Crystal structure of a multifunctional 2-Cys peroxiredoxin heme-binding protein 23 kDa/proliferation-associated gene product

Unveiling the versatility of the thioredoxin framework: Insights from the structural examination of Francisella tularensis DsbA1

In bacteria the formation of disulphide bonds is facilitated by a family of enzymes known as the disulphide bond forming (Dsb) proteins, which, despite low sequence homology, belong to the thioredoxin (TRX) superfamily. Among these enzymes is the disulphide bond-forming protein A (DsbA); a periplasmic thiol oxidase responsible for catalysing the oxidative folding of numerous cell envelope and secreted proteins. Pathogenic bacteria often contain diverse Dsb proteins with distinct functionalities commonly associated with pathogenesis. Here we investigate FtDsbA1, a DsbA homologue from the Gram-negative bacterium Francisella tularensis. Our study shows that FtDsbA1 shares a conserved TRX-like fold bridged by an alpha helical bundle showcased by all DsbA-like proteins. However, FtDsbA1 displays a highly unique variation on this structure, containing an extended and flexible N-terminus and secondary structural elements inserted within the core of the TRX fold itself, which together twist the overall DsbA-like architecture. Additionally, FtDsbA1 exhibits variations to the well conserved active site with an unusual dipeptide in the catalytic CXXC redox centre (CGKC), and a trans configuration for the conserved cis-proline loop, known for governing DsbA-substrate interactions. FtDsbA1's redox properties are comparable to other DsbA enzymes, however, consistent with its atypical structure, functional analysis reveals FtDsbA1 has a high degree of substrate specificity suggesting a specialised role within F. tularensis' oxidative folding pathway. Overall, this work underscores the remarkable malleability of the TRX catalytic core, a ubiquitous and ancestral protein fold. This not only contributes to broadening the structural and functional diversity seen within proteins utilising this core fold but will also enhance the accuracy of AI-driven protein structural prediction tools.

Unraveling the Peroxidase Activity in Peroxiredoxins: A Comprehensive Review of Mechanisms, Functions, and Biological Significance

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are members of the antioxidant enzymes necessary for every living object in the three domains of life and play critical roles in controlling peroxide levels in cells. This comprehensive literature review aims to elucidate the peroxidase activity of Prxs, examining their roles and significance for organisms across various taxa. Ironically, the primary role of the Prxs is the peroxidase activity, which comprises the reduction of hydrogen peroxide and other organic hydroperoxides and decreases the risk of oxidative damage in the cells. The above enzymatic activity occurs through the reversible oxidation-reduction catalyzed by cysteine residues in the active site by forming sulfenic acid and reduction by intracellular reductants. Structurally and functionally, Prxs function as dimers or decamers and show different catalytic patterns according to their subfamilies or cellular compartments. Compared to the mechanisms of the other two subgroups of Prxs, including 2-Cys Prxs and atypical Prxs, the 1-Cys Prxs have monomer-dimer switch folding coupled with catalytic activity. In addition to their peroxidase activity, which is widely known, Prxs are becoming acknowledged to be involved in other signaling processes, including redox signaling and apoptosis. This aversion to oxidative stress and regulation by the cellular redox state places them at the heart of adaptive cellular responses to changes in the environment or manifestations of diseases. In conclusion, based on the data obtained and on furthering the knowledge of Prxs' structure and function, these enzymes may be classified as a diverse yet essential family of proteins that can effectively protect cells from the adverse effects of oxidative stress due to peroxidase activity. This indicates secondary interactions, summarized as peroxide detoxification or regulatory signaling, and identifies their applicability in multiple biological pathways. Such knowledge is valuable for enhancing the general comprehension of essential cellular functions and disclosing further therapeutic approaches to the diseases caused by the increased production of reactive oxygen species.

DDAH1 recruits peroxiredoxin 1 and sulfiredoxin 1 to preserve its activity and regulate intracellular redox homeostasis

Growing evidence suggests that dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 1 (DDAH1), a crucial enzyme for the degradation of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), is closely related to oxidative stress during the development of multiple diseases. However, the underlying mechanism by which DDAH1 regulates the intracellular redox state remains unclear. In the present study, DDAH1 was shown to interact with peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1) and sulfiredoxin 1 (SRXN1), and these interactions could be enhanced by oxidative stress. In HepG2 cells, H2O2-induced downregulation of DDAH1 and accumulation of ADMA were attenuated by overexpression of PRDX1 or SRXN1 but exacerbated by knockdown of PRDX1 or SRXN1. On the other hand, DDAH1 also maintained the expression of PRDX1 and SRXN1 in H2O2-treated cells. Furthermore, global knockout of Ddah1 (Ddah1-/-) or liver-specific knockout of Ddah1 (Ddah1HKO) exacerbated, while overexpression of DDAH1 alleviated liver dysfunction, hepatic oxidative stress and downregulation of PRDX1 and SRXN1 in CCl4-treated mice. Overexpression of liver PRDX1 improved liver function, attenuated hepatic oxidative stress and DDAH1 downregulation, and diminished the differences between wild type and Ddah1-/- mice after CCl4 treatment. Collectively, our results suggest that the regulatory effect of DDAH1 on cellular redox homeostasis under stress conditions is due, at least in part, to the interaction with PRDX1 and SRXN1.

Co-administration of angiotensin II and simvastatin triggers kidney injury upon heme oxygenase-1 deficiency

Kidneys are pivotal organ in iron redistribution and can be severely damaged in the course of hemolysis. In our previous studies, we observed that induction of hypertension with angiotensin II (Ang II) combined with simvastatin administration results in a high mortality rate or the appearance of signs of kidney failure in heme oxygenase-1 knockout (HO-1 KO) mice. Here, we aimed to address the mechanisms underlying this effect, focusing on heme and iron metabolism. We show that HO-1 deficiency leads to iron accumulation in the renal cortex. Higher mortality of Ang II and simvastatin-treated HO-1 KO mice coincides with increased iron accumulation and the upregulation of mucin-1 in the proximal convoluted tubules. In vitro studies showed that mucin-1 hampers heme- and iron-related oxidative stress through the sialic acid residues. In parallel, knock-down of HO-1 induces the glutathione pathway in an NRF2-depedent manner, which likely protects against heme-induced toxicity. To sum up, we showed that heme degradation during heme overload is not solely dependent on HO-1 enzymatic activity, but can be modulated by the glutathione pathway. We also identified mucin-1 as a novel redox regulator. The results suggest that hypertensive patients with less active HMOX1 alleles may be at higher risk of kidney injury after statin treatment.

