Differences in cell death in methionine versus cysteine depletion

Restriction of the sulfur amino acids methionine and cysteine has recently been proposed as potential adjuvant therapy in cancer. While cysteine depletion has been associated with ferroptotic cell death, methionine depletion has not. We hypothesized that comparing the response of melanoma cell lines to depletion of the amino acids methionine and cysteine would give us insight into the critical role in cancer of these two closely related amino acids. We analyzed the response to three conditions: methionine depletion, methionine replacement with homocysteine, and cysteine depletion. In cancer cells, the transcription factor ATF4 was induced by all three tested conditions. The replacement of methionine with homocysteine produced a strong ferroptotic gene signature. We also detected an activation of the NRF2 antioxidant pathway by both methionine and cysteine depletion. Total glutathione levels were decreased by 42% in melanoma cells grown without methionine, and by 95% in cells grown without cysteine. Lipid peroxidation was increased in cells grown without cysteine, but not in cells grown without methionine. Despite the large degree of overlap in gene expression between methionine and cysteine depletion, methionine depletion and replacement of methionine with homocysteine was associated with apoptosis while cysteine depletion was associated with ferroptosis. Glutamine depletion produced comparable gene expression patterns and was associated with a 28% decrease in glutathione. Apoptosis was detected in these cells. In this experiment, a strong ATF4-driven ferroptotic gene signature was insufficient to induce ferroptosis without a concomitant profound decrease in glutathione levels.

Delta opioid receptor-mediated immunoregulatory role of methionine-enkephalin in freshwater teleost Channa punctatus (Bloch.)

The immunoregulatory role of methionine-enkephalin (Met-enk) is well studied in mammals, but has not been explored in ectotherms despite the fact that this peptide is highly conserved in vertebrates. The present study demonstrates the diverse effects of Met-enk depending on its concentration and specific function of splenic phagocytes in the freshwater fish Channa punctatus. Although Met-enk increased both phagocytic as well as respiratory burst activity, the concentration-related response was opposite to each other. It had the maximum stimulatory effect on phagocytosis at 10(-9)M, while the same concentration was least effective in increasing superoxide production. Similarly, Met-enk at concentrations lower or higher than 10(-9)M was either ineffective or less effective in case of phagocytosis, while highly effective in stimulating superoxide production. On the other hand, concentration-independent inhibitory effect of Met-enk was observed in case of nitrite production. Nonetheless, Met-enk regulated all the functions of phagocyte through opioid receptors since non-specific opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone completely blocked the effect of Met-enk on phagocytosis, superoxide and nitrite production by splenic phagocytes of C. punctatus. Among selective opioid receptor antagonists, delta-opioid receptor antagonist naltrindole completely antagonized the effect of Met-enk on phagocytosis, superoxide and nitrite production, while mu- and kappa-opioid receptor antagonist, CTAP and norbinaltorphimine, respectively, were ineffective in influencing any of the functions. This suggests that Met-enk modulates splenic phagocyte functions in the fish C. punctatus via delta-opioid receptor. This is further substantiated by using highly selective delta-opioid receptor agonist, SNC80.

MTX-induced white matter changes are associated with polymorphisms of methionine metabolism

Methotrexate (MTX) is a folate antagonist inhibiting nucleic acid and methionine synthesis. Methionine is necessary for CNS myelination. In 42 patients with primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) treated with a systemic and intraventricular high-dose MTX-based polychemotherapy, the presence of a risk haplotype defined by polymorphisms influencing methionine metabolism referred a relative risk for CNS white matter changes of 4.7 (p = 0.001). The authors conclude that methionine metabolism influences MTX neurotoxicity.

