Mammalian carbonyl reductases

Enzyme inactivation by potential metabolites of an aromatase-activated inhibitor (MDL 18,962)

MDL 18,962, 19-acetylenic androstenedione, is an enzyme-activated inhibitor of estrogen biosynthesis which is in Phase I clinical evaluations as a potential therapeutic agent for estrogen-dependent cancers. 19-Acetylenic analogs corresponding to the major metabolites of androstenedione were synthesized as potential metabolites of MDL 18,962. These compounds were 19-acetylenic testosterone, the product of 17 beta-hydroxy steroid oxidoreductase, 6 beta-hydroxy- and 6-oxo-19-acetylenic androstenedione, products of P450 steroid 6 beta-hydroxylase and alcohol dehydrogenase, respectively. All of these analogs showed time-dependent inactivation of human placental aromatase activity. The time-dependent Ki and t1/2 at infinite inhibitor concentration (tau 50) were 4.3 nM, 12.0 min for MDL 18,962; 28 nM, 7.8 min for 17-hydroxy analog; 13 nM, 37 min for 6 beta-hydroxy analog; and 167 nM, 6.1 min for the 6-oxo analog. The 19-acetylenic testosterone, a confirmed metabolite from primate studies, was 25% as efficient as MDL 18,962 for aromatase inactivation, while 6 beta-hydroxy- and 6-oxo analogs were 11% and 5%, respectively as efficient as their parent compound. These data indicate that first-pass metabolism of MDL 18,962 does not cause an obligatory loss of time-dependent inhibition of human aromatase activity.

Localization of aldose and aldehyde reductase in the kidney

The distribution of NADPH-dependent reductase activity in the rat cortex, outer medulla and inner medulla was investigated through biochemical and histochemical methods. Biochemical studies revealed reductase activity to be present in all three regions of the kidney with the highest specific activity observed in the inner medulla, followed by the cortex and the outer medulla. Activity in all three regions was inhibited by the aldose reductase inhibitors sorbinil, tolrestat and 7-hydroxychromone-2-carboxylic acid. Based on substrate utilization and response to sulfate on the inhibitors, the inner medulla contains primarily aldose reductase (EC 1.1.1.21) while the cortex contains primarily aldehyde reductase (EC 1.1.1.2). The outer medulla contains a mixture of both enzymes. This distribution was confirmed by a radioimmunoassay for aldose reductase. Immunohistochemical investigations of the rat kidney with antibodies against rat lens aldose reductase and rat kidney aldehyde reductase revealed a similar distribution of these enzymes. Aldehyde reductase was immunohistochemically detected only in the cortex where it was localized in the proximal convoluted tubules. Immunoreactive aldose reductase was detected in Henle's loop at both the inner stripe of the outer medulla and in the inner medulla, and in the collecting tubules and the epithelial cell lining the pelvis of the inner medulla near the papilla. No specific immunohistochemical staining for aldose reductase was observed in the cortex. A similar immunohistochemical distribution of aldose reductase was also observed in the human kidney with antibodies against human placental aldose reductase.

Purification and properties of a metyrapone-reducing enzyme from mouse liver microsomes--this ketone is reduced by an aldehyde reductase

A ketone reducing enzyme was purified to homogeneity from female mouse liver microsomes, using the diagnostic cytochrome P-450 inhibitor metyrapone as a substrate. In contrast to the usually employed indirect spectrophotometric recording of pyridine nucleotide oxidation at 340 nm, a HPLC method was applied for direct alcohol metabolite determination. Purification of the carbonyl reductase resulted in a 360-fold increase in specific activity together with a single band in the 34 kD region after SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Phenobarbital, indomethacin, dicoumarol and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone inhibited the enzyme, whereas quercitrin did not affect the enzyme activity. Thus, by inhibitor classification of carbonyl reductases the ketone metyrapone is reduced by an aldehyde reductase, rather than by a ketone reductase. Dihydrotestosterone, the strongest inhibitor, is supposed to be the physiological substrate for the purified enzyme. It was demonstrated that during the steps of purification both NADPH and NADH can supply the required reducing equivalents, although the activity with NADH is weaker. The highest activity was obtained using an NADPH-regenerating system. Ethanol and the nonionic detergent Emulgen 913 led to an increased specific activity, indicating that the enzyme is bound to the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum in a latent state. From these results it is concluded that the microsomal metyrapone-reducing enzyme belongs to the family of carbonyl reductases, but differs from the common patterns of their classification with regard to cofactor requirement and inhibitor susceptibility.

