Thioredoxins, glutaredoxins, and glutathionylation: new crosstalks to explore

The dual role of methylglyoxal in plant stress response and regulation of DJ-1 protein

Methylglyoxal (MG) is a highly reactive metabolic intermediate that plays important roles in plant salt stress response. This review explores the sources of MG in plants, how salt stress promotes MG production, and the dual role of MG under salt stress conditions. Both the positive role of low concentrations of MG as a signalling molecule and the toxic effects of high concentrations of MG in plant response to salt stress are discussed. The MG detoxification pathways, especially the glyoxalase system, are described in detail. Special attention is given to the novel role of the DJ-1 protein in the glyoxalase system as glyoxalase III to remove MG, and as a deglycase to decrease glycation damage caused by MG on DNA, proteins, and other biomolecules. This review aims to provide readers with comprehensive perspectives on the functions of MG in plant salt stress response, the roles of the DJ-1 protein in MG detoxification and repair of glycation-damaged molecules, as well as the broader functional implications of MG in plant salt stress tolerance. New perspectives on maintaining plant genome stability, breeding for salt-tolerant crop varieties, and improving crop quality are discussed.

Fine mapping and candidate gene analysis of qSB12YSB, a gene conferring major quantitative resistance to rice sheath blight

KEY MESSAGE

qSB12YSB, a major quantitative sheath blight resistance gene originated from rice variety YSBR1 with good breeding potential, was mapped to a 289-Kb region on chromosome 12. Sheath blight (ShB), caused by Rhizoctonia solani kühn, is one of the most serious global rice diseases. Rice resistance to ShB is a typical of quantitative trait controlled by multiple quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Many QTLs for ShB resistance have been reported while only few of them were fine-mapped. In this study, we identified a QTL on chromosome 12, in which the qSB12YSB resistant allele shows significant ShB resistance, by using 150 BC4 backcross inbred lines employing the resistant rice variety YSBR1 as the donor and the susceptible variety Lemont (LE) as the recurrent parent. We further fine-mapped qSB12YSB to a 289-kb region by generating 34 chromosomal segment substitution lines and identified a total of 18 annotated genes as the most likely candidates for qSB12YSB after analyzing resequencing and transcriptomic data. KEGG analysis suggested that qSB12YSB might activate secondary metabolites biosynthesis and ROS scavenging system to improve ShB resistance. qSB12YSB conferred significantly stable resistance in three commercial rice cultivars (NJ9108, NJ5055 and NJ44) in field trials when introduced through marker assisted selection. Under severe ShB disease conditions, qSB12YSB significantly reduced yield losses by up to 13.5% in the LE background, indicating its great breeding potential. Our results will accelerate the isolation of qSB12YSB and its utilization in rice breeding programs against ShB.

Glyoxalase I is a novel target for the prevention of metabolic derangement

Obesity prevalence in the US has nearly tripled since 1975 and a parallel increase in prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Obesity promotes a myriad of metabolic derangements with insulin resistance (IR) being perhaps the most responsible for the development of T2D and other related diseases such as cardiovascular disease. The precarious nature of IR development is such that it provides a valuable target for the prevention of further disease development. However, the mechanisms driving IR are numerous and complex making the development of viable interventions difficult. The development of metabolic derangement in the context of obesity promotes accumulation of reactive metabolites such as the reactive alpha-dicarbonyl methylglyoxal (MG). MG accumulation has long been appreciated as a marker of disease progression in patients with T2D as well as the development of diabetic complications. However, recent evidence suggests that the accumulation of MG occurs with obesity prior to T2D onset and may be a primary driving factor for the development of IR and T2D. Further, emerging evidence also suggests that this accumulation of MG with obesity may be a result in a loss of MG detoxifying capacity of glyoxalase I. In this review, we will discuss the evidence that posits MG accumulation because of GLO1 attenuation is a novel target mechanism of the development of metabolic derangement. In addition, we will also explore the regulation of GLO1 and the strategies that have been investigated so far to target GLO1 regulation for the prevention and treatment of metabolic derangement.

Dietary dimethylglycine sodium salt supplementation alleviates redox status imbalance and intestinal dysfunction in weaned piglets with intrauterine growth restriction

There are few studies on the mechanism of redox status imbalance and intestinal dysfunction in intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) newborn piglets. Here, we investigated the mechanism of jejunum dysfunction in weaned piglets with IUGR and the mechanism through which dimethylglycine sodium salt (DMG-Na) supplementation improving the imbalance of their redox status. In this work, a total of 10 normal birth weight (NBW) newborn piglets and 20 IUGR newborn piglets were obtained. After weaning at 21 d, they were assigned to 3 groups (n = 10/group): NBW weaned piglets fed standard basal diets (NBWC); one IUGR weaned piglets fed standard basal diets (IUGRC); another IUGR weaned piglets from the same litter fed standard basal diets plus 0.1% DMG-Na (IUGRD). The piglets in these 3 groups were sacrificed at 49 d of age, and the blood and jejunum samples were collected immediately. The growth performance values in the IUGRC group were lower (P < 0.05) than those in the NBWC group. Jejunum histomorphological parameters, inflammatory cytokines, and digestive enzyme activity as well as serum immunoglobulin were lower (P < 0.05) in the IUGRC group than those in the NBWC group. Compared with these in the NBWC group, the redox status of serum, jejunum, and mitochondria and the expression levels of jejunum redox status-related, cell adhesion-related, and mitochondrial function-related genes and proteins were suppressed in the IUGRC group (P < 0.05). However, compared with those in the IUGRC group, the growth performance values, jejunum histomorphological parameters, inflammatory cytokines, digestive enzyme activity, serum immunoglobulin, redox status of serum, jejunum, and mitochondria, and the expression levels of jejunum redox status-related, cell adhesion-related, and mitochondrial function-related genes and proteins were improved (P < 0.05) in the IUGRD group. In conclusion, dietary DMG-Na supplementation alleviates redox status imbalance and intestinal dysfunction in IUGR weaned piglets mainly by activating the sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγcoactivator-1α (PGC1α) pathway, thereby improving their unfavorable body state.

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Thioredoxin1 (SsTrx1) is required for pathogenicity and oxidative stress tolerance

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infects host plant tissues by inducing necrosis to source nutrients needed for its establishment. Tissue necrosis results from an enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) at the site of infection and apoptosis. Pathogens have evolved ROS scavenging mechanisms to withstand host-induced oxidative damage. However, the genes associated with ROS scavenging pathways are yet to be fully investigated in S. sclerotiorum. We selected the S. sclerotiorum Thioredoxin1 gene (SsTrx1) for our investigations as its expression is significantly induced during S. sclerotiorum infection. RNA interference-induced silencing of SsTrx1 in S. sclerotiorum affected the hyphal growth rate, mycelial morphology, and sclerotial development under in vitro conditions. These outcomes confirmed the involvement of SsTrx1 in promoting pathogenicity and oxidative stress tolerance of S. sclerotiorum. We next constructed an SsTrx1-based host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) vector and mobilized it into Arabidopsis thaliana (HIGS-A) and Nicotiana benthamiana (HIGS-N). The disease resistance analysis revealed significantly reduced pathogenicity and disease progression in the transformed genotypes as compared to the nontransformed and empty vector controls. The relative gene expression of SsTrx1 increased under oxidative stress. Taken together, our results show that normal expression of SsTrx1 is crucial for pathogenicity and oxidative stress tolerance of S. sclerotiorum.

