Recent investigations into the lipoxygenase pathway of plants

Exogenous nitric oxide protect cucumber roots against oxidative stress induced by salt stress

Mitochondria are subcellular organelles with an essentially oxidative type of metabolism. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in it increases under stress conditions and causes oxidative damage. In the present study, effects of exogenous sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide (NO) donor, on both the ROS metabolism in mitochondria and functions of plasma membrane (PM) and tonoplast were studied in cucumber seedlings treated with 100mM NaCl. NaCl treatment induced significant accumulation of H(2)O(2) and led to serious lipid peroxidation in cucumber mitochondria, and the application of 50muM SNP stimulated ROS-scavenging enzymes and reduced accumulation of H(2)O(2) in mitochondria of cucumber roots induced by NaCl. As a result, lipid peroxidation of mitochondria decreased. Further investigation showed that application of SNP alleviated the inhibition of H(+)-ATPase and H(+)-PPase in PM and/or tonoplast by NaCl. While application of sodium ferrocyanide (an analog of SNP that does not release NO) did not show the effect of SNP, furthermore, the effects of SNP were reverted by addition of hemoglobin (a NO scavenger).

Inhibition of lipoxygenase by soy isoflavones: evidence of isoflavones as redox inhibitors

Hydroperoxides, the products of lipoxygenase mediated pathways, play a major role in the manifestation of chronic inflammatory diseases. Soy isoflavones act as antioxidants due to their ability to scavenge free radicals. Isoflavones inhibit the activity of soy lipoxygenase-1 and 5-lipoxygenase, from human polymorph nuclear lymphocyte in a concentration dependent manner. Spectroscopic and enzyme kinetic measurements have helped to understand the nature and mechanism of inhibition. Genistein is the most effective inhibitor of soy lipoxygenase 1 and 5-lipoxygenase with IC(50) values of 107 and 125 microM, respectively. Genistein and daidzein are noncompetitive inhibitors of soy lipoxygenase 1 with inhibition constants, K(i), of 60 and 80 microM, respectively. Electron paramagnetic resonance and spectroscopic studies confirm that isoflavones reduce active state iron to ferrous state and prevent the activation of the resting enzyme. A model for the inhibition of lipoxygenase by isoflavones is suggested.

Hydroperoxide lyases (CYP74C and CYP74B) catalyze the homolytic isomerization of fatty acid hydroperoxides into hemiacetals

The conversion of linoleic acid 9-hydroperoxide (9-HPOD) by recombinant melon (Cucumis melo L.) hydroperoxide lyase (HPL, CYP74C subfamily) was studied. Short (5 s-1 min) incubations at 0 degrees C followed by rapid extraction and trimethylsilylation made it possible to trap a new unstable (t(1/2) <30 s) product, i.e. the hemiacetal (1'E,3'Z)-9-hydroxy-9-(1',3'-nonadienyloxy)-nonanoic acid. Identification was performed by GC-MS analysis and substantiated by the formation of trimethylsilyl 9-trimethylsilyloxy-9-nonyloxy-nonanoate upon catalytic hydrogenation and by (2)H-labelling experiments. Both (18)O atoms of [(18)O(2)-hydroperoxy]9-HPOD were incorporated into the hemiacetal. Along with the hemiacetal, three chain-cleavage products, i.e. the enol (1E,3Z)-nonadienol and the hydrates of 3(Z)-nonenal and 9-oxononanoic acid, were trapped as their trimethylsilyl derivatives. The kinetics of (18)O incorporation from [(18)O(2)]9-HPOD provided strong evidence that the cleavage products originated in the hemiacetal. Linolenic and linoleic acid 13-hydroperoxides served as substrates for recombinant HPLs of melon, alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and guava (Psidium guajava), and in each case hemiacetals and enols were detectable by the trapping technique. The data obtained demonstrated that CYP74C and CYP74B HPLs act as isomerases performing a homolytic rearrangement of fatty acid hydroperoxides into short-lived hemiacetals which upon decomposition produce 3(Z)-nonenal, 3(Z)-hexenal and other short chain aldehydes.

Short Communication: Effect of Number of Extractions on Percentage of Long-Chain Fatty Acids from Fresh Alfalfa

Accurate determination of fatty acids in fresh forage is very important when studying biohydrogenation. Fatty acids from fresh alfalfa were extracted by hexane:isopropanol (H:IP, 3:2 vol/vol) in 3 sequential extractions. The percentage and profile of fatty acids from each of the 3 extractions were evaluated by a randomized complete block design with repeated measures in space. Samples of fresh alfalfa were randomly harvested and immediately submerged in liquid nitrogen. For the first extraction, approximately 5 g of the frozen alfalfa was mixed with 18 mL of H:IP per gram of material. Samples were then centrifuged and the supernatant was collected. The second and third extractions were done by adding H:IP to the pellet (3 mL/g of the original sample weight), mixing for 2 min, and then centrifuging. Samples were submerged in H:IP and stored in the dark at 8 degrees C at all times. The solvent from each extraction was partially evaporated and the fatty acids methylated by methanolic HCl. Repeated extractions increased the percentage of total fatty acids recovered from the samples. The concentration of fatty acids in the alfalfa after 3 extractions was 4.0%. The first, second, and third extractions resulted in 92.7, 4.8, and 2.6% of the total fatty acids extracted, respectively. There was no effect of extraction on the proportion of 16:0, 18:0, 18:1, and 18:2 fatty acids. However, the proportion of 18:3 in the extract decreased from the first to the second extraction and the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acid increased from the first to the second extraction. The results of this experiment revealed that the profile of fatty acids can vary with the number of extractions performed. The higher amount of 18:3 in the first extraction may reflect the higher proportion of linolenic acid in the more easily extracted plant fractions.

