Imaging of the intracellular topography of copper with a fluorescent sensor and by synchrotron x-ray fluorescence microscopy

Labeling live cells by copper-catalyzed alkyne--azide click chemistry

The copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction, optimized for biological molecules in aqueous buffers, has been shown to rapidly label mammalian cells in culture with no loss in cell viability. Metabolic uptake and display of the azide derivative of N-acetylmannosamine developed by Bertozzi, followed by CuAAC ligation using sodium ascorbate and the ligand tris(hydroxypropyltriazolyl)methylamine (THPTA), gave rise to abundant covalent attachment of dye-alkyne reactants. THPTA serves both to accelerate the CuAAC reaction and to protect the cells from damage by oxidative agents produced by the Cu-catalyzed reduction of oxygen by ascorbate, which is required to maintain the metal in the active +1 oxidation state. This procedure extends the application of this fastest of azide-based bioorthogonal reactions to the exterior of living cells.

Uptake and Distribution of a Platinum(II)-Carborane Complex Within a Tumour Cell Using Synchrotron XRF Imaging

Treatment of A549 human lung carcinoma cells with a DNA metallointercalator complex containing a PtII-terpy (terpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine) unit linked to a functionalized closo-carborane cage results in the uptake of the complex within the cells, as determined by synchrotron X-ray fluorescence (XRF) imaging. Although a significant cellular uptake of Pt existed, there was no significant accumulation of the element within the cell nuclei. Other statistically significant changes from the XRF data included an increase in Cl, K, and Cu and a decrease in Fe within the treated cells.

High-contrast Cu(I)-selective fluorescent probes based on synergistic electronic and conformational switching

The design of fluorescent probes for the detection of redox-active transition metals such as Cu(I/II) is challenging due to potentially interfering metal-induced non-radiative deactivation pathways. By using a ligand architecture with a built-in conformational switch that maximizes the change in donor potential upon metal binding and an electronically decoupled tunable pyrazoline fluorophore as acceptor, we systematically optimized the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) switching behavior of a series of Cu(I)-selective probes and achieved an excellent fluorescence enhancement of greater than 200-fold. Crystal structure analysis combined with NMR solution studies revealed significant conformational changes of the ligand framework upon Cu(I) coordination. The photophysical data are consistent with a kinetically controlled PET reaction involving only the ligand moiety, despite the fact that Cu(I)-mediated reductive quenching would be thermodynamically preferred. The study demonstrates that high-contrast ratios can be achieved even for redox-active metal cations, providing that the metal-initiated quenching pathways are kinetically unfavorable.

Redox regulation of SCO protein function: controlling copper at a mitochondrial crossroad

Reversible changes in the redox state of cysteine residues represent an important mechanism with which to regulate protein function. In mitochondria, such redox reactions modulate the localization or activity of a group of proteins, most of which function in poorly defined pathways with essential roles in copper delivery to cytochrome c oxidase (COX) during holoenzyme biogenesis. To date, a total of 8 soluble (COX17, COX19, COX23, PET191, CMC1-4) and 3 integral membrane (COX11, SCO1, SCO2) accessory proteins with cysteine-containing domains that reside within the mitochondrial intermembrane space (IMS) have been identified in yeast, all of which have human orthologues. Compelling evidence from studies of COX17, SCO1, and SCO2 argues that regulation of the redox state of their cysteines is integral to their metallochaperone function. Redox also appears to be crucial to the regulation of a SCO-dependent, mitochondrial signaling pathway that modulates the rate of copper efflux from the cell. Here, I review our understanding of redox-dependent modulation of copper delivery to COX and IMS-localized copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) during the maturation of each enzyme, and discuss how this in turn may serve to functionally couple mitochondrial copper handling pathways with those localized elsewhere in the cell to regulate cellular copper homeostasis.

