Mechanisms of NO release by N1-nitrosomelatonin: nucleophilic attack versus reducing pathways

Interactions of melatonin, reactive oxygen species, and nitric oxide during fruit ripening: an update and prospective view

Fruit ripening is a physiological process that involves a complex network of signaling molecules that act as switches to activate or deactivate certain metabolic pathways at different levels, not only by regulating gene and protein expression but also through post-translational modifications of the involved proteins. Ethylene is the distinctive molecule that regulates the ripening of fruits, which can be classified as climacteric or non-climacteric according to whether or not, respectively, they are dependent on this phytohormone. However, in recent years it has been found that other molecules with signaling potential also exert regulatory roles, not only individually but also as a result of interactions among them. These observations imply the existence of mutual and hierarchical regulations that sometimes make it difficult to identify the initial triggering event. Among these 'new' molecules, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, and melatonin have been highlighted as prominent. This review provides a comprehensive outline of the relevance of these molecules in the fruit ripening process and the complex network of the known interactions among them.

Melatonin, Its Metabolites and Their Interference with Reactive Nitrogen Compounds

Melatonin and several of its metabolites are interfering with reactive nitrogen. With the notion of prevailing melatonin formation in tissues that exceeds by far the quantities in blood, metabolites come into focus that are poorly found in the circulation. Apart from their antioxidant actions, both melatonin and N¹-acetyl-5-methoxykynuramine (AMK) downregulate inducible and inhibit neuronal NO synthases, and additionally scavenge NO. However, the NO adduct of melatonin redonates NO, whereas AMK forms with NO a stable product. Many other melatonin metabolites formed in oxidative processes also contain nitrosylatable sites. Moreover, AMK readily scavenges products of the CO₂-adduct of peroxynitrite such as carbonate radicals and NO₂. Protein AMKylation seems to be involved in protective actions.

N-Nitrosomelatonin, an efficient nitric oxide donor and transporter in Arabidopsis seedlings

Nitric oxide (NO) produced in plant cells has the unique ability to interact with various other biomolecules, thereby facilitating its own as well as their signaling and associated actions at their sites of biosynthesis and at other sites via transcellular long distance transport of the molecular complexes. Melatonin (Mel) is one such biomolecule produced in plant cells which has fascinated plant biologists with regard to its molecular crosstalk with other molecules to serve its roles as a growth regulator. Present work reports the synthesis of N-nitrosomelatonin (NOMela) and its preferential uptake by Arabidopsis seedlings roots and long distance transport to the leaves through vascular strands. Equimolar (250 μM) concentrations of NOMela and S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) in aqueous solutions bring about 52.8% more release of NO from NOMela than from GSNO. Following confocal laser scanning microscopic (CLSM) imaging, Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis of the Scatter gram of endogenously taken up NOMela demonstrates significant NO signal in roots emanating from mitochondria. NOMela (250 μM) taken up by Arabidopsis seedling roots also proved more efficient as a NO transporter from primary root to leaves than 250 μM of GSNO. These novel observations on NOMela thus hold promise to decipher its crucial role as a NO carrier and reservoir in plant cells, and also as a facilitator of melatonin action in plant development.

Don't just say no: Differential pathways and pharmacological responses to diverse nitric oxide donors

Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous free radical molecule with a short half-life (∼1 s), which can gain or lose an electron into three interchangeable redox-dependent forms, the radical (NO), the nitrosonium cation (NO⁺), and nitroxyl anion (HNO). NO acts as an intra and extracellular signaling molecule regulating a wide range of functions in the cardiovascular, immune, and nervous system. NO donors are collectively known by their ability to release NOin vitro and in vivo, being proposed as therapeutic pharmacological tools for the treatment of several pathologies, such as cardiovascular disease. The highly reactive NO molecule is easily oxidized under physiological conditions to N-oxides, nitrate/nitrite and nitrogen dioxide. Different cellular responses are triggered depending on: 1) NO concentration [e.g., nanomolar for heme coordination in the allosteric site of guanylate cyclase (sGC) enzyme]; 2) the type of chemical bound to the nitrosated group (i.e., bound to nitrogen, N-nitro, or bound to sulphur atom, S-nitro) determining post-translational cysteine nitrosation; 3) the time-dependent availability of molecular targets. Classic NO donors are: organic nitrates (e.g., nitroglycerin, or glyceryl trinitrate, GTN; isosorbide mononitrate, ISMN), diazeniumdiolates having a diolate group [or NONOates, e.g., 2-(N,N-diethylamino)-diazenolate-2-oxide], S-nitrosothiols (e.g., S-nitroso glutathione, GSNO; S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine, SNAP) or the organic salt sodium nitroprusside (SNP). In addition, nitroxyl (HNO) donors such as Piloty's acid and Angeli's salt can also be considered. The specific NO form released, as well as its differential reactivity to thiols, could act on different molecular targets and should be discussed in the context of: a) the type and amount of NO species determining the sensitivity of molecular targets (e.g., heme coordination, or S-nitrosation); b) the cellular redox state that could gate different effects. Experimental designs should take special care when choosing which NO donors to use, since different outcomes are to be expected. This article will comment recent findings regarding physiological responses involving NO species and their pharmacological modulation with donor drugs, especially in the context of the photic transduction pathways at the hypothalamic circadian clock.