Dietary dimethylglycine sodium salt supplementation improves growth performance, redox status, and skeletal muscle function of intrauterine growth-restricted weaned piglets

Few studies have focused on the role of dimethylglycine sodium (DMG-Na) salt in protecting the redox status of skeletal muscle, although it is reported to be beneficial in animal husbandry. This study investigated the beneficial effects of DMG-Na salt on the growth performance, longissimus dorsi muscle (LM) redox status, and mitochondrial function in weaning piglets that were intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR). Ten normal birth weight (NBW) newborn piglets (1.53 ± 0.04 kg) and 20 IUGR newborn piglets (0.76 ± 0.06 kg) from 10 sows were obtained. All piglets were weaned at 21 d of age and allocated to the three groups with 10 replicates per group: NBW weaned piglets fed a common basal diet (N); IUGR weaned piglets fed a common basal diet (I); IUGR weaned piglets fed a common basal diet supplemented with 0.1% DMG-Na (ID). They were slaughtered at 49 d of age to collect the serum and LM samples. Compared with the N group, the growth performance, LM structure, serum, and, within the LM, mitochondrial redox status, mitochondrial respiratory chain complex activity, energy metabolites, redox status-related, cell adhesion-related, and mitochondrial function-related gene expression, and protein expression deteriorated in group I (P < 0.05). The ID group showed improved growth performance, LM structure, serum, and, within the LM, mitochondrial redox status, mitochondrial respiratory chain complex activity, energy metabolites, redox status-related, cell adhesion-related, and mitochondrial function-related gene expression, and protein expression compared with those in the I group (P < 0.05). The above results indicated that the DMG-Na salt treatment could improve the LM redox status and mitochondrial function in IUGR weaned piglets via the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/sirtuin 1/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγcoactivator-1α network, thus improving their growth performance.

Plasticity in plastid redox networks: evolution of glutathione-dependent redox cascades and glutathionylation sites

BACKGROUND

Flexibility of plant metabolism is supported by redox regulation of enzymes via posttranslational modification of cysteine residues, especially in plastids. Here, the redox states of cysteine residues are partly coupled to the thioredoxin system and partly to the glutathione pool for reduction. Moreover, several plastid enzymes involved in reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and damage repair draw electrons from glutathione. In addition, cysteine residues can be post-translationally modified by forming a mixed disulfide with glutathione (S-glutathionylation), which protects thiol groups from further oxidation and can influence protein activity. However, the evolution of the plastid glutathione-dependent redox network in land plants and the conservation of cysteine residues undergoing S-glutathionylation is largely unclear.

RESULTS

We analysed the genomes of nine representative model species from streptophyte algae to angiosperms and found that the antioxidant enzymes and redox proteins belonging to the plastid glutathione-dependent redox network are largely conserved, except for lambda- and the closely related iota-glutathione S-transferases. Focussing on glutathione-dependent redox modifications, we screened the literature for target thiols of S-glutathionylation, and found that 151 plastid proteins have been identified as glutathionylation targets, while the exact cysteine residue is only known for 17% (26 proteins), with one or multiple sites per protein, resulting in 37 known S-glutathionylation sites for plastids. However, 38% (14) of the known sites were completely conserved in model species from green algae to flowering plants, with 22% (8) on non-catalytic cysteines. Variable conservation of the remaining sites indicates independent gains and losses of cysteines at the same position during land plant evolution.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that the glutathione-dependent redox network in plastids is highly conserved in streptophytes with some variability in scavenging and damage repair enzymes. Our analysis of cysteine conservation suggests that S-glutathionylation in plastids plays an important and yet under-investigated role in redox regulation and stress response.

Crystal structure of chloroplastic thioredoxin z defines a type-specific target recognition

Thioredoxins (TRXs) are ubiquitous disulfide oxidoreductases structured according to a highly conserved fold. TRXs are involved in a myriad of different processes through a common chemical mechanism. Plant TRXs evolved into seven types with diverse subcellular localization and distinct protein target selectivity. Five TRX types coexist in the chloroplast, with yet scarcely described specificities. We solved the crystal structure of a chloroplastic z-type TRX, revealing a conserved TRX fold with an original electrostatic surface potential surrounding the redox site. This recognition surface is distinct from all other known TRX types from plant and non-plant sources and is exclusively conserved in plant z-type TRXs. We show that this electronegative surface endows thioredoxin z (TRXz) with a capacity to activate the photosynthetic Calvin-Benson cycle enzyme phosphoribulokinase. The distinct electronegative surface of TRXz thereby extends the repertoire of TRX-target recognitions.

Interplay among Oxidative Stress, Methylglyoxal Pathway and S-Glutathionylation

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced constantly inside the cells as a consequence of nutrient catabolism. The balance between ROS production and elimination allows to maintain cell redox homeostasis and biological functions, avoiding the occurrence of oxidative distress causing irreversible oxidative damages. A fundamental player in this fine balance is reduced glutathione (GSH), required for the scavenging of ROS as well as of the reactive 2-oxoaldehydes methylglyoxal (MGO). MGO is a cytotoxic compound formed constitutively as byproduct of nutrient catabolism, and in particular of glycolysis, detoxified in a GSH-dependent manner by the glyoxalase pathway consisting in glyoxalase I and glyoxalase II reactions. A physiological increase in ROS production (oxidative eustress, OxeS) is promptly signaled by the decrease of cellular GSH/GSSG ratio which can induce the reversible S-glutathionylation of key proteins aimed at restoring the redox balance. An increase in MGO level also occurs under oxidative stress (OxS) conditions probably due to several events among which the decrease in GSH level and/or the bottleneck of glycolysis caused by the reversible S-glutathionylation and inhibition of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. In the present review, it is shown how MGO can play a role as a stress signaling molecule in response to OxeS, contributing to the coordination of cell metabolism with gene expression by the glycation of specific proteins. Moreover, it is highlighted how the products of MGO metabolism, S-D-lactoylglutathione (SLG) and D-lactate, which can be taken up and metabolized by mitochondria, could play important roles in cell response to OxS, contributing to cytosol-mitochondria crosstalk, cytosolic and mitochondrial GSH pools, energy production, and the restoration of the GSH/GSSG ratio. The role for SLG and glyoxalase II in the regulation of protein function through S-glutathionylation under OxS conditions is also discussed. Overall, the data reported here stress the need for further studies aimed at understanding what role the evolutionary-conserved MGO formation and metabolism can play in cell signaling and response to OxS conditions, the aberration of which may importantly contribute to the pathogenesis of diseases associated to elevated OxS.

Glutaredoxins Play an Important Role in the Redox Homeostasis and Symbiotic Capacity of Azorhizobium caulinodans ORS571

Glutaredoxin (GRX) plays an essential role in the control of the cellular redox state and related pathways in many organisms. There is limited information on GRXs from the model nitrogen (N₂)-fixing bacterium Azorhizobium caulinodans. In the present work, we identified and performed functional analyses of monothiol and dithiol GRXs in A. caulinodans in the free-living state and during symbiosis with Sesbania rostrata. Our data show that monothiol GRXs may be very important for bacterial growth under normal conditions and in response to oxidative stress due to imbalance of the redox state in grx mutants of A. caulinodans. Functional redundancies were also observed within monothiol and dithiol GRXs in terms of different physiological functions. The changes in catalase activity and iron content in grx mutants were assumed to favor the maintenance of bacterial resistance against oxidants, nodulation, and N₂ fixation efficiency in this bacterium. Furthermore, the monothiol GRX12 and dithiol GRX34 play a collective role in symbiotic associations between A. caulinodans and Sesbania rostrata. Our study provided systematic evidence that further investigations are required to understand the importance of glutaredoxins in A. caulinodans and other rhizobia.

Thiol Redox Regulation of Plant β-Carbonic Anhydrase

β-carbonic anhydrases (βCA) accelerate the equilibrium formation between CO2 and carbonate. Two plant βCA isoforms are targeted to the chloroplast and represent abundant proteins in the range of >1% of chloroplast protein. While their function in gas exchange and photosynthesis is well-characterized in carbon concentrating mechanisms of cyanobacteria and plants with C4-photosynthesis, their function in plants with C3-photosynthesis is less clear. The presence of conserved and surface-exposed cysteinyl residues in the βCA-structure urged to the question whether βCA is subject to redox regulation. Activity measurements revealed reductive activation of βCA1, whereas oxidized βCA1 was inactive. Mutation of cysteinyl residues decreased βCA1 activity, in particular C280S, C167S, C230S, and C257S. High concentrations of dithiothreitol or low amounts of reduced thioredoxins (TRXs) activated oxidized βCA1. TRX-y1 and TRX-y2 most efficiently activated βCA1, followed by TRX-f1 and f2 and NADPH-dependent TRX reductase C (NTRC). High light irradiation did not enhance βCA activity in wildtype Arabidopsis, but surprisingly in βca1 knockout plants, indicating light-dependent regulation. The results assign a role of βCA within the thiol redox regulatory network of the chloroplast.

