Deficiency of BMAL1 promotes ROS generation and enhances IgE-dependent degranulation in mast cells

BACKGROUND

Bmal1 (Brain and muscle arnt-like, or Arntl) is a bHLH/PAS domain transcription factor central to the transcription/translation feedback loop of the circadian clock. Mast cells are crucial for effector functions in allergic reaction and their activity follows a circadian rhythm. However, the functional roles of Bmal1 in mast cells remain to be determined.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to elucidate the specific roles of Bmal1 in IgE-dependent mast cell degranulation.

RESULTS

IgE-dependent degranulation was enhanced in bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) derived from Bmal1-deficient mice (Bmal1-KO mice) compared to that in BMMCs derived from wild-type mice (WT mice) in the absence of 2-Mercaptoethanol (2-ME) in culture. Mast cell-deficient KitW-sh mice reconstituted with Bmal1-KO BMMCs showed more robust passive cutaneous anaphylactic (PCA) reactions, an in vivo model of IgE-dependent mast cell degranulation, than KitW-sh mice reconstituted with WT BMMCs. In the absence of 2-ME in culture, the mRNA expression of the anti-oxidative genes NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) was lower and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was higher in Bmal1-KO BMMCs than in WT BMMCs at steady state. The IgE-dependent ROS generation and degranulation were enhanced in Bmal1-KO BMMCs compared to WT BMMCs in the absence of 2-ME in culture. The addition of 2-ME into the culture abrogated or weakened the differences in anti-oxidative gene expression, ROS generation, and IgE-dependent degranulation between WT and Bmal1-KO BMMCs.

CONCLUSION

The current findings suggest that Bmal1 controls the expression of anti-oxidative genes in mast cells and Bmal1 deficiency enhanced IgE-dependent degranulation associated with promotion of ROS generation. Thus, Bmal1 may function as a key molecule that integrates redox homeostasis and effector functions in mast cells.

Study of lead-induced neurotoxicity in cholinergic cells differentiated from bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

The developing brain is susceptible to the neurotoxic effects of lead. Exposure to lead has main effects on the cholinergic system and causes reduction of cholinergic neuron function during brain development. Disruption of the cholinergic system by chemicals, which play important roles during brain development, causes of neurodevelopmental toxicity. Differentiation of stem cells to neural cells is recently considered a promising tool for neurodevelopmental toxicity studies. This study evaluated the toxicity of lead acetate exposure during the differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchyme stem cells (bone marrow stem cells, BMSCs) to cholinergic neurons. Following institutional animal care review board approval, BMSCs were obtained from adult rats. The differentiating protocol included two stages that were pre-induction with β-mercaptoethanol (BME) for 24 h and differentiation to cholinergic neurons with nerve growth factor (NGF) over 5 days. The cells were exposed to different lead acetate concentrations (0.1-100 μm) during three stages, including undifferentiated, pre-induction, and neuronal differentiation stages; cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Lead exposure (0.01-100 μg/ml) had no cytotoxic effect on BMSCs but could significantly reduce cell viability at 50 and 100 μm concentrations during pre-induction and neuronal differentiation stages. MAP2 and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) protein expression were investigated by immunocytochemistry. Although cells treated with 100 μm lead concentration expressed MAP2 protein in the differentiation stages, they had no neuronal cell morphology. The ChAT expression was negative in cells treated with lead. The present study showed that differentiated neuronal BMSCs are sensitive to lead toxicity during differentiation, and it is suggested that these cells be used to study neurodevelopmental toxicity.

Amplification of GC-rich DNA for high-throughput family-based genetic studies

Researchers face a significant problem in PCR amplification of DNA fragments with high GC contents. Analysis of these regions is of importance since many regulatory regions of different genes and their first exons are GC-rich. There are a large number of protocols for amplification of GC-rich DNA, some of which perform well but are costly. Most of the economical protocols fail to perform consistently, especially on products with >80 % GC contents and a size of >300 bp. One of these protocols requires multiple additions of DNA polymerase during thermal cycling which therefore rules out its utility if a large number of samples have to be amplified. We have established a method for simultaneous amplification of specific PCR products from a large number of human DNA samples using general laboratory reagents. These amplicons have GC contents ranging from 65-85 % and sizes up to 870 bp. The protocol uses a PCR buffer containing co-solvents including 2-mercaptoethanol and bovine serum albumin for amplification of DNA. A specific thermal cycling profile is also used which incorporates a high annealing temperature in the first 7 cycles of the reactions. The PCR products are suitable for different molecular biology applications including sequencing.

Successful co-immunoprecipitation of Oct4 and Nanog using cross-linking

The transcription factors Oct4 and Nanog are essential for the maintenance of an undifferentiated and pluripotent state in early embryonic cells, embryonic stem cells and embryonal carcinoma cells in humans and mice. These factors are co-localized to promoters of more than 300 genes, and synergistically regulate their activities. Currently, the molecular interaction between these two factors has not been well-characterized. During attempts to co-immunoprecipitate Oct4 and Nanog we found that cross-linking with dithiobis[succinimidylpropionate] was necessary to maintain their interaction. This result was supported by gel filtration analysis. Surprisingly, formaldehyde, a cross-linker commonly used during chromatin immunoprecipitation of Oct4 and Nanog, did not preserve the complex. Our findings demonstrate the effectiveness of using DSP to mitigate the instability of the interaction between these two particular proteins. Additionally, this solution may potentially allow us to identify novel members of the Oct4-Nanog complex, leading to better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms behind pluripotency.

Preeclampsia inactivates glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and impairs the redox status of erythrocytes and fetal endothelial cells

Inactivation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) may contribute to vascular dysfunction in preeclampsia, and oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of this disease. We have compared the susceptibility of erythrocytes and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) to oxidative stress in women with normotensive or preeclamptic pregnancies. The redox status of erythrocytes was also correlated with neutrophil-mediated superoxide (O(2)(.-)) production in women recruited to the "Vitamins in Preeclampsia" (VIP) trial. Erythrocytes and HUVEC from women with preeclampsia demonstrated impaired redox regulation and diminished response to glucose, detectable at 14-20 weeks gestation prior to onset of the clinical disease. Hexokinase and G6PD activities were decreased in erythrocytes and G6PD activity was decreased in HUVEC from preeclamptic pregnancies. Phorbol-ester-stimulated O(2)(.-) was enhanced in preeclamptic neutrophils. Impaired redox regulation in erythrocytes and HUVEC in preeclampsia may be due to diminished hexokinase and G6PD activities resulting from increased release of reactive oxygen species from activated neutrophils. Our findings provide the first evidence that decreased G6PD activity in preeclampsia is associated with impaired redox regulation in erythrocytes and fetal endothelial cells. The deficiency in G6PD in preeclampsia potentially accounts for the lack of protection against oxidative stress afforded by antioxidant vitamin C/E supplementation in the VIP trial.

A dithio-coupled kinase and ATPase assay

Kinases and ATPases produce adenosine diphosphate (ADP) as a common product, so an assay that detects ADP would provide a universal means for activity-based screening of enzymes in these families. Because it is known that most kinases accept ATPbetaS (sulfur on the beta-phosphorous) as a substrate in place of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the authors have developed a continuous assay using this substrate, with detection of the ADPbetaS product using dithio reagents. Such an assay is possible because dithio groups react selectively with ADPbetaS and not with ATPbetaS. Thiol detection was done using both Ellman's reagent (DTNB) and a recently developed fluorescent dithio reagent, DSSA. Therefore, the assay can be run in both absorbance and fluorescence detection modes. The assay was used to perform steady-state kinetic analyses of both hexokinase and myosin ATPase. It was also used to demonstrate the diastereoselectivity of hexokinase (R) and myosin ATPase (S) for the isomers of ATPbetaS, consistent with previous results. When run in fluorescence mode using a plate reader, an average Z' value of 0.54 was obtained, suggesting the assay is appropriate for high-throughput screening.

Screening for caspase-3 inhibitors: effect of a reducing agent on identified hit chemotypes

When studying cysteinyl proteases in general and caspases in particular, it is generally accepted that a reaction buffer must contain a reducing agent to prevent essential cysteinyl groups from spontaneous oxidation. Dithiothreitol (DTT) and beta-mercaptoethanol (beta-MCE) are 2 of the most broadly used reducing agents. While screening a library of small molecules against caspase-3, the authors have found that the nature of the reducing agent used, DTT or beta-MCE, dramatically affects screening results and leads to identification of nonoverlapping hits. Screening in DTT-containing buffer revealed few novel classes of small molecules that selectively and reversibly inhibit caspase-3 but failed to identify isatin sulfonamides recently found to be potent and selective caspase-3 inhibitors (false negatives). On the other hand, screening in the presence of beta-MCE failed to identify a series of hit compounds, 1,3-dioxo-2,3-dichloro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinolines, discovered with DTT, whereas isatin sulphonamides in these conditions exhibited strong caspase-3 inhibition. In this work, the authors show that thiol-containing reducing agents can affect catalytic activity of caspase-3 and modify its thermostability in a redox-potential-independent manner. The authors speculate that the differential structural modifications of caspase-3 seen with different reducing agents represent structurally different caspase-3 conformations and are responsible for its differential sensitivity to small molecules of different chemotypes. Hence, selection of the reducing agent may dramatically affect the quality of high-throughput screening campaigns.

