Cytoplasmic membrane is the target organelle for transition metal mediated damage induced by paraquat in Escherichia coli

Involvement of cytoplasmic membrane damage in the copper (II)-dependent cytotoxicity of a novel naturally occurring tripyrrole

In the presence of a nonlethal concentration of Cu(II), washed Escherichia coli ATCC8739 cells were killed by a novel tripyrrole 1, isolated as a red pigment from the Serratia sp. Cell killing was accompanied by a depletion in the potassium pools of the cells due to the damage to the cytoplasmic membrane, without any detectable DNA damage as revealed by the transformed plasmid DNA and phage induction assay. This revealed that the bactericidal activity of compound 1 in the presence of Cu(II) results from membrane damage. Induction of endogenous catalase in the E. coli cells increased their resistance against the combination of compound 1 and Cu(II). Although compound 1 alone generated large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS), it did not show any cell killing against E. coli in the absence of Cu(II). The Cu(II)-dependent bactericidal activity of compound 1 was suppressed by ethylenediaminetetraacetate, bathocuproine, catalase and superoxide disumutase (SOD), but not by dimethyl sulfoxide. These findings suggest that recycling redox reactions between Cu(II) and Cu(I), involving compound 1 and hydrogen peroxide on the cell surface, must be important in the mechanism of the killing. Compound 1 alone showed selective bactericidal activity against the gram positive bacterium, Bacillus cereus ATCC 6630, possibly due to its differential cellular transport.

How oxygen damages microbes: oxygen tolerance and obligate anaerobiosis

The orbital structure of molecular oxygen constrains it to accept electrons one at a time, and its unfavourable univalent reduction potential ensures that it can do so only with low-potential redox partners. In E. coli, this restriction prevents oxygen from oxidizing structural molecules. Instead, it primarily oxidizes reduced flavins, a reaction that is harmful only in that it generates superoxide and hydrogen peroxide as products. These species are stronger oxidants than is oxygen itself. They can oxidize dehydratase iron-sulphur clusters and sulphydryls, respectively, and thereby inactivate enzymes that are dependent upon these functional groups. Hydrogen peroxide also oxidizes free iron, generating hydroxyl radicals. Because hydroxyl radicals react with virtually any biomolecules they encounter, their reactivity is broadly dissipated, and only their reactions with DNA are known to have an important physiological impact. E. coli elaborates scavenging and repair systems to minimize the impact of this adventitious chemistry; mutants that lack these defences grow poorly in aerobic habitats. Some of the growth deficits of these mutants cannot be easily ascribed to sulphydryl, cluster, or DNA damage, indicating that important aspects of oxidative stress still lack a biochemical explanation. Obligate anaerobes cannot tolerate oxygen because they utilize metabolic schemes built around enzymes that react with oxidants. The reliance upon low-potential flavoproteins for anaerobic respiration probably causes substantial superoxide and hydrogen peroxide to be produced when anaerobes are exposed to air. These species then generate damage of the same type that they produce in aerotolerant bacteria. However, obligate anaerobes also utilize several classes of dioxygen-sensitive enzymes that are not needed by aerobes. These enzymes are used for processes that help maintain the redox balance during anaerobic fermentations. They catalyse reactions that are chemically difficult, and the reaction mechanisms require the solvent exposure of radicals or low-potential metal clusters that can react rapidly with oxygen. Recent work has uncovered adaptive strategies by which obligate anaerobes seek to minimize the damage done by superoxide and hydrogen peroxide. Their failure to divest themselves of enzymes that can be directly damaged by molecular oxygen suggests that evolution has not yet provided economical options to them.

Damage to the cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli by catechin-copper (II) complexes

In the presence of a nonlethal concentration of Cu(II), washed Escherichia coli ATCC11775 cells were killed by (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC) and (-)-epicatechin (EC). Cell killing was accompanied by a depletion in both the ATP and potassium pools of the cells, but the DNA double strand was not broken, indicating that the bactericidal activity of catechins in the presence of Cu(II) results from damage to the cytoplasmic membrane. Induction of endogenous catalase in E. coli cells increased their resistance to being killed by the combination of catechins and Cu(II). In all cases studied, EGC and EC with Cu(II) were found to generate hydrogen peroxide, but its concentration was too low to account for the bactericidal activity. The bactericidal activity of EGC in the presence of Cu(II) was completely suppressed by ethylenediaminetetraacetate, bathocuproine, catalase, superoxide disumutase (SOD), heated catalase, and heated SOD, but not by dimethyl sulfoxide. When catalase, either heated or unheated, was added to the cells incubated with EGC in the presence of Cu(II), it completely inhibited further killing of the cells. These findings suggest that recycling redox reactions between Cu(II) and Cu(I), involving catechins and hydrogen peroxide on the cell surface, must be important in the mechanism of the killing.