Implications of the mitochondrial interactome of mammalian thioredoxin 2 for normal cellular function and disease

Multiple thioredoxin isoforms exist in all living cells. To explore the possible functions of mammalian mitochondrial thioredoxin 2 (Trx2), an interactome of mouse Trx2 was initially created using (i) a monothiol mouse Trx2 species for capturing protein partners from different organs and (ii) yeast two hybrid screens on human liver and rat brain cDNA libraries. The resulting interactome consisted of 195 proteins (Trx2 included) plus the mitochondrial 16S RNA. 48 of these proteins were classified as mitochondrial (MitoCarta2.0 human inventory). In a second step, the mouse interactome was combined with the current four-membered mitochondrial sub-network of human Trx2 (BioGRID) to give a 53-membered human Trx2 mitochondrial interactome (52 interactor proteins plus the mitochondrial 16S RNA). Although thioredoxins are thiol-employing disulfide oxidoreductases, approximately half of the detected interactions were not due to covalent disulfide bonds. This finding reinstates the extended role of thioredoxins as moderators of protein function by specific non-covalent, protein-protein interactions. Analysis of the mitochondrial interactome suggested that human Trx2 was involved potentially in mitochondrial integrity, formation of iron sulfur clusters, detoxification of aldehydes, mitoribosome assembly and protein synthesis, protein folding, ADP ribosylation, amino acid and lipid metabolism, glycolysis, the TCA cycle and the electron transport chain. The oxidoreductase functions of Trx2 were verified by its detected interactions with mitochondrial peroxiredoxins and methionine sulfoxide reductase. Parkinson's disease, triosephosphate isomerase deficiency, combined oxidative phosphorylation deficiency, and lactate dehydrogenase b deficiency are some of the diseases where the proposed mitochondrial network of Trx2 may be implicated.

Age-related loss of mitochondrial glutathione exacerbates menadione-induced inhibition of Complex I

The role of mitochondrial GSH (mGSH) in the enhanced age-related susceptibility to xenobiotic toxicity is not well defined. We determined mGSH status and indices of mitochondrial bioenergetics in hepatocytes from young and old F344 rats treated with 300 μM menadione, a concentration that causes 50% cell death in old. At this concentration, mGSH was significantly lost only in hepatocytes from old rats, and with near total depletion due to lower basal mGSH in aged cells. In old hepatocytes, menadione caused mitochondrial membrane potential to collapse, as well as significant deficits in maximal O2 consumption and respiratory reserve capacity, indicators of cellular bioenergetic resiliency. Further examination revealed that the menadione-mediated loss of respiratory reserve capacity in aged hepatocytes was from significant inhibition of Complex I activity and increased proton leak, for which an increase in Complex II activity was not able to compensate. These data demonstrate an age-related increase in mitochondrial susceptibility to a redox-cycling challenge, particularly in regards to Complex I activity, and provide a plausible mechanism to link this vulnerability to mGSH perturbations.

Dimethylglycine sodium salt protects against oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction in the small intestines of mice

Few studies have investigated the use of dimethylglycine sodium salt (DMG‑Na) to protect against small intestinal damage, despite its prevalence in the treatment of human diseases. The present study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of DMG‑Na against oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction in the small intestines of mice. A total of 100 male Kunming mice were randomly assigned to five groups (n=20 per group): i) Mice gastric intubation with 0.3 ml sterile saline solution (once), then subcutaneously injected with sterile saline solution (0.5 ml) after 1 h (CON); ii) mice gastric intubation with 12 mg DMG‑Na/0.3 ml of sterile saline solution once, then subcutaneously injected with sterile saline solution (0.5 ml) 1 h later (D); iii) mice gastric intubation with 0.3 ml sterile saline solution once, then subcutaneously injected with indomethacin (10 mg/kg BW) 1 h later (IN); iv) mice gastric intubation with 12 mg DMG‑Na/0.3 ml sterile saline solution once, then subcutaneously injected with indomethacin (10 mg/kg BW) 1 h later (DIN); and v) mice subcutaneously injected with indomethacin (10 mg/kg BW), then gastrically intubated with 12 mg DMG‑Na/0.3 ml sterile saline solution once after 1 h (IND). The present study was evaluated the effects of DMG‑Na on mice intestinal damage induced by indomethacin injection. The histological morphology of the small intestine improved (P<0.05) in the DIN and IND groups, compared with the IN group. The antioxidant system was enhanced, oxidative damage was reduced, and the expression of antioxidant‑associated genes was increased in the small intestine and its mitochondria in the DIN and IND groups, compared with the IN group. The above results suggested that pretreatment and treatment with DMG‑Na reduced oxidative damage by enhancing antioxidant capacity, increasing the expression of antioxidant‑associated genes, ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction and suppressing apoptosis. Further study is required to determine the specific mechanism by which pretreatment and treatment with DMG‑Na reduced small intestinal damage.

In vitro free radical scavenging capacity of dimethylglycine sodium salt and its protective ability against oleic acid hydroperoxide-induced oxidative damage in IPEC-J2 cells

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro free radical scavenging capacity of dimethylglycine sodium (DMG‑Na) and its protective ability against oleic acid hydroperoxide (OAHPx)‑induced oxidative damage in IPEC‑J2 cells. Initially, the free radical scavenging activities of water‑soluble pigments (DMG‑Na, betalain, capsanthin and cyanidin‑3‑rutinoside) were measured and compared with those of Trolox. Subsequently, freshly collected swine blood was mixed with heparin and centrifuged to obtain erythrocytes. In order to induce the free radical chain oxidation in erythrocytes, the aqueous peroxyl radicals were generated by thermal decomposition of 2,2'‑azobis(2‑amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) in oxygen. A 2% suspension of porcine erythrocytes in PBS buffer were pre‑incubated for 30 min at 37˚C with DMG‑Na (32 µM), followed by incubation with or without AAPH (75 mM) for 5 h with gentle shaking. Additionally, IPEC‑J2 cells were randomly assigned to four groups (n=6 per group): Cells treated with phosphate buffered saline (PBS); cells treated with DMG‑Na (32 µM); cells treated with oleic acid hydroperoxides (OAHPx, 20 µM; TO group); cells treated with DMG‑Na (32 µM) followed by OAHPx (20 µM; DTO group). The cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium, Ham's F‑12 mixture, 1.5 mM HEPES, 5% (v/v) fetal bovine serum, 1% (v/v) insulin‑transferrin‑selenium mixture, 1% (v/v) penicillin‑streptomycin mixture and 2.5 µg/ml fungizone (37˚C, 5% CO2). The results showed that DMG‑Na exerted the strongest free radical scavenging capacity at 0.32 M from 0.08‑0.64 M, and that it could prevent AAPH‑induced porcine erythrocyte hemolysis by increasing its antioxidant capacity (P<0.05). The results also demonstrated that antioxidant capacity and antioxidant‑associated gene expression increased in the DTO group relative to the TO group (P<0.05), indicating that DMG‑Na prevented the OAHPx‑induced oxidative damage in IPEC‑J2 cells by improving the antioxidant capacity and antioxidant‑associated gene expression.

Clinically Evaluated Cancer Drugs Inhibiting Redox Signaling

SIGNIFICANCE

There are a number of redox-active anticancer agents currently in development based on the premise that altered redox homeostasis is necessary for cancer cell's survival. Recent Advances: This review focuses on the relatively few agents that target cellular redox homeostasis to have entered clinical trial as anticancer drugs.

CRITICAL ISSUES

The success rate of redox anticancer drugs has been disappointing compared to other classes of anticancer agents. This is due, in part, to our incomplete understanding of the functions of the redox targets in normal and cancer tissues, leading to off-target toxicities and low therapeutic indexes of the drugs. The field also lags behind in the use biomarkers and other means to select patients who are most likely to respond to redox-targeted therapy.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

If we wish to derive clinical benefit from agents that attack redox targets, then the future will require a more sophisticated understanding of the role of redox targets in cancer and the increased application of personalized medicine principles for their use. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 26, 262-273.