In silico insights into the dimer structure and deiodinase activity of type III iodothyronine deiodinase from bioinformatics, molecular dynamics simulations, and QM/MM calculations

The homodimeric family of iodothyronine deiodinases (Dios) regioselectively remove iodine from thyroid hormones. Currently, structural data has only been reported for the monomer of the mus type III thioredoxin (Trx) fold catalytic domain (Dio3Trx), but the mode of dimerization has not yet been determined. Various groups have proposed dimer structures that are similar to the A-type and B-type dimerization modes of peroxiredoxins. Computational methods are used to compare the sequence of Dio3Trx to related proteins known to form A-type and B-type dimers. Sequence analysis and in silico protein-protein docking methods suggest that Dio3Trx is more consistent with proteins that adopt B-type dimerization. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the refined Dio3Trx dimer constructed using the SymmDock and GalaxyRefineComplex databases indicate stable dimer formation along the β4α3 interface consistent with other Trx fold B-type dimers. Free energy calculations show that the dimer is stabilized by interdimer interactions between the β-sheets and α-helices. A comparison of MD simulations of the apo and thyroxine-bound dimers suggests that the active site binding pocket is not affected by dimerization. Determination of the transition state for deiodination of thyroxine from the monomer structure using QM/MM methods provides an activation barrier consistent with previous small model DFT studies.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

The role of peroxiredoxins PrxA and PrxB in the antioxidant response, carbon utilization and development in Aspergillus nidulans

In addition to their role in the breakdown of H2O2, some peroxiredoxins (Prxs) have chaperone and H2O2 sensing functions. Acting as an H2O2 sensor, Prx Gpx3 transfers the oxidant signal to the transcription factor Yap1, involved in the antioxidant response in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We have shown that Aspergillus nidulans Yap1 ortholog NapA is necessary for the antioxidant response, the utilization of arabinose, fructose and ethanol, and for proper development. To address the Prx roles in these processes, we generated and characterized mutants lacking peroxiredoxins PrxA, PrxB, PrxC, or TpxC. Our results show that the elimination of peroxiredoxins PrxC or TpxC does not produce any distinguishable phenotype. In contrast, the elimination of atypical 2-cysteine peroxiredoxins PrxA and PrxB produce different mutant phenotypes. ΔprxA, ΔnapA and ΔprxA ΔnapA mutants are equally sensitive to H2O2 and menadione, while PrxB is dispensable for this. However, the sensitivity of ΔprxA and ΔprxA ΔnapA mutants is increased by the lack of PrxB. Moreover, PrxB is required for arabinose and ethanol utilization and fruiting body cell wall pigmentation. PrxA expression is partially independent of NapA, and the replacement of peroxidatic cysteine 61 by serine (C61S) is enough to cause oxidative stress sensitivity and prevent NapA nuclear accumulation in response to H2O2, indicating its critical role in H2O2 sensing. Our results show that despite their high similarity, PrxA and PrxB play differential roles in Aspergillus nidulans antioxidant response, carbon utilization and development.

Conserved acidic second shell residue modulates the structure, stability and activity of non-seleno human peroxiredoxin 6

1-Cys peroxiredoxin6 (Prdx6) is unique and inducible bifunctional enzyme in the mammalian lungs and plays a role in the progression and inhibition of cancerous cells at different stages. The enzyme possesses two distinct active sites for phospholipase A2 and peroxidase activity. The conserved residues surrounding the peroxidase active site, also called as second shell residues are Glu50, Leu71, Ser72, His79 and Arg155. Since there is no study done about the active site stabilization of the transition state of Prdx6, there are a lot of questions unanswered regarding the Prdx6 peroxidase activity. In order to evaluate the role of second shell conserved residue Glu50, present in close vicinity to peroxidatic active site, we substituted this negatively charged residue with Alanine and Lysine. To explore the effect of mutation on the biophysical parameters, the mutant proteins were compared with Wild-Type by using biochemical, biophysical, and in silico methods. Comparative spectroscopic methods and enzyme activity demonstrate that the Glu50 plays a significant role in maintaining the structure, stability, and function of protein. From the results we conclude that Glu50 significantly controls the structure; stability and may be involved in the active site stabilization of transition state for proper position of diverse peroxides.

p66Shc in Cardiovascular Pathology

p66Shc is a widely expressed protein that governs a variety of cardiovascular pathologies by generating, and exacerbating, pro-apoptotic ROS signals. Here, we review p66Shc’s connections to reactive oxygen species, expression, localization, and discuss p66Shc signaling and mitochondrial functions. Emphasis is placed on recent p66Shc mitochondrial function discoveries including structure/function relationships, ROS identity and regulation, mechanistic insights, and how p66Shc-cyt c interactions can influence p66Shc mitochondrial function. Based on recent findings, a new p66Shc mitochondrial function model is also put forth wherein p66Shc acts as a rheostat that can promote or antagonize apoptosis. A discussion of how the revised p66Shc model fits previous findings in p66Shc-mediated cardiovascular pathology follows.

Role of the Redox State of Human Peroxiredoxin-5 on Its TLR4-Activating DAMP Function

Human peroxiredoxin-5 (PRDX5) is a unique redox-sensitive protein that plays a dual role in brain ischemia-reperfusion injury. While intracellular PRDX5 has been reported to act as a neuroprotective antioxidative enzyme by scavenging peroxides, once released extracellularly from necrotic brain cells, the protein aggravates neural cell death by inducing expression of proinflammatory cytokines in macrophages through activation of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 (TLR2) and 4 (TLR4). Although recent evidence showed that PRDX5 was able to interact directly with TLR4, little is known regarding the role of the cysteine redox state of PRDX5 on its DAMP function. To gain insights into the role of PRDX5 redox-active cysteine residues in the TLR4-dependent proinflammatory activity of the protein, we used a recombinant human PRDX5 in the disulfide (oxidized) form and a mutant version lacking the peroxidatic cysteine, as well as chemically reduced and hyperoxidized PRDX5 proteins. We first analyzed the oxidation state and oligomerization profile by Western blot, mass spectrometry, and SEC-MALS. Using ELISA, we demonstrate that the disulfide bridge between the enzymatic cysteines is required to allow improved TLR4-dependent IL-8 secretion. Moreover, single-molecule force spectroscopy experiments revealed that TLR4 alone is not sufficient to discriminate the different PRDX5 redox forms. Finally, flow cytometry binding assays show that disulfide PRDX5 has a higher propensity to bind to the surface of living TLR4-expressing cells than the mutant protein. Taken together, these results demonstrate the importance of the redox state of PRDX5 cysteine residues on TLR4-induced inflammation.

PRDX1 is essential for the viability and maintenance of reactive oxygen species in chicken DT40

Background

Peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1) is a member of a ubiquitous family of thiol peroxidases that catalyze the reduction of peroxides, including hydrogen peroxide. It functions as an antioxidant enzyme, similar to catalase and glutathione peroxidase. PRDX1 was recently shown act as a sensor of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and play a role in ROS-dependent intracellular signaling pathways. To investigate its physiological functions, PRDX1 was conditionally disrupted in chicken DT40 cells in the present study.

Results

The depletion of PRDX1 resulted in cell death with increased levels of intracellular ROS. PRDX1-depleted cells did not show the accumulation of chromosomal breaks or sister chromatid exchange (SCE). These results suggest that cell death in PRDX1-depleted cells was not due to DNA damage. 2-Mercaptoethanol protected against cell death in PRDX1-depleted cells and also suppressed elevations in ROS.

Conclusions

PRDX1 is essential in chicken DT40 cells and plays an important role in maintaining intracellular ROS homeostasis (or in the fine-tuning of cellular ROS levels). Cells deficient in PRDX1 may be used as an endogenously deregulated ROS model to elucidate the physiological roles of ROS in maintaining proper cell growth.

