The role of human 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LO) in carcinogenesis - a question of canonical and non-canonical functions

5-Lipoxygenase (5-LO), a fatty acid oxygenase, is the central enzyme in leukotriene (LT) biosynthesis, potent arachidonic acid-derived lipid mediators released by innate immune cells, that control inflammatory and allergic responses. In addition, through interaction with 12- and 15-lipoxgenases, the enzyme is involved in the formation of omega-3 fatty acid-based oxylipins, which are thought to be involved in the resolution of inflammation. The expression of 5-LO is frequently deregulated in solid and liquid tumors, and there is strong evidence that the enzyme plays an important role in carcinogenesis. However, global inhibition of LT formation and signaling has not yet shown the desired success in clinical trials. Curiously, the release of 5-LO-derived lipid mediators from tumor cells is often low, and the exact mechanism by which 5-LO influences tumor cell function is poorly understood. Recent data now show that in addition to releasing oxylipins, 5-LO can also influence gene expression in a lipid mediator-independent manner. These non-canonical functions, including modulation of miRNA processing and transcription factor shuttling, most likely influence cancer cell function and the tumor microenvironment and might explain the low clinical efficacy of pharmacological strategies that previously only targeted oxylipin formation and signaling by 5-LO. This review summarizes the canonical and non-canonical functions of 5-LO with a particular focus on tumorigenesis, highlights unresolved issues, and suggests future research directions.

Conformational Dynamics of Lipoxygenases and Their Interaction with Biological Membranes

Lipoxygenases (LOXs) are a family of enzymes that includes different fatty acid oxygenases with a common tridimensional structure. The main functions of LOXs are the production of signaling compounds and the structural modifications of biological membranes. These features of LOXs, their widespread presence in all living organisms, and their involvement in human diseases have attracted the attention of the scientific community over the last decades, leading to several studies mainly focused on understanding their catalytic mechanism and designing effective inhibitors. The aim of this review is to discuss the state-of-the-art of a different, much less explored aspect of LOXs, that is, their interaction with lipid bilayers. To this end, the general architecture of six relevant LOXs (namely human 5-, 12-, and 15-LOX, rabbit 12/15-LOX, coral 8-LOX, and soybean 15-LOX), with different specificity towards the fatty acid substrates, is analyzed through the available crystallographic models. Then, their putative interface with a model membrane is examined in the frame of the conformational flexibility of LOXs, that is due to their peculiar tertiary structure. Finally, the possible future developments that emerge from the available data are discussed.

Untangling the web of 5-lipoxygenase-derived products from a molecular and structural perspective: The battle between pro- and anti-inflammatory lipid mediators

Arachidonic acid (AA) is the precursor to leukotrienes (LT), potent mediators of the inflammatory response. In the 35 + years since cysteinyl-LTs were reported to mediate antigen-induced constriction of bronchi in tissue from asthma patients, numerous cellular responses evoked by the LTs, such as chemoattraction and G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) activation, have been elucidated and revealed a potential for 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) as a promising drug target that goes beyond asthma. We describe herein early work identifying 5-LOX as the key enzyme that initiates LT biosynthesis and the discovery of its membrane-embedded helper protein required to execute the two-step reaction that transforms AA to the progenitor leukotriene A4 (LTA4). 5-LOX must traffic to the nuclear membrane to interact with its partner and undergo a conformational change so that AA can enter the active site. Additionally, the enzyme must retain the hydroperoxy-reaction intermediate for its final transformation to LTA4. Each of these steps provide a unique target for inhibition. Next, we describe the recent structures of GPCRs that recognize metabolites of the 5-LOX pathway and thus provide target alternatives. We also highlight the role of 5-LOX in the biosynthesis of anti-inflammatory lipid mediators (LM), the so-called specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM). The involvement of 5-LOX in the biosynthesis of LM with opposing functions undoubtedly complicates the continuing search for 5-LOX inhibitors as therapeutic leads. Finally, we address the recent discovery of how some allosteric 5-LOX inhibitors promote oxygenation at the 12/15 carbon on AA to generate mediators that resolve, rather than promote, inflammation.