Protein glutathionylation protects wheat (Triticum aestivum Var. Sonalika) against Fusarium induced oxidative stress

Fusarium induced oxidative stress could be recovered by reversible protein oxidative modification through the process of glutathionylation in co-stressed (low-dose (50 μM) Cd²⁺ pre-treatment followed by Fusarium inoculation) wheat seedlings. Co-stressed seedlings showed low disease severity index as compared to Fusarium infected seedlings. A reduced level of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and carbonyl contents due to irreversible protein oxidation were observed in co-stressed seedlings as compared to Fusarium infected seedlings. Further, a comparative biochemical assay showed an enhanced glutathione content in co-stressed tissues as compared to Fusarium infected tissues. In an investigation, reduced glutathione pre-coated agarose gel beads were used to pull down proteins having affinity with GSH. Fructose-1, 6-bisphosphate aldolase and 3-Phosphoglycerate kinase were observed to be co-existed in co-stressed seedlings when analysed by LC-MS/MS after being processed through protein-pull assay. Co-stressed tissues showed an enhanced free protein thiol content as compared to Fusarium infected tissues. The ratio of free thiol to thiol disulfides was also observed to be increased in co-stressed tissues as compared to Fusarium infected tissues. In contrast, the quantitative assay by Ellman's reagent and qualitative analysis by diagonal gel electrophoresis showed enhanced protein thiol disulfides in Fusarium infected tissues as compared to co-stressed tissues. Further, glutaredoxin, responsible for the reverse reduction of proteins was observed to be enhanced in co-stressed tissues as compared to Fusarium infected tissues. Thus, a low dose Cd²⁺ triggered glutathionylation is suggestive of offering tolerance against Fusarium induced oxidative stress and protects target proteins from irreversible modification and permanent damage in wheat.

Glutathionylation of chikungunya nsP2 protein affects protease activity

BACKGROUND

Chikungunya fever is an emerging disease caused by the chikungunya virus and is now being spread worldwide by the mosquito Aedes albopictus. The infection can cause a persistent severe joint pain and recent reports link high levels of viremia to neuropathologies and fatalities. The viral protein nsP2 is a multifunctional enzyme that plays several critical roles in virus replication. Virus infection induces oxidative stress in host cells which the virus utilizes to aid viral propagation. Cellular oxidative stress also triggers glutathionylation which is a post-translational protein modification that can modulate physiological roles of affected proteins.

METHODS

The nsP2 protease is necessary for processing of the virus nonstructural polyprotein generated during replication. We use the recombinant nsP2 protein to measure protease activity before and after glutathionylation. Mass spectrometry allowed the identification of the glutathione-modified cysteines. Using immunoblots, we show that the glutathionylation of nsP2 occurs in virus-infected cells.

RESULTS

We show that in virus-infected cells, the chikungunya nsP2 can be glutathionylated and we show this modification can impact on the protease activity. We also identify 6 cysteine residues that are glutathionylated of the 20 cysteines in the protein.

CONCLUSIONS

The virus-induced oxidative stress causes modification of viral proteins which appears to modulate virus protein function.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

Viruses generate oxidative stress to regulate and hijack host cell systems and this environment also appears to modulate virus protein function. This may be a general target for intervention in viral pathogenesis.

Impact of Atmospheric Microparticles on the Development of Oxidative Stress in Healthy City/Industrial Seaport Residents

Atmospheric microsized particles producing reactive oxygen species can pose a serious health risk for city residents. We studied the responses of organisms to microparticles in 255 healthy volunteers living in areas with different levels of microparticle air pollution. We analyzed the distribution of microparticles in snow samples by size and content. ELISA and flow cytometry methods were employed to determine the parameters of the thiol-disulfide metabolism, peroxidation and antioxidant, genotoxicity, and energy state of the leukocytes. We found that, in the park areas, microparticles with a size of 800 μm or more were predominant (96%), while in the industrial areas, they tended to be less than 50 μm (93%), including size 200-300 nm (7%). In the industrial areas, we determined the oxidative modification of proteins (21% compared to the park areas, p ≤ 0.05) and DNA (12%, p ≤ 0.05), as well as changes in leukocytes' energy potential (53%, p ≤ 0.05). An increase in total antioxidant activity (82%, p ≤ 0.01) and thiol-disulfide system response (thioredoxin increasing by 33%, p ≤ 0.01; glutathione, 30%, p ≤ 0.01 with stable reductases levels) maintains a balance of peroxidation-antioxidant processes, protecting cellular and subcellular structures from significant oxidative damage.

Redox Modulation Matters: Emerging Functions for Glutaredoxins in Plant Development and Stress Responses

Glutaredoxins (GRXs) are small ubiquitous glutathione (GSH)-dependent oxidoreductases that catalyze the reversible reduction of protein disulfide bridges or protein-GSH mixed disulfide bonds via a dithiol or monothiol mechanism, respectively. Three major classes of GRXs, with the CPYC-type, the CGFS-type or the CC-type active site, have been identified in many plant species. In spite of the well-characterized roles for GRXs in Escherichia coli, yeast and humans, the biological functions of plant GRXs have been largely enigmatic. The CPYC-type and CGFS-type GRXs exist in all organisms, from prokaryotes to eukaryotes, whereas the CC-type class has thus far been solely identified in land plants. Only the number of the CC-type GRXs has enlarged dramatically during the evolution of land plants, suggesting their participation in the formation of more complex plants adapted to life on land. A growing body of evidence indicates that plant GRXs are involved in numerous cellular pathways. In this review, emphasis is placed on the recently emerging functions for GRXs in floral organ development and disease resistance. Notably, CC-type GRXs have been recruited to participate in these two seemingly unrelated processes. Besides, the current knowledge of plant GRXs in the assembly and delivery of iron-sulfur clusters, oxidative stress responses and arsenic resistance is also presented. As GRXs require GSH as an electron donor to reduce their target proteins, GSH-related developmental processes, including the control of flowering time and the development of postembryonic roots and shoots, are further discussed. Profiling the thiol redox proteome using high-throughput proteomic approaches and measuring cellular redox changes with fluorescent redox biosensors will help to further unravel the redox-regulated physiological processes in plants.

Thioredoxin-dependent redox regulation of chloroplastic phosphoglycerate kinase from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

In photosynthetic organisms, thioredoxin-dependent redox regulation is a well established mechanism involved in the control of a large number of cellular processes, including the Calvin-Benson cycle. Indeed, 4 of 11 enzymes of this cycle are activated in the light through dithiol/disulfide interchanges controlled by chloroplastic thioredoxin. Recently, several proteomics-based approaches suggested that not only four but all enzymes of the Calvin-Benson cycle may withstand redox regulation. Here, we characterized the redox features of the Calvin-Benson enzyme phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK1) from the eukaryotic green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, and we show that C. reinhardtii PGK1 (CrPGK1) activity is inhibited by the formation of a single regulatory disulfide bond with a low midpoint redox potential (-335 mV at pH 7.9). CrPGK1 oxidation was found to affect the turnover number without altering the affinity for substrates, whereas the enzyme activation appeared to be specifically controlled by f-type thioredoxin. Using a combination of site-directed mutagenesis, thiol titration, mass spectrometry analyses, and three-dimensional modeling, the regulatory disulfide bond was shown to involve the not strictly conserved Cys(227) and Cys(361). Based on molecular mechanics calculation, the formation of the disulfide is proposed to impose structural constraints in the C-terminal domain of the enzyme that may lower its catalytic efficiency. It is therefore concluded that CrPGK1 might constitute an additional light-modulated Calvin-Benson cycle enzyme with a low activity in the dark and a TRX-dependent activation in the light. These results are also discussed from an evolutionary point of view.