The activation mechanism of human porphobilinogen synthase by 2-mercaptoethanol: intrasubunit transfer of a reserve zinc ion and coordination with three cysteines in the active center

Human porphobilinogen synthase [EC.4.2.1.24] is a homo-octamer enzyme. In the active center of each subunit, four cysteines are titrated with 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid). Cys(122), Cys(124) and Cys(132) are placed near two catalytic sites, Lys(199) and Lys(252), and coordinate a zinc ion, referred to as "a proximal zinc ion", and Cys(223) is placed at the orifice of the catalytic cavity and coordinates a zinc ion, referred to as "a distal zinc ion", with His(131) . When the wild-type enzymes C122A (Cys(122)-->Ala), C124A (Cys(124)-->Ala), C132A (Cys(132)-->Ala) and C223A (Cys(223)-->Ala) were oxidized by hydrogen peroxide, the levels of activity were decreased. Two cysteines were titrated with 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) in the wild-type enzyme, while on the other hand, one cysteine was titrated in the mutant enzymes. When wild-type and mutant enzymes were reduced by 2-mercaptoethanol, the levels of activity were increased: four and three cysteines were titrated, respectively, suggesting that a disulfide bond was formed among Cys(122), Cys(124) and Cys(132) under oxidizing conditions. We analyzed the enzyme-bound zinc ion of these enzymes using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with gel-filtration chromatography. The results for C223A showed that the number of proximal zinc ions correlated to the level of enzymatic activity. Furthermore, zinc-ion-free 2-mercaptoethanol increased the activity of the wild-type enzyme without a change in the total number of zinc ions, but C223A was not activated. These findings suggest that a distal zinc ion moved to the proximal binding site when a disulfide bond among Cys(122), Cys(124) and Cys(132) was reduced by reductants. Thus, in the catalytic functioning of the enzyme, the distal zinc ion does not directly contribute but serves rather as a reserve as the next proximal one that catalyzes the enzyme reaction. A redox change of the three cysteines in the active center accommodates the catch and release of the reserve distal zinc ion placed at the orifice of the catalytic cavity.

Immunopurification and analysis of protein and RNA components of mRNP in mammalian cells

We describe a basic, fast, and reliable technique to isolate and characterize ribonucleoprotein (RNP) using antibody to a constituent protein. The antibody serves to immunopurify RNP from total cells or nuclear and cytoplasmic cell fractions under conditions that promote RNP integrity. The presence of other RNP proteins as well as transcripts can then be analyzed by Western blotting and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RNase treatment before immunopurification can be used to assess the dependence of protein-protein interactions on RNA. We also describe a modification using beta-mercaptoethanol that facilitates analyzing proteins that comigrate with antibody light or heavy chains.

Effect of chemically defined culture medium supplemented with ?-mercaptoethanol and amino acids on implantation and development of different stage in vivo- or in vitro-derived mouse embryos

In vitro culture (IVC) systems are required for many biotechnological and assisted reproductive technologies and the researchers have been modifying in vitro embryo culture conditions to reach the comparable efficiencies provided in vivo. In the present study, the effects of beta-mercaptoethanol (Beta-ME) and amino acids (AA) on the development of mouse embryos obtained in vivo or in vitro at different stages were investigated. Chemically defined potassium simplex optimized medium (KSOM) was used as basic culture medium and six experimental groups were established and by supplementation of Beta-ME and AA into KSOM media. The quality of blastocysts was evaluated by counting the cells and determining the ratio of inner cell mass (ICM) to trophoectoderm (TE) cells. In addition, embryo transfer (ET) was performed to investigate the rate of implantation and live fetuses. The results obtained in the present study demonstrated that the combined treatment of Beta-ME and AA to 1-cell stage embryos not only enhanced in vitro development to the blastocyst stage but also improved both the number of blastocysts cells and live fetuses.

Effects of meiosis-inhibiting agents and equine chorionic gonadotropin on nuclear maturation of canine oocytes

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of meiosis-inhibiting-agents and gonadotropins on nuclear maturation of canine oocytes. The culture medium was TCM199 + 10 ng/ml epidermal growth factor supplemented with 25 microM beta-mercaptoethanol, 0.25 mM pyruvate, and 1.0 mM L-glutamine (Basal TCM). Initially, oocytes were cultured in Basal TCM alone or in Basal TCM + dibutylryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (0.5, 1, 5, or 10 mM dbcAMP) for 24 hr. Dibutylryl cAMP inhibited resumption of meiosis in a dose-dependent manner; 60% of oocytes remained at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage after being cultured for 24 hr in 5 mM dbcAMP. The meiosis-inhibitory effect of dbcAMP appeared to be reversible, as the oocytes resumed meiosis and completed nuclear maturation after being cultured for an additional 48 hr in its absence. Oocytes were then cultured in Basal TCM alone or in Basal TCM + roscovitine (12.5, 25, or 50 microM) for 24 hr. Although approximately 60% of oocytes cultured in 25 microM roscovitine remained at the GV stage, this percentage was not significantly different from the 48% that also remained at the GV stage when cultured in its absence. Oocytes were cultured in Basal TCM + 25 microM roscovitine for 17 hr, exposed briefly to equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), and then cultured in Basal TCM for 48 hr. Short exposure of oocytes to eCG was beneficial, as it significantly increased the proportion of oocytes developing beyond germinal vesicle breakdown (P < 0.05) with approximately 20-30% of these were metaphase I (MI) oocytes. Study of the kinetics of nuclear maturation demonstrated that large numbers of oocytes remained at MI even after being cultured for 52 hr following brief exposure to eCG. This study showed that in vitro maturation of canine oocytes can be somewhat improved by short exposure of oocytes to eCG. However, further studies are still required to derive effective methods to mature canine oocytes in vitro.

Characterization of a disulphide-bound Pir-cell wall protein (Pir-CWP) of Yarrowia lipolytica

In this work we have studied the disulphide-bound group of cell wall mannoproteins of Yarrowia lipolytica and Candida albicans. In the case of Y. lipolytica, SDS-PAGE analysis of the beta-mercaptoethanol-extracted material from the purified cell walls of the yeast form, showed the presence of a main polypeptide of 45 kDa and some minor bands in the 100-200 kDa range. This pattern of bands is similar to that obtained in identical extracts in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Moukadiri et al., 1999), and besides, all these bands cross-react with an antibody raised against beta-mercaptoethanol-extracted material from the purified cell walls of S. cerevisiae, suggesting that the 45 kDa band could be the homologue of Pir4 of S. cerevisiae in Y. lipolytica. To confirm this possibility, the amino-terminal sequences of two internal regions of the 45 kDa protein were determined, and degenerate oligonucleotides were used to clone the gene. The gene isolated in this way codes a 286 amino acid polypeptide that shows homology with the Pir family of proteins of S. cerevisiae (Russo et al., 1992; Toh-e et al., 1993), accordingly we have named this gene YlPIR1. Disruption of YlPIR1 led to a slight increase in the resistance of the cells to calcofluor white, Congo red and zymolyase, but did not cause changes in cell morphology, growth rate or morphological transition.

Radiation response of cells during altered protein thiol redox

The major focus of this work was to investigate how altered protein thiol redox homeostasis affects radiation-induced cell death. We used the cells of wild-type CHO cell line K1, the CHO cell line E89, which is null for G6PD activity, and a radiation-sensitive CHO cell line, XRS5. The protein-thiol redox status of cells was altered with cell-permeable disulfides, hydroxyethyldisulfide (HEDS) or lipoate. HEDS is primarily reduced by thioltransferase (glutaredoxin), with GSH as the electron donor. In contrast, lipoate is reduced by thioredoxin reductase. HEDS was reduced at a greater rate than lipoate by G6PD-containing K1 (wild-type) cells. Reduction of disulfides by G6PD-deficient cells was significantly slower with HEDS as substrate and was nearly absent with lipoate. The rate of reduction of HEDS by E89 cells decelerated to near zero by 30 min, whereas the reduction continued at nearly the same rate during the entire measurement period for K1 cells. HEDS treatment decreased the GSH and protein thiol (PSH) content more in G6PD-deficient cells than in G6PD-containing cells. On the other hand, lipoate did not significantly alter the protein thiol, but it increased the GSH in K1 cells. Acute depletion of GSH by l-buthionine-sulfoximine (l-BSO) in combination with dimethylfumarate significantly decreased the rate of reduction of HEDS by K1 cells close to that of G6PD-deficient cells. Prior GSH depletion by l-BSO alone significantly decreased the PSH in glucose-depleted E89 cells exposed to HEDS, but this did not occur with K1 cells. The radiation response of G6PD-deficient cells was significantly sensitized by HEDS, but HEDS did not have this effect on K1 cells. The DNA repair-deficient XRS5 CHO cells displayed the same capacity as K1 cells for HEDS reduction, and like K1 cells the XRS5 cells were not sensitized to radiation by HEDS treatment. Deprivation of glucose, which provides the substrate for G6PD in the oxidative pentose phosphate cycle, decreased the rate of bioreduction of HEDS and lipoate in G6PD-containing cells to the level in G6PD-deficient cells. In the absence of glucose, HEDS treatment diminished non-protein thiol and protein thiol to the same level as those in G6PD-deficient cells and sensitized the K1 cells to HEDS treatment. However, depletion of glucose did not alter the sensitivity of XRS5 cells in either the presence or absence of HEDS. Overall the results suggest a major role for pentose cycle control of protein redox state coupled to the activities of the thioltransferase and thioredoxin systems. The results also show that protein thiol status is a critical factor in cell survival after irradiation.