Coactosin Promotes F-Actin Protrusion in Growth Cones Under Cofilin-Related Signaling Pathway

During brain development, axon outgrowth and its subsequent pathfinding are reliant on a highly motile growth cone located at the tip of the axon. Actin polymerization that is regulated by actin-depolymerizing factors homology (ADF-H) domain-containing family drives the formation of lamellipodia and filopodia at the leading edge of growth cones for axon guidance. However, the precise localization and function of ADF-H domain-containing proteins involved in axon extension and retraction remain unclear. We have previously shown that transcripts and proteins of coactosin-like protein 1 (COTL1), an ADF-H domain-containing protein, are observed in neurites and axons in chick embryos. Coactosin overexpression analysis revealed that this protein was localized to axonal growth cones and involved in axon extension in the midbrain. We further examined the specific distribution of coactosin and cofilin within the growth cone using superresolution microscopy, structured illumination microscopy, which overcomes the optical diffraction limitation and is suitable to the analysis of cellular dynamic movements. We found that coactosin was tightly associated with F-actin bundles at the growth cones and that coactosin overexpression promoted the expansion of lamellipodia and extension of growth cones. Coactosin knockdown in oculomotor neurons resulted in an increase in the levels of the inactive, phosphorylated form of cofilin and dysregulation of actin polymerization and axonal elongation, which suggests that coactosin promoted axonal growth in a cofilin-dependent manner. Indeed, the application of a dominant-negative form of LIMK1, a downstream effector of GTPases, reversed the effect of coactosin knockdown on axonal growth by enhancing cofilin activity. Combined, our results indicate that coactosin functions promote the assembly of protrusive actin filament arrays at the leading edge for growth cone motility.

Flow-cytometric microglial sorting coupled with quantitative proteomics identifies moesin as a highly-abundant microglial protein with relevance to Alzheimer's disease

BACKGROUND

Proteomic characterization of microglia provides the most proximate assessment of functionally relevant molecular mechanisms of neuroinflammation. However, microglial proteomics studies have been limited by low cellular yield and contamination by non-microglial proteins using existing enrichment strategies.

METHODS

We coupled magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) of microglia with tandem mass tag-mass spectrometry (TMT-MS) to obtain a highly-pure microglial proteome and identified a core set of highly-abundant microglial proteins in adult mouse brain. We interrogated existing human proteomic data for Alzheimer's disease (AD) relevance of highly-abundant microglial proteins and performed immuno-histochemical and in-vitro validation studies.

RESULTS

Quantitative multiplexed proteomics by TMT-MS of CD11b + MACS-enriched (N = 5 mice) and FACS-isolated (N = 5 mice), from adult wild-type mice, identified 1791 proteins. A total of 203 proteins were highly abundant in both datasets, representing a core-set of highly abundant microglial proteins. In addition, we found 953 differentially enriched proteins comparing MACS and FACS-based approaches, indicating significant differences between both strategies. The FACS-isolated microglia proteome was enriched with cytosolic, endoplasmic reticulum, and ribosomal proteins involved in protein metabolism and immune system functions, as well as an abundance of canonical microglial proteins. Conversely, the MACS-enriched microglia proteome was enriched with mitochondrial and synaptic proteins and higher abundance of neuronal, oligodendrocytic and astrocytic proteins. From the 203 consensus microglial proteins with high abundance in both datasets, we confirmed microglial expression of moesin (Msn) in wild-type and 5xFAD mouse brains as well as in human AD brains. Msn expression is nearly exclusively found in microglia that surround Aβ plaques in 5xFAD brains. In in-vitro primary microglial studies, Msn silencing by siRNA decreased Aβ phagocytosis and increased lipopolysaccharide-induced production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor (TNF). In network analysis of human brain proteomic data, Msn was a hub protein of an inflammatory co-expression module positively associated with AD neuropathological features and cognitive dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

Using FACS coupled with TMT-MS as the method of choice for microglial proteomics, we define a core set of highly-abundant adult microglial proteins. Among these, we validate Msn as highly-abundant in plaque-associated microglia with relevance to human AD.

Coactosin-like 1 integrates signaling critical for shear-dependent thrombus formation in mouse platelets