Volatile Foraging Kairomones in the Littoral Zone: Attraction of an Herbivorous Freshwater Gastropod to Algal Odors

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by algae and cyanobacteria are primarily responsible for odors in fresh waters. Among other functions, VOCs may serve as important infochemicals in biofilms of benthic primary producers. VOCs liberated by benthic, mat-forming cyanobacteria can be used as habitat-finding cues by insects, nematodes, and possibly other organisms. We developed a new gastropod behavioral assay that allows detection of food preference without offering food, thus allowing the distinction between taste, which requires direct contact with the food source, and the detection of odorous infochemicals, which work over distance. We demonstrated that VOCs released from disintegrated cells of a benthic, mat-forming, green alga (Ulothrix fimbriata) are food-finding cues ("foraging kairomones") that attract the herbivorous freshwater snail Radix ovata. A mixture of three C5 lipoxygenase compounds and 2(E),4(E)-heptadienal that mimic the major VOCs released by U. fimbriata attracted the snails, whereas neither the mixture of C5 compounds nor 2(E),4(E)-heptadienal were effective when given alone. This study suggests that VOCs can play a steering role as infochemicals in freshwater benthic habitats, as has been established for many organismic interactions in terrestrial ecosystems.

Dual-function protein in plant defence: seed lectin from Dolichos biflorus (horse gram) exhibits lipoxygenase activity

Plant-pathogen interactions play a vital role in developing resistance to pests. Dolichos biflorus (horse gram), a leguminous pulse crop of the subtropics, exhibits amazing defence against attack by pests/pathogens. Investigations to locate the possible source of the indomitable pest resistance of D. biflorus, which is the richest source of LOX (lipoxygenase) activity, have led to a molecule that exhibits LOX-like functions. The LOX-like activity associated with the molecule, identified by its structure and stability to be a tetrameric lectin, was found to be unusual. The evidence for the lectin protein with LOX activity has come from (i) MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization-time-of-flight) MS, (ii) N-terminal sequencing, (iii) partial sequencing of the tryptic fragments of the protein, (iv) amino acid composition, and (v) the presence of an Mn2+ ion. A hydrophobic binding site of the tetrameric lectin, along with the presence of an Mn2+ ion, accounts for the observed LOX like activity. This is the first ever report of a protein exhibiting both haemagglutination and LOX-like activity. The two activities are associated with separate loci on the same protein. LOX activity associated with this molecule adds a new dimension to our understanding of lectin functions. This observation has wide implications for the understanding of plant defence mechanisms against pests and the cellular complexity in plant-pathogen interactions that may lead to the design of transgenics with potential to impart pest resistance to other crops.

Lipoxygenases: occurrence, functions and catalysis

Lipid peroxidation is common to all biological systems, both appearing in developmentally and environmentally regulated processes. Products are hydroperoxy polyunsaturated fatty acids and metabolites derived there from collectively named oxylipins. They may either originate from chemical oxidation or are synthesized by the action of various enzymes, such as lipoxygenases (LOXes). Signalling compounds such as jasmonates, antimicrobial and antifungal compounds such as leaf aldehydes or divinyl ethers, and a plant-specific blend of volatiles including leaf alcohols are among the numerous products. Cloning of many LOXes and other key enzymes metabolizing oxylipins, as well as analyses by reverse genetic approaches and metabolic profiling revealed new insights on oxylipin functions, new reactions and the first hints on enzyme mechanisms. These aspects are reviewed with respect to function of specific LOX forms and on the development of new models on their substrate and product specificity.

Fourier transform infrared study of lipoxygenase conformation in organic solvent media

The secondary structure of commercially purified soybean lipoxygenase (EC 1.13.11.12) was investigated in selected monophasic organic solvents, including chloroform, methanol, acetonitrile, hexane, and octane. The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra of the enzyme obtained in chloroform, methanol, and acetonitrile showed an absorption band at 1617 cm(-1) indicative of significant protein aggregation, whereas spectra of lipoxygenase in hexane and octane exhibited substantially less aggregate formation. Variable-temperature infrared studies of lipoxygenase in D(2)O show that the predominately alpha-helical structure of the protein undergoes an irreversible transition to intermolecular beta-sheet at and above 65 degrees C. Chemical imaging technology employing an FT-IR spectrometer equipped with an infrared microscope and a focal-plane array detector was used to examine the changes in the secondary structure of lipoxygenase at the water-hexane interface in the presence and absence of substrate. The secondary structure of lipoxygenase at the hexane-water interface was comparable to that of the structure of lipoxygenase in D(2)O after exposure of lipoxygenase solution to hexane.