All-trans-retinoic acid rapidly induces glycine N-methyltransferase in a dose-dependent manner and reduces circulating methionine and homocysteine levels in rats

Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) regulates the methyl group supply for S-adenosylmethionine-dependent transmethylation reactions. Retinoids have been shown to perturb methyl group metabolism by increasing the abundance and activity of GNMT, thereby leading to the loss of methyl groups. Previous studies used pharmacologic doses (30 micro mol/kg body weight) of various retinoids administered daily for a total of 10 d. Here, we examined the dose- and time-dependent relationships between all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) administration and induction of GNMT, as well as determining additional indices of methyl group and folate metabolism. For the dose-response study, rats were administered 0, 1, 5, 10, 15 or 30 micro mol ATRA/kg body weight for 10 d. For the time-course study, rats were given 30 micromol ATRA/kg body weight for 0, 1, 2, 4, or 8 d. A significant increase (105%) in GNMT activity was observed with doses as low as 5 micromol/kg body weight, whereas maximal induction (231%) of GNMT activity was achieved at 30 micromol/kg body weight. Induction of hepatic GNMT by ATRA was rapid, exhibiting a 31% increase after a single dose (1 d) and achieving maximal induction (95%) after 4 d. Plasma methionine and homocysteine concentrations were decreased 42 and 53%, respectively, in ATRA-treated rats compared with controls. In support of this finding, the hepatic activity of methionine synthase, the folate-dependent enzyme required for homocysteine remethylation, was elevated 40% in ATRA-treated rats. This work demonstrates that ATRA administration exerts a rapid effect on hepatic methyl group, folate and homocysteine metabolism at doses that are within the therapeutic range used by humans.

Brain Neurosteroids in Gender-Related Aggression Induced by Social Isolation

Genetic, environmental, or hormonal factors and their interactions have been implicated in the expression of gender-related aggressive behavior in humans. Several independent lines of evidence support the role of hormonal and environmental factors in the aggressive behavior of experimental animals. Social isolation (SI) for 2-4 weeks in male but not in female mice results in the expression of aggression to a same-sex intruder. Long-term treatment (3 weeks) with anabolic steroids during SI in female mice induces aggressive behavior toward a male intruder of a severity similar to that observed in socially isolated (SI) male mice. The induced aggression in male and female mice is associated with a decrease of brain allopreg-nanolone (Allo). In SI male mice, aggression can be prevented by treatment with L-methionine (MET), which has also been shown to decrease reelin and GAD67 mRNA expression and maintain normal brain Allo content. The histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid can reverse this process, suggesting that histone tail acetylation may reverse the action of MET. We conclude that during social isolation, aggression can be controlled either by preventing Allo downregulation (e.g., by treatment with MET) or by direct administration of Allo or of agents (e.g., fluoxetine) that upregulate brain Allo content in SI mice.

N-Acetylcysteine improves the disturbed thiol redox balance after methionine loading

Methionine loading seems to be accompanied by increased oxidative stress and damage. However, it is not known how this oxidative stress is generated. We performed the present crossover study to further elucidate the effects of methionine loading on oxidative stress in the blood of healthy volunteers, and to examine possible preventative effects of N -acetylcysteine (NAC) administration. A total of 18 healthy subjects were given two oral methionine loads of 100 mg/kg body weight, 4 weeks apart, one without NAC (Met group), and one in combination with supplementation with 2x900 mg doses of NAC (Met+NAC group). Blood samples were collected before and 2, 4, 8 and 24 h after methionine loading for measurements of thiol levels, protein carbonyls, lipid peroxidation, cellular fibronectin and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP; i.e. antioxidant capacity). After methionine loading, whole-blood levels of free and oxidized cysteine and homocysteine were increased in both groups. Furthermore, the total plasma levels of homocysteine were higher, whereas those of cysteine were lower, after methionine loading in both groups. Lower levels of oxidized homocysteine and a higher free/oxidized ratio were found in the Met+NAC group compared with the Met group. Although the antioxidant capacity decreased after methionine loading, no major changes over time were found for protein carbonyls or cellular fibronectin in either group. Our results suggest that methionine loading may initiate the generation of reactive oxygen species by the (auto)-oxidation of homocysteine. In addition, supplementation with NAC seems to be able to partially prevent excessive increases in the levels of homocysteine in plasma and of oxidized homocysteine in whole blood, and might thereby contribute to the prevention of oxidative stress.

[Influence of mycobacterium on adaptive rearrangement in guinea pigs long exposed to polycystic aromatic hydrocarbon-containing agents]

Experiments on different groups of guinea pigs inoculated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MBT) and intact guinea pigs who received coal refining products and control ones indicated that long exposure to coal-tar resin enhanced mobilization of methionine from the liver with its accumulation in the lung and hematopoietic organs, increased the biosynthesis of arginine in the liver and its accumulation in the lung and hematopoietic organs. MBT drastically enhanced the exchange of the metabolites accumulated in the organs and prevented the formation of adaptive reactions to long-term exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at the level of membranous metabolism.