Platelet aggregate formation is a multistep process involving receptor-mediated, as well as biomechanical, signaling cascades, which are highly dependent on actin dynamics. We have previously shown that actin depolymerizing factor (ADF)/n-cofilin and Twinfilin 2a, members of the ADF homology (ADF-H) protein family, have distinct roles in platelet formation and function. Coactosin-like 1 (Cotl1) is another ADF-H protein that binds actin and was also shown to enhance biosynthesis of pro-inflammatory leukotrienes (LT) in granulocytes. Here, we generated mice lacking Cotl1 in the megakaryocyte lineage (Cotl1^{-/- )} to investigate its role in platelet production and function. Absence of Cotl1 had no impact on platelet counts, platelet activation or cytoskeletal reorganization under static conditions in vitro In contrast, Cotl1 deficiency markedly affected platelet aggregate formation on collagen and adhesion to immobilized von Willebrand factor at high shear rates in vitro, pointing to an impaired function of the platelet mechanoreceptor glycoprotein (GP) Ib. Furthermore, Cotl1 ^-/-platelets exhibited increased deformability at high shear rates, indicating that the GPIb defect may be linked to altered biomechanical properties of the deficient cells. In addition, we found that Cotl1 deficiency markedly affected platelet LT biosynthesis. Strikingly, exogenous LT addition restored defective aggregate formation of Cotl1^-/- platelets at high shear in vitro, indicating a critical role of platelet-derived LT in thrombus formation. In vivo, Cotl1 deficiency translated into prolonged tail bleeding times and protection from occlusive arterial thrombus formation. Together, our results show that Cotl1 in platelets is an integrator of biomechanical and LT signaling in hemostasis and thrombosis.

Do lipoxygenases occur in viruses?: Expression and characterization of a viral lipoxygenase-like protein did not provide evidence for the existence of functional viral lipoxygenases

Lipoxygenases are lipid peroxidizing enzymes, which frequently occur in higher plants and animals. In bacteria, these enzymes are rare and have been introduced via horizontal gene transfer. Since viruses function as horizontal gene transfer vectors and since lipoxygenases may be helpful for releasing assembled virus particles from host cells we explored whether these enzymes may actually occur in viruses. For this purpose we developed a four-step in silico screening strategy and searching the publically available viral genomes for lipoxygenase-like sequences we detected a single functional gene in the genome of a mimivirus infecting Acantamoeba polyphaga. The primary structure of this protein involved two putative metal ligand clusters but the recombinant enzyme did neither contain iron nor manganese. Most importantly, it did not exhibit lipoxygenase activity. These data suggests that this viral lipoxygenase-like sequence does not encode a functional lipoxygenase and that these enzymes do not occur in viruses.

Stabilization and improved activity of arachidonate 11S-lipoxygenase from proteobacterium Myxococcus xanthus

Lipoxygenases (LOXs) catalyze the dioxygenation of PUFAs to produce regio- and stereospecific oxygenated fatty acids. The identification of regio- and stereospecific LOXs is important because their specific products are involved in different physiological activities in various organisms. Bacterial LOXs are found only in some proteobacteria and cyanobacteria, and they are not stable in vitro. Here, we used C20 and C22 PUFAs such as arachidonic acid (ARA), eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid to identify an 11S-specific LOX from the proteobacterium Myxococcus xanthus and explore its in vitro stability and activity. The activity and stability of M. xanthus ARA 11S-LOX as well as the production of 11S-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid from ARA were significantly increased by the addition of phosphatidylcholine, Ca²⁺, and coactosin-like protein (newly identified in the yeast Rhodosporidium toluroides) as stimulatory factors; in fact, LOX activity in the presence of all three factors increased approximately 3-fold. Our results indicate that these stimulatory factors can be used to increase the activity and stability of bacterial LOX and the production of bioactive hydroxy fatty acids, which can contribute to new academic research.

Quantitative proteomics of acutely-isolated mouse microglia identifies novel immune Alzheimer's disease-related proteins

BACKGROUND

Microglia are innate immune cells of the brain that perform phagocytic and inflammatory functions in disease conditions. Transcriptomic studies of acutely-isolated microglia have provided novel insights into their molecular and functional diversity in homeostatic and neurodegenerative disease states. State-of-the-art mass spectrometry methods can comprehensively characterize proteomic alterations in microglia in neurodegenerative disorders, potentially providing novel functionally relevant molecular insights that are not provided by transcriptomics. However, comprehensive proteomic profiling of adult primary microglia in neurodegenerative disease conditions has not been performed.

METHODS

We performed quantitative mass spectrometry based proteomic analyses of purified CD11b⁺ acutely-isolated microglia from adult (6 mo) mice in normal, acute neuroinflammatory (LPS-treatment) and chronic neurodegenerative states (5xFAD model of Alzheimer's disease [AD]). Differential expression analyses were performed to characterize specific microglial proteomic changes in 5xFAD mice and identify overlap with LPS-induced pro-inflammatory changes. Our results were also contrasted with existing proteomic data from wild-type mouse microglia and from existing microglial transcriptomic data from wild-type and 5xFAD mice. Neuropathological validation studies of select proteins were performed in human AD and 5xFAD brains.