Loss of pluripotency in human embryonic stem cells directly correlates with an increase in nuclear zinc

The pluripotency of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) is important to investigations of early development and to cell replacement therapy, but the mechanism behind pluripotency is incompletely understood. Zinc has been shown to play a key role in differentiation of non-pluripotent cell types, but here its role in hESCs is directly examined. By mapping the distribution of metals in hESCs at high resolution by x-ray fluorescence microprobe (XFM) and by analyzing subcellular metal content, we have found evidence that loss of pluripotency is directly correlated with an increase in nuclear zinc. Zinc elevation not only redefines our understanding of the mechanisms that support pluripotency, but also may act as a biomarker and an intervention point for stem cell differentiation.

Toward the detection of cellular copper(II) by a light-activated fluorescence increase

A new type of Cu2+ fluorescent sensor, coucage, has been prepared with a photosensitive nitrophenyl group incorporated into the backbone of a coumarin-tagged tetradentate ligand. Coucage provides a selective fluorescence response for Cu2+ over other biologically relevant metal ions. Coordination of Cu2+ dims the fluorescence output until irradiation with UV light cleaves the ligand backbone, which relieves the copper-induced quenching to provide a turn-on response. Experiments in live MCF-7 cells show that coucage can be used for detecting changes in intracellular Cu2+ upon the addition of excess exogenous copper. If improvements can be made to increase its affinity for copper, this new type of turn-on sensor could be used as a tool for visualizing the cellular distribution of labile copper to gain insight into the mechanisms of copper trafficking.

Cellular copper distribution: a mechanistic systems biology approach

Copper is an essential but potentially harmful trace element required in many enzymatic processes involving redox chemistry. Cellular copper homeostasis in mammals is predominantly maintained by regulating copper transport through the copper import CTR proteins and the copper exporters ATP7A and ATP7B. Once copper is imported into the cell, several pathways involving a number of copper proteins are responsible for trafficking it specifically where it is required for cellular life, thus avoiding the release of harmful free copper ions. In this study we review recent progress made in understanding the molecular mechanisms of copper transport in cells by analyzing structural features of copper proteins, their mode of interaction, and their thermodynamic and kinetic parameters, thus contributing to systems biology of copper within the cell.

Wilson disease at a single cell level: intracellular copper trafficking activates compartment-specific responses in hepatocytes

Wilson disease (WD) is a severe hepato-neurologic disorder that affects primarily children and young adults. WD is caused by mutations in ATP7B and subsequent copper overload. However, copper levels alone do not predict severity of the disease. We demonstrate that temporal and spatial distribution of copper in hepatocytes may play an important role in WD pathology. High resolution synchrotron-based x-ray fluorescence imaging in situ indicates that copper does not continuously accumulate in Atp7b(-/-) hepatocytes, but reaches a limit at 90-300 fmol. The lack of further accumulation is associated with the loss of copper transporter Ctr1 from the plasma membrane and the appearance of copper-loaded lymphocytes and extracellular copper deposits. The WD progression is characterized by changes in subcellular copper localization and transcriptome remodeling. The synchrotron-based x-ray fluorescence imaging and mRNA profiling both point to the key role of nucleus in the initial response to copper overload and suggest time-dependent sequestration of copper in deposits as a protective mechanism. The metabolic pathways, up-regulated in response to copper, show compartmentalization that parallels changes in subcellular copper concentration. In contrast, significant down-regulation of lipid metabolism is observed at all stages of WD irrespective of copper distribution. These observations suggest new stage-specific as well as general biomarkers for WD. The model for the dynamic role of copper in WD is proposed.

Highly sensitive and selective colorimetric and off-on fluorescent chemosensor for Cu2+ in aqueous solution and living cells