Heavy-metal-induced reactive oxygen species: phytotoxicity and physicochemical changes in plants

As a result of the industrial revolution, anthropogenic activities have enhanced there distribution of many toxic heavy metals from the earth's crust to different environmental compartments. Environmental pollution by toxic heavy metals is increasing worldwide, and poses a rising threat to both the environment and to human health.Plants are exposed to heavy metals from various sources: mining and refining of ores, fertilizer and pesticide applications, battery chemicals, disposal of solid wastes(including sewage sludge), irrigation with wastewater, vehicular exhaust emissions and adjacent industrial activity.Heavy metals induce various morphological, physiological, and biochemical dysfunctions in plants, either directly or indirectly, and cause various damaging effects. The most frequently documented and earliest consequence of heavy metal toxicity in plants cells is the overproduction of ROS. Unlike redox-active metals such as iron and copper, heavy metals (e.g, Pb, Cd, Ni, AI, Mn and Zn) cannot generate ROS directly by participating in biological redox reactions such as Haber Weiss/Fenton reactions. However, these metals induce ROS generation via different indirect mechanisms, such as stimulating the activity of NADPH oxidases, displacing essential cations from specific binding sites of enzymes and inhibiting enzymatic activities from their affinity for -SH groups on the enzyme.Under normal conditions, ROS play several essential roles in regulating the expression of different genes. Reactive oxygen species control numerous processes like the cell cycle, plant growth, abiotic stress responses, systemic signalling, programmed cell death, pathogen defence and development. Enhanced generation of these species from heavy metal toxicity deteriorates the intrinsic antioxidant defense system of cells, and causes oxidative stress. Cells with oxidative stress display various chemical,biological and physiological toxic symptoms as a result of the interaction between ROS and biomolecules. Heavy-metal-induced ROS cause lipid peroxidation, membrane dismantling and damage to DNA, protein and carbohydrates. Plants have very well-organized defense systems, consisting of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidation processes. The primary defense mechanism for heavy metal detoxification is the reduced absorption of these metals into plants or their sequestration in root cells.Secondary heavy metal tolerance mechanisms include activation of antioxidant enzymes and the binding of heavy metals by phytochelatins, glutathione and amino acids. These defense systems work in combination to manage the cascades of oxidative stress and to defend plant cells from the toxic effects of ROS.In this review, we summarized the biochemiCal processes involved in the over production of ROS as an aftermath to heavy metal exposure. We also described the ROS scavenging process that is associated with the antioxidant defense machinery.Despite considerable progress in understanding the biochemistry of ROS overproduction and scavenging, we still lack in-depth studies on the parameters associated with heavy metal exclusion and tolerance capacity of plants. For example, data about the role of glutathione-glutaredoxin-thioredoxin system in ROS detoxification in plant cells are scarce. Moreover, how ROS mediate glutathionylation (redox signalling)is still not completely understood. Similarly, induction of glutathione and phytochelatins under oxidative stress is very well reported, but it is still unexplained that some studied compounds are not involved in the detoxification mechanisms. Moreover,although the role of metal transporters and gene expression is well established for a few metals and plants, much more research is needed. Eventually, when results for more metals and plants are available, the mechanism of the biochemical and genetic basis of heavy metal detoxification in plants will be better understood. Moreover, by using recently developed genetic and biotechnological tools it may be possible to produce plants that have traits desirable for imparting heavy metal tolerance.

High-resolution crystal structure and redox properties of chloroplastic triosephosphate isomerase from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) catalyzes the interconversion of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate to dihydroxyacetone phosphate. Photosynthetic organisms generally contain two isoforms of TPI located in both cytoplasm and chloroplasts. While the cytoplasmic TPI is involved in the glycolysis, the chloroplastic isoform participates in the Calvin-Benson cycle, a key photosynthetic process responsible for carbon fixation. Compared with its cytoplasmic counterpart, the functional features of chloroplastic TPI have been poorly investigated and its three-dimensional structure has not been solved. Recently, several studies proposed TPI as a potential target of different redox modifications including dithiol/disulfide interchanges, glutathionylation, and nitrosylation. However, neither the effects on protein activity nor the molecular mechanisms underlying these redox modifications have been investigated. Here, we have produced recombinantly and purified TPI from the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (Cr). The biochemical properties of the enzyme were delineated and its crystallographic structure was determined at a resolution of 1.1 Å. CrTPI is a homodimer with subunits containing the typical (β/α)8-barrel fold. Although no evidence for TRX regulation was obtained, CrTPI was found to undergo glutathionylation by oxidized glutathione and trans-nitrosylation by nitrosoglutathione, confirming its sensitivity to multiple redox modifications.

Redox regulation of the Calvin-Benson cycle: something old, something new

Reversible redox post-translational modifications such as oxido-reduction of disulfide bonds, S-nitrosylation, and S-glutathionylation, play a prominent role in the regulation of cell metabolism and signaling in all organisms. These modifications are mainly controlled by members of the thioredoxin and glutaredoxin families. Early studies in photosynthetic organisms have identified the Calvin-Benson cycle, the photosynthetic pathway responsible for carbon assimilation, as a redox regulated process. Indeed, 4 out of 11 enzymes of the cycle were shown to have a low activity in the dark and to be activated in the light through thioredoxin-dependent reduction of regulatory disulfide bonds. The underlying molecular mechanisms were extensively studied at the biochemical and structural level. Unexpectedly, recent biochemical and proteomic studies have suggested that all enzymes of the cycle and several associated regulatory proteins may undergo redox regulation through multiple redox post-translational modifications including glutathionylation and nitrosylation. The aim of this review is to detail the well-established mechanisms of redox regulation of Calvin-Benson cycle enzymes as well as the most recent reports indicating that this pathway is tightly controlled by multiple interconnected redox post-translational modifications. This redox control is likely allowing fine tuning of the Calvin-Benson cycle required for adaptation to varying environmental conditions, especially during responses to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Structure of the homodimeric glycine decarboxylase P-protein from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 suggests a mechanism for redox regulation

Glycine decarboxylase, or P-protein, is a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzyme in one-carbon metabolism of all organisms, in the glycine and serine catabolism of vertebrates, and in the photorespiratory pathway of oxygenic phototrophs. P-protein from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 is an α2 homodimer with high homology to eukaryotic P-proteins. The crystal structure of the apoenzyme shows the C terminus locked in a closed conformation by a disulfide bond between Cys(972) in the C terminus and Cys(353) located in the active site. The presence of the disulfide bridge isolates the active site from solvent and hinders the binding of PLP and glycine in the active site. Variants produced by substitution of Cys(972) and Cys(353) by Ser using site-directed mutagenesis have distinctly lower specific activities, supporting the crucial role of these highly conserved redox-sensitive amino acid residues for P-protein activity. Reduction of the 353-972 disulfide releases the C terminus and allows access to the active site. PLP and the substrate glycine bind in the active site of this reduced enzyme and appear to cause further conformational changes involving a flexible surface loop. The observation of the disulfide bond that acts to stabilize the closed form suggests a molecular mechanism for the redox-dependent activation of glycine decarboxylase observed earlier.

Plasticity in the proteome of Emiliania huxleyi CCMP 1516 to extremes of light is highly targeted

Optimality principles are often applied in theoretical studies of microalgal ecophysiology to predict changes in allocation of resources to different metabolic pathways, and optimal acclimation is likely to involve changes in the proteome, which typically accounts for > 50% of cellular nitrogen (N). We tested the hypothesis that acclimation of the microalga Emiliania huxleyi CCMP 1516 to suboptimal vs supraoptimal light involves large changes in the proteome as cells rebalance the capacities to absorb light, fix CO2 , perform biosynthesis and resist photooxidative stress. Emiliania huxleyi was grown in nutrient-replete continuous culture at 30 (LL) and 1000 μmol photons m(-2) s(-1) (HL), and changes in the proteome were assessed by LC-MS/MS shotgun proteomics. Changes were most evident in proteins involved in the light reactions of photosynthesis; the relative abundance of photosystem I (PSI) and PSII proteins was 70% greater in LL, light-harvesting fucoxanthin-chlorophyll proteins (Lhcfs) were up to 500% greater in LL and photoprotective LI818 proteins were 300% greater in HL. The marked changes in the abundances of Lhcfs and LI818s, together with the limited plasticity in the bulk of the E. huxleyi proteome, probably reflect evolutionary pressures to provide energy to maintain metabolic capabilities in stochastic light environments encountered by this species in nature.

