Studies on the reaction mechanism of DT diaphorase. Intermediary plateau and trough regions in the initial velocity vs substrate concentration curves

Ell3 stabilizes p53 following CDDP treatment via its effects on ubiquitin-dependent and -independent proteasomal degradation pathways in breast cancer cells

The tumor suppressor protein p53 is unstable in quiescent cells and undergoes proteosomal degradation. Under conditions of cellular stress, p53 is rapidly stabilized by post-translational modification, thereby escaping degradation and translocating to the nucleus where it activates genes related to cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. Here, we report that the transcription elongation factor Ell3 sensitizes luminal type-cancer cell line, MCF7, which have wild-type p53, to the chemotherapeutic agent cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (CDDP) by stabilizing p53. Overexpression of Ell3 in MCF7 cells suppressed the MDM2-mediated ubiquitin-dependent degradation pathway. In addition, Ell3 promoted binding of p53 to NADH quinone oxidoreductase 1, which is linked to the ubiquitin-independent degradation of p53. We found that Ell3 activates interleukin-20 (IL20) expression, which is linked to the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Chemical inhibition of ERK1/2 signaling or molecular suppression of IL20 revealed that the ERK1/2 signaling pathway and IL20 are the main causes of p53 stabilization in Ell3-overexpressing MCF7 cells. These findings suggest that the ERK1/2 pathway can be targeted in the rational development of therapies to induce chemosensitization of breast cancer cells.

Biphasic kinetic behavior of E. coli WrbA, an FMN-dependent NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase

The E. coli protein WrbA is an FMN-dependent NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase that has been implicated in oxidative defense. Three subunits of the tetrameric enzyme contribute to each of four identical, cavernous active sites that appear to accommodate NAD(P)H or various quinones, but not simultaneously, suggesting an obligate tetramer with a ping-pong mechanism in which NAD departs before oxidized quinone binds. The present work was undertaken to evaluate these suggestions and to characterize the kinetic behavior of WrbA. Steady-state kinetics results reveal that WrbA conforms to a ping-pong mechanism with respect to the constancy of the apparent Vmax to Km ratio with substrate concentration. However, the competitive/non-competitive patterns of product inhibition, though consistent with the general class of bi-substrate reactions, do not exclude a minor contribution from additional forms of the enzyme. NMR results support the presence of additional enzyme forms. Docking and energy calculations find that electron-transfer-competent binding sites for NADH and benzoquinone present severe steric overlap, consistent with the ping-pong mechanism. Unexpectedly, plots of initial velocity as a function of either NADH or benzoquinone concentration present one or two Michaelis-Menten phases depending on the temperature at which the enzyme is held prior to assay. The effect of temperature is reversible, suggesting an intramolecular conformational process. WrbA shares these and other details of its kinetic behavior with mammalian DT-diaphorase, an FAD-dependent NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase. An extensive literature review reveals several other enzymes with two-plateau kinetic plots, but in no case has a molecular explanation been elucidated. Preliminary sedimentation velocity analysis of WrbA indicates a large shift in size of the multimer with temperature, suggesting that subunit assembly coupled to substrate binding may underlie the two-plateau behavior. An additional aim of this report is to bring under wider attention the apparently widespread phenomenon of two-plateau Michaelis-Menten plots.

Sulforaphane protects astrocytes against oxidative stress and delayed death caused by oxygen and glucose deprivation

