has been shown to occur in the absence of substrate. The main nitration site is the heme, but a small fraction of nitrated Tyr146 residue has been identified upon proteolytic digestion and high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of the peptide fragments. Preliminary investigation of the nitration of tryptophan derivatives by the peroxidase/nitrite/hydrogen peroxide systems shows that a complex pattern of isomeric nitration products is produced, and this pattern varies with nitrite concentration. Comparative experiments using chemical nitrating agents indicate that at low nitrite concentrations, the enzymatic nitration produces a regioisomeric mixture of nitrotryptophanyl derivatives resembling that obtained using nitrogen dioxide, whereas at high nitrite concentrations the product pattern resembles that obtained using peroxynitrite.

The effect of exogenous peroxidase on the evolution of murine leprosy

Mycobacterium lepraemurium (MLM) is a successful parasite of murine macrophages; in vitro, this microorganism infects macrophages without triggering these cells' ability to produce either the reactive oxygen intermediaries (ROI) or the reactive nitrogen intermediaries (RNI), and ends up lodging within these cells, that, in addition, do not contain myeloperoxidase (MPO). In this study, we analyzed the effect of exogenous peroxidase on the evolution of murine leprosy. Bacilli were intraperitoneally injected, either alone (MLM) or precoated with horseradish peroxidase (MLM-PO), into two different groups of mice. At two-week intervals, the groups were blood-sampled to measure the levels of antibodies to protein- or lipid-MLM antigens. The extent of the disease was also assessed by looking at the histopathologic changes that occurred both in the liver and the spleen of the infected animals. We found that the animals injected with MLM-PO developed a disease that evolved at a slower pace than the disease that occurred in the animals injected with intact MLM. The difference between groups, both in terms of antibody levels and histological changes, was clearly evident at the intermediate stages of the disease (2 to 2.5 months), but was not so obvious at the more advanced stage of 3 months. Several possibilities to explain how the PO-coated bacilli might have regained their infectiousness are discussed. Lowering the infective dose of MLM and MLM-PO from 5 x 10(7) bacilli to 5 x 10(6) bacilli would, probably, have resulted in a different outcome of the disease: more extended in the MLM-group than in the MLM-PO group.