Using transcriptomic profiles in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum to identify and prioritize stressors

The transcriptomic profile of the marine diatom, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, exposed to several ecologically relevant stressors, was used to develop toxicity identification evaluation (TIE)-like gene expression assays. Algal growth inhibition was measured by flow cytometry to determine exposure concentrations that elicited a sublethal toxic response. P. tricornutum was exposed to concentrations of copper (2 μg L⁻¹), cadmium (5 μg L⁻¹), silver (20 μg L⁻¹), simazine (75 μg L⁻¹), the water accommodated fraction (WAF) of weathered crude oil (5 mg L⁻¹), 50 μg L⁻¹ ammonia, a decreased salinity treatment (15‰), and a mixture exposure of ammonia, decreased salinity and cadmium (10 μg L⁻¹). Analysis of the gene expression via microarray indicated that unique transcriptomic signals were generated for each of the individual treatments. Transcriptomic profiles of ammonia and the mixture treatment overlapped substantially. Photosynthesis related transcripts were altered in the simazine (herbicide) treatment. A transcript involved in degrading hydrocarbons, dioxygenase, had increased abundance after crude oil exposure. Overall, transcriptomic responses in the different treatments were associated with stress responses, membrane transport, transcription and translation and could be linked to contaminant mode of action. The transcriptomic profiles were used to design real-time (quantitative) polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays that would link changes in transcript abundance to a particular stressor in a TIE-based approach. At least one transcript for each contaminant tested (copper, cadmium, silver, salinity and ammonia) responded exclusively to that contaminant. With further development of additional transcriptomic markers for each contaminant, this new approach has potential to enhance traditional toxicology bioassays by providing additional lines of evidence to identify biologically relevant stressors within a contaminated ecosystem based on changes in the transcriptomic profile.

The Synechocystis PCC6803 MerA-like enzyme operates in the reduction of both mercury and uranium under the control of the glutaredoxin 1 enzyme

In a continuing effort to analyze the selectivity/redundancy of the three glutaredoxin (Grx) enzymes of the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC6803, we have characterized an enzyme system that plays a crucial role in protection against two toxic metal pollutants, mercury and uranium. The present data show that Grx1 (Slr1562 in CyanoBase) selectively interacts with the presumptive mercuric reductase protein (Slr1849). This MerA enzyme plays a crucial role in cell defense against both mercuric and uranyl ions, in catalyzing their NADPH-driven reduction. Like MerA, Grx1 operates in cell protection against both mercury and uranium. The Grx1-MerA interaction requires cysteine 86 (C86) of Grx1 and C78 of MerA, which is critical for its reductase activity. MerA can be inhibited by glutathionylation and subsequently reactivated by Grx1, likely through deglutathionylation. The two Grx1 residues C31, which belongs to the redox active site (CX(2)C), and C86, which operates in MerA interactions, are both required for reactivation of MerA. These novel findings emphasize the role of glutaredoxins in tolerance to metal stress as well as the evolutionary conservation of the glutathionylation process, so far described mostly for eukaryotes.

CP12 residues involved in the formation and regulation of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase-CP12-phosphoribulokinase complex in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

CP12, a member of the intrinsically disordered protein family, forms a stable complex with glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and phosphoribulokinase (PRK). To understand the function of conserved residues of CP12 in the formation of the GAPDH-CP12-PRK complex and in the regulation of the enzymes within this complex, we have produced mutants of CP12 by site-directed mutagenesis. The GAPDH, CP12 and PRK recombinant proteins are able to reconstitute spontaneously the ternary complex that has been described in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Our analysis reveals that the central part ((35)WXXVEE(47)) of CP12 is required to form the GAPDH-CP12-PRK complex. Using the same series of single amino acid replacements, we have identified individual residues, which seem to represent also contact points for GAPDH. Most notably, substitution of glutamate 74 prevents the binding of GAPDH to CP12. This is similar to the mutant C66S, with which the GAPDH-CP12-PRK complex is not formed. In contrast, replacement of the three last residues ((78)YED(80)) of CP12 has no effect on the formation of the ternary supra-molecular complex. However, our findings strongly suggest that Y78 and D80 are involved in the regulation of the GAPDH activity within the supra-molecular complex, since the mutants, D80K and Y78S, do not down-regulate the activity of GAPDH. The replacement of the amino acid E79 weakens the interaction between GAPDH and CP12 as no GAPDH-CP12 sub-complex is formed. In this case, nevertheless, the supra-molecular complex is formed when PRK is present indicating that PRK strengthens the interaction between GAPDH and CP12 within the supra-molecular complex.

Glutathione transferases, regulators of cellular metabolism and physiology

BACKGROUND

The cytosolic glutathione transferases (GSTs) comprise a super family of proteins that can be categorized into multiple classes with a mixture of highly specific and overlapping functions.

SCOPE OF REVIEW

The review covers the genetics, structure and function of the human cytosolic GSTs with particular attention to their emerging roles in cellular metabolism.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

All the catalytically active GSTs contribute to the glutathione conjugation or glutathione dependant-biotransformation of xenobiotics and many catalyze glutathione peroxidase or thiol transferase reactions. GSTs also catalyze glutathione dependent isomerization reactions required for the synthesis of several prostaglandins and steroid hormones and the catabolism of tyrosine. An increasing body of work has implicated several GSTs in the regulation of cell signaling pathways mediated by stress-activated kinases like Jun N-terminal kinase. In addition, some members of the cytosolic GST family have been shown to form ion channels in intracellular membranes and to modulate ryanodine receptor Ca(2+) channels in skeletal and cardiac muscle.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

In addition to their well established roles in the conjugation and biotransformation of xenobiotics, GSTs have emerged as significant regulators of pathways determining cell proliferation and survival and as regulators of ryanodine receptors that are essential for muscle function. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Cellular functions of glutathione.

New insights into the reduction systems of plastidial thioredoxins point out the unique properties of thioredoxin z from Arabidopsis

In plants, thioredoxins (TRX) constitute a large protein disulphide oxidoreductase family comprising 10 plastidial members in Arabidopsis thaliana and subdivided in five types. The f- and m-types regulate enzymes involved mainly in carbon metabolism whereas the x, y, and z types have an antioxidant function. The reduction of TRXm and f in chloroplasts is performed in the light by ferredoxin:thioredoxin reductase (FTR) that uses photosynthetically reduced ferredoxin (Fd) as a reductant. The reduction system of Arabidopsis TRXx, y, and z has never been demonstrated. Recently, a gene encoding an atypical plastidial NADPH-dependent TRX reductase (NTRC) was found. In the present study, gene expression analysis revealed that both reductases are expressed in all organs of Arabidopsis and could potentially serve as electron donors to plastidial TRX. This ability was tested in vitro either with purified NTRC in presence of NADPH or with a light-driven reconstituted system comprising thylakoids and purified Fd and FTR. The results demonstrate that FTR reduces the x and y TRX isoforms but not the recently identified TRXz. Moreover, the results show that NTRC cannot be an efficient alternative reducing system, neither for TRXz nor for the other plastidial TRX. The data reveal that TRXf, m, x, and y, known as redox regulators in the chloroplast, have also the ability to reduce TRXz in vitro. Overall, the present study points out the unique properties of TRXz among plastidial TRX.

Thioredoxin and glutaredoxin systems in plants: molecular mechanisms, crosstalks, and functional significance

Thioredoxins (Trx) and glutaredoxins (Grx) constitute families of thiol oxidoreductases. Our knowledge of Trx and Grx in plants has dramatically increased during the last decade. The release of the Arabidopsis genome sequence revealed an unexpectedly high number of Trx and Grx genes. The availability of several genomes of vascular and nonvascular plants allowed the establishment of a clear classification of the genes and the chronology of their appearance during plant evolution. Proteomic approaches have been developed that identified the putative Trx and Grx target proteins which are implicated in all aspects of plant growth, including basal metabolism, iron/sulfur cluster formation, development, adaptation to the environment, and stress responses. Analyses of the biochemical characteristics of specific Trx and Grx point to a strong specificity toward some target enzymes, particularly within plastidial Trx and Grx. In apparent contradiction with this specificity, genetic approaches show an absence of phenotype for most available Trx and Grx mutants, suggesting that redundancies also exist between Trx and Grx members. Despite this, the isolation of mutants inactivated in multiple genes and several genetic screens allowed the demonstration of the involvement of Trx and Grx in pathogen response, phytohormone pathways, and at several control points of plant development. Cytosolic Trxs are reduced by NADPH-thioredoxin reductase (NTR), while the reduction of Grx depends on reduced glutathione (GSH). Interestingly, recent development integrating biochemical analysis, proteomic data, and genetics have revealed an extensive crosstalk between the cytosolic NTR/Trx and GSH/Grx systems. This crosstalk, which occurs at multiple levels, reveals the high plasticity of the redox systems in plants.