Bactericidal properties of hydrogen peroxide and copper or iron-containing complex ions in relation to leukocyte function

Various combinations of hydrogen peroxide, reductant (ascorbic acid and superoxide ion), and copper or iron salts and their coordination complexes were examined to determine their cytotoxicity toward several bacteria with diverse metabolic capabilities and cell envelope structures. Four sets of bactericidal conditions were identified, comprising: (1) high concentration levels (5-100 mM) of H2O2 in the absence of exogenous metal ions and reductant; (2) ferrous or ferric coordination complexes plus enzymatically generated O2.- and H2O2 at relatively low steady-state concentration levels; (3) cupric ion plus low concentration levels of H2O2 (1 microM-1 mM) and ascorbate (10 microM-4 mM); (4) cuprous ion (or cupric ion plus ascorbate) in the absence of O2 and H2O2. Rates of losses in viabilities increased proportionately with increases in the concentration of H2O2 in metal-free environments and with each of the components in the Cu2+/ascorbate/H2O2 bactericidal assay system. Oxidant levels required for equivalent killing increased with increasing cell densities of the bacterial suspensions over the range investigated (2 x 10(7)-2 x 10(9) cfu/ml). Other experimental conditions or other combinations of reagents, most notably Fe3+/ascorbate/H2O2 systems, did not generate bactericidal environments. The patterns of response of the three organisms tested, Streptococcus lactis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, were similar, suggesting common bactericidal mechanisms. However, preliminary evidence suggests that the lethal lesions caused by the various bactericidal conditions are distinct: As discussed, each of the four bactericidal conditions could conceivably be attained within the phagosomes of leukocytes, although none has as yet been identified.

Prevention and induction of oxidative damage in E. coli cells by cationized proteins

The successful prevention of oxidative damage in E. coli B cells by cationized catalase (cCAT), and the induction of oxidative stress by cationized glucose oxidase (cGO) and cationized superoxide dismutase (cSOD) is presented in this study. Exposure of E. coli cells to hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical resulted in a rapid killing of the cells. Measurements of biochemical markers: cellular potassium levels and uptake and accumulation of leucin indicated membrane damage in some of the oxidants employed. Following incubation with native CAT or SOD, the cells were washed and exposed to oxidative stress. The results of this procedure did not protect the cells against the oxidative damage. In contrast, incubation of the cells with pretreated CAT with poly-L-histidine, followed by washing of the cells and the subsequent introduction of oxidative stress inducers, resulted in a pronounced protection of the cells against the oxidative stress. Employment of pretreated SOD, and exposure, after washing the cells, to oxidative stress, resulted in an enhancement of the oxidative damage in some cases. Exposure of the cells to cGO resulted in a marked killing of the cells as compared to the untreated enzyme. The use of E. coli cells as a model system for studying the effect of cationized enzymes on cell surfaces is discussed.

Variation in hydrogen peroxide sensitivity between different strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae is dependent on factors in addition to catalase activity

Catalase, which catalyzes the reduction of hydrogen peroxide to oxygen and water, is considered the primary defense of Neisseria gonorrhoeae against exogenous hydrogen peroxide. Recent reports have demonstrated drastically different sensitivities of the organism to hydrogen peroxide ranging from greater than 80% survival after challenge with 30 mM hydrogen peroxide to less than 0.001% survival after challenge with 10 mM hydrogen peroxide. In this study, we have examined the hydrogen peroxide sensitivities of six clinical gonococcal isolates. The study demonstrates that the variations in gonococcal hydrogen peroxide sensitivities previously reported can be attributed to (i) differences in experimental methods employed or (ii) variation among different gonococcal strains. All of the gonococcal isolates examined generated similar concentrations of catalase, implying that the differences in the H2O2 sensitivity observed may depend on factors in addition to catalase.