RESULTS

Of 4133 proteins identified, 187 microglial proteins were differentially expressed in the 5xFAD mouse model of AD pathology, including proteins with previously known (Apoe, Clu and Htra1) as well as previously unreported relevance to AD biology (Cotl1 and Hexb). Proteins upregulated in 5xFAD microglia shared significant overlap with pro-inflammatory changes observed in LPS-treated mice. Several proteins increased in human AD brain were also upregulated by 5xFAD microglia (Aβ peptide, Apoe, Htra1, Cotl1 and Clu). Cotl1 was identified as a novel microglia-specific marker with increased expression and strong association with AD neuropathology. Apoe protein was also detected within plaque-associated microglia in which Apoe and Aβ were highly co-localized, suggesting a role for Apoe in phagocytic clearance of Aβ.

CONCLUSIONS

We report a comprehensive proteomic study of adult mouse microglia derived from acute neuroinflammation and AD models, representing a valuable resource to the neuroscience research community. We highlight shared and unique microglial proteomic changes in acute neuroinflammation aging and AD mouse models and identify novel roles for microglial proteins in human neurodegeneration.

Hydrogen-deuterium exchange reveals long-range dynamical allostery in soybean lipoxygenase

In lipoxygenases, the topologically conserved C-terminal domain catalyzes the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, generating an assortment of biologically relevant signaling mediators. Plant and animal lipoxygenases also contain a 100-150-amino acid N-terminal C2-like domain that has been implicated in interactions with isolated fatty acids and at the phospholipid bilayer. These interactions may lead to increased substrate availability and contribute to the regulation of active-site catalysis. Because of a lack of structural information, a molecular understanding of this lipid-protein interaction remains unresolved. Herein, we employed hydrogen-deuterium exchange MS (HDXMS) to spatially resolve changes in protein conformation upon interaction of soybean lipoxygenase with a fatty acid surrogate, oleyl sulfate (OS), previously shown to act at a site separate from the substrate-binding site. Specific, OS-induced conformational changes are detected both at the N-terminal domain and within the substrate portal nearly 30 Å away. Combining previously measured kinetic properties in the presence of OS with its impact on the Kd for linoleic acid substrate binding, we conclude that OS binding brings about an increase in rate constants for both the ingress and egress of substrate. We discuss the role of OS-induced changes in protein flexibility in the context of changes in the mechanism of substrate acquisition.

Compartment-resolved Proteomic Analysis of Mouse Aorta during Atherosclerotic Plaque Formation Reveals Osteoclast-specific Protein Expression

Atherosclerosis leads to vascular lesions that involve major rearrangements of the vascular proteome, especially of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Using single aortas from ApoE knock out mice, we quantified formation of plaques by single-run, high-resolution mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics. To probe localization on a proteome-wide scale we employed quantitative detergent solubility profiling. This compartment- and time-resolved resource of atherogenesis comprised 5117 proteins, 182 of which changed their expression status in response to vessel maturation and atherosclerotic plaque development. In the insoluble ECM proteome, 65 proteins significantly changed, including relevant collagens, matrix metalloproteinases and macrophage derived proteins. Among novel factors in atherosclerosis, we identified matrilin-2, the collagen IV crosslinking enzyme peroxidasin as well as the poorly characterized MAM-domain containing 2 (Mamdc2) protein as being up-regulated in the ECM during atherogenesis. Intriguingly, three subunits of the osteoclast specific V-ATPase complex were strongly increased in mature plaques with an enrichment in macrophages thus implying an active de-mineralization function.

Experimental Neuromyelitis Optica Induces a Type I Interferon Signature in the Spinal Cord

