Administration of 5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid that potentially targets mitochondrial dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase confers cerebral preconditioning against ischemic stroke injury

The objective of this study was to investigate a possible role of mitochondrial dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLDH) as a chemical preconditioning target for neuroprotection against ischemic injury. We used 5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (MICA), a reportedly reversible DLDH inhibitor, as the preconditioning agent and administered MICA to rats mainly via dietary intake. Upon completion of 4 week's MICA treatment, rats underwent 1h transient ischemia and 24h reperfusion followed by tissue collection. Our results show that MICA protected the brain against ischemic stroke injury as the infarction volume of the brain from the MICA-treated group was significantly smaller than that from the control group. Data were then collected without or with stroke surgery following MICA feeding. It was found that in the absence of stroke following MICA feeding, DLDH activity was lower in the MICA treated group than in the control group, and this decreased activity could be partly due to DLDH protein sulfenation. Moreover, DLDH inhibition by MICA was also found to upregulate the expression of NAD(P)H-ubiquinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1) via the Nrf2 signaling pathway. In the presence of stroke following MICA feeding, decreased DLDH activity and increased Nrf2 signaling were also observed along with increased NQO1 activity, decreased oxidative stress, decreased cell death, and increased mitochondrial ATP output. We also found that MICA had a delayed preconditioning effect four weeks post MICA treatment. Our study indicates that administration of MICA confers chemical preconditioning and neuroprotection against ischemic stroke injury.

Inhibiting sperm pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and its E3 subunit, dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase affects fertilization in Syrian hamsters

Background/Aims

The importance of sperm capacitation for mammalian fertilization has been confirmed in the present study via sperm metabolism. Involvement of the metabolic enzymes pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHc) and its E3 subunit, dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD) in hamster in vitro fertilization (IVF) via in vitro sperm capacitation is being proposed through regulation of sperm intracellular lactate, pH and calcium.

Methodology and Principal Findings

Capacitated hamster spermatozoa were allowed to fertilize hamster oocytes in vitro which were then assessed for fertilization, microscopically. PDHc/DLD was inhibited by the use of the specific DLD-inhibitor, MICA (5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid). Oocytes fertilized with MICA-treated (MT) [and thus PDHc/DLD-inhibited] spermatozoa showed defective fertilization where 2^nd polar body release and pronuclei formation were not observed. Defective fertilization was attributable to capacitation failure owing to high lactate and low intracellular pH and calcium in MT-spermatozoa during capacitation. Moreover, this defect could be overcome by alkalinizing spermatozoa, before fertilization. Increasing intracellular calcium in spermatozoa pre-IVF and in defectively-fertilized oocytes, post-fertilization rescued the arrest seen, suggesting the role of intracellular calcium from either of the gametes in fertilization. Parallel experiments carried out with control spermatozoa capacitated in medium with low extracellular pH or high lactate substantiated the necessity of optimal sperm intracellular lactate levels, intracellular pH and calcium during sperm capacitation, for proper fertilization.

Conclusions

This study confirms the importance of pyruvate/lactate metabolism in capacitating spermatozoa for successful fertilization, besides revealing for the first time the importance of sperm PDHc/ DLD in fertilization, via the modulation of sperm intracellular lactate, pH and calcium during capacitation. In addition, the observations made in the IVF studies in hamsters suggest that capacitation failures could be a plausible cause of unsuccessful fertilization encountered during human assisted reproductive technologies, like IVF and ICSI. Our studies indicate a role of sperm capacitation in the post-penetration events during fertilization.

TGL-mediated lipolysis in Manduca sexta fat body: possible roles for lipoamide-dehydrogenase (LipDH) and high-density lipophorin (HDLp)

Triglyceride-lipase (TGL) is a major fat body lipase in Manduca sexta. The knowledge of how TGL activity is regulated is very limited. A WWE domain, presumably involved in protein-protein interactions, has been previously identified in the N-terminal region of TGL. In this study, we searched for proteins partners that interact with the N-terminal region of TGL. Thirteen proteins were identified by mass spectrometry, and the interaction with four of these proteins was confirmed by immunoblot. The oxidoreductase lipoamide-dehydrogenase (LipDH) and the apolipoprotein components of the lipid transporter, HDLp, were among these proteins. LipDH is the common component of the mitochondrial α-keto acid dehydrogenase complexes whereas HDLp occurs in the hemolymph. However, subcellular fractionation demonstrated that these two proteins are relatively abundant in the soluble fraction of fat body adipocytes. The cofactor lipoate found in typical LipDH substrates was not detected in TGL. However, TGL proved to have critical thiol groups. Additional studies with inhibitors are consistent with the notion that LipDH acting as a diaphorase could preserve the activity of TGL by controlling the redox state of thiol groups. On the other hand, when TG hydrolase activity of TGL was assayed in the presence of HDLp, the production of diacylglycerol (DG) increased. TGL-HDLp interaction could drive the intracellular transport of DG. TGL may be directly involved in the lipoprotein assembly and loading with DG, a process that occurs in the fat body and is essential for insects to mobilize fatty acids. Overall the study suggests that TGL occurs as a multi-protein complex supported by interactions through the WWE domain.

Disruption of ptLPD1 or ptLPD2, genes that encode isoforms of the plastidial lipoamide dehydrogenase, confers arsenate hypersensitivity in Arabidopsis

Arsenic is a ubiquitous environmental poison that inhibits root elongation and seed germination to a variable extent depending on the plant species. To understand the molecular mechanisms of arsenic resistance, a genetic screen was developed to isolate arsenate overly sensitive (aos) mutants from an activation-tagged Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) population. Three aos mutants were isolated, and the phenotype of each was demonstrated to be due to an identical disruption of plastidial LIPOAMIDE DEHYDROGENASE1 (ptLPD1), a gene that encodes one of the two E3 isoforms found in the plastidial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. In the presence of arsenate, ptlpd1-1 plants exhibited reduced root and shoot growth and enhanced anthocyanin accumulation compared with wild-type plants. The ptlpd1-1 plants accumulated the same amount of arsenic as wild-type plants, indicating that the aos phenotype was not due to increased arsenate in the tissues but to an increase in the innate sensitivity to the poison. Interestingly, a ptlpd1-4 knockdown allele produced a partial aos phenotype. Two loss-of-function alleles of ptLPD2 in Arabidopsis also caused elevated arsenate sensitivity, but the sensitivity was less pronounced than for the ptlpd1 mutants. Moreover, both the ptlpd1 and ptlpd2 mutants were more sensitive to arsenite than wild-type plants, and the LPD activity in isolated chloroplasts from wild-type plants was sensitive to arsenite but not arsenate. These findings show that the ptLPD isoforms are critical in vivo determinants of arsenite-mediated arsenic sensitivity in Arabidopsis and possible strategic targets for increasing arsenic tolerance.

NADPH-dependent coenzyme Q reductase is the main enzyme responsible for the reduction of non-mitochondrial CoQ in cells

We purified an NADPH-dependent coenzyme Q reductase (NADPH-CoQ reductase) in rat liver cytosol and compared its enzymatic properties with those of the other CoQ10 reductases such as NADPH: quinone acceptor oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), lipoamide dehydrogenase, thioredoxine reductase and glutathione reductase. NADPH-CoQ reductase was the only enzyme that preferred NADPH to NADH as an electron donor and was also different from the other CoQ10 reductases in the sensitivities to its inhibitors and stimulators. Especially, Zn2+ was the most powerful inhibitor for NADPH-CoQ reductase, but CoQ10 reduction by the other CoQ10 reductases could not be inhibited by Zn2+. Furthermore, the reduction of the CoQ9 incorporated into HeLa cells was also inhibited by Zn2+ in the presence of pyrithione, a zinc ionophore. Moreover, NQO1 gene silencing in HeLa cells by transfection of a small interfering RNA resulted in lowering of both the NQO1 protein level and the NQO1 activity by about 75%. However, this transfection did not affect the NADPH-CoQ reductase activity and the reduction of CoQ9 incorporated into the cells. These results suggest that the NADPH-CoQ reductase located in cytosol may be the main enzyme responsible for the reduction of non-mitochondrial CoQ in cells.