Concomitant S-, N-, and heme-nitros(yl)ation in biological tissues and fluids: implications for the fate of NO in vivo

There is growing evidence for the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) -mediated nitrosation in cell signaling and pathology. Although S-nitrosothiols (RSNOs) have been frequently implicated in these processes, it is unclear whether NO forms nitrosyl adducts with moieties other than thiols. A major obstacle in assessing the significance of formation of nitrosated species is the limited reliability of available analytical techniques for measurements in complex biological matrices. Here we report on the presence of nitrosated compounds in plasma and erythrocytes of rats, mice, guinea pigs, and monkeys under basal conditions, in immunologically challenged murine macrophages in vitro and laboratory animals in vivo. Besides RSNOs, all biological samples also contained mercury-stable nitroso species, indicating the additional involvement of amine and heme nitros(yl)ation reactions. Significant differences in the amounts and ratios of RSNOs over N- and heme-nitros(yl)ated compounds were found between species and organs. These observations were made possible by the development of a novel gas-phase chemiluminescence-based technique that allows detection of nitroso species in tissues and biological fluids without prior extraction or deproteinization. The method can quantify as little as 100 fmol bound NO and has been validated extensively for use in different biological matrices. Discrimination between nitrite, RSNOs, and N-nitroso or nitrosylheme compounds is accomplished by use of group-specific reagents. Our findings suggest that NO generation in vivo leads to concomitant formation of RSNOs, nitrosamines, and nitrosylhemes with considerable variation between rodents and primates, highlighting the difficulty in comparing data between different animal models and extrapolating results from experimental animals to human physiology.

Platelet-agglutinating protein p37 from a patient with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura has characteristics similar to prethrombin 2

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is characterized by widespread platelet thrombi in arterioles and capillaries. Unusually large or multimeric von Willebrand factor, as well as one or more platelet-agglutinating factors, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of TTP. But, the actual mechanisms of platelet agglutination have not been satisfactorily explained. Recent studies suggested the 37-kDa platelet-agglutinating protein (PAP) p37 to be partially responsible for the formation of platelet thrombi in patients with TTP. We studied mobility in SDS-PAGE, the sequence of N-terminal amino acid residues, DNA and antigenic characteristics of PAP p37, which might be related to the pathogenesis of TTP. PAP p37 was purified from the plasma of a 31-year-old male Korean patient with acute TTP. The findings are as follows: (1) We compared PAP p37 with thrombin through the use of SDS-PAGE, either with or without beta-mercaptoethanol. PAP p37 did not appear to be cleaved between the A- and B-chains of prethrombin 2. However, thrombin did cleave between those of prethrombin 2, but linked with disulfide bridge. (2) N-terminal 21 amino acid sequence of PAP p37 was T-F-G-S-G- E-A-D-X-G-L-R-P-L-F-E-K-K-S-L-E. It appeared to be identical to that of 285-305 amino acid residues of human prothrombin (prethrombin 2). (3) No prothrombin gene DNA mutation was revealed. (4) The antigenicity of PAP p37 was similar to thrombin, which was a result of the competitive binding against the anti-thrombin antibody. With these results, we conclude that PAP p37 has similar characteristics to prethrombin2.

Protein dynamics: imidazole and 2-mercaptoethanol binding to the Rhodobacter capsulatus cytochrome c(2) mutant, glycine 95 proline

The Class I c-type cytochromes can bind exogenous ligands in the oxidized state, with the kinetics of ligand binding providing information on naturally occurring intramolecular dynamics. Typically, nitrogenous bases are used as ligands; however, it is less well known that 2-mercaptoethanol (BME), a commonly used cytochrome reducing agent, can form a complex with the heme. To better understand the cytochrome-mercaptan interaction, we have investigated the kinetics of binding of BME to wild type and mutants of Rhodobacter capsulatus cytochrome c(2) and to horse cytochrome c. Complex formation with the G95P mutant is apparent from the formation of a green color and a shift in the Soret peak to 418 nm from 410 nm upon addition of BME. Unlike horse cytochrome c and wild-type R. capsulatus cytochrome c(2), G95P permits the kinetics of formation of the BME-G95P complex to be measured since complex formation and reduction kinetics can be resolved. The affinity constant for the binding of BME to mutant G95P was strong ( approximately 1.5 x 10(5)M(-1)) and the kinetics of formation of the BME-G95P complex were found to undergo a change in rate-limiting step consistent with a concentration-independent protein rearrangement (68s(-1)) followed by second-order binding of BME ( approximately approximately 1.3 x 10(5)M(-1)s(-1)). The most remarkable characteristic of mutant G95P is the relatively large amount of high-spin species in equilibrium with the low- spin form, which can be estimated to be approximately 3% at pH 7. The BME binding kinetics, coupled with the kinetics of imidazole binding to G95P, allow us, for the first time, to specify all four rate constants describing the ligand binding reaction. Moreover, we can use the kinetic results to estimate the rate constants for ligand binding with the wild-type cytochrome c(2). This has also allowed us to quantify and more fully interpret cytochrome dynamics.

Nuclear maturation of canine oocytes cultured in protein-free media

The objective of this study was to determine the ability of canine oocytes to complete nuclear maturation in a protein-free medium. Oocytes obtained from ovaries of bitches aged 6 months to 2 years were cultured either in TCM199 or CMRL1066 medium without protein supplementation in 5% or 20% O(2). Sixteen of 121 (13%) oocytes cultured in TCM199 reached metaphase II, but only 1 of 135 oocytes cultured in CMRL1066 did so (P < 0.05). Oxygen concentration did not affect nuclear maturation. An additional 103 oocytes were cultured in TCM199 for 48 hr, inseminated with chilled ejaculated spermatozoa, fixed in 1:3 acetic acid-ethanol and then stained with aceto-orcein; 34% of these oocytes were penetrated by spermatozoa. To determine developmental competence of oocytes cultured in a protein-free medium, 85 oocytes were cultured in TCM 199 for 48 hr, inseminated and then cultured; 7 early stage embryos were produced. The effects of growth hormone, beta-mercaptoethanol (betaME), luteinizing hormone (LH) and energy substrates, alone or in combination, on nuclear maturation of oocytes cultured in a protein-free medium were also determined. Growth hormone enhanced cumulus expansion, but did not improve nuclear maturation. beta-mercaptoethanol had no effect on nuclear maturation. However, percentages of MII oocytes significantly decreased when the oocytes were cultured for 48 hr in the medium containing LH or a high concentration of glucose (P < 0.05). In conclusion, canine oocytes are able to complete nuclear maturation in a protein-free medium. The specific type of medium and other supplements significantly influence the meiotic maturation of canine oocytes.

The immunosuppressive activity of chemically modified lipopolysaccharide of Shigella sonnei

In the present investigations we aimed to study the effect of Shigella sonnei lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) to non-bacterial antigen in CBA mice. These experiments showed that intraperitoneal injection of phenol-water extracted LPS and avirulent S. sonnei did not affect the level of DTH. However, an injection of avirulent bacteria and LPS treated with 2-mercaptoethanol reduced significantly the levels of DTH. Gel filtration of redox-reactivated LPS through Sephadex G-200 shows that LPS contains three immunosuppressive components: approximately 800 kDa and higher, 150-200 and 50-70 kDa. These components differed by their specificity and heat-sensitivity.

Interdomain but not intermolecular interactions observed in CFTR channels

Gating of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) channels requires interdomain and/or intermolecular interactions involving different parts of the protein, yet the exact nature of those interactions remains unclear. In this study we report that treating wild type CFTR-expressing cells with oxidizing agents results in a significant reduction in the gel mobility of the protein indicative of the formation of disulfide bonds. In contrast, mutant CFTR channels in which cysteine residues in both nucleotide binding domains (NBDs) were mutated to serine, showed little change in gel mobility in oxidizing conditions. Mutation of the two cysteine residues in either the first or the second NBD alone also eliminates the change in gel mobility in oxidizing conditions. Wild type channels treated with oxidizing agents did not appear to form disulfide bonds with other proteins, suggesting that the close association that allows the formation of disulfide bonds occurs only within single proteins and not between separate channels interacting in a multimer.

