Sample records for aldo-keto reductase akr1b7

  1. Aldo-keto Reductase 1B15 (AKR1B15)

    PubMed Central

    Weber, Susanne; Salabei, Joshua K.; Möller, Gabriele; Kremmer, Elisabeth; Bhatnagar, Aruni; Adamski, Jerzy; Barski, Oleg A.

    2015-01-01

    Aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) comprise a superfamily of proteins involved in the reduction and oxidation of biogenic and xenobiotic carbonyls. In humans, at least 15 AKR superfamily members have been identified so far. One of these is a newly identified gene locus, AKR1B15, which clusters on chromosome 7 with the other human AKR1B subfamily members (i.e. AKR1B1 and AKR1B10). We show that alternative splicing of the AKR1B15 gene transcript gives rise to two protein isoforms with different N termini: AKR1B15.1 is a 316-amino acid protein with 91% amino acid identity to AKR1B10; AKR1B15.2 has a prolonged N terminus and consists of 344 amino acid residues. The two gene products differ in their expression level, subcellular localization, and activity. In contrast with other AKR enzymes, which are mostly cytosolic, AKR1B15.1 co-localizes with the mitochondria. Kinetic studies show that AKR1B15.1 is predominantly a reductive enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of androgens and estrogens with high positional selectivity (17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity) as well as 3-keto-acyl-CoA conjugates and exhibits strong cofactor selectivity toward NADP(H). In accordance with its substrate spectrum, the enzyme is expressed at the highest levels in steroid-sensitive tissues, namely placenta, testis, and adipose tissue. Placental and adipose expression could be reproduced in the BeWo and SGBS cell lines, respectively. In contrast, AKR1B15.2 localizes to the cytosol and displays no enzymatic activity with the substrates tested. Collectively, these results demonstrate the existence of a novel catalytically active AKR, which is associated with mitochondria and expressed mainly in steroid-sensitive tissues. PMID:25577493

  2. The aldo-keto reductase AKR1B7 coexpresses with renin without influencing renin production and secretion.

    PubMed

    Machura, Katharina; Iankilevitch, Elina; Neubauer, Björn; Theuring, Franz; Kurtz, Armin

    2013-03-01

    On the basis of evidence that within the adult kidney, the aldo-keto reductase AKR1B7 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member 7, also known as mouse vas deferens protein, MVDP) is selectively expressed in renin-producing cells, we aimed to define a possible role of AKR1B7 for the regulation and function of renin cells in the kidney. We could confirm colocalization and corecruitment of renin and of AKR1B7 in wild-type kidneys. Renin cells in AKR1B7-deficient kidneys showed normal morphology, numbers, and intrarenal distribution. Plasma renin concentration (PRC) and renin mRNA levels of AKR1B7-deficient mice were normal at standard chow and were lowered by a high-salt diet directly comparable to wild-type mice. Treatment with a low-salt diet in combination with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor strongly increased PRC and renin mRNA in a similar fashion both in AKR1B7-deficient and wild-type mice. Under this condition, we also observed a strong retrograde recruitment of renin-expressing cell along the preglomerular vessels, however, without a difference between AKR1B7-deficient and wild-type mice. The isolated perfused mouse kidney model was used to study the acute regulation of renin secretion by ANG II and by perfusion pressure. Regarding these parameters, no differences were observed between AKR1B7-deficient and wild-type kidneys. In summary, our data suggest that AKR1B7 is not of major relevance for the regulation of renin production and secretion in spite of its striking coregulation with renin expression.

  3. Role of Aldo-Keto Reductase Family 1 (AKR1) Enzymes in Human Steroid Metabolism

    PubMed Central

    Rižner, Tea Lanišnik; Penning, Trevor M.

    2013-01-01

    Human aldo-keto reductases AKR1C1-AKR1C4 and AKR1D1 play essential roles in the metabolism of all steroid hormones, the biosynthesis of neurosteroids and bile acids, the metabolism of conjugated steroids, and synthetic therapeutic steroids. These enzymes catalyze NADPH dependent reductions at the C3, C5, C17 and C20 positions on the steroid nucleus and side-chain. AKR1C1-AKR1C4 act as 3-keto, 17-keto and 20-ketosteroid reductases to varying extents, while AKR1D1 acts as the sole Δ4-3-ketosteroid-5β-reductase (steroid 5β-reductase) in humans. AKR1 enzymes control the concentrations of active ligands for nuclear receptors and control their ligand occupancy and trans-activation, they also regulate the amount of neurosteroids that can modulate the activity of GABAA and NMDA receptors. As such they are involved in the pre-receptor regulation of nuclear and membrane bound receptors. Altered expression of individual AKR1C genes is related to development of prostate, breast, and endometrial cancer. Mutations in AKR1C1 and AKR1C4 are responsible for sexual development dysgenesis and mutations in AKR1D1 are causative in bile-acid deficiency. PMID:24189185

  4. Role of aldo-keto reductase family 1 (AKR1) enzymes in human steroid metabolism.

    PubMed

    Rižner, Tea Lanišnik; Penning, Trevor M

    2014-01-01

    Human aldo-keto reductases AKR1C1-AKR1C4 and AKR1D1 play essential roles in the metabolism of all steroid hormones, the biosynthesis of neurosteroids and bile acids, the metabolism of conjugated steroids, and synthetic therapeutic steroids. These enzymes catalyze NADPH dependent reductions at the C3, C5, C17 and C20 positions on the steroid nucleus and side-chain. AKR1C1-AKR1C4 act as 3-keto, 17-keto and 20-ketosteroid reductases to varying extents, while AKR1D1 acts as the sole Δ(4)-3-ketosteroid-5β-reductase (steroid 5β-reductase) in humans. AKR1 enzymes control the concentrations of active ligands for nuclear receptors and control their ligand occupancy and trans-activation, they also regulate the amount of neurosteroids that can modulate the activity of GABAA and NMDA receptors. As such they are involved in the pre-receptor regulation of nuclear and membrane bound receptors. Altered expression of individual AKR1C genes is related to development of prostate, breast, and endometrial cancer. Mutations in AKR1C1 and AKR1C4 are responsible for sexual development dysgenesis and mutations in AKR1D1 are causative in bile-acid deficiency. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. Opposing roles of the aldo-keto reductases AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 in colorectal cancer.

    PubMed

    Taskoparan, Betul; Seza, Esin Gulce; Demirkol, Secil; Tuncer, Sinem; Stefek, Milan; Gure, Ali Osmay; Banerjee, Sreeparna

    2017-12-01

    Aldo-keto reductases (including AKR1B1 and AKR1B10) constitute a family of oxidoreductases that have been implicated in the pathophysiology of diabetes and cancer, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Available data indicate that, despite their similarities in structure and enzymatic functions, their roles in CRC may be divergent. Here, we aimed to determine the expression and functional implications of AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 in CRC. AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 gene expression levels were analyzed using publicly available microarray data and ex vivo CRC-derived cDNA samples. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) RNA-seq data and The Cancer Proteome Atlas (TCPA) proteome data were analyzed to determine the effect of high and low AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 expression levels in CRC patients. Proliferation, cell cycle progression, cellular motility, adhesion and inflammation were determined in CRC-derived cell lines in which these genes were either exogenously overexpressed or silenced. We found that the expression of AKR1B1 was unaltered, whereas that of AKR1B10 was decreased in primary CRCs. GSEA revealed that, while high AKR1B1 expression was associated with increased cell cycle progression, cellular motility and inflammation, high AKR1B10 expression was associated with a weak inflammatory phenotype. Functional studies carried out in CRC-derived cell lines confirmed these data. Microarray data analysis indicated that high expression levels of AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 were significantly associated with shorter and longer disease-free survival rates, respectively. A combined gene expression signature of AKR1B10 (low) and AKR1B1 (high) showed a better prognostic stratification of CRC patients independent of confounding factors. Despite their similarities, the expression levels and functions of AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 are highly divergent in CRC, and they may have prognostic implications.

  6. Pharmacogenetics of aldo-keto reductase 1C (AKR1C) enzymes.

    PubMed

    Alshogran, Osama Y

    2017-10-01

    Genetic variation in metabolizing enzymes contributes to variable drug response and disease risk. Aldo-keto reductase type 1C (AKR1C) comprises a sub-family of reductase enzymes that play critical roles in the biotransformation of various drug substrates and endogenous compounds such as steroids. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms have been reported among AKR1C encoding genes, which may affect the functional expression of the enzymes. Areas covered: This review highlights and comprehensively discusses previous pharmacogenetic reports that have examined genetic variations in AKR1C and their association with disease development, drug disposition, and therapeutic outcomes. The article also provides information about the effect of AKR1C genetic variants on enzyme function in vitro. Expert opinion: The current evidence that links the effect of AKR1C gene polymorphisms to disease progression and development is inconsistent and needs further validation, despite of the tremendous knowledge available. Information about association of AKR1C genetic variants and drug efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics is limited, thus, future studies that advance our understanding about these relationships and their clinical relevance are needed. It is imperative to achieve consistent findings before the potential translation and adoption of AKR1C genetic variants in clinical practice.

  7. Aldo-Keto Reductases 1B in Adrenal Cortex Physiology

    PubMed Central

    Pastel, Emilie; Pointud, Jean-Christophe; Martinez, Antoine; Lefrançois-Martinez, A. Marie

    2016-01-01

    Aldose reductase (AKR1B) proteins are monomeric enzymes, belonging to the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily. They perform oxidoreduction of carbonyl groups from a wide variety of substrates, such as aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes or ketones. Due to the involvement of human aldose reductases in pathologies, such as diabetic complications and cancer, AKR1B subgroup enzymatic properties have been extensively characterized. However, the issue of AKR1B function in non-pathologic conditions remains poorly resolved. Adrenal activities generated large amount of harmful aldehydes from lipid peroxidation and steroidogenesis, including 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and isocaproaldehyde (4-methylpentanal), which can both be reduced by AKR1B proteins. More recently, some AKR1B isoforms have been shown to be endowed with prostaglandin F synthase (PGFS) activity, suggesting that, in addition to possible scavenger function, they could instigate paracrine signals. Interestingly, the adrenal gland is one of the major sites for human and murine AKR1B expression, suggesting that their detoxifying/signaling activity could be specifically required for the correct handling of adrenal function. Moreover, chronic effects of ACTH result in a coordinated regulation of genes encoding the steroidogenic enzymes and some AKR1B isoforms. This review presents the molecular mechanisms accounting for the adrenal-specific expression of some AKR1B genes. Using data from recent mouse genetic models, we will try to connect their enzymatic properties and regulation with adrenal functions. PMID:27499746

  8. Pharmacological Characterization of a Novel Bifunctional Aldo-Keto Reductase 1C3 Inhibitor and Androgen Receptor Antagonist

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-10-01

    Novel Bifunctional Aldo -Keto Reductase 1C3 Inhibitor and Androgen Receptor Antagonist” PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: ADEGOKE ADENIJI, Ph.D...therapeutic benefit relative to targeting either mechanism alone. Aldo -keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) is highly upregulated in APC and is localized within...therapy of Abi with MDV3100 has been proposed as a way to reduce resistance. 14, 15 Aldo -keto reductase IC3 (AKR1C3, type 5 17β hydroxysteroid

  9. Aldo-keto reductases AKR1C1, AKR1C2 and AKR1C3 may enhance progesterone metabolism in ovarian endometriosis.

    PubMed

    Hevir, N; Vouk, K; Sinkovec, J; Ribič-Pucelj, M; Rižner, T Lanišnik

    2011-05-30

    Endometriosis is a very common disease that is characterized by increased formation of estradiol and disturbed progesterone action. This latter is usually explained by a lack of progesterone receptor B (PR-B) expression, while the role of pre-receptor metabolism of progesterone is not yet fully understood. In normal endometrium, progesterone is metabolized by reductive 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (20α-HSDs), 3α/β-HSDs and 5α/β-reductases. The aldo-keto reductases 1C1 and 1C3 (AKR1C1 and AKR1C3) are the major reductive 20α-HSDs, while the oxidative reaction is catalyzed by 17β-HSD type 2 (HSD17B2). Also, 3α-HSD and 3β-HSD activities have been associated with the AKR1C isozymes. Additionally, 5α-reductase types 1 and 2 (SRD5A1, SRD5A2) and 5β-reductase (AKR1D1) are responsible for the formation of 5α- and 5β-reduced pregnanes. In this study, we examined the expression of PR-AB and the progesterone metabolizing enzymes in 31 specimens of ovarian endometriosis and 28 specimens of normal endometrium. Real-time PCR analysis revealed significantly decreased mRNA levels of PR-AB, HSD17B2 and SRD5A2, significantly increased mRNA levels of AKR1C1, AKR1C2, AKR1C3 and SRD5A1, and negligible mRNA levels of AKR1D1. Immunohistochemistry staining of endometriotic tissue compared to control endometrium showed significantly lower PR-B levels in epithelial cells and no significant differences in stromal cells, there were no significant differences in the expression of AKR1C3 and significantly higher AKR1C2 levels were seen only in stromal cells. Our expression analysis data at the mRNA level and partially at the cellular level thus suggest enhanced metabolism of progesterone by SRD5A1 and the 20α-HSD and 3α/β-HSD activities of AKR1C1, AKR1C2 and AKR1C3. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. The aldo-keto reductase superfamily homepage.

    PubMed

    Hyndman, David; Bauman, David R; Heredia, Vladi V; Penning, Trevor M

    2003-02-01

    The aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) are one of the three enzyme superfamilies that perform oxidoreduction on a wide variety of natural and foreign substrates. A systematic nomenclature for the AKR superfamily was adopted in 1996 and was updated in September 2000 (visit www.med.upenn.edu/akr). Investigators have been diligent in submitting sequences of functional proteins to the Web site. With the new additions, the superfamily contains 114 proteins expressed in prokaryotes and eukaryotes that are distributed over 14 families (AKR1-AKR14). The AKR1 family contains the aldose reductases, the aldehyde reductases, the hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases and steroid 5beta-reductases, and is the largest. Other families of interest include AKR6, which includes potassium channel beta-subunits, and AKR7 the aflatoxin aldehyde reductases. Two new families include AKR13 (yeast aldose reductase) and AKR14 (Escherichia coli aldehyde reductase). Crystal structures of many AKRs and their complexes with ligands are available in the PDB and accessible through the Web site. Each structure has the characteristic (alpha/beta)(8)-barrel motif of the superfamily, a conserved cofactor binding site and a catalytic tetrad, and variable loop structures that define substrate specificity. Although the majority of AKRs are monomeric proteins of about 320 amino acids in length, the AKR2, AKR6 and AKR7 family may form multimers. To expand the nomenclature to accommodate multimers, we recommend that the composition and stoichiometry be listed. For example, AKR7A1:AKR7A4 (1:3) would designate a tetramer of the composition indicated. The current nomenclature is recognized by the Human Genome Project (HUGO) and the Web site provides a link to genomic information including chromosomal localization, gene boundaries, human ESTs and SNPs and much more.

  11. A novel aldo-keto reductase from Escherichia coli can increase resistance to methylglyoxal toxicity.

    PubMed

    Grant, Anne W; Steel, Gavin; Waugh, Hugh; Ellis, Elizabeth M

    2003-01-21

    A novel aldo-keto reductase (AKR) from Escherichia coli has been cloned, expressed and purified. This protein, YghZ, is distantly related (<40%) to mammalian aflatoxin dialdehyde reductases of the aldo-keto reductase AKR7 family and to potassium channel beta-subunits in the AKR6 family. The enzyme has been placed in a new AKR family (AKR14), with the designation AKR14A1. Sequences encoding putative homologues of this enzyme exist in many other bacteria. The enzyme can reduce several aldehyde and diketone substrates, including the toxic metabolite methylglyoxal. The K(m) for the model substrate 4-nitrobenzaldehyde is 1.06 mM and for the endogenous dicarbonyl methylglyoxal it is 3.4 mM. Overexpression of the recombinant enzyme in E. coli leads to increased resistance to methylglyoxal. It is possible that this enzyme plays a role in the metabolism of methylglyoxal, and can influence its levels in vivo.

  12. Aldo-Keto Reductases as Early Biomarkers of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Comparison Between Animal Models and Human HCC.

    PubMed

    Torres-Mena, Julia Esperanza; Salazar-Villegas, Karla Noemí; Sánchez-Rodríguez, Ricardo; López-Gabiño, Belém; Del Pozo-Yauner, Luis; Arellanes-Robledo, Jaime; Villa-Treviño, Saúl; Gutiérrez-Nava, María Angélica; Pérez-Carreón, Julio Isael

    2018-04-01

    The intrinsic heterogeneity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a great challenge for its molecular classification and for detecting predictive biomarkers. Aldo-keto reductase (Akr) family members have shown differential expression in human HCC, while AKR1B10 overexpression is considered a biomarker; AKR7A3 expression is frequently reduced in HCC. To investigate the time-course expression of Akr members in the experimental hepatocarcinogenesis. Using DNA-microarray data, we analyzed the time-course gene expression profile from nodules to tumors (4-17 months) of 17 Akr members induced by the resistant hepatocyte carcinogenesis model in the rat. The expression of six members (Akr1c19, Akr1b10, Akr7a3, Akr1b1, Akr1cl1, and Akr1b8) was increased, comparable to that of Ggt and Gstp1, two well-known liver cancer markers. In particular, Akr7a3 and Akr1b10 expression also showed a time-dependent increment at mRNA and protein levels in a second hepatocarcinogenesis model induced with diethylnitrosamine. We confirmed that aldo-keto reductases 7A3 and 1B10 were co-expressed in nine biopsies of human HCC, independently from the presence of glypican-3 and cytokeratin-19, two well-known HCC biomarkers. Because it has been suggested that expression of Akr members is regulated through NRF2 activity at the antioxidant response element (ARE) sequences, we searched and identified at least two ARE sites in Akr1b1, Akr1b10, and Akr7a3 from rat and human gene sequences. Moreover, we observed higher NRF2 nuclear translocation in tumors as compared with non-tumor tissues. Our results demonstrate that Akr7a3 mRNA and protein levels are consistently co-expressed along with Akr1b10, in both experimental liver carcinogenesis and some human HCC samples. These results highlight the presence of AKR7A3 and AKR1B10 from early stages of the experimental HCC and introduce them as a potential application for early diagnosis, staging, and prognosis in human cancer.

  13. Identification of aldo-keto reductase (AKR7A1) and glutathione S-transferase pi (GSTP1) as novel renal damage biomarkers following exposure to mercury.

    PubMed

    Shin, Y-J; Kim, K-A; Kim, E-S; Kim, J-H; Kim, H-S; Ha, M; Bae, O-N

    2017-01-01

    The kidney is one of the main targets for toxicity induced by xenobiotics. Sensitive detection of early impairment is critical to assess chemical-associated renal toxicity. The aim of this study was to identify potential nephrotoxic biomarkers in rat kidney tissues after exposure to mercury (Hg), a representative nephrotoxicant, and to evaluate these new biomarkers employing in vivo and in vitro systems. Mercuric chloride was administered orally to Sprague-Dawley rats for 2 weeks. Proteomic analysis revealed that aldo-keto reductase (AKR7A1) and glutathione S-transferase pi (GSTP1) were significantly elevated in kidney after Hg exposure. While the levels of conventional nephrotoxic clinical markers including blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine were not elevated, the mRNA and protein levels of AKR7A1 and GSTP1 were increased upon Hg exposure in a dose-dependent manner. The increases in AKR7A1 and GSTP1 were also observed in rat kidneys after an extended exposure for 6 weeks to low-dose Hg. In in vitro rat kidney proximal tubular cells, changes in AKR7A1 and GSTP1 levels correlated well with the extent of cytotoxicity induced by Hg, cadmium, or cisplatin. AKR7A1 and GSTP1 were identified as new candidates for Hg-induced nephrotoxicity, suggesting that these biomarkers have potential for evaluating or predicting nephrotoxicity.

  14. Human aldo-keto reductases 1B1 and 1B10: a comparative study on their enzyme activity toward electrophilic carbonyl compounds.

    PubMed

    Shen, Yi; Zhong, Linlin; Johnson, Stephen; Cao, Deliang

    2011-05-30

    Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B1 (AKR1B1, 1B1 in brief) and aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10, 1B10 in brief) are two proteins with high similarities in their amino acid sequences, stereo structures, and substrate specificity. However, these two proteins exhibit distinct tissue distributions; 1B10 is primarily expressed in the gastrointestinal tract and adrenal gland, whereas 1B1 is ubiquitously present in all tissues/organs, suggesting their difference in biological functions. This study evaluated in parallel the enzyme activity of 1B1 and 1B10 toward alpha, beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds with cellular and dietary origins, including acrolein, crotonaldehyde, 4-hydroxynonenal, trans-2-hexenal, and trans-2,4-hexadienal. Our results showed that 1B10 had much better enzyme activity and turnover rates toward these chemicals than 1B1. By detecting the enzymatic products using high-performance liquid chromatography, we measured their activity to carbonyl compounds at low concentrations. Our data showed that 1B10 efficiently reduced the tested carbonyl compounds at physiological levels, but 1B1 was less effective. Ectopically expressed 1B10 in 293T cells effectively eliminated 4-hydroxynonenal at 5 μM by reducing to 1,4-dihydroxynonene, whereas endogenously expressed 1B1 did not. The 1B1 and 1B10 both showed enzyme activity to glutathione-conjugated carbonyl compounds, but 1B1 appeared more active in general. Together our data suggests that 1B10 is more effectual in eliminating free electrophilic carbonyl compounds, but 1B1 seems more important in the further detoxification of glutathione-conjugated carbonyl compounds. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  15. Substrate specificity and catalytic efficiency of aldo-keto reductases with phospholipid aldehydes

    PubMed Central

    Spite, Matthew; Baba, Shahid P.; Ahmed, Yonis; Barski, Oleg A.; Nijhawan, Kanchan; Petrash, J. Mark; Bhatnagar, Aruni; Srivastava, Sanjay

    2007-01-01

    Phospholipid oxidation generates several bioactive aldehydes that remain esterified to the glycerol backbone (‘core’ aldehydes). These aldehydes induce endothelial cells to produce monocyte chemotactic factors and enhance monocyte–endothelium adhesion. They also serve as ligands of scavenger receptors for the uptake of oxidized lipoproteins or apoptotic cells. The biochemical pathways involved in phospholipid aldehyde metabolism, however, remain largely unknown. In the present study, we have examined the efficacy of the three mammalian AKR (aldo-keto reductase) families in catalysing the reduction of phospholipid aldehydes. The model phospholipid aldehyde POVPC [1-palmitoyl-2-(5-oxovaleroyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine] was efficiently reduced by members of the AKR1, but not by the AKR6 or the ARK7 family. In the AKR1 family, POVPC reductase activity was limited to AKR1A and B. No significant activity was observed with AKR1C enzymes. Among the active proteins, human AR (aldose reductase) (AKR1B1) showed the highest catalytic activity. The catalytic efficiency of human small intestinal AR (AKR1B10) was comparable with the murine AKR1B proteins 1B3 and 1B8. Among the murine proteins AKR1A4 and AKR1B7 showed appreciably lower catalytic activity as compared with 1B3 and 1B8. The human AKRs, 1B1 and 1B10, and the murine proteins, 1B3 and 1B8, also reduced C-7 and C-9 sn-2 aldehydes as well as POVPE [1-palmitoyl-2-(5-oxovaleroyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine]. AKR1A4, B1, B7 and B8 catalysed the reduction of aldehydes generated in oxidized C16:0-20:4 phosphatidylcholine with acyl, plasmenyl or alkyl linkage at the sn-1 position or C16:0-20:4 phosphatidylglycerol or phosphatidic acid. AKR1B1 displayed the highest activity with phosphatidic acids; AKR1A4 was more efficient with long-chain aldehydes such as 5-hydroxy-8-oxo-6-octenoyl derivatives, whereas AKR1B8 preferred phosphatidylglycerol. These results suggest that proteins of the AKR1A and B families are

  16. Pathophysiological roles of aldo-keto reductases (AKR1C1 and AKR1C3) in development of cisplatin resistance in human colon cancers.

    PubMed

    Matsunaga, Toshiyuki; Hojo, Aki; Yamane, Yumi; Endo, Satoshi; El-Kabbani, Ossama; Hara, Akira

    2013-02-25

    Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum, CDDP) is widely used for treatment of patients with solid tumors formed in various organs including the lung, prostate and cervix, but is much less sensitive in colon and breast cancers. One major factor implicated in the ineffectiveness has been suggested to be acquisition of the CDDP resistance. Here, we established the CDDP-resistant phenotypes of human colon HCT15 cells by continuously exposing them to incremental concentrations of the drug, and monitored expressions of aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) 1A1, 1B1, 1B10, 1C1, 1C2 and 1C3. Among the six AKRs, AKR1C1 and AKR1C3 are highly induced with the CDDP resistance. The resistance lowered the sensitivity toward cellular damages evoked by oxidative stress-derived aldehydes, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and 4-oxo-2-nonenal that are detoxified by AKR1C1 and AKR1C3. Overexpression of AKR1C1 or AKR1C3 in the parental HCT15 cells mitigated the cytotoxicity of the aldehydes and CDDP. Knockdown of both AKR1C1 and AKR1C3 in the resistant cells or treatment of the cells with specific inhibitors of the AKRs increased the sensitivity to CDDP toxicity. Thus, the two AKRs participate in the mechanism underlying the CDDP resistance probably via detoxification of the aldehydes resulting from enhanced oxidative stress. The resistant cells also showed an enhancement in proteolytic activity of proteasome accompanied by overexpression of its catalytic subunits (PSMβ9 and PSMβ10). Pretreatment of the resistant cells with a potent proteasome inhibitor Z-Leu-Leu-Leu-al augmented the CDDP sensitization elicited by the AKR inhibitors. Additionally, the treatment of the cells with Z-Leu-Leu-Leu-al and the AKR inhibitors induced the expressions of the two AKRs and proteasome subunits. Collectively, these results suggest the involvement of up-regulated AKR1C1, AKR1C3 and proteasome in CDDP resistance of colon cancers and support a chemotherapeutic role for their inhibitors. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland

  17. Aldo-keto reductase family 1 B10 protein detoxifies dietary and lipid-derived alpha, beta-unsaturated carbonyls at physiological levels.

    PubMed

    Zhong, Linlin; Liu, Ziwen; Yan, Ruilan; Johnson, Stephen; Zhao, Yupei; Fang, Xiubin; Cao, Deliang

    2009-09-18

    Alpha, beta-unsaturated carbonyls are highly reactive mutagens and carcinogens to which humans are exposed on a daily basis. This study demonstrates that aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) is a critical protein in detoxifying dietary and lipid-derived unsaturated carbonyls. Purified AKR1B10 recombinant protein efficiently catalyzed the reduction to less toxic alcohol forms of crotonaldehyde at 0.90 microM, 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) at 0.10 microM, trans-2-hexanal at 0.10 microM, and trans-2,4-hexadienal at 0.05 microM, the concentrations at or lower than physiological exposures. Ectopically expressed AKR1B10 in 293T cells eliminated immediately HNE at 1 (subtoxic) or 5 microM (toxic) by converting to 1,4-dihydroxynonene, protecting the cells from HNE toxicity. AKR1B10 protein also showed strong enzymatic activity toward glutathione-conjugated carbonyls. Taken together, our study results suggest that AKR1B10 specifically expressed in the intestine is physiologically important in protecting the host cell against dietary and lipid-derived cytotoxic carbonyls.

  18. Aldo-keto reductase family 1 B10 protein detoxifies dietary and lipid-derived alpha, beta-unsaturated carbonyls at physiological levels

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zhong, Linlin; Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001; Liu, Ziwen

    2009-09-18

    Alpha, beta-unsaturated carbonyls are highly reactive mutagens and carcinogens to which humans are exposed on a daily basis. This study demonstrates that aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) is a critical protein in detoxifying dietary and lipid-derived unsaturated carbonyls. Purified AKR1B10 recombinant protein efficiently catalyzed the reduction to less toxic alcohol forms of crotonaldehyde at 0.90 {mu}M, 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) at 0.10 {mu}M, trans-2-hexanal at 0.10 {mu}M, and trans-2,4-hexadienal at 0.05 {mu}M, the concentrations at or lower than physiological exposures. Ectopically expressed AKR1B10 in 293T cells eliminated immediately HNE at 1 (subtoxic) or 5 {mu}M (toxic) by converting to 1,4-dihydroxynonene,more » protecting the cells from HNE toxicity. AKR1B10 protein also showed strong enzymatic activity toward glutathione-conjugated carbonyls. Taken together, our study results suggest that AKR1B10 specifically expressed in the intestine is physiologically important in protecting the host cell against dietary and lipid-derived cytotoxic carbonyls.« less

  19. Depressed levels of prostaglandin F2α in mice lacking Akr1b7 increase basal adiposity and predispose to diet-induced obesity.

    PubMed

    Volat, Fanny E; Pointud, Jean-Christophe; Pastel, Emilie; Morio, Béatrice; Sion, Benoit; Hamard, Ghislaine; Guichardant, Michel; Colas, Romain; Lefrançois-Martinez, Anne-Marie; Martinez, Antoine

    2012-11-01

    Negative regulators of white adipose tissue (WAT) expansion are poorly documented in vivo. Prostaglandin F(2α) (PGF(2α)) is a potent antiadipogenic factor in cultured preadipocytes, but evidence for its involvement in physiological context is lacking. We previously reported that Akr1b7, an aldo-keto reductase enriched in adipose stromal vascular fraction but absent from mature adipocytes, has antiadipogenic properties possibly supported by PGF(2α) synthase activity. To test whether lack of Akr1b7 could influence WAT homeostasis in vivo, we generated Akr1b7(-/-) mice in 129/Sv background. Akr1b7(-/-) mice displayed excessive basal adiposity resulting from adipocyte hyperplasia/hypertrophy and exhibited greater sensitivity to diet-induced obesity. Following adipose enlargement and irrespective of the diet, they developed liver steatosis and progressive insulin resistance. Akr1b7 loss was associated with decreased PGF(2α) WAT contents. Cloprostenol (PGF(2α) agonist) administration to Akr1b7(-/-) mice normalized WAT expansion by affecting both de novo adipocyte differentiation and size. Treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and Akr1b7(-/-) mice with cloprostenol suggested that decreased adipocyte size resulted from inhibition of lipogenic gene expression. Hence, Akr1b7 is a major regulator of WAT development through at least two PGF(2α)-dependent mechanisms: inhibition of adipogenesis and lipogenesis. These findings provide molecular rationale to explore the status of aldo-keto reductases in dysregulations of adipose tissue homeostasis.

  20. Depressed Levels of Prostaglandin F2α in Mice Lacking Akr1b7 Increase Basal Adiposity and Predispose to Diet-Induced Obesity

    PubMed Central

    Volat, Fanny E.; Pointud, Jean-Christophe; Pastel, Emilie; Morio, Béatrice; Sion, Benoit; Hamard, Ghislaine; Guichardant, Michel; Colas, Romain; Lefrançois-Martinez, Anne-Marie; Martinez, Antoine

    2012-01-01

    Negative regulators of white adipose tissue (WAT) expansion are poorly documented in vivo. Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) is a potent antiadipogenic factor in cultured preadipocytes, but evidence for its involvement in physiological context is lacking. We previously reported that Akr1b7, an aldo-keto reductase enriched in adipose stromal vascular fraction but absent from mature adipocytes, has antiadipogenic properties possibly supported by PGF2α synthase activity. To test whether lack of Akr1b7 could influence WAT homeostasis in vivo, we generated Akr1b7−/− mice in 129/Sv background. Akr1b7−/− mice displayed excessive basal adiposity resulting from adipocyte hyperplasia/hypertrophy and exhibited greater sensitivity to diet-induced obesity. Following adipose enlargement and irrespective of the diet, they developed liver steatosis and progressive insulin resistance. Akr1b7 loss was associated with decreased PGF2α WAT contents. Cloprostenol (PGF2α agonist) administration to Akr1b7−/− mice normalized WAT expansion by affecting both de novo adipocyte differentiation and size. Treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and Akr1b7−/− mice with cloprostenol suggested that decreased adipocyte size resulted from inhibition of lipogenic gene expression. Hence, Akr1b7 is a major regulator of WAT development through at least two PGF2α-dependent mechanisms: inhibition of adipogenesis and lipogenesis. These findings provide molecular rationale to explore the status of aldo-keto reductases in dysregulations of adipose tissue homeostasis. PMID:22851578

  1. Sulindac inhibits pancreatic carcinogenesis in LSL-KrasG12D-LSL-Trp53R172H-Pdx-1-Cre mice via suppressing aldo-keto reductase family 1B10 (AKR1B10).

    PubMed

    Li, Haonan; Yang, Allison L; Chung, Yeon Tae; Zhang, Wanying; Liao, Jie; Yang, Guang-Yu

    2013-09-01

    Sulindac has been identified as a competitive inhibitor of aldo-keto reductase 1B10 (AKR1B10), an enzyme that plays a key role in carcinogenesis. AKR1B10 is overexpressed in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and exhibits lipid substrate specificity, especially for farnesyl and geranylgeranyl. There have been no studies though showing that the inhibition of PDAC by sulindac is via inhibition of AKR1B10, particularly the metabolism of farnesyl/geranylgeranyl and Kras protein prenylation. To determine the chemopreventive effects of sulindac on pancreatic carcinogenesis, 5-week-old LSL-Kras(G12D)-LSL-Trp53(R172H)-Pdx-1-Cre mice (Pan(kras/p53) mice) were fed an AIN93M diet with or without 200 p.p.m. sulindac (n = 20/group). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that average animal survival in Pan(kras/p53) mice was 143.7 ± 8.8 days, and average survival with sulindac was increased to 168.0 ± 8.8 days (P < 0.005). Histopathological analyses revealed that 90% of mice developed PDAC, 10% with metastasis to the liver and lymph nodes. With sulindac, the incidence of PDAC was reduced to 56% (P < 0.01) and only one mouse had lymph node metastasis. Immunochemical analysis showed that sulindac significantly decreased Ki-67-labeled cell proliferation and markedly reduced the expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), c-Raf and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 and 2. In in vitro experiments with PDAC cells from Pan(kras/p53) mice, sulindac exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of AKR1B10 activity. By silencing AKR1B10 expression through small interfering RNA or by sulindac treatment, these in vitro models showed a reduction in Kras and human DNA-J homolog 2 protein prenylation, and downregulation of phosphorylated C-raf, ERK1/2 and MEK1/2 expression. Our results demonstrate that sulindac inhibits pancreatic carcinogenesis by the inhibition of Kras protein prenylation by targeting AKR1B10.

  2. Novel Aldo-Keto Reductases for the Biocatalytic Conversion of 3-Hydroxybutanal to 1,3-Butanediol: Structural and Biochemical Studies

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kim, Taeho; Flick, Robert; Brunzelle, Joseph

    The nonnatural alcohol 1,3-butanediol (1,3-BDO) is a valuable building block for the synthesis of various polymers. One of the potential pathways for the biosynthesis of 1,3-BDO includes the biotransformation of acetaldehyde to 1,3-BDO via 3-hydroxybutanal (3-HB) using aldolases and aldo-keto reductases (AKRs). This pathway requires an AKR selective for 3-HB, but inactive toward acetaldehyde, so it can be used for one-pot synthesis. In this work, we screened more than 20 purified uncharacterized AKRs for 3-HB reduction and identified 10 enzymes with significant activity and nine proteins with detectable activity. PA1127 fromPseudomonas aeruginosashowed the highest activity and was selected for comparativemore » studies with STM2406 fromSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium, for which we have determined the crystal structure. Both AKRs used NADPH as a cofactor, reduced a broad range of aldehydes, and showed low activities toward acetaldehyde. The crystal structures of STM2406 in complex with cacodylate or NADPH revealed the active site with bound molecules of a substrate mimic or cofactor. Site-directed mutagenesis of STM2406 and PA1127 identified the key residues important for the activity against 3-HB and aromatic aldehydes, which include the residues of the substrate-binding pocket and C-terminal loop. Our results revealed that the replacement of the STM2406 Asn65 by Met enhanced the activity and the affinity of this protein toward 3-HB, resulting in a 7-fold increase ink cat/K m. Our work provides further insights into the molecular mechanisms of the substrate selectivity of AKRs and for the rational design of these enzymes toward new substrates. IMPORTANCEIn this study, we identified several aldo-keto reductases with significant activity in reducing 3-hydroxybutanal to 1,3-butanediol (1,3-BDO), an important commodity chemical. Biochemical and structural studies of these enzymes revealed the key catalytic and substrate-binding residues, including the two

  3. A new member of the aldo-keto reductase family from the plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa.

    PubMed

    Rosselli, Luciana K; Oliveira, Cristiano L P; Azzoni, Adriano R; Tada, Susely F S; Catani, Cleide F; Saraiva, Antonio M; Soares, José Sérgio M; Medrano, Francisco J; Torriani, Iris L; Souza, Anete P

    2006-09-15

    The Xylella fastidiosa genome program generated a large number of gene sequences that belong to pathogenicity, virulence and adaptation categories from this important plant pathogen. One of these genes (XF1729) encodes a protein similar to a superfamily of aldo-keto reductase together with a number of structurally and functionally related NADPH-dependent oxidoreductases. In this work, the similar sequence XF1729 from X. fastidiosa was cloned onto the pET32Xa/LIC vector in order to overexpress a recombinant His-tag fusion protein in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The expressed protein in the soluble fraction was purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography (agarose-IDA-Ni resin). Secondary structure contents were verified by circular dichroism spectroscopy. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements furnish general structural parameters and provide a strong indication that the protein has a monomeric form in solution. Also, ab initio calculations show that the protein has some similarities with a previously crystallized aldo-keto reductase protein. The recombinant XF1729 purified to homogeneity catalyzed the reduction of dl-glyceraldehyde (K(cat) 2.26s(-1), Km 8.20+/-0.98 mM) and 2-nitrobenzaldehyde (K(cat) 11.74 s(-1), Km 0.14+/-0.04 mM) in the presence of NADPH. The amino acid sequence deduced from XF1729 showed the highest identity (40% or higher) with several functional unknown proteins. Among the identified AKRs, we found approximately 29% of identity with YakC (AKR13), 30 and 28% with AKR11A and AKR11B, respectively. The results establish XF1729 as the new member of AKR family, AKR13B1. Finally, the first characterization by gel filtration chromatography assays indicates that the protein has an elongated shape, which generates an apparent higher molecular weight. The study of this protein is an effort to fight X. fastidiosa, which causes tremendous losses in many economically important plants.

  4. The Aldo-Keto Reductase Superfamily and its Role in Drug Metabolism and Detoxification

    PubMed Central

    Barski, Oleg A.; Tipparaju, Srinivas M.; Bhatnagar, Aruni

    2008-01-01

    The Aldo-Keto Reductase (AKR) superfamily comprises of several enzymes that catalyze redox transformations involved in biosynthesis, intermediary metabolism and detoxification. Substrates of the family include glucose, steroids, glycosylation end products, lipid peroxidation products, and environmental pollutants. These proteins adopt a (β/α)8 barrel structural motif interrupted by a number of extraneous loops and helixes that vary between proteins and bring structural identity to individual families. The human AKR family differs from the rodent families. Due to their broad substrate specificity, AKRs play an important role in the Phase II detoxification of a large number of pharmaceuticals, drugs, and xenobiotics. PMID:18949601

  5. Gene cloning and overexpression of two conjugated polyketone reductases, novel aldo-keto reductase family enzymes, of Candida parapsilosis.

    PubMed

    Kataoka, M; Delacruz-Hidalgo, A-R G; Akond, M A; Sakuradani, E; Kita, K; Shimizu, S

    2004-04-01

    The genes encoding two conjugated polyketone reductases (CPR-C1, CPR-C2) of Candida parapsilosis IFO 0708 were cloned and sequenced. The genes encoded a total of 304 and 307 amino acid residues for CPR-C1 and CPR-C2, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequences of the two enzymes showed high similarity to each other and to several proteins of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily. However, several amino acid residues in putative active sites of AKRs were not conserved in CPR-C1 and CPR-C2. The two CPR genes were overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The E. coli transformant bearing the CPR-C2 gene almost stoichiometrically reduced 30 mg ketopantoyl lactone/ml to D-pantoyl lactone.

  6. Metabolism of the Synthetic Progestogen Norethynodrel by Human Ketosteroid Reductases of the Aldo-Keto Reductase Superfamily

    PubMed Central

    Jin, Yi; Duan, Ling; Chen, Mo; Penning, Trevor M; Kloosterboer, Helenius J.

    2012-01-01

    Human ketosteroid reductases of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily, i.e. AKR1C1-4, are implicated in the biotransformation of synthetic steroid hormones. Norethynodrel (NOR, 17α-ethynyl-17β-hydroxy-estra-5(10)-en-3-one), the progestin component of the first marketed oral contraceptive, is known to undergo rapid and extensive metabolism to 3α- and 3β-hydroxy metabolites. The ability of the four human AKR1C enzymes to catalyze the metabolism of NOR has now been characterized. AKR1C1 and AKR1C2 almost exclusively converted NOR to 3β-hydroxy NOR, while AKR1C3 gave 3β-hydroxy NOR as the main product and AKR1C4 predominantly formed 3α-hydroxy NOR. Individual AKR1C enzymes also displayed distinct kinetic properties in the reaction of NOR. In contrast, norethindrone (NET), the Δ4-isomer of NOR and the most commonly used synthetic progestin, was not a substrate for the AKR1C enzymes. NOR is also structurally identical to the hormone replacement therapeutic tibolone (TIB), except TIB has a methyl group at the 7α-position. Product profiles and kinetic parameters for the reduction of NOR catalyzed by each individual AKR1C isoform were identical to those for the reduction of TIB catalyzed by the respective isoform. These data suggest that the presence of the 7α-methyl group has a minimal effect on the stereochemical outcome of the reaction and kinetic behavior of each enzyme. Results indicate a role of AKR1C in the hepatic and peripheral metabolism of NOR to 3α- and 3β-hydroxy NOR and provide insights into the differential pharmacological properties of NOR, NET and TIB. PMID:22210085

  7. Aldo-Keto Reductases 1B in Endocrinology and Metabolism

    PubMed Central

    Pastel, Emilie; Pointud, Jean-Christophe; Volat, Fanny; Martinez, Antoine; Lefrançois-Martinez, Anne-Marie

    2012-01-01

    The aldose reductase (AR; human AKR1B1/mouse Akr1b3) has been the focus of many research because of its role in diabetic complications. The starting point of these alterations is the massive entry of glucose in polyol pathway where it is converted into sorbitol by this enzyme. However, the issue of AR function in non-diabetic condition remains unresolved. AR-like enzymes (AKR1B10, Akr1b7, and Akr1b8) are highly related isoforms often co-expressed with bona fide AR, making functional analysis of one or the other isoform a challenging task. AKR1B/Akr1b members share at least 65% protein identity and the general ability to reduce many redundant substrates such as aldehydes provided from lipid peroxidation, steroids and their by-products, and xenobiotics in vitro. Based on these properties, AKR1B/Akr1b are generally considered as detoxifying enzymes. Considering that divergences should be more informative than similarities to help understanding their physiological functions, we chose to review specific hallmarks of each human/mouse isoforms by focusing on tissue distribution and specific mechanisms of gene regulation. Indeed, although the AR shows ubiquitous expression, AR-like proteins exhibit tissue-specific patterns of expression. We focused on three organs where certain isoforms are enriched, the adrenal gland, enterohepatic, and adipose tissues and tried to connect recent enzymatic and regulation data with endocrine and metabolic functions of these organs. We presented recent mouse models showing unsuspected physiological functions in the regulation of glucido-lipidic metabolism and adipose tissue homeostasis. Beyond the widely accepted idea that AKR1B/Akr1b are detoxification enzymes, these recent reports provide growing evidences that they are able to modify or generate signal molecules. This conceptually shifts this class of enzymes from unenviable status of scavenger to upper class of messengers. PMID:22876234

  8. Aldo-keto reductase enzymes detoxify glyphosate and improve herbicide resistance in plants.

    PubMed

    Vemanna, Ramu S; Vennapusa, Amaranatha Reddy; Easwaran, Murugesh; Chandrashekar, Babitha K; Rao, Hanumantha; Ghanti, Kirankumar; Sudhakar, Chinta; Mysore, Kirankumar S; Makarla, Udayakumar

    2017-07-01

    In recent years, concerns about the use of glyphosate-resistant crops have increased because of glyphosate residual levels in plants and development of herbicide-resistant weeds. In spite of identifying glyphosate-detoxifying genes from microorganisms, the plant mechanism to detoxify glyphosate has not been studied. We characterized an aldo-keto reductase gene from Pseudomonas (PsAKR1) and rice (OsAKR1) and showed, by docking studies, both PsAKR1 and OsAKR1 can efficiently bind to glyphosate. Silencing AKR1 homologues in rice and Nicotiana benthamiana or mutation of AKR1 in yeast and Arabidopsis showed increased sensitivity to glyphosate. External application of AKR proteins rescued glyphosate-mediated cucumber seedling growth inhibition. Regeneration of tobacco transgenic lines expressing PsAKR1 or OsAKRI on glyphosate suggests that AKR can be used as selectable marker to develop transgenic crops. PsAKR1- or OsAKRI-expressing tobacco and rice transgenic plants showed improved tolerance to glyphosate with reduced accumulation of shikimic acid without affecting the normal photosynthetic rates. These results suggested that AKR1 when overexpressed detoxifies glyphosate in planta. © 2016 The Authors. Plant Biotechnology Journal published by Society for Experimental Biology and The Association of Applied Biologists and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  9. Aldo-keto reductase family 1 B10 affects fatty acid synthesis by regulating the stability of acetyl-CoA carboxylase-alpha in breast cancer cells.

    PubMed

    Ma, Jun; Yan, Ruilan; Zu, Xuyu; Cheng, Ji-Ming; Rao, Krishna; Liao, Duan-Fang; Cao, Deliang

    2008-02-08

    Recent studies have demonstrated that aldo-keto reductase family 1 B10 (AKR1B10), a novel protein overexpressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma and non-small cell lung carcinoma, may facilitate cancer cell growth by detoxifying intracellular reactive carbonyls. This study presents a novel function of AKR1B10 in tumorigenic mammary epithelial cells (RAO-3), regulating fatty acid synthesis. In RAO-3 cells, Sephacryl-S 300 gel filtration and DEAE-Sepharose ion exchange chromatography demonstrated that AKR1B10 exists in two distinct forms, monomers (approximately 40 kDa) bound to DEAE-Sepharose column and protein complexes (approximately 300 kDa) remaining in flow-through. Co-immunoprecipitation with AKR1B10 antibody and protein mass spectrometry analysis identified that AKR1B10 associates with acetyl-CoA carboxylase-alpha (ACCA), a rate-limiting enzyme of de novo fatty acid synthesis. This association between AKR1B10 and ACCA proteins was further confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation with ACCA antibody and pulldown assays with recombinant AKR1B10 protein. Intracellular fluorescent studies showed that AKR1B10 and ACCA proteins co-localize in the cytoplasm of RAO-3 cells. More interestingly, small interfering RNA-mediated AKR1B10 knock down increased ACCA degradation through ubiquitination-proteasome pathway and resulted in >50% decrease of fatty acid synthesis in RAO-3 cells. These data suggest that AKR1B10 is a novel regulator of the biosynthesis of fatty acid, an essential component of the cell membrane, in breast cancer cells.

  10. Medium-chain dehydrogenase/reductase and aldo-keto reductase scavenge reactive carbonyls in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.

    PubMed

    Shimakawa, Ginga; Kohara, Ayaka; Miyake, Chikahiro

    2018-03-01

    Reactive carbonyls (RCs), which are inevitably produced during respiratory and photosynthetic metabolism, have the potential to cause oxidative damage to photosynthetic organisms. Previously, we proposed a scavenging model for RCs in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (S. 6803). In the current study, we constructed mutants deficient in the enzymes medium-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (ΔMDR) and aldo-keto reductaseAKR) to investigate their contributions to RC scavenging in vivo. We found that treatment with the lipid-derived RC acrolein causes growth inhibition and promotes greater protein carbonylation in ΔMDR, compared with the wild-type and ΔAKR. In both ΔMDR and ΔAKR, photosynthesis is severely inhibited in the presence of acrolein. These results suggest that these enzymes function as part of the scavenging systems for RCs in S. 6803 in vivo. © 2018 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

  11. Heightened aggressive behavior in mice deficient in aldo-keto reductase 1a (Akr1a).

    PubMed

    Homma, Takujiro; Akihara, Ryusuke; Okano, Satoshi; Shichiri, Mototada; Yoshida, Yasukazu; Yamada, Ken-Ichi; Miyata, Satoshi; Nakajima, Osamu; Fujii, Junichi

    2017-02-15

    Aldehyde reductase (Akr1a) is involved in the synthesis of ascorbic acid (AsA) which may play a role in social behavior. In the current study, we performed analyses on Akr1a-deficient (Akr1a -/- ) mice that synthesize about 10% as much AsA as wild-type mice from the viewpoint of intermale aggression. The use of the resident-intruder test revealed that the Akr1a -/- mice exhibited more aggressive phenotypes than wild-type control mice. Unexpectedly, however, the oral administration of additional AsA failed to reduce the aggressive behavior of Akr1a -/- mice, suggesting that the heightened aggression was independent of AsA biosynthesis. The findings also show that the plasma levels of corticosterone, but not serotonin and testosterone, were increased in the absence of Akr1a in mice, suggesting that the mice were highly stressed. These results suggest that Akr1a might be involved in the metabolism of steroids and other carbonyl-containing compounds and, hence, the absence of Akr1a results in heightened aggression via a malfunction in a metabolic pathway. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Exposure to 9,10-phenanthrenequinone accelerates malignant progression of lung cancer cells through up-regulation of aldo-keto reductase 1B10

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Matsunaga, Toshiyuki, E-mail: matsunagat@gifu-pu.ac.jp; Morikawa, Yoshifumi; Haga, Mariko

    2014-07-15

    Inhalation of 9,10-phenanthrenequinone (9,10-PQ), a major quinone in diesel exhaust, exerts fatal damage against a variety of cells involved in respiratory function. Here, we show that treatment with high concentrations of 9,10-PQ evokes apoptosis of lung cancer A549 cells through production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In contrast, 9,10-PQ at its concentrations of 2 and 5 μM elevated the potentials for proliferation, invasion, metastasis and tumorigenesis, all of which were almost completely inhibited by addition of an antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine, inferring a crucial role of ROS in the overgrowth and malignant progression of lung cancer cells. Comparison of mRNA expression levelsmore » of six aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) in the 9,10-PQ-treated cells advocated up-regulation of AKR1B10 as a major cause contributing to the lung cancer malignancy. In support of this, the elevation of invasive, metastatic and tumorigenic activities in the 9,10-PQ-treated cells was significantly abolished by the addition of a selective AKR1B10 inhibitor oleanolic acid. Intriguingly, zymographic and real-time PCR analyses revealed remarkable increases in secretion and expression, respectively, of matrix metalloproteinase 2 during the 9,10-PQ treatment, and suggested that the AKR1B10 up-regulation and resultant activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade are predominant mechanisms underlying the metalloproteinase induction. In addition, HPLC analysis and cytochrome c reduction assay in in vitro 9,10-PQ reduction by AKR1B10 demonstrated that the enzyme catalyzes redox-cycling of this quinone, by which ROS are produced. Collectively, these results suggest that AKR1B10 is a key regulator involved in overgrowth and malignant progression of the lung cancer cells through ROS production due to 9,10-PQ redox-cycling. - Highlights: • 9,10-PQ promotes invasion, metastasis and tumorigenicity in lung cancer cells. • The 9,10-PQ-elicited promotion is possibly due to AKR1B10

  13. A novel aldo-keto reductase from Jatropha curcas L. (JcAKR) plays a crucial role in the detoxification of methylglyoxal, a potent electrophile.

    PubMed

    Mudalkar, Shalini; Sreeharsha, Rachapudi Venkata; Reddy, Attipalli Ramachandra

    2016-05-20

    Abiotic stress leads to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which further results in the production of reactive carbonyls (RCs) including methylglyoxal (MG). MG, an α, β-dicarbonyl aldehyde, is highly toxic to plants and the mechanism behind its detoxification is not well understood. Aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) play a role in detoxification of reactive aldehydes and ketones. In the present study, we cloned and characterised a putative AKR from Jatropha curcas (JcAKR). Phylogenetically, it forms a small clade with AKRs of Glycine max and Rauwolfia serpentina. JcAKR was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli BL-21(DE3) cells and the identity of the purified protein was confirmed through MALDI-TOF analysis. The recombinant protein had high enzyme activity and catalytic efficiency in assays containing MG as the substrate. Protein modelling and docking studies revealed MG was efficiently bound to JcAKR. Under progressive drought and salinity stress, the enzyme and transcript levels of JcAKR were higher in leaves compared to roots. Further, the bacterial and yeast cells expressing JcAKR showed more tolerance towards PEG (5%), NaCl (200mM) and MG (5mM) treatments compared to controls. In conclusion, our results project JcAKR as a possible and potential target in crop improvement for abiotic stress tolerance. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

  14. Cloning of a Novel Aldo-Keto Reductase Gene from Klebsiella sp. Strain F51-1-2 and Its Functional Expression in Escherichia coli▿

    PubMed Central

    Jiang, Hong; Yang, Chao; Qu, Hong; Liu, Zheng; Fu, Q. S.; Qiao, Chuanling

    2007-01-01

    A soil bacterium capable of metabolizing organophosphorus compounds by reducing the P=S group in the molecules was taxonomically identified as Klebsiella sp. strain F51-1-2. The gene involved in the reduction of organophosphorus compounds was cloned from this strain by the shotgun technique, and the deduced protein (named AKR5F1) showed homology to members of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily. The intact coding region for AKR5F1 was subcloned into vector pET28a and overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). Recombinant His6-tagged AKR5F1 was purified in one step using Ni-nitrilotriacetic acid affinity chromatography. Assays for cofactor specificity indicated that reductive transformation of organophosphorus compounds by the recombinant AKR5F1 specifically required NADH. The kinetic constants of the purified recombinant AKR5F1 toward six thion organophosphorus compounds were determined. For example, the Km and kcat values of reductive transformation of malathion by the purified recombinant AKR5F1 are 269.5 ± 47.0 μΜ and 25.7 ± 1.7 min−1, respectively. Furthermore, the reductive transformation of organophosphorus compounds can be largely explained by structural modeling. PMID:17575004

  15. Molecular characterization of an aldo-keto reductase from Marivirga tractuosa that converts retinal to retinol.

    PubMed

    Hong, Seung-Hye; Nam, Hyun-Koo; Kim, Kyoung-Rok; Kim, Seon-Won; Oh, Deok-Kun

    2014-01-01

    A recombinant aldo-keto reductase (AKR) from Marivirga tractuosa was purified with a specific activity of 0.32unitml(-1) for all-trans-retinal with a 72kDa dimer. The enzyme had substrate specificity for aldehydes but not for alcohols, carbonyls, or monosaccharides. The enzyme turnover was the highest for benzaldehyde (kcat=446min(-1)), whereas the affinity and catalytic efficiency were the highest for all-trans-retinal (Km=48μM, kcat/Km=427mM(-1)min(-1)) among the tested substrates. The optimal reaction conditions for the production of all-trans-retinol from all-trans-retinal by M. tractuosa AKR were pH 7.5, 30°C, 5% (v/v) methanol, 1% (w/v) hydroquinone, 10mM NADPH, 1710mgl(-1) all-trans-retinal, and 3unitml(-1) enzyme. Under these optimized conditions, the enzyme produced 1090mgml(-1) all-trans-retinol, with a conversion yield of 64% (w/w) and a volumetric productivity of 818mgl(-1)h(-1). AKR from M. tractuosa showed no activity for all-trans-retinol using NADP(+) as a cofactor, whereas human AKR exhibited activity. When the cofactor-binding residues (Ala158, Lys212, and Gln270) of M. tractuosa AKR were changed to the corresponding residues of human AKR (Ser160, Pro212, and Glu272), the A158S and Q270E variants exhibited activity for all-trans-retinol. Thus, amino acids at positions 158 and 270 of M. tractuosa AKR are determinant residues of the activity for all-trans-retinol. Crown Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. Impaired Self-Renewal and Increased Colitis and Dysplastic Lesions in Colonic Mucosa of AKR1B8 Deficient Mice

    PubMed Central

    Shen, Yi; Ma, Jun; Yan, Ruilan; Ling, Hongyan; Li, Xiaoning; Yang, Wancai; Gao, John; Huang, Chenfei; Bu, Yiwen; Cao, Yu; He, Yingchun; Wan, Laxiang; Zu, Xuyu; Liu, Jianghua; Huang, Mei Chris; Stenson, William F; Liao, Duan-Fang; Cao, Deliang

    2015-01-01

    Purpose Ulcerative colitis (UC) and colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) is a serious health issue, but etiopathological factors remain unclear. Aldo-keto reductase 1B10 (AKR1B10) is specifically expressed in the colonic epithelium, but down-regulated in colorectal cancer. This study was aimed to investigate the etiopathogenic role of AKR1B10 in UC and CAC. Experimental design UC and CAC biopsies (paraffin-embedded sections) and frozen tissues were collected to examine AKR1B10 expression. Aldo-keto reductase 1B8 (the ortholog of human AKR1B10) knockout (AKR1B8 −/−) mice were produced to estimate its role in the susceptibility and severity of chronic colitis and associated dysplastic lesions, induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) at a low dose (2%). Genome-wide Exome sequencing was used to profile DNA damage in DSS-induced colitis and tumors. Results AKR1B10 expression was markedly diminished in over 90% of UC and CAC tissues. AKR1B8 deficiency led to reduced lipid synthesis from butyrate and diminished proliferation of colonic epithelial cells. The DSS-treated AKR1B8 −/− mice demonstrated impaired injury repair of colonic epithelium and more severe bleeding, inflammation, and ulceration. These AKR1B8 −/− mice had more severe oxidative stress and DNA damage, and dysplasias were more frequent and at a higher grade in the AKR1B8 −/− mice than in wild type mice. Palpable masses were seen in the AKR1B8 −/− mice only, not in wild type. Conclusion AKR1B8 is a critical protein in the proliferation and injury repair of the colonic epithelium and in the pathogenesis of UC and CAC, being a new etiopathogenic factor of these diseases. PMID:25538260

  17. Fine tuning of coenzyme specificity in family 2 aldo-keto reductases revealed by crystal structures of the Lys-274 → Arg mutant of Candida tenuis xylose reductase (AKR2B5) bound to NAD + and NADP +

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Leitgeb, Stefan; Petschacher, Barbara; Wilson, David K.

    2005-01-11

    Aldo-keto reductases of family 2 employ single site replacement Lys → Arg to switch their cosubstrate preference from NADPH to NADH. X-ray crystal structures of Lys-274 → Arg mutant of Candida tenuis xylose reductase (AKR2B5) bound to NAD + and NADP + were determined at a resolution of 2.4 and 2.3 Å, respectively. Due to steric conflicts in the NADP +-bound form, the arginine side chain must rotate away from the position of the original lysine side chain, thereby disrupting a network of direct and water-mediated interactions between Glu-227, Lys-274 and the cofactor 2'-phosphate and 3'-hydroxy groups. Because anchoring contactsmore » of its Glu-227 are lost, the coenzyme-enfolding loop that becomes ordered upon binding of NAD(P) + in the wild-type remains partly disordered in the NADP +-bound mutant. The results delineate a catalytic reaction profile for the mutant in comparison to wild-type.« less

  18. 5β-Reduced steroids and human Δ(4)-3-ketosteroid 5β-reductase (AKR1D1).

    PubMed

    Chen, Mo; Penning, Trevor M

    2014-05-01

    5β-Reduced steroids are non-planar steroids that have a 90° bend in their structure to create an A/B cis-ring junction. This novel property is required for bile-acids to act as emulsifiers, but in addition 5β-reduced steroids have remarkable physiology and may act as potent tocolytic agents, endogenous cardiac glycosides, neurosteroids, and can act as ligands for orphan and membrane bound receptors. In humans there is only a single 5β-reductase gene AKR1D1, which encodes Δ(4)-3-ketosteroid-5β-reductase (AKR1D1). This enzyme is a member of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily, but possesses an altered catalytic tetrad, in which Glu120 replaces the conserved His residue. This predominant liver enzyme generates all 5β-dihydrosteroids in the C19-C27 steroid series. Mutations exist in the AKR1D1 gene, which result in loss of protein stability and are causative in bile-acid deficiency. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. Design and synthesis of polyhydroxy steroids as selective inhibitors against AKR1B10 and molecular docking.

    PubMed

    Chen, Wenli; Chen, Xinying; Zhou, Shujia; Zhang, Hong; Wang, Ling; Xu, Jun; Hu, Xiaopeng; Yin, Wei; Yan, Guangmei; Zhang, Jingxia

    2016-06-01

    AKR1B10 is a member of the human aldo-keto reductase superfamily which is highly expressed in several types of cancers, and has been regarded as a promising cancer therapeutic target. In this paper, a series of polyhydroxy steroids were designed and synthesized to selectively inhibit AKR1B10 activity. The most selective compound, novel compound 6, has an IC50 of 0.83±0.07μM and a selectivity of more than 120-fold for AKR1B10/AKR1B1. Structure-activity relation analyses indicate that hydroxyl at C-19 can significantly improve the selective inhibition of AKR1B10. The binding mode of AKR1B10 and its inhibitors were studied. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  20. Aldo-keto reductase 1B10 promotes development of cisplatin resistance in gastrointestinal cancer cells through down-regulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ-dependent mechanism.

    PubMed

    Matsunaga, Toshiyuki; Suzuki, Ayaka; Kezuka, Chihiro; Okumura, Naoko; Iguchi, Kazuhiro; Inoue, Ikuo; Soda, Midori; Endo, Satoshi; El-Kabbani, Ossama; Hara, Akira; Ikari, Akira

    2016-08-25

    Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum, CDDP) is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic drugs that are used for treatment of patients with gastrointestinal cancer cells, but its continuous administration often evokes the development of chemoresistance. In this study, we investigated alterations in antioxidant molecules and functions using a newly established CDDP-resistant variant of gastric cancer MKN45 cells, and found that aldo-keto reductase 1B10 (AKR1B10) is significantly up-regulated with acquisition of the CDDP resistance. In the nonresistant MKN45 cells, the sensitivity to cytotoxic effect of CDDP was decreased and increased by overexpression and silencing of AKR1B10, respectively. In addition, the AKR1B10 overexpression markedly suppressed accumulation and cytotoxicity of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal that is produced during lipid peroxidation by CDDP treatment, suggesting that the enzyme acts as a crucial factor for facilitation of the CDDP resistance through inhibiting induction of oxidative stress by the drug. Transient exposure to CDDP and induction of the CDDP resistance decreased expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) in MKN45 and colon cancer LoVo cells. Additionally, overexpression of PPARγ in the cells elevated the sensitivity to the CDDP toxicity, which was further augmented by concomitant treatment with a PPARγ ligand rosiglitazone. Intriguingly, overexpression of AKR1B10 in the cells resulted in a decrease in PPARγ expression, which was recovered by addition of an AKR1B10 inhibitor oleanolic acid, inferring that PPARγ is a downstream target of AKR1B10-dependent mechanism underlying the CDDP resistance. Combined treatment with the AKR1B10 inhibitor and PPARγ ligand elevated the CDDP sensitivity, which was almost the same level as that in the parental cells. These results suggest that combined treatment with the AKR1B10 inhibitor and PPARγ ligand is an effective adjuvant therapy for overcoming CDDP resistance of

  1. A Novel Aldo-Keto Reductase, HdRed, from the Pacific Abalone Haliotis discus hannai, Which Reduces Alginate-derived 4-Deoxy-l-erythro-5-hexoseulose Uronic Acid to 2-Keto-3-deoxy-d-gluconate*

    PubMed Central

    Mochizuki, Shogo; Nishiyama, Ryuji; Inoue, Akira; Ojima, Takao

    2015-01-01

    Abalone feeds on brown seaweeds and digests seaweeds' alginate with alginate lyases (EC 4.2.2.3). However, it has been unclear whether the end product of alginate lyases (i.e. unsaturated monouronate-derived 4-deoxy-l-erythro-5-hexoseulose uronic acid (DEH)) is assimilated by abalone itself, because DEH cannot be metabolized via the Embden-Meyerhof pathway of animals. Under these circumstances, we recently noticed the occurrence of an NADPH-dependent reductase, which reduced DEH to 2-keto-3-deoxy-d-gluconate, in hepatopancreas extract of the pacific abalone Haliotis discus hannai. In the present study, we characterized this enzyme to some extent. The DEH reductase, named HdRed in the present study, could be purified from the acetone-dried powder of hepatopancreas by ammonium sulfate fractionation followed by conventional column chromatographies. HdRed showed a single band of ∼40 kDa on SDS-PAGE and reduced DEH to 2-keto-3-deoxy-d-gluconate with an optimal temperature and pH at around 50 °C and 7.0, respectively. HdRed exhibited no appreciable activity toward 28 authentic compounds, including aldehyde, aldose, ketose, α-keto-acid, uronic acid, deoxy sugar, sugar alcohol, carboxylic acid, ketone, and ester. The amino acid sequence of 371 residues of HdRed deduced from the cDNA showed 18–60% identities to those of aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily enzymes, such as human aldose reductase, halophilic bacterium reductase, and sea hare norsolorinic acid (a polyketide derivative) reductase-like protein. Catalytic residues and cofactor binding residues known in AKR superfamily enzymes were fairly well conserved in HdRed. Phylogenetic analysis for HdRed and AKR superfamily enzymes indicated that HdRed is an AKR belonging to a novel family. PMID:26555267

  2. A Novel Aldo-Keto Reductase, HdRed, from the Pacific Abalone Haliotis discus hannai, Which Reduces Alginate-derived 4-Deoxy-L-erythro-5-hexoseulose Uronic Acid to 2-Keto-3-deoxy-D-gluconate.

    PubMed

    Mochizuki, Shogo; Nishiyama, Ryuji; Inoue, Akira; Ojima, Takao

    2015-12-25

    Abalone feeds on brown seaweeds and digests seaweeds' alginate with alginate lyases (EC 4.2.2.3). However, it has been unclear whether the end product of alginate lyases (i.e. unsaturated monouronate-derived 4-deoxy-L-erythro-5-hexoseulose uronic acid (DEH)) is assimilated by abalone itself, because DEH cannot be metabolized via the Embden-Meyerhof pathway of animals. Under these circumstances, we recently noticed the occurrence of an NADPH-dependent reductase, which reduced DEH to 2-keto-3-deoxy-D-gluconate, in hepatopancreas extract of the pacific abalone Haliotis discus hannai. In the present study, we characterized this enzyme to some extent. The DEH reductase, named HdRed in the present study, could be purified from the acetone-dried powder of hepatopancreas by ammonium sulfate fractionation followed by conventional column chromatographies. HdRed showed a single band of ∼ 40 kDa on SDS-PAGE and reduced DEH to 2-keto-3-deoxy-D-gluconate with an optimal temperature and pH at around 50 °C and 7.0, respectively. HdRed exhibited no appreciable activity toward 28 authentic compounds, including aldehyde, aldose, ketose, α-keto-acid, uronic acid, deoxy sugar, sugar alcohol, carboxylic acid, ketone, and ester. The amino acid sequence of 371 residues of HdRed deduced from the cDNA showed 18-60% identities to those of aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily enzymes, such as human aldose reductase, halophilic bacterium reductase, and sea hare norsolorinic acid (a polyketide derivative) reductase-like protein. Catalytic residues and cofactor binding residues known in AKR superfamily enzymes were fairly well conserved in HdRed. Phylogenetic analysis for HdRed and AKR superfamily enzymes indicated that HdRed is an AKR belonging to a novel family. © 2015 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  3. The structure of apo and holo forms of xylose reductase, a dimeric aldo-keto reductase from Candida tenuis.

    PubMed

    Kavanagh, Kathryn L; Klimacek, Mario; Nidetzky, Bernd; Wilson, David K

    2002-07-16

    Xylose reductase is a homodimeric oxidoreductase dependent on NADPH or NADH and belongs to the largely monomeric aldo-keto reductase superfamily of proteins. It catalyzes the first step in the assimilation of xylose, an aldose found to be a major constituent monosaccharide of renewable plant hemicellulosic material, into yeast metabolic pathways. It does this by reducing open chain xylose to xylitol, which is reoxidized to xylulose by xylitol dehydrogenase and metabolically integrated via the pentose phosphate pathway. No structure has yet been determined for a xylose reductase, a dimeric aldo-keto reductase or a family 2 aldo-keto reductase. The structures of the Candida tenuis xylose reductase apo- and holoenzyme, which crystallize in spacegroup C2 with different unit cells, have been determined to 2.2 A resolution and an R-factor of 17.9 and 20.8%, respectively. Residues responsible for mediating the novel dimeric interface include Asp-178, Arg-181, Lys-202, Phe-206, Trp-313, and Pro-319. Alignments with other superfamily members indicate that these interactions are conserved in other dimeric xylose reductases but not throughout the remainder of the oligomeric aldo-keto reductases, predicting alternate modes of oligomerization for other families. An arrangement of side chains in a catalytic triad shows that Tyr-52 has a conserved function as a general acid. The loop that folds over the NAD(P)H cosubstrate is disordered in the apo form but becomes ordered upon cosubstrate binding. A slow conformational isomerization of this loop probably accounts for the observed rate-limiting step involving release of cosubstrate. Xylose binding (K(m) = 87 mM) is mediated by interactions with a binding pocket that is more polar than a typical aldo-keto reductase. Modeling of xylose into the active site of the holoenzyme using ordered waters as a guide for sugar hydroxyls suggests a convincing mode of substrate binding.

  4. Isoenzyme-specific up-regulation of glutathione transferase and aldo-keto reductase mRNA expression by dietary quercetin in rat liver.

    PubMed

    Odbayar, Tseye-Oidov; Kimura, Toshinori; Tsushida, Tojiro; Ide, Takashi

    2009-05-01

    The impact of quercetin on the mRNA expression of hepatic enzymes involved in drug metabolism was evaluated with a DNA microarray and real-time PCR. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed an experimental diet containing either 0, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 g/kg of quercetin for 15 days. The DNA microarray analysis of the gene expression profile in pooled RNA samples from rats fed diets containing 0, 5, and 20 g/kg of quercetin revealed genes of some isoenzymes of glutathione transferase (Gst) and aldo-keto reductase (Akr) to be activated by this flavonoid. Real-time PCR conducted with RNA samples from individual rats fed varying amounts of quercetin together with the microarray analysis showed that quercetin caused marked dose-dependent increases in the mRNA expression of Gsta3, Gstp1, and Gstt3. Some moderate increases were also noted in the mRNA expression of isoenzymes belonging to the Gstm class. Quercetin also dose-dependently increased the mRNA expression of Akr1b8 and Akr7a3. However, it did not affect the parameters of the other Gst and Akr isoenzymes. It is apparent that quercetin increases the mRNA expression of Gst and Akr involved in drug metabolism in an isoenzyme-specific manner. Inasmuch as Gst and Akr isoenzymes up-regulated in their gene expression are involved in the prevention and attenuation of cancer development, this consequence may account for the chemopreventive propensity of quercetin.

  5. Characterization of hamster NAD+-dependent 3(17)β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase belonging to the aldo-keto reductase 1C subfamily.

    PubMed

    Endo, Satoshi; Noda, Misato; Ikari, Akira; Tatematsu, Kenjiro; El-Kabbani, Ossama; Hara, Akira; Kitade, Yukio; Matsunaga, Toshiyuki

    2015-11-01

    The cDNAs for morphine 6-dehydrogenase (AKR1C34) and its homologous aldo-keto reductase (AKR1C35) were cloned from golden hamster liver, and their enzymatic properties and tissue distribution were compared. AKR1C34 and AKR1C35 similarly oxidized various xenobiotic alicyclic alcohols using NAD(+), but differed in their substrate specificity for hydroxysteroids and inhibitor sensitivity. While AKR1C34 showed 3α/17β/20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities, AKR1C35 efficiently oxidized various 3β- and 17β-hydroxysteroids, including biologically active 3β-hydroxy-5α/β-dihydro-C19/C21-steroids, dehydroepiandrosterone and 17β-estradiol. AKR1C35 also differed from AKR1C34 in its high sensitivity to flavonoids, which inhibited competitively with respect to 17β-estradiol (Ki 0.11-0.69 μM). The mRNA for AKR1C35 was expressed liver-specific in male hamsters and ubiquitously in female hamsters, whereas the expression of the mRNA for AKR1C34 displayed opposite sexual dimorphism. Because AKR1C35 is the first 317Β-HYDROXYSTEROID DEHYDROGENASE IN THE AKR SUPERFAMILY: , we also investigated the molecular determinants for the 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity by replacement of Val54 and Cys310 in AKR1C35 with the corresponding residues in AKR1C34, Ala and Phe, respectively. The mutation of Val54Ala, but not Cys310Phe, significantly impaired this activity, suggesting that Val54 plays a critical role in recognition of the steroidal substrate. © The Authors 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Japanese Biochemical Society. All rights reserved.

  6. An aldo-keto reductase, Bbakr1, is involved in stress response and detoxification of heavy metal chromium but not required for virulence in the insect fungal pathogen, Beauveria bassiana.

    PubMed

    Wang, Huifang; He, Zhangjiang; Luo, Linli; Zhao, Xin; Lu, Zhuoyue; Luo, Tingying; Li, Min; Zhang, Yongjun

    2018-02-01

    The aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) belong to the NADP-dependent oxidoreductase superfamily, which play important roles in various physiological functions in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. However, many AKR superfamily members remain uncharacterized. Here, a downstream target gene of the HOG1 MAPK pathways coding for an aldo-keto reductase, named Bbakr1, was characterized in the insect fungal pathogen, Beauveria bassiana. Bbakr1 expression increased in response to osmotic and salt stressors, and oxidative and heavy metal (chromium) stress. Deletion of Bbakr1 caused a reduction in conidiation, as well as delayed conidial germination. ΔBbakr1 displayed increased sensitivity to osmotic/high-salt stress with decreased compatible solute accumulation. In addition, the mutant was more sensitive to high concentrations of the heavy metal, chromium, and to oxidative stress than the wild type cells, with impaired ability to detoxify active aldehyde that might accumulate due to lipid peroxidation. However, over-expressing Bbakr1 in either the wild type strain or a ΔBbhog1 background did not cause any obvious changes in phenotypes as compared to their controls. Little effect on virulence was seen for either the ΔBbakr1 or overexpression strains in insect bioassays via cuticle infection or intrahemocoel injection assays, suggesting that Bbakr1 is not required for virulence. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  7. Anthracycline resistance mediated by reductive metabolism in cancer cells: The role of aldo-keto reductase 1C3

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Hofman, Jakub; Malcekova, Beata; Skarka, Adam

    2014-08-01

    Pharmacokinetic drug resistance is a serious obstacle that emerges during cancer chemotherapy. In this study, we investigated the possible role of aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) in the resistance of cancer cells to anthracyclines. First, the reducing activity of AKR1C3 toward anthracyclines was tested using incubations with a purified recombinant enzyme. Furthermore, the intracellular reduction of daunorubicin and idarubicin was examined by employing the transfection of A549, HeLa, MCF7 and HCT 116 cancer cells with an AKR1C3 encoding vector. To investigate the participation of AKR1C3 in anthracycline resistance, we conducted MTT cytotoxicity assays with these cells, and observed that AKR1C3 significantlymore » contributes to the resistance of cancer cells to daunorubicin and idarubicin, whereas this resistance was reversible by the simultaneous administration of 2′-hydroxyflavanone, a specific AKR1C3 inhibitor. In the final part of our work, we tracked the changes in AKR1C3 expression after anthracycline exposure. Interestingly, a reciprocal correlation between the extent of induction and endogenous levels of AKR1C3 was recorded in particular cell lines. Therefore, we suggest that the induction of AKR1C3 following exposure to daunorubicin and idarubicin, which seems to be dependent on endogenous AKR1C3 expression, eventually might potentiate an intrinsic resistance given by the normal expression of AKR1C3. In conclusion, our data suggest a substantial impact of AKR1C3 on the metabolism of daunorubicin and idarubicin, which affects their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behavior. In addition, we demonstrate that the reduction of daunorubicin and idarubicin, which is catalyzed by AKR1C3, contributes to the resistance of cancer cells to anthracycline treatment. - Highlights: • Metabolism of anthracyclines by AKR1C3 was studied at enzyme and cellular levels. • Anthracycline resistance mediated by AKR1C3 was demonstrated in cancer cells. • Induction of

  8. Overexpression and enhanced specific activity of aldoketo reductases (AKR1B1 & AKR1B10) in human breast cancers.

    PubMed

    Reddy, K Ashok; Kumar, P Uday; Srinivasulu, M; Triveni, B; Sharada, K; Ismail, Ayesha; Reddy, G Bhanuprakash

    2017-02-01

    The incidence of breast cancer in India is on the rise and is rapidly becoming the primary cancer in Indian women. The aldoketo reductase (AKR) family has more than 190 proteins including aldose reductase (AKR1B1) and aldose reductase like protein (AKR1B10). Apart from liver cancer, the status of AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 with respect to their expression and activity has not been reported in other human cancers. We studied the specific activity and expression of AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 in breast non tumor and tumor tissues and in the blood. Fresh post-surgical breast cancer and non-cancer tissues and blood were collected from the subjects who were admitted for surgical therapy. Malignant, benign and pre-surgical chemotherapy samples were evaluated by histopathology scoring. Expression of AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 was carried out by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) while specific activity was determined spectrophotometrically. The specific activity of AKR1B1 was significantly higher in red blood cells (RBC) in all three grades of primary surgical and post-chemotherapy samples. Specific activity of both AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 increased in tumor samples compared to their corresponding non tumor samples (primary surgical and post-chemotherapy). Immunoblotting and IHC data also indicated overexpression of AKR1B1 in all grades of tumors compared to their corresponding non tumor samples. There was no change in the specific activity of AKR1B1 in benign samples compared to all grades of tumor and non-tumors. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  9. Overproduction of a rice aldo-keto reductase increases oxidative and heat stress tolerance by malondialdehyde and methylglyoxal detoxification.

    PubMed

    Turóczy, Zoltán; Kis, Petra; Török, Katalin; Cserháti, Mátyás; Lendvai, Agnes; Dudits, Dénes; Horváth, Gábor V

    2011-03-01

    The accumulation of toxic compounds generated by the interaction between reactive oxygen species and polyunsaturated fatty acids of membrane lipids can significantly damage plant cells. A plethora of enzymes act on these reactive carbonyls, reducing their toxicity. Based on the chromosomal localization and on their homology with other stress-induced aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) we have selected three rice AKR genes. The transcription level of OsAKR1 was greatly induced by abscisic acid and various stress treatments; the other two AKR genes tested were moderately stress-inducible. The OsAKR1 recombinant protein exhibited a high nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-dependent catalytic activity to reduce toxic aldehydes including glycolysis-derived methylglyoxal (MG) and lipid peroxidation-originated malondialdehyde (MDA). The function of this enzyme in MG detoxification was demonstrated in vivo in E. coli and in transgenic plants overproducing the OsAKR1 protein. Heterologous synthesis of the OsAKR1 enzyme in transgenic tobacco plants resulted in increased tolerance against oxidative stress generated by methylviologen (MV) and improved resistance to high temperature. In these plants lower levels of MDA were detected both following MV and heat treatment due to the activity of the OsAKR1 enzyme. The transgenic tobaccos also exhibited higher AKR activity and accumulated less MG in their leaves than the wild type plants; both in the presence and absence of heat stress. These results support the positive role of OsAKR1 in abiotic stress-related reactive aldehyde detoxification pathways and its use for improvement of stress tolerance in plants.

  10. Purification and characterization of akr1b10 from human liver: role in carbonyl reduction of xenobiotics.

    PubMed

    Martin, Hans-Jörg; Breyer-Pfaff, Ursula; Wsol, Vladimir; Venz, Simone; Block, Simone; Maser, Edmund

    2006-03-01

    Members of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily have a broad substrate specificity in catalyzing the reduction of carbonyl group-containing xenobiotics. In the present investigation, a member of the aldose reductase subfamily, AKR1B10, was purified from human liver cytosol. This is the first time AKR1B10 has been purified in its native form. AKR1B10 showed a molecular mass of 35 kDa upon gel filtration and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Kinetic parameters for the NADPH-dependent reduction of the antiemetic 5-HT3 receptor antagonist dolasetron, the antitumor drugs daunorubicin and oracin, and the carcinogen 4-methylnitrosamino-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) to the corresponding alcohols have been determined by HPLC. Km values ranged between 0.06 mM for dolasetron and 1.1 mM for daunorubicin. Enzymatic efficiencies calculated as kcat/Km were more than 100 mM-1 min-1 for dolasetron and 1.3, 0.43, and 0.47 mM-1 min-1 for daunorubicin, oracin, and NNK, respectively. Thus, AKR1B10 is one of the most significant reductases in the activation of dolasetron. In addition to its reducing activity, AKR1B10 catalyzed the NADP+-dependent oxidation of the secondary alcohol (S)-1-indanol to 1-indanone with high enzymatic efficiency (kcat/Km=112 mM-1 min-1). The gene encoding AKR1B10 was cloned from a human liver cDNA library and the recombinant enzyme was purified. Kinetic studies revealed lower activity of the recombinant compared with the native form. Immunoblot studies indicated large interindividual variations in the expression of AKR1B10 in human liver. Since carbonyl reduction of xenobiotics often leads to their inactivation, AKR1B10 may play a role in the occurrence of chemoresistance of tumors toward carbonyl group-bearing cytostatic drugs.

  11. Thermophilic enzymes and their applications in biocatalysis: a robust aldo-keto reductase.

    PubMed

    Willies, Simon; Isupov, Misha; Littlechild, Jennifer

    2010-09-01

    Extremophiles are providing a good source of novel robust enzymes for use in biocatalysis for the synthesis of new drugs. This is particularly true for the enzymes from thermophilic organisms which are more robust than their mesophilic counterparts to the conditions required for industrial bio-processes. This paper describes a new aldo-keto reductase enzyme from a thermophilic eubacteria, Thermotoga maritima which can be used for the production of primary alcohols. The enzyme has been cloned and over-expressed in Escherichia coli and has been purified and subjected to full biochemical characterization. The aldo-keto reductase can be used for production of primary alcohols using substrates including benzaldehyde, 1,2,3,6-tetrahydrobenzaldehyde and para-anisaldehyde. It is stable up to 80 degrees C, retaining over 60% activity for 5 hours at this temperature. The enzyme at pH 6.5 showed a preference for the forward, carbonyl reduction. The enzyme showed moderate stability with organic solvents, and retained 70% activity in 20% (v/v) isopropanol or DMSO. These properties are favourable for its potential industrial applications.

  12. Smoking-Induced Upregulation of AKR1B10 Expression in the Airway Epithelium of Healthy Individuals

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Rui; Wang, Guoqing; Ricard, Megan J.; Ferris, Barbara; Strulovici-Barel, Yael; Salit, Jacqueline; Hackett, Neil R.; Gudas, Lorraine J.

    2010-01-01

    Background: The aldo-keto reductase (AKR) gene superfamily codes for monomeric, soluble reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-dependent oxidoreductases that mediate elimination reactions. AKR1B10, an AKR that eliminates retinals, has been observed as upregulated in squamous metaplasia and non-small cell lung cancer and has been suggested as a diagnostic marker specific to tobacco-related carcinogenesis. We hypothesized that upregulation of AKR1B10 expression may be initiated in healthy smokers prior to the development of evidence of lung cancer. Methods: Expression of AKR1B10 was assessed at the mRNA level using microarrays with TaqMan confirmation in the large airway epithelium (21 healthy nonsmokers, 31 healthy smokers) and small airway epithelium (51 healthy nonsmokers, 58 healthy smokers) obtained by fiberoptic bronchoscopy and brushing. Results: Compared with healthy nonsmokers, AKR1B10 mRNA levels were significantly upregulated in both large and small airway epithelia of healthy smokers. Consistent with the mRNA data, AKR1B10 protein was significantly upregulated in the airway epithelium of healthy smokers as assessed by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry, with AKR1B10 expressed in both differentiated and basal cells. Finally, cigarette smoke extract mediated upregulation of AKR1B10 in airway epithelial cells in vitro, and transfection of AKR1B10 into airway epithelial cells enhanced the conversion of retinal to retinol. Conclusions: Smoking per se mediates upregulation of AKR1B10 expression in the airway epithelia of healthy smokers with no evidence of lung cancer. In the context of these observations and the link of AKR1B10 to the metabolism of retinals and to lung cancer, the smoking-induced upregulation of AKR1B10 may be an early process in the multiple events leading to lung cancer. PMID:20705797

  13. The Role of Human Aldo-Keto Reductases in the Metabolic Activation and Detoxication of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: Interconversion of PAH Catechols and PAH o-Quinones

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Li; Jin, Yi; Huang, Meng; Penning, Trevor M.

    2012-01-01

    Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants. They are procarcinogens requiring metabolic activation to elicit their deleterious effects. Aldo-keto reductases (AKR) catalyze the oxidation of proximate carcinogenic PAH trans-dihydrodiols to yield electrophilic and redox-active PAH o-quinones. AKRs are also found to be capable of reducing PAH o-quinones to form PAH catechols. The interconversion of o-quinones and catechols results in the redox-cycling of PAH o-quinones to give rise to the generation of reactive oxygen species and subsequent oxidative DNA damage. On the other hand, PAH catechols can be intercepted through phase II metabolism by which PAH o-quinones could be detoxified and eliminated. The aim of the present review is to summarize the role of human AKRs in the metabolic activation/detoxication of PAH and the relevance of phase II conjugation reactions to human lung carcinogenesis. PMID:23162467

  14. Conversion of Human Steroid 5β-Reductase (AKR1D1) into 3β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase by Single Point Mutation E120H

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Mo; Drury, Jason E.; Christianson, David W.; Penning, Trevor M.

    2012-01-01

    Human aldo-keto reductase 1D1 (AKR1D1) and AKR1C enzymes are essential for bile acid biosynthesis and steroid hormone metabolism. AKR1D1 catalyzes the 5β-reduction of Δ4-3-ketosteroids, whereas AKR1C enzymes are hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDs). These enzymes share high sequence identity and catalyze 4-pro-(R)-hydride transfer from NADPH to an electrophilic carbon but differ in that one residue in the conserved AKR catalytic tetrad, His120 (AKR1D1 numbering), is substituted by a glutamate in AKR1D1. We find that the AKR1D1 E120H mutant abolishes 5β-reductase activity and introduces HSD activity. However, the E120H mutant unexpectedly favors dihydrosteroids with the 5α-configuration and, unlike most of the AKR1C enzymes, shows a dominant stereochemical preference to act as a 3β-HSD as opposed to a 3α-HSD. The catalytic efficiency achieved for 3β-HSD activity is higher than that observed for any AKR to date. High resolution crystal structures of the E120H mutant in complex with epiandrosterone, 5β-dihydrotestosterone, and Δ4-androstene-3,17-dione elucidated the structural basis for this functional change. The glutamate-histidine substitution prevents a 3-ketosteroid from penetrating the active site so that hydride transfer is directed toward the C3 carbonyl group rather than the Δ4-double bond and confers 3β-HSD activity on the 5β-reductase. Structures indicate that stereospecificity of HSD activity is achieved because the steroid flips over to present its α-face to the A-face of NADPH. This is in contrast to the AKR1C enzymes, which can invert stereochemistry when the steroid swings across the binding pocket. These studies show how a single point mutation in AKR1D1 can introduce HSD activity with unexpected configurational and stereochemical preference. PMID:22437839

  15. Hic-5’s Regulatory Role in TGFB Signaling in Prostate Stroma

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-06-01

    the androgen metabolites 3α-Adiol and 3β-Adiol, and their importance is underscored by high expression levels of the aldo keto reductase (AKR1C...known as aldo -keto reductases (AKR1C) [33]. DU145 cells express AKR1C enzymes and are capable of catalyzing redox reactions at the C17 position of...584-95. 37. Bauman, D.R., et al., Development of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug analogs and steroid carboxylates selective for human aldo -keto

  16. GST-M1 is transcribed moreso than AKR7A2 in AFB₁-exposed human monocytes and lymphocytes.

    PubMed

    Bahari, Abbas; Mehrzad, Jalil; Mahmoudi, Mahmoud; Bassami, Mohammad Reza; Dehghani, Hesam

    2015-01-01

    Glutathione-S-transferases (GST) and aldo-keto reductases (AKR) are key aflatoxin (AF)-detoxifying enzymes. In this study, the expression of GST-M1, GST-T1, AKR-7A2, and AKR-7A3 genes in human monocytes and lymphocytes was analyzed after in vitro exposure to 10 or 100 ng AFB1/ml for 2 h. Unlike in pilot studies that showed that all four examined genes were present in HepG2 cells, in lymphocytes and monocytes, only GST-M1 and AKR-7A2 were detected. In fact, the induced expression of both GST-M1 and AKR-7A2 genes in human monocytes was moreso than that seen in AFB1-exposed lymphocytes. In addition, analyses of the effects of the exposures on cell cycle status were performed as, in cells lacking adequate detoxification capacities, it would be expected the cells would arrest at checkpoints in the cell cycle or progress to apoptotic/necrotic states. The results here indicated that only the high dose of AFB1 led to a change in cell cycle profiles and only in the monocytes (i.e. cells in S phase were significantly reduced). In general, the results here strongly suggest that human immune cell lineages appear to be able to increase their expression of AFB1-detoxifying enzymes (albeit to differing degrees) and, as a result, are able to counter potential toxicities from AFB1 and (likely) its metabolites.

  17. Conversion of human steroid 5β-reductase (AKR1D1) into 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase by single point mutation E120H: example of perfect enzyme engineering.