A superfamily of NADPH-dependent reductases in eukaryotes and prokaryotes

Aldose reductase (AR) is implicated in some of the disabling complications of diabetes, including neuropathy, retinopathy and cataracts. Our studies are aimed at further clarifying the role of AR in diabetes and facilitating the design of new classes of potent, specific AR inhibitors by gaining an understanding of the protein structure of AR. To this end, we have determined the complete protein sequence of rat lens AR using cDNA analysis and primer extension of mRNA. By comparing protein sequences, we have found that the structural relatedness (41% to 57%) among the vertebrate proteins, aldose reductase, aldehyde reductase, prostaglandin F synthase and the frog lens protein rho-crystallin can now be extended to prokaryotes by the inclusion of Corynebacterium 2,5-diketo-D-gluconate reductase. This more distantly related protein shares 30-40% identity with the vertebrate enzymes. Sequence alignments reveal that 18% of the amino acids are completely conserved in all members of the superfamily, many of them in clusters, suggesting that they mark important structural features such as the nucleotide binding site and substrate binding site. rho-Crystallin, which is structurally related to this superfamily of NADPH-dependent reductases, does not appear to reduce PGH2, PGD2, xylose or glyceraldehyde to any appreciable extent. It does, however, bind NADPH.

The influence of ranitidine on the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of doxorubicin in rabbits

The influence of ranitidine on the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of doxorubicin was studied in six female New Zealand white rabbits. Plasma pharmacokinetic data were first obtained from rabbits given 3 mg/kg doxorubicin. After 1 month, the same rabbits were treated with ranitidine, 2.5 mg/kg or 25 mg/kg, before and during doxorubicin administration. The plasma doxorubicin assays to determine pharmacokinetic parameters were repeated. Drug toxicity was evaluated using complete blood counts, and hepatic function was measured using a 14C-aminopyrine breath test. High-dose ranitidine increased the total exposure to doxorubicin (area under the curve of doxorubicin alone = 1.44 +/- 0.88 microM.h/ml vs 4.49 +/- 2.35 microM.hr/ml for doxorubicin given with high-dose ranitidine; P = 0.06). Low-dose ranitidine did not alter doxorubicin pharmacokinetics. Exposure to doxorubicinol was altered by either high-dose or low-dose ranitidine. 14C-Aminopyrine half-life was altered by a ranitidine dose of 25 mg/kg (aminopyrine half-life after placebo control = 97 +/- 6 min as against aminopyrine half-life after ranitidine = 121 +/- 7 min; mean +/- SEM; P less than 0.02). Low-dose ranitidine did not exacerbate doxorubicin-induced myelosuppression. High-dose ranitidine enhanced doxorubicin-induced erythroid suppression while sparing the myeloid series. At cytochrome P-450-inhibitory doses, ranitidine's effects upon doxorubicin plasma pharmacokinetics are similar to those previously seen with cimetidine. These changes did not appear to alter drug detoxification and are not related to microsomal inhibition of doxorubicin detoxification. Low doses of ranitidine do not alter doxorubicin plasma pharmacokinetics or toxicity in rabbits.

Drug-protein conjugates--XVI. Studies of sorbinil metabolism: formation of 2-hydroxysorbinil and unstable protein conjugates