Biological activity of complexes derived from pyridine-2-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone

Biological studies on [Fe(L)2](NO3).0.5H2O (1), [Fe(L)2][PF6] (2), [Co(L)2](NCS) (3), [Ni(HL)2]Cl2.3H2O (4) and Cu(L)(NO3) (5), where HL=C7H8N4S, pyridine-2-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone, have been carried out. The crystal structure of compound 3 has been solved. It consists of discrete monomeric cationic entities containing cobalt(III) ions in a distorted octahedral environment. The metal ion is bonded to one sulfur and two nitrogen atoms of each thiosemicarbazone molecule. The thiocyanate molecules act as counterions. The copper(II) and iron(III) complexes react with reduced glutathione and 2-mercaptoethanol. The reaction of compound 1 with the above thiols causes the reduction of the metal ion and bis(thiosemicarbazonato)iron(II) species are obtained. The redox activity, and in particular the reaction with cell thiols, seems to be related to the cytotoxicity of these complexes against Friend erithroleukemia cells and melanoma B16F10 cells.

Structure-based computational study of the catalytic and inhibition mechanisms of urease

The viability of different mechanisms of catalysis and inhibition of the nickel-containing enzyme urease was explored using the available high-resolution structures of the enzyme isolated from Bacillus pasteurii in the native form and inhibited with several substrates. The structures and charge distribution of urea, its catalytic transition state, and three enzyme inhibitors were calculated using ab initio and density functional theory methods. The DOCK program suite was employed to determine families of structures of urease complexes characterized by docking energy scores indicative of their relative stability according to steric and electrostatic criteria. Adjustment of the parameters used by DOCK, in order to account for the presence of the metal ion in the active site, resulted in the calculation of best energy structures for the nickel-bound inhibitors beta-mercaptoethanol, acetohydroxamic acid, and diamidophosphoric acid. These calculated structures are in good agreement with the experimentally determined structures, and provide hints on the reactivity and mobility of the inhibitors in the active site. The same docking protocol was applied to the substrate urea and its catalytic transition state, in order to shed light onto the possible catalytic steps occurring at the binuclear nickel active site. These calculations suggest that the most viable pathway for urea hydrolysis involve a nucleophilic attack by the bridging, and not the terminal, nickel-bound hydroxide onto a urea molecule, with active site residues playing important roles in orienting and activating the substrate, and stabilizing the catalytic transition state.

Novel mechanisms of DNA topoisomerase II inhibition by pyranonaphthoquinone derivatives-eleutherin, alpha lapachone, and beta lapachone

Pyranonaphthoquinones have diverse biological activities against Gram-positive bacteria, fungi, and mycoplasms, and, recently, there has also been an increasing interest in their anti-cancer activity. This study includes three derivatives: eleutherin (compound 1), beta lapachone (compound 2), and its structural isomer, alpha lapachone (compound 3). The mechanism of topoisomerase II inhibition by the three derivatives was examined systematically with respect to the steps of the catalytic cycle of the enzyme. Etoposide, the prototypical enzyme poison, was used as a control and in combination with compounds 1-3 to localize their mechanism of action. The study revealed that eleutherin (1) and beta lapachone (2) inhibited topoisomerase II by inducing religation and dissociation of the enzyme from DNA in the presence of ATP. Whereas compound 2 was an "irreversible" inhibitor of topoisomerase II, compound 1 merely slowed the catalytic cycle of the enzyme. alpha Lapachone (3), on the other hand, inhibited initial non-covalent binding of topoisomerase II to DNA and, in addition, induced religation of DNA breaks (even in pre-established ternary complexes) before dissociating the enzyme from DNA. Compound 3 was an "irreversible" inhibitor of topoisomerase II. The diverse and unique mechanisms of topoisomerase II inhibition by pyranonaphthoquinone derivatives reveal novel ways to target the enzyme with potential for anti-cancer drug design.

Independent generation and reactivity of 2-deoxy-5-methyleneuridin-5-yl, a significant reactive intermediate produced from thymidine as a result of oxidative stress

2'-Deoxy-5-methyleneuridin-5-yl (1) is produced in a variety of DNA damage processes and is believed to result in the formation of lesions that are mutagenic and refractory to enzymatic repair. 2'-Deoxy-5-methyleneuridin-5-yl (1) was independently generated under anaerobic conditions via Norrish Type I photocleavage during Pyrex filtered photolysis of the benzyl ketone 7. The radical (1) exhibits behavior consistent with that of a resonance-stabilized radical. The KIE for hydrogen atom transfer from t-BuSH was found to be 7.3 +/- 1.7. Competition studies between radical recombination and hydrogen atom donors (2,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran, kTrap = 46.1 +/- 15.4 M(-1) s(-1); propan-2-ol, kTrap = 13.6 +/- 3.5 M(-1) s(-1)) chosen to mimic the carbohydrate components of 2'-deoxyribonucleotides suggest that 2'-deoxy-5-methyleneuridin-5-yl (1) may be able to transfer damage from the nucleobase to the deoxyribose of an adjacent nucleotide in DNA under hypoxic conditions.

Transfructosylation of thiol group by beta-fructofuranosidases

Beta-fructofuranosidase fructosylated not only the hydroxyl group but also the thiol group of 2-mercaptoethanol in a transfer reaction using sucrose as a donor substrate. The enzymes from Candida utilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (bakers' yeast) were effective catalysts for the thio-fructofuranosylation. The thio-fructosylation product was isolated by activated carbon chromatography and its structure was confirmed by Fab-mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. The thio-fructofuranoside was synthesized effectively at around 3.0 M for the acceptor concentration. The product increased with the sucrose concentration at least up to 1.9 M. O-Fructofuranoside was simultaneously synthesized at an early stage of the reaction, although it was hydrolyzed on further incubation. On the contrary, the thio-fructofuranoside accumulated efficiently after synthesis, indicating it was very stable against the hydrolytic action of the beta-fructofranosidase.

Inhibition of enzymatic browning and protection of sulfhydryl enzymes by thiol compounds

In a reaction between (-)-epicatechin (EC) and 2-mercaptoethanol (2ME), catalyzed by partially purified polyphenol oxidase (PPO) extracted from the style of Rhododendron mucronatum, 2'-(2-hydroxyethylthio)-(-)-epicatechin (2'-HETEC), 5'-(2-hydroxyethylthio)-(-)-epicatechin (5'-HETEC), and 2',5'-bis(2-hydroxyethylthio)-(-)-epicatechin (2',5'-HETEC) were formed. The rate of formation of 2',5'-HETEC from 5'-HETEC was faster than that from 2'-HETEC. In the absence of 2ME, the concentration of EC decreased rapidly and the reaction mixture turned brown; 2'-, 5'-, and 2',5'-HETEC, especially 2'-substituted HETECs. reacted more slowly. These data indicate that 2ME acts both as an inhibitor of the polymerization of O-quinone, presumably by binding to it and as a reductant involved in the conversion of O-quinone to O-dihydroxyphenol, Inhibition of enzymatic browning by other thiol compounds such as cysteine and dithiothreitol was also investigated.

Active site serine promotes stabilization of the reactive glutathione thiolate in rat glutathione transferase T2-2. Evidence against proposed sulfatase activity of the corresponding human enzyme

Ser(11) in rat glutathione transferase T2-2 is important for stabilization of the reactive enzyme-bound glutathione thiolate in the reaction with 1-menaphthyl sulfate. The S11A mutation increased the pK(a) value for the pH dependence of the rate constant for pre-steady-state product formation, from 5.7 to 7.9. This pH dependence is proposed to reflect titration of enzyme-bound glutathione thiol. Further, the mutation lowered the k(cat) value but not because of the impaired stabilization of the glutathione thiolate. In fact, several steps on the reaction pathway were affected by the S11A mutation, and the cause of the decreased k(cat) for the mutant was found to be a slower product release. The data presented here contradict the hypothesis that glutathione transferase T2-2 could act as a sulfatase that is not dependent on Ser(11) for the catalytic activity, as proposed for the corresponding human enzyme (Tan, K.-L., Chelvanayagam, G., Parker, M. W., and Board, P. G. (1996) Biochem. J. 319, 315-321; Rossjohn, J., McKinstry, W. J., Oakley, A. J., Verger, D., Flanagan, J., Chelvanayagam, G., Tan, K.-L., Board, P. G., and Parker, M. W. (1998) Structure 6, 309-322). On the contrary, Ser(11) governs both chemical and physical steps of the catalyzed reaction.

Properties of spin and fluorescent labels at a receptor-ligand interface

Site-directed labeling was used to obtain local information on the binding interface in a receptor-ligand complex. As a model we have chosen the specific association of the extracellular part of tissue factor (sTF) and factor VIIa (FVIIa), the primary initiator of the blood coagulation cascade. Different spectroscopic labels were covalently attached to an engineered cysteine in position 140 in sTF, a position normally occupied by a Phe residue previously characterized as an important contributor to the sTF:FVIIa interaction. Two spin labels, IPSL [N-(1-oxyl-2,2,5, 5-tetramethyl-3-pyrrolidinyl)iodoacetamide] and MTSSL [(1-oxyl-2,2,5, 5-tetramethylpyrroline-3-methyl)methanethiosulfonate], and two fluorescent labels, IAEDANS [5-((((2-iodoacetyl)amino) ethyl)amino)naphthalene-1-sulfonic acid] and BADAN [6-bromoacetyl-2-dimethylaminonaphthalene], were used. Spectral data from electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and fluorescence spectroscopy showed a substantial change in the local environment of all labels when the sTF:FVIIa complex was formed. However, the interaction was probed differently by each label and these differences in spectral appearance could be attributed to differences in label properties such as size, polarity, and/or flexibility. Accordingly, molecular modeling data suggest that the most favorable orientations are unique for each label. Furthermore, line-shape simulations of EPR spectra and calculations based on fluorescence depolarization measurements provided additional details of the local environment of the labels, thereby confirming a tight protein-protein interaction between FVIIa and sTF when the complex is formed. The tightness of this local interaction is similar to that seen in the interior of globular proteins.

