Characterization of the substrate binding site in rat liver 3alpha-hydroxysteroid/dihydrodiol dehydrogenase. The roles of tryptophans in ligand binding and protein fluorescence

Modulatory role of neurosteroidogenesis in the spinal cord during peripheral nerve injury-induced chronic pain

The brain and spinal cord (SC) are both targeted by various hormones, including steroid hormones. However, investigations of the modulatory role of hormones on neurobiological functions usually focus only on the brain. The SC received little attention although this structure pivotally controls motor and sensory functions. Here, we critically reviewed key data showing that the process of neurosteroid biosynthesis or neurosteroidogenesis occurring in the SC plays a pivotal role in the modulation of peripheral nerve injury-induced chronic pain (PNICP) or neuropathic pain. Indeed, several active steroidogenic enzymes expressed in the SC produce endogenous neurosteroids that interact with receptors of neurotransmitters controlling pain. The spinal neurosteroidogenesis is differentially regulated during PNICP condition and its blockade modifies painful sensations. The paper suggests that future investigations aiming to develop effective strategies against PNICP or neuropathic pain must integrate in a gender or sex dependent manner the regulatory effects exerted by spinal neurosteroidogenesis.

Characterization of the major single nucleotide polymorphic variants of aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (type 5 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase)

Aldo-keto reductase (AKR) 1C3, also known as type 5 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and prostaglandin F synthase, is a member of the AKR superfamily that reduces aldehydes and ketones to primary and secondary alcohols. It plays an essential role in the peripheral formation of androgens and is implicated in several steroid hormone dependent diseases including prostate cancer, breast cancer, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). AKR1C3 has 14 nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) with different global frequencies and ethnic distributions. Association studies support their role in disease, but a detailed functional genomic analysis of these variants is lacking. One study examined five AKR1C3 nsSNPs for their ability to reduce exemestane, an aromatase inhibitor used to treat breast cancer, to 17β-dihydroexemestane, and reported a 17-250-fold reduction in catalytic efficiency of H5Q, E77G, K104D, and R258C variants compared to wild type (WT). This observation provided the impetus to examine the impact of these variants on AKR1C3 function. Here, we purified AKR1C3 WT, and the top four most frequently occurring nsSNPs, H5Q, E77G, K104D, and R258C, from E. coli to expand upon their characterization and illuminate functional differences that could affect disease outcome and treatment. While we found negligible deviations in steady state kinetics, the K104D variant showed reduced thermal stability compared to WT. The presence of NAD(P)⁺ restored the stability of the variant. As it is unlikely that the apoenzyme will exist within the cell without cofactor bound the K104D is not expected to manifest a phenotype.

The identification of new substrates of human DHRS7 by molecular modeling and in vitro testing

Human DHRS7 (SDR34C1) is one of insufficiently described enzymes of the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase superfamily. The members of this superfamily often play an important pato/physiological role in the human body, participating in the metabolism of diverse substrates (e.g. retinoids, steroids, xenobiotics). A systematic approach to the identification of novel, physiological substrates of DHRS7 based on a combination of homology modeling, structure-based virtual screening and experimental evaluation has been used. Three novel substrates of DHRS7 (dihydrotestosterone, benzil and 4,4'-dimetylbenzil) have been described.

Single-molecule enzymology of steroid transforming enzymes: Transient kinetic studies and what they tell us

Structure-function studies on steroid transforming enzymes often use site-directed mutagenesis to inform mechanisms of catalysis and effects on steroid binding, and data are reported in terms of changes in steady state kinetic parameters kcat, Km and kcat/Km. However, this dissection of function is limited since kcat is governed by the rate-determining step and Km is a complex macroscopic kinetic constant. Often site-directed mutagenesis can lead to a change in the rate-determining step which cannot be revealed by just reporting a decrease in kcat alone. These issues are made more complex when it is considered that many steroid transforming enzymes have more than one substrate and product. We present the case for using transient-kinetics performed with stopped-flow spectrometry to assign rate constants to discrete steps in these multi-substrate reactions and their use to interpret enzyme mechanism and the effects of disease and engineered mutations. We demonstrate that fluorescence kinetic transients can be used to measure ligand binding that may be accompanied by isomerization steps, revealing the existence of new enzyme intermediates. We also demonstrate that single-turnover reactions can provide a klim for the chemical step and Ks for steroid-substrate binding and that when coupled with kinetic isotope effect measurements can provide information on transition state intermediates. We also demonstrate how multiple turnover experiments can provide evidence for either "burst-phase" kinetics, which can reveal a slow product release step, or linear-phase kinetics, in which the chemical step can be rate-determining. With these assignments it becomes more straightforward to analyze the effects of mutations. We use examples from the hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (AKR1Cs) and human steroid 5β-reductase (AKR1D1) to illustrate the utility of the approach, which are members of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily.

In-Depth Dissection of the P133R Mutation in Steroid 5β-Reductase (AKR1D1): A Molecular Basis of Bile Acid Deficiency

Human steroid-5β-reductase (aldo-keto reductase 1D1, AKR1D1) stereospecifically reduces Δ(4)-3-ketosteroids to 5β-dihydrosteroids and is essential for steroid hormone metabolism and bile acid biosynthesis. Genetic defects in AKR1D1 cause bile acid deficiency that leads to life threatening neonatal hepatitis and cholestasis. The disease-associated P133R mutation caused significant decreases in catalytic efficiency with both the representative steroid (cortisone) and the bile acid precursor (7α-hydroxycholest-4-en-3-one) substrates. Pro133 is a second shell residue to the steroid binding channel and is distal to both the cofactor binding site and the catalytic center. Strikingly, the P133R mutation caused over a 40-fold increase in Kd values for the NADP(H) cofactors and increased the rate of release of NADP(+) from the enzyme by 2 orders of magnitude when compared to the wild type enzyme. By contrast the effect of the mutation on Kd values for steroids were 10-fold or less. The reduced affinity for the cofactor suggests that the mutant exists largely in the less stable cofactor-free form in the cell. Using stopped-flow spectroscopy, a significant reduction in the rate of the chemical step was observed in multiple turnover reactions catalyzed by the P133R mutant, possibly due to the altered position of NADPH. Thus, impaired NADPH binding and hydride transfer is the molecular basis for bile acid deficiency in patients with the P133R mutation. Results revealed that optimal cofactor binding is vulnerable to distant structural perturbation, which may apply to other disease-associated mutations in AKR1D1, all of which occur at conserved residues and are unstable.

Identification of a determinant for strict NADP(H)-specificity and high sensitivity to mixed-type steroid inhibitor of rabbit aldo-keto reductase 1C33 by site-directed mutagenesis

In rabbit tissues, hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase belonging to the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily exists in six isoforms (AKRs: 1C5 and 1C29-1C33), sharing >73% amino acid sequence identity. AKR1C33 is strictly NADPH-specific, in contrast to dual NADPH/NADH specificity of the other isoforms. All coenzyme-binding residues of the structurally elucidated AKR1C5 are conserved in other isoforms, except that S217 (interacting with the pyrophosphate moiety) and T273 (interacting with the 2'-phosphate moiety) are replaced with F217 and N272, respectively, in AKR1C33. To explore the determinants for the NADPH specificity of AKR1C33, we prepared its F217S and N272T mutant enzymes. The mutation of F217S, but not N272T, converted AKR1C33 into a dually coenzyme-specific form that showed similar kcat values for NAD(P)H to those of AKR1C32. The reverse mutation (S217F) in dually coenzyme-specific AKR1C32 produced a strictly NADPH-specific form. The F217S mutation also abolished the activity towards 3-keto-5β-cholestanes that are substrates specific to AKR1C33, and markedly decreased the sensitivity to 4-pregnenes (such as deoxycorticosterone and medroxyprogesterone acetate) that were found to be potent mixed-type inhibitors of the wild-type enzyme. The results indicate the important role of F217 in the strict NADPH-dependency, as well as its involvement in the unique catalytic properties of AKR1C33.