The metabolism of sorbinil [+)6-fluoro-spiro (chroman-4, 4'-imidazolidine)-2',5' dione), an aldose reductase inhibitor associated with immunological adverse reactions, was studied in vivo and in vitro with particular reference to the formation of protein conjugates of 2-hydroxysorbinil and their further metabolism. [8-3H]Sorbinil was rapidly and extensively metabolized in the rat. 2-Hydroxysorbinil (2HSB) and a phenolic primary alcohol (2,4-imidazolidinedione 5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5-(5-fluoro-2-hydroxyphenyl); IHFH) were its principal urinary metabolites; over 0-24 hr, they represented 17.0 +/- 0.7% (mean +/- SD, N = 4) and 7.1 +/- 0.7% of the dose, respectively. [3H]2HSB isolated from urine and re-administered was converted to IHFH. Chronic dosing with sorbinil (150 mg/kg x 5) induced 2-hydroxylation of the drug, the 0-24 hr urinary excretion of 2HSB increasing from 17.0 +/- 0.7% to 24.7 +/- 3.4% of the dose (P less than 0.05 by Students' paired t-test). The biotransformation of 2HSB to IHFH was rationalized in terms of an open-chain aldehyde intermediate. Since aldehydes form both stable and unstable protein adducts, 2HSB was potentially a pro-reactive metabolite and initiator of the hypersensitivity reaction associated with sorbinil. However, [3H]2HSB was neither metabolized by human liver microsomes nor underwent irreversible binding to the microsomal protein. Nevertheless, the mild reductant sodium cyanoborohydride, although without effect on microsomal binding of [3H]2HSB, enhanced binding to human serum albumin. Formation of unstable Schiff base adducts was indicated.

Mouse liver dihydrodiol dehydrogenases. Identity of the predominant and a minor form with 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and aldehyde reductase

A major and a minor form of dihydrodiol dehydrogenase were co-purified with 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and aldehyde reductase, respectively, to apparent homogeneity from liver cytosol of male ddY mice. The activities of dihydrodiol dehydrogenase and testosterone dehydrogenase or aldehyde reductase of the two enzyme forms comigrated electrophoretically. The major form of the enzyme oxidized 17 beta-hydroxysteroids and nonsteroidal alicyclic alcohols and reduced 17-ketosteroids and various synthetic carbonyl compounds, showing higher affinity for steroids than for xenobiotics. The activity of this enzyme form toward benzene dihydrodiol and testosterone exhibited identical thermostability and susceptibility to inhibition by quercitrin, SH-reagents, nonsteroidal estrogens and anti-inflammatory agents. On the other hand, the minor form of the enzyme, which oxidized benzene dihydrodiol but not 17 beta-hydroxysteroids, also reduced various aldehydes well and was specifically inhibited by barbiturates and sorbinil. These results indicate that the major form of dihydrodiol dehydrogenase is identical to 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and the minor enzyme form to aldehyde reductase.

Guinea-pig liver morphine 6-dehydrogenase as a naloxone reductase

Elution profiles of guinea-pig liver naloxone reductase and morphine 6-dehydrogenase on Matrex green A, Sephadex G-100 and DEAE-cellulose (DE32) column chromatography used sequentially in the purification procedure were identical. The ratios of the two enzyme activities were almost constant throughout all the purification steps. The two enzymes were similarly more stable at pH 6.0 than at pH 8.0 on storage at 4 degrees. The reversible inactivation of the two enzymes by the removal of 2-mercaptoethanol from the enzyme solution was the same. Inhibitory effects of lithocholic acid, CuSO4, quercitrin, phenylarsine oxide, and prostaglandin E1 on the two enzymes were almost the same. These results indicated that naloxone reductase is identical to morphine 6-dehydrogenase in the guinea-pig liver. For the reduction of naloxone, the enzyme utilized either NADPH or NADH as cofactor, and pH optima were 6.8 with NADPH and 6.2 with NADH. The Km values for NADPH and NADH were 6.5 and 2.2 microM respectively. The Vmax values for naloxone were 1.2 units/mg protein with NADPH and 0.5 unit/mg protein with NADH. The Km values for naloxone were 0.27 mM with NADPH and 0.44 mM with NADH. The reaction product formed by the enzyme was identified as 6 alpha-naloxol by thin-layer and gas-liquid chromatographic analyses. Accordingly, it is clear that the enzyme catalyzes the stereospecific reduction of naloxone to form the 6 alpha-hydroxyl congener.