The design and synthesis of a novel rhodamine spirolactam derivative and its application in fluorescent detections of Cu(2+) in aqueous solution and living cells are reported. The signal change of the chemosensor is based on a specific metal ion induced reversible ring-opening mechanism of the rhodamine spirolactam. It exhibits a highly sensitive "turn-on" fluorescent response toward Cu(2+) in aqueous solution with an 80-fold fluorescence intensity enhancement under 10 equiv of Cu(2+) added. This indicates that the synthesized chemosensor effectively avoided the fluorescence quenching for the paramagnetic nature of Cu(2+) via its strong binding capability toward Cu(2+). With the experimental conditions optimized, the probe exhibits a dynamic response range for Cu(2+) from 8.0 x 10(-7) to 1.0 x 10(-5) M, with a detection limit of 3.0 x 10(-7) M. The response of the chemosensor for Cu(2+) is instantaneous and reversible. Most importantly, both the color and fluorescence changes of the chemosensor are remarkably specific for Cu(2+) in the presence of other heavy and transition metal ions (even those that exist in high concentration), which meet the selective requirements for biomedical and environmental monitoring application. The proposed chemosensor has been used for direct measurement of Cu(2+) content in river water samples and imaging of Cu(2+) in living cells with satisfying results, which further demonstrates its value of practical applications in environmental and biological systems.

Gel electrophoresis and X-ray fluorescence: A powerful combination for the analysis of protein metal binding

Understanding the complex biochemical mechanisms that underlie the regulation, toxicity, and protein binding of metal ions requires the ability to analyze the metal content of individual proteins in complex mixtures. In this issue of ACS Chemical Biology, a technique combining gel electrophoresis with synchrotron X-ray fluorescence imaging demonstrates a rapid and powerful solution for simultaneously examining multiple proteins and metal ions of interest. The resulting technique is broadly applicable, does not require specialized equipment for sample preparation, and is likely to be extensible in the future.

Kinetically controlled photoinduced electron transfer switching in Cu(I)-responsive fluorescent probes

Copper(I)-responsive fluorescent probes based on photoinduced electron transfer (PET) switching consistently display incomplete recovery of emission upon Cu(I) binding compared to the corresponding isolated fluorophores, raising the question of whether Cu(I) might engage in adverse quenching pathways. To address this question, we performed detailed photophysical studies on a series of Cu(I)-responsive fluorescent probes that are based on a 16-membered thiazacrown receptor ([16]aneNS(3)) tethered to 1,3,5-triarylpyrazoline-fluorophores. The fluorescence enhancement upon Cu(I) binding, which is mainly governed by changes in the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) driving force between the ligand and fluorophore, was systematically optimized by increasing the electron withdrawing character of the 1-aryl-ring, yielding a maximum 29-fold fluorescence enhancement upon saturation with Cu(I) in methanol and a greater than 500-fold enhancement upon protonation with trifluoroacetic acid. Time-resolved fluorescence decay data for the Cu(I)-saturated probe indicated the presence of three distinct emissive species in methanol. Contrary to the notion that Cu(I) might engage in reductive electron transfer quenching, femtosecond time-resolved pump-probe experiments provided no evidence for formation of a transient Cu(II) species upon photoexcitation. Variable temperature (1)H NMR experiments revealed a dynamic equilibrium between the tetradentate NS(3)-coordinated Cu(I) complex and a ternary complex involving coordination of a solvent molecule, an observation that was further supported by quantum chemical calculations. The combined photophysical, electrochemical, and solution chemistry experiments demonstrate that electron transfer from Cu(I) does not compete with radiative deactivation of the excited fluorophore, and, hence, that the Cu(I)-induced fluorescence switching is kinetically controlled.

A selective, nontoxic, OFF-ON fluorescent molecular sensor based on 8-hydroxyquinoline for probing Cd(2+) in living cells

In spite of the fact that cadmium(II) has been recognized as a highly toxic element and that excessive exposure to this metal ion has been reported to have many adverse effects on human health, very few selective and specific fluorescent probes are available for imaging Cd(2+) in living cells. Herein, we report the spectroscopic and photochemical characterization of 5-(5-chloro-8-hydroxyquinolinylmethyl)-2,8-dithia-5-aza-2,6-pyridinophane (L) as a fluorescent sensor for the selective imaging of Cd(2+) in living cells. In particular, the response of L to Cd(2+) was first assessed in aqueous solutions, sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles, and liposomes, and subsequently in living cells by fluorescence microscopy techniques. Cytofluorimetric analyses of leukemic HL-60 cells loaded with L also allowed evaluation of the toxicity of the probe and the selective analysis of its intracellular fluorescence in the presence of Cd(2+). Furthermore, the 1:1 complex species [Cd(L)H(2)O](2+) responsible for the OFF-ON chelation enhancement of fluorescence (CHEF) effect on L was structurally characterized; time-dependent DFT calculations allowed the prediction of theoretical excitations, which were comparable with the experimental ones.