Nitric oxide reduces aluminum toxicity by preventing oxidative stress in the roots of Cassia tora L

Nitric oxide (NO) as a key signaling molecule has been involved in mediation of various biotic and abiotic stress-induced physiological responses in plants. In the present study, we investigated the effect of NO on Cassia tora L. plants exposed to aluminum (Al). Plants pre-treated for 12 h with 0.4 mM sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an NO donor, and subsequently exposed to 10 microM Al treatment for 24 h exhibited significantly greater root elongation as compared with the plants without SNP treatment. The NO-promoted root elongation was correlated with a decrease in Al accumulation in root apexes. Furthermore, oxidative stress associated with Al treatment increased lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species, and the activation of lipoxygenase and antioxidant enzymes was reduced by NO. Such effects were confirmed by the histochemical staining for the detection of peroxidation of lipids and loss of membrane integrity in roots. The ameliorating effect of NO was specific, because the NO scavenger cPTIO [2-(4-carboxy-2-phenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylinidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide] completely reversed the effect of NO on root growth in the presence of Al. These results indicate that NO plays an important role in protecting the plant against Al-induced oxidative stress.

Development of an enzyme-modified carbon paste electrode for determining inhibitors of lipoxygenase

In this study, a 15-lipoxygenase-modified carbon paste electrode (15-LOX-MCPE) was developed in connection with the help of voltammetry, which can be used as an assay system for screening drugs with inhibiting lipoxygenase (LOX) activity. The influence of different experimental conditions (LOX loading of carbon paste, pH, type of buffer system etc.) was investigated in order to optimise the biosensing device. The best composition of the biosensor is 30% paraffin oil, 68% graphite powder and 2% LOX. The optimised voltammetric measurement medium is Sörensen/NaOH (0.1M, pH 9.0) using linoleic acid as a substrate. Under these conditions the hydroperoxy linoleic acid is formed, which can be oxidised at a potential of +0.9 V versus Ag/AgCl/3M KCl. The applicability of the LOX biosensor as assay of lipoxygenase inhibitors was successfully tested with nordihydroguaiaretic acid, zileuton and fenleuton, which are well known inhibitors of LOX.

Hepoxilin A3 synthase

Hepoxilins constitute a group of 12S-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12S-HpETE)-derived epoxy-hydroxy fatty acids that have been detected in various cell types and tissues. Although hepoxilin A3 (HXA3) exhibits a myriad of biological activities, its biosynthetic mechanism was not investigated in detail. Here we review the isolation, cloning, and characterization of a leukocyte-type 12S-lipoxygenase (12S-LOX) from rat insulinoma cells RINm5F, which exhibits an intrinsic hepoxilin A3 synthase activity. Confirmation for this observation was achieved by coimmunoprecipitation of HXA3 synthase activity with an anti-leukocyte 12S-LOX antibody, preparation of recombinant rat 12S-LOX enzyme from RINm5F cells, and assay of HXA3 synthase activity therein. Site-directed mutagenesis studies performed on rat 12S-LOX showed that 12-lipoxygenating enzyme species exhibit a strong HXA3 synthase activity that is impaired when the positional specificity of arachidonic acid is altered in favor of 15-lipoxygenation. Inasmuch as cellular glutathione peroxidases (cGPx and PHGPx) and HXA3 synthase compete for the same substrate 12S-HpETE, it can be proposed that the overall activity of glutathione peroxidases, representing the overall peroxide tone, finely tunes the rate of HXA3 formation.

Effect of environmental factors on the production of oxygenated unsaturated fatty acids from linoleic acids by Bacillus megaterium ALA2

We identified many novel oxygenated fatty acids produced from linoleic acid by Bacillus megaterium ALA2: 12,13,17-trihydroxy-9(Z)-octadecenoic acid (12,13,17-THOA); 12,13,16-trihydroxy-9(Z)-octadecenoic acid (12,13,16-THOA); 12-hydroxy-13,16-epoxy-9(Z)-octadecenoic acid; and 12,17;13,17-diepoxy-16-hydroxy-9(Z)-octadecenoic acid. 12,13,17-THOA, the main product, has antiplant pathogenic fungal activity. To develop an industrial process for the production of these new oxygenated fatty acids by strain ALA2, the effect of environmental factors on the production and their impact on the amount of various products were studied. Dextrose at 5 g/l was the optimum amount for the carbon source. A combination of 15 g yeast extract and 10 g tryptone showed good results as nitrogen sources. Among the metal ions tested, the optimum concentrations for the reaction for the different ions were as follows (in mM): magnesium 2.0, iron 0.5, zinc 0.1, nickel 0.01, and cobalt 0.05. Copper ions did not affect the production of oxygenated products; however, manganese ions inhibited the reaction. Addition of these metal ions did not alter the distribution of products. The optimum temperature and pH for the production of THOAs were 30 degrees C and pH 6.5. Time course studies showed 40-48 h is the optimum for the production of both THOAs. These data provide the basis for engineering scale-up production of these new products.