    PubMed

    Chen, Mo; Drury, Jason E; Christianson, David W; Penning, Trevor M

    2012-05-11

    Human aldo-keto reductase 1D1 (AKR1D1) and AKR1C enzymes are essential for bile acid biosynthesis and steroid hormone metabolism. AKR1D1 catalyzes the 5β-reduction of Δ(4)-3-ketosteroids, whereas AKR1C enzymes are hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDs). These enzymes share high sequence identity and catalyze 4-pro-(R)-hydride transfer from NADPH to an electrophilic carbon but differ in that one residue in the conserved AKR catalytic tetrad, His(120) (AKR1D1 numbering), is substituted by a glutamate in AKR1D1. We find that the AKR1D1 E120H mutant abolishes 5β-reductase activity and introduces HSD activity. However, the E120H mutant unexpectedly favors dihydrosteroids with the 5α-configuration and, unlike most of the AKR1C enzymes, shows a dominant stereochemical preference to act as a 3β-HSD as opposed to a 3α-HSD. The catalytic efficiency achieved for 3β-HSD activity is higher than that observed for any AKR to date. High resolution crystal structures of the E120H mutant in complex with epiandrosterone, 5β-dihydrotestosterone, and Δ(4)-androstene-3,17-dione elucidated the structural basis for this functional change. The glutamate-histidine substitution prevents a 3-ketosteroid from penetrating the active site so that hydride transfer is directed toward the C3 carbonyl group rather than the Δ(4)-double bond and confers 3β-HSD activity on the 5β-reductase. Structures indicate that stereospecificity of HSD activity is achieved because the steroid flips over to present its α-face to the A-face of NADPH. This is in contrast to the AKR1C enzymes, which can invert stereochemistry when the steroid swings across the binding pocket. These studies show how a single point mutation in AKR1D1 can introduce HSD activity with unexpected configurational and stereochemical preference.

  18. Conversion of Human Steroid 5[beta]-Reductase (AKR1D1) into 3[beta]-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase by Single Point Mutation E120H: Example of Perfect Enzyme Engineering

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Chen, Mo; Drury, Jason E.; Christianson, David W.

    2012-10-10

    Human aldo-keto reductase 1D1 (AKR1D1) and AKR1C enzymes are essential for bile acid biosynthesis and steroid hormone metabolism. AKR1D1 catalyzes the 5{beta}-reduction of {Delta}{sup 4}-3-ketosteroids, whereas AKR1C enzymes are hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDs). These enzymes share high sequence identity and catalyze 4-pro-(R)-hydride transfer from NADPH to an electrophilic carbon but differ in that one residue in the conserved AKR catalytic tetrad, His120 (AKR1D1 numbering), is substituted by a glutamate in AKR1D1. We find that the AKR1D1 E120H mutant abolishes 5{beta}-reductase activity and introduces HSD activity. However, the E120H mutant unexpectedly favors dihydrosteroids with the 5{alpha}-configuration and, unlike most of the AKR1Cmore » enzymes, shows a dominant stereochemical preference to act as a 3{beta}-HSD as opposed to a 3{alpha}-HSD. The catalytic efficiency achieved for 3{beta}-HSD activity is higher than that observed for any AKR to date. High resolution crystal structures of the E120H mutant in complex with epiandrosterone, 5{beta}-dihydrotestosterone, and {Delta}{sup 4}-androstene-3,17-dione elucidated the structural basis for this functional change. The glutamate-histidine substitution prevents a 3-ketosteroid from penetrating the active site so that hydride transfer is directed toward the C3 carbonyl group rather than the {Delta}{sup 4}-double bond and confers 3{beta}-HSD activity on the 5{beta}-reductase. Structures indicate that stereospecificity of HSD activity is achieved because the steroid flips over to present its {alpha}-face to the A-face of NADPH. This is in contrast to the AKR1C enzymes, which can invert stereochemistry when the steroid swings across the binding pocket. These studies show how a single point mutation in AKR1D1 can introduce HSD activity with unexpected configurational and stereochemical preference.« less

  19. Overexpression of Aldo-Keto Reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) in LNCaP Cells Diverts Androgen Metabolism towards Testosterone Resulting in Resistance to the 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride

    PubMed Central

    Byrns, Michael C.; Mindnich, Rebekka; Duan, Ling; Penning, Trevor M.

    2012-01-01

    Type 5 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C3) is the major enzyme in the prostate that reduces 4-androstene-3,17-dione (Δ4-Adione) to the androgen receptor (AR) ligand testosterone. AKR1C3 is upregulated in prostate cancer (PCa) and castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) that develops after androgen deprivation therapy. PCa and CRPC often depend on intratumoral androgen biosynthesis and upregulation of AKR1C3 could contribute to intracellular synthesis of AR ligands and stimulation of proliferation through AR signalling. To test this hypothesis, we developed an LNCaP prostate cancer cell line overexpressing AKR1C3 (LNCaP-AKR1C3) and compared its metabolic and proliferative responses to Δ4-Adione treatment with that of the parental, AKR1C3 negative LNCaP cells. In LNCaP and LNCaP-AKR1C3 cells, metabolism proceeded via 5α-reduction to form 5α-androstane-3,17-dione and then (epi)androsterone-3-glucuronide. LNCaP-AKR1C3 cells made significantly higher amounts of testosterone-17β-glucuronide. When 5α-reductase was inhibited by finasteride, the production of testosterone-17β-glucuronide was further elevated in LNCaP-AKR1C3 cells. When AKR1C3 activity was inhibited with indomethacin the production of testosterone-17β-glucuronide was significantly decreased. Δ4-Adione treatment stimulated cell proliferation in both cell lines. Finasteride inhibited LNCaP cell proliferation, consistent with 5α-androstane-3,17-dione acting as the major metabolite that stimulates growth by binding to the mutated AR. However, LNCaP-AKR1C3 cells were resistant to the growth inhibitory properties of finasteride, consistent with the diversion of Δ4-Adione metabolism from 5α-reduced androgens to increased formation of testosterone. Indomethacin did not result in differences in Δ4-Adione induced proliferation since this treatment led to the same metabolic profile in LNCaP and LNCaP-AKR1C3 cells. We conclude that AKR1C3 overexpression diverts androgen metabolism to testosterone

  20. Isolation and primary structural analysis of two conjugated polyketone reductases from Candida parapsilosis.

    PubMed

    Hidalgo, A R; Akond, M A; Kita, K; Kataoka, M; Shimizu, S

    2001-12-01

    Two conjugated polyketone reductases (CPRs) were isolated from Candida parapsilosis IFO 0708. The primary structures of CPRs (C1 and C2) were analyzed by amino acid sequencing. The amino acid sequences of both enzymes had high similarity to those of several proteins of the aldo-keto-reductase (AKR) superfamily. However, several amino acid residues in the putative active sites of AKRs were not conserved in CPRs-C1 and -C2.

  1. Aldo-keto Reductase Family 1 B10 as a Novel Target for Breast Cancer Treatment

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-08-01

    overexpressed in tested human breast cancer tissues and mediates acetyl-CoA carboxylase-α ( ACCA ) stability, affecting fatty acid de novo synthesis and...9703; Fax. 217-545-3227; E-mail: dcao@siumed.edu Running title: AKR1B10 as a new risk factor for breast cancer Abbreviations used: ACCA , acetyl...The effect of AKR1B10 expression in cancer tissue on patient survival was evaluated with Kaplan - Meier plots, and results showed that AKR1B10

  2. Quantitative analysis of the human AKR family members in cancer cell lines using the mTRAQ/MRM approach.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Shenyan; Wen, Bo; Zhou, Baojin; Yang, Lei; Cha, Chao; Xu, Shaoxing; Qiu, Xuemei; Wang, Quanhui; Sun, Haidan; Lou, Xiaomin; Zi, Jin; Zhang, Yong; Lin, Liang; Liu, Siqi

    2013-05-03

    Members of human aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily have been reported to be involved in cancer progression, whereas the final conclusion is not generally accepted. Herein, we propose a quantitative method to measure human AKR proteins in cells using mTRAQ-based multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). AKR peptides with multiple transitions were carefully selected upon tryptic digestion of the recombinant AKR proteins, while AKR proteins were identified by SDS-PAGE fractionation coupled with LC-MS/MS. Utilizing mTRAQ triplex labeling to produce the derivative peptides, calibration curves were generated using the mixed lysate as background, and no significantly different quantification of AKRs was elicited from the two sets of calibration curves under the mixed and single lysate as background. We employed this approach to quantitatively determine the 6 AKR proteins, AKR1A1, AKR1B1, AKR1B10, AKR1C1/C2, AKR1C3, and AKR1C4, in 7 different cancer cell lines and for the first time to obtain the absolute quantities of all the AKR proteins in each cell. The cluster plot revealed that AKR1A and AKR1B were widely distributed in most cancer cells with relatively stable abundances, whereas AKR1Cs were unevenly detected among these cells with diverse dynamic abundances. The AKR quantitative distribution in different cancer cells, therefore, may assist further exploration toward how the AKR proteins are involved in tumorigenesis.

  3. Novel chemical scaffolds of the tumor marker AKR1B10 inhibitors discovered by 3D QSAR pharmacophore modeling

    PubMed Central

    Kumar, Raj; Son, Minky; Bavi, Rohit; Lee, Yuno; Park, Chanin; Arulalapperumal, Venkatesh; Cao, Guang Ping; Kim, Hyong-ha; Suh, Jung-keun; Kim, Yong-seong; Kwon, Yong Jung; Lee, Keun Woo

    2015-01-01

    Aim: Recent evidence suggests that aldo-keto reductase family 1 B10 (AKR1B10) may be a potential diagnostic or prognostic marker of human tumors, and that AKR1B10 inhibitors offer a promising choice for treatment of many types of human cancers. The aim of this study was to identify novel chemical scaffolds of AKR1B10 inhibitors using in silico approaches. Methods: The 3D QSAR pharmacophore models were generated using HypoGen. A validated pharmacophore model was selected for virtual screening of 4 chemical databases. The best mapped compounds were assessed for their drug-like properties. The binding orientations of the resulting compounds were predicted by molecular docking. Density functional theory calculations were carried out using B3LYP. The stability of the protein-ligand complexes and the final binding modes of the hit compounds were analyzed using 10 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Results: The best pharmacophore model (Hypo 1) showed the highest correlation coefficient (0.979), lowest total cost (102.89) and least RMSD value (0.59). Hypo 1 consisted of one hydrogen-bond acceptor, one hydrogen-bond donor, one ring aromatic and one hydrophobic feature. This model was validated by Fischer's randomization and 40 test set compounds. Virtual screening of chemical databases and the docking studies resulted in 30 representative compounds. Frontier orbital analysis confirmed that only 3 compounds had sufficiently low energy band gaps. MD simulations revealed the binding modes of the 3 hit compounds: all of them showed a large number of hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions with the active site and specificity pocket residues of AKR1B10. Conclusion: Three compounds with new structural scaffolds have been identified, which have stronger binding affinities for AKR1B10 than known inhibitors. PMID:26051108

  4. Crystal structure of conjugated polyketone reductase (CPR-C1) from Candida parapsilosis IFO 0708 complexed with NADPH.

    PubMed

    Qin, Hui-Min; Yamamura, Akihiro; Miyakawa, Takuya; Kataoka, Michihiko; Maruoka, Shintaro; Ohtsuka, Jun; Nagata, Koji; Shimizu, Sakayu; Tanokura, Masaru

    2013-11-01

    Conjugated polyketone reductase (CPR-C1) from Candida parapsilosis IFO 0708 is a member of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily and reduces ketopantoyl lactone to d-pantoyl lactone in a NADPH-dependent and stereospecific manner. We determined the crystal structure of CPR-C1.NADPH complex at 2.20 Å resolution. CPR-C1 adopted a triose-phosphate isomerase (TIM) barrel fold at the core of the structure in which Thr25 and Lys26 of the GXGTX motif bind uniquely to the adenosine 2'-phosphate group of NADPH. This finding provides a novel structural basis for NADPH binding of the AKR superfamily. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  5. Sex hormones reduce NNK detoxification through inhibition of short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases and aldo-keto reductases in vitro.

    PubMed

    Stapelfeld, Claudia; Maser, Edmund

    2017-10-01

    Carbonyl reduction is an important metabolic pathway for endogenous and xenobiotic substances. The tobacco specific nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK, nicotine-derived nitrosamine ketone) is classified as carcinogenic to humans (IARC, Group 1) and considered to play the most important role in tobacco-related lung carcinogenesis. Detoxification of NNK through carbonyl reduction is catalyzed by members of the AKR- and the SDR-superfamilies which include AKR1B10, AKR1C1, AKR1C2, AKR1C4, 11β-HSD1 and CBR1. Because some reductases are also involved in steroid metabolism, five different hormones were tested for their inhibitory effect on NNK carbonyl reduction. Two of those hormones were estrogens (estradiol and ethinylestradiol), another two hormones belong to the gestagen group (progesterone and drospirenone) and the last tested hormone was an androgen (testosterone). Furthermore, one of the estrogens (ethinylestradiol) and one of the gestagens (drospirenone) are synthetic hormones, used as hormonal contraceptives. Five of six NNK reducing enzymes (AKR1B10, AKR1C1, AKR1C2, AKR1C4 and 11β-HSD1) were significantly inhibited by the tested sex hormones. Only NNK reduction catalyzed by CBR1 was not significantly impaired. In the case of the other five reductases, gestagens had remarkably stronger inhibitory effects at a concentration of 25 μM (progesterone: 66-88% inhibition; drospirenone: 26-87% inhibition) in comparison to estrogens (estradiol: 17-51% inhibition; ethinylestradiol: 14-79% inhibition) and androgens (14-78% inhibition). Moreover, in most cases the synthetic hormones showed a greater ability to inhibit NNK reduction than the physiologic derivatives. These results demonstrate that male and female sex hormones have different inhibitory potentials, thus indicating that there is a varying detoxification capacity of NNK in men and women which could result in a different risk for developing lung cancer. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B

  6. Expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of perakine reductase, a new member of the aldo-keto reductase enzyme superfamily from higher plants

    PubMed Central

    Rosenthal, Cindy; Mueller, Uwe; Panjikar, Santosh; Sun, Lianli; Ruppert, Martin; Zhao, Yu; Stöckigt, Joachim

    2006-01-01

    Perakine reductase (PR) is a novel member of the aldo-keto reductase enzyme superfamily from higher plants. PR from the plant Rauvolfia serpentina is involved in the biosynthesis of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids by performing NADPH-dependent reduction of perakine, yielding raucaffrinoline. However, PR can also reduce cinnamic aldehyde and some of its derivatives. After heterologous expression of a triple mutant of PR in Escherichia coli, crystals of the purified and methylated enzyme were obtained by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion technique at 293 K with 100 mM sodium citrate pH 5.6 and 27% PEG 4000 as precipitant. Crystals belong to space group C2221 and diffract to 2.0 Å, with unit-cell parameters a = 58.9, b = 93.0, c = 143.4 Å. PMID:17142919

  7. Crystal Structure of Perakine Reductase, Founding Member of a Novel Aldo-Keto Reductase (AKR) Subfamily That Undergoes Unique Conformational Changes during NADPH Binding*

    PubMed Central

    Sun, Lianli; Chen, Yixin; Rajendran, Chitra; Mueller, Uwe; Panjikar, Santosh; Wang, Meitian; Mindnich, Rebekka; Rosenthal, Cindy; Penning, Trevor M.; Stöckigt, Joachim

    2012-01-01

    Perakine reductase (PR) catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reduction of the aldehyde perakine to yield the alcohol raucaffrinoline in the biosynthetic pathway of ajmaline in Rauvolfia, a key step in indole alkaloid biosynthesis. Sequence alignment shows that PR is the founder of the new AKR13D subfamily and is designated AKR13D1. The x-ray structure of methylated His6-PR was solved to 2.31 Å. However, the active site of PR was blocked by the connected parts of the neighbor symmetric molecule in the crystal. To break the interactions and obtain the enzyme-ligand complexes, the A213W mutant was generated. The atomic structure of His6-PR-A213W complex with NADPH was determined at 1.77 Å. Overall, PR folds in an unusual α8/β6 barrel that has not been observed in any other AKR protein to date. NADPH binds in an extended pocket, but the nicotinamide riboside moiety is disordered. Upon NADPH binding, dramatic conformational changes and movements were observed: two additional β-strands in the C terminus become ordered to form one α-helix, and a movement of up to 24 Å occurs. This conformational change creates a large space that allows the binding of substrates of variable size for PR and enhances the enzyme activity; as a result cooperative kinetics are observed as NADPH is varied. As the founding member of the new AKR13D subfamily, PR also provides a structural template and model of cofactor binding for the AKR13 family. PMID:22334702

  8. Lignases and aldo-keto reductases for conversion of lignin-containing materials to fermentable products

    DOEpatents

    Scharf, Michael; Sethi, Amit

    2016-09-13

    Termites have specialized digestive systems that overcome the lignin barrier in wood to release fermentable simple sugars. Using the termite Reticulitermes flavipes and its gut symbionts, high-throughput titanium pyrosequencing and proteomics approaches experimentally compared the effects of lignin-containing diets on host-symbiont digestome composition. Proteomic investigations and functional digestive studies with recombinant lignocellulases conducted in parallel provided strong evidence of congruence at the transcription and translational levels and provide enzymatic strategies for overcoming recalcitrant lignin barriers in biofuel feedstocks. Briefly described, therefore, the disclosure provides a system for generating a fermentable product from a lignified plant material, the system comprising a cooperating series of at least two catalytically active polypeptides, where said catalytically active polypeptides are selected from the group consisting of: cellulase Cell-1, .beta.-glu cellulase, an aldo-keto-reductase, a catalase, a laccase, and an endo-xylanase.

  9. Influence of lifestyle and genetic variants in the aldo-keto reductase 1C3 rs12529 polymorphism in high-risk prostate cancer detection variability assessed between US and New Zealand cohorts

    PubMed Central

    Ambs, Stefan; Tang, Wei; Zhu, Shuotun; Dorsey, Tiffany H.; Goudie, Megan; Masters, Jonathan G.; Ferguson, Lynnette R.

    2018-01-01

    Introduction The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) based prostate cancer (PC) screening is currently being debated. The current assessment is to understand the variability of detecting high-risk PC in a NZ cohort in comparison to a US cohort with better PSA screening facilities. Aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) is known for multiple functions with a potential to regulate subsequent PSA levels. Therefore, we wish to understand the influence of tobacco smoking and the AKR1C3 rs12529 gene polymorphism in this variability. Method NZ cohort (n = 376) consisted of 94% Caucasians while the US cohort consisted of African Americans (AA), n = 202, and European Americans (EA), n = 232. PSA level, PC grade and stage at diagnosis were collected from hospital databases for assigning high-risk PC status. Tobacco smoking status and the AKR1C3 rs12529 SNP genotype were considered as confounding variables. Variation of the cumulative % high-risk PC (outcome variable) with increasing PSA intervals (exposure factor) was compared between the cohorts using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Comparisons were carried out with and without stratifications made using confounding variables. Results NZ cohort has been diagnosed at a significantly higher mean age (66.67± (8.08) y) compared to both AA (62.65±8.17y) and EA (64.83+8.56y); median PSA (NZ 8.90ng/ml compared to AA 6.86ng/ml and EA 5.80ng/ml); and Gleason sum (NZ (7) compared EA (6)) (p<0.05). The cumulative % high-risk PC detection shows NZ cohort with a significantly lower diagnosis rates at PSA levels between >6 - <10ng/ml compared to both US groups (p<0.05). These were further compounded significantly by smoking status and genetics. Conclusions High-risk PCs recorded at higher PSA levels in NZ could be due to factors including lower levels of PSA screening and subsequent specialist referrals for biopsies. These consequences could be pronounced among NZ ever smokers carrying the AKR1C3 rs12529 G alleles making them a group that requires

  10. The three-dimensional structure of AKR11B4, a glycerol dehydrogenase from Gluconobacter oxydans, reveals a tryptophan residue as an accelerator of reaction turnover.

    PubMed

    Richter, Nina; Breicha, Klaus; Hummel, Werner; Niefind, Karsten

    2010-12-03

    The NADP-dependent glycerol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.72) from Gluconobacter oxydans is a member of family 11 of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) enzyme superfamily; according to the systematic nomenclature within the AKR superfamily, the term AKR11B4 has been assigned to the enzyme. AKR11B4 is a biotechnologically attractive enzyme because of its broad substrate spectrum, combined with its distinctive regioselectivity and stereoselectivity. These features can be partially rationalized based on a 2-Å crystal structure of apo-AKR11B4, which we describe and interpret here against the functional complex structures of other members of family 11 of the AKR superfamily. The structure of AKR11B4 shows the AKR-typical (β/α)(8) TIM-barrel fold, with three loops and the C-terminal tail determining the particular enzymatic properties. In comparison to AKR11B1 (its closest AKR relative), AKR11B4 has a relatively broad binding cleft for the cosubstrate NADP/NADPH. In the crystalline environment, it is completely blocked by the C-terminal segment of a neighboring protomer. The structure reveals a conspicuous tryptophan residue (Trp23) that has to adopt an unconventional and strained side-chain conformation to permit cosubstrate binding. We predict and confirm by site-directed mutagenesis that Trp23 is an accelerator of (co)substrate turnover. Furthermore, we show that, simultaneously, this tryptophan residue is a critical determinant for substrate binding by the enzyme, while enantioselectivity is probably governed by a methionine residue within the C-terminal tail. We present structural reasons for these notions based on ternary complex models of AKR11B4, NADP, and either octanal, d-glyceraldehyde, or l-glyceraldehyde. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  11. AKR1C1 as a Biomarker for Differentiating the Biological Effects of Combustible from Non-Combustible Tobacco Products.

    PubMed

    Woo, Sangsoon; Gao, Hong; Henderson, David; Zacharias, Wolfgang; Liu, Gang; Tran, Quynh T; Prasad, G L

    2017-05-03

    Smoking has been established as a major risk factor for developing oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), but less attention has been paid to the effects of smokeless tobacco products. Our objective is to identify potential biomarkers to distinguish the biological effects of combustible tobacco products from those of non-combustible ones using oral cell lines. Normal human gingival epithelial cells (HGEC), non-metastatic (101A) and metastatic (101B) OSCC cell lines were exposed to different tobacco product preparations (TPPs) including cigarette smoke total particulate matter (TPM), whole-smoke conditioned media (WS-CM), smokeless tobacco extract in complete artificial saliva (STE), or nicotine (NIC) alone. We performed microarray-based gene expression profiling and found 3456 probe sets from 101A, 1432 probe sets from 101B, and 2717 probe sets from HGEC to be differentially expressed. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) revealed xenobiotic metabolism and steroid biosynthesis were the top two pathways that were upregulated by combustible but not by non-combustible TPPs. Notably, aldo-keto reductase genes, AKR1C1 and AKR1C2 , were the core genes in the top enriched pathways and were statistically upregulated more than eight-fold by combustible TPPs. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) results statistically support AKR1C1 as a potential biomarker for differentiating the biological effects of combustible from non-combustible tobacco products.

  12. AKR1C1 as a Biomarker for Differentiating the Biological Effects of Combustible from Non-Combustible Tobacco Products

    PubMed Central

    Woo, Sangsoon; Gao, Hong; Henderson, David; Zacharias, Wolfgang; Liu, Gang; Tran, Quynh T.; Prasad, G.L.

    2017-01-01

    Smoking has been established as a major risk factor for developing oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), but less attention has been paid to the effects of smokeless tobacco products. Our objective is to identify potential biomarkers to distinguish the biological effects of combustible tobacco products from those of non-combustible ones using oral cell lines. Normal human gingival epithelial cells (HGEC), non-metastatic (101A) and metastatic (101B) OSCC cell lines were exposed to different tobacco product preparations (TPPs) including cigarette smoke total particulate matter (TPM), whole-smoke conditioned media (WS-CM), smokeless tobacco extract in complete artificial saliva (STE), or nicotine (NIC) alone. We performed microarray-based gene expression profiling and found 3456 probe sets from 101A, 1432 probe sets from 101B, and 2717 probe sets from HGEC to be differentially expressed. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) revealed xenobiotic metabolism and steroid biosynthesis were the top two pathways that were upregulated by combustible but not by non-combustible TPPs. Notably, aldo-keto reductase genes, AKR1C1 and AKR1C2, were the core genes in the top enriched pathways and were statistically upregulated more than eight-fold by combustible TPPs. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) results statistically support AKR1C1 as a potential biomarker for differentiating the biological effects of combustible from non-combustible tobacco products. PMID:28467356

  13. Fluoxetine elevates allopregnanolone in female rat brain but inhibits a steroid microsomal dehydrogenase rather than activating an aldo-keto reductase

    PubMed Central

    Fry, J P; Li, K Y; Devall, A J; Cockcroft, S; Honour, J W; Lovick, T A

    2014-01-01

    Background and Purpose Fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, elevates brain concentrations of the neuroactive progesterone metabolite allopregnanolone, an effect suggested to underlie its use in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoria. One report showed fluoxetine to activate the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) component of 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3α-HSD), which catalyses production of allopregnanolone from 5α-dihydroprogesterone. However, this action was not observed by others. The present study sought to clarify the site of action for fluoxetine in elevating brain allopregnanolone. Experimental Approach Adult male rats and female rats in dioestrus were treated with fluoxetine and their brains assayed for allopregnanolone and its precursors, progesterone and 5α-dihydroprogesterone. Subcellular fractions of rat brain were also used to investigate the actions of fluoxetine on 3α-HSD activity in both the reductive direction, producing allopregnanolone from 5α-dihydroprogesterone, and the reverse oxidative direction. Fluoxetine was also tested on these recombinant enzyme activities expressed in HEK cells. Key Results Short-term treatment with fluoxetine increased brain allopregnanolone concentrations in female, but not male, rats. Enzyme assays on native rat brain fractions and on activities expressed in HEK cells showed fluoxetine did not affect the AKR producing allopregnanolone from 5α-dihydroprogesterone but did inhibit the microsomal dehydrogenase oxidizing allopregnanolone to 5α-dihydroprogesterone. Conclusions and Implications Fluoxetine elevated allopregnanolone in female rat brain by inhibiting its oxidation to 5α-dihydroprogesterone by a microsomal dehydrogenase. This is a novel site of action for fluoxetine, with implications for the development of new agents and/or dosing regimens to raise brain allopregnanolone. PMID:25161074

  14. Expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of conjugated polyketone reductase C2 (CPR-C2) from Candida parapsilosis IFO 0708.

    PubMed

    Yamamura, Akihiro; Maruoka, Shintaro; Ohtsuka, Jun; Miyakawa, Takuya; Nagata, Koji; Kataoka, Michihiko; Kitamura, Nahoko; Shimizu, Sakayu; Tanokura, Masaru

    2009-11-01

    Conjugated polyketone reductase C2 (CPR-C2) from Candida parapsilosis IFO 0708 is a member of the NADPH-dependent aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily and catalyzes the stereospecific reduction of ketopantoyl lactone to d-pantoyl lactone. A diffraction-quality crystal of recombinant CPR-C2 was obtained by the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method using PEG 3350 as the precipitant. The crystal diffracted X-rays to 1.7 angstrom resolution on beamline NW12A of the Photon Factory-Advanced Ring (Tsukuba, Japan). The crystal belonged to space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 55.02, b = 68.30, c = 68.93 angstrom. The Matthews coefficient (V(M) = 1.76 angstrom(3) Da(-1)) indicated that the crystal contained one CPR-C2 molecule per asymmetric unit.

  15. Expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of conjugated polyketone reductase C2 (CPR-C2) from Candida parapsilosis IFO 0708

    PubMed Central

    Yamamura, Akihiro; Maruoka, Shintaro; Ohtsuka, Jun; Miyakawa, Takuya; Nagata, Koji; Kataoka, Michihiko; Kitamura, Nahoko; Shimizu, Sakayu; Tanokura, Masaru

    2009-01-01

    Conjugated polyketone reductase C2 (CPR-C2) from Candida parapsilosis IFO 0708 is a member of the NADPH-dependent aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily and catalyzes the stereospecific reduction of ketopantoyl lactone to d-pantoyl lactone. A diffraction-quality crystal of recombinant CPR-C2 was obtained by the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method using PEG 3350 as the precipitant. The crystal diffracted X-rays to 1.7 Å resolution on beamline NW12A of the Photon Factory-Advanced Ring (Tsukuba, Japan). The crystal belonged to space group P212121, with unit-cell parameters a = 55.02, b = 68.30, c = 68.93 Å. The Matthews coefficient (V M = 1.76 Å3 Da−1) indicated that the crystal contained one CPR-C2 molecule per asymmetric unit. PMID:19923737

  16. Purification, cloning, functional expression and characterization of perakine reductase: the first example from the AKR enzyme family, extending the alkaloidal network of the plant Rauvolfia.

    PubMed

    Sun, Lianli; Ruppert, Martin; Sheludko, Yuri; Warzecha, Heribert; Zhao, Yu; Stöckigt, Joachim

    2008-07-01

    Perakine reductase (PR) catalyzes an NADPH-dependent step in a side-branch of the 10-step biosynthetic pathway of the alkaloid ajmaline. The enzyme was cloned by a "reverse-genetic" approach from cell suspension cultures of the plant Rauvolfia serpentina (Apocynaceae) and functionally expressed in Escherichia coli as the N-terminal His(6)-tagged protein. PR displays a broad substrate acceptance, converting 16 out of 28 tested compounds with reducible carbonyl function which belong to three substrate groups: benzaldehyde, cinnamic aldehyde derivatives and monoterpenoid indole alkaloids. The enzyme has an extraordinary selectivity in the group of alkaloids. Sequence alignments define PR as a new member of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) super family, exhibiting the conserved catalytic tetrad Asp52, Tyr57, Lys84, His126. Site-directed mutagenesis of each of these functional residues to an alanine residue results in >97.8% loss of enzyme activity, in compounds of each substrate group. PR represents the first example of the large AKR-family which is involved in the biosynthesis of plant monoterpenoid indole alkaloids. In addition to a new esterase, PR significantly extends the Rauvolfia alkaloid network to the novel group of peraksine alkaloids.

  17. A spontaneously immortalized Schwann cell line from aldose reductase-deficient mice as a useful tool for studying polyol pathway and aldehyde metabolism.

    PubMed

    Niimi, Naoko; Yako, Hideji; Takaku, Shizuka; Kato, Hiroshi; Matsumoto, Takafumi; Nishito, Yasumasa; Watabe, Kazuhiko; Ogasawara, Saori; Mizukami, Hiroki; Yagihashi, Soroku; Chung, Sookja K; Sango, Kazunori

    2018-03-01

    The increased glucose flux into the polyol pathway via aldose reductase (AR) is recognized as a major contributing factor for the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy, whereas little is known about the functional significance of AR in the peripheral nervous system. Spontaneously immortalized Schwann cell lines established from long-term cultures of AR-deficient and normal C57BL/6 mouse dorsal root ganglia and peripheral nerves can be useful tools for studying the physiological and pathological roles of AR. These cell lines, designated as immortalized knockout AR Schwann cells 1 (IKARS1) and 1970C3, respectively, demonstrated distinctive Schwann cell phenotypes, such as spindle-shaped morphology and immunoreactivity to S100, p75 neurotrophin receptor, and vimentin, and extracellular release of neurotrophic factors. Conditioned media obtained from these cells promoted neuronal survival and neurite outgrowth of cultured adult mouse dorsal root ganglia neurons. Microarray and real-time RT-PCR analyses revealed significantly down-regulated mRNA expression of polyol pathway-related enzymes, sorbitol dehydrogenase and ketohexokinase, in IKARS1 cells compared with those in 1970C3 cells. In contrast, significantly up-regulated mRNA expression of aldo-keto reductases (AKR1B7 and AKR1B8) and aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDH1L2, ALDH5A1, and ALDH7A1) was detected in IKARS1 cells compared with 1970C3 cells. Exposure to reactive aldehydes (3-deoxyglucosone, methylglyoxal, and 4-hydroxynonenal) significantly up-regulated the mRNA expression of AKR1B7 and AKR1B8 in IKARS1 cells, but not in 1970C3 cells. Because no significant differences in viability between these two cell lines after exposure to these aldehydes were observed, it can be assumed that the aldehyde detoxification is taken over by AKR1B7 and AKR1B8 in the absence of AR. © 2017 International Society for Neurochemistry.

  18. Structure of the G225P/G226P mutant of mouse 3(17)alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C21) ternary complex: implications for the binding of inhibitor and substrate.

    PubMed

    Dhagat, Urmi; Endo, Satoshi; Mamiya, Hiroaki; Hara, Akira; El-Kabbani, Ossama

    2009-03-01

    3(17)alpha-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C21) is a unique member of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily owing to its ability to reduce 17-ketosteroids to 17alpha-hydroxysteroids, as opposed to other members of the AKR family, which can only produce 17beta-hydroxysteroids. In this paper, the crystal structure of a double mutant (G225P/G226P) of AKR1C21 in complex with the coenzyme NADP(+) and the inhibitor hexoestrol refined at 2.1 A resolution is presented. Kinetic analysis and molecular-modelling studies of 17alpha- and 17beta-hydroxysteroid substrates in the active site of AKR1C21 suggested that Gly225 and Gly226 play an important role in determining the substrate stereospecificity of the enzyme. Additionally, the G225P/G226P mutation of the enzyme reduced the affinity (K(m)) for both 3alpha- and 17alpha-hydroxysteroid substrates by up to 160-fold, indicating that these residues are critical for the binding of substrates.

  19. Maternal and offspring genetic variants of AKR1C3 and the risk of childhood leukemia

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Chen-yu; Hsu, Yi-Hsiang; Pan, Pi-Chen; Wu, Ming-Tsang; Ho, Chi-Kung; Su, Li; Xu, Xin; Li, Yi; Christiani, David C.

    2008-01-01

    The aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) gene located on chromosome 10p15-p14, a regulator of myeloid cell proliferation and differentiation, represents an important candidate gene for studying human carcinogenesis. In a prospectively enrolled population-based case–control study of Han Chinese conducted in Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan, a total of 114 leukemia cases and 221 controls <20 years old were recruited between November 1997 and December 2005. The present study set out to evaluate the association between childhood leukemia and both maternal and offspring's genotypes. To do so, we conducted a systematic assessment of common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the 5′ flanking 10 kb to 3′ UTR of AKR1C3 gene. Gln5His and three tagSNPs (rs2245191, rs10508293 and rs3209896) and one multimarker (rs2245191, rs10508293 and rs3209896) were selected with average 90% coverage of untagged SNPs by using the HapMap II data set. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were adjusted for age and gender. After correcting for multiple comparisons, we observed that risk of developing childhood leukemia is significantly associated with rs10508293 polymorphism on intron 4 of the AKR1C3 gene in both offspring alone and in the combined maternal and offspring genotypes (nominal P < 0.0001, permutation P < 0.005). The maternal methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase A1298C polymorphism was found to be an effect modifier of the maternal intron 4 polymorphism of the AKR1C3 gene (rs10508293) and the childhood leukemia risk. In conclusion, this study suggests that AKR1C3 polymorphisms may be important predictive markers for childhood leukemia susceptibility. PMID:18339682

  20. Effect of thermal stability on protein adsorption to silica using homologous aldo-keto reductases

    PubMed Central

    Felsovalyi, Flora; Patel, Tushar; Mangiagalli, Paolo; Kumar, Sanat K; Banta, Scott

    2012-01-01

    Gaining more insight into the mechanisms governing the behavior of proteins at solid/liquid interfaces is particularly relevant in the interaction of high-value biologics with storage and delivery device surfaces, where adsorption-induced conformational changes may dramatically affect biocompatibility. The impact of structural stability on interfacial behavior has been previously investigated by engineering nonwild-type stability mutants. Potential shortcomings of such approaches include only modest changes in thermostability, and the introduction of changes in the topology of the proteins when disulfide bonds are incorporated. Here we employ two members of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily (alcohol dehydrogenase, AdhD and human aldose reductase, hAR) to gain a new perspective on the role of naturally occurring thermostability on adsorbed protein arrangement and its subsequent impact on desorption. Unexpectedly, we find that during initial adsorption events, both proteins have similar affinity to the substrate and undergo nearly identical levels of structural perturbation. Interesting differences between AdhD and hAR occur during desorption and both proteins exhibit some level of activity loss and irreversible conformational change upon desorption. Although such surface-induced denaturation is expected for the less stable hAR, it is remarkable that the extremely thermostable AdhD is similarly affected by adsorption-induced events. These results question the role of thermal stability as a predictor of protein adsorption/desorption behavior. PMID:22619179

  1. Effect of thermal stability on protein adsorption to silica using homologous aldo-keto reductases.

    PubMed

    Felsovalyi, Flora; Patel, Tushar; Mangiagalli, Paolo; Kumar, Sanat K; Banta, Scott

    2012-08-01

    Gaining more insight into the mechanisms governing the behavior of proteins at solid/liquid interfaces is particularly relevant in the interaction of high-value biologics with storage and delivery device surfaces, where adsorption-induced conformational changes may dramatically affect biocompatibility. The impact of structural stability on interfacial behavior has been previously investigated by engineering nonwild-type stability mutants. Potential shortcomings of such approaches include only modest changes in thermostability, and the introduction of changes in the topology of the proteins when disulfide bonds are incorporated. Here we employ two members of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily (alcohol dehydrogenase, AdhD and human aldose reductase, hAR) to gain a new perspective on the role of naturally occurring thermostability on adsorbed protein arrangement and its subsequent impact on desorption. Unexpectedly, we find that during initial adsorption events, both proteins have similar affinity to the substrate and undergo nearly identical levels of structural perturbation. Interesting differences between AdhD and hAR occur during desorption and both proteins exhibit some level of activity loss and irreversible conformational change upon desorption. Although such surface-induced denaturation is expected for the less stable hAR, it is remarkable that the extremely thermostable AdhD is similarly affected by adsorption-induced events. These results question the role of thermal stability as a predictor of protein adsorption/desorption behavior. Copyright © 2012 The Protein Society.

  2. Novel SNPs of WNK1 and AKR1C3 are associated with preeclampsia.

    PubMed

    Sun, Cheng-Juan; Li, Lin; Li, Xueyan; Zhang, Wei-Yuan; Liu, Xiao-Wei

    2018-08-20

    Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy and is one of the most common causes of poor perinatal outcomes. Preeclampsia increases the risk of hypertension in the future. Variants of WNK1 (lysine deficient protein kinase 1), ADRB2 (β2 adrenergic receptor), NEDD4L (ubiquitin-protein ligase NEDD4-like), KLK1 (kallikrein 1) contribute to hypertension, and AKR1C3 (aldo-keto reductase family1 member C3), is associated with preeclampsia. The association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in these five candidate preeclampsia susceptibility genes and the related traits in Chinese individuals were investigated. In this study, 13 SNPs of the five genes were genotyped in 276 preeclampsia patients and 229 age- and area-matched normal pregnancies in women of Chinese Northern Han origin. The 95% confidence interval (CI) and odds ratio (OR) were estimated by binary logistic regression. No obvious linkage disequilibrium or haplotypes were observed among these SNPs. Those with GG genotype and allele G of AKR1C3 (rs10508293) had a decreased risk of preeclampsia (adjusted OR = 3.011, 95% CI = 1.758-5.159, and adjusted OR = 1.745, 95% CI = 1.349-2.257, respectively). The AA genotype and allele A of WNK1 (rs1468326) were significantly associated with an increased risk in preeclampsia (adjusted OR = 2.307, 95% CI = 1.206-3.443, and adjusted OR = 1.663, 95% CI = 1.283-2.157, respectively). The findings indicate that the GG genotype of AKR1C3 rs10508293 is associated with decreased risk for preeclampsia and the AA genotype of WNK1 rs1468326 are related with an increased risk for preeclampsia. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. 5β-Reduced Steroids and Human Δ4-3-Ketosteroid 5β-Reductase (AKR1D1)

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Mo; Penning, Trevor M.

    2014-01-01

    5β-Reduced steroids are non-planar steroids that have 90° bend in their structure to create an A/B cis-ring junction. This novel property is required for bile-acids to act as emulsifiers, but in addition 5β-reduced steroids have remarkable physiology and may act as potent tocolytic agents, endogenous cardiac glycosides, neurosteroids, and can act as ligands for orphan and membrane bound receptors. In humans there is only a single 5β-reductase gene AKR1D1, which encodes Δ4-3-ketosteroid-5β-reductase (AKR1D1). This enzyme is a member of the aldoketo reductase superfamily, but possesses an altered catalytic tetrad, in which Glu120 replaces the conserved His residue. This predominant liver enzyme generates all 5β-dihydrosteroids in the C19–C27 steroid series. Mutations exist in the AKR1D1 gene, which result in loss of protein stability and are causative in bile-acid deficiency. PMID:24513054

  4. Quality of life effects of androgen deprivation therapy in a prostate cancer cohort in New Zealand: can we minimize effects using a stratification based on the aldo-keto reductase family 1, member C3 rs12529 gene polymorphism?

    PubMed

    Karunasinghe, Nishi; Zhu, Yifei; Han, Dug Yeo; Lange, Katja; Zhu, Shuotun; Wang, Alice; Ellett, Stephanie; Masters, Jonathan; Goudie, Megan; Keogh, Justin; Benjamin, Benji; Holmes, Michael; Ferguson, Lynnette R

    2016-08-02

    Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is an effective palliation treatment in men with advanced prostate cancer (PC). However, ADT has well documented side effects that could alter the patient's health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The current study aims to test whether a genetic stratification could provide better knowledge for optimising ADT options to minimize HRQoL effects. A cohort of 206 PC survivors (75 treated with and 131 without ADT) was recruited with written consent to collect patient characteristics, clinical data and HRQoL data related to PC management. The primary outcomes were the percentage scores under each HRQoL subscale assessed using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life questionnaires (QLQ-C30 and PR25) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales developed by the University of Melbourne, Australia. Genotyping of these men was carried out for the aldo-keto reductase family 1, member C3 (AKR1C3) rs12529 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). Analysis of HRQoL scores were carried out against ADT duration and in association with the AKR1C3 rs12529 SNP using the generalised linear model. P-values <0 · 05 were considered significant, and were further tested for restriction with Bonferroni correction. Increase in hormone treatment-related effects were recorded with long-term ADT compared to no ADT. The C and G allele frequencies of the AKR1C3rs12529 SNP were 53·4 % and 46·6 % respectively. Hormone treatment-related symptoms showed an increase with ADT when associated with the AKR1C3 rs12529 G allele. Meanwhile, decreasing trends on cancer-specific symptoms and increased sexual interest were recorded with no ADT when associated with the AKR1C3 rs12529 G allele and reverse trends with the C allele. As higher incidence of cancer-specific symptoms relate to cancer retention it is possible that associated with the C allele there could be higher incidence of unresolved cancers under no ADT options. If these

  5. Fundamentals and Bioengineering of Enzymatic Fuel Cells. Part 1. Bioengineering of Enzymes as Electrocatalysts

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-01-31

    assembles to form a thermostable. 3-dimensionaI supramolecular hydrogel that has aldo-keto reductase ( AKR ) activity. This is again accomplished... AKR activity, AdhD from Pyrococcus furiosus2*. The monomers are able to self-assemble into a bioactive enzymatic hydrogel that is stable to...temperatures in excess of 60 °C. AdhD is a member of the AKR superfamily that catalyzes the oxidation of secondary alcohols under basic conditions (optimum pH

  6. Kinetic alteration of a human dihydrodiol/3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isoenzyme, AKR1C4, by replacement of histidine-216 with tyrosine or phenylalanine.

    PubMed Central

    Ohta, T; Ishikura, S; Shintani, S; Usami, N; Hara, A

    2000-01-01

    Human dihydrodiol dehydrogenase with 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity exists in four forms (AKR1C1-1C4) that belong to the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) family. Recent crystallographic studies on the other proteins in this family have indicated a role for a tyrosine residue (corresponding to position 216 in these isoenzymes) in stacking the nicotinamide ring of the coenzyme. This tyrosine residue is conserved in most AKR family members including AKR1C1-1C3, but is replaced with histidine in AKR1C4 and phenylalanine in some AKR members. In the present study we prepared mutant enzymes of AKR1C4 in which His-216 was replaced with tyrosine or phenylalanine. The two mutations decreased 3-fold the K(m) for NADP(+) and differently influenced the K(m) and k(cat) for substrates depending on their structures. The kinetic constants for bile acids with a 12alpha-hydroxy group were decreased 1.5-7-fold and those for the other substrates were increased 1.3-9-fold. The mutation also yielded different changes in sensitivity to competitive inhibitors such as hexoestrol analogues, 17beta-oestradiol, phenolphthalein and flufenamic acid and 3,5,3', 5'-tetraiodothyropropionic acid analogues. Furthermore, the mutation decreased the stimulatory effects of the enzyme activity by sulphobromophthalein, clofibric acid and thyroxine, which increased the K(m) for the coenzyme and substrate of the mutant enzymes more highly than those of the wild-type enzyme. These results indicate the importance of this histidine residue in creating the cavity of the substrate-binding site of AKR1C4 through the orientation of the nicotinamide ring of the coenzyme, as well as its involvement in the conformational change by binding non-essential activators. PMID:11104674

  7. Aldo-keto reductase and alcohol dehydrogenase contribute to benznidazole natural resistance in Trypanosoma cruzi.

    PubMed

    González, Laura; García-Huertas, Paola; Triana-Chávez, Omar; García, Gabriela Andrea; Murta, Silvane Maria Fonseca; Mejía-Jaramillo, Ana M

    2017-12-01

    The improvement of Chagas disease treatment is focused not only on the development of new drugs but also in understanding mechanisms of action and resistance to drugs conventionally used. Thus, some strategies aim to detect specific changes in proteins between sensitive and resistant parasites and to evaluate the role played in these processes by functional genomics. In this work, we used a natural Trypanosoma cruzi population resistant to benznidazole, which has clones with different susceptibilities to this drug without alterations in the NTR I gene. Using 2DE-gel electrophoresis, the aldo-keto reductase and the alcohol dehydrogenase proteins were found up regulated in the natural resistant clone and therefore their possible role in the resistance to benznidazole and glyoxal was investigated. Both genes were overexpressed in a drug sensitive T. cruzi clone and the biological changes in response to these compounds were evaluated. The results showed that the overexpression of these proteins enhances resistance to benznidazole and glyoxal in T. cruzi. Moreover, a decrease in mitochondrial and cell membrane damage was observed, accompanied by a drop in the intracellular concentration of reactive oxygen species after treatment. Our results suggest that these proteins are involved in the mechanism of action of benznidazole. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  8. Modulation of AKR1C2 by curcumin decreases testosterone production in prostate cancer.

    PubMed

    Ide, Hisamitsu; Lu, Yan; Noguchi, Takahiro; Muto, Satoru; Okada, Hiroshi; Kawato, Suguru; Horie, Shigeo

    2018-04-01

    Intratumoral androgen biosynthesis has been recognized as an essential factor of castration-resistant prostate cancer. The present study investigated the effects of curcumin on the inhibition of intracrine androgen synthesis in prostate cancer. Human prostate cancer cell lines, LNCaP and 22Rv1 cells were incubated with or without curcumin after which cell proliferation was measured at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours, respectively. Prostate tissues from the transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) model were obtained after 1-month oral administration of 200 mg/kg/d curcumin. Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone concentrations in LNCaP prostate cancer cells were determined through LC-MS/MS assay. Curcumin inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis of prostate cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Curcumin decreased the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory proteins, CYP11A1 and HSD3B2 in prostate cancer cell lines, supporting the decrease of testosterone production. After 1-month oral administration of curcumin, Aldo-Keto reductase 1C2 (AKR1C2) expression was elevated. Simultaneously, decreased testosterone levels in the prostate tissues were observed in the TRAMP mice. Meanwhile, curcumin treatments considerably increased the expression of AKR1C2 in prostate cancer cell lines, supporting the decrease of dihydrotestosterone. Taken together, these results suggest that curcumin's natural bioactive compounds could have potent anticancer properties due to suppression of androgen production, and this could have therapeutic effects on prostate cancer. © 2018 The Authors. Cancer Science published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japanese Cancer Association.

  9. Gender-specific association of variants in the AKR1C1 gene with dimensional anxiety in patients with panic disorder: additional evidence for the importance of neurosteroids in anxiety?

    PubMed

    Quast, Carina; Reif, Andreas; Brückl, Tanja; Pfister, Hildegard; Weber, Heike; Mattheisen, Manuel; Cichon, Sven; Lang, Thomas; Hamm, Alfons; Fehm, Lydia; Ströhle, Andreas; Arolt, Volker; Domschke, Katharina; Kircher, Tilo; Wittchen, Hans-Ulrich; Pauli, Paul; Gerlach, Alexander L; Alpers, Georg W; Deckert, Jürgen; Rupprecht, Rainer; Binder, Elisabeth B; Erhardt, Angelika

    2014-10-01

    Neurosteroids are synthesized both in brain and peripheral steroidogenic tissue from cholesterol or steroidal precursors. Neurosteroids have been shown to be implicated in neural proliferation, differentiation, and activity. Preclinical and clinical studies also suggest a modulatory role of neurosteroids in anxiety-related phenotypes. However, little is known about the contribution of genetic variants in genes relevant for the neurosteroidogenesis to anxiety disorders. We performed an association analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in five genes related to the neurosteroidal pathway with emphasis on progesterone and allopregnanolone biosynthesis (steroid-5-alpha-reductase 1A (SRD5A1), aldo-keto reductase family 1 C1-C3 (AKR1C1-AKR1C3) and translocator protein 18 kDA (TSPO) with panic disorder (PD) and dimensional anxiety in two German PD samples (cases N = 522, controls N = 1,115). Case-control analysis for PD and SNPs in the five selected genes was negative in the combined sample. However, we detected a significant association of anticipatory anxiety with two intronic SNPs (rs3930965, rs41314625) located in the gene AKR1C1 surviving correction for multiple testing in PD patients. Stratification analysis for gender revealed a female-specific effect of the associations of both SNPs. These results suggest a modulatory effect of AKR1C1 activity on anxiety levels, most likely through changes in progesterone and allopregnanolone levels within and outside the brain. In summary, this is the first evidence for the gender-specific implication of the AKR1C1 gene in the expression of anticipatory anxiety in PD. Further analyses to unravel the functional role of the SNPs detected here and replication analyses are needed to validate our results. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  10. Synergistic suppression of early phase of adipogenesis by microsomal PGE synthase-1 (PTGES1)-produced PGE2 and aldo-keto reductase 1B3-produced PGF2α.

    PubMed

    Fujimori, Ko; Yano, Mutsumi; Ueno, Toshiyuki

    2012-01-01

    We recently reported that aldo-keto reductase 1B3-produced prostaglandin (PG) F(2α) suppressed the early phase of adipogenesis. PGE(2) is also known to suppress adipogenesis. In this study, we found that microsomal PGE(2) synthase (PGES)-1 (mPGES-1; PTGES1) acted as the PGES in adipocytes and that PGE(2) and PGF(2α) synergistically suppressed the early phase of adipogenesis. PGE(2) production was detected in preadipocytes and transiently enhanced at 3 h after the initiation of adipogenesis of mouse adipocytic 3T3-L1 cells, followed by a quick decrease; and its production profile was similar to the expression of the cyclooxygenase-2 (PTGS2) gene. When 3T3-L1 cells were transfected with siRNAs for any one of the three major PTGESs, i.e., PTGES1, PTGES2 (mPGES-2), and PTGES3 (cytosolic PGES), only PTGES1 siRNA suppressed PGE(2) production and enhanced the expression of adipogenic genes. AE1-329, a PTGER4 (EP4) receptor agonist, increased the expression of the Ptgs2 gene with a peak at 1 h after the initiation of adipogenesis. PGE(2)-mediated enhancement of the PTGS2 expression was suppressed by the co-treatment with L-161982, a PTGER4 receptor antagonist. Moreover, AE1-329 enhanced the expression of the Ptgs2 gene by binding of the cyclic AMP response element (CRE)-binding protein to the CRE of the Ptgs2 promoter; and its binding was suppressed by co-treatment with L-161982, which was demonstrated by promoter luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Furthermore, when 3T3-L1 cells were caused to differentiate into adipocytes in medium containing both PGE(2) and PGF(2α), the expression of the adipogenic genes and the intracellular triglyceride level were decreased to a greater extent than in medium containing either of them, revealing that PGE(2) and PGF(2α) independently suppressed adipogenesis. These results indicate that PGE(2) was synthesized by PTGES1 in adipocytes and synergistically suppressed the early phase of adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells in

  11. Synergistic Suppression of Early Phase of Adipogenesis by Microsomal PGE Synthase-1 (PTGES1)-Produced PGE2 and Aldo-Keto Reductase 1B3-Produced PGF2α

    PubMed Central

    Fujimori, Ko; Yano, Mutsumi; Ueno, Toshiyuki

    2012-01-01

    We recently reported that aldo-keto reductase 1B3-produced prostaglandin (PG) F2α suppressed the early phase of adipogenesis. PGE2 is also known to suppress adipogenesis. In this study, we found that microsomal PGE2 synthase (PGES)-1 (mPGES-1; PTGES1) acted as the PGES in adipocytes and that PGE2 and PGF2α synergistically suppressed the early phase of adipogenesis. PGE2 production was detected in preadipocytes and transiently enhanced at 3 h after the initiation of adipogenesis of mouse adipocytic 3T3-L1 cells, followed by a quick decrease; and its production profile was similar to the expression of the cyclooxygenase-2 (PTGS2) gene. When 3T3-L1 cells were transfected with siRNAs for any one of the three major PTGESs, i.e., PTGES1, PTGES2 (mPGES-2), and PTGES3 (cytosolic PGES), only PTGES1 siRNA suppressed PGE2 production and enhanced the expression of adipogenic genes. AE1-329, a PTGER4 (EP4) receptor agonist, increased the expression of the Ptgs2 gene with a peak at 1 h after the initiation of adipogenesis. PGE2-mediated enhancement of the PTGS2 expression was suppressed by the co-treatment with L-161982, a PTGER4 receptor antagonist. Moreover, AE1-329 enhanced the expression of the Ptgs2 gene by binding of the cyclic AMP response element (CRE)-binding protein to the CRE of the Ptgs2 promoter; and its binding was suppressed by co-treatment with L-161982, which was demonstrated by promoter luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Furthermore, when 3T3-L1 cells were caused to differentiate into adipocytes in medium containing both PGE2 and PGF2α, the expression of the adipogenic genes and the intracellular triglyceride level were decreased to a greater extent than in medium containing either of them, revealing that PGE2 and PGF2α independently suppressed adipogenesis. These results indicate that PGE2 was synthesized by PTGES1 in adipocytes and synergistically suppressed the early phase of adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells in cooperation with PGF2

  12. Type 5 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase/Prostaglandin F Synthase (AKR1C3): Role In Breast Cancer and Inhibition by Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drug Analogs

    PubMed Central

    Byrns, Michael C.; Penning, Trevor M.

    2011-01-01

    Aldo-keto reductase (AKR) 1C3 catalyzes the NADPH dependent reduction of Δ4-androstene-3,17-dione to yield testosterone, reduction of estrone to yield 17β-estradiol and reduction of progesterone to yield 20α-hydroxyprogesterone. In addition, it functions as a prostaglandin (PG) F synthase and reduces PGH2 to PGF2α and PGD2 to 11β-PGF2. Immunohistochemistry showed that AKR1C3 is over expressed in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. Retroviral expression of AKR1C3 in MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells shows that each of the assigned reactions occur in a breast cell microenvironment. Steroid and prostaglandin conversions were monitored by radiochromatography. Prostaglandin conversion was validated by a second method using HPLC coupled to APCI-MRM/MS. The combined effect of the AKR1C3 catalyzed 17- and 20-ketosteroid reductions will be to increase the 17β-estradiol : progesterone ratio in the breast. In addition, formation of PGF2 epimers would activate F prostanoid receptors and deprive PPARγ of its putative anti-proliferative PGJ2 ligands. Thus, AKR1C3 is a source of proliferative signals and a potential therapeutic target for hormone dependent and independent breast cancer. Two strategies for AKR1C3 inhibition based on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were developed. The first strategy uses the Ullmann coupling reaction to generate N-phenylanthranilate derivatives that inhibit AKR1C enzymes without affecting PGH2 synthase (PGHS) 1 or PGHS-2. The second strategy exploits the selective inhibition of AKR1C3 by indomethacin, which did not inhibit highly related AKR1C1 or AKR1C2. Using known structure activity relationships for the inhibition of PGHS-1 and PGHS-2 by indole acetic acids we obtained N-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-melatonin as a specific AKR1C3 inhibitor (KI = 6.0 μM) that does not inhibit PGHS-1, PGHS-2, AKR1C1, or AKR1C2. Both strategies are informed by crystal structures of ternary AKR1C3•NADP+•NSAID complexes. The identification of NSAID analogs as

  13. Progestin effects on expression of AKR1C1-AKR1C3, SRD5A1 and PGR in the Z-12 endometriotic epithelial cell line.

    PubMed

    Beranič, Nataša; Lanišnik Rižner, Tea

    2013-02-25

    Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity. This disease is associated with diminished protective effects of progesterone, which are usually explained by inadequate activation of progesterone receptors and also enhanced pre-receptor metabolism of progesterone. Endometriosis is often treated with progestins, which act as progesterone receptor agonists, although their exact mechanisms of action are not completely understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate how the progestins medroxyprogesterone acetate, dydrogesterone and dienogest, as well as progesterone, impact on the expression of genes of pre-receptor progesterone metabolism in Z-12 epithelial cell line, a model system of peritoneal endometriosis. Our data demonstrate that these progestins affect local pre-receptor metabolism to a different extent. The most favorable effects were seen for dydrogesterone and dienogest, where the first, dydrogesterone, significantly reduced SRD5A1, AKR1C2 and AKR1C3 expression, and additionally had a nonsignificant impact on progesterone receptor B (PR-B) protein levels. This might slow down the first step of pre-receptor metabolism, the conversion of progesterone to 5α-dihydroprogestrone by SRD5A1, and it might also affect further reduction of 3-keto and 20-keto groups catalyzed by AKR1C2 and AKR1C3. Similarly favorable effects were seen for dienogest, which promoted significant reduction of AKR1C1 and AKR1C2 expression and also showed no effect on PR-B protein levels. Different effects were seen for progesterone, which significantly decreased SRD5A1, PR-B and HSD17B2 protein levels. In contrast, treatment with medroxyprogesterone acetate resulted in increased AKR1C1 expression and decreased levels of PR-B, which might lead to enhanced progesterone metabolism and reduced signaling through progesterone receptors. Altogether, our data in this Z-12 cell model suggest that the beneficial effects of treatment

  14. In vitro metabolism of a novel JNK inhibitor tanzisertib: interspecies differences in oxido-reduction and characterization of enzymes involved in metabolism.

    PubMed

    Atsriku, Christian; Hoffmann, Matthew; Moghaddam, Mehran; Kumar, Gondi; Surapaneni, Sekhar

    2015-01-01

    1. In vitro metabolism of Tanzisertib [(1S,4R)-4-(9-((S)tetrahydrofuran-3-yl)-8-(2,4,6-trifluorophenylamino)-9H-purin-2-ylamino) cyclohexanol], a potent, selective c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor, was investigated in mouse, rat, rabbit, dog, monkey and human hepatocytes over 4 h. The extent of metabolism of [(14)C]tanzisertib was variable, with <10% metabolized in dog and human, <20% metabolized in rabbit and monkey and >75% metabolized in rat and mouse. Primary metabolic pathways in human and dog hepatocytes, were direct glucuronidation and oxidation of cyclohexanol to a keto metabolite, which was subsequently reduced to parent or cis-isomer, followed by glucuronidation. Rat and mouse produced oxidative metabolites and cis-isomer, including direct glucuronides and sulfates of tanzisertib and cis-isomer. 2. Enzymology of oxido-reductive pathways revealed that human aldo-keto reductases AKR1C1, 1C2, 1C3 and 1C4 were responsible for oxido-reduction of tanzisertib, CC-418424 and keto tanzisertib. Characterizations of enzyme kinetics revealed that AKR1C4 had a high affinity for reduction of keto tanzisertib to tanzisertib compared to other isoforms. These results demonstrate unique stereoselectivity of the reductive properties documented by human AKR1C enzymes for the same substrate. 3. Characterization of UGT isoenzymes in glucuronidation of tanzisertib and CC-418424 revealed that, tanzisertib glucuronide was catalyzed by: UGT1A1, 1A4, 1A10 and 2B4, while CC-418424 glucuronidation was catalyzed by UGT2B4 and 2B7.

  15. Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel RSK Inhibitors in a Living Human Breast Model

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-07-01

    surprising. However, MCF7 cells express aldo-keto reductases ( AKRs ), well known to be Phase I metabolizing enzymes for a variety of drugs bearing...Inhibitors in a Living Human Breast Model PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dr. Michael Hilinski CONTRACTING ORGANIZATION: The University of...that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it

  16. Genomic structure of rat 3alpha-hydroxysteroid/dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (3alpha-HSD/DD, AKR1C9).

    PubMed

    Lin, H K; Hung, C F; Moore, M; Penning, T M

    1999-11-01

    Rat liver 3alpha-hydroxysteroid/dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (3alpha-HSD/DD) is a member of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily. It is involved in the inactivation of steroid hormones and the metabolic activation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) by converting trans-dihydrodiols into reactive and redox-active o-quinones. The structure of the 5'-flanking region of the gene and factors involved in the constitutive and regulated expression of this gene have been reported [H.-K. Lin, T.M. Penning, Cloning, sequencing, and functional analysis of the 5'-flanking region of the rat 3alpha-hydroxysteroid/dihydrodiol dehydrogenase gene, Cancer Res. 55 (1995) 4105-4113]. We now describe the complete genomic structure of the rat type 1 3alpha-HSD/DD gene. Charon 4A and P1 genomic clones contained at least three rat genes (type 1, type 2 and type 3 3alpha-HSD/DD) each of which encoded for the same open reading frame (ORF) but differed in their exon-intron organization. 5'-RACE confirmed that the type 1 3alpha-HSD/DD gene encodes for the dominant transcript in rat liver and it was the regulation of this gene that was previously studied. The rat type 1 3alpha-HSD/DD gene is 30 kb in length and consists of nine exons and eight introns. Exon 9 encodes +931 to 966 bp of the ORF and the 1292 bp 3'-UTR implicated in mRNA stability. This genomic structure is nearly identical to the homologous human genes, type 1 3alpha-HSD (chlordecone reductase/DD4, AKR1C4), type 2 3alpha-HSD (AKR1C3) and type 3 3alpha-HSD (bile-acid binding protein, AKR1C2) genes. Three different cDNA's containing identical ORFs for 3alpha-HSD have been reported suggesting that all three genes may be expressed in rat liver. Using 5' primers corresponding to the 5'-UTR's of the three different cDNA's only one PCR fragment was obtained and corresponded to the type 1 3alpha-HSD/DD gene. These data suggested that the type 2 and type 3 3alpha-HSD/DD genes are not abundantly expressed in rat liver. It is unknown

  17. Integration of HPV6 and Downregulation of AKR1C3 Expression Mark Malignant Transformation in a Patient with Juvenile-Onset Laryngeal Papillomatosis

    PubMed Central

    Kolligs, Jutta; Vent, Julia; Stenner, Markus; Wieland, Ulrike; Silling, Steffi; Drebber, Uta; Speel, Ernst-Jan M.; Klussmann, Jens Peter

    2013-01-01

    Juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is associated with low risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6 and 11. Malignant transformation has been reported solely for HPV11-associated RRP in 2–4% of all RRP-cases, but not for HPV6. The molecular mechanisms in the carcinogenesis of low risk HPV-associated cancers are to date unknown. We report of a female patient, who presented with a laryngeal carcinoma at the age of 24 years. She had a history of juvenile-onset RRP with an onset at the age of three and subsequently several hundred surgical interventions due to multiple recurrences of RRP. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or bead-based hybridization followed by direct sequencing identified HPV6 in tissue sections of previous papilloma and the carcinoma. P16INK4A, p53 and pRb immunostainings were negative in all lesions. HPV6 specific fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed nuclear staining suggesting episomal virus in the papilloma and a single integration site in the carcinoma. Integration-specific amplification of papillomavirus oncogene transcripts PCR (APOT-PCR) showed integration in the aldo-keto reductase 1C3 gene (AKR1C3) on chromosome 10p15.1. ArrayCGH detected loss of the other gene copy as part of a deletion at 10p14-p15.2. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry of the protein AKR1C3 showed a marked reduction of its expression in the carcinoma. In conclusion, we identified a novel molecular mechanism underlying a first case of HPV6-associated laryngeal carcinoma in juvenile-onset RRP, i.e. that HPV6 integration in the AKR1C3 gene resulted in loss of its expression. Alterations of AKR1C gene expression have previously been implicated in the tumorigenesis of other (HPV-related) malignancies. PMID:23437342

  18. Facile fabrication of CdSe/CdS quantum dots and their application on the screening of colorectal cancer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cao, Hongfeng; Dong, Quanjin; Hu, Li; Tu, Shiliang; Chai, Rui; Dai, Qiaoqiong

    2015-11-01

    In this paper, a facile aqueous route to water-soluble CdSe/CdS quantum dots (QDs) under mild conditions has been developed. The samples were characterized by means of transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The PL property of the QDs can be controlled by adjusting the reaction time. The CdSe/CdS QDs after 48-h reaction with size of 5 nm have the strongest PL intensity located at 553 nm, and the highest quantum yield of 19.9 %. The obtained QDs were applied for the colorectal cancer screening. The QDs could be conjugated with antibody of aldo-keto reductase family 1, member B10 (AKR1B10) for the detection of AKR1B10. The AKR1B10 in PBS/5 % serum solution with concentration of 1 ng/mL could be well calibrated, and the limit of detection could be lower than 0.05 ng/mL.

  19. Crystal Structure of Human Liver delta {4}-3-Ketosteroid 5 beta-Reductase (AKR1D1) and Implications for Substrate Binding and Catalysis

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Di Costanzo,L.; Drury, J.; Penning, T.

    2008-01-01

    AKR1D1 (steroid 5{beta}-reductase) reduces all 4-3-ketosteroids to form 5{beta}-dihydrosteroids, a first step in the clearance of steroid hormones and an essential step in the synthesis of all bile acids. The reduction of the carbon-carbon double bond in an a,{beta}-unsaturated ketone by 5{beta}-reductase is a unique reaction in steroid enzymology because hydride transfer from NADPH to the {beta}-face of a 4-3-ketosteroid yields a cis-A/B-ring configuration with an {approx}90 bend in steroid structure. Here, we report the first x-ray crystal structure of a mammalian steroid hormone carbon-carbon double bond reductase, human 4-3-ketosteroid 5{beta}-reductase (AKR1D1), and its complexes with intact substrates. We havemore » determined the structures of AKR1D1 complexes with NADP+ at 1.79- and 1.35- Angstroms resolution (HEPES bound in the active site), NADP+ and cortisone at 1.90- Angstroms resolution, NADP+ and progesterone at 2.03- Angstroms resolution, and NADP+ and testosterone at 1.62- Angstroms resolution. Complexes with cortisone and progesterone reveal productive substrate binding orientations based on the proximity of each steroid carbon-carbon double bond to the re-face of the nicotinamide ring of NADP+. This orientation would permit 4-pro-(R)-hydride transfer from NADPH. Each steroid carbonyl accepts hydrogen bonds from catalytic residues Tyr58 and Glu120. The Y58F and E120A mutants are devoid of activity, supporting a role for this dyad in the catalytic mechanism. Intriguingly, testosterone binds nonproductively, thereby rationalizing the substrate inhibition observed with this particular steroid. The locations of disease-linked mutations thought to be responsible for bile acid deficiency are also revealed.« less

  20. CHARACTERIZATION OF STABLE BENZO(A)PYRENE-7,8-QUINONE-DNA ADDUCTS IN CALF THYMUS DNA

    EPA Science Inventory

    Benzo[alpyrene-7,8-dione (BPQ) is a reactive aldo-keto reductase-mediated product of B[a]P-7,8-diol, a major P450/epoxide hydrolase metabolite of the multi-species carcinogen, B[a]P. The role of BPQ in B[a]P's genotoxicity and carcinogenesis is evolving. Toxicity pathways involvi...

  1. CHARACTERIZATION OF STABLE BENZOLALPYRENE-7,8-QUINONE-DNA ADDUCTS IN CALF THYMUS DNA AND POLYDEOXYNUCLEOTIDES

    EPA Science Inventory

    Bcnzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dione (BPQ) is a reactive aldo-keto reductase-mediated product of B[a]P-7,8-diol, a major P450/epoxide hydrolase metabolite of the multi-species carcinogen, B[a]P. The role of BPQ in B[a]P's genotoxicity and carcinogenesis is evolving. Toxicity pathways involvi...

  2. Structural and biochemical analyses of YvgN and YtbE from Bacillus subtilis

    PubMed Central

    Lei, Jian; Zhou, Yan-Feng; Li, Lan-Fen; Su, Xiao-Dong

    2009-01-01

    Bacillus subtilis is one of the most studied gram-positive bacteria. In this work, YvgN and YtbE from B. subtilis, assigned as AKR5G1 and AKR5G2 of aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily. AKR catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reduction of aldehyde or aldose substrates to alcohols. YvgN and YtbE were studied by crystallographic and enzymatic analyses. The apo structures of these proteins were determined by molecular replacement, and the structure of holoenzyme YvgN with NADPH was also solved, revealing the conformational changes upon cofactor binding. Our biochemical data suggest both YvgN and YtbE have preferential specificity for derivatives of benzaldehyde, such as nitryl or halogen group substitution at the 2 or 4 positions. These proteins also showed broad catalytic activity on many standard substrates of AKR, such as glyoxal, dihydroxyacetone, and DL-glyceraldehyde, suggesting a possible role in bacterial detoxification. PMID:19585557

  3. Structure based comprehensive modelling, spatial fingerprints mapping and ADME screening of curcumin analogues as novel ALR2 inhibitors

    PubMed Central

    Verma, Sant Kumar

    2017-01-01

    Aldose reductase (ALR2) inhibition is the most legitimate approach for the management of diabetic complications. The limited triumph in the drug development against ALR2 is mainly because of its close structural similarity with the other members of aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily viz. ALR1, AKR1B10; and lipophilicity problem i.e. poor diffusion of synthetic aldose reductase inhibitors (ARIs) to target tissues. The literature evidenced that naturally occurring curcumin demonstrates relatively specific and non-competitive inhibition towards human recombinant ALR2 over ALR1 and AKR1B10; however β-diketone moiety of curcumin is a specific substrate for liver AKRs and accountable for it’s rapid in vivo metabolism. In the present study, structure based comprehensive modelling studies were used to map the pharmacophoric features/spatial fingerprints of curcumin analogues responsible for their ALR2 specificity along with potency on a data set of synthetic curcumin analogues and naturally occurring curcuminoids. The data set molecules were also screened for drug-likeness or ADME parameters, and the screening data strongly support that curcumin analogues could be proposed as a good drug candidate for the development of ALR2 inhibitors with improved pharmacokinetic profile compared to curcuminoids due to the absence of β-diketone moiety in their structural framework. PMID:28399135

  4. Crystal Structure of Human Liver [delta][superscript 4]-3-Ketosteroid 5[beta]-Reductase (AKR1D1) and Implications for Substrate Binding and Catalysis

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Di Costanzo, Luigi; Drury, Jason E.; Penning, Trevor M.

    2008-07-15

    AKR1D1 (steroid 5{beta}-reductase) reduces all {Delta}{sup 4}-3-ketosteroids to form 5{beta}-dihydrosteroids, a first step in the clearance of steroid hormones and an essential step in the synthesis of all bile acids. The reduction of the carbon-carbon double bond in an {alpha}{beta}-unsaturated ketone by 5{beta}-reductase is a unique reaction in steroid enzymology because hydride transfer from NADPH to the {beta}-face of a {Delta}{sup 4}-3-ketosteroid yields a cis-A/B-ring configuration with an {approx}90{sup o} bend in steroid structure. Here, we report the first x-ray crystal structure of a mammalian steroid hormone carbon-carbon double bond reductase, human {Delta}{sup 4}-3-ketosteroid 5{beta}-reductase (AKR1D1), and its complexes withmore » intact substrates. We have determined the structures of AKR1D1 complexes with NADP{sup +} at 1.79- and 1.35-{angstrom} resolution (HEPES bound in the active site), NADP{sup +} and cortisone at 1.90-{angstrom} resolution, NADP{sup +} and progesterone at 2.03-{angstrom} resolution, and NADP{sup +} and testosterone at 1.62-{angstrom} resolution. Complexes with cortisone and progesterone reveal productive substrate binding orientations based on the proximity of each steroid carbon-carbon double bond to the re-face of the nicotinamide ring of NADP{sup +}. This orientation would permit 4-pro-(R)-hydride transfer from NADPH. Each steroid carbonyl accepts hydrogen bonds from catalytic residues Tyr{sup 58} and Glu{sup 120}. The Y58F and E120A mutants are devoid of activity, supporting a role for this dyad in the catalytic mechanism. Intriguingly, testosterone binds nonproductively, thereby rationalizing the substrate inhibition observed with this particular steroid. The locations of disease-linked mutations thought to be responsible for bile acid deficiency are also revealed.« less

  5. Benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol promotes checkpoint activation and G2/M arrest in human bronchoalveolar carcinoma H358 cells.

    PubMed

    Caino, M Cecilia; Oliva, Jose L; Jiang, Hao; Penning, Trevor M; Kazanietz, Marcelo G

    2007-03-01

    Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are potent carcinogens that require metabolic activation inside cells. The proximate carcinogens PAH-diols can be converted to o-quinones by aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) or to diol-epoxides by cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes. We assessed the effect of benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol (BPD) on proliferation in p53-null bronchoalveolar carcinoma H358 cells. BPD treatment led to a significant inhibition of proliferation and arrest in G2/M in H358 cells. The relative contribution of the AKR and P450 pathways to cell cycle arrest was assessed. Overexpression of AKR1A1 did not affect cell proliferation or cell cycle progression, and benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dione did not cause any noticeable effect on cell growth, suggesting that AKR1A1 metabolic products were not involved in the antiproliferative effect of BPD. On the other hand, blockade of P450 induction or inhibition of P450 activity greatly impaired the effect of BPD. Moreover, P450 induction by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin significantly enhanced the antiproliferative effect of BPD. Mechanistic studies revealed that BPD caused a DNA damage response, Chk1 activation, and accumulation of phospho-Cdc2 (Tyr15) in H358 cells, effects that were impaired by an ataxia-telangectasia mutated (ATM)/ATM-related (ATR) inhibitor. Similar results were observed in human bronchoepithelial BEAS-2B cells, arguing for analogous mechanisms in tumorigenic and immortalized nontumorigenic cells lacking functional p53. Our data suggest that a p53-independent pathway operates in lung epithelial cells in response to BPD that involves P450 induction and subsequent activation of the ATR/ATM/Chk1 damage check-point pathway and cell cycle arrest in G2/M.

  6. Identification of new potent inhibitor of aldose reductase from Ocimum basilicum.

    PubMed

    Bhatti, Huma Aslam; Tehseen, Yildiz; Maryam, Kiran; Uroos, Maliha; Siddiqui, Bina S; Hameed, Abdul; Iqbal, Jamshed

    2017-12-01

    Recent efforts to develop cure for chronic diabetic complications have led to the discovery of potent inhibitors against aldose reductase (AKR1B1, EC 1.1.1.21) whose role in diabetes is well-evident. In the present work, two new natural products were isolated from the ariel part of Ocimum basilicum; 7-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3-methyl-8-β-O-d-glucoside-2H-chromen-2-one (1) and E-4-(6'-hydroxyhex-3'-en-1-yl)phenyl propionate (2) and confirmed their structures with different spectroscopic techniques including NMR spectroscopy etc. The isolated compounds (1, 2) were evaluated for in vitro inhibitory activity against aldose reductase (AKR1B1) and aldehyde reductase (AKR1A1). The natural product (1) showed better inhibitory activity for AKR1B1 with IC 50 value of 2.095±0.77µM compare to standard sorbinil (IC 50 =3.14±0.02µM). Moreover, the compound (1) also showed multifolds higher activity (IC 50 =0.783±0.07µM) against AKR1A1 as compared to standard valproic acid (IC 50 =57.4±0.89µM). However, the natural product (2) showed slightly lower activity for AKR1B1 (IC 50 =4.324±1.25µM). Moreover, the molecular docking studies of the potent inhibitors were also performed to identify the putative binding modes within the active site of aldose/aldehyde reductases. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  7. Identification, purification and characterization of furfural transforming enzymes from Clostridium beijerinckii NCIMB 8052.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Yan; Ujor, Victor; Wick, Macdonald; Ezeji, Thaddeus Chukwuemeka

    2015-06-01

    Generation of microbial inhibitory compounds such as furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is a formidable roadblock to fermentation of lignocellulose-derived sugars to butanol. Bioabatement offers a cost effective strategy to circumvent this challenge. Although Clostridium beijerinckii NCIMB 8052 can transform 2-3 g/L of furfural and HMF to their less toxic alcohols, higher concentrations present in biomass hydrolysates are intractable to microbial transformation. To delineate the mechanism by which C. beijerinckii detoxifies furfural and HMF, an aldo/keto reductase (AKR) and a short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) found to be over-expressed in furfural-challenged cultures of C. beijerinckii were cloned and over-expressed in Escherichia coli Rosetta-gami™ B(DE3)pLysS, and purified by histidine tag-assisted immobilized metal affinity chromatography. Protein gel analysis showed that the molecular weights of purified AKR and SDR are close to the predicted values of 37 kDa and 27 kDa, respectively. While AKR has apparent Km and Vmax values of 32.4 mM and 254.2 mM s(-1) respectively, using furfural as substrate, SDR showed lower Km (26.4 mM) and Vmax (22.6 mM s(-1)) values on the same substrate. However, AKR showed 7.1-fold higher specific activity on furfural than SDR. Further, both AKR and SDR were found to be active on HMF, benzaldehyde, and butyraldehyde. Both enzymes require NADPH as a cofactor for aldehydes reduction. Based on these results, it is proposed that AKR and SDR are involved in the biotransformation of furfural and HMF by C. beijerinckii. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  8. STAR and AKR1B10 are down-regulated in high-grade endometrial cancer.

    PubMed

    Sinreih, Maša; Štupar, Saša; Čemažar, Luka; Verdenik, Ivan; Frković Grazio, Snježana; Smrkolj, Špela; Rižner, Tea Lanišnik

    2017-07-01

    Endometrial cancer is the most frequent gynecological malignancy in the developed world. The majority of cases are estrogen dependent, and are associated with diminished protective effects of progesterone. Endometrial cancer is also related to enhanced inflammation and decreased differentiation. In our previous studies, we examined the expression of genes involved in estrogen and progesterone actions in inflammation and tumor differentiation, in tissue samples from endometrial cancer and adjacent control endometrium. The aims of the current study were to examine correlations between gene expression and several demographic characteristics, and to evaluate changes in gene expression with regard to histopathological and clinical characteristics of 51 patients. We studied correlations and differences in expression of 38 genes involved in five pathophysiological processes: (i) estrogen-stimulated proliferation; (ii) estrogen-dependent carcinogenesis; (iii) diminished biosynthesis of progesterone: (iv) enhanced formation of progesterone metabolites; and (v) increased inflammation and decreased differentiation. Spearman correlation coefficient analysis shows that expression of PAQR7 correlates with age, expression of SRD5A1, AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 correlate with body mass, while expression of SRD5A1 and AKR1B10 correlate with body mass index. When patients with endometrial cancer were stratified based on menopausal status, histological grade, myometrial invasion, lymphovascular invasion, and FIGO stage, Mann-Whitney U tests revealed significantly decreased expression of STAR (4.4-fold; adjusted p=0.009) and AKR1B10 (9-fold; adjusted p=0.003) in high grade versus low grade tumors. Lower levels of STAR might lead to decreased de-novo steroid hormone synthesis and tumor differentiation, and lower levels of AKR1B10 to diminished elimination of toxic electrophilic carbonyl compounds in high-grade endometrial cancer. These data thus reveal the potential of STAR and AKR1B10 as

  9. 1-Ene-steroid reductase of Mycobacterium sp. NRRL B-3805.

    PubMed

    Goren, T; Harnik, M; Rimon, S; Aharonowitz, Y

    1983-12-01

    The microbial enzymatic reduction of 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione (ADD) to 4-androstene-3,17-dione (AD), testosterone and 1-dehydrotestosterone (DHT) is described. Two reducing activities observed in washed cell suspensions and cell free extracts of Mycobacterium sp. NRRL B-3805 were found to account for these bioconversions. One was a 1-ene-steroid reductase and the other a 17-keto steroid reductase. The first reducing activity was found to appear in the soluble cell fraction whereas the latter could be precipitated by centrifugation. Maximum 1-ene-steroid reductase specific activity was achieved during the exponential growth phase of the organism and significantly increased upon induction with ADD. The 1-ene-steroid reductase was partially purified (30-fold) by ammonium sulfate fractionation, gel-filtration and ion-exchange chromatography, and was eluted from a Sephacryl S-300 column with an Mr = 115,000. The 1-ene-steroid reductase activity was NADPH-dependent and had specificity towards steroid compounds containing C-1,2 double bond with an apparent Km for ADD of 2.2 X 10(-5) M. The reverse reaction catalyzing C-1,2 dehydrogenation could not be detected in our preparations. The results suggest that in Mycobacterium sp NRRL B-3805 and B-3683 the steroid C-1,2 dehydrogenation and 1-ene reduction are two separable activities.

  10. Genetic variants in AKR1B10 associate with human eating behavior.

    PubMed

    Rohde, Kerstin; Federbusch, Martin; Horstmann, Annette; Keller, Maria; Villringer, Arno; Stumvoll, Michael; Tönjes, Anke; Kovacs, Peter; Böttcher, Yvonne

    2015-03-25

    The human Aldoketoreductase 1B10 gene (AKR1B10) encodes one of the enzymes belonging to the family of aldoketoreductases and may be involved in detoxification of nutrients during digestion. Further, AKR1B10 mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) expression was diminished in brain regions potentially involved in the regulation of eating behavior in rats which are more sensitive to cocaine and alcohol. We hypothesized that the human AKR1B10 gene may also play a role in the regulation of human eating behavior. We investigated the effects of 5 genetic variants of AKR1B10 on human eating behavior among 548 subjects from a German self-contained population, the Sorbs, and in 350 subjects from another independent German cohort. Among the Sorbs, we observed nominal associations with disinhibition at the 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) variant rs10232478 and the intragenic variants rs1834150 and rs782881 (all P ≤ 0.05). Further, we detected a relationship of rs1834150 and rs782881 with waist, smoking consumption (rs782881) and coffee consumption (rs1834150) (all P ≤ 0.05). Albeit non-significant, replication analyses revealed similar effect directions for disinhibition at rs1834150 (combined P = 0.0096). Moreover, in the replication cohort we found rs1834150 related to increased restraint scores with a similar direction as in the Sorbs (combined P = 0.0072). Our data suggest that genetic variants in the AKR1B10 locus may influence human eating behavior.

  11. Generation of human endometrial knockout cell lines with the CRISPR/Cas9 system confirms the prostaglandin F2α synthase activity of aldo-ketoreductase 1B1.

    PubMed

    Lacroix Pépin, Nicolas; Chapdelaine, Pierre; Rodriguez, Yoima; Tremblay, Jacques-P; Fortier, Michel A

    2014-07-01

    Prostaglandins (PGs) are important regulators of female reproductive function. The primary PGs produced in the endometrium are PGE2 and PGF2α. Relatively little is known about the biosynthetic pathways leading to the formation of PGF2α. We have described the role of aldo-ketoreductase (AKR)1B1 in increased PGF2α production by human endometrial cells following stimulation with interleukin-1β (IL-1β). However, alternate PGF synthases are expressed concurrently in endometrial cells. A definite proof of the role of AKR1B1 would require gene knockout; unfortunately, this gene has no direct equivalent in the mouse. Recently, an efficient genome-editing technology using RNA-guided DNase Cas9 and the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system has been developed. We have adapted this approach to knockout AKR1B1 gene expression in human endometrial cell lines. One clone (16-2) of stromal origin generated by the CRISPR/Cas9 system exhibited a complete loss of AKR1B1 protein and mRNA expression, whereas other clones presented with partial edition. The present report focuses on the characterization of clone 16-2 exhibiting deletion of 68 and 2 nucleotides, respectively, on each of the alleles. Cells from this clone lost their ability to produce PGF2α but maintained their original stromal cell (human endometrial stromal cells-2) phenotype including the capacity to decidualize in the presence of progesterone (medroxyprogesterone acetate) and 8-bromo-cAMP. Knockout cells also maintained their ability to increase PGE2 production in response to IL-1β. In summary, we demonstrate that the new genome editing CRISPR/Cas9 system can be used in human cells to generate stable knockout cell line models. Our results suggest that genome editing of human cell lines can be used to complement mouse KO models to validate the function of genes in differentiated tissues and cells. Our results also confirm that AKR1B1 is involved in the synthesis of PGF2α.

  12. Sequence of the cDNA of a human dihydrodiol dehydrogenase isoform (AKR1C2) and tissue distribution of its mRNA.

    PubMed Central

    Shiraishi, H; Ishikura, S; Matsuura, K; Deyashiki, Y; Ninomiya, M; Sakai, S; Hara, A

    1998-01-01

    Human liver contains three isoforms (DD1, DD2 and DD4) of dihydrodiol dehydrogenase with 20alpha- or 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity; the dehydrogenases belong to the aldo-oxo reductase (AKR) superfamily. cDNA species encoding DD1 and DD4 have been identified. However, four cDNA species with more than 99% sequence identity have been cloned and are compatible with a partial amino acid sequence of DD2. In this study we have isolated a cDNA clone encoding DD2, which was confirmed by comparison of the properties of the recombinant and hepatic enzymes. This cDNA showed differences of one, two, four and five nucleotides from the previously reported four cDNA species for a dehydrogenase of human colon carcinoma HT29 cells, human prostatic 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, a human liver 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-like protein and chlordecone reductase-like protein respectively. Expression of mRNA species for the five similar cDNA species in 20 liver samples and 10 other different tissue samples was examined by reverse transcriptase-mediated PCR with specific primers followed by diagnostic restriction with endonucleases. All the tissues expressed only one mRNA species corresponding to the newly identified cDNA for DD2: mRNA transcripts corresponding to the other cDNA species were not detected. We suggest that the new cDNA is derived from the principal gene for DD2, which has been named AKR1C2 by a new nomenclature for the AKR superfamily. It is possible that some of the other cDNA species previously reported are rare allelic variants of this gene. PMID:9716498

  13. SILAC-based quantitative proteomic analysis reveals widespread molecular alterations in human skin keratinocytes upon chronic arsenic exposure.

    PubMed

    Mir, Sartaj Ahmad; Pinto, Sneha M; Paul, Somnath; Raja, Remya; Nanjappa, Vishalakshi; Syed, Nazia; Advani, Jayshree; Renuse, Santosh; Sahasrabuddhe, Nandini A; Prasad, T S Keshava; Giri, Ashok K; Gowda, Harsha; Chatterjee, Aditi

    2017-03-01

    Chronic exposure to arsenic is associated with dermatological and nondermatological disorders. Consumption of arsenic-contaminated drinking water results in accumulation of arsenic in liver, spleen, kidneys, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. Although arsenic is cleared from these sites, a substantial amount of residual arsenic is left in keratin-rich tissues including skin. Epidemiological studies suggest the association of skin cancer upon arsenic exposure, however, the mechanism of arsenic-induced carcinogenesis is not completely understood. We developed a cell line based model to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in arsenic-mediated toxicity and carcinogenicity. Human skin keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT, was chronically exposed to 100 nM sodium arsenite over a period of 6 months. We observed an increase in basal ROS levels in arsenic-exposed cells. SILAC-based quantitative proteomics approach resulted in identification of 2111 proteins of which 42 proteins were found to be overexpressed and 54 downregulated (twofold) upon chronic arsenic exposure. Our analysis revealed arsenic-induced overexpression of aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C2 (AKR1C2), aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 (AKR1C3), glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), and NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1 (NQO1) among others. We observed downregulation of several members of the plakin family including periplakin (PPL), envoplakin (EVPL), and involucrin (IVL) that are essential for terminal differentiation of keratinocytes. MRM and Western blot analysis confirmed differential expression of several candidate proteins. Our study provides insights into molecular alterations upon chronic arsenic exposure on skin. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  14. LC/MSMS STUDY OF BENZO[A]PYRENE-7,8-QUINONE ADDUCTION TO GLOBIN TRYPTIC PEPTIDES AND N-ACETYLAMINO ACIDS

    EPA Science Inventory

    Benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-quinone (BPQ) is regarded as a reactive genotoxic compound enzymatically formed from a xenobiotic precursor benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol by aldo-keto-reductase family of enzymes. Because BPQ, a Michael electrophile, was previously shown to react with oligonucleotide...

  15. Clustered Genes Encoding 2-Keto-l-Gulonate Reductase and l-Idonate 5-Dehydrogenase in the Novel Fungal d-Glucuronic Acid Pathway

    PubMed Central

    Kuivanen, Joosu; Arvas, Mikko; Richard, Peter

    2017-01-01

    D-Glucuronic acid is a biomass component that occurs in plant cell wall polysaccharides and is catabolized by saprotrophic microorganisms including fungi. A pathway for D-glucuronic acid catabolism in fungal microorganisms is only partly known. In the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger, the enzymes that are known to be part of the pathway are the NADPH requiring D-glucuronic acid reductase forming L-gulonate and the NADH requiring 2-keto-L-gulonate reductase that forms L-idonate. With the aid of RNA sequencing we identified two more enzymes of the pathway. The first is a NADPH requiring 2-keto-L-gulonate reductase that forms L-idonate, GluD. The second is a NAD+ requiring L-idonate 5-dehydrogenase forming 5-keto-gluconate, GluE. The genes coding for these two enzymes are clustered and share the same bidirectional promoter. The GluD is an enzyme with a strict requirement for NADP+/NADPH as cofactors. The kcat for 2-keto-L-gulonate and L-idonate is 21.4 and 1.1 s-1, and the Km 25.3 and 12.6 mM, respectively, when using the purified protein. In contrast, the GluE has a strict requirement for NAD+/NADH. The kcat for L-idonate and 5-keto-D-gluconate is 5.5 and 7.2 s-1, and the Km 30.9 and 8.4 mM, respectively. These values also refer to the purified protein. The gluD deletion resulted in accumulation of 2-keto-L-gulonate in the liquid cultivation while the gluE deletion resulted in reduced growth and cessation of the D-glucuronic acid catabolism. PMID:28261181

  16. Intracrine Androgens Enhance Decidualization and Modulate Expression of Human Endometrial Receptivity Genes.

    PubMed

    Gibson, Douglas A; Simitsidellis, Ioannis; Cousins, Fiona L; Critchley, Hilary O D; Saunders, Philippa T K

    2016-01-28

    The endometrium is a complex, steroid-dependent tissue that undergoes dynamic cyclical remodelling. Transformation of stromal fibroblasts (ESC) into specialised secretory cells (decidualization) is fundamental to the establishment of a receptive endometrial microenvironment which can support and maintain pregnancy. Androgen receptors (AR) are present in ESC; in other tissues local metabolism of ovarian and adrenal-derived androgens regulate AR-dependent gene expression. We hypothesised that altered expression/activity of androgen biosynthetic enzymes would regulate tissue availability of bioactive androgens and the process of decidualization. Primary human ESC were treated in vitro for 1-8 days with progesterone and cAMP (decidualized) in the presence or absence of the AR antagonist flutamide. Time and treatment-dependent changes in genes essential for a) intra-tissue biosynthesis of androgens (5α-reductase/SRD5A1, aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3/AKR1C3), b) establishment of endometrial decidualization (IGFBP1, prolactin) and c) endometrial receptivity (SPP1, MAOA, EDNRB) were measured. Decidualization of ESC resulted in significant time-dependent changes in expression of AKR1C3 and SRD5A1 and secretion of T/DHT. Addition of flutamide significantly reduced secretion of IGFBP1 and prolactin and altered the expression of endometrial receptivity markers. Intracrine biosynthesis of endometrial androgens during decidualization may play a key role in endometrial receptivity and offer a novel target for fertility treatment.