N-nitrosomelatonin enhances photic synchronization of mammalian circadian rhythms

Most physiological processes in mammals are synchronized to the daily light:dark cycle by a circadian clock located in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus. Signal transduction of light-induced phase advances of the clock is mediated through a neuronal nitric oxide synthase-guanilyl cyclase pathway. We have employed a novel nitric oxide-donor, N-nitrosomelatonin, to enhance the photic synchronization of circadian rhythms in hamsters. The intraperitoneal administration of this drug before a sub-saturating light pulse at circadian time 18 generated a twofold increase of locomotor rhythm phase-advances, having no effect over saturating light pulses. This potentiation was also obtained even when inhibiting suprachiasmatic nitric oxide synthase activity. However, N-nitrosomelatonin had no effect on light-induced phase delays at circadian time 14. The photic-enhancing effects were correlated with an increased suprachiasmatic immunoreactivity of FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene and period1. Moreover, in vivo nitric oxide release by N-nitrosomelatonin was verified by measuring nitrate and nitrite levels in suprachiasmatic nuclei homogenates. The compound also accelerated resynchronization to an abrupt 6-h advance in the light:dark cycle (but not resynchronization to a 6-h delay). Here, we demonstrate the chronobiotic properties of N-nitrosomelatonin, emphasizing the importance of nitric oxide-mediated transduction for circadian phase advances.

What are the differences between ascorbic acid and NADH as hydride and electron sources in vivo on thermodynamics, kinetics, and mechanism?

Ascorbic acid (AscH(2)) and dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) are two very important natural redox cofactors, which can be used as hydride, electron, and hydrogen atom sources to take part in many important bioreduction processes in vivo. The differences of the two natural reducing agents as hydride, hydrogen atom, and electron donors in thermodynamics, kinetics, and mechanisms were examined by using 5,6-isopropylidene ascorbate (iAscH(-)) and β-D-glucopyranosyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide acetate (GluNAH) as their models, respectively. The results show that the hydride-donating ability of iAscH(-) is smaller than that of GluNAH by 6.0 kcal/mol, but the electron-donating ability and hydrogen-donating ability of iAscH(-) are larger than those of GluNAH by 20.8 and 8.4 kcal/mol, respectively, which indicates that iAscH(-) is a good electron donor and a good hydrogen atom donor, but GluNAH is a good hydride donor. The kinetic intrinsic barrier energy of iAscH(-) to release hydride anion in acetonitrile is larger than that of GluNAH to release hydride anion in acetonitrile by 6.9 kcal/mol. The mechanisms of hydride transfer from iAscH(-) and GluNAH to phenylxanthium perchlorate (PhXn(+)), a well-known hydride acceptor, were examined, and the results show that hydride transfer from GluNAH adopted a one-step mechanism, but the hydride transfer from iAscH(-) adopted a two-step mechanism (e-H(•)). The thermodynamic relation charts (TRC) of the iAscH(-) family (including iAscH(-), iAscH(•), iAsc(•-), and iAsc) and of the GluNAH family (including GluNAH, GluNAH(•+), GluNA(•), and GluNA(+)) in acetonitrile were constructed as Molecule ID Cards of iAscH(-) and of GluNAH in acetonitrile. By using the Molecule ID Cards of iAscH(-) and GluNAH, the character chemical properties not only of iAscH(-) and GluNAH but also of the various reaction intermediates of iAscH(-) and GluNAH all have been quantitatively diagnosed and compared. It is clear that these comparisons of the thermodynamics, kinetics, and mechanisms between iAscH(-) and GluNAH as hydride and electron donors in acetonitrile should be quite important and valuable to diagnose and understand the different roles and functions of ascorbic acid and NADH as hydride, hydrogen atom, and electron sources in vivo.