Valproic acid metabolites inhibit dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase activity leading to impaired 2-oxoglutarate-driven oxidative phosphorylation

The effect of the antiepileptic drug valproic acid (VPA) on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) was investigated in vitro. Two experimental approaches were used, in the presence of selected respiratory-chain substrates: (1) formation of ATP in digitonin permeabilized rat hepatocytes and (2) measurement of the rate of oxygen consumption by polarography in rat liver mitochondria. VPA (0.1-1.0 mM) was found to inhibit oxygen consumption and ATP synthesis under state 3 conditions with glutamate and 2-oxoglutarate as respiratory substrates. No inhibitory effect on OXPHOS was observed when succinate (plus rotenone) was used as substrate. We tested the hypothesis that dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase (DLDH) might be a direct target of VPA, especially its acyl-CoA intermediates. Valproyl-CoA (0.5-1.0 mM) and valproyl-dephosphoCoA (0.5-1.0 mM) both inhibited the DLDH activity, acting apparently by different mechanisms. The decreased activity of DLDH induced by VPA metabolites may, at least in part, account for the impaired rate of oxygen consumption and ATP synthesis in mitochondria if 2-oxoglutarate or glutamate were used as respiratory substrates, thus limiting the flux of these substrates through the citric acid cycle.

Trypanosoma cruzi Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase as Target for Phenothiazine Cationic Radicals. Effect of Antioxidants

Myeloperoxidase (MPO), myoglobin (Mb) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP), catalyzed the generation of radical-cations by one-electron oxidation of phenothiazines (PTZ). The transient formation of these radicals (PTZ+.) was confirmed by ESR and optical spectroscopy. These species are reactive towards Trypanosoma cruzi LADH (T. cruzi LADH), T. cruzi trypanothione reductase (T. cruzi TR) and possibly other macromolecule targets. Both T. cruzi enzymes were irreversibly inactivated. T. cruzi LADH inactivation depended on: a) PTZ structure, peroxidase nature and the rate production of PTZ+. radical cations; b) incubation time; c) the presence of an antioxidant that intercepts free radicals. The production of PTZ+. radical cations, which is essential for T. cruzi LADH inactivation, is correlated with the electron donor ability of the substrates, as qualified by the Hammett sigmapara constant for the subtituent in the 2-position of the PTZ. Promazine (PZ), trimeprazine (TMPZ) and thioridazine (TRDZ) were the most effective inactivating agents, whereas trifluophenothiazines with CF3 group at 2-position (Trifluoperazine (TFP), fluphenazine (FFZ) and trifluopromazine (TFPZ)), and propericyazine (PCYZ) with CN group at 2-position, were much less active or inactive, all in close agreement with their higher or lowest electron donor ability, respectively. Comparison of inactivation values for T. cruzi LADH and mammalian heart LADH demonstrated a greater sensitivity of T. cruzi LADH to various PTZ studied. Thiol compounds, tyrosine, dopa, tryptophan, NADH, ascorbate and trolox prevented T. cruzi LADH inactivation by the peroxidase/H2O2 systems in agreement with their ability to suppress PTZ+. radical cations. The role of these radicals as enzyme inhibitors, or as generators of secondary free radicals and metabolite depletors may contribute to explain the trypanocidal effect as well as other chemotherapeutic actions of PTZ.

Phenothiazine radicals inactivate Trypanosoma cruzi dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase: enzyme protection by radical scavengers

Phenothiazine cation radicals (PTZ+*) irreversibly inactivated Trypanosoma cruzi dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (LADH). These radicals were obtained by phenothiazine (PTZ) peroxidation with myeloperoxidase (MPO) or horseradish peroxidase (HRP/H2O2) systems. LADH inactivation depended on PTZ structure and incubation time. After 10 min incubation of LADH with the MPO-dependent systems, promazine, trimeprazine and thioridazine were the most effective; after 30 min incubation, chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine and promethazine were similarly effective. HRP-dependent systems were equally or more effective than the corresponding MPO-dependent ones. Chloro, trifluoro, propionyl and nitrile groups at position 2 of the PTZ ring significantly decreased molecular activity, specially with the MPO/H2O2 systems. Comparison of inactivation values for LADH and T. cruzi trypanothione reductase demonstrated a greater sensitivity of LADH to chlorpromazine and perphenazine and a 10-fold lower sensitivity to promazine, thioridazine and trimeprazine. Alkylamino, alkyl-piperidinyl or alkyl-piperazinyl groups at position 10 modulated PTZ activity to a limited degree. Production of PTZ+* radicals was demonstrated by optical and ESR spectroscopy methods. PTZ+* radicals stability depended on their structure as demonstrated by promazine and thioridazine radicals. Thiol compounds such as GSH and N-acetylcysteine, L-tyrosine, L-tryptophan, the corresponding peptides, ascorbate and Trolox, prevented LADH inactivation by the MPO/H2O2/thioridazine system, in close agreement with their action as PTZ+* scavengers. NADH (not NAD+) produced transient protection of LADH against thioridazine and promazine radicals, the protection kinetics being affected by the relatively fast rate of NADH oxidation by these radicals. The role of the observed effects of PTZ radicals for PTZ cytotoxicity is discussed.

Trypanosoma brucei: in vitro slender-to-stumpy differentiation of culture-adapted, monomorphic bloodstream forms

Pleomorphic Trypanosoma brucei strains are characterized by their ability to differentiate from replicating long slender forms into non-dividing short stumpy forms in the mammalian host. The differentiation process can be efficiently induced in vitro by treatment with the membrane-permeable cAMP derivative 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cAMP (pCPTcAMP). In contrast, monomorphic T. brucei strains do not differentiate to stumpy forms in the host. Here, we show that exposure of monomorphic, culture-adapted T. brucei bloodstream forms to pCPTcAMP allowed their subsequent differentiation into short stumpy forms. The stumpy nature of pCPTcAMP-treated parasites was confirmed by (1) morphological change, (2) inhibition of growth and DNA synthesis, (3) cell cycle arrest in the G(1)/G(0) phase, (4) expression of NADH diaphorase activity and dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase, (5) disappearance of the small subunit of ribonucleotide reductase, (6) up-regulation of the major lysosomal membrane protein, and (7) efficient transformation into replicating procyclic insect forms after induction with citrate/cis-aconitate. Our results indicate that the inability of monomorphic T. brucei bloodstream forms to differentiate into short stumpy forms in the host may be due to a failure in the signalling pathway rather than in the differentiation process itself. Treatment of monomorphic bloodstream trypanosomes with pCPTcAMP could be a useful method for identifying the genes involved in the slender-to-stumpy differentiation process.

Myeloperoxidase-generated phenothiazine cation radicals inactivate Trypanosoma cruzi dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase

Peroxidase/H2O2/phenothiazine systems irreversibly inhibit Trypanosoma cruzi dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (LADH). Inactivation of the parasite enzyme depended on (a) phenothiazine structure; (b) peroxidase nature; (c) incubation time and (d) the presence of a cation radical scavenger. With the myeloperoxidase/H2O2/system, promazine, trimeprazine, thioridazine, promethiazine, prochlorperazine, chlorpromazine and perphenazine were the most effective derivatives out of twelve phenothiazines studied. An electronegative substituent at position 2 of the phenothiazine ring such as Cl, or trifluoromethyl, propionyl and nitrile groups decreased or nullified phenothiazine activity. Myeloperoxidase/H2O2/, horseradish peroxidase/H2O2/, and myoglobin/H2O2/systems activated phenothiazines producing the corresponding cation radicals, myeloperoxidase being the most selective one with respect to phenothiazine structure. The myoglobin/H2O2/system activated phenothiazines that were scarcely active or inactivate with the MPO/H2O2/system, such as the trifluoromethyl derivatives. Production of phenothiazine cation radicals was demonstrated by optical spectroscopy. Phenothiazine cation radical stability depended on their structure as illustrated by promazine and thioridazine. Thiol compounds (GSH, N-acetyl-cysteine and penicillamine), aromatic aminoacids (L-tyrosine, L-tryptophan, and the corresponding peptides) and ascorbate scavenged phenothiazine cation radicals, thus preventing LADH inactivation. Comparison of the summarized phenothiazine effects with those of phenothiazines on T. cruzi suggest the role of cation radicals in phenothiazines chemotherapeutic actions.