The biology of reactive sulfur species (RSS)

Sulfur is an essential and quantitatively important element for living organisms. Plants contain on average approximately 1 g S kg⁻¹ dry weight (for comparison plants contain approximately 15 g N kg⁻¹ dry weight). Sulfur is a constituent of many organic molecules, for example amino acids such as cysteine and methionine and the small tripeptide glutathione, but sulfur is also essential in the form of Fe-S clusters for the activity of many enzymes, particularly those involved in redox reactions. Sulfur chemistry is therefore important. In particular, sulfur in the form of thiol groups is central to manifold aspects of metabolism. Because thiol groups are oxidized and reduced easily and reversibly, the redox control of cellular metabolism has become an increasing focus of research. In the same way that oxygen and nitrogen have reactive species (ROS and RNS), sulfur too can form reactive molecular species (RSS), for example when a -SH group is oxidized. Indeed, several redox reactions occur via RSS intermediates. Several naturally occurring S-containing molecules are themselves RSS and because they are physiologically active they make up part of the intrinsic plant defence repertoire against herbivore and pathogen attack. Furthermore, RSS can also be used as redox-active pharmacological tools to study cell metabolism. The aim of this review is to familiarize the general reader with some of the chemical concepts, terminology and biology of selected RSS.

Comprehensive survey of redox sensitive starch metabolising enzymes in Arabidopsis thaliana

In chloroplasts, the ferredoxin/thioredoxin pathway regulates enzyme activity in response to light by reduction of regulatory disulfides in target enzymes, ensuring coordination between photosynthesis and diurnal metabolism. Although earlier studies have suggested that many starch metabolic enzymes are similarly regulated, redox regulation has only been verified for a few of these in vitro. Using zymograms and enzyme assays, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the redox sensitivity of known starch metabolising enzymes in extracts of Arabidopsis thaliana. Manipulation of redox potentials revealed that several enzymatic activities where activated by reduction at physiologically relevant potentials. Among these where the isoamylase complex AtISA1/AtISA2, the limit dextrinase AtLDA, starch synthases AtSS1 and AtSS3, and the starch branching enzyme AtBE2. The reversibility of the redox reaction was confirmed by enzyme assays for AtLDA, AtSS1 and AtSS3. Analysis of an AtBAM1 knock-out mutant identified an additional redox sensitive β-amylase activity, which was most likely AtBAM3. A similar requirement for reducing conditions was observed for recombinant chloroplastic α-amylase (AtAMY3) activity. This study adds further candidates to the list of reductively activated starch metabolising enzymes and supports the view that redox regulation plays a role in starch metabolism.

Transcriptomic analysis of acclimation to temperature and light stress in Saccharina latissima (Phaeophyceae)

Kelps, brown algae of the order Laminariales, dominate rocky shores and form huge kelp beds which provide habitat and nurseries for various marine organisms. Whereas the basic physiological and ecophysiological characteristics of kelps are well studied, the molecular processes underlying acclimation to different light and temperature conditions are still poorly understood. Therefore we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the physiological acclimation to light and temperature stress. Sporophytes of S. latissima were exposed to combinations of light intensities and temperatures, and microarray hybridizations were performed to determine changes in gene expression patterns. This first large-scale transcriptomic study of a kelp species shows that S. latissima responds to temperature and light stress with a multitude of transcriptional changes: up to 32% of genes showed an altered expression after the exposure experiments. High temperature had stronger effects on gene expression in S. latissima than low temperature, reflected by the higher number of temperature-responsive genes. We gained insights into underlying molecular processes of acclimation, which includes adjustment of the primary metabolism as well as induction of several ROS scavengers and a sophisticated regulation of Hsps. We show that S. latissima, as a cold adapted species, must make stronger efforts for acclimating to high than to low temperatures. The strongest response was caused by the combination of high temperatures with high light intensities, which proved most harmful for the alga.

The emerging roles of protein glutathionylation in chloroplasts

Reactive oxygen species play important roles in redox signaling mainly through a set of reversible post-translational modifications of cysteine thiol residues in proteins, including glutathionylation and dithiol/disulfide exchange. Protein glutathionylation has been extensively studied in mammals but emerging evidence suggests that it can play important roles in plants and in chloroplast in particular. This redox modification involves protein thiols and glutathione and is mainly controlled by glutaredoxins, oxidoreductases belonging to the thioredoxin superfamily. In this review, we first present the possible mechanisms of protein glutathionylation and then introduce the chloroplast systems of glutaredoxins and thioredoxins, in order to pinpoint the biochemical properties that make some glutaredoxin isoforms the master enzymes in deglutathionylation. Finally, we discuss the possible roles of glutathionylation in thiol protection, protein regulation, reactive oxygen species scavenging and redox signaling in chloroplasts, with emphasis on the crosstalk between thioredoxin- and glutaredoxin-mediated signaling pathways.

Redox regulation in photosynthetic organisms: focus on glutathionylation

SIGNIFICANCE

In photosynthetic organisms, besides the well-established disulfide/dithiol exchange reactions specifically controlled by thioredoxins (TRXs), protein S-glutathionylation is emerging as an alternative redox modification occurring under stress conditions. This modification, consisting of the formation of a mixed disulfide between glutathione and a protein cysteine residue, can not only protect specific cysteines from irreversible oxidation but also modulate protein activities and appears to be specifically controlled by small disulfide oxidoreductases of the TRX superfamily named glutaredoxins (GRXs).

RECENT STUDIES

In recent times, several studies allowed significant progress in this area, mostly due to the identification of several plant proteins undergoing S-glutathionylation and to the characterization of the molecular mechanisms and the proteins involved in the control of this modification.

CRITICAL ISSUES

This article provides a global overview of protein glutathionylation in photosynthetic organisms with particular emphasis on the mechanisms of protein glutathionylation and deglutathionylation and a focus on the role of GRXs. Then, we describe the methods employed for identification of glutathionylated proteins in photosynthetic organisms and review the targets and the possible physiological functions of protein glutathionylation.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

In order to establish the importance of protein S-glutathionylation in photosynthetic organisms, future studies should be aimed at delineating more accurately the molecular mechanisms of glutathionylation and deglutathionylation reactions, at identifying proteins undergoing S-glutathionylation in vivo under diverse conditions, and at investigating the importance of redoxins, GRX, and TRX, in the control of this redox modification in vivo.

Glutaredoxin GRXS13 plays a key role in protection against photooxidative stress in Arabidopsis

Glutaredoxins (GRXs) belong to the antioxidant and signalling network involved in the cellular response to oxidative stress in bacterial and eukaryotic cells. In spite of the high number of GRX genes in plant genomes, the biological functions and physiological roles of most of them remain unknown. Here the functional characterization of the Arabidopsis GRXS13 gene (At1g03850), that codes for two CC-type GRX isoforms, is reported. The transcript variant coding for the GRXS13.2 isoform is predominantly expressed under basal conditions and is the isoform that is induced by photooxidative stress. Transgenic lines where the GRXS13 gene has been knocked down show increased basal levels of superoxide radicals and reduced plant growth. These lines also display reduced tolerance to methyl viologen (MeV) and high light (HL) treatments, both conditions of photooxidative stress characterized by increased production of superoxide ions. Consistently, lines overexpressing the GRXS13.2 variant show reduced MeV- and HL-induced damage. Alterations in GRXS13 expression also affect superoxide levels and the ascorbate/dehydroascorbate ratio after HL-induced stress. These results indicate that GRXS13 gene expression is critical for limiting basal and photooxidative stress-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Together, these results place GRXS13.2 as a member of the ROS-scavenging/antioxidant network that shows a particularly low functional redundancy in the Arabidopsis GRX family.