Low and nontoxic levels of ionic mercury interfere with the regulation of cell growth in the WEHI-231 B-cell lymphoma

WEHI-231 is a mouse B-cell line, which is a well-established model for studying signal transduction in B lymphocytes, normally responding to cross-linking of the B-cell receptor (BCR) complex by the rapid upregulation of protein tyrosine kinase activity, followed by increased intracellular calcium and activation of protein kinase C. In WEHI-231, activation of protein kinase C is functionally associated with downregulation of DNA synthesis, followed by the induction of apoptosis. We have found in WEHI-231, that at low and environmentally relevant exposure levels (0.1 microM) mercury is not toxic, but still interferes with signal transduction in that it attenuates the growth inhibitory effects of BCR cross-linking. The molecular target for mercury resulting in attenuation of the BCR-mediated growth inhibitory signal is likely proximal to activation of the BCR complex, as HgCl2 had no effect on the negative growth signal generated downstream by direct activation of protein kinase C with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Treatment of WEHI-231 cells with high and toxic concentrations of Hg results in a marked increase in protein tyrosine phosphorylation in a great many proteins; whereas treatment of WEHI-231 cells with 0.1 microM mercury is not toxic. Under these conditions mercury selectively perturbed BCR-mediated protein tyrosine phosphorylation of a 75 kDa protein, without grossly affecting tyrosine phosphorylation levels of most other proteins. These data suggest that low levels of mercury, which are not toxic, may still contribute to immune dysfunction by interfering with antigen-receptor-mediated and protein-kinase-dependent signal transduction in lymphocytes.

Determination of S-nitrosoglutathione in human and rat plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence and ultraviolet absorbance detection after precolumn derivatization with o-phthalaldehyde

An analytical method is described for the quantification of S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), a potent physiological vasodilator and inhibitor of platelet aggregation, in the presence of a high excess of reduced glutathione (GSH). The method is based on the quantitative elimination of GSH by N-ethylmaleimide, the conversion of GSNO by 2-mercaptoethanol to GSH, its reaction with o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) to form a highly fluorescent and UV-absorbing tricyclic isoindole derivative, and subsequent high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) separation with fluorescence and/or UV absorbance detection. The OPA derivatives of GSH and GSNO obtained by this method were found to be identical by mass spectrometry. GSH (up to 50 microM) did not interfere with the analysis of GSNO (up to 1000 nM). The limits of detection of the method for buffered aqueous solutions of GSNO were determined as 3 nM using fluorescence and 70 nM using UV absorbance detection. Isolation of GSNO by HPLC analysis (pH 7.0) of plasma ultrafiltrate samples (200 microl) prior to derivatization allows specific and artifact-free quantification of GSNO in human and rat plasma. Reduced and oxidized glutathione, nitrite, and cysteine did not interfere with the measurement of GSNO in human and rat plasma. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) of the combined method was determined as 100 nM of GSNO in human plasma ultrafiltrate using fluorescence detection. No endogenous GSNO could be detected in ultrafiltrate samples of plasma of 10 healthy humans at concentrations exceeding the LOQ of the method. After iv infusion of GSNO (125 micromol/kg body wt) in a rat for 20 min GSNO and GSH were detected in rat plasma at 60 and 130 microM, respectively. The method should be useful to investigate formation, metabolism, and reactions of GSNO in vitro and in vivo at physiologically relevant concentrations.

Modulation of stability properties of bovine trypsin after in vitro structural changes with a variety of chemical modifiers

Controlled chemical modification of enzymes, targeting groups not involved in the active site, can lead to modified catalysts that are intrinsically more efficient and resistant to heat and denaturing agents. Bovine pancreatic trypsin was covalently modified up to 75-85% with monomeric glutaraldehyde (MGA), polymeric glutaraldehyde (PGA), oxidized sucrose and oxidized sucrose polymers (OSP 70 and OSP 400). Virtually no loss in activity occurred upon modification. Temperature optima of trypsin shifts from 45-76 degrees C and T50 from 54-76 degrees C for the best modified sample made with OSP. The efficiency of the modifiers in stabilization was ranked in the order: OSP 400-T > OSP 70-T > PGA-T > MGA-T > Sucrose-T. Half-life of modified enzymes also followed the same trend. Both stabilization factor and t1/2 decreased with increasing temperatures. The free energy of activation for inactivation delta(deltaG*) varies from 12-20 kJ/mol and the activation enthalpy delta(deltaH*) of the modified trypsin by 80-120 kJ/mol indicating stabilization. Inactivation of modified trypsin by urea is less noticeable. The character of the two-step inactivation process of trypsin changes with the degree of stabilization in that the duration of phase I one increased noticeably as stabilization increases. Native trypsin fluoresces less intensely showing a red shift under the influence of denaturation. Such a fluorescence change is not so obvious for the modified enzymes indicating conformational stability acquired by modification.

Roles of the carboxy-terminal half of Pseudomonas aeruginosa major outer membrane protein OprF in cell shape, growth in low-osmolarity medium, and peptidoglycan association

OprF, the major outer membrane protein of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is multifunctional in that it can act as a nonspecific porin, plays a role in the maintenance of cell shape, and is required for growth in a low-osmolarity environment. The latter two structural roles of OprF, and OprF's association with the peptidoglycan, have been proposed to be localized in the carboxy terminus of the protein, based on this region's similarity to members of the OmpA family of proteins. To determine if this is correct, we constructed a series of C-terminally truncated OprF derivatives and examined their effects on P. aeruginosa cell length and growth in low-osmolarity medium. While the C terminus of OprF was required for wild-type cell length and growth in low-osmolarity medium, expression of the N terminus (first 163 amino acids [aa]) also influenced these phenotypes (compared with OprF deficiency). The first 154 to 164 aa of OprF seemed required for stable protein expression, consistent with the existence of a beta-barrel domain in the N terminus of OprF. Greater than 215 aa of the protein were required for strong peptidoglycan association, confirming that residues in the C-terminal end of OprF are required for peptidoglycan binding. OprF deficiency did not affect the in vivo growth of an OprF-deficient strain in a mouse chamber model. Collectively, these data suggest that the C terminus of OprF plays a role in cell length, growth of P. aeruginosa in low-osmolarity media (but not in vivo), and peptidoglycan association, while the N terminus has an influence on the first two characteristics and is additionally important for stable protein expression.

Monoamine oxidase contains a redox-active disulfide

Mitochondrial monoamine oxidases A and B (MAO A and MAO B) are ubiquitous homodimeric FAD-containing oxidases that catalyze the oxidation of biogenic amines. Both enzymes play a vital role in the regulation of neurotransmitter levels in brain and are of interest as drug targets. However, little is known about the amino acid residues involved in the catalysis. The experiments reported here show that both MAO A and MAO B contain a redox-active disulfide at the catalytic center. The results imply that MAO may be a novel type of disulfide oxidoreductase and open the way to characterizing the catalytic and chemical mechanism of the enzyme.

Bilitranslocase can exist in two metastable forms with different affinities for the substrates--evidence from cysteine and arginine modification

Bilitranslocase is an organic anion carrier involved in bilirubin and phthalein uptake by the liver. In rat liver plasma membranes, its function is assayed by recording the electrogenic sulfobromophthalein movement. This has been found to be inhibited by both cysteine-specific and arginine-specific reagents. Inhibition is both partial and it occurs to the same extent, i.e. approximately 50%. The effects are not additive. Here we describe the mechanism underlying the above observations. It is concluded that bilitranslocase occurs in two possible states, featured by high and low affinity for the substrates (for sulfobromophthalein, Km = 5 microM and 37 microM, respectively). Cysteine- or arginine-reactive reagents, by reacting selectively with the low-affinity form, entrap it and shift the equilibrium between the two forms, so that, at completion, only the low-affinity form is present. The substrate concentration in the standard transport assay is 39 microM, a value at which the modified low-affinity form operates in the range of half-maximal velocity. This explains both the apparent half-inhibition measured after the chemical treatments and the lack of additivity. In addition, the substrates are shown to enhance the rate of conversion from the low-affinity to the high-affinity form of the translocator, thus favouring its high-affinity form under physiological conditions.