Melatonin metabolism in the central nervous system

The metabolism of melatonin in the central nervous system is of interest for several reasons. Melatonin enters the brain either via the pineal recess or by uptake from the blood. It has been assumed to be also formed in some brain areas. Neuroprotection by melatonin has been demonstrated in numerous model systems, and various attempts have been undertaken to counteract neurodegeneration by melatonin treatment. Several concurrent pathways lead to different products. Cytochrome P₄₅₀ subforms have been demonstrated in the brain. They either demethylate melatonin to N-acetylserotonin, or produce 6-hydroxymelatonin, which is mostly sulfated already in the CNS. Melatonin is deacetylated, at least in pineal gland and retina, to 5-methoxytryptamine. N¹-acetyl-N²-formyl-5-methoxykynuramine is formed by pyrrole-ring cleavage, by myeloperoxidase, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and various non-enzymatic oxidants. Its product, N¹-acetyl-5-methoxykynuramine, is of interest as a scavenger of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, mitochondrial modulator, downregulator of cyclooxygenase-2, inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, neuronal and inducible NO synthases. Contrary to other nitrosated aromates, the nitrosated kynuramine metabolite, 3-acetamidomethyl-6-methoxycinnolinone, does not re-donate NO. Various other products are formed from melatonin and its metabolites by interaction with reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. The relative contribution of the various pathways to melatonin catabolism seems to be influenced by microglia activation, oxidative stress and brain levels of melatonin, which may be strongly changed in experiments on neuroprotection. Many of the melatonin metabolites, which may appear in elevated concentrations after melatonin administration, possess biological or pharmacological properties, including N-acetylserotonin, 5-methoxytryptamine and some of its derivatives, and especially the 5-methoxylated kynuramines.

Redox-sensitivity and site-specificity of S- and N- denitrosation in proteins

BACKGROUND

S-nitrosation--the formation of S-nitrosothiols (RSNOs) at cysteine residues in proteins--is a posttranslational modification involved in signal transduction and nitric oxide (NO) transport. Recent studies would also suggest the formation of N-nitrosamines (RNNOs) in proteins in vivo, although their biological significance remains obscure. In this study, we characterized a redox-based mechanism by which N-nitroso-tryptophan residues in proteins may be denitrosated.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

The denitrosation of N-acetyl-nitroso Trp (NANT) by glutathione (GSH) required molecular oxygen and was inhibited by superoxide dismutase (SOD). Transnitrosation to form S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) was observed only in the absence of oxygen or presence of SOD. Protein denitrosation by GSH was studied using a set of mutant recombinant human serum albumin (HSA). Trp-214 and Cys-37 were the only two residues nitrosated by NO under aerobic conditions. Nitroso-Trp-214 in HSA was insensitive to denitrosation by GSH or ascorbate while denitrosation at Cys-37 was evident in the presence of GSH but not ascorbate. GSH-dependent denitrosation of Trp-214 was restored in a peptide fragment of helix II containing Trp-214. Finally, incubation of cell lysates with NANT revealed a pattern of protein nitrosation distinct from that observed with GSNO.

CONCLUSIONS

We propose that the denitrosation of nitrosated Trp by GSH occurs through homolytic cleavage of nitroso Trp to NO and a Trp aminyl radical, driven by the formation of superoxide derived from the oxidation of GSH to GSSG. Overall, the accessibility of Trp residues to redox-active biomolecules determines the stability of protein-associated nitroso species such that in the case of HSA, N-nitroso-Trp-214 is insensitive to denitrosation by low-molecular-weight antioxidants. Moreover, RNNOs can generate free NO and transfer their NO moiety in an oxygen-dependent fashion, albeit site-specificities appear to differ markedly from that of RSNOs.

N-nitrosomelatonin: synthesis, chemical properties, potential prodrug

Melatonin is easily nitrosated via various mechanisms at the nitrogen atom of the indole ring to give N-nitrosomelatonin (NOMela). This mini-review provides a comprehensive view of this N-nitroso compound. With an improved procedure NOMela can now economically synthesized with low laboratory expenditure. The major chemical property of NOMela, i.e. the (formally) transfer of the NO+ function to its target nucleophile, is explained in detail and a variety of detection methods using this reaction are suggested. As the suspected carcinogenical potential of NOMela is clearly overruled it seems attractive to apply this nitroso compound for endogenous generation of S-nitrosothiols that act as nitric oxide donors in vivo.