  17. Modulated Expression of Genes Encoding Estrogen Metabolizing Enzymes by G1-Phase Cyclin-Dependent Kinases 6 and 4 in Human Breast Cancer Cells

    PubMed Central

    Jia, Yi; Domenico, Joanne; Swasey, Christina; Wang, Meiqin; Gelfand, Erwin W.; Lucas, Joseph J.

    2014-01-01

    G1-phase cell cycle defects, such as alterations in cyclin D1 or cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) levels, are seen in most tumors. For example, increased cyclin D1 and decreased cdk6 levels are seen in many human breast tumors. Overexpression of cdk6 in breast tumor cells in culture has been shown to suppress proliferation, unlike the growth stimulating effects of its close homolog, cdk4. In addition to directly affecting proliferation, alterations in cdk6 or cdk4 levels in breast tumor cells also differentially influence levels of numerous steroid metabolic enzymes (SMEs), including those involved in estrogen metabolism. Overexpression of cdk6 in tumor cell lines having low cdk6 resulted in decreased levels of mRNAs encoding aldo-keto reductase (AKR)1C1, AKR1C2 and AKR1C3, which are hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDs) involved in steroid hormone metabolism. In contrast, increasing cdk4 dramatically increased these transcript levels, especially those encoding AKR1C3, an enzyme that converts estrone to 17β-estradiol, a change that could result in a pro-estrogenic state favoring tumor growth. Effects on other estrogen metabolizing enzymes, including cytochrome P450 (CYP) 19 aromatase, 17β-HSD2, and CYP1B1 transcripts, were also observed. Interactions of cdk6 and cdk4, but not cyclin D1, with the promoter region of a cdk-regulated gene, 17β-HSD2, were detected. The results uncover a previously unsuspected link between the cell cycle and hormone metabolism and differential roles for cdk6 and cdk4 in a novel mechanism for pre-receptor control of steroid hormone action, with important implications for the origin and treatment of steroid hormone-dependent cancers. PMID:24848372

  18. Intracrine Androgens Enhance Decidualization and Modulate Expression of Human Endometrial Receptivity Genes

    PubMed Central

    Gibson, Douglas A.; Simitsidellis, Ioannis; Cousins, Fiona L.; Critchley, Hilary O. D.; Saunders, Philippa T. K.

    2016-01-01

    The endometrium is a complex, steroid-dependent tissue that undergoes dynamic cyclical remodelling. Transformation of stromal fibroblasts (ESC) into specialised secretory cells (decidualization) is fundamental to the establishment of a receptive endometrial microenvironment which can support and maintain pregnancy. Androgen receptors (AR) are present in ESC; in other tissues local metabolism of ovarian and adrenal-derived androgens regulate AR-dependent gene expression. We hypothesised that altered expression/activity of androgen biosynthetic enzymes would regulate tissue availability of bioactive androgens and the process of decidualization. Primary human ESC were treated in vitro for 1–8 days with progesterone and cAMP (decidualized) in the presence or absence of the AR antagonist flutamide. Time and treatment-dependent changes in genes essential for a) intra-tissue biosynthesis of androgens (5α-reductase/SRD5A1, aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3/AKR1C3), b) establishment of endometrial decidualization (IGFBP1, prolactin) and c) endometrial receptivity (SPP1, MAOA, EDNRB) were measured. Decidualization of ESC resulted in significant time-dependent changes in expression of AKR1C3 and SRD5A1 and secretion of T/DHT. Addition of flutamide significantly reduced secretion of IGFBP1 and prolactin and altered the expression of endometrial receptivity markers. Intracrine biosynthesis of endometrial androgens during decidualization may play a key role in endometrial receptivity and offer a novel target for fertility treatment. PMID:26817618

  19. Catalytic reduction of carbonyl groups in oxidized PAPC by Kvβ2 (AKR6)

    PubMed Central

    Xie, Zhengzhi; Barski, Oleg A.; Cai, Jian; Bhatnagar, Aruni; Tipparaju, Srinivas M.

    2011-01-01

    The β-subunits of the voltage-gated potassium channel (Kvβ) belong to the aldo-keto reductase superfamily. The Kvβ-subunits dock with the pore-forming Kv α-subunits and impart or accelerate the rate of inactivation in Kv channels. Inactivation of Kv currents by Kvβ is differentially regulated by oxidized and reduced pyridine nucleotides. In mammals, AKR6 family is comprised of 3 different genes Kvβ1-3. We have shown previously that Kvβ2 catalyzes the reduction of a broad range of carbonyls including aromatic carbonyls, electrophilic aldehydes and prostaglandins. However, the endogenous substrates for Kvβ have not been identified. To determine whether products of lipid oxidation are substrates of Kvβs, we tested the enzymatic activity of Kvβ2 with oxidized phospholipids generated during the oxidation of 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PAPC). Electrospray ionization mass spectrometric analysis showed that Kvβ2 catalyzed the NADPH-dependent reduction of several products of oxPAPC, including 1-palmitoyl-2-(5-oxovaleroyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (POVPC), 1-palmitoyl-2-(epoxycyclopentenone)-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (PECPC), 1-palmitoyl-2-(5,6)- epoxyisoprostane E2-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PEIPC). These results were validated using high resolution mass spectrometric analysis. Time course analysis revealed that the reduced products reached significant levels for ions at m/z 594/596 (POVPC/PHVPC), 810/812 (PECPC/2H-PECPC) and 828/830 (PEIPC/2H-PEIPC) in the oxPAPC + Kvβ2 mixture (p < 0.01). These results suggest that Kvβ could serve as a sensor of lipid oxidation via its catalytic activity and thereby alter Kv currents under conditions of oxidative stress. PMID:21296056

  20. Expression of progesterone metabolizing enzyme genes (AKR1C1, AKR1C2, AKR1C3, SRD5A1, SRD5A2) is altered in human breast carcinoma

    PubMed Central

    Lewis, Michael J; Wiebe, John P; Heathcote, J Godfrey

    2004-01-01

    Background Recent evidence suggests that progesterone metabolites play important roles in regulating breast cancer. Previous studies have shown that tumorous tissues have higher 5α-reductase (5αR) and lower 3α-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase (3α-HSO) and 20α-HSO activities. The resulting higher levels of 5α-reduced progesterone metabolites such as 5α-pregnane-3,20-dione (5αP) in tumorous tissue promote cell proliferation and detachment, whereas the 4-pregnene metabolites, 4-pregnen-3α-ol-20-one (3αHP) and 4-pregnen-20α-ol-3-one (20αDHP), more prominent in normal tissue, have the opposite (anti-cancer-like) effects. The aim of this study was to determine if the differences in enzyme activities between tumorous and nontumorous breast tissues are associated with differences in progesterone metabolizing enzyme gene expression. Methods Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to compare relative expression (as a ratio of 18S rRNA) of 5αR type 1 (SRD5A1), 5αR type 2 (SRD5A2), 3α-HSO type 2 (AKR1C3), 3α-HSO type 3 (AKR1C2) and 20α-HSO (AKR1C1) mRNAs in paired (tumorous and nontumorous) breast tissues from 11 patients, and unpaired tumor tissues from 17 patients and normal tissues from 10 reduction mammoplasty samples. Results Expression of 5αR1 and 5αR2 in 11/11 patients was higher (mean of 4.9- and 3.5-fold, respectively; p < 0.001) in the tumor as compared to the paired normal tissues. Conversely, expression of 3α-HSO2, 3α-HSO3 and 20α-HSO was higher (2.8-, 3.9- and 4.4-fold, respectively; p < 0.001) in normal than in tumor sample. The mean tumor:normal expression ratios for 5αR1 and 5αR2 were about 35–85-fold higher than the tumor:normal expression ratios for the HSOs. Similarly, in the unmatched samples, the tumor:normal ratios for 5αR were significantly higher than the ratios for the HSOs. Conclusions The study shows changes in progesterone metabolizing enzyme gene expression in human breast carcinoma. Expression of SRD5A1 (5αR1) and SRD5A2 (5αR2

  1. Expression of progesterone metabolizing enzyme genes (AKR1C1, AKR1C2, AKR1C3, SRD5A1, SRD5A2) is altered in human breast carcinoma.

    PubMed

    Lewis, Michael J; Wiebe, John P; Heathcote, J Godfrey

    2004-06-22

    Recent evidence suggests that progesterone metabolites play important roles in regulating breast cancer. Previous studies have shown that tumorous tissues have higher 5alpha-reductase (5alphaR) and lower 3alpha-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase (3alpha-HSO) and 20alpha-HSO activities. The resulting higher levels of 5alpha-reduced progesterone metabolites such as 5alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione (5alphaP) in tumorous tissue promote cell proliferation and detachment, whereas the 4-pregnene metabolites, 4-pregnen-3alpha-ol-20-one (3alphaHP) and 4-pregnen-20alpha-ol-3-one (20alphaDHP), more prominent in normal tissue, have the opposite (anti-cancer-like) effects. The aim of this study was to determine if the differences in enzyme activities between tumorous and nontumorous breast tissues are associated with differences in progesterone metabolizing enzyme gene expression. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to compare relative expression (as a ratio of 18S rRNA) of 5alphaR type 1 (SRD5A1), 5alphaR type 2 (SRD5A2), 3alpha-HSO type 2 (AKR1C3), 3alpha-HSO type 3 (AKR1C2) and 20alpha-HSO (AKR1C1) mRNAs in paired (tumorous and nontumorous) breast tissues from 11 patients, and unpaired tumor tissues from 17 patients and normal tissues from 10 reduction mammoplasty samples. Expression of 5alphaR1 and 5alphaR2 in 11/11 patients was higher (mean of 4.9- and 3.5-fold, respectively; p < 0.001) in the tumor as compared to the paired normal tissues. Conversely, expression of 3alpha-HSO2, 3alpha-HSO3 and 20alpha-HSO was higher (2.8-, 3.9- and 4.4-fold, respectively; p < 0.001) in normal than in tumor sample. The mean tumor:normal expression ratios for 5alphaR1 and 5alphaR2 were about 35-85-fold higher than the tumor:normal expression ratios for the HSOs. Similarly, in the unmatched samples, the tumor:normal ratios for 5alphaR were significantly higher than the ratios for the HSOs. The study shows changes in progesterone metabolizing enzyme gene expression in human breast carcinoma. Expression of

  2. Aldose reductase (AKR1B3) regulates the accumulation of advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) and the expression of AGE receptor (RAGE)

    PubMed Central

    Baba, Shahid P.; Hellmann, Jason; Srivastava, Sanjay; Bhatnagar, Aruni

    2011-01-01

    Diabetes results in enhanced chemical modification of proteins by advanced lipoxidation end products (ALEs) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) precursors. These modifications have been linked to the development of several secondary diabetic complications. Our previous studies showed that aldose reductase (AR; AKR1B3) catalyzes the reduction of ALEs and AGEs precursors; however, the in vivo significance of this metabolic pathway during diabetes and obesity has not been fully assessed. Therefore we examined the role of AR in regulating ALEs and AGEs formation in murine models of diet-induced obesity and streptozotocin-induced diabetes. In comparison with wild-type (WT) and AR-null mice fed normal chow, mice fed a high-fat (HF) diet (42% kcal fat) showed increased accumulation of AGEs and protein–acrolein adducts in the plasma. AGEs and acrolein adducts were also increased in the epididymal fat of WT and AR-null mice fed a HF diet. Deletion of AR increased the accumulation of 4-hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal (HNE) protein adduct in the plasma and increased the expression of the AGE receptor (RAGE) in HF fed mice. No change in AGEs formation was observed in the kidneys of HF-fed mice. In comparison, renal tissue from AR-null mice treated with streptozotocin showed greater AGE accumulation than streptozotocin-treated WT mice. These data indicated that AR regulated the accumulation of lipid peroxidation derived aldehydes and AGEs under conditions of severe, but not mild, hyperglycemia and that deletion of AR increased RAGE-induction via mechanisms that were independent of AGEs accumulation. PMID:21276777

  3. AKR1C4 gene variant associated with low euthymic serum progesterone and a history of mood irritability in males with bipolar disorder.

    PubMed

    Johansson, Anette G M; Nikamo, Pernilla; Schalling, Martin; Landén, Mikael

    2011-09-01

    Irritable mood during mood elevation is common in bipolar disorder. The progesterone metabolite allopregnanolone (ALLO) has been implicated in other disorders presenting with irritability. This study aimed to test whether a history of manic/hypomanic irritability is associated with low serum progesterone levels; and whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in gene coding for steroidogenetic enzymes (HSD3B2, SRD5A1 and AKR1C4 were coupled to previous manic irritability and/or with serum progesterone concentrations. Morning serum progesterone concentrations during euthymic phase of bipolar illness types 1 and 2 were assessed in 71 males and 107 females. Previous manic/hypomanic irritability was assessed using the Affective Disorders Evaluation. Selected SNPs were analyzed: i) aldoketoreductase-type-4 (AKR1C4 - rs17306779, rs3829125, rs10904440, rs12762017, and rs11253048), ii) 3-β-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase (HSD3B2 - rs4659174, rs2854964, and rs3765948), iii) steroid-5-α-reductase (SRD5A1 - rs8192139, rs181807, rs3822430, and rs3736316). In males, progesterone concentrations were lower in those who had shown manic/hypomanic irritability compared with nonirritable (F=7.05, p=0.0099). SNPs rs17306779, rs3829125, and rs10904440 were associated with manic/hypomanic irritability. A cystine to serine change at position 145 in AKR1C4 (rs3829125) was associated with lower serum progesterone (F=6.34, p=0.014). There were no associations in females. Relatively small sample sizes. Low progesterone levels and a cystine to serine change at position 145 in AKR1C4 gene are associated with manic/hypomanic irritability in males. Given that the enzyme AKR1C4 has both dehydrogenating and reductive activities in the steroidogenetic pathway, a missense variation in the gene may predispose to manic/hypomanic irritability by altering the relationship between progesterone and ALLO concentrations in the brain. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. Genes and proteins of the alternative steroid backdoor pathway for dihydrotestosterone synthesis are expressed in the human ovary and seem enhanced in the polycystic ovary syndrome.

    PubMed

    Marti, Nesa; Galván, José A; Pandey, Amit V; Trippel, Mafalda; Tapia, Coya; Müller, Michel; Perren, Aurel; Flück, Christa E

    2017-02-05

    Recently, dihydrotestosterone biosynthesis through the backdoor pathway has been implicated for the human testis in addition to the classic pathway for testosterone (T) synthesis. In the human ovary, androgen precursors are crucial for estrogen synthesis and hyperandrogenism in pathologies such as the polycystic ovary syndrome is partially due to ovarian overproduction. However, a role for the backdoor pathway is only established for the testis and the adrenal, but not for the human ovary. To investigate whether the backdoor pathway exists in normal and PCOS ovaries, we performed specific gene and protein expression studies on ovarian tissues. We found aldo-keto reductases (AKR1C1-1C4), 5α-reductases (SRD5A1/2) and retinol dehydrogenase (RoDH) expressed in the human ovary, indicating that the ovary might produce dihydrotestosterone via the backdoor pathway. Immunohistochemical studies showed specific localization of these proteins to the theca cells. PCOS ovaries show enhanced expression, what may account for the hyperandrogenism. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. Molecular mechanisms of nano-selenium in mitigating hepatocellular carcinoma induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) in rats.

    PubMed

    Ahmed, Hanaa H; Khalil, Wagdy K B; Hamza, Amal H

    2014-12-01

    The possible molecular mechanisms of Nano-selenium (nano-se) in attenuating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was investigated in this study. To achieve this target, the apoptotic/necrotic rate in hepatic cells was investigated morphologically by double staining with acridine orange/ethidium bromide to address the type of cell death induced by nano-Se in HCC-bearing rats. To predict the oxidative stress and DNA damage, the generation of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and 2-deoxyguanosine (2-dG) was examined. Moreover, the expression of some HCC-related genes was investigated such as aldo-keto reductase 1B10 (Akr1b10), ING3 and Foxp1 genes. As well as the histopathological study of liver tissue sections was performed. The results obtained from this study revealed that (HCC+Nano Se) group shows the highest number of damaged cancerous cells. Furthermore, the necrotic/apoptotic rate was significantly higher in (nano-Se+HCC), (HCC+Doxo) and (HCC+Doxo+nano-se) compared to that in the untreated HCC group. Treatment of HCC group with nano-se decreased the ratio of 8-OHdG/2-dG generation significantly with respect to the untreated HCC group. The opposite was observed regarding the gene expression of AKr1b10 and ING3. The treatment of HCC group with nano-se elicited significant increase in the expression of Akr1b10 and ING3 genes compared with untreated HCC group. On the other hand, the expression of Foxp1 gene was significantly decreased in HCC group treated with nano-se in comparison with the untreated HCC group. The histopathological study provided a supportive evidence for the molecular genetics study. Our data shed light on the molecular mechanisms of nano-se in attenuating HCC in the experimental model.

  6. Proteome screening of pleural effusions identifies galectin 1 as a diagnostic biomarker and highlights several prognostic biomarkers for malignant mesothelioma.

    PubMed

    Mundt, Filip; Johansson, Henrik J; Forshed, Jenny; Arslan, Sertaç; Metintas, Muzaffer; Dobra, Katalin; Lehtiö, Janne; Hjerpe, Anders

    2014-03-01

    Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive asbestos-induced cancer, and affected patients have a median survival of approximately one year after diagnosis. It is often difficult to reach a conclusive diagnosis, and ancillary measurements of soluble biomarkers could increase diagnostic accuracy. Unfortunately, few soluble mesothelioma biomarkers are suitable for clinical application. Here we screened the effusion proteomes of mesothelioma and lung adenocarcinoma patients to identify novel soluble mesothelioma biomarkers. We performed quantitative mass-spectrometry-based proteomics using isobaric tags for quantification and used narrow-range immobilized pH gradient/high-resolution isoelectric focusing (pH 4-4.25) prior to analysis by means of nano liquid chromatography coupled to MS/MS. More than 1,300 proteins were identified in pleural effusions from patients with malignant mesothelioma (n = 6), lung adenocarcinoma (n = 6), or benign mesotheliosis (n = 7). Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD000531. The identified proteins included a set of known mesothelioma markers and proteins that regulate hallmarks of cancer such as invasion, angiogenesis, and immune evasion, plus several new candidate proteins. Seven candidates (aldo-keto reductase 1B10, apolipoprotein C-I, galectin 1, myosin-VIIb, superoxide dismutase 2, tenascin C, and thrombospondin 1) were validated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in a larger group of patients with mesothelioma (n = 37) or metastatic carcinomas (n = 25) and in effusions from patients with benign, reactive conditions (n = 16). Galectin 1 was identified as overexpressed in effusions from lung adenocarcinoma relative to mesothelioma and was validated as an excellent predictor for metastatic carcinomas against malignant mesothelioma. Galectin 1, aldo-keto reductase 1B10, and apolipoprotein C-I were all identified as potential prognostic biomarkers for malignant mesothelioma. This analysis of the effusion proteome

  7. Dual effects of fructose on ChREBP and FoxO1/3α are responsible for AldoB up-regulation and vascular remodelling.

    PubMed

    Cao, Wei; Chang, Tuanjie; Li, Xiao-Qiang; Wang, Rui; Wu, Lingyun

    2017-02-01

    Increased production of methylglyoxal (MG) in vascular tissues is one of the causative factors for vascular remodelling in different subtypes of metabolic syndrome, including hypertension and insulin resistance. Fructose-induced up-regulation of aldolase B (AldoB) contributes to increased vascular MG production but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Serum levels of MG and fructose were determined in diabetic patients with hypertension. MG level had significant positive correlations with blood pressure and fructose level respectively. C57BL/6 mice were fed with control or fructose-enriched diet for 3 months and ultrasonographic and histologic analyses were performed to evaluate arterial structural changes. Fructose-fed mice exhibited hypertension and high levels of serum MG with normal glucose level. Fructose intake increased blood vessel wall thickness and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. Western blotting and real-time PCR analysis revealed that AldoB level was significantly increased in both the aorta of fructose-fed mice and the fructose-treated VSMCs, whereas aldolase A (AldoA) expression was not changed. The knockdown of AldoB expression prevented fructose-induced MG overproduction and VSMC proliferation. Moreover, fructose significantly increased carbohydrate-responsive element-binding protein (ChREBP), phosphorylated FoxO1/3α and Akt1 levels. Fructose induced translocation of ChREBP from the cytosol to nucleus and activated AldoB gene expression, which was inhibited by the knockdown of ChREBP. Meanwhile, fructose caused FoxO1/3α shuttling from the nucleus to cytosol and inhibited its binding to AldoB promoter region. Fructose-induced AldoB up-regulation was suppressed by Akt1 inhibitor but enhanced by FoxO1/3α siRNA. Collectively, fructose activates ChREBP and inactivates FoxO1/3α pathways to up-regulate AldoB expression and MG production, leading to vascular remodelling. © 2017 The Author(s). published by Portland Press Limited on

  8. Allopregnanolone levels and depressive symptoms during pregnancy in relation to single nucleotide polymorphisms in the allopregnanolone synthesis pathway.

    PubMed

    Hellgren, Charlotte; Comasco, Erika; Skalkidou, Alkistis; Sundström-Poromaa, Inger

    2017-08-01

    Allopregnanolone, a neurosteroid whose levels rise throughout gestation, putatively stabilizes antenatal mood. The present study aimed to investigate associations of plasma allopregnanolone to antenatal depressive symptoms, as well as to genetic and obstetric factors. Allopregnanolone plasma levels from 284 pregnant women were measured around gestational week 18. Haplotype tag single nucleotide polymorphisms in the aldo-keto reductase family 1, members C2 and C4 (AKR1C2, AKR1C4), and steroid 5 alpha-reductase 1 and 2 (SRD5A1, and SRD5A2) genes were genotyped in a larger sample of pregnant women (n=1351). The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was administered via web-questionnaires in gestational weeks 17 and 32. Demographic and obstetric data was retrieved from web-questionnaires and medical records. There was no association between allopregnanolone levels and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, no associations between allopregnanolone level and synthesis pathway genotypes were found after accounting for multiple comparisons. However, exploratory analyses suggested that the women who were homozygous for the minor allele of the AKR1C2 polymorphism rs1937863 had nominally lower allopregnanolone levels and lower depression scores in gestational week 17, but also the highest increase in depression scores between week 17 and 32. Additionally, higher body mass index was associated with lower allopregnanolone levels. The results do not support second trimester plasma allopregnanolone as a mood stabilizing factor. However, we speculate that AKR1C2 variation may alter the susceptibility to depressive symptoms through effects on central allopregnanolone synthesis. Another implication of this study is that the relationship between neuroactive steroids and obesity in pregnancy deserves to be investigated. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. AKR1C3-Mediated Adipose Androgen Generation Drives Lipotoxicity in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

    PubMed Central

    O’Reilly, Michael W.; Kempegowda, Punith; Walsh, Mark; Taylor, Angela E.; Manolopoulos, Konstantinos N.; Allwood, J. William; Semple, Robert K.; Hebenstreit, Daniel; Dunn, Warwick B.; Tomlinson, Jeremy W.

    2017-01-01

    Context: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent metabolic disorder occurring in up to 10% of women of reproductive age. PCOS is associated with insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk. Androgen excess is a defining feature of PCOS and has been suggested as causally associated with insulin resistance; however, mechanistic evidence linking both is lacking. We hypothesized that adipose tissue is an important site linking androgen activation and metabolic dysfunction in PCOS. Methods: We performed a human deep metabolic in vivo phenotyping study examining the systemic and intra-adipose effects of acute and chronic androgen exposure in 10 PCOS women, in comparison with 10 body mass index–matched healthy controls, complemented by in vitro experiments. Results: PCOS women had increased intra-adipose concentrations of testosterone (P = 0.0006) and dihydrotestosterone (P = 0.01), with increased expression of the androgen-activating enzyme aldo-ketoreductase type 1 C3 (AKR1C3) (P = 0.04) in subcutaneous adipose tissue. Adipose glycerol levels in subcutaneous adipose tissue microdialysate supported in vivo suppression of lipolysis after acute androgen exposure in PCOS (P = 0.04). Mirroring this, nontargeted serum metabolomics revealed prolipogenic effects of androgens in PCOS women only. In vitro studies showed that insulin increased adipose AKR1C3 expression and activity, whereas androgen exposure increased adipocyte de novo lipid synthesis. Pharmacologic AKR1C3 inhibition in vitro decreased de novo lipogenesis. Conclusions: These findings define an intra-adipose mechanism of androgen activation that contributes to adipose remodeling and a systemic lipotoxic metabolome, with intra-adipose androgens driving lipid accumulation and insulin resistance in PCOS. AKR1C3 represents a promising therapeutic target in PCOS. PMID:28645211

  10. AKR1C3-Mediated Adipose Androgen Generation Drives Lipotoxicity in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

    PubMed

    O'Reilly, Michael W; Kempegowda, Punith; Walsh, Mark; Taylor, Angela E; Manolopoulos, Konstantinos N; Allwood, J William; Semple, Robert K; Hebenstreit, Daniel; Dunn, Warwick B; Tomlinson, Jeremy W; Arlt, Wiebke

    2017-09-01

    Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent metabolic disorder occurring in up to 10% of women of reproductive age. PCOS is associated with insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk. Androgen excess is a defining feature of PCOS and has been suggested as causally associated with insulin resistance; however, mechanistic evidence linking both is lacking. We hypothesized that adipose tissue is an important site linking androgen activation and metabolic dysfunction in PCOS. We performed a human deep metabolic in vivo phenotyping study examining the systemic and intra-adipose effects of acute and chronic androgen exposure in 10 PCOS women, in comparison with 10 body mass index-matched healthy controls, complemented by in vitro experiments. PCOS women had increased intra-adipose concentrations of testosterone (P = 0.0006) and dihydrotestosterone (P = 0.01), with increased expression of the androgen-activating enzyme aldo-ketoreductase type 1 C3 (AKR1C3) (P = 0.04) in subcutaneous adipose tissue. Adipose glycerol levels in subcutaneous adipose tissue microdialysate supported in vivo suppression of lipolysis after acute androgen exposure in PCOS (P = 0.04). Mirroring this, nontargeted serum metabolomics revealed prolipogenic effects of androgens in PCOS women only. In vitro studies showed that insulin increased adipose AKR1C3 expression and activity, whereas androgen exposure increased adipocyte de novo lipid synthesis. Pharmacologic AKR1C3 inhibition in vitro decreased de novo lipogenesis. These findings define an intra-adipose mechanism of androgen activation that contributes to adipose remodeling and a systemic lipotoxic metabolome, with intra-adipose androgens driving lipid accumulation and insulin resistance in PCOS. AKR1C3 represents a promising therapeutic target in PCOS. Copyright © 2017 Endocrine Society

  11. Broadening the cofactor specificity of a thermostable alcohol dehydrogenase using rational protein design introduces novel kinetic transient behavior.

    PubMed

    Campbell, Elliot; Wheeldon, Ian R; Banta, Scott

    2010-12-01

    Cofactor specificity in the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily has been well studied, and several groups have reported the rational alteration of cofactor specificity in these enzymes. Although most efforts have focused on mesostable AKRs, several putative AKRs have recently been identified from hyperthermophiles. The few that have been characterized exhibit a strong preference for NAD(H) as a cofactor, in contrast to the NADP(H) preference of the mesophilic AKRs. Using the design rules elucidated from mesostable AKRs, we introduced two site-directed mutations in the cofactor binding pocket to investigate cofactor specificity in a thermostable AKR, AdhD, which is an alcohol dehydrogenase from Pyrococcus furiosus. The resulting double mutant exhibited significantly improved activity and broadened cofactor specificity as compared to the wild-type. Results of previous pre-steady-state kinetic experiments suggest that the high affinity of the mesostable AKRs for NADP(H) stems from a conformational change upon cofactor binding which is mediated by interactions between a canonical arginine and the 2'-phosphate of the cofactor. Pre-steady-state kinetics with AdhD and the new mutants show a rich conformational behavior that is independent of the canonical arginine or the 2'-phosphate. Additionally, experiments with the highly active double mutant using NADPH as a cofactor demonstrate an unprecedented transient behavior where the binding mechanism appears to be dependent on cofactor concentration. These results suggest that the structural features involved in cofactor specificity in the AKRs are conserved within the superfamily, but the dynamic interactions of the enzyme with cofactors are unexpectedly complex. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  12. Control of Growth Within Drosophila Peripheral Nerves by Ras and Protein Kinase A

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2009-02-01

    channel gene on behavior and axonal excitability. Genetics 124: 133– 143 . 20. Chouinard SW, Wilson GF, Schlimgen AK, Ganetzky B (1995) A potassium...channel beta subunit related to the aldo- keto reductase superfamily is encoded by the Drosophila hyperkinetic locus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 92: 6763–6767

  13. DNA from uncultured organisms as a source of 2,5-diketo-L-gluconic acid reductases.

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Eschenfeldt, W. H.; Stols, L.; Rosenbaum, H.

    2001-09-01

    Total DNA of a population of uncultured organisms was extracted from soil samples, and by using PCR methods, the genes encoding two different 2,5-diketo-D-gluconic acid reductases (DKGRs) were recovered. Degenerate PCR primers based on published sequence information gave internal gene fragments homologous to known DKGRs. Nested primers specific for the internal fragments were combined with random primers to amplify flanking gene fragments from the environmental DNA, and two hypothetical full-length genes were predicted from the combined sequences. Based on these predictions, specific primers were used to amplify the two complete genes in single PCRs. These genes were cloned and expressedmore » in Escherichia coli. The purified gene products catalyzed the reduction of 2,5-diketo-D-gluconic acid to 2-keto-L-gulonic acid. Compared to previously described DKGRs isolated from Corynebacterium spp., these environmental reductases possessed some valuable properties. Both exhibited greater than 20-fold-higher k{sub cat}/K{sub m} values than those previously determined, primarily as a result of better binding of substrate. The K{sub m} values for the two new reductases were 57 and 67 {mu}M, versus 2 and 13 mM for the Corynebacterium enzymes. Both environmental DKGRs accepted NADH as well as NADPH as a cosubstrate; other DKGRs and most related aldo-keto reductases use only NADPH. In addition, one of the new reductases was more thermostable than known DKGRs.« less

  14. Ziram inhibits rat neurosteroidogenic 5α-reductase 1 and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

    PubMed

    Su, Ying; Li, Huitao; Chen, Xiaomin; Wang, Yiyan; Li, Xiaoheng; Sun, Jianliang; Ge, Ren-Shan

    2018-01-01

    The neurotoxicity of ziram is largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the direct inhibitions of ziram on rat neurosteroid synthetic and metabolizing enzymes, 5α-reductase 1 (SRD5A1), 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C14), and retinol dehydrogenase 2 (RDH2). Rat SRD5A1, AKR1C14, and RDH2 were cloned and transiently expressed in COS1 cells, and the effects of ziram on these enzymes were measured. Ziram inhibited rat SRD5A1 and AKR1C14 with IC 50 values of 1.556 ± 0.078 and 1.017 ± 0.072 μM, respectively, when 1000 nM steroid substrates were used. Ziram weakly inhibited RDH2 at 100 μM, when androstanediol (1000 nM) was used. Ziram competitively inhibited SRD5A1 and non-competitively inhibited AKR1C14 when steroid substrates were used. Docking study showed that ziram bound to NADPH-binding pocket of AKR1C14. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that ziram inhibited SRD5A1 and AKR1C14 activities, thus possibly interfering with neurosteroid production in rats.

  15. The Syndrome of 17,20 Lyase Deficiency

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Context: Disorders of steroidogenesis have been instrumental in delineating human steroidogenic pathways. Each genetic disorder seemed to correspond to a different steroidogenic activity, helping to identify several enzymes. Beginning in 1972, several patients have been reported as having “17,20 lyase deficiency,” but there have been inconsistent genetic findings. Objective: This manuscript reviews the biochemistry, genetics, and clinical disorders of 17,20 lyase activity, which converts 21-carbon precursors of glucocorticoids to 19-carbon precursors of sex steroids. Findings: A single enzyme, cytochrome P450c17, catalyzes both 17α-hydroxylase activity and 17,20 lyase activity. The 17,20 lyase activity is especially sensitive to the activities of the accessory proteins P450 oxidoreductase and cytochrome b5. The first cases of genetically and biochemically proven 17,20 lyase deficiency were reported in 1997, in which specific P450c17 mutations were identified that lost 17,20 lyase activity but not 17α-hydroxylase activity when assayed in vitro. Subsequent work identified other P450c17 mutations and mutations in the genes encoding P450 oxidoreductase and cytochrome b5. Recently, the initially reported cases from 1972 were found to carry mutations in two aldo-keto reductases, AKR1C2 and AKR1C4. These AKR1C isozymes catalyze 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in the so-called “backdoor pathway” by which the fetal testis produces dihydrotestosterone without the intermediacy of testosterone. Conclusions: 17,20 Lyase deficiency should be considered a syndrome with multiple causes, and not a single disease. Study of this very rare disorder has substantially advanced our understanding of the pathways, mechanisms, and control of androgen synthesis. Mutations in other, as-yet unidentified genes may also cause this phenotype. PMID:22072737

  16. Catalytic mechanism and substrate specificity of the β-subunit of the voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channel

    PubMed Central

    Tipparaju, Srinivas M.; Barski, Oleg A.; Srivastava, Sanjay; Bhatnagar, Aruni

    2008-01-01

    The β-subunits of voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels are members of aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily. These proteins regulate inactivation and membrane localization of Kv1 and Kv4 channels. The Kvβ proteins bind to pyridine nucleotides with high affinity; however, their catalytic properties remain unclear. Here we report that recombinant rat Kvβ2 catalyzes the reduction of a wide range of aldehydes and ketones. The rate of catalysis was slower (0.06 to 0.2 min−1) than that of other AKRs, but displayed the expected hyperbolic dependence on substrate concentration, with no evidence of allosteric cooperativity. Catalysis was prevented by site-directed substitution of Tyr-90 with phenylalanine, indicating that the acid-base catalytic residue, identified in other AKRs, has a conserved function in Kvβ2. The protein catalyzed the reduction of a broad range of carbonyls including aromatic carbonyls, electrophilic aldehydes and prostaglandins, phospholipid and sugar aldehydes. Little or no activity was detected with carbonyl steroids. Initial velocity profiles were consistent with an ordered bi-bi rapid-equilibrium mechanism in which NADPH binding precedes carbonyl binding. Significant primary kinetic isotope effects (2.0 – 3.1) were observed under single and multiple turnover conditions, indicating that the bond-breaking chemical step is rate-limiting. Structure-activity relationships with a series of para-substituted benzaldehydes indicated that the electronic interactions predominate during substrate binding and that no significant charge develops during the transition state. These data strengthen the view that Kvβ proteins are catalytically-active AKRs that impart redox-sensitivity to Kv channels. PMID:18672894

  17. Sulforaphane Preconditioning Sensitizes Human Colon Cancer Cells towards the Bioreductive Anticancer Prodrug PR-104A.

    PubMed

    Erzinger, Melanie M; Bovet, Cédric; Hecht, Katrin M; Senger, Sabine; Winiker, Pascale; Sobotzki, Nadine; Cristea, Simona; Beerenwinkel, Niko; Shay, Jerry W; Marra, Giancarlo; Wollscheid, Bernd; Sturla, Shana J

    2016-01-01

    The chemoprotective properties of sulforaphane (SF), derived from cruciferous vegetables, are widely acknowledged to arise from its potent induction of xenobiotic-metabolizing and antioxidant enzymes. However, much less is known about the impact of SF on the efficacy of cancer therapy through the modulation of drug-metabolizing enzymes. To identify proteins modulated by a low concentration of SF, we treated HT29 colon cancer cells with 2.5 μM SF. Protein abundance changes were detected by stable isotope labeling of amino acids in cell culture. Among 18 proteins found to be significantly up-regulated, aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3), bioactivating the DNA cross-linking prodrug PR-104A, was further characterized. Preconditioning HT29 cells with SF reduced the EC50 of PR-104A 3.6-fold. The increase in PR-104A cytotoxicity was linked to AKR1C3 abundance and activity, both induced by SF in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was reproducible in a second colon cancer cell line, SW620, but not in other colon cancer cell lines where AKR1C3 abundance and activity were absent or barely detectable and could not be induced by SF. Interestingly, SF had no significant influence on PR-104A cytotoxicity in non-cancerous, immortalized human colonic epithelial cell lines expressing either low or high levels of AKR1C3. In conclusion, the enhanced response of PR-104A after preconditioning with SF was apparent only in cancer cells provided that AKR1C3 is expressed, while its expression in non-cancerous cells did not elicit such a response. Therefore, a subset of cancers may be susceptible to combined food-derived component and prodrug treatments with no harm to normal tissues.

  18. Survey of Human Oxidoreductases and Cytochrome P450 Enzymes Involved in the Metabolism of Xenobiotic and Natural Chemicals

    PubMed Central

    2015-01-01

    Analyzing the literature resources used in our previous reports, we calculated the fractions of the oxidoreductase enzymes FMO (microsomal flavin-containing monooxygenase), AKR (aldo-keto reductase), MAO (monoamine oxidase), and cytochrome P450 participating in metabolic reactions. The calculations show that the fractions of P450s involved in the metabolism of all chemicals (general chemicals, natural, and physiological compounds, and drugs) are rather consistent in the findings that >90% of enzymatic reactions are catalyzed by P450s. Regarding drug metabolism, three-fourths of the human P450 reactions can be accounted for by a set of five P450s: 1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 3A4, and the largest fraction of the P450 reactions is catalyzed by P450 3A enzymes. P450 3A4 participation in metabolic reactions of drugs varied from 13% for general chemicals to 27% for drugs. PMID:25485457

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

    PubMed

    Penning, Trevor M

    2016-07-01

    Structure-function studies on steroid transforming enzymes often use site-directed mutagenesis to inform mechanisms of catalysis and effects on steroid binding, and data are reported in terms of changes in steady state kinetic parameters kcat, Km and kcat/Km. However, this dissection of function is limited since kcat is governed by the rate-determining step and Km is a complex macroscopic kinetic constant. Often site-directed mutagenesis can lead to a change in the rate-determining step which cannot be revealed by just reporting a decrease in kcat alone. These issues are made more complex when it is considered that many steroid transforming enzymes have more than one substrate and product. We present the case for using transient-kinetics performed with stopped-flow spectrometry to assign rate constants to discrete steps in these multi-substrate reactions and their use to interpret enzyme mechanism and the effects of disease and engineered mutations. We demonstrate that fluorescence kinetic transients can be used to measure ligand binding that may be accompanied by isomerization steps, revealing the existence of new enzyme intermediates. We also demonstrate that single-turnover reactions can provide a klim for the chemical step and Ks for steroid-substrate binding and that when coupled with kinetic isotope effect measurements can provide information on transition state intermediates. We also demonstrate how multiple turnover experiments can provide evidence for either "burst-phase" kinetics, which can reveal a slow product release step, or linear-phase kinetics, in which the chemical step can be rate-determining. With these assignments it becomes more straightforward to analyze the effects of mutations. We use examples from the hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (AKR1Cs) and human steroid 5β-reductase (AKR1D1) to illustrate the utility of the approach, which are members of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  20. Apigenin inhibits rat neurosteroidogenic 5α-reductase 1 and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

    PubMed

    Wu, Ying; Li, Lili; Zhou, Songyi; Shen, Qiuxia; Lin, Han; Zhu, Qiqi; Sun, Jianliang; Ge, Ren-Shan

    2017-11-01

    Apigenin, a common flavonoid, has extensive pharmacological activities. Apigenin inhibits some steroid biosynthetic enzymes, suggesting that it may block neurosteroid synthesis. Neurosteroids play many important roles in neurological functions. The objective of the present study is to investigate effects of apigenin on neurosteroidogenic enzymes, 5α-reductase 1 (SRD5A1), 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C9), and retinol dehydrogenase 2 (RoDH2), in rats. SRD5A1, AKR1C9, and RoDH2 were expressed in COS-1 cells and the effects of apigenin on these enzymes and modes of action were explored using radiolabeled substrates and thin-layer chromatographic separation coupled with radiometry. Apigenin inhibited SRD5A1, AKR1C9, and RoDH2 activities with IC 50 values of 100, 0.891 ± 0.065, and >100 μM, respectively. Apigenin competitively inhibited rat AKR1C9 when its substrate 5α-dihydrotestosterone was used and uncompetitively inhibited the enzyme when cofactor NADPH was used. In conclusion, apigenin is a potent inhibitor of rat AKR1C9, thereby controlling the rate of neurosteroid biosynthesis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  1. AKR1C1 and SRD5A1 messenger RNA expression at term in the human myometrium and chorioamniotic membranes.

    PubMed

    Lee, Richard H; Stanczyk, Frank Z; Stolz, Andrew; Ji, Qing; Yang, Gloria; Goodwin, T Murphy

    2008-10-01

    We sought to determine relative mRNA expression of AKR1C1 and SRD5A1, which respectively encode for the key progesterone metabolizing enzymes, 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 5alpha-reductase type 1, in the myometrium and chorioamniotic membranes during human spontaneous or induced labor and nonlabor. Quantitative real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was used to compare relative mRNA expression of AKR1C1 and SRD5A1 in the myometrium and chorioamniotic membranes from 20 subjects during three different states of labor: not in labor ( N = 10), spontaneous labor ( N = 5), or induced labor ( N = 5). Labor was defined as regular uterine contractions that resulted in cervical dilation. Myometrial AKR1C1 mRNA expression was significantly greater in spontaneously laboring subjects compared with those not in labor (2.4-fold [1.97 to 2.98], P = 0.02). There was no difference in myometrial AKR1C1 mRNA expression between those with induced labor compared with those not in labor. Regardless of labor status, no differences were observed in the chorioamniotic membrane AKR1C1 mRNA expression between the groups. SRD5A1 mRNA expression was significantly lower in the membranes of both laboring groups when compared with those not in labor (spontaneous: 0.10-fold [0.06 to 0.18], P = 0.007; induced: 0.09-fold [0.03 to 0.25], P = 0.013). Regardless of labor status, there was no difference in SRD5A1 mRNA expression in the myometrium. Our study demonstrated tissue-specific changes in progesterone metabolizing enzyme mRNA expression in human intrauterine tissue at term associated with labor status. These observed changes in mRNA expression may have important implications for progesterone metabolism at those specific sites and thereby may differentially regulate the tissue-specific progesterone concentration and/or the level of specific progesterone metabolites.

  2. Comparison of crystal structures of human type 3 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase reveals an “induced-fit” mechanism and a conserved basic motif involved in the binding of androgen

    PubMed Central

    Couture, Jean-François; Pereira De Jésus-Tran, Karine; Roy, Anne-Marie; Cantin, Line; Côté, Pierre-Luc; Legrand, Pierre; Luu-The, Van; Labrie, Fernand; Breton, Rock

    2005-01-01

    The aldo-keto reductase (AKR) human type 3 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (h3α–HSD3, AKR1C2) plays a crucial role in the regulation of the intracellular concentrations of testosterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT), two steroids directly linked to the etiology and the progression of many prostate diseases and cancer. This enzyme also binds many structurally different molecules such as 4-hydroxynonenal, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and indanone. To understand the mechanism underlying the plasticity of its substrate-binding site, we solved the binary complex structure of h3α–HSD3-NADP(H) at 1.9 Å resolution. During the refinement process, we found acetate and citrate molecules deeply engulfed in the steroid-binding cavity. Superimposition of this structure with the h3α–HSD3-NADP(H)-testosterone/acetate ternary complex structure reveals that one of themobile loops forming the binding cavity operates a slight contraction movement against the citrate molecule while the side chains of many residues undergo numerous conformational changes, probably to create an optimal binding site for the citrate. These structural changes, which altogether cause a reduction of the substrate-binding cavity volume (from 776 Å3 in the presence of testosterone/acetate to 704 Å3 in the acetate/citratecomplex), are reminiscent of the “induced-fit” mechanism previously proposed for the aldose reductase, another member of the AKR superfamily. We also found that the replacement of residues Arg301 and Arg304, localized near the steroid-binding cavity, significantly affects the 3α–HSD activity of this enzyme toward 5α-DHT and completely abolishes its 17β–HSD activity on 4-dione. All these results have thus been used to reevaluate the binding mode of this enzyme for androgens. PMID:15929998

  3. Altered expression of genes involved in progesterone biosynthesis, metabolism and action in endometrial cancer.

    PubMed

    Sinreih, Maša; Hevir, Neli; Rižner, Tea Lanišnik

    2013-02-25

    Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common gynecological malignancies worldwide. It is associated with prolonged exposure to estrogens that is unopposed by the protective effects of progesterone, which suggests that altered progesterone biosynthesis, metabolism and actions might be implicated in the development of EC. Our aim was to evaluate these processes through quantitative real-time PCR expression analysis in up to 47 pairs of EC tissue and adjacent control endometrium. First, we examined the expression of genes encoding proteins associated with progesterone biosynthesis: steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR); a side chain cleavage enzyme (CYP11A1); and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/ketosteroid isomerase (HSD3B). There were 1.9- and 10.0-fold decreased expression of STAR and CYP11A1, respectively, in EC versus adjacent control endometrium, with no significant differences in the expression of HSD3B1 and HSD3B2. Next, we examined expression of genes encoding five progesterone metabolizing enzymes: the 3-keto and 20-ketosteroid reductases (AKR1C1-AKR1C3) and 5α-reductases (SRD5A1 and SRD5A2); and the opposing 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD17B2). These genes are expressed in EC and adjacent control endometrium. No statistically significant differences were seen in mRNA levels of AKR1C1, AKR1C2, AKR1C3 and SRD5A1. Expression of HSD17B2 was 3.0-fold increased, and expression of SRD5A2 was 3.7-fold decreased, in EC versus adjacent control endometrium. We also examined mRNA levels of progesterone receptors A and B (PGR), and separately the expression of progesterone receptor B (PR-B). Here we saw 1.8- and 2.0-fold lower mRNA levels of PGR and PR-B, respectively, in EC versus adjacent control endometrium. This down-regulation of STAR, CYP11A1 and PGR in endometrial cancer may lead to decreased progesterone biosynthesis and actions although the effects on progesterone levels should be further studied. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd

  4. Identification of cytotoxic mediators and their putative role in the signaling pathways during docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-induced apoptosis of cancer cells.

    PubMed

    Das, Moitreyi; Das, Sumantra

    2016-12-01

    Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an important w-3 fatty acid exhibits differential behavior in cancer cells of neural origin when compared to that in normal healthy astrocytes. Treatment of C6 glioma and SH-SY5Y cell lines and primary astrocytes, representing the neoplastic cells and normal healthy cells respectively, with 100 µM DHA for 24 h showed significant loss of cell viability in the both the cancer cells as determined by MTT assay, whereas the primary astrocytes cultures were unaffected. Such loss of cell viability was due to apoptosis as confirmed by TUNEL staining and caspase-3 activation in cancer cells. Proteomic approach, employing 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE), difference gel electrophoresis (DIGE), and MALDI-TOF-TOF analysis identified six proteins which unlike in the astrocytes, were differently altered in the cancer cells upon exposure to DHA, suggesting their putative contribution in causing apoptosis in these cells. Of these, annexin A2, calumenin, pyruvate kinase M2 isoform, 14-3-3ζ were downregulated while aldo keto reductase-1B8 (AKR1B8) and glutathione-S-transferase P1 subunit (GSTP1) showed upregulation by DHA in the cancer cells. siRNA-mediated knockdown of AKR1B8 and GSTP1 inhibit DHA-induced apoptosis confirming their role in apoptotic process. Furthermore, western blot analysis identified upregulation of PPARα and the MAP kinases, JNK and p38 as well as increased ROS production selectively in the cell lines. Results suggest that DHA selectively induces apoptosis in the neural cell lines by regulating the expression of the above proteins to activate multiple apoptotic pathways which in association with excess ROS and activated MAPKs promote cell death.

  5. Aldose reductase modulates acute activation of mesenchymal markers via the β-catenin pathway during cardiac ischemia-reperfusion.

    PubMed

    Thiagarajan, Devi; O' Shea, Karen; Sreejit, Gopalkrishna; Ananthakrishnan, Radha; Quadri, Nosirudeen; Li, Qing; Schmidt, Ann Marie; Gabbay, Kenneth; Ramasamy, Ravichandran

    2017-01-01

    Aldose reductase (AR: human, AKR1B1; mouse, AKR1B3), the first enzyme in the polyol pathway, plays a key role in mediating myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. In earlier studies, using transgenic mice broadly expressing human AKR1B1 to human-relevant levels, mice devoid of Akr1b3, and pharmacological inhibitors of AR, we demonstrated that AR is an important component of myocardial I/R injury and that inhibition of this enzyme protects the heart from I/R injury. In this study, our objective was to investigate if AR modulates the β-catenin pathway and consequent activation of mesenchymal markers during I/R in the heart. To test this premise, we used two different experimental models: in vivo, Akr1b3 null mice and wild type C57BL/6 mice (WT) were exposed to acute occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) followed by recovery for 48 hours or 28 days, and ex-vivo, WT and Akr1b3 null murine hearts were perfused using the Langendorff technique (LT) and subjected to 30 min of global (zero-flow) ischemia followed by 60 min of reperfusion. Our in vivo results reveal reduced infarct size and improved functional recovery at 48 hours in mice devoid of Akr1b3 compared to WT mice. We demonstrate that the cardioprotection observed in Akr1b3 null mice was linked to acute activation of the β-catenin pathway and consequent activation of mesenchymal markers and genes linked to fibrotic remodeling. The increased activity of the β-catenin pathway at 48 hours of recovery post-LAD was not observed at 28 days post-infarction, thus indicating that the observed increase in β-catenin activity was transient in the mice hearts devoid of Akr1b3. In ex vivo studies, inhibition of β-catenin blocked the cardioprotection observed in Akr1b3 null mice hearts. Taken together, these data indicate that AR suppresses acute activation of β-catenin and, thereby, blocks consequent induction of mesenchymal markers during early reperfusion after myocardial ischemia

  6. Expression of androgen receptor through androgen-converting enzymes is associated with biological aggressiveness in prostate cancer.

    PubMed

    Wako, K; Kawasaki, T; Yamana, K; Suzuki, K; Jiang, S; Umezu, H; Nishiyama, T; Takahashi, K; Hamakubo, T; Kodama, T; Naito, M

    2008-04-01

    The association between the expression of androgen receptor (AR) or androgen-converting enzymes and malignant potential in prostate cancer (PCa) was examined. PCa specimens from 44 cases of stage II, 10 cases of stage III, four cases of stage IV and two recurrent cases were semi-quantitatively studied with immunohistochemistry for AR and androgen-converting enzymes. The expression scores for AR, 5alpha-reductase type 1 (SRD5A1), 5alpha-reductase type 2 (SRD5A2), and aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 (AKR1C3) in the metastatic lesion of stage IV or recurrent cancer (n = 6) were 284.2 (30.1), 300 (0.0), 279.2 (51) and 254.2 (74.9), respectively; these scores were significantly higher than the respective scores of 121.8 (82.1), 135.1 (59.7), 167.0 (66.4) and 150.5 (62.8) for stage II and III cancer (n = 54) (p<0.001, p<0.001, p = 0.002 and p = 0.018, respectively). The expression scores for AR and SRD5A1 in stage II and III cancer with Gleason score 7 (n = 19) were 128.7 (72.3) and 150.5 (52.9); these were significantly higher than the scores of 78.8 (67.2) and 100.0 (39.6), respectively, for cancers with a Gleason score of < or =6 (n = 20) (p = 0.032 and p = 0.002, respectively). The expression scores for AR, SRD5A1 and AKR1C3 in stage II and III cancer with primary Gleason pattern > or =4 (n = 21) were 158.1 (84.3), 158.3 (61.1) and 173.8 (64.8); these were significantly higher than the scores of 98.6 (72.8), 120.3 (54.7) and 135.6 (57.6), respectively, for cancers with primary Gleason pattern < or =3 (n = 33) (p = 0.011, p = 0.026 and p = 0.034, respectively). Within Gleason score 9 cancer, the expression scores for AR and SRD5A1 in the primary lesion of stage IV (n = 3) were 276.7 (5.8) and 283.3 (28.9); these scores were significantly higher than the scores of 182.1 (86.0) and 140.0 (56.6), respectively, for stage II and III cancer (n = 7) (p = 0.027 and p = 0.001, respectively). Both AR and androgen-converting enzymes were upregulated in high-grade or

  7. Structure of conjugated polyketone reductase from Candida parapsilosis IFO 0708 reveals conformational changes for substrate recognition upon NADPH binding.

    PubMed

    Qin, Hui-Min; Yamamura, Akihiro; Miyakawa, Takuya; Kataoka, Michihiko; Nagai, Takahiro; Kitamura, Nahoko; Urano, Nobuyuki; Maruoka, Shintaro; Ohtsuka, Jun; Nagata, Koji; Shimizu, Sakayu; Tanokura, Masaru

    2014-01-01

    Conjugated polyketone reductase C2 (CPR-C2) from Candida parapsilosis IFO 0708, identified as a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent ketopantoyl lactone reductase, belongs to the aldo-keto reductase superfamily. This enzyme reduces ketopantoyl lactone to D-pantoyl lactone in a strictly stereospecific manner. To elucidate the structural basis of the substrate specificity, we determined the crystal structures of the apo CPR-C2 and CPR-C2/NADPH complex at 1.70 and 1.80 Å resolutions, respectively. CPR-C2 adopted a triose-phosphate isomerase barrel fold at the core of the structure. Binding with the cofactor NADPH induced conformational changes in which Thr27 and Lys28 moved 15 and 5.0 Å, respectively, in the close vicinity of the adenosine 2'-phosphate group of NADPH to form hydrogen bonds. Based on the comparison of the CPR-C2/NADPH structure with 3-α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and mutation analyses, we constructed substrate binding models with ketopantoyl lactone, which provided insight into the substrate specificity by the cofactor-induced structure. The results will be useful for the rational design of CPR-C2 mutants targeted for use in the industrial manufacture of ketopantoyl lactone.

  8. Important roles of the AKR1C2 and SRD5A1 enzymes in progesterone metabolism in endometrial cancer model cell lines.

    PubMed

    Sinreih, Maša; Anko, Maja; Zukunft, Sven; Adamski, Jerzy; Rižner, Tea Lanišnik

    2015-06-05

    Endometrial cancer is the most frequently diagnosed gynecological malignancy. It is associated with prolonged exposure to estrogens that is unopposed by progesterone, whereby enhanced metabolism of progesterone may decrease its protective effects, as it can deprive progesterone receptors of their active ligand. Furthermore, the 5α-pregnane metabolites formed can stimulate proliferation and may thus contribute to carcinogenesis. The aims of our study were to: (1) identify and quantify progesterone metabolites formed in the HEC-1A and Ishikawa model cell lines of endometrial cancer; and (2) pinpoint the enzymes involved in progesterone metabolism, and delineate their roles. Progesterone metabolism studies combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry enabled identification and quantification of the metabolites formed in these cells. Further quantitative PCR analysis and small-interfering-RNA-mediated gene silencing identified individual progesterone metabolizing enzymes and their relevant roles. In Ishikawa and HEC-1A cells, progesterone was metabolized mainly to 20α-hydroxy-pregn-4-ene-3-one, 20α-hydroxy-5α-pregnane-3-one, and 5α-pregnane-3α/β,20α-diol. The major difference between these cell lines was rate of progesterone metabolism, which was faster in HEC-1A cells. In the Ishikawa and HEC-1A cells, expression of AKR1C2 was 110-fold and 6800-fold greater, respectively, than expression of AKR1C1, which suggests that 20-ketosteroid reduction of 5α-pregnanes and 4-pregnenes is catalyzed mainly by AKR1C2. AKR1C1/AKR1C2 gene silencing showed decreased progesterone metabolism in both cell lines, thus further supporting the significant role of AKR1C2. SRD5A1 was also expressed in these cells, and its silencing confirmed that 5α-reduction is catalyzed by 5α-reductase type 1. Silencing of SRD5A1 also had the most pronounced effects, with decreased rate of progesterone metabolism, and consequently higher concentrations of unmetabolized progesterone

  9. Butylated hydroxyanisole alters rat 5α-reductase and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase: Implications for influences of neurosteroidogenesis.

    PubMed

    Guo, Jingjing; Li, Lili; Zhou, Songyi; Su, Ying; Li, Xiaoheng; Sun, Jianliang; Ge, Ren-Shan

    2017-07-13

    Butylated hydroxyanisole is a synthetic antioxidant. It may affect the function of the nerve system. The objective of the present study is to investigate the direct effects of butylated hydroxyanisole on rat brain neurosteroidogenic 5α-reductase 1 (SRD5A1), 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C14), and retinol dehydrogenase 2 (RDH2). Rat SRD5A1, AKR1C14, and RDH2 were cloned and expressed in COS1 cells, and the effects of butylated hydroxyanisole on these enzyme activities were measured. Butylated hydroxyanisole inhibited SRD5A1, AKR1C14, and RDH2 with IC 50 values of 4.731±0.079μM, 5.753±0.073μM, and over 100μM, respectively. Butylated hydroxyanisole is a competitive inhibitor for both SRD5A1 and AKR1C14. Docking analysis shows that butylated hydroxyanisole binds to the dihydrotestosterone-binding site of AKR1C14. In conclusion, butylated hydroxyanisole is a potent inhibitor of SRD5A1 and AKR1C14, thus reducing the formation of active neurosteroids. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  10. Inactivation of the ribonucleoside triphosphate reductase from Lactobacillus leichmannii by 2 prime -chloro-2 prime -deoxyuridine 5 prime -triphosphate: A 3 prime -2 prime hydrogen transfer during the formation of 3 prime -keto-2 prime -deoxyuridine 5 prime -triphosphate

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ashley, G.W.; Harris, G.; Stubbe, J.

    1988-10-04

    The ribonucleoside triphosphate reductase of Lactobacillus leichmannii converts the substrate analogue 2{prime}-chloro-2{prime}-deoxyuridine 5{prime}-triphosphate (C1UTP) into a mixture of 2{prime}-deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) and the unstable product 3{prime}-keto-2{prime}-deoxyuridine triphosphate (3{prime}-keto-dUTP). This ketone can be trapped by reduction with NaBH{sub 4}, producing a 4:1 mixture of xylo-dUTP and dUTP. When (3{prime}-{sup 3}H)C1UTP is treated with enzyme in the presence of NaBH{sub 4}, the isomeric deoxyuridines isolated after alkaline phosphatase treatment retained 15% of the {sup 3}H in C1UTP. Degradation of these isomeric nucleosides has established the location of the {sup 3}H in 3{prime}-keto-dUTP as predominantly 2{prime}(S). The xylo-dU had 98.6% of its labelmore » at the 2{prime}(S) position and 1.5% at 2{prime}(R). The isolated dU had 89.6% of its label at 2{prime}(S) and 1.4% at 2{prime}(R), with the remaining 9% label inferred to be at the 3{prime}-carbon, this resulting from the direct enzymic production of dUTP. These results are consistent with enzymic production of a 1:1,000 mixture of dUTP and 3{prime}-keto-dUTP, where the 3{prime}-hydrogen of C1UTP is retained at 3{prime} during production of dUTP and is transferred to 2{prime}(S) during production of 3{prime}-keto-dUTP. The implications of these results and the unique role of the cofactor adenosylcobalamin are discussed in terms of reductase being a model for the B{sub 12}-dependent rearrangement reactions.« less

  11. Adipose Stem Cell-Based Therapeutic Targeting of Residual Androgens in African Americans With Bone-Metastatic Prostate Cancer

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-09-01

    survival rate than CA males [3-7]. Socioeconomic and environmental factors, such as diet , access to care, and screening, have been cited as factors...cDNA clone coding for 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3α-HSD) was obtained from Origene. The 3α-HSD, also known as aldo- keto reductase family 1 member...growth of established human prostate LNCaP tumors in nude mice fed a low-fat diet . J Natl Cancer Inst 87: 1456–1462 17. Aronson WJ et al. (1999

  12. A comparative proteomic analysis of Bacillus coagulans in response to lactate stress during the production of L-lactic acid.

    PubMed

    Wang, Xiuwen; Qin, Jiayang; Wang, Landong; Xu, Ping

    2014-12-01

    The growth rate and maximum biomass of Bacillus coagulans 2-6 were inhibited by lactate; inhibition by sodium lactate was stronger than by calcium lactate. The differences of protein expressions by B. coagulans 2-6 under the lactate stress were determined using two-dimensional electrophoresis coupled with mass spectrometric identification. Under the non-stress condition, calcium lactate stress and sodium lactate stress, the number of detected protein spots was 1,571 ± 117, 1,281 ± 231 and 904 ± 127, respectively. Four proteins with high expression under lactate stress were identified: lactate dehydrogenase, cysteine synthase A, aldo/keto reductase and ribosomal protein L7/L12. These proteins are thus potential targets for the reconstruction of B. coagulans to promote its resistance to lactate stress.

  13. Two types of alcohol dehydrogenase from Perilla can form citral and perillaldehyde.

    PubMed

    Sato-Masumoto, Naoko; Ito, Michiho

    2014-08-01

    Studies on the biosynthesis of oil compounds in Perilla will help in understanding regulatory systems of secondary metabolites and in elucidating reaction mechanisms for natural product synthesis. In this study, two types of alcohol dehydrogenases, an aldo-keto reductase (AKR) and a geraniol dehydrogenase (GeDH), which are thought to participate in the biosynthesis of perilla essential oil components, such as citral and perillaldehyde, were isolated from three pure lines of perilla. These enzymes shared high amino acid sequence identity within the genus Perilla, and were expressed regardless of oil type. The overall reaction from geranyl diphosphate to citral was performed in vitro using geraniol synthase and GeDH to form a large proportion of citral and relatively little geraniol as reaction products. The biosynthetic pathway from geranyl diphosphate to citral, the main compound of citral-type perilla essential oil, was established in this study. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. Provirus Integration at the 3 Region of N‐myc in Cell Lines Established from Thymic Lymphomas Spontaneously Formed in AKR Mice and a [(BALB/c × B6)F1AKR] Bone Marrow Chimera

    PubMed Central

    Yano, Yoko; Kobayashi, Seiichi; Yasumizu, Ryoji; Tamaki, Junko; Kubo, Mitsumasa; Sasaki, Akio; Hasan, Shahid; Okuyama, Harue; Inaba, Muneo; Ikehara, Susumu; Hiai, Hiroshi; Kakinuma, Mitsuaki

    1991-01-01

    Among 18 thymic leukemia cell lines which have been established from spontaneous thymic lym‐phomas in AKR mice as well as in bone marrow chimeras which were constructed by transplanting allogeneic bone marrow cells into irradiated AKR mice, three proviral integration sites were identified; near c‐myc, N‐myc and pim‐l loci. No integration site specific for chimeric leukemia cell lines was found. In three thymic leukemia cell lines which contained rearranged N‐myc, genes, insertions of long terminal repeats (LTRs) of murine leukemia viruses were detected at 18 or 20 bp downstream of the translational termination codon. These results demonstrate that the 3’region of the N‐myc gene is one of the integration targets for murine leukemia viruses in spontaneous thymic lymphomas. In these three cell lines, N‐myc mRNA was stably transcribed and transcription of c‐myc mRNA was down‐regulated. The integrated murine leukemia viruses in AKR thymic leukemia were most likely AKV, though the DNA sequence of the LTR inserted in the genome of a leukemic cell line from [(BALB/c × B6)F1AKR], CAK20, was different from LTRs of murine leukemia viruses so far reported. PMID:1900822

  15. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kiyota, Eduardo; Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas-SP; Sousa, Sylvia Morais de

    Preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of apo maize aldose reductase at 2.0 Å resolution are reported. Maize aldose reductase (AR) is a member of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily. In contrast to human AR, maize AR seems to prefer the conversion of sorbitol into glucose. The apoenzyme was crystallized in space group P2{sub 1}2{sub 1}2{sub 1}, with unit-cell parameters a = 47.2, b = 54.5, c = 100.6 Å and one molecule in the asymmetric unit. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction data were collected and a final resolution limit of 2.0 Å was obtained after data reduction. Phasing was carried out by an automatedmore » molecular-replacement procedure and structural refinement is currently in progress. The refined structure is expected to shed light on the functional/enzymatic mechanism and the unusual activities of maize AR.« less

  16. Prostaglandin reductase-3 negatively modulates adipogenesis through regulation of PPARγ activity[S

    PubMed Central

    Yu, Yu-Hsiang; Chang, Yi-Cheng; Su, Tseng-Hsiung; Nong, Jiun-Yi; Li, Chao-Chin; Chuang, Lee-Ming

    2013-01-01

    Adipocyte differentiation is a multistep program under regulation by several factors. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) serves as a master regulator of adipogenesis. However, the endogenous ligand for PPARγ remained elusive until 15-keto-PGE2 was identified recently as an endogenous PPARγ ligand. In this study, we demonstrate that zinc-containing alcohol dehydrogenase 2 (ZADH2; here termed prostaglandin reductase-3, PTGR-3) is a new member of prostaglandin reductase family that converts 15-keto-PGE2 to 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGE2. Adipogenesis is accelerated when endogenous PTGR-3 is silenced in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, whereas forced expression of PTGR-3 significantly decreases adipogenesis. PTGR-3 expression decreased during adipocyte differentiation, accompanied by an increased level of 15-keto-PGE2. 15-keto-PGE2 exerts a potent proadipogenic effect by enhancing PPARγ activity, whereas overexpression of PTGR-3 in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes markedly suppressed the proadipogenic effect of 15-keto-PGE2 by repressing PPARγ activity. Taken together, these findings demonstrate for the first time that PTGR-3 is a novel 15-oxoprostaglandin-Δ13-reductase and plays a critical role in modulation of normal adipocyte differentiation via regulation of PPARγ activity. Thus, modulation of PTGR-3 might provide a novel avenue for treating obesity and related metabolic disorders. PMID:23821743

  17. Biotransformation and bioactivation reactions - 2015 literature highlights.

    PubMed

    Baillie, Thomas A; Dalvie, Deepak; Rietjens, Ivonne M C M; Cyrus Khojasteh, S

    2016-05-01

    Since 1972, Drug Metabolism Reviews has been recognized as one of the principal resources for researchers in pharmacological, pharmaceutical and toxicological fields to keep abreast of advances in drug metabolism science in academia and the pharmaceutical industry. With a distinguished list of authors and editors, the journal covers topics ranging from relatively mature fields, such as cytochrome P450 enzymes, to a variety of emerging fields. We hope to continue this tradition with the current compendium of mini-reviews that highlight novel biotransformation processes that were published during the past year. Each review begins with a summary of the article followed by our comments on novel aspects of the research and their biological implications. This collection of highlights is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather to be illustrative of recent research that provides new insights or approaches that advance the field of drug metabolism. Abbreviations NAPQI N-acetyl-p-benzoquinoneimine ALDH aldehyde dehydrogenase AO aldehyde oxidase AKR aldo-keto reductase CES carboxylesterase CSB cystathionine β-synthase CSE cystathionine γ-lyase P450 cytochrome P450 DHPO 2,3-dihydropyridin-4-one ESI electrospray FMO flavin monooxygenase GSH glutathione GSSG glutathione disulfide ICPMS inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry i.p. intraperitoneal MDR multidrug-resistant NNAL 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol NNK 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone oaTOF orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight PBK physiologically based kinetic PCP pentachlorophenol SDR short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase SULT sulfotransferase TB tuberculosis.

  18. A high-fat diet differentially regulates glutathione phenotypes in the obesity-prone mouse strains DBA/2J, C57BL/6J, and AKR/J.

    PubMed

    Norris, Katie M; Okie, Whitney; Kim, Woo Kyun; Adhikari, Roshan; Yoo, Sarah; King, Stephanie; Pazdro, Robert

    2016-12-01

    The ubiquitous tripeptide glutathione (GSH) is a critical component of the endogenous antioxidant defense system. Tissue GSH concentrations and redox status (GSH/GSSG) are genetically controlled, but it is unclear whether interactions between genetic background and diet affect GSH homeostasis. The current study tested the hypothesis that a high-fat diet regulates GSH homeostasis in a manner dependent on genetic background. At 4 months of age, female mice representing 3 obesity-prone inbred strains-C57BL/6J (B6), DBA/2J (D2), and AKR/J (AKR)-were randomly assigned to consume a control (10% energy from fat) or high-fat (62% energy from fat) diet for 10 weeks (n=5/diet per strain). Tissue GSH levels, GSSG levels, and GSH/GSSG were quantified, and hepatic expression of GSH-related enzymes was evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The high-fat diet caused a decrease in hepatic GSH/GSSG in D2 mice. In contrast, B6 mice exhibited a decrease in GSSG levels in the liver and kidney, as well as a resultant increase in renal GSH/GSSG. AKR mice also exhibited increased renal GSH/GSSG on a high-fat diet. Finally, the high-fat diet induced a unique gene expression response in D2 mice compared with B6 and AKR. The D2 response was characterized by up-regulation of glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit and down-regulation of glutathione reductase, whereas the B6 and AKR responses were characterized by up-regulation of glutathione peroxidase 1. Two-way analysis of variance analyses confirmed several diet-strain interactions within the GSH system, and linear regression models highlighted relationships between body mass and GSH outcomes as well. Overall, our data indicate that dietary fat regulates the GSH system in a strain-dependent manner. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. Polymorphisms in AKR1C4 and HSD3B2 and differences in serum DHEAS and progesterone are associated with paranoid ideation during mania or hypomania in bipolar disorder.

    PubMed

    Johansson, Anette G M; Nikamo, Pernilla; Schalling, Martin; Landén, Mikael

    2012-09-01

    Paranoia is commonly a mood-incongruent psychotic symptom of mania which may be related to dopamine dysregulation. Progesterone and its metabolite allopregnanolone (ALLO) have been found in animals to antagonize the effects of dopamine. We therefore examined serum progesterone, its endogenous antagonist DHEAS and polymorphisms of the genes coding for certain steroidogenetic enzymes (AKR1C4, HSD3B2, and SRD5A1) in 64 males and 96 females with bipolar 1 or 2 disorder with or without paranoid ideation during mood elevation. Euthymic morning serum progesterone, DHEAS and cortisol concentrations were measured in males and in premenopausal women who were in follicular phase and not taking oral contraceptives. In women only, SNPs in AKR1C4 reduced the likelihood of having exhibited paranoid ideation by circa 60%. The haplotype of all 4 SNPs in the AKR1C4 gene reduced the risk of exhibiting paranoia by 80% (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.06-0.61, p=0.05). A history of paranoid ideation was not, however, related to progesterone or DHEAS concentration. Serum DHEAS and progesterone concentrations were lower in men who had shown paranoid ideation during mania/hypomania compared with those who had not (F=7.30, p=0.006) however this was not coupled to polymorphisms in the selected genes. The ancestral G in rs4659174 in HSD3B2 was in men associated with a lower risk of paranoid ideation (likelihood ratio χ(2) 3.97, p=0.046, OR 0.31 (95% CI 0.10-0.96)) but did not correlate with hormone concentrations. Hence, gene variants in the steroidogenetic pathway and steroids concentration differences may be involved in the susceptibility to paranoia during mood elevation. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. and ECNP. All rights reserved.

  20. Identification of the 7-Hydroxymethyl Chlorophyll a Reductase of the Chlorophyll Cycle in Arabidopsis[W

    PubMed Central

    Meguro, Miki; Ito, Hisashi; Takabayashi, Atsushi; Tanaka, Ryouichi; Tanaka, Ayumi

    2011-01-01

    The interconversion of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b, referred to as the chlorophyll cycle, plays a crucial role in the processes of greening, acclimation to light intensity, and senescence. The chlorophyll cycle consists of three reactions: the conversions of chlorophyll a to chlorophyll b by chlorophyllide a oxygenase, chlorophyll b to 7-hydroxymethyl chlorophyll a by chlorophyll b reductase, and 7-hydroxymethyl chlorophyll a to chlorophyll a by 7-hydroxymethyl chlorophyll a reductase. We identified 7-hydroxymethyl chlorophyll a reductase, which is the last remaining unidentified enzyme of the chlorophyll cycle, from Arabidopsis thaliana by genetic and biochemical methods. Recombinant 7-hydroxymethyl chlorophyll a reductase converted 7-hydroxymethyl chlorophyll a to chlorophyll a using ferredoxin. Both sequence and biochemical analyses showed that 7-hydroxymethyl chlorophyll a reductase contains flavin adenine dinucleotide and an iron-sulfur center. In addition, a phylogenetic analysis elucidated the evolution of 7-hydroxymethyl chlorophyll a reductase from divinyl chlorophyllide vinyl reductase. A mutant lacking 7-hydroxymethyl chlorophyll a reductase was found to accumulate 7-hydroxymethyl chlorophyll a and pheophorbide a. Furthermore, this accumulation of pheophorbide a in the mutant was rescued by the inactivation of the chlorophyll b reductase gene. The downregulation of pheophorbide a oxygenase activity is discussed in relation to 7-hydroxymethyl chlorophyll a accumulation. PMID:21934147

  1. Involvement of an octose ketoreductase and two acyltransferases in the biosynthesis of paulomycins

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Jine; Wang, Min; Ding, Yong; Tang, Yue; Zhang, Zhiguo; Chen, Yihua

    2016-02-01

    C-4 hydroxyethyl branched octoses have been observed in polysaccharides of several genera of gram negative bacteria and in various antibiotics produced by gram positive bacteria. The C-4 hydroxyethyl branch was proposed to be converted from C-4 acetyl branch by an uncharacterized ketoreduction step. Paulomycins (PAUs) are glycosylated antibiotics with potent inhibitory activity against gram positive bacteria and are structurally defined by its unique C-4‧ hydroxyethyl branched paulomycose moiety. A novel aldo-keto-reductase, Pau7 was characterized as the enzyme catalyzing the stereospecific ketoreduction of 7‧-keto of PAU E (1) to give the C-4‧ hydroxyethyl branched paulomycose moiety of PAU F (2). An acyltransferase Pau6 further decorates the C-4‧ hydroxyethyl branch of paulomycose moiety of 2 by attaching various fatty acyl chains to 7‧-OH to generate diverse PAUs. In addition, another acyltransferase Pau24 was proposed to be responsible for the 13-O-acetylation of PAUs.

  2. Predictors of Variation in CYP2A6 mRNA, Protein, and Enzyme Activity in a Human Liver Bank: Influence of Genetic and Nongenetic Factors.

    PubMed

    Tanner, Julie-Anne; Prasad, Bhagwat; Claw, Katrina G; Stapleton, Patricia; Chaudhry, Amarjit; Schuetz, Erin G; Thummel, Kenneth E; Tyndale, Rachel F

    2017-01-01

    Cytochrome P450 2A6 CYP2A6: metabolizes several clinically relevant substrates, including nicotine, the primary psychoactive component in cigarette smoke. Smokers vary widely in their rate of inactivation and clearance of nicotine, altering numerous smoking phenotypes. We aimed to characterize independent and shared impact of genetic and nongenetic sources of variation in CYP2A6 mRNA, protein, and enzyme activity in a human liver bank (n = 360). For the assessment of genetic factors, we quantified levels of CYP2A6, cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR), and aldo-keto reductase 1D1 (AKR1D1) mRNA, and CYP2A6 and POR proteins. CYP2A6 enzyme activity was determined through measurement of cotinine formation from nicotine and 7-hydroxycoumarin formation from coumarin. Donor DNA was genotyped for CYP2A6, POR, and AKR1D1 genetic variants. Nongenetic factors assessed included gender, age, and liver disease. CYP2A6 phenotype measures were positively correlated to each other (r values ranging from 0.47-0.88, P < 0.001). Female donors exhibited higher CYP2A6 mRNA expression relative to males (P < 0.05). Donor age was weakly positively correlated with CYP2A6 protein (r = 0.12, P < 0.05) and activity (r = 0.20, P < 0.001). CYP2A6 reduced-function genotypes, but not POR or AKR1D1 genotypes, were associated with lower CYP2A6 protein (P < 0.001) and activity (P < 0.01). AKR1D1 mRNA was correlated with CYP2A6 mRNA (r = 0.57, P < 0.001), protein (r = 0.30, P < 0.001), and activity (r = 0.34, P < 0.001). POR protein was correlated with CYP2A6 activity (r = 0.45, P < 0.001). Through regression analyses, we accounted for 17% (P < 0.001), 37% (P < 0.001), and 77% (P < 0.001) of the variation in CYP2A6 mRNA, protein, and activity, respectively. Overall, several independent and shared sources of variation in CYP2A6 activity in vitro have been identified, which could translate to variable hepatic clearance of nicotine. Copyright © 2016 by The American Society for Pharmacology and

  3. 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 contributes to the balance between 7-keto- and 7-hydroxy-oxysterols in vivo.

    PubMed

    Mitić, Tijana; Shave, Steven; Semjonous, Nina; McNae, Iain; Cobice, Diego F; Lavery, Gareth G; Webster, Scott P; Hadoke, Patrick W F; Walker, Brian R; Andrew, Ruth

    2013-07-01

    11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11βHSD1; EC 1.1.1.146) generates active glucocorticoids from inert 11-keto metabolites. However, it can also metabolize alternative substrates, including 7β-hydroxy- and 7-keto-cholesterol (7βOHC, 7KC). This has been demonstrated in vitro but its consequences in vivo are uncertain. We used genetically modified mice to investigate the contribution of 11βHSD1 to the balance of circulating levels of 7KC and 7βOHC in vivo, and dissected in vitro the kinetics of the interactions between oxysterols and glucocorticoids for metabolism by the mouse enzyme. Circulating levels of 7KC and 7βOHC in mice were 91.3±22.3 and 22.6±5.7 nM respectively, increasing to 1240±220 and 406±39 nM in ApoE(-/-) mice receiving atherogenic western diet. Disruption of 11βHSD1 in mice increased (p<0.05) the 7KC/7βOHC ratio in plasma (by 20%) and also in isolated microsomes (2 fold). The 7KC/7βOHC ratio was similarly increased when NADPH generation was restricted by disruption of hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Reduction and oxidation of 7-oxysterols by murine 11βHSD1 proceeded more slowly and substrate affinity was lower than for glucocorticoids. in vitro 7βOHC was a competitive inhibitor of oxidation of corticosterone (Ki=0.9 μM), whereas 7KC only weakly inhibited reduction of 11-dehydrocorticosterone. However, supplementation of 7-oxysterols in cultured cells, secondary to cholesterol loading, preferentially slowed reduction of glucocorticoids, rather than oxidation. Thus, in mouse, 11βHSD1 influenced the abundance and balance of circulating and tissue levels of 7βOHC and 7KC, promoting reduction of 7KC. In health, 7-oxysterols are unlikely to regulate glucocorticoid metabolism. However, in hyperlipidaemia, 7-oxysterols may inhibit glucocorticoid metabolism and modulate signaling through corticosteroid receptors. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. p53 Mutagenesis by Benzo[a]pyrene derived Radical Cations

    PubMed Central

    Sen, Sushmita; Bhojnagarwala, Pratik; Francey, Lauren; Lu, Ding; Jeffrey Field, Trevor M. Penning

    2013-01-01

    Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), a major human carcinogen in combustion products such as cigarette smoke and diesel exhaust, is metabolically activated into DNA-reactive metabolites via three different enzymatic pathways. The pathways are the anti-(+)-benzo[a]pyrene 7,8-diol 9, 10-epoxide pathway (P450/ epoxide hydrolase catalyzed) (B[a]PDE), the benzo[a]pyrene o-quinone pathway (aldo ketose reductase (AKR) catalyzed) and the B[a]P radical cation pathway (P450 peroxidase catalyzed). We used a yeast p53 mutagenesis system to assess mutagenesis by B[a]P radical cations. Because radical cations are short-lived, they were generated in situ by reacting B[a]P with cumene hydroperoxide (CuOOH) and horse radish peroxidase (HRP) and then monitoring the generation of the more stable downstream products, B[a]P-1,6-dione and B[a]P-3,6-dione. Based on the B[a]P-1,6 and 3,6-dione formation, approximately 4µM of radical cation was generated. In the mutagenesis assays, the radical cations produced in situ showed a dose-dependent increase in mutagenicity from 0.25 µM to 10 µM B[a]P with no significant increase seen with further escalation to 50 µM B[a]P. However, mutagenesis was 200-fold less than with the AKR pathway derived B[a]P, 7–8 dione. Mutant p53 plasmids, which yield red colonies, were recovered from the yeast to study the pattern and spectrum of mutations. The mutation pattern observed was G to T (31%) > G to C (29%) > G to A (14%). The frequency of codons mutated by the B[a]P radical cations was essentially random and not enriched at known cancer hotspots. The quinone products of radical cations, B[a]P-1,6-dione and B[a]P-3,6-dione were more mutagenic than the radical cation reactions, but still less mutagenic than AKR derived B[a]P-7,8-dione. We conclude that B[a]P radical cations and their quinone products are weakly mutagenic in this yeast-based system compared to redox cycling PAH o-quinones. PMID:22768918

  5. Overcoming CRPC Treatment Resistance via Novel Dual AKR1C3 Targeting

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-10-01

    We therefore characterized another drug resistant line from C4-2B cells, C4-2B AbiR cells. C4-2B AbiR cells were resistant to Abi acetate in a...Testosterone level in C4-2B AbiR cell was 12 pg/50 million cells, similar to that in C4-2B MDVR or LNCaP-AKR1C3 cells. With the single drug resistant...cell lines on hand, we tested for their cross- resistance to Enza and Abi. While the parental line was sensitive to both drugs , the resistant lines

  6. Organophosphorus pesticides enhance the genotoxicity of benzo(a)pyrene by modulating its metabolism.

    PubMed

    Hreljac, Irena; Filipic, Metka

    2009-12-01

    Organophosphorus compounds (OPs) are widely used as pesticides. They act primarily as neurotoxins, but there is increasing evidence for secondary mechanisms of their toxicity. We have shown that the model OPs, methyl parathion (PT) and methyl paraoxon (PO), are genotoxic. Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is a widespread environmental genotoxin found in cigarette smoke, polluted air and grilled food. As people are constantly exposed to low concentrations of BaP and also to OPs, the aim of this study was to determine possible synergistic effects of PT and PO on BaP-induced genotoxicity. In the bacterial reverse mutation assay, PT and PO increased the number of BaP-induced mutations. The comet assay with human hepatoma HepG2 cells showed that BaP-induced DNA strand breaks were increased by PT but slightly decreased by PO. Using the acellular comet assay with UVC-induced DNA strand breaks, we observed a decrease in DNA migration, indicating that OPs cause cross-linking, thus interfering with comet assay results. In HepG2 cells the two OPs induced micronuclei formation at very low doses (0.01 microg/ml) and together with BaP, a more than additive increase of micronuclei was observed, confirming their co-genotoxic effect. We demonstrated for the first time that PT and PO modulate the metabolic activation of BaP. Addition of PT or PO increased aldo-keto reductase (AKR1C1/2) levels in the presence of BaP, while cytochrome 1A (CYP1A) mRNA expression and activity were decreased. Further, specific inhibition of CYP1A had no effect on BaP or OP+BaP-induced micronuclei, whereas inhibition of AKR1C dramatically decreased the number of micronuclei induced by BaP or OP+BaP. Based on these results we propose that co-genotoxicity results from OPs mediated modulation of BaP metabolism, favouring the induction of AKR1C enzymes known to catalyse the formation of DNA reactive BaP o-quinones and the production of reactive oxygen species.

  7. Plant tropane alkaloid biosynthesis evolved independently in the Solanaceae and Erythroxylaceae

    PubMed Central

    Jirschitzka, Jan; Schmidt, Gregor W.; Reichelt, Michael; Schneider, Bernd; Gershenzon, Jonathan; D’Auria, John Charles

    2012-01-01

    The pharmacologically important tropane alkaloids have a scattered distribution among angiosperm families, like many other groups of secondary metabolites. To determine whether tropane alkaloids have evolved repeatedly in different lineages or arise from an ancestral pathway that has been lost in most lines, we investigated the tropinone-reduction step of their biosynthesis. In species of the Solanaceae, which produce compounds such as atropine and scopolamine, this reaction is known to be catalyzed by enzymes of the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase family. However, in Erythroxylum coca (Erythroxylaceae), which accumulates cocaine and other tropane alkaloids, no proteins of the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase family were found that could catalyze this reaction. Instead, purification of E. coca tropinone-reduction activity and cloning of the corresponding gene revealed that a protein of the aldo-keto reductase family carries out this reaction in E. coca. This protein, designated methylecgonone reductase, converts methylecgonone to methylecgonine, the penultimate step in cocaine biosynthesis. The protein has highest sequence similarity to other aldo-keto reductases, such as chalcone reductase, an enzyme of flavonoid biosynthesis, and codeinone reductase, an enzyme of morphine alkaloid biosynthesis. Methylecgonone reductase reduces methylecgonone (2-carbomethoxy-3-tropinone) stereospecifically to 2-carbomethoxy-3β-tropine (methylecgonine), and has its highest activity, protein level, and gene transcript level in young, expanding leaves of E. coca. This enzyme is not found at all in root tissues, which are the site of tropane alkaloid biosynthesis in the Solanaceae. This evidence supports the theory that the ability to produce tropane alkaloids has arisen more than once during the evolution of the angiosperms. PMID:22665766

  8. Ascorbate synthesis pathway, dual role of ascorbate in bone homeostasis

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Using mouse gene knock-out models, we identify aldehyde reductase (EC 1.1.1.2, Akr1a4 (GR)) and aldose reductase (EC 1.1.1.21, Akr1b3 (AR)) as the enzymes responsible for conversion of D-glucuronate to L-gulonate, a key step in the ascorbate (ASC) synthesis pathway in mice. The gene knock-out (KO) m...

  9. Transition from androgenic to neurosteroidal action of 5α-androstane-3α, 17β-diol through the type A γ-aminobutyric acid receptor in prostate cancer progression.

    PubMed

    Xia, Ding; Lai, Doan V; Wu, Weijuan; Webb, Zachary D; Yang, Qing; Zhao, Lichao; Yu, Zhongxin; Thorpe, Jessica E; Disch, Bryan C; Ihnat, Michael A; Jayaraman, Muralidharan; Dhanasekaran, Danny N; Stratton, Kelly L; Cookson, Michael S; Fung, Kar-Ming; Lin, Hsueh-Kung

    2018-04-01

    Androgen ablation is the standard of care prescribed to patients with advanced or metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) to slow down disease progression. Unfortunately, a majority of PCa patients under androgen ablation progress to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Several mechanisms including alternative intra-prostatic androgen production and androgen-independent androgen receptor (AR) activation have been proposed for CRPC progression. Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 (AKR1C3), a multi-functional steroid metabolizing enzyme, is specifically expressed in the cytoplasm of PCa cells; and positive immunoreactivity of the type A γ-aminobutyric acid receptor (GABA A R), an ionotropic receptor and ligand-gated ion channel, is detected on the membrane of PCa cells. We studied a total of 72 radical prostatectomy cases by immunohistochemistry, and identified that 21 cases exhibited positive immunoreactivities for both AKR1C3 and GABA A R. In the dual positive cancer cases, AKR1C3 and GABA A R subunit α 1 were either expressed in the same cells or in neighboring cells. Among several possible substrates, AKR1C3 reduces 5α-dihydrotesterone (DHT) to form 5α-androstane-3α, 17β-diol (3α-diol). 3α-diol is a neurosteroid that acts as a positive allosteric modulator of the GABA A R in the central nervous system (CNS). We examined the hypothesis that 3α-diol-regulated pathological effects in the prostate are GABA A R-dependent, but are independent of the AR. In GABA A R-positive, AR-negative human PCa PC-3 cells, 3α-diol significantly stimulated cell growth in culture and the in ovo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) xenograft model. 3α-diol also up-regulated expression of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family of growth factors and activation of EGF receptor (EGFR) and Src as measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting, respectively. Inclusion of GABA A R antagonists reversed 3α-diol-stimulated tumor cell growth, expression of EGF

  10. Identification and functional evaluation of the reductases and dehydrogenases from Saccharomyces cerevisiae involved in vanillin resistance.