The use of cyclic voltammetry for the evaluation of oxidative damage in biological samples

A method using cyclic voltammetry to evaluate oxidative damage in biological systems is presented. Three biological systems were tested: Escherichia coli cells, the rat jejunal mucosa, and the enzyme, lactate dehydrogenase. Exposure of E. coli cells to oxidative stress resulted in a rapid decrease in their survival and a decrease in their ability to accumulate 14C-leucine. This was accompanied by a significant increase in the oxidation potential of the cells. Similar results were obtained when the rat jejunal mucosa was exposed in a perfusion system to oxidative stress induced by the hydroxyl radical produced by either hydrogen peroxide and ferrous ions or the combination of ascorbic acid and copper ions. Loss of cellular potassium was taken as an indication of damage to the rat jejunum. Exposure of lactate dehydrogenase to oxidative stress induced by hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals also resulted in a significant loss of enzyme activity along with a pronounced change in the cyclic voltammogram of the enzyme. It was concluded that measurement of the oxidation potentials of these biological systems can give an indication of the occurrence of oxidative damage.

Suppression of oxidative envelope damage by pseudoreversion of a superoxide dismutase-deficient mutant of Escherichia coli

Mutants of Escherichia coli that are devoid of superoxide dismutase (SOD) fail to grow in aerobic minimal medium. This is largely because of the O2- sensitivities of several amino acid biosynthetic pathways, since amino acid supplements can restore growth, albeit at a slow rate. We now report that growth in amino acid-supplemented medium can be further stimulated by the presence of extracellular osmolytes. Osmolytes also partially suppress the amino acid requirements of the SOD mutant. These data suggest that the combination of oxidative injury and turgor pressure permeabilizes the cell envelope and that critical metabolites, including the limiting products of damaged biosynthetic pathways, escape from the cell. External osmolytes may offer protection by countervailing the usual turgor pressure and thus stabilizing the damaged envelope. This model is consistent with the previous observation that deficiency of cell wall components is lethal to SOD mutants. A pseudorevertant that can grow at a moderate rate in normosmotic medium without amino acid supplementation has been obtained (J. A. Imlay and I. Fridovich, Mol. Gen. Genet. 228:410-416, 1991). Analysis suggests that the suppressor mutation allows the envelope either to resist or to tolerate oxidative lesions. Study of the pseudorevertant may illuminate the molecular basis of this oxidative envelope injury.

Inverse correlation between resistance towards copper and towards the redox-cycling compound paraquat: a study in copper-tolerant hepatocytes in tissue culture

The essential mediatory role of copper or iron in the manifestation of paraquat toxicity has been demonstrated (Kohen and Chevion (1985) Free Rad. Res. Commun. 1, 79-88; Korbashi, P. et al. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 12472-12476). Several liver cell lines, characterized by their resistance to copper, were challenged with paraquat and their cross-resistance to paraquat and copper was studied. Cell growth and survival data showed that copper-resistant cells, containing elevated copper, are more sensitive towards paraquat than wild type cells. Copper-deprived resistant cells did not have this sensitivity. Paraquat was also shown to cause a marked degradation of cellular glutathione in all cell lines. Albeit the fact that the basal glutathione levels are higher in copper-resistant than in wild type cells, there is more paraquat-induced degradation of cellular glutathione (GSH + GSSG) in resistant cells. It is suggested that in copper-resistant cells which contain elevated levels of copper, paraquat-induced cellular injury is potentiated even where glutathione levels are elevated. Additionally, in vitro experiments are presented that support the in vivo findings demonstrating a role for copper in glutathione degradation.

Effects of pH, glucose, and chelating agents on lethality of paraquat to Escherichia coli

Retention of paraquat by Escherichia coli B was greatest after exposure at pH 9.0 and was progressively less after exposure at pH 7.0 and 5.0, respectively. This retained paraquat was capable of persistent growth inhibition. Uptake and retention of paraquat by E. coli B was dependent upon a carbon source, such as glucose. Under comparable conditions E. coli K-12 did not retain paraquat. The lethality of paraquat was seen in TSY medium but not in VB medium. The addition of Soytone, tryptone, or yeast extract, to the VB medium allowed the lethality of paraquat to be seen. A variety of chelating agents, including EDTA, 8-hydroxyquinoline, and o-phenanthroline, prevented the lethal effect of paraquat in TSY medium. Although EDTA protected against the lethality of paraquat, it did not protect against its bacteriostatic effect.