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an acute inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) which predominantly affects spinal cord and optic nerves. Most patients harbor pathogenic autoantibodies, the so-called NMO-IgGs, which are directed against the water channel aquaporin 4 (AQP4) on astrocytes. When these antibodies gain access to the CNS, they mediate astrocyte destruction by complement-dependent and by antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. In contrast to multiple sclerosis (MS) patients who benefit from therapies involving type I interferons (I-IFN), NMO patients typically do not profit from such treatments. How is I-IFN involved in NMO pathogenesis? To address this question, we made gene expression profiles of spinal cords from Lewis rat models of experimental neuromyelitis optica (ENMO) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We found an upregulation of I-IFN signature genes in EAE spinal cords, and a further upregulation of these genes in ENMO. To learn whether the local I-IFN signature is harmful or beneficial, we induced ENMO by transfer of CNS antigen-specific T cells and NMO-IgG, and treated the animals with I-IFN at the very onset of clinical symptoms, when the blood-brain barrier was open. With this treatment regimen, we could amplify possible effects of the I-IFN induced genes on the transmigration of infiltrating cells through the blood brain barrier, and on lesion formation and expansion, but could avoid effects of I-IFN on the differentiation of pathogenic T and B cells in the lymph nodes. We observed that I-IFN treated ENMO rats had spinal cord lesions with fewer T cells, macrophages/activated microglia and activated neutrophils, and less astrocyte damage than their vehicle treated counterparts, suggesting beneficial effects of I-IFN.

The Intracellular Localisation and Phosphorylation Profile of the Human 5-Lipoxygenase Δ13 Isoform Differs from That of Its Full Length Counterpart

5-Lipoxygenase (5-LO) catalyzes leukotriene (LT) biosynthesis by a mechanism that involves interactions with 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (FLAP) and coactosin-like protein (CLP). 5-LO splice variants were recently identified in human myeloid and lymphoid cells, including the catalytically inactive ∆13 isoform (5-LO∆13) whose transcript lacks exon 13. 5-LO∆13 inhibits 5-LO product biosynthesis when co-expressed with active full length 5-LO (5-LO1). The objective of this study was to investigate potential mechanisms by which 5-LO∆13 interferes with 5-LO product biosynthesis in transfected HEK293 cells. When co-expressed with 5-LO1, 5-LO∆13 inhibited LT but not 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) biosynthesis. This inhibition was independent of 5-LO∆13—FLAP interactions since it occurred in cells expressing FLAP or not. In cell-free assays CLP enhances 5-LO activity through interactions with tryptophan-102 of 5-LO. In the current study, the requirement for W102 was extended to whole cells, as cells expressing the 5-LO1-W102A mutant produced little 5-LO products. W102A mutants of 5-LO∆13 inhibited 5-LO product biosynthesis as effectively as 5-LO∆13 suggesting that inhibition is independent of interactions with CLP. Confocal microscopy showed that 5-LO1 was primarily in the nucleoplasm whereas W102A mutants showed a diffuse cellular expression. Despite the retention of known nuclear localisation sequences, 5-LO∆13 was cytosolic and concentrated in ER-rich perinuclear regions where its effect on LT biosynthesis may occur. W102A mutants of 5-LO∆13 showed the same pattern. Consistent with subcellular distribution patterns, 5-LO∆13 was hyper-phosphorylated on S523 and S273 compared to 5-LO1. Together, these results reveal a role for W102 in nuclear targeting of 5-LO1 suggesting that interactions with CLP are required for nuclear localization of 5-LO1, and are an initial characterisation of the 5-LO∆13 isoform whose inhibition of LT biosynthesis appears independent of interactions with CLP and FLAP. Better knowledge of the regulation and properties of alternative 5-LO isoforms will contribute to understanding the complex regulation of LT biosynthesis.

Evolutionary aspects of lipoxygenases and genetic diversity of human leukotriene signaling

Leukotrienes are pro-inflammatory lipid mediators, which are biosynthesized via the lipoxygenase pathway of the arachidonic acid cascade. Lipoxygenases form a family of lipid peroxidizing enzymes and human lipoxygenase isoforms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory, hyperproliferative (cancer) and neurodegenerative diseases. Lipoxygenases are not restricted to humans but also occur in a large number of pro- and eucaryotic organisms. Lipoxygenase-like sequences have been identified in the three domains of life (bacteria, archaea, eucarya) but because of lacking functional data the occurrence of catalytically active lipoxygenases in archaea still remains an open question. Although the physiological and/or pathophysiological functions of various lipoxygenase isoforms have been studied throughout the last three decades there is no unifying concept for the biological importance of these enzymes. In this review we are summarizing the current knowledge on the distribution of lipoxygenases in living single and multicellular organisms with particular emphasis to higher vertebrates and will also focus on the genetic diversity of enzymes and receptors involved in human leukotriene signaling.