The novel pathway for ketodiene oxylipin biosynthesis in Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) tubers

The new route of the plant lipoxygenase pathway, directed specifically towards the ketodiene formation, was detected during in vitro experiments with Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) tubers. Through this pathway (9Z,11E,13S)-13-hydroperoxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid (13-HPOD) is reduced to corresponding 13-hydroxy acid (13-HOD), which is in turn dehydrogenated into ketodiene (9Z,11E,13S)-13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid (13-KOD). Dehydrogenation of 13-HOD into 13-KOD was not dependent on the presence of either NAD or NADP, but was strongly dependent on the presence of oxygen. Under anoxic conditions, 13-HOD dehydrogenation was blocked, but addition of 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol restored it. Sulfite addition fully suppressed the aerobic dehydrogenation of 13-HOD. Hydrogen peroxide is a by-product formed by the enzyme along with 13-KOD. These data suggest that the ketodiene biosynthesis in H. tuberosus tubers is catalyzed by flavin dehydrogenase. (9S,10E,12Z)-9-Hydroxy-10,12-octadecadienoic acid (9-HOD) is dehydrogenated by this enzyme as effectively as 13-HOD, while alpha-ketol, (9Z)-12-oxo-13-hydroxy-9-octadecenoic acid, and ricinoleic acid did not act as substrates for dehydrogenase. The enzyme was soluble and possessed a pH optimum at pH 7.0-9.0. The only 13-HOD dehydrogenase known so far was detected in rat colon. However, unlike the H. tuberosus enzyme, the rat dehydrogenase is NAD-dependent.

A multifunctional lipoxygenase with fatty acid hydroperoxide cleaving activity from the moss Physcomitrella patens

A complex mixture of fatty acid-derived aldehydes, ketones, and alcohols is released upon wounding of the moss Physcomitrella patens. To investigate the formation of these oxylipins at the molecular level we isolated a lipoxygenase from P. patens, which was identified in an EST library by sequence homology to lipoxygenases from plants. Sequence analysis of the cDNA showed that it exhibits a domain structure similar to that of type2 lipoxygenases from plants, harboring an N-terminal import signal for chloroplasts. The recombinant protein was identified as arachidonate 12-lipoxygenase and linoleate 13-lipoxygenase with a preference for arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. In contrast to any other lipoxygenase cloned so far, this enzyme exhibited in addition an unusual high hydroperoxidase and also a fatty acid chain-cleaving lyase activity. Because of these unique features the pronounced formation of (2Z)-octen-1-ol, 1-octen-3-ol, the dienal (5Z,8Z,10E)-12-oxo-dodecatrienoic acid and 12-keto eicosatetraenoic acid was observed when arachidonic acid was administered as substrate. 12-Hydroperoxy eicosatetraenoic acid was found to be only a minor product. Moreover, the P. patens LOX has a relaxed substrate tolerance accepting C(18)-C(22) fatty acids giving rise to even more LOX-derived products. In contrast to other lipoxygenases a highly diverse product spectrum is formed by a single enzyme accounting for most of the observed oxylipins produced by the moss. This single enzyme might, in a fast and effective way, be involved in the formation of signal and/or defense molecules thus contributing to the broad resistance of mosses against pathogens.

Hydroperoxide-lyase activity in mint leaves

The extraction of 13-hydroperoxide-lyase activity from mint leaves as well as its use for C6-aldehyde production was studied in this work. The enzyme cleaves 13(S)-hydroperoxy-C18 fatty acids into C6-aldehyde and C12-oxo-acid. Two mint species were tested: Mentha veridis and Mentha pulegium. The headspace injection method coupled to gas chromatography was used for volatile compound analysis. The optimal conditions for temperature and pH were, respectively, 15 and 7 degrees C. We also studied the specific synthesis of hexanal and hexenals respectively from 13(S)-hydroperoxy-linoleic acid and 13(S)-hydroperoxy-linolenic acid. Considerable quantities of aldehyde (up to 2.58 micromol) were produced after 15 min of cleavage reaction in 2 ml stirred at 100 rpm, especially in presence of extract of M. veridis. The conversion yields decreased from 52.5% as maximum to 3.3% when using initial hydroperoxide concentrations between 0.2 and 15 mM. An unsaturated aldehyde, the 3(Z)-hexenal was produced from 13(S)-hydroperoxy-linolenic acid. The 3(Z)-isomer was unstable and isomerized in part to 2(E)-hexenal. In this work, we observed a very limited isomerization of 3(Z)-hexenal to 2(E)-hexenal, since the reaction and the volatile purge were carried out successively in the same flask without delay or any contact with the atmosphere. These aldehydes contribute to the fresh green odor in plants and are widely used in perfumes and in food technology. Their importance increases especially when the starting materials are of natural biological origin as used in this work. GC-MS analysis allowed the identification of the products.