2- and 3-substituted 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives as subversive substrates of trypanothione reductase and lipoamide dehydrogenase from Trypanosoma cruzi: synthesis and correlation between redox cycling activities and in vitro cytotoxicity

Trypanothione reductase (TR) is both a valid and an attractive target for the design of new trypanocidal drugs. Starting from menadione, plumbagin, and juglone, three distinct series of 1,4-naphthoquinones (NQ) were synthesized as potential inhibitors of TR from Trypanosoma cruzi (TcTR). The three parent molecules were functionalized at carbons 2 and/or 3 by various polyamine chains. Optimization of TcTR inhibition and TcTR specificity versus human disulfide reductases was achieved with the 3,3'-[polyaminobis(carbonylalkyl)]bis(1,4-NQ) series 19-20, in which an optimum chain length was determined for inhibition of the trypanothione disulfide reduction. The most active derivatives against trypanosomes in cultures were also studied as subversive substrates of TcTR and lipoamide dehydrogenase (TcLipDH). The activities were measured by following NAD(P)H oxidation as well as coupling the reactions to the reduction of cytochrome c which permits the detection of one-electron transfer. For TcTR, 20(4-c) proved to be a potent subversive substrate and an effective uncompetitive inhibitor versus trypanothione disulfide and NADPH. Molecular modeling studies based on the known X-ray structures of TcTR and hGR were conducted in order to compare the structural features, dimensions, and accessibility of the cavity at the dimer interface of TcTR with that of hGR, as one of the putative NQ binding sites. TcLipDH reduced the plumbagin derivatives by an order of magnitude faster than the corresponding menadione derivatives. Such differences were not observed with the pig heart enzyme. The most efficient and specific subversive substrates of TcTR and TcLipDH exhibited potent antitrypanosomal activity in in vitro T. brucei and T. cruzi cultures. The results obtained here confirm that reduction of NQs by parasitic flavoenzymes is a promising strategy for the development of new trypanocidal drugs.

Trypanosoma cruzi dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase is inactivated by myeloperoxidase-generated "reactive species"

Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (LADH) from Trypanosoma cruzi was inactivated by treatment with myeloperoxidase (MPO)-dependent systems. With MPO/H2O2/NaCl, LADH lipoamide reductase and diaphorase activities significantly decreased as a function of incubation time. Iodide, bromide, thiocyanide and chloride effectively supplemented the MPO/H2O2 system, KI and NaCl being the most and the least effective supplements, respectively. LADH inactivation by MPO/H2O2/NaCl and by NaOCl was similarly prevented by thiol compounds such as GSH, L-cysteine, N-acetylcysteine, penicillamine and N-(2-mercaptopropionyl-glycine) in agreement with the role of HOCI in LADH inactivation by MPO/H2O2/NaCl. LADH was also inactivated by MPO/NADH/halide, MPO/H2O2/NaNO2 and MPO/NADH/NaNO2 systems. Catalase prevented the action of the NADH-dependent systems, thus supporting H2O2 production by NADH-supplemented LADH. MPO inhibitors (4-aminobenzoic acid hydrazide, and isoniazid), GSH, L-cysteine, L-methionine and L-tryptophan prevented LADH inactivation by MPO/H2O2/NaNO2. Other MPO systems inactivating LADH were (a) MPO/H2O2/chlorpromazine; (b) MPO/H2O2/monophenolic systems, including L-tyrosine, serotonin and acetaminophen and (c) MPO/H2O2/di- and polyphenolic systems, including norepinephrine, catechol, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin and catechin. Comparison of the above effects and those previously reported with pig myocardial LADH indicates that both enzymes were similarly affected by the MPO-dependent systems, allowance being made for T. cruzi LADH diaphorase inactivation and the greater sensitivity of its LADH lipoamide reductase activity towards the MPO/H2O2/NaCl system and NaOCl.

Inactivation of Trypanosoma cruzi dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase by leukocyte myeloperoxidase systems: role of hypochloride and nitrite related radicals

Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (LADH) from Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas' disease, was inactivated by treatment with myeloperoxidase (MPO)-dependent systems. LADH lipoamide reductase and diaphorase activities decreased as a function of incubation time and composition of the MPO/H2O2/halide system, a transient increase preceding the loss of diaphorase activity. Iodide, bromide, thiocyanide and chloride were effective components of MPO/H2O2 or MPO/NADH systems. Catalase prevented LADH inactivation by the MPO/NADH/halide systems in agreement with H2O2 production by NADH-supplemented LADH. Thiol compounds (L-cysteine, N-acetylcysteine, penicillamine, N-(2-mercaptopropionylglycine) and Captopril prevented LADH inactivation by the MPO/H2O2/NaCl system and by NaOCl, thus supporting HOCl as agent of the MPO/H2O2/NaCl system. MPO/H2O2/NaNO2 and MPO/NADH/NaNO2 inactivated LADH, the reaction being prevented by MPO inhibitors and thiol compounds. T. cruzi LADH was affected by MPO-dependent systems like myocardial LADH, allowance being made for the variation of the diaphorase activity and the greater sensitivity of the T. cruzi enzyme to MPO/H2O2/halide systems.

Nitrofuran drugs as common subversive substrates of Trypanosoma cruzi lipoamide dehydrogenase and trypanothione reductase

Lipoamide dehydrogenase (LipDH), trypanothione reductase (TR), and glutathione reductase (GR) catalyze the NAD(P)H-dependent reduction of disulfide substrates. TR occurs exclusively in trypanosomatids which lack a GR. Besides their physiological reactions, the flavoenzymes catalyze the single-electron reduction of nitrofurans with the concomitant generation of superoxide anions. Here, we report on the interaction of clinically used antimicrobial nitrofurans with LipDH and TR from Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas' disease (South American trypanosomiasis), in comparison to mammalian LipDH and GR. The compounds were studied as inhibitors and as subversive substrates of the enzymes. None of the nitrofurans inhibited LipDH, although they did interfere with the disulfide reduction of TR and GR. When the compounds were studied as substrates, T. cruzi LipDH showed a high rate of nitrofuran reduction and was even more efficient than its mammalian counterpart. Several derivatives were also effective subversive substrates of TR, but the respective reaction with human GR was negligible. Nifuroxazide, nifuroxime, and nifurprazine proved to be the most promising derivatives since they were redox-cycled by both T. cruzi LipDH and TR and had pronounced antiparasitic effects in cultures of T. cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei. The results suggest that those nitrofuran derivatives which interact with both parasite flavoenzymes should be revisited as trypanocidal drugs.

The inhibitory effects of lipoic compounds on mammalian pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and its catalytic components

To examine the stereospecific effects of lipoic compounds on pyruvate metabolism, the effects of R-lipoic acid (R-LA), S-lipoic acid (S-LA) and 1,2-diselenolane-3-pentanoic acid (Se-LA) on the activities of the mammalian pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) and its catalytic components were investigated. Both S-LA and R-LA markedly inhibited PDC activity; whereas Se-LA displayed inhibition only at higher concentrations. Examination of the effects on the individual catalytic components indicated that Se-LA inhibited the pyruvate dehydrogenase component; whereas R-LA and S-LA inhibited the dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase component. The three lipoic compounds lowered dihydrolipoamide dehydrogrenase (E3) activity in the forward reaction by about 30 to 45%. The kinetic data of E3 showed that both R-LA and Se-LA are used as substrates by E3 for the reverse reaction. Decarboxylation of [1-14C]pyruvate via PDC by cultured HepG2 cells was not affected by R-LA, but moderately decreased with S-LA and Se-LA. These findings indicate that (i) purified PDC and its catalytic components are affected by lipoic compounds based on their stereoselectivity; and (ii) the oxidation of pyruvate by intact HepG2 cells is not inhibited by R-LA. The later finding with the intact cells is in support of therapeutic role of R-LA as an antioxidant.