    PubMed

    Wang, Xinning; Liang, Zhenzhen; Hou, Jin; Bao, Xiaoming; Shen, Yu

    2016-04-01

    Vanillin, a type of phenolic released during the pre-treatment of lignocellulosic materials, is toxic to microorganisms and therefore its presence inhibits the fermentation. The vanillin can be reduced to vanillyl alcohol, which is much less toxic, by the ethanol producer Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The reducing capacity of S. cerevisiae and its vanillin resistance are strongly correlated. However, the specific enzymes and their contribution to the vanillin reduction are not extensively studied. In our previous work, an evolved vanillin-resistant strain showed an increased vanillin reduction capacity compared with its parent strain. The transcriptome analysis suggested the reductases and dehydrogenases of this vanillin resistant strain were up-regulated. Using this as a starting point, 11 significantly regulated reductases and dehydrogenases were selected in the present work for further study. The roles of these reductases and dehydrogenases in the vanillin tolerance and detoxification abilities of S. cerevisiae are described. Among the candidate genes, the overexpression of the alcohol dehydrogenase gene ADH6, acetaldehyde dehydrogenase gene ALD6, glucose-6-phosphate 1-dehydrogenase gene ZWF1, NADH-dependent aldehyde reductase gene YNL134C, and aldo-keto reductase gene YJR096W increased 177, 25, 6, 15, and 18 % of the strain μmax in the medium containing 1 g L(-1) vanillin. The in vitro detected vanillin reductase activities of strain overexpressing ADH6, YNL134C and YJR096W were notably higher than control. The vanillin specific reduction rate increased by 8 times in ADH6 overexpressed strain but not in YNL134C and YJR096W overexpressed strain. This suggested that the enzymes encoded by YNL134C and YJR096W might prefer other substrate and/or could not show their effects on vanillin on the high background of Adh6p in vivo. Overexpressing ALD6 and ZWF1 mainly increased the [NADPH]/[NADP(+)] and [GSH]/[GSSG] ratios but not the vanillin reductase activities. Their

  11. Variation in AKR1C3, which encodes the neuroactive steroid synthetic enzyme 3α-HSD type 2 (17β-HSD type 5), moderates the subjective effects of alcohol.

    PubMed

    Milivojevic, Verica; Feinn, Richard; Kranzler, Henry R; Covault, Jonathan

    2014-09-01

    Animal models suggest that neuroactive steroids contribute to alcohol's acute effects. We previously reported that a common nonsynonymous polymorphism, AKR1C3 2 in the gene encoding the enzyme 3α-HSD2/17β-HSD5, and a synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs248793, in SRD5A1, which encodes 5α-reductase, were associated with alcohol dependence (AD). The aim of the study was to investigate whether these polymorphisms moderate subjective effects of alcohol in humans and whether AKR1C3 2 affects neuroactive steroid synthesis. Sixty-five Caucasian men (34 lighter and 31 heavier drinkers; mean age 26.2 years) participated in a double-blind laboratory study where they consumed drinks containing no ethanol or 0.8 g/kg of ethanol. Breath alcohol, heart rate (HR), and self-reported alcohol effects were measured at 40-min intervals, and genotype was examined as a moderator of alcohol's effects. Levels of the neuroactive steroid 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol and its precursors, 3α,5α-androsterone and dihydrotestosterone, were measured at study entry using GC/MS. Initially, carriers of the AD-protective AKR1C3 2 G allele had higher levels of 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol relative to the precursor 3α,5α-androsterone than C allele homozygotes. AKR1C3 2 G allele carriers exhibited greater increases in heart rate and stimulant and sedative effects of alcohol than C allele homozygotes. The genotype effects on sedation were observed only in heavier drinkers. The only effect of the SRD5A1 SNP was to moderate HR. There were no interactive effects of the two SNPs. The observed effects of variation in a gene encoding a neuroactive steroid biosynthetic enzyme on the rate of 17β-reduction of androsterone relative to androstanediol and on alcohol's sedative effects may help to explain the association of AKR1C3 2 with AD.

  12. Variation in Genes Encoding the Neuroactive Steroid Synthetic Enzymes 5α-Reductase Type 1 and 3α-Reductase Type 2 is Associated with Alcohol Dependence

    PubMed Central

    Milivojevic, Verica; Kranzler, Henry R.; Gelernter, Joel; Burian, Linda; Covault, Jonathan

    2010-01-01

    Background Studies of alcohol effects in rodents and in vitro implicate endogenous neuroactive steroids as key mediators of alcohol effects at GABAA receptors. We used a case-control sample to test the association with alcohol dependence (AD) of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes encoding two key enzymes required for the generation of endogenous neuroactive steroids: 5α–reductase, type I (5α-R) and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, type 2 (3α-HSD), both of which are expressed in human brain. Methods We focused on markers previously associated with a biological phenotype. For 5α-R, we examined the synonymous SRD5A1 exon 1 SNP rs248793, which has been associated with the ratio of dihydrotestosterone to testosterone. For 3α-HSD, we examined the non-synonymous AKR1C3 SNP rs12529 (H5Q), which has been associated with bladder cancer. The SNPs were genotyped in a sample of 1,083 non-Hispanic Caucasians including 552 controls and 531 subjects with AD. Results The minor allele for both SNPs was more common among controls than subjects with AD: SRD5A1 rs248793 C-allele (χ2(1)=7.6, p=0.006) and AKR1C3 rs12529 G-allele (χ2(1)=14.6, p=0.0001). There was also an interaction of these alleles such that the “protective” effect of the minor allele at each marker for AD was conditional on the genotype of the second marker. Conclusions We found evidence of an association with AD of polymorphisms in two genes encoding neuroactive steroid biosynthetic enzymes, providing indirect evidence that neuroactive steroids are important mediators of alcohol effects in humans. PMID:21323680

  13. Variation in genes encoding the neuroactive steroid synthetic enzymes 5α-reductase type 1 and 3α-reductase type 2 is associated with alcohol dependence.

    PubMed

    Milivojevic, Verica; Kranzler, Henry R; Gelernter, Joel; Burian, Linda; Covault, Jonathan

    2011-05-01

    Studies of alcohol effects in rodents and in vitro implicate endogenous neuroactive steroids as key mediators of alcohol effects at GABA(A) receptors. We used a case-control sample to test the association with alcohol dependence (AD) of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the genes encoding two key enzymes required for the generation of endogenous neuroactive steroids: 5α-reductase, type I (5α-R), and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, type 2 (3α-HSD), both of which are expressed in human brain. We focused on markers previously associated with a biological phenotype. For 5α-R, we examined the synonymous SRD5A1 exon 1 SNP rs248793, which has been associated with the ratio of dihydrotestosterone to testosterone. For 3α-HSD, we examined the nonsynonymous AKR1C3 SNP rs12529 (H5Q), which has been associated with bladder cancer. The SNPs were genotyped in a sample of 1,083 non-Hispanic Caucasians including 552 controls and 531 subjects with AD. The minor allele for both SNPs was more common among controls than subjects with AD: SRD5A1 rs248793 C-allele (χ(2)(1) = 7.6, p = 0.006) and AKR1C3 rs12529 G-allele (χ(2)(1) = 14.6, p = 0.0001). There was also an interaction of these alleles such that the "protective" effect of the minor allele at each marker for AD was conditional on the genotype of the second marker. We found evidence of an association with AD of polymorphisms in two genes encoding neuroactive steroid biosynthetic enzymes, providing indirect evidence that neuroactive steroids are important mediators of alcohol effects in humans. Copyright © 2011 by the Research Society on Alcoholism.

  14. Carbonyl Reduction of NNK by Recombinant Human Lung Enzymes. Identification of HSD17β12 as the Reductase important in (R)-NNAL formation in Human Lung.

    PubMed

    Ashmore, Joseph H; Luo, Shaman; Watson, Christy J W; Lazarus, Philip

    2018-05-17

    4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) is the most abundant and carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamine in tobacco and tobacco smoke. The major metabolic pathway for NNK is carbonyl reduction to form the (R) and (S) enantiomers of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) which, like NNK, is a potent lung carcinogen. The goal of the present study was to characterize NNAL enantiomer formation in human lung and identify the enzymes responsible for this activity. While (S)-NNAL was the major enantiomer of NNAL formed in incubations with NNK in lung cytosolic fractions, (R)-NNAL comprised ~60 and ~95% of the total NNAL formed in lung whole cell lysates and microsomes, respectively. In studies examining the role of individual recombinant reductase enzymes in lung NNAL enantiomer formation, AKR1C1, AKR1C2, AKR1C3, AKR1C4 and CBR1 all exhibited (S)-NNAL formation activity. To identify the microsomal enzymes responsible for (R)-NNAL formation, 28 microsomal reductase enzymes were screened for expression by real-time PCR in normal human lung. HSD17β6, HSD17β12, KDSR, NSDHL, RDH10, RDH11 and SDR16C5 were all expressed at levels >HSD11β1, the only previously reported microsomal reductase enzyme with NNK-reducing activity, with HSD17β12 the most highly expressed. Of these lung-expressing enzymes, only HSD17β12 exhibited activity against NNK, forming primarily (>95%) (R)-NNAL, a pattern consistent with that observed in lung microsomes. siRNA knockdown of HSD17β12 resulted in significant decreases in (R)-NNAL formation activity in HEK293 cells. These data suggest that both cytosolic and microsomal enzymes are active against NNK and that HSD17β12 is the major active microsomal reductase that contributes to (R)-NNAL formation in human lung.

  15. Peach MYB7 activates transcription of the proanthocyanidin pathway gene encoding leucoanthocyanidin reductase, but not anthocyanidin reductase

    PubMed Central

    Zhou, Hui; Lin-Wang, Kui; Liao, Liao; Gu, Chao; Lu, Ziqi; Allan, Andrew C.; Han, Yuepeng

    2015-01-01

    Proanthocyanidins (PAs) are a group of natural phenolic compounds that have a great effect on both flavor and nutritious value of fruit. It has been shown that PA synthesis is regulated by R2R3-MYB transcription factors (TFs) via activation of PA-specific pathway genes encoding leucoanthocyanidin reductase and anthocyanidin reductase. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of a MYB gene designated PpMYB7 in peach. The peach PpMYB7 represents a new group of R2R3-MYB genes regulating PA synthesis in plants. It is able to activate transcription of PpLAR1 but not PpANR, and has a broader selection of potential bHLH partners compared with PpMYBPA1. Transcription of PpMYB7 can be activated by the peach basic leucine-zipper 5 TF (PpbZIP5) via response to ABA. Our study suggests a transcriptional network regulating PA synthesis in peach, with the results aiding the understanding of the functional divergence between R2R3-MYB TFs in plants. PMID:26579158

  16. ERG/AKR1C3/AR Constitutes a Feed-Forward Loop for AR Signaling in Prostate Cancer Cells.

    PubMed

    Powell, Katelyn; Semaan, Louie; Conley-LaComb, M Katie; Asangani, Irfan; Wu, Yi-Mi; Ginsburg, Kevin B; Williams, Julia; Squire, Jeremy A; Maddipati, Krishna R; Cher, Michael L; Chinni, Sreenivasa R

    2015-06-01

    Intratumoral androgen synthesis in prostate cancer contributes to the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Several enzymes responsible for androgen biosynthesis have been shown to be overexpressed in CRPC, thus contributing to CRPC in a castrated environment. The TMPRSS2-ERG transcription factor has been shown to be present in primary prostate cancer tumors as well as CRPC tumors. We hypothesize that TMPRSS2-ERG fusions regulate androgen biosynthetic enzyme (ABE) gene expression and the production of androgens, which contributes to the development of CRPC. We used a panel of assays, including lentivirus transduction, gene expression, chromatin immunoprecipitation and sequencing, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric quantitation, immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and bioinformatics analysis of gene microarray databases, to determine ERG regulation of androgen synthesis. We found that ERG regulated the expression of the ABE AKR1C3 in prostate cancer cells via direct binding to the AKR1C3 gene. Knockdown of ERG resulted in reduced AKR1C3 expression, which caused a reduction in both DHT synthesis and PSA expression in VCaP prostate cancer cells treated with 5α-androstanedione (5α-Adione), a DHT precursor metabolite. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that ERG was coexpressed with AKR1C3 in prostate cancer tissue samples. These data suggest that AKR1C3 catalyzes the biochemical reduction of 5α-Adione to DHT in prostate cancer cells, and that ERG regulates this step through upregulation of AKR1C3 expression. Elucidation of ERG regulation of ABEs in CRPC may help to stratify TMPRSS2-ERG fusion-positive prostate cancer patients in the clinic for anti-androgen receptor-driven therapies; and AKR1C3 may serve as a valuable therapeutic target in the treatment of CRPC. ©2015 American Association for Cancer Research.

  17. Asymmetric reduction of ketones and β-keto esters by (S)-1-phenylethanol dehydrogenase from denitrifying bacterium Aromatoleum aromaticum.

    PubMed

    Dudzik, A; Snoch, W; Borowiecki, P; Opalinska-Piskorz, J; Witko, M; Heider, J; Szaleniec, M

    2015-06-01

    Enzyme-catalyzed enantioselective reductions of ketones and keto esters have become popular for the production of homochiral building blocks which are valuable synthons for the preparation of biologically active compounds at industrial scale. Among many kinds of biocatalysts, dehydrogenases/reductases from various microorganisms have been used to prepare optically pure enantiomers from carbonyl compounds. (S)-1-phenylethanol dehydrogenase (PEDH) was found in the denitrifying bacterium Aromatoleum aromaticum (strain EbN1) and belongs to the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase family. It catalyzes the stereospecific oxidation of (S)-1-phenylethanol to acetophenone during anaerobic ethylbenzene mineralization, but also the reverse reaction, i.e., NADH-dependent enantioselective reduction of acetophenone to (S)-1-phenylethanol. In this work, we present the application of PEDH for asymmetric reduction of 42 prochiral ketones and 11 β-keto esters to enantiopure secondary alcohols. The high enantioselectivity of the reaction is explained by docking experiments and analysis of the interaction and binding energies of the theoretical enzyme-substrate complexes leading to the respective (S)- or (R)-alcohols. The conversions were carried out in a batch reactor using Escherichia coli cells with heterologously produced PEDH as whole-cell catalysts and isopropanol as reaction solvent and cosubstrate for NADH recovery. Ketones were converted to the respective secondary alcohols with excellent enantiomeric excesses and high productivities. Moreover, the progress of product formation was studied for nine para-substituted acetophenone derivatives and described by neural network models, which allow to predict reactor behavior and provides insight on enzyme reactivity. Finally, equilibrium constants for conversion of these substrates were derived from the progress curves of the reactions. The obtained values matched very well with theoretical predictions.

  18. Central endogenous angiotensin-(1-7) protects against aldosterone/NaCl-induced hypertension in female rats.

    PubMed

    Xue, Baojian; Zhang, Zhongming; Johnson, Ralph F; Guo, Fang; Hay, Meredith; Johnson, Alan Kim

    2013-09-01

    In comparison to male rodents, females are protected against angiotensin (ANG) II- and aldosterone (Aldo)-induced hypertension. However, the mechanisms underlying this protective effect are not well understood. ANG-(1-7) is formed from ANG II by angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and has an antihypertensive effect in the central nervous system (CNS). The present study tested the hypothesis that central ANG-(1-7) plays an important protective role in attenuating the development of Aldo/NaCl-hypertension in female rats. Systemic infusion of Aldo into intact female rats with 1% NaCl as their sole drinking fluid resulted in a slight increase in blood pressure (BP). Intracerebroventricular (icv) infusion of A-779, an ANG-(1-7) receptor (Mas-R) antagonist, significantly augmented the pressor effects of Aldo/NaCl. In contrast, systemic Aldo/NaCl induced a significant increase in BP in ovariectomized (OVX) female rats, and central infusion of ANG-(1-7) significantly attenuated this Aldo/NaCl pressor effect. The inhibitory effect of ANG-(1-7) on the Aldo/NaCl pressor effect was abolished by concurrent infusion of A-779. RT-PCR analyses showed that there was a corresponding change in mRNA expression of several renin-angiotensin system components, estrogen receptors and an NADPH oxidase subunit in the lamina terminalis. Taken together these results suggest that female sex hormones regulate an antihypertensive axis of the brain renin-angiotensin system involving ACE2/ANG-(1-7)/Mas-R that plays an important counterregulatory role in protecting against the development of Aldo/NaCl-induced hypertension.

  19. The diterpenoid 7-keto-sempervirol, derived from Lycium chinense, displays anthelmintic activity against both Schistosoma mansoni and Fasciola hepatica.

    PubMed

    Edwards, Jennifer; Brown, Martha; Peak, Emily; Bartholomew, Barbara; Nash, Robert J; Hoffmann, Karl F

    2015-03-01

    Two platyhelminths of biomedical and commercial significance are Schistosoma mansoni (blood fluke) and Fasciola hepatica (liver fluke). These related trematodes are responsible for the chronic neglected tropical diseases schistosomiasis and fascioliasis, respectively. As no vaccine is currently available for anti-flukicidal immunoprophylaxis, current treatment is mediated by mono-chemical chemotherapy in the form of mass drug administration (MDA) (praziquantel for schistosomiasis) or drenching (triclabendazole for fascioliasis) programmes. This overreliance on single chemotherapeutic classes has dramatically limited the number of novel chemical entities entering anthelmintic drug discovery pipelines, raising significant concerns for the future of sustainable blood and liver fluke control. Here we demonstrate that 7-keto-sempervirol, a diterpenoid isolated from Lycium chinense, has dual anthelmintic activity against related S. mansoni and F. hepatica trematodes. Using a microtiter plate-based helminth fluorescent bioassay (HFB), this activity is specific (Therapeutic index = 4.2, when compared to HepG2 cell lines) and moderately potent (LD50 = 19.1 μM) against S. mansoni schistosomula cultured in vitro. This anti-schistosomula effect translates into activity against both adult male and female schistosomes cultured in vitro where 7-keto-sempervirol negatively affects motility/behaviour, surface architecture (inducing tegumental holes, tubercle swelling and spine loss/shortening), oviposition rates and egg morphology. As assessed by the HFB and microscopic phenotypic scoring matrices, 7-keto-sempervirol also effectively kills in vitro cultured F. hepatica newly excysted juveniles (NEJs, LD50 = 17.7 μM). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) evaluation of adult F. hepatica liver flukes co-cultured in vitro with 7-keto-sempervirol additionally demonstrates phenotypic abnormalities including breaches in tegumental integrity and spine loss. 7-keto-sempervirol negatively

  20. Modified chiral triazolium salts for enantioselective benzoin cyclization of enolizable keto-aldehydes: synthesis of (+)-sappanone B.

    PubMed

    Takikawa, Hiroshi; Suzuki, Keisuke

    2007-07-05

    Asymmetric synthesis of (+)-sappanone B (1), a natural product with a 3-hydroxy chromanone structure, was achieved via enantioselective benzoin cyclization by using a modified Rovis catalyst and triethylamine. This catalyst enabled the successful benzoin cyclization of readily enolizable keto-aldehydes.

  1. Variation in AKR1C3, which Encodes the Neuroactive Steroid Synthetic Enzyme 3α-HSD Type 2 (17β-HSD Type 5), Moderates the Subjective Effects of Alcohol

    PubMed Central

    Milivojevic, Verica; Feinn, Richard; Kranzler, Henry R.; Covault, Jonathan

    2014-01-01

    Rationale Animal models suggest that neuroactive steroids contribute to alcohol’s acute effects. We previously reported that a common non-synonymous polymorphism, AKR1C3*2 in the gene encoding the enzyme 3α-HSD2/17β-HSD5 and a synonymous SNP, rs248793, in SRD5A1, which encodes 5α-reductase, were associated with alcohol dependence (AD). Objectives To investigate whether these polymorphisms moderate subjective effects of alcohol in humans and whether AKR1C3*2 affects neuroactive steroid synthesis. Methods 65 Caucasian men (34 lighter and 31 heavier drinkers; mean age 26.2 y) participated in a double-blind laboratory study where they consumed drinks containing no ethanol or 0.8 g/kg of ethanol. Breath alcohol, heart rate (HR), and self-reported alcohol effects were measured at 40-min intervals and genotype was examined as a moderator of alcohol’s effects. Levels of the neuroactive steroid 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol and its precursors, 3α,5α-androsterone and dihydrotestosterone, were measured at study entry using GC/MS. Results Initially, carriers of the AD-protective AK1C3*2 G-allele had higher levels of 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol relative to the precursor 3α,5α-androsterone than C-allele homozygotes. AKR1C3*2 G-allele carriers exhibited greater increases in heart rate and stimulant and sedative effects of alcohol than C-allele homozygotes. The genotype effects on sedation were observed only in heavier drinkers. The only effect of the SRD5A1 SNP was to moderate HR. There were no interactive effects of the two SNPs. Conclusions The observed effects of variation in a gene encoding a neuroactive steroid biosynthetic enzyme on the rate of 17p–reduction of androsterone relative to androstanediol and on alcohol’s sedative effects may help to explain the association of AKR1C3*2 with AD. PMID:24838369

  2. Genetic associations with childhood brain growth, defined in two longitudinal cohorts.

    PubMed

    Szekely, Eszter; Schwantes-An, Tae-Hwi Linus; Justice, Cristina M; Sabourin, Jeremy A; Jansen, Philip R; Muetzel, Ryan L; Sharp, Wendy; Tiemeier, Henning; Sung, Heejong; White, Tonya J; Wilson, Alexander F; Shaw, Philip

    2018-06-01

    Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) are unraveling the genetics of adult brain neuroanatomy as measured by cross-sectional anatomic magnetic resonance imaging (aMRI). However, the genetic mechanisms that shape childhood brain development are, as yet, largely unexplored. In this study we identify common genetic variants associated with childhood brain development as defined by longitudinal aMRI. Genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data were determined in two cohorts: one enriched for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (LONG cohort: 458 participants; 119 with ADHD) and the other from a population-based cohort (Generation R: 257 participants). The growth of the brain's major regions (cerebral cortex, white matter, basal ganglia, and cerebellum) and one region of interest (the right lateral prefrontal cortex) were defined on all individuals from two aMRIs, and a GWAS and a pathway analysis were performed. In addition, association between polygenic risk for ADHD and brain growth was determined for the LONG cohort. For white matter growth, GWAS meta-analysis identified a genome-wide significant intergenic SNP (rs12386571, P = 9.09 × 10 -9 ), near AKR1B10. This gene is part of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily and shows neural expression. No enrichment of neural pathways was detected and polygenic risk for ADHD was not associated with the brain growth phenotypes in the LONG cohort that was enriched for the diagnosis of ADHD. The study illustrates the use of a novel brain growth phenotype defined in vivo for further study. Published 2018. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

  3. [Change of chart genes expression in small intestines of mouse induced by electromagnetic pulse irradiation].

    PubMed

    Ren, Dongqing; Jin, Juan; Li, Xiaojuan; Zeng, Guiying

    2008-01-01

    To explore the bio-effects of electromagnetic pulse(EMP) on mouse small intestines induced by means of gene chip. Twelve BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to the normal control group and the EMP group with 6 in each group. The EMP group was irradiated with 200 kV/m, 200 pulses EMP. 18 hours after the irradiation, the mice were sacrificed and their jejunum of small intestines were eviscerated. The fluorescent cDNA probes labeled with Cy3 and Cy5 were prepared from RNA extracted from the intestines of the two groups. Probes of the two groups were then hybridized against cDNA gene chip, the fluorescent signals were scanned with a scanner and the results were analyzed by computer. Compared with the control, 56 genes in gene expression profile were altered. The expression levels of 37 genes were up-regulated distinctly while 19 genes were down-regulated significantly. Among the 56 genes, 19 were reported with known or inferred functions, 12 up-regulated genes were catenin alpha 1 (alpha-catenin), ly-6 alloantigen(Ly-6E), fructose-6-phosphate transaminase (GF6P), ribosomal protein S17 (rpS17), small proline-rich protein 2A (Sprr2a), glandular kallikrein27 (GK27), lipoxygenase-3, aldo-keto reductase (Akr1c12), GSG1, amylase 2 (Amy2),elastase 2, p6-5 gene and 7 down-regulated genes were junctional adhesion molecule (Jam), protein arginine methyltransferase (Carm1),NNP-1, 2-5 A synthetase L2,Mlark gene, ATP synthase alpha subunit, uncoupling protein-2 (Ucp2) gene; the other 37 were reported with unknown functions. EMP irradiation could induce specific expressions of some genes in mouse small intestines and most of these genes were up-regulated ones.

  4. Mapping of aldose reductase gene sequences to human chromosomes 1, 3, 7, 9, 11, and 13

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bateman, J.B.; Kojis, T.; Heinzmann, C.

    1993-09-01

    Aldose reductase (alditol:NAD(P)+ 1-oxidoreductase; EC 1.1.1.21) (AR) catalyzes the reduction of several aldehydes, including that of glucose, to the corresponding sugar alcohol. Using a complementary DNA clone encoding human AR, the authors mapped the gene sequences to human chromosomes 1, 3, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, and 18 by somatic cell hybridization. By in situ hybridization analysis, sequences were localized to human chromosomes 1q32-q43, 3p12, 7q31-q35, 9q22, 11p14-p15, and 13q14-q21. As a putative functional AR gene has been mapped to chromosome 7 and a putative pseudogene to chromosome 3, the sequences on the other seven chromosomes may represent other activemore » genes, non-aldose reductase homologous sequences, or pseudogenes. 24 refs., 3 figs., 2 tabs.« less

  5. Effects of medicinal cake-separated moxibustion on plasma 6-keto-PGF1alpha and TXB2 contents in the rabbit of hyperlipemia.

    PubMed

    Xiaorong, Chang; Jie, Yan; Zenghui, Yue; Jing, Shen; Yaping, Lin; Shouxiang, Yi; Xiangping, Cao

    2005-06-01

    Hyperlipemia rabbit models established with high cholesterol and fat diet were treated with direct moxibustion and medicinal cake-separated moxibustion. The post-treatment plasma 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha (6-keto-PGF1alpha) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) contents were determined by radioimmunoassay. Results indicated that the plasma 6-keto-PGF1alpha content significantly increased, the TXB2 level decreased (P < 0.05) and the TXB2 /6-keto-PGF1alpha ratio also decreased (P < 0.01) in the medicinal cake-separated moxibustion group as compared with those in the model group respectively, but there was no significant difference between the medicinal cake-separated moxibustion group and the direct moxibustion group (P > 0.05), suggesting that both the medicinal cake-separated moxibustion and direct moxibustion can regulate the plasma 6-keto-PGF1alpha and TXB2 contents, and the TXB2/6-keto-PGF1alpha ratio with similar actions, and have a certain protective action on endothelial cells of the aorta in the rabbit of hyperlipemia.

  6. Direct cloning of the trxB gene that encodes thioredoxin reductase.

    PubMed Central

    Russel, M; Model, P

    1985-01-01

    A strain was constructed which contains mutations in the genes encoding thioredoxin (trxA) and thioredoxin reductase (trxB) such that filamentous phage f1 cannot grow. The complementation of either mutation with its wild-type allele permits phage growth. We used this strain to select f1 phage which contain a cloned trxB gene. The location of the gene on the cloned fragment was determined, and its protein product was identified. Plasmid subclones that contain this gene overproduce thioredoxin reductase. Images PMID:2989245

  7. Correlation Between Low Frequency Auroral Kilometric Radiation (AKR) and Auroral Structures

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Paxamickas, Katherine A.; Green, James L.; Gallagher, Dennis L.; Boardsen, Scott; Mende, Stephen; Frey, Harald; Reinisch, Bodo W.

    2005-01-01

    Auroral Kilometric Radiation (AKR) is a radio wave emission that has long been associated with auroral activity. AKR is normally observed in the frequency range from -60 - 600 kHz. Low frequency AKR (or LF-AKR) events are characterized as a rapid extension of AKR related emissions to 30 kHz or lower in frequency for typically much less than 10 minutes. LF-AKR emissions predominantly occur within a frequency range of 20 kHz - 30 kHz, but there are LF-AKR related emissions that reach to a frequency of 5 kHz. This study correlates all instances of LF-AKR events during the first four years of observations from the IMAGE spacecraft's Radio Plasma Imager (WI) instrument with auroral observations from the wideband imaging camera (WIC) onboard IMAGE. The correlation between LF-AKR occurrence and WIC auroral observations shows that in the 295 confirmed cases of LF-AKR emissions, bifurcation of the aurora is seen in 74% of the cases. The bifurcation is seen in the dusk and midnight sectors of the auroral oval, where AKR is believed to be generated. The polarization of these LF-AKR emissions has yet to be identified. Although LF-AKR may not be the only phenomena correlated with bifurcated auroral structures, bifurcation will occur in most instances when LF-AKR is observed. The LF-AKR emissions may be an indicator of specific auroral processes sometimes occurring during storm-time conditions in which field-aligned density cavities extend a distance of perhaps 5-6 RE tailward from the Earth for a period of 10 minutes or less.

  8. [Effects of keto/amino acids and a low-protein diet on the nutritional status of patients with Stages 3B-4 chronic kidney disease].

    PubMed

    Milovanova, S Yu; Milovanov, Yu S; Taranova, M V; Dobrosmyslov, I A

    To evaluate the efficacy of keto/amino acids in maintaining protein balance and preventing mineral metabolic disturbances and the development of uremic hyperparathyroidism in the long-term use of a low-protein diet (LPD) in patients with Stages 3B-4 chronic kidney disease (CKD). Ninety patients with CKD caused by chronic latent glomerulonephritis in 65 patients and chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis of various etiologies (gout, drug-induced, and infection) in 25 were examined. The investigators conducted clinical, laboratory, and instrumental examinations, including bioelectrical impedance analysis (body mass index (BMI), the percentages of lean and fat mass), echocardiography and radiography of the abdominal aorta in the lateral projection (the presence of cardiac valvular and aortic calcification), and pulse wave velocity measurements using a Sphygmocor apparatus (vessel stiffness estimation). The stages of CKD were defined according to the 2012 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria; glomerular filtration rate was calculated using the CKD EPI equation. According to the diet used, all the patients were divided into 3 groups: 1) 30 patients who took LPD (0.6 g of protein per kg of body weight/day) in combination with the keto/amino acid ketosteril (1 tablet per 5 kg of body weight/day; Diet One); 2) 30 patients who used LPD in combination with the other keto/amino acid ketoaminol at the same dose (Diet Two); 3) 30 patients had LPD without using the keto/amino acids (Diet Three) (a control group). During a follow-up, there were no signs of malnutrition in Groups 1 and 2 patients receiving LPD (0.6 g protein per kg/day) in combination with the keto/amino acids ketosteril and ketaminol, respectively. At the same time, 11 (36.6%) patients in Group 3 (a control group) who did not take the keto/amino acids showed a BMI decrease from 24 (23; 26) kg/m2 to 18.5 (17; 19.2) kg/m2 (p < 0.05), including that of lean body mass from 37.4 (36; 38.8) to 30

  9. SULT2B1b Sulfotransferase: Induction by Vitamin D Receptor and Reduced Expression in Prostate Cancer

    PubMed Central

    Seo, Young-Kyo; Mirkheshti, Nooshin; Song, Chung S.; Kim, Soyoung; Dodds, Sherry; Ahn, Soon C.; Christy, Barbara; Mendez-Meza, Rosario; Ittmann, Michael M.; Abboud-Werner, Sherry

    2013-01-01

    An elevated tumor tissue androgen level, which reactivates androgen receptor in recurrent prostate cancer, arises from the intratumor synthesis of 5α-dihydrotestosterone through use of the precursor steroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and is fueled by the steroidogenic enzymes 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD1), aldoketoreductase (AKR1C3), and steroid 5-alpha reductase, type 1 (SRD5A1) present in cancer tissue. Sulfotransferase 2B1b (SULT2B1b) (in short, SULT2B) is a prostate-expressed hydroxysteroid SULT that converts cholesterol, oxysterols, and DHEA to 3β-sulfates. DHEA metabolism involving sulfonation by SULT2B can potentially interfere with intraprostate androgen synthesis due to reduction of free DHEA pool and, thus, conversion of DHEA to androstenedione. Here we report that in prostatectomy specimens from treatment-naive patients, SULT2B expression is markedly reduced in malignant tissue (P < .001, Mann-Whitney U test) compared with robust expression in adjacent nonmalignant glands. SULT2B was detected in formalin-fixed specimens by immunohistochemistry on individual sections and tissue array. Immunoblotting of protein lysates of frozen cancer and matched benign tissue confirmed immunohistochemistry results. An in-house–developed rabbit polyclonal antibody against full-length human SULT2B was validated for specificity and used in the analyses. Ligand-activated vitamin D receptor induced the SULT2B1 promoter in vivo in mouse prostate and increased SULT2B mRNA and protein levels in vitro in prostate cancer cells. A vitamin D receptor/retinoid X receptor-α–bound DNA element (with a DR7 motif) mediated induction of the transfected SULT2B1 promoter in calcitriol-treated cells. SULT2B knockdown caused an increased proliferation rate of prostate cancer cells upon stimulation by DHEA. These results suggest that the tumor tissue SULT2B level may partly control prostate cancer growth, and its induction in a therapeutic setting may inhibit disease

  10. Triterpenes and meroterpenes from Ganoderma lucidum with inhibitory activity against HMGs reductase, aldose reductase and α-glucosidase.

    PubMed

    Chen, Baosong; Tian, Jin; Zhang, Jinjin; Wang, Kai; Liu, Li; Yang, Bo; Bao, Li; Liu, Hongwei

    2017-07-01

    Seven new compounds including four lanostane triterpenoids, lucidenic acids Q-S (1-3) and methyl ganoderate P (4), and three triterpene-farnesyl hydroquinone conjugates, ganolucinins A-C (5-7), one new natural product ganomycin J (8), and 73 known compounds (9-81) were isolated from fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum. The structures of the compounds 1-8 were determined by spectroscopic methods. Bioactivities of compounds isolated were assayed against HMG-CoA reductase, aldose reductase, α-glucosidase, and PTP1B. Ganolucidic acid η (39), ganoderenic acid K (44), ganomycin J (8), and ganomycin B (61) showed strong inhibitory activity against HMG-CoA reductase with IC 50 of 29.8, 16.5, 30.3 and 14.3μM, respectively. Lucidumol A (67) had relatively good effect against aldose reductase with IC 50 of 19.1μM. Farnesyl hydroquinones ganomycin J (8), ganomycin B (61), ganomycin I (62), and triterpene-farnesyl hydroquinone conjugates ganoleuconin M (76) and ganoleuconin O (79) possessed good inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase with IC 50 in the range of 7.8 to 21.5μM. This work provides chemical and biological evidence for the usage of extracts of G. lucidum as herbal medicine and food supplements for the control of hyperglycemic and hyperlipidemic symptoms. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  11. 1H, 15N and 13C NMR Assignments of Mouse Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase B2

    PubMed Central

    Breivik, Åshild S.; Aachmann, Finn L.; Sal, Lena S.; Kim, Hwa-Young; Del Conte, Rebecca; Gladyshev, Vadim N.; Dikiy, Alexander

    2011-01-01

    A recombinant mouse methionine-r-sulfoxide reductase 2 (MsrB2ΔS) isotopically labeled with 15N and 15N/13C was generated. We report here the 1H, 15N and 13C NMR assignments of the reduced form of this protein. PMID:19636904

  12. Induction of a massive endoplasmic reticulum and perinuclear space expansion by expression of lamin B receptor mutants and the related sterol reductases TM7SF2 and DHCR7.

    PubMed

    Zwerger, Monika; Kolb, Thorsten; Richter, Karsten; Karakesisoglou, Iakowos; Herrmann, Harald

    2010-01-15

    Lamin B receptor (LBR) is an inner nuclear membrane protein involved in tethering the nuclear lamina and the underlying chromatin to the nuclear envelope. In addition, LBR exhibits sterol reductase activity. Mutations in the LBR gene cause two different human diseases: Pelger-Huët anomaly and Greenberg skeletal dysplasia, a severe chrondrodystrophy causing embryonic death. Our study aimed at investigating the effect of five LBR disease mutants on human cultured cells. Three of the tested LBR mutants caused a massive compaction of chromatin coincidental with the formation of a large nucleus-associated vacuole (NAV) in several human cultured cell lines. Live cell imaging and electron microscopy revealed that this structure was generated by the separation of the inner and outer nuclear membrane. During NAV formation, nuclear pore complexes and components of the linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton complex were lost in areas of membrane separation. Concomitantly, a large number of smaller vacuoles formed throughout the cytoplasm. Notably, forced expression of the two structurally related sterol reductases transmembrane 7 superfamily member 2 and 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase caused, even in their wild-type form, a comparable phenotype in susceptible cell lines. Hence, LBR mutant variants and sterol reductases can severely interfere with the regular organization of the nuclear envelope and the endoplasmic reticulum.

  13. Effect of 3-keto-1,5-bisphosphonates on obese-liver's rats.

    PubMed

    Lahbib, Karima; Touil, Soufiane

    2016-10-01

    Obesity is associated with an oxidative stress status, which is defined by an excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS) vs. the antioxidant defense system. We report in this present work, the link between fat deposition and oxidative stress markers using a High Fat Diet-(HFD) induced rat obesity and liver-oxidative stress. We further determined the impact of chronic administration of 3-keto-1, 5-BPs 1 (a & b) (40μg/kg/8 weeks/i.p.) on liver's level. In fact, exposure of rats to HFD during 16 weeks induced body and liver weight gain and metabolic disruption with an increase on liver Alanine amino transférase (ALAT) and Aspartate aminotransférase (ASAT) concentration. HFD increased liver calcium level as well as free iron, whereas, it provoked a decrease on liver lipase activity. HFD also induced liver-oxidative stress status vocalized by an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) as superoxide radical (O 2 ), hydroxyl radical (OH) and Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ). Consequently, different deleterious damages as an increase on Malon Dialdehyde MDA, Carbonyl protein PC levels with a decrease in non-protein sulfhydryls NPSH concentrations, have been detected. Interestingly, our results demonstrate a decrease in antioxidant enzymes activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidases (GPx) and peroxidases (POD). Importantly, 3-keto-1,5-bisphosphonates treatment corrected the majority of the deleterious effects caused by HFD, but it failed to correct some liver's disruptions as mineral profile, oxidative damages (PC and NPSH levels) as well as SOD and lipase activities. Our investigation point that 3-keto-1,5-bisphosphonates could be considered as safe antioxidant agents on the hepatic level that should also find other potential biological applications. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  14. Transformation of RDX and other energetic compounds by xenobiotic reductases XenA and XenB

    PubMed Central

    McClay, Kevin; Hawari, Jalal; Paquet, Louise; Malone, Thomas E.; Fox, Brian G.; Steffan, Robert J.

    2017-01-01

    The transformation of explosives, including hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), by xenobiotic reductases XenA and XenB (and the bacterial strains harboring these enzymes) under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions was assessed. Under anaerobic conditions, Pseudomonas fluorescens I-C (XenB) degraded RDX faster than Pseudomonas putida II-B (XenA), and transformation occurred when the cells were supplied with sources of both carbon (succinate) and nitrogen (NH4+), but not when only carbon was supplied. Transformation was always faster under anaerobic conditions compared to aerobic conditions, with both enzymes exhibiting a O2 concentration-dependent inhibition of RDX transformation. The primary degradation pathway for RDX was conversion to methylenedinitramine and then to formaldehyde, but a minor pathway that produced 4-nitro-2,4-diazabutanal (NDAB) also appeared to be active during transformation by whole cells of P. putida II-B and purified XenA. Both XenA and XenB also degraded the related nitramine explosives octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine and 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane. Purified XenB was found to have a broader substrate range than XenA, degrading more of the explosive compounds examined in this study. The results show that these two xenobiotic reductases (and their respective bacterial strains) have the capacity to transform RDX as well as a wide variety of explosive compounds, especially under low oxygen concentrations. PMID:19455327

  15. Fluorogenic kinetic assay for high-throughput discovery of stereoselective ketoreductases relevant to pharmaceutical synthesis.

    PubMed

    Thai, Yen-Chi; Szekrenyi, Anna; Qi, Yuyin; Black, Gary W; Charnock, Simon J; Fessner, Wolf-Dieter

    2018-04-01

    Enantiomerically pure 1-(6-methoxynaphth-2-yl) and 1-(6-(dimethylamino)naphth-2-yl) carbinols are fluorogenic substrates for aldo/keto reductase (KRED) enzymes, which allow the highly sensitive and reliable determination of activity and kinetic constants of known and unknown enzymes, as well as an immediate enantioselectivity typing. Because of its simplicity in microtiter plate format, the assay qualifies for the discovery of novel KREDs of yet unknown specificity among this vast enzyme superfamily. The suitability of this approach for enzyme typing is illustrated by an exemplary screening of a large collection of short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) enzymes arrayed from a metagenomic approach. We believe that this assay format should match well the pharmaceutical industry's demand for acetophenone-type substrates and the continuing interest in new enzymes with broad substrate promiscuity for the synthesis of chiral, non-racemic carbinols. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

  16. Identification of 2-keto-3-deoxy-d-Gluconate Kinase and 2-keto-3-deoxy-d-Phosphogluconate Aldolase in an Alginate-Assimilating Bacterium, Flavobacterium sp. Strain UMI-01

    PubMed Central

    Nishiyama, Ryuji; Inoue, Akira; Ojima, Takao

    2017-01-01

    Recently, we identified an alginate-assimilating gene cluster in the genome of Flavobacterium sp. strain UMI-01, a member of Bacteroidetes. Alginate lyase genes and a 4-deoxy-l-erythro-5-hexoseulose uronic acid (DEH) reductase gene in the cluster have already been characterized; however, 2-keto-3-deoxy-d-gluconate (KDG) kinase and 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate (KDPG) aldolase genes, i.e., flkin and flald, still remained uncharacterized. The amino acid sequences deduced from flkin and flald showed low identities with those of corresponding enzymes of Saccharophagus degradans 2-40T, a member of Proteobacteria (Kim et al., Process Biochem., 2016). This led us to consider that the DEH-assimilating enzymes of Bacteroidetes species are somewhat deviated from those of Proteobacteria species. Thus, in the present study, we first assessed the characteristics in the primary structures of KDG kinase and KDG aldolase of the strain UMI-01, and then investigated the enzymatic properties of recombinant enzymes, recFlKin and recFlAld, expressed by an Escherichia coli expression system. Multiple-sequence alignment among KDG kinases and KDG aldolases from several Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes species indicated that the strain UMI-01 enzymes showed considerably low sequence identities (15%–25%) with the Proteobacteria enzymes, while they showed relatively high identities (47%–68%) with the Bacteroidetes enzymes. Phylogenetic analyses for these enzymes indicated the distant relationship between the Proteobacteria enzymes and the Bacteroidetes enzymes, i.e., they formed distinct clusters in the phylogenetic tree. recFlKin and recFlAld produced with the genes flkin and flald, respectively, were confirmed to show KDG kinase and KDPG aldolase activities. Namely, recFlKin produced 1.7 mM KDPG in a reaction mixture containing 2.5 mM KDG and 2.5 mM ATP in a 90-min reaction, while recFlAld produced 1.2 mM pyruvate in the reaction mixture containing 5 mM KDPG at the equilibrium

  17. Oxidative and reductive metabolism of lipid-peroxidation derived carbonyls

    PubMed Central

    Singh, Mahavir; Kapoor, Aniruddh; Bhatnagar, Aruni

    2015-01-01

    Extensive research has shown that increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) results in tissue injury under a variety of pathological conditions and chronic degenerative diseases. While ROS are highly reactive and can incite significant injury, polyunsaturated lipids in membranes and lipoproteins are their main targets. ROS-triggered lipid peroxidation reactions generate a range of reactive carbonyl species (RCS), and these RCS spread and amplify ROS-related injury. Several RCS generated in oxidizing lipids, such as 4-hydroxy trans-2-nonenal (HNE), 4-oxo-2-(E)-nonenal (ONE), acrolein, malondialdehyde (MDA) and phospholipid aldehydes have been shown to be produced under conditions of oxidative stress and contribute to tissue injury and dysfunction by depleting glutathione and other reductants leading to the modification of proteins, lipids, and DNA. To prevent tissue injury, these RCS are metabolized by several oxidoreductases, including members of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily, aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs), and alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs). Metabolism via these enzymes results in RCS inactivation and detoxification, although under some conditions, it can also lead to the generation of signaling molecules that trigger adaptive responses. Metabolic transformation and detoxification of RCS by oxidoreductases prevent indiscriminate ROS toxicity, while at the same time, preserving ROS signaling. A better understanding of RCS metabolism by oxidoreductases could lead to the development of novel therapeutic interventions to decrease oxidative injury in several disease states and to enhance resistance to ROS-induced toxicity. PMID:25559856

  18. Dual regulation of skin sensitizer-induced HMOX1 expression by Bach1 and Nrf2: Comparison to regulation of the AKR1C2-ARE element in the KeratinoSens cell line

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Emter, Roger; Natsch, Andreas, E-mail: andreas.natsch@givaudan.com

    2015-11-01

    Heme oxygenase (decycling) 1 (HMOX1) is the most consistently found genetic marker induced by skin sensitizers. HMOX1 is often referred to as typical gene regulated by nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), however, it is also regulated by other DNA-binding factors, including BTB and CNC homolog 1 (Bach1). The KeratinoSens™ assay is the first validated in vitro assay for sensitizers that measures gene induction. It is based on luciferase expression regulated by the antioxidant response element (ARE) of the aldoketoreductase 1C2 (AKR1C2) gene. Luciferase upregulation is dependent on Nrf2, while HMOX1 upregulation is only partially Nrf2-dependent. Thus, sensitizer-dependent activationmore » of HMOX1 may integrate multiple signals thereby providing additional information. We constructed reporter cell lines containing the full HMOX1 regulatory region or the HMOX1-ARE sequence and compared them with the construct containing the AKR1C2-ARE sequence. Induction of the AKR1C2-ARE depends on Nrf2, but not on the repressor Bach1. Results obtained with HMOX1-ARE and the full HMOX1 promoter indicate that, within the HMOX1 promoter, the HMOX1-ARE is sufficient to explain the induction by sensitizers and that (i) inhibiting Bach1 leads to strong basal expression, (ii) fold-induction by sensitizers above this level is reduced in the absence of Bach1 and (iii) these constructs are less dependent on Nrf2 as compared to the AKR1C2-ARE. Nevertheless, congruent dose response curves for luciferase activity were obtained with all constructs. Thus, while sensitizer-induced HMOX1 activation is dependent on Nrf2 and Bach1, all constructs give identical information for the in vitro prediction of the sensitization potential. - Highlights: • HMOX1 is a key genetic marker up-regulated by skin sensitizers. • HMOX1-, but not AKR1C2-upregulation, is dependent on both Nrf2 and Bach1. • AKR1C2 and HMOX1-dependent reporter constructs yield congruent dose response curves.

  19. Recombinant MCF247 Virus, Leukemogenesis, and Immunosuppression in AKR Mice

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1990-06-01

    knowledge of thymic leukemia and lymphoma in the AKR mouse system. Early leukemia and lymphoma development in the AKR mouse strain is caused by the ...inevitable in all individuals in a high incidence strain (e.g. AKR), as the retrovirus is integrated into the germline and is transmitted by vertical...Only those strains in which virus could induce suppressor cells * developed leukemia (Kumar et al., 1976). The association of immunosuppression and

  20. Gestational form of Selenium in Free-Choice Mineral Mixes Affects Transcriptome Profiles of the Neonatal Calf Testis, Including those of Steroidogenic and Spermatogenic Pathways.

    PubMed

    Cerny, K L; Garbacik, S; Skees, C; Burris, W R; Matthews, J C; Bridges, P J

    2016-01-01

    In areas where soils are deficient in Selenium (Se), dietary supplementation of this trace mineral directly to cattle is recommended. Because Se status affects testosterone synthesis and frequency of sperm abnormalities, and the form of Se supplemented to cows affects tissue-specific gene expression, the objective of this study was to determine whether the form of Se consumed by cows during gestation would affect the expression of mRNAs that regulate steroidogenesis and/or spermatogenesis in the neonatal calf testis. Twenty-four predominantly Angus cows were assigned randomly to have individual, ad libitum, access of a mineral mix containing 35 ppm of Se in free-choice vitamin-mineral mixes as either inorganic (ISe), organic (OSe), or a 50/50 mix of ISe and OSe (MIX), starting 4 months prior to breeding and continuing throughout gestation. Thirteen male calves were born over a 3-month period (ISe, n = 5; OSe, n = 4; MIX, n = 4), castrated within 2 days of birth, and extracted testis RNA subjected to transcriptomal analysis by microarray (Affymetrix Bovine 1.0 ST arrays) and targeted gene expression analysis by real-time reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR) of mRNAs encoding proteins known to affect steroidogenesis and/or spermatogenesis. The form of dam Se affected (P < 0.05) the expression of 853 annotated genes, including 17 mRNAs putatively regulating steroidogenesis and/or spermatogenesis. Targeted RT-PCR analysis indicated that the expression of mRNA encoding proteins CYP2S1 (cytochrome P450, family 2, subfamily S, polypeptide 1), HSD17B7 (hydroxysteroid (17β) dehydrogenase 7), SULT1E1 (sulfotransferase family 1E, estrogen preferring, member 1), LDHA (lactate dehydrogenase A), CDK5R1 (cyclin-dependent kinase 5, regulatory subunit 1), and LEP (leptin) was affected (P < 0.05) by form of Se consumed by dams of developing bull calves, while AKR1C4 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member C4) and CCND2 (cyclin D2) tended (P < 0.09) to be

  1. Adaptation of the secretome of Echinostoma caproni may contribute to parasite survival in a Th1 milieu.

    PubMed

    Cortés, Alba; Muñoz-Antolí, Carla; Álvarez-Izquierdo, María; Sotillo, Javier; Esteban, J Guillermo; Toledo, Rafael

    2018-04-01

    Echinostoma caproni (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) is an intestinal trematode, broadly employed to study the host-dependent mechanisms that govern the evolution of intestinal helminth infections. Resistance against E. caproni homologous secondary infections has been reported in mice and appears to be related to the generation of a local Th2 response, whereas Th1 responses promote the development of chronic primary infections. Herein, the ability of E. caproni to modulate its secretome according to the host environment is investigated. A two-dimensional differential in gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) analysis was performed to elucidate changes in the excretory/secretory products of E. caproni adults after primary and secondary infections in mice. A total of 16 protein spots showed significant differences between groups, and 7 of them were successfully identified by mass spectrometry. Adult worms exposed to a primary infection appear to upregulate proteins involved in detoxification (aldo-keto reductase), stress response (GroEL), and enhancement of parasite survival (acetyl-CoA A-acetyltransferase and UTP-glucose-1-phosphate urydyltransferase). In contrast, any protein was found to be significantly upregulated after secondary infection. Upregulation of such proteins may serve to withstand the hostile Th1 environment generated in primary infections in mice. These results provide new insights into the resistance mechanisms developed by the parasites to ensure their long-term survival.

  2. Bioactive constituents from Chinese natural medicines. XXXII. aminopeptidase N and aldose reductase inhibitors from Sinocrassula indica: structures of sinocrassosides B(4), B(5), C(1), and D(1)-D(3).

    PubMed

    Morikawa, Toshio; Xie, Haihui; Wang, Tao; Matsuda, Hisashi; Yoshikawa, Masayuki

    2008-10-01

    From the methanolic extract of the whole plant of Sinocrassula indica (Crassulaceae), six new flavonol glycosides, sinocrassosides B(4) (1), B(5) (2), C(1) (3), D(1) (4), D(2) (5), and D(3) (6), were isolated together with 30 compounds. The structures of 1-6 were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. In addition, several constituents were found to show inhibitory effects on aminopeptidase N and aldose reductase.

  3. Regulation of Selenoproteins and Methionine Sulfoxide Reductases A and B1 by Age, Calorie Restriction, and Dietary Selenium in Mice

    PubMed Central

    Novoselov, Sergey V.; Kim, Hwa-Young; Hua, Deame; Lee, Byung Cheon; Astle, Clinton M.; Harrison, David E.; Friguet, Bertrand; Moustafa, Mohamed E.; Carlson, Bradley A.; Hatfield, Dolph L.

    2010-01-01

    Abstract Methionine residues are susceptible to oxidation, but this damage may be reversed by methionine sulfoxide reductases MsrA and MsrB. Mammals contain one MsrA and three MsrBs, including a selenoprotein MsrB1. Here, we show that MsrB1 is the major methionine sulfoxide reductase in liver of mice and it is among the proteins that are most easily regulated by dietary selenium. MsrB1, but not MsrA activities, were reduced with age, and the selenium regulation of MsrB1 was preserved in the aging liver, suggesting that MsrB1 could account for the impaired methionine sulfoxide reduction in aging animals. We also examined regulation of Msr and selenoprotein expression by a combination of dietary selenium and calorie restriction and found that, under calorie restriction conditions, selenium regulation was preserved. In addition, mice overexpressing a mutant form of selenocysteine tRNA reduced MsrB1 activity to the level observed in selenium deficiency, whereas MsrA activity was elevated in these animals. Finally, we show that selenium regulation in inbred mouse strains is preserved in an outbred aging model. Taken together, these findings better define dietary regulation of methionine sulfoxide reduction and selenoprotein expression in mice with regard to age, calorie restriction, dietary Se, and a combination of these factors. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 12, 829–838. PMID:19769460

  4. The binding sites on human heme oxygenase-1 for cytochrome p450 reductase and biliverdin reductase.

    PubMed

    Wang, Jinling; de Montellano, Paul R Ortiz

    2003-05-30

    Human heme oxygenase-1 (hHO-1) catalyzes the NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase-dependent oxidation of heme to biliverdin, CO, and free iron. The biliverdin is subsequently reduced to bilirubin by biliverdin reductase. Earlier kinetic studies suggested that biliverdin reductase facilitates the release of biliverdin from hHO-1 (Liu, Y., and Ortiz de Montellano, P. R. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 5297-5307). We have investigated the binding of P450 reductase and biliverdin reductase to truncated, soluble hHO-1 by fluorescence resonance energy transfer and site-specific mutagenesis. P450 reductase and biliverdin reductase bind to truncated hHO-1 with Kd = 0.4 +/- 0.1 and 0.2 +/- 0.1 microm, respectively. FRET experiments indicate that biliverdin reductase and P450 reductase compete for binding to truncated hHO-1. Mutation of surface ionic residues shows that hHO-1 residues Lys18, Lys22, Lys179, Arg183, Arg198, Glu19, Glu127, and Glu190 contribute to the binding of cytochrome P450 reductase. The mutagenesis results and a computational analysis of the protein surfaces partially define the binding site for P450 reductase. An overlapping binding site including Lys18, Lys22, Lys179, Arg183, and Arg185 is similarly defined for biliverdin reductase. These results confirm the binding of biliverdin reductase to hHO-1 and define binding sites of the two reductases.

  5. Crystal structure and biochemical characterization of beta-keto thiolase B from polyhydroxyalkanoate-producing bacterium Ralstonia eutropha H16

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kim, Eun-Jung; Son, Hyeoncheol Francis; Kim, Sangwoo

    Highlights: • We determined a crystal structure of β-keto thiolase from Ralstonia eutropha H16 (ReBktB). • Distinct substrate binding mode ReBktB was elucidated. • Enzymatic kinetic parameters of ReBktB were revealed. - Abstract: ReBktB is a β-keto thiolase from Ralstonia eutropha H16 that catalyzes condensation reactions between acetyl-CoA with acyl-CoA molecules that contains different numbers of carbon atoms, such as acetyl-CoA, propionyl-CoA, and butyryl-CoA, to produce valuable bioproducts, such as polyhydroxybutyrate, polyhydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate, and hexanoate. We solved a crystal structure of ReBktB at 2.3 Å, and the overall structure has a similar fold to that of type II biosynthetic thiolases, suchmore » as PhbA from Zoogloea ramigera (ZrPhbA). The superposition of this structure with that of ZrPhbA complexed with CoA revealed the residues that comprise the catalytic and substrate binding sites of ReBktB. The catalytic site of ReBktB contains three conserved residues, Cys90, His350, and Cys380, which may function as a covalent nucleophile, a general base, and second nucleophile, respectively. For substrate binding, ReBktB stabilized the ADP moiety of CoA in a distinct way compared to ZrPhbA with His219, Arg221, and Asp228 residues, whereas the stabilization of β-mercaptoethyamine and pantothenic acid moieties of CoA was quite similar between these two enzymes. Kinetic study of ReBktB revealed that K{sub m}, V{sub max}, and K{sub cat} values of 11.58 μM, 1.5 μmol/min, and 102.18 s{sup −1}, respectively, and the catalytic and substrate binding sites of ReBktB were further confirmed by site-directed mutagenesis experiments.« less

  6. Effects of resveratrol on rat neurosteroid synthetic enzymes.

    PubMed

    Wang, Yiluan; Sun, Jianliang; Chen, Ling; Zhou, Songyi; Lin, Han; Wang, Yiyan; Lin, Nengming; Ge, Ren-Shan

    2017-10-01

    Resveratrol, a common polyphenol, has extensive pharmacological activities. Resveratrol inhibits some steroid biosynthetic enzymes, indicating that it may block neurosteroid synthesis. The objective of the present study is to investigate the inhibition of resveratrol on neurosteroidogenic enzymes rat 5α-reductase 1 (SRD5A1), 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C9), and retinol dehydrogenase 2 (RDH2). The IC 50 values of resveratrol on SRD5A1, AKR1C9, and RDH2 were >100μM, 0.436±0.070μM, and 4.889±0.062μM, respectively. Resveratrol competitively inhibited rat AKR1C9 and RDH2 against steroid substrates. Docking showed that resveratrol bound to the steroid binding pocket of AKR1C9. It exerted a mixed mode on these AKR1C9 and RDH2 against cofactors. In conclusion, resveratrol potently inhibited rat AKR1C9 and RDH2 to regulate local neurosteroid levels. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  7. Differential expression of thymic DNA repair genes in low-dose-rate irradiated AKR/J mice

    PubMed Central

    Bong, Jin Jong; Kang, Yu Mi; Shin, Suk Chul; Choi, Seung Jin

    2013-01-01

    We previously determined that AKR/J mice housed in a low-dose-rate (LDR) (137Cs, 0.7 mGy/h, 2.1 Gy) γ-irradiation facility developed less spontaneous thymic lymphoma and survived longer than those receiving sham or high-dose-rate (HDR) (137Cs, 0.8 Gy/min, 4.5 Gy) radiation. Interestingly, histopathological analysis showed a mild lymphomagenesis in the thymus of LDR-irradiated mice. Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether LDR irradiation could trigger the expression of thymic genes involved in the DNA repair process of AKR/J mice. The enrichment analysis of Gene Ontology terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways showed immune response, nucleosome organization, and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors signaling pathway in LDR-irradiated mice. Our microarray analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction data demonstrated that mRNA levels of Lig4 and RRM2 were specifically elevated in AKR/J mice at 130 days after the start of LDR irradiation. Furthermore, transcriptional levels of H2AX and ATM, proteins known to recruit DNA repair factors, were also shown to be upregulated. These data suggest that LDR irradiation could trigger specific induction of DNA repair-associated genes in an attempt to repair damaged DNA during tumor progression, which in turn contributed to the decreased incidence of lymphoma and increased survival. Overall, we identified specific DNA repair genes in LDR-irradiated AKR/J mice. PMID:23820165

  8. 3-Keto-1,5-bisphosphonates Alleviate Serum-Oxidative Stress in the High-fat Diet Induced Obesity in Rats.

    PubMed

    Lahbib, Karima; Aouani, Iyadh; Cavalier, Jean-François; Touil, Soufiane

    2015-09-01

    Obesity has become a leading global health problem owing to its strong association with a high incidence of oxidative stress. Many epidemiologic studies showed that an antioxidant supplementation decreases the state of oxidative stress. In the present work, a HFD-induced rat obesity and oxidative stress were used to investigate the link between fat deposition and serum-oxidative stress markers. We also studied the effect of a chronic administration of 3-keto-1,5-bisphosphonates 1 (a & b) (40 μg/kg/8 weeks/i.p.). Exposure of rats to HFD during 16 weeks induced fat deposition, weight gain and metabolic disruption characterized by an increase in cholesterol, triglyceride and glycemia levels, and a decrease in ionizable calcium and free iron concentrations. HFD also induced serum-oxidative stress status vocalized by an increase in ROS (H2 O2 ), MDA and PC levels, with a decrease in antioxidant enzyme activity (CAT, GPx, SOD). Importantly, 3-keto-1,5-bisphosphonates corrected all the deleterious effects of HFD treatment in vivo, but it failed to inhibit lipases in vitro and in vivo. These studies suggest that 3-keto-1,5-bisphosphonates 1 could be considered as safe antioxidant agents that should also find other potential biological applications. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

  9. α-Keto phenylamides as P1'-extended proteasome inhibitors.

    PubMed

    Voss, Constantin; Scholz, Christoph; Knorr, Sabine; Beck, Philipp; Stein, Martin L; Zall, Andrea; Kuckelkorn, Ulrike; Kloetzel, Peter-Michael; Groll, Michael; Hamacher, Kay; Schmidt, Boris

    2014-11-01

    The major challenge for proteasome inhibitor design lies in achieving high selectivity for, and activity against, the target, which requires specific interactions with the active site. Novel ligands aim to overcome off-target-related side effects such as peripheral neuropathy, which is frequently observed in cancer patients treated with the FDA-approved proteasome inhibitors bortezomib (1) or carfilzomib (2). A systematic comparison of electrophilic headgroups recently identified the class of α-keto amides as promising for next generation drug development. On the basis of crystallographic knowledge, we were able to develop a structure-activity relationship (SAR)-based approach for rational ligand design using an electronic parameter (Hammett's σ) and in silico molecular modeling. This resulted in the tripeptidic α-keto phenylamide BSc4999 [(S)-3-(benzyloxycarbonyl-(S)-leucyl-(S)-leucylamino)-5-methyl-2-oxo-N-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)hexanamide, 6 a], a highly potent (IC50 = 38 nM), cell-permeable, and slowly reversible covalent inhibitor which targets both the primed and non-primed sites of the proteasome's substrate binding channel as a special criterion for selectivity. The improved inhibition potency and selectivity of this new α-keto phenylamide makes it a promising candidate for targeting a wider range of tumor subtypes than commercially available proteasome inhibitors and presents a new candidate for future studies. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  10. Keto acid-supplemented low-protein diet for treatment of adult patients with hepatitis B virus infection and chronic glomerulonephritis.

    PubMed

    Mou, Shan; Li, Jialin; Yu, Zanzhe; Wang, Qin; Ni, Zhaohui

    2013-02-01

    An open-label, randomized, controlled, single-centre clinical trial to evaluate the effects of low-protein intake, with or without keto acid supplementation, on nutritional status and proteinuria, in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and early stage chronic glomerulonephritis. Patients with chronic glomerulonephritis and HBV infection were randomized to receive a low-protein diet (0.6-0.8 g/kg ideal body weight [IBW] per day) either without (LP group) or with (sLP group) keto acid supplementation (0.1 g/kg IBW per day), for 12 months. Nutritional, clinical and safety parameters were recorded. The study included 17 patients (LP group n = 9; sLP group n = 8). Proteinuria and microalbuminuria were significantly lower in the sLP group at 6 and 12 months compared with baseline, and at 12 months compared with the LP group. There were no significant differences in serum creatinine level or estimated glomerular filtration rate. Nutritional parameters (serum albumin and prealbumin) were significantly improved at 12 months, compared with baseline, in the sLP group. Restriction of dietary protein intake to 0.6-0.8 g/kg IBW per day appears to have an acceptable safety profile. Supplementation with keto acids is associated with decreased urine protein excretion.

  11. Fructose synthesis and transport at the uterine-placental interface of pigs: cell-specific localization of SLC2A5, SLC2A8, and components of the polyol pathway

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The fetal fluids and uterine flushings of pigs contain higher concentrations of fructose than glucose, but fructose is not detected in maternal blood. Fructose can be synthesized from glucose via enzymes of the polyol pathway, aldose reductase (AKR1B1) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SORD), transported ...

  12. The keto-enol equilibrium and thermal conversion kinetics of 2- and 4-hydroxyacetophenone in the gas phase: a DFT study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Monascal, Yeljair; Gallardo, Eliana; Cartaya, Loriett; Maldonado, Alexis; Bentarcurt, Yenner; Chuchani, Gabriel

    2018-01-01

    Keto-enol tautomeric equilibrium and the mechanism of thermal conversion of 2- and 4-hydroxyacetophenone in gas phase have been studied by means of electronic structure calculations using density functional theory (DFT). A topological analysis of electron density evidence that the structure of keto and enol forms of 2-hydroxyacetophenone are stabilised by a relatively strong intramolecular hydrogen bond. 2- and 4-hydroxyacetophenone undergo deacetylation reactions yielding phenol and ketene. Two possible mechanisms are considered for these eliminations: the process takes place from the keto form (mechanism A), or occurs from the enolic form of the substrate (mechanism B). Quantum chemical calculations support the mechanism B, being found a good agreement with the experimental activation parameters. These results suggest that the rate-limiting step is the reaction of the enol through a concerted, non-synchronous, semi-polar, four-membered cyclic transition state (TS). The most advanced reaction coordinate in the TS is the rupture of O1...H1 bond, with an evolution in the order of 79.7%-80.9%. Theoretical results also suggest a three-step mechanism for the phenyl acetate formation from 2-hydroxyacetophenone.

  13. Sulforaphane promotes murine hair growth by accelerating the degradation of dihydrotestosterone.

    PubMed

    Sasaki, Mari; Shinozaki, Shohei; Shimokado, Kentaro

    2016-03-25

    Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) causes the regression of human hair follicles in the parietal scalp, leading to androgenic alopecia (AGA). Sulforaphane (SFN) increases the expression of DHT degrading enzymes, such as 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (3α-HSDs), and, therefore, SFN treatment may improve AGA. To determine the effects of SFN on hair growth, we administered SFN (10 mg/kg BW, IP) or vehicle (DMSO) to ob/ob mice for six weeks and examined hair regeneration and the plasma levels of testosterone and DHT. We also tested the effects of SFN on the expression of two forms of 3α-HSD, aldo-keto reductase 1c21 and dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR family) member 9, both in vitro and in vivo. SNF significantly enhanced hair regeneration in ob/ob mice. The mice treated with SFN showed lower plasma levels of testosterone and DHT than those treated with vehicle. SFN increased the mRNA and protein levels of the two forms of 3α-HSD in the liver of the mice and in cultured murine hepatocyte Hepa1c1c7 cells. These results suggest that SFN treatment increases the amount of 3α-HSDs in the liver, accelerates the degradation of blood DHT, and subsequently blocks the suppression of hair growth by DHT. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  14. Subcellular localization of the five members of the human steroid 5α-reductase family.

    PubMed

    Scaglione, Antonella; Montemiglio, Linda Celeste; Parisi, Giacomo; Asteriti, Italia Anna; Bruni, Renato; Cerutti, Gabriele; Testi, Claudia; Savino, Carmelinda; Mancia, Filippo; Lavia, Patrizia; Vallone, Beatrice

    2017-06-01

    In humans the steroid 5alpha-reductase (SRD5A) family comprises five integral membrane enzymes that carry out reduction of a double bond in lipidic substrates: Δ 4 -3-keto steroids, polyprenol and trans-enoyl CoA. The best-characterized reaction is the conversion of testosterone into the more potent dihydrotestosterone carried out by SRD5A1-2. Some controversy exists on their possible nuclear or endoplasmic reticulum localization. We report the cloning and transient expression in HeLa cells of the five members of the human steroid 5α-reductase family as both N- and C-terminus green fluorescent protein tagged protein constructs. Following the intrinsic fluorescence of the tag, we have determined that the subcellular localization of these enzymes is in the endoplasmic reticulum, upon expression in HeLa cells. The presence of the tag at either end of the polypeptide chain can affect protein expression and, in the case of trans enoyl-CoA reductase, it induces the formation of protein aggregates.

  15. Screening and identification of resistance related proteins from apple leaves inoculated with Marssonina coronaria (EII. & J. J. Davis)

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Background Apple, an invaluable fruit crop worldwide, is often prone to infection by pathogenic fungi. Identification of potentially resistance-conferring apple proteins is one of the most important aims for studying apple resistance mechanisms and promoting the development of disease-resistant apple strains. In order to find proteins which promote resistance to Marssonina coronaria, a deadly pathogen which has been related to premature apple maturation, proteomes from apple leaves inoculated with M. coronaria were characterized at 3 and 6 days post-inoculation by two dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE). Results Overall, 59 differentially accumulated protein spots between inoculation and non-inoculation were successfully identified and aligned as 35 different proteins or protein families which involved in photosynthesis, amino acid metabolism, transport, energy metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, binding, antioxidant, defense and stress. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was also used to examine the change of some defense and stress related genes abundance under inoculated conditions. Conclusions In a conclusion, different proteins in response to Marssonina coronaria were identified by proteomic analysis. Among of these proteins, there are some PR proteins, for example class III endo-chitinase, beta-1,3-glucanase and thaumatine-like protein, and some antioxidant related proteins including aldo/keto reductase AKR, ascorbate peroxidase and phi class glutathione S-transferase protein that were associated with disease resistance. The transcription levels of class III endo-chitinase (L13) and beta-1, 3-glucanase (L17) have a good relation with the abundance of the encoded protein’s accumulation, however, the mRNA abundance of thaumatine-like protein (L22) and ascorbate peroxidase (L28) are not correlated with their protein abundance of encoded protein. To elucidate the resistant mechanism, the data in the present study will promote us to investigate further the

  16. Binding pattern of intermediate UDP-4-keto-xylose to human UDP-xylose synthase: Synthesis and STD NMR of model keto-saccharides.

    PubMed

    Puchner, Claudia; Eixelsberger, Thomas; Nidetzky, Bernd; Brecker, Lothar

    2017-01-02

    Human UDP-xylose synthase (hUXS1) exclusively converts UDP-glucuronic acid to UDP-xylose via intermediate UDP-4-keto-xylose (UDP-Xyl-4O). Synthesis of model compounds like methyl-4-keto-xylose (Me-Xyl-4O) is reported to investigate the binding pattern thereof to hUXS1. Hence, selective oxidation of the desired hydroxyl function required employment of protecting group chemistry. Solution behavior of synthesized keto-saccharides was studied without enzyme via 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopy with respect to existent forms in deuterated potassium phosphate buffer. Keto-enol tautomerism was observed for all investigated keto-saccharides, while gem-diol hydrate forms were only observed for 4-keto-xylose derivatives. Saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR was used to study binding of synthesized keto-gylcosides to wild type hUXS1. Resulting epitope maps were correlated to earlier published molecular modeling studies of UDP-Xyl-4O. STD NMR results of Me-Xyl-4O are in good agreement with simulations of the intermediate UDP-Xyl-4O indicating a strong interaction of proton H3 with the enzyme, potentially caused by active site residue Ala 79 . In contrast, pyranoside binding pattern studies of methyl uronic acids showed some differences compared to previously published STD NMR results of UDP-glycosides. In general, obtained results can contribute to a better understanding in binding of UDP-glycosides to other UXS enzyme family members, which have high structural similarities in the active site. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  17. Chlorophyll b degradation by chlorophyll b reductase under high-light conditions.

    PubMed

    Sato, Rei; Ito, Hisashi; Tanaka, Ayumi

    2015-12-01

    The light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding protein complex of photosystem II (LHCII) is the main antenna complex of photosystem II (PSII). Plants change their LHCII content depending on the light environment. Under high-light conditions, the content of LHCII should decrease because over-excitation damages the photosystem. Chlorophyll b is indispensable for accumulating LHCII, and chlorophyll b degradation induces LHCII degradation. Chlorophyll b degradation is initiated by chlorophyll b reductase (CBR). In land plants, NON-YELLOW COLORING 1 (NYC1) and NYC1-Like (NOL) are isozymes of CBR. We analyzed these mutants to determine their functions under high-light conditions. During high-light treatment, the chlorophyll a/b ratio was stable in the wild-type (WT) and nol plants, and the LHCII content decreased in WT plants. The chlorophyll a/b ratio decreased in the nyc1 and nyc1/nol plants, and a substantial degree of LHCII was retained in nyc1/nol plants after the high-light treatment. These results demonstrate that NYC1 degrades the chlorophyll b on LHCII under high-light conditions, thus decreasing the LHCII content. After the high-light treatment, the maximum quantum efficiency of the PSII photochemistry was lower in nyc1 and nyc1/nol plants than in WT and nol plants. A larger light-harvesting system would damage PSII in nyc1 and nyc1/nol plants. The fluorescence spectroscopy of the leaves indicated that photosystem I was also damaged by the excess LHCII in nyc1/nol plants. These observations suggest that chlorophyll b degradation by NYC1 is the initial reaction for the optimization of the light-harvesting capacity under high-light conditions.

  18. FAD-induced in vitro activation of glutathione reductase in the lens of B2 deficient rats.

    PubMed

    Ono, S; Hirano, H

    1984-04-01

    We studied the FAD-induced in vitro stimulation of lenticular glutathione reductase in riboflavin-deficient rats. The stimulatory effect of FAD on lenticular glutathione reductase in rats fed a B2-deficient diet for 4 weeks was remarkably higher than in paired control rats fed a B2-supplemented basal diet and control rats had ad libitum access to a B2-supplemented basal diet. The in vitro FAD stimulation effect on rat lenticular glutathione reductase represents a sensitive indicator of the B2 deficient status.

  19. pH-sensitive interaction of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) with organic anion transporting polypeptide 2B1.

    PubMed

    Varma, Manthena V; Rotter, Charles J; Chupka, Jonathan; Whalen, Kevin M; Duignan, David B; Feng, Bo; Litchfield, John; Goosen, Theunis C; El-Kattan, Ayman F

    2011-08-01

    The human organic anion transporting polypeptide 2B1 (OATP2B1, SLCO2B1) is ubiquitously expressed and may play an important role in the disposition of xenobiotics. The present study aimed to examine the role of OATP2B1 in the intestinal absorption and tissue uptake of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins). We first investigated the functional affinity of statins to the transporter as a function of extracellular pH, using OATP2B1-transfeced HEK293 cells. The results indicate that OATP2B1-mediated transport is significant for rosuvastatin, fluvastatin and atorvastatin, at neutral pH. However, OATP2B1 showed broader substrate specificity as well as enhanced transporter activity at acidic pH. Furthermore, uptake at acidic pH was diminished in the presence of proton ionophore, suggesting proton gradient as the driving force for OATP2B1 activity. Notably, passive transport rates are predominant or comparable to active transport rates for statins, except for rosuvastatin and fluvastatin. Second, we studied the effect of OATP modulators on statin uptake. At pH 6.0, OATP2B1-mediated transport of atorvastatin and cerivastatin was not inhibitable, while rosuvastatin transport was inhibited by E-3-S, rifamycin SV and cyclosporine with IC(50) values of 19.7 ± 3.3 μM, 0.53 ± 0.2 μM and 2.2 ± 0.4 μM, respectively. Rifamycin SV inhibited OATP2B1-mediated transport of E-3-S and rosuvastatin with similar IC(50) values at pH 6.0 and 7.4, suggesting that the inhibitor affinity is not pH-dependent. Finally, we noted that OATP2B1-mediated transport of E-3-S, but not rosuvastatin, is pH sensitive in intestinal epithelial (Caco-2) cells. However, uptake of E-3-S and rosuvastatin by Caco-2 cells was diminished in the presence of proton ionophore. The present results indicate that OATP2B1 may be involved in the tissue uptake of rosuvastatin and fluvastatin, while OATP2B1 may play a significant role in the intestinal absorption of several

  20. Different inhibitory potential of sex hormones on NNK detoxification in vitro: A possible explanation for gender-specific lung cancer risk.

    PubMed

    Stapelfeld, Claudia; Neumann, Karolina-Theresa; Maser, Edmund

    2017-10-01

    Smoking women are probably at a higher risk to develop lung cancer than men. Different explanations exist for these findings, a gender-specific impairment of tobacco carcinogen metabolism being one of them. In this study, we examined the inhibition of NNK reduction to NNAL, the first and most important detoxication step of this tobacco-specific carcinogen. It is mediated by different carbonyl reductases of the SDR (CBR1 and 11βHSD1) and AKR (AKR1B10, AKR1C1, AKR1C2 and AKR1C4) superfamilies. Inhibition constants of NNK reduction were determined with male (testosterone) and female (estradiol, progesterone) sex hormones and the contraceptives ethinylestradiol and drospirenone in A549 cells and with purified enzymes. Female sex hormones turned out to be stronger inhibitors than testosterone. The gestagen progesterone and its synthetic derivative drospirenone are the strongest inhibitors with K i -values similar to hormone levels in pregnant women or women using hormonal contraceptives. Therefore, pregnancy or hormonal contraception may commit these women as high risk groups. The results of this study support the hypothesis that women bear a higher lung cancer risk when smoking because of female sex hormones acting as inhibitors of NNK detoxication. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. Preadipocyte 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 is a keto-reductase and contributes to diet-induced visceral obesity in vivo.

    PubMed

    De Sousa Peixoto, R A; Turban, S; Battle, J H; Chapman, K E; Seckl, J R; Morton, N M

    2008-04-01

    Glucocorticoid excess promotes visceral obesity and cardiovascular disease. Similar features are found in the highly prevalent metabolic syndrome in the absence of high levels of systemic cortisol. Although elevated activity of the glucocorticoid-amplifying enzyme 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) within adipocytes might explain this paradox, the potential role of 11beta-HSD1 in preadipocytes is less clear; human omental adipose stromal vascular (ASV) cells exhibit 11beta-dehydrogenase activity (inactivation of glucocorticoids) probably due to the absence of cofactor provision by hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. To clarify the depot-specific impact of 11beta-HSD1, we assessed whether preadipocytes in ASV from mesenteric (as a representative of visceral adipose tissue) and sc tissue displayed 11beta-HSD1 activity in mice. 11beta-HSD1 was highly expressed in freshly isolated ASV cells, predominantly in preadipocytes. 11beta-HSD1 mRNA and protein levels were comparable between ASV and adipocyte fractions in both depots. 11beta-HSD1 was an 11beta-reductase, thus reactivating glucocorticoids in ASV cells, consistent with hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase mRNA expression. Unexpectedly, glucocorticoid reactivation was higher in intact mesenteric ASV cells despite a lower expression of 11beta-HSD1 mRNA and protein (homogenate activity) levels than sc ASV cells. This suggests a novel depot-specific control over 11beta-HSD1 enzyme activity. In vivo, high-fat diet-induced obesity was accompanied by increased visceral fat preadipocyte differentiation in wild-type but not 11beta-HSD1(-/-) mice. The results suggest that 11beta-HSD1 reductase activity is augmented in mouse mesenteric preadipocytes where it promotes preadipocyte differentiation and contributes to visceral fat accumulation in obesity.

  2. 9-Hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase in rat kidney cortex converts prostaglandin I2 into 15-keto-13,14-dihydro 6-ketoprostaglandin E1.

    PubMed

    Pace-Asciak, C R; Domazet, Z

    1984-11-14

    15-Keto-13,14-dihydro 6-ketoprostaglandin E1 was positively identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with negative-ion chemical ionisation detection from samples of rat kidney high-speed supernatant incubated with prostaglandin I2 in the presence of NAD+. A decreased formation of this product was observed when NAD+ was substituted with NADP+ and none was observed in the absence of nucleotide or substrate prostaglandin I2. Experiments with [9 beta-3H]prostaglandin I2 showed a time- and concentration-dependent loss of tritium which appeared as tritiated water, typical of reaction of [9 beta-3H]prostaglandin substrates with the enzyme, 9-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase. Time-course measurements of the appearance of tritiated water showed similar rates with 6-keto[9 beta-3H]prostaglandin F1 alpha and 15-keto-13,14-dihydro 6-keto[9 beta-3H]prostaglandin F1 alpha as substrates. These experiments suggest that the transformation of prostaglandin I2 and 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha into the 15-keto-13,14-dihydro 6-ketoprostaglandin E1 catabolite occurs in this in vitro preparation via the corresponding 15-keto-13,14-dihydro catabolite of 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha.

  3. Comparative analysis of B7-1 and B7-2 costimulatory ligands: expression and function

    PubMed Central

    1994-01-01

    Antigen-specific T cell activation requires the engagement of the T cell receptor (TCR) with antigen as well as the engagement of appropriate costimulatory molecules. The most extensively characterized pathway of costimulation has been that involving the interaction of CD28 and CTLA4 on the T cell with B7 (now termed B7-1) on antigen presenting cells. Recently, B7-2 a second costimulatory ligand for CTLA4, was described, demonstrating the potential complexity of costimulatory interactions. This report examines and compares the expression and function of B7-1 and B7-2. Overall these results indicate that (a) B7-1 and B7-2 can be expressed by multiple cell types, including B cells, T cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells, all of which are therefore candidate populations for delivering costimulatory signals mediated by these molecules; (b) stimulating B cells with either LPS or anti-IgD-dextran induced expression of both B7- 1 and B7-2, and peak expression of both costimulatory molecules occurred after 18-42 h of culture. Expression of B7-2 on these B cell populations was significantly higher than expression of B7-1 at all times assayed after stimulation; (c) blocking of B7-2 costimulatory activity inhibited TCR-dependent T cell proliferation and cytokine production, without affecting early consequences of TCR signaling such as induction of CD69 or interleukin 2 receptor alpha (IL-2R alpha); and (d) expression of B7-1 and of B7-2 can be regulated by a variety of stimuli. Moreover, expression of B7-1 and B7-2 can be independently regulated by the same stimulus, providing an additional complexity in the mechanisms available for regulating costimulation and hence immune response. PMID:7519245

  4. Km and kcat. values for [6,6,7,7-2H]7,8(6H)-dihydropterin and 2,6-diamino-5-iminopyrimidin-4-one with dihydropteridine reductase.

    PubMed Central

    Armarego, W L; Randles, D; Taguchi, H

    1983-01-01

    The Km and kcat. values for [6,6,7,7-2H]7,8(6H)-dihydropterin and 2,6-diamino-5-iminopyrimidin-4-one were determined for dihydropteridine reductase (EC 1.6.99.10) from two sources. The parameters of the pterin are of the same order as those of the most effective substrates of dihydropteridine reductase. The Km values of the pterin are one order of magnitude smaller than those of the pyrimidinone, although the kcat. values are of the same order. PMID:6870836

  5. Placenta Defects and Embryonic Lethality Resulting from Disruption of Mouse Hydroxysteroid (17-β) Dehydrogenase 2 Gene

    PubMed Central

    Rantakari, Pia; Strauss, Leena; Kiviranta, Riku; Lagerbohm, Heidi; Paviala, Jenni; Holopainen, Irma; Vainio, Seppo; Pakarinen, Pirjo; Poutanen, Matti

    2008-01-01

    Hydroxysteroid (17-β) dehydrogenase 2 (HSD17B2) is a member of aldo-keto reductase superfamily, known to catalyze the inactivation of 17β-hydroxysteroids to less active 17-keto forms and catalyze the conversion of 20α-hydroxyprogesterone to progesterone in vitro. To examine the role of HSD17B2 in vivo, we generated mice deficient in Hsd17b2 [HSD17B2 knockout (KO)] by a targeted gene disruption in embryonic stem cells. From the homozygous mice carrying the disrupted Hsd17b2, 70% showed embryonic lethality appearing at the age of embryonic d 11.5 onward. The embryonic lethality was associated with reduced placental size measured at embryonic d 17.5. The HSD17B2KO mice placentas presented with structural abnormalities in all three major layers: the decidua, spongiotrophoblast, and labyrinth. Most notable was the disruption of the spongiotrophoblast and labyrinthine layers, together with liquid-filled cysts in the junctional region and the basal layer. Treatments with an antiestrogen or progesterone did not rescue the embryonic lethality or the placenta defect in the homozygous mice. In hybrid background used, 24% of HSD17B2KO mice survived through the fetal period but were born growth retarded and displayed a phenotype in the brain with enlargement of ventricles, abnormal laminar organization, and increased cellular density in the cortex. Furthermore, the HSD17B2KO mice had unilateral renal degeneration, the affected kidney frequently appearing as a fluid-filled sac. Our results provide evidence for a role for HSD17B2 enzyme in the cellular organization of the mouse placenta. PMID:18048640

  6. DFT study on the isomerization and tautomerism in vitamins B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid) and B7 (biotin)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Valadbeigi, Younes; Farrokhpour, Hossein; Tabrizchi, Mahmoud

    2014-05-01

    Isomerization and tautomerism of the three water soluble vitamins including B3, B5 and B7 were studied applying density functional theory using B3LYP method in gas and aqueous phases. Activation energies (Ea), Gibbs free energies of activation (ΔG#), and imaginary frequencies of the transition state structures were calculated for all the isomerization and tautomerism reactions. Activation energies of the neutral → zwitterion (amine-enamine) tautomerism in vitamin B3 were 310-360 kJ/mol where these values for the keto-enol tautomerism were 100-130 kJ/mol. It was found that water molecule catalyzes the tautomerism and decreases the activation energies about 90-160 kJ/mol.

  7. Human hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases and pre-receptor regulation: Insights into inhibitor design and evaluation

    PubMed Central

    Penning, Trevor M.

    2011-01-01

    Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDs) represent a major class of NAD(P)(H) dependent steroid hormone oxidoreductases involved in the pre-receptor regulation of hormone action. This is achieved by HSDs working in pairs so that they can interconvert ketosteroids with hydroxysteroids resulting in a change in ligand potency for nuclear receptors. HSDs belong to two protein superfamilies the aldo-keto reductases and the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductases. In humans, many of the important enzymes have been thoroughly characterized including the elucidation of their three-dimensional structures. Because these enzymes play fundamental roles in steroid hormone action they can be considered to be drug targets for a variety of steroid driven diseases: e.g. metabolic syndrome and obesity, inflammation, and hormone dependent malignancies of the endometrium, prostate and breast. This article will review how fundamental knowledge of these enzymes can be exploited in the development of isoform specific HSD inhibitors from both protein superfamilies. PMID:21272640

  8. RNA-sequencing quantification of hepatic ontogeny of phase-I enzymes in mice.

    PubMed

    Peng, Lai; Cui, Julia Y; Yoo, Byunggil; Gunewardena, Sumedha S; Lu, Hong; Klaassen, Curtis D; Zhong, Xiao-Bo

    2013-12-01

    Phase-I drug metabolizing enzymes catalyze reactions of hydrolysis, reduction, and oxidation of drugs and play a critical role in drug metabolism. However, the functions of most phase-I enzymes are not mature at birth, which markedly affects drug metabolism in newborns. Therefore, characterization of the expression profiles of phase-I enzymes and the underlying regulatory mechanisms during liver maturation is needed for better estimation of using drugs in pediatric patients. The mouse is an animal model widely used for studying the mechanisms in the regulation of developmental expression of phase-I genes. Therefore, we applied RNA sequencing to provide a "true quantification" of the mRNA expression of phase-I genes in the mouse liver during development. Liver samples of male C57BL/6 mice at 12 different ages from prenatal to adulthood were used for defining the ontogenic mRNA profiles of phase-I families, including hydrolysis: carboxylesterase (Ces), paraoxonase (Pon), and epoxide hydrolase (Ephx); reduction: aldo-keto reductase (Akr), quinone oxidoreductase (Nqo), and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (Dpyd); and oxidation: alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh), aldehyde dehydrogenase (Aldh), flavin monooxygenases (Fmo), molybdenum hydroxylase (Aox and Xdh), cytochrome P450 (P450), and cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (Por). Two rapidly increasing stages of total phase-I gene expression after birth reflect functional transition of the liver during development. Diverse expression patterns were identified, and some large gene families contained the mRNA of genes that are enriched at different stages of development. Our study reveals the mRNA abundance of phase-I genes in the mouse liver during development and provides a valuable foundation for mechanistic studies in the future.

  9. Synthesis of Substituted 1,4-Dioxenes through O-H Insertion and Cyclization Using Keto-Diazo Compounds.

    PubMed

    Davis, Owen A; Croft, Rosemary A; Bull, James A

    2016-11-18

    1,4-Dioxenes present interesting potential as synthetic intermediates and as unusual motifs for incorporation into biologically active compounds. Here, an efficient synthesis of functionalized 1,4-dioxenes is achieved in two steps. Using keto-diazo compounds, a ruthenium catalyzed O-H insertion with β-halohydrins followed by treatment with base results in cyclization with excellent selectivity, through O-alkylation of the keto-enolate. A variety of halohydrins and anion-stabilizing groups in the diazo-component are tolerated, affording novel functionalized dioxenes. Enantioenriched β-bromohydrins provide enantioenriched 1,4-dioxenes.

  10. Regulation of HSD17B1 and SRD5A1 in lymphocytes.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Z; Speiser, P W

    1999-11-01

    We previously reported lymphocyte expression of genes encoding enzymes required for steroid metabolism; however, only 17beta-HSD and 5alpha-reductase showed significant enzyme activity. We now investigate regulation of lymphocyte expression for genes encoding 17beta-HSD and 5alpha-reductase. Cultured human T and B lymphoid cell lines and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were treated with known regulators of steroidogenic gene expression including forskolin, PMA, ionomycin, various steroids, interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-6. Treatment with 10 or 50 microM forskolin resulted in a 20-60% reduction of expression for HSD17B1 (encoding 17beta-HSD I) in T and B lymphoid cell lines and peripheral blood mononuclear cells, although such a change was not observed in the expression of SRD5A1 (encoding 5alpha-reductase I). No significant changes were found when cells were treated for 24 h with various concentrations of PMA or ionomycin. Incubation with 10(-9) to 10(-7) M androstenedione or estradiol increased expression of HSD17B1, while testosterone decreased the expression of this gene. SRD5A1 expression was increased in the presence of 5alpha-DHT although no consistent changes were observed when the cells were treated with testosterone. Other steroids, including dexamethasone, progesterone, and 6-hydroxypregnanolone, produced no effects on expression of either HSD17B1 or SRD5A1. Treatment with 0.1-10 ng/ml of IL-4 or IL-6 also did not effect significant changes in gene expression. These data implicate the involvement of the cAMP-protein kinase signal transduction pathway in regulating lymphocyte expression of HSD17B1. Furthermore, it appears that lymphocyte HSD17B1 and SRD5A1 are regulated to some extent by specific steroids. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

  11. Aldo Leopold: An American Prophet

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Frese, Stephen J.

    2003-01-01

    In 1935, Aldo Leopold bought an abandoned farm in the sand counties along the Wisconsin River near Baraboo. Leopold sensed promise in the land, and with his wife and five children nursed the land back to health. They cleaned out the chicken coop and affectionately called their new family retreat "The Shack." Leopold kept detailed notes during the…

  12. [Autophagy-lysosome pathway in skeletal muscle of diabetic nephropathy rats and the effect of low-protein diet plus α-keto acids on it].