Biallelic loss-of-function variations in PRDX3 cause cerebellar ataxia

Peroxiredoxin 3 (PRDX3) belongs to a superfamily of peroxidases that function as protective antioxidant enzymes. Among the six isoforms (PRDX1-PRDX6), PRDX3 is the only protein exclusively localized to the mitochondria, which are the main source of reactive oxygen species. Excessive levels of reactive oxygen species are harmful to cells, inducing mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA damage, lipid and protein oxidation and ultimately apoptosis. Neuronal cell damage induced by oxidative stress has been associated with numerous neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Leveraging the large aggregation of genomic ataxia datasets from the PREPARE (Preparing for Therapies in Autosomal Recessive Ataxias) network, we identified recessive mutations in PRDX3 as the genetic cause of cerebellar ataxia in five unrelated families, providing further evidence for oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration. The clinical presentation of individuals with PRDX3 mutations consists of mild-to-moderate progressive cerebellar ataxia with concomitant hyper- and hypokinetic movement disorders, severe early-onset cerebellar atrophy, and in part olivary and brainstem degeneration. Patient fibroblasts showed a lack of PRDX3 protein, resulting in decreased glutathione peroxidase activity and decreased mitochondrial maximal respiratory capacity. Moreover, PRDX3 knockdown in cerebellar medulloblastoma cells resulted in significantly decreased cell viability, increased H2O2 levels and increased susceptibility to apoptosis triggered by reactive oxygen species. Pan-neuronal and pan-glial in vivo models of Drosophila revealed aberrant locomotor phenotypes and reduced survival times upon exposure to oxidative stress. Our findings reveal a central role for mitochondria and the implication of oxidative stress in PRDX3 disease pathogenesis and cerebellar vulnerability and suggest targets for future therapeutic approaches.

Cullin-5 neddylation-mediated NOXA degradation is enhanced by PRDX1 oligomers in colorectal cancer

NOXA, a BH3-only proapoptotic protein involved in regulating cell death decisions, is highly expressed but short-lived in colorectal cancer (CRC). Neddylated cullin-5 (CUL5)-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of NOXA is crucial to prevent its overaccumulation and maintain an appropriate action time. However, how this process is manipulated by CRC cells commonly exposed to oxidative stress remain unknown. The peroxiredoxin PRDX1, a conceivable antioxidant overexpressed in CRC tissues, has been shown to inhibit apoptosis and TRAF6 ubiquitin-ligase activity. In this study, we found that PRDX1 inhibits CRC cell apoptosis by downregulating NOXA. Mechanistically, PRDX1 promotes NOXA ubiquitination and degradation, which completely depend on CUL5 neddylation. Further studies have demonstrated that PRDX1 oligomers bind with both the Nedd8-conjugating enzyme UBE2F and CUL5 and that this tricomplex is critical for CUL5 neddylation, since silencing PRDX1 or inhibiting PRDX1 oligomerization greatly dampens CUL5 neddylation and NOXA degradation. An increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) is not only a hallmark of cancer cells but also the leading driving force for PRDX1 oligomerization. As shown in our study, although ROS play a role in upregulating NOXA mRNA transcription, ROS scavenging in CRC cells by N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) can significantly reduce CUL5 neddylation and extend the NOXA protein half-life. Therefore, in CRC, PRDX1 plays a key role in maintaining intracellular homeostasis under conditions of high metabolic activity by reinforcing UBE2F-CUL5-mediated degradation of NOXA, which is also evidenced in the resistance of CRC cells to etoposide treatment. Based on these findings, targeting PRDX1 could be an effective strategy to overcome the resistance of CRC to DNA damage-inducing chemotherapeutics.

Redox Regulation of PTEN by Peroxiredoxins

Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is known as a tumor suppressor gene that is frequently mutated in numerous human cancers and inherited syndromes. PTEN functions as a negative regulator of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by dephosphorylating phosphatidylinositol (3, 4, 5)-trisphosphate (PIP3) to phosphatidylinositol (4, 5)-bisphosphate (PIP2), which leads to the inhibition of cell growth, proliferation, cell survival, and protein synthesis. PTEN contains a cysteine residue in the active site that can be oxidized by peroxides, forming an intramolecular disulfide bond between Cys¹²⁴ and Cys⁷¹. Redox regulation of PTEN by reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a crucial role in cellular signaling. Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are a superfamily of peroxidase that catalyzes reduction of peroxides and maintains redox homeostasis. Mammalian Prxs have 6 isoforms (I-VI) and can scavenge cellular peroxides. It has been demonstrated that Prx I can preserve and promote the tumor-suppressive function of PTEN by preventing oxidation of PTEN under benign oxidative stress via direct interaction. Also, Prx II-deficient cells increased PTEN oxidation and insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, Prx III has been shown to protect PTEN from oxidation induced by 15s-HpETE and 12s-HpETE, these are potent inflammatory and pro-oxidant mediators. Understanding the tight connection between PTEN and Prxs is important for providing novel therapies. Herein, we summarized recent studies focusing on the relationship of Prxs and the redox regulation of PTEN.

Transcriptional modifications and the cytoprotective, DNA protective, and wound healing effects of peroxiredoxin-1 from Sebastes schlegelii

Peroxiredoxins are a group of thiol-specific antioxidant proteins that take six isoforms in vertebrates and allow the innate immune system to sense and detoxify reactive oxygen species. In this study, we identified and characterized the perxiredoxin-1 (SsPrdx1) cDNA sequence from the rockfish, Sebastes schlegelii. In silico analysis revealed that SsPrdx1 contained a 594 bp long open reading frame (ORF) encoding a protein of 198 amino acids, with a predicted molecular weight and theoretical isoelectric point of 21.97 kDa and 6.30, respectively. The SsPrdx1 gene comprised six exons linked by five introns, while peroxiredoxin signature motifs were found in the highly conserved third, fourth, and fifth exons. Phylogenetic analysis and sequence alignment suggested that SsPrdx1 is evolutionarily conserved and that its most closely related counterpart is Salarias fasciatus. Recombinant SsPrdx1 (rSsPrdx1) displayed supercoiled DNA protection and insulin disulfide reduction activities in a concentration-dependent manner, while cells transiently transfected with pcDNA3.1 (+)/SsPrdx1 exhibited significant cytoprotective effects under oxidative stress and wound healing activity. SsPrdx1 transcripts were constitutively expressed under normal physiological conditions, with the highest expression observed in the blood. Moreover, SsPrdx1 expression increased in the blood, spleen, and liver following immune provocation by LPS, poly I:C, and Streptococcus iniae injection. Thus, this study provides insights into the role of SsPrdx1 in rockfish immune protection.

Hemeprotein Tpx1 interacts with cell-surface heme transporter Str3 in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Str3 is a transmembrane protein that mediates low-affinity heme uptake in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Under iron-limiting conditions, Str3 remains at the cell surface in the presence of increasing hemin concentrations. Using a proximity-dependent biotinylation approach coupled to mass spectrometry and coimmunoprecipitation assays, we report that the peroxiredoxin Tpx1 is a binding partner of Str3. Under microaerobic conditions, cells deficient in heme biosynthesis and lacking the heme receptor Shu1 exhibit poor hemin-dependent growth in the absence of Tpx1. Analysis of membrane protein preparations from iron-starved hem1Δ shu1Δ str3Δ tpx1Δ cells coexpressing Str3-GFP and TAP-Tpx1 showed that TAP-Tpx1 is enriched in membrane protein fractions in response to hemin. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays brought additional evidence that an interaction between Tpx1 and Str3 occurs at the plasma membrane. Results showed that Tpx1 exhibits an equilibrium constant value of 0.26 μM for hemin. The association of Tpx1 with hemin protects hemin from degradation by H₂ O₂ . The peroxidase activity of hemin is lowered when it is bound to Tpx1. Taken together, these results revealed that Tpx1 is a novel interacting partner of Str3. Our data are the first example of an interaction between a cytoplasmic heme-binding protein and a cell-surface heme transporter.