Dihydrolipoic acid inhibits 15-lipoxygenase-dependent lipid peroxidation

The potential antioxidant effects of the hydrophobic therapeutic agent lipoic acid (LA) and of its reduced form dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) on the peroxidation of either linoleic acid or human non-HDL fraction catalyzed by soybean 15-lipoxygenase (SLO) and rabbit reticulocyte 15-lipoxygenase (RR15-LOX) were investigated. DHLA, but not LA, did inhibit SLO-dependent lipid peroxidation, showing an IC(50) of 15 microM with linoleic acid and 5 microM with the non-HDL fraction. In specific experiments performed with linoleic acid, inhibition of SLO activity by DHLA was irreversible and of a complete, noncompetitive type. In comparison with DHLA, the well-known lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid and the nonspecific iron reductant sodium dithionite inhibited SLO-dependent linoleic acid peroxidation with an IC(50) of 4 and 100 microM, respectively, while the hydrophilic thiol N-acetylcysteine, albeit possessing iron-reducing and radical-scavenging properties, was ineffective. Remarkably, DHLA, but not LA, was also able to inhibit the peroxidation of linoleic acid and of the non-HDL fraction catalyzed by RR15-LOX with an IC(50) of, respectively, 10 and 5 microM. Finally, DHLA, but once again not LA, could readily reduce simple ferric ions and scavenge efficiently the stable free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-pycrylhydrazyl in ethanol; DHLA was considerably less effective against 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride-mediated, peroxyl radical-induced non-HDL peroxidation, showing an IC(50) of 850 microM. Thus, DHLA, at therapeutically relevant concentrations, can counteract 15-lipoxygenase-dependent lipid peroxidation; this antioxidant effect may stem primarily from reduction of the active ferric 15-lipoxygenase form to the inactive ferrous state after DHLA-enzyme hydrophobic interaction and, possibly, from scavenging of fatty acid peroxyl radicals formed during lipoperoxidative processes. Inhibition of 15-lipoxygenase oxidative activity by DHLA could occur in the clinical setting, eventually resulting in specific antioxidant and antiatherogenic effects.

Nonradiometric HPLC measurement of 13(S)-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid from rat tissues

A major bioactive metabolite of linoleic acid formed by the action of 15-lipoxygenase-1 is 13(S)-hydroxy-cis-9, trans-11-octadecadienoic acid (13(S)-HODE). 13(S)-HODE is an important intracellular signal agent and is involved in cell proliferation and differentiation in various biological systems. Separation and quantification of 13(S)-HODE from biological materials has previously been achieved only by using radiolabeled linoleic acid as the substrate and two serially connected or two separate HPLC columns to achieve separation of 13(S)-HODE. In the current method, separation and quantification of 13(S)-HODE was achieved by use of a normal-phase HPLC and a solvent system containing hexane/isopropanol/acetonitrile/acetic acid (800/8/30/1, v/v) using isocratic elution with detection at 235 nm. With the currently described method, good separation from unreacted interfering compounds and quantification for 13(S)-HODE were achieved within 35 min with a minimum detection limit of 0.5 ng per injection.

Flagellin from an incompatible strain of Acidovorax avenae mediates H2O2 generation accompanying hypersensitive cell death and expression of PAL, Cht-1, and PBZ1, but not of Lox in rice

Acidovorax avenae causes a brown stripe disease in monocot plants. We recently reported that a rice-incompatible strain of A. avenae caused hypersensitive cell death in rice and that the flagellin of the incompatible strain was involved in this response. The incompatible strain induced the rapid generation of H2O2 accompanying hypersensitive cell death and the expression of defense genes such as PAL, Cht-1, PBZ1, and LOX, whereas the compatible strain did not. The purified incompatible flagellin also induced the expression of PAL, Cht-1, and PBZ1, but LOX expression was not induced by the incompatible flagellin. PAL and LOX enzymatic activities were increased by inoculation with the incompatible strain, whereas only PAL activity was increased by the incompatible flagellin. Interestingly, the flagellin-deficient incompatible strain lost the ability to generate H2O2 and induce hypersensitive cell death, but PAL, Cht-1, and PBZ1 expression still were induced by inoculation with the deficient strain, suggesting that induction of these genes is regulated not only by flagellin but also by some other signal. Thus, the incompatible flagellin of A. avenae is a specific elicitor in rice, but it is not the only factor capable of inducing the rice defense system.

Modulation of pumpkin glutathione S-transferases by aldehydes and related compounds

Induction of pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima Duch.) glutathione S-transferase (GST, EC 2.5.1.18) by aldehydes and related compounds was examined. All of the tested compounds induced pumpkin GST to different degrees, and it was found that (1) aldehydes induce GST directly and alcohols induce GST indirectly, and (2) alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes are the most effective inducers and their potency is related to the Michael acceptors reaction. The results of Western blot analysis showed that the patterns of induction of CmGSTU1, CmGSTU2 and CmGSTU3 were similar to the patterns of activity with the exception of alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. Among the three compounds, crotonaldehyde caused the highest activity induction (9.2-fold), but Western blot expression was the highest only for CmGSTU3. CmGSTF1 was almost non-responsive to all of the tested stresses. Results of induction studies suggested that efficient pumpkin GST inducers have distinctive chemical features. The in vitro activity of the enzyme was inhibited by ethacryanic acid, trans-2-hexenal, crotonaldehyde, and pentanal. Ethacryanic acid was found to be the most potent inhibitor with an apparent I(50) value of 6.90+/-2.06 micro M, while others were weak to moderate inhibitors. The results presented here indicate that plant GSTs might be involved in the detoxification of physiologically and environmentally hazardous aldehydes/alcohols.