    PubMed

    Huang, Juan; Yuan, Wei-jie; Wang, Jia-lin; Gu, Li-jie; Yin, Jun; Dong, Ting; Bao, Jin-fang; Tang, Zhi-huan

    2013-11-26

    To explore the regulation of autophagy-lysosome pathway (ALP) in skeletal muscle of diabetic nephropathy and examine the effect of low protein diet plus α-keto acid on ALP. A total of 45 24-week-old Goto-Kakizaki rats were randomized to receive normal protein (22%) diet (NPD), low-protein (6%) diet (LPD) or low-protein (5%) plus α-keto acids (1%) diet (Keto) (n = 15 each). Wistar control rats had a normal protein diet. The mRNA and protein levels of ALP markers LC3B, Bnip3, Cathepsin L in soleus muscle were evaluated at 48 weeks. Electron microscopy was used to confirm the changes of autophagy. Compared with CTL group, the mRNA levels of LC3B, Bnip3, Cathepsin L in soleus muscle of rats on NPD were higher, and protein levels of LC3B-I, LC3B-II, Bnip3, Cathepsin L in soleus muscle of rats on NPD also higher than CTL group (0.82 ± 0.33 vs 0.25 ± 0.07, 0.76 ± 0.38 vs 0.20 ± 0.12, 1.25 ± 0.30 vs 0.56 ± 0.19, 1.29 ± 0.40 vs 0.69 ± 0.20). The mRNA levels of LC3B, Bnip3 and Cathepsin L in LPD group were slightly lower, compared with NPD group. However there was no statistical significance. Similarly the protein levels of LC3B-I, LC3B-II, Bnip3 and Cathepsin L in LPD group were slightly lower with no statistical significance. In contrast, the mRNA levels of LC3B, Bnip3 and Cathepsin L were greatly lower in Keto group in comparison with NPD and LPD. And protein levels of LC3B-I, LC3B-II, Bnip3 and Cathepsin L were also greatly lower in Keto group in comparison with NPD and LPD. Additionally, autophagosome or auto-lysosome was found in NPD and LPD groups by electron microscopy. ALP is activated in skeletal muscle of diabetic nephropathy rats. And low protein plus α-keto acid decrease the activation of ALP and improve muscle wasting.

  13. A comparative multidimensional LC-MS proteomic analysis reveals mechanisms for furan aldehyde detoxification in Thermoanaerobacter pseudethanolicus 39E

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Clarkson, Sonya M.; Hamilton-Brehm, Scott D.; Giannone, Richard J.

    Background: Chemical and physical pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass improves substrate reactivity for increased microbial biofuel production, but also restricts growth via the release of furan aldehydes such as furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF). The physiological effects of these inhibitors on thermophilic, fermentative bacteria is important to understand; especially as cellulolytic strains are being developed for consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) of lignocellulosic feedstocks. Identifying mechanisms for detoxification of aldehydes in naturally resistant strains such as Thermoanaerobacter spp. may also enable improvements in candidate CBP microorganisms. Results: T. pseudethanolicus 39E, an anaerobic, saccharolytic thermophile, was found to grow readily in the presence of 30more » mM furfural and 20 mM 5-HMF and reduce these aldehydes to their respective alcohols in situ. The proteomes of T. pseudethanolicus 39E grown in the presence or absence of 15 mM furfural were compared to identify upregulated enzymes potentially responsible for the observed reduction. A total of 225 proteins were differentially regulated in response to the 15 mM furfural treatment with 152 upregulated vs. 73 downregulated. Only 86 proteins exhibited a 2-fold change in abundance in either direction. Of these, 53 were upregulated in the presence of furfural and 33 were downregulated. Two oxidoreductases were upregulated at least 2-fold by furfural and were targeted for further investigation: Teth39_1597, encodes a predicted butanol dehydrogenase (BdhA) and Teth39_1598, a predicted aldo/keto reductase (AKR). Both genes were cloned from T. pseudethanolicus 39E, with the respective enzymes overexpressed in E. coli and specific activities determined against a variety of aldehydes. BdhA showed significant activity with all aldehydes tested, including furfural and 5-HMF, using NADPH as the cofactor. AKR also showed significant activity with NADPH, but only with four carbon butyr

  14. A comparative multidimensional LC-MS proteomic analysis reveals mechanisms for furan aldehyde detoxification in Thermoanaerobacter pseudethanolicus 39E

    DOE PAGES

    Clarkson, Sonya M.; Hamilton-Brehm, Scott D.; Giannone, Richard J.; ...

    2014-12-03

    Background: Chemical and physical pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass improves substrate reactivity for increased microbial biofuel production, but also restricts growth via the release of furan aldehydes such as furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF). The physiological effects of these inhibitors on thermophilic, fermentative bacteria is important to understand; especially as cellulolytic strains are being developed for consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) of lignocellulosic feedstocks. Identifying mechanisms for detoxification of aldehydes in naturally resistant strains such as Thermoanaerobacter spp. may also enable improvements in candidate CBP microorganisms. Results: T. pseudethanolicus 39E, an anaerobic, saccharolytic thermophile, was found to grow readily in the presence of 30more » mM furfural and 20 mM 5-HMF and reduce these aldehydes to their respective alcohols in situ. The proteomes of T. pseudethanolicus 39E grown in the presence or absence of 15 mM furfural were compared to identify upregulated enzymes potentially responsible for the observed reduction. A total of 225 proteins were differentially regulated in response to the 15 mM furfural treatment with 152 upregulated vs. 73 downregulated. Only 86 proteins exhibited a 2-fold change in abundance in either direction. Of these, 53 were upregulated in the presence of furfural and 33 were downregulated. Two oxidoreductases were upregulated at least 2-fold by furfural and were targeted for further investigation: Teth39_1597, encodes a predicted butanol dehydrogenase (BdhA) and Teth39_1598, a predicted aldo/keto reductase (AKR). Both genes were cloned from T. pseudethanolicus 39E, with the respective enzymes overexpressed in E. coli and specific activities determined against a variety of aldehydes. BdhA showed significant activity with all aldehydes tested, including furfural and 5-HMF, using NADPH as the cofactor. AKR also showed significant activity with NADPH, but only with four carbon butyr

  15. Characterization of Emodin as a Therapeutic Agent for Diabetic Cataract.

    PubMed

    Chang, Kun-Che; Li, Linfeng; Sanborn, Theresa M; Shieh, Biehuoy; Lenhart, Patricia; Ammar, David; LaBarbera, Daniel V; Petrash, J Mark

    2016-05-27

    Aldose reductase (AR) in the lens plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic cataract (DC) by contributing to osmotic and oxidative stress associated with accelerated glucose metabolism through the polyol pathway. Therefore, inhibition of AR in the lens may hold the key to prevent DC formation. Emodin, a bioactive compound isolated from plants, has been implicated as a therapy for diabetes. However, its inhibitory activity against AR remains unclear. Our results showed that emodin has good selectively inhibitory activity against AR (IC50 = 2.69 ± 0.90 μM) but not other aldo-keto reductases and is stable at 37 °C for at least 7 days. Enzyme kinetic studies demonstrated an uncompetitive inhibition against AR with a corresponding inhibition constant of 2.113 ± 0.095 μM. In in vivo studies, oral administration of emodin reduced the incidence and severity of morphological markers of cataract in lenses of AR transgenic mice. Computational modeling of the AR-NADP(+)-emodin ternary complex indicated that the 3-hydroxy group of emodin plays an essential role by interacting with Ser302 through hydrogen bonding in the specificity pocket of AR. All the findings above provide encouraging evidence for emodin as a potential therapeutic agent to prevent cataract in diabetic patients.

  16. Purification and Thermal Dependence of Glutathione Reductase from Two Forage Legume Species 1

    PubMed Central

    Kidambi, Saranga P.; Mahan, James R.; Matches, Arthur G.

    1990-01-01

    Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) are forage legumes that differ in their responses to high and low temperature stresses. Thermal limitations on the function of glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2) could adversely affect the ability of the plant to cope with adverse temperatures. Our objectives were to (a) purify glutathione reductase from `Cimarron' alfalfa and `PI 212241' sainfoin and (b) investigate the intraspecies variation in the thermal dependency of glutathione reductase from each of three cultivars of alfalfa and two cultivars and an introduction of sainfoin. Glutathione reductase was purified 1222-and 1948-fold to a specific activity of 281 and 273 units per milligram of protein, from one species each of alfalfa and sainfoin, respectively. The relative molecular mass of the protein was approximately 140 kilodaltons with subunits of 57 and 37 kilodaltons under denaturing conditions. The activation energies were approximately 50 kilojoules per mole for both species. Over a 5 to 45°C temperature gradient, large variation among species and genotypes within species was found for: (a) the minimum apparent Michaelis constant (0.6-2.1 micromoles of NADPH), (b) the temperature at which the minimum apparent Michaelis constant was observed (10-25°C), and (c) the thermal kinetic windows (6-19°C width). Future studies will focus on relating the thermal dependence of the Michaelis constant of the glutathione reductases and plant growth rates and forage quality of these species throughout the growing season. PMID:16667283

  17. A comparison of dehydroepiandrosterone and 7-keto dehydroepiandrosterone with other drugs that modulate ethanol intake in rats responding under a multiple schedule

    PubMed Central

    Amato, Russell J.; Hulin, Mary W.; Winsauer, Peter J.

    2012-01-01

    Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), 7-keto DHEA, and several comparison drugs (ethanol, chlordiazepoxide, rauwolscine, and RO15-4513) were administered to male rats responding under a multiple schedule of food and ethanol presentation to determine their selectively for decreasing ethanol-maintained responding. DHEA and 7-keto DHEA significantly decreased both ethanol- and food-maintained responding, compared to control, while also decreasing blood ethanol concentration (BEC). Acute ethanol administration also decreased responding for both food and ethanol; however, ethanol-maintained responding was more potently decreased than food-maintained responding. BEC remained relatively stable after increasing ethanol doses. Among the other drugs tested, RO15-4513 was the most selective for decreasing ethanol-maintained responding compared to food-maintained responding, and it decreased BECs as ethanol-maintained responding decreased. The largest dose of rauwolscine significantly decreased responding for food, while not affecting ethanol-maintained responding compared to control. Low to intermediate doses of rauwolscine produced small, non-significant increases in ethanol-maintained responding and BECs. Chlordiazepoxide produced significant decreases in food-maintained responding and the dose of ethanol presented, but only at the highest dose tested. Although DHEA and 7-keto DHEA did not decrease ethanol-maintained responding as selectively as ethanol or RO15-4513 under the multiple schedule, these neurosteroids may be valuable pharmacological tools in the development of new treatments for alcohol abuse and dependence. PMID:22473025

  18. NF-KappaB2/p52 Activation and Androgen Receptor Signaling in Prostate Cancer

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2011-08-01

    biosynthetic enzymes including AKR1C3, CYP17A1, HSD3B2, and SRD5A1 were found to be elevated in CaP cells expressing NF-kappaB2/p52. Luciferase assays...RESULTS: Expression levels of androgen biosynthetic enzymes including AKR1C3, CYP17A1, HSD3B2, and SRD5A1 were found to be elevated in CaP cells

  19. Trichomonas vaginalis Flavin Reductase 1 and its Role in Metronidazole Resistance

    PubMed Central

    Leitsch, David; Janssen, Brian D.; Kolarich, Daniel; Johnson, Patricia J.; Duchêne, Michael

    2015-01-01

    Summary The enzyme flavin reductase 1 (FR1) from Trichomonas vaginalis, formerly known as NADPH oxidase, was isolated and identified. Flavin reductase is part of the antioxidative defense in T. vaginalis and indirectly reduces molecular oxygen to hydrogen peroxide via free flavins. Importantly, a reduced or absent flavin reductase activity has been reported in metronidazole-resistant T. vaginalis, resulting in elevated intracellular oxygen levels and futile cycling of metronidazole. Interestingly, FR1 has no close homologue in any other sequenced genome, but seven full-length and three truncated isoforms exist in the T. vaginalis genome. However, out of these, only FR1 has an affinity for flavins, i.e. FMN, FAD, and riboflavin, which is high enough to be of physiological relevance. Although there are no relevant changes in the gene sequence or any alterations of the predicted FR1-mRNA structure in any of the strains studied, FR1 is not expressed in highly metronidazole-resistant strains. Transfection of a metronidazole-resistant clinical isolate (B7268), which does not express any detectable amounts of FR, with a plasmid bearing a functional FR1 gene nearly completely restored metronidazole sensitivity. Our results indicate that FR1 has a significant role in the emergence of metronidazole resistance in T. vaginalis. PMID:24256032

  20. Crystal Structure and Catalytic Mechanism of 7-Hydroxymethyl Chlorophyll a Reductase*

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Xiao; Liu, Lin

    2016-01-01

    7-Hydroxymethyl chlorophyll a reductase (HCAR) catalyzes the second half-reaction in chlorophyll b to chlorophyll a conversion. HCAR is required for the degradation of light-harvesting complexes and is necessary for efficient photosynthesis by balancing the chlorophyll a/b ratio. Reduction of the hydroxymethyl group uses redox cofactors [4Fe-4S] cluster and FAD to transfer electrons and is difficult because of the strong carbon-oxygen bond. Here, we report the crystal structure of Arabidopsis HCAR at 2.7-Å resolution and reveal that two [4Fe-4S]clusters and one FAD within a very short distance form a consecutive electron pathway to the substrate pocket. In vitro kinetic analysis confirms the ferredoxin-dependent electron transport chain, thus supporting a proton-activated electron transfer mechanism. HCAR resembles a partial reconstruction of an archaeal F420-reducing [NiFe] hydrogenase, which suggests a common mode of efficient proton-coupled electron transfer through conserved cofactor arrangements. Furthermore, the trimeric form of HCAR provides a biological clue of its interaction with light-harvesting complex II. PMID:27072131

  1. 7 CFR 1b.2 - Policy.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Policy. 1b.2 Section 1b.2 Agriculture Office of the Secretary of Agriculture NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT § 1b.2 Policy. (a) All policies and programs of... environment for present and future generations. (b) Each USDA agency is responsible for compliance with this...

  2. 7 CFR 1b.2 - Policy.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Policy. 1b.2 Section 1b.2 Agriculture Office of the Secretary of Agriculture NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT § 1b.2 Policy. (a) All policies and programs of... environment for present and future generations. (b) Each USDA agency is responsible for compliance with this...

  3. Thermostable Alcohol Dehydrogenase from Thermococcus kodakarensis KOD1 for Enantioselective Bioconversion of Aromatic Secondary Alcohols

    PubMed Central

    Wu, Xi; Zhang, Chong; Orita, Izumi; Imanaka, Tadayuki

    2013-01-01

    A novel thermostable alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) showing activity toward aromatic secondary alcohols was identified from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus kodakarensis KOD1 (TkADH). The gene, tk0845, which encodes an aldo-keto reductase, was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. The enzyme was found to be a monomer with a molecular mass of 31 kDa. It was highly thermostable with an optimal temperature of 90°C and a half-life of 4.5 h at 95°C. The apparent Km values for the cofactors NAD(P)+ and NADPH were similar within a range of 66 to 127 μM. TkADH preferred secondary alcohols and accepted various ketones and aldehydes as substrates. Interestingly, the enzyme could oxidize 1-phenylethanol and its derivatives having substituents at the meta and para positions with high enantioselectivity, yielding the corresponding (R)-alcohols with optical purities of greater than 99.8% enantiomeric excess (ee). TkADH could also reduce 2,2,2-trifluoroacetophenone to (R)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-phenylethanol with high enantioselectivity (>99.6% ee). Furthermore, the enzyme showed high resistance to organic solvents and was particularly highly active in the presence of H2O–20% 2-propanol and H2O–50% n-hexane or n-octane. This ADH is expected to be a useful tool for the production of aromatic chiral alcohols. PMID:23354700

  4. Quinone Reductase 2 Is a Catechol Quinone Reductase

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Fu, Yue; Buryanovskyy, Leonid; Zhang, Zhongtao

    2008-09-05

    The functions of quinone reductase 2 have eluded researchers for decades even though a genetic polymorphism is associated with various neurological disorders. Employing enzymatic studies using adrenochrome as a substrate, we show that quinone reductase 2 is specific for the reduction of adrenochrome, whereas quinone reductase 1 shows no activity. We also solved the crystal structure of quinone reductase 2 in complexes with dopamine and adrenochrome, two compounds that are structurally related to catecholamine quinones. Detailed structural analyses delineate the mechanism of quinone reductase 2 specificity toward catechol quinones in comparison with quinone reductase 1; a side-chain rotational difference betweenmore » quinone reductase 1 and quinone reductase 2 of a single residue, phenylalanine 106, determines the specificity of enzymatic activities. These results infer functional differences between two homologous enzymes and indicate that quinone reductase 2 could play important roles in the regulation of catecholamine oxidation processes that may be involved in the etiology of Parkinson disease.« less

  5. Testing an aflatoxin B1 gene signature in rat archival tissues.

    PubMed

    Merrick, B Alex; Auerbach, Scott S; Stockton, Patricia S; Foley, Julie F; Malarkey, David E; Sills, Robert C; Irwin, Richard D; Tice, Raymond R

    2012-05-21

    Archival tissues from laboratory studies represent a unique opportunity to explore the relationship between genomic changes and agent-induced disease. In this study, we evaluated the applicability of qPCR for detecting genomic changes in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues by determining if a subset of 14 genes from a 90-gene signature derived from microarray data and associated with eventual tumor development could be detected in archival liver, kidney, and lung of rats exposed to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) for 90 days in feed at 1 ppm. These tissues originated from the same rats used in the microarray study. The 14 genes evaluated were Adam8, Cdh13, Ddit4l, Mybl2, Akr7a3, Akr7a2, Fhit, Wwox, Abcb1b, Abcc3, Cxcl1, Gsta5, Grin2c, and the C8orf46 homologue. The qPCR FFPE liver results were compared to the original liver microarray data and to qPCR results using RNA from fresh frozen liver. Archival liver paraffin blocks yielded 30 to 50 μg of degraded RNA that ranged in size from 0.1 to 4 kB. qPCR results from FFPE and fresh frozen liver samples were positively correlated (p ≤ 0.05) by regression analysis and showed good agreement in direction and proportion of change with microarray data for 11 of 14 genes. All 14 transcripts could be amplified from FFPE kidney RNA except the glutamate receptor gene Grin2c; however, only Abcb1b was significantly upregulated from control. Abundant constitutive transcripts, S18 and β-actin, could be amplified from lung FFPE samples, but the narrow RNA size range (25-500 bp length) prevented consistent detection of target transcripts. Overall, a discrete gene signature derived from prior transcript profiling and representing cell cycle progression, DNA damage response, and xenosensor and detoxication pathways was successfully applied to archival liver and kidney by qPCR and indicated that gene expression changes in response to subchronic AFB1 exposure occurred predominantly in the liver, the primary target for AFB1-induced

  6. Fundamental roles of reactive oxygen species and protective mechanisms in the female reproductive system.

    PubMed

    Fujii, Junichi; Iuchi, Yoshihito; Okada, Futoshi

    2005-09-02

    Controlled oxidation, such as disulfide bond formation in sperm nuclei and during ovulation, plays a fundamental role in mammalian reproduction. Excess oxidation, however, causes oxidative stress, resulting in the dysfunction of the reproductive process. Antioxidation reactions that reduce the levels of reactive oxygen species are of prime importance in reproductive systems in maintaining the quality of gametes and support reproduction. While anti-oxidative enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase and peroxidase, play a central role in eliminating oxidative stress, reduction-oxidation (redox) systems, comprised of mainly glutathione and thioredoxin, function to reduce the levels of oxidized molecules. Aldo-keto reductase, using NADPH as an electron donor, detoxifies carbonyl compounds resulting from the oxidation of lipids and proteins. Thus, many antioxidative and redox enzyme genes are expressed and aggressively protect gametes and embryos in reproductive systems.

  7. 18 CFR 1b.7 - Procedure after investigation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 18 Conservation of Power and Water Resources 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Procedure after investigation. 1b.7 Section 1b.7 Conservation of Power and Water Resources FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY GENERAL RULES RULES RELATING TO INVESTIGATIONS § 1b.7 Procedure after investigation...

  8. 18 CFR 1b.7 - Procedure after investigation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 18 Conservation of Power and Water Resources 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Procedure after investigation. 1b.7 Section 1b.7 Conservation of Power and Water Resources FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY GENERAL RULES RULES RELATING TO INVESTIGATIONS § 1b.7 Procedure after investigation...

  9. 18 CFR 1b.7 - Procedure after investigation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 18 Conservation of Power and Water Resources 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Procedure after investigation. 1b.7 Section 1b.7 Conservation of Power and Water Resources FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY GENERAL RULES RULES RELATING TO INVESTIGATIONS § 1b.7 Procedure after investigation...

  10. 18 CFR 1b.7 - Procedure after investigation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 18 Conservation of Power and Water Resources 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Procedure after investigation. 1b.7 Section 1b.7 Conservation of Power and Water Resources FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY GENERAL RULES RULES RELATING TO INVESTIGATIONS § 1b.7 Procedure after investigation...

  11. New Complexity-Building Reactions of Alpha-Keto Esters

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bartlett, Samuel L.

    I. Introduction: Importance of Asymmetric Catalysis and the Reactivity Patterns of alpha-Keto Esters. II. Synthesis of Complex Tertiary Glycolates by Enantioconvergent Arylation of Stereochemically Labile alpha-Keto Esters. Enantioconvergent arylation reactions of boronic acids and racemic ?-stereogenic alpha-keto esters have been developed. The reactions are catalyzed by a chiral (diene)Rh(I) complex and provide a wide array of beta-stereogenic tertiary aryl glycolate derivatives with high levels of diastereo- and enantioselectivity. Racemization studies employing a series of sterically differentiated tertiary amines suggest that the steric nature of the amine base additive exerts a significant influence on the rate of substrate racemization. III. Palladium-Catalyzed beta-Arylation of alpha-Keto Esters . A catalyst system derived from commercially available Pd2(dba) 3 and PtBu3 has been applied to the coupling of alpha-keto ester enolates and aryl bromides. The reaction provides access to an array of beta-stereogenic alpha-keto ester derivatives. When the air stable ligand precursor PtBu 3˙HBF4 is employed, the reaction can be carried out without use of a glovebox. The derived products are of broad interest given the prevalence of the alpha-keto acid substructure in biologically important molecules. IV. Catalytic Enantioselective [3+2] Cycloaddition of alpha-Keto Ester Enolates and Nitrile Oxides. An enantioselective [3+2] cycloaddition reaction between nitrile oxides and transiently generated enolates of alpha-keto esters has been developed. The catalyst system was found to be compatible with in situ nitrile oxide generation conditions. A versatile array of nitrile oxides and alpha-keto esters could participate in the cycloaddition, providing novel 5-hydroxy-2-isoxazolines in high chemical yield with high levels of diastereo- and enantioselectivity. Notably, the optimal reaction conditions circumvented concurrent reaction via O-imidoylation and hetero-[3

  12. Staying green postharvest: how three mutations in the Arabidopsis chlorophyll b reductase gene NYC1 delay degreening by distinct mechanisms.

    PubMed

    Jibran, Rubina; Sullivan, Kerry L; Crowhurst, Ross; Erridge, Zoe A; Chagné, David; McLachlan, Andrew R G; Brummell, David A; Dijkwel, Paul P; Hunter, Donald A

    2015-11-01

    Stresses such as energy deprivation, wounding and water-supply disruption often contribute to rapid deterioration of harvested tissues. To uncover the genetic regulation behind such stresses, a simple assessment system was used to detect senescence mutants in conjunction with two rapid mapping techniques to identify the causal mutations. To demonstrate the power of this approach, immature inflorescences of Arabidopsis plants that contained ethyl methanesulfonate-induced lesions were detached and screened for altered timing of dark-induced senescence. Numerous mutant lines displaying accelerated or delayed timing of senescence relative to wild type were discovered. The underlying mutations in three of these were identified using High Resolution Melting analysis to map to a chromosomal arm followed by a whole-genome sequencing-based mapping method, termed 'Needle in the K-Stack', to identify the causal lesions. All three mutations were single base pair changes and occurred in the same gene, NON-YELLOW COLORING1 (NYC1), a chlorophyll b reductase of the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) superfamily. This was consistent with the mutants preferentially retaining chlorophyll b, although substantial amounts of chlorophyll b were still lost. The single base pair mutations disrupted NYC1 function by three distinct mechanisms, one by producing a termination codon, the second by interfering with correct intron splicing and the third by replacing a highly conserved proline with a non-equivalent serine residue. This non-synonymous amino acid change, which occurred in the NADPH binding domain of NYC1, is the first example of such a mutation in an SDR protein inhibiting a physiological response in plants. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  13. Role of FOXO1 in aldosterone-induced autophagy: A compensatory protective mechanism related to podocyte injury

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Bin; Ding, Wei; Zhang, Minmin; Li, Hongmei; Guo, Honglei; Lin, Lilu; Chen, Jing; Gu, Yong

    2016-01-01

    This study was undertaken to elucidate whether and how autophagy was regulated in aldosterone (Aldo)-induced podocyte injury and to examine its role in this model both in vitro and in vivo. In cultured podocytes, Aldo increased autophagy flux as indicated by the enhanced expression of LC3-II/LC3-I and the reduction of p62. Autophagy induction with rapamycin (RP) provided a cytoprotective effect, and inhibition of autophagy with Atg7-specific siRNA, chloroquine (CQ) or 3-methyladenine (3-MA) worsened Aldo-induced podocyte injury by attenuating endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Aldo inhibited Akt phosphorylation but increased the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway; however, Aldo up-regulated the expression of FOXO1 and its downstream effector Rab7. Either knockdown of FOXO1 or Rab7 inhibited Aldo-induced autophagy. Additionally, an elevated level of P300-regulated acetylation of FOXO1 and the interaction of acetylated FOXO1 and Atg7 were also confirmed to be involved in regulating autophagy in Aldo-induced podocytes. Similar results were further confirmed in vivo. We propose that autophagy enhancement through enhancing of the FOXO1/Rab7 axis and post-translational modification of FOXO1 may represent a potential therapeutic strategy against podocyte injury by promoting autophagy. PMID:27244896

  14. Urinary 11-dehydro-thromboxane B₂ and 2,3-dinor-6-keto-prostaglandin-F₁α in healthy post-menopausal and pre-menopausal women receiving aspirin 100 mg.

    PubMed

    Hartanto, Marcia Dewi; Arieselia, Zita; Setiabudy, Rianto; Setiawati, Arini; Baziad, Ali

    2012-07-01

    The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in women increases sharply after menopause. In postmenopausal women, thromboxane production increases while prostacyclin decreases. Low dose aspirin reduces the production of both thromboxane and prostacyclin. The present study was an open-label clinical trial with two parallel groups of 15 premenopausal women and 15 postmenopausal women. Twenty-four hours urine was collected from each subject before and after aspirin 100 mg daily for 7 days. The concentration of thromboxane and prostacyclin was measured as their metabolites (11-dehydro-thromboxane B(2) and 2,3-dinor-6-keto-prostaglandin-F(1α)) in urine using enzyme immunoassay methods. This study showed that aspirin significantly reduced thromboxane in both groups with significantly larger percentage reduction in postmenopausal women compared to premenopausal women (73.32 vs. 61.13%, p = 0.021). This study also showed that aspirin reduced prostacyclin significantly in both groups, but the percentage reduction between the groups was not significantly different. The decrease in the ratio of 11-dTXB(2)/2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF(1α) should be compared to assess aspirin efficacy as an antithrombotic. Calculation of the ratio of 11-dTXB(2)/2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF(1α) before aspirin consumption was higher in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women. The decrease in 11-dTXB(2)/2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF(1α) ratio by aspirin was greater in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women (1.91 vs. 0.17; p = 0.022). It was concluded that aspirin reduced thromboxane and prostacyclin significantly in each group with significant 11-dTXB(2) percentage reduction between groups and non-significant 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF(1α) percentage reduction between groups, but reduced the 11-dTXB(2)/2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF(1α) ratio much larger in postmenopausal women compared to that in premenopausal women.

  15. Biotechnological production of alpha-keto acids: Current status and perspectives.

    PubMed

    Song, Yang; Li, Jianghua; Shin, Hyun-Dong; Liu, Long; Du, Guocheng; Chen, Jian

    2016-11-01

    Alpha-keto (α-keto) acids are used widely in feeds, food additives, pharmaceuticals, and in chemical synthesis processes. Although most α-keto acids are currently produced by chemical synthesis, their biotechnological production from renewable carbohydrates is a promising new approach. In this mini-review, we first present the different types of α-keto acids as well as their applications; next, we summarize the recent progresses in the biotechnological production of some important α-keto acids; namely, pyruvate, α-ketoglutarate, α-ketoisovalerate, α-ketoisocaproate, phenylpyruvate, α-keto-γ-methylthiobutyrate, and 2,5-diketo-d-gluconate. Finally, we discuss the future prospects as well as favorable directions for the biotechnological production of keto acids that ultimately would be more environment-friendly and simpler compared with the production by chemical synthesis. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  16. In vivo assessment of the mitochondrial response to caloric restriction in obese women by the 2-keto[1-C]isocaproate breath test.

    PubMed

    Parra, Dolores; González, Alvaro; Martínez, J Alfredo; Labayen, Idoia; Díez, Nieves

    2003-04-01

    The 2-keto[1-(13)C]isocaproate breath test has been proposed as a tool to detect mitochondrial dysfunction in alcoholic liver disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the 2-keto[1-(13)C]isocaproate breath test could detect in vivo dynamic changes on mitochondrial activity due to caloric restriction in obese women. Fifteen obese women (body mass index [BMI] > 30 kg/m(2)) participated in the study at baseline. Ten of these women agreed to participate on a diet program to induce body weight loss. Fifteen lean women (BMI < 25 kg/m(2)) were included as a control group. The breath test was performed by the oral administration of the tracer measuring (13)CO(2) enrichment in breath before and after ingestion using isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Body composition, resting energy expenditure, and plasma levels of insulin and leptin were measured. There were no relationships observed between the 2-keto[1-(13)C]isocaproate breath test and the plasma insulin (before diet: P =.863; after diet: P =.879), or leptin (before diet: P =.500; after diet: P =.637). In obese women before treatment, kilograms of fat free mass (P =.108), resting energy expenditure adjusted for body composition (P =.312), and the 2-keto[1-(13)C]isocaproate breath test (P =.205) were similar in comparison to lean women. However, 2-keto[1-(13)C]isocaproate oxidation tended to increase after dieting and was significantly higher than in controls (P =.015). These data suggest that the 2-keto[1-(13)C]isocaproate breath test reflected the adaptive modifications in mitochondrial oxidation in response to caloric restriction in obese women. Copyright 2003 Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. 2-keto-4-(methylthio)butyric acid (keto analog of methionine) is a safe and efficacious precursor of L-methionine in chicks.

    PubMed

    Dilger, Ryan N; Kobler, Christoph; Weckbecker, Christoph; Hoehler, Dirk; Baker, David H

    2007-08-01

    Relative bioefficacy and toxicity of Met precursor compounds were investigated in young chicks. The effectiveness of DL-Met and 2-keto-4-(methylthio)butyric acid (Keto-Met) to serve as L-Met precursors was quantified using Met-deficient diets of differing composition. Efficacy was based on slope-ratio and standard-curve methodology. Using L-Met as a standard Met source added to a purified diet, DL-Met and Keto-Met were assigned relative bioefficacy values of 98.5 and 92.5%, respectively, based on weight gain. Relative bioefficacy values of 98.5 and 89.3% were assigned to DL-Met and Keto-Met, respectively, when chicks were fed a Met-deficient, corn-soybean meal-peanut meal diet. Thus, both DL-Met and Keto-Met are effective Met precursor compounds in chicks. Additionally, growth-depressing effects of L-Met, DL-Met, and Keto-Met were compared using a nutritionally adequate corn-soybean meal diet supplemented with 15 or 30 g/kg of each compound. Similar reductions in weight gain, food intake, and gain:food ratio were observed for each compound. Subjective spleen color scores, indicative of splenic hemosiderosis, increased linearly (P < 0.01) with increasing intakes of each compound, suggesting a similarity in overall toxicity among these compounds. Because conversion of Keto-Met to L-Met in vivo merely requires transamination, Keto-Met may prove to be a useful supplement not only in food animal production, but also as a component of enteral and parenteral formulas for humans suffering from renal insufficiency.

  18. Substrate specificity and inhibitor sensitivity of rabbit 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

    PubMed

    Endo, Satoshi; Arai, Yuki; Hara, Akira; Kitade, Yukio; Bunai, Yasuo; El-Kabbani, Ossama; Matsunaga, Toshiyuki

    2013-01-01

    In this study, we examined the substrate specificity and inhibitor sensitivity of rabbit 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C5), which plays a role in the termination of pregnancy by progesterone inactivation. AKR1C5 moderately reduced the 3-keto group of only 5α-dihydrosteroids with 17β- or 20α/β-hydroxy group among 3-ketosteroids. In contrast, the enzyme reversibly and efficiently catalyzed the reduction of various 17- and 20-ketosteroids, including estrogen precursors (dehydroepiandrosterone, estrone and 5α-androstan-3β-ol-17-one) and tocolytic 5β-pregnane-3,20-dione. In addition to the progesterone inactivation, the formation of estrogens and metabolism of the tocolytic steroid by AKR1C5 may be related to its role in rabbit parturition. AKR1C5 also reduced various non-steroidal carbonyl compounds, including isatin, an antagonist of the C-type natriuretic peptide receptor, and 4-oxo-2-nonenal, suggesting its roles in controlling the bioactive isatin and detoxification of cytotoxic aldehydes. AKR1C5 was potently and competitively inhibited by flavonoids such as kaempferol and quercetin, suggesting that its activity is affected by ingested flavonoids.

  19. Pyrroline-5-Carboxylate Reductase in Chlorella autotrophica and Chlorella saccharophila in Relation to Osmoregulation 1

    PubMed Central

    Laliberté, Gilles; Hellebust, Johan A.

    1989-01-01

    Pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C) reductase (EC 1.5.1.2), which catalyzes the reduction of P5C to proline, was partially purified from two Chlorella species; Chlorella autotrophica, a euryhaline marine alga that responds to increases in salinity by accumulating proline and ions, and Chlorella saccharophila, which does not accumulate proline for osmoregulation. From the elution profile of this enzyme from an anion exchange column in Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.6), containing sorbitol and glycine betaine, it was shown that P5C reductase from C. autotrophica was a neutral protein whereas the enzyme from C. saccharophila was negatively charged. The kinetic mechanisms of the reductase was characteristic of a ping-pong mechanism with double competitive substrate inhibition. Both enzymes showed high specificity for NADH as cofactor. The affinities of the reductases for their substrates did not change when the cells were grown at different salinities. In both algae, the apparent Km values of the reductase for P5C and NADH were 0.17 and 0.10 millimolar, respectively. A fourfold increase in maximal velocity of the reductase was observed when C. autotrophica was transferred from 50 to 150% artificial sea water. Even though the reductase was inhibited by NaCl, KCl, and proline, it still showed appreciable activity in the presence of these compounds at molar concentrations. A possible role for the regulation of proline synthesis at the step catalyzed by P5C reductase is discussed in relation to the specificity of P5C reductase for NADH and its responses to salt treatments. PMID:16667157

  20. Theoretical and vibrational spectroscopic approach to keto-enol tautomerism in methyl-2-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-oxopropanoylcarbamate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Arı, Hatice; Özpozan, Talat; Büyükmumcu, Zeki; Kabacalı, Yiğit; Saçmaci, Mustafa

    2016-10-01

    A carbamate compound having tricarbonyl groups, methyl-2-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-oxopropanoylcarbamate (BPOC) was investigated from theoretical and vibrational spectroscopic point of view employing quantum chemical methods. Hybrid Density Functionals (B3LYP, X3LYP and B3PW91) with 6-311 G(d,p) basis set were used for the calculations. Rotational barrier and conformational analyses were performed to find the most stable conformers of keto and enol forms of the molecule. Three transition states for keto-enol tautomerism in gas phase were determined. The results of the calculations show that enol-1 form of BPOC is more stable than keto and enol-2 forms. Hydrogen bonding investigation including Natural bond orbital analysis (NBO) for all the tautomeric structures was employed to compare intra-molecular interactions. The energies of HOMO and LUMO molecular orbitals for all tautomeric forms of BPOC were predicted. Normal Coordinate Analysis (NCA) was carried out for the enol-1 to assign vibrational bands of IR and Raman spectra. The scaling factors were calculated as 0.9721, 0.9697 and 0.9685 for B3LYP, X3LYP and B3PW91 methods, respectively. The correlation graphs of experimental versus calculated vibrational wavenumbers were plotted and X3LYP method gave better frequency agreement than the others.

  1. Activity-guided isolation of the chemical constituents of Muntingia calabura using a quinone reductase induction assay.

    PubMed

    Su, Bao-Ning; Jung Park, Eun; Vigo, Jose Schunke; Graham, James G; Cabieses, Fernando; Fong, Harry H S; Pezzuto, John M; Kinghorn, A Douglas

    2003-06-01

    Activity-guided fractionation of an EtOAc-soluble extract of the leaves of Muntingia calabura collected in Peru, using an in vitro quinone reductase induction assay with cultured Hepa 1c1c7 (mouse hepatoma) cells, resulted in the isolation of a flavanone with an unsubstituted B-ring, (2R,3R)-7-methoxy-3,5,8-trihydroxyflavanone (5), as well as 24 known compounds, which were mainly flavanones and flavones. The structure including absolute stereochemistry of compound 5 was determined by spectroscopic (HRMS, 1D and 2D NMR, and CD spectra) methods. Of the isolates obtained, in addition to 5, (2S)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone, 2',4'-dihydroxychalcone, 4,2',4'-trihydroxychalcone, 7-hydroxyisoflavone and 7,3',4'-trimethoxyisoflavone were found to induce quinone reductase activity.

  2. 7 CFR 1b.3 - Categorical exclusions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Categorical exclusions. 1b.3 Section 1b.3 Agriculture Office of the Secretary of Agriculture NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT § 1b.3 Categorical exclusions... individual or cumulative effect on the human environment and are excluded from the preparation of...

  3. Purification and properties of a dissimilatory nitrate reductase from Haloferax denitrificans

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hochstein, L. I.; Lang, F.

    1991-01-01

    A membrane-bound nitrate reductase (nitrite:(acceptor) oxidoreductase, EC 1.7.99.4) from the extremely halophilic bacterium Haloferax denitrificans was solubilized by incubating membranes in buffer lacking NaCl and purified by DEAE, hydroxylapatite, and Sepharose 6B gel filtration chromatography. The purified nitrate reductase reduced chlorate and was inhibited by azide and cyanide. Preincubating the enzyme with cyanide increased the extent of inhibition which in turn was intensified when dithionite was present. Although cyanide was a noncompetitive inhibitor with respect to nitrate, nitrate protected against inhibition. The enzyme, as isolated, was composed of two subunits (Mr 116,000 and 60,000) and behaved as a dimer during gel filtration (Mr 380,000). Unlike other halobacterial enzymes, this nitrate reductase was most active, as well as stable, in the absence of salt.

  4. Development of donor-derived thymic lymphomas after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in AKR/J mice

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Yasumizu, R.; Hiai, H.; Sugiura, K.

    1988-09-15

    The transplantation of bone marrow cells from BALB/c (but not C57BL/6 and C3H/HeN) mice was observed to lead to the development of thymic lymphomas (leukemias) in AKR/J mice. Two leukemic cell lines, CAK1.3 and CAK4.4, were established from the primary culture of two thymic lymphoma, and surface phenotypes of these cell lines found to be H-2d and Thy-1.2+, indicating that these lymphoma cells are derived from BALB/c donor bone marrow cells. Further analyses of surface markers revealed that CAK1.3 is L3T4+ Lyt2+ IL2R-, whereas CAK4.4 is L3T4- Lyt2- IL2R+. Both CAK1.3 and CAK4.4 were transplantable into BALB/c but not AKR/Jmore » mice, further indicating that these cells are of BALB/c bone marrow donor origin. The cells were found to produce XC+-ecotropic viruses, but xenotropic and mink cell focus-forming viruses were undetectable. Inasmuch as thymic lymphomas are derived from bone marrow cells of leukemia-resistant BALB/c strain of mice under the allogeneic environment of leukemia-prone AKR/J mice, this animal model may serve as a useful tool not only for the analysis of leukemic relapse after bone marrow transplantation but also for elucidation of the mechanism of leukemogenesis.« less

  5. N-terminus determines activity and specificity of styrene monooxygenase reductases.

    PubMed

    Heine, Thomas; Scholtissek, Anika; Westphal, Adrie H; van Berkel, Willem J H; Tischler, Dirk

    2017-12-01

    Styrene monooxygenases (SMOs) are two-enzyme systems that catalyze the enantioselective epoxidation of styrene to (S)-styrene oxide. The FADH 2 co-substrate of the epoxidase component (StyA) is supplied by an NADH-dependent flavin reductase (StyB). The genome of Rhodococcus opacus 1CP encodes two SMO systems. One system, which we define as E1-type, displays homology to the SMO from Pseudomonas taiwanensis VLB120. The other system, originally reported as a fused system (RoStyA2B), is defined as E2-type. Here we found that E1-type RoStyB is inhibited by FMN, while RoStyA2B is known to be active with FMN. To rationalize the observed specificity of RoStyB for FAD, we generated an artificial reductase, designated as RoStyBart, in which the first 22 amino acid residues of RoStyB were joined to the reductase part of RoStyA2B, while the oxygenase part (A2) was removed. RoStyBart mainly purified as apo-protein and mimicked RoStyB in being inhibited by FMN. Pre-incubation with FAD yielded a turnover number at 30°C of 133.9±3.5s -1 , one of the highest rates observed for StyB reductases. RoStyBart holo-enzyme switches to a ping-pong mechanism and fluorescence analysis indicated for unproductive binding of FMN to the second (co-substrate) binding site. In summary, it is shown for the first time that optimization of the N-termini of StyB reductases allows the evolution of their activity and specificity. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. Cytochrome b5 reductase is the component from neuronal synaptic plasma membrane vesicles that generates superoxide anion upon stimulation by cytochrome c.

    PubMed

    Samhan-Arias, Alejandro K; Fortalezas, Sofia; Cordas, Cristina M; Moura, Isabel; Moura, José J G; Gutierrez-Merino, Carlos

    2018-05-01

    In this work, we measured the effect of cytochrome c on the NADH-dependent superoxide anion production by synaptic plasma membrane vesicles from rat brain. In these membranes, the cytochrome c stimulated NADH-dependent superoxide anion production was inhibited by antibodies against cytochrome b 5 reductase linking the production to this enzyme. Measurement of the superoxide anion radical generated by purified recombinant soluble and membrane cytochrome b 5 reductase corroborates the production of the radical by different enzyme isoforms. In the presence of cytochrome c, a burst of superoxide anion as well as the reduction of cytochrome c by cytochrome b 5 reductase was measured. Complex formation between both proteins suggests that cytochrome b 5 reductase is one of the major partners of cytochrome c upon its release from mitochondria to the cytosol during apoptosis. Superoxide anion production and cytochrome c reduction are the consequences of the stimulated NADH consumption by cytochrome b 5 reductase upon complex formation with cytochrome c and suggest a major role of this enzyme as an anti-apoptotic protein during cell death. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  7. Cloning and sequencing of the cDNA species for mammalian dimeric dihydrodiol dehydrogenases.

    PubMed Central

    Arimitsu, E; Aoki, S; Ishikura, S; Nakanishi, K; Matsuura, K; Hara, A

    1999-01-01

    Cynomolgus and Japanese monkey kidneys, dog and pig livers and rabbit lens contain dimeric dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (EC 1.3.1.20) associated with high carbonyl reductase activity. Here we have isolated cDNA species for the dimeric enzymes by reverse transcriptase-PCR from human intestine in addition to the above five animal tissues. The amino acid sequences deduced from the monkey, pig and dog cDNA species perfectly matched the partial sequences of peptides digested from the respective enzymes of these animal tissues, and active recombinant proteins were expressed in a bacterial system from the monkey and human cDNA species. Northern blot analysis revealed the existence of a single 1.3 kb mRNA species for the enzyme in these animal tissues. The human enzyme shared 94%, 85%, 84% and 82% amino acid identity with the enzymes of the two monkey strains (their sequences were identical), the dog, the pig and the rabbit respectively. The sequences of the primate enzymes consisted of 335 amino acid residues and lacked one amino acid compared with the other animal enzymes. In contrast with previous reports that other types of dihydrodiol dehydrogenase, carbonyl reductases and enzymes with either activity belong to the aldo-keto reductase family or the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase family, dimeric dihydrodiol dehydrogenase showed no sequence similarity with the members of the two protein families. The dimeric enzyme aligned with low degrees of identity (14-25%) with several prokaryotic proteins, in which 47 residues are strictly or highly conserved. Thus dimeric dihydrodiol dehydrogenase has a primary structure distinct from the previously known mammalian enzymes and is suggested to constitute a novel protein family with the prokaryotic proteins. PMID:10477285

  8. Biochemical characterization of recombinant cinnamoyl CoA reductase 1 (Ll-CCRH1) from Leucaena leucocephala.

    PubMed

    Sonawane, Prashant; Vishwakarma, Rishi Kishore; Khan, Bashir M

    2013-07-01

    Recombinant cinnamoyl CoA reductase 1 (Ll-CCRH1) protein from Leucaena leucocephala was overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) strain and purified to apparent homogeneity. Optimum pH for forward and reverse reaction was found to be 6.5 and 7.8 respectively. The enzyme was most stable around pH 6.5 at 25°C for 90 min. The enzyme showed Kcat/Km for feruloyl, caffeoyl, sinapoyl, coumaroyl CoA, coniferaldehyde and sinapaldehyde as 4.6, 2.4, 2.3, 1.7, 1.9 and 1.2 (×10(6) M(-1) s(-1)), respectively, indicating affinity of enzyme for feruloyl CoA over other substrates and preference of reduction reaction over oxidation. Activation energy, Ea for various substrates was found to be in the range of 20-50 kJ/mol. Involvement of probable carboxylate ion, histidine, lysine or tyrosine at the active site of enzyme was predicted by pH activity profile. SAXS studies of protein showed radius 3.04 nm and volume 49.25 nm(3) with oblate ellipsoid shape. Finally, metal ion inhibition studies revealed that Ll-CCRH1 is a metal independent enzyme. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  9. 18 CFR 1b.7 - Procedure after investigation.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 18 Conservation of Power and Water Resources 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Procedure after investigation. 1b.7 Section 1b.7 Conservation of Power and Water Resources FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION... the other governmental authorities, or take other appropriate action. ...

  10. Cytochrome b5 Reductase 1 Triggers Serial Reactions that Lead to Iron Uptake in Plants.

    PubMed

    Oh, Young Jun; Kim, Hanul; Seo, Sung Hee; Hwang, Bae Geun; Chang, Yoon Seok; Lee, Junho; Lee, Dong Wook; Sohn, Eun Ju; Lee, Sang Joon; Lee, Youngsook; Hwang, Inhwan

    2016-04-04

    Rhizosphere acidification is essential for iron (Fe) uptake into plant roots. Plasma membrane (PM) H(+)-ATPases play key roles in rhizosphere acidification. However, it is not fully understood how PM H(+)-ATPase activity is regulated to enhance root Fe uptake under Fe-deficient conditions. Here, we present evidence that cytochrome b5 reductase 1 (CBR1) increases the levels of unsaturated fatty acids, which stimulate PM H(+)-ATPase activity and thus lead to rhizosphere acidification. CBR1-overexpressing (CBR1-OX) Arabidopsis thaliana plants had higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids (18:2 and 18:3), higher PM H(+)-ATPase activity, and lower rhizosphere pH than wild-type plants. By contrast, cbr1 loss-of-function mutant plants showed lower levels of unsaturated fatty acids and lower PM H(+)-ATPase activity but higher rhizosphere pH. Reduced PM H(+)-ATPase activity in cbr1 could be restored in vitro by addition of unsaturated fatty acids. Transcript levels of CBR1, fatty acids desaturase2 (FAD2), and fatty acids desaturase3 (FAD3) were increased under Fe-deficient conditions. We propose that CBR1 has a crucial role in increasing the levels of unsaturated fatty acids, which activate the PM H(+)-ATPase and thus reduce rhizosphere pH. This reaction cascade ultimately promotes root Fe uptake. Copyright © 2016 The Author. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kita, Keiko; Fukura, Takanobu; Nakase, Kohichi

    The authors cloned and sequenced the gene encoding and NADPH-dependent aldehyde reductase (ARII) in Sporobolomyces salmonicolor AKU4429, which reduces ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate (4-COBE) to ethyl (S)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate. The ARII gene is 1,032 bp long, is interrupted by four introns, and encodes a 37,315-Da polypeptide. The deduced amino acid sequence exhibited significant levels of similarity to the amino acid sequences of members of the mammalian 3{Beta}-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-plant dihydroglavonol 4-reductase superfamily but not to the amino acid sequences of members of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily or to the amino acid sequence of an aldehyde reductase previously isolated from the same organism. The ARII proteinmore » was overproduced in Escherichia coli about 2,000-fold compared to the production in the original y east cells. The enzyme expressed in E. coli was purified to homogeneity and had the same catalytic properties as ARII purified from S. Salmonicolor. To examine the contribution of the dinucleotide-binding motif G{sub 19}-X-X-G{sub 22}-X-X-A{sub 25}, which is located in the N-terminal region, during ARII catalysis, they replaced three amino acid residues in the motif and purified the resulting mutant enzymes. Substrate inhibition of the G{sub 19}{r{underscore}arrow}A and G{sub 22}{r{underscore}arrow}A mutant enzymes by 4-COBE die not occur. The A{sub 25}{r{underscore}arrow}G mutant enzyme could reduce 4-COBE when NADPH was replaced by an equimolar concentration of NADH.« less

  12. Molecular modeling of substrate binding in wild-type and mutant Corynebacteria 2,5-diketo-D-gluconate reductases.

    PubMed

    Khurana, S; Sanli, G; Powers, D B; Anderson, S; Blaber, M

    2000-04-01

    2,5-diketo-D-gluconic acid reductase (2,5-DKGR; E.C. 1.1.1.-) catalyzes the Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent stereo-specific reduction of 2, 5-diketo-D-gluconate (2,5-DKG) to 2-keto-L-gulonate (2-KLG), a precursor in the industrial production of vitamin C (L-ascorbate). Microorganisms that naturally ferment D-glucose to 2,5-DKG can be genetically modified to express the gene for 2,5-DKGR, and thus directly produce vitamin C from D-glucose. Two naturally occurring variants of DKGR (DKGR A and DKGR B) have been reported. DKGR B exhibits higher specific activity toward 2,5-DKG than DKGR A; however, DKGR A exhibits a greater selectivity for this substrate and significantly higher thermal stability. Thus, a modified form of DKGR, combining desirable properties from both enzymes, would be of substantial commercial interest. In the present study we use a molecular dynamics-based approach to understand the conformational changes in DKGR A as the active site is mutated to include two active site residue changes that occur in the B form. The results indicate that the enhanced kinetic properties of the B form are due, in part, to residue substitutions in the binding pocket. These substitutions augment interactions with the substrate or alter the alignment with respect to the putative proton donor group. Proteins 2000;39:68-75. Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  13. Purification and Characterization of Ferredoxin-Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate Reductase from a Nitrogen-Fixing Bacterium

    PubMed Central

    Yoch, Duane C.

    1973-01-01

    Evidence suggesting that Bacillus polymyxa has an active ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase (EC 1.6.99.4) was obtained when NADPH was found to provide reducing power for the nitrogenase of this organism; direct evidence was provided when it was shown that B. polymyxa extracts could substitute for the native ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase in the photochemical reduction of NADP+ by blue-green algal particles. The ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase was purified about 80-fold by a combination of high-speed centrifugation, ammonium sulfate fractionation, and chromatography on Sephadex G-100 and diethylaminoethyl-cellulose. The molecular weight was estimated by gel filtration to be 60,000. A small amount of the enzyme was further purified by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and shown to be a flavoprotein. The reductase was specific for NADPH in the ferredoxin-dependent reduction of cytochrome c and methyl viologen diaphorase reactions; furthermore, NADP+ was the acceptor of preference when the electron donor was photoreduced ferredoxin. The reductase also has an irreversible NADPH-NAD+ transhydrogenase (reduced-NADP:NAD oxidoreductase, EC 1.6.1.1) activity, the rate of which was proportional to the concentration of NAD (Km = 5.0 × 10−3M). The reductase catalyzed electron transfer from NADPH not only to B. polymyxa ferredoxin but also to the ferredoxins of Clostridium pasteurianum, Azotobacter vinelandii, and spinach chloroplasts, although less effectively. Rubredoxin from Clostridium acidi-urici and azotoflavin from A. vinelandii also accept electrons from the B. polymyxa reductase. The pH optima for the various reactions catalyzed by the B. polymyxa ferredoxin-NADP reductase are similar to those of the chloroplast reductase. NAD and acetyl-coenzyme A, which obligatorily activate NADPH- and NADH-ferredoxin reductases, respectively, in Clostridium kluyveri, have no effect on B. polymyxa reductase. PMID:4147648

  14. Ketopantoyl lactone reductase is a conjugated polyketone reductase.

    PubMed

    Hata, H; Shimizu, S; Hattori, S; Yamada, H

    1989-03-01

    Ketopantoyl lactone reductase (EC 1.1.1.168) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was found to catalyze the reduction of a variety of natural and unnatural conjugated polyketone compounds and quinones, such as isatin, ninhydrin, camphorquinone and beta-naphthoquinone in the presence of NADPH. 5-Bromoisatin is the best substrate for the enzyme (Km = 3.1 mM; Vmax = 650 mumol/min/mg). The enzyme is inhibited by quercetin, and several polyketones. These results suggest that ketopantoyl lactone reductase is a carbonyl reductase which specifically catalyzes the reduction of conjugated polyketones.

  15. The enzymes with benzil reductase activity conserved from bacteria to mammals.

    PubMed

    Maruyama, Reiji; Nishizawa, Mikio; Itoi, Yasushi; Ito, Seiji; Inoue, Masami

    2002-03-28

    The diketone compound, benzil is reduced to (S)-benzoin with living Bacillus cereus cells. Recently, we isolated a gene responsible for benzil reduction, and Escherichia coli cells in which this gene was overexpressed transformed benzil to (S)-benzoin. Although this benzil reductase showed high identity to the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) family, enzymological features were unknown. Here, we demonstrated that many B. cereus strains had benzil reductase activity in vivo, and that the benzil reductases shared 94-100% amino acid identities. Recombinant B. cereus benzil reductase produced optically pure (S)-benzoin with NADPH in vitro, and the ketone group distal to a benzene ring was asymmetrically reduced. B. cereus benzil reductase showed 31% amino acid identity to the yeast open reading frame YIR036C protein and 28-30% to mammalian sepiapterin reductases, sharing the seven residues consensus for the SDR family. We isolated the genes encoding yeast YIR036C protein and gerbil sepiapterin reductase, and both recombinant proteins also reduced benzil to (S)-benzoin in vitro. Green fluorescent protein-tagged B. cereus benzil reductase distributed in the bipolar cytoplasm in B. cereus cells. Asymmetric reduction with B. cereus benzil reductase, yeast YIR036C protein and gerbil sepiapterin reductase will be utilized to produce important chiral compounds.

  16. Adaptation of cytochrome-b5 reductase activity and methaemoglobinaemia in areas with a high nitrate concentration in drinking-water.

    PubMed Central

    Gupta, S. K.; Gupta, R. C.; Seth, A. K.; Gupta, A. B.; Bassin, J. K.; Gupta, A.

    1999-01-01

    An epidemiological investigation was undertaken in India to assess the prevalence of methaemoglobinaemia in areas with high nitrate concentration in drinking-water and the possible association with an adaptation of cytochrome-b5 reductase. Five areas were selected, with average nitrate ion concentrations in drinking-water of 26, 45, 95, 222 and 459 mg/l. These areas were visited and house schedules were prepared in accordance with a statistically designed protocol. A sample of 10% of the total population was selected in each of the areas, matched for age and weight, giving a total of 178 persons in five age groups. For each subject, a detailed history was documented, a medical examination was conducted and blood samples were taken to determine methaemoglobin level and cytochrome-b5 reductase activity. Collected data were subjected to statistical analysis to test for a possible relationship between nitrate concentration, cytochrome-b5 reductase activity and methaemoglobinaemia. High nitrate concentrations caused methaemoglobinaemia in infants and adults. The reserve of cytochrome-b5 reductase activity (i.e. the enzyme activity not currently being used, but which is available when needed; for example, under conditions of increased nitrate ingestion) and its adaptation with increasing water nitrate concentration to reduce methaemoglobin were more pronounced in children and adolescents. PMID:10534899

  17. Differential Gene Expression in Normal Human Mammary Epithelial Cells Treated with Malathion Monitored by DNA Microarrays

    PubMed Central

    Gwinn, Maureen R.; Whipkey, Diana L.; Tennant, Lora B.; Weston, Ainsley

    2005-01-01

    Organophosphate pesticides are a major source of occupational exposure in the United States. Moreover, malathion has been sprayed over major urban populations in an effort to control mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus. Previous research, reviewed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, on the genotoxicity and carcinogenicity of malathion has been inconclusive, although malathion is a known endocrine disruptor. Here, interindividual variations and commonality of gene expression signatures have been studied in normal human mammary epithelial cells from four women undergoing reduction mammoplasty. The cell strains were obtained from the discarded tissues through the Cooperative Human Tissue Network (sponsors: National Cancer Institute and National Disease Research Interchange). Interindividual variation of gene expression patterns in response to malathion was observed in various clustering patterns for the four cell strains. Further clustering identified three genes with increased expression after treatment in all four cell strains. These genes were two aldo–keto reductases (AKR1C1 and AKR1C2) and an estrogen-responsive gene (EBBP). Decreased expression of six RNA species was seen at various time points in all cell strains analyzed: plasminogen activator (PLAT), centromere protein F (CPF), replication factor C (RFC3), thymidylate synthetase (TYMS), a putative mitotic checkpoint kinase (BUB1), and a gene of unknown function (GenBank accession no. AI859865). Expression changes in all these genes, detected by DNA microarrays, have been verified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Differential changes in expression of these genes may yield biomarkers that provide insight into interindividual variation in malathion toxicity. PMID:16079077

  18. Time-dependent modulation of thioredoxin reductase activity might contribute to sulforaphane-mediated inhibition of NF-kappaB binding to DNA.

    PubMed

    Heiss, Elke; Gerhäuser, Clarissa

    2005-01-01

    The chemopreventive agent sulforaphane (SFN) exerts anti-inflammatory activity by thiol-dependent inhibition of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) DNA binding. To further analyze the underlying mechanisms, we focused on the thioredoxin/thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) system as a key redox mechanism regulating NF-kappaB DNA binding. Using cultured Raw 264.7 mouse macrophages as a model, 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), a known inhibitor of TrxR, was identified as an inhibitor of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated nitric oxide (NO) production and of NF-kappaB DNA binding. CDNB and SFN acted synergistically with respect to inhibition of LPS-induced NO release, and we consequently identified SFN as a novel inhibitor of TrxR enzymatic activity in vitro. Short-term treatment of Raw macrophages with SFN or CDNB resulted in the inhibition of TrxR activity in vivo with half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 25.0 +/- 3.5 microM and 9.4 +/- 3.7 microM, respectively, whereas after a 24-h treatment with 25 microM SFN, TrxR activity was >1.5-fold elevated. In additional experiments, we could exclude that inhibition of trans-activating activity of NF-kappaB contributed to the reduced expression of pro-inflammatory proteins by SFN, based on transient transfection experiments with a (kappaB)(2)- chloramphenicol acetyltransferase construct and a lack of inhibition of protein kinase A activity. These findings further emphasize the importance of redox modulation or thiol reactivity for the regulation of NF-kappaB-dependent transcription by SFN. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 7, 1601-1611. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 7, 1601-1611.

  19. Rapid solid-phase immunoassay for 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha on microplates

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Schramm, W.; Smith, R.H.; Jackson, T.M.

    1990-03-01

    We describe, for the measurement of 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha in biological media, a solid-phase immunoassay with immobilized antibodies that requires a total processing time of less than 2 h with hands-on time less than 30 min for 40 samples. The method combines the convenience of the microplate format with the sensitivity of radiolabeled prostaglandin derivatives as tracers in a competitive immunoassay. The intra- and interassay variations at 50% displacement of the radiolabeled prostaglandin derivative as tracer were 9.0% and 11.8%, respectively. At 50% displacement of the radiolabeled tracer, the sensitivity is about 20 pg per well. Optimal incubation timemore » is between 60 and 90 min. Nonspecific binding was less than 1% if about 8 pg of tracer (approximately 25,000 counts/min per well) was used. Inhibition curves of samples in different dilutions were parallel to standard curves. The variation of bound radiolabeled prostaglandin derivative within the wells of one microplate (n = 96) was less than 3%. Human plasma samples and medium from tissue culture assayed for 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha correlated well with results obtained with a solid-phase assay based on use of magnetic particles (r = 0.99, n = 24) for culture-medium samples; r = 0.99; n = 26 for plasma samples.« less

  20. Cytochrome P450 1b1 in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-induced skin carcinogenesis: Tumorigenicity of individual PAHs and coal-tar extract, DNA adduction and expression of select genes in the Cyp1b1 knockout mouse

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Siddens, Lisbeth K.; Superfund Research Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331; Bunde, Kristi L.

    FVB/N mice wild-type, heterozygous or null for Cyp 1b1 were used in a two-stage skin tumor study comparing PAH, benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), dibenzo[def,p]chrysene (DBC), and coal tar extract (CTE, SRM 1597a). Following 20 weeks of promotion with TPA the Cyp 1b1 null mice, initiated with DBC, exhibited reductions in incidence, multiplicity, and progression. None of these effects were observed with BaP or CTE. The mechanism of Cyp 1b1-dependent alteration of DBC skin carcinogenesis was further investigated by determining expression of select genes in skin from DBC-treated mice 2, 4 and 8 h post-initiation. A significant reduction in levels of Cyp 1a1,more » Nqo1 at 8 h and Akr 1c14 mRNA was observed in Cyp 1b1 null (but not wt or het) mice, whereas no impact was observed in Gst a1, Nqo 1 at 2 and 4 h or Akr 1c19 at any time point. Cyp 1b1 mRNA was not elevated by DBC. The major covalent DNA adducts, dibenzo[def,p]chrysene-(±)-11,12-dihydrodiol-cis and trans-13,14-epoxide-deoxyadenosine (DBCDE-dA) were quantified by UHPLC-MS/MS 8 h post-initiation. Loss of Cyp1 b1 expression reduced DBCDE-dA adducts in the skin but not to a statistically significant degree. The ratio of cis- to trans-DBCDE-dA adducts was higher in the skin than other target tissues such as the spleen, lung and liver (oral dosing). These results document that Cyp 1b1 plays a significant role in bioactivation and carcinogenesis of DBC in a two-stage mouse skin tumor model and that loss of Cyp 1b1 has little impact on tumor response with BaP or CTE as initiators. - Highlights: • Cyp1b1 null mice exhibit lower skin cancer sensitivity to DBC but not BaP or CTE. • Cyp1b1 expression impacts expression of other PAH metabolizing enzymes. • cis/trans-DBCDE-dA ratio significantly higher in the skin than the spleen, lung or liver • Potency of DBC and CTE in mouse skin is higher than predicted by RPFs.« less

  1. Relative adrenal insufficiency in mice deficient in 5α-reductase 1

    PubMed Central

    Livingstone, Dawn E W; Di Rollo, Emma M; Yang, Chenjing; Codrington, Lucy E; Mathews, John A; Kara, Madina; Hughes, Katherine A; Kenyon, Christopher J; Walker, Brian R; Andrew, Ruth

    2014-01-01

    Patients with critical illness or hepatic failure exhibit impaired cortisol responses to ACTH, a phenomenon known as ‘relative adrenal insufficiency’. A putative mechanism is that elevated bile acids inhibit inactivation of cortisol in liver by 5α-reductases type 1 and type 2 and 5β-reductase, resulting in compensatory downregulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and adrenocortical atrophy. To test the hypothesis that impaired glucocorticoid clearance can cause relative adrenal insufficiency, we investigated the consequences of 5α-reductase type 1 deficiency in mice. In adrenalectomised male mice with targeted disruption of 5α-reductase type 1, clearance of corticosterone was lower after acute or chronic (eightfold, P<0.05) administration, compared with WT control mice. In intact 5α-reductase-deficient male mice, although resting plasma corticosterone levels were maintained, corticosterone responses were impaired after ACTH administration (26% lower, P<0.05), handling stress (2.5-fold lower, P<0.05) and restraint stress (43% lower, P<0.05) compared with WT mice. mRNA levels of Nr3c1 (glucocorticoid receptor), Crh and Avp in pituitary or hypothalamus were altered, consistent with enhanced negative feedback. These findings confirm that impaired peripheral clearance of glucocorticoids can cause ‘relative adrenal insufficiency’ in mice, an observation with important implications for patients with critical illness or hepatic failure, and for patients receiving 5α-reductase inhibitors for prostatic disease. PMID:24872577

  2. Fructose Synthesis and Transport at the Uterine-Placental Interface of Pigs: Cell-Specific Localization of SLC2A5, SLC2A8, and Components of the Polyol Pathway.

    PubMed

    Steinhauser, Chelsie B; Landers, McKinsey; Myatt, Louise; Burghardt, Robert C; Vallet, Jeffrey L; Bazer, Fuller W; Johnson, Greg A

    2016-11-01

    The fetal fluids and uterine flushings of pigs contain higher concentrations of fructose than glucose, but fructose is not detected in maternal blood. Fructose can be synthesized from glucose via enzymes of the polyol pathway, aldose reductase (AKR1B1) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SORD), transported across cell membranes by solute carriers SLC2A5 and SLC2A8, and converted to fructose-1-phosphate by ketohexokinase (KHK). SLC2A8, SLC2A5, AKR1B1, SORD, and KHK mRNAs and proteins were analyzed using quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry or in situ hybridization in endometria and placentae of cyclic and pregnant gilts, cyclic gilts injected with estrogen, and ovariectomized gilts injected with progesterone. Progesterone up-regulated SLC2A8 protein in uterine luminal (LE) and glandular epithelia during the peri-implantation period, and expression became exclusively placental, chorion and blood vessels, after Day 30. P4 up-regulated SLC2A5 mRNA in uterine LE and glandular epithelia after implantation, and the chorion expressed SLC2A5 between Days 30 and 85. AKR1B1 and SORD proteins localized to uterine LE during the peri-implantation period, but expression switched to chorion by Day 20 and was maintained through Day 85. Uterine expression of AKR1B1 mRNA was down-regulated by estrogen. KHK protein localized to trophectoderm/chorion throughout gestation. These results provide evidence that components for the conversion of glucose to fructose and for fructose transport are present at the uterine-placental interface of pigs. The shift in expression from LE to chorion during pregnancy suggests free-floating conceptuses are supported by fructose synthesized by the uterus, but after implantation, the chorion becomes self-sufficient for fructose synthesis and transport. © 2016 by the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Inc.

  3. Aldose reductase inhibitors from the leaves of Myrciaria dubia (H. B. & K.) McVaugh.

    PubMed

    Ueda, H; Kuroiwa, E; Tachibana, Y; Kawanishi, K; Ayala, F; Moriyasu, M

    2004-11-01

    Ellagic acid (1) and its two derivatives, 4-O-methylellagic acid (2) and 4-(alpha-rhamnopyranosyl)ellagic acid (3) were isolated as inhibitors of aldose reductase (AR) from Myrciaria dubia (H. B. & K.) McVaugh. Compound 2 was the first isolated from the nature. Compound 3 showed the strongest inhibition against human recombinant AR (HRAR) and rat lens AR (RLAR). Inhibitory activity of compound 3 against HRAR (IC50 value = 4.1 x 10(-8) M) was 60 times more than that of quercetin (2.5 x 10(-6) M). The type of inhibition against HRAR was uncompetitive.

  4. 7 CFR 1b.4 - Exclusion of agencies.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Exclusion of agencies. 1b.4 Section 1b.4 Agriculture Office of the Secretary of Agriculture NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT § 1b.4 Exclusion of agencies. (a... activities that have been found to have no individual or cumulative effect on the human environment. The USDA...

  5. 7 CFR 1b.4 - Exclusion of agencies.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Exclusion of agencies. 1b.4 Section 1b.4 Agriculture Office of the Secretary of Agriculture NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT § 1b.4 Exclusion of agencies. (a... activities that have been found to have no individual or cumulative effect on the human environment. The USDA...

  6. Stereochemistry and function of oxaloacetate keto-enol tautomerase

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Creighton, D.J.; Johnson, J.D.; Lambert, M.R.

    1986-05-01

    Oxaloacetate keto-enol tautomerase, partially purified from porcine kidney, catalyzes the conversions of enol- to keto-oxaloacetate by a mechanism in which solvent protons end up equally distributed between the two prochiral positions at C3 of keto-oxaloacetate. This conclusion is based upon the observation that when enzyme catalyzed ketonization is conducted in /sup 3/H/sub 2/O in the presence of excess malate dehydrogenase and NADH, only 50% of the /sup 3/H in the isolated (2S)-(3-/sup 3/H)malate is labilized to solvent upon treatment with fumarase. Either the tautomerase operates on the basis of a highly unusual stereomechanistic principle or tautomerase activity is not anmore » evolved property of the enzyme protein. As a result of an attempt to clarify the physiological importance of oxaloacetate tautomerase activity, keto-oxaloacetate was demonstrated to be directly transported across the inner membrane of rat liver mitochrondria, on the basis of the results of kinetic and isotope-trapping experiments.« less

  7. Constituents of Musa x paradisiaca cultivar with the potential to induce the phase II enzyme, quinone reductase.

    PubMed

    Jang, Dae Sik; Park, Eun Jung; Hawthorne, Michael E; Vigo, Jose Schunke; Graham, James G; Cabieses, Fernando; Santarsiero, Bernard D; Mesecar, Andrew D; Fong, Harry H S; Mehta, Rajendra G; Pezzuto, John M; Kinghorn, A Douglas

    2002-10-23

    A new bicyclic diarylheptanoid, rel-(3S,4aR,10bR)-8-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-9-methoxy-4a,5,6,10b-tetrahydro-3H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyran (1), as well as four known compounds, 1,2-dihydro-1,2,3-trihydroxy-9-(4-methoxyphenyl)phenalene (2), hydroxyanigorufone (3), 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)naphthalic anhydride (4), and 1,7-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)hepta-4(E),6(E)-dien-3-one (5), were isolated from an ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of the methanol extract of the fruits of Musa x paradisiaca cultivar, using a bioassay based on the induction of quinone reductase (QR) in cultured Hepa1c1c7 mouse hepatoma cells to monitor chromatographic fractionation. The structure and relative stereochemistry of compound 1 were elucidated unambiguously by one- and two-dimensional NMR experiments ((1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, DEPT, COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Isolates 1-5 were evaluated for their potential cancer chemopreventive properties utilizing an in vitro assay to determine quinone reductase induction and a mouse mammary organ culture assay.

  8. Alternative 2-keto acid oxidoreductase activities in Trichomonas vaginalis.

    PubMed

    Brown, D M; Upcroft, J A; Dodd, H N; Chen, N; Upcroft, P

    1999-01-25

    We have induced high levels of resistance to metronidazole (1 mM or 170 microg ml(-1)) in two different strains of Trichomonas vaginalis (BRIS/92/STDL/F1623 and BRIS/92/STDL/B7708) and have used one strain to identify two alternative T. vaginalis 2-keto acid oxidoreductases (KOR) both of which are distinct from the already characterised pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase (PFOR). Unlike the characterised PFOR which is severely down-regulated in metronidazole-resistant parasites, both of the alternative KORs are fully active in metronidazole-resistant T. vaginalis. The first, KORI, localized in all membrane fractions but predominantly in the hydrogenosome fraction, is soluble in Triton X-100 and the second, KOR2, is extractable in 1 M acetate from membrane fractions of metronidazole-resistant parasites. PFOR and both KORI and KOR2 use a broad range of 2-keto acids as substrates (pyruvate, alpha-ketobutyrate, alpha-ketomalonate), including the deaminated forms of aromatic amino acids (indolepyruvate and phenylpyruvate). However, unlike PFOR neither KORI or KOR2 was able to use oz-ketoglutarate. Deaminated forms of branched chain amino acids (alpha-ketoisovalerate) were not substrates for T. vaginalis KORs. Since KOR I and KOR2 do not apparently donate electrons to ferredoxin, and are not down-regulated in metronidazole-resistant parasites, we propose that KORI and KOR2 provide metronidazole-resistant parasites with an alternative energy production pathway(s) which circumvents metronidazole activation.

  9. High-Content Functional Screening of AEG-1 and AKR1C2 for the Promotion of Metastasis in Liver Cancer.

    PubMed

    Li, Cong; Wu, Xia; Zhang, Wei; Li, Jia; Liu, Huawei; Hao, Ming; Wang, Junsong; Zhang, Honghai; Yang, Gengxia; Hao, Meijun; Sheng, Shoupeng; Sun, Yu; Long, Jiang; Li, Juan; Zhuang, Fengfeng; Hu, Caixia; Li, Li; Zheng, Jiasheng

    2016-01-01

    Liver cancer is one of the most lethal cancer types in humans, but our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remains insufficient. Here, we conducted high-content screening of the potential genes involved in liver cancer metastasis, which we selected from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway database, based on the SAMcell method and RNA interference technology. We identified two powerful genes in the liver cancer metastasis process, AEG-1 and AKR1C2, both of which proved to be positive regulators in promoting metastasis in liver cancer. Further clinical results verified their roles in liver cancer. In summary, these findings could provide new insight into the liver cancer mechanism and potentially therapeutic novel targets for liver cancer therapies in the future. © 2015 Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening.

  10. Molecular cloning of the myo-inositol oxygenase gene from the kidney of baboons.

    PubMed

    González-Álvarez, Rafael; Pérez-Ibave, Diana Cristina; Garza-Rodríguez, María Lourdes; Lugo-Trampe, Ángel; Delgado-Enciso, Iván; Tejero-Barrera, María Elizabeth; Martínez-De-Villarreal, Laura Elia; Garza-Guajardo, Raquel; Sánchez-Chaparro, María Marisela; Ruiz-Ayma, Gabriel; Barboza-Quintana, Oralia; Barrera-Saldaña, Hugo Alberto; Rocha-Pizaña, María Del Refugio; Rodríguez-Sánchez, Irám Pablo

    2017-10-01

    The enzyme myo-Inositol oxygenase (MIOX) is also termed ALDRL6. It is a kidney-specific member of the aldo-keto reductase family. MIOX catalyzes the first reaction involved in the myo-inositol metabolism signaling pathway and is fully expressed in mammalian tissues. MIOX catalyzes the oxidative cleavage of myo-Inositol and its epimer, D-chiro-Inositol to D-glucuronate. The dioxygen-dependent cleavage of the C6 and C1 bond in myo-Inositol is achieved by utilizing the Fe 2+ /Fe 3+ binuclear iron center of MIOX. This enzyme has also been implicated in the complications of diabetes, including diabetic nephropathy. The MIOX gene was amplified with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction from baboon tissue samples, and the product was cloned and sequenced. MIOX expression in the baboon kidney is described in the present study. The percentages of nucleotide and amino acid similarities between baboons and humans were 95 and 96%, respectively. The MIOX protein of the baboon may be structurally identical to that of humans. Furthermore, the evolutionary changes, which have affected these sequences, have resulted from purifying forces.

  11. Inhibitory effect of chalcone derivatives on recombinant human aldose reductase.

    PubMed

    Iwata, S; Nagata, N; Omae, A; Yamaguchi, S; Okada, Y; Shibata, S; Okuyama, T

    1999-03-01

    More than fifty chalcone derivatives were synthesized to examine structure-activity relationships against human aldose reductase. Certain 2',4'-dihydroxychalcone derivatives inhibited human aldose reductase activities, and 2',4',2, 4-tetrahydroxychalcone and 2',4',2-trihydroxychalcone showed potent inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 7.4x10(-9) M and 1.6x10(-7) M, respectively. On the other hand, cis-form chalcones, which were isomerized from the original trans-forms by irradiation of daylight in methanol solution, promoted the activity of human aldose reductase.

  12. Endothelial cell markers in vascular neoplasms: an immunohistochemical study comparing factor VIII-related antigen, blood group specific antigens, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, and Ulex europaeus 1 lectin.

    PubMed

    Little, D; Said, J W; Siegel, R J; Fealy, M; Fishbein, M C

    1986-06-01

    Markers for endothelial cells including Ulex europaeus 1 lectin, blood group A, B, and H, and the prostaglandin metabolite 6-keto-PGF1 alpha were evaluated in paraffin secretions from formalin-fixed benign and malignant vascular neoplasms using a variety of immunohistochemical techniques, and results compared with staining for factor VIII-related antigen. Staining for Ulex appeared more sensitive than factor VIII-related antigen in identifying poorly differentiated neoplasms including haemangiosarcomas and spindle cell proliferations in Kaposi's sarcoma. Staining for blood group related antigens correlated with blood group in all cases. Ulex europaeus 1 lectin was the only marker for endothelial cells in lymphangiomas.

  13. Characterization of a flavin reductase from a thermophilic dibenzothiophene-desulfurizing bacterium, Bacillus subtilis WU-S2B.

    PubMed

    Takahashi, Shusuke; Furuya, Toshiki; Ishii, Yoshitaka; Kino, Kuniki; Kirimura, Kohtaro

    2009-01-01

    Bacillus subtilis WU-S2B is a thermophilic dibenzothiophene (DBT)-desulfurizing bacterium and produces a flavin reductase (Frb) that couples with DBT and DBT sulfone monooxygenases. The recombinant Frb was purified from Escherichia coli cells expressing the frb gene and was characterized. The purified Frb exhibited high stability over wide temperature and pH ranges of 20-55 degrees C and 2-12, respectively. Frb contained FMN and exhibited both flavin reductase and nitroreductase activities.

  14. pH regulation of mitochondrial branch chain alpha-keto acid transport and oxidation in rat heart mitochondria.

    PubMed

    Hutson, S M

    1987-07-15

    The kinetics of branched chain alpha-keto acid uptake and efflux were studied as a function of varied external and matrix pH. Matrix pH was determined by the distribution of 5,5'-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione. When rat heart mitochondria were incubated under transport conditions at pH 7.0 with succinate as respiratory substrate, the matrix pH was significantly greater than 8.0. Matrix pH remained greater than or equal to 8.0 when the medium pH was varied from 6.3 to 8.3, and it was lowered below 8.0 by addition of 5 mM phosphate or uncoupler. No pH gradient was detectable when mitochondria were incubated in the presence of valinomycin and uncoupler. Efflux of alpha-ketoisocaproate or alpha-ketoisovalerate from rat heart mitochondria obeyed first order kinetics. Varying the external pH from 6.6 to 8.3 had no significant effect on efflux, and at an external pH of 7.0, the first order rate constant for efflux was not affected by decreasing the matrix pH. On the other hand, exchange was sensitive to changes in medium but not matrix pH. The K0.5 for external branched chain alpha-keto acid was lowered by changing the medium pH from 7.6 to 6.3. At medium pH values greater than or equal to 8.0 both K0.5 and Vmax were affected. Uptake was determined either by measuring initial rates or was calculated after measuring the first order approach to a final equilibrium value. Unlike efflux, uptake was sensitive to changes in both external and matrix pH. The rate of branched chain alpha-keto acid uptake was stimulated by decreasing the medium pH from 8.3 to 6.3 and by alkalinization of the mitochondrial matrix. The estimated external pK for proton binding was 6.9. The data indicate that the branched chain alpha-keto acid transporter is asymmetric, that is, binding sites for substrate on the inside and outside of the mitochondrial membrane are not identical. alpha-Ketoisocaproate oxidation was measured at 37 degrees C in isolated mitochondria over the pH range of 6.6 to 8.1

  15. Blood-brain barrier transport of the alpha-keto acid analogs of amino acids.

    PubMed

    Steele, R D

    1986-06-01

    A number of alpha-keto acid analogs of amino acids have been found to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Pyruvate, alpha-ketobutyrate, alpha-ketoisocaproate, and alpha-keto-gamma-methiolbutyrate all cross the BBB by a carrier-mediated process and by simple diffusion. Under normal physiological conditions, diffusion accounts for roughly 15% or less of total transport. Aromatic alpha-keto acids, phenylpyruvate, and p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate do not penetrate the BBB, nor do they inhibit the transport of other alpha-keto acids. Evidence based primarily on inhibition studies indicates that the carrier-mediated transport of alpha-keto acids occurs via the same carrier demonstrated previously for propionate, acetoacetate, and beta-hydroxybutyrate transport, commonly referred to as the monocarboxylate carrier. As a group, the alpha-keto acid analogs of the amino acids have the highest affinity for the carrier, followed by propionate and beta-hydroxybutyrate. Starvation for 4 days induces transport of alpha-keto acids, but transport is suppressed in rats fed commercial laboratory rations and subjected to portacaval shunts. The mitochondrial pyruvate translocator inhibitor alpha-cyanocinnamate has no effect on the BBB transport of alpha-keto acids.

  16. Synthesis and biological activity of novel series of 4-methoxy, and 4,9-dimethoxy-5-substituted furo[2,3-g]-1,2,3-benzoxathiazine-7,7-dioxide derivatives

    PubMed Central

    El-Sawy, Eslam R.; Ebaid, Manal S.; Abo-Salem, Heba M.; El-Hallouty, Salwa; Kassem, Emad M.; Mandour, Adel H.

    2013-01-01

    A novel series of 4-methoxy, and 4,9-dimethoxy-5-substituted furo[2,3-g]-1,2,3-benzoxathiazine-7,7-dioxide derivatives 3a,b, 10a–g and 11a–g were prepared in good yields via the reaction of 4-methoxy (1a) and 4,7-dimethoxy-5-acetyl-6-hydroxybenzofurans (1b) and their α,β-unsaturated keto derivatives 6a–g and 7a–g with chlorosulfonyl isocyanate (CSI). On the other hand, N-chlorosulfonyl carbamate derivatives 4a,b, 12a,b and 13a,b were prepared and allowed to react with piperidine to give the corresponding N-piperidinosulfonyl carbamate derivatives 5a,b, 14a,b and 15a,b, respectively. Sixteen new target compounds 3a,b, 10a–g, and 11a–g were tested for their DPPH radical-scavenging, and in vitro antiproliferative activity against A-549, MCF7 and HCT-116 cancer cell lines. Compounds 10a, 11c, 11e, and 11g showed moderate DPPH radical-scavenging activity compared to ascorbic acid at 100 μg/mL. 4,9-Dimethoxy-5-substituted styrylfuro[3,2-g]-1,2,3-benzoxathiazine-7,7-dioxides 11a, 11b, and 11c were found to be highly active against A-549 and HCT-116 cancer cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 0.02 to 0.08 μmol/mL compared to doxorubicin with IC50 = 0.04 and 0.06 μmol/mL, respectively. PMID:25685501

  17. Synthesis and biological activity of novel series of 4-methoxy, and 4,9-dimethoxy-5-substituted furo[2,3-g]-1,2,3-benzoxathiazine-7,7-dioxide derivatives.

    PubMed

    El-Sawy, Eslam R; Ebaid, Manal S; Abo-Salem, Heba M; El-Hallouty, Salwa; Kassem, Emad M; Mandour, Adel H

    2014-05-01

    A novel series of 4-methoxy, and 4,9-dimethoxy-5-substituted furo[2,3-g]-1,2,3-benzoxathiazine-7,7-dioxide derivatives 3a,b, 10a-g and 11a-g were prepared in good yields via the reaction of 4-methoxy (1a) and 4,7-dimethoxy-5-acetyl-6-hydroxybenzofurans (1b) and their α,β-unsaturated keto derivatives 6a-g and 7a-g with chlorosulfonyl isocyanate (CSI). On the other hand, N-chlorosulfonyl carbamate derivatives 4a,b, 12a,b and 13a,b were prepared and allowed to react with piperidine to give the corresponding N-piperidinosulfonyl carbamate derivatives 5a,b, 14a,b and 15a,b, respectively. Sixteen new target compounds 3a,b, 10a-g, and 11a-g were tested for their DPPH radical-scavenging, and in vitro antiproliferative activity against A-549, MCF7 and HCT-116 cancer cell lines. Compounds 10a, 11c, 11e, and 11g showed moderate DPPH radical-scavenging activity compared to ascorbic acid at 100 μg/mL. 4,9-Dimethoxy-5-substituted styrylfuro[3,2-g]-1,2,3-benzoxathiazine-7,7-dioxides 11a, 11b, and 11c were found to be highly active against A-549 and HCT-116 cancer cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 0.02 to 0.08 μmol/mL compared to doxorubicin with IC50 = 0.04 and 0.06 μmol/mL, respectively.

  18. Characterizing the Lunar Particulate Atmosphere with the Autonomous Lunar Dust Observer (ALDO)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Grund, C. J.; Colwell, J. A.

    2008-07-01

    Photoelectric effects and solar wind charge the lunar surface, levitating particles. ALDO maps suspended dust in 3D using lidar. Phenomenology and instrument modeling, applications, projected performance and concepts of operation are discussed.

  19. Unveiling the biosynthetic puzzle of destruxins in Metarhizium species

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Bing; Kang, Qianjin; Lu, Yuzhen; Bai, Linquan; Wang, Chengshu

    2012-01-01

    Insect pathogenic fungi produce a plethora of insecticidally and pharmaceutically active compounds, including 39 cyclohexadepsipeptide destruxins (dtxs). Even though dtxs were first discovered more than 50 y ago, the genes responsible for their biosynthesis were unknown until this study. Based on our comparative genomic information and targeted gene disruptions, we report the gene cluster for dtx biosynthesis in the insect pathogen Metarhizium robertsii. The nonribosomal peptide synthetase DtxS1 has six adenylation domains, two of which are capable of selecting different amino acids to synthesize dtx B and its analogs. The cytochrome P450 enzyme DtxS2 converts dtx B into other dtxs by a chain of reactions, each producing a new derivative. The aldo-keto reductase DtxS3 and aspartic acid decarboxylase DtxS4 are responsible for the conversion and provision of the first and last substrates for the dtx assembly line, respectively. Insect bioassays showed that dtxs could suppress both cellular and humoral immune responses thereby assisting fungal propagation in insects. The differing abilities of Metarhizium species to produce toxins is dependent on the presence of the dtxS1 gene. The toxigenic species are capable of killing multiple orders of insects, whereas the nontoxigenic Metarhizium spp. have narrow host ranges. Thus, the acquisition or retention of the dtx biosynthesis gene cluster in Metarhizium lineages has been coordinated with the evolution of fungal host specificity. The data from this study will facilitate the development of dtxs as bioinsecticides or pharmaceuticals. PMID:22232661

  20. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae expressing mammalian steroid hydroxylase CYP7B: Ayr1p and Fox2p display 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity.

    PubMed

    Vico, Pedro; Cauet, Gilles; Rose, Ken; Lathe, Richard; Degryse, Eric

    2002-07-01

    We have engineered recombinant yeast to perform stereospecific hydroxylation of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). This mammalian pro-hormone promotes brain and immune function; hydroxylation at the 7alpha position by P450 CYP7B is the major pathway of metabolic activation. We have sought to activate DHEA via yeast expression of rat CYP7B enzyme. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was found to metabolize DHEA by 3beta-acetylation; this was abolished by mutation at atf2. DHEA was also toxic, blocking tryptophan (trp) uptake: prototrophic strains were DHEA-resistant. In TRP(+) atf2 strains DHEA was then converted to androstene-3beta,17beta-diol (A/enediol) by an endogenous 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17betaHSD). Seven yeast polypeptides similar to human 17betaHSDs were identified: when expressed in yeast, only AYR1 (1-acyl dihydroxyacetone phosphate reductase) increased A/enediol accumulation, while the hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase Fox2p, highly homologous to human 17betaHSD4, oxidized A/enediol to DHEA. The presence of endogenous yeast enzymes metabolizing steroids may relate to fungal pathogenesis. Disruption of AYR1 eliminated reductive 17betaHSD activity, and expression of CYP7B on the combination background (atf2, ayr1, TRP(+)) permitted efficient (>98%) bioconversion of DHEA to 7alpha-hydroxyDHEA, a product of potential medical utility. Copyright 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  1. Cytochrome b5 and NADH cytochrome b5 reductase: genotype-phenotype correlations for hydroxylamine reduction.

    PubMed

    Sacco, James C; Trepanier, Lauren A

    2010-01-01

    NADH cytochrome b5 reductase (b5R) and cytochrome b5 (b5) catalyze the reduction of sulfamethoxazole hydroxylamine (SMX-HA), which can contribute to sulfonamide hypersensitivity, to the parent drug sulfamethoxazole. Variability in hydroxylamine reduction could thus play a role in adverse drug reactions. The aim of this study was to characterize variability in SMX-HA reduction in 111 human livers, and investigate its association with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in b5 and b5R cDNA. Liver microsomes were assayed for SMX-HA reduction activity, and b5 and b5R expression was semiquantified by immunoblotting. The coding regions of the b5 (CYB5A) and b5R (CYB5R3) genes were resequenced. Hepatic SMX-HA reduction displayed a 19-fold range of individual variability (0.06-1.11 nmol/min/mg protein), and a 17-fold range in efficiency (Vmax/Km) among outliers. SMX-HA reduction was positively correlated with b5 and b5R protein content (P<0.0001, r=0.42; P=0.01, r=0.23, respectively), and expression of both proteins correlated with one another (P<0.0001; r=0.74). A novel cSNP in CYB5A (S5A) was associated with very low activity and protein expression. Two novel CYB5R3 SNPs, R59H and R297H, displayed atypical SMX-HA reduction kinetics and decreased SMX-HA reduction efficiency. These studies indicate that although novel cSNPs in CYB5A and CYB5R3 are associated with significantly altered protein expression and/or hydroxylamine reduction activities, these low-frequency cSNPs seem to only minimally impact overall observed phenotypic variability. Work is underway to characterize polymorphisms in other regions of these genes to further account for individual variability in hydroxylamine reduction.

  2. Major urinary metabolites of 6-keto-prostaglandin F2α in mice[S

    PubMed Central

    Kuklev, Dmitry V.; Hankin, Joseph A.; Uhlson, Charis L.; Hong, Yu H.; Murphy, Robert C.; Smith, William L.