A Series of Ferulic Acid Amides Reveals Unexpected Peroxiredoxin 1 Inhibitory Activity with in vivo Antidiabetic and Hypolipidemic Effects

Insulin resistance is a major pathophysiological feature in the development of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Ferulic acid is known for attenuating the insulin resistance and reducing the blood glucose in T2DM rats. In this work, we designed and synthesized a library of new ferulic acid amides (FAA), which could be considered as ring opening derivatives of the antidiabetic PPARγ agonists Thiazolidinediones (TZDs). However, since these compounds displayed weak PPAR transactivation capacity, we employed a proteomics approach to unravel their molecular target(s) and identified the peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1) as a direct binding target of FAAs. Interestingly, PRDX1, a protein with antioxidant and chaperone activity, has been implied in the development of T2DM by inducing hepatic insulin resistance. SPR, mass spectrometry-based studies, docking experiments and in vitro inhibition assay confirmed that compounds VIe and VIf bound PRDX1 and induced a dose-dependent inhibition. Furthermore, VIe and VIf significantly improved hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA)-induced diabetic rats as confirmed by histopathological examinations. These results provide guidance for developing the current FAAs as new potential antidiabetic agents.

Differential oxidation processes of peroxiredoxin 2 dependent on the reaction with several peroxides in human red blood cells

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) detoxify hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), peroxynitrite, and various organic hydroperoxides. However, the differential oxidative status of Prxs reacted with each peroxide remains unclear. In the present study, we focused on the oxidative alteration of Prxs and demonstrated that, in human red blood cells (RBCs), peroxiredoxin 2 (Prx2) is readily reactive with H₂O₂, forming disulfide dimers, but was not easily hyperoxidized. In contrast, Prx2 was highly sensitive to the relatively hydrophobic oxidants, such as tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) and cumene hydroperoxide. These peroxides hyperoxidized Prx2 into oxidatively damaged forms in RBCs. The t-BHP treatment formed hyperoxidized Prx2 in a dose-dependent manner. When organic hydroperoxide-treated RBC lysates were subjected to reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography, two peaks derived from hyperoxidized Prx2 appeared along with the decrease of that corresponding to native Prx2. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis clearly showed that hyperoxidation to sulfonic acid (-SO₃H) at Cys-51 residue was more advanced in a newfound hyperoxidized Prx2 compared to another hydrophobic hyperoxidized form previously identified. These results indicate that irreversible hyperoxidation of the Prx2 monomer in RBCs was easily caused by organic hydroperoxide but not H₂O₂. Thus, it is important to detect the hyperoxidation of Prx2 into sulfinic or sulfonic acid derivates of Cys-51 because hyperoxidized Prx2 is a potential marker of oxidative injury caused by organic hydroperoxides in human RBCs.

A catalytic career: Studies spanning glutamine synthetase, phospholipase C, peroxiredoxin, and the intracellular messenger role of hydrogen peroxide

I learned biochemistry from P. Boon Chock and Earl Stadtman while working on the regulation of Escherichia coli glutamine synthetase as a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institutes of Health. After becoming a tenured scientist at the same institute, my group discovered, purified, and cloned the first three prototypical members of the phospholipase C family and uncovered the mechanisms by which various cell-surface receptors activate these enzymes to generate diacylglycerol and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. We also discovered the family of peroxiredoxin (Prx) enzymes that catalyze the reduction of H₂O₂, and we established that mammalian cells express six Prx isoforms that not only protect against oxidative damage but also mediate cell signaling by modulating intracellular H₂O₂ levels. To validate the signaling role of H₂O₂, we showed that epidermal growth factor induces a transient increase in intracellular H₂O₂ levels, and the essential cysteine residue of protein-tyrosine phosphatases is a target for specific and reversible oxidation by the H₂O₂ produced in such cells. These observations led to a new paradigm in receptor signaling, in which protein tyrosine phosphorylation is achieved not via activation of receptor tyrosine kinases alone but also through concurrent inhibition of protein-tyrosine phosphatases by H₂O₂ Our studies revealed that Prx isozymes are extensively regulated via phosphorylation as well as by hyperoxidation of the active-site cysteine to cysteine sulfinic acid, with the reverse reaction being catalyzed by sulfiredoxin. This reversible hyperoxidation of Prx was further shown to constitute a universal marker for circadian rhythms in all domains of life.

Tumor protein D52 (isoform 3) interacts with and promotes peroxidase activity of Peroxiredoxin 1 in prostate cancer cells implicated in cell growth and migration

Tumor protein D52 (TPD52) is overexpressed in multiple cancers including prostate cancer due to gene amplification and investigations to understand its role in the pathophysiology of different cancers are continuing. GST pull-down assays and Tandem affinity purification of TPD52 as bait identified novel prey Peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1) in prostate cancer (PCa) cells. PRDX1 interaction with TPD52 was confirmed in immunoprecipitation and affinity interaction assays. Mapping of interaction domain indicated that PRDX1 interacts with C-terminal region of TPD52 containing PEST domain between 152 and 179 amino acids, a new binding region of TPD52. Here we show that TPD52 interaction with PRDX1 increased its peroxidase activity and ectopic expression of TPD52 induced dimerization of PRDX1 in PCa cells. Moreover, H₂O₂ exposure evoked the interaction between TPD52 and PRDX1 while depletion of both proteins led to the accumulation of H₂O₂ suggesting peroxidase activity is important to maintain oxidative capacity in PCa cells. We also observed that overexpression or downregulation of TPD52 and PRDX1 individually or together affecting PCa cells growth, survival, and migration. Altogether, our results show a novel interaction partner of TPD52 providing new insights of its functions and ascertain the role of TPD52-PRDX1 interaction in PCa progression.

Antioxidative properties and structural features of atypical 2-Cys peroxiredoxin from Sebastes schlegelii

Atypical 2-Cys peroxiredoxin (Prx5) is an antioxidant protein that exerts its antioxidant function by detoxifying different reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here, we identified mitochondrial Prx5 from rockfish (SsPrx5) and described its specific structural and functional characteristics. The open reading frame (ORF) of SsPrx5 (570 bp) was translated into a 190-amino acid polypeptide that contained a mitochondrial targeting sequence (MTS), thioredoxin 2 domain, two Prx-specific signature motifs, and three conserved cysteine residues. Sequence comparison indicated that the SsPrx5 protein sequence shared greatest identity with teleost orthologs, where the phylogenetic results showed an evolutionary position within the fish Prx5. The coding sequence of SsPrx5 was scattered in six exons as found in other vertebrates. Additionally, the potent antioxidant functions of recombinantly expressed SsPrx5 protein was demonstrated by insulin reduction and extracellular H₂O₂ scavenging both in vitro and in vivo. Quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) detected ubiquitous mRNA expression of SsPrx5 in healthy rockfish tissues, with remarkable expression observed in gill, liver, and reproductive tissues. Prompt transcription of SsPrx5 was shown in the immune-stimulated gill and liver tissues against Streptococcus iniae and lipopolysaccharide injection. Taken together, present results suggest the indispensable role of SsPrx5 in the rockfish antioxidant defense system against oxidative stresses and its role in maintaining redox balance upon pathogen invasion.