Inactivation of myocardial dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase by myeloperoxidase systems: effect of halides, nitrite and thiol compounds

Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (LADH) lipoamide reductase activity decreased whereas enzyme diaphorase activity increased after LADH treatment with myeloperoxidase (MPO) dependent systems (MPO/H2O2/halide, MPO/NADH/halide and MPO/H2O2/nitrite systems. LADH inactivation was a function of the composition of the inactivating system and the incubation time. Chloride, iodide, bromide, and the thiocyanate anions were effective complements of the MPO/H2O2 system. NaOCl inactivated LADH, thus supporting hypochlorous acid (HOCl) as putative agent of the MPO/H2O2/NaCl system. NaOCl and the MPO/H2O2/NaCl system oxidized LADH thiols and NaOCl also oxidized LADH methionine and tyrosine residues. LADH inactivation by the MPO/NADH/halide systems was prevented by catalase and enhanced by superoxide dismutase, in close agreement with H2O2 production by the LADH/NADH system. Similar effects were obtained with lactoperoxidase and horse-radish peroxidase supplemented systems. L-cysteine, N-acetylcysteine, penicillamine, N-(2-mercaptopropionylglycine), Captopril and taurine protected LADH against MPO systems and NaOCl. The effect of the MPO/H2O2/NaNO2 system was prevented by MPO inhibitors (sodium azide, isoniazid, salicylhydroxamic acid) and also by L-cysteine, L-methionine, L-tryptophan, L-tyrosine, L-histidine and reduced glutathione. The summarized observations support the hypothesis that peroxidase-generated "reactive species" oxidize essential thiol groups at LADH catalytic site.

Effects of butylated hydroxyanisole and dicoumarol on the toxicity of menadione to rats

The enzyme DT-diaphorase catalyses the 2-electron reduction of quinones. This reaction may facilitate the detoxification of such compounds, since the hydroquinone so formed can be converted into non-toxic conjugates. There is evidence for the involvement of DT-diaphorase in the detoxification of menadione (2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) in a wide range of cells and tissues in vitro, but no information is available on the possible influence of this enzyme on the harmful effects of menadione in vivo. In animals, menadione is selectively toxic to erythrocytes, causing haemolytic anaemia. In the present study, rats were treated with dicoumarol, an inhibitor of DT-diaphorase, or butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a substance that increases the activity of this enzyme in vivo. They were then challenged with a toxic dose of menadione. Dicoumarol increased the severity of menadione-induced haemolytic anaemia while BHA decreased it, consistent with a role for DT-diaphorase in the detoxification of menadione in vivo, as previously described in vitro.

Purified leukocyte cytochrome b558 incorporated into liposomes catalyzes a cytosolic factor dependent diaphorase activity

The leukocyte iodonitrotetrazolium violet (INT) reductase activity of disrupted bovine polymorphonuclear neutrophils is closely associated with the activation of the O2(-)-generating NADPH oxidase in a cell-free system. It is dependent upon NADPH, cytosolic factors, and amphiphiles (such as arachidonate), the same factors required for O2- generation. Both O2- generation and INT reductase activity are inhibited by phenylarsine oxide, an inhibitor of the activation of the NADPH oxidase [Li, J., & Guillory, R. J. (1997) J. Biochem. Mol. Biol. Biophys. (in press)]. In this report, the INT diaphorase activity of disrupted bovine polymorphonuclear neutrophils is shown to be resolved by DEAE-Sepharose chromatography into two fractions: an NADPH-cytochrome c reductase-containing fraction and a cytochrome b558-associated fraction. The diaphorase activity in the NADPH-cytochrome c reductase-containing portion is not dependent upon the presence of an amphiphile or phospholipid and is not associated with O2- generation. Upon incorporation into liposomes, the cytochrome b558-containing fraction demonstrates high O2- and INT reductase activities in the presence of cytosolic factors. Both O2- generation and INT reductase activities are SDS and FAD dependent and further stimulated by GTPgammaS. Phenylarsine oxide inhibits both O2- generation and INT reductase activities when added prior to activation by SDS. With the cytochrome b-containing liposomes, the Km values (O2- formation) for NADPH and NADH are 27.2 microM and 810 microM, and for INT reductase the Km values are 27.5 microM and 1017 microM, respectively. Under anaerobic conditions and thus in the absence of O2- formation, the NADPH-dependent INT reductase activity does not change, indicating that the dye reduction is not due to its direct reduction by O2 anion but is an intrinsic property of the superoxide-generating NADPH oxidase. Cytochrome b558 is the essential component of the NADPH oxidase and contains all the redox centers necessary for electron flow between NADPH and oxygen. The correlation of the activation and inhibition patterns for O2- generation and INT reduction by cytochrome b558 incorporated into artificial liposomes strongly indicates that the two activities are associated with the same membrane protein, cytochrome b558.

Growth hormone-responsive DT-diaphorase-mediated bioreduction of tetrazolium salts

Microculture tetrazolium assays (MTAs) rely upon the bioreduction of tetrazolium salts to their intensely coloured formazans. Although these assays are being extensively used, the intracellular mechanisms responsible for the formazan production are not known. MTAs currently provide the basis for uniquely precise in vitro bioassays for human growth hormone (hGH) which use the Nb2 cells. We have compared two contrasting tetrazolium salts, namely 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)- 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and 5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl)-3-(4-++ +sulfophenyl) tetrazolium, inner salt (MTS), in this system. An intermediate electron acceptor (IEA) is obligatory for the MTS- but not the MTT-bioassay. We report that inhibitors of DT-diaphorase abolished MTS- but not MTT-formazan production. We conclude that substitution of MTT with MTS/menadione resulted in formazan production via a different electron transfer pathway which is exclusively mediated by DT-diaphorase.

Structural and functional analogs of CuZn superoxide dismutase inhibit rat brain nitric oxide synthase by interference with the reductase (diaphorase) domain

Copper complexes with superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity show a wide range of pharmacological activities. We have investigated the effect of ([N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethylene)-1,4-butanediamine]-(N,N',N", N"')]-Cu(II)-chloride (Cu-PuPy) and ([N,N'-bis(2-pyridyl-phenyl)methylene-1,4-butanediamine]-(N,N',N", N"'))-Cu(II)-chloride (Cu-PuPhePy) on the multiple catalytic functions of rat brain NO synthase (NOS). Both drugs inhibited the formation of L-citrulline as well as the enzymatic reduction of cytochrome c. The uncoupled oxidation of NADPH, catalyzed by neuronal NOS in the absence of L-arginine, was inhibited by Cu-PuPy but stimulated by Cu-PuPhePy, suggesting that the phenyl-substituted compound acts as a parasitic electron acceptor. Our data identify copper complexes with SOD mimicking activity as a novel class of neuronal NOS inhibitors blocking the reductase (diaphorase) activity of the enzyme.

Catecholamines enhance dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase inactivation by the copper Fenton system. Enzyme protection by copper chelators

Catecholamines (CAs: epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, L-DOPA, 6-hydroxydopamine) and o-diphenols (DOPAC and catechol) enhanced dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (LADH) inactivation by Cu(II)/H2O2 (Cu-Fenton system). The inhibition of LADH activity correlated with Cu(II), H2O2 and CA concentrations. Similar inhibitions were obtained with the assayed CAs and o-diphenols. CAs enhanced HO. radical production by Cu(II)/H2O2, as demonstrated by benzoate hydroxylation and deoxyribose oxidation; LADH counteracted the pro-oxidant effect of CAs by scavenging hydroxyl radicals. Captopril, dihydrolipoamide, dihydrolipoic acid, DL-dithiothreitol, GSSG, trypanothione and histidine effectively preserved LADH from oxidative damage, whereas N-acetylcysteine, N-(2-mercaptopropionylglycine) and lipoamide were less effective protectors. Catalase (though neither bovine serum albumin nor superoxide dismutase) protected LADH against the Cu(II)/H2O2/CAs systems. Denatured catalase protected less than the native enzyme, its action possibly depending on Cu-binding. LADH increased and Captopril inhibited epinephrine oxidation by Cu(II)/H2O2 and Cu(II). The summarized evidence supports the following steps for LADH inactivation: (1) reduction of LADH linked-Cu(II) to Cu(I) by CAs; (2) production of HO. from H2O2 by LADH-linked Cu(I) (Haber-Weiss reaction) and (3) oxidation of aminoacid residues at the enzyme active site by site-specifically generated HO. radicals. Hydrogen peroxide formation from CAs autoxidation may contribute to LADH inactivation.