Purification and characterization of aldo-keto reductases from gerbil liver: immunochemical evidence for related proteins in other mammalian species

We purified a hepatic aldehyde reductase (AR1) and two carbonyl reductases (CR1, CR2) from the Mongolian gerbil, an animal recently shown to closely resemble man in its metabolism of a carbonyl containing organochlorine pesticide. The apparent molecular weights of AR1, CR1, and CR2 were 40,700, 33,000, and 34,700, respectively. Typical of similar enzymes in other species, gerbil AR1 reduced aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes and was inhibited by phenobarbital or valproate, whereas CR1 and CR2 catalyzed the reduction of aromatic aldehydes and ketones as well as quinones and were inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoate, mercuric chloride, or pyrazole. All three enzymes were insensitive to metal chelating agents and utilized NADPH as their cofactor. CR1 was unique in being equally active with NADH as its cofactor. Antibodies raised against CR1 reacted with purified CR1 and CR2, but not with AR1, as judged by immunoblot analyses. There were three immunochemically related proteins in gerbil liver cytosol (30 to 35 kDa range) recognized by the anti-CR1 IgG. Similar immunoblot analyses of hepatic cytosolic proteins from other mammalian species revealed immunoreactive proteins only in the hamster, the rabbit, and man, and not in the rat, the mouse, or the guinea pig. Quantitative immunoblot analyses of human liver cytosol from seven patients revealed three immunoreactive proteins. These were present in unequal and varying concentrations, although there were only small interindividual differences in the total concentration of the immunoreactive proteins. We conclude that there are multiple molecular forms of immunochemically related hepatic carbonyl reductases in the gerbil and in some other mammalian species, including man.

Characterization of pulmonary carbonyl reductase of mouse and guinea pig

Carbonyl reductases were purified from mouse and guinea pig lung. The mouse enzyme exhibited structural and catalytic similarity to the guinea pig enzyme: tetrameric structure consisting of an identical 23 kDa subunit; basicity (pI of 8.8); low substrate specificity for aliphatic and aromatic carbonyl compounds; dual cofactor specificity for NADPH and NADH; stereospecific transfer of the 4-pro S hydrogen of NADPH; and sensitivity to pyrazole, 2-mercaptoethanol and ferrous ion. Although 3-ketosteroids were extensively reduced by the mouse enzyme but not by the guinea pig enzyme in the forward reaction, the two enzymes similarly oxidized some alicyclic alcohols such as acenaphthenol, cyclohex-2-en-1-ol and benzenedihydrodiol in the presence of NADP+ and NAD+. A partial similarity between the two enzymes was observed immunologically, using antibodies against the purified guinea pig enzyme. The lung enzymes differ in several aspects from other oxidoreductases from extrapulmonary tissues. The immunoreactive protein was detected only in lung of the tissues of the two species.

Biotransformation of trans-sobrerol. III. Metabolites of 8-hydroxycarvotanacetone in the rat

The metabolism of 8-hydroxycarvotanacetone (HCA), a major metabolite of trans-sobrerol, was studied in female rats after a single oral dose. The metabolic pathways include hydroxylation, reduction to cis- and trans-sobrerol, glucuronylation and Michael addition with glutathione giving rise to mercapturic acids which then undergo reduction. Biological reduction appears to occur more readily for the alicyclic-saturated ketones (Michael adducts) than for the alpha, beta unsaturated ketones (HCA and hydroxylated metabolites). This is in agreement with the chemical reactivity of the compounds.

Characterization of a unique aldo-keto reductase responsible for the reduction of chlordecone in the liver of the gerbil and man

It has been established that the major metabolic pathway for chlordecone (CD) (Kepone) both in humans and in the Mongolian gerbil is bioreduction of this organochlorine pesticide to chlordecone alcohol (CDOH) in the liver. In the present study we developed a gas-liquid chromatography assay to measure the enzymatic reduction of CD to CDOH in vitro and characterized "CD reductase" activity in gerbil liver cytosol. CD reductase is a cytosolic enzyme readily detectable in liver samples prepared from humans, rabbits, and gerbils, the only species of many tested that convert CD to CDOH in vivo. Gerbil CD reductase exhibited a Km of 2.6 microM, a Vmax of 0.14 nmol/min, and a pH optimum of 6.5. The enzyme activity required NADPH, was sensitive to thiol reagents, and was distributed in all tissues with the highest activities found in the liver, intestine, and kidneys. These results are consistent with CD reductase belonging to the family of enzymes referred to as the "aldo-keto reductases." However, unlike previously described reductases, CD reductase was undetectable in rats, mice, hamsters, or guinea pigs and was insensitive to the model aldehyde and ketone reductase inhibitors, phenobarbital and quercetin, respectively. In addition, CD reductase activity in liver was increased by 38% (p less than 0.01) following treatment of gerbils with CD. We conclude that CD reductase is a novel aldo-keto reductase that is uniquely inducible by its substrate.