A new highly selective, ratiometric and colorimetric fluorescence sensor for Cu(2+) with a remarkable red shift in absorption and emission spectra based on internal charge transfer

A new 1,8-diaminonaphthalene based ratiometric and highly selective colorimetric "off-on" type of fluorescent probe, receptor 2 has been designed and synthesized that senses only Cu(2+) among the other heavy and transition metal ions examined on the basis of internal charge transfer (ICT). The visual sensitivity of the receptor 2 is remarkable, showing dual color changes from colorless (receptor) to purple followed by blue and a large red shift in emission upon Cu(2+) complexation.

Copper and zinc binding to amyloid-beta: coordination, dynamics, aggregation, reactivity and metal-ion transfer

The metal ions copper, zinc and iron have been shown to be involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Cu, Zn and Fe ions are proposed to be implicated in two key steps of AD pathology: 1) aggregation of the peptide amyloid-beta (Abeta), and 2) production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by Abeta. There is compelling evidence that Cu and Zn bind directly to Abeta in AD. This formation of Cu/Zn-Abeta complexes is thought to be aberrant as they have been detected only in AD, but not under healthy conditions. In this context, the understanding of how these metal ions interact with Abeta, their influence on structure and oligomerization become an important issue for AD. Moreover, the mechanism of ROS production by Cu-Abeta in relation to its aggregations state, as well as the metal-transfer reaction from and to Abeta are crucial in order to understand why Abeta oligomers are highly toxic and why Abeta seems to bind Cu and Zn only in AD.

Synchrotron X-ray imaging reveals a correlation of tumor copper speciation with Clioquinol's anticancer activity

Tumor development and metastasis depend on angiogenesis that requires certain growth factors, proteases, and the trace element copper (Cu). Recent studies suggest that Cu could be used as a novel target for cancer therapies. Clioquinol (CQ), an antibiotic that is able to form stable complexes with Cu or zinc (Zn), has shown proteasome-inhibitory, androgen receptor-suppressing, apoptosis-inducing, and antitumor activities in human cancer cells and xenografts. The mechanisms underlying the interaction of CQ with cellular Cu, the alteration of the Cu/Zn ratio and the antitumor role of CQ in vivo have not been fully elucidated. We report here that Cu accumulates in tumor tissue and that the Cu/Zn balances in tumor, but not normal, tissue change significantly after the treatment with CQ. Cu speciation analysis showed that the Cu(I) species is predominant in both normal and tumor tissues and that Cu(II) content was significantly increased in tumor, but not normal tissue after CQ treatment. Our findings indicate that CQ can interact with cellular Cu in vivo, dysregulates the Cu/Zn balance and is able to convert Cu(I) to Cu(II) in tumor tissue. This conversion of Cu(I) to Cu(II) may be associated with CQ-induced proteasome inhibition and growth suppression in the human prostate tumor xenografts.

Visualizing ascorbate-triggered release of labile copper within living cells using a ratiometric fluorescent sensor

We present the synthesis, properties, and biological applications of Ratio-Coppersensor-1 (RCS1), a new water-soluble fluorescent sensor for ratiometric imaging of copper in living cells. RCS1 combines an asymmetric BODIPY reporter and thioether-based ligand receptor to provide high selectivity and sensitivity for Cu(+) over other biologically relevant metal ions, including Cu(2+) and Zn(2+), a ca. 20-fold fluorescence ratio change upon Cu(+) binding, and visible excitation and emission profiles compatible with standard fluorescence microscopy filter sets. Live-cell confocal microscopy experiments show that RCS1 is membrane-permeable and can sense changes in the levels of labile Cu(+) pools within living cells by ratiometric imaging, including expansion of endogenous stores of exchangeable intracellular Cu(+) triggered by ascorbate stimulation in kidney and brain cells.