Redox modulation of iron regulatory proteins by peroxynitrite

Expression of several proteins of higher eukaryotes is post-transcriptionally regulated by interaction of iron-responsive elements (IREs) on their mRNAs and iron regulatory proteins (IRP1 and IRP2). IRP1 is a redox-sensitive iron-sulfur protein whose regulatory activity is modulated by iron depletion, synthesis of nitric oxide, or oxidative stress. IRP2 is closely related to IRP1, but it does not possess a [Fe-S] cluster. IRP2 is also regulated by intracellular iron level, but it is assumed that regulation is achieved by accelerated turn-over. In this report, the effect of peroxynitrite, a strong oxidant produced when nitric oxide and O-2 are biosynthesized simultaneously, on the RNA binding activity of IRP1 and IRP2 was investigated in vitro. Macrophage cytosolic extracts were exposed directly to a bolus addition of peroxynitrite or to SIN-1, which releases a continuous flux of peroxynitrite. Under these two experimental conditions, IRP1 lost its aconitase activity but did not gain increased capacity to bind IRE. However, addition of low amounts of the disulfide-reducing agent 2-ME during the binding assay revealed formation of a complex between IRP1 and IRE. Substrates of aconitase, which bind to the cluster of IRP1, prevented this effect, pointing to the [Fe-S] cluster as the target of peroxynitrite. Moreover, single mutation of the redox active Cys437 precluded oxidation of human recombinant IRP1 by SIN-1. Collectively, these results imply that peroxynitrite predisposes IRP1 to bind IREs under a suitable reducing environment. It is assumed that in addition to disrupting the cluster peroxynitrite also promotes disulfide bridge(s) between proximal cysteine residues in the vicinity of the IRE-binding domain, in particular Cys437. When exposed to peroxynitrite, IRP2 lost its spontaneous IRE binding activity, which was restored by further exposure to 2-mercaptoethanol, thus showing that peroxynitrite can also regulate IRP2 by a post-translational event.

Increased cystine uptake capability associated with malignant progression of Nb2 lymphoma cells

Analysis of rat, pre-T cell 'Nb2 lymphoma' sublines, manifesting different degrees of malignant progression, can indicate phenotypic changes potentially useful as therapeutic targets. In this study, the prolactin (cytokine)-dependent Nb2-11 and autonomous Nb2-SFJCD1 sublines were compared for in vitro thiol growth requirements. Whereas Nb2-11 culture growth depended on 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME; 33-100 microM), Nb2-SFJCD1 cells were 2-ME-independent. This difference stemmed from differential uptake of exogenous L-cystine, critically required for proliferation. Uptake of 35S-L-cystine (10 microCi/ml; 40 microM) showed Nb2-11 cells had low cystine uptake capability; 2-ME enhanced cystine uptake to growth-sustaining levels. Nb2-SFJCD1 cells did not require 2-ME due to intrinsic, 11-fold higher cystine uptake via the x(c)- cystine/glutamate transport system. In absence of 2-ME, monosodium glutamate abrogated Nb2-SFJCD1 proliferation by specifically inhibiting cystine uptake (85% at 10 mM). Elevated glutathione (GSH) levels were not essential for growth of either line as shown with L-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (0.1-4 mM) treatment. The cyst(e)ine requirement therefore did not primarily involve maintenance of normal GSH levels, reported critical for T lymphocyte replication. These and other results suggest increased cystine uptake capability constitutes another potential step in progression of T cell cancers which is not coupled to cytokine autonomy or metastatic ability development. The x(c)- transport system apparently provides a novel target for T cell cancer therapy. Its inhibition would suppress cystine uptake by certain progressed cells, and also interfere with cystine uptake, and subsequent cysteine release, by eg macrophages, thought to have a role in cysteine delivery to lymphoid cells.

Expression, purification, and properties of the aldehyde dehydrogenase homologous carboxyl-terminal domain of rat 10-formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase

The liver cytosolic enzyme, 10-formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (FDH) (EC 1.5.1.6) catalyzes two reactions: the NADP+-dependent oxidation of 10-formyltetrahydrofolate to tetrahydrofolate and CO2 and the NADP+-independent hydrolysis of 10-formyltetrahydrofolate to tetrahydrofolate and formate. The COOH-terminal domain of the enzyme (residues 420-902) is about 48% identical to a family of NAD-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenases (EC 1.2.1.3), and FDH possesses aldehyde dehydrogenase activity. We expressed the COOH-terminal domain (residues 420-902) of FDH in insect cells using a baculovirus expression system. The recombinant protein was released from insect cells to the culture medium and was purified from the medium by a two-step procedure: precipitation with 35% saturated ammonium sulfate followed by chromatography on hydroxyapatite. The purified COOH-terminal domain displayed aldehyde dehydrogenase activity similar to that of native FDH but had neither dehydrogenase nor hydrolase activity toward folate substrates. Aldehyde dehydrogenase activity of the COOH-terminal domain and FDH was independent of the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol while 10-FDDF dehydrogenase activity of FDH occurred only in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol. The COOH-terminal domain existed as a tetramer showing that the sites for oligomerization of subunits in native FDH resides in this domain. Using titration of tryptophan fluorescence, it was found that the COOH-terminal domain bound NADP+ to the same extent as FDH (Kd 0.2 and 0.3 microM, respectively) but did not bind folate. Both FDH and its COOH-terminal domain also bound NAD+ (Kd 11 and 16 microM, respectively) as measured by fluorescence titration. Both proteins were able to catalyze the aldehyde dehydrogenase reaction utilizing NADP+ or NAD+, but the Km for NAD+ was three orders higher than that for NADP+ (2 mM and 1.5-2.0 microM, respectively). The concentration of NAD+ required for the reaction was high compared with the physiological level of NAD+, suggesting that the reaction does not occur in vivo. NAD+ at physiological concentrations stimulated the aldehyde dehydrogenase reaction performed by FDH or its COOH-terminal domain using NADP+.

Domain structure of rat 10-formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase. Resolution of the amino-terminal domain as 10-formyltetrahydrofolate hydrolase

We expressed the NH2-terminal domain of the multidomain, multifunctional enzyme, 10-formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (FDH), using a baculovirus expression system in insect cells. Expression of the 203-amino acid NH2-terminal domain (residues 1-203), which is 24-30% identical to a group of glycinamide ribonucleotide transformylases (EC 2.1.2.2), resulted in the appearance of insoluble recombinant protein apparently due to incorrect folding. The longer NH2-terminal recombinant protein (residues 1-310), which shares 32% identity with Escherichia coli L-methionyl-tRNA formyltransferase (EC 2.1.2.9), was expressed as a soluble protein. During expression, this protein was released from cells to the culture medium and was purified from the culture medium by 5-formyltetrahydrofolate-Sepharose affinity chromatography followed by chromatography on a Mono-Q column. We found that the purified NH2-terminal domain bears a folate binding site, possesses 10-formyltetrahydrofolate hydrolase activity, and exists as a monomer. Titration of tryptophan fluorescence showed that native FDH bound both the substrate of the reaction, 10-formyl-5, 8-dideazafolate, and the product of the reaction, 5,8-dideazafolate, with the same affinities as its NH2-terminal domain did and that both proteins bound the substrate with a 50-fold higher affinity than the product. Neither the NH2-terminal domain nor its mixture with the previously purified COOH-terminal domain had 10-formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase activity. Formation of complexes between the COOH- and NH2-terminal domains also was not observed. We conclude that the 10-formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase activity of FDH is a result of the action of the aldehyde dehydrogenase catalytic center residing in the COOH-terminal domain on the substrate bound in the NH2-terminal domain and that the intermediate domain is necessary to bring the two functional domains together in the correct orientation.

Thiols and neuronal nitric oxide synthase: complex formation, competitive inhibition, and enzyme stabilization

To elucidate how thiols affect neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) we studied the binding of thiols to tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4)-free nNOS. Dithiothreitol (DTT), 2-mercaptoethanol, and L- and D-cysteine all bound to the heme with Kd values varying from 0.16 mM for DTT to 41 mM for L-cysteine. DTT, 2-mercaptoethanol, and L-cysteine yielded absorbance spectra with maxima at about 378 and 456 nm, indicative of bisthiolate complexes; the maximum at 426 nm with D-cysteine suggests binding of the neutral thiol. From the results with 2-mercaptoethanol we deduced that in 2-mercaptoethanol-free, BH4-free nNOS the sixth heme ligand is not a thiolate. DTT binding to nNOS containing one BH4 per dimer was biphasic. Apparently, the BH4-free subunit bound DTT with the same affinity as the BH4-free enzyme, whereas the BH4-containing subunit exhibited a > 100-fold lower affinity, indicative of competition between DTT and BH4 binding. Binding of DTT to the BH4-containing subunit was suppressed by L-arginine, whereas high-affinity binding was not affected, suggesting that L-arginine binds only to the BH4-containing subunit. DTT competitively inhibited L-citrulline production by nNOS containing one BH4 per dimer (Ki approximately 11 mM). Comparison of DTT binding and inhibition suggests that the heme of the BH4-free subunit is not involved in catalysis. Thermostability of nNOS was studied by preincubating the enzyme at various temperatures prior to activity determination. At nanomolar concentrations, nNOS was stable at 20 degrees C but rapidly deactivated at higher temperatures (t1/2 approximately 6 min at 37 degrees C). At micromolar concentrations, inactivation was 10 times slower. Absorbance and fluorescence measurements demonstrate that inactivation was not accompanied by major structural changes. The stabilization of nNOS by thiols was illustrated by the fact that omission of 2-mercaptoethanol during preincubation for 10 min at 30 degrees C led to an activity decrease of up to 90%.