On the mechanism of the inhibition of glutamine synthetase and creatine phosphokinase by methionine sulfoxide

Beta amyloid peptides (A beta), etiologically associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), have been shown to inhibit both glutamine synthetase (GS) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) in vitro. These two enzymes are affected in AD and are sensitive to oxidative stress. Residue 35 of the A beta 25-35, the most potent section of the 40-42 amino acid long fragment of amyloid precursor protein (APP), is a methionine, which has been reported to be oxidized to methionine sulfoxide presumably via a free radical oxidation process. We questioned whether methionine sulfoxide would inhibit GS and CPK directly and if this inhibition also involved free radical oxidative stress. In this report, we demonstrate that methionine sulfoxide inhibits GS by about 50% and CPK by about 25% at 20 mM concentration. Neither intact SOD, nor ascorbate inhibit the action of methionine sulfoxide completely, with regard to the inactivation of GS. These results indicate that the action of methionine sulfoxide may not be directly due to the oxidation of GS by free radicals. In fact, the presence of exogenous proteins, such as denatured SOD or catalase, inhibit the action of methionine sulfoxide as, or more effectively than, the addition of active free radical antioxidant enzymes.

Design of an antifungal methionine inhibitor not antagonized by methionine

Only a few biosynthetic pathways in fungal cells have been used as antifungal targets. Therefore, the number of antifungals has been limited, and a cross-drug resistance among them has emerged in the therapy of mycoses. Under such circumstances, the identification of an antifungal with a new mode of action is highly desirable. By infecting mice with a mutant of C. albicans deficient in the sulfate assimilation pathway, we have discovered a new target for the discovery of antifungal agents. We have proven that azoxybacilin inhibits the sulfate assimilation pathway by showing its inhibitory activity for [35S]SO4 incorporation into proteins. We have also demonstrated that azoxybacilin was taken up into fungal cells via an active transport system specific for methionine. This sharing of the uptake system with methionine may explain the mechanism by which the antifungal activity of azoxybacilin is antagonized by methionine, and led us to design azoxybacilin derivatives that lack the structural feature of amino acids and, at the same time, have increased hydrophobicity to give higher non-specific permeability through the cell membrane. As a result, we have found that ester derivatives of azoxybacilin were not antagonized by methionine in their uptake, and that they showed antifungal activity independent of methionine. The benzyl ester of azoxybacilin was the same as azoxybacilin in its mode of action, but was not markedly antagonized by methionine at concentrations up to 1 mg/ml. These results suggest that azoxybacilin may not merely interfere with the sulfate assimilation pathway.

Characterisation and starvation induced regulation of methionine uptake sites in mouse mammary gland

The sites of methionine uptake by 10 day lactating mouse mammary gland were determined in vitro. Four modes of methionine entry characterised were: (i) A sodium-dependent, N-(methylamino) isobutyric acid (MeAIB)--sensitive system with a Vmax of 18.8 nmol/g cells/min (this mode of entry was similar to the A site in other tissues); (ii) A sodium-dependent, MeAIB--insensitive uptake system with a Vmax of 12.4 nmol/g cells/min); this mode of entry was inhibited by substrates preferred by ASC system); (iii) A sodium-independent, 2-amino-bicyclo heptane 2-carboxylic acid (BCH)-sensitive system L with a Vmax of 30 nmol/g cells/min; and (iv) A sodium-independent entry which was not inhibited by high concentrations of MeAIB or BCH. The Km value of each of the former three carrier mediated transport systems was 0.46 mM. Starvation of animals brought about important increase in the Vmax of the A system by 97% and that of ASC system by 1003% which was accompanied by similar increases in the Km values of these systems. These results show an adaptive regulation of these two sodium-dependent sites as a result of starvation.