Oxidative stress is an important molecular mechanism of astrocyte injury and death following ischemia/reperfusion and may be an effective target of intervention. One therapeutic strategy for detoxifying the many different reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that are produced under these conditions is induction of the Phase II gene response by the use of chemicals or conditions that promote the translocation of the transcriptional activating factor NRF2 from the cytosol to the nucleus, where it binds to genomic antioxidant response elements. This study tested the hypothesis that pre- or post-treatment of cultured cortical astrocytes with sulforaphane, an alkylating agent known to activate the NRF2 pathway of gene expression protects against death of astrocytes caused by transient exposure to O(2) and glucose deprivation (OGD). Rat cortical astrocytes were exposed to 5 muM sulforaphane either 48 h prior to, or for 48 h after a 4-h period of OGD. Both pre- and post-treatments significantly reduced cell death at 48 h after OGD. Immunostaining for 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine, a marker of DNA/RNA oxidation, was reduced at 4 h reoxygenation with sulforaphane pretreatment. Sulforaphane exposure was followed by an increase in cellular and nuclear NRF2 immunoreactivity. Moreover, sulforaphane also increased the mRNA, protein level, and enzyme activity of NAD(P)H/Quinone Oxidoreductase1, a known target of NRF2 transcriptional activation. We conclude that sulforaphane stimulates the NRF2 pathway of antioxidant gene expression in astrocytes and protects them from cell death in an in vitro model of ischemia/reperfusion.

Development of beta-lapachone prodrugs for therapy against human cancer cells with elevated NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 levels

beta-Lapachone, an o-naphthoquinone, induces a novel caspase- and p53-independent apoptotic pathway dependent on NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). NQO1 reduces beta-lapachone to an unstable hydroquinone that rapidly undergoes a two-step oxidation back to the parent compound, perpetuating a futile redox cycle. A deficiency or inhibition of NQO1 rendered cells resistant to beta-lapachone. Thus, beta-lapachone has great potential for the treatment of specific cancers with elevated NQO1 levels (e.g., breast, non-small cell lung, pancreatic, colon, and prostate cancers). We report the development of mono(arylimino) derivatives of beta-lapachone as potential prodrugs. These derivatives are relatively nontoxic and not substrates for NQO1 when initially diluted in water. In solution, however, they undergo hydrolytic conversion to beta-lapachone at rates dependent on the electron-withdrawing strength of their substituent groups and pH of the diluent. NQO1 enzyme assays, UV-visible spectrophotometry, high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses confirmed and monitored conversion of each derivative to beta-lapachone. Once converted, beta-lapachone derivatives caused NQO1-dependent, mu-calpain-mediated cell death in human cancer cells identical to that caused by beta-lapachone. Interestingly, coadministration of N-acetyl-l-cysteine, prevented derivative-induced cytotoxicity but did not affect beta-lapachone lethality. Nuclear magnetic resonance analyses indicated that prevention of beta-lapachone derivative cytotoxicity was the result of direct modification of these derivatives by N-acetyl-l-cysteine, preventing their conversion to beta-lapachone. The use of beta-lapachone mono(arylimino) prodrug derivatives, or more specifically a derivative converted in a tumor-specific manner (i.e., in the acidic local environment of the tumor tissue), should reduce normal tissue toxicity while eliciting tumor-selective cell killing by NQO1 bioactivation.

beta-Lapachone-induced apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells: involvement of NQO1/xip3

beta-Lapachone (beta-lap) induces apoptosis in various cancer cells, and its intracellular target has recently been elucidated in breast cancer cells. Here we show that NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1/xip3) expression in human prostate cancer cells is a key determinant for apoptosis and lethality after beta-lap exposures. beta-Lap-treated, NQO1-deficient LNCaP cells were significantly more resistant to apoptosis than NQO1-expressing DU-145 or PC-3 cells after drug exposures. Formation of an atypical 60-kDa PARP cleavage fragment in DU-145 or PC-3 cells was observed after 10 microM beta-lap treatment and correlated with apoptosis. In contrast, LNCaP cells required 25 microM beta-lap to induce similar responses. Atypical PARP cleavage in beta-lap-treated cells was not affected by 100 microM zVAD-fmk; however, coadministration of dicoumarol, a specific inhibitor of NQO1, reduced beta-lap-mediated cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and atypical PARP cleavage in NQO1-expressing cells. Dicoumarol did not affect the more beta-lap-resistant LNCaP cells. Stable transfection of LNCaP cells with NQO1 increased their sensitivity to beta-lap, enhancing apoptosis compared to parental LNCaP cells or vector-alone transfectants. Dicoumarol increased survival of beta-lap-treated NQO1-expressing LNCaP transfectants. NQO1 activity, therefore, is a key determinant of beta-lap-mediated apoptosis and cytotoxicity in prostate cancer cells.