The impact of N-nitrosomelatonin as nitric oxide donor in cell culture experiments

N-nitrosomelatonin (NOMela) is well-known for its capabilities of transnitrosating nucleophiles such as thiols and ascorbate, thereby generating nitric oxide (NO)-releasing compounds. It is unknown, however, whether NOMela can be successfully applied as a precursor of NO in a complex biological environment like a cell culture system. NO donors may be useful to induce the transcription factor hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), which coordinates the protection of cells and tissues from the lack of oxygen (hypoxia). In this study, the effects of NOMela in an in vitro cell-free assay [NO-release, inhibition of prolylhydroxylase1 (PHD1)] and in living cells (upregulation of HIF-1, reduction of HIF-1 hydroxylation, upregulation of the HIF-1-target gene PHD2) were compared with those of the frequently applied NO donor S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. In contrast to GSNO, NOMela released NO in a predictable manner and this release in vitro was found to be independent of the composition of the buffer system. The NOMela-mediated effects in oxygenated cells were in all cases comparable to the hypoxic response, whereas unphysiological strong effects were observed with GSNO. Probably, because of the antioxidative power of the NOMela-dependent formation of melatonin, cells were completely protected against the attack of reactive nitrogen oxygen species, which are generated by autoxidation of NO. In conclusion, NOMela had to be an excellent NO precursor for cells in culture and potentially tissues.

Potential role of tryptophan derivatives in stress responses characterized by the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species

To face physicochemical and biological stresses, living organisms evolved endogenous chemical responses based on gas exchange with the atmosphere and on formation of nitric oxide (NO(*)) and oxygen derivatives. The combination of these species generates a complex network of variable extension in space and time, characterized by the nature and level of the reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS) and of their organic and inorganic scavengers. Among the latter, this review focusses on natural 3-substituted indolic structures. Tryptophan-derived indoles are unsensitive to NO(*), oxygen and superoxide anion (O(2)(*-)), but react directly with other ROS/RNS giving various derivatives, most of which have been characterized. Though the detection of some products like kynurenine and nitroderivatives can be performed in vitro and in vivo, it is more difficult for others, e.g., 1-nitroso-indolic compounds. In vitro chemical studies only reveal the strong likelihood of their in vivo generation and biological effects can be a sign of their transient formation. Knowing that 1-nitrosoindoles are NO donors and nitrosating agents indicating they can thus act both as mutagens and protectors, the necessity for a thorough evaluation of indole-containing drugs in accordance with the level of the oxidative stress in a given pathology is highlighted.

N-nitrosomelatonin outcompetes S-nitrosocysteine in inhibiting glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase: first evidence that N-nitrosomelatonin can modify protein function

Low-molecular-weight S-nitrosothiols (RSNOs) are well known for their capability to transnitrosate cysteine residues of enzymes thereby altering their catalytic activity. It is unknown, however, whether N-nitrosomelatonin (NOMela) which is highly effective in transnitrosating low-molecular-weight thiols (RSHs) can also alter protein function. In the present study, we report on such a capability with glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as a target enzyme. Reaction of NOMela with GAPDH resulted in an increase of RSNOs at the expense of RSHs. Somewhat surprisingly, NOMela was about 10-fold more effective than S-nitrosocysteine in inhibiting GAPDH. Vitamin C and glutathione increased the NOMela-dependent inhibition of the enzyme by accelerating the intermediacy of nitroxyl which is also highly effective in nitrosating RSHs. The occurrence of this intermediate during the NOMela-vitamin C reaction was verified by using Mn(III)-tetrakis(1-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphorin pentachloride as nitroxyl scavenger. The NOMela-dependent inactivation of GAPDH was so effective that this reaction can be used to quantify NOMela with high sensitivity.

Generation, basic chemistry, and detection of N-nitrosotryptophan derivatives

N-Terminal blocked tryptophan derivatives like melatonin or tryptophan residues in peptides are easily nitrosated at the nitrogen atom of the indole ring to give the corresponding N-nitrosotryptophan derivatives. This article provides a comprehensive view of the synthesis, chemical properties, and detection methods of this class of N-nitroso compounds of potential importance in biological systems.