High Expression of Peroxiredoxin 1 Is Associated with Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Marker and Poor Prognosis in Gastric Cancer

Background

Recent studies show that peroxiredoxin 1 (Prdx1) contributes to the progression and poor prognosis of carcinoma through multiple mechanisms. However, there is little information on its expression and prognostic value in gastric cancer. This study investigated the expression of Prdx1 in gastric cancer, along with evaluating its clinical-pathological and prognostic importance.

Material/Methods

A total of 189 pairs of gastric cancer and paracarcinomatous tissues were assessed for Prdx1 expression and its association with clinical characteristics. The molecular mechanism was further investigated through in vitro experimentation.

Results

The mRNA and protein levels of Prdx1 in the GC tissues were higher than in the peri-tumor tissues. We also found that high Prdx1 expression was positively correlated with the lymph node invasion and poor prognosis. It also served as an autonomous prognostic factor for patients with gastric cancer. Moreover, Prdx1 regulates the invasion and metastasis of GC cell lines through inhibiting E-Ca expression.

Conclusions

Prdx1 can promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition and gastric cancer progression. Therefore, it might be a therapeutic target and prognostic indicator for gastric cancer patients.

Active site CP-loop dynamics modulate substrate binding, catalysis, oligomerization, stability, over-oxidation and recycling of 2-Cys Peroxiredoxins

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) catalyse the rapid reduction of hydrogen peroxide, organic hydroperoxide and peroxynitrite, using a fully conserved peroxidatic cysteine (C_P) located in a conserved sequence Pxxx(T/S)xxC_P motif known as C_P-loop. In addition, Prxs are involved in cellular signaling pathways and regulate several redox-dependent process related disease. The effective catalysis of Prxs is associated with alterations in the C_P-loop between reduced, Fully Folded (FF), and oxidized, Locally Unfolded (LU) conformations, which are linked to dramatic changes in the oligomeric structure. Despite many studies, little is known about the precise structural and dynamic roles of the C_P-loop on Prxs functions. Herein, the comprehensive biochemical and biophysical studies on Escherichia coli alkyl hydroperoxide reductase subunit C (EcAhpC) and the C_P-loop mutants, EcAhpC-F45A and EcAhpC-F45P reveal that the reduced form of the C_P-loop adopts conformational dynamics, which is essential for effective peroxide reduction. Furthermore, the point mutants alter the structure and dynamics of the reduced form of the C_P-loop and, thereby, affect substrate binding, catalysis, oligomerization, stability and overoxidiation. In the oxidized form, due to restricted C_P-loop dynamics, the EcAhpC-F45P mutant favours a decamer formation, which enhances the effective recycling by physiological reductases compared to wild-type EcAhpC. In addition, the study reveals that residue F45 increases the specificity of Prxs-reductase interactions. Based on these studies, we propose an evolution of the C_P-loop with confined sequence conservation within Prxs subfamilies that might optimize the functional adaptation of Prxs into various physiological roles.

Heme Binding to Porphobilinogen Deaminase from Vibrio cholerae Decelerates the Formation of 1-Hydroxymethylbilane

Porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD) is an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of hydroxymethylbilane, a tetrapyrrole intermediate, during heme biosynthesis through the stepwise polymerization of four molecules of porphobilinogen. PBGD from Vibrio cholerae was expressed in Escherichia coli and characterized in this study. Unexpectedly, spectroscopic measurements revealed that PBGD bound one equivalent of heme with a dissociation constant of 0.33 ± 0.01 μM. The absorption and resonance Raman spectra suggested that heme is a mixture of the 5-coordinate and 6-coordinate hemes. Mutational studies indicated that the 5-coordinate heme possessed Cys105 as a heme axial ligand, and His227 was coordinated to form the 6-coordinate heme. Upon heme binding, the deamination activity decreased by approximately 15%. The crystal structure of PBGD revealed that His227 was located near Cys105, but the side chain of His227 did not point toward Cys105. The addition of the cyanide ion to heme-PBGD abolished the effect of heme binding on the enzymatic activity. Therefore, coordination of His227 to heme appeared to induce reorientation of the domains containing Cys105, leading to a decrease in the enzymatic activity. This is the first report indicating that the PBGD activity is controlled by heme, the final product of heme biosynthesis. This finding improves our understanding of the mechanism by which heme biosynthesis is regulated.

Peroxiredoxin 1 (Prx1) is a dual-function enzyme by possessing Cys-independent catalase-like activity

Peroxiredoxin (Prx) was previously known as a Cys-dependent thioredoxin. However, we unexpectedly observed that Prx1 from the green spotted puffer fish Tetraodon nigroviridis (TnPrx1) was able to reduce H₂O₂ in a manner independent of Cys peroxidation and reductants. This study aimed to validate a novel function for Prx1, delineate the biochemical features and explore its antioxidant role in cells. We have confirmed that Prx1 from the puffer fish and humans truly possesses a catalase (CAT)-like activity that is independent of Cys residues and reductants, but dependent on iron. We have identified that the GVL motif was essential to the CAT-like activity of Prx1, but not to the Cys-dependent thioredoxin peroxidase (POX) activity, and generated mutants lacking POX and/or CAT-like activities for individual functional validation. We discovered that the TnPrx1 POX and CAT-like activities possessed different kinetic features in the reduction of H₂O₂. The overexpression of wild-type TnPrx1 and mutants differentially regulated the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the phosphorylation of p38 in HEK-293T cells treated with H₂O₂. Prx1 is a dual-function enzyme by acting as POX and CAT with varied affinities towards ROS. This study extends our knowledge on Prx1 and provides new opportunities to further study the biological roles of this family of antioxidants.

Multiple Functions and Regulation of Mammalian Peroxiredoxins

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) constitute a major family of peroxidases, with mammalian cells expressing six Prx isoforms (PrxI to PrxVI). Cells produce hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) at various intracellular locations where it can serve as a signaling molecule. Given that Prxs are abundant and possess a structure that renders the cysteine (Cys) residue at the active site highly sensitive to oxidation by H₂O₂, the signaling function of this oxidant requires extensive and highly localized regulation. Recent findings on the reversible regulation of PrxI through phosphorylation at the centrosome and on the hyperoxidation of the Cys at the active site of PrxIII in mitochondria are described in this review as examples of such local regulation of H₂O₂ signaling. Moreover, their high affinity for and sensitivity to oxidation by H₂O₂ confer on Prxs the ability to serve as sensors and transducers of H₂O₂ signaling through transfer of their oxidation state to bound effector proteins.