Carbonyl reductase of dog liver: purification, properties, and kinetic mechanism

A carbonyl reductase has been extracted into 0.5 M KCl from dog liver and purified to apparent homogeneity by a three-step procedure consisting of chromatography on CM-Sephadex, Matrex green A, and Sephadex G-100 in high-ionic-strength buffers. The enzyme is a dimer composed of two identical subunits of molecular weight 27,000. The pH optimum is 5.5 and the isoelectric point of the enzyme is 9.3. The enzyme reduces aromatic ketones and aldehydes; the aromatic ketones with adjacent medium alkyl chains are the best substrates. Quinones, ketosteroids, prostaglandins, and aliphatic carbonyl compounds are poor or inactive substrates for the enzyme. As a cofactor the enzyme utilizes NADPH, the pro-S hydrogen atom of which is transferred to the substrate. Two moles of NADPH bind to one mole of the enzyme molecule, causing a blue shift and enhancement of the cofactor fluorescence. The reductase reaction is reversible and the equilibrium constant determined at pH 7.0 is 12.8. Steady-state kinetic measurements in both directions suggest that the reaction proceeds through a di-iso ordered bi-bi mechanism.

The effect of NaCl intake on 9-ketoprostaglandin reductase activity in the rabbit kidney

Renal 9-ketoprostaglandin reductase activity from rabbits fed 0.3 g or 2.5 g NaCl per 100 g chow was measured in both centrifuged homogenates and in purified enzyme fractions. There was no salt related increase in 9-ketoprostaglandin reductase activity. PGA1-glutathione, 9, 10-phenanthrenequinone, and 4-nitrobenzaldehyde were better substrates for the purified 9-ketoprostaglandin reductases than was PGE2. Several carbonyl reductases were isolated which used PGA1-glutathione, 9, 10-phenanthrenequinone, and 4-nitrobenzaldehyde, but not PGE2, as substrates. Although PGA1-glutathione was a more faithful indicator of PGE2-related 9-ketoprostaglandin reductase activity than either 9, 10-phenanthrenequione or 4-nitrobenzaldehyde, it did not always provide an accurate estimate of that activity.

Enzymatic reduction of fatty acids and acyl-CoAs to long chain aldehydes and alcohols

The properties of enzymatic systems involved in the synthesis of long chain aldehydes and alcohols have been reviewed. Fatty acid and acyl-CoA reductases are widely distributed and generate fatty alcohols for ether lipid and wax ester synthesis as well as fatty aldehydes for bacterial bioluminescence. Fatty alcohol is generally the major product of fatty acid reduction in crude or membrane systems, although reductases which release fatty aldehydes as products have also been purified. The reduction of fatty acid proceeds through the ATP-dependent formation of acyl intermediates such as acyl-CoA and acyl protein, followed by reduction to aldehyde and alcohol with NAD(P)H. In most cases, both the rate of fatty acid conversion and acyl chain specificity of the reaction are determined at the level of reduction of the intermediate. The reduction of fatty acids represents the major pathway for the control of the synthesis of fatty aldehydes and alcohols. Several other enzymatic reactions involved in lipid degradation also release fatty aldehydes but do not appear to play an important role in long chain alcohol synthesis.