5-Lipoxygenase, a key enzyme for leukotriene biosynthesis in health and disease

5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX) catalyzes two steps in the biosynthesis of leukotrienes (LTs), lipid mediators of inflammation derived from arachidonic acid. In this review we focus on 5-LOX biochemistry including 5-LOX interacting proteins and regulation of enzyme activity. LTs function in normal host defense, and have roles in many disease states where acute or chronic inflammation is part of the pathophysiology, as briefly summarized at the end of this chapter. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Oxygenated metabolism of PUFA: analysis and biological relevance".

Roles of coactosin-like protein (CLP) and 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP) in cellular leukotriene biosynthesis

5-Lipoxygenase (5LO) is a key enzyme in leukotriene (LT) biosynthesis. Two accessory proteins, coactosin-like protein (CLP) and 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP), can support 5LO activity. To study the roles of CLP and FLAP, we knocked down these proteins in the human monocytic cell line Mono Mac 6 (MM6). Expression of CLP increased MM6 cellular 5LO activity for all stimuli tested. CLP is not absolutely crucial, however; some 5LO activity remained in all incubations of CLP knockdown cells. FLAP knockdown had minor effects in the presence of exogenous arachidonic acid, but led to prominent reductions in 5LO product formation from endogenous substrate. Similar effects were observed after CLP and FLAP knockdown in human primary macrophages as well. In addition, FLAP knockdown reduced conversion of leukotriene A4 to leukotriene C4 (LTC4), suggesting a role for the activity of LTC4 synthase. After stimulation of MM6 cells by phorbol myristate acetate and ionophore A23187, a perinuclear ring pattern was observed for 5LO. This redistribution from cytosolic to perinuclear was clearly compromised in both CLP- and FLAP-deficient cells. In addition, association of CLP with the nucleus was almost absent after 5LO knockdown, and was clearly reduced in FLAP knockdown cells. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments indicated that 5LO-CLP complex formation in MM6 cells was increased by stimulation with ionophore, and that this complex was formed to the same extent in FLAP knockdown cells. A possible interpretation of our findings is that on cell stimulation, formation of the 5LO-CLP complex augments the translocation from cytosol to nucleus, whereas FLAP stabilizes association of this complex with the perinuclear membrane.

ATP allosterically activates the human 5-lipoxygenase molecular mechanism of arachidonic acid and 5(S)-hydroperoxy-6(E),8(Z),11(Z),14(Z)-eicosatetraenoic acid

5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX) reacts with arachidonic acid (AA) to first generate 5(S)-hydroperoxy-6(E),8(Z),11(Z),14(Z)-eicosatetraenoic acid [5(S)-HpETE] and then an epoxide from 5(S)-HpETE to form leukotriene A₄, from a single polyunsaturated fatty acid. This work investigates the kinetic mechanism of these two processes and the role of ATP in their activation. Specifically, it was determined that epoxidation of 5(S)-HpETE (dehydration of the hydroperoxide) has a rate of substrate capture (V_max/K_m) significantly lower than that of AA hydroperoxidation (oxidation of AA to form the hydroperoxide); however, hyperbolic kinetic parameters for ATP activation indicate a similar activation for AA and 5(S)-HpETE. Solvent isotope effect results for both hydroperoxidation and epoxidation indicate that a specific step in its molecular mechanism is changed, possibly because of a lowering of the dependence of the rate-limiting step on hydrogen atom abstraction and an increase in the dependency on hydrogen bond rearrangement. Therefore, changes in ATP concentration in the cell could affect the production of 5-LOX products, such as leukotrienes and lipoxins, and thus have wide implications for the regulation of cellular inflammation.

A mutation interfering with 5-lipoxygenase domain interaction leads to increased enzyme activity

5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX) catalyzes two steps in conversion of arachidonic acid to proinflammatory leukotrienes. Lipoxygenases, including human 5-LOX, consist of an N-terminal C2-like β-sandwich and a catalytic domain. We expressed the 5-LOX domains separately, these were found to interact in the yeast two-hybrid system. The 5-LOX structure suggested association between Arg(101) in the β-sandwich and Asp(166) in the catalytic domain, due to electrostatic interaction as well as hydrogen bonds. Indeed, mutagenic replacements of these residues led to loss of two-hybrid interaction. Interestingly, when Arg(101) was mutated to Asp in intact 5-LOX, enzyme activity was increased. Thus, higher initial velocity of the reaction (vinit) and increased final amount of products were monitored for 5-LOX-R101D, at several different assay conditions. In the 5-LOX crystal structure, helix α2 and adjacent loops (including Asp(166)) of the 5-LOX catalytic domain has been proposed to form a flexible lid controlling access to the active site, and lid movement would be determined by bonding of lid residues to the C2-like β-sandwich. The more efficient catalysis following disruption of the R101-D166 ionic association supports the concept of such a flexible lid in human 5-LOX.