NAD(P)H:Quinone oxidoreductase activity is the principal determinant of beta-lapachone cytotoxicity

beta-Lapachone activates a novel apoptotic response in a number of cell lines. We demonstrate that the enzyme NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) substantially enhances the toxicity of beta-lapachone. NQO1 expression directly correlated with sensitivity to a 4-h pulse of beta-lapachone in a panel of breast cancer cell lines, and the NQO1 inhibitor, dicoumarol, significantly protected NQO1-expressing cells from all aspects of beta-lapachone toxicity. Stable transfection of the NQO1-deficient cell line, MDA-MB-468, with an NQO1 expression plasmid increased apoptotic responses and lethality after beta-lapachone exposure. Dicoumarol blocked both the apoptotic responses and lethality. Biochemical studies suggest that reduction of beta-lapachone by NQO1 leads to a futile cycling between the quinone and hydroquinone forms, with a concomitant loss of reduced NAD(P)H. In addition, the activation of a cysteine protease, which has characteristics consistent with the neutral calcium-dependent protease, calpain, is observed after beta-lapachone treatment. This is the first definitive elucidation of an intracellular target for beta-lapachone in tumor cells. NQO1 could be exploited for gene therapy, radiotherapy, and/or chemopreventive interventions, since the enzyme is elevated in a number of tumor types (i.e. breast and lung) and during neoplastic transformation.

Extracellular activation of fluorinated aziridinylbenzoquinone in HT29 cells EPR studies

The plasma membrane of HT29 human colon carcinoma cells was characterized by EPR spectroscopy as the site for redox activation of 3,6-difluoro-2,5-bis(aziridinyl)-1,4-benzoquinone (F-DZQ). Supplementation of HT29 cells with F-DZQ yielded an EPR signal ascribed to the semiquinone species; the hyperfine splitting constants of the 11-line spectrum were 1.4 and 1.35 G for aN and aF, respectively. The intensity of the EPR signal was inhibited competitively by potassium ferricyanide, a compound which has no access to the intracellular milieu and used to evaluate transmembrane NADH-ferricyanide reductase activity. The extracellular localization of the signal was confirmed by using chromium trioxalate, a membrane-impermeant spin-broadening agent, which abolished in a concentration-dependent manner the semiquinone signal originating from the metabolism of F-DZQ by HT29 cells. The intensity of the semiquinone signal was decreased by agents which block sulfhydryl groups upon alkylation, fluorodinitrobenzene and p-chloromercuribenzoate, presumably acting on plasma membrane dehydrogenases. Other flavin dehydrogenase inhibitors, such as allopurinol, deprenyl or clorgyline, and D-arginine or NG-methyl-L-arginine did not affect the EPR signal. Conversely, the intensity of the semiquinone signal was increased upon supplementation of HT29 cells with glucose and insulin, which may enhance the intracellular levels of electron donors for the transplasma membrane dehydrogenase activity. The extracellular semiquinone signal was abolished by superoxide dismutase by a mechanism implying displacement of the equilibrium of the autoxidation reaction. Formation of oxygen-centered radicals during this redox activity was evaluated by EPR in conjunction with the spin trap 4-POBN. A composite signal consisting of the spin adducts of methyl, hydroxyl and superoxide radicals was observed (the former arising from hydroxyl radical attack on the quinone solvent, dimethylsulfoxide). The formation of these spin adducts was abolished by superoxide dismutase and their detection became impossible in the presence of the line broadening agent chromiun trioxalate, thus indicating their extracellular formation and localization, respectively. The occurrence of a redox site at the plasma membrane of HT29 cells for the activation of this halogenated aziridinylbenzoquinone is discussed in terms of its significance for intracellular processes and a build-up of oxyradicals in the extracellular milieu.