Reductases for carbonyl compounds in human liver

Two aldehyde reductases with mol. wt 78,000 and 32,000 and one carbonyl reductase with mol. wt 31,000 were purified to homogeneity from human liver cytosol. The high molecular weight aldehyde reductase exhibited properties similar to alcohol dehydrogenase; it had a single subunit of mol. wt 41,000 and a pI value of 10 to 10.5, and showed preference for NADH over NADPH as cofactor and sensitivity to SH-reagents, pyrazole, o-phenanthroline and isobutyramide. The enzyme reduced aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, alicyclic ketones and alpha-diketones and an optimal pH of 6.0, and oxidized various alcohols with NAD as a cofactor at an optimal pH of 8.8. The identity of the enzyme with alcohol dehydrogenase was established by starch gel electrophoresis and co-purification of the two enzymes. The other enzymes were NADPH-dependent and monomeric reductases; the aldehyde reductase reduced aldehydes, hexonates and alpha-diketones and was sensitive to barbiturates, diphenylhydantoin and valproate, while the carbonyl reductase showed a broad substrate specificity for aldehydes, ketones and quinones and was inhibited by SH-reagent, quercitrin and benzoic acid. The latter enzyme appeared in three multiforms with different charges which occurred in differing ratios in liver specimens. Comparison of kinetic constants for aldehydes among the enzymes indicated that alcohol dehydrogenase is the best reductase with the highest affinity and Kcat values. The enzyme also catalyzed oxidation and reduction of aromatic aldehydes in the presence of NAD at physiological pH of 7.2. Tissue distribution of the three enzymes and variation of their specific activities in human livers were examined.

Purification and characterization of two forms of microsomal carbonyl reductase in guinea pig liver

Two forms of microsomal carbonyl reductase, solubilized in Triton X-100, were purified to homogeneity from the liver of male guinea pigs, primarily by affinity, DEAE-Sephacel, gel-filtration and hydroxyapatite chromatography. The major form was a tetrameric glycoprotein of single subunits of Mr 32000 and a pI value of 7.0; another minor form was a monomeric protein with Mr 34000 and a pI value of 7.8. The enzymes were immunologically distinct. Although the enzymes showed similar substrate specificity for exogenous aldehydes and ketones and apparently absolute cofactor specificity for NADPH, their specificity for natural carbonyl compounds differed. The major form irreversibly reduced 5 alpha- and 5 beta-dihydrotestosterones, menadione and lauryl aldehyde with low Km values of 10-70 microM, whereas the minor form not only reduced 17-oxosteroids, of which 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 beta-androstan-17-one was the best substrate, but also oxidized 17-hydroxysteroids in the presence of NADP+. The two forms of carbonyl reductase also exhibited different sensitivity to heavy metal ions, dicoumarol, tetramethyleneglutaric acid, phenobarbitone and corticosteroids.

Formation of adrenaline in the iris-ciliary body from adrenalone diesters

Many diesters of adrenalone have high ocular sympathomimetic activity although adrenalone itself, even if delivered intraocularly, is practically inactive. Thus these diesters cannot be considered pro-drugs of adrenalone, since adrenalone is not a drug. The mechanism of action of these adrenalone derivatives was studied on the selected, potent diisovaleryl adrenalone. It was found that adrenaline is formed from the diester, but not from adrenalone. While the inactive adrenalone is also formed hydrolytically and found in every compartment of the eye, the active epinephrine (adrenaline) was found only in the iris-ciliary body, as a result of a reduction-hydrolytic steps sequence. Thus the adrenalone diesters represent a type of site-specific delivery system for epinephrine.

Identity of dihydrodiol dehydrogenase and 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in rat but not in rabbit liver cytosol

Dihydrodiol dehydrogenase and 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in rat and rabbit liver cytosol have been analyzed by isoelectric focussing and subsequent activity staining. Identity of the two enzymes in rat liver cytosol is demonstrated. At least 4 main enzyme forms possessing dihydrodiol dehydrogenase activity can be detected in rabbit liver cytosol. However, in this species, only one of these forms has measurable activity towards 3 alpha-hydroxysteroids.