    2013-01-01

    Western diets are enriched in omega-6 vs. omega-3 fatty acids, and a shift in this balance toward omega-3 fatty acids may have health benefits. There is limited information about the catabolism of 3-series prostaglandins (PG) formed from eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a fish oil omega-3 fatty acid that becomes elevated in tissues following fish oil consumption. Quantification of appropriate urinary 3-series PG metabolites could be used for noninvasive measurement of omega-3 fatty acid tone. Here we describe the preparation of tritium- and deuterium-labeled 6-keto-PGF2α and their use in identifying urinary metabolites in mice using LC-MS/MS. The major 6-keto-PGF2α urinary metabolites included dinor-6-keto-PGF2α (∼10%) and dinor-13,14-dihydro-6,15-diketo-PGF1α (∼10%). These metabolites can arise only from the enzymatic conversion of EPA to the 3-series PGH endoperoxide by cyclooxygenases, then PGI3 by prostacyclin synthase and, finally, nonenzymatic hydrolysis to 6-keto-PGF2α. The 6-keto-PGF derivatives are not formed by free radical mechanisms that generate isoprostanes, and thus, these metabolites provide an unbiased marker for utilization of EPA by cyclooxygenases. PMID:23644380

  3. Two Tropinone Reductases with Distinct Stereospecificities from Cultured Roots of Hyoscyamus niger1

    PubMed Central

    Hashimoto, Takashi; Nakajima, Keiji; Ongena, Godelieve; Yamada, Yasuyuki

    1992-01-01

    Tropinone is an alkamine intermediate at the branch point of biosynthetic pathways leading to various tropane alkaloids. Two stereospecifically distinct NADPH-dependent oxidoreductases, TR-I and TR-II, which, respectively, reduce tropinone to 3α-hydroxytropane (tropine) and 3β-hydroxytropane (ψ-tropine), were detected mainly in the root of tropane alkaloid-producing plants but not in nonproducing cultured root. Both reductases were purified to near homogeneity from cultured root of Hyoscyamus niger and characterized. The TR-I reaction was reversible, whereas the TR-II reaction was essentially irreversible, reduction of the ketone being highly favored over oxidation of the alcohol ψ-tropine. Marked differences were found between the two reductase in their affinities for tropinone substrate and in the effects of amino acid modification reagents. Some differences in substrate specificity were apparent. For example, N-propyl-4-piperidone was reduced by TR-II but not by TR-I. Conversely, 3-quinuclidinone and 8-thiabicyclo[3,2,1]octane-3-one were accepted as substrates by TR-I but hardly at all by TR-II. Both enzymes were shown to be class B oxidoreductases, which transfer the pro-S hydrogen of NAD(P)H to their substrates. Possible roles of these tropinone reductases in alkaloid biosynthesis are discussed. Images Figure 6 PMID:16653065

  4. Substituent Effects on Keto-Enol Equilibria Using NMR Spectroscopy

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Manbeck, Kimberly A.; Boaz, Nicholas C.; Bair, Nathaniel C.; Sanders, Allix M. S.; Marsh, Anderson L.

    2011-01-01

    In this extension to a classic physical chemistry experiment, students record the proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of the [beta]-diketones 2,4-pentanedione, 3-methyl-2,4-pentanedione, and 3-chloro-2,4-pentanedione to investigate the effect of substituents on keto-enol tautomerization equilibria. From the integrated intensities of keto and…

  5. Evidence for the identity and some comparative properties of alpha-ketoglutarate and 2-keto-4-hydroxyglutarate dehydrogenase activity.

    PubMed

    Gupta, S C; Dekker, E E

    1980-02-10

    Enzyme preparations of pig heart and Escherichia coli are shown to catalyze a NAD+- and CoASH-dependent oxidation of 2-keto-4-hydroxyglutarate. Several independent lines of evidence support the conclusion that this hydroxyketo acid is a substrate for the well known alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex of the citric acid cycle. The evidence includes (a) a constant ratio of specific activity values for the two substrates through several steps of purification, (b) identical elution profiles from a calcium phosphate gel-cellulose column and a constant ratio of specific activity toward the two substrates throughout the activity peak, (c) identical inactivation curves in controlled heat denaturation studies, (d) the same pH activity curves, (e) no effect on the oxidation of either keto acid by repeated freezing and thawing of dehydrogenase preparations, and (f) the same activity pattern when the E. coli complex is distributed into several fractions by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Additionally, the same cofactors are required for maximal activity and glyoxylate inhibits the oxidation of either substrate noncompetitively. Ferricyanide-linked oxidation of 2-keto-4-hydroxyglutarate yields malate as the product and a 1:2:1 stoichiometric relationship is obtained between the amount of hydroxyketo acid oxidized, ferricyanide reduced, and malate formed.

  6. 7 CFR 301.85-2b - Exempted articles. 1

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 5 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Exempted articles. 1 301.85-2b Section 301.85-2b... § 301.85-2b Exempted articles. 1 1 The articles hereby exempted remain subject to applicable restrictions under other quarantines and other provisions of this subpart. (a) The following articles are...

  7. 7 CFR 301.85-2b - Exempted articles. 1

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 5 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Exempted articles. 1 301.85-2b Section 301.85-2b... § 301.85-2b Exempted articles. 1 1 The articles hereby exempted remain subject to applicable restrictions under other quarantines and other provisions of this subpart. (a) The following articles are...

  8. 7 CFR 301.85-2b - Exempted articles. 1

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 5 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Exempted articles. 1 301.85-2b Section 301.85-2b... § 301.85-2b Exempted articles. 1 1 The articles hereby exempted remain subject to applicable restrictions under other quarantines and other provisions of this subpart. (a) The following articles are...

  9. 7 CFR 301.85-2b - Exempted articles. 1

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 5 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Exempted articles. 1 301.85-2b Section 301.85-2b... § 301.85-2b Exempted articles. 1 1 The articles hereby exempted remain subject to applicable restrictions under other quarantines and other provisions of this subpart. (a) The following articles are...

  10. 7 CFR 301.85-2b - Exempted articles. 1

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 5 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Exempted articles. 1 301.85-2b Section 301.85-2b... § 301.85-2b Exempted articles. 1 1 The articles hereby exempted remain subject to applicable restrictions under other quarantines and other provisions of this subpart. (a) The following articles are...

  11. The prenyltransferase UBIAD1 is the target of geranylgeraniol in degradation of HMG CoA reductase.

    PubMed

    Schumacher, Marc M; Elsabrouty, Rania; Seemann, Joachim; Jo, Youngah; DeBose-Boyd, Russell A

    2015-03-05

    Schnyder corneal dystrophy (SCD) is an autosomal dominant disorder in humans characterized by abnormal accumulation of cholesterol in the cornea. SCD-associated mutations have been identified in the gene encoding UBIAD1, a prenyltransferase that synthesizes vitamin K2. Here, we show that sterols stimulate binding of UBIAD1 to the cholesterol biosynthetic enzyme HMG CoA reductase, which is subject to sterol-accelerated, endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation augmented by the nonsterol isoprenoid geranylgeraniol through an unknown mechanism. Geranylgeraniol inhibits binding of UBIAD1 to reductase, allowing its degradation and promoting transport of UBIAD1 from the ER to the Golgi. CRISPR-CAS9-mediated knockout of UBIAD1 relieves the geranylgeraniol requirement for reductase degradation. SCD-associated mutations in UBIAD1 block its displacement from reductase in the presence of geranylgeraniol, thereby preventing degradation of reductase. The current results identify UBIAD1 as the elusive target of geranylgeraniol in reductase degradation, the inhibition of which may contribute to accumulation of cholesterol in SCD.

  12. The influence of vitamin B2 intake on the activation coefficient of erythrocyte glutation reductase in the elderly.

    PubMed

    López-Sobaler, A M; Ortega, R M; Quintas, M E; Navarro, A R; Aparicio, A; Gomez-Rodriguez, N; Cocho, M; Requejo, A M

    2002-01-01

    To evaluate the influence of dietetic vitamin B2 on the activation coefficient of erythrocyte glutation reductase (alpha-EGR) of a group of elderly people. The study subjects were 133, independently-living elderly people, between 65 and 90 years of age. A dietetic study was performed using a 7-day food record. Riboflavin status was measured by determining the alpha-EGR. Some 23.9% of subjects had riboflavin intakes lower than those recommended. At the biochemical level, 9.8% of subjects (7.7% of men and of 10.6% women) showed alpha-EGR>1.2. Those subjects with riboflavin intakes below 90% of those recommended showed significantly higher alpha-EGR levels (1.15+/-0.16), an indication of a poorer riboflavin status at the biochemical level. Those with greater intakes showed lower alpha-EGR values (1.05+/-0.10). Furthermore, the mean consumption of dairy products (an important source of this vitamin) by subjects is insuficiente (341.1+/-159.8 g/day, 2.1+/-1 servings/day). The data show that those with riboflavin intakes below those recommended took 204.7+/-89.4 g/day of milk products (1.3+/-0.5 servings/day) compared to the 384+/-153.1 g/day (2.4+/-1 servings/day) (p<0.001) consumed by those with higher riboflavin intakes. Although the mean riboflavin intake is acceptable, there remain some insufficiencies that require attention. It would seem advisable to recommend the elderly increase their intake of milk products. This would be especially important for subjects who take less than two rations per day.

  13. 2-Keto acids based biosynthesis pathways for renewable fuels and chemicals.

    PubMed

    Tashiro, Yohei; Rodriguez, Gabriel M; Atsumi, Shota

    2015-03-01

    Global energy and environmental concerns have driven the development of biological chemical production from renewable sources. Biological processes using microorganisms are efficient and have been traditionally utilized to convert biomass (i.e., glucose) to useful chemicals such as amino acids. To produce desired fuels and chemicals with high yield and rate, metabolic pathways have been enhanced and expanded with metabolic engineering and synthetic biology approaches. 2-Keto acids, which are key intermediates in amino acid biosynthesis, can be converted to a wide range of chemicals. 2-Keto acid pathways were engineered in previous research efforts and these studies demonstrated that 2-keto acid pathways have high potential for novel metabolic routes with high productivity. In this review, we discuss recently developed 2-keto acid-based pathways.

  14. Site specific incorporation of keto amino acids into proteins

    DOEpatents

    Schultz, Peter G [La Jolla, CA; Wang, Lei [San Diego, CA

    2011-03-22

    Compositions and methods of producing components of protein biosynthetic machinery that include orthogonal tRNAs, orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, and orthogonal pairs of tRNAs/synthetases, which incorporate keto amino acids into proteins are provided. Methods for identifying these orthogonal pairs are also provided along with methods of producing proteins with keto amino acids using these orthogonal pairs.

  15. Site specific incorporation of keto amino acids into proteins

    DOEpatents

    Schultz, Peter G [La Jolla, CA; Wang, Lei [San Diego, CA

    2008-10-07

    Compositions and methods of producing components of protein biosynthetic machinery that include orthogonal tRNAs, orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, and orthogonal pairs of tRNAs/synthetases, which incorporate keto amino acids into proteins are provided. Methods for identifying these orthogonal pairs are also provided along with methods of producing proteins with keto amino acids using these orthogonal pairs.

  16. Site specific incorporation of keto amino acids into proteins

    DOEpatents

    Schultz, Peter G [La Jolla, CA; Wang, Lei [San Diego, CA

    2011-12-06

    Compositions and methods of producing components of protein biosynthetic machinery that include orthogonal tRNAs, orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, and orthogonal pairs of tRNAs/synthetases, which incorporate keto amino acids into proteins are provided. Methods for identifying these orthogonal pairs are also provided along with methods of producing proteins with keto amino acids using these orthogonal pairs.

  17. Site specific incorporation of keto amino acids into proteins

    DOEpatents

    Schultz, Peter G [La Jolla, CA; Wang, Lei [San Diego, CA

    2012-02-14

    Compositions and methods of producing components of protein biosynthetic machinery that include orthogonal tRNAs, orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, and orthogonal pairs of tRNAs/synthetases, which incorporate keto amino acids into proteins are provided. Methods for identifying these orthogonal pairs are also provided along with methods of producing proteins with keto amino acids using these orthogonal pairs.

  18. Toward resolving the catalytic mechanism of dihydrofolate reductase using neutron and ultrahigh-resolution X-ray crystallography [Neutron and ultrahigh resolution X-ray crystallography reveals water as the proton donor in the catalytic mechanism of dihydrofolate reductase

    DOE PAGES

    Wan, Qun; Bennett, Brad C.; Wilson, Mark A.; ...

    2014-12-01

    Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reduction of dihydrofolate (DHF) to tetrahydrofolate (THF). An important step in the mechanism involves proton donation to the N5 atom of DHF. The inability to determine the protonation states of active site residues and substrate has led to the lack of consensus on a catalytic mechanism. To resolve this ambiguity, we conducted neutron and ultrahigh resolution X-ray crystallographic studies of the pseudo-Michaelis ternary complex of DHFR with folate and NADP + from E. coli. The neutron data were collected to 2.0 Å resolution using a 3.6 mm 3 crystal with the quasi-Laue technique, andmore » the structure reveals that the N3 atom of folate is protonated while Asp27 is negatively charged. Previous mechanisms have proposed a keto-to-enol tautomerization of the substrate to facilitate protonation of the N5 atom. The structure supports the existence of the keto tautomer due to protonation of the N3 atom, suggesting tautomerization is unnecessary for catalysis. In the 1.05 Å resolution X-ray structure of the ternary complex, conformational disorder of the Met20 side chain is coupled to electron density for a partially occupied water within hydrogen-bonding distance of the N5 atom of folate; this suggests direct protonation of substrate by solvent. We propose a catalytic mechanism for DHFR that involves stabilization of the keto tautomer of the substrate, elevation of the pK a of the N5 atom of DHF by Asp27, and protonation of N5 by water whose access to the active site is gated by fluctuation of the Met20 side chain even though the Met-20 loop is closed.« less

  19. Evaluation of a novel biodegradable thermosensitive keto-hydrogel for improving postoperative pain in a rat model.

    PubMed

    Wu, Meng-Huang; Shih, Ming-Hung; Hsu, Wei-Bin; Dubey, Navneet Kumar; Lee, Wen-Fu; Lin, Tsai-Yu; Hsieh, Meng-Yow; Chen, Chin-Fu; Peng, Kuo-Ti; Huang, Tsung-Jen; Shi, Chung-Sheng; Guo, Ren-Shyang; Cai, Chang-Jhih; Chung, Chiu-Yen; Wong, Chung-Hang

    2017-01-01

    This study evaluates the sustained analgesic effect of ketorolac-eluting thermosensitive biodegradable hydrogel in the plantar incisional pain model of the rat hind-paw. A ketorolac-embedded 2, 2'-Bis (2-oxazolin) (BOX) linking methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (mPEG-PLGA) diblock copolymer (BOX copolymer) was synthesized as keto-hydrogel based on optimal sol-gel phase transition and in vitro drug release profile. The effect of keto-hydrogel on postoperative pain (POP) was assessed using the established plantar incisional pain model in hind-paw of rats and compared to that of ketorolac solution. Pain and sensory threshold, as well as pain scoring, were evaluated with behavioral tests by means of anesthesiometer and incapacitance apparatus, respectively. Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-6, VEGF, and IL-1β) around incisional wounds were measured by ELISA. Tissue histology was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining. Ten mg/mL (25 wt%) keto-hydrogel showed a sol-gel transition at 26.4°C with a 10-day sustained drug release profile in vitro. Compared to ketorolac solution group, the concentration of ketorolac in tissue fluid was higher in the keto-hydrogel group during the first 18 h of application. Keto-hydrogel elevated pain and sensory threshold, increased weight-bearing capacity, and significantly reduced the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β while enhanced VEGF in tissue fluid. Histologic analysis reveals greater epithelialization and collagen deposition around wound treated with keto-hydrogel. In conclusion, our study suggests that keto-hydrogel is an ideal compound to treat POP with a secondary gain of improved incisional wound healing.

  20. Elastic rotation of Escherichia coli F(O)F(1) having ε subunit fused with cytochrome b(562) or flavodoxin reductase.

    PubMed

    Oka, Hideyuki; Hosokawa, Hiroyuki; Nakanishi-Matsui, Mayumi; Dunn, Stanley D; Futai, Masamitsu; Iwamoto-Kihara, Atsuko

    2014-04-18

    Intra-molecular rotation of FOF1 ATP synthase enables cooperative synthesis and hydrolysis of ATP. In this study, using a small gold bead probe, we observed fast rotation close to the real rate that would be exhibited without probes. Using this experimental system, we tested the rotation of FOF1 with the ε subunit connected to a globular protein [cytochrome b562 (ε-Cyt) or flavodoxin reductase (ε-FlavR)], which is apparently larger than the space between the central and the peripheral stalks. The enzymes containing ε-Cyt and ε-FlavR showed continual rotations with average rates of 185 and 148 rps, respectively, similar to the wild type (172 rps). However, the enzymes with ε-Cyt or ε-FlavR showed a reduced proton transport. These results indicate that the intra-molecular rotation is elastic but proton transport requires more strict subunit/subunit interaction. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Reductive Detoxication of Arylhydroxylamine Carcinogens by Human NADH Cytochrome b5 Reductase and Cytochrome b5

    PubMed Central

    Kurian, Joseph R.; Chin, Nathaniel A.; Longlais, Brett J.; Hayes, Kristie L.; Trepanier, Lauren A.

    2008-01-01

    Heterocyclic and aromatic amine carcinogens are thought to lead to tumor initiation via the formation of DNA adducts, and bioactivation to arylhydroxylamine metabolites is necessary for reactivity with DNA. Carcinogenic arylhydroxylamine metabolites are cleared by a microsomal, NADH-dependent, oxygen-insensitive reduction pathway in humans, which may be a source of inter-individual variability in response to aromatic amine carcinogens. The purpose of this study was to characterize the identity of this reduction pathway in human liver. Based on our findings with structurally similar arylhydroxylamine metabolites of therapeutic drugs, we hypothesized that the reductive detoxication of arylhydroxylamine carcinogens was catalyzed by NADH cytochrome b5 reductase (b5R) and cytochrome b5 (cyt b5). We found that reduction of the carcinogenic hydroxylamines of the aromatic amine 4-aminobiphenyl (4-ABP; found in cigarette smoke) and the heterocyclic amine 2- amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo [4,5-b] pyridine (PhIP; found in grilled meats) was indeed catalyzed by a purified system containing only human b5R and cyt b5. Specific activities were 56 to 346-fold higher in the purified system compared to human liver microsomes (HLM), with similar Michaelis-Menten constants (Km values) in both systems. The stoichiometry for b5R and cyt b5 that yielded the highest activity in the purified system was also similar to that found in native HLM (∼1:8 to 1:10). Polyclonal antisera to either b5R or cyt b5 significantly inhibited N-hydroxy-4-aminobiphenyl (NHOH-4-ABP) reduction by 95 and 89%, respectively, and immunoreactive cyt b5 protein content in individual HLM was significantly correlated with individual reduction of both NHOH-4-ABP and N-hydroxy-PhIP (NHOH-PhIP). Finally, titration of HLM into the purified b5R/cyt b5 system did not enhance the efficiency of reduction activity. We conclude that b5R and cyt b5 are together solely capable of the reduction of arylhydroxylamine carcinogens

  2. Haloarcula marismortui cytochrome b-561 is encoded by the narC gene in the dissimilatory nitrate reductase operon.

    PubMed

    Yoshimatsu, Katsuhiko; Araya, Osamu; Fujiwara, Taketomo

    2007-01-01

    The composition of membrane-bound electron-transferring proteins from denitrifying cells of Haloarcula marismortui was compared with that from the aerobic cells. Accompanying nitrate reductase catalytic NarGH subcomplex, cytochrome b-561, cytochrome b-552, and halocyanin-like blue copper protein were induced under denitrifying conditions. Cytochrome b-561 was purified to homogeneity and was shown to be composed of a polypeptide with a molecular mass of 40 kDa. The cytochrome was autooxidizable and its redox potential was -27 mV. The N-terminal sequence of the cytochrome was identical to the deduced amino acid sequence of the narC gene product encoded in the third ORF of the nitrate reductase operon with a unique arrangement of ORFs. The sequence of the cytochrome was homologous with that of the cytochrome b subunit of respiratory cytochrome bc. A possibility that the cytochrome bc and the NarGH constructed a supercomplex was discussed.

  3. Expression, purification and enzymatic characterization of Brugia malayi dihydrofolate reductase.

    PubMed

    Perez-Abraham, Romy; Sanchez, Karla Garabiles; Alfonso, Melany; Gubler, Ueli; Siekierka, John J; Goodey, Nina M

    2016-12-01

    Brugia malayi (B. malayi) is one of the three causative agents of lymphatic filariasis, a neglected parasitic disease. Current literature suggests that dihydrofolate reductase is a potential drug target for the elimination of B. malayi. Here we report the recombinant expression and purification of a ∼20 kDa B. malayi dihydrofolate reductase (BmDHFR). A His6-tagged construct was expressed in E. coli and purified by affinity chromatography to yield active and homogeneous enzyme for steady-state kinetic characterization and inhibition studies. The catalytic activity kcat was found to be 1.4 ± 0.1 s(-1), the Michaelis Menten constant KM for dihydrofolate 14.7 ± 3.6 μM, and the equilibrium dissociation constant KD for NADPH 25 ± 24 nM. For BmDHFR, IC50 values for a six DHFR inhibitors were determined to be 3.1 ± 0.2 nM for methotrexate, 32 ± 22 μM for trimethoprim, 109 ± 34 μM for pyrimethamine, 154 ± 46 μM for 2,4-diaminoquinazoline, 771 ± 44 μM for cycloguanil, and >20,000 μM for 2,4-diaminopyrimidine. Our findings suggest that antifolate compounds can serve as inhibitors of BmDHFR. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. Effect of Prior Influenza Virus Infection on Susceptibility of AKR/J Mice and Squirrel Monkeys to Respiratory Challenge with Legionella pneumophila.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1980-07-30

    Infection on Susceptibility of AKR/J Mice and Squirrel Monkeys to Respiratory Challenge with Legionella pneumophila RICHARD F. BERENDT U. S. Army Medical...influenza virus and Legionella pneumophila than to either agent alone. b 3 F As knowledge of Legionnaires’ disease has accumulated, the evidence...suggests that many infections occur in individuals with underlying disease. Since Legionella pneumophila appears to spread by the airborne route (5, 6, 8, 9

  5. The prenyltransferase UBIAD1 is the target of geranylgeraniol in degradation of HMG CoA reductase

    PubMed Central

    Schumacher, Marc M; Elsabrouty, Rania; Seemann, Joachim; Jo, Youngah; DeBose-Boyd, Russell A

    2015-01-01

    Schnyder corneal dystrophy (SCD) is an autosomal dominant disorder in humans characterized by abnormal accumulation of cholesterol in the cornea. SCD-associated mutations have been identified in the gene encoding UBIAD1, a prenyltransferase that synthesizes vitamin K2. Here, we show that sterols stimulate binding of UBIAD1 to the cholesterol biosynthetic enzyme HMG CoA reductase, which is subject to sterol-accelerated, endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation augmented by the nonsterol isoprenoid geranylgeraniol through an unknown mechanism. Geranylgeraniol inhibits binding of UBIAD1 to reductase, allowing its degradation and promoting transport of UBIAD1 from the ER to the Golgi. CRISPR-CAS9-mediated knockout of UBIAD1 relieves the geranylgeraniol requirement for reductase degradation. SCD-associated mutations in UBIAD1 block its displacement from reductase in the presence of geranylgeraniol, thereby preventing degradation of reductase. The current results identify UBIAD1 as the elusive target of geranylgeraniol in reductase degradation, the inhibition of which may contribute to accumulation of cholesterol in SCD. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.05560.001 PMID:25742604

  6. A Novel Arsenate Reductase from the Arsenic Hyperaccumulating Fern Pteris vittata1

    PubMed Central

    Ellis, Danielle R.; Gumaelius, Luke; Indriolo, Emily; Pickering, Ingrid J.; Banks, Jo Ann; Salt, David E.

    2006-01-01

    Pteris vittata sporophytes hyperaccumulate arsenic to 1% to 2% of their dry weight. Like the sporophyte, the gametophyte was found to reduce arsenate [As(V)] to arsenite [As(III)] and store arsenic as free As(III). Here, we report the isolation of an arsenate reductase gene (PvACR2) from gametophytes that can suppress the arsenate sensitivity and arsenic hyperaccumulation phenotypes of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) lacking the arsenate reductase gene ScACR2. Recombinant PvACR2 protein has in vitro arsenate reductase activity similar to ScACR2. While PvACR2 and ScACR2 have sequence similarities to the CDC25 protein tyrosine phosphatases, they lack phosphatase activity. In contrast, Arath;CDC25, an Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) homolog of PvACR2 was found to have both arsenate reductase and phosphatase activities. To our knowledge, PvACR2 is the first reported plant arsenate reductase that lacks phosphatase activity. CDC25 protein tyrosine phosphatases and arsenate reductases have a conserved HCX5R motif that defines the active site. PvACR2 is unique in that the arginine of this motif, previously shown to be essential for phosphatase and reductase activity, is replaced with a serine. Steady-state levels of PvACR2 expression in gametophytes were found to be similar in the absence and presence of arsenate, while total arsenate reductase activity in P. vittata gametophytes was found to be constitutive and unaffected by arsenate, consistent with other known metal hyperaccumulation mechanisms in plants. The unusual active site of PvACR2 and the arsenate reductase activities of cell-free extracts correlate with the ability of P. vittata to hyperaccumulate arsenite, suggesting that PvACR2 may play an important role in this process. PMID:16766666

  7. B7-1 (CD80) as target for immunotoxin therapy for Hodgkin's disease.

    PubMed Central

    Vooijs, W. C.; Otten, H. G.; van Vliet, M.; van Dijk, A. J.; de Weger, R. A.; de Boer, M.; Bohlen, H.; Bolognesi, A.; Polito, L.; de Gast, G. C.

    1997-01-01

    In this preclinical study, the potential applicability of an anti-B7-1 immunotoxin (IT) for the treatment of Hodgkin's disease (HD) was investigated. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated strong expression of B7-1 on Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (R-S) cells and clear expression on dendritic cells, macrophages and some B-cells in tissues, but not on other tissue cells. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that B7-1 was expressed on a few monocytes, but not on CD34+ cells from bone marrow, resting T- or B-cells from peripheral blood or epithelial and endothelial cell lines. An anti-B7-1 immunotoxin containing the anti-B7-1 monoclonal antibody (MAb) B7-24 and saporin as toxin moiety was constructed and showed an affinity similar to that shown by the native MAb. It exhibited strong cytotoxicity against the B7-1+ B-cell line Raji (IC50 10(-11) M), R-S cell lines HDLM2, KM/H2 and L428 and also against a B7-1-transfected epithelial cell line, A431, whose parental line lacks expression of B7-1. In clonogenic assays with Raji cells or KM/H2 cells, a 3- or 4-log kill, respectively, was observed. No cytotoxicity was found against the B7-1- epithelial and endothelial cell lines or against haematopoietic progenitor cells. In conclusion, an anti-B7-1 immunotoxin was developed that had good cytotoxicity against R-S cell lines and that may be used in the elimination of R-S cells in vivo. A concomitant elimination of activated antigen-presenting cells may avoid development of antitoxin and anti-mouse Ig responses and allow repeated administration. Images Figure 1 PMID:9365164

  8. The Radical SAM enzyme NirJ catalyzes the removal of two propionate side chains during heme d1 biosynthesis.

    PubMed

    Boss, Linda; Oehme, Ramona; Billig, Susan; Birkemeyer, Claudia; Layer, Gunhild

    2017-12-01

    Heme d 1 is a modified tetrapyrrole playing an important role in denitrification by acting as the catalytically essential cofactor in the cytochrome cd 1 nitrite reductase of many denitrifying bacteria. In the course of heme d 1 biosynthesis, the two propionate side chains on pyrrole rings A and B of the intermediate 12,18-didecarboxysiroheme are removed from the tetrapyrrole macrocycle. In the final heme d 1 molecule, the propionate groups are replaced by two keto functions. Although it was speculated that the Radical S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) enzyme NirJ might be responsible for the removal of the propionate groups and introduction of the keto functions, this has not been shown experimentally, so far. Here, we demonstrate that NirJ is a Radical SAM enzyme carrying two iron-sulfur clusters. While the N-terminal [4Fe-4S] cluster is essential for the initial SAM cleavage reaction, it is not required for substrate binding. NirJ tightly binds its substrate 12,18-didecarboxysiroheme and, thus, can be purified in complex with the substrate. By using the purified NirJ/substrate complex in an in vitro enzyme activity assay, we show that NirJ indeed catalyzes the removal of the two propionate side chains under simultaneous SAM cleavage. However, under the reaction conditions employed, no keto group formation is observed indicating that an additional cofactor or enzyme is needed for this reaction. © 2017 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

  9. UDP-4-Keto-6-Deoxyglucose, a Transient Antifungal Metabolite, Weakens the Fungal Cell Wall Partly by Inhibition of UDP-Galactopyranose Mutase

    PubMed Central

    Ma, Liang; Salas, Omar; Bowler, Kyle

    2017-01-01

    ABSTRACT Can accumulation of a normally transient metabolite affect fungal biology? UDP-4-keto-6-deoxyglucose (UDP-KDG) represents an intermediate stage in conversion of UDP-glucose to UDP-rhamnose. Normally, UDP-KDG is not detected in living cells, because it is quickly converted to UDP-rhamnose by the enzyme UDP-4-keto-6-deoxyglucose-3,5-epimerase/-4-reductase (ER). We previously found that deletion of the er gene in Botrytis cinerea resulted in accumulation of UDP-KDG to levels that were toxic to the fungus due to destabilization of the cell wall. Here we show that these negative effects are at least partly due to inhibition by UDP-KDG of the enzyme UDP-galactopyranose mutase (UGM), which reversibly converts UDP-galactopyranose (UDP-Galp) to UDP-galactofuranose (UDP-Galf). An enzymatic activity assay showed that UDP-KDG inhibits the B. cinerea UGM enzyme with a Ki of 221.9 µM. Deletion of the ugm gene resulted in strains with weakened cell walls and phenotypes that were similar to those of the er deletion strain, which accumulates UDP-KDG. Galf residue levels were completely abolished in the Δugm strain and reduced in the Δer strain, while overexpression of the ugm gene in the background of a Δer strain restored Galf levels and alleviated the phenotypes. Collectively, our results show that the antifungal activity of UDP-KDG is due to inhibition of UGM and possibly other nucleotide sugar-modifying enzymes and that the rhamnose metabolic pathway serves as a shunt that prevents accumulation of UDP-KDG to toxic levels. These findings, together with the fact that there is no Galf in mammals, support the possibility of developing UDP-KDG or its derivatives as antifungal drugs. PMID:29162710

  10. Effect of low-protein diet supplemented with keto acids on progression of chronic kidney disease.

    PubMed

    Garneata, Liliana; Mircescu, Gabriel

    2013-05-01

    Hypoproteic diets are most often discussed for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who do not receive dialysis. A very low-protein diet supplemented with ketoanalogues of essential amino acids (keto-diet) proved effective in ameliorating metabolic disturbances of advanced CKD and delaying the initiation of dialysis without deleterious effects on nutritional status. Several recent studies report that the keto-diet could also slow down the rate of decline in renal function, with better outcomes after the initiation of dialysis. Results of a single-center randomized controlled trial addressing the rate of CKD progression revealed a 57% slower decline in renal function with the keto-diet compared with a conventional low-protein diet (LPD). The keto-diet allowed the safe management of selected patients with stage 4-5 CKD, delaying dialysis for almost 1 year, with a major impact on patient quality of life and health expenditures. Therefore, the keto-diet could be a link in the integrated care model. Careful selection of patients, nutritional monitoring, and dietary counseling are required. Copyright © 2013 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Transition metal-free one-pot cascade synthesis of 7-oxa-2-azatricyclo[7.4.0.0(2,6)]trideca-1(9),10,12-trien-3-ones from biomass-derived levulinic acid under mild conditions.

    PubMed

    Jha, Amitabh; Naidu, Ajaya B; Abdelkhalik, Ashraf M

    2013-11-21

    An efficient, environmentally benign, transition-metal free, tandem C-N, C-O bond formation reaction is developed for the synthesis of tricyclic 7-oxa-2-azatricyclo[7.4.0.0(2,6)]trideca-1(9),10,12-trien-3-ones and their homologs from easily available starting materials, including renewable levulinic acid, a keto acid. The reaction of keto acids with methyl chloroformate and variously substituted o-aminobenzyl alcohols using triethylamine as a base in toluene at room temperature gave good to excellent yields. This newly developed protocol was successfully utilized for the synthesis of a variety of polycyclic 7-oxa-2-azatricyclo[7.4.0.0(2,6)]trideca-1(9),10,12-trien-3-ones and related compounds.

  12. Vitamin C. Biosynthesis, recycling and degradation in mammals.

    PubMed

    Linster, Carole L; Van Schaftingen, Emile

    2007-01-01

    Vitamin C, a reducing agent and antioxidant, is a cofactor in reactions catalyzed by Cu(+)-dependent monooxygenases and Fe(2+)-dependent dioxygenases. It is synthesized, in vertebrates having this capacity, from d-glucuronate. The latter is formed through direct hydrolysis of uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glucuronate by enzyme(s) bound to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, sharing many properties with, and most likely identical to, UDP-glucuronosyltransferases. Non-glucuronidable xenobiotics (aminopyrine, metyrapone, chloretone and others) stimulate the enzymatic hydrolysis of UDP-glucuronate, accounting for their effect to increase vitamin C formation in vivo. Glucuronate is converted to l-gulonate by aldehyde reductase, an enzyme of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily. l-Gulonate is converted to l-gulonolactone by a lactonase identified as SMP30 or regucalcin, whose absence in mice leads to vitamin C deficiency. The last step in the pathway of vitamin C synthesis is the oxidation of l-gulonolactone to l-ascorbic acid by l-gulonolactone oxidase, an enzyme associated with the endoplasmic reticulum membrane and deficient in man, guinea pig and other species due to mutations in its gene. Another fate of glucuronate is its conversion to d-xylulose in a five-step pathway, the pentose pathway, involving identified oxidoreductases and an unknown decarboxylase. Semidehydroascorbate, a major oxidation product of vitamin C, is reconverted to ascorbate in the cytosol by cytochrome b(5) reductase and thioredoxin reductase in reactions involving NADH and NADPH, respectively. Transmembrane electron transfer systems using ascorbate or NADH as electron donors serve to reduce semidehydroascorbate present in neuroendocrine secretory vesicles and in the extracellular medium. Dehydroascorbate, the fully oxidized form of vitamin C, is reduced spontaneously by glutathione, as well as enzymatically in reactions using glutathione or NADPH. The degradation of vitamin C in mammals is

  13. Purification, Characterization, and Overexpression of Flavin Reductase Involved in Dibenzothiophene Desulfurization by Rhodococcus erythropolis D-1

    PubMed Central

    Matsubara, Toshiyuki; Ohshiro, Takashi; Nishina, Yoshihiro; Izumi, Yoshikazu

    2001-01-01

    The dibenzothiophene (DBT)-desulfurizing bacterium, Rhodococcus erythropolis D-1, removes sulfur from DBT to form 2-hydroxybiphenyl using four enzymes, DszC, DszA, DszB, and flavin reductase. In this study, we purified and characterized the flavin reductase from R. erythropolis D-1 grown in a medium containing DBT as the sole source of sulfur. It is conceivable that the enzyme is essential for two monooxygenase (DszC and DszA) reactions in vivo. The purified flavin reductase contains no chromogenic cofactors and was found to have a molecular mass of 86 kDa and four identical 22-kDa subunits. The enzyme catalyzed NADH-dependent reduction of flavin mononucleotide (FMN), and the Km values for NADH and FMN were 208 and 10.8 μM, respectively. Flavin adenine dinucleotide was a poor substrate, and NADPH was inert. The enzyme did not catalyze reduction of any nitroaromatic compound. The optimal temperature and optimal pH for enzyme activity were 35°C and 6.0, respectively, and the enzyme retained 30% of its activity after heat treatment at 80°C for 30 min. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified flavin reductase was identical to that of DszD of R. erythropolis IGTS8 (K. A. Gray, O. S. Pogrebinsky, G. T. Mrachko, L. Xi, D. J. Monticello, and C. H. Squires, Nat. Biotechnol. 14:1705–1709, 1996). The flavin reductase gene was amplified with primers designed by using dszD of R. erythropolis IGTS8, and the enzyme was overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The specific activity in crude extracts of the overexpressed strain was about 275-fold that of the wild-type strain. PMID:11229908

  14. To Learn Is To Grow, I: Aldo Leopold, Predator Eradication, and Games Refuges.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Dolph, Gary E.

    1998-01-01

    Follows the evolution in the thinking of Aldo Leopold, a game manager who was initially an advocate of predator eradication but who came to see predators as playing an important role in normally functioning ecosystems. (DDR)

  15. Structure and Cancer Immunotherapy of the B7 Family Member B7x

    PubMed Central

    Jeon, Hyungjun; Vigdorovich, Vladimir; Garrett-Thomson, Sarah C.; Janakiram, Murali; Ramagopal, Udupi A.; Abadi, Yael M.; Lee, Jun Sik; Scandiuzzi, Lisa; Ohaegbulam, Kim C; Chinai, Jordan M; Zhao, Ruihua; Yao, Yu; Mao, Ying; Sparano, Joseph A.; Almo, Steven C.; Zang, Xingxing

    2014-01-01

    SUMMARY B7x (B7-H4 or B7S1) is a member of the B7 family that can inhibit T cell function. B7x protein is absent in most normal human tissues and immune cells, but is overexpressed in human cancers and often correlates with negative clinical outcome. The expression pattern and function of B7x suggest that it may be a potent immunosuppressive pathway in human cancers. Here we determined the crystal structure of human B7x IgV domain at 1.59Å resolution and mapped the epitopes recognized by monoclonal antibodies. We developed a new in vivo system to screen therapeutic monoclonal antibodies against B7x, and found that the clone 1H3 significantly inhibited growth of B7x-expressing tumor in vivo via multiple mechanisms. Furthermore, the surviving mice given 1H3 treatment were resistant to tumor re-challenge. Our data suggest that targeting B7x on tumors is a promising cancer immunotherapy and humanized 1H3 may be efficacious for immunotherapy of human cancers. PMID:25437562

  16. Anti-neuroinflammatory efficacy of the aldose reductase inhibitor FMHM via phospholipase C/protein kinase C-dependent NF-κB and MAPK pathways

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zeng, Ke-Wu; Li, Jun; Dong, Xin

    2013-11-15

    Aldose reductase (AR) has a key role in several inflammatory diseases: diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, AR inhibition seems to be a useful strategy for anti-inflammation therapy. In the central nervous system (CNS), microglial over-activation is considered to be a central event in neuroinflammation. However, the effects of AR inhibition in CNS inflammation and its underlying mechanism of action remain unknown. In the present study, we found that FMHM (a naturally derived AR inhibitor from the roots of Polygala tricornis Gagnep.) showed potent anti-neuroinflammatory effects in vivo and in vitro by inhibiting microglial activation and expression of inflammatory mediators.more » Mechanistic studies showed that FMHM suppressed the activity of AR-dependent phospholipase C/protein kinase C signaling, which further resulted in downstream inactivation of the IκB kinase/IκB/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) inflammatory pathway. Therefore, AR inhibition-dependent NF-κB inactivation negatively regulated the transcription and expression of various inflammatory genes. AR inhibition by FMHM exerted neuroprotective effects in lipopolysaccharide-induced neuron–microglia co-cultures. These findings suggested that AR is a potential target for neuroinflammation inhibition and that FMHM could be an effective agent for treating or preventing neuroinflammatory diseases. - Highlights: • FMHM is a natural-derived aldose reductase (AR) inhibitor. • FMHM inhibits various neuroinflammatory mediator productions in vitro and in vivo. • FMHM inhibits neuroinflammation via aldose reductase/PLC/PKC-dependent NF-κB pathway. • FMHM inhibits neuroinflammation via aldose reductase/PLC/PKC-dependent MAPK pathway. • FMHM protects neurons against inflammatory injury in microglia-neuron co-cultures.« less

  17. Blockade of B7-H1 improves myeloid dendritic cell-mediated antitumor immunity.

    PubMed

    Curiel, Tyler J; Wei, Shuang; Dong, Haidong; Alvarez, Xavier; Cheng, Pui; Mottram, Peter; Krzysiek, Roman; Knutson, Keith L; Daniel, Ben; Zimmermann, Maria Carla; David, Odile; Burow, Matthew; Gordon, Alan; Dhurandhar, Nina; Myers, Leann; Berggren, Ruth; Hemminki, Akseli; Alvarez, Ronald D; Emilie, Dominique; Curiel, David T; Chen, Lieping; Zou, Weiping

    2003-05-01

    Suppression of dendritic cell function in cancer patients is thought to contribute to the inhibition of immune responses and disease progression. Molecular mechanisms of this suppression remain elusive, however. Here, we show that a fraction of blood monocyte-derived myeloid dendritic cells (MDCs) express B7-H1, a member of the B7 family, on the cell surface. B7-H1 could be further upregulated by tumor environmental factors. Consistent with this finding, virtually all MDCs isolated from the tissues or draining lymph nodes of ovarian carcinomas express B7-H1. Blockade of B7-H1 enhanced MDC-mediated T-cell activation and was accompanied by downregulation of T-cell interleukin (IL)-10 and upregulation of IL-2 and interferon (IFN)-gamma. T cells conditioned with the B7-H1-blocked MDCs had a more potent ability to inhibit autologous human ovarian carcinoma growth in non-obese diabetic-severe combined immunodeficient (NOD-SCID) mice. Therefore, upregulation of B7-H1 on MDCs in the tumor microenvironment downregulates T-cell immunity. Blockade of B7-H1 represents one approach for cancer immunotherapy.

  18. Keto-acids in Carbonaceous Meteorites

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cooper, G.; Chang, P. M.; Dugas, A.; Byrd, A.; Chang, P. M.; Washington, N.

    2005-01-01

    The Murchison and Murray meteorites are the best-characterized carbonaceous meteorites with respect to organic chemistry and are generally used as references for organic compounds in extraterrestrial material. Among the classes of organic compounds found in these meteorites are amino acids, carboxylic acids, hydroxy acids, purines, and pyrimidines. Such compounds, important in contemporary biochemistry, are thought to have been delivered to the early Earth in asteroids and comets and may have played a role in early life and/or the origin of life. Absent among (today's) critically important biological compounds reported in carbonaceous meteorites are keto acids, i.e., pyruvic acid, acetoacetic acid, and higher homologs. These compounds are key intermediates in such critical processes as glycolysis and the citric acid cycle. In this study several individual meteoritic keto acids were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) (see figure below). All compounds were identified as their trimethylsilyl (TMS), isopropyl ester (ISP), and tert-butyldimethylsilyl (tBDMS) derivatives. In general, the compounds follow the abiotic synthesis pattern of other known meteorite classes of organic compounds [1,2]: a general decrease in abundance with increasing carbon number within a class of compounds and many, if not all, possible isomers present at a given carbon number. The majority of the shown compounds was positively identified by comparison of their mass spectra to commercially available standards or synthesized standards.

  19. Molecular cloning of the myo-inositol oxygenase gene from the kidney of baboons

    PubMed Central

    González-Álvarez, Rafael; Pérez-Ibave, Diana Cristina; Garza-Rodríguez, María Lourdes; Lugo-Trampe, Ángel; Delgado-Enciso, Iván; Tejero-Barrera, María Elizabeth; Martínez-De-Villarreal, Laura Elia; Garza-Guajardo, Raquel; Sánchez-Chaparro, María Marisela; Ruiz-Ayma, Gabriel; Barboza-Quintana, Oralia; Barrera-Saldaña, Hugo Alberto; Rocha-Pizaña, María Del Refugio; Rodríguez-Sánchez, Irám Pablo

    2017-01-01

    The enzyme myo-Inositol oxygenase (MIOX) is also termed ALDRL6. It is a kidney-specific member of the aldo-keto reductase family. MIOX catalyzes the first reaction involved in the myo-inositol metabolism signaling pathway and is fully expressed in mammalian tissues. MIOX catalyzes the oxidative cleavage of myo-Inositol and its epimer, D-chiro-Inositol to D-glucuronate. The dioxygen-dependent cleavage of the C6 and C1 bond in myo-Inositol is achieved by utilizing the Fe2+/Fe3+ binuclear iron center of MIOX. This enzyme has also been implicated in the complications of diabetes, including diabetic nephropathy. The MIOX gene was amplified with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction from baboon tissue samples, and the product was cloned and sequenced. MIOX expression in the baboon kidney is described in the present study. The percentages of nucleotide and amino acid similarities between baboons and humans were 95 and 96%, respectively. The MIOX protein of the baboon may be structurally identical to that of humans. Furthermore, the evolutionary changes, which have affected these sequences, have resulted from purifying forces. PMID:29085625

  20. Clusterin and COMMD1 Independently Regulate Degradation of the Mammalian Copper ATPases ATP7A and ATP7B*

    PubMed Central

    Materia, Stephanie; Cater, Michael A.; Klomp, Leo W. J.; Mercer, Julian F. B.; La Fontaine, Sharon

    2012-01-01

    ATP7A and ATP7B are copper-transporting P1B-type ATPases (Cu-ATPases) that are critical for regulating intracellular copper homeostasis. Mutations in the genes encoding ATP7A and ATP7B lead to copper deficiency and copper toxicity disorders, Menkes and Wilson diseases, respectively. Clusterin and COMMD1 were previously identified as interacting partners of these Cu-ATPases. In this study, we confirmed that clusterin and COMMD1 interact to down-regulate both ATP7A and ATP7B. Overexpression and knockdown of clusterin/COMMD1 decreased and increased, respectively, endogenous levels of ATP7A and ATP7B, consistent with a role in facilitating Cu-ATPase degradation. We demonstrate that whereas the clusterin/ATP7B interaction was enhanced by oxidative stress or mutation of ATP7B, the COMMD1/ATP7B interaction did not change under oxidative stress conditions, and only increased with ATP7B mutations that led to its misfolding. Clusterin and COMMD1 facilitated the degradation of ATP7B containing the same Wilson disease-causing C-terminal mutations via different degradation pathways, clusterin via the lysosomal pathway and COMMD1 via the proteasomal pathway. Furthermore, endogenous ATP7B existed in a complex with clusterin and COMMD1, but these interactions were neither competitive nor cooperative and occurred independently of each other. Together these data indicate that clusterin and COMMD1 represent alternative and independent systems regulating Cu-ATPase quality control, and consequently contributing to the maintenance of copper homeostasis. PMID:22130675

  1. Canopy and seasonal profiles of nitrate reductase in soybeans

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Harper, J.E.; Hageman, R.H.

    1972-01-01

    Nitrate reductase activity of soybeans (Glycine max L. Merr.) was evaluated in soil plots and outdoor hydroponic gravel culture systems throughout the growing season. Nitrate reductase profiles within the plant canopy were also established. Mean activity per gram fresh weight per hour of the entire plant canopy was highest in the seedling stage while total activity (activity per gram fresh weight per hour times the total leaf weight) reached a maximum when plants were in the full bloom to midpod fill stage. Nitrate reductase activity per gram fresh weight per hour was highest in the uppermost leaf just prior tomore » full expansion and declined with leaf positions lower in the canopy. Total nitrate reductase activity per leaf was also highest in the uppermost fully expanded leaf during early growth stages. Maximum total activity shifted to leaf positions lower in the plant canopy with later growth stages. Nitrate reductase activity of soybeans grown in hydroponic systems was significantly higher than activity of adjacent soil grown plants at later growth stages, which suggested that under normal field conditions the potential for nitrate utilization may not be realized. Nitrate reductase activity per gram fresh weight per hour and nitrate content were positively correlated over the growing season with plants grown in either soil or solution culture. Computations based upon the nitrate reductase assay of plants grown in hydroponics indicated that from 1.7 to 1.8 grams N could have been supplied to the plant via the nitrate reductase process. 11 references, 9 figures, 3 tables.« less

  2. Retrospective approach to methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase mutations in children.

    PubMed

    Özer, Işıl; Özçetin, Mustafa; Karaer, Hatice; Kurt, Semiha G; Şahin, Şemsettin

    2011-07-01

    Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase reduces methyltetrahydrofolate, a cosubstrate in the remethylation of homocysteine, from methylenetetrahydrofolate. Congenital defects, hematologic tumors, and intrauterine growth retardation can occur during childhood. This study evaluated clinical and laboratory treatment approaches in children diagnosed with methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase mutations. Our group included 23 boys and 14 girls, aged 103.4 ± 70.8 months S.D. Clinical findings of patients and homocysteine, vitamin B12, folate, hemogram, electroencephalography, cranial magnetic resonance imaging, and echocardiography data were evaluated in terms of treatment approach. Our patients' findings included vitamin B12 at 400.4 ± 224.6 pg/mL S.D. (normal range, 300-700 pg/mL), folate at 10.1 ± 4.5 ng/mL S.D. (normal range, 1.8-9 ng/mL), and homocysteine at 8.4 ± 4.7 μmol/L S.D. (normal range, 5.5-17 μmol/L). Eighty-eight percent of patients demonstrated clinical findings. In comparisons involving categorical variables between groups, χ(2) tests were used. No relationship was evident between mutation type, laboratory data, and clinical severity. All mothers who had MTHFR mutations and had babies with sacral dimples had taken folate supplements during pregnancy. To avoid the risk of neural tube defects, pregnant women with a MTHFR mutation may require higher than normally recommended doses of folic acid supplementation for optimum health. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. Ribonucleotide reductase activity is regulated by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)

    PubMed Central

    Salguero, Israel; Guarino, Estrella; Shepherd, Marianne; Deegan, Tom; Havens, Courtney G.; MacNeill, Stuart A.; Walter, Johannes C.; Kearsey, Stephen E.

    2014-01-01

    Summary Synthesis of dNTPs is required for both DNA replication and DNA repair and is catalyzed by ribonucleotide reductases (RNR), which convert ribonucleotides to their deoxy forms [1, 2]. Maintaining the correct levels of dNTPs for DNA synthesis is important for minimising the mutation rate [3-7], and this is achieved by tight regulation of ribonucleotide reductase [2, 8, 9]. In fission yeast, ribonucleotide reductase is regulated in part by a small protein inhibitor, Spd1, which is degraded in S phase and after DNA damage to allow up-regulation of dNTP supply [10-12]. Spd1 degradation is mediated by the activity of the CRL4Cdt2 ubiquitin ligase complex [5, 13, 14]. This has been reported to be dependent on modulation of Cdt2 levels which are cell cycle regulated, peaking in S phase, and which also increase after DNA damage in a checkpoint-dependent manner [7, 13]. We show here that Cdt2 levels fluctuations are not sufficient to regulate Spd1 proteolysis and that the key step in this event is the interaction of Spd1 with the polymerase processivity factor PCNA, complexed onto DNA. This mechanism thus provides a direct link between DNA synthesis and ribonucleotide reductase regulation. PMID:22464192

  4. Reduced bone mass and muscle strength in male 5α-reductase type 1 inactivated mice.

    PubMed

    Windahl, Sara H; Andersson, Niklas; Börjesson, Anna E; Swanson, Charlotte; Svensson, Johan; Movérare-Skrtic, Sofia; Sjögren, Klara; Shao, Ruijin; Lagerquist, Marie K; Ohlsson, Claes

    2011-01-01

    Androgens are important regulators of bone mass but the relative importance of testosterone (T) versus dihydrotestosterone (DHT) for the activation of the androgen receptor (AR) in bone is unknown. 5α-reductase is responsible for the irreversible conversion of T to the more potent AR activator DHT. There are two well established isoenzymes of 5α-reductase (type 1 and type 2), encoded by separate genes (Srd5a1 and Srd5a2). 5α-reductase type 2 is predominantly expressed in male reproductive tissues whereas 5α-reductase type 1 is highly expressed in liver and moderately expressed in several other tissues including bone. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of 5α-reductase type 1 for bone mass using Srd5a1⁻/⁻ mice. Four-month-old male Srd5a1⁻/⁻ mice had reduced trabecular bone mineral density (-36%, p<0.05) and cortical bone mineral content (-15%, p<0.05) but unchanged serum androgen levels compared with wild type (WT) mice. The cortical bone dimensions were reduced in the male Srd5a1⁻/⁻ mice as a result of a reduced cortical periosteal circumference compared with WT mice. T treatment increased the cortical periosteal circumference (p<0.05) in orchidectomized WT mice but not in orchidectomized Srd5a1⁻/⁻ mice. Male Srd5a1⁻/⁻ mice demonstrated a reduced forelimb muscle grip strength compared with WT mice (p<0.05). Female Srd5a1⁻/⁻ mice had slightly increased cortical bone mass associated with elevated circulating levels of androgens. In conclusion, 5α-reductase type 1 inactivated male mice have reduced bone mass and forelimb muscle grip strength and we propose that these effects are due to lack of 5α-reductase type 1 expression in bone and muscle. In contrast, the increased cortical bone mass in female Srd5a1⁻/⁻ mice, is an indirect effect mediated by elevated circulating androgen levels.

  5. Reduced Bone Mass and Muscle Strength in Male 5α-Reductase Type 1 Inactivated Mice

    PubMed Central

    Windahl, Sara H.; Andersson, Niklas; Börjesson, Anna E.; Swanson, Charlotte; Svensson, Johan; Movérare-Skrtic, Sofia; Sjögren, Klara; Shao, Ruijin; Lagerquist, Marie K.; Ohlsson, Claes

    2011-01-01

    Androgens are important regulators of bone mass but the relative importance of testosterone (T) versus dihydrotestosterone (DHT) for the activation of the androgen receptor (AR) in bone is unknown. 5α-reductase is responsible for the irreversible conversion of T to the more potent AR activator DHT. There are two well established isoenzymes of 5α-reductase (type 1 and type 2), encoded by separate genes (Srd5a1 and Srd5a2). 5α-reductase type 2 is predominantly expressed in male reproductive tissues whereas 5α-reductase type 1 is highly expressed in liver and moderately expressed in several other tissues including bone. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of 5α-reductase type 1 for bone mass using Srd5a1−/− mice. Four-month-old male Srd5a1 −/− mice had reduced trabecular bone mineral density (−36%, p<0.05) and cortical bone mineral content (−15%, p<0.05) but unchanged serum androgen levels compared with wild type (WT) mice. The cortical bone dimensions were reduced in the male Srd5a1 −/− mice as a result of a reduced cortical periosteal circumference compared with WT mice. T treatment increased the cortical periosteal circumference (p<0.05) in orchidectomized WT mice but not in orchidectomized Srd5a1 −/− mice. Male Srd5a1 −/− mice demonstrated a reduced forelimb muscle grip strength compared with WT mice (p<0.05). Female Srd5a1 −/− mice had slightly increased cortical bone mass associated with elevated circulating levels of androgens. In conclusion, 5α-reductase type 1 inactivated male mice have reduced bone mass and forelimb muscle grip strength and we propose that these effects are due to lack of 5α-reductase type 1 expression in bone and muscle. In contrast, the increased cortical bone mass in female Srd5a1 −/− mice, is an indirect effect mediated by elevated circulating androgen levels. PMID:21731732

  6. Anti-inflammatory and Quinone Reductase Inducing Compounds from Fermented Noni (Morinda citrifolia) Juice Exudates.

    PubMed

    Youn, Ui Joung; Park, Eun-Jung; Kondratyuk, Tamara P; Sang-Ngern, Mayuramas; Wall, Marisa M; Wei, Yanzhang; Pezzuto, John M; Chang, Leng Chee

    2016-06-24

    A new fatty acid ester disaccharide, 2-O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-1-O-(2E,4Z,7Z)-deca-2,4,7-trienoyl-β-d-glucopyranose (1), a new ascorbic acid derivative, 2-caffeoyl-3-ketohexulofuranosonic acid γ-lactone (2), and a new iridoid glycoside, 10-dimethoxyfermiloside (3), were isolated along with 13 known compounds (4-16) from fermented noni fruit juice (Morinda citrifolia). The structures of the new compounds, together with 4 and 5, were determined by 1D and 2D NMR experiments, as well as comparison with published values. Compounds 2 and 7 showed moderate inhibitory activities in a TNF-α-induced NF-κB assay, and compounds 4 and 6 exhibited considerable quinone reductase-1 (QR1) inducing effects.

  7. 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione, the product of androstenedione metabolism in the adrenal, is metabolized in LNCaP cells by 5α-reductase yielding 11β-hydroxy-5α-androstanedione.

    PubMed

    Swart, Amanda C; Schloms, Lindie; Storbeck, Karl-Heinz; Bloem, Liezl M; Toit, Therina du; Quanson, Jonathan L; Rainey, William E; Swart, Pieter

    2013-11-01

    11β-Hydroxyandrostenedione (11OHA4), which is unique to the adrenal, was first isolated from human adrenal tissue in the fifties. It was later shown in the sixties that 11β-hydroxytestosterone (11OHT) was also produced by the human adrenal. Attention has shifted back to these adrenal androgens once more, as improved analytical techniques have enabled more accurate detection of steroid hormones. In this paper, we investigated the origin of these metabolites as well as their subsequent metabolism and examined a possible physiological role for 11OHA4 in prostate cancer cells. In H295R cells treated with forskolin and trilostane, etomidate, a reported cytochrome P450 11β-hydroxylase (CYP11B1) inhibitor, blocked the production of corticosterone, cortisol, 11OHA4 and 11OHT. The metabolism of androstenedione and testosterone by CYP11B1 and aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) was assayed. Androstenedione was converted by CYP11B1, while the conversion by CYP11B2 was negligible. Both enzymes readily converted testosterone. The metabolism of these 11β-hydroxylated metabolites by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11βHSD) types 1 and 2 was subsequently investigated. 11βHSD2 catalyzed the conversion of both 11OHA4 and 11OHT to their respective keto-steroids, while 11βHSD1 catalyzed the conversion of 11-ketoandrostenedione and 11-ketotestosterone to their respective hydroxy-steroids in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Investigating a functional role, steroid 5α-reductase types 1 and 2 converted 11OHA4 to 11β-hydroxy-5α-androstanedione (11OH-5α-dione), identified by accurate mass detection. UPLC-MS/MS analyses of 11OHA4 metabolism in LNCaP androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells, identified the 5α-reduced metabolite as well as 11-ketoandrostenedione and 11-ketotestosterone, with the latter indicating conversion by 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Downstream metabolism by 11βHSD2 and by 5α-reductase may therefore indicate a physiological role for 11OHA4 and/or 11OH-5

  8. Synthesis of Cyclic α-Diazo-β-keto Sulfoxides in Batch and Continuous Flow.

    PubMed

    McCaw, Patrick G; Buckley, Naomi M; Eccles, Kevin S; Lawrence, Simon E; Maguire, Anita R; Collins, Stuart G

    2017-04-07

    Diazo transfer to β-keto sulfoxides to form stable isolable α-diazo-β-keto sulfoxides has been achieved for the first time. Both monocyclic and benzofused ketone derived β-keto sulfoxides were successfully explored as substrates for diazo transfer. Use of continuous flow leads to isolation of the desired compounds in enhanced yields relative to standard batch conditions, with short reaction times, increased safety profile, and potential to scale up.

  9. Interactions among the branched-chain amino acids and their effects on methionine utilization in growing pigs: effects on plasma amino- and keto-acid concentrations and branched-chain keto-acid dehydrogenase activity.

    PubMed

    Langer, S; Scislowski, P W; Brown, D S; Dewey, P; Fuller, M F

    2000-01-01

    The present experiment was designed to elucidate the mechanism of the methionine-sparing effect of excess branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) reported in the previous paper (Langer & Fuller, 2000). Twelve growing gilts (30-35 kg) were prepared with arterial catheters. After recovery, they received for 7 d a semipurified diet with a balanced amino acid pattern. On the 7th day blood samples were taken before (16 h postabsorptive) and after the morning meal (4 h postprandial). The animals were then divided into three groups and received for a further 7 d a methionine-limiting diet (80% of requirement) (1) without any amino acid excess; (2) with excess leucine (50% over requirement); or (3) with excesses of all three BCAA (leucine, isoleucine, valine, each 50% over the requirement). On the 7th day blood samples were taken as in the first period, after which the animals were killed and liver and muscle samples taken. Plasma amino acid and branched-chain keto acid (BCKA) concentrations in the blood and branched-chain keto-acid dehydrogenase (BCKDH; EC 1.2.4.4) activity in liver and muscle homogenates were determined. Compared with those on the balanced diet, pigs fed on methionine-limiting diets had significantly lower (P < 0.05) plasma methionine concentrations in the postprandial but not in the postabsorptive state. There was no effect of either leucine or a mixture of all three BCAA fed in excess on plasma methionine concentrations. Excess dietary leucine reduced (P < 0.05) the plasma concentrations of isoleucine and valine in both the postprandial and postabsorptive states. Plasma concentrations of the BCKA reflected the changes in the corresponding amino acids. Basal BCKDH activity in the liver and total BCKDH activity in the biceps femoris muscle were significantly (P < 0.05) increased by excesses of leucine or all BCAA.

  10. The respiratory arsenate reductase from Bacillus selenitireducens strain MLS10

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Afkar, E.; Lisak, J.; Saltikov, C.; Basu, P.; Oremland, R.S.; Stolz, J.F.

    2003-01-01

    The respiratory arsenate reductase from the Gram-positive, haloalkaliphile, Bacillus selenitireducens strain MLS10 was purified and characterized. It is a membrane bound heterodimer (150 kDa) composed of two subunits ArrA (110 kDa) and ArrB (34 kDa), with an apparent Km for arsenate of 34 ??M and Vmax of 2.5 ??mol min-1 mg-1. Optimal activity occurred at pH 9.5 and 150 g l-1 of NaCl. Metal analysis (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) of the holoenzyme and sequence analysis of the catalytic subunit (ArrA; the gene for which was cloned and sequenced) indicate it is a member of the DMSO reductase family of molybdoproteins. ?? 2003 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. 2-Keto-3-fluoroglutarate: a useful mechanistic probe of 2-keto-glutarate-dependent enzyme systems.

    PubMed

    Grissom, C B; Cleland, W W

    1987-12-18

    2-Keto-3-fluoroglutaric acid prepared by acid hydrolysis of its diethyl ester is stable, as the free acid in aqueous solution at pH 2, and can be stored at -20 degrees C for several years. Both enantiomers are reduced by NADH in the presence of glutamate dehydrogenase (EC 1.4.1.2) to the two diastereomers of 3-fluoro-L-glutamate, which are stable at neutral pH and at high pH unless heated. 2-Keto-3-fluoroglutarate exists in solution almost entirely as a hydrate both at low and neutral pH. Both enantiomers of ketofluoroglutarate react with the pyridoxamine forms of aspartate, alanine and 4-aminobutyrate transaminases to give fluoride release. 2 mol of cosubstrate amino acid react for each mol of ketofluoroglutarate (KFG) when starting from the pyridoxamine form of the enzyme: 2 RCHNH2COOH + KFG + H2O----F- + NH4+ + glutamate + 2 RCOCOOH. Both diastereomers of fluoroglutamate are decarboxylated by glutamate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.15) with fluoride release: KFG + H2O----CO2 + F- + HCOCH2CH2COOH. By contrast, only one isomer of fluoroglutamate will react with the pyridoxal form of glutamate-oxalacetate transaminase to give fluoride release: HOOCCHNH2CHFCH2COOH + H2O----4F- + NH4+ + HOOCCOCH2CH2COOH. The enzymatic decarboxylation of 3-fluoroisocitrate produces only one enantiomer of ketofluoroglutarate, which is reduced to threo (2R,3R)-3-fluoroglutamate by NADH and glutamate dehydrogenase: [2R,3S]-HOOCCH(OH)CF(COOH)CH2COOH + NADP+----[3R]-KFG + CO2 + NADPH + H+. The proton, 13C, and 19F-NMR parameters of ketofluoroglutarate and the two fluoroglutamate diastereomers are presented. These molecules are useful probes of enzymatic mechanisms thought to involve carbanion intermediates.

  12. Enantioselective copper catalysed intramolecular C-H insertion reactions of α-diazo-β-keto sulfones, α-diazo-β-keto phosphine oxides and 2-diazo-1,3-diketones; the influence of the carbene substituent.

    PubMed

    Shiely, Amy E; Slattery, Catherine N; Ford, Alan; Eccles, Kevin S; Lawrence, Simon E; Maguire, Anita R

    2017-03-22

    Enantioselectivities in C-H insertion reactions, employing the copper-bis(oxazoline)-NaBARF catalyst system, leading to cyclopentanones are highest with sulfonyl substituents on the carbene carbon, and furthermore, the impact is enhanced by increased steric demand on the sulfonyl substituent (up to 91%ee). Enantioselective intramolecular C-H insertion reactions of α-diazo-β-keto phosphine oxides and 2-diazo-1,3-diketones are reported for the first time.

  13. Environmental Processing of Lipids Driven by Aqueous Photochemistry of α-Keto Acids

    PubMed Central

    2018-01-01

    Sunlight can initiate photochemical reactions of organic molecules though direct photolysis, photosensitization, and indirect processes, often leading to complex radical chemistry that can increase molecular complexity in the environment. α-Keto acids act as photoinitiators for organic species that are not themselves photoactive. Here, we demonstrate this capability through the reaction of two α-keto acids, pyruvic acid and 2-oxooctanoic acid, with a series of fatty acids and fatty alcohols. We show for five different cases that a cross-product between the photoinitiated α-keto acid and non-photoactive species is formed during photolysis in aqueous solution. Fatty acids and alcohols are relatively unreactive species, which suggests that α-keto acids are able to act as radical initiators for many atmospherically relevant molecules found in the sea surface microlayer and on atmospheric aerosol particles. PMID:29806009

  14. Dynamic kinetic asymmetric cross-benzoin additions of β-stereogenic α-keto esters.

    PubMed

    Goodman, C Guy; Johnson, Jeffrey S

    2014-10-22

    The dynamic kinetic resolution of β-halo α-keto esters via an asymmetric cross-benzoin reaction is described. A chiral N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzes the umpolung addition of aldehydes to racemic α-keto esters. The resulting fully substituted β-halo glycolic ester products are obtained with high levels of enantio- and diastereocontrol. The high chemoselectivity observed is a result of greater electrophilicity of the α-keto ester toward the Breslow intermediate. The reaction products are shown to undergo highly diastereoselective substrate-controlled reduction to give highly functionalized stereotriads.

  15. Dynamic Kinetic Asymmetric Cross-Benzoin Additions of β-Stereogenic α-Keto Esters

    PubMed Central

    2015-01-01

    The dynamic kinetic resolution of β-halo α-keto esters via an asymmetric cross-benzoin reaction is described. A chiral N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzes the umpolung addition of aldehydes to racemic α-keto esters. The resulting fully substituted β-halo glycolic ester products are obtained with high levels of enantio- and diastereocontrol. The high chemoselectivity observed is a result of greater electrophilicity of the α-keto ester toward the Breslow intermediate. The reaction products are shown to undergo highly diastereoselective substrate-controlled reduction to give highly functionalized stereotriads. PMID:25299730

  16. Programmed death-1/B7-H1 negative costimulation protects mouse liver against ischemia and reperfusion injury.

    PubMed

    Ji, Haofeng; Shen, Xiuda; Gao, Feng; Ke, Bibo; Freitas, Maria Cecilia S; Uchida, Yoichiro; Busuttil, Ronald W; Zhai, Yuan; Kupiec-Weglinski, Jerzy W

    2010-10-01

    Programmed death-1 (PD-1)/B7-H1 costimulation acts as a negative regulator of host alloimmune responses. Although CD4 T cells mediate innate immunity-dominated ischemia and reperfusion injury (IRI) in the liver, the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. This study focused on the role of PD-1/B7-H1 negative signaling in liver IRI. We used an established mouse model of partial liver warm ischemia (90 minutes) followed by reperfusion (6 hours). Although disruption of PD-1 signaling after anti-B7-H1 monoclonal antibody treatment augmented hepatocellular damage, its stimulation following B7-H1 immunoglobulin (B7-H1Ig) fusion protected livers from IRI, as evidenced by low serum alanine aminotransferase levels and well-preserved liver architecture. The therapeutic potential of B7-H1 engagement was evident by diminished intrahepatic T lymphocyte, neutrophil, and macrophage infiltration/activation; reduced cell necrosis/apoptosis but enhanced anti-necrotic/apoptotic Bcl-2/Bcl-xl; and decreased proinflammatory chemokine/cytokine gene expression in parallel with selectively increased interleukin (IL)-10. Neutralization of IL-10 re-created liver IRI and rendered B7-H1Ig-treated hosts susceptible to IRI. These findings were confirmed in T cell-macrophage in vitro coculture in which B7-H1Ig diminished tumor necrosis factor-α/IL-6 levels in an IL-10-dependent manner. Our novel findings document the essential role of the PD-1/B7-H1 pathway in liver IRI. This study is the first to demonstrate that stimulating PD-1 signals ameliorated liver IRI by inhibiting T cell activation and Kupffer cell/macrophage function. Harnessing mechanisms of negative costimulation by PD-1 upon T cell-Kupffer cell cross-talk may be instrumental in the maintenance of hepatic homeostasis by minimizing organ damage and promoting IL-10-dependent cytoprotection.

  17. Preparation of dimeric procyanidins B1, B2, B5, and B7 from a polymeric procyanidin fraction of black chokeberry ( Aronia melanocarpa ).

    PubMed

    Esatbeyoglu, Tuba; Winterhalter, Peter

    2010-04-28

    A semisynthetic approach has been used for the preparative formation of dimeric procyanidins B1, B2, B5, and B7. As starting material for the semisynthesis, polymeric procyanidins from black chokeberry were applied. These polymers were found to consist almost exclusively of (-)-epicatechin units. Under acidic conditions the interflavanoid linkages of the polymeric procyanidins are cleaved and the liberated (-)-epicatechin can react with nucleophiles, such as (+)-catechin or (-)-epicatechin. In this way, the polymeric procyanidins are degraded while dimeric procyanidins are formed. During this reaction only dimeric procyanidins are formed that contain (-)-epicatechin in the upper unit, that is, B1 [(-)-EC-4beta-->8-(+)-C)], B2 [(-)-EC-4beta-->8-(-)-EC], B5 [(-)-EC-4beta-->6-(-)-EC], and B7 [(-)-EC-4beta-->6-(+)-C]. The reaction mixtures of the semisynthesis can be successfully fractionated with high-speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC), and it is possible to isolate pure procyanidins B1, B2, B5, and B7 on a preparative scale.

  18. Detection Identification and Quantification of Keto-Hydroperoxides in Low-Temperature Oxidation.

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Hansen, Nils; Moshammer, Kai; Jasper, Ahren W.

    2017-07-01

    Keto-hydroperoxides are reactive partially oxidized intermediates that play a central role in chain-branching reactions during the low-temperature oxidation of hydrocarbons. In this Perspective, we outline how these short lived species can be detected, identified, and quantified using integrated experimental and theoretical approaches. The procedures are based on direct molecular-beam sampling from reactive environments, followed by mass spectrometry with single-photon ionization, identification of fragmentation patterns, and theoretical calculations of ionization thresholds, fragment appearance energies, and photoionization cross sections. Using the oxidation of neo-pentane and tetrahydrofuran as examples, the individual steps of the experimental approaches are described in depth together with amore » detailed description of the theoretical efforts. For neo-pentane, the experimental data are consistent with the calculated ionization and fragment appearance energies of the keto-hydroperoxide, thus adding confidence to the analysis routines and the employed levels of theory. For tetrahydrofuran, multiple keto-hydroperoxide isomers are possible due to the presence of nonequivalent O 2 addition sites. Despite this additional complexity, the experimental data allow for the identification of two to four keto-hydroperoxides. Mole fraction profiles of the keto-hydroperoxides, which are quantified using calculated photoionization cross sections, are provided together with estimated uncertainties as function of the temperature of the reactive mixture and can serve as validation targets for chemically detailed mechanisms.« less

  19. NQRS Data for AlDO28Si13 (Subst. No. 0033)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chihara, H.; Nakamura, N.

    This document is part of Subvolume A `Substances Containing Ag … C10H15' of Volume 48 `Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance Spectroscopy Data' of Landolt-Börnstein - Group III `Condensed Matter'. It contains an extract of Section `3.2 Data tables' of the Chapter `3 Nuclear quadrupole resonance data' providing the NQRS data for AlDO28Si13 (Subst. No. 0033)

  20. NQRS Data for AlDO70Si34 (Subst. No. 0035)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chihara, H.; Nakamura, N.

    This document is part of Subvolume A `Substances Containing Ag … C10H15' of Volume 48 `Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance Spectroscopy Data' of Landolt-Börnstein - Group III `Condensed Matter'. It contains an extract of Section `3.2 Data tables' of the Chapter `3 Nuclear quadrupole resonance data' providing the NQRS data for AlDO70Si34 (Subst. No. 0035)

  1. NQRS Data for AlDO28Si13 (Subst. No. 0034)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chihara, H.; Nakamura, N.

    This document is part of Subvolume A `Substances Containing Ag … C10H15' of Volume 48 `Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance Spectroscopy Data' of Landolt-Börnstein - Group III `Condensed Matter'. It contains an extract of Section `3.2 Data tables' of the Chapter `3 Nuclear quadrupole resonance data' providing the NQRS data for AlDO28Si13 (Subst. No. 0034)

  2. Microglial expression of the B7 family member B7 homolog 1 confers strong immune inhibition: implications for immune responses and autoimmunity in the CNS.

    PubMed

    Magnus, Tim; Schreiner, Bettina; Korn, Thomas; Jack, Carolyn; Guo, Hong; Antel, Jack; Ifergan, Igal; Chen, Lieping; Bischof, Felix; Bar-Or, Amit; Wiendl, Heinz

    2005-03-09

    Inflammation of the CNS is usually locally limited to avoid devastating consequences. Critical players involved in this immune regulatory process are the resident immune cells of the brain, the microglia. Interactions between the growing family of B7 costimulatory ligands and their receptors are increasingly recognized as important pathways for costimulation and/or inhibition of immune responses. Human and mouse microglial cells constitutively express B7 homolog 1 (B7-H1) in vitro. However, under inflammatory conditions [presence of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) or T-helper 1 supernatants], a significant upregulation of B7-H1 was detectable. Expression levels of B7-H1 protein on microglial cells were substantially higher compared with astrocytes or splenocytes. Coculture experiments of major histocompatibility complex class II-positive antigen-presenting cells (APC) with syngeneic T cells in the presence of antigen demonstrated the functional consequences of B7-H1 expression on T-cell activation. In the presence of a neutralizing anti-B7-H1 antibody, both the production of inflammatory cytokines (IFN-gamma and interleukin-2) and the upregulation of activation markers (inducible costimulatory signal) by T cells were markedly enhanced. Interestingly, this effect was clearly more pronounced when microglial cells were used as APC, compared with astrocytes or splenocytes. Furthermore, B7-H1 was highly upregulated during the course of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-induced and proteolipid protein-induced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in vivo. Expression was predominantly localized to areas of strongest inflammation and could be colocalized with microglial cells/macrophages as well as T cells. Together, our data propose microglial B7-H1 as an important immune inhibitory molecule capable of downregulating T-cell activation in the CNS and thus confining immunopathological damage.

  3. Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of a novel keto-deoxy-d-galactarate (KDG) dehydratase from Agrobacterium tumefaciens

    PubMed Central

    Taberman, Helena; Andberg, Martina; Parkkinen, Tarja; Richard, Peter; Hakulinen, Nina; Koivula, Anu; Rouvinen, Juha

    2014-01-01

    d-Galacturonic acid is the main component of pectin. It could be used to produce affordable renewable fuels, chemicals and materials through biotechnical conversion. Keto-deoxy-d-galactarate (KDG) dehydratase is an enzyme in the oxidative pathway of d-galacturonic acid in Agrobacterium tumefaciens (At). It converts 3-deoxy-2-keto-l-threo-hexarate to α-ketoglutaric semialdehyde. At KDG dehydratase was crystallized by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. The crystals belonged to the monoclinic space group C2, with unit-cell parameters a = 169.1, b = 117.8, c = 74.3 Å, β = 112.4° and an asymmetric unit of four monomers. X-ray diffraction data were collected to 1.9 Å resolution using synchrotron radiation. The three-dimensional structure of At KDG dehydratase will provide valuable information on the function of the enzyme and will allow it to be engineered for biorefinery-based applications. PMID:24419616

  4. Alpha-keto acid metabolites of organoselenium compounds inhibit histone deacetylase activity in human colon cancer cells.

    PubMed

    Nian, Hui; Bisson, William H; Dashwood, Wan-Mohaiza; Pinto, John T; Dashwood, Roderick H

    2009-08-01

    Methylselenocysteine (MSC) and selenomethionine (SM) are two organoselenium compounds receiving interest for their potential anticancer properties. These compounds can be converted to beta-methylselenopyruvate (MSP) and alpha-keto-gamma-methylselenobutyrate (KMSB), alpha-keto acid metabolites that share structural features with the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor butyrate. We tested the organoselenium compounds in an in vitro assay with human HDAC1 and HDAC8; whereas SM and MSC had little or no activity up to 2 mM, MSP and KMSB caused dose-dependent inhibition of HDAC activity. Subsequent experiments identified MSP as a competitive inhibitor of HDAC8, and computational modeling supported a mechanism involving reversible interaction with the active site zinc atom. In human colon cancer cells, acetylated histone H3 levels were increased during the period 0.5-48 h after treatment with MSP and KMSB, and there was dose-dependent inhibition of HDAC activity. The proportion of cells occupying G(2)/M of the cell cycle was increased at 10-50 microM MSP and KMSB, and apoptosis was induced, as evidenced by morphological changes, Annexin V staining and increased cleaved caspase-3, -6, -7, -9 and poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose)polymerase. P21WAF1, a well-established target gene of clinically used HDAC inhibitors, was increased in MSP- and KMSB-treated colon cancer cells at both the messenger RNA and protein level, and there was enhanced P21WAF1 promoter activity. These studies confirm that in addition to targeting redox-sensitive signaling molecules, alpha-keto acid metabolites of organoselenium compounds alter HDAC activity and histone acetylation status in colon cancer cells, as recently observed in human prostate cancer cells.

  5. Inhibitory effects of fenretinide metabolites N-[4-methoxyphenyl]retinamide (MPR) and 4-oxo-N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (3-keto-HPR) on fenretinide molecular targets β-carotene oxygenase 1, stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 and dihydroceramide Δ4-desaturase 1

    PubMed Central

    Poliakov, Eugenia; Samuel, William; Duncan, Todd; Gutierrez, Danielle B.; Mata, Nathan L.; Redmond, T. Michael

    2017-01-01

    The therapeutic capacity of fenretinide (N-[4-hydroxyphenyl] retinamide; 4-HPR) has been demonstrated for several conditions, including cancer, obesity, diabetes, and ocular disease. Yet, the mechanisms of action for its pleiotropic effects are still undefined. We hypothesized that investigation of two of the major physiological metabolites of fenretinide, N-[4-methoxyphenyl]retinamide (MPR) and 4-oxo-N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (3-keto-HPR), might begin to resolve the multifaceted effects of this synthetic retinoid. We analyzed the effects of fenretinide, MPR, 3-keto-HPR, and the non-retinoid RBP4 ligand A1120, on the activity of known targets of fenretinide, stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) and dihydroceramide Δ4-desaturase 1 (DES1) in ARPE-19 cells, and purified recombinant mouse beta-carotene oxygenase 1 (BCO1) in vitro. Lipids and retinoids were extracted and quantified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and reversed phase HPLC, respectively. The data demonstrate that while fenretinide is an inhibitor of the activities of these three enzymes, that 3-keto-HPR is a more potent inhibitor of all three enzymes, potentially mediating most of the in vivo beneficial effects of fenretinide. However, while MPR does not affect SCD1 and DES1 activity, it is a potent specific inhibitor of BCO1. We conclude that a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of action of fenretinide and its metabolites provides new avenues for therapeutic specificity. For example, administration of 3-keto-HPR instead of fenretinide may be preferential if inhibition of SCD1 or DES1 activity is the goal (cancer), while MPR may be better for BCO1 modulation (carotenoid metabolism). Continued investigation of fenretinide metabolites in the context of fenretinide’s various therapeutic uses will begin to resolve the pleotropic nature of this compound. PMID:28448568

  6. Acetyl-11-Keto-β-Boswellic Acid Promotes Osteoblast Differentiation by Inhibiting Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Nuclear Factor-κB Activity.

    PubMed

    Bai, Fan; Chen, Xuewu; Yang, Hui; Xu, Hong-Guang

    2018-06-20

    Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -α plays a crucial role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-related bone loss disease. The main mechanism of action of RA induced bone loss is the significant inhibitory effect of TNF-α on osteoblast differentiation. TNF-α inhibits osteoblast differentiation mainly by activating nuclear factor (NF) -κB signaling pathway. Owing to the crucial role of TNF-α and NF-κB in the inhibition of osteoblast differentiation, they are considered as targets for the development of therapeutic drugs. In the present study, we evaluated the NF-κB inhibitor Boswellic acid (BA) and its derivatives in the regulation of osteoblast differentiation and the molecular mechanism. Based on the cell model of TNF-α induced inhibition of osteoblast differentiation of MC3T3-E1, the regulatory role of BAs was studied. The result of MTT assay indicated that bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) -2, TNF-α, or acetyl-11-keto-β-BA (AKBA) impact no significant effect for cell viability of MC3T3-E1. The results of alkaline phosphatase (ALP activity assay and real-time polymerase chain reaction indicated that AKBA blocked TNF-α-induced inhibition of the expression of osteoblast markers, suggesting that AKBA rescued osteoblast differentiation from TNF-α-induced inhibition. Additionally, AKBA stimulated the BMP-2-induced expression of osteoblast markers, suggesting that AKBA promotes osteoblast differentiation directly. The results of western blotting and luciferase assay indicated that N-κB signaling was activated by TNF-α. The overexpression of NF-κB component p65 in MC3T3-E1 was found to attenuate the positive effect of AKBA in osteoblast differentiation, suggesting that AKBA potentiates osteoblast differentiation by inhibiting NF-κB signaling. Collectively, AKBA promotes osteoblast differentiation by inhibiting TNF-α and NF-κB. Our study revealed a new discovery of AKBA in regulating osteoblast differentiation, and demonstrated that AKBA may be a potential anabolic

  7. Ketopantoyl-lactone reductase from Candida parapsilosis: purification and characterization as a conjugated polyketone reductase.

    PubMed

    Hata, H; Shimizu, S; Hattori, S; Yamada, H

    1989-02-24

    Ketopantoyl-lactone reductase (2-dehydropantoyl-lactone reductase, EC 1.1.1.168) was purified and crystallized from cells of Candida parapsilosis IFO 0708. The enzyme was found to be homogeneous on ultracentrifugation, high-performance gel-permeation liquid chromatography and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The relative molecular mass of the native and SDS-treated enzyme is approximately 40,000. The isoelectric point of the enzyme is 6.3. The enzyme was found to catalyze specifically the reduction of a variety of natural and unnatural polyketones and quinones other than ketopantoyl lactone in the presence of NADPH. Isatin and 5-methylisatin are rapidly reduced by the enzyme, the Km and Vmax values for isatin being 14 microM and 306 mumol/min per mg protein, respectively. Ketopantoyl lactone is also a good substrate (Km = 333 microM and Vmax = 481 mumol/min per mg protein). Reverse reaction was not detected with pantoyl lactone and NADP+. The enzyme is inhibited by quercetin, several polyketones and SH-reagents. 3,4-Dihydroxy-3-cyclobutene-1,2-dione, cyclohexenediol-1,2,3,4-tetraone and parabanic acid are uncompetitive inhibitors for the enzyme, the Ki values being 1.4, 0.2 and 3140 microM, respectively, with isatin as substrate. Comparison of the enzyme with the conjugated polyketone reductase of Mucor ambiguus (S. Shimizu, H. Hattori, H. Hata and H. Yamada (1988) Eur. J. Biochem. 174, 37-44) and ketopantoyl-lactone reductase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae suggested that ketopantoyl-lactone reductase is a kind of conjugated polyketone reductase.

  8. Biotransformation of β-keto nitriles to chiral (S)-β-amino acids using nitrilase and ω-transaminase.

    PubMed

    Mathew, Sam; Nadarajan, Saravanan Prabhu; Sundaramoorthy, Uthayasuriya; Jeon, Hyunwoo; Chung, Taeowan; Yun, Hyungdon

    2017-04-01

    To enzymatically synthesize enantiomerically pure β-amino acids from β-keto nitriles using nitrilase and ω-transaminase. An enzyme cascade system was designed where in β-keto nitriles are initially hydrolyzed to β-keto acids using nitrilase from Bradyrhizobium japonicum and subsequently β-keto acids were converted to β-amino acids using ω-transaminases. Five different ω-transaminases were tested for this cascade reaction, To enhance the yields of β-amino acids, the concentrations of nitrilase and amino donor were optimized. Using this enzymatic reaction, enantiomerically pure (S)-β-amino acids (ee > 99%) were generated. As nitrilase is the bottleneck in this reaction, molecular docking analysis was carried out to depict the poor affinity of nitrilase towards β-keto acids. A novel enzymatic route to generate enantiomerically pure aromatic (S)-β-amino acids from β-keto nitriles is demonstrated for the first time.

  9. Spiral MR fingerprinting at 7T with simultaneous B1 estimation.

    PubMed

    Buonincontri, Guido; Schulte, Rolf F; Cosottini, Mirco; Tosetti, Michela

    2017-09-01

    Magnetic resonance fingerprinting is an efficient, new approach for quantitative imaging with MR. We aimed to extend this technique to cases with B1+ inhomogeneities within the imaging volume. Previous approaches have used abrupt changes in flip angles to estimate the B1+ field simultaneously with T1 and T2, using a Cartesian approach in a small-animal scanner at 4.7T. Here, we evaluated whether a similar approach would be suitable for imaging human brains using spiral readouts with a 7T scanner. We found that our modified scheme could significantly reduce the adverse effects of B1+ inhomogeneities even in extreme cases, reducing both the bias and the variance in T2 estimations by an order of magnitude when compared to literature methods. Acquisitions used less than 1.5W/kg SAR and could be performed in 12s per slice. In conclusion, our approach can be used to perform quantitative imaging of the brain at 7T in a short time, simultaneously estimating the B1+ profile. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  10. Engineering Styrene Monooxygenase for Biocatalysis: Reductase-Epoxidase Fusion Proteins.

    PubMed

    Heine, Thomas; Tucker, Kathryn; Okonkwo, Nonye; Assefa, Berhanegebriel; Conrad, Catleen; Scholtissek, Anika; Schlömann, Michael; Gassner, George; Tischler, Dirk

    2017-04-01

    The enantioselective epoxidation of styrene and related compounds by two-component styrene monooxygenases (SMOs) has targeted these enzymes for development as biocatalysts. In the present work, we prepare genetically engineered fusion proteins that join the C-terminus of the epoxidase (StyA) to the N-terminus of the reductase (StyB) through a linker peptide and demonstrate their utility as biocatalysts in the synthesis of Tyrain purple and other indigoid dyes. A single-vector expression system offers a simplified platform for transformation and expansion of the catalytic function of styrene monooxygenases, and the resulting fusion proteins are self-regulated and couple efficiently NADH oxidation to styrene epoxidation. We find that the reductase domain proceeds through a sequential ternary-complex mechanism at low FAD concentration and a double-displacement mechanism at higher concentrations of FAD. Single-turnover studies indicate an observed rate constant for FAD-to-FAD hydride transfer of ~8 s -1 . This step is rate limiting in the styrene epoxidation reaction and helps to ensure that flavin reduction and styrene epoxidation reactions proceed without wasteful side reactions. Comparison of the reductase activity of the fusion proteins with the naturally occurring reductase, SMOB, and N-terminally histidine-tagged reductase, NSMOB, suggests that the observed changes in catalytic mechanism are due in part to an increase in flavin-binding affinity associated with the N-terminal extension of the reductase.

  11. Structure-property study of keto-ether polyimides

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dezern, James F.; Croall, Catharine I.

    1991-01-01

    As part of an on-going effort to develop an understanding of how changes in the chemical structure affect polymer properties, an empirical study was performed on polyimides containing only ether and/or carbonyl connecting groups in the polymer backbone. During the past two decades the structure-property relationships in linear aromatic polyimides have been extensively investigated. More recently, work has been performed to study the effect of isomeric attachment of keto-ether polyimides on properties such as glass transition temperature and solubility. However, little work has been reported on the relation of polyimide structure to mechanical properties. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of structural changes in the backbone of keto-ether polyimides on their mechanical properties, specifically, unoriented thin film tensile properties. This study was conducted in two stages. The purpose of the initial stage was to examine the physical and mechanical properties of a representative group (four) of polyimide systems to determine the optimum solvent and cure cycle requirements. These optimum conditions were then utilized in the second stage to prepare films of keto-ether polyimides which were evaluated for mechanical and physical properties. All of the polyimides were prepared using isomers of oxydianiline (ODA) and diaminobenzophenone (DABP) in combination with 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) and 4,4'-oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA).

  12. Regulation of HMG-CoA reductase in MCF-7 cells by genistein, EPA, and DHA, alone and in combination with mevastatin.

    PubMed

    Duncan, Robin E; El-Sohemy, Ahmed; Archer, Michael C

    2005-06-28

    We investigated the regulation of HMG-CoA reductase in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells by genistein, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). All three compounds down-regulated reductase activity, primarily through post-transcriptional effects. In mevastatin-treated cells, only genistein and DHA abrogated the induction of reductase activity caused by this competitive inhibitor. Diets rich in soy isoflavones and fish oils, therefore, may exert anti-cancer effects through the inhibition of mevalonate synthesis in the breast. Genistein and DHA, in particular, may augment the efficacy of statins, increasing the potential for use of these drugs in adjuvant therapy for breast cancer.

  13. Structural and Biochemical Characterization of Cinnamoyl-CoA Reductases1

    PubMed Central

    Walker, Alexander M.