Involvement of endogenous salicylic acid content, lipoxygenase and antioxidant enzyme activities in the response of tomato cell suspension cultures to NaCl

•   The effects of salt stress and adaptation on salicylic acid (SA) content and on antioxidant and lipoxygenase (LOX) enzyme activities were studied in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Pera) cells. •   NaCl-adapted cells were obtained from calli adapted to 100 mm NaCl by successive subcultures in medium supplemented with 100 mm NaCl. Salt stress treatments consisted of the addition of 100 mm NaCl to cells. •   Adapted cells contained a lower concentration of SA than unadapted cells. The lower manganese-containing superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) and LOX activities as well as the higher glutathione reductase (GR) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities in adapted cells than in unadapted cells could be correlated with the development of salt adaptation. Salt stress increased APX and LOX activities as well as lipid peroxidation in unadapted cells and increased Mn-SOD activity in both types of cells. Application of 200 µm SA + 100 mm NaCl inhibited APX activity in both unadapted and adapted cells, induced the Mn-SOD in adapted cells and increased lipid peroxidation in unadapted cells. •   Our data indicate that adaptation of tomato cells to NaCl results in a higher tolerance to NaCl-induced oxidative stress and suggest a role for SA in this response.

Induced responses in clover to an herbaceous mite

Halotydeus destructor feeding on subterranean clover cotyledons can cause severe damage. The mites live on the soil surface and move up onto plants to feed. Foraging behaviour consists of palpating, probing, and feeding with frequent transitions between them. Sustained feeding is made up of a series of short (1-2 min) feeds separated by periods of palpating. The mites tend to feed in aggregations, and are attracted to cotyledons damaged by other mites feeding or by mechanical damage. Mites can distinguish between resistant and susceptible cotyledons within 30 min and resistance is antixenotic due to deterrence. Study of the mechanisms shows this to be induced plant resistance. Several green leaf volatiles are involved in the plant/mite interaction. After feeding commences, 2-E-hexenal is released that at low concentrations is attractive to mites, perhaps causing the feeding aggregations. The wound-induced C(8) compound, 1-octen-3-one, plays a significant role in the deterrence of cotyledons of resistant subterranean clover varieties to H. destructor. Damaged cotyledons of resistant varieties produce more 1-octen-3-one that those of susceptible varieties. Screening for resistance has identified varieties from Italy showing resistance. H. destructor does not occur in Europe. Production of damage-induced volatiles by the resistant plants may have resulted from invasion by herbivores or pathogens, but not from coevolution with these mites. The responses of H. destructor are probably an adaptation to these general plant defensive compounds.

Purification of lipoxygenase from Chlorella: production of 9- and 13-hydroperoxide derivatives of linoleic acid

Oxygenation of linoleic acid by the enzyme lipoxygenase (LOX) that is present in the microalga Chlorella pyrenoidosa is known to produce the corresponding 9- and 13-hydroperoxide derivatives of linoleic acid (9- and 13-HPOD, respectively). Previous work with this microalga indicated that partially purified LOX, present in the 30-45 and 45-80% saturated (NH4)2SO4 precipitate fractions, produced both HPOD isomers but in different ratios. It was not clear, however, if the observed activity in the two isolates represented the presence of one or more isozymes. In the present work, LOX isolated from the intracellular fraction of Chlorella by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation (35-80% saturated) was purified by ion exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography to apparent homogeneity. Analysis of the purified protein by SDS-PAGE and subsequent native size exclusion chromatography demonstrated that LOX in Chlorella is a single monomeric protein with a molecular mass of approximately 47 kDa. The purified LOX produced both the 9-HPOD and 13-HPOD isomers from linoleic acid in equal amounts, and the isomer ratio was not altered over the pH range of 6 to 9. Optimal activity of LOX was at pH 7.5.

Hydroperoxide lyase and divinyl ether synthase

"Heterolytic" hydroperoxide lyase (HPL) and divinyl ether synthase (DES) are important enzymes of the plant lipoxygenase pathway. HPL cleaves fatty acid hydroperoxides into the aldehyde fragments. DES converts hydroperoxides into the divinyl ethers. The present paper is concerned with recent studies on HPL and DES including their occurrence, properties, mechanisms of action, the cloning of their cDNAs and physiological importance of the enzymes and their products.