Induction of DNA topoisomerase II-mediated DNA cleavage by beta-lapachone and related naphthoquinones

Recent studies have suggested that 3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyran-5,6-dione (beta-lapachone) inhibits DNA topoisomerase I by a mechanism distinct from that of camptothecin. To study the mechanism of action of beta-lapachone, a series of beta-lapachone and related naphthoquinones were synthesized, and their activity against drug-sensitive and -resistant cell lines and purified human DNA topoisomerases as evaluated. Consistent with the previous report, beta-lapachone does not induce topoisomerase I-mediated DNA breaks. However, beta-lapachone and related naphthoquinones, like menadione, induce protein-linked DNA breaks in the presence of purified human DNA topoisomerase IIalpha. Poisoning of topoisomerase IIalpha by beta-lapachone and related naphthoquinones is independent of ATP and involves the formation of reversible cleavable complexes. The structural similarity between menadione, a para-quinone, and beta-lapachone, an ortho-quinone, together with their similar activity in poisoning topoisomerase IIalpha, suggests a common mechanism of action involving chemical reactivity of these quinones. Indeed, both quinones form adducts with mercaptoethanol, and beta-lapachone is 10-fold more reactive. There is an apparent correlation between the rates of the adduct formation with thiols and of the topoisomerase II-poisoning activity of the aforementioned quinones. In preliminary studies, beta-lapachone and related naphthoquinones are found to be cytotoxic against a panel of drug-sensitive and drug-resistant tumor cell lines, including MDR1-overexpressing cell lines, camptothecin-resistant cell lines, and the atypical multidrug-resistant CEM/V-1 cell line.

Mechanism of activation of the tryptophan synthase alpha2beta2 complex. Solvent effects of the co-substrate beta-mercaptoethanol

To characterize the conformational transitions that lead to activation of catalysis by the tryptophan synthase alpha2beta2 complex, we have determined the solvent effects of a co-substrate, beta-mercaptoethanol, and of a model nonsubstrate, ethanol, on the catalytic and spectroscopic properties of the enzyme. Our results show that ethanol and beta-mercaptoethanol both alter the equilibrium distribution of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate intermediates formed in the reactions of L-serine at the beta site in the alpha2beta2 complex. Addition of increasing concentrations of ethanol increases the proportion of the external aldimine of L-serine and decreases the proportion of the external aldimine of aminoacrylate. Low concentrations of the co-substrate beta-mercaptoethanol (Kd = approximately 13 mM) decrease the proportion of the external aldimine of aminoacrylate and induce formation of the quinonoid of S-hydroxyethyl-L-cysteine. Higher concentrations of beta-mercaptoethanol decrease the concentration of the quinonoid intermediate and increase the proportion of the external aldimine of L-serine. Data analysis shows that beta-mercaptoethanol and ethanol both interact or bind preferentially with the conformer of the enzyme that predominates when the aldimine of L-serine is formed and shift the equilibrium in favor of this conformer. We propose that a nonpolar region of the beta subunit, possibly the hydrophobic indole tunnel, becomes less exposed to solvent in the conformational transition that activates the alpha2beta2 complex.

Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase from human bone: purification and development of an immunoassay

Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) was purified 20,000-fold to apparent homogeneity from human bone. The purified enzyme consisted of one 32 kd subunit, which was cleaved by beta-mercaptoethanol into two subunits of 15 kd and 20 kd, as shown by sodium dodecyl sulfide-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and silver staining. The purified enzyme was identified by N-terminal amino acid sequencing, and it was shown to be homologous with previously purified TRAPs from other sources. We developed a polyclonal antiserum against the purified enzyme in mice. In immunohistochemistry, the antiserum recognized osteoclasts from human bone and alveolar macrophages from human lung tissue, but no cells from human spleen tissue. It also stained osteoclasts from rat bone cells cultured on bovine bone slices. Purified TRAP could be inhibited by vanadate and molybdate, but not by tartrate, and it was activated 2-fold by beta-mercaptoethanol. The glycoprotein structure of human bone TRAP was analyzed, and it was shown to contain only high-mannose type carbohydrates. We used the polyclonal antibody to develop a competitive fluorescence immunoassay for measuring serum TRAP concentrations. According to the assay, children have higher serum TRAP concentrations than adults, and postmenopausal women have higher concentrations than premenopausal women. Postmenopausal women also have higher serum TRAP concentrations than postmenopausal women on estrogen replacement therapy.

Rat testis mitochondrial phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase does not protect endogenous vitamin E against Fe2+-induced (lipo)peroxidation

Rat testis mitochondria contain large amounts of both seleno-enzyme phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.12, PHGPx) and alpha-tocopherol. The scavenger role of vitamin E consists of transforming the lipoperoxyl radicals into lipid hydroperoxides, thus interrupting the peroxidative cascade. These hydroperoxides are in turn substrates of the PHGPx, which is considered one of the most important specific enzymes capable of protecting, in situ, the membranes from lipid peroxidation. A connection or synergism could, therefore, be envisaged between vitamin and enzyme opposing lipid damage in the mitochondria. Here we present data concerning the HPLC evaluation of vitamin E consumption in rat testis mitochondria and mitochondrial membranes, under different conditions of PHGPx activity, after Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation. We have found that the enzyme activity, under the conditions tested, does not spare vitamin E from its peroxidation, therefore indicating that the postulated synergism between PHGPx and alpha-tocopherol can be excluded in rat testis mitochondria.

Cell-cycle specific cytotoxicity mediated by rearranged ent-kaurene diterpenoids isolated from Parinari curatellifolia

Two structurally novel cytotoxic ent-kaurene diterpenoids, 13-methoxy-15-oxozoapatlin and 13-hydroxy-15-oxozoapatlin, were isolated from the root bark of Parinari curatellifolia, together with the known compound, 15-oxozoapatlin, on the basis of bioactivity-guided chromatographic fractionation and found to demonstrate broad-spectrum cytotoxic activity against a panel of cultured human cancer cell lines. The structures of these compounds were determined by analysis of their spectroscopic data. The presence of an alpha, beta-unsaturated carbonyl group in 13-methoxy-15-oxozoapatlin suggested that the cytotoxic potential of this compound could be mediated through reaction with cellular nucleophiles by means of a Michael-type addition. The compound 13-methoxy-15-oxozoapatlin reacted with the nucleophiles L-cysteine and beta-mercaptoethanol. The adduct with beta-mercaptoethanol was isolated, structurally characterized and found to be approximately 5-fold less cytotoxic than 13-methoxy-15-oxozoapatlin itself. The compound 13-methoxy-15-oxozoapatlin did not interact with DNA nor guanosine, and it was not mutagenic for Salmonella typhimurium strain TM677. The effects of 13-methoxy-15-oxozoapatlin on the growth of human cancer cells were analyzed utilizing cultured ZR-75-1 breast cancer cells. Biosynthesis of DNA, RNA and protein was reduced in treated cells, and accumulation at the G2/M phase of the cell cycle was observed. The compound 13-methoxy-15-oxozoapatlin did not mediate antimitotic activity with dibutyryl cAMP-treated cultured astrocytoma cells, suggesting that the cell cycle effect is G2 specific. No antitumor activity was observed when athymic mice carrying KB cells were treated with 13-methoxy-15-oxozoapatlin. These data indicate that the cytotoxic activity of 13-methoxy-15-oxozoapatlin is mediated in part by covalent reaction with a cellular component (such as sulfhydryl-containing protein) by means of a Michael-type addition, and this results in the blockage of cell-cycle progression.

Characterization of the active site cysteine residues of the thioredoxin-like domains of protein disulfide isomerase

The dithiol/disulfide active sites of each of the two isolated thioredoxin-like domains of protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) expressed in Escherichia coli have been characterized in order to understand their catalytic mechanisms and their functions in PDI. In each of the folded domains, as in other proteins of the thioredoxin family, only one of the cysteine residues of the active site sequence -Cys-Gly-His-Cys- is accessible, and its thiol group is highly reactive and has a low pKa value. The kinetics and equilibria have been measured of the reactions between the active site cysteine residues and glutathione, the predominant thiol/disulfide reagent of the endoplasmic reticulum. A disulfide bond can be formed very rapidly between the pair of cysteine residues of each domain, but each disulfide bond is very unstable and reacts rapidly with reduced glutathione. The very low stabilities of these disulfide bonds, which destabilize the protein structures, account for the efficiency with which PDI and each of the isolated domains can introduce disulfide bonds into proteins. These kinetics and equilibrium data go far in helping to understand the catalytic mechanism of PDI and its individual domains.