Caspases playing in the field of neuroinflammation: old and new players

Neuroinflammation is a complex immune response against the harmful effects of diverse stimuli within the central nervous system. Caspases are a family of intracellular cysteine proteases that mediate proteolytic events indispensable for transduction of signaling pathway-controlling biological phenomena such as apoptosis and inflammation. To date, 14 players have been identified in mammals. For many years, caspases were simply divided into 'apoptotic' and 'proinflammatory' caspases and this classification remains useful to some extent. However, increasing evidence indicates that many of these so-called apoptotic caspases also exert nonapoptotic functions. In addition, the role of certain members of the supposed inflammatory caspases in the inflammatory process per se has also been discussed. In this review, we highlight the role for 'apoptotic' and 'proinflammatory' caspases in the regulation of the inflammation response with a special focus on the central nervous system.

Retinaldehyde is a substrate for human aldo-keto reductases of the 1C subfamily

Human AKR (aldo-keto reductase) 1C proteins (AKR1C1-AKR1C4) exhibit relevant activity with steroids, regulating hormone signalling at the pre-receptor level. In the present study, investigate the activity of the four human AKR1C enzymes with retinol and retinaldehyde. All of the enzymes except AKR1C2 showed retinaldehyde reductase activity with low Km values (~1 μM). The kcat values were also low (0.18-0.6 min-1), except for AKR1C3 reduction of 9-cis-retinaldehyde whose kcat was remarkably higher (13 min-1). Structural modelling of the AKR1C complexes with 9-cis-retinaldehyde indicated a distinct conformation of Trp227, caused by changes in residue 226 that may contribute to the activity differences observed. This was partially supported by the kinetics of the AKR1C3 R226P mutant. Retinol/retinaldehyde conversion, combined with the use of the inhibitor flufenamic acid, indicated a relevant role for endogenous AKR1Cs in retinaldehyde reduction in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Overexpression of AKR1C proteins depleted RA (retinoic acid) transactivation in HeLa cells treated with retinol. Thus AKR1Cs may decrease RA levels in vivo. Finally, by using lithocholic acid as an AKR1C3 inhibitor and UVI2024 as an RA receptor antagonist, we provide evidence that the pro-proliferative action of AKR1C3 in HL-60 cells involves the RA signalling pathway and that this is in part due to the retinaldehyde reductase activity of AKR1C3.

Substrate specificity and inhibitor analyses of human steroid 5β-reductase (AKR1D1)

Human steroid 5β-reductase (aldo-keto reductase 1D1) catalyzes the stereospecific NADPH-dependent reduction of the C4-C5 double bond of Δ(4)-ketosteroids to yield an A/B cis-ring junction. This cis-configuration is crucial for bile acid biosynthesis and plays important roles in steroid metabolism. The biochemical properties of the enzyme have not been thoroughly studied and conflicting data have been reported, partially due to the lack of highly homogeneous protein. In the present study, we systematically determined the substrate specificity of homogeneous human recombinant AKR1D1 using C18, C19, C21, and C27 Δ(4)-ketosteroids and assessed the pH-rate dependence of the enzyme. Our results show that AKR1D1 proficiently reduced all the steroids tested at physiological pH, indicating AKR1D1 is the only enzyme necessary for all the 5β-steroid metabolites present in humans. Substrate inhibition was observed with C18 to C21 steroids provided that the C11 position was unsubstituted. This structure activity relationship can be explained by the existence of a small alternative substrate binding pocket revealed by the AKR1D1 crystal structure. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which are potent inhibitors of the related AKR1C enzymes do not inhibit AKR1D1. By contrast chenodeoxycholate and ursodeoxycholate were found to be potent non-competitive inhibitors suggesting that bile-acids may regulate their own synthesis at the level of AKR1D1 inhibition.

Catalytic mechanism of the primary human prostaglandin F2α synthase, aldo-keto reductase 1B1--prostaglandin D2 synthase activity in the absence of NADP(H)

Aldo-keto reductase 1B1 and 1B3 (AKR1B1 and AKR1B3) are the primary human and mouse prostaglandin F(2α) (PGF(2α)) synthases, respectively, which catalyze the NADPH-dependent reduction of PGH(2), a common intermediate of various prostanoids, to form PGF(2α). In this study, we found that AKR1B1 and AKR1B3, but not AKR1B7 and AKR1C3, also catalyzed the isomerization of PGH(2) to PGD(2) in the absence of NADPH or NADP(+). Both PGD(2) and PGF(2α) synthase activities of AKR1B1 and AKR1B3 completely disappeared in the presence of NADP(+) or after heat treatment of these enzymes at 100 °C for 5 min. The K(m), V(max), pK and optimum pH values of the PGD(2) synthase activities of AKR1B1 and AKR1B3 were 23 and 18 μM, 151 and 57 nmol·min(-1)·(mg protein)(-1), 7.9 and 7.6, and pH 8.5 for both AKRs, respectively, and those of PGF(2α) synthase activity were 29 and 33 μM, 169 and 240 nmol·min(-1)·(mg protein)(-1), 6.2 and 5.4, and pH 5.5 and pH 5.0, respectively, in the presence of 0.5 mm NADPH. Site-directed mutagenesis of the catalytic tetrad of AKR1B1, composed of Tyr, Lys, His and Asp, revealed that the triad of Asp43, Lys77 and His110, but not Tyr48, acts as a proton donor in most AKR activities, and is crucial for PGD(2) and PGF(2α) synthase activities. These results, together with molecular docking simulation of PGH(2) to the crystallographic structure of AKR1B1, indicate that His110 acts as a base in concert with Asp43 and Lys77 and as an acid to generate PGD(2) and PGF(2α) in the absence of NADPH or NADP(+) and in the presence of NADPH, respectively.

Steroids, spinal cord and pain sensation

During the whole life, the nervous system is continuously submitted to the actions of different categories of hormones, including steroids. Therefore, the interactions between hormonal compounds and neural tissues are subjected to intense investigations. While a majority of studies focus on the brain, the spinal cord (SC) has received little attention, although this structure is also an important part of the central nervous system, controlling motor and sensory functions. To point out the importance of interactions between hormones and the SC in the regulation of neurobiological activities, we recapitulated and discussed herein various key data, revealing that the pivotal role played by the SC in nociception and pain modulation, directly depends on the SC ability to metabolize and synthesize steroidal molecules. The paper suggests that future investigations aiming to develop effective strategies against chronic pain, must integrate regulatory effects exerted by hormonal steroids on the SC activity, as well as the actions of endogenous neurosteroids locally synthesized in spinal neural networks.

Studies on a Tyr residue critical for the binding of coenzyme and substrate in mouse 3(17)alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C21): structure of the Y224D mutant enzyme

Mouse 3(17)alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C21) is the only aldo-keto reductase that catalyzes the stereospecific reduction of 3- and 17-ketosteroids to the corresponding 3(17)alpha-hydroxysteroids. The Y224D mutation of AKR1C21 reduced the K(m) value for NADP(H) by up to 80-fold and completely reversed the 17alpha stereospecificity of the enzyme. The crystal structure of the Y224D mutant at 2.3 A resolution revealed that the mutation resulted in a change in the conformation of the flexible loop B, including the V-shaped groove, which is a unique feature of the active-site architecture of wild-type AKR1C21 and is formed by the side chains of Tyr224 and Trp227. Furthermore, mutations (Y224F and Q222N) of residues involved in forming the safety belt for binding of the coenzyme showed similar alterations in kinetic constants for 3alpha-hydroxy/3-ketosteroids and 17-hydroxy/ketosteroids compared with the wild type.