Dimeric peroxiredoxins are druggable targets in human Burkitt lymphoma

Burkitt lymphoma is a fast-growing tumor derived from germinal center B cells. It is mainly treated with aggressive chemotherapy, therefore novel therapeutic approaches are needed due to treatment toxicity and developing resistance. Disturbance of red-ox homeostasis has recently emerged as an efficient antitumor strategy. Peroxiredoxins (PRDXs) are thioredoxin-family antioxidant enzymes that scavenge cellular peroxides and contribute to red-ox homeostasis. PRDXs are robustly expressed in various malignancies and critically involved in cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. To elucidate potential role of PRDXs in lymphoma, we studied their expression level in B cell-derived primary lymphoma cells as well as in cell lines. We found that PRDX1 and PRDX2 are upregulated in tumor B cells as compared with normal counterparts. Concomitant knockdown of PRDX1 and PRDX2 significantly attenuated the growth rate of lymphoma cells. Furthermore, in human Burkitt lymphoma cell lines, we isolated dimeric 2-cysteine peroxiredoxins as targets for SK053, a novel thiol-specific small-molecule peptidomimetic with antitumor activity. We observed that treatment of lymphoma cells with SK053 triggers formation of covalent PRDX dimers, accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and AKT and leads to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Based on site-directed mutagenesis and modeling studies, we propose a mechanism of SK053-mediated PRDX crosslinking, involving double thioalkylation of active site cysteine residues. Altogether, our results suggest that peroxiredoxins are novel therapeutic targets in Burkitt lymphoma and provide the basis for new approaches to the treatment of this disease.

Peroxiredoxin 1 - an antioxidant enzyme in cancer

Peroxiredoxins (PRDXs), a ubiquitous family of redox‐regulating proteins, are reported of potential to eliminate various reactive oxygen species (ROS). As a major member of the antioxidant enzymes, PRDX1 can become easily over‐oxidized on its catalytically active cysteine induced by a variety of stimuli in vitro and in vivo. In nucleus, oligomeric PRDX1 directly associates with p53 or transcription factors such as c‐Myc, NF‐κB and AR, and thus affects their bioactivities upon gene regulation, which in turn induces or suppresses cell death. Additionally, PRDX1 in cytoplasm has anti‐apoptotic potential through direct or indirect interactions with several ROS‐dependent (redox regulation) effectors, including ASK1, p66^Shc, GSTpi/JNK and c‐Abl kinase. PRDX1 is proven to be a versatile molecule regulating cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis. Recent studies have found that PRDX1 and/or PRDX1‐regulated ROS‐dependent signalling pathways play an important role in the progression and metastasis of human tumours, particularly in breast, oesophageal and lung cancers. In this paper, we review the structure, effector functions of PRDX1, its role in cancer and the pivotal role of ROS in anticancer treatment.

Differential Cellular and Subcellular Localization of Heme-Binding Protein 23/Peroxiredoxin I and Heme Oxygenase-1 in Rat Liver

Heme-binding protein 23 (HBP23), also termed peroxiredoxin (Prx) I, and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) are distinct antioxidant stress proteins that are co-ordinately induced by oxidative stress. HBP23/Prx I has thioredoxin-dependent peroxidase activity with high binding affinity for the pro-oxidant heme, while HO-1 is the inducible isoform of the rate-limiting enzyme of heme degradation. We investigated the cellular and subcellular localization of both proteins in rat liver. Whereas by immunohistochemistry (IHC) a uniformly high level of HBP23/Prx I expression was observed in liver parenchymal and different sinusoidal cells, HO-1 expression was restricted to Kupffer cells. By immunoelectron microscopy using the protein A-gold technique, HBP23/Prx I immunoreactivity was detected in cytoplasm, nuclear matrix, mitochondria, and peroxisomes of parenchymal and non-parenchymal liver cell populations. In contrast, the secretory pathway, i.e., the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex, was free of label. As determined by immunocytochemical (ICC) studies in liver cell cultures and by Western and Northern blotting analysis, HBP23/Prx I was highly expressed in cultures of isolated hepatocytes and Kupffer cells. In contrast, HO-1 was constitutively expressed only in Kupffer cell cultures but was also inducible in hepatocytes. These data suggest that HBP23/Prx I and HO-1 may have complementary antioxidant functions in different cell populations in rat liver.

Roles of peroxiredoxins in cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and inflammatory diseases

Peroxiredoxins (PRDXs) are antioxidant enzymes, known to catalyze peroxide reduction to balance cellular hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) levels, which are essential for cell signaling and metabolism and act as a regulator of redox signaling. Redox signaling is a critical component of cell signaling pathways that are involved in the regulation of cell growth, metabolism, hormone signaling, immune regulation and variety of other physiological functions. Early studies demonstrated that PRDXs regulates cell growth, metabolism and immune regulation and therefore involved in the pathologic regulator or protectant of several cancers, neurodegenerative diseases and inflammatory diseases. Oxidative stress and antioxidant systems are important regulators of redox signaling regulated diseases. In addition, thiol-based redox systems through peroxiredoxins have been demonstrated to regulate several redox-dependent process related diseases. In this review article, we will discuss recent findings regarding PRDXs in the development of diseases and further discuss therapeutic approaches targeting PRDXs. Moreover, we will suggest that PRDXs could be targets of several diseases and the therapeutic agents for targeting PRDXs may have potential beneficial effects for the treatment of cancers, neurodegenerative diseases and inflammatory diseases. Future research should open new avenues for the design of novel therapeutic approaches targeting PRDXs.

Plasmodium falciparum antioxidant protein reveals a novel mechanism for balancing turnover and inactivation of peroxiredoxins

Life under aerobic conditions has shaped peroxiredoxins (Prx) as ubiquitous thiol-dependent hydroperoxidases and redox sensors. Structural features that balance the catalytically active or inactive redox states of Prx, and, therefore, their hydroperoxidase or sensor function, have so far been analyzed predominantly for Prx1-type enzymes. Here we identify and characterize two modulatory residues of the Prx5-type model enzyme PfAOP from the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Gain- and loss-of-function mutants reveal a correlation between the enzyme parameters and the inactivation susceptibility of PfAOP with the size of residue 109 and the presence or absence of a catalytically relevant but nonessential cysteine residue. Based on our kinetic data and the crystal structure of PfAOP(L109M), we suggest a novel mechanism for balancing the hydroperoxidase activity and inactivation susceptibility of Prx5-type enzymes. Our study provides unexpected insights into Prx structure-function relationships and contributes to our understanding of what makes Prx good enzymes or redox sensors.

Cysteine-independent Catalase-like Activity of Vertebrate Peroxiredoxin 1 (Prx1)

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are a ubiquitous family of antioxidant proteins that are known as thioredoxin peroxidases. Here we report that Prx1 proteins from Tetraodon nigroviridis and humans also possess a previously unknown catalase-like activity that is independent of Cys residues and reductants but dependent on iron. We identified that the GVL motif was essential to the catalase (CAT)-like activity of Prx1 but not to the Cys-dependent thioredoxin peroxidase (POX) activity, and we generated mutants lacking POX and/or CAT activities for individually delineating their functional features. We discovered that the TnPrx1 POX and CAT activities possessed different kinetic features in reducing H2O2. The overexpression of wild-type TnPrx1 and mutants differentially regulated the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species and p38 phosphorylation in HEK-293T cells treated with H2O2. These observations suggest that the dual antioxidant activities of Prx1 may be crucial for organisms to mediate intracellular redox homeostasis.