A new methionine antagonist that has antifungal activity: mode of action

A new antifungal, azoxybacilin (an unusual amino acid with an azoxy moiety) was identified from Bacillus cereus, and its in vitro antifungal activity and mode of action were investigated. Azoxybacilin was active against a broad spectrum of fungi. It was especially active against mycelial fungi, such as Aspergillus, and did not show antibacterial activity. No cross-resistance with antifungals currently on the market was observed. The IC50 values of azoxybacilin antifungal activity against Saccharomyces cerevisiae were significantly greater when amino acids containing sulfur were added to the growth medium, whereas other amino acids were not effective at all. We, therefore, tested the effect of the intermediates involved in the synthetic pathway of these amino acids. The activity markedly diminished when one of the following four intermediates was present in the medium:homocysteine, cysteine, cystathionine or methionine. These four intermediates were the same as those required for the growth of the O-acetylhomoserine sulfhydrylase mutant, S. cerevisiae ONO726, indicating that azoxybacilin would inhibit a step or steps in the sulfur-fixation pathway.

Expression of long-term adaptation of synaptic transmission requires a critical period of protein synthesis

The crayfish claw closer muscle is innervated by 2 distinct excitatory motoneurons, one tonic and the other phasic. The phasic motoneuron is relatively inactive and generates large EPSPs that normally depress rapidly with repetitive stimulation at moderate frequencies. Stimulation of the phasic motoneuron in vivo for 3 d at 5 Hz (2 hr/d) produced a marked adaptive shift in the neuromuscular synaptic response properties of the motoneuron: average initial EPSPs and depression of EPSPs were significantly reduced. We tested the hypothesis that neuronal protein synthesis is required for full expression of long-term adaptation (LTA). A reversible inhibitor of neuronal protein synthesis, cycloheximide (CHX), was injected into intact crayfish at various times prior to, during, or after each stimulation period. At a dosage of 5 micrograms/gm body weight, CHX inhibited the incorporation of [35S]-methionine into abdominal nerve cord protein for approximately 2 hr after administration (greater than 80% inhibition). Full expression of LTA was selectively blocked when CHX was administered 6 hr or 2 hr prior to each stimulation period. Both the reduction in initial EPSP amplitude and the resistance to synaptic depression were significantly attenuated. CHX administered at the onset of or at the end of each stimulation period did not affect the expression of LTA. Control experiments using unstimulated animals showed that neither chronic nor acute administration of CHX adversely affected the phasic axon's synaptic response properties. Our results suggest that full expression of neuronal LTA requires the presence of a pool of preexisting, short-lived (or rapidly utilized) protein(s). Depletion of such a pool prior to each stimulation period appears to interfere with subsequent induction of LTA.

Cystathionase activity and glutathione metabolism in redifferentiating rat hepatocyte primary cultures

Capacity to incorporate methionine sulfur into glutathione as well as cystathionase activity were lost in cultured hepatocytes in a biphasic manner with 75% of the total capacity disappearing with a half-life of about 10.6 hr, the remainder with a half-life of greater than 20 hr. Nicotinamide, 25 mM, produced a single phase loss with a t 1/2 of approximately 21 hr for both transsulfuration and cystathionase activity. Loss of both methionine sulfur incorporation and cystathionase activity occurred in transferrin/sodium selenite-supplemented Williams Medium E (TS-HWME) with a t 1/2 of about 96 hr through 72 hr in culture. Addition of the cystathionase inhibitor, propargylglycine, blocked glutathione synthesis in TS-HWME cells through 48 hr in culture, while propargylglycine blocked glutathione synthesis only at 4 hr in HWME cultured cells. Further, the accumulation of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase was delayed by 48 hr in TS-HWME versus unsupplemented medium. Variation in the transport of sulfur amino acids was also found to occur with culture age. The Km values for cysteine and methionine transport were found to be approximately 150 and 100 microM, respectively, and were unaffected by culture age or the presence of TS-HWME. However, the Vmax for transport of methionine declined from 0.29 to 0.012 nmol/min/mg protein over 48 hr in culture. In TS medium, the Vmax at 48 hr for methionine transport had only decreased to 0.20 nmol/min/mg protein and increased for cysteine transport to 0.17 nmol/min/mg protein. These data suggest that during the redifferentiation of hepatocytes in culture, transsulfuration is regulated by control of the flow of substrate through cystathionase and that cystathionase is regulated by alteration of enzyme activity or content. Variations in the rate of transport of precursor sulfur amino acids are also an important component of the regulation of the net glutathione status of the redifferentiating hepatocyte.