The interaction between lipoamide dehydrogenase and the peripheral-component-binding domain from the Azotobacter vinelandii pyruvate dehydrogenase complex

The sensitivity of lipoamide dehydrogenase (dihydrolipoamide:NAD+ oxidoreductase E3) from Azotobacter vinelandii to inhibition by NADH requires measurement of the activity in the initial phase of the reaction. Stopped-flow turnover experiments show that kcat is 830 s-1 compared with 420 s-1 found in standard steady-state experiments. Mutations at the si-side of the flavin prosthetic group that cause severe inhibition by NADH were studied. Tyr16 was replaced by phenylalanine and serine, which causes the loss of two intersubunit H-bonds. [F16]E3 shows only 5.7% of wild-type activity in the standard assay procedure, but analyzed by stopped-flow the activity is 70% of the wild-type enzyme. The NADH-->Cl2Ind (dichloroindophenol) activity was normal or slightly increased. The inhibition by NADH is competitive with respect to NAD+, Ki = 50 microM. Spectral analysis show that electrons readily pass over from the disulfide to the FAD, indicating an increase in the redox potential of the flavin. It is concluded that subunit interaction plays an important role in the protection of the enzyme against over-reduction by decreasing the redox potential of the flavin. The interaction of wild-type or mutant enzymes with the core component of the pyruvate (E2p) or oxoglutarate (E2o) dehydrogenase multienzyme complex relieves the inhibition to a large extent. In the mutant enzymes, the mechanism of inhibition changes from competitive to the mixed-type inhibition observed for the wild-type enzyme. The stabilizing effect of E2 on [F16]E3 was used as an assay to analyze the stoichiometry of interaction of E3 with E2p as well as E2o. 1 mol E2p monomer was sufficient to saturate 1 mol E3 dimer with a Kd of about 1 nM. Similarly, 1 mol E2o saturated the E3 dimer with a Kd of 30 nM. From these experiments it is concluded that the E3-binding domain of E2 interacts with the subunit interface of E3 near the dyad axis, thus preventing sterically the interaction with a second molecule of the binding domain. This mode of interaction, which causes asymmetry in the complex, explains the stabilization against over-reduction by tightening the subunit interaction. Subgene cloning of the E2p component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex is described in order to obtain a complex between the lipoamide dehydrogenase component (E3) and the binding domain of E2p. A unique restriction site in the DNA encoding the flexible linker between the third lipoyl domain and the binding domain combined with timed digestion with exonuclease Bal31 was used to create a set of deletion mutants in the N-terminal region of the binding-catalytic didomain, fused to six N-terminal amino acids from beta-galactosidase. The expressed proteins, selected for E2p activity, were analyzed for binding of E3 and E1p. The shortest fusion protein containing a functional binding domain was expressed and purified. [F16]E3 was combined with this fusion protein in a stoichiometric ratio and the resulting complex was subjected to limited proteolysis to remove the catalytic domain. The resulting [F16]E3-binding domain preparation was purified to homogeneity.

Interaction of alpha-lipoic acid enantiomers and homologues with the enzyme components of the mammalian pyruvate dehydrogenase complex

Lipoic acid (alpha-lipoic acid, thioctic acid) is applied as a therapeutic agent in various diseases accompanied by polyneuropathia such as diabetes mellitus. The stereoselectivity and specificity of lipoic acid for the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and its component enzymes from different sources has been studied. The dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase component from pig heart has a clear preference for R-lipoic acid, a substrate which reacts 24 times faster than the S-enantiomer. Selectivity is more at the stage of the catalytic reaction than of binding. The Michaelis constants of both enantiomers are comparable (Km = 3.7 and 5.5 mM for R- and S-lipoic acid, respectively) and the S-enantiomer inhibits the R-lipoic acid dependent reaction with an inhibition constant similar to its Michaelis constant. When three lipoic acid homologues were tested, RS-1,2-dithiolane-3-caproic acid was one carbon atom longer than lipoic acid, while RS-bisnorlipoic acid and RS-tetranorlipoic acid were two and four carbon atoms shorter, respectively. All are poor substrates but bind to and inhibit the enzyme with an affinity similar to that of S-lipoic acid. No essential differences with respect to its reaction with lipoic acid enantiomers and homologues exist between free and complex-bound dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase. Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase from human renal carcinoma has a higher Michaelis constant for R-lipoic acid (Km = 18 mM) and does not accept the S-enantiomer as a substrate. Both enantiomers of lipoic acid are inhibitors of the overall reaction of the bovine pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, but stimulate the respective enzyme complexes from rat as well as from Escherichia coli. The S-enantiomer is the stronger inhibitor, the R-enantiomer the better activator. The two enantiomers have no influence on the partial reaction of the bovine pyruvate dehydrogenase component, but do inhibit this enzyme component from rat kidney. The implications of these results are discussed.

Inactivation of heart dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase by copper Fenton systems. Effect of thiol compounds and metal chelators

Copper Fenton systems (Cu(II)/H2O2 and Cu(II)/Asc) inactivated the lipoamide reductase and enhanced the diaphorase activity of pig-heart lipoamide dehydrogenase (LADH). Cupric ions alone were less effective. As a result of Cu(II)/H2O2 treatment, the number of titrated thiols in LADH decreased from 6 to 1 per subunit. NADH and ADP (not NAD+ or ATP) enhanced LADH inactivation by Cu(II). NADH also enhanced the effect of Cu(II)/H2O2. Dihydrolipoamide, dihydrolipoic acid, Captopril, acetylcysteine, EDTA, DETAPAC, histidine, bathocuproine, GSSG and trypanothione prevented LADH inactivation. 100 microM GSH, DL-dithiothreitol, N-(2-mercaptopropionylglicine) and penicillamine protected LADH against Cu(II)/Asc and Cu(II), whereas 1.0 mm GSH and DL-dithiothreitol also protected LADH against Cu(II)/H2O2. Allopurinol provided partial protection against Cu(II)/H2O2. Ethanol, mannitol, Na benzoate and superoxide dismutase failed to prevent LADH inactivation by Cu(II)/H2O2 or Cu(II). Catalase (native or denaturated) and bovine serum albumin protected LADH but that protection should be due to Cu binding. LADH inhibited deoxyribose oxidation and benzoate hydroxylation by Cu(II)/H2O2. It is concluded that site-specifically generated HO, radicals were responsible for LADH inactivation by Cu(II) Fenton systems. The latter effect is discussed in the context of ischemia-reoxygenation myocardial injury.

The superoxide-generating system of human neutrophils possesses a novel diaphorase activity. Evidence for distinct regulation of electron flow within NADPH oxidase by p67-phox and p47-phox

A dye reductase activity, independent of the production of superoxide, is induced in membranes prepared from stimulated human neutrophils or during activation of NADPH oxidase in a cell-free system. This diaphorase activity was greater under anaerobic as opposed to aerobic conditions. The activity has an absolute requirement for the membrane components of the oxidase, but does not appear to have an absolute dependence for the 47-kDa cytosolic factor p47-phox, suggesting the oxidase can be converted to a partial state of activation in the absence of this factor. The dye-reductase activity was inhibited at low concentration by the oxidase inhibitor, diphenylene iodonium. The electron acceptor, iodonitrotetrazolium violet (2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyltetrazolium chloride) is both a substrate and a mixed inhibitor of NADPH oxidation.

Redox cycling of MPP+: evidence for a new mechanism involving hydride transfer with xanthine oxidase, aldehyde dehydrogenase, and lipoamide dehydrogenase

MPP+ is redox active in the presence of cytochrome P450 reductase and induces the formation of O2.- and HO(.). In this study, we report the redox cycling capability of MPP+ with additional enzymes and with UV photolysis detected through ESR techniques. The treatment of MPP+ with UV light resulted in the production of HO. trapped as a spin adduct. Two of the enzymes examined in this study, xanthine oxidase and aldehyde dehydrogenase, produced O2.- in the presence of substrate. However, when MPP+ was added to the incubations, the radical trapped by DMPO was HO(.). This indicates that MPP+ redox cycles in the presence of these two enzymes or UV light, which produces HO.. Our data also suggest that MPP+ is reduced by lipoamide dehydrogenase. MPP+ stimulated the oxidation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) by the enzyme at concentrations between 2 mM and 8 mM of MPP+. Higher concentrations of MPP+ inhibited lipoamide dehydrogenase. MPP+ appears to be redox active with a number of redox enzymes. The mechanism involved may be hydride transfer from the enzymes to MPP+, rather than a direct single-electron reduction.