Quantitative biological imaging by ptychographic x-ray diffraction microscopy

Recent advances in coherent x-ray diffractive imaging have paved the way to reliable and quantitative imaging of noncompact specimens at the nanometer scale. Introduced a year ago, an advanced implementation of ptychographic coherent diffractive imaging has removed much of the previous limitations regarding sample preparation and illumination conditions. Here, we apply this recent approach toward structure determination at the nanoscale to biological microscopy. We show that the projected electron density of unstained and unsliced freeze-dried cells of the bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans can be derived from the reconstructed phase in a straightforward and reproducible way, with quantified and small errors. Thus, the approach may contribute in the future to the understanding of the highly disputed nucleoid structure of bacterial cells. In the present study, the estimated resolution for the cells was 85 nm (half-period length), whereas 50-nm resolution was demonstrated for lithographic test structures. With respect to the diameter of the pinhole used to illuminate the samples, a superresolution of about 15 was achieved for the cells and 30 for the test structures, respectively. These values should be assessed in view of the low dose applied on the order of approximately 1.3x10(5) Gy, and were shown to scale with photon fluence.

Electronically tuned 1,3,5-triarylpyrazolines as Cu(I)-selective fluorescent probes

We have prepared and characterized a Cu(i)-responsive fluorescent probe, constructed using a large tetradentate, 16-membered thiazacrown ligand ([16]aneNS(3)) and 1,3,5-triaryl-substituted pyrazoline fluorophores. The fluorescence contrast ratio upon analyte binding, which is mainly governed by changes of the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) driving force between the ligand and fluorophore, was systematically optimized by increasing the electron withdrawing character of the 1-aryl-ring, yielding a maximum 50-fold fluorescence enhancement upon saturation with Cu(i) in methanol and a greater than 300-fold enhancement upon protonation with trifluoroacetic acid. The observed fluorescence increase was selective towards Cu(i) over a broad range of mono- and divalent transition metal cations. Previously established Hammett LFERs proved to be a valuable tool to predict two of the PET key parameters, the acceptor potential (E(A/A(-)) and the excited state energy DeltaE(00), and thus to identify a set of pyrazolines that would best match the thermodynamic requirements imposed by the donor potential E(D(+)/D) of the thiazacrown receptor. The described approach should be applicable for rationally designing high-contrast pyrazoline-based PET probes selective towards other metal cations.

Fluorescent Probes and Labels for Cellular Imaging

Metal-responsive fluorescent indicators are powerful tools for visualizing trace metals with subcellular resolution. By taking advantage of the diverse photophysical properties of organic fluorophores, metal ion-selective fluorescent indicators have been rationally designed and tailored towards cellular applications. This review summarizes challenges associated with the probe design and describes recent efforts in our research group in developing selective and sensitive reagents for the detection of zinc and copper in mammalian cells.

Copper redistribution in Atox1-deficient mouse fibroblast cells

Quantitative synchrotron X-ray fluorescence (SXRF) imaging of adherent mouse fibroblast cells deficient in antioxidant-1 (Atox1), a metallochaperone protein responsible for delivering Cu to cuproenzymes in the trans-Golgi network, revealed striking differences in the subcellular Cu distribution compared with wild-type cells. Whereas the latter showed a pronounced perinuclear localization of Cu, the Atox1-deficient cells displayed a mostly unstructured and diffuse distribution throughout the entire cell body. Comparison of the SXRF elemental maps for Zn and Fe of the same samples showed no marked differences between the two cell lines. The data underscore the importance of Atox1, not only as a metallochaperone for delivering Cu to cuproenzymes, but also as a key player in maintaining the proper distribution and organization of Cu at the cellular level.