Substrate specificity of three prostaglandin dehydrogenases

Studies on the substrate specificity, kcat/Km, and effect of inhibitors on the human placental NADP-linked 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (9-ketoprostaglandin reductase) indicate that it is very similar to a human brain carbonyl reductase which also possesses 9-ketoprostaglandin reductase activity. These observations led to a comparison of three apparently homogeneous 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenases with varying amounts of 9-ketoprostaglandin reductase activity: an NAD- and an NADP-linked enzyme from human placenta and an NADP-linked enzyme from rabbit kidney. All three enzymes are carbonyl reductases for certain non-prostaglandin compounds. The placental NAD-linked enzyme, which has no 9-ketoprostaglandin reductase activity, is the most specific of the three. Although it has carbonyl reductase activity, a comparison of the Km and kcat/Km for prostaglandin and non-prostaglandin substrates of this enzyme suggests that its most likely function is as a 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase. The results of similar comparisons imply that the other two enzymes may function as less specific carbonyl reductases.

Purification and properties of an NADPH-linked aldehyde reductase from rat kidney

Rat kidney was shown to contain two NADPH-linked aldehyde reductases (alcohol:NADP+) oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.2) with different substrate affinities. The high-Km aldehyde reductase, which was purified to apparent homogeneity, had a molecular weight of 32 000 as determined by Sephadex G-100 gel filtration, and of 37 000 by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The purified enzyme reduced various aliphatic aldehydes of different carbon-chain lengths besides many chemicals containing aldehyde groups. The Km values for n-hexadecanal and n-octadecanal were 8 microM and 4 microM, respectively. Bovine serum albumin (1.8 mM) stimulated the reduction of n-hexadecanal and n-octadecanal, and increased the Vmax values by about 15-fold without changing the Km values. The kidney enzyme was not distinguishable from the brain and liver high-Km aldehyde reductases in mobility on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, immunological properties, peptide maps or substrate specificity.

Rat lens aldose reductase: rapid purification and comparison with human placental aldose reductase

Aldose reductase (alditol:NADP oxidoreductase EC .1.1.1.21), an enzyme in the sorbitol pathway which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications, has been purified from rat lens (RLAR) by affinity chromatography with Amicon Matrex Gel Orange A and its properties have been compared to those of purified human placental aldose reductase (HPAR). The RLAR appears to be closely associated with alpha- and beta-crystallin and has a higher affinity for the dye Matrex column than HPAR. The purified enzyme, obtained upon elution from the column, appears as a closely-spaced doublet of approximately 38 K MW on SDS-PAGE which does not immunologically cross-react with antibodies raised against the single 38 K MW HPAR. Antibodies raised against RLAR however do cross-react with HPAR. Kinetic studies indicated both enzymes to have a greater apparent affinity for aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes than for aldose sugars. Compared to DL-glyceraldehyde, RLAR displayed an 80-fold greater affinity for p-nitrobenzaldehyde and a 1000-fold decreased affinity for D-glucose while HPAR displayed a 15-fold greater affinity for p-nitrobenzaldehyde and 600-fold less affinity for D-glucose. Both enzymes displayed only trace activity with 200 mM L-gulonic acid.

Purification and characterization of human-brain aldose reductase

Aldose reductase (EC 1.1.1.21) from human brain has been purified to apparent homogeneity. The enzyme catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reduction of several physiological and xenobiotic aldehydes. Isocorticosteroids, e.g. isocortisol and isocorticosterone, are the best substrates (Km less than 1 micron), followed by aromatic and arylalkyladehydes, including biogenic aldehydes (Km = 3 - 15 microM). The activity towards aldoses is highest with glyceraldehyde (Km = 25 microM) and decreases with increasing number of carbon atoms of the sugar. Flavonoids, e.g. quercetin and rutin, inhibit aldose reductase (IC50 = 2 - 5 microM). Sulfate ions, on the other hand, stimulate the enzyme activity. Thiol-modifying reagents, e.g. 4-hydroxymercuribenzoate and iodoacetate, cause a time-dependent inactivation. Aldose reductase consists of a single polypeptide chain with a molecular weight of 38 000 and an isoelectric point of 5.9. In the presence of thiol reagents the isoelectric point is shifted to 5.1. Antibodies against aldose reductase do not cross-react with other carbonyl reductases, Nevertheless, the comparison of structural and enzymic properties of aldose reductase with those of other carbonyl reductases suggests a relationship between aldose reductase and aldehyde reductase (EC 1.1.1.2).