15-Lipoxygenase metabolism of 2-arachidonylglycerol. Generation of a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha agonist

The recent demonstrations that cyclooxygenase-2 and leukocyte-type 12-lipoxygenase (LOX) efficiently oxygenate 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG) prompted an investigation into related oxygenases capable of metabolizing this endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligand. We evaluated the ability of six LOXs to catalyze the hydroperoxidation of 2-AG. Soybean 15-LOX, rabbit reticulocyte 15-LOX, human 15-LOX-1, and human 15-LOX-2 oxygenate 2-AG, providing 15(S)-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid glyceryl ester. In contrast, potato and human 5-LOXs do not efficiently metabolize this endocannabinoid. Among a series of structurally related arachidonyl esters, arachidonylglycerols serve as the preferred substrates for 15-LOXs. Steady-state kinetic analysis demonstrates that both 15-LOX-1 and 15-LOX-2 oxygenate 2-AG comparably or preferably to arachidonic acid. Furthermore, 2-AG treatment of COS-7 cells transiently transfected with human 15-LOX expression vectors or normal human epidermal keratinocytes results in the production and extracellular release of 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid glyceryl ester (15-HETE-G), establishing that lipoxygenase metabolism of 2-AG occurs in an eukaryotic cellular environment. Investigations into the potential biological actions of 15-HETE-G indicate that this lipid, in contrast to its free-acid counterpart, acts as a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha agonist. The results demonstrate that 15-LOXs are capable of acting on 2-AG to provide 15-HETE-G and elucidate a potential role for endocannabinoid oxygenation in the generation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha agonists.

Phospholipase A2 activity triggers the wound-activated chemical defense in the diatom Thalassiosira rotula

The activation of oxylipin-based chemical defense in the diatom Thalassiosira rotula is initiated by phospholipases that act immediately after cell damage. This lipase activity is responsible for the preferential release of free mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Among these, eicosatetraenoic- and eicosapentaenoic acid are further converted by lipoxygenases to reactive defensive metabolites such as the antiproliferative alpha,beta,gamma,delta-unsaturated aldehydes 2,4-decadienal and 2,4,7-decatrienal. We show that mainly saturated free fatty acids are present in the intact diatom T. rotula, whereas the amount of free polyunsaturated eicosanoids is drastically increased in the first minutes after wounding. Using fluorescent probes, the main enzyme activity responsible for initiation of the aldehyde-generating lipase/lipoxygenase/hydroperoxide lyase cascade was characterized as a phospholipase A2. All enzymes involved in this specific defensive reaction are active in seawater over several minutes. Thus, the mechanism allows the unicellular algae to overcome restrictions arising out of potential dilution of defensive metabolites. Only upon predation are high local concentrations of aldehydes formed in the vicinity of the herbivores, whereas in times of low stress, cellular resources can be invested in the formation of eicosanoid-rich phospholipids. In contrast to higher plants, which use lipases acting on galactolipids to release C18 fatty acids for production of leaf-volatile aldehydes, diatoms rely on phospholipids and the transformation of C20 fatty acids to form 2,4-decadienal and 2,4,7-decatrienal as an activated defense.

Selective (R)-3-hydroxylation of FA by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

Soil samples were screened for microorganisms selectively transforming FA. One of the isolated strains was identified as the bacterium Stenotrophomonas maltophilia by its phenotypic features and genotypic characterization by sequencing the ribosomal RNA gene. Using linoleic acid as substrate resulted in the formation of two major compounds. After liquid chromatographic isolation and separation, their structures were elucidated by HPLC-tandem MS, GC-MS, and NMR techniques to be 3-hydroxy-Z6-dodecenoic acid and 3-hydroxy-Z5,Z8-tetradecadienoic acid. In additional experiments, other FA, such as a-linolenic, oleic, palmitoleic, myristoleic, and cis-vaccenic acids, were converted to 3-hydroxylated metabolites of shorter chain lengths as well. Determination of the enantiomeric composition revealed highly enriched (R)-hydroxylation (88-98% enantiomeric excess).

The lipoxygenase pathway

Lipid peroxidation is common to all biological systems, both appearing in developmentally and environmentally regulated processes of plants. The hydroperoxy polyunsaturated fatty acids, synthesized by the action of various highly specialized forms of lipoxygenases, are substrates of at least seven different enzyme families. Signaling compounds such as jasmonates, antimicrobial and antifungal compounds such as leaf aldehydes or divinyl ethers, and a plant-specific blend of volatiles including leaf alcohols are among the numerous products. Cloning of many lipoxygenases and other key enzymes within the lipoxygenase pathway, as well as analyses by reverse genetic and metabolic profiling, revealed new reactions and the first hints of enzyme mechanisms, multiple functions, and regulation. These aspects are reviewed with respect to activation of this pathway as an initial step in the interaction of plants with pathogens, insects, or abiotic stress and at distinct stages of development.