Radioactivity-synchronized fluorescence enhancement using a radionuclide fluorescence-quenched dye

We demonstrate the first evidence of radioactivity-synchronized fluorescence quenching of a near-infrared light-emitting dye by a radionuclide, (64)Cu, and subsequent fluorescence enhancement upon (64)Cu decay to the daughter isotopes (64)Ni and (64)Zn. The dynamic switch from high radioactivity and low fluorescence to low radioactivity and high fluorescence is potentially useful for developing complementary multimodal imaging and detection platforms for chemical, environmental, and biomedical applications as well as for unraveling the mechanisms of metal-induced dynamic fluorescence changes.

Copper-triggered aggregation of ubiquitin

Neurodegenerative disorders share common features comprising aggregation of misfolded proteins, failure of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and increased levels of metal ions in the brain. Protein aggregates within affected cells often contain ubiquitin, however no report has focused on the aggregation propensity of this protein. Recently it was shown that copper, differently from zinc, nickel, aluminum, or cadmium, compromises ubiquitin stability and binds to the N-terminus with 0.1 micromolar affinity. This paper addresses the role of copper upon ubiquitin aggregation. In water, incubation with Cu(II) leads to formation of spherical particles that can progress from dimers to larger conglomerates. These spherical oligomers are SDS-resistant and are destroyed upon Cu(II) chelation or reduction to Cu(I). In water/trifluoroethanol (80∶20, v/v), a mimic of the local decrease in dielectric constant experienced in proximity to a membrane surface, ubiquitin incubation with Cu(II) causes time-dependent changes in circular dichroism and Fourier-transform infrared spectra, indicative of increasing β-sheet content. Analysis by atomic force and transmission electron microscopy reveals, in the given order, formation of spherical particles consistent with the size of early oligomers detected by gel electrophoresis, clustering of these particles in straight and curved chains, formation of ring structures, growth of trigonal branches from the rings, coalescence of the trigonal branched structures in a network. Notably, none of these ubiquitin aggregates was positive to tests for amyloid and Cu(II) chelation or reduction produced aggregate disassembly. The early formed Cu(II)-stabilized spherical oligomers, when reconstituted in 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) liposomes and in POPC planar bilayers, form annular and pore-like structures, respectively, which are common to several neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and prion diseases, and have been proposed to be the primary toxic species. Susceptibility to aggregation of ubiquitin, as it emerges from the present study, may represent a potential risk factor for disease onset or progression while cells attempt to tag and process toxic substrates.

Copper-responsive magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents

The design, synthesis, and evaluation of the Copper-Gad (CG) family, a new class of copper-activated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents, are presented. These indicators comprise a Gd(3+)-DO3A core coupled to various thioether-rich receptors for copper-induced relaxivity switching. In the absence of copper ions, inner-sphere water binding to the Gd(3+) chelate is restricted, resulting in low longitudinal relaxivity values (r(1) = 1.2-2.2 mM(-1) s(-1) measured at 60 MHz). Addition of Cu(+) to CG2, CG3, CG4, and CG5 and either Cu(+) or Cu(2+) to CG6 triggers marked enhancements in relaxivity (r(1) = 2.3-6.9 mM(-1) s(-1)). CG2 and CG3 exhibit the greatest turn-on responses, going from r(1) = 1.5 mM(-1) s(-1) in the absence of Cu(+) to r(1) = 6.9 mM(-1) s(-1) upon Cu(+) binding (a 360% increase). The CG sensors are highly selective for Cu(+) and/or Cu(2+) over competing metal ions at cellular concentrations, including Zn(2+) at 10-fold higher concentrations. (17)O NMR dysprosium-induced shift and nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion measurements support a mechanism in which copper-induced changes in the coordination environment of the Gd(3+) core result in increases in q and r(1). T(1)-weighted phantom images establish that the CG sensors are capable of visualizing changes in copper levels by MRI at clinical field strengths.