Inactivation of lipoamide dehydrogenase by cobalt(II) and iron(II) Fenton systems: effect of metal chelators, thiol compounds and adenine nucleotides

Fe(II)- and Co(II)-Fenton systems (FS) inactivated the lipoamide reductase activity but not the diaphorase activity of pig-heart lipoamide dehydrogenase (LADH). The Co(II) system was the more effective as LADH inhibitor. Phosphate ions enhanced the Fe(II)-FS activity. EDTA, DETAPAC, DL-histidine, DL-cysteine, glutathione, DL-dithiothreitol, DL-lipoamide, DL-thioctic acid, bathophenthroline, trypanothione and ATP, but not ADP or AMP, prevented LADH inactivation. Reduced disulfide compounds were more effective protectors than the parent compounds. Mg ions counteracted ATP protective action. Glutathione and DL-dithiothreitol partially restored the lipoamide dehydrogenase activity of the Fe(II)-FS-inhibited LADH. DL-histidine exerted a similar action on the Co(II)-FS-inhibited enzyme. Ethanol, mannitol and benzoate did not prevent LADH inactivation by the assayed Fenton systems and, accordingly, it is postulated that site-specific generated HO. radicals were responsible for LADH inactivation. With the Co(II)-FS, oxygen reactive species other than HO., might contribute to LADH inactivation.

pH dependent kinetic studies of lipoamide dehydrogenase catalysis

1. Kinetic studies of lipoamide dehydrogenase and its modified enzymes catalyzing lipoamide oxidoreduction and ancillary reactions at various pH are compared. 2. The asymptotic kinetics of lipoamide oxidoreductions switch between the ping pong and ordered mechanisms by varying pH of the reactions. 3. pH-rate profiles of these reactions are bell-shaped suggesting the participation of 2 ionizable residues with pK values of 6.6 +/- 0.5 and above 8 respectively. 4. The unusually high pK value for the catalytic site histidine is attributed to its involvement in an ion-pair formation. 5. In the absence of the catalytic site histidine, the pH-rate profile for the lipoamide reduction of the photooxidized enzyme is no longer bell-shaped but it is similar to those of the transhydrogenation and NADH-oxidation of the native enzyme. 6. This implies the participation of a low-pK protonated group in these reactions.

The interaction of arsenical drugs with dihydrolipoamide and dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase from arsenical resistant and sensitive strains of Trypanosoma brucei brucei

D,L-dihydrolipoamide and D,L-dihydrolipoic acid react to form stable complexes with melarsen oxide with association constants of 5.47 x 10(9) and 4.51 x 10(9) M-1, respectively. These complexes possess 6-membered cyclic dithioarsenite rings which are 10-fold less stable than the 5-membered rings found in the trypanocidal drugs melarsoprol and trimelarsen, but 500-fold more stable than the 25-membered macrocyclic ring formed between melarsen oxide and dihydrotrypanothione. L-Lipoic acid concentrations in arsenical sensitive and resistant cloned lines of Trypanosoma brucei brucei have been determined by bioassay using a mutant of Escherichia coli auxotrophic for lipoate. The arsenical resistant strain was found to contain significantly less lipoic acid than the sensitive strain (19.2 +/- 4.3 and 9.7 +/- 2.9 pmol (10(8) cells)-1, respectively). The activity of the plasma membrane-associated dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase was found to be slightly, but significantly increased in the arsenical resistant strain (34.7 +/- 1.4 and 47.8 +/- 3.7 mU mg-1, respectively). However, the Km for dihydrolipoamide and the inactivation kinetics with melarsen oxide were not significantly different between these strains. Estimates of the ratio of substrate to enzyme are of the order of 12:1 and 6:1 for arsenical sensitive and resistant strains, respectively, suggesting that these components are likely to be intimately associated with each other in the plasma membrane. These findings implicate lipoic acid, but not dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase, in resistance to arsenical drugs, either through the mechanism of uptake or as the final target of these drugs.

Purification and primary amino acid sequence of the L subunit of glycine decarboxylase. Evidence for a single lipoamide dehydrogenase in plant mitochondria

In order to purify the lipoamide dehydrogenase associated with the glycine decarboxylase complex of pea leaf mitochondria, the activity of free lipoamide dehydrogenase has been separated from those of the pyruvate and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complexes under conditions in which the glycine decarboxylase dissociates into its component subunits. This free lipoamide dehydrogenase which is normally associated with the glycine decarboxylase complex has been further purified and the N-terminal amino acid sequence determined. Positive cDNA clones isolated from both a pea leaf and embryo lambda gt11 expression library using an antibody raised against the purified lipoamide dehydrogenase proved to be the product of a single gene. The amino acid sequence deduced from the open reading frame included a sequence matching that determined directly from the N terminus of the mature protein. The deduced amino acid sequence shows good homology to the sequence of lipoamide dehydrogenase associated with the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex from Escherichia coli, yeast, and humans. The corresponding mRNA is strongly light-induced both in etiolated pea seedlings and in the leaves of mature plants following a period of darkness. The evidence suggests that the mitochondrial enzyme complexes: pyruvate dehydrogenase, 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase, and glycine decarboxylase all use the same lipoamide dehydrogenase subunit.

[Structural and functional changes in the liver of pregnant rats and their fetuses exposed to cadmium, benzol and lead nitrate]

Lead nitrate administered to noninbred rats with drinking water on the level of IO MAC (0.3 mg/l) during the whole period of gestation lead to the strengthening of hepatotoxic effect of cadmium chloride (7.5 and 15 mg/kg daily by gavage from the 1st to 20th day of gestation), manifest in significant increase of the hepatocytes alteration index, increase of the number of the pyknotic cells of reticuloendothelial system, increase of the degree of dams' liver hepatocytes dystrophy, decrease in the specific volume of megakaryocytes in the liver of their fetuses.

Lipoamide dehydrogenase from Trypanosoma cruzi: some properties and cellular localization

Lipoamide dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.6.4.3) was found in Trypanosoma cruzi, Tulahuen strain, stocks Tul-2 and Q501, and CA-1 strain. After differential centrifugation of epimastigote homogenates, ammonium sulfate fractionation of the 105,000 g supernatant yielded a partially purified preparation which precipitated between 0.40 and 0.80 ammonium sulfate saturation. The enzyme (a) catalyzed the oxidation of dihydrolipoamide by NAD+ and the reduction of lipoamide by NADH, the forward reaction being 2.5-fold faster than the reverse reaction; (b) exhibited hyperbolic dependence on substrate concentration and (c) possessed diaphorase activity which was less than 5% of the lipoamide reductase activity. The NADH-reduced enzyme was inhibited by arsenite, cadmium and p-chloromercuribenzoate in a concentration-dependent manner. Substrate specificity allowed lipoamide dehydrogenase to be differentiated from T. cruzi trypanothione reductase and other NADPH-dependent flavoenzymes. After cell disruption, lipoamide dehydrogenase was found mostly in the cytosolic fraction and no evidence for association with the plasma membrane was obtained.

Purification and characterization of lipoamide dehydrogenase from Trypanosoma cruzi

From Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas' disease, a lipoamide dehydrogenase was isolated. The enzyme, an FAD-cystine oxidoreductase, shares many physical and chemical properties with T. cruzi trypanothione reductase, the key enzyme of the parasite's thiol metabolism. 1. From 60 g epimastigotic T. cruzi cells, 2.7 mg lipoamide dehydrogenase was extracted. The flavoenzyme was purified 3000-fold to homogeneity with an overall yield of 26%. 2. The enzyme is a dimer with a subunit Mr of 55,000. With 1 mM lipoamide (Km approximately 5 mM) and 100 microM NADH (Km = 23 microM), the specific activity at pH 7.0 is 297 U/mg. 3. With excess NADH, the enzyme is reduced to the EH2.NADH complex and, by addition of lipoamide, it is reoxidized, indicating that it can cycle between the oxidized state E and the two-electron-reduced state, EH2. 4. As shown by N-terminal sequencing of the enzyme, 21 out of 30 positions are identical with those of pig heart and human liver lipoamide dehydrogenase. The sequenced section comprises the GGGPGG stretch, which represents the binding site for the pyrophosphate moiety of FAD. 5. After reduction of Eox to the two-electron-reduced state, the enzyme is specifically inhibited by the nitrosourea drug 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (Carmustine), presumably by carbamoylation at one of the nascent active-site thiols. 6. Polyclonal rabbit antibodies raised against T. cruzi lipoamide dehydrogenase and trypanothione reductase are specific for the respective enzyme, as shown by immunoblots of the pure proteins and of cell extracts.