19-Allylaminoherbimycin A, an analog of herbimycin A that is stable against treatment with thiol compounds or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in human leukemia cells

Herbimycin A, a benzoquinonoid ansamycin antibiotic, reduces intracellular phosphorylation by some protein tyrosine kinases and inhibits the proliferation of malignant cells which express high tyrosine kinase activity. Herbimycin A inhibited the proliferation of human monoblastic leukemia U937 cells, but this inhibition was abrogated by the addition of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). On the other hand, a derivative of herbimycin A, 19-allylaminoherbimycin A, inhibited the proliferation of such cells without interference by the addition of GM-CSF. Phosphorylation of MAP kinase and c-myc expression induced by GM-CSF in U937 cells were inhibited by both herbimycin A and 19-allylaminoherbimycin A. The time courses of growth inhibition showed that the growth-inhibitory activity of herbimycin A in U937 cells was initially potent, but gradually decreased in the presence of GM-CSF. Thiol compounds, glutathione (GSH) and 2-mercaptoethanol, abrogated the inhibition of the growth of U937 cells by herbimycin A, but not by 19-allylaminoherbimycin A, like GM-CSF. Intracellular GSH content in U937 cells was increased by treatment with GM-CSF, and decreased with herbimycin A, but returned to the control level with the addition of GM-CSF to herbimycin A. In thin-layer chromatography, after in vitro incubation with herbimycin A and GSH, nothing could be detected at the position of intact herbimycin A, while 19-allylaminoherbimycin A was stably detected. These findings suggest that changes in the intracellular concentration of GSH play a role in the abrogation of the inhibition of U937 cell growth by herbimycin A. In the presence of GSH, 19-allylaminoherbimycin A inhibited the proliferation of U937 cells and Philadelphia chromosome-positive K562 cells more effectively than herbimycin A. Since GSH plays a role in detoxicating several anticancer drugs, 19-allylaminoherbimycin A may have therapeutic advantages over herbimycin A against some types of leukemia.

Activation of NF-kappa B and elevation of MnSOD gene expression by thiol reducing agents in lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells

The effect of reducing agents, including N-acetylcysteine (NAC), dithiothreitol (DTT), and 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) on nuclear transcription factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) activation and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) expression was investigated in a pulmonary adenocarcinoma (A549) cell line. NAC, DTT, and 2-ME each activated the transcription factor NF-kappa B and increased steady-state levels of MnSOD mRNA and enzyme activity in these cells. In addition, NAC, DTT, and 2-ME increased chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) activity in cells transfected with a construct containing the CAT gene under the control of the rat MnSOD promoter. SOD and catalase (500 U/ml) plus ethanol (1 mM) did not inhibit activation of NF-kappa B or elevation of steady-state MnSOD mRNA levels by NAC, DTT, or 2-ME. Controls in which comparable amounts of O2-. to those produced by thiols were generated by hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase, or in which H2O2 was added directly, had neither activated NF-kappa B nor elevated MnSOD mRNA. This shows that reactive oxygen intermediates, which may be formed during autooxidation, may not contribute to activation of NF-kappa B. Because the MnSOD promoter also contains potential binding sites for other transcription factors, such as promoter-selective transcription factor-1 (SP-1), activator protein-1 (AP-1), AP-2, adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-regulator element binding factor (CREB), and transcription factor IID complex (TFIID), the effect of thiols on their activation also were evaluated. In contrast to findings with NF-kappa B, there was only minor activation of AP-1 by thiols, and none of the other transcription factors were activated by thiols. AP-1 activation was inhibited by catalase (500 U/ml) plus SOD plus ethanol (1 mM). Addition of 700 microM H2O2 also activated AP-1, and catalase at 500 U/ml prevented this activation. This indicates that H2O2 produced as a result of autooxidation of thiols can activate AP-1 but not NF-kappa B. Thus a close association between exposure to reducing agents, activation of NF-kappa B, and elevation of MnSOD gene expression is demonstrated.

Sequential methylation of 2-mercaptoethanol to the dimethyl sulfonium ion, 2-(dimethylthio)ethanol, in vivo and in vitro

Thioether methyltransferase (S-adenosyl-L-methionine: thioether S-methyltransferase; EC 2.1.1.96) catalyzes the methylation of X in compounds of the type R-X-R'(X = S, Se, Te), yielding a methyl onium ion. Previous results using mice have demonstrated a role for thioether methyltransferase in the conversion and clearance of thioethers by methylation to more water-soluble methyl sulfonium ions suitable for excretion in the urine. A potential major physiological source of thiethers is reactions catalyzed by microsomal thiol methyltransferase (S-adenosyl-L-methionine: thiol S-methyltransferase; EC 2.1.1.9), which has been shown to methylate a diverse range of aliphatic sulfhydryl compounds. This study provides evidence for the sequential methylation of the aliphatic thiol, 2-mercaptoethanol, first to the methyl thioether, 2-(methylthio)ethanol, by thiol methyltransferase followed by methylation of this methyl thioeter to the dimethyl sulfonium ion, 2-(-dimethylthio)ethanol, by thioether methyltransferase. This sequence of reactions was demonstrated in vivo by injecting mice i.p. with radioactive 2-mercaptoethanol and analyzing the labeled methylated products, 2-(methylthio)ethanol and 2(dimethylthio)ethanol, in the urine by HPLC. In addition, the system converting 2-mercaptoethanol to 2-(dimethylthio)ethanol was reconstituted in vitro using solubilized mouse liver microsomes as a source of thiol methyltransferase and purified thioether methyltransferase from mouse lung. The results of these in vivo and in vitro studies established the sequential methylation of 2-mercaptoethanol by these two enzymes.

Evaluation of nitrogen nuclear hyperfine and quadrupole coupling parameters for the proximal imidazole in myoglobin-azide, -cyanide, and -mercaptoethanol complexes by electron spin echo envelope modulation spectroscopy

Electron spin echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) spectroscopy and computer simulation of spectra has been used to evaluate the nitrogen nuclear hyperfine and quadrupole coupling parameters for the proximal imidazole nitrogen directly coordinated to iron in three low-spin heme complexes, myoglobin-azide, -cyanide, and -mercaptoethanol (MbN3, MbCN, and MbRS). The variability in the weak electron-nuclear coupling parameters reveals the electronic flexibility within the heme group that depends on properties of the exogenous ligands. For example, the isotropic component of the nitrogen nuclear hyperfine coupling ranges from 4.4 MHz for MbN3 to 2.2 MHz for both MbCN and MbRS. The weaker coupling in MbCN and MbRS is taken as evidence for delocalization of unpaired electron spin from iron into the exogenous anionic ligands. The value of e2Qq, the nuclear quadrupole coupling constant for the axial imidazole nitrogen in MbCN and MbRS, was 2.5 MHz but was significantly larger, 3.2 MHz, in MbN3. This large value is considered evidence for a weakened sigma bond between the proximal imidazole and ferric iron in this form, and for a feature contributing to the origin of the high spin-low spin equilibrium exhibited by MbN3 [Beetlestone, J., & George, P. (1964) Biochemistry 5, 707-714]. The ESEEM results have allowed a correlation to be made between the orientation of the g tensor axes, the orientation of the p-pi orbital of the proximal imidazole nitrogen, and sigma- and pi-bonding features of the axial ligands. Furthermore, the proximal imidazole is suggested to act as a pi-acceptor in low-spin heme complexes in order to support strong sigma electron donation from the lone pair orbital to iron. An evaluation of the nitrogen nuclear hyperfine coupling parameters for the porphyrin pyrrole sites in MbRS reveals a large inequivalence in isotropic components consistent with an orientation of rhombic axes (and g tensor axes) that eclipses the Fe-Npyrrole vector directions.

Refinement of the structure of human basic fibroblast growth factor at 1.6 A resolution and analysis of presumed heparin binding sites by selenate substitution

The three-dimensional structure of human basic fibroblast growth factor has been refined to a crystallographic residual of 16.1% at 1.6 A resolution. The structure has a Kunitz-type fold and is composed of 12 antiparallel beta-strands, 6 of which form a beta-barrel. One bound sulfate ion has been identified in the model, hydrogen bonded to the side chains of Asn 27, Arg 120, and Lys 125. The side chain of Arg 120 has two conformations, both of which permit hydrogen bonds to the sulfate. This sulfate binding site has been suggested as the binding site for heparin (Eriksson, A.E., Cousens, L.S., Weaver, L.H., & Matthews, B.W., 1991, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88, 3441-3445). Two beta-mercaptoethanol (BME) molecules are also included in the model, each forming a disulfide bond to the S gamma atoms of Cys 69 and Cys 92, respectively. The side chain of Cys 92 has two conformations of which only one can bind BME. Therefore the BME molecule is half occupied at this site. The locations of possible sulfate binding sites on the protein were examined by replacing the ammonium sulfate in the crystallization medium with ammonium selenate. Diffraction data were measured to 2.2 A resolution and the structure refined to an R-factor of 13.8%. The binding of the more electron-dense selenate ion was identified at two positions. One position was identical to the sulfate binding site identified previously. The second selenate binding site, which is of lower occupancy, is situated 5.6 A from the first. This ion is hydrogen bonded by the side chain of Lys 135 and Arg 120. Thus the side chain of Arg 120 binds two selenate ions simultaneously. It is suggested that the observed second selenate binding site should also be considered as a possible binding site for heparin, or that both selenate binding sites might simultaneously contribute to the binding of heparin.