Endogenous steroid production in the spinal cord and potential involvement in neuropathic pain modulation

It has recently been demonstrated that the spinal cord (SC) is an active production center of neuroactive steroids including pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone, progesterone and allopregnanolone. Indeed, anatomical, cellular and biochemical investigations have shown that the SC dorsal horn (DH), a pivotal structure in nociception, contains various active steroidogenic enzymes such as cytochrome P450side-chain-cleavage, cytochrome P450c17, 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 5alpha-reductase and 3alpha-hydroxysteroid oxido-reductase. Reviewed here are several data obtained with in vitro and vivo experiments showing that endogenous steroids synthesized in the SC are involved in the modulation of nociceptive mechanisms. Various approaches were used as the real-time polymerase chain reaction after reverse transcription to determine the effects of neuropathic pain on the expression of genes encoding steroidogenic enzymes in the DH. Combination of the pulse-chase technique with high performance liquid chromatography and continuous flow scintillation detection allowed investigations of the impact of noxious signals on the activity of steroid-producing enzymes in the SC in vitro. Radioimmunological analyses of spinal tissue extracts contributed to determine the link between the painful state and endogenous steroid secretion in the SC in vivo. Finally, the physiological relevance of the modification of endogenous steroid formation in the SC during painful situation was discussed.

The aldo-keto reductase superfamily and its role in drug metabolism and detoxification

The aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily comprises enzymes that catalyze redox transformations involved in biosynthesis, intermediary metabolism, and detoxification. Substrates of AKRs include glucose, steroids, glycosylation end-products, lipid peroxidation products, and environmental pollutants. These proteins adopt a (beta/alpha)(8) barrel structural motif interrupted by a number of extraneous loops and helixes that vary between proteins and bring structural identity to individual families. The human AKR family differs from the rodent families. Due to their broad substrate specificity, AKRs play an important role in the phase II detoxification of a large number of pharmaceuticals, drugs, and xenobiotics.

Elucidation of a complete kinetic mechanism for a mammalian hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) and identification of all enzyme forms on the reaction coordinate: the example of rat liver 3alpha-HSD (AKR1C9)

Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDs) are essential for the biosynthesis and mechanism of action of all steroid hormones. We report the complete kinetic mechanism of a mammalian HSD using rat 3alpha-HSD of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily (AKR1C9) with the substrate pairs androstane-3,17-dione and NADPH (reduction) and androsterone and NADP(+) (oxidation). Steady-state, transient state kinetics, and kinetic isotope effects reconciled the ordered bi-bi mechanism, which contained 9 enzyme forms and permitted the estimation of 16 kinetic constants. In both reactions, loose association of the NADP(H) was followed by two conformational changes, which increased cofactor affinity by >86-fold. For androstane-3,17-dione reduction, the release of NADP(+) controlled k(cat), whereas the chemical event also contributed to this term. k(cat) was insensitive to [(2)H]NADPH, whereas (D)k(cat)/K(m) and the (D)k(lim) (ratio of the maximum rates of single turnover) were 1.06 and 2.06, respectively. Under multiple turnover conditions partial burst kinetics were observed. For androsterone oxidation, the rate of NADPH release dominated k(cat), whereas the rates of the chemical event and the release of androstane-3,17-dione were 50-fold greater. Under multiple turnover conditions full burst kinetics were observed. Although the internal equilibrium constant favored oxidation, the overall K(eq) favored reduction. The kinetic Haldane and free energy diagram confirmed that K(eq) was governed by ligand binding terms that favored the reduction reactants. Thus, HSDs in the aldo-keto reductase superfamily thermodynamically favor ketosteroid reduction.

Mouse 17alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C21) binds steroids differently from other aldo-keto reductases: identification and characterization of amino acid residues critical for substrate binding

The mouse 17alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (m17alpha-HSD) is the unique known member of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily able to catalyze efficiently and in a stereospecific manner the conversion of androstenedione (Delta4) into epi-testosterone (epi-T), the 17alpha-epimer of testosterone. Structural and mutagenic studies had already identified one of the residues delineating the steroid-binding cavity, A24, as the major molecular determinant for the stereospecificity of m17alpha-HSD. We report here a ternary complex crystal structure (m17alpha-HSD:NADP(+):epi-T) determined at 1.85 A resolution that confirms this and reveals a unique steroid-binding mode for an AKR enzyme. Indeed, in addition to the interactions found in all other AKRs (van der Waals contacts stabilizing the core of the steroid and the hydrogen bonds established at the catalytic site by the Y55 and H117 residues with the oxygen atom of the ketone group to be reduced), m17alpha-HSD establishes with the other extremity of the steroid nucleus an additional interaction involving K31. By combining direct mutagenesis and kinetic studies, we found that the elimination of this hydrogen bond did not affect the affinity of the enzyme for its steroid substrate but led to a slight but significant increase of its catalytic efficiency (k(cat)/K(m)), suggesting a role for K31 in the release of the steroidal product at the end of the reaction. This previously unobserved steroid-binding mode for an AKR is similar to that adopted by other steroid-binding proteins, the hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases of the short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDR) family and the steroid hormone nuclear receptors. Mutagenesis and structural studies made on the human type 3 3alpha-HSD, a closely related enzyme that shares 73% amino acids identity with the m17alpha-HSD, also revealed that the residue at position 24 of these two enzymes directly affects the binding and/or the release of NADPH, in addition to its role in their 17alpha/17beta stereospecificity.

Rational design of novel mutants of fungal 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase

Reduction of 17-ketosteroids is a biocatalytic process of economic significance for the production of steroid drugs. This reaction can be catalyzed by different microbial 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (17beta-HSD), like the 17beta-HSD activity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichia faranosa and Mycobacterium sp., and by purified 3beta,17beta-HSD from Pseudomonas testosteroni. In addition to the bacterial 3beta,17beta-HSD the 17beta-HSD of the filamentous fungus Cochliobolus lunatus is the only microbial 17beta-HSD that has been expressed as a recombinant protein and fully characterized. On the basis of its modeled 3D structure, we selected several positions for the replacement of amino acids by site-directed mutagenesis to change substrate specificity, alter coenzyme requirements, and improve overall catalytic activity. Replacement of Val161 and Tyr212 in the substrate-binding region by Gly and Ala, respectively, increased the initial rates for the conversion of androstenedione to testosterone. Replacement of Tyr49 within the coenzyme binding site by Asp changed the coenzyme specificity of the enzyme. This latter mutant can convert the steroids not only in the presence of NADP(+) and NADPH, but also in the presence of NADH and NAD(+). The replacement of His164, located in the non-flexible part of the 'lid' covering the active center resulted in a conformation of the enzyme that possessed a higher catalytic activity.

Multiple steps determine the overall rate of the reduction of 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone catalyzed by human type 3 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase: implications for the elimination of androgens

Human type 3 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, or aldo-keto reductase (AKR) 1C2, eliminates the androgen signal in human prostate by reducing 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT, potent androgen) to form 3alpha-androstanediol (inactive androgen), thereby depriving the androgen receptor of its ligand. The k(cat) for the NADPH-dependent reduction of DHT catalyzed by AKR1C2 is 0.033 s(-1). We employed transient kinetics and kinetic isotope effects to dissect the contribution of discrete steps to this low k(cat) value. Stopped-flow experiments to measure the formation of the AKR1C2.NADP(H) binary complex indicated that two slow isomerization events occur to yield a tight complex. A small primary deuterium isotope effect on k(cat) (1.5) and a slightly larger effect on k(cat)/K(m) (2.1) were observed in the steady state. In the transient state, the maximum rate constant for the single turnover of DHT (k(trans)) was determined to be 0.11 s(-1) for the NADPH-dependent reaction, which was approximately 4-fold greater than the corresponding k(cat) x k(trans) was significantly reduced when NADPD was substituted for NADPH, resulting in an apparent (D)k(trans) of 3.5. Thus, the effects of isotopic substitution on the hydride transfer step were masked by slow events that follow or precede the chemical transformation. Transient multiple-turnover reactions generated curvilinear reaction traces, consistent with the product formation and release occurring at comparable rates. Global fitting analysis of the transient kinetic data enabled the estimate of the rate constants for the three-step cofactor binding/release model and for the minimal ordered bi-bi turnover mechanism. Results were consistent with a kinetic mechanism in which a series of slow events, including the chemical step (0.12 s(-1)), the release of the steroid product (0.081 s(-1)), and the release of the cofactor product (0.21 s(-1)), combine to yield the overall observed low turnover number.