Phosphorylant capacity study and lactate mitochondrial oxidation in frozen bovine sperm

Frozen-stored bovine sperm-pellets of proven fertility were used, and the response to respiratory chain effectors was studied, thus demonstrating the energy conservation capacity. It was further observed that the assayed suspensions used lactate oxidatively, which proves the LDH-X mitochondrial activity (the presence of oxidative substrates is fundamental in capacitation and acrosome reaction processes). The suspensions were treated with 10mM phosphate buffer hypotonic medium to eliminate plasmalema and cytoplasmic content. Lactate respiration was sensitive to respiratory chain effectors, such as oligomycin and antimycin. To evaluate the LDH-X contribution to mitochondrial respiration, lipoate dehydrogenase was inhibited through 5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (MICA) in the presence of pyruvate-malate and citrate-malate, obtaining with the addition of lactate, oxygen uptakes of 18% and 51% with respect to respiration with the mentioned substrates. In the MICA dose-effect curve, a major sensitivity to inhibitor in active state mitochondrial respiration is obtained when pyruvate-malate is used. Lactate competence with pyruvate by mitochondrial LDH-X was observed. The results obtained would allow the thorough study of the necessity of oxidative energy in the capacitation and fertilization processes, and of the LDH-X role in frozen-stored bovine sperm.

Lipoamide dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli. Steady-state kinetics of the physiological reaction

Lipoamide dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli operates qualitatively by the same mechanism as the enzyme from pig heart. It has been suggested that quantitative differences between the two, in particular the marked inhibition of the bacterial enzyme by its product NADH, are related to the fact that the E. coli enzyme lacks the phosphorylation/dephosphorylation control present in the mammalian enzyme (Wilkinson, K. D., and Williams, C. H., Jr. (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 2307-2314). Because of the inhibition by NADH, the kinetics of the E. coli enzyme have not been studied previously in the physiological direction with the natural substrate, dihydrolipoamide. We have now measured the steady-state kinetics of the oxidation of dihydrolipoamide by NAD+ using the stopped-flow technique to follow only the early time course. The pH dependence of kcat revealed an apparent pKa value of 6.7, reflecting ionization(s) of the enzyme-substrate complex. The pH dependence of kcat/Km gave an apparent pKa of 7.4 reflecting ionization(s) of the free 2-electron-reduced enzyme. The inhibition pattern for NADH was mixed, consistent with the fact that NADH is both a product inhibitor and inhibits by reducing a fraction of the enzyme to the catalytically inactive 4-electron-reduced state. There is a modest pH-dependent positive cooperativity in the saturation curve for NAD+ decreasing with increasing pH. Spectral changes in the 530 and 446 nm bands of the 2-electron-reduced enzyme, associated with the titration of the nascent thiols and the base, showed tentative pKa values of 6.4 and 7.1, respectively, in a pH jump experiment. The properties of the wild type E. coli enzyme can now be compared with those of several site-directed mutants.

Autoantibodies of primary biliary cirrhosis recognize dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase and inhibit enzyme function

Autoantibodies against mitochondria occur in the sera of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) with characteristic reactivity to an inner membrane protein of approximately 74 kDa. To precisely define these autoantigens, we recently cloned and sequenced a rat liver cDNA (pRMIT) that encodes for all of the epitopes recognized by Ig to the 74-kDa autoantigen. In the present study we have used this recombinant probe as a tool, in addition to purified enzymes, to demonstrate by immunoblotting that the 74-kDa mitochondrial autoantigen is dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.12), the core protein of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Furthermore, and of particular interest, inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase enzyme activity was demonstrated after incubation with sera from patients with PBC but not from normal volunteers or patients with chronic active hepatitis. Such inhibition was abrogated by absorption of the PBC sera with an expressing subclone of pRMIT, designated pRMIT-603. Identification of dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase as the target of autoimmunity in PBC provides a reagent that can be used to determine mechanisms by which this molecule is recognized. It will allow study of whether autoimmune reactivity, at the humoral or T cell level, is the basis for the pathogenesis of PBC. Additionally, such data present evidence of functional inhibition of a critical metabolic enzyme. Dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase is well-known to mitochondrial biochemistry and, similar to identified autoantigens in other autoimmune diseases, is highly conserved in evolution.

Reversible and irreversible effects of nitric oxide on the soluble hydrogenase from Alcaligenes eutrophus H16

The effects of NO on the H2-oxidizing and diaphorase activities of the soluble hydrogenase from Alcaligenes eutrophus H16 were investigated. With fully activated enzyme, NO (8-150 nM in solution) inhibited H2 oxidation in a time- and NO-concentration-dependent process. Neither H2 nor NAD+ appeared to protect the enzyme against the inhibition. Loss of activity in the absence of an electron acceptor was about 10 times slower than under turnover conditions. The inhibition was partially reversible; approx. 50% of full activity was recoverable after removal of the NO. Recovery was slower in the absence of an electron acceptor than in the presence of H2 plus an electron acceptor. The diaphorase activity of the unactivated hydrogenase was not affected by NO concentrations of up to 200 microM in solution. Exposure of the unactivated hydrogenase to NO irreversibly inhibited the ability of the enzyme to be fully activated for H2-oxidizing activity. The enzyme also lost its ability to respond to H2 during activation in the presence of NADH. The results are interpreted in terms of a complex inhibition that displays elements of (1) a reversible slow-binding inhibition of H2-oxidizing activity, (2) an irreversible effect on H2-oxidizing activity and (30 an irreversible inhibition of a regulatory component of the enzyme. Possible sites of action for NO are discussed.

A novel aspect of the inhibition by arsenicals of binding-protein-dependent galactose transport in gram-negative bacteria

The inhibitory effects of arsenate and arsenite on binding-protein-dependent transport systems are reconsidered. It is shown that arsenate inhibits binding-protein-dependent galactose transport in proteoliposomes energized either by dihydrolipoamide and NAD+ or by a membrane potential (under conditions where ATP metabolism is not implicated); this result is in contradiction with the current interpretation of arsenate inhibition of binding-protein-dependent transport systems (which is based on ATP depletion) and can be explained by reference to the recently discovered ATP inhibition of the binding-protein-dependent galactose transport. In whole cells, the greater inhibition by arsenate of lipoamide-dependent transport than of protonmotive-force-dependent transport may be explained by a modification by arsenate of the pools of several compounds metabolized by 2-oxo-acid dehydrogenases (which have been implicated in binding-protein-dependent transport). The inhibition of binding-protein-dependent galactose transport by arsenite is probably linked to the inhibition by arsenite of the galactose-stimulated lipoamide dehydrogenase activity implicated in this transport and is reminiscent of the known arsenite inhibition of lipoamide dehydrogenases.

Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase from Trypanosoma brucei. Characterization and cellular location

Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase has been discovered in the bloodstream form of the eukaryotic African parasite, Trypanosoma brucei. The enzyme catalysed the stoichiometric oxidation of dihydrolipoamide by NAD+ and exhibited a hyperbolic dependence of catalytic activity on the concentrations of both dihydrolipoamide and NAD+. Chemical modification with the tervalent arsenical reagent p-aminophenyldichloroarsine indicates the involvement in catalysis of a reversibly reducible disulphide bond. Plasma-membrane sheets were purified from T. brucei, and it was shown that virtually all the dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase remained closely associated with this membrane preparation. T. brucei apparently lacks the 2-oxoacid dehydrogenase multienzyme complexes of which dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase is usually an integral component. In the context of this absence, the possible function of trypanosomal dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase is discussed, with particular reference to its cellular location in the plasma membrane.