Influence of choline and sulfate on copper and toxicity and substitution of and antagonism between methionine and copper supplements to chick diets

Studies were conducted to determine if the deleterious affects on chick growth of the primary antagonism between methionine and copper involves the homocysteine moiety or labile methyl group of methionine. A .1% choline supplement resulted in performance response similar to that of a .2% L-methionine supplement in the absence but not in the presence of 500 mg/kg copper from cupric sulfate. Similar results were observed when the levels of methionine and choline were doubled. Sulfate, with or without choline, had little effect in the presence of cupric sulfate. When cupric acetate was used instead of cupric sulfate, a small but nearly significant (P = .08) response to potassium sulfate was observed. Maximum performance with .29% supplemental methionine and 188 mg/kg Cu was predicted from a response surface analysis. The methionine requirement was increased by feeding copper. However, the increase in methionine requirement was accompanied by an improvement in growth rate and feed efficiency. This may explain why levels used of methionine and total sulfur-containing amino acids appear to be higher under field conditions (with pharmacological levels of copper) than in laboratory conditions (without pharmacological levels of copper). The primary antagonism between methionine and copper involves the homocysteine moiety, not the labile methyl groups.

Methionine, pyridoxine and endothelial lesion in rats

Methionine administered orally to rats produced a prolonged dose-dependent increase in endothelemia. The increase was observed after doses exceeding 100 mg/kg and was inhibited by a simultaneous administration of pyridoxine. The effect of methionine was also inhibited by trihydroxyethylrutoside and acetylsalicyclic acid. Endothelemia was increased furthermore by oral administration of cysteine and cystine and this increase was again inhibited by pyridoxine.

The behavioral effects of L-methionine and related compounds in rats and mice

Several groups of investigators have reported that the administration of L-methionine, with or without a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, induced an acute florid psychotic reaction in 40 percent of schizophrenics tested. The mode of action of L-methionine in brain is unknown, but may be via one or more of three mechanisms: the excess methionine (i) may lead to the production by transmethylation of some psychotomimetic methylated derivative of dopamine or serotonin, or (ii) could result in an increase in the levels of a metabolite of methionine (e.g., homocysteine, cystathionine, or cysteine), or (iii) may effect the cellular uptake of other amino acids. In order to test the first two hypotheses, L-methionine, betaine (another metyl group donor), L-methionine plus L-serine, L-cysteine, L-serine, and saline (as a control) were studied on the sleep-wake cycles of random-bred Swiss mice and on the avoidance behavior or rats. L-methionine plus L-histidine, L-methionine plus nicotinamide, L-histidine, and nicotinamide were also tested in the mice. Daily injections of 250 mg/kg of these compounds were administered for at least 21 consecutive days. Schedule performance in the rat and the sleep-wake cycles of the mice were monitored during this period and compared to controls. L-Methionine induced behavioral and sleep cycle disturbances which were removed by the simultaneous administration of L-serine but not by the addition of L-histidine or nicotinamide. These data suggest that the disruption may be due to an increase in the levels of one of the metabolities of methionine, homocysteine, rather than to an increase in the number of available methyl groups.

Permeability and membrane transport in the larva of Taenia crassiceps

The free pool amino acids of Taenia crassiceps metacestodes (advanced larvae) were analyzed quantitatively. In addition, the uptake of L-glutamic acid, L-proline, L-phenylalanine, L-lysine, and L-methionine was studied. Proline and glutamic acid absorption followed straight-line kinetics with respect to substrate concentration, and were not inhibited by their own molecular species. Lysine, phenylalanine and methionine were found to enter larvae by a combination of diffusion and mediated processes. Lysine absorption was inhibited only by lysine, arginine and ornithine. Phenylalanine and methionine uptake was not inhibited by lysine or arginine, but was inhibited by several other amino acids. The data suggested the presence of a basic amino acid transport locus and two distinct transport loci for methionine absorption. In addition, both immature and advanced larvae were found to be impermeable to [14C]inulin (M.W. ca. 5000). These results are discussed and compared with the results of earlier investigations of protein and amino acid absorption by T. crassiceps larvae.