    2017-01-01

    Cinnamoyl-coenzyme A reductase (CCR) catalyzes the reduction of hydroxycinnamoyl-coenzyme A (CoA) esters using NADPH to produce hydroxycinnamyl aldehyde precursors in lignin synthesis. The catalytic mechanism and substrate specificity of cinnamoyl-CoA reductases from sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), a strategic plant for bioenergy production, were deduced from crystal structures, site-directed mutagenesis, and kinetic and thermodynamic analyses. Although SbCCR1 displayed higher affinity for caffeoyl-CoA or p-coumaroyl-CoA than for feruloyl-CoA, the enzyme showed significantly higher activity for the latter substrate. Through molecular docking and comparisons between the crystal structures of the Vitis vinifera dihydroflavonol reductase and SbCCR1, residues threonine-154 and tyrosine-310 were pinpointed as being involved in binding CoA-conjugated phenylpropanoids. Threonine-154 of SbCCR1 and other CCRs likely confers strong substrate specificity for feruloyl-CoA over other cinnamoyl-CoA thioesters, and the T154Y mutation in SbCCR1 led to broader substrate specificity and faster turnover. Through data mining using our structural and biochemical information, four additional putative CCR genes were discovered from sorghum genomic data. One of these, SbCCR2, displayed greater activity toward p-coumaroyl-CoA than did SbCCR1, which could imply a role in the synthesis of defense-related lignin. Taken together, these findings provide knowledge about critical residues and substrate preference among CCRs and provide, to our knowledge, the first three-dimensional structure information for a CCR from a monocot species. PMID:27956488

  14. Characterisation of a thiamine diphosphate-dependent alpha-keto acid decarboxylase from Proteus mirabilis JN458.

    PubMed

    Wang, Biying; Bai, Yajun; Fan, Taiping; Zheng, Xiaohui; Cai, Yujie

    2017-10-01

    Alpha-keto acid decarboxylases can convert keto acids to their corresponding aldehydes, which are often volatile aroma compounds. The gene encoding α-keto acid decarboxylase in Proteus mirabilis JN458 was cloned, and the enzyme overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), purified in high yield, and characterised. The molecular weight is 62.291kDa by MALDI-TOF MS, and optimum activity at pH 6.0 and 40-50°C. The enzyme is a typical decarboxylase, dependent on thiamine diphosphate and Mg 2+ as cofactors. For the decarboxylation reaction, the enzyme displayed a broad substrate range. Kinetic parameters were determined using 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoic acid, phenyl pyruvate and 3-methyl-2-oxopentanoic acid as substrates. K m and k cat values for phenyl pyruvate were 0.62mM and 77.38s -1 , respectively, and the k cat /K m value was 124.81mM -1 s -1 . The enzyme properties suggest it may act effectively under cheese ripening conditions. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  15. JS-K, a Nitric Oxide Prodrug, Has Enhanced Cytotoxicity in Colon Cancer Cells with Knockdown of Thioredoxin Reductase 1

    PubMed Central

    Edes, Kornelia; Cassidy, Pamela; Shami, Paul J.; Moos, Philip J.

    2010-01-01

    Background The selenoenzyme thioredoxin reductase 1 has a complex role relating to cell growth. It is induced as a component of the cellular response to potentially mutagenic oxidants, but also appears to provide growth advantages to transformed cells by inhibiting apoptosis. In addition, selenocysteine-deficient or alkylated forms of thioredoxin reductase 1 have also demonstrated oxidative, pro-apoptotic activity. Therefore, a greater understanding of the role of thioredoxin reductase in redox initiated apoptotic processes is warranted. Methodology The role of thioredoxin reductase 1 in RKO cells was evaluated by attenuating endogenous thioredoxin reductase 1 expression with siRNA and then either inducing a selenium-deficient thioredoxin reductase or treatment with distinct redox challenges including, hydrogen peroxide, an oxidized lipid, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenol, and a nitric oxide donating prodrug. Thioredoxin redox status, cellular viability, and effector caspase activity were measured. Conclusions/Significance In cells with attenuated endogenous thioredoxin reductase 1, a stably integrated selenocysteine-deficient form of the enzyme was induced but did not alter either the thioredoxin redox status or the cellular growth kinetics. The oxidized lipid and the nitric oxide donor demonstrated enhanced cytotoxicity when thioredoxin reductase 1 was knocked-down; however, the effect was more pronounced with the nitric oxide prodrug. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that attenuation of the thioredoxin-system can promote apoptosis in a nitric oxide-dependent manner. PMID:20098717

  16. Inhibitory effect of rhetsinine isolated from Evodia rutaecarpa on aldose reductase activity.

    PubMed

    Kato, A; Yasuko, H; Goto, H; Hollinshead, J; Nash, R J; Adachi, I

    2009-03-01

    Aldose reductase inhibitors have considerable potential for the treatment of diabetic complications, without increased risk of hypoglycemia. Search for components inhibiting aldose reductase led to the discovery of active compounds contained in Evodia rutaecarpa Bentham (Rutaceae), which is the one of the component of Kampo-herbal medicine. The hot water extract from the E. rutaecarpa was subjected to distribution or gel filtration chromatography to give an active compound, N2-(2-methylaminobenzoyl)tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-b]indol-1-one (rhetsinine). It inhibited aldose reductase with IC(50) values of 24.1 microM. Furthermore, rhetsinine inhibited sorbitol accumulation by 79.3% at 100 microM. These results suggested that the E. rutaecarpa derived component, rhetsinine, would be potentially useful in the treatment of diabetic complications.

  17. Domain Evolution and Functional Diversification of Sulfite Reductases

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dhillon, Ashita; Goswami, Sulip; Riley, Monica; Teske, Andreas; Sogin, Mitchell

    2005-02-01

    Sulfite reductases are key enzymes of assimilatory and dissimilatory sulfur metabolism, which occur in diverse bacterial and archaeal lineages. They share a highly conserved domain "C-X5-C-n-C-X3-C" for binding siroheme and iron-sulfur clusters that facilitate electron transfer to the substrate. For each sulfite reductase cluster, the siroheme-binding domain is positioned slightly differently at the N-terminus of dsrA and dsrB, while in the assimilatory proteins the siroheme domain is located at the C-terminus. Our sequence and phylogenetic analysis of the siroheme-binding domain shows that sulfite reductase sequences diverged from a common ancestor into four separate clusters (aSir, alSir, dsr, and asrC) that are biochemically distinct; each serves a different assimilatory or dissimilatory role in sulfur metabolism. The phylogenetic distribution and functional grouping in sulfite reductase clusters (dsrA and dsrB vs. aSiR, asrC, and alSir) suggest that their functional diversification during evolution may have preceded the bacterial/archaeal divergence.

  18. The thermoelastic Aldo contact model with frictional heating

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Afferrante, L.; Ciavarella, M.

    2004-03-01

    In the study of the essential features of thermoelastic contact, Comninou and Dundurs (J. Therm. Stresses 3 (1980) 427) devised a simplified model, the so-called "Aldo model", where the full 3 D body is replaced by a large number of thin rods normal to the interface and insulated between each other, and the system was further reduced to 2 rods by Barber's Conjecture (ASME J. Appl. Mech. 48 (1981) 555). They studied in particular the case of heat flux at the interface driven by temperature differences of the bodies, and opposed by a contact resistance, finding possible multiple and history dependent solutions, depending on the imposed temperature differences. The Aldo model is here extended to include the presence of frictional heating. It is found that the number of solutions of the problem is still always odd, and Barber's graphical construction and the stability analysis of the previous case with no frictional heating can be extended. For any given imposed temperature difference, a critical speed is found for which the uniform pressure solution becomes non-unique and/or unstable. For one direction of the temperature difference, the uniform pressure solution is non-unique before it becomes unstable. When multiple solutions occur, outermost solutions (those involving only one rod in contact) are always stable. A full numerical analysis has been performed to explore the transient behaviour of the system, in the case of two rods of different size. In the general case of N rods, Barber's conjecture is shown to hold since there can only be two stable states for all the rods, and the reduction to two rods is always possible, a posteriori.

  19. OsHAC1;1 and OsHAC1;2 Function as Arsenate Reductases and Regulate Arsenic Accumulation1

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Tao; Tang, Zhong; Wu, Zhongchang; Salt, David E.; Chao, Dai-Yin

    2016-01-01

    Rice is a major dietary source of the toxic metalloid arsenic (As). Reducing its accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa) grain is of critical importance to food safety. Rice roots take up arsenate and arsenite depending on the prevailing soil conditions. The first step of arsenate detoxification is its reduction to arsenite, but the enzyme(s) catalyzing this reaction in rice remains unknown. Here, we identify OsHAC1;1 and OsHAC1;2 as arsenate reductases in rice. OsHAC1;1 and OsHAC1;2 are able to complement an Escherichia coli mutant lacking the endogenous arsenate reductase and to reduce arsenate to arsenite. OsHAC1:1 and OsHAC1;2 are predominantly expressed in roots, with OsHAC1;1 being abundant in the epidermis, root hairs, and pericycle cells while OsHAC1;2 is abundant in the epidermis, outer layers of cortex, and endodermis cells. Expression of the two genes was induced by arsenate exposure. Knocking out OsHAC1;1 or OsHAC1;2 decreased the reduction of arsenate to arsenite in roots, reducing arsenite efflux to the external medium. Loss of arsenite efflux was also associated with increased As accumulation in shoots. Greater effects were observed in a double mutant of the two genes. In contrast, overexpression of either OsHAC1;1 or OsHAC1;2 increased arsenite efflux, reduced As accumulation, and enhanced arsenate tolerance. When grown under aerobic soil conditions, overexpression of either OsHAC1;1 or OsHAC1;2 also decreased As accumulation in rice grain, whereas grain As increased in the knockout mutants. We conclude that OsHAC1;1 and OsHAC1;2 are arsenate reductases that play an important role in restricting As accumulation in rice shoots and grain. PMID:27702843

  20. Aldose Reductase Inhibitory Activity of Compounds from  Zea mays L.

    PubMed Central

    Kim, Tae Hyeon; Kim, Jin Kyu; Kang, Young-Hee; Lee, Jae-Yong; Kang, Il Jun; Lim, Soon Sung

    2013-01-01

    Aldose reductase (AR) inhibitors have a considerable therapeutic potential against diabetes complications and do not increase the risk of hypoglycemia. Through bioassay-guided fractionation of an EtOH extract of the kernel from purple corn (Zea mays L.), 7 nonanthocyanin phenolic compounds (compound 17) and 5 anthocyanins (compound 8–12) were isolated. These compounds were investigated by rat lens aldose reductase (RLAR) inhibitory assays. Kinetic analyses of recombinant human aldose reductase (rhAR) were performed, and intracellular galactitol levels were measured. Hirsutrin, one of 12 isolated compounds, showed the most potent RLAR inhibitory activity (IC50, 4.78 μM). In the kinetic analyses using Lineweaver-Burk plots of 1/velocity and 1/substrate concentration, hirsutrin showed competitive inhibition against rhAR. Furthermore, hirsutrin inhibited galactitol formation in rat lens and erythrocytes sample incubated with a high concentration of galactose; this finding indicates that hirsutrin may effectively prevent osmotic stress in hyperglycemia. Therefore, hirsutrin derived from Zea mays L. may be a potential therapeutic agent against diabetes complications. PMID:23586057

  1. Any value of podocyte B7-1 as a biomarker in human MCD and FSGS?

    PubMed

    Novelli, Rubina; Gagliardini, Elena; Ruggiero, Barbara; Benigni, Ariela; Remuzzi, Giuseppe

    2016-03-01

    Minimal change disease (MCD) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) are the most common causes of nephrotic syndrome in children and in young adults. Relapsing MCD carries the risk of severe complications and prolonged immunosuppression, whereas FSGS remains largely untreatable and urgently needs more effective treatments. Recently, induction of B7-1 (CD80), an immune-related protein expressed by antigen-presenting cells, was observed in podocytes of MCD and FSGS patients, suggesting that B7-1 plays a role in the pathogenesis of these diseases, and hence that abatacept, a B7-1 inhibitor, could be a possible treatment. Since previous studies raised serious concerns regarding the reliability of immunohistochemical assays for B7-1 detection and the efficacy of B7-1 inhibitory treatment, we investigated B7-1 podocyte expression in MCD and FSGS patients. Using different primary antibodies and immunohistochemical assays, no significant upregulation of podocyte B7-1 was detected in patients' biopsies compared with controls. To further confirm our findings, we analyzed mice with adriamycin-induced nephropathy, a model of human FSGS, and mice injected with LPS as additional control. Podocyte B7-1 was not observed in mice injected with adriamycin or LPS either. In conclusion, since B7-1 is not induced in podocyte of MCD and FSGS patients, the antiproteinuric action of abatacept, if confirmed, may not be the result of an effect on podocyte B7-1. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

  2. NQRS Data for AlDO2 [Al(OD)O] (Subst. No. 0032)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chihara, H.; Nakamura, N.

    This document is part of Subvolume A `Substances Containing Ag … C10H15' of Volume 48 `Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance Spectroscopy Data' of Landolt-Börnstein - Group III `Condensed Matter'. It contains an extract of Section `3.2 Data tables' of the Chapter `3 Nuclear quadrupole resonance data' providing the NQRS data for AlDO2 [Al(OD)O] (Subst. No. 0032)

  3. Structure of Chlorobium tepidum sepiapterin reductase complex reveals the novel substrate binding mode for stereospecific production of L-threo-tetrahydrobiopterin.

    PubMed

    Supangat, Supangat; Seo, Kyung Hye; Choi, Yong Kee; Park, Young Shik; Son, Daeyoung; Han, Chang-deok; Lee, Kon Ho

    2006-01-27

    Sepiapterin reductase (SR) is involved in the last step of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH(4)) biosynthesis by reducing the di-keto group of 6-pyruvoyl tetrahydropterin. Chlorobium tepidum SR (cSR) generates a distinct BH(4) product, L-threo-BH(4) (6R-(1'S,2'S)-5,6,7,8-BH(4)), whereas animal enzymes produce L-erythro-BH(4) (6R-(1'R,2'S)-5,6,7,8-BH(4)) although it has high amino acid sequence similarities to the other animal enzymes. To elucidate the structural basis for the different reaction stereospecificities, we have determined the three-dimensional structures of cSR alone and complexed with NADP and sepiapterin at 2.1 and 1.7 A resolution, respectively. The overall folding of the cSR, the binding site for the cofactor NADP(H), and the positions of active site residues were quite similar to the mouse and the human SR. However, significant differences were found in the substrate binding region of the cSR. In comparison to the mouse SR complex, the sepiapterin in the cSR is rotated about 180 degrees around the active site and bound between two aromatic side chains of Trp-196 and Phe-99 so that its pterin ring is shifted to the opposite side, but its side chain position is not changed. The swiveled sepiapterin binding results in the conversion of the side chain configuration, exposing the opposite face for hydride transfer from NADPH. The different sepiapterin binding mode within the conserved catalytic architecture presents a novel strategy of switching the reaction stereospecificities in the same protein fold.

  4. Life as a sober citizen: Aldo Leopold's Wildlife Ecology 118

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Theiss, Nancy Stearns

    This historic case study addressed the issue of the lack of citizen action toward environmentally responsible behavior. Although there have been studies regarding components of environmental responsible behavior [ERB], there has been little focus on historic models of exemplary figures of ERB. This study examined one of the first conservation courses in the United States, Wildlife Ecology 118, taught by Aldo Leopold (1887--1948) for 13 years at the University of Wisconsin. Today, Aldo Leopold is recognized as an exemplary conservationist whose land ethic is cited as providing the ecological approach needed for understanding the complex issues of modern society. The researcher conjectured that examination of one of the first environmental education courses could support and strengthen environmental education practices by providing a heuristic perspective. The researcher used two different strategies for analysis of the case. For Research Question One---"What were Leopold's teaching strategies in Wildlife Ecology 118?"---the researcher used methods of comparative historical analysis. The researcher examined the learning outcomes that Leopold used in Wildlife Ecology 118 and compared them against a rubric of the Four Strands for Environmental Education (North American Association for Environmental Education [NAAEE], 1999). The Four Strands for Environmental Education are the current teaching strategies used by educators. The results indicated that Wildlife Ecology 118 scored high in Knowledge of Processes and Systems and Environmental Problem Solving strands. Leopold relied on historic case examples and animal biographies to build stories that engaged students. Field trips gave students practical experience for environmental knowledge with special emphasis on phenology. For Research Question Two---"What was the context of the lessons in Wildlife Ecology 118?"---the researcher used environmental history methods for analysis. Context provided the knowledge and

  5. [Asymmetric biosynthesis of d-pseudoephedrine by recombinant Bacillus subtilis].

    PubMed

    Peng, Yanhong; Zhang, Liang; Ding, Zhongyang; Wang, Zhengxiang; Shi, Guiyang

    2011-07-01

    In order to successfully express the carbonyl reductase gene mldh in Bacillus subtilis and complete coenzyme regeneration by B. subtilis glucose dehydrogenase, the promoter PrpsD and the terminator TrpsD from B. subtilis rpsD gene were used as the expression cassette to be a recombinant plasmid pHY300plk-PrpsD-TrpsD. After that, the carbonyl reductase gene mldh was inserted into the previous plasmid and a plasmid pHY300plk-PrpsD-mldh-TrpsD was achieved, followed by transformed into B. subtilis Wb600 to obtain a recombinant B. subtilis Wb600 (pHY300plk-PrpsD-mldh-TrpsD). Subsequently, the results for whole-cell biotransformation from recombinant B. subtilis showed that it could be used to catalyze MAK (1-phenyl- 1-keto-2-methylaminopropane) to d-pseudoephedrine in the presence of glucose. The yield of d-pseudoephedrine could be up to 97.5 mg/L and the conversion rate of MAK was 24.1%. This study indicates the possibility of biotransformation production of d-pseudoephedrine from recombinant B. subtilis.

  6. Integron-Associated DfrB4, a Previously Uncharacterized Member of the Trimethoprim-Resistant Dihydrofolate Reductase B Family, Is a Clinically Identified Emergent Source of Antibiotic Resistance.

    PubMed

    Toulouse, Jacynthe L; Edens, Thaddeus J; Alejaldre, Lorea; Manges, Amee R; Pelletier, Joelle N

    2017-05-01

    Whole-genome sequencing of trimethoprim-resistant Escherichia coli clinical isolates identified a member of the trimethoprim-resistant type II dihydrofolate reductase gene family ( dfrB ). The dfrB4 gene was located within a class I integron flanked by multiple resistance genes. This arrangement was previously reported in a 130.6-kb multiresistance plasmid. The DfrB4 protein conferred a >2,000-fold increased trimethoprim resistance on overexpression in E. coli Our results are consistent with the finding that dfrB4 contributes to clinical trimethoprim resistance. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.

  7. Evidence for a Ustilago maydis Steroid 5α-Reductase by Functional Expression in Arabidopsis det2-1 Mutants1

    PubMed Central

    Basse, Christoph W.; Kerschbamer, Christine; Brustmann, Markus; Altmann, Thomas; Kahmann, Regine

    2002-01-01

    We have identified a gene (udh1) in the basidiomycete Ustilago maydis that is induced during the parasitic interaction with its host plant maize (Zea mays). udh1 encodes a protein with high similarity to mammalian and plant 5α-steroid reductases. Udh1 differs from those of known 5α-steroid reductases by six additional domains, partially predicted to be membrane-spanning. A fusion protein of Udh1 and the green fluorescent protein provided evidence for endoplasmic reticulum localization in U. maydis. The function of the Udh1 protein was demonstrated by complementing Arabidopsis det2-1 mutants, which display a dwarf phenotype due to a mutation in the 5α-steroid reductase encoding DET2 gene. det2-1 mutant plants expressing either the udh1 or the DET2 gene controlled by the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter differed from wild-type Columbia plants by accelerated stem growth, flower and seed development and a reduction in size and number of rosette leaves. The accelerated growth phenotype of udh1 transgenic plants was stably inherited and was favored under reduced light conditions. Truncation of the N-terminal 70 amino acids of the Udh1 protein abolished the ability to restore growth in det2-1 plants. Our results demonstrate the existence of a 5α-steroid reductase encoding gene in fungi and suggest a common ancestor between fungal, plant, and mammalian proteins. PMID:12068114

  8. Down-regulation of flavin reductase and alcohol dehydrogenase-1 (ADH1) in metronidazole-resistant isolates of Trichomonas vaginalis

    PubMed Central

    Leitsch, David; Drinić, Mirjana; Kolarich, Daniel; Duchêne, Michael

    2012-01-01

    The microaerophilic parasite Trichomonas vaginalis is a causative agent of painful vaginitis or urethritis, termed trichomoniasis, and can also cause preterm delivery or stillbirth. Treatment of trichomoniasis is almost exclusively based on the nitroimidazole drugs metronidazole and tinidazole. Metronidazole resistance in T. vaginalis does occur and is often associated with treatment failure. In most cases, metronidazole-resistant isolates remain susceptible to tinidazole, but cross resistance between the two closely related drugs can be a problem. In this study we measured activities of thioredoxin reductase and flavin reductase in four metronidazole-susceptible and five metronidazole-resistant isolates. These enzyme activities had been previously found to be downregulated in T. vaginalis with high-level metronidazole resistance induced in the laboratory. Further, we aimed at identifying factors causing metronidazole resistance and compared the protein expression profiles of all nine isolates by application of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE). Thioredoxin reductase activity was nearly equal in all strains assayed but flavin reductase activity was clearly down-regulated, or even absent, in metronidazole-resistant strains. Since flavin reductase has been shown to reduce oxygen to hydrogen peroxide, its down-regulation could significantly contribute to the impairment of oxygen scavenging as reported by others for metronidazole-resistant strains. Analysis by 2DE revealed down-regulation of alcohol dehydrogenase 1 (ADH1) in strains with reduced sensitivity to metronidazole, an enzyme that could be involved in detoxification of intracellular acetaldehyde. PMID:22449940

  9. A human fatty acid synthase inhibitor binds β-ketoacyl reductase in the keto-substrate site.

    PubMed

    Hardwicke, Mary Ann; Rendina, Alan R; Williams, Shawn P; Moore, Michael L; Wang, Liping; Krueger, Julie A; Plant, Ramona N; Totoritis, Rachel D; Zhang, Guofeng; Briand, Jacques; Burkhart, William A; Brown, Kristin K; Parrish, Cynthia A

    2014-09-01

    Human fatty acid synthase (hFAS) is a complex, multifunctional enzyme that is solely responsible for the de novo synthesis of long chain fatty acids. hFAS is highly expressed in a number of cancers, with low expression observed in most normal tissues. Although normal tissues tend to obtain fatty acids from the diet, tumor tissues rely on de novo fatty acid synthesis, making hFAS an attractive metabolic target for the treatment of cancer. We describe here the identification of GSK2194069, a potent and specific inhibitor of the β-ketoacyl reductase (KR) activity of hFAS; the characterization of its enzymatic and cellular mechanism of action; and its inhibition of human tumor cell growth. We also present the design of a new protein construct suitable for crystallography, which resulted in what is to our knowledge the first co-crystal structure of the human KR domain and includes a bound inhibitor.

  10. Biotransformation of Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine Catalyzed by a NAD(P)H: Nitrate Oxidoreductase from Aspergillus niger

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2002-01-01

    Biotransformation of Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine Catalyzed by a NAD(P)H: Nitrate Oxidoreductase from Aspergillus niger B H A R A T B H U...reductase from Aspergillus niger catalyzed the biotransformation of RDX most effectively at pH 7.0 and 30 °C under anaerobic conditions using NADPH as...nitroreductase. We selected a nitrate reductase (EC 1.6.6.2) from a fungus Aspergillus niger to transform RDX under anaerobic condi- tions because nitrate

  11. Expression of fusion IL2-B7.1(IgV+C) and effects on T lymphocytes.

    PubMed

    Kong, Linghong; Li, Yaochen; Yang, Ye; Li, Kangsheng

    2007-12-01

    The search for an effective immunotherapeutic treatment for tumors is an important area of cancer research. To prepare a more effective form of the bifunctional fusion protein IL2-B7.1(IgV+C) and analyze its effect on the stimulation of T lymphocyte proliferation, we used DNAStar 5.03 software to predict the structural diversity and biochemical character of IL2-B7.1(IgV+C). We then prepared fusion protein IL2-B7.1(IgV+C) by establishing its prokaryotic expression system, and tested its effect on the stimulation of T lymphocytes in vitro. The results indicated that IL2-B7.1(IgV+C) correctly formed a secondary structure in which both IL2 and B7.1(IgV+C) maintained their original hydrophilicity and epitopes. Western blot analysis revealed that IL2-B7.1(IgV+C) was efficiently expressed. Our analysis of CTLL-2 and T-cell proliferation showed that recombinant human (rh) IL2-B7.1(IgV+C) exerted the combined stimulating effects of both rhIL2 and rh B7.1(IgV+C) on cell proliferation, and that these effects could be blocked by adding either anti-IL2 or anti-B7.1 monoclonal antibodies. A >2-fold increase in [3H]TdR incorporation compared with that of cells treated with recombinant protein IL2, or B7.1(IgV+C) alone, revealed that rhIL2-B7.1(IgV+C) had dose-dependent synergetic effects on T-cell activation in the presence of anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody. We concluded that the augmented potency of rhIL2-B7.1(IgV+C) resulted in a stronger stimulation of T-cell proliferation than either rhB7.1(IgV+C) or rhIL2 alone.

  12. 26 CFR 1.403(b)-7 - Taxation of distributions and benefits.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 26 Internal Revenue 5 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Taxation of distributions and benefits. 1.403(b.... § 1.403(b)-7 Taxation of distributions and benefits. (a) General rules for when amounts are included...) Rollovers to individual retirement arrangements and other eligible retirement plans—(1) Timing of taxation...

  13. Determination of Solvent Effects on Keto-Enol Equilibria of 1,3-Dicarbonyl Compounds Using NMR: Revisiting a Classic Physical Chemistry Experiment

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Cook, A. Gilbert; Feltman, Paul M.

    2007-01-01

    The use of proton NMR to determine the equilibrium position of tautomeric 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds in various solvents has been a classic physical chemistry experiment. We are presenting an expansion of the excellent description of this experiment by Garland, Shoemaker, and Nibler. Often the assumption is made that the keto tautomer is always the…

  14. Decarboxylative aldol reactions of allyl beta-keto esters via heterobimetallic catalysis.

    PubMed

    Lou, Sha; Westbrook, John A; Schaus, Scott E

    2004-09-22

    Mild and selective heterobimetallic-catalyzed decarboxylative aldol reactions involving allyl beta-keto esters have been developed. The reaction is promoted by Pd(0)- and Yb(III)-DIOP complexes at room temperature and involves the in situ formation of a ketone enolate from allyl beta-keto esters followed by addition of the enolate to aldehydes. The reaction is a new example of heterobimetallic catalysis in which the optimized reaction conditions require the addition of both metals.

  15. Androgenic correlates of genetic variation in the gene encoding 5alpha-reductase type 1.

    PubMed

    Ellis, Justine A; Panagiotopoulos, Sianna; Akdeniz, Aysel; Jerums, George; Harrap, Stephen B

    2005-01-01

    Androgens determine male secondary sexual characteristics and influence a variety of metabolic pathways. Circulating levels of androgens are highly heritable; however, the genes involved are largely unknown. The 5alpha-reductase enzymes types 1 and 2 responsible for converting testosterone to the more potent androgen dihydrotestosterone are encoded by the SRD5A1 and SRD5A2 genes, respectively. We performed indirect genetic association studies of SRD5A1 and SRD5A2 and the dihydrotestosterone/testosterone ratio that reflects the activity of 5alpha-reductase in 57 males with type 2 diabetes. We found evidence of significant association between a single nucleotide polymorphism in SRD5A1 and the dihydrotestosterone/testosterone ratio (median 0.10, interquartile range 0.08 vs. median 0.06, interquartile range 0.04, P = 0.009). The polymorphism was not associated with any diabetic phenotypes. These results suggest that functional genetic variants might exist in or around SRD5A1 that affect the activity of the 5alpha-reductase enzyme type 1 and influence androgen levels.

  16. Stability of Cholesterol, 7-Ketocholesterol and β-Sitosterol during Saponification: Ramifications for Artifact Monitoring of Sterol Oxide Products.

    PubMed

    Busch, T P; King, A J

    2010-09-01

    Cholesterol has been used to monitor artifact generation. Stability differences among cholesterol oxide products (COPs) and cholesterol in thermal and alkaline conditions are theorized. Thus, use of cholesterol may be unsuitable for detection of artifacts generated from COPs. Stability of cholesterol was compared to that of 7-ketocholesterol (7-keto) and β-sitosterol (βS) under various thermal and alkaline saponification conditions: 1 M methanolic KOH for 18 h at 24 °C (1 M18hr24°C, Control), 18 h at 37 °C (1M18hr37°C), 3 h at 45 °C (1M3hr45°C), and 3.6 M methanolic KOH for 3 h at 24 °C (3.6M3hr24°C). Trends indicated that cholesterol in solution was more stable than 7-keto under all conditions. Compared to βS, cholesterol was more stable under all conditions except for 1M18hr37°C for which stabilities were similar. Compounds were more labile in heat than alkalinity. Poor recoveries of 7-keto during cold saponification with high alkalinity were attributed to alkaline instability. 7-Keto, less stable than cholesterol, should be used to monitor artifact generation during screening of various methods that include thermal and alkaline conditions. In a preliminary analysis of turkey meat, more 3,5-7-one was generated from spiking with cholesterol than with 7-keto.

  17. Stability of Cholesterol, 7-Ketocholesterol and β-Sitosterol during Saponification: Ramifications for Artifact Monitoring of Sterol Oxide Products

    PubMed Central

    Busch, T. P.

    2010-01-01

    Cholesterol has been used to monitor artifact generation. Stability differences among cholesterol oxide products (COPs) and cholesterol in thermal and alkaline conditions are theorized. Thus, use of cholesterol may be unsuitable for detection of artifacts generated from COPs. Stability of cholesterol was compared to that of 7-ketocholesterol (7-keto) and β-sitosterol (βS) under various thermal and alkaline saponification conditions: 1 M methanolic KOH for 18 h at 24 °C (1 M18hr24°C, Control), 18 h at 37 °C (1M18hr37°C), 3 h at 45 °C (1M3hr45°C), and 3.6 M methanolic KOH for 3 h at 24 °C (3.6M3hr24°C). Trends indicated that cholesterol in solution was more stable than 7-keto under all conditions. Compared to βS, cholesterol was more stable under all conditions except for 1M18hr37°C for which stabilities were similar. Compounds were more labile in heat than alkalinity. Poor recoveries of 7-keto during cold saponification with high alkalinity were attributed to alkaline instability. 7-Keto, less stable than cholesterol, should be used to monitor artifact generation during screening of various methods that include thermal and alkaline conditions. In a preliminary analysis of turkey meat, more 3,5-7-one was generated from spiking with cholesterol than with 7-keto. PMID:20835297

  18. Accumulation of α-Keto Acids as Essential Components in Cyanide Assimilation by Pseudomonas fluorescens NCIMB 11764

    PubMed Central

    Kunz, Daniel A.; Chen, Jui-Lin; Pan, Guangliang

    1998-01-01

    Pyruvate (Pyr) and α-ketoglutarate (αKg) accumulated when cells of Pseudomonas fluorescens NCIMB 11764 were cultivated on growth-limiting amounts of ammonia or cyanide and were shown to be responsible for the nonenzymatic removal of cyanide from culture fluids as previously reported (J.-L. Chen and D. A. Kunz, FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 156:61–67, 1997). The accumulation of keto acids in the medium paralleled the increase in cyanide-removing activity, with maximal activity (760 μmol of cyanide removed min−1 ml of culture fluid−1) being recovered after 72 h of cultivation, at which time the keto acid concentration was 23 mM. The reaction products that formed between the biologically formed keto acids and cyanide were unambiguously identified as the corresponding cyanohydrins by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Both the Pyr and α-Kg cyanohydrins were further metabolized by cell extracts and served also as nitrogenous growth substrates. Radiotracer experiments showed that CO2 (and NH3) were formed as enzymatic conversion products, with the keto acid being regenerated as a coproduct. Evidence that the enzyme responsible for cyanohydrin conversion is cyanide oxygenase, which was shown previously to be required for cyanide utilization, is based on results showing that (i) conversion occurred only when extracts were induced for the enzyme, (ii) conversion was oxygen and reduced-pyridine nucleotide dependent, and (iii) a mutant strain defective in the enzyme was unable to grow when it was provided with the cyanohydrins as a growth substrate. Pyr and αKg were further shown to protect cells from cyanide poisoning, and excretion of the two was directly linked to utilization of cyanide as a growth substrate. The results provide the basis for a new mechanism of cyanide detoxification and assimilation in which keto acids play an essential role. PMID:9797306

  19. ALDO: A radiation-tolerant, low-noise, adjustable low drop-out linear regulator in 0.35 μm CMOS technology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Carniti, P.; Cassina, L.; Gotti, C.; Maino, M.; Pessina, G.

    2016-07-01

    In this work we present ALDO, an adjustable low drop-out linear regulator designed in AMS 0.35 μm CMOS technology. It is specifically tailored for use in the upgraded LHCb RICH detector in order to improve the power supply noise for the front end readout chip (CLARO). ALDO is designed with radiation-tolerant solutions such as an all-MOS band-gap voltage reference and layout techniques aiming to make it able to operate in harsh environments like High Energy Physics accelerators. It is capable of driving up to 200 mA while keeping an adequate power supply filtering capability in a very wide frequency range from 10 Hz up to 100 MHz. This property allows us to suppress the noise and high frequency spikes that could be generated by a DC/DC regulator, for example. ALDO also shows a very low noise of 11.6 μV RMS in the same frequency range. Its output is protected with over-current and short detection circuits for a safe integration in tightly packed environments. Design solutions and measurements of the first prototype are presented.

  20. Methionine sulfoxide reductase A protects hepatocytes against acetaminophen-induced toxicity via regulation of thioredoxin reductase 1 expression.

    PubMed

    Singh, Mahendra Pratap; Kwak, Geun-Hee; Kim, Ki Young; Kim, Hwa-Young

    2017-06-03

    Thioredoxin reductase 1 (TXNRD1) is associated with susceptibility to acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver damage. Methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA) is an antioxidant and protein repair enzyme that specifically catalyzes the reduction of methionine S-sulfoxide residues. We have previously shown that MsrA deficiency exacerbates acute liver injury induced by APAP. In this study, we used primary hepatocytes to investigate the underlying mechanism of the protective effect of MsrA against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. MsrA gene-deleted (MsrA -/- ) hepatocytes showed higher susceptibility to APAP-induced cytotoxicity than wild-type (MsrA +/+ ) cells, consistent with our previous in vivo results. MsrA deficiency increased APAP-induced glutathione depletion and reactive oxygen species production. APAP treatment increased Nrf2 activation more profoundly in MsrA -/- than in MsrA +/+ hepatocytes. Basal TXNRD1 levels were significantly higher in MsrA -/- than in MsrA +/+ hepatocytes, while TXNRD1 depletion in both MsrA -/- and MsrA +/+ cells resulted in increased resistance to APAP-induced cytotoxicity. In addition, APAP treatment significantly increased TXNRD1 expression in MsrA -/- hepatocytes, while no significant change was observed in MsrA +/+ cells. Overexpression of MsrA reduced APAP-induced cytotoxicity and TXNRD1 expression levels in APAP-treated MsrA -/- hepatocytes. Collectively, our results suggest that MsrA protects hepatocytes from APAP-induced cytotoxicity through the modulation of TXNRD1 expression. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Geraniol and beta-ionone inhibit proliferation, cell cycle progression, and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 activity in MCF-7 breast cancer cells independent of effects on HMG-CoA reductase activity.

    PubMed

    Duncan, Robin E; Lau, Dominic; El-Sohemy, Ahmed; Archer, Michael C

    2004-11-01

    3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase catalyzes the formation of mevalonate, a precursor of cholesterol that is also required for cell proliferation. Mevalonate depletion results in a G1 phase cell cycle arrest that is mediated in part by impaired activity of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 2, and decreased expression of positive regulators of G1 to S phase progression. Inhibition of mevalonate synthesis may, therefore, be a useful strategy to impair the growth of malignant cells. Plant isoprenoids, including beta-ionone and geraniol, have previously been shown to inhibit rodent mammary tumor development, and rodent and avian hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity. We hypothesized that the putative anti-proliferative and cell cycle inhibitory effects of beta-ionone and geraniol on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells in culture are mediated by mevalonate depletion resulting from inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase activity. Flow cytometric analysis showed a G1 arrest in isoprenoid-treated MCF-7 cells, and also a G2/M arrest at higher concentrations of isoprenoids. These compounds minimally affected the growth of MCF-10F normal breast epithelial cells. Both beta-ionone and geraniol inhibited CDK 2 activity and dose-dependently decreased the expression of cyclins D1, E, and A, and CDK 2 and 4, without changing the expression of p21cip1 or p27kip1. Although both beta-ionone and geraniol also inhibited MCF-7 proliferation, only geraniol inhibited HMG-CoA reductase activity. While these effects were significantly correlated (r2=0.89, P <0.01), they were not causally related, since exogenous mevalonate did not restore growth in geraniol-inhibited cells. These findings indicate that mechanisms other than impaired mevalonate synthesis mediate the anti-proliferative and cell cycle regulatory effects of beta-ionone and geraniol in human breast cancer cells.

  2. 17 CFR 240.15b7-1 - Compliance with qualification requirements of self-regulatory organizations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... requirements of self-regulatory organizations. 240.15b7-1 Section 240.15b7-1 Commodity and Securities Exchanges... § 240.15b7-1 Compliance with qualification requirements of self-regulatory organizations. No registered... rules of that organization). [58 FR 27658, May 11, 1993] ...

  3. 17 CFR 240.15b7-1 - Compliance with qualification requirements of self-regulatory organizations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... requirements of self-regulatory organizations. 240.15b7-1 Section 240.15b7-1 Commodity and Securities Exchanges... § 240.15b7-1 Compliance with qualification requirements of self-regulatory organizations. No registered... rules of that organization). [58 FR 27658, May 11, 1993] ...

  4. 17 CFR 240.15b7-1 - Compliance with qualification requirements of self-regulatory organizations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... requirements of self-regulatory organizations. 240.15b7-1 Section 240.15b7-1 Commodity and Securities Exchanges... § 240.15b7-1 Compliance with qualification requirements of self-regulatory organizations. No registered... rules of that organization). [58 FR 27658, May 11, 1993] ...

  5. 17 CFR 240.15b7-1 - Compliance with qualification requirements of self-regulatory organizations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... requirements of self-regulatory organizations. 240.15b7-1 Section 240.15b7-1 Commodity and Securities Exchanges... § 240.15b7-1 Compliance with qualification requirements of self-regulatory organizations. No registered... rules of that organization). [58 FR 27658, May 11, 1993] ...

  6. 17 CFR 240.15b7-1 - Compliance with qualification requirements of self-regulatory organizations.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... requirements of self-regulatory organizations. 240.15b7-1 Section 240.15b7-1 Commodity and Securities Exchanges... § 240.15b7-1 Compliance with qualification requirements of self-regulatory organizations. No registered... rules of that organization). [58 FR 27658, May 11, 1993] ...

  7. The Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Physiology of Human Steroidogenesis and Its Disorders

    PubMed Central

    Auchus, Richard J.

    2011-01-01

    Steroidogenesis entails processes by which cholesterol is converted to biologically active steroid hormones. Whereas most endocrine texts discuss adrenal, ovarian, testicular, placental, and other steroidogenic processes in a gland-specific fashion, steroidogenesis is better understood as a single process that is repeated in each gland with cell-type-specific variations on a single theme. Thus, understanding steroidogenesis is rooted in an understanding of the biochemistry of the various steroidogenic enzymes and cofactors and the genes that encode them. The first and rate-limiting step in steroidogenesis is the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone by a single enzyme, P450scc (CYP11A1), but this enzymatically complex step is subject to multiple regulatory mechanisms, yielding finely tuned quantitative regulation. Qualitative regulation determining the type of steroid to be produced is mediated by many enzymes and cofactors. Steroidogenic enzymes fall into two groups: cytochrome P450 enzymes and hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases. A cytochrome P450 may be either type 1 (in mitochondria) or type 2 (in endoplasmic reticulum), and a hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase may belong to either the aldo-keto reductase or short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase families. The activities of these enzymes are modulated by posttranslational modifications and by cofactors, especially electron-donating redox partners. The elucidation of the precise roles of these various enzymes and cofactors has been greatly facilitated by identifying the genetic bases of rare disorders of steroidogenesis. Some enzymes not principally involved in steroidogenesis may also catalyze extraglandular steroidogenesis, modulating the phenotype expected to result from some mutations. Understanding steroidogenesis is of fundamental importance to understanding disorders of sexual differentiation, reproduction, fertility, hypertension, obesity, and physiological homeostasis. PMID:21051590

  8. Structure-Guided Engineering of α-Keto Acid Decarboxylase for the Production of Higher Alcohols at Elevated Temperature.

    PubMed

    Sutiono, Samuel; Carsten, Jörg; Sieber, Volker

    2018-06-28

    Branched chain keto acid decarboxylases (KDCs) are a class of enzymes that catalyze the decarboxylation of α-keto acids. It is a key enzyme for production of higher alcohols in vivo and in vitro. However, the two most active KDCs (KivD and KdcA) have only moderate thermostability (<55 °C) hindering the production of the alcohols at high temperatures. In this study, structure-guided engineering toward improved thermostability of KdcA is outlined. Several strategies such as, stabilization of the catalytic center, surface engineering, and optimization of dimer interactions were applied. With 7 point mutations, our mutant (7M.D) showed an increase of T501h by 14.8 °C without compromising its substrate specificity. 7M.D exhibited >400-fold improvement of half-life at 70 °C and >600-fold increase in process stability in the presence of 4 % isobutanol at 50 °C. 7M.D is more promising for the production of higher alcohols in thermophiles (>65 °C) as well as in cell-free applications. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  9. A SAM-dependent methyltransferase cotranscribed with arsenate reductase alters resistance to peptidyl transferase center-binding antibiotics in Azospirillum brasilense Sp7.

    PubMed

    Singh, Sudhir; Singh, Chhaya; Tripathi, Anil Kumar

    2014-05-01

    The genome of Azospirillum brasilense harbors a gene encoding S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferase, which is located downstream of an arsenate reductase gene. Both genes are cotranscribed and translationally coupled. When they were cloned and expressed individually in an arsenate-sensitive strain of Escherichia coli, arsenate reductase conferred tolerance to arsenate; however, methyltransferase failed to do so. Sequence analysis revealed that methyltransferase was more closely related to a PrmB-type N5-glutamine methyltransferase than to the arsenate detoxifying methyltransferase ArsM. Insertional inactivation of prmB gene in A. brasilense resulted in an increased sensitivity to chloramphenicol and resistance to tiamulin and clindamycin, which are known to bind at the peptidyl transferase center (PTC) in the ribosome. These observations suggested that the inability of prmB:km mutant to methylate L3 protein might alter hydrophobicity in the antibiotic-binding pocket of the PTC, which might affect the binding of chloramphenicol, clindamycin, and tiamulin differentially. This is the first report showing the role of PrmB-type N5-glutamine methyltransferases in conferring resistance to tiamulin and clindamycin in any bacterium.

  10. Role of keto acids and reduced-oxygen-scavenging enzymes in the growth of Legionella species.

    PubMed Central

    Pine, L; Hoffman, P S; Malcolm, G B; Benson, R F; Franzus, M J

    1986-01-01

    Keto acids and reduced-oxygen-scavenging enzymes were examined for their roles in supporting the growth of Legionella species and for their potential reactions between the chemical components of the media. When grown in an experimental ACES (2-[(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-amino] ethanesulfonic acid)-buffered chemically defined (ABCD) broth, the presence of keto acids shortened the lag periods, increased the rates of growth, and gave maximum cell yields. In addition, keto acids affected the specific activities of reduced-oxygen-scavenging enzymes determined during growth. The specific activities of superoxide dismutase of Legionella pneumophila (Knoxville) and L. dumoffii (TEX-KL) were increased three- to eightfold, while that of L. bozemanii (WIGA) was not affected. All strains appeared to be equally sensitive to the effects of superoxide anion (O2-) generated by light-activated riboflavin, and all were equally protected by the presence of keto acids in the ABCD broth. Production of trace amounts of acetate and succinate in pyruvate- and alpha-ketoglutarate-containing media exposed to light suggested that hydrogen peroxide was formed. Pyruvate and alpha-ketoglutarate were products of growth on amino acids, and there was no quantitative evidence that these keto acids were metabolized when they were added to the medium. The rate of cysteine oxidation in ABCD broth was increased by the presence of ferric ion or by exposure to light or by both, and keto acids reduced the rate of this oxidation. ACES buffer was a substrate for the production of O2- in the presence of light, and the combined addition of Fe2+ ions, cysteine, and either keto acid to the medium strongly inhibited the production of O2-. Thus, keto acids inhibited the rate of cysteine oxidation, they stimulated rapid growth by an unknown process, and, in combination with added Fe2+ ions and cysteine, they reversed the toxic effects of light by inhibiting O2- production. PMID:3009529

  11. Bacterially produced human B7-1 protein encompassing its complete extracellular domain maintains its costimulatory activity in vitro.

    PubMed

    Shen, W; Wang, Y; Geng, Y; Si, L

    2000-08-01

    To investigate which of the two immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains, immunoglobulin variable region homologous domain IgV (hB7-1 IgV), or immunoglobulin constant region homologous domain IgC (hB7-1 IgC) on human B7-1 molecule contain the receptor binding sites, and to evaluate if the B7-1 molecule expressed in bacteria has biological activity. PCR was used to amplify three fragments of hB7-1 IgV, hB7-1 IgC and complete extracellular region of human B7-1 containing both the IgV and IgC domains (hB7-1 IgV + IgC). Three recombinants, pQE9-hB7-1 IgV, pQE9-hB7-1 IgC and pQE9-Hb7-1 (IgV + IgC) were generated by cloning the PCR products into a prokaryote expression plasmid (pQE-9) and were introduced into the host stain M15. The relevant target hexahistidine-tagged proteins were identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. With the presence of the first signal imitated by anti-CD3 antibody, T cell activation was observed by exposing purified T lymphocytes to each soluble form of the three bacterially-produced human B7-1 proteins and [3H]-TdR incorporation. Three recombinant proteins of human B7-1, hB7-1 IgV, hB7-1 IgC and hB7-1 (IgV + IgC) were produced and detected in both soluble and inclusive body forms from engineered bacterial cells. With the presence of anti-CD3 antibody, T lymphocytes proliferated when co-stimulated by bacterially produced hB7-1 (IgV + IgC), but not by either hB7-1 IgV or hB7-1 IgC. Functional glycoprotein human B7-1 could be produced in bacterial cells. Both extracellular immunoglobulin-like domains are necessary for B7-1 to react with its counter receptors.

  12. 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type-2 and type-1 (11β-HSD2 and 11β-HSD1) and 5β-reductase activities in the pathogenia of essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Campino, Carmen; Carvajal, Cristian A; Cornejo, Javiera; San Martín, Betty; Olivieri, Oliviero; Guidi, Giancesare; Faccini, Giovanni; Pasini, Francesco; Sateler, Javiera; Baudrand, Rene; Mosso, Lorena; Owen, Gareth I; Kalergis, Alexis M; Padilla, Oslando; Fardella, Carlos E

    2010-02-01

    Cortisol availability is modulated by several enzymes: 11β-HSD2, which transforms cortisol (F) to cortisone (E) and 11β-HSD1 which predominantly converts inactive E to active F. Additionally, the A-ring reductases (5α- and 5β-reductase) inactivate cortisol (together with 3α-HSD) to tetrahydrometabolites: 5αTHF, 5βTHF, and THE. The aim was to assess 11β-HSD2, 11β-HSD1, and 5β-reductase activity in hypertensive patients. Free urinary F, E, THF, and THE were measured by HPLC-MS/MS in 102 essential hypertensive patients and 18 normotensive controls. 11β-HSD2 enzyme activity was estimated by the F/E ratio, the activity of 11β-HSD1 in compare to 11β-HSD2 was inferred by the (5αTHF + 5βTHF)/THE ratio and 5β-reductase activity assessed using the E/THE ratio. Activity was considered altered when respective ratios exceeded the maximum value observed in the normotensive controls. A 15.7% of patients presented high F/E ratio suggesting a deficit of 11β-HSD2 activity. Of the remaining 86 hypertensive patients, two possessed high (5αTHF + 5βTHF)/THE ratios and 12.8% had high E/THE ratios. We observed a high percentage of alterations in cortisol metabolism at pre-receptor level in hypertensive patients, previously misclassified as essential. 11β-HSD2 and 5β-reductase decreased activity and imbalance of 11β-HSDs should be considered in the future management of hypertensive patients.

  13. Genetic variation of genes involved in dihydrotestosterone metabolism and the risk of prostate cancer.

    PubMed

    Setlur, Sunita R; Chen, Chen X; Hossain, Ruhella R; Ha, Jung Sook; Van Doren, Vanessa E; Stenzel, Birgit; Steiner, Eberhard; Oldridge, Derek; Kitabayashi, Naoki; Banerjee, Samprit; Chen, Jin Yun; Schäfer, Georg; Horninger, Wolfgang; Lee, Charles; Rubin, Mark A; Klocker, Helmut; Demichelis, Francesca

    2010-01-01

    Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is an important factor in prostate cancer (PCA) genesis and disease progression. Given PCA's strong genetic component, we evaluated the possibility that variation in genes involved in DHT metabolism influence PCA risk. We investigated copy number variants (CNV) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). We explored associations between CNV of uridine diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) genes from the 2B subclass, given their prostate specificity and/or involvement in steroid metabolism and PCA risk. We also investigated associations between SNPs in genes (HSD3B1, SRD5A1/2, and AKR1C2) involved in the conversion of testosterone to DHT, and in DHT metabolism and PCA risk. The population consisted of 426 men (205 controls and 221 cases) who underwent prostate-specific antigen screening as part of a PCA early detection program in Tyrol, Austria. No association between CNV in UGT2B17 and UGT2B28 and PCA risk was identified. Men carrying the AA genotype at SNP rs6428830 (HSD3B1) had an odds ratio (OR) of 2.0 [95% confidence intervals (95% CI), 1.1-4.1] compared with men with GG, and men with AG or GG versus AA in rs1691053 (SRD5A1) had an OR of 1.8 (95% CI, 1.04-3.13). Individuals carrying both risk alleles had an OR of 3.1 (95% CI, 1.4-6.7) when compared with men carrying neither (P = 0.005). Controls with the AA genotype on rs7594951 (SRD5A2) tended toward higher serum DHT levels (P = 0.03). This is the first study to implicate the 5alpha-reductase isoform 1 (SRD5A1) and PCA risk, supporting the rationale of blocking enzymatic activity of both isoforms of 5alpha-reductase for PCA chemoprevention.

  14. Advance in dietary polyphenols as aldose reductases inhibitors: structure-activity relationship aspect.

    PubMed

    Xiao, Jianbo; Ni, Xiaoling; Kai, Guoyin; Chen, Xiaoqing

    2015-01-01

    The dietary polyphenols as aldose reductases inhibitors (ARIs) have attracted great interest among researchers. The aim of this review is to give an overview of the research reports on the structure-activity relationship of dietary polyphenols inhibiting aldose reductases (AR). The molecular structures influence the inhibition of the following: (1) The methylation and methoxylation of the hydroxyl group at C3, C3', and C4' of flavonoids decreased or little affected the inhibitory potency. However, the methylation and methoxylation of the hydroxyl group at C5, C6, and C8 significantly enhanced the inhibition. Moreover, the methylation and methoxylation of C7-OH influence the inhibitory activity depending on the substitutes on rings A and B of flavonoids. (2) The glycosylation on 3-OH of flavonoids significantly increased or little affected the inhibition. However, the glycosylation on 7-OH and 4'-OH of flavonoids significantly decreased the inhibition. (3) The hydroxylation on A-ring of flavones and isoflavones, especially at positions 5 and 7, significantly improved the inhibition and the hydroxylation on C3' and C4' of B-ring of flavonoids remarkably enhanced the inhibition; however, the hydroxylation on the ring C of flavones significantly weakened the inhibition. (4) The hydrogenation of the C2=C3 double bond of flavones reduced the inhibition. (5) The hydrogenation of α=β double bond of stilbenes hardly affected the inhibition and the hydroxylation on C3' of stilbenes decreased the inhibition. Moreover, the methylation of the hydroxyl group of stilbenes obviously reduced the activity. (6) The hydroxylation on C4 of chalcone significantly increased the inhibition and the methylation on C4 of chalcone remarkably weakened the inhibition.

  15. Retrotransposons of the Tnt1B family are mobile in Nicotiana plumbaginifolia and can induce alternative splicing of the host gene upon insertion.

    PubMed

    Leprinc, A S; Grandbastien, M A; Christian, M

    2001-11-01

    Active retrotransposons have been identified in Nicotiana plumbaginifolia by their ability to disrupt the nitrate reductase gene in chlorate-resistant mutants selected from protoplast-derived cultures. In mutants E23 and F97, two independent insertions of Tnp2, a new retrotransposon closely related to the tobacco Tnt1 elements, were detected in the nitrate reductase gene. These two Tnp2 elements are members of the Tnt1B subfamily which shows that Tnt1B elements can be active and mutagenic in the N. plumbaginifolia genome. Furthermore, these results suggest that Tnt1B is the most active family of Tntl elements in N. plumbaginifolia, whereas in tobacco only members of the Tnt1A subfamily were found inserted in the nitrate reductase gene. The transcriptional regulations of Tnp2 and Tnt1A elements are most probably different due to non-conserved U3 regions. Our results thus support the hypothesis that different Nicotiana species contain different active Tntl subfamilies and that only one active Tntl subfamily might be maintained in each of these species. The Tnp2 insertion found in the F97 mutant was found to be spliced out of the nitrate reductase mRNA by activation of cryptic donor and acceptor sites in the nitrate reductase and the Tnp2 sequences respectively.

  16. Pseudomonas stutzeri N2O reductase contains CuA-type sites.

    PubMed Central

    Scott, R A; Zumft, W G; Coyle, C L; Dooley, D M

    1989-01-01

    N2O reductase (N2O----N2) is the terminal enzyme in the energy-conserving denitrification pathway of soil and marine denitrifying bacteria. The protein is composed of two identical subunits and contains eight copper ions per enzyme molecule. The magnetic circular dichroism spectrum of resting (oxidized) N2O reductase is strikingly similar to the magnetic circular dichroism spectrum of the CuA site in mammalian cytochrome c oxidase [Greenwood, C., Hull, B. C., Barber, D., Eglinton, D. G. & Thomson, A. J. (1983) Biochem. J. 215, 303-316] and is unlike the magnetic circular dichroism spectra of all other biological copper chromophores obtained to date. Sulfur (or chlorine) scatterers are required to fit the copper extended x-ray absorption fine structure data of both the oxidized and reduced forms of N2O reductase. Satisfactory fits require a Cu-N or Cu-O [denoted Cu-(N, O)] interaction at 2.0 A, a Cu-(S, Cl) interaction at 2.3 A and an additional Cu(S, Cl) interaction at approximately 2.6 A (oxidized) or approximately 2.7 A (reduced). Approximately eight sulfur ions (per eight copper ions) at approximately 2.3 A are required to fit the extended x-ray absorption fine structure data for both the oxidized and reduced N2O reductase. The 2.3-A Cu-(S, Cl) distance is nearly identical to that previously determined for the CuA site in cytochrome c oxidase. A 2.6-2.7 A Cu-(S, Cl) interaction is also present in resting and fully reduced cytochrome c oxidase. Comparison of the N2O reductase sequence, determined by translating the structural NosZ gene, with cytochrome c oxidase subunit II sequences from several sources indicates that a Gly-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Cys-Ser-Xaa-Xaa-Cys-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-His stretch is highly conserved. This sequence contains three of the probable ligands (two cysteines and one histidine) in a CuA-type site. Collectively these data establish that Pseudomonas stutzeri N2O reductase contains CuA-type sites. PMID:2542963

  17. Electrophilic fluorinating reagent mediated synthesis of fluorinated alpha-keto Ethers, benzil, and 6,6'-dialkoxy-2,2'-bipyridines.

    PubMed

    Manandhar, Sudha; Singh, Rajendra P; Eggers, Gary V; Shreeve, Jean'ne M

    2002-09-06

    Interactions of various fluorinated and nonfluorinated alcohols with trans-stilbene in the presence of electrophilic reagents were studied. Under neat conditions, reactions of trans-stilbene (1) with fluorinated alcohols, R(f)OH (R(f) = CF3CH2-, CFH2CH2-, CF3CF2CH2-, CF2H(CF2)3CH2-, (CF3)2CH-, (CF3)3C- (2a-f) in the presence of an electrophilic reagent, 1-(chloromethyl)-4-fluoro-1,4-diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bis(tetrafluoroborate) (Selectfluor) or N,N-difluoro-2,2'-bipyridinium bis(tetrafluoroborate) (MEC-31), gave alpha-keto ethers (3a-f) and benzil (4) in good to moderate yields. alpha-Keto ether and benzil formation was very much dependent on the reaction time, the degree of fluorination of the alcohols, and whether a solvent such as CH3CN, DMF or DMA was utilized. In solution, alpha-keto ethers and benzil did not form. Interestingly, under neat conditions, nonfluorinated alcohols, ROH (R = CH3-, CH3CH2-, CH3CH2CH2-, CH3CH2CH2CH2-, CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2-) (5g-k) did not react with trans-stilbene in the presence of MEC-31 but gave 6,6'-dialkoxy-2,2'-bipyridines (6g-k), regioselectively, in excellent isolated yields. On the other hand, fluorinated alcohols did not react with MEC-31. Reaction of MEC-31 with an excess of diethylene glycol (7) gave the bipyridine derivative (8) in 88% isolated yield. Reaction of 8 either with diethylaminosulfur trifluoride (DAST) or bis(2-methoxyethyl)aminosulfur trifluoride (Deoxofluor) readily produced the corresponding difluoro derivative (9) in 85% isolated yield. All new compounds have been characterized by spectroscopic and elemental analysis.

  18. Human dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR family) member 11 is a novel type of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

    PubMed

    Endo, Satoshi; Miyagi, Namiki; Matsunaga, Toshiyuki; Hara, Akira; Ikari, Akira

    2016-03-25

    We report characterization of a member of the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase superfamily encoded in a human gene, DHRS11. The recombinant protein (DHRS11) efficiently catalyzed the conversion of the 17-keto group of estrone, 4- and 5-androstenes and 5α-androstanes into their 17β-hydroxyl metabolites with NADPH as a coenzyme. In contrast, it exhibited reductive 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity toward 5β-androstanes, 5β-pregnanes, 4-pregnenes and bile acids. Additionally, DHRS11 reduced α-dicarbonyls (such as diacetyl and methylglyoxal) and alicyclic ketones (such as 1-indanone and loxoprofen). The enzyme activity was inhibited in a mixed-type manner by flavonoids, and competitively by carbenoxolone, glycyrrhetinic acid, zearalenone, curcumin and flufenamic acid. The expression of DHRS11 mRNA was observed widely in human tissues, most abundantly in testis, small intestine, colon, kidney and cancer cell lines. Thus, DHRS11 represents a novel type of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase with unique catalytic properties and tissue distribution. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. N-Heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed direct cross-aza-benzoin reaction: Efficient synthesis of α-amino-β-keto esters.

    PubMed

    Uno, Takuya; Kobayashi, Yusuke; Takemoto, Yoshiji

    2012-01-01

    An efficient catalytic synthesis of α-amino-β-keto esters has been newly developed. Cross-coupling of various aldehydes with α-imino ester, catalyzed by N-heterocyclic carbene, leads chemoselectively to α-amino-β-keto esters in moderate to good yields with high atom efficiency. The reaction mechanism is discussed, and it is proposed that the α-amino-β-keto esters are formed under thermodynamic control.

  20. Increasing cholesterol synthesis in 7-dehydrosterol reductase (DHCR7) deficient mouse models through gene transfer

    PubMed Central

    Matabosch, Xavier; Ying, Lee; Serra, Montserrat; Wassif, Christopher A.; Porter, Forbes D.; Shackleton, Cedric; Watson, Gordon

    2010-01-01

    Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is caused by deficiency in the terminal step of cholesterol biosynthesis: the conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol (7DHC) to cholesterol (C), catalyzed by 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR7). This disorder exhibits several phenotypic traits including dysmorphia and mental retardation with a broad range of severity. There are few proven treatment options. That most commonly used is a high cholesterol diet that seems to enhance the quality of life and improve behavioral characteristics of patients, although these positive effects are controversial. The goal of our study was to investigate the possibility of restoring DHCR7 activity by gene transfer. We constructed an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector containing the DHCR7 gene. After we infused this vector into affected mice, the introduced DHCR7 gene could be identified in liver, mRNA was expressed and a functional enzyme was produced. Evidence of functionality came from the ability to partially normalize the serum ratio of 7DHC/C in treated animals, apparently by increasing cholesterol production with concomitant decrease in 7DHC precursor. By five weeks after treatment the mean ratio (for 7 animals) had fallen to 0.05 while the ratio for untreated littermate controls had risen to 0.14. This provides proof of principle that gene transfer can ameliorate the genetic defect causing SLOS and provides a new experimental tool for studying the pathogenesis of this disease. If effective in humans, it might also offer a possible alternative to exogenous cholesterol therapy. However, it would not offer a complete cure for the disorder as many of the negative implications of defective synthesis are already established during prenatal development. PMID:20800683

  1. Characterization of 5α-reductase activity and isoenzymes in human abdominal adipose tissues.

    PubMed

    Fouad Mansour, Mohamed; Pelletier, Mélissa; Tchernof, André

    2016-07-01

    The substrate for the generation of 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is either androstenedione (4-dione) which is first converted to androstanedione and then to DHT through 17-oxoreductase activity, or testosterone, which is directly converted to DHT. Three 5α-reductase isoenzymes have been characterized and designated as types 1, 2 and 3 (SRD5A1, 2 and 3). To define the predominant source of local DHT production in human adipose tissues, identify 5α-reductase isoenzymes and test their impact on preadipocyte differentiation. Cultures of omental (OM) and subcutaneous (SC) preadipocytes were treated for 0, 6 or 24h with 30nM (14)C-4-dione or (14)C-testosterone, with and without 500nM 5α-reductase inhibitors 17-N,N-diethylcarbamoyl-4-methyl-4-aza-5-androstan-3-one (4-MA) or finasteride. Protein level and mRNA abundance of 5α-reductase isoenzymes/transcripts were examined in whole SC and OM adipose tissue. HEK-293 cells stably transfected with 5α-reductase type 1, 2 or 3 were used to test 5α-reductase inhibitors. We also assessed the impact of 5α-reductase inhibitors on preadipocyte differentiation. Over 24h, DHT formation from 4-dione increased gradually (p<0.05) and was significantly higher compared to that generated from testosterone (p<0.001). DHT formation from both 4-dione and testosterone was blocked by both 5α-reductase inhibitors. In whole adipose tissue from both fat compartments, SRD5A3 was the most highly expressed isoenzyme followed by SRD5A1 (p<0.001). SRD5A2 was not expressed. In HEK-293 cells, 4-MA and finasteride inhibited activity of 5α-reductases types 2 and 3 but not type 1. In preadipocyte cultures where differentiation was inhibited by 4-dione (p<0.05, n=7) or testosterone (p<0.05, n=5), the inhibitors 4-MA and finasteride abolished these effects. Although 4-dione is the main source of DHT in human preadipocytes, production of this steroid by 5α-reductase isoenzymes mediates the inhibitory effect of both 4-dione and testosterone on

  2. PI3K-delta mediates double-stranded RNA-induced upregulation of B7-H1 in BEAS-2B airway epithelial cells

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kan-o, Keiko; Matsumoto, Koichiro, E-mail: koichi@kokyu.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp; Asai-Tajiri, Yukari

    Highlights: •Double-stranded RNA upregulates B7-H1 on BEAS-2B airway epithelial cells. •The upregulation of B7-H1 is attenuated by inhibition of PI3Kδ isoform. •PI3Kδ-mediated upregulation of B7-H1 is independent of NF-κB activation. •Inhibition of PI3Kδ may prevent persistent viral infection induced by B7-H1. -- Abstract: Airway viral infection disturbs the health-related quality of life. B7-H1 (also known as PD-L1) is a coinhibitory molecule associated with the escape of viruses from the mucosal immunity, leading to persistent infection. Most respiratory viruses generate double-stranded (ds) RNA during replication. The stimulation of cultured airway epithelial cells with an analog of viral dsRNA, polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (polymore » IC) upregulates the expression of B7-H1 via activation of the nuclear factor κB(NF-κB). The mechanism of upregulation was investigated in association with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3Ks). Poly IC-induced upregulation of B7-H1 was profoundly suppressed by a pan-PI3K inhibitor and partially by an inhibitor or a small interfering (si)RNA for PI3Kδ in BEAS-2B cells. Similar results were observed in the respiratory syncytial virus-infected cells. The expression of p110δ was detected by Western blot and suppressed by pretreatment with PI3Kδ siRNA. The activation of PI3Kδ is typically induced by oxidative stress. The generation of reactive oxygen species was increased by poly IC. Poly IC-induced upregulation of B7-H1 was attenuated by N-acetyl-L-cysteine, an antioxidant, or by oxypurinol, an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase. Poly IC-induced activation of NF-κB was suppressed by a pan-PI3K inhibitor but not by a PI3Kδ inhibitor. These results suggest that PI3Kδ mediates dsRNA-induced upregulation of B7-H1 without affecting the activation of NF-κB.« less

  3. Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of the ferredoxin reductase component in the Rieske nonhaem iron oxygenase system carbazole 1,9a-dioxygenase

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ashikawa, Yuji; Uchimura, Hiromasa; Fujimoto, Zui

    2007-06-01

    The NAD(P)H:ferredoxin oxidoreductase in carbazole 1,9a-dioxygenase from Janthinobacterium sp. J3 was crystallized and diffraction data were collected to 2.60 Å resolution. Carbazole 1,9a-dioxygenase (CARDO), which consists of an oxygenase component (CARDO-O) and the electron-transport components ferredoxin (CARDO-F) and ferredoxin reductase (CARDO-R), catalyzes dihydroxylation at the C1 and C9a positions of carbazole. CARDO-R was crystallized at 277 K using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method with the precipitant PEG 8000. Two crystal types (types I and II) were obtained. The type I crystal diffracted to a maximum resolution of 2.80 Å and belonged to space group P4{sub 2}2{sub 1}2, with unit-cell parameters amore » = b = 158.7, c = 81.4 Å. The type II crystal was obtained in drops from which type I crystals had been removed; it diffracted to 2.60 Å resolution and belonged to the same space group, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 161.8, c = 79.5 Å.« less

  4. Gold-catalyzed synthesis of benzil derivatives and α-keto imides via oxidation of alkynes.

    PubMed

    Xu, Cheng-Fu; Xu, Mei; Jia, Yi-Xia; Li, Chuan-Ying

    2011-03-18

    An efficient process based on the gold-catalyzed redox reaction has been developed to oxidize 1,2-diarylacetylene or ynamide to 1,2-diaryldiketone or α-keto imide respectively. This process can tolerate a variety of functional groups and affords 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds in excellent yields under mild reaction conditions.

  5. Solubilization and Resolution of the Membrane-Bound Nitrite Reductase from Paracoccus Halodenitrificans into Nitrite and Nitric Oxide Reductases

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Grant, Michael A.; Cronin, Sonja E.; Hochstein, Lawrence I.

    1984-01-01

    Membranes prepared from Paracoccus halodenitrificans reduced nitrite or nitric oxide to nitrous oxide. Extraction of these membranes with the detergent CHAPSO [3-(3-Chlolamidoporopyldimethylammonio)-1-(2- hydroxy-1-propanesulfonate)], followed by ammonium sulfate fractionation of the solubilized proteins, resulted in the separation of nitrite and nitric oxide reductase activities. The fraction containing nitrite reductase activity spectrally resembled a cd-type cytochrome. Several cytochromes were detected in the nitric oxide reductase fraction. Which, if any, of these cytochromes is associated with the reduction of nitric oxide is not clear at this time.

  6. Action of ANP on the nongenomic dose-dependent biphasic effect of aldosterone on NHE1 in proximal S3 segment.

    PubMed

    Braga-Sobrinho, C; Leite-Dellova, D C A; Mello-Aires, M

    2012-02-01

    The rapid (2 min) nongenomic effects of aldosterone (ALDO) and/or spironolactone (MR antagonist), RU 486 (GR antagonist), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and dimethyl-BAPTA (BAPTA) on the intracellular pH recovery rate (pHirr) via NHE1 (basolateral Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger isoform), after the acid load induced by NH₄Cl, and on the cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺](i)) were investigated in the proximal S3 segment isolated from rats, by the probes BCECF-AM and FLUO-4-AM, respectively. The basal pHi was 7.15±0.008 and the basal pHirr was 0.195±0.012 pH units/min (number of tubules/number of tubular areas=16/96). Our results confirmed the rapid biphasic effect of ALDO on NHE1: ALDO (10⁻¹² M) increases the pHirr to approximately 59% of control value, and ALDO (10⁻⁶ M) decreases it to approximately 49%. Spironolactone did not change these effects, but RU 486 inhibited the stimulatory effect and maintained the inhibitory effect. ANP (10⁻⁶ M) or BAPTA (5×10⁻⁵ M) alone had no significant effect on NHE1 but prevented both effects of ALDO on this exchanger. The basal [Ca²⁺](i) was 104±3 nM (15), and ALDO (10⁻¹² or 10⁻⁶ M) increased the basal [Ca²⁺](i) to approximately 50% or 124%, respectively. RU 486, ANP and BAPTA decreased the [Ca²⁺](i) and inhibited the stimulatory effect of both doses of ALDO. The results suggest the involvement of GR on the nongenomic effects of ALDO and indicate a pHirr-regulating role for [Ca²⁺](i) that is mediated by NHE1, stimulated/impaired by ALDO, and affected by ANP or BAPTA with ALDO. The observed nongenomic hormonal interaction in the S3 segment may represent a rapid and physiologically relevant regulatory mechanism in the intact animal under conditions of volume alterations. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Cloning and differential expression of steroid 5 alpha-reductase type 1 (Srd5a1) and type 2 (Srd5a2) from the Harderian glands of hamsters.

    PubMed

    Ramos, Luis; Chávez, Bertha; Vilchis, Felipe

    2010-04-01

    In hamsters, the Harderian glands (HGs) exhibit a marked sexual dimorphism which is thought to depend on dihydrotestosterone (DHT); however, it is unclear whether hamster HGs contain one or more 5 alpha-reductases and whether these enzymes are differentially expressed in males and females. In this study, we isolated specific cDNAs for 5 alpha-reductase 1 (Srd5a1) and 5 alpha-reductase 2 (Srd5a2), determined their sequences and investigated their expression in the HG of both sexes. Isozyme 1, cloned from liver mRNA, encodes a protein of 255 amino acids (aa); isozyme 2 cDNA, isolated from the epididymis encodes a 254-aa protein. When assayed in transfected HEK-293 cells, the type 1 isozyme displayed activity over a broad pH range (6.5-8), while isozyme 2 had a pH optimum of 5.5. Both isoenzymes efficiently catalyzed the in vitro transformation of T into DHT, with apparent K(m) values of 7.1 and 1.9 micromol/L for Srd5a1 and Srd5a2, respectively. Real-time PCR analysis revealed higher mRNA levels for Srd5a1 than for Srd5a2. Expression of both isoenzymes increased slightly in HGs of castrated males and showed variations during the estrous cycle in females. Hormonal replacement with 17beta-estradiol administered to spayed females induced the up-regulation of Srd5a2 mRNA levels. Altogether, our results demonstrated that both Srd5a1 and Srd5a2 are expressed in HGs without clear differences between males and females. The biochemical characteristics and relative expression of these 5 alpha-reductases support the view that both isozymes may play a relevant role in modulating androgen signaling in HG. (c) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. Identification of an NADH-Cytochrome b5 Reductase Gene from an Arachidonic Acid-Producing Fungus, Mortierella alpina 1S-4, by Sequencing of the Encoding cDNA and Heterologous Expression in a Fungus, Aspergillus oryzae

    PubMed Central

    Sakuradani, Eiji; Kobayashi, Michihiko; Shimizu, Sakayu

    1999-01-01

    Based on the sequence information for bovine and yeast NADH-cytochrome b5 reductases (CbRs), a DNA fragment was cloned from Mortierella alpina 1S-4 after PCR amplification. This fragment was used as a probe to isolate a cDNA clone with an open reading frame encoding 298 amino acid residues which show marked sequence similarity to CbRs from other sources, such as yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), bovine, human, and rat CbRs. These results suggested that this cDNA is a CbR gene. The results of a structural comparison of the flavin-binding β-barrel domains of CbRs from various species and that of the M. alpina enzyme suggested that the overall barrel-folding patterns are similar to each other and that a specific arrangement of three highly conserved amino acid residues (i.e., arginine, tyrosine, and serine) plays a role in binding with the flavin (another prosthetic group) through hydrogen bonds. The corresponding genomic gene, which was also cloned from M. alpina 1S-4 by means of a hybridization method with the above probe, had four introns of different sizes. These introns had GT at the 5′ end and AG at the 3′ end, according to a general GT-AG rule. The expression of the full-length cDNA in a filamentous fungus, Aspergillus oryzae, resulted in an increase (4.7 times) in ferricyanide reduction activity involving the use of NADH as an electron donor in the microsomes. The M. alpina CbR was purified by solubilization of microsomes with cholic acid sodium salt, followed by DEAE-Sephacel, Mono-Q HR 5/5, and AMP-Sepharose 4B affinity column chromatographies; there was a 645-fold increase in the NADH-ferricyanide reductase specific activity. The purified CbR preferred NADH over NADPH as an electron donor. This is the first report of an analysis of this enzyme in filamentous fungi. PMID:10473389

  9. Transcription initiation from the dihydrofolate reductase promoter is positioned by HIP1 binding at the initiation site.

    PubMed

    Means, A L; Farnham, P J

    1990-02-01

    We have identified a sequence element that specifies the position of transcription initiation for the dihydrofolate reductase gene. Unlike the functionally analogous TATA box that directs RNA polymerase II to initiate transcription 30 nucleotides downstream, the positioning element of the dihydrofolate reductase promoter is located directly at the site of transcription initiation. By using DNase I footprint analysis, we have shown that a protein binds to this initiator element. Transcription initiated at the dihydrofolate reductase initiator element when 28 nucleotides were inserted between it and all other upstream sequences, or when it was placed on either side of the DNA helix, suggesting that there is no strict spatial requirement between the initiator and an upstream element. Although neither a single Sp1-binding site nor a single initiator element was sufficient for transcriptional activity, the combination of one Sp1-binding site and the dihydrofolate reductase initiator element cloned into a plasmid vector resulted in transcription starting at the initiator element. We have also shown that the simian virus 40 late major initiation site has striking sequence homology to the dihydrofolate reductase initiation site and that the same, or a similar, protein binds to both sites. Examination of the sequences at other RNA polymerase II initiation sites suggests that we have identified an element that is important in the transcription of other housekeeping genes. We have thus named the protein that binds to the initiator element HIP1 (Housekeeping Initiator Protein 1).

  10. QTL analysis of ferric reductase activity in the model legume lotus japonicus

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Physiological and molecular studies have demonstrated that iron accumulation from the soil into Strategy I plants can be limited by ferric reductase activity. An initial study of Lotus japonicus ecotypes Miyakojima MG-20 and Gifu B-129 identified significant leaf chlorosis and ferric reductase activ...

  11. The Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute: a national wilderness research program in support of wilderness management

    Treesearch

    Vita Wright

    2000-01-01

    The Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute strives to provide scientific leadership in developing and applying the knowledge necessary to sustain wilderness ecosystems and values. Since its 1993 dedication, researchers at this federal, interagency Institute have collaborated with researchers and managers from other federal, academic and private institutions to...

  12. Spontaneous autoimmune gastritis and hypochlorhydria are manifest in the ileitis-prone SAMP1/YitFcs mice.

    PubMed

    Ernst, P B; Erickson, L D; Loo, W M; Scott, K G; Wiznerowicz, E B; Brown, C C; Torres-Velez, F J; Alam, M S; Black, S G; McDuffie, M; Feldman, S H; Wallace, J L; McKnight, G W; Padol, I T; Hunt, R H; Tung, K S

    2012-01-01

    SAMP1/YitFcs mice serve as a model of Crohn's disease, and we have used them to assess gastritis. Gastritis was compared in SAMP1/YitFcs, AKR, and C57BL/6 mice by histology, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. Gastric acid secretion was measured in ligated stomachs, while anti-parietal cell antibodies were assayed by immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay. SAMP1/YitFcs mice display a corpus-dominant, chronic gastritis with multifocal aggregates of mononuclear cells consisting of T and B lymphocytes. Relatively few aggregates were observed elsewhere in the stomach. The infiltrates in the oxyntic mucosa were associated with the loss of parietal cell mass. AKR mice, the founder strain of the SAMP1/YitFcs, also have gastritis, although they do not develop ileitis. Genetic studies using SAMP1/YitFcs-C57BL/6 congenic mice showed that the genetic regions regulating ileitis had comparable effects on gastritis. The majority of the cells in the aggregates expressed the T cell marker CD3 or the B cell marker B220. Adoptive transfer of SAMP1/YitFcs CD4(+) T helper cells, with or without B cells, into immunodeficient recipients induced a pangastritis and duodenitis. SAMP1/YitFcs and AKR mice manifest hypochlorhydria and anti-parietal cell antibodies. These data suggest that common genetic factors controlling gastroenteric disease in SAMP1/YitFcs mice regulate distinct pathogenic mechanisms causing inflammation in separate sites within the digestive tract.

  13. 3,5-Dioxopyrazolidines, Novel Inhibitors of UDP-N- Acetylenolpyruvylglucosamine Reductase (MurB) with Activity against Gram-Positive Bacteria

    PubMed Central

    Yang, Youjun; Severin, Anatoly; Chopra, Rajiv; Krishnamurthy, Girija; Singh, Guy; Hu, William; Keeney, David; Svenson, Kristine; Petersen, Peter J.; Labthavikul, Pornpen; Shlaes, David M.; Rasmussen, Beth A.; Failli, Amedeo A.; Shumsky, Jay S.; Kutterer, Kristina M. K.; Gilbert, Adam; Mansour, Tarek S.

    2006-01-01

    A series of 3,5-dioxopyrazolidines was identified as novel inhibitors of UDP-N-acetylenolpyruvylglucosamine reductase (MurB). Compounds 1 to 3, which are 1,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-3,5-dioxopyrazolidine-4-carboxamides, inhibited Escherichia coli MurB, Staphyloccocus aureus MurB, and E. coli MurA with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) in the range of 4.1 to 6.8 μM, 4.3 to 10.3 μM, and 6.8 to 29.4 μM, respectively. Compound 4, a C-4-unsubstituted 1,2-bis(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3,5-dioxopyrazolidine, showed moderate inhibitory activity against E. coli MurB, S. aureus MurB, and E. coli MurC (IC50s, 24.5 to 35 μM). A fluorescence-binding assay indicated tight binding of compound 3 with E. coli MurB, giving a dissociation constant of 260 nM. Structural characterization of E. coli MurB was undertaken, and the crystal structure of a complex with compound 4 was obtained at 2.4 Å resolution. The crystal structure indicated the binding of a compound at the active site of MurB and specific interactions with active-site residues and the bound flavin adenine dinucleotide cofactor. Peptidoglycan biosynthesis studies using a strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis revealed reduced peptidoglycan biosynthesis upon incubation with 3,5-dioxopyrazolidines, with IC50s of 0.39 to 11.1 μM. Antibacterial activity was observed for compounds 1 to 3 (MICs, 0.25 to 16 μg/ml) and 4 (MICs, 4 to 8 μg/ml) against gram-positive bacteria including methicillin-resistant S. aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis, and penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae. PMID:16436710

  14. Early onset of puberty and early ovarian failure in CYP7B1 knockout mice.

    PubMed

    Omoto, Yoko; Lathe, Richard; Warner, Margaret; Gustafsson, Jan-Ake

    2005-02-22

    CYP7B1 is the enzyme responsible for hydroxylation and termination of the estrogenic actions of the androgen metabolite, 5alpha-androstane-3beta, 17beta-diol (3betaAdiol). 3betaAdiol is estrogenic in ERalpha or ERbeta positive cells only if they do not express CYP7B1. In this study we show that female CYP7B1(-/-) mice experience early onset of growth of the uterus and mammary glands and commence estrus cycles 2 days earlier than their wild-type littermates. Adult mammary glands and uteri appear to be under continuous estrogenic stimulation. We conclude that, by cell-specific regulation of the estrogenicity of 3betaAdiol, CYP7B1 performs two major tasks: (i) it allows 3betaAdiol to have growth inhibitory effects through ERbeta and (ii) it permits estradiol-specific activation of estrogen receptors by protection of certain cells from the estrogenic effects of 3betaAdiol. When CYP7B1 is inactivated, 3betaAdiol activates estrogen receptors indiscriminately, and the overall effect is prolonged and inappropriate exposure to estrogen.

  15. Human muscle cells express a B7-related molecule, B7-H1, with strong negative immune regulatory potential: a novel mechanism of counterbalancing the immune attack in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.

    PubMed

    Wiendl, Heinz; Mitsdoerffer, Meike; Schneider, Dagmar; Chen, Lieping; Lochmüller, Hanns; Melms, Arthur; Weller, Michael

    2003-10-01

    B7-H1 is a novel B7 family protein attributed to costimulatory and immune regulatory functions. Here we report that human myoblasts cultured from control subjects and patients with inflammatory myopathies as well as TE671 muscle rhabdomyosarcoma cells express high levels of B7-H1 after stimulation with the inflammatory cytokine IFN-gamma. Coculture experiments of MHC class I/II-positive myoblasts with CD4 and CD8 T cells in the presence of antigen demonstrated the functional consequences of muscle-related B7-H1 expression: production of inflammatory cytokines, IFN-gamma and IL-2, by CD4 as well CD8 T cells was markedly enhanced in the presence of a neutralizing anti-B7-H1 antibody. This observation was paralleled by an augmented expression of the T cell activation markers CD25, ICOS, and CD69, thus showing B7-H1-mediated inhibition of T cell activation. Further, we investigated 23 muscle biopsy specimens from patients with polymyositis (PM), inclusion body myositis (IBM), dermatomyositis (DM), and nonmyopathic controls for B7-H1 expression by immunohistochemistry: B7-H1 was expressed in PM, IBM, and DM specimens but not in noninflammatory and nonmyopathic controls. Staining was predominantly localized to areas of strong inflammation and to muscle cells as well as mononuclear cells. These data highlight the immune regulatory properties of muscle cells and suggest that B7-H1 expression represents an inhibitory mechanism induced upon inflammatory stimuli and aimed at protecting muscle fibers from immune aggression.

  16. Aldo Leopold on Education: An Educator and His Land Ethic in the Context of Contemporary Environmental Education.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Callicott, J. Baird

    1982-01-01

    Aldo Leopold, the founder of wildlife management (wildlife ecology) is credited with powerfully advocating for the first time in Western intellectual history, broad human ethical responsibility to the nonhuman natural world. Leopold's views on education and Leopold as an educator are discussed. (Author/JN)

  17. B7-H1 expression is associated with expansion of regulatory T cells in colorectal carcinoma

    PubMed Central

    Hua, Dong; Sun, Jing; Mao, Yong; Chen, Lu-Jun; Wu, Yu-Yu; Zhang, Xue-Guang

    2012-01-01

    AIM: To investigate the expression of B7-H1 in human colorectal carcinoma (CRC) to define its regulating effects on T cells in tumor microenvironment. METHODS: One hundred and two paraffin blocks and 33 fresh samples of CRC tissues were subject to this study. Immunohistochemistry was performed for B7-H1 and CD3 staining in CRC tissues. Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient centrifugation was used to isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells of fresh CRC tissues; flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining were used for detection of regulatory T cells. Data was analyzed with statistical software. RESULTS: Costimulatory molecule B7-H1 was found strongly expressed in CRC tissues, localized in tumor cell membrane and cytoplasm, while weak or none expression of B7-H1 was detected in pared normal colorectal tissues. Meanwhile, CD3 positive T cells were found congregated in CRC tumor nest and stroma. Statistic analysis showed that B7-H1 expression level was negatively correlated to the total T cell density in tumor nest (P < 0.0001) and tumor stroma (P = 0.0200) of 102 cases of CRC tissues. Among the total T cells, a variable amount of regulatory T cells with a clear Foxp3+ (forkhead box P3) staining could be detected in CRC tissues and patients’ blood. Interestingly, in the 33 samples (15 cases of B7-H1high CRC tissues and 18 cases of B7-H1low CRC tissues) of freshly isolated mononuclear cells from CRC tissues, the percentages of CD4+Foxp3+ and CD8+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells were found remarkably higher in B7-H1high CRC tissues than in B7-H1low CRC tissues (P = 0.0024, P = 0.0182), indicating that B7-H1 expression was involved in proliferation of regulatory T cell. No significant difference was found in CRC peripheral blood (P = 0.0863, P = 0.0678). PD-1 is the specific ligand for B7-H1 pathway transferring inhibitory signal to T cell, which is expressed by activated T cell. Our further analysis of PD-1 expression on T cells in CRC tissues showed that conventional T cells

  18. B7-H1 expression is associated with expansion of regulatory T cells in colorectal carcinoma.

    PubMed

    Hua, Dong; Sun, Jing; Mao, Yong; Chen, Lu-Jun; Wu, Yu-Yu; Zhang, Xue-Guang

    2012-03-07

    To investigate the expression of B7-H1 in human colorectal carcinoma (CRC) to define its regulating effects on T cells in tumor microenvironment. One hundred and two paraffin blocks and 33 fresh samples of CRC tissues were subject to this study. Immunohistochemistry was performed for B7-H1 and CD3 staining in CRC tissues. Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient centrifugation was used to isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells of fresh CRC tissues; flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining were used for detection of regulatory T cells. Data was analyzed with statistical software. Costimulatory molecule B7-H1 was found strongly expressed in CRC tissues, localized in tumor cell membrane and cytoplasm, while weak or none expression of B7-H1 was detected in pared normal colorectal tissues. Meanwhile, CD3 positive T cells were found congregated in CRC tumor nest and stroma. Statistic analysis showed that B7-H1 expression level was negatively correlated to the total T cell density in tumor nest (P < 0.0001) and tumor stroma (P = 0.0200) of 102 cases of CRC tissues. Among the total T cells, a variable amount of regulatory T cells with a clear Foxp3⁺ (forkhead box P3) staining could be detected in CRC tissues and patients' blood. Interestingly, in the 33 samples (15 cases of B7-H1(high) CRC tissues and 18 cases of B7-H1(low) CRC tissues) of freshly isolated mononuclear cells from CRC tissues, the percentages of CD4⁺Foxp3⁺ and CD8⁺Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells were found remarkably higher in B7-H1(high) CRC tissues than in B7-H1(low) CRC tissues (P = 0.0024, P = 0.0182), indicating that B7-H1 expression was involved in proliferation of regulatory T cell. No significant difference was found in CRC peripheral blood (P = 0.0863, P = 0.0678). PD-1 is the specific ligand for B7-H1 pathway transferring inhibitory signal to T cell, which is expressed by activated T cell. Our further analysis of PD-1 expression on T cells in CRC tissues showed that conventional T cells (CD4

  19. Evolution of the B7 family: co-evolution of B7H6 and NKp30, identification of a new B7 family member, B7H7, and of B7's historical relationship with the MHC.

    PubMed

    Flajnik, Martin F; Tlapakova, Tereza; Criscitiello, Michael F; Krylov, Vladimir; Ohta, Yuko

    2012-08-01

    The B7 family of genes is essential in the regulation of the adaptive immune system. Most B7 family members contain both variable (V)- and constant (C)-type domains of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF). Through in silico screening of the Xenopus genome and subsequent phylogenetic analysis, we found novel genes belonging to the B7 family, one of which is the recently discovered B7H6. Humans and rats have a single B7H6 gene; however, many B7H6 genes were detected in a single large cluster in the Xenopus genome. The B7H6 expression patterns also varied in a species-specific manner. Human B7H6 binds to the activating natural killer receptor, NKp30. While the NKp30 gene is single-copy and maps to the MHC in most vertebrates, many Xenopus NKp30 genes were found in a cluster on a separate chromosome that does not harbor the MHC. Indeed, in all species so far analyzed from sharks to mammals, the number of NKp30 and B7H6 genes correlates well, suggestive of receptor-ligand co-evolution. Furthermore, we identified a Xenopus-specific B7 homolog (B7HXen) and revealed its close linkage to B2M, which we have demonstrated previously to have been originally encoded in the MHC. Thus, our study provides further proof that the B7 precursor was included in the proto MHC. Additionally, the comparative analysis revealed a new B7 family member, B7H7, which was previously designated in the literature as an unknown gene, HHLA2.

  20. Dimerization of the keto tautomer of acetohydroxamic acid—infrared matrix isolation and theoretical study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sałdyka, Magdalena; Mielke, Zofia

    2005-05-01

    Dimerization of the keto tautomer of acetohydroxamic acid has been studied using FTIR matrix isolation spectroscopy and DFT(B3LYP)/6-31+G(d,p) calculations. Analysis of CH 3CONHOH/Ar matrix spectra indicates formation of two dimers in which two intramolecular CO···H sbnd ON bonds within two interacting acetohydroxamic acid molecules are retained. A chain dimer I is stabilized by the intermolecular CO···H sbnd N hydrogen bond, whereas the cyclic dimer II is stabilized by two intermolecular N sbnd H···O(H)N bonds. Twelve vibrations were identified for dimer I and six vibrations for dimer II; the observed frequency shifts show a good agreement with the calculated ones for the structures I and II. Both dimers have comparable binding energies ( ΔEZPECPI, II = -7.02, -6.34 kcal mol -1) being less stable than calculated structures III and IV ( ΔEZPECPIII, IV = -9.50, -8.87 kcal mol -1) in which one or two intramolecular hydrogen bonds are disrupted. In the most stable 10-membered cyclic dimer III, two intermolecular CO···H sbnd ON hydrogen bonds are formed at expense of intramolecular hydrogen bonds of the same type. The formation of the less stable (AHA) 2 dimers in the studied matrixes indicates that the formation of (AHA) 2 is kinetically and not thermodynamically controlled.