Identification of a novel NADH-specific aldo-keto reductase using sequence and structural homologies

The AKRs (aldo-keto reductases) are a superfamily of enzymes which mainly rely on NADPH to reversibly reduce various carbonyl-containing compounds to the corresponding alcohols. A small number have been found with dual NADPH/NADH specificity, usually preferring NADPH, but none are exclusive for NADH. Crystal structures of the dual-specificity enzyme xylose reductase (AKR2B5) indicate that NAD+ is bound via a key interaction with a glutamate that is able to change conformations to accommodate the 2'-phosphate of NADP+. Sequence comparisons suggest that analogous glutamate or aspartate residues may function in other AKRs to allow NADH utilization. Based on this, nine putative enzymes with potential NADH specificity were identified and seven genes were successfully expressed and purified from Drosophila melanogaster, Escherichia coli, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Sulfolobus solfataricus, Sinorhizobium meliloti and Thermotoga maritima. Each was assayed for co-substrate dependence with conventional AKR substrates. Three were exclusive for NADPH (AKR2E3, AKR3F2 and AKR3F3), two were dual-specific (AKR3C2 and AKR3F1) and one was specific for NADH (AKR11B2), the first such activity in an AKR. Fluorescence measurements of the seventh protein indicated that it bound both NADPH and NADH but had no activity. Mutation of the aspartate into an alanine residue or a more mobile glutamate in the NADH-specific E. coli protein converted it into an enzyme with dual specificity. These results show that the presence of this carboxylate is an indication of NADH dependence. This should allow improved prediction of co-substrate specificity and provide a basis for engineering enzymes with altered co-substrate utilization for this class of enzymes.

Theoretical basis, experimental design, and computerized simulation of synergism and antagonism in drug combination studies

The median-effect equation derived from the mass-action law principle at equilibrium-steady state via mathematical induction and deduction for different reaction sequences and mechanisms and different types of inhibition has been shown to be the unified theory for the Michaelis-Menten equation, Hill equation, Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, and Scatchard equation. It is shown that dose and effect are interchangeable via defined parameters. This general equation for the single drug effect has been extended to the multiple drug effect equation for n drugs. These equations provide the theoretical basis for the combination index (CI)-isobologram equation that allows quantitative determination of drug interactions, where CI < 1, = 1, and > 1 indicate synergism, additive effect, and antagonism, respectively. Based on these algorithms, computer software has been developed to allow automated simulation of synergism and antagonism at all dose or effect levels. It displays the dose-effect curve, median-effect plot, combination index plot, isobologram, dose-reduction index plot, and polygonogram for in vitro or in vivo studies. This theoretical development, experimental design, and computerized data analysis have facilitated dose-effect analysis for single drug evaluation or carcinogen and radiation risk assessment, as well as for drug or other entity combinations in a vast field of disciplines of biomedical sciences. In this review, selected examples of applications are given, and step-by-step examples of experimental designs and real data analysis are also illustrated. The merging of the mass-action law principle with mathematical induction-deduction has been proven to be a unique and effective scientific method for general theory development. The median-effect principle and its mass-action law based computer software are gaining increased applications in biomedical sciences, from how to effectively evaluate a single compound or entity to how to beneficially use multiple drugs or modalities in combination therapies.

Phytoestrogens as inhibitors of the human progesterone metabolizing enzyme AKR1C1

Phytoestrogens are plant-derived, non-steroidal constituents of our diets. They can act as agonists or antagonists of estrogen receptors, and they can modulate the activities of the key enzymes in estrogen biosynthesis. Much less is known about their actions on the androgen and progesterone metabolizing enzymes. We have examined the inhibitory action of phytoestrogens on the key human progesterone-metabolizing enzyme, 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C1). This enzyme inactivates progesterone and the neuroactive 3alpha,5alpha-tetrahydroprogesterone, to form their less active counterparts, 20alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and 5alpha-pregnane-3alpha,20alpha-diol, respectively. We overexpressed recombinant human AKR1C1 in Escherichia coli, purified it to homogeneity, and examined the selected phytoestrogens as inhibitors of NADPH-dependent reduction of a common AKR substrate, 9,10-phenantrenequinone, and progesterone. The most potent inhibitors were 7-hydroxyflavone, 3,7-dihydroxyflavone and flavanone naringenin with IC(50) values in the low microM range. Docking of the flavones in the active site of AKR1C1 revealed their possible binding modes, in which they are sandwiched between the Leu308 and Trp227 of AKR1C1.

Modulation of voltage-dependent Shaker family potassium channels by an aldo-keto reductase

The beta subunit (Kvbeta) of the Shaker family voltage-dependent potassium channels (Kv1) is a cytosolic protein that forms a permanent complex with the channel. Sequence and structural conservation indicates that Kvbeta resembles an aldo-keto reductase (AKR), an enzyme that catalyzes a redox reaction using an NADPH cofactor. A putative AKR in complex with a Kv channel has led to the hypothesis that intracellular redox potential may dynamically influence the excitability of a cell through Kvbeta. Since the AKR function of Kvbeta has never been demonstrated, a direct functional coupling between the two has not been established. We report here the identification of Kvbeta substrates and the demonstration that Kvbeta is a functional AKR. We have also found that channel function is modulated when the Kvbeta-bound NADPH is oxidized. Further studies of the enzymatic properties of Kvbeta seem to favor the role of Kvbeta as a redox sensor. These results suggest that Kvbeta may couple the excitability of the cell to its metabolic state and present a new avenue of research that may lead to understanding of the physiological functions of Kvbeta.

Structural and Mutational Analysis of Trypanosoma brucei Prostaglandin H2 Reductase Provides Insight into the Catalytic Mechanism of Aldo-ketoreductases

Trypanosoma brucei prostaglandin F2alpha synthase is an aldo-ketoreductase that catalyzes the reduction of prostaglandin H2 to PGF2alpha in addition to that of 9,10-phenanthrenequinone. We report the crystal structure of TbPGFS.NADP+.citrate at 2.1 angstroms resolution. TbPGFS adopts a parallel (alpha/beta)8-barrel fold lacking the protrudent loops and possesses a hydrophobic core active site that contains a catalytic tetrad of tyrosine, lysine, histidine, and aspartate, which is highly conserved among AKRs. Site-directed mutagenesis of the catalytic tetrad residues revealed that a dyad of Lys77 and His110, and a triad of Tyr52, Lys77, and His110 are essential for the reduction of PGH2 and 9,10-PQ, respectively. Structural and kinetic analysis revealed that His110, acts as the general acid catalyst for PGH2 reduction and that Lys77 facilitates His110 protonation through a water molecule, while exerting an electrostatic repulsion against His110 that maintains the spatial arrangement which allows the formation of a hydrogen bond between His110 and C11 that carbonyl of PGH2. We also show Tyr52 acts as the general acid catalyst for 9,10-PQ reduction, and thus we not only elucidate the catalytic mechanism of a PGH2 reductase but also provide an insight into the catalytic specificity of AKRs.

Enzyme kinetics of zearalenone biotransformation: pH and cofactor effects

The aim of the present study was to investigate the hepatic biotransformation of the mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEA) in vitro using subcellular fractions of pig livers. The dependencies of the enzymatic reactions involved on the enzyme velocity, on the cofactor and on pH were analysed in both the microsomal fraction and the post-mitochondrial cell fraction. Finally, the inhibitory effects of various endogenous substrates on the enzymes involved (3alpha- and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) were examined. Significant differences were observed between the individual subcellular fractions in terms of prevailing metabolites and absolute amounts of the metabolites produced. Moreover, this study also demonstrated that the reactions for both subcellular fractions of porcine liver are dependent on the cofactor, as alpha-zearalenol (alpha-ZOL) formation increased in the presence of NADPH, whereas beta-zearalenol (beta-ZOL) production only increased in the presence of NADH (P<0.001). The optimal pH for alpha-ZOL production was pH 5.6 and that for beta-ZOL formation pH 7.4. Subsequent inhibition studies showed significant inhibitory effects for 5alpha-androstanedione>androstanedione>pregnenolone on alpha-ZOL formation, whereas beta-ZOL production was only inhibited by pregnenolone. Finally, the contributions of 3alpha- and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase during the bioconversion of ZEA are discussed in the context of these experiments.