One- and two-electron reduction of 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone bioreductive alkylating agents: kinetic studies, free-radical production, thiol oxidation and DNA-strand-break formation

The one- and two-electron enzymic reduction of the bioreductive alkylating agents 2-methylmethoxynaphthoquinone (quinone I) and 2-chloromethylnaphthoquinone (quinone II) was studied with purified NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and DT-diaphorase respectively, and characterized in terms of kinetic constants, oxyradical production, thiol oxidation and DNA-strand-break formation. The catalytic-centre activity values indicated that DT-diaphorase catalysed the reduction of quinone I far more efficiently than NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, although the Km values of the two enzymes for this quinone were similar (1.2-3.0 microM). The one-electron-transfer flavoenzyme also catalysed the reduction of quinone II, but the behaviour of DT-diaphorase towards this quinone did not permit calculation of kinetic constants. A salient feature of the redox transitions caused by the one- and two-electron catalysis of these quinones was the different contributions of disproportionation and autoxidation reactions respectively. In the former case, about 26% of NADPH consumed was accounted for in terms of autoxidation (as H2O2 formation), whereas in the latter, the autoxidation component accounted for most (98%) of the NADPH consumed. This difference was abrogated by superoxide dismutase, which enhanced autoxidation during NADPH-cytochrome P-450 catalysis to a maximal value. E.s.r. analysis indicated the formation of superoxide radicals, the signal of which was suppressed by superoxide dismutase and unaffected by catalase. The one- and two-electron reduction of these quinones in the presence of GSH was accompanied by formation of thiyl radicals. Although superoxide dismutase suppressed the thiol radical e.s.r. signal in both instances, the enzyme enhanced GSSG accumulation during NADPH-cytochrome P-450 catalysis of quinone I, whereas it inhibited GSSG formation during reduction of the quinone by DT-diaphorase. One- and two-electron reduction of quinone I led to calf thymus DNA-strand-break formation, a process that (a) was substantially decreased in experiments performed with dialysed DNA and in the presence of desferal and (b) was partially sensitive to superoxide dismutase and/or catalase. These findings are rationalized in terms of the occurrence of metal ions ligated to DNA, protecting against the toxic effects of superoxide radicals generated during enzymic reduction of quinones.

A note on the inhibition of DT-diaphorase by dicoumarol

The participation of DT-diaphorase or NAD(P)H:(quinone acceptor) oxidoreductase (E.C. 1.6.99.2) in metabolism or in events leading to toxicity is often implied on the basis of the inhibitory effects of dicoumarol. DT-diaphorase functions via a ping pong bi-bi kinetic mechanism involving oxidized and reduced flavin forms of the free enzyme. Dicoumarol, a potent (Ki = 10 nM) inhibitor, binds to the oxidized form of the enzyme, competitively versus reduced pyridine nucleotide. Inhibition is effectively complete at 1 microM dicoumarol in typical studies using DCPIP, one of the best known substrates for the enzyme, as electron acceptor. The antitumor quinone Diaziquone (AZQ) is a poor substrate for DT-diaphorase relative to DCPIP, but effective inhibition of its reduction requires ten-fold higher concentrations of dicoumarol than for inhibition of DCPIP reduction under otherwise similar conditions. The variable inhibition of DT-diaphorase by dicoumarol dependent on the efficiency of the electron acceptor can be explained on the basis of the complete rate equation describing its ping pong type kinetic mechanism. Thus, the concentration of dicoumarol used to inhibit DT-diaphorase must be chosen carefully and consideration should be given to the efficiency of the electron acceptor. The absence of an inhibitory effect using low doses of dicoumarol cannot rule out a reaction mediated by DT-diaphorase. Although higher doses of dicoumarol may be required to inhibit DT-diaphorase mediated metabolism of less efficient electron acceptors, the use of such doses in cells may also affect biochemical processes other than DT-diaphorase and should be approached with caution.