DOT2: Macromolecular docking with improved biophysical models

Computational docking is a useful tool for predicting macromolecular complexes, which are often difficult to determine experimentally. Here, we present the DOT2 software suite, an updated version of the DOT intermolecular docking program. DOT2 provides straightforward, automated construction of improved biophysical models based on molecular coordinates, offering checkpoints that guide the user to include critical features. DOT has been updated to run more quickly, allow flexibility in grid size and spacing, and generate an infinitive complete list of favorable candidate configurations. Output can be filtered by experimental data and rescored by the sum of electrostatic and atomic desolvation energies. We show that this rescoring method improves the ranking of correct complexes for a wide range of macromolecular interactions and demonstrate that biologically relevant models are essential for biologically relevant results. The flexibility and versatility of DOT2 accommodate realistic models of complex biological systems, improving the likelihood of a successful docking outcome.

Sex differences in the response of the alveolar macrophage proteome to treatment with exogenous surfactant protein-A

Background

Male wild type (WT) C57BL/6 mice are less capable of clearing bacteria and surviving from bacterial pneumonia than females. However, if an oxidative stress (acute ozone exposure) occurs before infection, the advantage shifts to males who then survive at higher rates than females. We have previously demonstrated that survival in surfactant protein-A (SP-A) knockout (KO) mice compared to WT was significantly reduced. Because the alveolar macrophage (AM) is pivotal in host defense we hypothesized that SP-A and circulating sex hormones are responsible for these sex differences. We used 2D-DIGE to examine the relationship of sex and SP-A on the AM proteome. The role of SP-A was investigated by treating SP-A KO mice with exogenous SP-A for 6 and 18 hr and studying its effects on the AM proteome.

Results

We found: 1) less variance between KO males and females than between the WT counterparts by principal component analysis, indicating that SP-A plays a role in sex differences; 2) fewer changes in females when the total numbers of significantly changing protein spots or identified whole proteins in WT or 18 hr SP-A-treated males or females were compared to their respective KO groups; 3) more proteins with functions related to chaperones or protease balance and Nrf2-regulated proteins changed in response to SP-A in females than in males; and 4) the overall pattern of SP-A induced changes in actin-related proteins were similar in both sexes, although males had more significant changes.

Conclusions

Although there seems to be an interaction between sex and the effect of SP-A, it is unclear what the responsible mechanisms are. However, we found that several of the proteins that were expressed at significantly higher levels in females than in males in WT and/or in KO mice are known to interact with the estrogen receptor and may thus play a role in the SP-A/sex interaction. These include major vault protein, chaperonin subunit 2 (beta) (CCT2), and Rho GDP alpha dissociation inhibitor. We conclude that sex differences exist in the proteome of AM derived from male and female mice and that SP-A contributes to these sex differences.

Structure of a calcium-dependent 11R-lipoxygenase suggests a mechanism for Ca2+ regulation

Lipoxygenases (LOXs) are a key part of several signaling pathways that lead to inflammation and cancer. Yet, the mechanisms of substrate binding and allosteric regulation by the various LOX isoforms remain speculative. Here we report the 2.47-Å resolution crystal structure of the arachidonate 11R-LOX from Gersemia fruticosa, which sheds new light on the mechanism of LOX catalysis. Our crystallographic and mutational studies suggest that the aliphatic tail of the fatty acid is bound in a hydrophobic pocket with two potential entrances. We speculate that LOXs share a common T-shaped substrate channel architecture that gives rise to the varying positional specificities. A general allosteric mechanism is proposed for transmitting the activity-inducing effect of calcium binding from the membrane-targeting PLAT (polycystin-1/lipoxygenase/α-toxin) domain to the active site via a conserved π-cation bridge.

Role of basic science in the development of new medicines: examples from the eicosanoid field

The role of basic science in the development of health care has received more and more attention. In my own area of research involving the so-called eicosanoids, there are many examples of how studies of structure and function of small molecules, as well as proteins and genes, have led to new therapeutic agents for treatment of a variety of diseases. In most of the cases, the discoveries have resulted in the recognition of novel therapeutic targets amenable to modulation by small molecules. However, there are also examples in which the molecular mechanisms of actions of drugs, discovered by phenotypic screening, have been elucidated. The majority of the examples in this article consist of approved drugs; however, in some cases, ongoing developments of potential therapeutics are cited.