Reaction of Vitamin E Compounds withN-Nitrosated Tryptophan Derivatives and Its Analytical Use

We recently showed that nitrosated tryptophan residues may act as endogenous nitric oxide storage compounds. Here, a novel reaction of nitrosotryptophan derivatives is described, in the form of the release of nitric oxide from N-nitrosotryptophan derivatives initiated either by alpha-tocopherol or by its water-soluble form trolox. Alpha-tocopherol and trolox were found to release stoichiometric amounts of nitric oxide from N-acetyl-N-nitrosotryptophan as well as from the nitrosotryptophan residue in albumin. The reaction proceeds both in water and in lipophilic solution and reconstitutes the indole moiety of the tryptophan molecule quantitatively. During this reaction, alpha-tocopherol- and trolox-derived phenoxyl-type radicals were identified as intermediates by ESR spectrometry. The chemical mechanism of the NO-releasing process was established. Since S-nitrosothiols do not react under the applied conditions, it is suggested that the trolox-dependent release of nitric oxide may be utilizable for the detection of N-nitrosotryptophan residues in biological samples. Furthermore, as N-nitrosotryptophan derivatives do not undergo spontaneous decay in lipophilic environments, vitamin E may have the so far unrecognized function of preventing the accumulation of N-nitrosotryptophan residues to toxic concentrations in biological systems.

Nitrosation ofN-Terminally Blocked Tryptophan and Tryptophan-Containing Peptides by Peroxynitrite

Tryptophan is known to be a major target of oxidative stress and to take part in electron transfer. In proteins, its fluorescence is extinguished after treatment with oxidative agents, like peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)/ONOOH) - the product of the reaction of NO* and superoxide anion (O*(2)(-)) radicals. The main reactions of N-blocked tryptophan derivatives (melatonin or N-acetyl-L-tryptophan) exposed to peroxynitrite at physiological pH are oxidation to formylkynuramine or formylkynurenine, respectively, and nitrosation, which leads to substituted 1-nitrosoindoles. Here we show that peroxynitrite-induced nitrosation is specific to N-blocked L-tryptophan derivatives and is not obtained with free L-tryptophan. Such a nitrosation can be evaluated by using 4,5-diaminofluorescein (DAF-2), which is converted to the fluorescent triazolofluorescein by NO* donors and nitrosating agents. N-acetyl-L-tryptophan was shown to be twice as efficient as melatonin in transferring NO from peroxynitrite to DAF-2. DAF-2 responses were then used to assess the ability of a series of L-tryptophan-containing peptides to give transient N-nitrosoindoles upon treatment with peroxynitrite. Many peptides proved not to be susceptible to nitrosation under these conditions. However, the N-terminally blocked peptide of endothelin-1 (Ac-Asp-Ile-Ile-Trp) reacted in a very similar fashion to melatonin; this shows that tryptophan residue nitrosation could occur when it was exposed to peroxynitrite.

On the Mechanism of the Ascorbic Acid-Induced Release of Nitric Oxide fromN-Nitrosated Tryptophan Derivatives: Scavenging of NO by Ascorbyl Radicals

During the past years, there has been increasing interest in endogenous nitric oxide storage compounds. Recently, we briefly reported on the ascorbate-dependent release of nitric oxide ((.)NO) from N-nitrosotryptophan derivatives. In the present study, the underlying mechanism of (.)NO release is studied in more detail, primarily utilizing N-acetyl-N-nitrosotryptophan (NANT) as a model compound. The initial rate of the ascorbate-induced release of nitric oxide has been found to correspond to the rate of NANT decay. In this process, N-acetyltryptophan (NAT) is produced almost quantitatively. The final yield of nitrite amounted to around 90 % with respect to the applied amount of NANT. However, the total release of nitric oxide was only 60 %, as determined by using an FNOCT-4(fluorescent nitric oxide cheletropic trap number 4) assay. Besides nitric oxide, a second volatile product, dinitrogen oxide (N(2)O), has been identified by using (15)N NMR spectrometry, strongly indicating the intermediacy of nitroxyl (HNO). The formation of intermediate ascorbyl radical anions during the NANT-ascorbate reaction has been monitored by using ESR spectrometry. Unexpectedly, it was found that the primary oxidized product of vitamin C, dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), efficiently consumes nitric oxide. Since ESR spectrometry further revealed that ascorbyl radical anions are also generated during the spontaneous decay of DHA, the DHA-nitric oxide reaction is related to recombination of (.)NO with the thus formed ascorbyl radical anions. A conclusively established mechanism of the NANT-ascorbate reaction is presented, with O-nitrosoascorbate as a key intermediate, as additionally supported by CBS-QB3 calculations. The present study suggests that vitamin C and its oxidation products can chemically counterbalance endogenous nitric oxide levels.