Loop relaxation, a mechanism that explains the reduced specificity of rabbit 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, a member of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily

The aldo-keto reductase rabbit 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (rb20alpha-HSD; AKR1C5) is less selective than other HSDs, since it exerts its activity both on androgens (C19 steroids) and progestins (C21 steroids). In order to identify the molecular determinants responsible for this reduced selectivity, binary (NADPH) and ternary (NADP(+)/testosterone) complex structures were solved to 1.32A and 2.08A resolution, respectively. Inspection of the cofactor-binding cavity led to the identification of a new interaction between side-chains of residues His222 and Lys270, which cover the central phosphate chain of the cofactor, reminiscent of the "safety-belt" found in other aldo-keto reductases. Testosterone is stabilized by a phenol/benzene tunnel composed of side-chains of numerous residues, among which Phe54, which forces the steroid to take up an orientation markedly contrasting with that found in HSD ternary complexes reported. Combining structural, site-directed mutagenesis, kinetic and fluorescence titration studies, we found that the selectivity of rb20alpha-HSD is mediated by (i) the relaxation of loop B (residues 223-230), partly controlled by the nature of residue 230, (ii) the nature of the residue found at position 54, and (iii) the residues found in the C-terminal tail of the protein especially the side-chain of the amino acid 306.

Transient-phase kinetic studies on the nucleotide binding to 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas sp. B-0831 using fluorescence stopped-flow procedures

The dual nucleotide cofactor-specific enzyme, 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3alpha-HSD) from Pseudomonas sp. B-0831, is a member of the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) superfamily. Transient-phase kinetic studies using the fluorescence stopped-flow method were conducted with 3alpha-HSD to characterize the nucleotide binding mechanism. The binding of oxidized nucleotides, NAD(+), NADP(+) and nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide (NAAD(+)), agreed well with a one-step mechanism, while that of reduced nucleotide, NADH, showed a two-step mechanism. This difference draws attention to previous characteristic findings on rat liver 3alpha-HSD, which is a member of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily. Although functionally similar, AKRs are structurally different from SDRs. The dissociation rate constants associated with the enzyme-nucleotide complex formation were larger than the k(cat) values for either oxidation or reduction of substrates, indicating that the release of cofactors is not rate-limiting overall. It should also be noted that k(cat) for a substrate, cholic acid, with NADP(+) was only 6% of that with NAD(+), and no catalytic activity was detectable with NAAD(+), despite the similar binding affinities of nucleotides. These results suggest that a certain type of nucleotide can modulate nucleotide-binding mode and further the catalytic function of the enzyme.

Anatomical and cellular localization of neuroactive 5?/3?-reduced steroid-synthesizing enzymes in the spinal cord

The complementary activities of 5 alpha-reductase (5 alpha-R) and 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 alpha-HSD) are crucial for the synthesis of neuroactive 5 alpha/3 alpha-reduced steroids, such as 3 alpha-androstanediol, allopregnanolone, and tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone, which control several important neurophysiological mechanisms through allosteric modulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors. Immunocytochemical localization of 3 alpha-HSD in the central nervous system (CNS) has never been determined. The presence and activity of 5 alpha-R have been investigated in the CNS, but only the brain was considered; the spinal cord (SC) received little attention, although this structure is crucial for many sensorimotor activities. We have determined the first cellular distribution of 5 alpha-reductase type 1 (5 alpha-R1) and type 2 (5 alpha-R2) and 3 alpha-HSD immunoreactivities in adult rat SC. 5 alpha-R1 immunostaining was detected mainly in the white matter (Wm). In contrast, intense 5 alpha-R2 labeling was observed in dorsal (DH) and ventral horns of gray matter (Gm). 3 alpha-HSD immunoreactivity was largely distributed in the Wm and Gm, but the highest density was found in sensory areas of the DH. Double-labeling experiments combined with confocal analysis revealed that, in the Wm, 5 alpha-R1 was localized in glial cells, whereas 35% of 5 alpha-R2 and 3 alpha-HSD immunoreactivities were found in neurons. In the DH, 60% of 5 alpha-R2 immunostaining colocalized with oligodendrocyte, 25% with neuron, and 15% with astrocyte markers. Similarly, 45% of 3 alpha-HSD immunoreactivity was found in oligodendrocytes, 35% in neurons, and 20% in astrocytes. These results are the first demonstrating that oligodendrocytes and neurons of the SC possess the key enzymatic complex for synthesizing potent neuroactive steroids that may control spinal sensorimotor processes.

Structure-function relationships in 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases: a comparison of the rat and human isoforms

3alpha-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (3alpha-HSDs) inactivate steroid hormones in the liver, regulate 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5alpha-DHT) levels in the prostate, and form the neurosteroid, allopregnanolone in the CNS. Four human 3alpha-HSD isoforms exist and correspond to AKR1C1-AKR1C4 of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily. Unlike the related rat 3alpha-HSD (AKR1C9) which is positional and stereospecific, the human enzymes display varying ratios of 3-, 17-, and 20-ketosteroid reductase activity as well as 3alpha-, 17beta-, and 20alpha-hydroxysteroid oxidase activity. Their k(cat) values are 50-100-fold lower than that observed for AKR1C9. Based on their product profiles and discrete tissue localization, the human enzymes may regulate the levels of active androgens, estrogens, and progestins in target tissues. The X-ray crystal structures of AKR1C9 and AKR1C2 (human type 3 3alpha-HSD, bile acid binding protein and peripheral 3alpha-HSD) reveal that the AKR1C2 structure can bind steroids backwards (D-ring in the A-ring position) and upside down (beta-face inverted) relative to the position of a 3-ketosteroid in AKR1C9 and this may account for its functional plasticity. Stopped-flow studies on both enzymes indicate that the conformational changes associated with binding cofactor (the first ligand) are slow; they are similar in both enzymes but are not rate-determining. Instead the low k(cat) seen in AKR1C2 (50-fold less than AKR1C9) may be due to substrate "wobble" at the plastic active site.

Steroid-binding site residues dictate optimal substrate positioning in rat 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3alpha-HSD or AKR1C9)

Rat liver 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3alpha-HSD or AKR1C9), a member of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily, plays a pivotal role in the inactivation of circulating steroid hormones. It is the most thoroughly characterized HSD of the AKR superfamily and can be used as a template for structure-function studies in other AKR members such as rodent and human 3alpha-, 17beta- and 20alpha-HSDs. Based on the crystal structure of the E.NADP(+) testosterone ternary complex, there are ten residues that line the testosterone binding cavity: T24, L54, Y55, H117, F118, F129, T226, W227, N306 and Y310. Each residue in the cavity, except for the catalytic residues Y55 and H117, was systematically mutated to alanine to determine the role of the individual residues in steroid recognition. Binding data and kinetic parameters (K(d), k(cat), K(m) and k(cat)/K(m)) of the homogeneous mutants were compared with that of the wild type (WT) enzyme. Titration of the intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence with NADPH demonstrated that cofactor binding was unaltered. However, binding of the steroid hormones testosterone and progesterone to the E.NADPH binary complex was affected to varying degrees. The largest effects on K(d) were an 8-fold decrease in affinity for testosterone and a 50-fold decrease in affinity for progesterone. The mutants bound both hormones in the same rank-order except for W227A, where the binding of progesterone was more adversely affected. A series of 3alpha-hydroxysteroid substrates (A/B trans- and cis-ring fused C(19) and C(21) steroids) were used to determine the ability of each mutant to catalyze steroid turnover. The alanine mutants that retained k(cat)/K(m) values similar to WT were those in which alanine substituted short polar residues such as T24A and T226A. The mutants with the lowest catalytic efficiencies were those in which alanine substituted aromatic residues such as W227A and F129A. The loss in catalytic efficiency was due to large changes in k(cat) (up to 1000-fold), but not K(m). Molecular modeling of the alanine mutants showed that changes in the reaction trajectory defined by the angles and distances by groups that participate in catalysis correlate with changes in k(cat). These results highlight the importance of steroid binding site residues in dictating the proper orientation of substrates to achieve high catalytic turnover while having minimal effects on hormone affinity.