Effects of paraquat on Escherichia coli: differences between B and K-12 strains

Escherichia coli B and K-12 are equally susceptible to the bacteriostatic effects of aerobic paraquat, but they differed strikingly when the lethality of paraquat was evaluated. E. coli B suffered an apparent loss of viability when briefly exposed to paraquat, whereas E. coli K-12 did not. This difference depended on the ability of the B strain, but not the K-12 strain, to retain internalized paraquat; the B strain was killed on aerobic tryptic soy-yeast extract plates during the incubation which preceded the counting of colonies. This difference in retention of paraquat between strains was demonstrated by delayed loss of viability, by growth inhibition, and by cyanide-resistant respiration after brief exposure to paraquat, washing, and testing in fresh medium. This difference was also shown by using [14C]paraquat. This previously unrecognized difference between E. coli B and K-12 has been the cause of apparently contradictory reports and should lead to some reevaluation of the pertinent literature.

Zinc--a redox-inactive metal provides a novel approach for protection against metal-mediated free radical induced injury: study of paraquat toxicity in E. coli

The essential mediatory role of copper and iron in a variety of free radical-induced injuries, including paraquat-induced biological damage has been recently demonstrated. It was postulated that these transition metals undergo cyclic redox reactions, and serve as centers for repeated production of hydroxyl radical, which are the ultimate deleterious agents. Additionally, we had presented evidence indicating efficient protection against paraquat toxicity by agents commonly employed (chelators, chemical scavengers and protecting enzymes). In this study we have used the E. coli model in order to develop a new approach for protection against paraquat-induced metal-mediated cellular injury. It entails the administration of excess zinc (up to 50 fold over copper), which results in an inhibition of the toxic effect of paraquat. Lineweaver- Burk analysis demonstrates the competitive mode of this inhibition. The suggested mechanism involves the displacement of the redox-active copper (or iron) from its binding site and by this diverting the site of repeated production of free radicals. Thus, use of redox-inactive metals, which possess high similarity of their ligand chemistry, to that of iron and copper but are of relative low toxicity by themselves, should be considered for intervention in paraquat toxicity and in other metal-mediated free radical-induced injurious processes.

Mechanistic aspects of paraquat toxicity in E. coli. A spin trapping study

Mechanistic aspects of paraquat monocation radical (PQ.+) and copper involvement in paraquat toxicity have been examined using E. coli B cells. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometry combined with cell survival studies were used to explore the correlation between radical production and biological damage. The line broadening agent oxalato-chromiate (CrOx) was used to characterize the anoxic partition of PQ.+ inside and outside the cell. In the presence of CrOx the ESR signal was totally eliminated, indicating that intracellular species were undetectable and that, contrary to previous reports, PQ.+ exclusively accumulates outside the cell. The PQ.+ radical does not react with H2O2 but disappears in the presence of H2O2 when catalytic traces of Cu(II) are present. Spin-trapping studies using DMPO showed that in aerobic environment paraquat-induced O2 radicals are detectable exclusively in the extracellular compartment. The correlation between PQ.+ appearance and the biological damage is not simple. PQ.+ non-toxically accumulates, in the absence of oxygen and either Cu(II) or H2O2. By contrast, with both H2O2 and Cu(II) the cells are rapidly killed but PQ.+ was undetectable. These results reconfirm the key catalytic mediatory function of transition metals in paraquat toxicity.

Inhibition of Chlamydia trachomatis growth in endometrial cells by copper: possible relevance for the use of the copper IUD

There is agreement that the relative risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) increases among women who use the intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD). The role of Chlamydia in causing PID among IUD users is not clear. The present study demonstrates that Chlamydia trachomatis growth can be inhibited in cultured human endometrial cells by copper ions at concentrations known to be released by the copper IUDs. More than 98% inhibition was produced with 10(-5) and 10(-6) M of copper. Both C. trachomatis serovar E and a lymphogranuloma venereum Chlamydia serovar L2 (LGV) were inhibited by the copper ions. Although the mechanism of the inhibition is not known, the continuous presence of the copper ions during and after adherence appeared to be necessary for maximal effect. If such inhibition occurs in vivo, it is possible that copper ions released from the copper-containing IUD may partially protect against chlamydial infection.

Iron enhancement of ascorbate toxicity

Iron has been shown to enhance ascorbate-induced damage to both acetylcholine esterase and E. coli B in a manner analogous to previous studies with ascorbate and copper ions. It is suggested that the mechanism of damage entails interaction of iron with biological macromolecules, followed by its reduction by ascorbate. Subsequently, the iron (II) could participate in generating hydroxyl radicals from hydrogen peroxide via the Fenton reaction, which in turn, could damage biomolecules in a site-specific and multiple hit fashion. The high abundance of iron in biological systems, especially in certain storage disorders, may indicate an important toxicological role of the combination of iron and ascorbate.