Crystal structure of mammalian selenocysteine-dependent iodothyronine deiodinase suggests a peroxiredoxin-like catalytic mechanism

Local levels of active thyroid hormone (3,3',5-triiodothyronine) are controlled by the action of activating and inactivating iodothyronine deiodinase enzymes. Deiodinases are selenocysteine-dependent membrane proteins catalyzing the reductive elimination of iodide from iodothyronines through a poorly understood mechanism. We solved the crystal structure of the catalytic domain of mouse deiodinase 3 (Dio3), which reveals a close structural similarity to atypical 2-Cys peroxiredoxin(s) (Prx). The structure suggests a route for proton transfer to the substrate during deiodination and a Prx-related mechanism for subsequent recycling of the transiently oxidized enzyme. The proposed mechanism is supported by biochemical experiments and is consistent with the effects of mutations of conserved amino acids on Dio3 activity. Thioredoxin and glutaredoxin reduce the oxidized Dio3 at physiological concentrations, and dimerization appears to activate the enzyme by displacing an autoinhibitory loop from the iodothyronine binding site. Deiodinases apparently evolved from the ubiquitous Prx scaffold, and their structure and catalytic mechanism reconcile a plethora of partly conflicting data reported for these enzymes.

Peroxiredoxin 2 knockdown by RNA interference inhibits the growth of colorectal cancer cells by downregulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling

Peroxiredoxin 2 (Prdx2) has been shown to act as an antioxidant whose main function is to reduce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in cells, and Prdx2 is abnormally elevated in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the functional significance of this up-regulation and the detailed molecular mechanism behind the regulatory effect of Prdx2 on the growth of CRC cells have not been elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated that Prdx2 knockdown using a lentiviral vector-mediated specific shRNA inhibited cell growth, stimulated apoptosis, and augmented the production of endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS). Further, silencing of Prdx2 resulted in an altered expression of proteins associated with the Wnt signaling pathway. Finally, Prdx2 knockdown contributed to attenuated CRC growth in BALB/c nude mice. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that the regulatory effects of Prdx2 can be partially attributed to Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

Role of the Listeria monocytogenes 2-Cys peroxiredoxin homologue in protection against oxidative and nitrosative stress and in virulence

Peroxiredoxins contribute to protection of some bacteria against reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs) and reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNIs). Listeria monocytogenes, a facultative intracellular bacterial pathogen, interacts with ROIs and RNIs during infection. In this study, we investigated the involvement of the 2-Cys peroxiredoxin (Prx) homologue in L. monocytogenes in the protection against ROIs and RNIs and in virulence through the construction of an in-frame prx deletion mutant. The Δprx mutant had increased sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide and cumene hydroperoxide compared to the wild-type strain. The mutant also exhibited an increased susceptibility to the nitric oxide-generating compound S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) and 3-morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride (SIN-1), a peroxynitrite donor. Furthermore, a diminished virulence of the Δprx mutant relative to the wild-type was observed in C57BL/6 mice, but not in inducible nitric oxide synthase-deficient mice. The results suggest that Prx protects L. monocytogenes against oxidative and nitrosative stress in vitro and in vivo and that the prx-encoded polypeptide thereby is involved in L. monocytogenes virulence.

Elevated protein carbonylation and oxidative stress do not affect protein structure and function in the long-living naked-mole rat: a proteomic approach

The 'oxidative stress theory of aging' predicts that aging is primarily regulated by progressive accumulation of oxidized macromolecules that cause deleterious effects to cellular homeostasis and induces a decline in physiological function. However, our reports on the detection of higher level of oxidized protein carbonyls in the soluble cellular fractions of long-living rodent naked-mole rats (NMRs, lifespan ~30yrs) compared to short-lived mice (lifespan ~3.5yrs) apparently contradicts a key tenet of the oxidative theory. As oxidation often inactivates enzyme function and induces higher-order soluble oligomers, we performed a comprehensive study to measure global protein carbonyl level in different tissues of age-matched NMRs and mice to determine if the traditional concept of oxidation mediated impairment of function and induction of higher-order structures of proteins are upheld in the NMRs. We made three intriguing observations with NMRs proteins: (1) protein carbonyl is significantly elevated across different tissues despite of its exceptional longevity, (2) enzyme function is restored despite of experiencing higher level of protein carbonylation, and (3) enzymes show lesser sensitivity to form higher-order non-reducible oligomers compared to short-living mouse proteins in response to oxidative stress. These observations were made based on the global analysis of protein carbonyl and identification of two heavily carbonylated proteins in the kidney, triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) and cytosolic peroxiredoxin (Prdx1). These un-expected intriguing observations thus strongly suggest that oxidative modification may not be the only criteria for impairment of protein and enzyme function; cellular environment is likely be the critical determining factor in this process and may be the underlying mechanism for exceptional longevity of NMR.

Cloning, expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of the mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidase from Leishmania braziliensis

Tryparedoxin peroxidase (TXNPx) is an essential constituent of the main enzymatic scavenger system for reactive oxygen species (ROS) in trypanosomatids. Genetic studies have demonstrated the importance of this system for the development and virulence of these parasites, representing a potential target for the discovery of new trypanocidal drugs. In this work, the mitochondrial TXNPx from Leishmania braziliensis was cloned, overexpressed, purified and crystallized. The crystals diffracted to 3.3 Å resolution and belonged to space group P4(2)2(1)2, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 131.8, c = 44.4 Å. These studies will contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in ROS detoxification by trypanosomatids.

Thioredoxin and thioredoxin target proteins: from molecular mechanisms to functional significance

The thioredoxin (Trx) system is one of the central antioxidant systems in mammalian cells, maintaining a reducing environment by catalyzing electron flux from nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate through Trx reductase to Trx, which reduces its target proteins using highly conserved thiol groups. While the importance of protecting cells from the detrimental effects of reactive oxygen species is clear, decades of research in this field revealed that there is a network of redox-sensitive proteins forming redox-dependent signaling pathways that are crucial for fundamental cellular processes, including metabolism, proliferation, differentiation, migration, and apoptosis. Trx participates in signaling pathways interacting with different proteins to control their dynamic regulation of structure and function. In this review, we focus on Trx target proteins that are involved in redox-dependent signaling pathways. Specifically, Trx-dependent reductive enzymes that participate in classical redox reactions and redox-sensitive signaling molecules are discussed in greater detail. The latter are extensively discussed, as ongoing research unveils more and more details about the complex signaling networks of Trx-sensitive signaling molecules such as apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1, Trx interacting protein, and phosphatase and tensin homolog, thus highlighting the potential direct and indirect impact of their redox-dependent interaction with Trx. Overall, the findings that are described here illustrate the importance and complexity of Trx-dependent, redox-sensitive signaling in the cell. Our increasing understanding of the components and mechanisms of these signaling pathways could lead to the identification of new potential targets for the treatment of diseases, including cancer and diabetes.