The inhibitory effects of some iodonium compounds on the superoxide generating system of neutrophils and their failure to inhibit diaphorase activity

I have recently reported the inhibition of the neutrophil superoxide generating oxidase by very low concentrations of diphenylene iodonium (A. R. Cross and O. T. G. Jones, Biochem. J. 237, 111, 1986). Here I report on the sensitivity of the oxidase to two other iodonium compounds, iodonium thiophen and iodonium biphenyl. In addition, the lack of inhibition of dye reductase activity in a solubilized preparation of the oxidase is described suggesting that the superoxide forming enzyme system of neutrophils does not possess an intrinsic dye reductase activity.

Association of ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase with NADP(H) specificity and oxidation-reduction properties

The equilibrium properties of the NADP+ binding site of ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase (FNR, or Fd-NADP+ reductase) were examined with regard to specificity in binding, and with regard to the oxidation-reduction properties of the FNR.NADP+ complex. With the exception of 3'-NADP+, only adenosine nucleotides with a 2'-adenosyl phosphate bound to Fd-NADP+ reductase. Kd values increased in the order: 2',5'-ADP greater than 2',5'-ATP ribose greater than NADP+ greater than 2'-AMP greater than 3'-NADP+. No evidence was found for binding of NAD, NMN, or 5'-ADP. Thus the 2'-adenosylphosphate controls specificity in substrate binding, as well as specificity in enzyme activity. The low affinity of Fd-NADP+ reductase for 2'-AMP suggests that the phosphate(s) of the pyrophosphate bridge of NADP+ may also contribute significantly to binding energy. Fd-NADP+ reductase was found to form a high-affinity two-electron reduced complex (FNR.NADPH) with a NADPH; complex formation was associated with appearance of long-wavelength charge-transfer bands. Kd of FNR.NADPH complex was about 6% the Kd of oxidized FNR.NADP+ complex. As predicted by the lower Kd, the Em for reduction of FNR.NADP+ complex to the charge-transfer complex was about 40 mV more positive than the potential of the NADP+/NADPH couple. Rapid kinetic studies supported description of the charge-transfer complex as primarily oxidized FNR.NADPH. Thus, complex formation helps drive electron transfer from the flavoprotein to NADP+.

The amino acid sequence encompassing the active-site histidine residue of lipoamide dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli labelled with a bifunctional arsenoxide

Pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex (PD complex) in the presence of pyruvate, thiamine pyrophosphate, coenzyme A, and Mg2+ (or NADH) was irreversibly inhibited with the radiolabelled bifunctional aresenoxide p-[(bromoacetyl)amino]phenyl arsenoxide (BrCH2 14CONHPhAsO). The initial reaction of the reagent was with a reduced lipoyl group of the lipoamide acetyltransferase component to form a dithioarsinite complex. Following the normal catalytic reactions, the anchored reagent was delivered into the active site of the lipoamide dehydrogenase (E3) component where an irreversible alkylation ensued via the bromoacetamidyl moiety. Treatment with 2,3-dithiopropanol (to break dithioarsinite bonds) caused the radiolabelled reagent to reside with E3. E3 was isolated from the inhibited PD complex and CNBr cleavage of the inhibited enzyme yielded a single radiolabelled peptide that was purified on a cyanopropyl silica column using high performance liquid chromatography. The radiolabelled amino acid was identified (after acid hydrolysis) as N3-[14C]carboxymethyl histidine in agreement with earlier studies. The radiolabel was located in residue 14 of the peptide for which the sequence was determined as GCDAEDIALTIHAHPTL-EIVGLAAEVFEG. This sequence agrees with the amino acid sequence determined from the gene sequence of E3. The histidine alkylated in the E3 component of the PD complex by BrCH2 14CONHPhAsO is residue-444 and further establishes its active site role.

Active site-specific inhibition by 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea of two genetically homologous flavoenzymes: glutathione reductase and lipoamide dehydrogenase

We extended our previous studies of the selectivity and mechanism of action as an enzyme inhibitor of 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), an antitumor drug now widely used to inactivate glutathione reductase (GSSG-R) experimentally. In contrast to other enzymes examined so far, lipoamide dehydrogenase (LSSLNH2-D) was, like its genetic relative GSSG-R, also strongly inhibited by BCNU. The drug concentration needed to inactivate GSSG-R and LSSLNH2-D was much smaller than that affecting the least resistant of five other flavoenzymes tested. When oxidized, both GSSG-R and LSSLNH2-D were resistant to BCNU, and to be effective, the drug had to interact directly with enzyme protein reduced by its specific pyridine nucleotide. In intact human erythrocytes, GSSG-R was mostly reduced and LSSLNH2-D activity undetectable. The partial genetic homology of GSSG-R and LSSLNH2-D and their special sensitivity to BCNU provided a unique opportunity to define more exactly the site of drug-enzyme interaction through comparative coenzyme studies combined with direct and reciprocal substrate competition experiments. The results, together with earlier data on the prevention of BCNU inhibition by cysteine, indicate that the nitrosourea achieves its relative selectivity against the two related flavoenzymes by interacting with at least one of the two reduced cysteinyls located within their oxidoredox active site. For GSSG-R, the attacked cysteinyl is most probably Cys-58.

Dye-sensitized photo-oxidation of enzymes

Heart lipoamide dehydrogenase, liver alcohol dehydrogenase and egg-white lysozyme are photo-oxidized in the presence of various dye sensitizers. The photodynamic process is preceded by the binding between the enzyme and the sensitizers. Among the commonly used dyes, halogenated xanthines and thiazine are effective sensitizers for the photo-inactivation of these three enzymes. Histidine residues are the primary target for the sensitized photo-oxidation that inactivates lipoamide dehydrogenase and alcohol dehydrogenase. However, the destruction of tryptophan residues is responsible for the photo-inactivation of lysozyme. The deuterium medium effect and the quenching effect by various scavengers of the potential photo-oxidative intermediates implicate the participation of the mixed type I-type II mechanism, with the involvement of singlet oxygen being of greater importance, in the photo-inactivation of the enzymes.

Pyruvate metabolism in the brain of young rats intoxicated with organic and inorganic lead

The activities of lipoyl dehydrogenase, aspartate transaminase, and alanine transaminase, and levels of lactate were estimated in cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and brainstem of rats intoxicated acutely with tetraethyl lead and chronically with lead acetate. A significant inhibition of lipoyl dehydrogenase was observed in both groups of animals, whereas transaminase activities were increased in inorganic lead toxicity. Oxidative decarboxylation and anaplerosis of pyruvate was assessed in brain slices using [1-14C]pyruvate. Pyruvate dehydrogenase activity was decreased in both organic and inorganic lead toxicity, whereas labelling of aspartate and alanine was increased in inorganic lead toxicity. In studies in vitro, lead acetate showed a more significant effect than tetraethyl lead. The higher anaerobic metabolism in inorganic lead toxicity, as evidenced by increased anaerobic lactate production by brain slices, could either be an adaptive mechanism or be due to the delayed maturation of brain in the developing rat. Such a mechanism does not occur in acute organic lead toxicity, as the compound brings about massive and rapid degenerative changes in brain, resulting in convulsive seizures and death of the animals.

Indirect inhibition of vitamin K epoxide reduction by salicylate

Salicylate antagonizes the vitamin K-dependent biosynthesis of clotting factors in the rat and produces an elevation of the ratio of vitamin K epoxide to vitamin K in the liver. Vitamin K epoxide is reduced to vitamin K by a vitamin K epoxide reductase, and 1 mM salicylate was required to cause a 50% inhibition of the dithiothreitol-dependent in-vitro reduction of vitamin K epoxide by this enzyme. This enzyme was, however, inhibited 50% by as little as 70-80 microM salicylate when reducing equivalents for the reaction were furnished by endogenous cytosolic reductants. This effect on the cytosolic reductant supply was shown to be unrelated to a previously demonstrated inhibition of DT-diaphorase by salicylate. The concentrations of salicylate at which significant inhibitory effects are exerted in-vitro (50-100 microM) are below the 200 microM levels observed in the livers of rats given an anticoagulating dose of salicylate.