Lysyl-tRNA synthetase from Bacillus stearothermophilus: the Trp314 residue is shielded in a non-polar environment and is responsible for the fluorescence changes observed in the amino acid activation reaction

Three Trp variants of lysyl-tRNA synthetase from Bacillus stearothermophilus, in which either one or both of the two Trp residues within the enzyme (Trp314 and Trp332) were substituted by a Phe residue, were produced by site-directed mutagenesis without appreciable loss of catalytic activity. The following two phenomena were observed with W332F and with the wild-type enzyme, but not with W314F: (1) the addition of L-lysine alone decreased the protein fluorescence of the enzyme, but the addition of ATP alone did not; (2) the subsequent addition of ATP after the addition of excess L-lysine restored the fluorescence to its original level. Fluorometry under various conditions and UV-absorption spectroscopy revealed that Trp314, which was about 20A away from the lysine binding site and was shielded in a non-polar environment, was solely responsible for the fluorescence changes of the enzyme in the L-lysine activation reaction. Furthermore, the microenvironmental conditions around the residue were made more polar upon the binding of L-lysine, though its contact with the solvent was still restricted. It was suggested that Trp314 was located in a less polar environment than was Trp332, after comparison of the wavelengths at the peaks of fluorescence emission and of the relative fluorescence quantum yields. Trp332 was thought, based on the fluorescence quenching by some perturbants and the chemical modification with N-bromosuccinimide, to be on the surface of the enzyme, whereas Trp314 was buried inside. The UV absorption difference spectra induced by the L-lysine binding indicated that the state of Trp314, including its electrostatic environment, changed during the process, but Trp332 did not change. The increased fluorescence from Trp314 at acidic pH compared with that at neutral pH suggests that carboxylate(s) are in close proximity to the Trp314 residue.

Structure of the human 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 in complex with testosterone and NADP at 1.25-A resolution

The first crystallographic structure of human type 3 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3alpha-HSD3, AKR1C2), an enzyme playing a critical role in steroid hormone metabolism, has been determined in complex with testosterone and NADP at 1.25-A resolution. The enzyme's 17beta-HSD activity was studied in comparison with its 3alpha-HSD activity. The enzyme catalyzes the inactivation of dihydrotestosterone into 5alpha-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol (3alpha-diol) as well as the transformation of androstenedione into testosterone. Using our homogeneous and highly active enzyme preparation, we have obtained 150-fold higher 3alpha-HSD specificity as compared with the former reports in the literature. Although the rat and the human 3alpha-HSDs share 81% sequence homology, our structure reveals significantly different geometries of the active sites. Substitution of the Ser(222) by a histidine in the human enzyme may compel the steroid to adopt a different binding to that previously described for the rat (Bennett, M. J., Albert, R. H., Jez, J. M., Ma, H., Penning, T. M., and Lewis, M. (1997) Structure 5, 799-T812). Furthermore, we showed that the affinity for the cofactor is higher in the human 3alpha-HSD3 than the rat enzyme due to the presence of additional hydrogen bonds on the adenine moiety and that the cofactor is present under its reduced form in the active site in our preparation.

Caspase-3 apoptotic signaling following injury to the central nervous system

Apoptotic cell death is a fundamental and highly regulated biological process in which a cell is instructed to participate actively in its own demise. This process of cellular suicide is activated by developmental and environmental cues and normally plays an essential role in eliminating superfluous, damaged, and senescent cells of many tissue types. In recent years, a number of experimental studies have provided evidence of widespread neuronal and glial apoptosis following injury to the central nervous system (CNS). These studies indicate that injury-induced apoptosis can be detected from hours to days following injury and may contribute to neurological dysfunction. Given these findings, understanding the biochemical signaling events controlling apoptosis is a first step towards developing therapeutic agents which would target this cell death process. This review will focus on the molecular cell death pathways responsible for generating the apoptotic phenotype, summarize what is currently known about apoptotic signals activated in the injured CNS, and what potential strategies might be pursued to reduce this cell death process as a means to promote functional recovery.

Binding of pyridine coenzymes to the beta-subunit of the voltage sensitive potassium channels

The beta-subunit of the voltage-sensitive K(+) channels shares 15-30% amino acid identity with the sequences of aldo-keto reductases (AKR) genes. However, the AKR properties of the protein remain unknown. To begin to understand its oxidoreductase properties, we examine the pyridine coenzyme binding activity of the protein in vitro. The cDNA of K(v)beta2.1 from rat brain was subcloned into a prokaryotic expression vector and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The purified protein was tetrameric in solution as determined by size exclusion chromatography. The protein displayed high affinity binding to NADPH as determined by fluorometric titration. The K(D) values for NADPH of the full-length wild-type protein and the N-terminus deleted protein were 0.1+/-0.007 and 0.05+/-0.006 M, respectively - indicating that the cofactor binding domain is restricted to the C-terminus, and is not drastically affected by the absence of the N-terminus amino acids, which form the ball and chain regulating voltage-dependent inactivation of the alpha-subunit. The protein displayed poor affinity for other coenzymes and the corresponding values of the K(D) for NADH and NAD were between 1-3 microM whereas the K(D) for FAD was >10 microM. However, relatively high affinity binding was observed with 3-acetyl pyridine NADP, indicating selective recognition of the 2' phosphate at the binding site. The selectivity of K(v)beta2.1 for NADPH over NADP may be significant in regulating the K(+) channels as a function of the cellular redox state.

Isoleucine-15 of rainbow trout carbonyl reductase-like 20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase is critical for coenzyme (NADPH) binding

Carbonyl reductase-like 20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (CR/20β-HSD) is an enzyme that converts 17α-hydroxyprogesterone to 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (the maturation-inducing hormone of salmonid fish). We have previously isolated two types of CR/20β-HSD cDNAs from ovarian follicle of rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ). Recombinant proteins produced by expression in Escherichia coli in vitro showed that one (type A) had CR and 20β-HSD activity but that the other (type B) did not. Among the three distinct residues between the protein products encoded by the two cDNAs, two residues (positions 15 and 27) are located in the N-terminal Rossmann fold, the coenzyme binding site. To investigate the structure/function relationships of CR/20β-HSDs, we generated mutants by site-directed mutagenesis at the following positions: MutA/I15T, MutB/T15I, and MutB/Q27K. Enzyme activity of wild-type A was abolished by substitution of Ile-15 by Thr (MutA/I15T). Conversely, enzyme activity was acquired by the replacement of Thr-15 with Ile in type B (MutB/T15I). MutB/T15I mutant showed properties similar to the wild-type A in every aspect tested. Mutation MutB/Q27K had only partial enzyme activity, indicating that Ile-15 plays an important role in enzyme binding of cofactor NADPH.