Multilevel regulation of 2-Cys peroxiredoxin reaction cycle by S-nitrosylation

S-nitrosothiols (SNOs), formed by nitric oxide (NO)-mediated S-nitrosylation, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a prominent reactive oxygen species, are implicated in diverse physiological and pathological processes. Recent research has shown that the cellular action and metabolism of SNOs and H2O2 involve overlapping, thiol-based mechanisms, but how these reactive species may affect each other's fate and function is not well understood. In this study we investigated how NO/SNO may affect the redox cycle of mammalian peroxiredoxin-1 (Prx1), a representative of the 2-Cys Prxs, a group of thioredoxin (Trx)-dependent peroxidases. We found that, both in a cell-free system and in cells, NO/SNO donors such as S-nitrosocysteine and S-nitrosoglutathione readily induced the S-nitrosylation of Prx1, causing structural and functional alterations. In particular, nitrosylation promoted disulfide formation involving the pair of catalytic cysteines (Cys-52 and Cys-173) and disrupted the oligomeric structure of Prx1, leading to loss of peroxidase activity. A highly potent inhibition of the peroxidase catalytic reaction by NO/SNO was seen in assays employing the coupled Prx-Trx system. In this setting, S-nitrosocysteine (10 μM) effectively blocked the Trx-mediated regeneration of oxidized Prx1. This effect appeared to be due to both competition between S-nitrosocysteine and Prx1 for the Trx system and direct modulation by S-nitrosocysteine of Trx reductase activity. Our findings that NO/SNO target both Prx and Trx reductase may have implications for understanding the impact of nitrosylation on cellular redox homeostasis.

Role of oxidative stress in refractory epilepsy: evidence in patients and experimental models

Oxidative stress, a state of imbalance in the production of reactive oxygen species and nitrogen, is induced by a wide variety of factors. This biochemical state is associated with systemic diseases, and diseases affecting the central nervous system. Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder with refractoriness to drug therapy at about 30%. Currently, experimental evidence supports the involvement of oxidative stress in seizures, in the process of their generation, and in the mechanisms associated with refractoriness to drug therapy. Hence, the aim of this review is to present information in order to facilitate the handling of this evidence and determine the therapeutic impact of the biochemical status for this pathology.

Heme proteins in lactic acid bacteria

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are of profound importance in food production and infection medicine. LAB do not rely on heme (protoheme IX) for growth and are unable to synthesize this cofactor but are generally able to assemble a small repertoire of heme-containing proteins if heme is provided from an exogenous source. These features are in contrast to other bacteria, which synthesize their heme or depend on heme for growth. We here present the cellular function of heme proteins so far identified in LAB and discuss their biogenesis as well as applications of the extraordinary heme physiology of LAB.

Elucidation of allosteric inhibition mechanism of 2-Cys human peroxiredoxin by molecular modeling

We used molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and protein docking to elucidate the mechanism of allosteric inhibition of the human form of peroxiredoxin (Prx), 2-Cys proliferation associated gene (PAG). Beginning by using the rat form of Prx, 2-Cys heme-binding protein as a template, we used homology modeling to find the structure of human 2-Cys PAG, which is in dimeric form. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that the structure of the reduced form of the 2-Cys PAG dimer fluctuates as the two monomers drift away and approach each other. We then used SiteMap to search for binding sites on the surface of this dimer. A binding site between the two monomers was found, and virtual screening with docking was performed to identify a ligand binding to this site. Subsequent MD simulation revealed that with this ligand in the binding site, the dimer structure of 2-Cys PAG becomes stabilized such that two cysteine residues from two monomers, which are partners of a disulfide bond of the oxidized form, remain separated. This mechanism can be used as an allosteric inhibition of Prx as a hydrogen peroxide reducer, the role of which has been studied as an anticancer drug target.

Genome-wide analysis of putative peroxiredoxin in unicellular and filamentous cyanobacteria

BACKGROUND

Cyanobacteria are photoautotrophic prokaryotes with wide variations in genome sizes and ecological habitats. Peroxiredoxin (PRX) is an important protein that plays essential roles in protecting own cells against reactive oxygen species (ROS). PRXs have been identified from mammals, fungi and higher plants. However, knowledge on cyanobacterial PRXs still remains obscure. With the availability of 37 sequenced cyanobacterial genomes, we performed a comprehensive comparative analysis of PRXs and explored their diversity, distribution, domain structure and evolution.

RESULTS

Overall 244 putative prx genes were identified, which were abundant in filamentous diazotrophic cyanobacteria, Acaryochloris marina MBIC 11017, and unicellular cyanobacteria inhabiting freshwater and hot-springs, while poor in all Prochlorococcus and marine Synechococcus strains. Among these putative genes, 25 open reading frames (ORFs) encoding hypothetical proteins were identified as prx gene family members and the others were already annotated as prx genes. All 244 putative PRXs were classified into five major subfamilies (1-Cys, 2-Cys, BCP, PRX5_like, and PRX-like) according to their domain structures. The catalytic motifs of the cyanobacterial PRXs were similar to those of eukaryotic PRXs and highly conserved in all but the PRX-like subfamily. Classical motif (CXXC) of thioredoxin was detected in protein sequences from the PRX-like subfamily. Phylogenetic tree constructed of catalytic domains coincided well with the domain structures of PRXs and the phylogenies based on 16s rRNA.

CONCLUSIONS

The distribution of genes encoding PRXs in different unicellular and filamentous cyanobacteria especially those sub-families like PRX-like or 1-Cys PRX correlate with the genome size, eco-physiology, and physiological properties of the organisms. Cyanobacterial and eukaryotic PRXs share similar conserved motifs, indicating that cyanobacteria adopt similar catalytic mechanisms as eukaryotes. All cyanobacterial PRX proteins share highly similar structures, implying that these genes may originate from a common ancestor. In this study, a general framework of the sequence-structure-function connections of the PRXs was revealed, which may facilitate functional investigations of PRXs in various organisms.

Peroxiredoxin family proteins are key initiators of post-ischemic inflammation in the brain

Post-ischemic inflammation is an essential step in the progression of brain ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, the mechanism that activates infiltrating macrophages in the ischemic brain remains to be clarified. Here we demonstrate that peroxiredoxin (Prx) family proteins released extracellularly from necrotic brain cells induce expression of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-23 in macrophages through activation of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4, thereby promoting neural cell death, even though intracellular Prxs have been shown to be neuroprotective. The extracellular release of Prxs in the ischemic core occurred 12 h after stroke onset, and neutralization of extracellular Prxs with antibodies suppressed inflammatory cytokine expression and infarct volume growth. In contrast, high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a well-known damage-associated molecular pattern molecule, was released before Prx and had a limited role in post-ischemic macrophage activation. We thus propose that extracellular Prxs are previously unknown danger signals in the ischemic brain and that its blocking agents are potent neuroprotective tools.

The role of redox environment in neurogenic development

The dynamic changes of cellular redox elements during neurogenesis allow the control of specific programs for selective lineage progression. There are many redox couples that influence the cellular redox state. The shift from a reduced to an oxidized state and vice versa may act as a cellular switch mechanism of stem cell mode of action from proliferation to differentiation. The redox homeostasis ensures proper functioning of redox-sensitive signaling pathways through oxidation/reduction of critical cysteine residues on proteins involved in signal transduction. This review presents the current knowledge on the relation between changes in the cellular redox environment and stem cell programming in the course of commitment to a restricted neural lineage, focusing on in vivo neurogenesis and in vitro neuronal differentiation. The first two sections outline the main systems that control the intracellular redox environment and make it more oxidative or reductive. The last section provides the background on redox-sensitive signaling pathways that regulate neurogenesis.