Bio-metals imaging and speciation in cells using proton and synchrotron radiation X-ray microspectroscopy

The direct detection of biologically relevant metals in single cells and of their speciation is a challenging task that requires sophisticated analytical developments. The aim of this article is to present the recent achievements in the field of cellular chemical element imaging, and direct speciation analysis, using proton and synchrotron radiation X-ray micro- and nano-analysis. The recent improvements in focusing optics for MeV-accelerated particles and keV X-rays allow application to chemical element analysis in subcellular compartments. The imaging and quantification of trace elements in single cells can be obtained using particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). The combination of PIXE with backscattering spectrometry and scanning transmission ion microscopy provides a high accuracy in elemental quantification of cellular organelles. On the other hand, synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence provides chemical element imaging with less than 100 nm spatial resolution. Moreover, synchrotron radiation offers the unique capability of spatially resolved chemical speciation using micro-X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The potential of these methods in biomedical investigations will be illustrated with examples of application in the fields of cellular toxicology, and pharmacology, bio-metals and metal-based nano-particles.

Protein carbonylation in THP-1 cells induced by cigarette smoke extract via a copper-catalyzed pathway

Cigarette smoke is a mixture of chemicals that cause direct or indirect oxidative stress in different cell lines. We investigated the effect of nonfractionated cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on protein carbonylation in human THP-1 cells. Cells were exposed to various concentrations (2.5-20%) of CSE for 30 min, and protein carbonylation was assessed by use of the sensitive 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine immuno-dot blot assay. CSE-induced protein carbonylation exhibited a dose-response relation with CSE concentrations. However, with prolonged exposure to CSE, significant decrements were observed when compared with the 30 min exposure. Cotreatment of THP-1 cells with antioxidants (N-acetyl-cysteine, S-allyl-cysteine, and alpha-tocopherol) and copper(II) ion chelators (d-penicillamine) during CSE exposure significantly reduced protein carbonylation, whereas cotreatment with antioxidants (vitamin C and trolox) and a metal chelator (EDTA), iron chelator (1,10-phenanthroline), or copper(I) chelator (neocuprin) did not decrease CSE-induced protein carbonylation in THP-1 cells. These results suggest that protein carbonylation is induced by CSE in THP-1 cells via a copper(II)-catalyzed reaction and not an iron-catalyzed reaction. Furthermore, the copper(II) ions involved in this CSE-induced protein carbonylation are derived from the intracellular pool, not via uptake from the extracellular medium. We speculate that natural copper(II) chelators may prevent some of the health problems caused by cigarette smoking, including lung disease, renal failure, and diabetes.

Antioxidant activity of sulfur and selenium: a review of reactive oxygen species scavenging, glutathione peroxidase, and metal-binding antioxidant mechanisms

It is well known that oxidation caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a major cause of cellular damage and death and has been implicated in cancer, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular diseases. Small-molecule antioxidants containing sulfur and selenium can ameliorate oxidative damage, and cells employ multiple antioxidant mechanisms to prevent this cellular damage. However, current research has focused mainly on clinical, epidemiological, and in vivo studies with little emphasis on the antioxidant mechanisms responsible for observed sulfur and selenium antioxidant activities. In addition, the antioxidant properties of sulfur compounds are commonly compared to selenium antioxidant properties; however, sulfur and selenium antioxidant activities can be quite distinct, with each utilizing different antioxidant mechanisms to prevent oxidative cellular damage. In the present review, we discuss the antioxidant activities of sulfur and selenium compounds, focusing on several antioxidant mechanisms, including ROS scavenging, glutathione peroxidase, and metal-binding antioxidant mechanisms. Findings of several recent clinical, epidemiological, and in vivo studies highlight the need for future studies that specifically focus on the chemical mechanisms of sulfur and selenium antioxidant behavior.

DNAzyme catalytic beacon sensors that resist temperature-dependent variations

The temperature-dependent variability of a Pb2+-specific 8-17E DNAzyme catalytic beacon sensor has been addressed through the introduction of mismatches in the DNAzyme, and the resulting sensors resist temperature-dependent variations from 4 to 30 degrees C.