Glutathionylation in the photosynthetic model organism Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: a proteomic survey

Protein glutathionylation is a redox post-translational modification occurring under oxidative stress conditions and playing a major role in cell regulation and signaling. This modification has been mainly studied in nonphotosynthetic organisms, whereas much less is known in photosynthetic organisms despite their important exposure to oxidative stress caused by changes in environmental conditions. We report a large scale proteomic analysis using biotinylated glutathione and streptavidin affinity chromatography that allowed identification of 225 glutathionylated proteins in the eukaryotic unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Moreover, 56 sites of glutathionylation were also identified after peptide affinity purification and tandem mass spectrometry. The targets identified belong to a wide range of biological processes and pathways, among which the Calvin-Benson cycle appears to be a major target. The glutathionylation of four enzymes of this cycle, phosphoribulokinase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, ribose-5-phosphate isomerase, and phosphoglycerate kinase was confirmed by Western blot and activity measurements. The results suggest that glutathionylation could constitute a major mechanism of regulation of the Calvin-Benson cycle under oxidative stress conditions.

Hydrogen sulfide as endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor sulfhydrates potassium channels

RATIONALE

Nitric oxide, the classic endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), acts through cyclic GMP and calcium without notably affecting membrane potential. A major component of EDRF activity derives from hyperpolarization and is termed endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) is a prominent EDRF, since mice lacking its biosynthetic enzyme, cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), display pronounced hypertension with deficient vasorelaxant responses to acetylcholine.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine if H(2)S is a major physiological EDHF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We now show that H(2)S is a major EDHF because in blood vessels of CSE-deleted mice, hyperpolarization is virtually abolished. H(2)S acts by covalently modifying (sulfhydrating) the ATP-sensitive potassium channel, as mutating the site of sulfhydration prevents H(2)S-elicited hyperpolarization. The endothelial intermediate conductance (IK(Ca)) and small conductance (SK(Ca)) potassium channels mediate in part the effects of H(2)S, as selective IK(Ca) and SK(Ca) channel inhibitors, charybdotoxin and apamin, inhibit glibenclamide-insensitive, H(2)S-induced vasorelaxation.

CONCLUSIONS

H(2)S is a major EDHF that causes vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cell hyperpolarization and vasorelaxation by activating the ATP-sensitive, intermediate conductance and small conductance potassium channels through cysteine S-sulfhydration. Because EDHF activity is a principal determinant of vasorelaxation in numerous vascular beds, drugs influencing H(2)S biosynthesis offer therapeutic potential.

Regulation of plant cytosolic aldolase functions by redox-modifications

From the five genes which code for cytosolic fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolases in Arabidopsis thaliana L., the cDNA clone of cAld2 (At2g36460), was heterologously expressed in E. coli and incubated under various oxidizing and reducing conditions. Covalent binding of a GSH moiety to the enzyme was shown by incorporation of biotinylated GSH (BioGEE) and by immunodetection with monoclonal anti-GSH serum. Nitrosylation after incubation with GSNO or SNP was demonstrated using the biotin-switch assay. Mass-spectrometry analysis showed glutathionylation and/or nitrosylation at two different cysteine residues: GSH was found to be attached to C68 and C173, while the nitroso-group was incorporated only into C173. Non-reducing SDS-PAGE conducted with purified wild-type and various Cys-mutant proteins revealed the presence of disulfide bridges in the oxidized enzyme, as described for rabbit muscle aldolase. Incubation of the purified enzyme with GSSG (up to 25 mM) led to partial and reversible inactivation of enzyme activity; NADPH, in the presence of the components of the cytosolic NADP-dependent thioredoxin system, could reactivate the aldolase as did DTT. Total and irreversible inactivation occurred with low concentrations (0.1 mM) of nitrosoglutathione (GSNO). Inactivation was prevented by co-incubation of cAld2 with fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP). Nuclear localization of cAld2 and interaction with thioredoxins was shown by transient expression of fusion constructs with fluorescent proteins in isolated protoplasts.

Redox regulation in cancer: a double-edged sword with therapeutic potential

Oxidative stress, implicated in the etiology of cancer, results from an imbalance in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell’s own antioxidant defenses. ROS deregulate the redox homeostasis and promote tumor formation by initiating an aberrant induction of signaling networks that cause tumorigenesis. Ultraviolet (UV) exposures, γ-radiation and other environmental carcinogens generate ROS in the cells, which can exert apoptosis in the tumors, thereby killing the malignant cells or induce the progression of the cancer growth by blocking cellular defense system. Cancer stem cells take the advantage of the aberrant redox system and spontaneously proliferate. Oxidative stress and gene-environment interactions play a significant role in the development of breast, prostate, pancreatic and colon cancer. Prolonged lifetime exposure to estrogen is associated with several kinds of DNA damage. Oxidative stress and estrogen receptor-associated proliferative changes are suggested to play important roles in estrogen-induced breast carcinogenesis. BRCA1, a tumor suppressor against hormone responsive cancers such as breast and prostate cancer, plays a significant role in inhibiting ROS and estrogen mediated DNA damage; thereby regulate the redox homeostasis of the cells. Several transcription factors and tumor suppressors are involved during stress response such as Nrf2, NFκB and BRCA1. A promising strategy for targeting redox status of the cells is to use readily available natural substances from vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices. Many of the phytochemicals have already been identified to have chemopreventive potential, capable of intervening in carcinogenesis.

Thioredoxin targets of the plant chloroplast lumen and their implications for plastid function

The light-dependent regulation of stromal enzymes by thioredoxin (Trx)-catalysed disulphide/dithiol exchange is known as a classical mechanism for control of chloroplast metabolism. Recent proteome studies show that Trx targets are present not only in the stroma but in all chloroplast compartments, from the envelope to the thylakoid lumen. Trx-mediated redox control appears to be a common feature of important pathways, such as the Calvin cycle, starch synthesis and tetrapyrrole biosynthesis. However, the extent of thiol-dependent redox regulation in the thylakoid lumen has not been previously systematically explored. In this study, we addressed Trx-linked redox control in the chloroplast lumen of Arabidopsis thaliana. Using complementary proteomics approaches, we identified 19 Trx target proteins, thus covering more than 40% of the currently known lumenal chloroplast proteome. We show that the redox state of thiols is decisive for degradation of the extrinsic PsbO1 and PsbO2 subunits of photosystem II. Moreover, disulphide reduction inhibits activity of the xanthophyll cycle enzyme violaxanthin de-epoxidase, which participates in thermal dissipation of excess absorbed light. Our results indicate that redox-controlled reactions in the chloroplast lumen play essential roles in the function of photosystem II and the regulation of adaptation to light intensity.

Posttranslational modification of human glyoxalase 1 indicates redox-dependent regulation

BACKGROUND

Glyoxalase 1 (Glo1) and glyoxalase 2 (Glo2) are ubiquitously expressed cytosolic enzymes that catalyze the conversion of toxic alpha-oxo-aldehydes into the corresponding alpha-hydroxy acids using L-glutathione (GSH) as a cofactor. Human Glo1 exists in various isoforms; however, the nature of its modifications and their distinct functional assignment is mostly unknown.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

We characterized native Glo1 purified from human erythrocytes by mass spectrometry. The enzyme was found to undergo four so far unidentified posttranslational modifications: (i) removal of the N-terminal methionine 1, (ii) N-terminal acetylation at alanine 2, (iii) a vicinal disulfide bridge between cysteine residues 19 and 20, and (iv) a mixed disulfide with glutathione on cysteine 139. Glutathionylation of Glo1 was confirmed by immunological methods. Both, N-acetylation and the oxidation state of Cys(19/20), did not impact enzyme activity. In contrast, glutathionylation strongly inhibited Glo1 activity in vitro. The discussed mechanism for enzyme inhibition by glutathionylation was validated by molecular dynamics simulation.

CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE

It is shown for the first time that Glo1 activity directly can be regulated by an oxidative posttranslational modification that was found in the native enzyme, i.e., glutathionylation. Inhibition of Glo1 by chemical reaction with its co-factor and the role of its intramolecular disulfides are expected to be important factors within the context of redox-dependent regulation of glucose metabolism in cells.