Formation of triacylglycerol core aldehydes during rapid oxidation of corn and sunflower oils with tert-butyl hydroperoxide/Fe2+

The lipid ester core aldehydes formed during a rapid oxidation (7.8 M tert-butyl hydroperoxide, 90 min at 37 degrees C) of the triacylglycerols of purified corn and sunflower oils were isolated as dinitrophenylhydrazones by preparative thin-layer chromatography and identified by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with on-line electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and by reference to standards. A total of 113 species of triacylglycerol core aldehydes were specifically identified, accounting for 32-53% of the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH)-reactive material of high molecular weight representing 25-33% of the total oxidation products. The major core aldehyde species (50-60% of total triacylglycerol core aldehydes) were the mono(9-oxo)nonanoyl- and mono(12-oxo)-9,10-epoxy dodecenoyl- or (12-oxo)-9-hydroxy-10,11-dodecenoyl-diacylglycerols. A significant proportion of the total (9-oxo)nonanoyl and epoxidized (12-oxo)-9,10-dodecenoyl core aldehydes was found in complex combinations with hydroperoxy or hydroxy fatty acyl groups (6-10% of total triacylglycerol core aldehydes). Identified were also di(9-oxo)nonanoylmonoacylglycerols (0.5% of total) and tri(9-oxo)nonanoylglycerols (trace). The identification of the oxoacylglycerols was consistent with the products anticipated from tert-butyl hydroperoxide oxidation of the major species of corn and sunflower oil triacylglycerols (mainly linoleoyl esters). However, the anticipated (13-oxo)-9,11-tridecadienoyl aldehyde-containing acylglycerols were absent because of further oxidation of the dienoic core aldehyde. A significant proportion of the unsaturated triacylglycerol core aldehydes contained tert-butyl groups linked to the unsaturated fatty chains via peroxide bridges (2-9%). The study demonstrates that rapid peroxidation with tert-butyl hydroperoxide constitutes an effective method for enriching natural oils and fats in triacylglycerol core aldehydes for biochemical and metabolic testing.

Absolute configuration of 3-hydroxy acids formed by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia: application of multidimensional gas chromatography and circular dichroism spectroscopy

The soil bacterium Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was found to transform various long-chain fatty acids selectively into 3-hydroxy fatty acids of shorter chain length. Their chiral evaluation was performed by multidimensional gas chromatography (MDGC) on modified cyclodextrin phase comparing the enantiodistribution of 1,3-diol formed without loss of stereochemical information from a representative microbial product with those of synthetic (3RS)- and (3S)-1,3-diols. Enantiomeric excesses of 84-98% (R) were determined for the microbially produced 3-hydroxy acids. In addition, the CD exciton chirality method was applied to determine their absolute configuration. Derivatization with 9-anthryldiazomethane and 2-naphthoylimidazole led to the required bichromophoric structures. Their CD spectra displayed a positive first Cotton effect around 254 nm and a negative second Cotton effect around 237 nm, which confirmed the (R)-configuration of the bacterial products.

Effect of denaturants on the structural properties of soybean lipoxygenase-1

The effect of chemical (urea) and physical (temperature and high pressure) denaturation on the structural properties of soybean lipoxygenase-1 (LOX1) was analyzed through dynamic fluorescence spectroscopy and circular dichroism. We show that the fluorescence decay of the native protein could be fitted by two lorentzian distributions of lifetimes, centered at 1 and 4 ns. The analysis of the urea-denatured protein suggested that the shorter distribution is mostly due to the tryptophan residues located in the N-terminal domain of LOX1. We also show that a pressure of 2400 bar and a temperature of 55 degrees C brought LOX-1 to a state similar to a recently described stable intermediate "I." Analysis of circular dichroism spectra indicated a substantial decrease of alpha-helix compared with beta-structure under denaturing conditions, suggesting a higher stability of the N-terminal compared with the C-terminal domain in the denaturation process.

Isolation and spectroscopic characterization of a recombinant bell pepper hydroperoxide lyase

Fatty acid hydroperoxide (HPO) lyase is a component of the oxylipin pathway and holds a central role in elicited plant defense. HPO lyase from bell pepper has been identified as a heme protein which shares 40% homology with allene oxide synthase, a cytochrome P450 (CYP74A). HPO lyase of immature bell pepper fruits was expressed in Escherichia coli and the enzyme was purified and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. The electronic structure and ligand coordination properties of the heme were investigated by using a series of exogenous ligands. The various complexes were characterized by using UV-visible absorption and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The spectroscopic data demonstrated that the isolated recombinant HPO lyase has a pentacoordinate, high-spin heme with thiolate ligation. Addition of the neutral ligand imidazole or the anionic ligand cyanide results in the formation of hexacoordinate adducts that retain thiolate ligation. The striking similarities between both the ferric and ferrous HPO lyase-NO complexes with the analogous P450 complexes, suggest that the active sites of HPO lyase and P450 share common structural features.

The homolytic and heterolytic fatty acid hydroperoxide lyase-like activities of hematin

Pentenols and pentene dimers are biosynthetized in plants by homolytic fatty acid hydroperoxide lyase (HPL) or HPL-like enzymes. It has been found that these compounds can modify the flavor of olive oil. Reactions between hematin and 13-hydroperoxyoctadecatrienoic acid resulted in the formation of the same compounds via a free radical reaction in which an alkoxyl radical derived from linolenic acid hydroperoxide undergoes a beta-scission. (Z)-3-Hexenal has also been detected as a minor product of the reaction. It is bioconversed from the same substrate in plants by heterolytic HPL. Thanks to the redox cycle of its central iron, hematin has both homolytic and heterolytic HPL-like activities.