  1. Assessment of intake and nutritional status of vitamin b1, b2, and b6 in men and women with different physical activity levels.

    PubMed

    Malara, M; Hübner-Wozniak, E; Lewandowska, I

    2013-06-01

    The purpose of the present study was to examine the nutritional status of vitamin B1, B2, and B6 in respect to dietary intake of these vitamins and activity coefficients of the erythrocyte enzymes transketolase, glutathione reductase, and aspartic aminotransferase in young men and women with different physical activity levels. The participants of this study were 20 women and 20 men with high physical activity (groups HAW and HAM, respectively), and 20 women and 20 men with low physical activity (groups LAW and LAM, respectively). The intake of vitamins B1, B2, B6, proteins, and calorie content of the diet was based on the average of the 4-day dietary recalls. To assess nutritional status of vitamin B1, B2, and B6, the activity coefficients (α) of erythrocyte transketolase (ETK), erythrocyte glutathione reductase (EGR), and erythrocyte aspartic aminotransferase (EAST) were estimated in blood hemolysates. The intake of the studied vitamins in the diet was statistically significantly lower in the female groups compared with the respective male groups. Deficiency of vitamin B6 in the diet was present more often in women than in men (in terms of the recommended dietary allowances [RDA]). Values of the activity coefficient αETK indicated that none of the groups in this study suffered the risk of vitamin B1 deficiency. The value of the activity coefficient αEGR indicated that the groups of women and men with low physical activity were more prone to vitamin B2 deficiency compared with the high physical activity groups. The risk of vitamin B6 deficiency (αEAST) in both male groups was higher than in both female groups. The obtained results do not allow for unequivocal determination of the impact of sex and the level of physical activity on intake and nutritional status of vitamin B1, B2, and B6. Independently of sex and the level of physical activity, the women and men consumed insufficient quantities of vitamins B1 and B6, although this was not always related to

  2. Synthesis and activity of novel 16-dehydropregnenolone acetate derivatives as inhibitors of type 1 5α-reductase and on cancer cell line SK-LU-1.

    PubMed

    Silva-Ortiz, Aylin Viviana; Bratoeff, Eugene; Ramírez-Apan, Teresa; Heuze, Yvonne; Sánchez, Araceli; Soriano, Juan; Cabeza, Marisa

    2015-12-15

    Testosterone (T) plays a crucial role in prostate growth. In androgen-dependent tissues T is reduced to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) because of the presence of the 5α-reductase enzyme. This androgen is more active than T, since it has a higher affinity for the androgen receptor (AR). When this mechanism is altered, androgen-dependent diseases, including prostate cancer, could result. The aim of this study was to synthesize several 16-dehydropregnenolone acetate derivatives containing a triazole ring at C-21 and a linear or alicyclic ester moiety at C-3 of the steroidal skeleton. These steroids were designed as potential inhibitors of the activity of both types (1 and 2) of 5α-reductase. The cytotoxic activity of these compounds was also evaluated on a panel of PC-3, MCF7, and SK-LU-1 human cancer cell lines. The results from this study showed that with the exception of steroids 20-oxo-21-(1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-yl)pregna-5,16-dien-3β-yl-propionate and 20-oxo-21-(1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-yl)pregna-5,16-dien-3β-yl-pentanoate, the compounds exhibit a lower inhibitory activity for both isoenzymes of 5α-reductase than finasteride. Furthermore the 3β-hydroxy-21-(1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-yl)pregna-5,16-dien-20-one and 20-oxo-21-(1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-yl)pregna-5,16-dien-3β-yl-acetate derivatives display 80% cytotoxic activity on the SK-LU-1 cell line. These results also indicated that the triazole derivatives, which have a hydroxyl or acetoxy group at C-3, could have an anticancer effect, whereas the derivatives with a alicyclic ester group at C-3 do not show biological activity. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. Molybdenum effector of fumarate reductase repression and nitrate reductase induction in Escherichia coli.

    PubMed Central

    Iuchi, S; Lin, E C

    1987-01-01

    In Escherichia coli the presence of nitrate prevents the utilization of fumarate as an anaerobic electron acceptor. The induction of the narC operon encoding the nitrate reductase is coupled to the repression of the frd operon encoding the fumarate reductase. This coupling is mediated by nitrate as an effector and the narL product as the regulatory protein (S. Iuchi and E. C. C. Lin, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:3901-3905, 1987). The protein-ligand complex appears to control narC positively but frd negatively. In the present study we found that a molybdenum coeffector acted synergistically with nitrate in the regulation of frd and narC. In chlD mutants believed to be impaired in molybdate transport (or processing), full repression of phi(frd-lac) and full induction of phi(narC-lac) by nitrate did not occur unless the growth medium was directly supplemented with molybdate (1 microM). This requirement was not clearly manifested in wild-type cells, apparently because it was met by the trace quantities of molybdate present as a contaminant in the mineral medium. In chlB mutants, which are known to accumulate the Mo cofactor because of its failure to be inserted as a prosthetic group into proteins such as nitrate reductase, nitrate repression of frd and induction of narC were also intensified by molybdate supplementation. In this case a deficiency of the molybdenum coeffector might have resulted from enhanced feedback inhibition of molybdate transport (or processing) by the elevated level of the unutilized Mo cofactor. In addition, mutations in chlE, which are known to block the synthesis of the organic moiety of the Mo cofactor, lowered the threshold concentration of nitrate (< 1 micromole) necessary for frd repression and narC induction. These changes could be explained simply by the higher intracellular nitrate attainable in cells lacking the ability to destroy the effector. PMID:3301812

  4. Glutathione reductase gsr-1 is an essential gene required for Caenorhabditis elegans early embryonic development.

    PubMed

    Mora-Lorca, José Antonio; Sáenz-Narciso, Beatriz; Gaffney, Christopher J; Naranjo-Galindo, Francisco José; Pedrajas, José Rafael; Guerrero-Gómez, David; Dobrzynska, Agnieszka; Askjaer, Peter; Szewczyk, Nathaniel J; Cabello, Juan; Miranda-Vizuete, Antonio

    2016-07-01

    Glutathione is the most abundant thiol in the vast majority of organisms and is maintained in its reduced form by the flavoenzyme glutathione reductase. In this work, we describe the genetic and functional analysis of the Caenorhabditis elegans gsr-1 gene that encodes the only glutathione reductase protein in this model organism. By using green fluorescent protein reporters we demonstrate that gsr-1 produces two GSR-1 isoforms, one located in the cytoplasm and one in the mitochondria. gsr-1 loss of function mutants display a fully penetrant embryonic lethal phenotype characterized by a progressive and robust cell division delay accompanied by an aberrant distribution of interphasic chromatin in the periphery of the cell nucleus. Maternally expressed GSR-1 is sufficient to support embryonic development but these animals are short-lived, sensitized to chemical stress, have increased mitochondrial fragmentation and lower mitochondrial DNA content. Furthermore, the embryonic lethality of gsr-1 worms is prevented by restoring GSR-1 activity in the cytoplasm but not in mitochondria. Given the fact that the thioredoxin redox systems are dispensable in C. elegans, our data support a prominent role of the glutathione reductase/glutathione pathway in maintaining redox homeostasis in the nematode. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. Lamin B receptor regulates the growth and maturation of myeloid progenitors via its sterol reductase domain: implications for cholesterol biosynthesis in regulating myelopoiesis.

    PubMed

    Subramanian, Gayathri; Chaudhury, Pulkit; Malu, Krishnakumar; Fowler, Samantha; Manmode, Rahul; Gotur, Deepali; Zwerger, Monika; Ryan, David; Roberti, Rita; Gaines, Peter

    2012-01-01

    Lamin B receptor (LBR) is a bifunctional nuclear membrane protein with N-terminal lamin B and chromatin-binding domains plus a C-terminal sterol Δ(14) reductase domain. LBR expression increases during neutrophil differentiation, and deficient expression disrupts neutrophil nuclear lobulation characteristic of Pelger-Huët anomaly. Thus, LBR plays a critical role in regulating myeloid differentiation, but how the two functional domains of LBR support this role is currently unclear. We previously identified abnormal proliferation and deficient functional maturation of promyelocytes (erythroid, myeloid, and lymphoid [EML]-derived promyelocytes) derived from EML-ic/ic cells, a myeloid model of ichthyosis (ic) bone marrow that lacks Lbr expression. In this study, we provide new evidence that cholesterol biosynthesis is important to myeloid cell growth and is supported by the sterol reductase domain of Lbr. Cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitors caused growth inhibition of EML cells that increased in EML-derived promyelocytes, whereas cells lacking Lbr exhibited complete growth arrest at both stages. Lipid production increased during wild-type neutrophil maturation, but ic/ic cells exhibited deficient levels of lipid and cholesterol production. Ectopic expression of a full-length Lbr in EML-ic/ic cells rescued both nuclear lobulation and growth arrest in cholesterol starvation conditions. Lipid production also was rescued, and a deficient respiratory burst was corrected. Expression of just the C-terminal sterol reductase domain of Lbr in ic/ic cells also improved each of these phenotypes. Our data support the conclusion that the sterol Δ(14) reductase domain of LBR plays a critical role in cholesterol biosynthesis and that this process is essential to both myeloid cell growth and functional maturation.

  6. Early onset of puberty and early ovarian failure in CYP7B1 knockout mice

    PubMed Central

    Omoto, Yoko; Lathe, Richard; Warner, Margaret; Gustafsson, Jan-Åke

    2005-01-01

    CYP7B1 is the enzyme responsible for hydroxylation and termination of the estrogenic actions of the androgen metabolite, 5α-androstane-3β, 17β-diol (3βAdiol). 3βAdiol is estrogenic in ERα or ERβ positive cells only if they do not express CYP7B1. In this study we show that female CYP7B1–/– mice experience early onset of growth of the uterus and mammary glands and commence estrus cycles 2 days earlier than their wild-type littermates. Adult mammary glands and uteri appear to be under continuous estrogenic stimulation. We conclude that, by cell-specific regulation of the estrogenicity of 3βAdiol, CYP7B1 performs two major tasks: (i) it allows 3βAdiol to have growth inhibitory effects through ERβ and (ii) it permits estradiol-specific activation of estrogen receptors by protection of certain cells from the estrogenic effects of 3βAdiol. When CYP7B1 is inactivated, 3βAdiol activates estrogen receptors indiscriminately, and the overall effect is prolonged and inappropriate exposure to estrogen. PMID:15710898

  7. Ammonification in Bacillus subtilis Utilizing Dissimilatory Nitrite Reductase Is Dependent on resDE

    PubMed Central

    Hoffmann, Tamara; Frankenberg, Nicole; Marino, Marco; Jahn, Dieter

    1998-01-01

    During anaerobic nitrate respiration Bacillus subtilis reduces nitrate via nitrite to ammonia. No denitrification products were observed. B. subtilis wild-type cells and a nitrate reductase mutant grew anaerobically with nitrite as an electron acceptor. Oxygen-sensitive dissimilatory nitrite reductase activity was demonstrated in cell extracts prepared from both strains with benzyl viologen as an electron donor and nitrite as an electron acceptor. The anaerobic expression of the discovered nitrite reductase activity was dependent on the regulatory system encoded by resDE. Mutation of the gene encoding the regulatory Fnr had no negative effect on dissimilatory nitrite reductase formation. PMID:9422613

  8. Isothiocyanates: mechanism of cancer chemopreventive action.

    PubMed

    Thornalley, Paul J

    2002-04-01

    Dietary and synthetic isothiocyanates have cancer chemopreventive activity. Dietary isothiocyanates are formed from glucosinolate precursors of ingested green vegetables. Isothiocyanates are absorbed across intestinal cell membranes by passive diffusion and bind reversibly to plasma protein thiols by thiocarbamoylation. Free isothiocyanate enters cells and is converted to the glutathione conjugate by glutathione S-transferases (GSTs). The glutathione conjugate is exported from cells by multidrug resistance proteins (MRPs), and metabolized in the mercapturic acid pathway to the corresponding mercapturic acid. The isothiocyanate is reformed by fragmentation of mercapturic acid pathway metabolites; it is inactivated by slow hydrolysis to the corresponding amine that is inactive in chemoprevention. Depletion of cellular glutathione and protein thiocarbamoylation activates signal transduction for cancer chemoprevention. Isothiocyanates inhibited and inactivated cytochrome P450 isoforms. They induced increased expression of GST, NADPH: quinone oxidoreductase, aldo-keto reductase and gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase. These responses were coordinated at the transcription level by nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor-2 acting through the antioxidant/electrophile enhancer response element and stimulated by the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase kinase-1 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase-1 (JNK1) pathway. Isothiocyanates also induced apoptosis of pre-cancerous cells and tumor cells activated by caspase-8 and potentiated by JNK1. The chemopreventive activity of isothiocyanates is influenced by the isothiocyanate bioavailability-as is toxicity, GST polymorphism, protein thiocarbamoylation and probably also by MRP expression. These features of isothiocyanate metabolism and chemoprevention deserve further investigation.

  9. Functional Characterization of Four Putative δ1-Pyrroline-5-Carboxylate Reductases from Bacillus subtilis

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Forlani, Giuseppe; Nocek, Boguslaw; Chakravarthy, Srinivas

    In most living organisms, the amino acid proline is synthesized starting from both glutamate and ornithine. In prokaryotes, in the absence of an ornithine cyclodeaminase that has been identified to date only in a small number of soil and plant bacteria, these pathways share the last step, the reduction of delta(1)-pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C) catalyzed by P5C reductase (EC 1.5.1.2). In several species, multiple forms of P5C reductase have been reported, possibly reflecting the dual function of proline. Aside from its common role as a building block of proteins, proline is indeed also involved in the cellular response to osmotic and oxidativemore » stress conditions. Genome analysis of Bacillus subtilis identifies the presence of four genes (ProH, ProI, ProG, and ComER) that, based on bioinformatic and phylogenic studies, were defined as respectively coding a putative P5C reductase. Here we describe the cloning, heterologous expression, functional analysis and small-angle X-ray scattering studies of the four affinity-purified proteins. Results showed that two of them, namely ProI and ComER, lost their catalytic efficiency or underwent subfunctionalization. In the case of ComER, this could be likely explained by the loss of the ability to form a dimer, which has been previously shown to be an essential structural feature of the catalytically active P5C reductase. The properties of the two active enzymes are consistent with a constitutive role for ProG, and suggest that ProH expression may be beneficial to satisfy an increased need for proline.« less

  10. Functional Characterization of Four Putative δ1-Pyrroline-5-Carboxylate Reductases from Bacillus subtilis

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Forlani, Giuseppe; Nocek, Boguslaw; Chakravarthy, Srinivas

    In most living organisms, the amino acid proline is synthesized starting from both glutamate and ornithine. In prokaryotes, in the absence of an ornithine cyclodeaminase that has been identified to date only in a small number of soil and plant bacteria, these pathways share the last step, the reduction of δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C) catalyzed by P5C reductase (EC 1.5.1.2). In several species, multiple forms of P5C reductase have been reported, possibly reflecting the dual function of proline. Aside from its common role as a building block of proteins, proline is indeed also involved in the cellular response to osmotic and oxidativemore » stress conditions. Genome analysis of Bacillus subtilis identifies the presence of four genes (ProH, ProI, ProG, and ComER) that, based on bioinformatic and phylogenic studies, were defined as respectively coding a putative P5C reductase. Here we describe the cloning, heterologous expression, functional analysis and small-angle X-ray scattering studies of the four affinity-purified proteins. Results showed that two of them, namely ProI and ComER, lost their catalytic efficiency or underwent subfunctionalization. In the case of ComER, this could be likely explained by the loss of the ability to form a dimer, which has been previously shown to be an essential structural feature of the catalytically active P5C reductase. The properties of the two active enzymes are consistent with a constitutive role for ProG, and suggest that ProH expression may be beneficial to satisfy an increased need for proline.« less

  11. Framing a Philosophy of Environmental Action: Aldo Leopold, John Muir, and the Importance of Community

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Goralnik, Lissy; Nelson, Michael P.

    2011-01-01

    A philosophy of action consists of a theory about how and why we do things and what motivates us to act. By juxtaposing the theory of environmental action implied by the works and life of John Muir with the philosophy of action suggested by Aldo Leopold's Land Ethic, we will illuminate the importance of a philosophy of action in determining one's…

  12. Structure and mechanism of human UDP-xylose synthase: evidence for a promoting role of sugar ring distortion in a three-step catalytic conversion of UDP-glucuronic acid.

    PubMed

    Eixelsberger, Thomas; Sykora, Sabine; Egger, Sigrid; Brunsteiner, Michael; Kavanagh, Kathryn L; Oppermann, Udo; Brecker, Lothar; Nidetzky, Bernd

    2012-09-07

    UDP-xylose synthase (UXS) catalyzes decarboxylation of UDP-D-glucuronic acid to UDP-xylose. In mammals, UDP-xylose serves to initiate glycosaminoglycan synthesis on the protein core of extracellular matrix proteoglycans. Lack of UXS activity leads to a defective extracellular matrix, resulting in strong interference with cell signaling pathways. We present comprehensive structural and mechanistic characterization of the human form of UXS. The 1.26-Å crystal structure of the enzyme bound with NAD(+) and UDP reveals a homodimeric short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR), belonging to the NDP-sugar epimerases/dehydratases subclass. We show that enzymatic reaction proceeds in three chemical steps via UDP-4-keto-D-glucuronic acid and UDP-4-keto-pentose intermediates. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the D-glucuronyl ring accommodated by UXS features a marked (4)C(1) chair to B(O,3) boat distortion that facilitates catalysis in two different ways. It promotes oxidation at C(4) (step 1) by aligning the enzymatic base Tyr(147) with the reactive substrate hydroxyl and it brings the carboxylate group at C(5) into an almost fully axial position, ideal for decarboxylation of UDP-4-keto-D-glucuronic acid in the second chemical step. The protonated side chain of Tyr(147) stabilizes the enolate of decarboxylated C(4) keto species ((2)H(1) half-chair) that is then protonated from the Si face at C(5), involving water coordinated by Glu(120). Arg(277), which is positioned by a salt-link interaction with Glu(120), closes up the catalytic site and prevents release of the UDP-4-keto-pentose and NADH intermediates. Hydrogenation of the C(4) keto group by NADH, assisted by Tyr(147) as catalytic proton donor, yields UDP-xylose adopting the relaxed (4)C(1) chair conformation (step 3).

  13. Chroman-4-One Derivatives Targeting Pteridine Reductase 1 and Showing Anti-Parasitic Activity.

    PubMed

    Di Pisa, Flavio; Landi, Giacomo; Dello Iacono, Lucia; Pozzi, Cecilia; Borsari, Chiara; Ferrari, Stefania; Santucci, Matteo; Santarem, Nuno; Cordeiro-da-Silva, Anabela; Moraes, Carolina B; Alcantara, Laura M; Fontana, Vanessa; Freitas-Junior, Lucio H; Gul, Sheraz; Kuzikov, Maria; Behrens, Birte; Pöhner, Ina; Wade, Rebecca C; Costi, Maria Paola; Mangani, Stefano

    2017-03-08

    Flavonoids have previously been identified as antiparasitic agents and pteridine reductase 1 (PTR1) inhibitors. Herein, we focus our attention on the chroman-4-one scaffold. Three chroman-4-one analogues ( 1 - 3 ) of previously published chromen-4-one derivatives were synthesized and biologically evaluated against parasitic enzymes ( Trypanosoma brucei PTR1- Tb PTR1 and Leishmania major-Lm PTR1) and parasites ( Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania infantum ). A crystal structure of Tb PTR1 in complex with compound 1 and the first crystal structures of Lm PTR1-flavanone complexes (compounds 1 and 3 ) were solved. The inhibitory activity of the chroman-4-one and chromen-4-one derivatives was explained by comparison of observed and predicted binding modes of the compounds. Compound 1 showed activity both against the targeted enzymes and the parasites with a selectivity index greater than 7 and a low toxicity. Our results provide a basis for further scaffold optimization and structure-based drug design aimed at the identification of potent anti-trypanosomatidic compounds targeting multiple PTR1 variants.

  14. Mineralocorticoid activity of 19-hydroxyaldosterone, 19-nor-aldosterone, and 3 beta-hydroxy-delta 5-aldosterone: relative potencies measured in two bioassay systems.

    PubMed

    Morris, D J; Brem, A S; Saccoccio, N A; Pacholski, M; Harnik, M

    1986-06-01

    The mineralocorticoid (MC) activities of 19-hydroxyaldosterone (19-OH-Aldo) and 19-nor-aldosterone (19-nor-Aldo) were tested in adrenalectomized male rats. Potency was assessed by three criteria. Overall MC activity is expressed as the ability to decrease the urinary Na+ to K+ ratio; antinatriuretic activity is represented by decreases in the urinary Na+ to creatinine ratio, and kaliuretic activity by increases in the K+ to creatinine ratio. All measurements were made on urine collected 1-3 h postinjection. In this assay, 19-OH-Aldo was 1/100th to 1/140th as active as Aldo, and 19-nor-Aldo possessed MC activity similar to that of Aldo; both steroids possessed antinatriuretic and kaliuretic activities. In contrast, when assayed in vitro in the isolated toad urinary bladder, the natriferic responses of both 19-OH-Aldo and 19-nor-Aldo (10(-8), 10(-7), and 10(-6) M) were not significantly different from those caused by equivalent concentrations of Aldo. 3 beta-Hydroxy-delta 5-Aldo is active as a MC in the adrenalectomized male rat, being 1/20th to 1/35th as active as Aldo, but, in contrast to 19-OH-Aldo, was less active in the isolated toad bladder system. 19-OH-Aldo, 19-nor-Aldo, and 3 beta-hydroxy-delta 5-Aldo could represent important new classes of Aldo analogs.

  15. DD-RT-PCR identifies 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase as a key marker of early Leydig cell steroidogenesis.

    PubMed

    Anbalagan, M; Yashwanth, R; Jagannadha Rao, A

    2004-04-30

    Postnatal Leydig cell development in rat involves an initial phase of proliferation of progenitor Leydig cells (PLCs) and subsequent differentiation of these cells into immature Leydig cells (ILCs) and adult Leydig cells (ALCs). With an objective to identify the molecular changes associated with Leydig cell differentiation, the mRNA population in PLCs and ILCs were analyzed by the technique of differential display reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (DD-RT-PCR). Results revealed differential expression of several transcripts in PLCs and ILCs. Of the several differentially expressed transcripts, the expression of transcripts corresponding to collagen IV alpha6 (Col IV alpha6) and ribosomal protein L 41 (RpL41) decreased during the differentiation of PLC to ILC. Also there was an increase in the expression of transcripts encoding enzymes such as microsomal glutathione-S-transferase (mGST 1) and 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (7-DHCR) during this process. While Col IV alpha6 and RpL41 are known to be involved in cellular proliferation, mGST 1 and 7-DHCR are essential for normal Leydig cell steroidogenesis. A detailed study on 7-DHCR expression in Leydig cells revealed that this enzyme plays a crucial role in steroidogenesis. Interestingly expression of this enzyme is not under acute regulation by Luteinizing hormone (LH). Copyright 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

  16. Purification and Characterization of (Per)Chlorate Reductase from the Chlorate-Respiring Strain GR-1

    PubMed Central

    Kengen, Servé W. M.; Rikken, Geoffrey B.; Hagen, Wilfred R.; van Ginkel, Cees G.; Stams, Alfons J. M.

    1999-01-01

    Strain GR-1 is one of several recently isolated bacterial species that are able to respire by using chlorate or perchlorate as the terminal electron acceptor. The organism performs a complete reduction of chlorate or perchlorate to chloride and oxygen, with the intermediate formation of chlorite. This study describes the purification and characterization of the key enzyme of the reductive pathway, the chlorate and perchlorate reductase. A single enzyme was found to catalyze both the chlorate- and perchlorate-reducing activity. The oxygen-sensitive enzyme was located in the periplasm and had an apparent molecular mass of 420 kDa, with subunits of 95 and 40 kDa in an α3β3 composition. Metal analysis showed the presence of 11 mol of iron, 1 mol of molybdenum, and 1 mol of selenium per mol of heterodimer. In accordance, quantitative electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy showed the presence of one [3Fe-4S] cluster and two [4Fe-4S] clusters. Furthermore, two different signals were ascribed to Mo(V). The Kmvalues for perchlorate and chlorate were 27 and <5 μM, respectively. Besides perchlorate and chlorate, nitrate, iodate, and bromate were also reduced at considerable rates. The resemblance of the enzyme to nitrate reductases, formate dehydrogenases, and selenate reductase is discussed. PMID:10542172

  17. Mercury (II) removal by resistant bacterial isolates and mercuric (II) reductase activity in a new strain of Pseudomonas sp. B50A.

    PubMed

    Giovanella, Patricia; Cabral, Lucélia; Bento, Fátima Menezes; Gianello, Clesio; Camargo, Flávio Anastácio Oliveira

    2016-01-25

    This study aimed to isolate mercury resistant bacteria, determine the minimum inhibitory concentration for Hg, estimate mercury removal by selected isolates, explore the mer genes, and detect and characterize the activity of the enzyme mercuric (II) reductase produced by a new strain of Pseudomonas sp. B50A. The Hg removal capacity of the isolates was determined by incubating the isolates in Luria Bertani broth and the remaining mercury quantified by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. A PCR reaction was carried out to detect the merA gene and the mercury (II) reductase activity was determined in a spectrophotometer at 340 nm. Eight Gram-negative bacterial isolates were resistant to high mercury concentrations and capable of removing mercury, and of these, five were positive for the gene merA. The isolate Pseudomonas sp. B50A removed 86% of the mercury present in the culture medium and was chosen for further analysis of its enzyme activity. Mercuric (II) reductase activity was detected in the crude extract of this strain. This enzyme showed optimal activity at pH 8 and at temperatures between 37 °C and 45 °C. The ions NH4(+), Ba(2+), Sn(2+), Ni(2+) and Cd(2+) neither inhibited nor stimulated the enzyme activity but it decreased in the presence of the ions Ca(2+), Cu(+) and K(+). The isolate and the enzyme detected were effective in reducing Hg(II) to Hg(0), showing the potential to develop bioremediation technologies and processes to clean-up the environment and waste contaminated with mercury. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Leptin induces CYP1B1 expression in MCF-7 cells through ligand-independent activation of the ERα pathway

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Khanal, Tilak; Kim, Hyung Gyun; Do, Minh Truong

    2014-05-15

    Leptin, a hormone with multiple biological actions, is produced predominantly by adipose tissue. Among its functions, leptin can stimulate tumour cell growth. Oestrogen receptor α (ERα), which plays an essential role in breast cancer development, can be transcriptionally activated in a ligand-independent manner. In this study, we investigated the effect of leptin on CYP1B1 expression and its mechanism in breast cancer cells. Leptin induced CYP1B1 protein, messenger RNA expression and promoter activity in ERα-positive MCF-7 cells but not in ERα-negative MDA-MB-231 cells. Additionally, leptin increased 4-hydroxyoestradiol in MCF-7 cells. Also, ERα knockdown by siRNA significantly blocked the induction of CYP1B1more » expression by leptin, indicating that leptin induced CYP1B1 expression via an ERα-dependent mechanism. Transient transfection with CYP1B1 deletion promoter constructs revealed that the oestrogen response element (ERE) plays important role in the up-regulation of CYP1B1 by leptin. Furthermore, leptin stimulated phosphorylation of ERα at serine residues 118 and 167 and increased ERE-luciferase activity, indicating that leptin induced CYP1B1 expression by ERα activation. Finally, we found that leptin activated ERK and Akt signalling pathways, which are upstream kinases related to ERα phosphorylation induced by leptin. Taken together, our results indicate that leptin-induced CYP1B1 expression is mediated by ligand-independent activation of the ERα pathway as a result of the activation of ERK and Akt in MCF-7 cells. - Highlights: • Leptin increased 4-hydroxyoestradiol in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. • Leptin activated ERK and Akt kinases related to ERα phosphorylation. • Leptin induces phosphorylation of ERα at serine residues 118 and 167. • Leptin induces ERE-luciferase activity.« less

  19. Dynamic Kinetic Asymmetric Transformations of β-Stereogenic-α-Keto Esters via Direct Aldolization

    PubMed Central

    Corbett, Michael T.; Johnson, Jeffrey S.

    2014-01-01

    Dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformations (DyKAT) of racemic β-bromo-α-keto esters via direct aldolization of nitromethane and acetone provide access to fully substituted α-glycolic acid derivatives bearing a β-stereocenter. The aldol adducts are obtained in excellent yield with high relative and absolute stereocontrol under mild reaction conditions. Mechanistic studies determined that the reactions proceed through a facile catalyst-mediated racemization of the β-bromo-α-keto esters under a DyKAT Type I manifold. PMID:24222195

  20. Genome sequence analysis of predicted polyprenol reductase gene from mangrove plant kandelia obovata

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Basyuni, M.; Sagami, H.; Baba, S.; Oku, H.

    2018-03-01

    It has been previously reported that dolichols but not polyprenols were predominated in mangrove leaves and roots. Therefore, the occurrence of larger amounts of dolichol in leaves of mangrove plants implies that polyprenol reductase is responsible for the conversion of polyprenol to dolichol may be active in mangrove leaves. Here we report the early assessment of probably polyprenol reductase gene from genome sequence of mangrove plant Kandelia obovata. The functional assignment of the gene was based on a homology search of the sequences against the non-redundant (nr) peptide database of NCBI using Blastx. The degree of sequence identity between DNA sequence and known polyprenol reductase was confirmed using the Blastx probability E-value, total score, and identity. The genome sequence data resulted in three partial sequences, termed c23157 (700 bp), c23901 (960 bp), and c24171 (531 bp). The c23157 gene showed the highest similarity (61%) to predicted polyprenol reductase 2- like from Gossypium raimondii with E-value 2e-100. The second gene was c23901 to exhibit high similarity (78%) to the steroid 5-alpha-reductase Det2 from J. curcas with E-value 2e-140. Furthermore, the c24171 gene depicted highest similarity (79%) to the polyprenol reductase 2 isoform X1 from Jatropha curcas with E- value 7e-21.The present study suggested that the c23157, c23901, and c24171, genes may encode predicted polyprenol reductase. The c23157, c23901, c24171 are therefore the new type of predicted polyprenol reductase from K. obovata.

  1. In vitro modulation of cytochrome P450 reductase supported indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity by allosteric effectors cytochrome b(5) and methylene blue.

    PubMed

    Pearson, Josh T; Siu, Sophia; Meininger, David P; Wienkers, Larry C; Rock, Dan A

    2010-03-30

    Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is a heme-containing dioxygenase involved in the degradation of several indoleamine derivatives and has been indicated as an immunosuppressive. IDO is an attractive target for therapeutic intervention in diseases which are known to capitalize on immune suppression, including cancer, HIV, and inflammatory diseases. Conventionally, IDO activity is measured through chemical reduction by the addition of ascorbate and methylene blue. Identification of potential coenzymes involved in the reduction of IDO in vivo should improve in vitro reconstitution systems used to identify potential IDO inhibitors. In this study we show that NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) is capable of supporting IDO activity in vitro and that oxidation of l-Trp follows substrate inhibition kinetics (k(cat) = 0.89 +/- 0.04 s(-1), K(m) = 0.72 +/- 0.15 microM, and K(i) = 9.4 +/- 2.0 microM). Addition of cytochrome b(5) to CPR-supported l-Trp incubations results in modulation from substrate inhibition to sigmoidal kinetics (k(cat) = 1.7 +/- 0.3 s(-1), K(m) = 1.5 +/- 0.9 microM, and K(i) = 1.9 +/- 0.3). CPR-supported d-Trp oxidations (+/-cytochrome b(5)) exhibit Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Addition of methylene blue (minus ascorbate) to CPR-supported reactions resulted in inhibition of d-Trp turnover and modulation of l-Trp kinetics from allosteric to Michaelis-Menten with a concurrent decrease in substrate affinity for IDO. Our data indicate that CPR is capable of supporting IDO activity in vitro and oxidation of tryptophan by IDO displays substrate stereochemistry dependent atypical kinetics which can be modulated by the addition of cytochrome b(5).

  2. Identification of aldolase and ferredoxin reductase within the dbt operon of Burkholderia fungorum DBT1.

    PubMed

    Piccoli, Stefano; Andreolli, Marco; Giorgetti, Alejandro; Zordan, Fabio; Lampis, Silvia; Vallini, Giovanni

    2014-05-01

    Burkholderia fungorum DBT1, first isolated from settling particulate matter of an oil refinery wastewater, is a bacterial strain which has been shown capable of utilizing several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) including dibenzothiophene (DBT). In particular, this microbe is able to efficiently degrade DBT through the Kodama pathway. Previous investigations have lead to the identification of six genes, on a total of eight, required for DBT degradation. In the present study, a combined experimental/computational approach was adopted to identify and in silico characterize the two missing genes, namely a ferredoxin reductase and a hydratase-aldolase. Thus, the finding of all enzymatic components of the Kodama pathway in B. fungorum DBT1 makes this bacterial strain amenable for possible exploitation in soil bioremediation protocols. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  3. Regulation of B7.1 costimulatory molecule is mediated by the IFN regulatory factor-7 through the activation of JNK in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human monocytic cells.

    PubMed

    Lim, Wilfred; Gee, Katrina; Mishra, Sasmita; Kumar, Ashok

    2005-11-01

    The engagement of CD28 or CTLA-4 with B7.1 provides the essential second costimulatory signal that regulates the development of immune responses, including T cell activation, differentiation, and induction of peripheral tolerance. The signaling molecules and the transcription factors involved in B7.1 regulation are poorly understood. In this study we investigated the role of MAPKs in the regulation of LPS-induced B7.1 expression in human monocytes and the promonocytic THP-1 cells. Our results show that LPS-induced B7.1 expression in monocytic cells did not involve the activation of either p38 or ERKs. Using the JNK-specific inhibitor SP600125, small interfering RNAs specific for JNK1 and JNK2, and agents such as dexamethasone that inhibit JNK activation, we determined that LPS-induced B7.1 expression was regulated by JNK MAPK in both monocytes and THP-1 cells. In addition, we identified a distinct B7.1-responsive element corresponding to the IFN regulatory factor-7 (IRF-7) binding site in the B7.1 promoter responsible for the regulation of LPS-induced B7.1 transcription. Furthermore, SP600125 and dexamethasone inhibited LPS-induced IRF-7 activity. Taken together, these results suggest that LPS-induced B7.1 transcription in human monocytic cells may be regulated by JNK-mediated activation of the IRF-7 transcription factor.

  4. Mung bean decreases plasma cholesterol by up-regulation of CYP7A1.

    PubMed

    Yao, Yang; Hao, Liu; Shi, Zhenxing; Wang, Lixia; Cheng, Xuzhen; Wang, Suhua; Ren, Guixing

    2014-06-01

    Our results affirmed that supplementation of 1 or 2% mung bean could decrease plasma total cholesterol and triacylglycerol level. Mung bean increased mRNA 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase. Most importantly, mung bean increased not only the protein level of cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) but also mRNA CYP7A1. It was concluded that the hypocholesterolemic activity of mung bean was most probable mediated by enhancement of bile acid excretion and up-regulation of CYP7A1.

  5. Identification and Characterization of the Missing Pyrimidine Reductase in the Plant Riboflavin Biosynthesis Pathway1[W][OA

    PubMed Central

    Hasnain, Ghulam; Frelin, Océane; Roje, Sanja; Ellens, Kenneth W.; Ali, Kashif; Guan, Jiahn-Chou; Garrett, Timothy J.; de Crécy-Lagard, Valérie; Gregory, Jesse F.; McCarty, Donald R.; Hanson, Andrew D.

    2013-01-01

    Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is the precursor of the flavin coenzymes flavin mononucleotide and flavin adenine dinucleotide. In Escherichia coli and other bacteria, sequential deamination and reduction steps in riboflavin biosynthesis are catalyzed by RibD, a bifunctional protein with distinct pyrimidine deaminase and reductase domains. Plants have two diverged RibD homologs, PyrD and PyrR; PyrR proteins have an extra carboxyl-terminal domain (COG3236) of unknown function. Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) PyrD (encoded by At4g20960) is known to be a monofunctional pyrimidine deaminase, but no pyrimidine reductase has been identified. Bioinformatic analyses indicated that plant PyrR proteins have a catalytically competent reductase domain but lack essential zinc-binding residues in the deaminase domain, and that the Arabidopsis PyrR gene (At3g47390) is coexpressed with riboflavin synthesis genes. These observations imply that PyrR is a pyrimidine reductase without deaminase activity. Consistent with this inference, Arabidopsis or maize (Zea mays) PyrR (At3g47390 or GRMZM2G090068) restored riboflavin prototrophy to an E. coli ribD deletant strain when coexpressed with the corresponding PyrD protein (At4g20960 or GRMZM2G320099) but not when expressed alone; the COG3236 domain was unnecessary for complementing activity. Furthermore, recombinant maize PyrR mediated NAD(P)H-dependent pyrimidine reduction in vitro. Import assays with pea (Pisum sativum) chloroplasts showed that PyrR and PyrD are taken up and proteolytically processed. Ablation of the maize PyrR gene caused early seed lethality. These data argue that PyrR is the missing plant pyrimidine reductase, that it is plastid localized, and that it is essential. The role of the COG3236 domain remains mysterious; no evidence was obtained for the possibility that it catalyzes the dephosphorylation that follows pyrimidine reduction. PMID:23150645

  6. Multiple turnovers of the nicotino-enzyme PdxB require α-keto acids as co-substrates

    PubMed Central

    Rudolph, Johannes; Kim, Juhan; Copley, Shelley D.

    2012-01-01

    PdxB catalyzes the second step in the biosynthesis of pyridoxal phosphate by oxidizing 4-phospho-D-erythronate (4PE) to 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-4-phospho-butanoate (OHPB) with concomitant reduction of NAD+ to NADH. PdxB is a nicotino-enzyme wherein the NAD(H) cofactor remains tightly bound to PdxB. It has been a mystery how PdxB performs multiple turnovers since addition of free NAD+ does not re-oxidize the enzyme-bound NADH following conversion of 4PE to OHPB. We have solved this mystery by demonstrating that a variety of physiologically available α-ketoacids serve as oxidants of PdxB to sustain multiple turnovers. In a coupled assay using the next two enzymes of the biosynthetic pathway for pyridoxal phosphate (SerC and PdxA), we have found that α-ketoglutarate, oxaloacetic acid, and pyruvate are equally good substrates for PdxB (kcat/Km values ~ 1 × 104 M-1s-1). The kinetic parameters for the substrate 4PE include a kcat of 1.4 s-1, a Km of 2.9 μM, and a kcat/Km of 6.7 × 106 M-1s-1. Additionally, we have characterized the stereochemistry of α-ketoglutarate reduction by showing that D-2-HGA, but not L-2-HGA, is a competitive inhibitor vs. 4PE and a noncompetitive inhibitor vs. α-ketoglutarate. PMID:20831184

  7. Nitrate reductase and nitrous oxide production by Fusarium oxysporum 11dn1 under aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

    PubMed

    Kurakov, A V; Nosikov, A N; Skrynnikova, E V; L'vov, N P

    2000-08-01

    The fungus Fusarium oxysporum 11dn1 was found to be able to grow and produce nitrous oxide on nitrate-containing medium in anaerobic conditions. The rate of nitrous oxide formation was three to six orders of magnitude lower than the rates of molecular nitrogen production by common denitrifying bacteria. Acetylene and ammonia did not affect the release of nitrous oxide release. It was shown that under anaerobic conditions fast increase of nitrate reductase activity occurred, caused by the synthesis of enzyme de novo and protein dephosphorylation. Reverse transfer of the mycelium to aerobic conditions led to a decline in nitrate reductase activity and stopped nitrous oxide production. The presence of two nitrate reductases was shown, which differed in molecular mass, location, temperature optima, and activity in nitrate- and ammonium-containing media. Two enzymes represent assimilatory and dissimilatory nitrate reductases, which are active in aerobic and anaerobic conditions, respectively.

  8. Spontaneous autoimmune gastritis and hypochlorhydria are manifest in the ileitis-prone SAMP1/YitFcs mice

    PubMed Central

    Erickson, L. D.; Loo, W. M.; Scott, K. G.; Wiznerowicz, E. B.; Brown, C. C.; Torres-Velez, F. J.; Alam, M. S.; Black, S. G.; McDuffie, M.; Feldman, S. H.; Wallace, J. L.; McKnight, G. W.; Padol, I. T.; Hunt, R. H.; Tung, K. S.

    2012-01-01

    SAMP1/YitFcs mice serve as a model of Crohn's disease, and we have used them to assess gastritis. Gastritis was compared in SAMP1/YitFcs, AKR, and C57BL/6 mice by histology, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. Gastric acid secretion was measured in ligated stomachs, while anti-parietal cell antibodies were assayed by immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay. SAMP1/YitFcs mice display a corpus-dominant, chronic gastritis with multifocal aggregates of mononuclear cells consisting of T and B lymphocytes. Relatively few aggregates were observed elsewhere in the stomach. The infiltrates in the oxyntic mucosa were associated with the loss of parietal cell mass. AKR mice, the founder strain of the SAMP1/YitFcs, also have gastritis, although they do not develop ileitis. Genetic studies using SAMP1/YitFcs-C57BL/6 congenic mice showed that the genetic regions regulating ileitis had comparable effects on gastritis. The majority of the cells in the aggregates expressed the T cell marker CD3 or the B cell marker B220. Adoptive transfer of SAMP1/YitFcs CD4+ T helper cells, with or without B cells, into immunodeficient recipients induced a pangastritis and duodenitis. SAMP1/YitFcs and AKR mice manifest hypochlorhydria and anti-parietal cell antibodies. These data suggest that common genetic factors controlling gastroenteric disease in SAMP1/YitFcs mice regulate distinct pathogenic mechanisms causing inflammation in separate sites within the digestive tract. PMID:21921286

  9. Co-expression of human cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) variants and human NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase in the baculovirus/insect cell system.

    PubMed

    Schwarz, D; Kisselev, P; Honeck, H; Cascorbi, I; Schunck, W H; Roots, I

    2001-06-01

    1. Three human cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) variants, wild-type (CYP1A1.1), CYP1A1.2 (1462V) and CYP1A1.4 (T461N), were co-expressed with human NADPH-P450 reductase (OR) in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) insect cells by baculovirus co-infection to elaborate a suitable system for studying the role of CYPA1 polymorphism in the metabolism of exogenous and endogenous substrates. 2. A wide range of conditions was examined to optimize co-expression with regard to such parameters as relative multiplicity of infection (MOI), time of harvest, haem precursor supplementation and post-translational stabilization. tinder optimized conditions, almost identical expression levels and molar OR/CYP1A1 ratios (20:1) were attained for all CYP1A1 variants. 3. Microsomes isolated from co-infected cells demonstrated ethoxyresorufin deethlylase activities (nmol/min(-1) nmol(-1) CYP1A1) of 16.0 (CYP1A1.1), 20.5 (CYP1A1.2) and 22.5 (CYP1A1.4). Pentoxyresorufin was dealkylated approximately 10-20 times slower with all enzyme variants. 4. All three CYP1A1 variants were active in metabolizing the precarcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), with wild-type enzyme showing the highest activity, followed by CYP1A1.4 (60%) and CYP1A1.2 (40%). Each variant produced all major metabolites including B[a]P-7,8-dihydrodiol, the precursor of the ultimate carcinogenic species. 5. These studies demonstrate that the baculovirus-mediated co-expression-by-co-infection approach all CYP1A1 variants yields functionally active enzyme systems with similar molar OR/CYP1A1 ratios, thus providing suitable preconditions to examine the metabolism of and environmental chemicals by the different CY1A1 variants.

  10. The Yeast Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 2B Translation Initiation Complex Interacts with the Fatty Acid Synthesis Enzyme YBR159W and Endoplasmic Reticulum Membranes

    PubMed Central

    Browne, Christopher M.; Samir, Parimal; Fites, J. Scott; Villarreal, Seth A.

    2013-01-01

    Using affinity purifications coupled with mass spectrometry and yeast two-hybrid assays, we show the Saccharomyces cerevisiae translation initiation factor complex eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2B (eIF2B) and the very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) synthesis keto-reductase enzyme YBR159W physically interact. The data show that the interaction is specifically between YBR159W and eIF2B and not between other members of the translation initiation or VLCFA pathways. A ybr159wΔ null strain has a slow-growth phenotype and a reduced translation rate but a normal GCN4 response to amino acid starvation. Although YBR159W localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, subcellular fractionation experiments show that a fraction of eIF2B cofractionates with lipid membranes in a YBR159W-independent manner. We show that a ybr159wΔ yeast strain and other strains with null mutations in the VLCFA pathway cause eIF2B to appear as numerous foci throughout the cytoplasm. PMID:23263984

  11. Introducing a 2-His-1-Glu Nonheme Iron Center into Myoglobin Confers Nitric Oxide Reductase Activity

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lin, Y.W.; Robinson, H.; Yeung, N.

    2010-07-28

    A conserved 2-His-1-Glu metal center, as found in natural nonheme iron-containing enzymes, was engineered into sperm whale myoglobin by replacing Leu29 and Phe43 with Glu and His, respectively (swMb L29E, F43H, H64, called Fe{sub B}Mb(-His)). A high resolution (1.65 {angstrom}) crystal structure of Cu(II)-CN?-Fe{sub B}Mb(-His) was determined, demonstrating that the unique 2-His-1-Glu metal center was successfully created within swMb. The Fe{sub B}Mb(-His) can bind Cu, Fe, or Zn ions, with both Cu(I)-Fe{sub B}Mb(-His) and Fe(II)-Fe{sub B}Mb(-His) exhibiting nitric oxide reductase (NOR) activities. Cu dependent NOR activity was significantly higher than that of Fe in the same metal binding site. EPRmore » studies showed that the reduction of NO to N{sub 2}O catalyzed by these two enzymes resulted in different intermediates; a five-coordinate heme-NO species was observed for Cu(I)-Fe{sub B}Mb(-His) due to the cleavage of the proximal heme Fe-His bond, while Fe(II)-Fe{sub B}Mb(-His) remained six-coordinate. Therefore, both the metal ligand, Glu29, and the metal itself, Cu or Fe, play crucial roles in NOR activity. This study presents a novel protein model of NOR and provides insights into a newly discovered member of the NOR family, gNOR.« less

  12. Lamin B receptor (LBR) regulates the growth and maturation of myeloid progenitors via its sterol reductase domain: Implications for cholesterol biosynthesis in regulating myelopoiesis

    PubMed Central

    Subramanian, Gayathri; Chaudhury, Pulkit; Malu, Krishnakumar; Fowler, Samantha; Manmode, Rahul; Gotur, Deepali; Zwerger, Monika; Ryan, David; Roberti, Rita; Gaines, Peter

    2011-01-01

    Lamin B receptor (LBR) is a bifunctional nuclear membrane protein with N-terminal lamin B and chromatin binding domains plus a C-terminal sterol Δ14 reductase domain. LBR expression increases during neutrophil differentiation and deficient expression disrupts neutrophil nuclear lobulation characteristic of Pelger-Huët anomaly. Thus LBR plays a critical role in regulating myeloid differentiation, but how the two functional domains of LBR support this role is currently unclear. We previously identified abnormal proliferation and deficient functional maturation of promyelocytes (EPRO cells) derived from EML-ic/ic cells, a myeloid model of ichthyosis (ic) bone marrow that lacks Lbr expression. Here we provide new evidence that cholesterol biosynthesis is important to myeloid cell growth and is supported by the sterol reductase domain of Lbr. Cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitors caused growth inhibition of EML cells that increased in EPRO cells, whereas cells lacking Lbr exhibited complete growth arrest at both stages. Lipid production increased during wild-type neutrophil maturation, but ic/ic cells exhibited deficient levels of lipid and cholesterol production. Ectopic expression of a full length Lbr in EML-ic/ic cells rescued both nuclear lobulation and growth arrest in cholesterol starvation conditions. Lipid production also was rescued, and a deficient respiratory burst was corrected. Expression of just the C-terminal sterol reductase domain of Lbr in ic/ic cells also improved each of these phenotypes. Our data support the conclusion that the sterol Δ14 reductase domain of LBR plays a critical role in cholesterol biosynthesis, and that this process is essential to both myeloid cell growth and functional maturation. PMID:22140257

  13. Evidence for a Ustilago maydis steroid 5alpha-reductase by functional expression in Arabidopsis det2-1 mutants.

    PubMed

    Basse, Christoph W; Kerschbamer, Christine; Brustmann, Markus; Altmann, Thomas; Kahmann, Regine

    2002-06-01

    We have identified a gene (udh1) in the basidiomycete Ustilago maydis that is induced during the parasitic interaction with its host plant maize (Zea mays). udh1 encodes a protein with high similarity to mammalian and plant 5alpha-steroid reductases. Udh1 differs from those of known 5alpha-steroid reductases by six additional domains, partially predicted to be membrane-spanning. A fusion protein of Udh1 and the green fluorescent protein provided evidence for endoplasmic reticulum localization in U. maydis. The function of the Udh1 protein was demonstrated by complementing Arabidopsis det2-1 mutants, which display a dwarf phenotype due to a mutation in the 5alpha-steroid reductase encoding DET2 gene. det2-1 mutant plants expressing either the udh1 or the DET2 gene controlled by the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter differed from wild-type Columbia plants by accelerated stem growth, flower and seed development and a reduction in size and number of rosette leaves. The accelerated growth phenotype of udh1 transgenic plants was stably inherited and was favored under reduced light conditions. Truncation of the N-terminal 70 amino acids of the Udh1 protein abolished the ability to restore growth in det2-1 plants. Our results demonstrate the existence of a 5alpha-steroid reductase encoding gene in fungi and suggest a common ancestor between fungal, plant, and mammalian proteins.

  14. Overexpression of IL-7R alpha provides a competitive advantage during early T-cell development.

    PubMed

    Laouar, Yasmina; Crispe, I Nicholas; Flavell, Richard A

    2004-03-15

    Critical checkpoints controlling early thymic T-cell development and homeostasis are set by the proper signaling function of the interleukin 7 receptor (IL-7R) and the pre-T-cell antigen receptor. Although alpha beta T-cell development is observed in IL-7- and IL-7R alpha-deficient mice, the number of thymocytes is significantly reduced, implying a role for the IL-7R in controlling the size of the thymic T-cell compartment. Here, we report the overexpression of IL-7R alpha that occurs in the early T-cell compartment from AKR/J mice, animals that are highly susceptible to the spontaneous development of thymoma. Increased IL-7R alpha was revealed by surface staining, and increased IL-7R alpha mRNA was documented by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). This resulted in increased survival of AKR/J early thymocytes, shown by the decreased frequency of TUNEL(+) (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate [dUTP]-fluorescein nick end labeling) cells. In an in vivo thymocyte repopulation model, AKR/J thymocytes had a selective advantage over healthy thymocytes. This advantage occurred at early stages of T-cell development. Our findings support the model that overexpression of growth factor receptors can contribute to proliferation and malignancy.

  15. Interleukin-1 homologues IL-1F7b and IL-18 contain functional mRNA instability elements within the coding region responsive to lipopolysaccharide

    PubMed Central

    2004-01-01

    IL-1F7b, a novel homologue of the IL-1 (interleukin 1) family, was discovered by computational cloning. We demonstrated that IL-1F7b shares critical amino acid residues with IL-18 and binds to the IL-18-binding protein enhancing its ability to inhibit IL-18-induced interferon-γ. We also showed that low levels of IL-1F7b are constitutively present intracellularly in human blood monocytes. In this study, we demonstrate that similar to IL-18, both mRNA and intracellular protein expression of IL-1F7b are up-regulated by LPS (lipopolysaccharide) in human monocytes. In stable transfectants of murine RAW264.7 macrophage cells, there was no IL-1F7b protein expression despite a highly active CMV promoter. We found that IL-1F7b-specific mRNA was rapidly degraded in transfected cells, via a 3′-UTR (untranslated region)-independent control of IL-1F7b transcript stability. After LPS stimulation, there was a rapid transient increase in IL-1F7b-specific mRNA and concomitant protein levels. Using sequence alignment, we found a conserved ten-nucleotide homology box within the open reading frame of IL-F7b, which is flanking the coding region instability elements of some selective genes. In-frame deletion of downstream exon 5 from the full-length IL-1F7b cDNA markedly increased the levels of IL-1F7b mRNA. A similar coding region element is located in IL-18. When transfected into RAW264.7 macrophages, IL-18 mRNA was also unstable unless treated with LPS. These results indicate that both IL-1F7b and IL-18 mRNA contain functional instability determinants within their coding region, which influence mRNA decay as a novel mechanism to regulate the expression of IL-1 family members. PMID:15046617

  16. Stimulatory effect of insulin on 5alpha-reductase type 1 (SRD5A1) expression through an Akt-dependent pathway in ovarian granulosa cells.

    PubMed

    Kayampilly, Pradeep P; Wanamaker, Brett L; Stewart, James A; Wagner, Carrie L; Menon, K M J

    2010-10-01

    Elevated levels of 5α-reduced androgens have been shown to be associated with hyperandrogenism and hyperinsulinemia, the leading causes of ovulatory dysfunction in women. 5α-Dihydrotestosterone reduces ovarian granulosa cell proliferation by inhibiting FSH-mediated mitogenic signaling pathways. The present study examined the effect of insulin on 5α-reductase, the enzyme that catalyses the conversion of androgens to their 5α-derivatives. Granulosa cells isolated from immature rat ovaries were cultured in serum-free, phenol red-free DMEM-F12 media and treated with different doses of insulin (0, 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 μg/ml) for different time intervals up to 12 h. The expression of 5α-reductase type 1 mRNA, the predominant isoform found in granulosa cells, showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in response to the insulin treatment up to 12 h compared with control. The catalytic activity of 5α-reductase enzyme was also stimulated in a dose-depended manner (P<0.05). Inhibiting the Akt-dependent signaling pathway abolished the insulin-mediated increase in 5α-reductase mRNA expression, whereas inhibition of the ERK-dependent pathway had no effect. The dose-dependent increase in 5α-reductase mRNA expression as well as catalytic activity seen in response to insulin treatment was also demonstrated in the human granulosa cell line (KGN). In addition to increased mRNA expression, a dose-dependent increase in 5α-reductase protein expression in response to insulin was also seen in KGN cells, which corroborated well with that of mRNA expression. These results suggest that elevated levels of 5α-reduced androgens seen in hyperinsulinemic conditions might be explained on the basis of a stimulatory effect of insulin on 5α-reductase in granulosa cells. The elevated levels of these metabolites, in turn, might adversely affect growth and proliferation of granulosa cells, thereby impairing follicle growth and ovulation.

  17. Stimulatory Effect of Insulin on 5α-Reductase Type 1 (SRD5A1) Expression through an Akt-Dependent Pathway in Ovarian Granulosa Cells

    PubMed Central

    Kayampilly, Pradeep P.; Wanamaker, Brett L.; Stewart, James A.; Wagner, Carrie L.; Menon, K. M. J.

    2010-01-01

    Elevated levels of 5α-reduced androgens have been shown to be associated with hyperandrogenism and hyperinsulinemia, the leading causes of ovulatory dysfunction in women. 5α-Dihydrotestosterone reduces ovarian granulosa cell proliferation by inhibiting FSH-mediated mitogenic signaling pathways. The present study examined the effect of insulin on 5α-reductase, the enzyme that catalyses the conversion of androgens to their 5α-derivatives. Granulosa cells isolated from immature rat ovaries were cultured in serum-free, phenol red-free DMEM-F12 media and treated with different doses of insulin (0, 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 μg/ml) for different time intervals up to 12 h. The expression of 5α-reductase type 1 mRNA, the predominant isoform found in granulosa cells, showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in response to the insulin treatment up to 12 h compared with control. The catalytic activity of 5α-reductase enzyme was also stimulated in a dose-depended manner (P < 0.05). Inhibiting the Akt-dependent signaling pathway abolished the insulin-mediated increase in 5α-reductase mRNA expression, whereas inhibition of the ERK-dependent pathway had no effect. The dose-dependent increase in 5α-reductase mRNA expression as well as catalytic activity seen in response to insulin treatment was also demonstrated in the human granulosa cell line (KGN). In addition to increased mRNA expression, a dose-dependent increase in 5α-reductase protein expression in response to insulin was also seen in KGN cells, which corroborated well with that of mRNA expression. These results suggest that elevated levels of 5α-reduced androgens seen in hyperinsulinemic conditions might be explained on the basis of a stimulatory effect of insulin on 5α-reductase in granulosa cells. The elevated levels of these metabolites, in turn, might adversely affect growth and proliferation of granulosa cells, thereby impairing follicle growth and ovulation. PMID:20810561

  18. PD-L1, B7-H3, and PD-1 expression in immunocompetent vs. immunosuppressed patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

    PubMed

    Varki, Vinod; Ioffe, Olga B; Bentzen, Soren M; Heath, Jon; Cellini, Ashley; Feliciano, Josephine; Zandberg, Dan P

    2018-05-01

    To characterize the expression of co-signaling molecules PD-L1, PD-1, and B7-H3 in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) by immune status. We retrospectively analyzed 66 cases of cSCC treated with surgical resection from 2012 to 2015. Immunostained tumor sections were analyzed for percent of tumor cells expressing PD-L1 (Tum-PD-L1%), B7-H3 (Tum-B7-H3%), density of peri and intratumoral CD8 T cells (CD8 density), proportion of CD8 T cells expressing PD-1 (CD8-PD-1%) and of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TII) expressing PD-L1 (TII-PD-L1%). Of 66 cases, 42 were immunocompetent, 24 immunosuppressed (13 organ transplant, 8 HIV+, 3 other). Defining positive expression at > 5%, 26% of tumors were positive for PD-L1, 85% for B7-H3, 80% had CD8 T cells that expressed PD-1 and 55% had TII that expressed PD-L1. Tum-B7-H3% was significantly higher (median 60 vs. 28%, p = 0.025) in immunocompetent vs. immunosuppressed patients, including when factoring in cause of immunosuppression. No significant difference in Tum-PD-L1%, TII-PD-L1%, CD8 density, or CD8-PD-1% was observed. Tumors from HIV+ patients lacked PD-L1 expression, and had lower B7-H3% (median 2.5 vs. 60%, p = 0.007), and higher CD8 density (median 75% vs. 40%, p = 0.04) compared to immunocompetent patients. Higher tumor grade (R s  = 0.34, p = 0.006) and LVI (R s  = 0.61, p < 0.001) were both associated with higher Tum-PD-L1%. cSCC showed expression of PD-L1 on tumor in 26% of cases, and high tumor B7-H3 expression (85%) and PD-1 expression on CD8 TILs (80%). Tumor B7-H3 expression was significantly higher in immunocompetent vs. immunosuppressed patients, largely driven by very low expression in HIV+ patients.

  19. Nitrate Transport Is Independent of NADH and NAD(P)H Nitrate Reductases in Barley Seedlings 1

    PubMed Central

    Warner, Robert L.; Huffaker, Ray C.

    1989-01-01

    Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) has NADH-specific and NAD(P)H-bispecific nitrate reductase isozymes. Four isogenic lines with different nitrate reductase isozyme combinations were used to determine the role of NADH and NAD(P)H nitrate reductases on nitrate transport and assimilation in barley seedlings. Both nitrate reductase isozymes were induced by nitrate and were required for maximum nitrate assimilation in barley seedlings. Genotypes lacking the NADH isozyme (Az12) or the NAD(P)H isozyme (Az70) assimilated 65 or 85%, respectively, as much nitrate as the wild type. Nitrate assimilation by genotype (Az12;Az70) which is deficient in both nitrate reductases, was only 13% of the wild type indicating that the NADH and NAD(P)H nitrate reductase isozymes are responsible for most of the nitrate reduction in barley seedlings. For all genotypes, nitrate assimilation rates in the dark were about 55% of the rates in light. Hypotheses that nitrate reductase has direct or indirect roles in nitrate uptake were not supported by this study. Induction of nitrate transporters and the kinetics of net nitrate uptake were the same for all four genotypes indicating that neither nitrate reductase isozyme has a direct role in nitrate uptake in barley seedlings. PMID:11537465

  20. Gender differences in endocrine responses to posture and 7 days of -6 degrees head-down bed rest

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Vernikos, J.; Dallman, M. F.; Keil, L. C.; O'Hara, D.; Convertino, V. A.

    1993-01-01

    Endocrine regulation of fluids and electrolytes during 7 days of -6 degrees head-down bed rest (HDBR) was compared in male (n = 8) and, for the first time, female (n = 8) volunteers. The subjects' responses to quiet standing for 2 h before and after HDBR were also tested. In both sexes, diuresis and natriuresis were evident during the first 2-3 days of HDBR, resulting in a marked increase in the urinary Na(+)-to-K+ ratio and significant Na+ retention on re-ambulation. After the 1st day of HDBR, plasma renin activity (PRA) was increased relative to aldosterone (Aldo), plasma volume was decreased, and the renal response to Aldo appeared to be appropriate. Circulating levels of arginine vasopressin, cortisol, and ACTH were unchanged during HDBR. Plasma testosterone decreased slightly on day 2 of HDBR in males. The ratio of early morning ACTH to cortisol was lower in females than in males because ACTH was lower in females. Urinary cortisol increased and remained elevated throughout the HDBR in males only. There were no gender differences in the responses to 7 days of HDBR, except those in the pituitary-adrenal system; those differences appeared unrelated to the postural change. The provocative cardiovascular test of quiet standing before and after HDBR revealed both sex differences and effects of HDBR. There were significant sex differences in cardiovascular responses to standing before and after HDBR. Females had greater PRA and Aldo responses to standing before HDBR and larger Aldo responses to standing after HDBR than males.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS).

  1. Residues in the Distal Heme Pocket of Arabidopsis Non-Symbiotic Hemoglobins: Implication for Nitrite Reductase Activity

    PubMed Central

    Kumar, Nitin; Astegno, Alessandra; Chen, Jian; Giorgetti, Alejandro; Dominici, Paola

    2016-01-01

    It is well-established that plant hemoglobins (Hbs) are involved in nitric oxide (NO) metabolism via NO dioxygenase and/or nitrite reductase activity. The ferrous-deoxy Arabidopsis Hb1 and Hb2 (AHb1 and AHb2) have been shown to reduce nitrite to NO under hypoxia. Here, to test the hypothesis that a six- to five-coordinate heme iron transition might mediate the control of the nitrite reduction rate, we examined distal pocket mutants of AHb1 and AHb2 for nitrite reductase activity, NO production and spectroscopic features. Absorption spectra of AHbs distal histidine mutants showed that AHb1 mutant (H69L) is a stable pentacoordinate high-spin species in both ferrous and ferric states, whereas heme iron in AHb2 mutant (H66L) is hexacoordinated low-spin with Lys69 as the sixth ligand. The bimolecular rate constants for nitrite reduction to NO were 13.3 ± 0.40, 7.3 ± 0.5, 10.6 ± 0.8 and 171.90 ± 9.00 M−1·s−1 for AHb1, AHb2, AHb1 H69L and AHb2 H66L, respectively, at pH 7.4 and 25 °C. Consistent with the reductase activity, the amount of NO detected by chemiluminescence was significantly higher in the AHb2 H66L mutant. Our data indicate that nitrite reductase activity is determined not only by heme coordination, but also by a unique distal heme pocket in each AHb. PMID:27136534

  2. Antioxidant and quinone reductase-inducing constituents of black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) fruits.

    PubMed

    Li, Jie; Deng, Ye; Yuan, Chunhua; Pan, Li; Chai, Heebyung; Keller, William J; Kinghorn, A Douglas

    2012-11-21

    Using in vitro hydroxyl radical-scavenging and quinone reductase-inducing assays, bioactivity-guided fractionation of an ethyl acetate-soluble extract of the fruits of the botanical dietary supplement, black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), led to the isolation of 27 compounds, including a new depside, ethyl 2-[(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyloxy)-4,6-dihydroxyphenyl] acetate (1), along with 26 known compounds (2-27). The structures of the isolated compounds were identified by analysis of their physical and spectroscopic data ([α](D), NMR, IR, UV, and MS). Altogether, 17 compounds (1-4, 9, 15-17, and 19-27) showed significant antioxidant activity in the hydroxyl radical-scavenging assay, with hyperin (24, ED(50) = 0.17 μM) being the most potent. The new compound (1, ED(50) = 0.44 μM) also exhibited potent antioxidant activity in this assay. Three constituents of black chokeberry fruits doubled quinone reductase activity at concentrations <20 μM, namely, protocatechuic acid [9, concentration required to double quinone reductase activity (CD) = 4.3 μM], neochlorogenic acid methyl ester (22, CD = 6.7 μM), and quercetin (23, CD = 3.1 μM).

  3. Characterization of human DHRS4: an inducible short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase enzyme with 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity.

    PubMed

    Matsunaga, Toshiyuki; Endo, Satoshi; Maeda, Satoshi; Ishikura, Shuhei; Tajima, Kazuo; Tanaka, Nobutada; Nakamura, Kazuo T; Imamura, Yorishige; Hara, Akira

    2008-09-15

    Human DHRS4 is a peroxisomal member of the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase superfamily, but its enzymatic properties, except for displaying NADP(H)-dependent retinol dehydrogenase/reductase activity, are unknown. We show that the human enzyme, a tetramer composed of 27kDa subunits, is inactivated at low temperature without dissociation into subunits. The cold inactivation was prevented by a mutation of Thr177 with the corresponding residue, Asn, in cold-stable pig DHRS4, where this residue is hydrogen-bonded to Asn165 in a substrate-binding loop of other subunit. Human DHRS4 reduced various aromatic ketones and alpha-dicarbonyl compounds including cytotoxic 9,10-phenanthrenequinone. The overexpression of the peroxisomal enzyme in cultured cells did not increase the cytotoxicity of 9,10-phenanthrenequinone. While its activity towards all-trans-retinal was low, human DHRS4 efficiently reduced 3-keto-C(19)/C(21)-steroids into 3beta-hydroxysteroids. The stereospecific conversion to 3beta-hydroxysteroids was observed in endothelial cells transfected with vectors expressing the enzyme. The mRNA for the enzyme was ubiquitously expressed in human tissues and several cancer cells, and the enzyme in HepG2 cells was induced by peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor alpha ligands. The results suggest a novel mechanism of cold inactivation and role of the inducible human DHRS4 in 3beta-hydroxysteroid synthesis and xenobiotic carbonyl metabolism.

  4. Characterization and localization of progesterone 5 alpha-reductase from cell cultures of foxglove (Digitalis lanata EHRH).

    PubMed Central

    Wendroth, S; Seitz, H U

    1990-01-01

    Progesterone 5 alpha-reductase, which catalyses the reduction of progesterone to 5 alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione, was isolated and characterized from cell cultures of Digitalis lanata (foxglove). Optimum enzyme activity was observed at pH 7.0, and the enzyme had an apparent Km value of 30 microM for its substrate progesterone. The enzyme needs NADPH as reductant, which could not be replaced by NADH. For NADPH, the apparent Km value is 130 microM. The optimum temperature was 40 degrees C; at temperatures below 45 degrees C, the product 5 alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione was reduced by a second reaction to 5 alpha-pregnan-3 beta-ol-20-one. Progesterone 5 alpha-reductase activity was not dependent on bivalent cations. In the presence of EDTA, 0.1 mM-Mn2+ had no influence on enzyme activity, whereas 0.1 mM-Ca2+, -Co2+ and -Zn2+ decreased progesterone 5 alpha-reductase activity. Only 0.1 mM-Mg2+ was slightly stimulatory. EDTA and thiol reagents such as dithiothreitol stimulate progesterone 5 alpha-reductase activity. By means of linear sucrose gradient fractionation of the cellular membranes, progesterone 5 alpha-reductase was found to be located in the endoplasmic reticulum. PMID:2106876

  5. Branched-Chain Amino and Keto Acid Biochemistry and Cellular Biology in Central Nervous System Diseases

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2009-05-21

    pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) and 2-oxo- glutarate dehydrogenase complex. These dehydrogenase complexes share the same basic structure, perform the...Science 312 (2006) 927-930. [20] J. Dancis, M. Levitz, R.G. Westall, Maple syrup urine disease: branched- chain keto- aciduria , Pediatrics 25 (1960...2127 2128 Dancis J, Levitz M, Westall RG. 1960. Maple syrup urine disease: branched-chain keto- aciduria . Pediatrics 25:72-9. Danner DJ, Lemmon

  6. C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and plasma homocysteine levels among Thai vegans and omnivores.

    PubMed

    Kajanachumpol, Saowanee; Atamasirikul, Kalayanee; Tantibhedhyangkul, Phieuvit

    2013-01-01

    Hyperhomocysteinemia among vegetarians and vegans is caused mostly by vitamin B12 deficiency. A C-to-T mutation in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene results in a thermolabile MTHFR, which may affect homocysteine (Hcy) levels. The importance of this gene mutation among populations depends on the T allele frequency. Blood Hcy, vitamin B12, folate, vitamin B6, and MTHFR C677T mutation status were determined in 109 vegans and 86 omnivores aged 30 - 50 years. The vegans had significantly higher Hcy levels than the omnivores, geometric means (95 % CI) 19.2 (17.0 - 21.7) µmol/L vs. 8.53 (8.12 - 8.95) µmol/L, p < 0.001. A C-to-T mutation in the vegans increased plasma Hcy, albeit insignificantly; geometric means 18.2 µmol/L, 20.4 µmol/L, and 30.0 µmol/L respectively in CC, CT, and TT MTHFR genotypes. There was also a significant decrease in serum folate; geometric means 12.1 ng/mL, 9.33 ng/mL, and 7.20 ng/mL respectively, in the CC, CT, and TT mutants, p = 0.006, and particularly, in the TT mutant compared with the CC wild type, 7.20 ng/mL vs. 12.1 ng/mL, p = 0.023. These findings were not seen in the omnivores. It was concluded that hyperhomocysteinemia is prevalent among Thai vegans due to vitamin B12 deficiency. C-to-T MTHFR mutation contributes only modestly to the hyperhomocysteinemia.

  7. The Rab7 effector PLEKHM1 binds Arl8b to promote cargo traffic to lysosomes

    PubMed Central

    Marwaha, Rituraj; Arya, Subhash B.; Jagga, Divya; Kaur, Harmeet

    2017-01-01

    Endocytic, autophagic, and phagocytic vesicles move on microtubule tracks to fuse with lysosomes. Small GTPases, such as Rab7 and Arl8b, recruit their downstream effectors to mediate this transport and fusion. However, the potential cross talk between these two GTPases is unclear. Here, we show that the Rab7 effector PLEKHM1 simultaneously binds Rab7 and Arl8b, bringing about clustering and fusion of late endosomes and lysosomes. We show that the N-terminal RUN domain of PLEKHM1 is necessary and sufficient for interaction with Arl8b and its subsequent localization to lysosomes. Notably, we also demonstrate that Arl8b mediates recruitment of HOPS complex to PLEKHM1-positive vesicle contact sites. Consequently, Arl8b binding to PLEKHM1 is required for its function in delivery and, therefore, degradation of endocytic and autophagic cargo in lysosomes. Finally, we also show that PLEKHM1 competes with SKIP for Arl8b binding, which dictates lysosome positioning. These findings suggest that Arl8b, along with its effectors, orchestrates lysosomal transport and fusion. PMID:28325809

  8. Thioredoxin and NADP-thioredoxin reductase from cultured carrot cells

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Johnson, T. C.; Cao, R. Q.; Kung, J. E.; Buchanan, B. B.

    1987-01-01

    Dark-grown carrot (Daucus carota L.) tissue cultures were found to contain both protein components of the NADP/thioredoxin system--NADP-thioredoxin reductase and the thioredoxin characteristic of heterotrophic systems, thioredoxin h. Thioredoxin h was purified to apparent homogeneity and, like typical bacterial counterparts, was a 12-kdalton (kDa) acidic protein capable of activating chloroplast NADP-malate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.82) more effectively than fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (EC 3.1.3.11). NADP-thioredoxin reductase (EC 1.6.4.5) was partially purified and found to be an arsenite-sensitive enzyme composed of two 34-kDa subunits. Carrot NADP-thioredoxin reductase resembled more closely its counterpart from bacteria rather than animal cells in acceptor (thioredoxin) specificity. Upon greening of the cells, the content of NADP-thioredoxin-reductase activity, and, to a lesser extent, thioredoxin h decreased. The results confirm the presence of a heterotrophic-type thioredoxin system in plant cells and raise the question of its physiological function.

  9. Expression of alkyl hydroperoxide reductase is regulated negatively by OxyR1 and positively by RpoE2 sigma factor in Azospirillum brasilense Sp7.

    PubMed

    Singh, Sudhir; Dwivedi, Susheel Kumar; Singh, Vijay Shankar; Tripathi, Anil Kumar

    2016-10-01

    OxyR proteins are LysR-type transcriptional regulators, which play an important role in responding to oxidative stress in bacteria. Azospirillum brasilense Sp7 harbours two copies of OxyR. The inactivation of the oxyR1, the gene organized divergently to ahpC in A. brasilense Sp7, led to an increased tolerance to alkyl hydroperoxides, which was corroborated by an increase in alkyl hydroperoxide reductase (AhpC) activity, enhanced expression of ahpC :lacZ fusion and increased synthesis of AhpC protein in the oxyR1::km mutant. The upstream region of ahpC promoter harboured a putative OxyR binding site, T-N11-A. Mutation of T, A or both in the T-N11-Amotif caused derepression of ahpC in A. brasilense suggesting that T-N11-A might be the binding site for a negative regulator. Retardation of the electrophoretic mobility of the T-N11-A motif harbouring oxyR1-ahpC intergenic DNA by recombinant OxyR1, under reducing as well as oxidizing conditions, indicated that OxyR1 acts as a negative regulator of ahpC in A. brasilense. Sequence of the promoter of ahpC, predicted on the basis of transcriptional start site, and an enhanced expression of ahpC:lacZ fusion in chrR2::km mutant background suggested that ahpC promoter was RpoE2 dependent. Thus, this study shows that in A. brasilense Sp7, ahpC expression is regulated negatively by OxyR1 but is regulated positively by RpoE2, an oxidative-stress-responsive sigma factor. It also shows that OxyR1 regulates the expression RpoE1, which is known to play an important role during photooxidative stress in A. brasilense.

  10. Introducing a 2-His-1-Glu Nonheme Iron Center into Myoglobin Confers Nitric Oxide Reductase Activity

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Y Lin; N Yeung; Y Gao

    2011-12-31

    A conserved 2-His-1-Glu metal center, as found in natural nonheme iron-containing enzymes, was engineered into sperm whale myoglobin by replacing Leu29 and Phe43 with Glu and His, respectively (swMb L29E, F43H, H64, called Fe{sub B}Mb(-His)). A high resolution (1.65 {angstrom}) crystal structure of Cu(II)-CN{sup -}-Fe{sub B}Mb(-His) was determined, demonstrating that the unique 2-His-1-Glu metal center was successfully created within swMb. The Fe{sub B}Mb(-His) can bind Cu, Fe, or Zn ions, with both Cu(I)-Fe{sub B}Mb(-His) and Fe(II)-Fe{sub B}Mb(-His) exhibiting nitric oxide reductase (NOR) activities. Cu dependent NOR activity was significantly higher than that of Fe in the same metal binding site.more » EPR studies showed that the reduction of NO to N{sub 2}O catalyzed by these two enzymes resulted in different intermediates; a five-coordinate heme-NO species was observed for Cu(I)-Fe{sub B}Mb(-His) due to the cleavage of the proximal heme Fe-His bond, while Fe(II)-Fe{sub B}Mb(-His) remained six-coordinate. Therefore, both the metal ligand, Glu29, and the metal itself, Cu or Fe, play crucial roles in NOR activity. This study presents a novel protein model of NOR and provides insights into a newly discovered member of the NOR family, gNOR.« less

  11. γδT Cells Exacerbate Podocyte Injury via the CD28/B7-1-Phosphor-SRC Kinase Pathway

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Wanbing; Zhang, Gaofu; Wang, Mo; Yang, Haiping

    2018-01-01

    Primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) is a devastating pediatric disorder. However, its mechanism remains unclear. Previous studies detected B7-1 in podocytes; meanwhile, γδT cells play pivotal roles in immune diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to assess whether and how γδT cells impact podocytes via the CD28/B7-1 pathway. WT and TCRδ−/− mice were assessed. LPS was used to induce nephropathy. Total γδT and CD28+γδT cells were quantitated in mouse spleen and kidney samples. B7-1 and phosphor-SRC levels in the kidney were detected as well. In vitro, γδT cells from the mouse spleen were cocultured with mouse podocytes, and apoptosis rate and phosphor-SRC expression in podocytes were assessed. Compared with control mice, WT mice with LPS nephropathy showed increased amounts of γδT cells in the kidney. Kidney injury was alleviated in TCRδ−/− mice. Meanwhile, B7-1 and phosphor-SRC levels were increased in the kidney from WT mice with LPS nephropathy. CD28+γδT cells were decreased, indicating CD28 may play a role in LPS nephropathy. Immunofluorescence colocalization analysis revealed a tight association of γδT cells with B7-1 in the kidney. High B7-1 expression was detected in podocytes treated with LPS. Podocytes cocultured with γδT cells showed higher phosphor-SRC and apoptosis rate than other cell groups. Furthermore, CD28/B7-1 blockage with CTLA4-Ig in vitro relieved podocyte injury. γδT cells exacerbate podocyte injury via CD28/B7-1 signaling, with downstream involvement of phosphor-SRC. The CD28/B7-1 blocker CTLA4-Ig prevented progressive podocyte injury, providing a potential therapeutic tool for PNS. PMID:29862277

  12. Estimating B1+ in the breast at 7 T using a generic template.

    PubMed

    van Rijssel, Michael J; Pluim, Josien P W; Luijten, Peter R; Gilhuijs, Kenneth G A; Raaijmakers, Alexander J E; Klomp, Dennis W J

    2018-05-01

    Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI is the workhorse of breast MRI, where the diagnosis of lesions is largely based on the enhancement curve shape. However, this curve shape is biased by RF transmit (B 1 + ) field inhomogeneities. B 1 + field information is required in order to correct these. The use of a generic, coil-specific B 1 + template is proposed and tested. Finite-difference time-domain simulations for B 1 + were performed for healthy female volunteers with a wide range of breast anatomies. A generic B 1 + template was constructed by averaging simulations based on four volunteers. Three-dimensional B 1 + maps were acquired in 15 other volunteers. Root mean square error (RMSE) metrics were calculated between individual simulations and the template, and between individual measurements and the template. The agreement between the proposed template approach and a B 1 + mapping method was compared against the agreement between acquisition and reacquisition using the same mapping protocol. RMSE values (% of nominal flip angle) comparing individual simulations with the template were in the range 2.00-4.01%, with mean 2.68%. RMSE values comparing individual measurements with the template were in the range8.1-16%, with mean 11.7%. The agreement between the proposed template approach and a B 1 + mapping method was only slightly worse than the agreement between two consecutive acquisitions using the same mapping protocol in one volunteer: the range of agreement increased from ±16% of the nominal angle for repeated measurement to ±22% for the B 1 + template. With local RF transmit coils, intersubject differences in B 1 + fields of the breast are comparable to the accuracy of B 1 + mapping methods, even at 7 T. Consequently, a single generic B 1 + template suits subjects over a wide range of breast anatomies, eliminating the need for a time-consuming B 1 + mapping protocol. © 2018 The Authors. NMR in Biomedicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  13. Estimating B 1 + in the breast at 7 T using a generic template

    PubMed Central

    Pluim, Josien P. W.; Luijten, Peter R.; Gilhuijs, Kenneth G. A.; Raaijmakers, Alexander J. E.; Klomp, Dennis W. J.

    2018-01-01

    Dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI is the workhorse of breast MRI, where the diagnosis of lesions is largely based on the enhancement curve shape. However, this curve shape is biased by RF transmit (B 1 +) field inhomogeneities. B 1 + field information is required in order to correct these. The use of a generic, coil‐specific B 1 + template is proposed and tested. Finite‐difference time‐domain simulations for B 1 + were performed for healthy female volunteers with a wide range of breast anatomies. A generic B 1 + template was constructed by averaging simulations based on four volunteers. Three‐dimensional B 1 + maps were acquired in 15 other volunteers. Root mean square error (RMSE) metrics were calculated between individual simulations and the template, and between individual measurements and the template. The agreement between the proposed template approach and a B 1 + mapping method was compared against the agreement between acquisition and reacquisition using the same mapping protocol. RMSE values (% of nominal flip angle) comparing individual simulations with the template were in the range 2.00‐4.01%, with mean 2.68%. RMSE values comparing individual measurements with the template were in the range8.1‐16%, with mean 11.7%. The agreement between the proposed template approach and a B 1 + mapping method was only slightly worse than the agreement between two consecutive acquisitions using the same mapping protocol in one volunteer: the range of agreement increased from ±16% of the nominal angle for repeated measurement to ±22% for the B 1 + template. With local RF transmit coils, intersubject differences in B 1 + fields of the breast are comparable to the accuracy of B 1 + mapping methods, even at 7 T. Consequently, a single generic B 1 + template suits subjects over a wide range of breast anatomies, eliminating the need for a time‐consuming B 1 + mapping protocol. PMID:29570887

  14. Functional characterisation of a tropine-forming reductase gene from Brugmansia arborea, a woody plant species producing tropane alkaloids.

    PubMed

    Qiang, Wei; Xia, Ke; Zhang, Qiaozhuo; Zeng, Junlan; Huang, Yuanshe; Yang, Chunxian; Chen, Min; Liu, Xiaoqiang; Lan, Xiaozhong; Liao, Zhihua

    2016-07-01

    Brugmansia arborea is a woody plant species that produces tropane alkaloids (TAs). The gene encoding tropine-forming reductase or tropinone reductase I (BaTRI) in this plant species was functionally characterised. The full-length cDNA of BaTRI encoded a 272-amino-acid polypeptide that was highly similar to tropinone reductase I from TAs-producing herbal plant species. The purified 29kDa recombinant BaTRI exhibited maximum reduction activity at pH 6.8-8.0 when tropinone was used as substrate; it also exhibited maximum oxidation activity at pH 9.6 when tropine was used as substrate. The Km, Vmax and Kcat values of BaTRI for tropinone were 2.65mM, 88.3nkatmg(-1) and 2.93S(-1), respectively, at pH 6.4; the Km, Vmax and Kcat values of TRI from Datura stramonium (DsTRI) for tropinone were respectively 4.18mM, 81.20nkatmg(-1) and 2.40S(-1) at pH 6.4. At pH 6.4, 6.8 and 7.0, BaTRI had a significantly higher activity than DsTRI. Analogues of tropinone, 4-methylcyclohexanone and 3-quinuclidinone hydrochloride, were also used to investigate the enzymatic kinetics of BaTRI. The Km, Vmax and Kcat values of BaTRI for tropine were 0.56mM, 171.62nkat.mg(-1) and 5.69S(-1), respectively, at pH 9.6; the Km, Vmax and Kcat values of DsTRI for tropine were 0.34mM, 111.90nkatmg(-1) and 3.30S(-1), respectively, at pH 9.6. The tissue profiles of BaTRI differed from those in TAs-producing herbal plant species. BaTRI was expressed in all examined organs but was most abundant in secondary roots. Finally, tropane alkaloids, including hyoscyamine, anisodamine and scopolamine, were detected in various organs of B. arborea by HPLC. Interestingly, scopolamine constituted most of the tropane alkaloids content in B. arborea, which suggests that B. arborea is a scopolamine-rich plant species. The scopolamine content was much higher in the leaves and stems than in other organs. The gene expression and TAs accumulation suggest that the biosynthesis of hyoscyamine, especially scopolamine, occurred not

  15. Development and Testing of the VITAMIN-B7/BUGLE-B7 Coupled Neutron-Gamma Multigroup Cross-Section Libraries

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Risner, Joel M; Wiarda, Dorothea; Miller, Thomas Martin

    2011-01-01

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission s Regulatory Guide 1.190 states that calculational methods used to estimate reactor pressure vessel (RPV) fluence should use the latest version of the Evaluated Nuclear Data File (ENDF). The VITAMIN-B6 fine-group library and BUGLE-96 broad-group library, which are widely used for RPV fluence calculations, were generated using ENDF/B-VI data, which was the most current data when Regulatory Guide 1.190 was issued. We have developed new fine-group (VITAMIN-B7) and broad-group (BUGLE-B7) libraries based on ENDF/B-VII. These new libraries, which were processed using the AMPX code system, maintain the same group structures as the VITAMIN-B6 and BUGLE-96more » libraries. Verification and validation of the new libraries was accomplished using diagnostic checks in AMPX, unit tests for each element in VITAMIN-B7, and a diverse set of benchmark experiments including critical evaluations for fast and thermal systems, a set of experimental benchmarks that are used for SCALE regression tests, and three RPV fluence benchmarks. The benchmark evaluation results demonstrate that VITAMIN-B7 and BUGLE-B7 are appropriate for use in LWR shielding applications, and meet the calculational uncertainty criterion in Regulatory Guide 1.190.« less

  16. Defective remethylation of homocysteine is related to decreased synthesis of coenzymes B2 in thyroidectomized rats.

    PubMed

    Ayav, A; Alberto, J M; Barbe, F; Brunaud, L; Gerard, P; Merten, M; Gueant, J L

    2005-02-01

    We investigated the influence of hypothyroidism on homocysteine metabolism in rats, focusing on a hypothetical deficient synthesis of FAD by riboflavin kinases. Animals were allocated in control group (n = 7), thyroidectomized rats (n = 6), rats with diet deficient in vitamin B2, B9, B12, choline and methionine (n = 7), thyroidectomized rats with deficient diet (n = 9). Homocysteine was decreased in operated rats (2.6 +/- 1.01 vs. 4.05 +/- 1.0 mumol/L, P = 0.02) and increased in deficient diet rats (29.56 +/- 4.52 vs. 4.05 +/- 1.0 micromol/L, P = 0.001), when compared to control group. Erythrocyte-Glutathione-Reductase-Activation-Coefficient (index of FAD deficiency) was increased in thyroidectomized or deficient diet rats (P = 0.004 for both). Methylenetetrahydrofolate-reductase and methionine-synthase activities were decreased in thyroidectomized rats but not in those subjected to deficient diet. Cystathionine-beta-synthase was increased only in operated rats. Taken together, these results showed a defective re-methylation in surgical hypothyroidism, which was due in part to a defective synthesis of vitamin B2 coenzymes. This defective pathway was overcompensated by the increased Cystathionine-beta-synthase activity.

  17. Interaction of human biliverdin reductase with Akt/protein kinase B and phosphatidylinositol-dependent kinase 1 regulates glycogen synthase kinase 3 activity: a novel mechanism of Akt activation

    PubMed Central

    Miralem, Tihomir; Lerner-Marmarosh, Nicole; Gibbs, Peter E. M.; Jenkins, Jermaine L.; Heimiller, Chelsea; Maines, Mahin D.

    2016-01-01

    ., Gibbs, P. E. M., Jenkins, J. L., Heimiller, C., Maines, M. D. Interaction of human biliverdin reductase with Akt/protein kinase B and phosphatidylinositol-dependent kinase 1 regulates glycogen synthase kinase 3 activity: a novel mechanism of Akt activation. PMID:27166089

  18. Interaction of human biliverdin reductase with Akt/protein kinase B and phosphatidylinositol-dependent kinase 1 regulates glycogen synthase kinase 3 activity: a novel mechanism of Akt activation.

    PubMed

    Miralem, Tihomir; Lerner-Marmarosh, Nicole; Gibbs, Peter E M; Jenkins, Jermaine L; Heimiller, Chelsea; Maines, Mahin D

    2016-08-01

    -Marmarosh, N., Gibbs, P. E. M., Jenkins, J. L., Heimiller, C., Maines, M. D. Interaction of human biliverdin reductase with Akt/protein kinase B and phosphatidylinositol-dependent kinase 1 regulates glycogen synthase kinase 3 activity: a novel mechanism of Akt activation. © FASEB.

  19. Inhibitors of 7-Dehydrocholesterol Reductase: Screening of a Collection of Pharmacologically Active Compounds in Neuro2a Cells.

    PubMed

    Kim, Hye-Young H; Korade, Zeljka; Tallman, Keri A; Liu, Wei; Weaver, C David; Mirnics, Karoly; Porter, Ned A

    2016-05-16

    A small library of pharmacologically active compounds (the NIH Clinical Collection) was assayed in Neuro2a cells to determine their effect on the last step in the biosynthesis of cholesterol, the transformation of 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) to cholesterol promoted by 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase, DHCR7. Of some 727 compounds in the NIH Clinical Collection, over 30 compounds significantly increased 7-DHC in Neuro2a cells when assayed at 1 μM. Active compounds that increased 7-DHC with a Z-score of +3 or greater generally gave rise to modest decreases in desmosterol and increases in lanosterol levels. Among the most active compounds identified in the library were the antipsychotic, antidepressant, and anxiolytic compounds that included perospirone, nefazodone, haloperidol, aripiprazole, trazodone, and buspirone. Fluoxetine and risperidone were also active at 1 μM, and another 10 compounds in this class of pharmaceuticals were identified in the screen at concentrations of 10 μM. Increased levels of 7-DHC are associated with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS), a human condition that results from a mutation in the gene that encodes DHCR7. The SLOS phenotype includes neurological deficits and congenital malformations, and it is linked to a higher incidence of autism spectrum disorder. The significance of the current study is that it identifies common pharmacological compounds that may induce a biochemical presentation similar to SLOS. Little is known about the side effects of elevated 7-DHC postdevelopmentally, and the elevated 7-DHC that results from exposure to these compounds may also be a confounder in the diagnosis of SLOS.

  20. Evidence for a Stable Intermediate in Leukemia Virus Activation in AKR Mouse Embryo Cells

    PubMed Central

    Ihle, James N.; Kenney, Francis T.; Tennant, Raymond W.

    1974-01-01

    Analysis of the requirement for serum in the activation of the endogenous leukemia virus expression in AKR mouse embryo cells by 5-iododeoxyuridine shows that activation can be dissociated into two discrete serum-dependent events. The first involves incorporation of 5-iododeoxyuridine into DNA and results in the formation of a stable “activation intermediate” resembling the provirus formed during infection of stationary mouse embryo cells with exogenous leukemia virus. The second event, resulting in expression of the activation intermediate as synthesis of virus proteins, requires DNA replication but not 5-iododeoxyuridine. PMID:4604455