Isoleucine-15 of rainbow trout carbonyl reductase-like 20beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase is critical for coenzyme (NADPH) binding

Carbonyl reductase-like 20beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (CR/20beta-HSD) is an enzyme that converts 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone to 17alpha, 20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (the maturation-inducing hormone of salmonid fish). We have previously isolated two types of CR/20beta-HSD cDNAs from ovarian follicle of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Recombinant proteins produced by expression in Escherichia coli in vitro showed that one (type A) had CR and 20beta-HSD activity but that the other (type B) did not. Among the three distinct residues between the protein products encoded by the two cDNAs, two residues (positions 15 and 27) are located in the N-terminal Rossmann fold, the coenzyme binding site. To investigate the structure/function relationships of CR/20beta-HSDs, we generated mutants by site-directed mutagenesis at the following positions: MutA/I15T, MutB/T15I, and MutB/Q27K. Enzyme activity of wild-type A was abolished by substitution of Ile-15 by Thr (MutA/I15T). Conversely, enzyme activity was acquired by the replacement of Thr-15 with Ile in type B (MutB/T15I). MutB/T15I mutant showed properties similar to the wild-type A in every aspect tested. Mutation MutB/Q27K had only partial enzyme activity, indicating that Ile-15 plays an important role in enzyme binding of cofactor NADPH.

Conversion of mammalian 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase to 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase using loop chimeras: changing specificity from androgens to progestins

Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDs) regulate the occupancy and activation of steroid hormone receptors by converting potent steroid hormones into their cognate inactive metabolites. 3alpha-HSD catalyzes the inactivation of androgens in the prostate by converting 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone to 3alpha-androstanediol, where excess 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone is implicated in prostate disease. By contrast, 20alpha-HSD catalyzes the inactivation of progestins in the ovary and placenta by converting progesterone to 20alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, where progesterone is essential for maintaining pregnancy. Mammalian 3alpha-HSDs and 20alpha-HSDs belong to the aldo-keto reductase superfamily and share 67% amino acid sequence identity yet show positional and stereospecificity for the formation of secondary alcohols on opposite ends of steroid hormone substrates. The crystal structure of 3alpha-HSD indicates that the mature steroid binding pocket consists of 10 residues located on five loops, including loop A and the mobile loops B and C. 3alpha-HSD was converted to 20alpha-HSD by replacing these loops with those found in 20alpha-HSD. However, when pocket residues in 3alpha-HSD were mutated to those found in 20alpha-HSD altered specificity was not achieved. Replacement of loop A created a 17beta-HSD activity that was absent in either 3alpha- or 20alpha-HSD. Once loops A and C were replaced, the chimera had both 3alpha- and 20alpha-HSD activity. When loops A, B, and C were substituted, 3alpha-HSD was converted to a stereospecific 20alpha-HSD with a resultant shift in k(cat)/K(m) for the desired reaction of 2 x 10(11). This study represents an example where sex hormone specificity can be changed at the enzyme level.

Molecular determinants of steroid recognition and catalysis in aldo-keto reductases. Lessons from 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase

Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases (HSDs) regulate the occupancy of steroid hormone receptors by converting active steroid hormones into their cognate inactive metabolites. HSDs belong to either the Short-chain Dehydrogenase/Reductases (SDRs) or the Aldo-Keto Reductases (AKRs). The AKRs include virtually all mammalian 3alpha-HSDs, Type 5 17beta-HSD, ovarian 20alpha-HSDs as well as the steroid 5beta-reductases. Selective inhibitors of 3alpha-HSD isoforms could control occupancy of the androgen and GABA(A) receptors, while broader based AKR inhibitors targeting 3alpha-HSD, 20alpha-HSD and prostaglandin F2alpha synthase could maintain pregnancy. We have determined three X-ray crystal structures of rat liver 3alpha-HSD, a representative AKR. These structures are of the apoenzyme (E), the binary-complex (E.NADP-), and the ternary complex (E.NADP+.testosterone). These structures are being used with site-directed mutagenesis to define the molecular determinants of steroid recognition and catalysis as a first step in rational inhibitor design. A conserved catalytic tetrad (Tyr55, Lys84, His117 and Asp50) participates in a 'proton-relay' in which Tyr55 acts as general acid/base catalyst. Its bifunctionality relies on contributions from His117 and Lys84 which alter the pKb and pKa, respectively of this residue. Point mutation of the tetrad results in different enzymatic activities. H117E mutants display 5beta-reductase activity while Y55F and Y55S mutants retain quinone reductase activity. Our results suggest that different transition states are involved in these reaction mechanisms. The ternary complex structure shows that the mature steroid binding pocket is comprised of ten residues recruited from five loops, and that there is significant movement of a C-terminal loop on binding ligand. Mutagenesis of pocket tryptophans shows that steroid substrates and classes of nonsteroidal inhibitors exhibit different binding modes which may reflect ligand-induced loop movement. Exploitation of these findings using steroidal and nonsteroidal mechanism based inactivators may lead to selective and broad based AKR inhibitors.

cDNA cloning, expression, and mutagenesis study of liver-type prostaglandin F synthase

Prostaglandin (PG) F synthase catalyzes the reduction of PGD2 to 9alpha,11beta-PGF2 and that of PGH2 to PGF2alpha on the same molecule. PGF synthase has at least two isoforms, the lung-type enzyme (Km value of 120 microM for PGD2 (Watanabe, K., Yoshida, R., Shimizu, T., and Hayaishi, O. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 7035-7041) and the liver-type one (Km value of 10 microM for PGD2 (Chen, L. -Y., Watanabe, K., and Hayaishi, O. (1992) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 296, 17-26)). The liver-type enzyme was presently found to consist of a 969-base pair open reading frame coding for a 323-amino acid polypeptide with a Mr of 36,742. Sequence analysis indicated that the bovine liver PGF synthase had 87, 79, 77, and 76% identity with the bovine lung PGF synthase and human liver dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (DD) isozymes DD1, DD2, and DD4, respectively. Moreover, the amino acid sequence of the liver-type PGF synthase was identical with that of bovine liver DD3. The liver-type PGF synthase was expressed in COS-7 cells, and its recombinant enzyme had almost the same properties as the native enzyme. Furthermore, to investigate the nature of catalysis and/or substrate binding of PGF synthase, we constructed and characterized various mutant enzymes as follows: R27E, R91Q, H170C, R223L, K225S, S301R, and N306Y. Although the reductase activities toward PGH2 and phenanthrenequinone (PQ) of almost all mutants were not inactivated, the Km values of R27E, R91Q, H170C, R223L, and N306Y for PGD2 were increased from 15 to 110, 145, 75, 180, and 100 microM, respectively, indicating that Arg27, Arg91, His170, Arg223, and Asn306 are essential to give a low Km value for PGD2 of the liver-type PGF synthase and that these amino acid residues serve in the binding of PGD2. Moreover, the R223L mutant among these seven mutants especially has a profound effect on kcat for PGD2 reduction. The Km values of R223L, K225S, and S301R for PQ were about 2-10-fold lower than the wild-type value, indicating that the amino acid residues at 223, 225 and 301 serve in the binding of PQ to the enzyme. On the other hand, the Km value of H170C for PGH2 was 8-fold lower than that of the wild type, indicating that the amino acid residue at 170 is related to the binding of PGH2 to the enzyme and that Cys170 confer high affinity for PGH2. Additionally, the 5-fold increase in kcat/Km value of the N306Y mutant for PGH2 compared with the wild-type value suggests that the amino acid at 306 plays an important role in catalytic efficiency for PGH2.