In vivo rescue of alveolar macrophages from SP-A knockout mice with exogenous SP-A nearly restores a wild type intracellular proteome; actin involvement

BACKGROUND

Mice lacking surfactant protein-A (SP-A-/-; knockout; KO) exhibit increased vulnerability to infection and injury. Although many bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) protein differences between KO and wild-type (WT) are rapidly reversed in KO after infection, their clinical course is still compromised. We studied the impact of SP-A on the alveolar macrophage (AM) proteome under basal conditions. Male SP-A KO mice were SP-A-treated (5 micrograms/mouse) and sacrificed in 6 or 18 hr. The AM proteomes of KO, SP-A-treated KO, and WT mice were studied by 2D-DIGE coupled with MALDI-ToF/ToF and AM actin distribution was examined by phalloidon staining.

RESULTS

We observed: a) significant differences from KO in WT or exogenous SP-A-treated in 45 of 76 identified proteins (both increases and decreases). These included actin-related/cytoskeletal proteins (involved in motility, phagocytosis, endocytosis), proteins of intracellular signaling, cell differentiation/regulation, regulation of inflammation, protease/chaperone function, and proteins related to Nrf2-mediated oxidative stress response pathway; b) SP-A-induced changes causing the AM proteome of the KO to resemble that of WT; and c) that SP-A treatment altered cell size and F-actin distribution.

CONCLUSIONS

These differences are likely to enhance AM function. The observations show for the first time that acute in vivo SP-A treatment of KO mice, under basal or unstimulated conditions, affects the expression of multiple AM proteins, alters F-actin distribution, and can restore much of the WT phenotype. We postulate that the SP-A-mediated expression profile of the AM places it in a state of "readiness" to successfully conduct its innate immune functions and ensure lung health.

Testosterone suppresses phospholipase D, causing sex differences in leukotriene biosynthesis in human monocytes

Sex disparities in inflammation have been reported, but the cellular and molecular basis for these discrepancies is unknown. Monocytes are central effector cells in immunity and possess high capacities to produce proinflammatory leukotrienes (LTs). Here, we investigated sex differences in the activation of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), the key enzyme in LT biosynthesis, in human peripheral monocytes. In cells from females, 5-LO product formation was 1.8-fold higher than in cells from males, as evaluated by HPLC. When female monocytes were resuspended in plasma from males, 5-LO products were significantly lower than in female plasma. Interestingly, 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT, 10 nM) repressed LT synthesis in female cells down to the levels observed in males, while estradiol (100 nM) was without effect, and progesterone (100 nM) caused only a slight inhibition. 5α-DHT (10 nM) caused ERK phosphorylation and inhibition of phospholipase D (PLD), as evaluated by Western blot and measurement of PLD activity via radioenzymatic diacylglyceride (DAG) and nonradioactive choline assays. Accordingly, PLD activity and DAG formation were 1.4- to 1.8-fold lower in male vs. female monocytes connected to increased ERK phosphorylation. Our data indicate that ERK activation by androgens in monocytes represses PLD activity, resulting in impaired 5-LO product formation due to lack of activating DAGs.

Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 and 5-lipoxygenase: potential drug targets in cancer

There is strong evidence for a role of prostaglandin (PG)E(2) in cancer cell proliferation and tumour development. In PGE(2) biosynthesis, cyclooxygenases (COX-1/2) convert arachidonic acid to PGH(2), which can be isomerized to PGE(2) by PGE synthases, including microsomal PGE synthase-1 (MPGES-1). Data describing genetic deletions of MPGES-1 are reviewed. The results suggest that MPGES-1 is an alternative therapeutic target for cancer cells and tumours that express this enzyme. Several compounds that target COX-2 or MPGES-1 also inhibit 5-lipoxygenase. This may be advantageous for treatment of some forms of cancer.

Regulation of the activity of 5-lipoxygenase, a key enzyme in leukotriene biosynthesis

5-Lipoxygenase (5LO) catalyzes two steps in the biosynthesis of leukotrienes (LTs), lipid mediators of inflammation derived from arachidonic acid. LTs function in normal host defense, and have pathophysiological roles in chronic inflammatory diseases as asthma and atherosclerosis. Also, possible effects of 5LO products in relation to tumorigenesis have been described. Thus, insight regarding the biochemistry of 5LO is relevant for better understanding of normal physiology, and for development of therapy.