Mechanism of ticrynafen potentiation of coumarin anticoagulant action

Administration of the antihypertensive drug ticrynafen [2,3-dichloro-4-(2-thienylcarbonyl)-phenoxyacetic acid] has been reported to potentiate the effects of coumarin anticoagulants and to have caused hemorrhagic incidents in some patients. This drug interaction has now been reproduced in the rat. Ticrynafen administration enhanced the degree of hypoprothrombinemia and altered plasma and hepatic vitamin K epoxide concentrations in warfarin-treated rats. Ticrynafen did not affect vitamin K-dependent carboxylase or vitamin K epoxide reductase activities in vitro. Cytosolic DT-diaphorase was very sensitive to ticrynafen inhibition in vitro, and inhibition of vitamin K reduction via this enzyme is a possible mechanism by which ticrynafen potentiates coumarin anticoagulant action. Inhibition of this enzyme may also contribute to the reported hepatotoxicity of ticrynafen.

Two ligands may bind simultaneously to the muscarine receptor

Competition between 3H-3-quinuclidinyl benzilate (2 and 18 nM) and varying concentrations of antagonists (4-N-methyl piperidinyl benzilate (4-NMPB), atropine, scopolamine and pirenzepine (0-1000 nM) and agonists (acetylcholine, carbamylcholine, oxotremorine and pilocarpine (0.10(-10) to 10(-2) M)) was studied. Inhibition of specific 3H-3-quinuclidinyl benzilate binding was evaluated by Dixon plots which for both competing agonists and antagonists showed deviations from linearity. The best nonlinear least square fit to the Dixon plots was offered by a hyperbola, parabola or a straight line, depending on the ligand used. The data support a model of equilibrium binding which assumes that 3H-3-quinuclidinyl benzilate and one competing ligand molecule may simultaneously bind to the receptor at high concentrations of the competing ligand.

Photoaffinity inhibition of rat liver NAD(P)H dehydrogenase by 3-(alpha-acetonyl-p-azidobenzyl)-4-hydroxycoumarin

NAD(P)H dehydrogenase was purified in four steps from a homogenate of rat liver. The final step was affinity chromatography on Sepharose coupled to 3,3'-(m-hydroxybenzylidene)bis(4-hydroxycoumarin). The purified enzyme was inhibited competitively with respect to NADH by 3-(alpha-acetonyl-p-nitrobenzyl)-4-hydroxycoumarin (acenocoumarin) (Ki = 1.7 microM). The acenocoumarin was converted into an azide which was used to photoaffinity inhibit the enzyme. Following photolysis in the presence of the azide, the enzyme was inactivated in proportion to the concentration of azide present during irradiation. A maximum of 35-40% inhibition could be achieved by a single irradiation at 254 nm for 1.5 min. This inhibition was noncompetitive with respect to NADH. The inactivation was shown to be specific as acenocoumarin afforded complete protection against inactivation, irradiation was required to achieve inactivation, and the enzyme was unaffected by irradiation alone.

Kinetic and binding properties of the oxoglutarate translocator of rat-heart mitochondria

The kinetic study of the oxoglutarateout/malatein exchange through the inner mitochondrial membrane of rat-heart mitochondria has been compelted and extended to higher external-oxoglutarate and to lower internal-malate concentrations. It has been found that the external oxoglutarate inhibits the exchange at high concentration. This excess-substrate inhibition is preceded by four jumps. The kinetic-saturation curve by the internal malate presents an apparent positive cooperativity that may be interpreted in different ways. The independence of the effects of the two substrates on the initial rate has been observed again and supports the conclusions reached in previous work. A method for the determination of oxoglutarate binding to the external face of the inner membrane is described. The binding curve shows four intermediary plateau regions that reflect significant apparent K-effects, alternatively negative and positive. For external-oxoglutarate concentrations below the region of excess-substrate inhibition, the binding-saturation curve and the kinetic-saturation curve are similar, demonstrating that K-effects are predominant. A particularly wide intermediary plateau that seems to correspond to half saturation of the active sites is common to both saturation curves. A clear lack of proportionality between the two curves at low oxoglutarate concentrations seems to indicate that more than one catalytic-rate constant is implied in the exchange kinetics. Two models of the oxoglutarate carrier are presented. Both lead to a minimum degree of 10:10 for the equation of the binding of oxoglutarate to the catalytic sites. In the first model this corresponds to ten subunits associated into a single oligomer while in the second model this results from a mixture of monomeric, dimeric, trimeric and tetrameric associations.