Expression and characterization of recombinant type 2 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) from human prostate: demonstration of bifunctional 3 alpha/17 beta-HSD activity and cellular distribution

In androgen target tissues, 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3alpha-HSD) may regulate occupancy of the androgen receptor (AR) by catalyzing the interconversion of 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5alpha-DHT) (a potent androgen) and 3alpha-androstanediol (a weak androgen). In this study, a 3alpha-HSD cDNA (1170 bp) was isolated from a human prostate cDNA library. The human prostatic 3alpha-HSD cDNA encodes a 323-amino acid protein with 69.9%, 84.1%, 99.4%, and 87.9% sequence identity to rat liver 3alpha-HSD and human type 1, type 2, and type 3 3alpha-HSDs, respectively, and is a member of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily. The close homology with human type 2 3alpha-HSD suggests that it is either identical to this enzyme or a structural allele. Surprisingly, when the recombinant protein was expressed and purified from Escherichia coli, the enzyme did not oxidize androsterone when measured spectrophotometrically, an activity previously assigned to recombinant type 2 3alpha-HSD using this assay. Complete kinetic characterization of the purified protein using spectrophotometric, fluorometric, and radiometric assays showed that the catalytic efficiency favored 3alpha-androstanediol oxidation over 5alpha-DHT reduction. Using [14C]-5alpha-DHT as substrate, TLC analysis confirmed that the reaction product was [14C]-3alpha-androstanediol. However, in the reverse reaction, [3H]-3alpha-androstanediol was oxidized first to [3H]-androsterone and then to [3H]-androstanedione, revealing that the expressed protein possessed both 3alpha- and 17beta-HSD activities. The 17beta-HSD activity accounted for the higher catalytic efficiency observed with 3alpha-androstanediol. These findings indicate that, in the prostate, type 2 3alpha-HSD does not interconvert 5alpha-DHT and 3alpha-androstanediol but inactivates 5alpha-DHT through its 3-ketosteroid reductase activity. Levels of 3alpha-HSD mRNA were measured in primary cultures of human prostatic cells and were higher in epithelial cells than stromal cells. In addition, elevated levels of 3alpha-HSD mRNA were observed in epithelial cells derived from benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate carcinoma tissues. Expression of 3alpha-HSD was not prostate specific, since high levels of mRNA were also found in liver, small intestine, colon, lung, and kidney. This study is the first complete characterization of recombinant type 2 3alpha-HSD demonstrating dual activity and cellular distribution in the human prostate.

Comparative anatomy of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily

The aldo-keto reductases metabolize a wide range of substrates and are potential drug targets. This protein superfamily includes aldose reductases, aldehyde reductases, hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases and dihydrodiol dehydrogenases. By combining multiple sequence alignments with known three-dimensional structures and the results of site-directed mutagenesis studies, we have developed a structure/function analysis of this superfamily. Our studies suggest that the (alpha/beta)8-barrel fold provides a common scaffold for an NAD(P)(H)-dependent catalytic activity, with substrate specificity determined by variation of loops on the C-terminal side of the barrel. All the aldo-keto reductases are dependent on nicotinamide cofactors for catalysis and retain a similar cofactor binding site, even among proteins with less than 30% amino acid sequence identity. Likewise, the aldo-keto reductase active site is highly conserved. However, our alignments indicate that variation ofa single residue in the active site may alter the reaction mechanism from carbonyl oxidoreduction to carbon-carbon double-bond reduction, as in the 3-oxo-5beta-steroid 4-dehydrogenases (Delta4-3-ketosteroid 5beta-reductases) of the superfamily. Comparison of the proposed substrate binding pocket suggests residues 54 and 118, near the active site, as possible discriminators between sugar and steroid substrates. In addition, sequence alignment and subsequent homology modelling of mouse liver 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and rat ovary 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase indicate that three loops on the C-terminal side of the barrel play potential roles in determining the positional and stereo-specificity of the hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases. Finally, we propose that the aldo-keto reductase superfamily may represent an example of divergent evolution from an ancestral multifunctional oxidoreductase and an example of convergent evolution to the same active-site constellation as the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase superfamily.

Steroid recognition and regulation of hormone action: crystal structure of testosterone and NADP+ bound to 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid/dihydrodiol dehydrogenase

BACKGROUND

Mammalian 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (3 alpha-HSDs) modulate the activities of steroid hormones by reversibly reducing their C3 ketone groups. In steroid target tissues, 3 alpha-HSDs act on 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, a potent male sex hormone (androgen) implicated in benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer. Rat liver 3 alpha-HSD belongs to the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily and provides a model for mammalian 3 alpha-, 17 beta- and 20 alpha-HSDs, which share > 65% sequence identity. The determination of the structure of 3 alpha-HSD in complex with NADP+ and testosterone (a competitive inhibitor) will help to further our understanding of steroid recognition and hormone regulation by mammalian HSDs.

RESULTS

We have determined the 2.5 A resolution crystal structure of recombinant rat liver 3 alpha-HSD complexed with NADP+ and testosterone. The structure provides the first picture of an HSD ternary complex in the AKR superfamily, and is the only structure to date of testosterone bound to a protein. It reveals that the C3 ketone in testosterone, corresponding to the reactive group in a substrate, is poised above the nicotinamide ring which is involved in hydride transfer. In addition, the C3 ketone forms hydrogen bonds with two active-site residues implicated in catalysis (Tyr55 and His117).

CONCLUSIONS

The active-site arrangement observed in the 3 alpha-HSD ternary complex structure suggests that each positional-specific and stereospecific reaction catalyzed by an HSD requires a particular substrate orientation, the general features of which can be predicted. 3 alpha-HSDs are likely to bind substrates in a similar manner to the way in which testosterone is bound in the ternary complex, that is with the A ring of the steroid substrate in the active site and the beta face towards the nicotinamide ring to facilitate hydride transfer. In contrast, we predict that 17 beta-HSDs will bind substrates with the D ring of the steroid in the active site and with the alpha face towards the nicotinamide ring. The ability to bind substrates in only one or a few orientations could determine the positional-specificity and stereospecificity of each HSD. Residues lining the steroid-binding cavities are highly variable and may select these different orientations.

Structure and function of 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase

Mammalian 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (3 alpha-HSDs) inactivate circulating steroid hormones, and in target tissues regulate the occupancy of steroid hormone receptors. Molecular cloning indicates that 3 alpha-HSDs are members of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily and display high sequence identity (> 60%). Of these, the most extensively characterized is rat liver 3 alpha-HSD. X-ray crystal structures of the apoenzyme and the E.NADP+ complex have been determined and serve as structural templates for other 3 alpha-HSDs. These structures reveal that rat liver 3 alpha-HSD adopts an (alpha/beta)8-barrel protein fold. NAD(P)(H) lies perpendicular to the barrel axis in an extended conformation, with the nicotinamide ring at the core of the barrel, and the adenine ring at the periphery of the structure. The nicotinamide ring is stabilized by interaction with Y216, S166, D167, and Q190, so that the A-face points into the vacant active site. The 4-pro-(R) hydrogen transferred in the oxidoreduction of steroids is in close proximity to a catalytic tetrad that consists of D50, Y55, K84, and H117. A water molecule is within hydrogen bond distance of H117 and Y55, and its position may mimic the position of the carbonyl of a 3-ketosteroid substrate. The catalytic tetrad is conserved in members of the AKR superfamily and resides at the base of an apolar cleft implicated in binding steroid hormone. The apolar cleft consists of a side of apolar residues (L54, W86, F128, and F129), and opposing this side is a flexible loop that contains W227. These constraints suggest that the alpha-face of the steroid would orient itself along that side of the cleft containing W86. Site-directed mutagenesis of the catalytic tetrad indicates that Y55 and K84 are essential for catalysis. Y55S and Y55F mutants are catalytically inactive, but still form binary (E.NADPH) and ternary (E.NADH.Testosterone) complexes; by contrast K84R and K84M mutants are catalytically inactive, but do not bind steroid hormone. The reliance on a Tyr/Lys pair is reminiscent of catalytic mechanisms proposed for other AKR members as well as for HSDs that belong to the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) family, in which Tyr is the general acid, with its pKa being lowered by Lys. Superimposition of the nicotinamide rings in the structures of 3 alpha-HSD (an AKR) and 3 alpha, 20 beta-HSD (an SDR) show that the Tyr/Lys pairs are positionally conserved, suggesting convergent evolution across protein families to a common mechanism for HSD catalysis. W86Y and W227Y mutants bind testosterone to the E.NADH complex, with effective increases in Kd of 8- and 20-fold. These data provide the first evidence that the side of the apolar cleft containing W86 and the opposing flexible loop containing W227 are parts of the steroid-binding site. Detailed mutagenesis studies of the apolar cleft and elucidation of a ternary complex structure will ultimately provide details of the determinants that govern steroid hormone recognition. These determinants could provide a rational basis for structure-based inhibitor design.